1.Determination of 26 trace cathinones new psychoactive substances in sewage by HPLC-MS/MS
Bin DENG ; Na ZHU ; Zhendong HUA ; Youmei WANG ; Mengxiang SU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):148-154
A method for the pretreatment and qualitative detection of 26 trace cathinone new psychoactive substances in wastewater was established and applied in actual wastewater cases. The effluent samples were eluted on the Oasis PRiME HLB solid phase extraction column by ultra-pure water drenching and methanol solution, then dried with nitrogen at 40 ℃, and finally re-dissolved with 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile solution (95∶5), and detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, The effluent sample was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode and separated on chromatographic column UPLC BEH C18(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) at 35 ℃ with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in aqueous solution gradient elution. After methodological validation, the lower quantification of 26 cathinone new psychoactive substances could reach 1.50−3.00 ng/L. Among these, 21 analytes fell within the concentration range of 1.50−375.0 ng/L, while 5 were detected in the range of 3.00−750.0 ng/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.99, within-and between-batch precision was less than 7.71% and 13.91%, respectively, and the extraction recoveries were higher than 92.64% . The method is simple, accurate, and sensitive, and can be used for cathinone detection and abuse monitoring.
2.Targeting cAMP in D1-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a new rapid antidepressant strategy.
Yue ZHANG ; Jingwen GAO ; Na LI ; Peng XU ; Shimeng QU ; Jinqian CHENG ; Mingrui WANG ; Xueru LI ; Yaheng SONG ; Fan XIAO ; Xinyu YANG ; Jihong LIU ; Hao HONG ; Ronghao MU ; Xiaotian LI ; Youmei WANG ; Hui XU ; Yuan XIE ; Tianming GAO ; Guangji WANG ; Jiye AA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):667-681
Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.
3.Analysis on comprehensive noise control effects in an automobile engine manufacturing enterprise
Lin CHEN ; Youmei SHU ; Yang LIAO ; Hai ZHANG ; Kunpeng ZHONG ; Jun LIU ; Fengyi OU ; Zhi WANG
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):168-171
ObjectiveTo analyze the measures and effects of comprehensive noise control in an automobile engine manufacturing enterprise. Methods An automobile engine manufacturing enterprise with noise exposure work-sites was selected as the research subject. The noise hazard status of the enterprise was investigated. The noise hazard exceeded the national standard in work-sites was comprehensively treated. The treatment effect was analyzed. Results A total of 395 work-sites exposed to noise were detected. Among them, 16 work-sites exceeded the national noise standard, with the rate of 4.1%. The work-sites with noise exceeding the national standard were mainly in the machine workshop and the casting workshop, with normalization of equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level to a nominal eight hours working day (LEX,8h) ranging from 86.8 to 89.2 and 85.2 to 90.2 dB(A), respectively. In addition, the classification of occupational noise exposure of the mold protection group in the casting workshop was level Ⅱ, and classification of occupational noise exposure of other work-sites with excessive national standard was grade Ⅰ. After the enterprise implemented noise control measures such as process reform, equipment replacement, sound insulation, noise reduction, sound absorption, and vibration isolation, the LEX,8h of nine positions were lower than those before rectification [(86.7±1.1) vs (83.3±1.3) dB(A), P<0.01]. Conclusion The use of comprehensive control measures can achieve the purpose of reducing noise from the sources, and can be used for reference by relevant enterprises with noise hazards.
4.Perinatal management and challenges of systemic autoimmune diseases
Youmei CHEN ; Jianxin ZHEN ; Chenhong WANG ; Quanfu ZHANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(11):1601-1606
Pregnancy with autoimmune diseases is a challenging area that involves multidisciplinary management of immunology, rheumatology, and obstetrics. During pregnancy, the maternal immune system dynamically regulates the balance between maintaining immune tolerance to the fetus and autoimmune. However, for women with common systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, this balance can be upset, leading to exacerbation or recurrence of the disease and significantly increasing the risk of pregnancy complications. This paper describes the adaptive changes of the immune system during pregnancy and the effects of systemic autoimmune diseases on pregnancy outcomes, proposes multidisciplinary management strategies and challenges in perinatal pregnancy, and aims to provide references for optimizing clinical practice and improving pregnancy outcomes.
5.Prognostic value of pre-treatment prognostic nutrition index in patients with cervical and thoracic upper esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and radiation induced esophagitis
Shuguang LI ; Junqiang CHEN ; Youmei LI ; Xuehan GUO ; Wenzhao DENG ; Xiaobin WANG ; Shuchai ZHU ; Wenbin SHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2023;32(8):689-696
Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of Onodera's prognostic nutrition index (PNI) before treatment in patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CUTESCC) undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) and its predictive value in the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 radiation esophagitis (RE).Methods:The data of 163 CUTESCC patients eligible for inclusion criteria admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the best cut-off value of PNI for predicting the prognosis of patients. The prognosis of patients was analyzed by univariate and Cox multivariate analyses. Logistics binary regression model was adopted to analyze the risk factors of ≥ grade 2 RE in univariate and multivariate analyses. The significant factors in logistic multivariate analysis were used to construct nomogram for predicting ≥ grade 2 RE.Results:The optimal cut-off value of PNI was 48.57 [area under the curve (AUC): 0.653, P<0.001]. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 26.1 and 19.4 months, respectively. The OS ( χ2=6.900, P=0.009) and PFS ( χ2=9.902, P=0.003) of patients in the PNI ≥ 48.57 group ( n=47) were significantly better than those in the PNI < 48.57 group ( n=116). Cox multivariate analysis showed that cTNM stage and PNI were the independent predictors of OS ( HR=1.513, 95% CI: 1.193-1.920, P=0.001; HR=1.807, 95% CI: 1.164-2.807, P=0.008) and PFS ( HR=1.595, 95% CI: 1.247-2.039, P<0.001; HR=2.260, 95% CI: 1.439-3.550, P<0.001). Short-term efficacy was another independent index affecting PFS ( HR=2.072, 95% CI: 1.072-4.003, P=0.030). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the maximum transverse diameter of the lesion ( OR=3.026, 95% CI: 1.266-7.229, P=0.013), gross tumor volume (GTV) ( OR=3.456, 95% CI: 1.373-8.699, P=0.008), prescription dose ( OR=3.124, 95% CI: 1.346-7.246, P=0.009) and PNI ( OR=2.072, 95% CI: 1.072-4.003, P=0.030) were the independent factors affecting the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 RE. These four indicators were included in the nomogram model, and ROC curve analysis showed that the model could properly predict the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 RE (AUC=0.686, 95% CI: 0.585-0.787). The calibration curve indicated that the actually observed values were in good agreement with the predicted RE. Decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated satisfactory nomogram positive net returns in most threshold probabilities. Conclusions:PNI before treatment is an independent prognostic factor for patients with CUTESCC who received definitive chemoradiotherapy. The maximum transverse diameter of the lesion, GTV, prescription dose and PNI are the risk factors for ≥ grade 2 RE in this cohort. Establishing a prediction model including these factors has greater predictive value.
6.Optimization and validation of the analytical methods to detect common illicit drugs in sewage
Ye WANG ; Lei XU ; Peng XU ; Taijun HANG ; Min SONG ; Youmei WANG ; Hui XU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2022;53(4):467-472
The waste water-based epidemiology is an important technique to fight against drug abuse by analyzing the concentration of illicit drugs in urban sewage, which can monitor the abuse of drugs.An SPE-UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the analysis of 12 common drugs and their metabolites involving amphetamine and morphine.It was shown that the best result was achieved when hydrochloric acid/ acetonitrile (5∶95) was added to acidify the sample during the concentration process, guaranteeing the anti-across contamination of the analysis of organic nitrogen basic trace components, and improve the stability, specificity, and accuracy of the method.The optimized method meets the analytical requirements of complex sewage samples, and has been successfully applied to the assessment of urban drug abuse through sewage analysis.
7.Determination of dezocine and pethidine in human hair by UPLC-MS/MS
Xiaolu SHI ; Hongwei QIAO ; Jianmei WU ; Bin DI ; Youmei WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2022;53(1):74-78
A rapid analytical method for the determination of dezocine and pethidine in hair samples using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was established.After cleaned hair was extracted by grinding with methanol and ultrasonic, the final solution was analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.The targets were gradient eluted on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) column with 0.1% formic acid-water and methanol as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min.The ESI+ ion source and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) were used to select the qualitative and quantitative ion pairs of dezocine and pethidine.Dezocine and pethidine showed good linearity in the range of 0.01-8 ng/mg, with the limit of detection of 0.005 ng/mg and the LOQs of 0.01 ng/mg.The accuracy, precision, matrix effect, extraction recovery, and stability all met the requirements.The established method is simple, rapid, and accurate for the qualitative and quantitative determination of dezocine and pethidine in hair, which can be applied in the case analysis of dezocine and/or pethidine abuse.
8.Evaluation of the cut-off value of methamphetamine,amphetamine,6-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine in hair
Xiaolu SHI ; Xinfeng CHE ; Jianmei WU ; Bin DI ; Hongwei QIAO ; Youmei WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2022;53(5):554-562
A rapid determination of methamphetamine, amphetamine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine in hair samples by UPLC-MS/MS was established and optimized.The concentration of target compounds in the hair of drug abusers and drug laboratory technicians was investigated and the cut-off value was evaluated.After cleaned hair was extracted by grinding with methanol-water (7∶3) at 3 000 r/min for 100 s, the final solution after adjusting the volume to methanol-water (1∶1) was analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.The analytes were gradient eluted on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) column with 5 mmol/L ammonium formate-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The ESI+ ion source and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) were used to select the qualitative and quantitative ion pairs of the four target compounds. All analytes showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.999 6) in the range of 0.01-5 ng/mg (except amphetamine in 0.01-4 ng/mg), limit of the quantitation was 0.01 ng/mg, and the limit of detection was 0.001-0.008 ng/mg.The accuracy, precision, matrix effect, and recovery all met the requirements of biological sample methodology.According to the comprehensive consideration of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Youden index, law enforcement cost and intensity, the reference cut-off values were methamphetamine ≥ 0.1 ng/mg; amphetamine ≥ 0.025 ng/mg; 6-monoacetylmorphine ≥ 0.05 ng/mg; morphine ≥ 0.05 ng/mg.The method established in our research can quickly and accurately detect the contents of methamphetamine, amphetamine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine in hair.This study provides some reference for the public security system to make more rational cut-off values in the norm of drug-related personnel hair samples detection in the future.
9.The underlying mechanism of autophagy regulating liver injury with obstructive jaundice in Sprague-Dawley rats
Jianwen YE ; Wenhui CHEN ; Youmei PENG ; Lei QI ; Hongwei TANG ; Wentao LIU ; Yitao WANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2022;28(2):127-132
Objective:To investigate the effect of autophagy on liver injury with obstructive jaundice in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and its underlying mechanism.Methods:Thirty-five healthy male SD rats, SPF grade, aged 6-8 weeks, weighting 200-300 g, were divided into 5 groups with 7 rats in each group, including sham group (simple free common bile duct, without ligation, intraperitoneal injection of normal saline), obstructive jaundice (OJ) group (established by common bile duct ligation, intraperitoneal injection of normal saline), OJ group with 3-MA, OJ group with Rapamycin, and OJ group with 3-MA and VX-765. Morphological changes in liver tissues were analyzed with HE staining. Expression of autophagy-related protein Atg5 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Liver function was analyzed by automatic biochemical instrument and the level of serum interleukin (IL)-18 was detected using ELISA assay. Protein levels of autophagy related-proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stressed (ERs)-related apoptosis proteins were detected by Western Blot.Results:The relative expression of autophagy related protein Atg5 in OJ group was significantly higher than that in sham group [(5.0±1.0) vs. (2.8±1.3), t=-3.00, P<0.05]. Compared with sham group, the activity of autophagy was enhanced and the protein levels of Caspase-1/p-65 and IL-18 were significantly increased in OJ group. At the same time, apoptosis was induced by activating ERs. In OJ group, the autophagy inducer 3-MA improved the expression levels of Caspase-1/p-65 and IL-18, and aggravate liver injury. While after applying the autophagy agonist Rapamycin in OJ rat models, the expression of Caspase-1/p-65 and IL-18 was repressed and liver damage was also reduced. In addition, in rat OJ groups with 3-MA, inhibition of Caspase-1 by VX-765 could down regulate the expression of Caspase-1/p-65 and IL-18, and protect against liver injury. Conclusions:Both ERs related apoptosis and autophagy were activated after ligation of common bile duct. Besides, activation of autophagy could reduce OJ-induced liver injury in SD rats by inhibiting the Caspase-1/p-65 inflammatory pathway.
10.Automatic analytical approach for the determination of 12 illicit drugs and nicotine metabolites in wastewater using on-line SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS
Jingyuan WANG ; Likai QI ; Chenzhi HOU ; Tingting ZHANG ; Mengyi CHEN ; Haitao MENG ; Mengxiang SU ; Hui XU ; Zhendong HUA ; Youmei WANG ; Bin DI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2021;11(6):739-745
In this study,we developed a novel on-line solid phase extraction (SPE)-ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)-based analytical method for simulta-neously quantifying 12 illicit drugs and metabolites (methamphetamine,amphetamine,morphine,co-deine,6-monoacetylmorphine,benzoylecgonine,3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine,cocaine,ketamine,norketamine,and methcathinone) and cotinine(COT) in wastewater samples.The analysis was performed by loading 2 mL of the sample onto an Oasis hydrophilic-lipophilic balance cartridge and using a cleanup step (5% methanol) to eliminate interference with a total run time of 13 min.The isotope-labeled internal standard method was used to quantify the target substances and correct for unavoidable losses and matrix effects during the on-line SPE process.Typical analytical characteristics used for method validation were sensitivity,linearity,precision,repeatability,recovery,and matrix effects.The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ)of each target were set at 0.20 ng/L and 0.50 ng/L,respectively.The linearity was between 0.5 ng/L and 250 ng/L,except for that of COT.The intra-and inter-day precisions were <10.45% and 25.64%,respec-tively,and the relative recovery ranged from 83.74% to 162.26%.The method was used to analyze various wastewater samples from 33 cities in China,and the results were compared with the experimental re-suits of identical samples analyzed using off-line SPE.The difference rate was between 19.91%and-20.44%,and the error range could be considered acceptable.These findings showed that on-line SPE is a suitable alternative to off-line SPE for the analysis of illicit drugs in samples.

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