Simultaneous determination by UPLC-ESI-MS of scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine after oral administration of Yin Chen Hao Tang preparation

A simple, sensitive, and validated method was developed for simultaneous determination of scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The urinary samples were analyzed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 1.7 microm 2.1x50 mm column. Scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine were simultaneously analyzed with good separation. The lower limits of detection were 6.0, 9.0, 7.0, and 3.0 ng/mL, and the lower limits of quantification were 20.0, 33.0, 24.0, and 12.0 ng/mL for scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD) were less than 9%. The intra- and inter-accuracies were found to be in the range of 94.14-104.54% for scoparone, 101.72-107.34% for capillarisin, 95.24-103.59% for rhein, and 101.32-107.82% for emodin at three concentration levels. The absolute recoveries for scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin were not less than 77.0%. The developed method has been applied to determine scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine after oral administration of Yin Chen Hao Tang preparation, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation widely used in China for treatment of jaundice and liver disorders.

Pharmacokinetics of isofraxidin in rat plasma after oral administration of the extract of acanthopanax senticosus using HPLC with solid phase extraction method

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with solid phase extraction method was developed for determination of isofraxidin in rat plasma after oral administration of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE), and pharmacokinetic parameters of isofraxidin either in ASE or pure compound were measured. The HPLC analysis was performed on a Dikma Diamonsil RP(18) column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) with the isocratic elution of solvent A (acetonitrile) and solvent B (0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid, v/v) (A : B = 22 : 78) and the detection wavelength was set at 343 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.156-15.625 microg/ml. The limit of detection was 60 ng/ml. The intra-day precision was 5.8%, and the inter-day precision was 6.0%. The recovery was 87.30+/-1.73%. When the dosage of ASE is equal to pure compound caculated by the amount of isofraxidin, it has been found to have two maximum concentrations in plasma while the pure compound only showed one peak in the plasma concentration-time curve. The determined content of isofraxidin in plasma after oral administration of ASE is the total contents of free isofraxidin and its precursors in ASE in vitro. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of ASE showed the priority of the extract and the properities of traditional Chinese medicine.

Analysis of the constituents in the rat plasma after oral administration of Yin Chen Hao Tang by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS

A UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS method for analyzing the constituents in rat plasma after oral administration of Yin Chen Hao Tang (YCHT), a traditional Chinese medical formula, has been established. The UPLC/MS fingerprints of the samples were established first in vitro and in vivo, with 45 compounds in YCHT and 21 compounds in rat plasma after oral administration of YCHT were detected. Of the 45 detected compounds in vitro, 30 were identified, and all of the 21 compounds detected in rat plasma were identified either by comparing the retention time and mass spectrometry data with that of reference compounds or by mass spectrometry analysis and retrieving the reference literatures. Of the identified 21 compounds in rat plasma, 19 were the original form of compounds absorbed from the 45 detected compounds in vitro, 2 were the metabolites of the compounds existed in YCHT. It is concluded that a rapid and validated method has been developed based on UPLC-MS/MS, which shows high sensitivity and resolution that is more suitable for identifying the bioactive constituents in plasma after oral administration of Chinese herbal medicines, and provides helpful chemical information for further pharmacology and active mechanism research on the Chinese medical formula.

Pharmacokinetics of cimifugin in rat plasma after oral administration of the extract of Saposhnikovia divaricatae root : Determination of cimifugin by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with solid phase extraction

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with the solid phase extraction method was developed for determining cimifugin (a coumarin derivative; one of Saposhnikovia divaricatae's constituents) in rat plasma after oral administration of Saposhnikovia divaricatae extract (SDE), and the pharmacokinetics of cimifugin either in SDE or as a single compound was investigated. The HPLC analysis was performed on a commercially available column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 pm) with the isocratic elution of solvent A (Methanol) and solvent B (Water) (A:B=60:40) and the detection wavelength was set at 250 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.100-10.040 microg/mL. The limit of detection was 30 ng/mL. At the rat plasma concentrations of 0.402, 4.016, 10.040 microg/mL, the intra-day precision was 6.21%, 3.98%, and 2.23%; the inter-day precision was 7.59%, 4.26%, and 2.09%, respectively. The absolute recovery was 76.58%, 76.61%, and 77.67%, respectively. When the dosage of SDE was equal to the pure compound calculated by the amount of cimifugin, it was found to have two maximum peaks while the pure compound only showed one peak in the plasma concentration-time curve. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of SDE showed the superiority of the extract and the properties of traditional Chinese medicine.

Reflection as a dialogic strategy for developing a professional identity

The benefits of reflective practice have been well established in the literature (Rogers, 2001), as have models to embed reflective thinking in higher education curriculum (Ryan and Ryan, 2012). Reflection is commonly envisaged as a textual practice, through which students ‘reflect in and on action’ (Schön 1983), and articulate their experiences, learning and outcomes in written portfolios, journals, or blogs. While such approaches to individual written reflection are undoubtedly beneficial for deepening insight and self-criticality, reflection can also provide other benefits when approached as a collaborative, oral activity. This poster presents a dialogic model of reflective practice that affords the opportunity for developing presentation skills, critique, community and professional identity formation. This dialogic approach to reflection is illustrated by a first year subject (‘KIB101 Visual Communication’ at QUT), in which students apply visual theory (presented in lectures) to communication and graphic design problems in the studio. In regular (fortnightly) presentations, they critically reflect upon their work in progress by aligning it with the concepts, design principles and professional language of the lectures. This iterative process facilitates responsive peer feedback, similarly couched in the formal terms of the discipline. This ‘mirrored reflection’ not only provides opportunities to incrementally improve, it also sets designs in a theoretical frame; provides the opportunity for comparative analysis (to see design principles applied by peers in different ways); to practice formal design language and presentation techniques of the discipline and; because peer critique is framed as an act of generosity; it affords the development of a supportive community of practice. In these ways, dialogic reflection helps students develop a professional voice and identity from first year. Evidence of impact is provided by quantitative and qualitative student feedback over several years, as well as institutional feedback and recognition.

Evaluating patient presentations for care delivered by emergency nurse practitioners : a retrospective analysis of 12 months

Background The delivery of quality patient care in the emergency department (ED) is emerging as one of the most important service indicators to be measured in health services today. The emergency nurse practitioner role was implemented as a service innovation in a Emergency & Trauma Centre (ETC), Melbourne, Australia, in July 2004 .The primary aim of the role was intended to enhance healthcare services, improve the efficiency and timely delivery of high quality care to patients. Aim To conduct a retrospective study of patient presentations at the ETC to obtain a profile of the characteristics of patients managed by emergency nurse practitioners. Specifically the objectives of the study were to: 1) examine the demographics of the patient population 2) evaluate data on emergency department service indicators for this patient cohort Method All patients presenting to the ETC from January 01 2011 to December 31 2011 and managed by emergency nurse practitioners were included in the review. Data collection included baseline demographics, waiting times to be seen, length of stay, emergency department discharge diagnoses and referral patterns. Data were extracted and imported directly from the emergency department Patient Information System (Cerner log), for the specified time frame. Results A total of 5212 patients were reviewed in the study period. The median age of patients was 35 years and 61% of patients were male. The most common discharge diagnosis was open wounds to hand/wrist. Waiting times to be seen by the emergency nurse practitioner were 14 minutes and length of stay for patients with a discharge disposition of home were 122 minutes. Conclusions This study has provided information on patient baseline characteristics and performance on important service indicators for this patient sample that will inform further research to evaluate specific outcomes of the emergency nurse practitioner service.

HPLC method for preliminary analysis of constituents in rat blood after oral administration of the extract of Acanthopanax senticosus

An HPLC with SPE method has been developed for analysis of constituents in rat blood after oral administration of the extract of Acanthopanax senticosus (ASE). The plasma sample was prepared by SPE method equipped with Oasis HLB cartridge (3cc, 60 mg). The analysis was performed on a Dikma Diamonsil RP(18) column (4.6 mmx150 mm, 5 microm) with the gradient elution of solvent A (ACN) and solvent B (0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid, v/v) and the detection wavelength was set at 270 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.156-15.625 microg/mL. The LOD was 60 ng/mL. The intraday precision was less than 5.80%, and the interday precision was less than 6.0%. The recovery was (87.30 +/- 1.73)%. As a result, 19 constituents were detected in rat plasma after oral administration of the ASE, including 11 original compounds in ASE and eight metabolites, and three of the metabolites originated from syringin in ASE. Six constituents were identified by comparing with the corresponding reference compounds.

A snapshot of 40 years in early childhood education and care through oral histories

The year 2012 marked 40 years since the introduction of the Child Care Act 1972 and the federal government introduced financial support for the provision of child care services in Australia. Significant changes have occurred in social, political and theoretical contexts of early childhood education and care (ECEC) during this time. Bringing these to life, this paper investigates archival data of key changes in ECEC in association with oral histories of staff, parents and children associated with The Gowrie Qld during the years 1972‒2012. With narrative analysis considered alongside historical information, two dominant issues emerge as integral to ECEC in the past, now and the future. These are: 1) what constitutes effective teaching and learning in the educational program and 2) professional expectations in ECEC. Building an historical picture, this paper provides for critical reflection on the past to inform current and future practices.

A phase II study of mitomycin C and oral etoposide for advanced adenocarcinoma of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Background: Mitomycin C and etoposide have both demonstrated activity against gastric carcinoma. Etoposide is a topoisomerase II inhibitor with evidence for phase-specific and schedule-dependent activity. Patients and method. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with advanced upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma were treated with intravenous (i.v.) bolus mitomycin C 6 mg/m2 on day 1 every 21 days to a maximum of four courses. Oral etoposide capsules 50 mg b.i.d. (or 35 mg b.i.d. liquid) were administered days 1 to 10 extending to 14 days in subsequent courses if absolute neutrophil count >1.5 x 109/l on day 14 of first course, for up to six courses. Results: Twenty-six patients were assessed for response of whom 12 had measurable disease and 14 evaluable disease. Four patients had a documented response (one complete remission, three partial remissions) with an objective response rate of 15% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4%-35%). Eight patients had stable disease and 14 progressive disease. The median survival was six months. The schedule was well tolerated with no treatment-related deaths. Nine patients experienced leucopenia (seven grade II and two grade III). Nausea and vomiting (eight grade II, one grade III), fatigue (eight grade II, two grade III) and anaemia (seven grade II, two grade III) were the predominant toxicities. Conclusion: This out-patient schedule is well tolerated and shows modest activity in the treatment of advanced upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. Further studies using protracted schedules of etoposide both orally and as infusional treatment should be developed.

Talking the talk : therapeutic jurisprudence and oral competence

In Australian criminal justice systems, a wide range of pathways to sentencing and punishment exist alongside traditional court processes. In particular, therapeutic jurisprudence ('TJ') processes have emerged during the last quarter of a century and now occupy a key position in the criminal justice landscape. This article provides an introduction to TJ, highlighting in particular the emphasis it places on the active participation of offenders, before critically discussing offenders' capacity to engage with TJ processes. The article then summarises the research on the oral competence of offenders, and argues that offenders who lack oral competence may be disadvantaged in TJ processes. Finally, we provide an overview of the limited guidance that has been provided to TJ practitioners on how to maximise the participation of offenders with limited oral competence.

Bioavailability study of oral and intravenous OGT 719, a novel nucleoside analogue with preferential activity in the liver

Purpose: Although oral fluoropyrimidine pro-drugs are increasingly being administered in preference to intravenous nucleoside analogues in cancer chemotherapy, their activation in malignant liver tissue may be insufficient. OGT 719 (1-galactopyranosyl-5-fluorouracil) is a novel nucleoside analogue, preferentially localized in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells via the asialoglycoprotein receptor. The aim of this study was to assess the systemic bioavailability of this rationally designed drug in 16 patients with advanced solid cancers. Method: Crossover pharmacokinetic study of oral (400 or 800 mg) and intravenous (250 mg/m 2) OGT 719. Results: Linear pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of approximately 25% were observed at the dose levels used in this study. Like other 5-FU prodrugs, considerable interpatient variability was observed in bioavailability following oral dosing. The mean half-life for oral doses was 4 h. OGT 719 was well tolerated. No objective tumour responses were demonstrated. Conclusion: The systemic bioavailability and half-life of oral OGT 719 are sufficient to merit dose escalation studies with frequent daily dosing. Subsequent efficacy studies should be performed in patients with primary and secondary liver malignancies.

Bioavailability study of oral and intravenous OGT 719, a novel nucleoside analogue with preferential activity in the liver

Purpose: Although oral fluoropyrimidine pro-drugs are increasingly being administered in preference to intravenous nucleoside analogues in cancer chemotherapy, their activation in malignant liver tissue may be insufficient. OGT 719 (1-galactopyranosyl-5-fluorouracil) is a novel nucleoside analogue, preferentially localized in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells via the asialoglycoprotein receptor. The aim of this study was to assess the systemic bioavailability of this rationally designed drug in 16 patients with advanced solid cancers. Method: Crossover pharmacokinetic study of oral (400 or 800 mg) and intravenous (250 mg/m 2) OGT 719. Results: Linear pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of approximately 25% were observed at the dose levels used in this study. Like other 5-FU prodrugs, considerable interpatient variability was observed in bioavailability following oral dosing. The mean half-life for oral doses was 4 h. OGT 719 was well tolerated. No objective tumour responses were demonstrated. Conclusion: The systemic bioavailability and half-life of oral OGT 719 are sufficient to merit dose escalation studies with frequent daily dosing. Subsequent efficacy studies should be performed in patients with primary and secondary liver malignancies.

Facilitating local stories in post-disaster regional communities : evaluation in narrative-driven oral history projects

Cyclone Yasi struck the Cassowary Coast of Northern Queensland, Australia, in the early hours of February 3, 2011, destroying many homes and property, including the destruction of the Cardwell and district historical society’s premises. With their own homes flattened, many residents were forced to live in mobile accommodation, with extended family, or leave the area altogether. The historical society members seemed, however, particularly devastated by their flattened foreshore museum and loss of their precious collection of material. A call for assistance was made through the Oral History Association of Australia’s Queensland branch (OHAA Qld), which along with a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research team sponsored a trip to best plan how they could start to pick up the pieces to rebuild the museum. This chapter highlights the need for communities to gather, preserve and present their own stories, in a way that is sustainable and meaningful to them – whether that be because of a disaster, or as they go about life in their contemporary communities – the key being that good advice, professional support and embedded evaluation practices at crucial moments along the way can be critically important.

Author response: "NPO practices and preoperative oral carbohydrate intake"

"We thank Dr Marsh for his thoughtful comments and acknowledge the limitations of our study, which we clearly outlined in the article. We also thank Dr Marsh for supporting our call for larger, independent trials to test the effectiveness of preoperative consumption of highcarbohydrate fluids to improve patient outcomes..."

Oral immunization with a novel lipid-based adjuvant protects against genital Chlamydia infection

Oral immunization is attractive as a delivery route because it is needle-free and useful for rapid mass vaccination programs to target pandemics or bioterrorism. This potential has not been realized for human vaccination, due to the requirement of large antigen doses and toxic (to humans) adjuvants to overcome the induction of oral tolerance and potential degradation of antigens in the stomach. To date, only oral vaccines based on live attenuated organisms have been approved for human use. In this study we describe the use of a lipid-based delivery system/adjuvant, Lipid C, for oral immunization to protect mice against genital tract chlamydial infection. Lipid C is formulated from food-grade purified and fractionated triglycerides. Bacterial shedding following vaginal challenge with Chlamydia muridarum was reduced by 50% in female mice orally immunized with the chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) formulated in Lipid C, protection equivalent to that seen in animals immunized with MOMP admixed with both cholera toxin (CT) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN). Protection was further enhanced when MOMP, CT and CpG were all combined in the Lipid C matrix. Protection correlated with production of gamma interferon (IFN) by splenic T cells, a serum MOMP-specific IgG response and low but detectable levels of MOMP-specific IgA in vaginal lavage.