ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid in Hippophae rhamnoides L. on hepatocyte apoptosis in rats with alcoholic liver disease based on the mitochondria-cytochrome c pathway. Methods A total of 50 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, alcohol model group, and low-, middle-, and high-dose ursolic acid groups using a random number table, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the normal control group were given normal saline by gavage once a day for 8 weeks; the rats in the alcohol model group were given alcohol at increasing concentrations by gavage for 8 consecutive weeks; the rats in the low-, middle-, and high-dose ursolic acid groups were given ursolic acid at a dose of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, respectively, followed by an equal volume of alcohol as the model group 1 hour later. Serum liver function parameters were measured for each group; HE staining was used to observe liver histopathology; an electron microscope was used to observe hepatocyte ultrastructure; the TUNEL method was used to measure hepatocyte apoptosis; Western Blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of cytochrome c and activated caspase-3 in hepatocyte mitochondria and cytoplasm. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the alcohol model group, the middle- and high-dose ursolic acid groups had significant reductions in the serum level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cholinesterase (all P < 0.05). The rats in the alcohol model group had disordered arrangement of hepatic cords with marked hepatocyte edema and fatty degeneration, while those in the middle- and high- dose ursolic acid groups had basically normal arrangement of hepatic cords and a significant improvement in hepatocyte fatty degeneration, as well as a significant increase in the number of hepatocyte mitochondria and a significant improvement in morphology. Compared with the alcohol model group, the middle- and high-dose ursolic acid groups had significantly lower hepatocyte apoptosis rate and protein expression levels of cytochrome c and caspase-3 in cytoplasm (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Ursolic acid in Hippophae rhamnoides L. can improve the liver function and histomorphology of rats with alcoholic liver disease, possibly by inhibiting the release of cytochrome c in hepatocyte mitochondria, the activation of caspase-3, and the apoptosis of hepatocytes via the mitochondria-cytochrome c pathway.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the clinical effects of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with minimally invasive scar release in the treatment of post-acne atrophic scars. Methods: A retrospectively observational study was conducted. From January to June 2021, 60 patients with grade 3 and 4 post-acne atrophic scars who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to the adopted treatment methods, 30 patients treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with minimally invasive scar release were included in combined treatment group (19 males and 11 females, aged (26±4) years), and 30 patients treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser alone were included in laser alone group (18 males and 12 females, aged (25±6) years). All the patients received the treatment once every two months, totally 3 times. Before the first treatment and 2 months after the last treatment, the scars were assessed by échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA). In 2 months after the last treatment, the curative effect was evaluated and the total effective rate was calculated according to the ECCA score. The adverse reactions of patients during the treatment were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: Before the first treatment, the ECCA scores of patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). In 2 months after the last treatment, the ECCA scores of patients in combined treatment group were significantly lower than those of laser alone group (Z=-2.89, P<0.05). The ECCA scores of patients in combined treatment group and laser alone group in 2 months after the last treatment were both significantly lower than those before the first treatment (with Z values of -4.81 and -4.79, respectively, P<0.05). In 2 months after the last treatment, the treatment in laser alone group cured the scars in 2 patients, and were markedly effective in 13 patients, effective in 7 patients, and ineffective in 8 patients; the treatment in combined treatment group cured the scars in 4 patients, and were markedly effective in 22 patients, effective in 3 patients, and ineffective in one patients. The total effective rate of scar treatment in combined treatment group (96.67%, 29/30) was significantly higher than 73.33% (22/30) in laser alone group (P<0.05). During treatment, in combined treatment group, 3 patients had pain, one patient had redness and swelling, and one patient had pigmentation. In laser alone group, one patient had pain, and 2 patients had pigmentation. No infection occurred in the wounds of all the patients in the two groups. Conclusions: Compared with fractional carbon dioxide laser alone, fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with minimally invasive scar release for post-acne atrophic scars can result in a higher total effective rate, with simple operation and good effect, so it is worthy of clinical application.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Cicatrix/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Lasers, Gas/therapeutic use , Acne Vulgaris , Atrophy , Pain , Carbon DioxideABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze the characteristics of etiology and clinical indicators of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and non-HBV liver failure, and to evaluate their potential roles in reflecting disease outcomes.Methods:The clinical data of 369 patients with liver failure admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi which was the designated hospital for treatment of liver failure from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The classification and comparison of etiology of non-HBV and HBV liver failure patients were performed according to the Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Failure (2018 edition). The indicators of liver failure related etiologies, including gender, age, anticoagulant enzyme Ⅲ (ATⅢ), total bilirubin (TBil), length of ICU stay, hepatic encephalopathy, underlying disease (liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, etc.) and usage of artificial liver were analyzed. According to the 6-month follow-up results after discharge, the differences in the etiological indicators of died and survival patients and the outcome of patients with different types of liver failure were analyzed. Results:A total of 369 patients were enrolled, including 134 (36.3%) with liver failure not caused by HBV and 235 (63.7%) with liver failure caused by HBV. The male with HBV-related liver failure was 4.34 times higher than female (cases: 191 vs. 44), which was higher than non-HBV-related liver failure (1.03 times, cases: 68 vs. 66). The 6-month follow-up showed that the proportion of male with HBV-related liver failure who died and survived was significantly higher than that of female (78.76% vs. 21.24% in died patients, 92.86% vs. 7.14% in survival patients, both P < 0.01). The age of died patients in the non-HBV-related liver failure group was significantly higher than that of the survival patients (years: 58.53±0.15 vs. 54.38±3.01, P < 0.05), and the ATⅢ level was significantly lower than that of the survival patients [(32.20±6.43)% vs. (38.63±2.74)%, P < 0.05]. The length of ICU stay of the died HBV-related liver failure group was significantly shorter than that of the survival patients (days: 23.77±11.74 vs. 35.51±2.85, P < 0.01). The 6-month mortality after discharge of HBV-related liver failure combined with liver cancer was significantly higher than that of non-HBV-related liver failure (12.34% vs. 2.24%, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in 6-month mortality after discharge of patients receiving artificial liver and those with hepatic encephalopathy and cirrhosis between different types of liver failure groups. Conclusions:HBV is the main cause of liver failure. Patients with HBV-related liver failure were younger and had a longer hospitalization period, which was conducive to the recovery of the disease. HBV-related liver failure accompanied with liver cancer is the main factors of death. The ATⅢ has the potential value to reflect the disease outcome.
ABSTRACT
Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and hypertension in Henan rural residents, and to explore the association between vitamin D and risk of hypertension. Methods 2 013 Henan rural participants aged 18-80 years were recruited from a cross-sectional study. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline model were used to evaluate odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and dose-response relationship between vitamin D and risk of hypertension. Results In total population, the prevalence of hypertension was 40.34% (30.64% after age-standard), and the mean serum 25-(OH)D was (24.50 ± 16.18) ng/ml, and 53.95% of all participants were presenting vitamin D deficiency. Compared with non-hypertension, a lower level of serum 25-(OH)D was observed in people with hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 45.21% in vitamin D deficient group which was higher than in the vitamin D sufficient group (31.07%). Compared with the vitamin D sufficient group, the risk of hypertension was increase in the vitamin D deficient group (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.21-2.10), and the risk of hypertension decreased by 14% for every 10 ng/ml increase in serum 25-(OH) D levels. Moreover, an L-shaped relationship was observed between 25-(OH)D concentration and risk of hypertension. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is associated with risk of hypertension and there is an L-shaped relationship between 25-(OH)D concentration and risk of hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of DHA on sevoflurane-induced activation of microglia.Methods N9 mouse microglia were seeded in culture plates (1 ml) or culture dishes (10 ml) at a density of 1 × 106 cells/ml and divided into 4 groups (n =18 each) using a random number table method:control group (C group),DHA group,sevoflurane group (Sevo group) and DHA plus sevoflurane group (DHA+Sevo group).Group C received no treatment.Cells were incubated in the culture medium containing 25 μmol/L DHA in DHA and DHA+Sevo groups.Cells were exposed to 2％ sevoflurane in Sevo and DHA +Sevo groups.At 24 h of culture,activated microglia were detected and counted by immunohistochemistry,the rate of CD11b positive cells was calculated,the expression of microglial biomarker CD1lb was detected by Western blot,and the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin1 beta (IL-1β) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared with C and DHA groups,the rate of C D 11 b positive cells was significantly increased,the expression of CD11 b was upregulated,and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased in Sevo group (P＜0.05).Compared with Sevo group,the rate of CD11b positive cells was significantly decreased,the expression of CD11b was down-regulated,and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased in DHA + Sevo group (P＜0.05).Conclusion DHA can decrease inflammatory responses through reducing sevoflurane-induced activation of microglia.
ABSTRACT
Objective·To investigate the effects and mechanisms of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and cisplatin resistance of human ovarian cancer cells. Methods·The human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 cells and human cisplatin resistant cell line SKOV3/DDP cells were studied. The effects of NaHS on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in SKOV3 cells were detected respectively by CCK-8, flow cytometry and Transwell invasion assay. The effect of NaHS on cisplatin resistance in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells was detected by calculating the IC50 and IR. The phosphorylation levels of EGFR, PI3K and Akt in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells were assayed by Western blotting. After treated with erlotinib (EGFR inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) and MK-2206 (Akt inhibitor), the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, PI3K and Akt in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells, as well as cell proliferation, invasion in SKOV3 cells and cisplatin resistance in SKOV3/DDP cells were detected. Results·Compared with the control group, NaHS could significantly promote the proliferation (P=0.000) and invasion (P=0.033) in SKOV3 cells; increase IC50 (P=0.027, P=0.009) and decrease IR of cisplatin (P=0.001, P=0.009) in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. NaHS could activate EGFR (P=0.000, P=0.037), PI3K (P=0.009, P=0.013)and Akt(P=0.000,P=0.023)in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells.Erlotinib,LY294002 and MK-2206 could block the effects of NaHS on the proliferation (all P=0.000) and invasion (all P<0.01) in SKOV3 cells, and also reverse the effect of NaHS on the cisplatin resistance in SKOV3/DDP cells (all P=0.000). Conclusion·Exogenous hydrogen sulfide can induce the proliferation and invasion in SKOV3 cells, and promote the cisplatin resistance in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells, which mechanisms are related to activation of EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and cisplatin resistance of human ovarian cancer cells. Methods: The human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 cells and human cisplatin resistant cell line SKOV3/DDP cells were studied. The effects of NaHS on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in SKOV3 cells were detected respectively by CCK-8, flow cytometry and Transwell invasion assay. The effect of NaHS on cisplatin resistance in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells was detected by calculating the IC50 and IR. The phosphorylation levels of EGFR, PI3K and Akt in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells were assayed by Western blotting. After treated with erlotinib (EGFR inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) and MK-2206 (Akt inhibitor), the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, PI3K and Akt in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells, as well as cell proliferation, invasion in SKOV3 cells and cisplatin resistance in SKOV3/DDP cells were detected. Results: Compared with the control group, NaHS could significantly promote the proliferation (P=0.000) and invasion (P=0.033) in SKOV3 cells; increase IC50 (P=0.027, P=0.009) and decrease IR of cisplatin (P=0.001, P=0.009) in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. NaHS could activate EGFR (P=0.000, P=0.037), PI3K (P=0.009, P=0.013) and Akt (P=0.000, P=0.023) in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. Erlotinib, LY294002 and MK-2206 could block the effects of NaHS on the proliferation (all P=0.000) and invasion (all P<0.01) in SKOV3 cells, and also reverse the effect of NaHS on the cisplatin resistance in SKOV3/DDP cells (all P=0.000). Conclusion: Exogenous hydrogen sulfide can induce the proliferation and invasion in SKOV3 cells, and promote the cisplatin resistance in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells, which mechanisms are related to activation of EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
Objectives Explore the experiences of professor Li Shunmin in treating chronic kidney diseases (CKD) according to spleen and kidney theory.Methods Information of medical records was acquired from Shenzhen TCM hospital information management department. It included the records from Jan, 2014 to Mar, 2016. Access database was established and SQL was used for data processing. Cytoscape 2.8 software was used to visualize the results and analyze the treatment characteristics in CKD.Results ProfessorLi used herbs of nourishing spleen and kidney to treat CKD. The herbs included Astragalus membranaceus, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Rehmannia glutinosa and Gordon Euryale. The rules of treatment included invigorating spleen and kidney, and regulating liver and lung. The characteristics of using herbs included combination of cooling and warming herbs, bitter and pungent herbs, and sweet herbs for CKD.Conclusions Data mining could help to discover the rules of Li Shunmin in treating CKD. The results confirmed the academic attitude of treating CKD on spleen and kidney. It provided ideas and direction for CKD treatment.
ABSTRACT
Liver fibrosis is the important stage of most liver diseases, and early and accurate diagnosis of classification of liver fibrosis plays an important role in developing individualized treatment regimens and reducing mortality rates. Ultrasound elastography has become popular in clinical physicians due to its unique advantages. This article compares the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of transient elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse elastography, real-time shear wave elastography, and real-time tissue elastography in the diagnosis of classification of liver fibrosis and helps to enhance clinical physicians′ knowledge of advantages and shortcomings of various ultrasound elastography methods in the diagnosis of classification of liver fibrosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To access the feasibility and safety of application of flexible laryngeal mask air-way ( FLMA) in oral&maxillofacial day surgery. Methods:Retrospective study was conducted of 40 oral& maxillofacial day surgery patients (3 to 61 years of age) using FLMA under general anaesthesia in De-partment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. All the patients were with American Society of Anesthesiologists ( ASA ) physical status Ⅰ -Ⅱ, including 19 males and 21 females. The patients' vital signs were recorded at five different time points:baseline before anesthesia ( T0 ) , time right after the FLMA insertion ( T1 ) , time at incision ( T2 ) , 15 min after incision ( T3 ) and time at the end of the operation ( T4 ) . The first attempted FLMA insertion successful rate and the number of timed of changing to endotracheal intubation were recorded. During operation, frequencies of movement, hypoxia and obstruction of airway were noted and the operation time, anesthesia time, time from the end of the operation to extubation, movement and coughing following extubation and sore throat within 24 h were taken down. Operation-related complications of bleeding, hematoma and injury of local nerves were recorded within 24 h as well. Results:The operations of all the 40 patients were successfully done under general anaesthesia. The 36 ( 90%, 36/40 ) patients using FLMA successfully were under steady process, including 16 males and 20 females. The first attempted successful rate of FLMA insertion was 80% (32/40), and the second 50% (4/8). Three out of the 4 failed FLMA patients were changed to endotracheal intubation after the second attempt failed. The other patient was changed to endotracheal intubation before operation because of leak. The average operation time was (46. 58 ± 22. 57) min, the anesthesia time was ( 77 . 97 ± 26 . 82 ) min and the time from the end of operation to extubation was (8. 31 ± 3. 33) min. All the patients were recorded without obvious body movement during the operation procedure. There were 4 patients (11. 11%, 4/36) with slight body movement during extubation. The incidence of sore throat was 13. 89% (5/36) within 24 h postoperatively. There were no complications of bleeding, hematoma and injury of local nerves. The vital signs of baseline T0 were significantly different from those at other time points T1, T2, T3, and T4 (P0. 05). As to the values of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure after anesthesia at T1 and T4 , T2 and T3, for two-two comparison, there was no statistical difference (P>0. 05). As to the respiratory rate from the start of the surgery, the values at T2, T3 and T4 showed no statistical difference (P>0. 05). Conclusion:Flexible laryngeal mask airway is a supraglottic airway management method. It is suitable and safe for securing the airway in oral & maxillofacial day surgery. The advantages of fewer haemody-namic changes and postoperative complications are confirmed.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To determine the prevalence of cancer-related anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer in North of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study of 262 inpatients diagnosed with gastric or colorectal cancer admitted to eight general hospitals in Beijing from August 2009 to December 2009 was performed. The blood samples were took on the day after admission and the seventh day after operation for the tests of hemoglobin, serum iron and ferritin. The morbidity of cancer-related anemia and IDA before and after the surgery was also compared respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The preoperative morbidity of cancer-related anemia was 36.6% in 131 patients with gastric cancer, and the morbidity of IDA was 52.1%. The mean age of the anemic patients was higher than that in cases without anemia [(62 ± 11) yrs vs. (57 ± 12) yrs, P < 0.05]; the postoperative morbidity of IDA increased to 72.6% (P < 0.05). In the 131 cases with colorectal cancer, the preoperative incidence of cancer-related anemia and IDA was 37.4% and 61.2%, respectively. About 45% of the cases with anemia had a tumor in the right colon. Postoperative incidence of IDA was significantly higher than that before the surgery (76.7%, P < 0.05). Only 10.3% of the anemic patients were treated with chalybeate therapy before surgical procedures, and the proportion was 22.7% after the operation. More than 50% of anemic patient received blood transfusion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cancer-related anemia is a common clinical manifestation in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, and anemia occurs more frequently in elder and patients with right colon tumor. The treatment to cancer-related anemia is insufficient and a systematic therapy is needed to be established.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anemia , Epidemiology , Colorectal Neoplasms , General Surgery , Cross-Sectional Studies , Perioperative Period , Stomach Neoplasms , General SurgeryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the risk factors of colorectal cancer-related anemia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The clinical data of 319 patients with colorectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed for the possible risk factors of tumor-related anemia including tumor location, clinical stage, clinical symptoms, pathology, gender, and age.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of these 319 cases, 141 (44.20%) had anemia. The incidence of anemia was 62.20% among patients with right hemicolon cancers (including caecum cancer), and was 23.82% among patients with rectal cancer and 36.23% among those with transverse descending or sigmoid colon cancer. Cardia insufficiency, melena, tumor location, T staging, hypoproteinemia were also found to be related with anemia. Anemia and hypoproteinemia were the risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion (odds ratio = 3.004, odds ratio = 8.356, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The colorectal cancer-related anemia is not associated with the clinical stage of the tumor, while cardiac insufficiency, melena, tumor location, tumor stage, and hypoproteinemia constitute the possible risk factors. Anemia and hypoproteinemia are the risk factors of perioperative blood transfusion.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anemia , Colorectal Neoplasms , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence of tumor related anemia in patients with cancer in the digestive system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of of 10 218 inpatients were diagnosed with cancer in the digestive system at the Peking Union Hospital from January 2000 to June 2009, which included esophageal cancer(n=1118), gastric cancer(n=2418), carcinoma of duodenum(n=134), carcinoma of small intestine(n=85), hepatocellular cancer(n=1508), cholangiocarcinoma(n=546), pancreatic cancer (n=1242), colon cancer(n=1582), and rectal cancer(n=1585). Patients with hemolytic anemia or hepatorenal dysfunction were excluded. Data pertaining to sex, age and hemoglobin were obtained by chart review.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the China criteria of anemia, the overall anemia rate was 27.5% (2813/10 218). The prevalence of anemia was 64.7% for small bowel cancer, 60.5% for duodenal cancer, 42.6% for colon cancer, 36.6% for cholangiocarcinoma, 33.3% for gastric cancer, 22.6% for pancreatic cancer, 20.4% for rectal cancer, 18.7% for hepatocellular cancer, and 10.0% for esophageal cancer. Anemia was more common in older patients in those with gastric cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer. There were more male anemic patients in those with cancer in the small intestine or cholangiocarcinoma. However, females were more commonly seen in those with hepatocellular cancer or pancreatic cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Anemia is common in patients with cancer in the digestive system. The prevalence of anemia is higher in patients with cancer in the duodenum carcinoma or small intestine, followed by colon cancer and gastric cancer, and then esophageal cancer. Anemia may be associated with age or gender in some types of cancer in the digestive system.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Anemia , Epidemiology , China , Epidemiology , Digestive System Neoplasms , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the pollution status of Legionella species in hot spring vacation center and the related factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Field surveys were performed in four big hot spring vacation centers of Changping district. Uniform questionnaires was used and colony count was made together with the isolation of Legionella species from hot spring water based on mip gene typing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>47 isolates of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) from 87 samples showed 4 serotypes as Lp1, Lp6, Lp12, Lp5 with percent of 57.45%, 21.28%, 14.89%, 6.38% respectively. The hot spring centers controlled the temperature of recycled water between 34-47 degrees C by hot water heating and filtrating system. All the isolates were cultured from the hot water with temperature between 34-44 degrees C: 56.75% (21/37) in high temperature (40-47 degrees C) and 61.90% (26/42) in low temperature (34-39.9 degrees C). There were no statistically significant difference between the high and the low temperature samples (P > 0.05). In the four hot spring vacation centers, the pH value was under control at 6.4-7.3 and the ambient temperature was under control between 26-28 degrees C. The humidity was controlled between 56% -69% relative humidity, which were the best growing conditions for the Legionella species. Disinfectors as chlorine deviratives was used in the four hot spring vacation centers. Though the concentration of chlorine in the water was 0.3-0.5 mg/L, 14.29%-48.00% of the samples were still positive of having Legionella species.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pollution of Legionella species was considered to be quite serious in the four hot spring vacation centers and the predominant serotype was Lp1. The pH and temperature of the hot spring water, ambient temperature and humidity and the way of heating up the water were the best conditions for the growth of Legionella species in these centers. Because of the high temperature of the hot spring water, chlorine of the disinfector volatilized quickly, affecting the effect of disinfection. The result revealed that water temperature achieving 44 degrees C could have had the effect of prevention.</p>
Subject(s)
China , Disinfection , Environmental Monitoring , Hot Springs , Microbiology , Legionella , Temperature , Travel , Water MicrobiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the roles of actin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) in the injury repair and the development of emphysema.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: the smoking and infection group (group SI) and the control group (group C). The rats of group SI received smoking irritation accompanying with repeated intranasal infection. Subgroups of the experimental animals were killed in the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 16th weeks respectively. The morphological changes of lungs were compared and PaO(2), PaCO(2) as well as the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were analysed. The lung sections were stained with immunohistochemistry for actin and TGF-beta(1).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparison with animals of group C, thickening of the bronchiolar walls, narrowing of bronchiolar lumens, and area of emphysema were much severe in animals of group SI (P < 0.05). The muscularization of intra-alveolar arteries in group SI in the 16th week was apparent in comparing with that in group C (P < 0.05). PaO(2) values in group SI were significantly decreased, and RVSP values in group SI were significantly increased in the 8th and 16th week (P < 0.05). Actin expression was increased in animals of group SI in the 4th and 8th week (0.24 +/- 0.06 and 0.25 +/- 0.05) in comparing with that of group C (0.09 +/- 0.03) (P < 0.05). Animals of group SI showed a significant increase of TGF-beta(1) in lung tissue in different periods as mentioned in above (33.33 +/- 12.11, 45.71 +/- 15.12, 71.43 +/- 16.76 and 86.25 +/- 20.66 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increased expression of actin and TGF-beta(1) protein in small airways induced by smoking irritation and Klebsiella Pneumoniae may interfere with the repair response, and contributes to the development of emphysema.</p>