Objective To explore the DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats exposed to sodium arsenite. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats, weighing 180 - 200 g, equal male and female, were randomly divided into 4 groups, 8 in each group. Sodium arsenite 0(control) ,0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L were given through drinking water for 30 days. Body weight and drinking water consumption were measured every day. Blood were collected and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined by single cell gel electrophoresis.Results The increase of body mass[( 121.00 ± 38.57), ( 120.62 ± 42.80), ( 125.38 ± 48.68)g]and water intake [(36.9 ± 6.2), (37.9 ± 5.8), (39.3 ± 4.2)ml/d]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were compared with the control group[( 119.25 ± 47.27)g, (38.4 ± 5.1 )ml/d], and the difference were not significant (F = 0.040,0.828, all P ＞ 0.05). The tail ratios[46.25%(185/400) ,57.00%(228/400),64.00%(256/400)], tail lengths [(32.89 ± 17.18), (58.74 ± 36.28), (77.55 ± 35.73 ) μm]and tail moments [(6.29 ± 3.74), ( 11.20 ± 9.64),(17.30 ± 12.60)μm]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were significantly higher than those of the control group[39.25%(157/400), (18.73 ± 15.83),(2.61 ± 1.05)μm, all P ＜ 0.01], and the tail ratios,tail lengths and tail moments in lymphocytes increased with increased doses of arsenic concentration. Conclusions Low doses of arsenic exposure can induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of andrographolide derivative Yanhuning (YHN) on Candida albicans biofilms in rats.

METHODThe rat C. albicans biofilms subcutaneous catheter model was established by intraperitoneally injecting YHN (40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 mg x kg (-1)), with the FLC (80 mg x kg(-1)) positive group as the control group. After 7 d, CFU counting and XTT assay were used to evaluate the effect of YHN on C. albicans biofllms in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological changes in rat biofilms intervened by YHN. The real-time fluorescence quantification PCR was adopted to detect expressions of C. albicans adhesion-related genes, such as ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

RESULTThe YHN group showed much less CFUs on catheter pieces and lower XTT metabolic activity than the blank group, with dosage dependence. SEM also showed that YHN could obviously decrease C. albicans adhesion on subcutaneous catheters in rats. According to qRT-PCR's results, YHN can down-regulate expressions of ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

CONCLUSIONYHN could inhibit C. albicans biofilms in rats.

Animals ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Catheters ; microbiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) , alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLZ) on FLZ-resistant Candida albicans.

METHODThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and sessile MIC80 (SMIC80) of EAHD and FLZ to FLZ-resistant C. albicans were determined by CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method, and the synergy of EAHD combined with FLZ were examined by the checkerboard microdilution assay. Agar plate-method was adopted to observe the rate of antifungal activity according to time-kill curve. HPLC and qRT-PCR were utilized to evaluate the changes of ergosterol content and expressions of related genes, respectively.

RESULTMICs of EAHD ranged from 156 to 1,250 mg · L(-1), those of FLZ from 256 to above 2,048 mg · L(-1) with FICI approximate 0.066 in combination; SMIC80 of EAHD were higher than 1,250 mg · L(-1), SMIC80 of FLZ were higher than 512 mg · L(-1) and up to above 2,048 mg · L(-1). Combination group also showed synergy effect except one group showing addition effect. The results of T-K experiment also confirmed obviously fungicidal effect when treated for 12 h. When compared with control groups, the ergosterol was reduced 85% and 50% in the treatments of combination and EAHD alone by HPLC, respective- ly. The expressions of ERG1, ERG2, ERG6, ERG7 and ERG11 were upregulated, and ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated when exposed to FLZ. The expressions of the above genes were downregulated by treatment of EAHD. The expressions of ERG2, ERG6, ERG11 were upregulated, while ERG1, ERG7, ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated in combination group.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of EAHD and FLZ exhibited synergy against FLZ-resistant C. albicans through decreasing the synthesis of ergosterol, and resulting in the breakage of cell membrane.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng decoction ( BAEB) on yeast-to-hyphae transition of Candida albicans isolates from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in alkaline pH.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Baitouweng decoction extracts against C. albicans isolates from VVC, XTT assay was applied to determine the metabolic activity of C. albicans hypha treated by BAEB for 6 h. The morphological change of C. albicans treated by BAEB was inspected at different pH by inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solid agar plate and semi-solid agar were utilized to evaluate colony morphology and invasive growth of C. albicans, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was adopted to observe the expressions of hyphae-specific genes including HWP1, ALS3, CSH1, SUN41 and CaPDE2.

RESULTThe MIC of BAEB against C. albicans is less than that of other extracts; hyphae grow best at pH 8. 0; 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB could inhibit formation of hyphae and influence colony morphology. When treated by 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became smooth; while by 0 and 256 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became wrinkled. In semi-solid agar, the length of hyphae decreased steadily as the concentration of BAEB lowered. The expression of HWP1, ALS3, CSHl, SUN41 were downregulated by 5.12, 4.26, 3.2 and 2.74 folds, and CaPDE2 was upregulated by 2.38 fold.

CONCLUSIONBAEB could inhibit yeast-to-hyphae transition of C. albicans isolates from VVC in alkaline pH.

Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyphae ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate anti-attachment effect of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) on Candida glabrata.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations MICs of EAHD to C. glabrata. XTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of EAHD against adhesion of C. glabrata. Inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining were applied to observe the morphological changes of C. glabrata in adhesion. PCR was adopted to inspect the expression of attachment-related genes such as EPA1, EPA6 and EPA7.

RESULTThe MIC of EAHD and fluconazole to C. glabrata were 320 mg · L(-1) and 1 mg · L(-1) respectively. The total cells including budding cells decreased in a dose-dependent manner following EAHD treatment. The expressions of EPA1, EPA6 and EPA7 were downregulated dramatically after EAHD treatment.

CONCLUSIONEAHD could effectively inhibit adherence of C. glabrata.

Acetates ; Candida glabrata ; drug effects ; physiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Lectins ; genetics ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Along with the increase in fungal infections, Candida albicans prevention and control become the focus of anti-fungal infection at present. This study aims to discuss the effect monomer andrographolide (AG) on C. albicans biofilm dispersion. In the experiment, micro-well plates and medical catheter pieces were used to establish the C. albicans biofilm model. It was discovered by XTT assay and flat band method that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could impact the activity of C. albicans biofilm dispersion cells. The morphological structures of residual biofilms on catheter pieces were observed with scanning electron microscopy, which showed that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, and the dispersed cells were dominated by the yeast phase. According to the real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) test, AG could up-regulate HSP90 expression and down-regulate UME6 and PES1 expressions. This study demonstrates that AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion to some extent.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; genetics ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of heterogeneous acellular dermalmatrix with autologous bone meal in open tympanoplasty. METHOD: Twenty-eight cases (30 ears) with middle ear cholesteatoma were trea- ted by open tympanoplasty and repaired by heterogeneous acellular dermalmatrix autologous bone meal on study team. Twenty-two cases (22 ears) with middle ear cholesteatoma were treated by open tympanoplasty on control team. All patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months and assessed the fuction postoperatively. RESULT: The re- construction of external auditory canal structure is close to normal, and no narrow happens on study team. The rate of dry ear was about 90%. All cases had no recurrence of cholesteatoma. CONCLUSION Application of decellu- larized dermal matrix with autologous bone meal can rise early to cover the wound, promote wound healing and to reduce the external auditory canal, reduce the effect of granulation and scar formation. It is a kind of method of repair to be promoted.
Acellular Dermis ; Biological Products ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; Ear Canal ; surgery ; Humans ; Minerals ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Tympanoplasty ; methods ; Wound Healing

Objective:To discuss the oncologic safety, aesthetic outcome, and upper extremity function of single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (SIE-NSM) in the treatment of early breast cancer.Methods:From January 2014 to August 2019, a total of 80 patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ breast cancer underwent SIE-NSM, at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed and followed up. Estimated the oncologic safety, aesthetic outcome, and upper extremity function.Results:SIE-NSM was performed successfully on all 80 patients.There was no serious complication after surgery.The follow-up time was 16-82 months and the median follow-up time was 42 months. Local recurrence occurred in two patients, and there was no distant metastases. Four (5%) patients developed grade 1-3 nipple-areola complex ischemia. There were no cases of subcutaneous effusion.The satisfaction with breasts, chest well-being, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being scores were confirmed to be highly rated by Breast-Q scale. Upper extremity function score confirmed that good upper limb function was preserved after surgery. The mean length of incision was (3.6±0.8) cm, and the blood loss was (24.7±19.3) mL.Conclusions:SIE-NSM can achieve a higher cosmetic score and a better recovery of upper limb function on the premise of ensuring the safety of the tumor.This novel method is an appropriate surgical option for patients with early breast cancer.

Nanocrystal drugs have many advantages, such as no carrier materials, easy industrialization, diversified dosage forms, and can significantly improve the solubility and bioavailability of insoluble drugs, so many drugs have been on the market. The traditional nanocrystal preparation technology has the problems of low preparation efficiency and process limitation of the smallest achievable particle size. With the progress of pharmaceutical preparation technology, the preparation technology of nanocrystal drugs is constantly improving, and new preparation technologies are constantly emerging. The emergence of new technologies has greatly shortened the process time and makes it possible to prepare nanocrystal drugs with smaller particle diameters. In this paper, the preparation technologies of nanocrystal drugs, especially the new preparation technologies such as high gravity controlled precipitation, microfluidic reaction technology and various combination technologies, are reviewed from three aspects: "Top-down" technology, "Bottom-up" technology and combination technology. This article also prospects the development of new preparation technologies, hoping to provide reference for the related research of nano-preparations.

Objective To analyze the role of preoperative peripheral blood inflammatory parameters and postoperative lymph-node ratio (LNR) in the prognosis of gastric cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune inflammatory response index (SII), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), Onodera prognostic nutritional index (OPNI), and LNR of 108 patients with gastric cancer were classified into high and low groups to analyze their prognostic value on the overall survival (OS) of gastric cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. The independent prognostic indicators were plotted in columns to predict the survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Results NLR was statistically significant in the prognostic assessment of gastric cancer patients treated with chemotherapy (P < 0.001). Moreover, the high PLR group, high SII group, high LNR group, N3 stage, TNM (Ⅲ-Ⅳ) stage, nerve invasion, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of gastric cancer (all P < 0.05). These findings indicated that in predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer, the combination of LNR, PLR, and SII (AUC=0.875) was better than that of LNR, PLR, and SII alone or in pairwise combination. Conclusion Elevated NLR, LNR, PLR, and SII are associated with significantly reduced survival of patients. LNR, PLR, and SII could be used as independent risk factors for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, and their combination can predict the survival of gastric cancer patients.