In this paper, the relationship between the deacetylating degree of chitin and chitosan content was discussed and explained. And put forward a calculating formula between them.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism underlying the curcumin-induced apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line NCE cells.

METHODSThe characteristics of apoptosis were identified by observation acridine orange and ethidium bromide stains, ultrastructure assay, DNA fragmentation assay and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling method (TUNEL). Mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m), activity of caspase-3, cytosol cytochrome C and expression of gene Fas were determined by flow cytometry (FCM), Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSeveral evidences of apoptosis were obtained from curcumin-treated NCE cells by acridine orange and ethidium bromide stains, ultrastructure identification, DNA fragmentation assay and TUNEL staining. And the mean TUNEL-positive rates increased significantly at the 3 different time points (12 h, 24 h and 48 h; 25.6%, 40.3% and 54.5%, respectively). In the curcumin-treated-groups, delta psi m altered significantly and the positive rates increased in a time-dependent manner. At the 3 different time points, the mean positive rates were 26.8%, 42.3% and 68.2%, respectively. When caspase-3 activity was detected, 80.5% cells presented proteases activities after 12 h incubation with curcumin. Western Blot analysis showed that cytoplasmic cytochrome C increased significantly after incubation with curcumin. Flow cytometry and RT-PCR analysis showed that curcumin could up-regulate the Fas expression in time-depended manner , the positive rates of Fas protein increased from 33.6% to 89.9%.

CONCLUSIONSCurcumin induced apoptosis of NCE cells both through mitochondria-dependent pathway and death receptor pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical applications of reversed pedicled submental island flap in the face and oropharynx.

METHODSThe clinical data of ten cases of reconstruction of defect in the area of face or oropharynx following resection of tumors with reversed pedicled submental island flaps between January of 2004 to December of 2006 were retrospectively studied. The cases included six males and four females, aged from 24 to 76 (median 55 years). One of the cases suffered from upper lid melanoma, two hard palate myoepithelioma, one maxillary ameloblastoma, four tonsil cancer and two lingual carcinoma. The submental island flaps were dissected according to the area of the defection, the distal facial vessel was used as the pedicle of the flaps, and the flaps were transferred through under the skin of the face or the mandible to the area of the defection. Radical neck dissection was performed in the four tonsil cancers and two lingual carcinomas simultaneously.

RESULTSAll the flaps showed pale, edema and/or congestion after the surgical treatment, but swelling and congestion disappeared gradually 5 days later. One of the cases suffered from severe congestion of the flap, but the flap survived by stabbing with needle and draining. The flap of another case separated from the hard palate was sutured again, and healed. Lower lip palsy occurred in another case, and recovered 3 months later by conservative therapy. None of the flaps necrosed.

CONCLUSIONSBecause of the upper pedicle, reversed pedicled submental island flap can be transferred to a long distance to reconstruct the defect in the upper face or around the orbit, and radical neck dissection can be performed simultaneously, it is a reasonable candidate in repairing the defect of the face and oropharynx.

Adult ; Aged ; Chin ; surgery ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

We used metabolomics technology to identify and understand the biomarkers and therapeutic mechanisms of umbilical compress therapy based on Xiaozhang Tie (XT) to provide scientific evidence for its clinical application. A total of 10 patients with cirrhotic ascites and gastrointestinal motility disorders who were hospitalized in the Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to June 2018 were divided into a placebo group (4 cases) or an XT group (5 cases), and 10 healthy volunteers were included as controls. This clinical trial was approved according to the Ethics Committee of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2017-528-11-01). The patients in the XT group were given umbilical compress therapy with Xiaozhang Tie, and patients in the placebo group were administered a plaster patch in which the drug content was less than 5%, receiving one patch per day for three consecutive days. Non-targeted metabolomics technology and UPLC-Q/Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis technology were utilized to investigate the fluctuations in endogenous metabolic profiles in the patient's urine prior to and after administration of XT. By analyzing and comparing the urine metabolic profiles of patients with cirrhotic ascites to those of healthy volunteers, a total of 31 biomarkers were identified, 14 of which were significantly decreased by the intervention with Xiaozhang Tie (P <0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that phenylalanine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism are key pathways affected by XT treatment. The results suggest that XT can alleviate cirrhotic ascites by modulating abnormalities in amino acid metabolism.