Ethyl lactate as a potential green solvent to extract hydrophilic (polar) and lipophilic (non-polar) phytonutrients simultaneously from fruit and vegetable by-products

Phytonutrients extracted from natural resources are receiving much attention among researchers due to their highly antioxidative characteristics which prevent several degenerative diseases including cardiovascular diseases and cancers. These nutraceutical compounds can be used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as natural antioxidants, preservatives, colourants and functional foods. Huge volume of food wastes are generated from the processing industry and these low-value food residues are rich in various phytonutrients worth recovering. This approach of valorisation reduces the generation of food wastes and is cost-effective considering the cheap feedstock, reduced waste management expenses and high market value of extracted compounds. In light of the health and safety risks posed by commonly used organic extraction solvents derived from the petrochemical industry, there is a need to recover the phytonutrients using green, sustainable and efficient solvents that are safe for human consumption. This work discusses ethyl lactate as a safe, green, efficient and potentially cheap solvent to recover phytonutrients from fruit and vegetable by-products. Ethyl lactate is compared with other organic solvents commonly used from the aspects of safety, environmental impacts and efficiency. Current challenges when employing ethyl lactate are also discussed.     

基于UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS分析刺果番荔枝叶的化学成分

目的利用UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS技术对刺果番荔枝叶的化学成分进行定性分析。方法采用Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T 3色谱柱(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.8μm),流动相为0.1%甲酸水(A)和乙腈(B)梯度洗脱,流速为0.3 mL/min,进样量2μL,在电喷雾正负离子模式下采集数据。经Reaxys数据库检索番荔枝属类化合物信息,通过质谱信息比对各化合物的m/z值、保留时间、质谱特征碎片等,并结合文献数据对鉴定的化合物进行验证。结果根据各化合物的特征裂解规律,从刺果番荔枝叶中共鉴定出45个化合物,包括16个生物碱类,14个番荔枝内酯类,7个黄酮类和8个其他类化合物,其中以番荔枝内酯类和生物碱类成分居多,与文献报道番荔枝内酯与生物碱类化合物是发挥抗癌的主要活性成分一致。结论利用UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS技术对刺果番荔枝叶中的化学成分进行了快速、准确的定性分析,为刺果番荔枝叶的提取分离与药效物质基础的研究提供依据。     

Emerging from their burrow: Hedgehog pathway inhibitors for cancer

Introduction: Cancer treatment is moving away from conventional cytotoxic drugs and towards agents that target specific proteins and mechanisms important to cancer development or survival. The Hedgehog Pathway (HhP) is a signal transduction pathway and its constitutive activation is tumorigenic in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The HhP enables phenotypic flexibility, and channels tumor-stroma interactions. As a result, it is over-expressed in numerous cancers as well as in the tumor microenvironment and may represent a promising therapeutic target.

Areas covered: In this article, we review the rationale for targeting HhP and its role as an oncogenic driver, in tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and in the tumor microenvironment and describe the results of preclinical and clinical studies involving HhP inhibitors.

Expert opinion: HhP activation plays an important role in both the tumor microenvironment and tumor EMT which can lead to treatment resistance for a number of different malignancies. In addition to standard use in BCC, several HhP inhibitors are in preclinical, early, and mid-stage clinical development for other solid and hematologic malignancies.     

2005年样本医院使用主要抗肿瘤药之分析

据悉,国家发改委已经将《药品定价方法》意见征求稿(初稿)下发各制药行业协会,这是发改委在行政干预药品价格历程中第一个比较全面的政府药价管理指导性文件。纳入政府定价范围的2400个药品品种的定价将遵循这一原则。又有报道,新的药品降价政策将于2006年上半年出台。这次降价     

NT-proBNP reflects right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension.

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether alterations in N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) reflect changes in right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension patients during treatment. The study consisted of 30 pulmonary hypertension patients; 15 newly diagnosed and 15 on long-term treatment. NT-proBNP, right heart catheterisation and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed, at baseline and follow-up. There were no significant differences between newly diagnosed patients and those on treatment at baseline or follow-up with respect to NT-proBNP, haemodynamics and right ventricular parameters. Relative changes in NT-proBNP during treatment were correlated to the relative changes in right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.59), right ventricular mass index (r = 0.62) and right ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.81). N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide measurements reflect changes in magnetic resonance imaging-measured right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension patients. An increase in N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide over time reflects right ventricular dilatation concomitant to hypertrophy and deterioration of systolic function.     

手术治疗跟骨塌陷性骨折

目的　评估跟骨塌陷性骨折手术治疗的效果。方法　 1996年 5月～ 2 0 0 0年 6月共手术治疗跟骨塌陷性骨折 15例 ,8例内固定 ,7例植骨 ,平均随访 14个月 ,参照AOFAS评分对患者有否疼痛、步态、距下关节活动 ,是否支架辅助、术后X线照片等加以评估。结果　两组结果无明显差异。 2例手术切口皮缘坏死 ,6例疗效为优 ,9例为良。结论　跟骨塌陷性骨折手术解剖复位能取得好的效果     

新生儿出生信息样本分析

目的:了解和探讨新生儿出生信息的分布态势及规律。方法:对本院2006年1~6月间所有新生儿出生信息进行样本分析。结果:半年间分娩的新生儿共1075例,其中死亡19例,双胞胎15例,以1028例单胎活产新生儿的出生体重、胎龄及产妇年龄作为研究样本进行分析,统计数据与传统意义上的正常胎龄和新生儿体重基本相符,胎龄、体重均值均有所提高。结论:孕产妇的健康状况和新生儿的体质均有所改善,随胎龄的增加,新生儿出生体重亦随之增加,并且,目前新生儿的整体统计体重要大于现有的临床指标,因此,应对现有的临床指标进行适当调整,重新确定低出生体重儿和巨大儿的临床指标。