Identification of volatile organic compounds in muscle tissues of different species based on Headspace-Gas-Chromatography Ion-Mobility spectrometry

Species identification of unknown biological samples is crucial for forensic applications, especially in cases of explosion, disaster accidents, and body mutilation after murdering, as well as poaching, illegal trade in endangered animals, and meat food fraud. In this study, we identified 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh skeletal muscle tissues of seven different animal species (cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, rats, chickens and carp) and a human dead body by headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), and compared their differences by retention time, drift time and molecular weight. The results showed that these VOCs formed different gallery plot fingerprints in the skeletal muscle tissues of the human dead body and seven animal species. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significantly different fingerprints between these species, and these fingerprints maintained good stability between the species and within the same species. Some VOCs have high species specificity, while VOCs of human fresh muscle tissues from different individual sources have little difference, demonstrating that all tested muscle tissue samples could be distinguished based on different VOCs. HS-GC-IMS has proved to be a rapid, high-throughput, highly sensitive and specific species identification method, which can be used for forensic species identification in criminal cases and disaster accidents, as well as detection in the field of food safety, such as meat fraud and adulteration.     

Effectiveness of High Power Ultrasound for Surimi-Based Preparation of Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Patties by Textural,Sensory and Shape Preference

Lionfish is an invasive and predatory species with low local consumption due to a lack of culinary knowledge of its preparation. A new way to prepare lionfish was proposed to increase variety and provide added value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high power ultrasound application on the textural properties measured by the texture profile analysis, sensory attributes, and shape preference of surimi patties (rounded and square) made from lionfish. Patties were prepared using lionfish surimi processed with ultrasound (37 kHz; 150 W), sodium citrate (0.3%), sucrose (1%), and salt (2%). Ultrasound exposure increased the hardness of the patties by 35.1%, decreased cohesiveness by 89.7%, and decreased the chewiness by 49.1%. Results show that high power ultrasound showed potential as an environmentally friendly technology to create surimi as a base for patties with sensory and textural appropriateness, increasing the potential culinary applications of lionfish.     

金水宝片联合依诺肝素对维持性血液透析患者血脂代谢的影响

目的：探究金水宝片联合依诺肝素对维持性血液透析患者血脂代谢的影响。方法：选取2018年12月至2019年3月马鞍山十七冶医院血液净化中心进行透析的患者154例作为研究对象，根据用药不同分为对照组和观察组,每组77例。对照组常规应用依诺肝素抗凝，观察组在对照组抗凝基础上加用金水宝片，各组均干预3个月，比较2组患者血脂变化及持续血液透析并发症发生情况。结果：治疗后，观察组患者三酰甘油、总胆固醇及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平下降，高密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高，与治疗前比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05），与对照组治疗后比较，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；观察组总并发症发生率明显低于对照组，2组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；2组患者维持性血液透析不良反应发生率均较低，组间比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：金水宝片联合依诺肝素有助于改善维持性血液透析患者血脂代谢水平，降低维持性血液透析相关并发症，值得临床推广应用。     

The prognostic and predictive role of 21-gene recurrence scores in hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer

Over the past two decades, gene expression profiling of breast cancer has emerged as an important tool in early-stage breast cancer management. The approach provides important information on underlying biological mechanisms, breast cancer classification, future risk potential of developing recurrent metastatic disease, and provides beneficial clues for adjuvant chemotherapy in hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Of the commercially available genomic tests for breast cancer, the prognostic and predictive value of 21-gene recurrence score tests have been validated using both retrospective data and prospective clinical trials. In this paper, we reviewed the current evidence on 21-gene expression profiles for HR-positive HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer management. We show that current evidence supports endocrine therapy alone as an appropriate adjuvant systemic therapy for approximately 70% of women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer. Evolving evidence also suggests that 21-gene recurrence scores have predictive values for node-positive breast cancer and that chemotherapy can be avoided in more than half of women with nodes 1 to 3 positive HR-positive breast cancer. Furthermore, retrospective data also supports the predictive role of 21-gene recurrence scores for adjuvant radiation therapy. A prospective trial in this area is ongoing.     

利胆软坚方降脂减肥作用及其对胆汁酸代谢轮廓谱的影响

目的:基于肥胖“从胆论治”的学术观点,研究利胆软坚方对高脂饮食诱导肥胖大鼠的降脂减肥作用及其对血清胆汁酸轮廓谱的影响,探讨其作用机制。方法:42只大鼠高脂饲料喂养9周建立肥胖大鼠模型,取24只造模成功大鼠随机分为模型组、利胆软坚方高、低剂量组(30,15 g·kg^-1),每组8只,另取8只正常大鼠作为正常组,模型组和正常组给予生理盐水,给药组给予相应剂量药物,灌胃4周。测定大鼠体质量、肝脏质量、脂肪质量等肥胖指标;胆管插管术引流监测2 h内胆汁流量;全自动生化仪测定血清总胆固醇(TC),甘油三酯(TG),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平;超高效液相色谱-质谱联用(UPLC-MS/MS)法测定大鼠血清胆汁酸代谢轮廓谱中各胆汁酸的含量。结果:与正常组比较,模型组体质量、肝脏质量、脂肪质量均显著升高(P<0.01),血清TC,TG,LDL-C水平明显上升(P<0.05,P<0.01),2 h内胆汁总分泌量及各测试点胆汁流量均降低,初级胆汁酸占比明显下降(P<0.05),血清总胆汁酸含量显著降低(P<0.01),血清胆汁酸轮廓谱中胆酸(CA),脱氧胆酸(DCA),鹅去氧胆酸(CDCA),猪去氧胆酸(HDCA),牛磺胆酸(TCA),牛磺去氧胆酸(TDCA),牛磺鹅去氧胆酸(TCDCA),牛磺猪去氧胆酸(THDCA),甘氨去氧胆酸(GDCA)含量明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01);与模型组比较,利胆软坚方高、低剂量组体质量、肝脏质量明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),利胆软坚方高剂量组血清TC,TG,LDL-C水平明显下降(P<0.05,P<0.01),低剂量组TG水平明显下降(P<0.05),高剂量组在给药后1~1.5 h胆汁流量明显增加(P<0.05),高、低剂量组初级胆汁酸占比明显升高(P<0.05),利胆软坚方高剂量组TCA,DCA,甘氨胆酸(GCA),GDCA水平明显升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),低剂量组仅TCA,TCDCA水平明显升高(P<0.05)。结论:利胆软坚方具有降脂减肥作用,其机制可能与其增加胆汁分泌量,增加初级胆汁酸合成及调节胆汁酸轮廓谱有关。     

Formulation and characterization of lornoxicam-loaded cellulosic-microsponge gel for possible applications in arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with severe joint pain. Herein, we report lornoxicam loaded cellulosic microsponge gel formulation with sustained anti-inflammatory effects that are required to manage arthritic pain. The microsponges were formulated using quasi emulsion-solvent diffusion method employing four different surfactant systems, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Tween80, Gelucire 48/16 and Gelucire 50/13. All the lornoxicam loaded microsponge formulations were extensively characterized with a variety of analytical tools. The optimized microsponge formulation was then converted into gel formulation. The lornoxicam loaded microsponge gel formulation had adequate viscosity and sufficient pharmaceutical properties as confirmed by the texture analysis and the drug release followed Super case II transport. It is noteworthy that we described the preparation of a new cellulosic polymers based microsponge system for delivery of lornoxicam to provide quick as well as lasting (sustained) anti-inflammatory effects in rats using carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. We were able to demonstrate a 72% reduction in inflammation within 4 h using the optimize transdermal gel formulation utilizing Transcutol P as permeation enhancer and with the aid of skin micro-piercing by microneedles, hence, demonstrating the potential of this microsponge gel formulation in arthritis management.     

Assessment of the Physical Compatibility of Eravacycline and Common Parenteral Drugs During Simulated Y-site Administration

PurposeEravacycline is a broad-spectrum, intravenous fluorocycline antibiotic approved for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections in adults. A 60-minute infusion is recommended for each infused dose. Compatibility data that may allow convenient Y-site administration of eravacycline with other parenteral medications are unavailable. We aimed to determine the physical compatibility of eravacycline with other intravenous medications by simulated Y-site administration.MethodsEravacycline was reconstituted according to published prescribing information and diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride to a concentration of 0.6 mg/mL. Simulated Y-site administration was performed by mixing 5 mL of eravacycline with an equal volume of 51 other intravenous medications, including crystalloid and carbohydrate hydration fluids and 20 antimicrobials. Secondary medications were assessed at the upper range of concentrations considered standard for intravenous infusion. Mixtures underwent visual inspection and turbidity measurement immediately on mixture and at 3 subsequent time points (30, 60, and 120 minutes after admixture), and pH was measured at 60 minutes for comparison with the baseline value of the secondary medication.FindingsEravacycline was physically compatible with 41 parenteral drugs (80%) by simulated Y-site administration. Incompatibility was observed with albumin, amiodarone hydrochloride, ceftaroline fosamil, colistimethate sodium, furosemide, meropenem, meropenem/vaborbactam, micafungin sodium, propofol, and sodium bicarbonate.ImplicationsEravacycline for injection was physically compatible with most parenteral medications assessed. Pharmacists and nurses should be knowledgeable of the observed incompatibilities with eravacycline to prevent the unintentional mixing of incompatible intravenous medications.     

Recent advances in lipid nanoparticles for delivery of nucleic acid,mRNA, and gene editing-based therapeutics

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are becoming popular as a means of delivering therapeutics, including those based on nucleic acids and mRNA. The mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines are perfect examples to highlight the role played by drug delivery systems in advancing human health. The fundamentals of LNPs for the delivery of nucleic acid- and mRNA-based therapeutics, are well established. Thus, future research on LNPs will focus on addressing the following: expanding the scope of drug delivery to different constituents of the human body, expanding the number of diseases that can be targeted, and studying the change in the pharmacokinetics of LNPs under physiological and pathological conditions. This review article provides an overview of recent advances aimed at expanding the application of LNPs, focusing on the pharmacokinetics and advantages of LNPs. In addition, analytical techniques, library construction and screening, rational design, active targeting, and applicability to gene editing therapy have also been discussed.