OBJECTIVE To establish an ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)method for determination of dexmedetomidine(DEX)in plasma of beagle dogs and evaluate the pharmacokinetics and sedation after nasal,buccal and sublingual mucosal admin-istration.METHODS A UPLC-MS/MS method was established and validated for dertermination of DEX in plasma of beagle dogs.DEX was administered to the nasal cavity,buccal and sublingual mucous membranes of beagle dogs,respectively.Blood samples were collected at different time points.The plasma concentration of DEX was measured by the established UPLC-MS/MS method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were fitted by Phoenix software and the sedative effect at different mucous membrane sites was evaluated in conjunction with behavioral and Ramsay scores.RESULTS The linearity of DEX was fine within the range of 0.05-100 μg·L-1(r>0.999),which was validated methodologically to meet the requirements of quantitative detection.The plasma concentration of the drug peaked the fastest with nasal administration.Tmax was 0.25 h,Cmax(4.43±1.19)μg·L-1,and the AUC0-6h was(8.92±2.07)μg·h·L-1,compared with 0.92 and 1 h,(2.87±0.69),(2.70±0.41)μg·L-1,and(7.99±1.77),(7.01±2.09)μg·h·L-1 with buccal and sublingual administration.Nasal administration had the fastest onset at 7 min,with a Ramsay score of 4,and sedation lasted for 36 min,compared with 33 and 35 min,and 38 and 37 min for buccal and sublingual administration.CONCLUSION The proposed method is sensitive,reliable and applicable to quantitative analysis of DEX in plasma of beagle dogs.Administration of DEX to the nasal cavity mucosa has a faster onset and a better sedative effect than to the buccal and sublingual mucosa.

Compared with conventional transdermal drug delivery systems, dissolving microneedles significantly enhance drug bioavailability by penetrating the stratum corneum barrier and achieving intradermal drug delivery. In order to improve the transdermal bioavailability of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, in this study, a novel microneedle delivery system was developed for dexmedetomidine hydrochloride based on 3D printing combined with micro-molding. By systematically optimizing the microneedle geometrical parameters, array arrangement, and preparation process parameters, we determined the optimal ratio of drug-carrying matrix as 15% PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) K90. The microneedles exhibited significant drug loading gradients, with mean content of (209.99±27.56) μg/patch, (405.31±30.31) μg/patch, and (621.61±34.43) μg/patch. They showed a regular pyramidal structure under SEM and handheld electron microscopy, and their mechanical strength allowed effective penetration into the stratum corneum. The surface contact angles were all < 90°, indicating excellent hydrophilicity. The microneedles dissolved completely within 10 min after skin insertion, achieving a cumulative release rate of 90% (Higuchi model, r=0.996) during 2 hours of in vitro transdermal permeation. The cytotoxicity test and hemolysis test verified good biocompatibility. Pharmacodynamic evaluation showed that the microneedle group demonstrated pain-relieving effect within 15 min, with the pain threshold at the time point of 60 min being 3 times that in the transdermal cream group. The microneedle system developed in this study not only offers an efficient drug delivery option for patients but also establishes an innovative platform for rapid percutaneous delivery of hydrophilic drugs, demonstrating significant potential in perioperative pain management.
Dexmedetomidine/pharmacokinetics* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Needles ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Microinjections/instrumentation* ; Skin Absorption ; Skin/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE To establish an ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)method for determination of dexmedetomidine(DEX)in plasma of beagle dogs and evaluate the pharmacokinetics and sedation after nasal,buccal and sublingual mucosal admin-istration.METHODS A UPLC-MS/MS method was established and validated for dertermination of DEX in plasma of beagle dogs.DEX was administered to the nasal cavity,buccal and sublingual mucous membranes of beagle dogs,respectively.Blood samples were collected at different time points.The plasma concentration of DEX was measured by the established UPLC-MS/MS method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were fitted by Phoenix software and the sedative effect at different mucous membrane sites was evaluated in conjunction with behavioral and Ramsay scores.RESULTS The linearity of DEX was fine within the range of 0.05-100 μg·L-1(r>0.999),which was validated methodologically to meet the requirements of quantitative detection.The plasma concentration of the drug peaked the fastest with nasal administration.Tmax was 0.25 h,Cmax(4.43±1.19)μg·L-1,and the AUC0-6h was(8.92±2.07)μg·h·L-1,compared with 0.92 and 1 h,(2.87±0.69),(2.70±0.41)μg·L-1,and(7.99±1.77),(7.01±2.09)μg·h·L-1 with buccal and sublingual administration.Nasal administration had the fastest onset at 7 min,with a Ramsay score of 4,and sedation lasted for 36 min,compared with 33 and 35 min,and 38 and 37 min for buccal and sublingual administration.CONCLUSION The proposed method is sensitive,reliable and applicable to quantitative analysis of DEX in plasma of beagle dogs.Administration of DEX to the nasal cavity mucosa has a faster onset and a better sedative effect than to the buccal and sublingual mucosa.

To investigate the value of self-developed air-free laparoscopic auxiliary instruments in the clinical application of thyroid diseases.The clinical data of 70 transaxillary and 45 transareolar air-free laparoscopic surgeries for thyroid cancer and 40 conventional open surgeries were retrospectively compared.The transaxillary and transareolar laparoscopic groups had significantly longer operative times than the open group,while the postoperative satisfaction was higher in the endoscopic group than in the open group.This set of instruments has advantage of novel design,scientific structure,safe application.It can be compatible with a variety of thyroid and breast air-free laparoscopic procedures,which can promote the development and popularization of laparoscopic technology.

Background::Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is gradually accepted as the standard of care in breast cancer patients with down-staged axillary disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). However, it is still difficult to precisely define pre-NAC clinical node-positive (cN1) and post-NAC clinical node-negative (ycN0). This prospective single-center trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of standard targeted axillary dissection (TAD) after NAC in highly selective pre-NAC cN1 patients (not considering ultrasound-based axillary ycN staging).Methods::This prospective trial included patients with initial pre-NAC cT1–3N1M0 invasive breast cancer but with a rigorous definition of cN1 from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University. When NAC was effective (including complete and partial responses) and preoperative axillary palpation was negative, preoperative ultrasound-based axillary staging was not considered, and all patients underwent TAD followed by axillary lymph node (LN) dissection. The detection rate (DR) and false-negative rate (FNR) of TAD were calculated.Results::A total of 82 patients were included, and 77 of them were eligible for data analysis. The DR for TAD was 94.8% (73/77). There were 26 patients with one abnormal LN at the time of diagnosis based on ultrasound, 45 patients with two, and 2 patients with three. One patient had one TAD LN, four patients had two TAD LNs, and 68 patients had three or more TAD LNs. Preoperative axillary palpation yielded negative results for all 73 patients who successfully underwent TAD. Preoperative ultrasound-based ycN0 and ycN+ conditions were detected for 52 and 21 cases, respectively. The FNR was 7.4% (2/27) for standard TAD (≥3 SLNs), which was lower than that of all successful TAD (≥1 SLN; 10.0%, 3/30).Conclusions::In rigorously defined pre-NAC cN1 breast cancer patients, standard TAD is feasible for those with negative axillary palpation after NAC, and FNR is also less than 10%.Registration::chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100049093

OBJECTIVE To study the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of the ethanol extract and the drug-containing serum of Zhuang medicine Stahlianthus involucratus on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation. METHODS The drug-containing serum or blank serum was obtained by intragastrical administration of ethanol extract of S. involucratus （75.35 g/kg） or purified water. Using RAW264.7 cells as objects， RAW264.7 cells were divided into normal control group， LPS group （1 μg/mL）， S. involucratus ethanol extract high-dose， medium-dose and low-dose groups （50， 25， 12.5 μg/mL）， 4% or 15% blank serum groups， 4% or 15% blank serum+LPS groups， 4% or 15% drug-containing serum groups， 4% or 15% drug-containing serum+LPS groups. After culturing for 24 h， cell viability， the contents of nitric oxide tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α）， interleukinand IL-6 as well as mRNA expressions of Toll-like eceptor 4 （TLR4） and nuclear factor κB （NF- κB） and protein expressions of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and cyclooxygenase 2 （COX-2） were all detected in each group. 0771-4953513。E-mail：zhuhuagx@163.com RESULTS After culturing for 24 h， there was no statisticalsignificance in the difference of cell viability. Compared with normal control group， the contents of NO， TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6， mRNA expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB， and protein expressions of NOS and COX-2 were increased significantly in LPS group （P＜0.05）. Compared with 4% or 15% blank serum groups， the levels of above indexes were increased significantly in 4% or 15% blank serum+LPS groups （P＜0.05）. Compared with LPS group， the levels of above indexes were decreased significantly in S. involucratus ethanol extract groups （P＜0.05）. Compared with 4% or 15% blank serum+LPS groups， the levels of above indexes were decreased significantly in 4% or 15% drug-containing serum+LPS groups （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The ethanol extract and the drug-containing serum of S. involucratus can significantly alleviate LPS-induced inflammatory reaction， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the activity of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway， down-regulating the protein expressions of COX-2 and NOS， and reducing the release of inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVE To study the metabolites derived from the ethanol extract from the leaves of Dimocarpus longan preliminarily in rats in vivo ，and to provide reference for elucidating the possible metabolic mechanism of the leaves of D. longan in lowering blood glucose . METHODS Ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time -of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） was adopted by taking ethanol extract of D. longan leaves，the feces and urine of rats at 0-72 h and 0-48 h after intragastric administration of 33.8 g/kg ethanol extract of D. longan leaves（by extract ），the feces and urine of rats at the corresponding time after intragastric administration of normal saline （blank control ） as samples . The accurate relative molecular weight ，formula and fragment information of the compounds were collected ， and the compounds were speculated and i dentified by matching with the database and spectrum library of the instrument ，and comparing with the reference substance and relevant literature . RESULTS A total of eight compounds were identified in urine and feces of rats ，including 2 prototype components and 6 metabolites. Three compounds （including two prototype components as quercetin ，luteolin and one metabolite as luteolin or kaempferol） in feces of rats were identified ；five compounds （all metabolites ） in urine of rats were identified ，involving metabolites of quercetin ，luteolin or kaempferol . Metabolites mainly included the products of methylation ，glucuronidation and oxidation. CONCLUSIONS After intragastric administration ，the ethanol extract from the leaves of D. longan is mainly metabolized in rats through methylation ，glucuronidation and other pathways . The identified compounds are mostly metabolites of quercetin and luteolin .

OBJECTIVE：To i nvestigate the spectrum-effect relationship of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl acetate extract from Zhuang medicine Stahlianthus involucratus from different habitats. METHODS ：Ten batches of S. involucratus from different habitats were used as samples to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethyl acetate extracts by xylene induced ear swelling test and acetic acid induced writhing test in mice. HPLC fingerprints of 10 batches of ethyl acetate extract from S. involucratus were established and their similarity was evaluated by using Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatogram Fingerprint （2012 edition），and the common peaks were identified by comparison with the control. The spectrum-effect relationship of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of ethyl acetate extract from S. involucratus were analyzed on the basis of Pearson correlation coefficient （auricle swelling degree and writhing times in 15 min as pharmacodynamic indexes ）and Grey relational analysis （inhibition rate of ear swelling and analgesic rate as pharmacodynamic indexes ）. RESULTS ： batches of ethyl acetate extract from S. involucratus had obvious anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects ； inhibition rates of ear swelling in mice were 46.43％-55.16％，and the analgesic rates of mice were 45.56％-52.72％. A total of 18 common peaks were identified in 10 batches of samples ，andthe similarity between them and the control fingerprint was 0.994-0.997. Compared with substance control ，the pea ks 1，2 and 4 were identified as protocatechuic acid ， p-hydroxy- 0771-4953513。E-mail：liangjie1101@126.com benzoic acid and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde，respectively. Results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that peak 10 and peak 18 were significantly negative correlated with auricle swelling degree and writhing times in 15 min（r were values －0.853，－0.738，P values were 0.002，0.015，respectively）. Results of Gray correlation degree analysis showed that the correlation degree of 18 common peaks with inhibition rate of ear swelling and analgesic rate were all greater than 0.65；among them ，peaks 14，1（protocatechuic acid ），17，9，4（p-hydroxybenzaldehyde），2（p-hydroxybenzoic acid ）， 16，7 and 6 showed the relatively high correlation degree （correlation degree ＞0.7）；peak 1（protocatechuic acid ），17，14，9，16，2 （p-hydroxybenzoic acid ）and 4（p-hydroxybenzaldehyde）showed the relatively high correlation degree （correlation degree ＞0.7）. CONCLUSIONS：The ethyl acetate extract of S. involucratus show good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Peak 1 （protocatechuic acid ），2（p-hydroxybenzoic acid ），10，14，17，18 may be its main active ingredients.

At present, hepatic resection (HR) and radiofrequency ablation of (RFA) are the main radical treatment methods for small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC), while stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is developing rapidly and there is an increasing number of reports on the effective treatment of sHCC with SBRT. This article introduces the technical advantages, therapeutic dose, and fractionation scheme of SBRT in the treatment of sHCC, as well as the limit of normal liver tissue and the protection of surrounding organs at risk. This article also compares the efficacy of SBRT versus HR and RFA in the treatment of sHCC and briefly describes the adverse reactions of SBRT in the treatment of sHCC. Previous studies have shown that for some sHCC cases, SBRT has an equal or even better clinical effect than HR and RFA, with controllable toxicity. Therefore, SBRT is expected to become another radical treatment method for sHCC.

Objective: To investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in pulmonary tissues from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the relationship with its clinical features. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients who underwent pulmonary bullectomy lobectomy due to pneumatocele from January 2015 to September 2018 in Longgang Central Hospital were enrolled and classified into patients without COPD (control group)and patients with COPD (COPD group), with 90 patients each group. According to the lung function parameters, 90 patients with COPD were divided into the mild COPD group, the moderate COPD group, and the severe COPD group. The levels of mRNA and protein of MIF were measured with RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot. One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and SNK-q test were used to analyze the results with SPSS 18.0, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The level of MIF in pulmonary tissues from the control group was obviously lower than those in the COPD group (P<0.05). The level of MIF in pulmonary tissues in the severe COPD group was obviously higher than those in pulmonary tissues in the mild COPD, moderate COPD and control groups (P<0.05). MIF was positively correlated with the lung function parameters (P<0.05). Conclusion The high expression of MIF in pulmonary tissues is closely related to the severity of COPD.