Objective:To develop a simple, rapid, and convenient analysis method for the identification of breast cancer and its molecular sub-types.Methods:A laser confocal Raman spectrometer was used to collect Raman spectrograms of normal breast cells and different molecular sub-types of breast cancer cells, and assign the material origin of the Raman spectral peaks. First, Savitzky-Golay smoothing (with a window size of 9) was selected to perform smoothing and denoising on the Raman spectrogram. Subsequently, an iterative adaptive weighted penalty least squares method was employed for baseline correction, and principal component analysis was used to eliminate outliers. The recognition model of normal breast cells and breast cancer cells and the recognition model of different molecular sub-types of breast cancer cells were established by using three algorithms with different principles, including partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and support vector machine (SVM).Results:The Raman spectrogram and Raman peak shifts of normal breast cells and breast cancer cells were similar, but there were significant differences in intensity. The results of the machine learning models showed that the recognition accuracy of PLS-DA and SVM algorithms for distinguishing between normal breast cells and breast cancer cells was above 92.03% and 90.67%, respectively. The recognition accuracy of PLS-DA and SVM algorithms for different molecular sub-types of breast cancer cells was (83.66 ± 2.77)% and (90.55 ± 0.06)%, respectively.Conclusions:The combination of Raman spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms can achieve accurate identification of normal breast cells, breast cancer cells, and different molecular sub-types of breast cancer cells.

Two xanthones and 4-phenylcoumarins were isolated from the twigs of Mesua beccariana (Baill.) Kosterm. Among them, one new xanthone, beccarianin A (1), along with 7-isoprenyl-jacareubin (2), mammea A/ AA cyclo F (3), and mammea A/BA cyclo F (4). These structures were determined by spectrometric and spectroscopic methods, HRESIMS data, NMR, and UV spectra. Two xanthones (1-2) and two 4-phenylcoumarins (3-4) were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect on the HeLa cells. Compound 1 showed active activity (IC50 = 8.2 µM), and compounds 3-4 showed moderate activity (IC50 = 12.3 and 15.6 µM, respectively).

A new flavonol, macagigantin A (1), and three known flavonols (2–4) were isolated from Macaranga gigantea leaves. The structure of macagigantin A was fully assigned by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and highresolution mass spectra data. The cytotoxic activity of 1–4 was evaluated against 4T1, P-388, and HeLa cells.Compound 1 showed potent activity against 4T1 cells with an IC 50 value of 1.18 μg/mL, and compound 3 showed moderate activity against P-388 cells (IC 50 value of 2.54 μg/mL).

Three isoprenylated flavanones were isolated from the leaves of Flemingia lineata (L.) Aiton. Among them are two new flavanones, flemilineatins A and B (1 - 2), along with 6-isoprenyl eridioctyol (3). Their structures were determined using HRESIMS data and NMR spectra. Flavanones 1 - 3 were assayed in the HeLa cancer cells. Compound 1 showed moderate activity with an IC 50 value of 11.2 µM.

OBJECTIVE： To establish a method for the determination of harmine derivative DH-330 in rat plasma and to use it for pharmacokinetic behavior evaluation of DH-330 in rats after intragastric administration. METHODS： Using tinidazole as internal standard， after pre-treatment of acetonitrile precipitated protein， UPLC-MS method was adopted to determine the plasma concentration of DH-330. UPLC analysis was performed on Waters ACQUITY BEH C18 column （50 mm×2.1 mm，1.7 μm） with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-methanol-0.5％ formic acid aqueous solution（15 ∶ 55 ∶ 30， V/V/V） at flow rate of 0.4 mL/min， while the column temperature was 30 ℃， and sample size was 5 μL. MS analysis was conducted by electrospray ionization source， positive ion scanning， ion source temperature at 124 ℃， DH-330 detection of mass to charge ratio （m/z） of 335.8→334.8， and internal standard m/z of 247.0→81.0. Six Wistar rats were given DH-330 suspension（50 mg/kg） intragastrically. Blood samples were collected from fundus venous plexus capillary before administration （0 h） and 0.25，0.5，1，2，4，6，8，12，24 h after administration. Plasma concentration of DH-330 was determined and plasma concentration-time curves were drawn. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by using Kinetica 5.0 software. RESULTS： The linear ranges of DH-330 were 25.05-2 004 ng/mL（r＝0.999 8），and the limits of quantitation was 25.05 ng/mL. RSDs of intra-day and inter-day were all less than 10％. The accuracy RE was －9.76％ to 4.55％. The extraction recovery was higher than 85％（RSD＜5％）. Stability RE was －2.53％ to 2.29％. They were not affected by matrix effect or residual effect of injection. The pharmacokinetic parameters of DH-330 in rats after intragastric administration included that cmax was （1 162.43±241.72）ng/mL，AUC0-∞ was （3 242.93±652.31）ng·h/mL，t1/2 was （1.93±0.61）h， MRT was （3.23±0.30）h，CL was （16.80±5.30）L/h·kg， Vss was （54.78±19.64）L/kg. CONCLUSIONS： The established method is simple， specific， sensitive， precise and recovery， which can be used for the plasma concentration determination of DH-330 in rats. DH-330 has short half-life， rapid absorption and large apparent distribution volume after intragastric administration in rats， which indicates that it has high lipophilicity and may be mainly distributed in tissues.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Yili dark bee propolis on the main cariogenic biofilm and mechanisms.

METHODSSusceptibilities to the ethanolic extract of propolis against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus), Streptococcus sanguis (S. sanguis), Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus), and Actinomyces naeslundii (A. naeslundii) were analyzed by crystal violet stain method to determine the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC). The biofilm was initially cultivated for 24 h. Subsequently, the propolis groups with different concentration MBEC and initial pH 7.0 were cultured for 24 h. Moreover, the pH value was measured to evaluate the acid-producing ability of the tested plaque biofilm. The effects of propolis on the insoluble extracellular polysaccharide synthesis of S. mutans biofilm were evaluated by anthrone method.

RESULTSThe MBEC of Yili propolis on S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. sanguis, A. viscosus, and A. naeslundii were 6.25, 1.56, 3.13, 0.78, and 0.78 mg.mL-1, respectively. Propolis could decrease the ΔpH of the tested plaque biofilm, and the differences between the control and propolis groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). At MBEC, propolis could reduce the ability of S. mutans in synthesizing insoluble extracellular polysaccharides.

CONCLUSIONYili propolis demonstrate remarkable eradicative effects on the cariogenic plaque biofilm, showing inhibition of the synthesis of biofilm-produced acids and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides.

Background: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare workers has been reported to compromise patient safety. Medical students are future doctors. We explored how early medical students acquired the practice of using abbreviations, and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice. Method: Eighty junior and 74 senior medical students were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data; frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of mishaps due to misinterpretation; and the ability of students to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations. Comparisons were made between senior and junior medical students. Results: Abbreviation use was highly prevalent among junior and senior medical students. They acquired the habit mainly from the clinical notes of doctors in the hospital. They used abbreviations mainly to save time, space and avoid writing in full sentences. The students experienced difficulties, frustrations and often resorted to guesswork when interpreting abbreviations; with junior students experiencing these more than senior students. The latter were better at interpreting standard and nonstandard abbreviations. Nevertheless, the students felt the use of abbreviations was necessary and acceptable. Only a few students reported encountering mishaps in patient management as a result of misinterpretation of abbreviations. Conclusion: Medical students acquired the habit of using abbreviations early in their training. Senior students knew more and correctly interpreted more standard and non-standard abbreviations compared to junior students. Medical students should be taught to use standard abbreviations only.
Students, Medical

Introduction: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare professionals has been reported to compromise patient safety. This study was done to determine the prevalence of abbreviations usage among medical doctors and nurses and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice. Methods: Seventy-seven medical doctors and eighty nurses answered a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data and information regarding abbreviation use in medical practice. Comparisons were made between doctors and nurses with regards to frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of medical errors due to misinterpretation of abbreviations; and their ability to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations. Results: The use of abbreviations was highly prevalent among doctors and nurses. Time saving, avoidance of writing sentences in full and convenience, were the main reasons for using abbreviations. Doctors learned abbreviations from fellow doctors while nurses learned from fellow nurses and doctors. More doctors than nurses reported encountering abbreviations. Both groups reported no difficulties in interpreting abbreviations although nurses reported often resorting to guesswork. Both groups felt abbreviations were necessary and an acceptable part of work. Doctors outperformed nurses in correctly interpreting commonly used standard and non-standard abbreviations. Conclusion: The use of standard and non-standard abbreviation in clinical practice by doctors and nurses was highly prevalent. Significant variability in interpretation of abbreviations exists between doctors and nurses.

Anxiety and depression were known to bring detrimental outcome in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Notwithstanding their high prevalence and catastrophic impact, anxiety and depression were unrecognized and untreated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among IHD patients and the association of this condition with clinical and selected demographic factors. This was a cross-sectional study on 100 IHD patients admitted to medical ward in UKMMC. Patients diagnosed to have IHD were randomly assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Social Support (PSS) Questionnaire. Socio-demographic data were obtained by direct interview. Fifteen percent of IHD patients in this sample were noted to have anxiety, fourteen percent noted to have depression while thirty two percent was noted to have both anxiety and depression. Patients’ age group and the duration of illness were found to have significant association with anxiety. Socio-demographic data were obtained by direct interview. Fifteen percent of IHD patients in this sample were noted to have anxiety, fourteen percent noted to have depression while thirty two percent was noted to have both anxiety and depression. Patients’ age group and the duration of illness were found to have significant association wit¬h anxiety. The other clinical and selected demographic factors such as gender, race, marital status, education level, occupation, co-existing medical illness and social support were not found to be significantly associated with anxiety or depression among the IHD patients. In conclusion, proper assessment of anxiety and depression in IHD patients, with special attention to patients’ age and duration of illness should be carried out routinely to help avert detrimental consequences.​

Objective To observe and study the efficacy and the impact on memory of alzheimer′s disease patients treated with perception of enhancing intelligence and treating dementia.Methods A total of 114 cases of alzheimer′s patients were randomly divided into treatment group (57 cases) and control group (57 cases).Patients in control group were treated with piracetam, oral 0.8 -1.6 g, 4 times a day.Patients in treatment group were taken perception of enhancing intelligence and treating dementia on the basis of control group, 2 times a day, 4 weeks for a course of treatment.Before and after three months treatment, MMSE, BI, and cognitive function, memory and Blessed dementia scale were assess.Clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were observed.Results Total effective rate in treatment group was 94.74%, significantly higher than that in control group, which was 63.15%( P<0.05 ).After treatment, MMSE score ( 17.5 ±2.1 ) and BI score (74.9 ±5.7) in control group were significantly lower than that in treatment group, which were ( 22.2 ±2.3 ) , ( 85.8 ±5.9 ) , ( P<0.05).After treatment, cognitive function, vocabulary and memory in treatment group were significantly higher than that in control group.The Blessed dementia scale score in treatment group (4.6 ±2.4) was lower than that in control group (5.8 ±2.5).The incidence of adverse reactions in treatment group(7.01%), was lower than that in control group(28.07%, P<0.05).Conclusion Perception of enhancing intelligence and treating dementia combined piracetam can effectively improve the clinical symptoms, memory and life skills of alzheimer′s patients.