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Radix Aconiti Lateralis (Fuzi in Chinese, derived from the lateral roots of Aconitum Carmichaeli Debx.) is widely used for the treatment of heart failure, internal cold, arthralgia, diarrhea and edema for thousands of years. It was usually prescribed in combination with Rhizoma Zingiberis (Ganjiang in Chinese, derived from the dry rhizome of Zingiber officinale Rosc.) to decrease toxicity and increase efficacy.In order to investigate the influence of Rhizoma Zingiberis on pharmacokinetics of six Aconitum alkaloids, i.e. aconitine (AC), hypaconitine (HA), mesaconitine (MA), benzoylaconine (BAC), benzoylhypaconine (BHA) and benzoylmesaconine (BMA), in Fuzi-Ganjiang herb couple, the comparative pharmacokinetics of six Aconitum alkaloids after oral administration of Fuzi and Fuzi-Ganjiang aqueous extract was carried out.A sensitive, specific and rapid LC-MS/MS method was developed to determine the six analytes in plasma. Then the rats were randomly divided into two groups and orally administered with Fuzi and Fuzi-Ganjiang aqueous extract. At designated time points after oral administration, the concentrations of the six Aconitum alkaloids in rat plasma were determined, and main pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated using 3P97 (Practical Pharmacokinetics Program Version 1.0).Comparing with Fuzi group, both T1/2 and AUC0-t of AC and HA decreased (P0.05), while T1/2, AUC0-t and Cmax of BAC, BHA increased (P0.05) in Fuzi-Ganjiang group, which indicated that Ganjiang could promote the elimination of AC and HA and enhance the absorption of BAC, BHA and BMA.The differences of pharmacokinetics of Aconitum alkaloids in rat plasma could support those of pharmacologics and toxicity in previous reports between Fuzi and Fuzi-Ganjiang herb couple. The results might be helpful in explaining the mechanism of combination of Fuzi-Ganjiang to decrease toxicity and increase efficacy.

A specific and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric (HPLC–MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of three anthraquinones of rhein, aloe-emodin and emodin in rat plasma after oral administration of Radix et Rhei Rhizoma extract and Dahuang Fuzi Tang. The analytes were separated on a Kromaisl ® C 18 column within a total running time of 12 min with a mobile phase of methanol:ammonium acetate (3 mM) (75:25, v/v). The calibration curves for all the anthraquinones showed good linearity in the measured range with correlation coefficient ( r ) higher than 0.9978. The precision, accuracy, recovery and stability were deemed acceptable. The method was successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetics study of the anthraquinones in rat plasma after oral administration of Radix et Rhei Rhizoma extract and Dahuang Fuzi Tang.

Inverted pendulum system is a non-linear，natural instability and uncertain system. As a controlled objects of control system in mechanical industry, it can be analysis and verification by different control theory and methods. The paper analysis the non-linear inverted pendulum system, then deduces sufficiency conditions of the existence of controller with state feedback. It utilizes standard digital software to get the answer. The feasibility and robustness is demonstrated by numerical examples.

Using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, nine ginsenosides were simultaneously separated on an UltimateC₁₈ column with high-resolution and high purity of each chromatographic peak. Adopting the QAMS quality evaluation model for traditional Chinese medicines, ginsenoside Rb₁ was used as the internal reference substance, and the relative correction factors (RCFs) and the relative retention values (RTRs) of ginsenosides Rg₁, Re, Rf, Rb₁, Rc, Rb₂, Rb₃, Rd and 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg₃ to ginsenoside Rb₁ were calculated individually. Through a series of methodology evaluations, and positioned by the red ginseng reference chromatograph and RTVs, nine ginsenosides in red ginseng were simultaneously assayed only by quantitative determined ginsenoside Rb₁.

This paper aims to investigate the correlation between the antioxidant activity of Prunella vulgaris and its total phenolic acids content by measuring the antioxidant activity of different sources and different organs of P. vulgaris and the total contents of protocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, salviaflaside and rosmarinic acid in these samples. Using the 50% methanol extract of P. vulgaris samples as the research object, DPPH method and HPLC method were used respectively to determine the antioxidant activities and the total contents of the above-mentioned five analytes in P. vulgaris samples. 0.5 mL of 50% methanol extract of P. vulgaris reacts with 0.1 mmol•L⁻¹ DPPH ethanol solution for 60 min, then the absorbance of the reaction solution was measured at 517 nm, scavenging rate and IC₅₀ values were calculated by the absorbance and the sample concentration for evaluating the antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis was made on a C₁₈ Epic column, with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase (gradient elution), and the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The correlation between the antioxidant capacity of different habitats and different organs of P. vulgaris and the total contents of five kinds of phenolic acids was analyzed by partial least squares method. The reaction dose-response range of 50% methanol extract of P. vulgaris with 0.1 mmol•L⁻¹ DPPH ethanol solution was 0.300-1.65 g•L⁻¹. When the quantities of potocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, salviaflaside and rosmarinic acid were respectively in 0.007 84-0.980, 0.011 5-1.44, 0.008 64-1.08, 0.080 0-1.00 and 0.079 8-0.998 μg range, their quantities were in good linear relationship with the corresponding peak areas. The average recovery of 5 components were 97.76%, 96.88%, 100.3%, 102.1%, 104.5%, with RSD of 1.8%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.7%, respectively. In a certain range of crude drug quantity, the antioxidant activity of each organ of P. vulgaris and total phenolic acids content inside has a good linear correlation. Therefore, in certain quality range of crude drug, DPPH bioassay combined with HPLC content determination can be used for the quality control of P. vulgaris, as is a new method for the quality control of P. vulgaris.

Through a series of methodology investigations, we established a new method for simultaneous analysis of epimedins A, B, C, icariin and baohuoside I in Epimedii Folium by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Meanwhile, using Icariin as an internal reference substance to establish the relative correct factors and relative retention values of Epimedins A, B, C and Baohuoside I to Icariin, then using the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) model, the five analytes can be quantitatively determined in Epimedii Folium and its processed products as well as Kanggu Zengsheng capsule only by measuring the content of icariin in the corresponding samples. All these analysis are completed in the same chromatorgraphic conditions. This paper played the part of demonstration role in the popularization and application of QAMS method established in a single herb to the proprietary Chinese medicines containing this herb.

This paper established a near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative model for simultaneous quantitative analysis of coptisine hydrochloride, dehydrocorydaline, tetrahydropalmatine, corydaline and glaucine in Corydalis Rhizoma. Firstly, the chemical values of the five components in Corydalis Rhizoma were determined by the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detection. Then, the quantitative calibration model was established and optimized by fourier transformation near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with partial least square (PLS) regression. The calibration model was evaluated by correlation coefficient (r), the root-mean-square error of calibration (RMSEC) and the root mean square of cross-validation (RMSECV) of the calibration model, as well as the correlation coefficient (r) and the root mean square of prediction (RMSEP) of prediction model. For the quantitative calibration model, the r, RMSEC and RMSECV of coptisine hydrochloride, dehydrocorydaline, tetrahydropalmatine, corydaline and glaucine were 0.941 0, 0.972 7, 0.964 3, 0.978 1, 0.979 9; 0.006 7, 0.003 5, 0.005 9, 0.002 8, 0.005 9; and 0.015, 0.011, 0.020, 0.010 and 0.022, respectively. For the prediction model, the r and RMSEP of the five components were 0.916 6, 0.942 9, 0.943 6, 0.916 7, 0.914 5; and 0.009, 0.006 6, 0.007 5, 0.006 9 and 0.011, respectively. The established near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative model is relatively stable, accurate and reliable for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the five alkaloids, and is expected to be used for the rapid determination of the five components in crude drug of Corydalis Rhizoma.

In this paper, we aim to find eventually vanished solutions, a special class of bounded solutions which tend to 0 as t → ± ∞, to a Lienard system with a time-dependent force. Since it is not a Hamiltonian system with small perturbations, the well-known Melnikov method is not applicable to the determination of the existence of eventually vanished solutions. We use a sequence of periodically forced systems to approximate the considered system, and find their periodic solutions. Difficulties caused by the non-Hamiltonian form are overcome by applying the Schauder’s fixed point theorem. We show that the sequence of the periodic solutions has an accumulation giving an eventually vanished solution of the forced Lienard system.

Guided by the antioxidant activity, the EtOAc-soluble and n-butanol-soluble fractions of the 50% methanol extract of Lonicera japonica leaves were isolated and purified by various chromatorgraphic methods, and the structures were identified by spectral analysis and comparison to the data reported in literature. As a result, nine compounds were obtained and identified as 5-O-caffeoylquinicacid (1), chlorogenicacid (2), 4-O-caffeoylquinicacid (3), luteolin-7-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --6)] -β-D-glucopyranoside (4), luteoloside (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (7), 4, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8) and luteolin (9). The antioxidant activity of the nine compounds were determined by using DPPH free radical scavenging method, and ascorbic acid was used as a positive control. Their antioxidant activities from high to low were 592876134. Among them, luteoloside (5) had the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 0.018 18 g x L(-1), and luteolin (IC50 0.023 6 g x L(-1)) and chlorogenicacid (IC50 0.035 17 g x L(-1)) ranks No. 2 and 3. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of luteoloside and luteolin were stronger than that of ascorbic acid (IC50 0.027 54 g x L(-1)). These results gave a basis for the further study and utilization of L. japonica leaves.

The highly-pathogenic EV71 strain is the primary cause of mortality in hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) associated with neurological symptoms, for which no clinically effective drugs or vaccines exist. This study aimed to construct infectious cDNA clones of the EV71 highly-pathogenic strain and the cell-culture adapted strain using a reverse genetics approach. The genomic RNAs of EV71 parent strains were used as the templates for RT-PCR amplification, and then the PCR products that overlapped the full-length genome were connected into the pBR322 vector to produce infectious clones of pEV71 (HP) and pEV71 (CCA), respectively. The results showed that the HP strain propagated much more quickly than the CCA strain. The rescued viruses derived from the infectious clones not only maintained their consistency with their parent strains in terms of genomic sequences, but also retained their respective biological phenotypes. This research will contribute to our understanding of EV71 pathogenesis and the development of novel vaccines against HFMD.

Three chiral pyridinylmethyl pyrrolidinemethanol derivatives have been synthesized from N -alkylation of ( S )-α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanol and N -carbonylation of l -proline methyl ester. The catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones was examined in the presence of chiral oxazaborolidine catalysts prepared in situ from chiral pyridinylmethyl pyrrolidinemethanol derivatives. The corresponding chiral secondary alcohols were obtained with good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 98% ee) using ( S )-2-(diphenylmethanol)-l-(2-pyridylmethyl)pyrrolidine 1 in THF at reflux and moderate to good enantiomeric excesses using C 2 -symmetric compound 2 (up to 86% ee) in THF.

This study is to develop a HPLC method for quality evaluation of Euodiae Fructus and related species by simultaneous determination limonin, indole alkaloids (14-fomyldihydroxyrutaecarpine, evodiamine, rutaecarpine), and quinolone alkaloids [1-methyl-2-undecyl-4 (1H)-quinolone, evocarpine, dihydroevocarpine] in the fruits of five Evodia species. Samples were analyzed on a YMC C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with mobile phases of acetonitrile (A), tetrahydrofuran (B), and a buffer solution of 5 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (pH 3.8) (C) in a linear gradient mode. The column temperature was 30 degrees C and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The PDA detector wavelengths were set at 220 and 250 nm. The seven compounds were well separated and showed good linearity (r = 0.999 9) within the concentration ranges tested. The mean recoveries were between 96.7%-102.4% (RSD 1.4%-3.1%). Through the validation, the method was proved to be accurate and repeatable. All the seven constituents were detected in the fruits of five species, but the contents of them varied widely in different samples. The total contents of seven constituents in 16 batches of Euodiae Fructus were 9.46-69.9 mg x g(-1), and the mean content was 28.2 mg x g(-1). The total content of seven constituents in E. compacta and E. fargesii was 25.8, 7.69 mg x g(-1), respectively.

This study aimed to clarify the rationality of herbaceous compatibility of a rhubarb peony decoction (DaHuang-Mu-Dan-Tang, RPD) by comparing the pharmacokinetics of aloe-emodin, rhein and emodin in rats' plasma after oral administration of RPD and rhubarb extract. A rapid, sensitive LC-MS method was developed and validated for the determination of the plasma concentrations of the three analytes after oral administration RPD and rhubarb extract. The developed method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of aloe-emodin, rhein and emodin in rats' plasma after oral administration. Compared with administration of single rhubarb, the C(max) of rhein in RPD was decreased significantly (p0.05). Meanwhile, the T1/2 of aloe-emodin and emodin were increased significantly (p0.05) after administration of RPD. In addition, the T(max) of rhein and emodin were also increased significantly (p0.05) in RPD. These results indicated that the absorption of rhein in rats was suppressed after oral administration RPD. Moreover, The time for rhein and emodin to reach the peak concentration was delayed and the elimination of aloe-emodin and emodin was also postponed in RPD. This study could provide a meaningful basis for evaluating the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in terms of pharmacokinetics.

Large-area patterned films of boron nanowires (BNWs) are fabricated at various densities by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Different widths of unit-cell of Mo masks are used as templates. The widths of unit-cell of Mo masks are 100 μm, 150 μm, and 200 μm, respectively. The distance between unit cells is 50 μm. The BNWs have an average diameter of about 20 nm and lengths of 10 μm–20 μm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that each nanowire has a β-tetragonal structure with good crystallization. Field emission measurements of the BNW films show that their turn-on electric fields decrease with width of unit-cell increasing.

Large-area boron nanowire (BNW) films were fabricated on the Si(111) substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The average diameter of the BNWs is about 20 nm, with lengths of 5–10 μm. Then, graphene-capped boron nanowires (GC-BNWs) were obtained by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). Characterization by scanning electron microscopy indicates that few-layer graphene covers the surface of the boron nanowires. Field emission measurements of the BNWs and GC-BNW films show that the GC-BNW films have a lower turn-on electric field than the BNW films.

OBJECTIVE To develop a GC-MS method for the determination of methyl nonyl ketone in the volatile oil from the herbs of Houttuynia cordata. METHOD The sample was split in the 240 degrees C injection port, with 20:1 split ratio, and separated on a DB-5 (30 m x 0.25 mm, 0.25 microm film thickness) fused silica column with helium as the carrier gas. The temperature program was as follows: 100 degrees C for 2 min, the 5 degrees C x min(-1) to 150 degrees C, then 15 degrees C x min(-1) to 200 degrees C, and kept for 10 min. The MS transfer line temperature was set to 250 degrees C, the MS source temperature was set to 200 degrees C. The ionization mode was electron ionization (EI) and the selective ion monitor mode was used. RESULT A good linear relationship was constructed over the injection amount range of 5.5-110 ng of methyl nonyl ketone. The average recovery was 98.9%, and RSD was 2. 2%. CONCLUSION The developed method was sensitive, accurate, and can be used for the determination of methyl nonyl ketone in the volatile oil and for the quality control of H. cordata.

To determine if changes in the levels of expression of ERG11, CDR1 and CDR2 genes could be associated with resistance phenotype in clinical isolates of Candida glabrata (C. glabrata).We used quantitative RT-PCR analysis to evaluate the expression of the ERG11, CDR1 and CDR2 genes in clinical isolates including 9 fluconazole-resistant, 9 fluconazole-susceptible dose dependent (S-DD) and 10 fluconazole-sensitive C. glabrata isolates.In the fluconazole-resistant isolates, the S-DD isolates and the fluconazole-sensitive isolates, the levels of expression of ERG11 gene were 121.4 +/- 96.8, 102.9 +/- 78.8, 51.2 +/- 20.7, respectively; the levels of expression of CDR1 gene were 3.1 +/- 1.4, 1.9 +/- 0.7, 1.1 +/- 0.4, respectively; the levels of expression of CDR2 gene were 3.7 +/- 2.2, 3.4 +/- 2.4, 1.9 +/- 0.9, respectively. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that the fluconazole-resistant isolates expressed ERG11 at higher levels than fluconazole-sensitive isolates (P = 0.041). CDR1 expression was significantly higher in the fluconazole-resistant isolates as compared with that in the fluconazole-sensitive isolates (P0.001) and the expression was also significantly higher in the S-DD isolates as compared with that in the fluconazole-sensitive isolates (P = 0.009). CDR2 upregulation was observed in the fluconazole-resistant isolates as compared with the susceptible isolates (P = 0.018). With the decrease of susceptibility to fluconazole, the levels of expression of ERG11, CDR1 and CDR2 genes in the isolates appeared to be increased.These results provide evidence that the overexpression of ERG11, CDR1 and CDR2 genes is associated with the increase of fluconazole resistance in clinical isolates of C. glabrata. ERG11, CDR1 and CDR2 upregulation is a major molecular mechanism of fluconazole resistance in clinical isolates of C. glabrata.

To establish a fingerprint analysis method of Qingfengtong capsule by HPLC.The samples were extracted with 70% ethanol in an ultrasonic bath. The extracts were analyzed at 35 degrees C on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with 0.1 mol x L(-1) potassium dihydrogen phosphate water-solution as mobile phase A, and methanol as mobile phase B. The analysis followed a linear gradient elution program. Initial condition of the mobile phase was 10% B for 2 minutes; then changed to 90% B in 40 minutes. The flow rate was kept at 1.0 ml x min(-1) and the detector wavelength was 262 nm.The main peaks in fingerprint chromatogram of Qingfengtong capsules were separated fairly well. The results of method validation meet the requirements for the fingerprints.The established method can be used for the quality control of Qingfengtong capsules.

To develop an HPLC method for the determination of hyodeoxycholic acid in Bile Arisaema.The methanol extracts were separated on a Diamonsil ODS column eluted at 35 degrees C with a mixture of methanol-water-glacial acetic acid (75:25:0.01) at flow-rate 1.0 mL x min(-1). The drift-tube temperature of ELSD was 85 degrees C, and the flow rate of air was 3.0 L x min(-1).Hyodeoxycholic acid in methanol extract was well separated, the relationship of logarithms of injection amount and peak area was linear (r = 0.9998) over the range of 2.4-24 microg. The average recovery was 97.1% (RSD 2.9%, n=5).The method could be used for quality control of Bile Arisaema.

To investigate the hepatic safety of itraconazole intravenous solution in the treatment of invasive fungal infection.Forty-nine patients with invasive fungal infection, such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, and blood stream infection, caused by Aspergillus spp. Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida spp. Penicillium marneffei, and Prototheca wickerhamii, 50 of which had underlying diseases, including hepatic diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver etc. were treated with intravenous itraconazole for 12.6 days (2 - 42 days). Liver function test was conducted before and after the treatment. The relationship between liver adverse reaction and itraconazole treatment was evaluated.Liver function test was abnormal in 20 patients. The patients with liver enzyme abnormalities before itraconazole treatment were easier to suffer from hepatic damage during itraconazole treatment (chi(2) = 11.54, P = 0.001). However, only in 2 patients with mild liver function test abnormality the liver adverse reaction could be associated with itraconazole treatment.Itraconazole treatment for invasive fungal infection is rather safe, even in the patients with underlying hepatic diseases. Liver function test is recommended for all patients suggestive of liver dysfunction and protective therapy for liver is needed.

To study the cholelitholytic effect and safety of the preparation of Chinese medicine compound.Experiments were performed to study the efficacy of gallstones dissolution of the preparation of Chinese medicine compound in vitro and in vivo. The toxicity was studied by pathological and blood biochemical changes.The preparation of Chinese medicine compound dissolved cholesterol and mixing gallstones in 7 days in vitro and in vivo, no influence on the blood biochemistry and the other organs of the rabbits.The preparation of Chinese medicine compound is effective and safe for treatment of chololithiasis.

To develop an HPLC method for determination of fingerprints and evaluate green tangerine peel (GTP) processed with vinegar.The samples were extracted with 50% ethanol using ultrasonic bath and analyzed on a Chromasil C18 column eluted with methanol and water containing 0.2% acetic acid in a linear gradient program. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and detection wavelength was set at 280 nm.The RSD values of relative retention times and peak areas of main peaks were all less than 5%. The fingerprints of Geqingpi and Sihuaqingpi were different. The fingerprints of the processed and the unprocessed were almost same, and the fingerprint differences among the different batches processed with the same technology from the same unprocessed GTP were not obvious.The influence of processing with vinegar on 50% ethanol extracts were not evident, and the technological pross was stable. It was found that the fingerprints of Geqingpi and Sihuaqingpi were different, but it should be study further.

To develop a quantitative method for the determination of four flavonoids in buds of Herba Artemisiae Scopariae.The sample was extracted by ultrasonic with ethyl acetate for 30 minutes and separated on kromasil ODS column with mobile phase of acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran-1% acetic acid solution (2.5:21.5:76) and detection wavelength was 347 nm.The arcapillin, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin and cirsilineol in bud extract were well separated by this method. Linearities of arcapillin, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin and cirsilineol were good (r = 0.9992, 0.9999, 0.9997, 0.9997) in ranges of 0.035-0.56, 0.043-0.69, 0.040-0.64 and 0.040-0.64 microg, respectively. The average recoveries were 96.8%, 97.3%, 96.8%, 98.5% and RSD the values of repeatability were 2.5%, 3.0%, 1.5%, 3.2%, respectively.The method validation data indicated that the method is reliable and it can be used for quality control of Herba Artemisiae Scopariae and its preparations.

To study the effects of concentration, volume and temperature of aluminium water on the change of chromatoghraphic data of processed Rhizoina Arisaematis.Chromatographic fingerprints of processed Radix Pinellia pedatisecta were determined by HPLC, and multivariate analysis was made for data processing.No change on the whole chromatoghraphic data was observed at different levels of concentrition and volume of aluminium water, while there was a great change at different levels of temperature.

To examine the factors in extracting the minute powder of processed rhizome of Corydalis with vinegar for its application.The one-way variation analysis was used for experimental design. Tetrahydropalmatine was determined with HPLC method. The samples were separated on a Diamonsil C18 column with mobile phase of acetonitrile-TEA phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) (50:50) and detection wavelength was 280 mm.The extraction conditions were established as follows: extraction temperature is 60 degrees C, water-added amount is 20 times the weight of the powder, and extraction time is 30 minutes.The extraction rate of the tetrahydropalmatine in the minute power is about 10% higher than that of the processed rhizome with vinegar. But less water amount, less time, and lower temperature were needed for extraction. The application of minute powder can reduce energy consumption and raise economic benefit in industrial production.

Context.—Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) of the esophagus is a rare malignant tumor that morphologically could bear some resemblance to adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) originating from salivary glands. Objective.—The purpose of this study is to describe the histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings of BSCCs of the esophagus, with an emphasis on comparing tumors with or without adenoid cystic features. Design.—We reviewed 239 cases of primary esophageal carcinoma and detected 12 cases (5%) of BSCC. The light and electron microscopic findings and immunocytochemical localization of various antigens, including cytokeratins (AE1, AE3), carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, S100, smooth muscle actin, and p53, were examined in these BSCC cases. Results.—Histologically, all BSCCs were composed of solid lobules or nests of basaloid cells with well-demarcated outlines surrounded by a fibrous stroma. Seven of 12 tumors showed areas of ACC-like features, that is, cribriform-like pseudoglandular lumina formation and hyaline material surrounding the tumor nests, whereas the remaining 5 tumors were apparently pure basaloid carcinomas. These 2 groups of tumors were histologically and immunohistochemically identical in many aspects, namely, high-grade nuclei of the tumor cells with frequent mitoses, abundant comedo-type necrosis, focal areas of concomitant squamous differentiation, consistent immunoreactivity for cytokeratins, and poor or absent staining for S100 and smooth muscle actin. Ultrastructurally, the basaloid tumor cells exhibited relatively undifferentiated cellular characteristics and undeveloped cell organelles. Conclusion.—Basaloid squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus frequently have an intimate association with ACC-like patterns, but their histologic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural features correspond more to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma than to salivary gland ACC. This distinction is important because genuine ACC is much less aggressive than BSCC.

To establish a quantitative method for determination of cirsilineol in Herba Artemisiae Scopariae collected in Autumn.Sample was extracted with methanol, and cleaned up with polyamide column. ODS column was used with methanol-acetonitrile-0.5% acetic acid solution (24:19:57) as mobile phase. Detection wavelength was 347 nm.Cirsilineol in sample solution was well separated. Linearity of cirsilineol was good (r = 0.9998) in range of 0.1-0.8 microgram. The average recovery was 101.3%, RSD of repeatability was 3.04%.This method can be used for quality control of Herba Artemisiae Scopariae collected in autumn and its preparations.

To develop the identification and assay for chlorogenic acid in commercial Herba Artemisiae Scopariae.TLC method was used for identification with silica gel G plate and butyl acetate-formic acid-water (7:2.5:2.5) upper layer as a developing solvent. Chlorogenic acid in 85% methanolic extract was separated on the ODS column with methonal-3% acetic acid solution (15:85) as mobile phase. The detection wavelength was 327 nm.The qualitative method is repeatable. Chlorogenic acid in extracts is well separated, relationship of injection amount and peak area is linear (r = 0.9998) within the range of 0.075-0.6 microgram. The average recovery is 100.9% and repeatability is 1.4%. Ten samples purchased from different areas in the country were identified and quantified with the methods.The methods and data could be used for quality control.

The in vitro activity of ME-1206, a new aminothiazolyl cephalosporin that can be orally absorbed when converted to an ester, was compared with that of other beta-lactams. ME-1206 inhibited 50% of the Enterobacteriaceae at 2 micrograms/ml, similar to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefixime. It did not inhibit, MIC greater than or equal to 32 micrograms/ml, Enterobacter species or Citrobacter freundii resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime, and it was less active than cefotaxime and ceftazidime against Serratia marcescens. Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Moraxella catarrhalis were inhibited by less than or equal to 0.25 micrograms/ml of ME-1206 inhibited hemolytic streptococci groups A, B, C, and G, MIC90 0.06 micrograms/ml, but it did not inhibit enterococci. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pseudomonads were resistant to ME-1206. MICs and MBCs of ME-1206 for susceptible species were within a dilution. ME-1206 was not hydrolyzed by TEM-1 or TEM-2, but was hydrolyzed by TEM-3 and TEM-5. ME-1206 was hydrolyzed by beta-lactamases of Morganella, Proteus vulgaris, and K1 of Klebsiella oxytoca, but minimally by the P99 beta-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae. ME-1206 is comparable in in vitro activity and beta-lactamase stability to many of the current cephalosporins.

We determined the effect of the combination of rifampin and fleroxacin against Enterobacteriaceae and streptococcal species. None of the 65 isolates tested by checkerboard assay demonstrated synergy, 12% of isolates showed an additive effect; 86.7% were indifferent, and only 1 isolate showed antagonism. The mean FIC was 1.2. When using 2 and 8 πg/ml of rifampin, fleroxacin MICs of 285 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae , staphylococci, streptococci Bacteroides , and Clostridium were not increased, but synergy was not demonstrated. time-kill studies against Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus , and Enterococcus faecalis failed to show increased killing when the two agents were present at one-half the MBC. The fleroxacinrifampin interaction is one of indifference but provides coverage for species not adequately inhibited by fleroxacin.

Background Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a rapid, progressive, fatal disease that occurs mostly in immunocompromised patients. Patients with severe liver disease are at a heightened risk for infections. Little is known about the clinical presentation including predisposing factors and treatment of IPA in patients with hepatic failure. Methods Medical records of patients with hepatic failure between November 2005 and February 2007 were reviewed for lung infection. Nine medical records of definitive diagnosis of IPA and three of probable IPA were identified. Results The main predisposing factors were found to be prolonged antibiotic therapy and steroid exposure. Clinical signs and radiological findings were non-specific and atypical. Timely use of caspofungin was found to reduce the mortality due to the disease. Conclusion A high index of suspicion is required for early IPA diagnosis in patients with hepatic failure.