Recognizing drug‐facilitated crimes: Detection and quantification of benzodiazepines in beverages using fast liquid–liquid extraction with low temperature partitioning and paper spray mass spectrometry

A novel methodology using liquid–liquid extraction with low temperature partitioning (LLE–LTP) and paper spray mass spectrometry (PS–MS) was developed to identify and quantify benzodiazepines in beverages. Four types of alcoholic beverages usually consumed in parties and bars were spiked with 5 distinct benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, and cloxazolam) simulating a drug‐facilitated crime occurrence. The direct PS–MS analysis of the spiked beverages revealed a remarkable matrix effect with an unclear detection of protonated benzodiazepines. However, by the application of the LLE–LTP using liquid nitrogen, a prompt and doubtless detection of such compounds was achieved. The quantification potential of the LLE–LTP/PS–MS methodology was demonstrated by using beer as matrix, diazepam as target analyte and cloxazolam as an internal standard. Figures of merit (linearity, limit of detection, linear dynamic range, relative standard deviation, and recovery) were determined and adequate values were obtained. In conclusion, we demonstrated herein that the LLE–LTP/PS–MS methodology has potential to be applied directly at the crime scene through of a portable mass spectrometer and a thermal container for the transport of liquid nitrogen.     

In vitro transdermal and biological evaluation of ALA-loaded poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgels for photodynamic therapy

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPA-co-AA)) microgels loaded with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were prepared by the spray-drying method. The amount of drug loaded was 290?µg ALA/mg microgel for PNIPA and 244?µg ALA/mg microgel for P(NIPA-co-AA) microgels. Maximum in vitro drug release took place within 15–30?min for PNIPA and 1–1.5?h for P(NIPA-co-AA) microgels as a function of pH, at 37°C. Transdermal delivery from microgels showed permeation fluxes 10 times higher than the passive diffusion flux. The cytotoxicity of microgels synthesized in HeLa cells after the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) was superior compared with the administration of ALA in solution alone. Finally, the use of these microgels as a delivery vehicle for ALA constitutes a system capable of enhancing its topical administration and PDT effectiveness.     

中西医结合治疗新生儿呕吐51例

目的:观察中西医结合治疗新生儿呕吐的临床疗效。方法:选择2012年4月—2014年4月本院收治的102例患儿,随机分为观察组与对照组,每组各51例。对照组行西医常规治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上服用生大黄水,比较两组患儿的临床疗效。结果:观察组有效率为90.20%,对照组有效率为60.78%,两组有效率比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组患儿呕吐停止时间与鼻饲停止时间分别为(51.67±30.02)h、(63.32±31.30)h,均显著优于对照组患儿的(74.35±30.22)h、(85.32±31.28)h,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:中西医结合治疗新生儿呕吐可明显提高临床疗效,缩短疗程。     

长效抗菌敷料在肠造口所致周围皮肤瘙痒患者中的应用效果

目的 探讨长效抗菌敷料在肠造口所致造口周围皮肤瘙痒患者中的应用效果。 方法 选取2013年1月-2016年12月行肠造口手术并发造口周围皮肤瘙痒的直肠癌患者167例。采用随机数字表法将其分成实验组和对照组。实验组采用长效抗菌敷料(洁悠神)进行治疗,对照组使用皮炎平乳膏进行治疗。 结果 治疗第1、2周,2组患者肠造口周围皮肤瘙痒复发率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);第3、4周,实验组肠造口周围皮肤瘙痒复发率低于对照组(χ²=14.056,P<0.001; χ²=15.465,P<0.001)。实验组舒适度和生活质量均高于对照组。 结论 长效抗菌敷料可以治疗由肠造口所致造口周围皮肤瘙痒,降低患者瘙痒感和瘙痒复发率,提高造口患者舒适度,从而改善造口患者生活质量。     

Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patients

Osteoarthritis, as the major cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain, impacts people aged 45 and above. The first line analgesic treatments have reported minimal short term effects. The use of essential oils as pain killer has increased, recently. Mentha spicata, or spearmint essential oil is famous due to its anti-flatulence effects, but one less known biological activity of spearmint is its analgesic activity. The aim of our study was to confirm the analgesic effects of M. spicata essential oil. In this review, we evaluated the articles on analgesic activities of M. spicata essential oil from different relevant databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and Springer) without limitation up to April 30, 2016. Different animal studies have reported the analgesic effects of M. spicata essential oil and its main abundant compounds such as carvone, limonene and menthol, also, the efficacy and safety of spearmint oil in reducing of pain severity were confirmed in osteoarthritis patients. In spite of the beneficial effects of spearmint oil in reducing of pain, other large clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of M. spicata oil.