Multi-residue analytical method for detecting pesticides, veterinary drugs, and mycotoxins in feed using liquid- and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Modified QuEChERS and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC and GC-MS/MS) technology were used to sequentially analyze pesticides, veterinary drugs, and mycotoxins in feed. In order to analyze the harmful substances that may remain or occur in the feed, we performed optimization experiments for sample preparation and LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS conditions. Optimized sample preparation involves extracting 5 g of sample with 15 mL of 0.25 M EDTA and 10 mL of acetonitrile. And some extracts were diluted 10-fold with 100 mM ammonium formate aqueous solution and analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and some extracts were purified through 25 mg PSA and analyzed by GC-MS/MS by adding an analyte protectant. We confirmed the matrix effect of feed ingredients and compound feeds, and added a dilution process after extraction to increase on-site efficiency. Matrix-matched calibration was applied for quantification. Method validation was performed for 197 pesticides, 56 components for veterinary drugs, and 5 components for toxins. All the components showed good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.98) in the developed analytical method. For most compounds, the limit of quantitation was 0.05 mg/kg. The recovery rate experiment was repeated three times at three concentrations including LOQ in feed ingredient, compound feed for livestock, and compound feed for pets. The recovery rate was 70.09-119.76% and relative standard deviations were ≤ 18.91%. And the accuracy and precision were further verified through cross-validation between laboratories. The developed analytical method was used to monitor 414 domestically distributed and imported feeds.

Development of simulation-based learning programme for improving adherence to time-out protocol on high-risk invasive procedures outside of operating room.

The aim of this study was to develop a simulation-based time-out learning programme targeted to nurses participating in high-risk invasive procedures and to figure out the effects of application of the new programme on acceptance of nurses. This study was performed using a simulation-based learning predesign and postdesign to figure out the effects of implementation of this programme. It was targeted to 48 registered nurses working in the general ward and the emergency department in a tertiary teaching hospital. Difference between acceptance and performance rates has been figured out by using mean, standard deviation, and Wilcoxon-signed rank test. The perception survey and score sheet have been validated through content validation index, and the reliability of evaluator has been verified by using intraclass correlation coefficient. Results showed high level of acceptance of high-risk invasive procedure (P<.01). Further, improvement was consistent regardless of clinical experience, workplace, or experience in simulation-based learning. The face validity of the programme showed over 4.0 out of 5.0. This simulation-based learning programme was effective in improving the recognition of time-out protocol and has given the participants the opportunity to become proactive in cases of high-risk invasive procedures performed outside of operating room.

Melanogenesis-Promoting Effects of Rhynchosia nulubilis and Rhynchosia volubilis Ethanol Extracts in Melan-a Cells.

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and melanogenic effects of black soybean ethanol extracts, including Rhynchosia nulubilis bean ethanol extract (RNBEE), R. nulubilis leaf ethanol extract (RNLEE), R. volubilis bean ethanol extract (RVBEE), and R. volubilis leaf ethanol extract (RVLEE). The total polyphenol contents of RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE were 16.0, 57.7, 365.9, and 260.1 mg/g, respectively. The total flavonoid contents of RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE were 40.4, 91.7, 84.7, and 216.5 mg/g, respectively. The electron-donating abilities of RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE at 1,000 µg/mL were 32.4%, 12.7%, 83.5%, and 84.5%, respectively. RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE at 50 µg/mL significantly increased (p < 0.01) melanin contents by 30.4%, 32.1%, 35.5%, and 37.4%, respectively, compared to that of the control. RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE at 50 µg/mL significantly increased (p < 0.01) intracellular tyrosinase activity by 18.4%, 21.8%, 21.5%, and 21.1%, respectively, compared to that of the control. These results demonstrated that black soybean ethanol extracts promote melanogenesis in melan-a cells. Among the black soybean ethanol extracts, R. volubilis was found to be more effective than R. nulubilis, and leaf extract was found to be more effective than bean extract. The potential mechanism underlying the hyperpigmentation effects of black soybeans is the promotion of tyrosinase activity.

Improving the safety of continuously infused fluids in the emergency department.

When an unexpected crisis happens to patients with multiple continuous infusion fluids in the emergency department (ED), nurses need to recognize specific medication promptly and accurately for appropriate action. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of colour-coded label system in ED fluids during an uneventful crisis simulation event. Promptness and accuracy of finding the correct fluid between the pre- and postintervention in each three groups (emergency nurses, intensive care unit nurses and nursing students) for three different scenarios (potassium, heparin and normal saline scenario) were assessed. Time improvement for all three groups from pre- to postintervention for all three scenarios were statistically significant (P < 0.001). There were no incorrect fluids indicated by all three groups of participants at postintervention analysis. Colour-coded labelling system in a simulated environment significantly improved the promptness and accuracy of finding the correct fluid from multiple infused continuous fluids.

Efficacy of VeinViewer in pediatric peripheral intravenous access: a randomized controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: Peripheral venous access in infants and children is technically challenging, because their veins are small and located deep in subcutaneous tissue, which makes them difficult to palpate or visualize. The VeinViewer® (Luminetx Corporation, Memphis, TN, USA) is a near-infrared light device that delineates the running course of subcutaneous veins. In this study, we investigated whether the use of the VeinViewer® in infants and children facilitated peripheral venous access, especially in difficult cases. This study was a randomized, controlled trial of a convenience sample of pediatric patients between the ages of 1 month and 16 years who required peripheral venous access in the pediatric ward. Prior to randomization, difficult intravenous access (DIVA) score, a four-variable clinical prediction rule for first-attempt success, was estimated. We compared the first-attempt success rates and procedural times between the VeinViewer® group and a control group. We evaluated 111 patients: 54 in the VeinViewer® group and 57 in the control group. Patient demographics and factors related to the success of vein access were similar for both groups. The overall first-attempt success rate was 69.4%: i.e., 77/111 in the VeinViewer® group and 38/57 in the control group, a difference that was not statistically significant. However, the first-attempt success rate increased from 5/20 in the control group to 14/24 in the VeinViewer® group for difficult veins with a DIVA score greater than 4 (p=0.026). There were no significant differences in procedural time between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The VeinViewer® facilitated peripheral venous access for pediatric patients with difficult veins, which enhanced first-attempt success rates.