The contamination of extrinsic harmful contaminants including mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticides, etc, brings serious risks to traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), further to human health. Due to their unique photoluminescence, chemiluminescence, electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence properties, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) nanoparticles are widely used to immobilize bioprobes and biosensors, etc. In this review, the luminescence characteristics and specific ligands of QDs probles which are used to determine contaminants were summed up. Then, the applications of QDs-coated novel probes in the determination of mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticides were discussed in detail. In addition, the contamination levels and characteristics of extrinsic harmful residues in TCMs were investigated. Further, the maximum levels of those contaminants in TCMs were compared with those set by various countries. Finally, the future development trends and problems of QDs-coated probes in the determination of those extrinsic residues in TCMs were prospected.
Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Nanotechnology ; instrumentation ; methods ; Quantum Dots ; Safety ; Time Factors

Theexcretionofurinaryandplasmametabolitesofsalbutamolwasstudiedusingultrahigh performance liquid chromatography electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry, after a single intragastric gavaged dose administration with salbutamol. The software of Agilent MassHunter Metabolite ID was employed to find and identify the chemical structure of metabolites of salbutamol. Five metabolites from salbutamol were identified. Metabolites identified in swine urine included glucuronide conjugate salbutamol, N-oxide-salbutamol, hydroxyl-salbutamol, methoxyl-salbutamol and dehydrated hydroxyl-salbutamol. Whereas, only the parent drug, glucuronide conjugate salbutamol and dehydrated hydroxyl-salbutamol were observed in swine plasma.

Objective To develop a tool capable of early and exactly predicting various outcomes in comatose survivors who restore spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and validate its performance.Methods Variables that were both readily available and predictive of outcomes were identified by systematically reviewing published literature on resuscitation.A value was assigned to these variables.We used these variables in combination with APACHE Ⅱ/score to devise a multifactorial prediction score system,which we called PRCSs Prognostication Score (PRCSs-PS).Outcomes in 115 hospitalized comatose survivors after CPR were retrospectively reviewed using PRCSs-PS.Score of patients with different outcomes was compared.The area under the receiveroperating characteristic (ROC) curve was determined to evaluate performance of this tool to identify patients with a poor outcome (CPC4 and 5) and other outcomes (CPC1,2,and 3).Results There were differences of PRCSs-PS score among multiple groups with five different outcomes (CPC1-5)(F=65.91,P=0.000).Pairwise groups with different CPC were compared:no significant difference was noted between CPC 1 and CPC2 (12.41±6.49 vs 17.38±6.91,P=0.092),but difference between other pairwise CPC groups was statistically significant (CPC2 vs CPC3:17.38±6.91 vs 24.50±5.80,P=0.041,CPC3 vs CPC4:24.50±5.80 vs 32.29±5.24,P=0.006).The performance of PRCSs-PS to discriminate patients with a poor outcome from patients with other outcomes went as follows:it had 100% sensitivity,78.6% specificity,and 178.6 diagnostic index at the score cut-off22.5; it had 77.8% sensitivity,100% specificity and 176.4 diagnostic index at the score cut-off32.5.Score 23 and 33 were two key cut-offpoints.The area under the ROC curve was 0.968,showing excellent discrimination.Conclusions The final outcomes in post-resuscitation comatose survivors can be accurately predicted using PRCSs-PS Score.

Objective To determine the frequency of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)polymorphisms Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile in a cohort of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and their donors in China.Method We examined the polymorphisms in 208 peripheral blood samples collected from 104 recipients and their donors in a single center between 2007-2012 in Zhejiang Province,China,and Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile TLR4 gene polymorphisms were detected using the sample DNA amplification products direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.Result Both methods didn't demonstrate TLR4 polymorphisms Asp299Gly or Thr399Ile base mutation in our samples.Conclusion The TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms are very rare in our part of the population of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective To investigate the effect of CYP3A5 * 3 and MDR1C3435T polymorphisms on the blood trough concentration of sirolimus in the Chinese renal transplantation recipients with stable renal function and the influencing factors for individual differences.Method 112 cases of Chinese renal transplantation recipients with stable renal function were recruited in this study.Related data of the recipients,including gender,age,height and body mass,were recoded.CYP3A5 and MDR1 genotypes were determined by the direct sequencing.Blood trough concentration of sirolimus was measured by using chemiluminescence microparticle immuno assay (CMIA).The influencing factors of individual differences in sirolimus blood trough concentration was analyzed,and the correlation of CYP3A5 * 3 and MDR1C3435T gene polymorphisms with sirolimus blood trough concentration was evaluated.Result Of the 112 cases,there were 10 cases (8.93％) of CYP3A5 * 1/* 1,49 cases (43.75％) of CYP3A5 * 1/* 3,and 53 cases (47.32％) of CYP3A5 * 3/* 3.Allele frequencies of CYP3A5 * 1 and * 3 were 30.81％ and 69.19％,respectively.There were 31 recipients (27.68％) with MDR1 3435CC,60 (53.57％) with MDR1 3435CT,and 21 (18.75％) with MDR1 3435TT.Allele frequencies for C and T at position 3435 of MDR1 were 54.46％ and 45.54％,respectively.In this study,recipients' CYP3A5 * 3 genotype was the main factor (P =0.000) of sirolimus blood trough concentration,but dose,gender,age,height,postoperative time,the level of serum creatinine,hemoglobin levels,combined use of CsA and MDR1C3435T genotype had no effects on sirolimus blood trough concentration (P ＞ 0.05).sirolimus blood trough concentration/(dose weight) in * 1/* 1,* 1/* 3 and * 3/* 3 recipients was (0.0721 ± 0.0202),(0.1055 ± 0.0395),and (0.1395 ± 0.0537) μg·L-1 ·mg-1 ·kg-1,respectively,The sirolimus blood trough concentration/ (dose weight) in * 1/* 3 recipients was 1.46 times higher than that in * 1/* 1 recipients,and that in * 3/* 3 recipients were 1.93 times higher than that in * 1/* 1 recipients.There was significant difference in sirolimus blood trough concentration/(dose weight) between recipients with different CYP3A5 * 3 genotypes (P =0.000).Conclusion The CYP3A5 * 3 gene polymorphism is closely related to the blood trough concentration/dose of sirolimus,and is the main factor of the blood trough concentration of sirolimus between individuals.

Objective To investigate the possible protective effect of adenoviral vector expressing interleukin-1β (IL-1β) small hairpin RNA (shRNA) on spinal cord injury (SCI) and its mechanism in rats.Methods Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups including the Sham, the Vehicle,the Ad-GFP and the Ad-shIL-1β groups.SCI was induced by epidural compression.Motor function of hind limbs was evaluated by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score, the expressions of green fluorescence in injured spinal cord tissue were observed by fluorescence microscope.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence were also performed.Results The expressions of green fluorescence in injured spinal cord tissue were observed in the Ad-GFP and Ad-shIL-1β groups one day after SCI.Significant functional improvement was observed in the Ad-shIL-1β group (8.17 ± 1.17, 10.17 ± 0.98 and 11.33 ± 0.82, respectively) compared to the Vehicle (4.00 ± 0.89, 5.67 ± 1.03 and 6.17 ± 1.17, respectively) and Ad-GFP (3.83 ± 0.98, 5.33 ± 1.21 and 5.67 ± 1.03, respectively) groups at 7, 14 and 21 days after SCI (P ＜ 0.05).Rats in the Ad-shIL-1β group had less neuronal loss 21 days after SCI.In addition, IL-1β downregulation significantly decreased IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-or (TNF-α) and IL-6 levels (138.83 ± 7.96,143.38 ± 10.20 and 120.43 ± 9.79 in Ad-shIL-1β group;169.33 ± 11.45, 172.33 ± 8.26 and 163.00 ± 9.57 in Vehicle group;172.83 ± 10.85,167.48 ± 8.19 and 159.48 ± 10.98 in Ad-GFP group, respectively) one day after SCI (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion This study demonstrated that the IL-1β downregulation may have potential therapeutic benefits for improving the outcomes after SCI.

Objective To investigate the effect of transcatheter bladder arterial chemoembolization on microvessel density(MVD)change in bladder cancer. Methods The MVD count of bladder cancer tissue of 30 patients before and after chemoembolization were examined by SP immunohistochemical staining.Cancer tissues were examined pathology after chemoembolization.All the cases were followed up for 12 to 36 months(mean 24.6 months),the 3 years survival rate was evaluated clinically. Results MVD counts were 69.8±3.4 and 56.4±3.3 before and after therapy respectively(P<0.05).Cancer tissues were severely damaged ultramicroscopically after interventional chemotherapy.The recurrent rate was 16.67%in 30 cases. Conclusions The chemoembolization could decrease MVD,improve survival rate and reduce the recurrence rate.

Objective To explore how to prevent biliary duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods The clinical data of 484 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy from December 2002 to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed,and the experiences of preventing biliary duct injury were summarized.Results No biliary duct injury case was found but 26 cases were converted to laparotomy during operation and 20 cases were placed drainage tube.Conclusion Familiar with the anatomy of bile duct,careful handling of the Calot's triangle are the keys to prevent biliary duct injury in LC.

OBJECTIVE To discuss the characteristics and risk factors of nosocomial infection inpatients with chronic kidney disease.METHODS The data from chronic kidney disease(CKD) patients retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS The nosocomial infection rate of CKD patients was 14.73%,urinary tract was the most comun site,The main-pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria,and then Gram-positive bacteria and fungii.The patients with diabetic nephropathy,lupus nephritis,aging,lower glomerular filtration rate,hypoproteinemia,anemia,and long time duration were easy to get nosocomial infection.CONCLUSIONS Nosocomial infection in CKD patients is related to underlying diseases,age,kidney function,serum albumin level,hemoglobin level,duration time in the hospital.

In order to confirm the alteration and significance of cigarette smoke exposure on SP-A in rats, 20 Wistar rats were assigned randomly to two groups: an N group (n=10), and an S group (n=10). The ultra-structural change was observed by electron microscopy. The number of cells positive for SPA was by immunohistochemically measured. The mRNA expression in the lung tissues was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The number of cells positive for SPA of the S group (0.52 +/- 0.05) was lower than that of the N group (0.72+/-0.06) (P<0.05). The levels of mRNA of SPA in the lung tissues of the S group (0.3522+/-0.0512) was significantly lower than that of the N group (0.4432+/-0.05628) (P<0.05). It is concluded that cigarette smoke alone decreased the level of SP-A and that might have an important effect on surfactant metabolism and the host defense functions of surfactant in the peripheral airways, which might play a crucial role in the development of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Gene Expression Regulation ; Immunohistochemistry/methods ; Lung/metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A/*biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoking/*adverse effects ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/*adverse effects