The aim of the present study was to clarify whether ATP binding cassette transporters are refractory factors in head and neck cancer chemotherapy. For in vitro and in vivo chemotherapeutic studies, we employed a human salivary gland adenocarcinoma cell line (HSY) and a human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCCSK) with vincristine (VCR) at clinically equivalent doses. Western blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, in vivo evaluation in xenograft models inoculated with cultured carcinoma cell line and drug efflux analysis were performed. VCR-treated SCCSK and HSY cells, as well as xenografted SCCSK and HSY cells in tumor-bearing nude mice, were found to express MDR1/ABCB1 and MRP1/ ABCC1. In addition to MDR1 and MRP1 mRNA, HSY/VCR and its cloned cells expressed MRP7/ABCC10 mRNA, but SCCSK/VCR did not express MRP7. Furthermore, drug resistance to VCR and docetaxel decreased in HSY/VCR in the presence of a competitive MRP7 inhibitor, 17-beta-estradiol-(17-beta-D-glucuronide). These results indicate that MDR1 and MRP1 expression are refractory factors in head and neck cancer chemotherapy and suggest that induction of MRP7 expression is involved in drug resistance in salivary gland adenocarcinomas.

We aimed to assess whether patients with hemifacial microsomia can be quantitatively identified using bone mineral density information. Mandibular bone mineral density was studied using computer assisted analysis between the nonaffected (r) and the affected (l) sides with an orthopantomograph in a patient with hemifacial microsomia with median mandibular cleft, and four patients who suffered from hemifacial microsomia in the left side. Fifty controls without bone diseases were randomly selected. Bone mineral density r/l ratios in the controls ranged from 0.479 to 2.064, and those in two patients that were associated with and without median mandibular cleft were higher than those in the controls, with a maximum of 8.622 in a particular male with median mandibular cleft after bone graft, whereas the r/l ratios in the other three cases were similar to the controls. Our findings indicate that the quantitative character in the case with median mandibular cleft reveals a large discrepancy of bone mineral density between the nonaffected and the affected sides. This may suggest a compensatory mechanism for bone hypertrophy from regulated bone mineral density with underdevelopment in hemifacial microsomia.

Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang (in the Lan Shi Mi Cang written by Li Dong-yuan) is a common medicine for treating night sweats. We describe its historical development and therapeutic uses. The use of Huan qi (Radix Astragali sen Hedysari) is based on the Han-Sui dynasty medical principle that night sweats are mainly caused by Deficiency of Yang. Herbs to enrich the lood and Yin, Dang gui (Radix Angelicae Sinesis), Seng di huang (Radix Remannia), Shu di huang Radix Rehmannia preparata) were later added because Son dynasty physicians mentioned that Yin deficiency caused night sweats. The addition of heat-reducing herbs, such as Huang lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), was based on the Song dynasty theory that night sweats are caused by pathologic heat in the body, which forces body fluid out of the skin. In the same period, the herbal medicine called Da Jin Hua Wan created by Liu Wansu, and this greatly influenced the principles for treating night sweats. The clearest explanation can be found in the medical treaties Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, and Xuan Ming Lun. This medical combination was based on medical theories from a number of historical periods, which may explain its effectiveness. Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang is not effective against types of weak heat (Dan xin xin fa), severe vital Qi Deficiency (Zhang shi yang), or serious deficiency of Yin (Yi xue xin wu). It sometimes hurts Pi and Wei (digestive system). It is useful in the treatment of spontaneous perspiration (Yi xue zheng zhuang, Jin xue quan shu). In summary, this medicine is most effective when the seriousness of heat and Yin deficiency are almost equal and a slight Qi Deficiency exists, or in cases of spontaneous perspiration.

INTRODUCTIONComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients show impaired visuospatial perception in the dark, as compared to normal patients with acute nociceptive pain. The purpose of this study is 2-fold: (i) to ascertain whether this distorted visuospatial perception is related to the chronicity of pain, and (ii) to analyse visuospatial perception of CRPS in comparison with another neuropathic pain condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe evaluated visual subjective body-midline (vSM) representation in 27 patients with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) and 22 with CRPS under light and dark conditions. A red laser dot was projected onto a screen and moved horizontally towards the sagittal plane of the objective body-midline (OM). Each participant was asked to direct the dot to a position where it crossed their vSM. The distance between the vSM and OM was analysed to determine how and in which direction the vSM deviated.

RESULTSUnder light condition, all vSM judgments approximately matched the OM. However, in the dark, CRPS patients, but not PHN patients, showed a shifted vSM towards the affected side.

CONCLUSIONWe demonstrated that chronic pain does not always impair visuospatial perception. The aetiology of PHN is limited to the peripheral nervous system, whereas the distorted visuospatial perception suggests a supraspinal aetiology of CRPS.

Adult ; Aged ; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes ; complications ; etiology ; Darkness ; Female ; Functional Laterality ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; complications ; Perceptual Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Peripheral Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Task Performance and Analysis