Post-aggression suicide under the influence of new psychoactive substances AMB–FUBINACA and U-47700

The objective of the present study was the development and validation of the method for determining AMB-FUBINACA and its metabolite - AMB-FUBINACA O-desmethyl acid – in blood samples, followed by verification of the method in toxicological judicial and forensic medicine practice employing the example of post-aggression suicide. Most likely in consequence of development of adverse effects resulting in psychotic symptoms, a male being under the influence of the synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUBINACA and the new synthetic opioid U-47700, mortally wounded his female partner and subsequently committed suicide. Identification and determination of the afore-mentioned xenobiotics in blood samples collected from the male and female victims were performed employing high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The analytes were isolated from blood samples using the solid phase extraction (SPE) method. The blood samples collected from the male and female demonstrated respectively 110 and 196 ng/mL of AMB-FUBINACA O-desmethyl acid metabolite, 1935 and 357 ng/mL of U-47700, 250 and 200 ng/mL of N-desmethyl-U-47700, as well as 410 and 200 ng/mL of N,N-didesmethyl-U-47700. The concentration values of new psychoactive substances (NPS’s) in blood samples originating from the male and female were within the ranges encountered in cases of poisoning, including these resulting in death. Nevertheless, the evident signs of exsanguination proof that the woman was alive when she sustained lethal injuries. The presented cases illustrate the difficult to be anticipated effect exerted on the users by NPS’s.     

Analysis on internal mechanism of zedoary turmeric in treatment of liver cancer based on pharmacodynamic substances and pharmacodynamic groups

Zedoary tumeric (Curcumae Rhizoma, Ezhu in Chinese) has a long history of application and has great potential in the treatment of liver cancer. The anti liver cancer effect of zedoary tumeric depends on the combined action of multiple pharmacodynamic substances. In order to clarify the specific mechanism of zedoary tumeric against liver cancer, this paper first analyzes the mechanism of its single pharmacodynamic substance against liver cancer, and then verifies the joint anti liver cancer mechanism of its "pharmacodynamic group". By searching the research on the anti hepatoma effect of active components of zedoary tumeric in recent years, we found that pharmacodynamic substances, including curcumol, zedoarondiol, curcumenol, curzerenone, curdione, curcumin, germacrone, β-elemene, can act on multi-target and multi-channel to play an anti hepatoma role. For example, curcumin can regulate miR, GLO1, CD133, VEGF, YAP, LIN28B, GPR81, HCAR-1, P53 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, HSP70/TLR4 and NF-κB. Wnt/TGF/EMT, Nrf2/Keap1, JAK/STAT and other pathways play an anti hepatoma role. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the core targets of the "pharmacodynamic group" for anti-life cancer are AKT1, EGFR, MAPK8, etc, and the core pathways are neuroactive live receiver interaction, nitrogen metabolism, HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc. At the same time, by comparing and analyzing the relationship between the specific mechanisms of pharmacodynamic substance and "pharmacodynamic group", it is found that they have great reference significance in target, pathway, biological function, determination of core pharmacodynamic components, formation of core target protein interaction, in-depth research of single pharmacodynamic substance, increasing curative effect and so on. By analyzing the internal mechanism of zedoary tumeric pharmacodynamic substance and "pharmacodynamic group" in the treatment of liver cancer, this paper intends to provide some ideas and references for the deeper pharmacological research of zedoary tumeric and the relationship between pharmacodynamic substance and "pharmacodynamic group".     

国产乳酸环丙沙星滴眼液质量分析

目的评价国产乳酸环丙沙星滴眼液的质量现状。方法采用现行法定标准检验结合探索性研究结果,对市场上3家企业生产的36批乳酸环丙沙星滴眼液的质量进行比较分析,通过对含量测定、有关物质及抑菌剂合理性等项目的考察,结合稳定性试验,分析不同企业产品的质量差异。结果法定标准检验36批乳酸环丙沙星滴眼液,合格率为100%;探索性研究显示,该品种现行标准多个安全性检查项目缺失、检验方法专属性差、标准不统一。结论国内乳酸环丙沙星滴眼液整体质量一般,现行质量标准有待提高。     

Antimicrobial and antileukemic effects: in vitro activity of Calyptranthes grandifolia aqueous leaf extract

ABSTRACT

Natural products are still a promising source of bioactive molecules. Food and Drug Administration data showed that approximately 49% of the approved molecules originate naturally or chemically-resemble these substances, of which more than 70% are being used in anticancer therapy. It is noteworthy that at present there are no scientific studies to prove the effectiveness and safety of a number of plants used in folk medicine such as in the case of Calyptranthes grandifolia O. Berg (Myrtaceae) originally from South America. The aim of the present study was to determine the biological potential and toxicological effects of the aqueous leaf extract of C. grandifolia. The main detected phytoconstituents were condensed tannins and flavonoids and a high quantity of polyphenols. Regarding the antimicrobial potential, the extract exerted inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results also revealed the extract induced DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, C. grandifolia produced cytotoxicity in leukemia cell lines (HL60 and Kasumi-1) without affecting isolated human lymphocytes but significantly inhibited JAK3 and p38α enzyme activity. Taken together, these findings add important information on the biological and toxicological effects of C. grandifolia, indicating that aqueous extract may be a source of natural antimicrobial and antileukemic constituents.     

段迎喜“升脾”学术思想探微

脾胃之气的充足和清气的正常升发对人体生命活动具有决定意义,饮食、劳倦、情志、外感对脾胃的损伤往往影响中焦脾胃清阳的生成及升发,脾胃病以本虚为主,多由虚致实,虚实兼有,病机关键为升降失常,脾气不升。肝对人体气机具有升宣调畅作用,脾气的升清有赖于肝气升发促进。在补中益气的同时,要补肝益气。同时,肾精气充盈,元气方能充沛,肾阳又主气化,肾精不封、肾气不固者必致肾气下陷。治疗须温肾壮阳、升阳举陷。脾胃中气不足,气机郁滞而化火,并脾之清气下流而生泄泻,相火乘其土位更加耗伤中焦清阳之气。段老师特别注重脾气生长、升发,只有清阳升发,脾气上升,元气才能充沛,阴火才会收敛潜藏。治疗时运用辛甘之药以补益中气,借升阳风药以助肝胆之用,补其中而升其阳,升浮变通,使生长之气健旺。段老师善于运用甘温之品,温补中气,升发清阳。     

Substance use and substance use disorders in Africa: An epidemiological approach to the review of existing literature

The relationship between man and substances that have abuse potentials, and whose use has been associated with the development or progression of substance use disorders has continued to evolve in terms of geography, economic implications, and time. History shows that local plants with psychoactive constituents can get exported worldwide through global travel, commerce, or even conquest. Time and globalization also change people’s relationship with substances of abuse; hence, an area that was initially alien to certain substances might evolve to becoming a trafficking hub, and then a destination. A case in point is Africa where a rapidly increasing prevalence of substance use/abuse and substance use disorder among adolescents and young adults is putting enormous strain on the economy, healthcare system, and society at large. However, there appears to be a paucity of scientific literature and data on the epidemiology, risk assessment, and contributing factors to substance use and the development of substance use disorders across Africa. In this narrative review, we examine extant literature (PubMed, Google scholar, Medline) for information on the prevalence, trends, and influencers of substance use and the development of substance use disorders. This is with a view of understanding the determinants of substance use and factors that influence the development of substance use disorders in the region, and how this information can be channeled towards developing a comprehensive intervention and treatment program.     

Antioxidants Properties,Physicochemical, and Sensory Quality Attributes of a New Soy-Based Beverage with Lemongrass and Lime Juice

This work aimed at developing a new soy-based beverage and studying the influence of formulation ingredients on its antioxidants, physicochemical, and sensory properties. For this purpose, mixed beverages with lemongrass, lime juice, and soymilk were formulated. Soy-based beverages showed differences in pH, ratio, and color as compared to mixed beverages without soy. Soymilk increased the phenolics content and the ABTS antioxidant capacity, while lemongrass aqueous extract increased the DPPH antioxidant capacity of soy-based beverages. The new soy-based beverage had good acceptance for all attributes and can be considered a viable alternative source of nutrients and bioactive compounds to consumers.     

注射用盐酸柔红霉素的质量评价

目的 按照国家计划抽验要求，评价国内不同企业生产的注射用盐酸柔红霉素的质量。方法 按国家标准检验与探索性研究相结合，对抽验样品进行检验，对检验结果进行统计分析。结果 共抽取样品17批次，按国家标准检验合格率100.0%。探索性研究对主要杂质的来源与结构进行了研究；建立溶液的澄清度检查方法；对包材相容性及稳定性进行了考察。结论 目前国内注射用盐酸柔红霉素总体质量较好；现行标准有待进一步提高，建议现行标准修订有关物质检查方法，增加特定杂质的控制，增加溶液的澄清度检查；建议企业优化生产工艺，以提高产品质量。