A rapid, sensitive and simple liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of clevidipine butyrate and its primary metabolite clevidipine acid in dog blood. After one-step protein precipitation with methanol, the chromatographic separation was carried out on an Ecosil C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and 5 mmol · L(-1) ammonium formate. A chromatographic total run time of 13.0 min was achieved. The quantitation analysis was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) at the specific ion transitions of m/z 454.1 [M-H]- --> m/z 234.1 for clevidipine butyrate, m/z 354.0 [M-H]- --> m/z 208.0 for clevidipine acid and m/z 256.1 [M-H]- --> m/z 227.1 for elofesalamide (internal standard, IS) in the negative ion mode with electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The linear calibration curves for clevidipine butyrate and clevidipine acid were obtained in the concentration ranges of 0.5-100 ng · mL and 1-200 ng · mL(-1), separately. The lower limit of quantification of clevidipine butyrate and clevidipine acid were 0.5 ng · mL(-1) and 1 ng · mL(-1). The intra and inter-assay precisions were all below 12.9%, the accuracies were all in standard ranges. Stability testing indicated that clevidipine butyrate and clevidipine acid in dog blood with the addition of denaturant methanol was stable under various processing and/or handling conditions. The validated method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of clevidipine butyrate injection to 8 healthy Beagle dogs following intravenous infusion at a flow rate of 5 mg · h(-1) for 0.5 h.
Animals ; Butyrates ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Calibration ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dogs ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Pyridines ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objective To study the relationship between self-esteem and childhood abuse, life events among male violent adolescent. Methods According to the modified overt aggression scale, juvenile delinquents were divided into violent group (n = 128 )and nonviolent group (n = 118 ). All the participants were investigated by Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-28 Item Short Form (CTQ-SF) and Adolescent SelfRating Life Events (ASLEC) and conducted correlation and regression analysis. Results ①Violent group had lower self-esteem scores ( 22.73 ± 3.30 ) than the nonviolent group ( 23.81 ± 3.30, P ＜ 0.05 ). Violent group had higher scores in physical abuse, sexual abuse, total life events, interpersonal relationship, punishment, and other (8.30 ±4.07, 7.23 ±2.26, 54.48 ±18.60, 10.09 ±3.84, 14.43 ±5.87, 4.93 ±3.15, 9.93 ±3.64), compared to the nonviolent group (7.27 ± 3.27, 6.60 ± 2.09, 45.40 ± 18.45, 8.42 ± 4.13, 11.07 ± 5.75, 3.66 ±2.81, 7.84 ±3.66, P＜0. 05). ②The self-esteem was significantly negative correlated with the childhood abuse and life events( r= -0. 143 ～ -0. 358, P＜ 0.01 ) among violent male adolescents. ③The physical abuse and punishment had significant prediction function of 15.6% on self-esteem. Conclusions Violent adolescents have low self-esteem, which is closely related to childhood abuse and adolescent life events.

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), especially hypoplastic MDS, and MDS with low blast counts or normal karyotype may be problematic. This study characterized ID4 gene methylation in patients with MDS and aplastic anemia (AA).

METHODSThe methylation status of ID4 was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR (MethyLight PCR) in 100 patients with MDS and 31 patients with AA.

RESULTSThe MDS group had a higher ID4 gene methylation positivity rate (22.22%) and higher methylation levels (0.21 [0-3.79]) than the AA group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the hypoplastic MDS and AA groups, the MDS with low blast count and the AA groups, and the MDS with normal karyotype and the AA groups. The combination of genetic and epigenetic markers was used in much more patients with MDS (62.5% [35/56]) than the use of genetic markers only (51.79% [29/56]).

CONCLUSIONSThese results showed that the detection of ID4 methylation positivity rates and levels could be a useful biomarker for MDS diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia, Aplastic ; genetics ; Child ; CpG Islands ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Young Adult

Adult ; Chorea ; etiology ; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Endarterectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Embolism ; surgery

BACKGROUNDWhen compared with conventional abdominoperineal resection (APR), extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of local recurrence for the treatment of locally advanced low rectal cancer. Combined with the laparoscopic technique, laparoscopic ELAPE (LELAPE) has the potential to reduce invasion and hasten postoperative recovery. In this study, we aim to investigate the advantages of LELAPE in comparison with conventional APR.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to February 2013, 23 patients with low rectal cancer (T 3-4 N 0-2 M 0 ) underwent LELAPE; while during the same period, 25 patients were treated with conventional APR. The patient characteristics, intraoperative data, postoperative complications, and follow-up results were retrospectively compared and analyzed.

RESULTSThe basic patient characteristics were similar; but the total operative time for the LELAPE was longer than that of the conventional APR group (P = 0.014). However, the operative time for the perineal portion was comparable between the two groups (P = 0.328). The LELAPE group had less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.022), a lower bowel perforation rate (P = 0.023), and a positive circumferential margin (P = 0.028). Moreover, the patients, who received the LELAPE, had a lower postoperative Visual Analog Scale, quicker recovery of bowel function (P = 0.001), and a shorter hospital stay (P = 0.047). However, patients in the LELAPE group suffered more chronic perineal pain (P = 0.002), which may be related to the coccygectomy (P = 0.033). Although the metastasis rate and mortality rate were similar between the two groups, the local recurrence rate of the LELAPE group was statistically improved (P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONSWhen compared with conventional APR, LELAPE has the potential to reduce the risk of local recurrence, and decreases operative invasion for the treatment of locally advanced low rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectum ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAn effective purging technique plays an important role in autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides a novel approach for this purpose. This study dealt with the purging effects of di-sulfo-di-phthalimidomethyl phthalolcyanine zinc (ZnPcS2P2)-based photodynamic therapy (ZnPc-PDT).

METHODSFluorescence intensity of cell extracts was measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometry. The proliferative potency of K562 cells and HL60 cells was detected using MTT colorimetric assay, Typan blue dye exclusion method, colony formation test. The proliferative potency of normal hematopoietic cells was evaluated using mixture colony-forming unit (CFU-Mix), granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM), and erythrocyte colony-forming unit (CFU-E) assays. K562 cells were mixed with normal mononuclear cells (MNCs) at ratios of 1:100 and 1:1000 for creating the model of simulated remission bone marrow. Colony formation test and nested-RT-PCR were carried out to detect the residual K562 cells in cell mixture.

RESULTSAfter a 5-hour incubation with ZnPcS2P2, the content of ZnPcS2P2 in normal MNCs was the lowest value. At the same time, the content in K562 cells and HL60 cells was very high. Therefore, the time point was selected as the optimal one for irradiating the cell suspensions. ZnPc-PDT could significantly kill proliferative K562 cells and HL60 cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the concentration of 1.0 microg/ml, the inhibitory rate of ZnPc-PDT on the colony formation was 100% for K562 cells, 89.7% for HL60 cells. 0.25 microg/ml ZnPc-PDT could completely photoinactivate residual K562 cells in the simulated remission bone marrow. Under an identical condition, the inhibitory rates of CFU-Mix, CFU-GM, CFU-E were 18.0%, 18.6%, and 17.8% respectively.

CONCLUSIONZnPc-PDT appears to be a promising approach for bone marrow purging.

Bone Marrow Purging ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Colorimetry ; HL-60 Cells ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Phthalimides ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDHemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a severe obstetric complication which usually resolves in most patients after delivery.

METHODSWe report a rare case of aggravation of HELLP syndrome after delivery.

RESULTSThe patient underwent the treatment for HELLP syndrome, including glucocorticoid therapy. The symptoms of HELLP syndrome reappeared and became more severe than before the termination of pregnancy. The patient also had severe and persistent hypoproteinemia, hyponatremia and hypocalcemia.

CONCLUSIONSHELLP syndrome is an acute and critical obstetric syndrome which can have heterogeneous presentations and variable prognosis. We should be fully aware of the diverse clinical characteristics of this condition.

Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Delivery, Obstetric ; adverse effects ; Female ; HELLP Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Hyponatremia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Hypoproteinemia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Astragalus Extractum on canine isolated kidney during hypothermia perfusion and preservation.

METHODSIsolated kidneys in the control group were hypothermia perfused and preserved using conventional hypertonic adenine citrate solution (HC-A), and for those in the experimental group, using HC-A plus Astragalus extract instead. The changes of renal tissue construction were observed with light microscopy and electron microscopy. Moreover, the kidney transplantation model of dog was established to determine the changes of biochemical parameters before and after transplantation. Data were analysed synthetically.

RESULTSThe ultrastructural injury in preserved kidney of the experimental group was significantly milder than that in the control group. Parameters determined in the early stage of transplantation showed that the blood creatinine level was significantly lower and the endogenous creatinine clearing value was higher in the experimental group than that in the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWhen Astragalus extractum is used in preserving kidney with hypothermia perfusion, it shows definite protective effect on the ischemic reperfusion injured kidney.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Cryoprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hypothermia, Induced ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Transplantation, Autologous

We analyzed the genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus A4 (CV-A4) based on the entire VP1 coding region. Samples were isolated from patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Shaanxi, China from 2006 to 2010. We wished to ascertain the predominant genotype and the relationship between CV-A4 infection and AFP. Sixty-eight non-polio enteroviruses were inoculated onto RD cells (to increase the virus titer) and molecular typing was undertaken. The entire VP1 coding region was amplified. Percentage of CV-A4 was 10.3% (7/68). Analyses of genetic identify and creation of phylogenetic trees revealed that CV-A4 could be classified into A, B and C genotypes. Seven CV-A4 strains from Shaanxi and other CV-A4 strains from China formed an independent evolution lineage located in group 4 and belonged to the C2 sub-genotype. These data suggested that CV-A4 strains of sub-genotype C2 were the predominant genotypes in China. These strains co-evolved and co-circulated with those from other provinces in China, so continued monitoring of CV-A4 (by clinical and genetic surveillance) should be enhanced.
China ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Paralysis ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects of the circumcision stapler, circumcision cerclage, and traditional circumcision in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

METHODSUsing the circumcision stapler (group A), foreskin cerclage (group B), and traditional circumcision (group C), we treated 276 patients with phimosis or redundant prepuce. We made comparisons among the three groups in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative and 24-hour postoperative pain scores, and incidence of postoperative complications. Results: The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative pain score were (6.52 ± 2.45) min, (1.93 ± 0.82) ml, and 1.37 ± 0.68 in group A and (7.24 ± 1.86) min, (1.51 ± 0.72) ml, and 1.20 ± 0.79 in group B, all significantly lower than (28. 36 ± 4.22) min, (9.52 ± 3.29) ml, and 3.06 ± 0.75 in group C (P <0.05). The 24-hour postoperative pain score was remarkably higher in group B than in A and C (3. 18 ± 0. 82 vs 1. 85 ± 0. 63 and 1. 82 ± 0. 75, P <0. 05). The incidence rate of postoperative complications was markedly lower in group A than in B (5. 43% vs 14. 13%, P < 0.05), but with no significant differences between either A and C or B and C (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe circumcision stapler, with its advantages of simple operation, minimal invasiveness, fewer complications, and better cosmetic result, deserves a wider clinical application.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Foreskin ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; diagnosis ; Penis ; abnormalities ; Phimosis ; therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period