Vasculogenic mimicry is a major feature and novel predictor of poor prognosis in patients with orbital rhabdomyosarcoma.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a key developmental program, frequently activated during cancer invasion and metastasis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of VM in orbital rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the correlation between VM and tumor differentiation, recurrence and survival duration, as well as the contribution of epithelial cell kinase (EphA2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in VM initiation. A total of 32 patients were enrolled to investigate the associations between VM in orbital RMS tumors and clinical characteristics, as well as its impact on overall survival. VM was identified and confirmed by CD31/periodic acid-Schiff double staining, while the presence of EphA2 and MMP-2 were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. VM was identified in eleven patients, particularly those with poorly differentiated orbital RMS (P=0.001). Patients with VM exhibited significantly worse survival rates (P=0.001, log-rank test), a significantly increased risk of mortality (P=0.008) and EphA2 and MMP-2 expression levels were enhanced (P=0.005 and 0.001, respectively). The VM and mitotic rate were independent predictors of poor prognosis (P=0.001 and 0.004, respectively), indicated by multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. These results demonstrated that VM is present in orbital RMS and represents an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. In addition, overexpression of EphA2 and MMP-2 may promote VM formation in orbital RMS.

[In vitro transdermal behavior of effective constituents in Chonghe gel].

Chonghe gel originated from the Chinese ancient prescription, can be used for the treatment of diabetic foot. This experiment was to study the transdermal absorbability of paeoniflorin and osthole in Chonghe gel . Franz diffusing cells method was adopted for the in vitro model of rat belly skins. Paeoniflorin and osthole in the receiving liquid, skins and gel were determined by HPLC. The receiving liquid were screened, and Chonghe gel and Chonghe ointment were compared by transdermal absorbability. Result showed that ethanol-normal saline (2: 8) solution was the appropriate receiving liquid. The penetration rates of paeoniflorin and osthole were 78.07, 7.08 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1). respectively. In 24 h, the accumulated penetration rates were (31.51 +/- 1.33)%, (12.38 +/- 1.28)%, respectively. The retention rates of paeoniflorin and osthole in skin were (0.92 +/- 0.45)%, (4.81 +/- 1.03) %, respectively. The retention of osthole in skins was a drug reservoir. Transdermal behavior of effective constituents in Chonghe gel was more efficient than that in ointment. In vitro, the transdermal behavior of paeoniflorin in Chonghe gel was close to a Weibull process, while the behavior of osthole was close to Higuchi process.

[Study on prescription of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of mangiferin phospholipid complex].

OBJECTIVE: To study formulation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of mangiferin phospholipid complex and improve dissolution and bioavailability of mangiferin. METHODS: Ternary phase diagram was applied to optimize the prescription of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of mangiferin phospholipid complex, and the best recipe was selected by comprehensive evaluation of the speed of microemulsifying, microemulsion size and electric potential. RESULTS: The optimum formulation of SMEDDS was composed of IPM-Cremphor EL35-labrasol = 2 : 4.8 : 3.2. CONCLUSION: Self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of mangiferin phospholipid complex can effectively improve the dissolution of Mangiferin.