Implementation of the first comprehensive state oral fluid drug testing program for roadside screening and laboratory testing in DUID cases-A 5-year review.

Oral fluid (OF) is a valuable specimen for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) applications. This study demonstrates the implementation of the first comprehensive OF drug testing program in the United States, including approved roadside screening OF devices for law enforcement and validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) confirmation methods. Three roadside OF screening devices were evaluated: the Dräger DrugTest® 5000, Abbott SoToxa®, and Randox Evidence MultiSTAT™. Two qualitative LC-MS-MS confirmation methods were validated per ASB Standard 036. The first method utilized an automated dispersive pipette extraction extraction using Integra and Hamilton STARlet platforms for drugs of abuse. The second method used a liquid-liquid extraction to detect cannabinoids. The prevalence of drugs in blood and OF was monitored over 5 years of casework. Calibration curves were analyzed with each batch to monitor OF concentrations for research purposes. Three roadside OF screening devices were deemed fit for purpose. Devices demonstrated appropriate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy above 80% for targeted drugs except for benzodiazepines (DrugTest® 5000) and amphetamine (SoToxa®). The validated LC-MS-MS OF confirmation methods met the National Safety Council-recommended cutoffs for 18/21 (86%) of the targets. Over 5 years of casework, THC and cocaine were detected at a positivity rate of 90% and 97% in OF versus 75% and 44% in blood, respectively. OF:blood ratios exceeded unity for parent drugs. Median concentrations of THC in OF and blood were 31 and 3.5 ng/mL, respectively. OF is a viable alternative or supplemental specimen for DUID investigations. Collecting OF close to the driving event increases the opportunity to identify pharmacologically active substances, and when combined with blood analysis results, an elevated OF:blood ratio provides valuable information for DUID investigation purposes.

Attenuation of Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Apoptosis and Pyroptosis in RSC96 Cells by Salvianolic Acid B / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To determine whether salvianolic acid B (Sal B) exerts protective effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy by attenuating apoptosis and pyroptosis.@*METHODS@#RSC96 cells were primarily cultured with DMEM (5.6 mmol/L glucose), hyperglycemia (HG, 125 mmol/L glucose) and Sal B (0.1, 1, and 10 µ mol/L). Cells proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-dilphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was performed to analyze the expressions of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bcl-2, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and interleukin (IL)-1β.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with HG at a concentration of 125 mmol/L attenuated cellular proliferation, while Sal B alleviated this injury (P<0.05). In addition, Sal B inhibited HG-induced ROS production and apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Furthermore, treatment with Sal B down-regulated HG-induced PARP, cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β expression, but mitigated HG-mediated down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Sal B may protect RSC96 cells against HG-induced cellular injury via the inhibition of apoptosis and pyroptosis activated by ROS.

Expression of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in the kidney of rats: the capacity of the kidney for synthesizing sex hormones / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) in the kidney of rats and explore the capacity of the kidney for synthesizing sex hormones.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of 17-HSD1 and sex hormones were detected by Western blotting and radioimmunoassay in rat renal cells in primary cultured for 24 and 48 h in the presence or absence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After cell culture for 24 h, the primary rat renal cells expressed a low level of 17β-HSD1 (0.1843±0.076), which increased to 1.6651±0.044 (P<0.01) in response to co-stimulation by FSH and LH. Low levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone were also detected in rat renal cells (3.30±3.78, 62.60±12.33, and 22.12±3.36, respectively), and co-stimulation of FSH and LH significantly increased their levels to 8.50±2.64, 117.80±9.79, and 45.04±4.39, respectively (P<0.05). The levels of these hormones showed no significant differences between cells cultured for 24 h and 48 h (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The rat renal cells express 17β-HSD1 and are capable of stably secreting sex hormones in response to co-stimulation with FSH and LH, suggesting the capacity of the rat kidneys for synthesizing sex hormones. These findings enrich the understanding of the endocrine function of the kidney.</p>

Effects of bushen jiannao recipe on the content of acetylcholine and the hippocampal ERK1 and ERK2 protein expressions of vascular dementia rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Bushen Jiannao Recipe (BJR) on the content of acetylcholine (Ach) and ERK1 and ERK2 protein expressions in the hippocampal CA1 region of vascular dementia (VD) rats, and to explore its possible mechanisms for treating VD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-three rats were selected. The VD model was established by permanent bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries (2-VO). Then the modeled rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i. e., the memory deficit model group, the donepezil group, and the positive drug control groups [including high (n = 13), middle (n = 13), and low (n = 12) dose BJR group]. Besides, another 13 rats were chosen as the sham-operative group. The distilled water was given by gastrogavage to rats in the sham-operative group and the memory deficit model group (5 mL/kg). The donepezil hydrochloride suspension was given to rats in the donepezil group by gastrogavage (0.52 mg/kg). High (56 g/kg), middle (28 g/kg), and low (14 g/kg) dose of BJR were respectively given to rats in the other three groups. After 30 days of intervention, the escape latency period and platform crossing times were determined using Morris water maze experiment. The contents of Ach in the hippocampus and cortex were determined using colorimetry. The expressions of ERK1 and ERK2 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were detected using immunohistochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average escape latency of intervened rats showed an overall decreasing trend. From the third to the fifth day, the escape latency period was prolonged, the platform crossing times were reduced, the contents of Ach in the cortex and the hippocampus were lowered, the numbers of positive stained neuron of ERK1 and ERK2 in the hippocampus CA1 region were reduced, showing statistical difference when compared with the sham-operative group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the 4th day escape latency of the donepezil group and the high dose BJR group was shortened. The escape latency was shortened, and the platform crossing times, and the numbers of positive stained neuron of ERK1 and ERK2 in hippocampus CA1 region increased on the fifth day. The contents of Ach in the cortex and the hippocampus increased with statistical difference (P<0.05). Compared with the low dose BJR group, the 4th- and 5th-day latency period were shortened, the positive numbers of ERK1 and ERK2 in the hippocampus CA1 region increased in the high dose BJR group with statistical difference (P<0.05). Compared with the donepezil group, the Ach content in the cortex and the hippocampus of the middle and low dose BJR groups decreased (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BJR could obviously improve the function of learning and memory of VD rats. Its mechanisms might be associated with its actions in enhancing Ach contents of the cortex and the hippocampus, and promoting the protein expressions of ERK1 and ERK2 in the hippocampus CA1 region.</p>

Arthroscopic treatment for post-traumatic chronic wrist pain / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effects of arthroscopy for post-traumatic chronic wrist pain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2007 to June 2010, 12 patients with post-traumatic chronic wrist pain treated with arthroscopy were reviewed. Among the patients, 9 patients were male and 3 patients were female, ranging in age from 19 to 47 years, with a mean of 35.6 years. After physical examinations or MR abnormal findings, all the patients underwent wrist arthroscopic examination and treatment. Eight patients with tear in the central area of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) underwent endoscopic partial resection. Two patients with relaxation of inter-carpal ligament after injury underwent radiofrequency shrinkage. One patient with distal radioulnar joint instability was treated with Kirschner fixation through distal radius and ulna in the neutral forearm rotation after clean-up of wrist joint, and also fixed with long arm cast immobilization for 6 weeks. One patient with ulnar impaction syndrome was treated with wrist clean, border modeling of triangular cartilage plate, partial resection of distal ulna.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up with an average duration of 10 months. Modified Mayo wrist score were evaluated from preoperative mean of (51.67 +/- 15.27) ( 25 to 75 scores) to postoperative mean of (77.92 +/- 10.54) (65 to 95 scores). Eleven patients recovered to normal work.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Arthroscopy is an effective method for patients with post-traumatic chronic wrist pain which can diagnosis and cure the injuries under arthroscopy.</p>

Clinical application of minimally invasive core decompression combined with impaction bone grafting to the treatment of femoral head necrosis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a simple,effective threrapeutic method for the treatment of ischemia necrosis of femoral head.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2003 to April 2008, 61 hips of 55 patients, including 37 males and 18 females, aged from 12 to 55 years old (averaged 39.8), with ischemia necrosis of femoral head were treated by three methods combination of partial synovectomy, minimally invasive core decompression and impaction bone grafting. The course of diseace was from 8 months to 16 years. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to the preoperative and postoperative X-ray and Harris scoring for hip funtion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>These 55 patients (61 hips) were followed up for from 6 mouths to 5 years (means 2.2 years). X-ray results showed that collapse or aggrevation occurenced in 39 hips,the aggravation of collapse no more than 2 mm in 11 hips,the collapse from 2 to 4 mm in 9 hips, the collapse surpassed 4 mm in 2 hips. Harris scores increased obviously from preoperative (59.74 +/- 11.56) points to postoperative (89.75 +/- 9.58) points (t = 2.3461, P < 0.05). The results were excellent in 31 hips, good in 22 hips, fair in 6 hips and poor in 2 hips.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Minimally invasive core decompression combined with impaction bone grafting can reduce the stress load of femoral head, stabilized the environment of femoral head,promote osteonecrotic bone rapairing and prevent effectively the femoral head form collapsing. This method can be applied to femoral head necrosis at Ficat II, III stage, especially for young and middle-age patients.</p>