Objective This study was to develop a HPLC-MS/MS method for determination of etomidate and etomidate acid in blood samples.Methods The blood samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile and supernatant was achieved by shake,sonication,centrifuge and filtration using 0.22 μm membrane.Then,supernatant was performed on an analytical column Poroshell 120 EC-C18(150 mm×3.0 mm,2.7 μm)and flowed with 0.1%formic acid(mobile phase A)and acetonitrile(mobile phase B).The gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min was determined using an electrospray ionization source in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring mode.Results The linearities of etomidate and etomidate acid in blood samples were good within the corresponding range and the correlation coefficients(r)were over 0.9988.The limit of detection(LOD)of etomidate and etomidate acid were 19.94 and 40.25 ng/mL,and the limit of quantitation(LOQ)of them were 50 and 100 ng/mL,respectively.Moreover,matrix effects were ranged from 1.47%to 10.34%and recoveries ranged from 82.81%to 90.07%.The detection of a positive case using our method was successfully determined to be 1 138.89 and 3 126.41 ng/mL for the contents of etomidate and etomidate acid,respectively.Conclusion Our study has further confirmed that this method with simple pretreatment,little sample usage and wide linear range,can be successfully applied to the detection of forensic sciences on etomidate and etomidate acid.

In this study, dexamethasone (DXMS) and captopril (CAP) were co-loaded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with a surface coating of a phospholipid bilayer, and then the core-shell nanoparticles were modified with polyethylene glycol and integrin α8 antibody to obtain immunoliposome-nanoparticle hybrids (DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs). The role of nanoparticles on the renal targeting, anti-inflammatory effects, and macrophage differentiation were investigated. The results showed that the particle size of the nanoparticles was 115.9 ± 2.89 nm, and the core-shell structure could be observed under an electron microscope. The drug loading capacity of DXMS and CAP was 5.72% ± 0.37% and 7.51% ± 0.07%, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could reduce the secretion of specific cytokines and the mRNA expression of markers in M2-type macrophages, thus promoting the differentiation of M2-type macrophages in the direction of unpolarized macrophages. In vivo experiments in mice showed that DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs had a significant renal targeting effect, which could restore the renal index, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in mice. Moreover, DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could reduce both the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the mRNA expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers in the kidney. All the animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of Animal Ethics Committee of Sichuan Agricultural University. In conclusion, renal-targeting DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could effectively regulate the polarization of macrophages and had an "anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrosis" therapeutic effect, providing a new strategy and basis for the targeted therapy of glomerulonephritis.

Inhibitory GABAergic interneurons are fundamental elements of cortical circuits and play critical roles in shaping network activity. Dysfunction of interneurons can lead to various brain disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and anxiety. Based on the electrophysiological properties, cell morphology, and molecular identity, interneurons could be classified into various subgroups. In this study, we investigated the density and laminar distribution of different interneuron types and the co-expression of molecular markers in epileptic human cortex. We found that parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) neurons were distributed in all cortical layers except layer I, while tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were abundant in the deep layers and white matter. Cholecystokinin (CCK) neurons showed a high density in layers IV and VI. Neurons with these markers constituted ~7.2% (PV), 2.6% (SST), 0.5% (TH), 0.5% (NPY), and 4.4% (CCK) of the gray-matter neuron population. Double- and triple-labeling revealed that NPY neurons were also SST-immunoreactive (97.7%), and TH neurons were more likely to express SST (34.2%) than PV (14.6%). A subpopulation of CCK neurons (28.0%) also expressed PV, but none contained SST. Together, these results revealed the density and distribution patterns of different interneuron populations and the overlap between molecular markers in epileptic human cortex.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Cholecystokinin ; metabolism ; Epilepsy ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Humans ; Interneurons ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropeptide Y ; metabolism ; Parvalbumins ; metabolism ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Somatostatin ; metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Liver cancer is a common type of malignant tumor in digestive system. At present, computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. Segmentation of tumor lesions based on CT is thus critical in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Due to the limitations of manual segmentation, such as inefficiency and subjectivity, the automatic and accurate segmentation based on advanced computational techniques is becoming more and more popular. In this review, we summarize the research progress of automatic segmentation of liver cancer lesions based on CT scans. By comparing and analyzing the results of experiments, this review evaluate various methods objectively, so that researchers in related fields can better understand the current research progress of liver cancer segmentation based on CT scans.

Objective To determine the risk factors associated with surgical site infection in closed calcaneal fractures.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 312 patients with closed calcaneal fracture who had been treated by open plate osteosynthesis at our trauma centre from January 2008 to November 2014.They were 182 males and 130 females,from 18 to 75 years of age (average,44.3 years).By Sanders classification,52 cases were type Ⅱ,146 type Ⅲ,and 114 type Ⅳ.The fractures were caused by fall from a height in 159 cases,traffic accident in 97 ones,and crushing in 56 ones.All the patients received open reduction and internal fixation via a typical L-shaped lateral incision.Gender,age,cause for injury,smoking history,diabetes,interval between injury and operation,operation time and bone grafting were analyzed as possible risk factors in the study.Multivariate logistic regression was conducted for significant risk factors derived from the univariate analysis.Results The patients were divided into an infection group (28 cases,9.0％) and a non-infection group (284 cases,91.0％).The univariate analysis showed that the rate of smoking was significantly higher,the operation time significantly longer,the interval between injury and operation significantly shorter in the infection group than in the non-infection group (P ＜ 0.05).However,the logistic regression analysis revealed that operation time was the only independent risk factor for surgical site infection (P =0.005,OR =43.870).Conclusion Since operation time may be an independent risk factor for surgical site infection in closed calcaneal fracture,it is important to speed up surgery as quick as possible in control of surgical site infection as long as the surgical quality is ensured.

Objective To investigate genetic polymorphisms of HPRTB, DXS6803 and DXS6809 STR loci in Tianjin Han female population, and to provide experimental data in the prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies accurately and rapidly. Methods A total of 150 blood samples were collected in Tianjin Han population. QF-PCR and capillary electrophoresis were used in this study. The relevant data were analyzed by ABI Prism GeneMapper v3.0 software. Two homozygotes were se?lected from each locus for sequencing. The frequencies of the genotypes were checked using Chi-square test to verify Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. Data of genetic polymorphisms were calculated by PowerStatsV12 software. Results A total of 150 samples were successfully amplified in 24 hours. The 10, 6 and 10 alleles and 22, 12 and 29 genotypes were found respec?tively in HPRTB, DXS6803 and DXS6809 loci. The most common alleles were 14, 13 and 14. The higher frequencies of gen?otypes were 14-14, 12-13 and 13-14. No significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed in these three STR loci (χ2=10.554, 5.783 and 15.355, respectively, P>0.05). Values of He were 0.748, 0.649 and 0.806 for these three STR loci respectively. Values of Ho were 0.607, 0.700 and 0.713 respectively. Values of PIC were 0.706, 0.599 and 0.775 respectively. Values of PD were 0.894, 0.814 and 0.931 respectively. And values of PE were 0.299, 0.428 and 0.449 respectively. Conclusion HPRTB, DXS6803 and DXS6809 STR loci were highly polymorphic, which are favorable genetic markers on chromosome X and can be used in rapid prenatal genetic diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the indications, surgical procedures, and curative effect of dynamic hip screw (DHS) in the treatment of femoral neck fracture in the elderly.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted to analyse the clinical data of 42 elderly patients who had been treated for femoral neck fracture with DHS in our department between June 2009 and November 2011. There were 21 males and 21 females with a mean age of 68.5 years (range 60-75 years). According to the Garden Classification, there were 19 cases of type II, 21 cases of type III and 2 cases of type IV fractures. By the Singh Index Classification, there were 3 cases of level 2, 19 cases of level 3 and 20 cases of level 4 fractures. The Harris criterion, complications and function recovery after opera- tion were analysed.

RESULTSThe average hospitalization time in 42 patients was 11.2 days (range 7-21 days). All patients were followed up for 12-26 months (mean 18 months). No lung infection, deep venous thrombosis or other complications occurred. Partial backing-out of the screws was found in 2 cases. The internal fixation device was withdrawn after fracture healing. Internal fixation cutting was found in 1 case, and he had a good recovery after total hip arthroplasty. The time for fracture healing ranged from 3-6 months (average 4.5 months). According to Harris criterion, 15 cases were rated as excellent, 24 good, 2 fair and 1 poor. The Harris scale was significantly improved from 30.52±2.71 preoperatively to 86.61±2.53 at 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDHS, being minimal invasive, allowing early activity and weight-bearing, is advisable for treatment of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture. In addition, it can avoid complications seen in artificial joint replacement. It is especially suitable for patients with mild osteoporosis.

Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 3 short tandem repeat (STR) loci D18S53, D18S59 and D18S488 on chromosome 18 in fetus of Tianjin Han population, and to provide basic data in the use of 3 STR lo-ci in the prenatal diagnosis of Edward syndrome (ES). Methods A total of 64 villus samples and 374 amniotic fluid sam-ples were collected from gravida in Tianjin Han population. QF-PCR and ABI PRISM 377 sequence were used in this study. The frequencies of the genotypes were tested with H-W equilibrium. Genetic analysis was performed to conclude some data of population genetics such as the frequency of the alleles, the heterozygosity of observation (Ho), the polymorphism informa-tion content (PIC), the probability of discrimination power (DP), and the probability of exclusion (PE). Results The 15, 13 and 15 alleles of D18S53, D18S59 and D18S488 were observed respectively. The frequencies of the genotypes were in good agreement with H-W equilibrium. The Ho of 3 STR loci were 0.797, 0.847 and 0.792. The PIC was 0.81, 0.75 and 0.73. The DP was 0.944, 0.901 and 0.881. The PE was 0.593, 0.689 and 0.585. Conclusion D18S53, D18S59 and D18S488 STR lo-ci were the favorable genetic markers of chromosome 18, which can be used in prenatal genetic diagnosis of ES.

Objective To assess the outcomes of the surgical treatment of supination external rotation trimalleolar fractures,comparing the techniques of lateral plating and antiglide plating as described previously.Methods This is a retrospective review.A total of 31 patients meeting our inclusion criteria,with supination external rotation trimalleolar fractures surgically treated between 2009 and 2011,were studied.17 patients were treated with antiglide plating,whereas the remaining 14 patients underwent traditional lateral plating.They were followed up by a period ranging from 14 to 38 months(average,26 months).The functional results were evaluated with olerud and molander scoring system described previously.All the data including time to surgery,operating room time,tourniquet time,hospital stay and ankle joint function scores,were respectively analyzed in accordance with the complete randomized design t-test.Results There was no statistically significant in time to surgery,operating room,tourniquet time,hospital stay and ankle joint functional scores.Conclusions The outcome of the surgical management of supination external rotation trimalleolar fracture is comparable with both techniques.Our data do not support one technique over the other.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of ovarian cancer and the ascites levels of TNF-α,and to determine the value of elevated TNF-α ascites level on discriminating the feature of ascites.MethodsAscites levels of TNF-α of 59 specimens of epithelial ovarian tumor,9 specimens of peritoneal primary serous papillary carcinoma (PPSPC) and 6 specimens of endometriosis cyst were detected via ELISA.ResultsAscites levels of TNF-α of patients with EOC,PPSPC,BOT were significantly higher than those with BET and EM,and they were related to the clinical stage,tissue differentiation,lymph node metastasis and volume of ascites.ConclusionAscites levels of TNF-α have the high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of ovarian cancer.It might be the tumor marker of ovarian cancer.