Morphological analysis of the vestibular system of guinea pigs poisoned by organophosphate / Análise morfológica do sistema vestibular de cobaias intoxicadas por organofosforado

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The vestibular system is responsible for body balance. There are substances that damage it, causing dizziness; these are termed vestibulotoxic substances. Agrochemicals have been investigated for ototoxicity because of studies that identified dizziness as a recurrent symptom among rural workers' complaints. OBJECTIVE: To histopathologically evaluate the vestibular system in guinea pigs exposed to an organophosphate, and to identify the drug's effects on this system. METHODS: Experimental clinical study. Eighteen guinea pigs were used; six of them poisoned with the organophosphate chlorpyrifos at doses of 0.5 mg/kg/day and seven of them at 1 mg/kg/day; and a control group of five guinea pigs was exposed to distilled water, all for 10 consecutive days. Later, ciliary tufts of saccule and utricle maculae were counted by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Comparing the groups, a one-way ANOVA test for the variable "saccule" ( p = 0.0569) and a Kruskal-Wallis test for the variable "utricle" ( p = 0.8958) were performed, revealing no difference among groups in both variables. CONCLUSION: The histopathologic analysis of the vestibular system of guinea pigs exposed to an organophosphate showed no difference in the amount of ciliary tufts of saccule and utricle maculae at the doses tested, although the result for the variable "saccule" was considered borderline, showing a trend for significance.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: O sistema vestibular é responsável pelo equilíbrio corporal. Existem substâncias que o danificam, causando tontura; são chamadas vestibulotóxicas. Agrotóxicos tornaram-se objeto de investigação da ototoxicidade a partir de pesquisas que apontaram tontura como sintoma recorrente entre as queixas de trabalhadores rurais. OBJETIVO: Constitui-se em avaliar a histopatologia do sistema vestibular de cobaias expostas a organofosforados, identificando os efeitos nesse sistema. MÉTODO: É um estudo clínico experimental, que utilizou 18 cobaias, sendo seis intoxicadas com organofosforadoclorpirifós na dose de 0,5 mg/kg/dia; sete na dose de 1 mg/kg/dia, e grupo controle com cinco cobaias expostas a água destilada, durante 10 dias consecutivos. Posteriormente realizou-se a contagem dos tufos ciliares nas máculas dos sáculos e utrículos através microscopia eletrônica de varredura. RESULTADOS: Na comparação intergrupos, para a variável sáculo realizou-se o teste ANOVA one-way (p = 0,0569); para a variável utrículo, utilizou-se o teste Kruskal-Wallis (p = 0,8958), revelando não haver diferença entre os grupos em ambas as variáveis. CONCLUSÃO: Análise histopatológica do sistema vestibular de cobaias expostas a organofosforado não demonstrou diferença na quantidade de tufos ciliares nas máculas dos sáculos e utrículos nas doses testadas, apesar do resultado para a variável sáculo ser considerado limítrofe mostrando uma tendência a significância.

The influence of sodium bicarbonate combined with ulinastatin on cholinesterase activity for patients with acute phoxim pesticide poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of sodium bicarbonate combined with ulinastatin on cholinesterase activity for patients with acute phoxim pesticide poisoning.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 67 eligible patients with acute phoxim pesticide poisoning, Who were admitted to the emeryency department of hospital from March 2011 to February 2014, Acording to different treatments au patients were randomly divided into the conventional treatment group (n=34) and the sodium bicarbonate+ulinastatin group (n=35) . The conventional treatment group were given thorough gastric lavage with water, the sodium bicarbonate + ulinastatin group were given gastric lavage with 2% sodium bicarbonate solution. Both groups were given such treatments as catharsis, administration of oxygen, fluid infusion, diuresis, and antidotes such as atropine and pralidoxime methylchloride. On the basis of comprehensive treatment, people in the sodium bicarbonate+ulinastatin group were given 5% sodium bicarbonate injection and ulinastatin. The clinical effect of the two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum cholinesterase activity of the sodium bicarbonate+ulinastatin group was significantly higher than the conventional treatment group from the 5th day, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The total atropine dosage, total pralidoxime methylchloride dosage and hospitalization days were better than the conventional treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The difference in the time of atropinization between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05) . The results of arterial blood pH, HCO3- of the sodium bicarbonate + ulinastatin group were higher than the conventional treatment group, and the difference of HCO3- at the 10th day was statistically significant (P<0.05) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sodium bicarbonate combined with ulinastatin can improve the therapeutic effect and reduce complications in the treatment of acute phoxim pesticide poisoning, and have beneficial effects on the recovery of cholinesterase activity.</p>

Effects of aspirin on dendritic cells in the inflammatory microenvironment of rabbit buccal VX-2 squamous cell carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of aspirin and inflammation on the maturation and function of dendritic cells (DC) on the supernatant of VX-2 squamous cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rabbit buccal VX-2 squamous cell carcinoma models with inflammation were established by tumor particle implantation, mechanical trauma, and high sugar diet. The rabbits were divided into three groups. For the experimental group (rabbit buccal VX-2 squamous cell carcinoma with local inflammation), aspirin were given by gavage for three consecutive days. For the control group (rabbit buccal VX-2 squamous cell carcinoma with local inflammation), normal saline was given by gavage for three consecutive days. For the blank group (tumor without inflammation), normal saline was given by gavage for three consecutive days. Each tumor specimens were collected in three days and made into tissue homogenate. The supernatant was collected after centrifugation. Normal rabbit peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated and co-cultured with different states of supernatant. The expression of DC surface markers CD83, CD86, and human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) were detected by flow cytometry. The state of function of DC was tested by mixed lymphocyte reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rate of CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR of the experimental and control groups were both lower than that of the blank group (P<0.05). In addition, the ability to stimulate T cell proliferation of the experimental and control groups were weaker than that of the blank group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the experi- and HLADR of DC. The short-term administration of aspirin is not conducive to the phenoty and function of DC in a rabbit mental and control groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inflammation may inhibit the function and expression of CD83, CD86, buccal VX-2 squamous cell carcinoma inflammatory environment</p>

Analysis of reports of cases of pesticide poisoning in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2006 to 2013 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics of pesticide poisoning in Jiangsu Province, China, and to provide a scientific basis for developing effective intervention measures and prevention strategies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data from report cards of pesticide poisoning in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2013 were arranged using EXCEL tables, and assessed. Statistical analysis was applied to the epidemiological data using SPSS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From 2006 to 2013, a total of 32672 cases of pesticide poisoning were reported in Jiangsu Province. Most of the cases were caused by non-occupational poisoning (life poisoning) (72.78%). A majority of patients with pesticide poisoning were 35-54 years old (40.85%) or older than 65 years (15.69%). There were more female patients (58.22%) than male patients (41.78%). Among patients with occupational poisoning, male patients (50.90%) were more than female patients. Among patients with non-occupational poisoning, female patients were more than male patients (38.37%). Pesticide poisoning mainly occurred from July to September. The case-fatality rate of occupational poisoning (0.47%) was lower than that of non-occupational poisoning (7.10%). All 13 cities in Jiangsu Province reported cases of pesticide poisoning. There were more cases in the northern regions than in the southern regions. Pesticide poisoning was mainly caused by organophosphorus insecticides including methamidophos, dichlorvos, dimethoate, omethoate, and parathion, which accounted for 65.58%of all cases. Paraquat had the highest case-fatality rate (10.06%) among all pesticides, followed by tetramine (10.00%), dimethoate or omethoate (7.85%), methamidophos (7.79%), and dimehypo (7.68%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pesticide poisoning cannot be ignored. The management and control should be improved in production and usage of highly toxic pesticides including organophosphorus insecticides, rodenticides, and herbicides. More attention should be paid to the protection of vulnerable groups including women, children, and the elderly.</p>

Ocuurence of organophosphorus pesticides in animal foods and their diet exposure assessment / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the levels of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in animal foods and to assess the diet exposure risk of OPPs to Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>115 samples, including pork, beef, mutton, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk were collected from 13 provinces in China, were analyzed by dual gas chromatography-dual pulsed flame photometry (GC-PFPD) for the contamination of 58 organophosphorus pesticide residues including their metabolites. The cumulative exposure assessment and high-end exposure assessment were used to assess the diet exposure risk of OPPs to Chineses population.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The contamination levels of OPPs in animal foods were in the range of not detected (ND)-0.343 mg/kg, and the total detection rate was 37.4% (43/115). OPPs were frequently detected in samples of milk, fish and pork compared with other animal foods with the detection rate of 12/19, 9/16 and 7/16, respectively. The cumulative exposure amount of 10 OPPs to Chinese population was 0.12 µg×kg(-1)·d(-1), which accounted for 7.29% of the ADI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The residue levels of OPPs were low in animal food in the surveyed areas in China with some banned individual OPPs, such as methamidophos and monocrotophos, were detected. The dietary exposure risk of OPPs raised by the intake of animal foods in surveyed areas of China was low.</p>

Effect of methamidophos on the morphology and male reproductive parameters of the earthworm eisenia foetida / Efecto del metamidofos sobre la morfología y parámetros reproductivos espermáticos de la lombriz de tierra eisenia foetida

The earthworm Eisenia foetida (Annelida, Oligochaeta) is an excellent biosentinel model organism for assessing potential toxicological risks by xenobiotics in terrestrial ecosystems. Methamidophos is an organophosphorous insecticide widely used to control agricultural pests. Its main action is due to inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of methamidophos on the morphology and male parameters in Eisenia foetida. After determining the LD50 for methamidophos (85.34 mg/kg soil), five groups were formed, including control subjects, and sprayed with tap water. Methamidophos treated groups were subjected to doses of 1/10, 1/6, 1/3 and 2/3 of the LD50. Each group was analyzed at day 1, 6, 14 and 30 post-treatment. The results show a significant decrease in the weight of all individuals treated with methamidophos, besides showing a coiled body in 100 percent of them. Sperm count showed a significant increase in the treated groups after 1, 6 and 14 days post exposure and a significant decrease by day 30. Using the technique of acridine orange, a significant increase in abnormal metachromatic sperm (red fluorescence) in treated animals was shown. Methamidophos alters the overall behavior in earthworms and the male reproductive parameters of Eisenia foetida possibly altering the structure and conformation of DNA.

La Lombriz de tierra, Eisenia foetida (Annelida, Oligochaeta), constituye un excelente modelo de organismo biocentinela para evaluar los riesgos tóxicos de xenobióticos, en ecosistemas terrestres. Metamidofos es un insecticida organofosforado de amplio uso para controlar plagas agrícolas. Su acción principal se debe a la inhibición de la enzima acetilcolinesterasa. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la toxicidad de metamidofos sobre la morfología y parámetros espermáticos de Eisenia foetida. Una vez determinada la LD50 para metamidofos (85,34 mg/kg de tierra), se tomaron 5 grupos, entre ellos los individuos del grupo control, los cuales fueron asperjados con agua potable. Los grupos tratados con metamidofos fueron sometidos a dosis de 1/10, 1/6, 1/3 y 2/3 de la LD50. Cada grupo fue analizado al día 1, 6, 14, y 30 post tratamiento. Los resultados muestran una baja significativa en el peso de todos los individuos tratados con metamidofos, además de presentar enrrollamiento corporal, en el 100 por ciento de ellos. El recuento espermático presenta un aumento significativo en los grupos tratados a 1,6 y 14 días, para luego decaer significativamente el día 30. El uso de la técnica del naranja de acridina, mostró un aumento significativo de espermatozoides metacromáticos anormales en los animales tratados (fluorescencia de color rojo). Se concluye que Metamidofos altera el comportamiento general de la lombriz de tierra y los parámetros reproductivos espermáticos de Eisenia foetida posiblemente alterando la conformación y estructura del ADN.

The hydrogen sulfide donor, Lawesson's reagent, prevents alendronate-induced gastric damage in rats

Our objective was to investigate the protective effect of Lawesson's reagent, an H2S donor, against alendronate (ALD)-induced gastric damage in rats. Rats were pretreated with saline or Lawesson's reagent (3, 9, or 27 µmol/kg, po) once daily for 4 days. After 30 min, gastric damage was induced by ALD (30 mg/kg) administration by gavage. On the last day of treatment, the animals were killed 4 h after ALD administration. Gastric lesions were measured using a computer planimetry program, and gastric corpus pieces were assayed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β], and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Other groups were pretreated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, ip) or with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, ip)+diazoxide (3 mg/kg, ip). After 1 h, 27 µmol/kg Lawesson's reagent was administered. After 30 min, 30 mg/kg ALD was administered. ALD caused gastric damage (63.35±9.8 mm2); increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA (2311±302.3 pg/mL, 901.9±106.2 pg/mL, 121.1±4.3 nmol/g, respectively); increased MPO activity (26.1±3.8 U/mg); and reduced GSH levels (180.3±21.9 µg/g). ALD also increased cystathionine-γ-lyase immunoreactivity in the gastric mucosa. Pretreatment with Lawesson's reagent (27 µmol/kg) attenuated ALD-mediated gastric damage (15.77±5.3 mm2); reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA formation (1502±150.2 pg/mL, 632.3±43.4 pg/mL, 78.4±7.6 nmol/g, respectively); lowered MPO activity (11.7±2.8 U/mg); and increased the level of GSH in the gastric tissue (397.9±40.2 µg/g). Glibenclamide alone reversed the gastric protective effect of Lawesson's reagent. However, glibenclamide plus diazoxide did not alter the effects of Lawesson's reagent. Our results suggest that Lawesson's reagent plays a protective role against ALD-induced gastric damage through mechanisms that depend at least in part on activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels.

Bone mineral density deficits in childhood cancer survivors: Pathophysiology, prevalence, screening, and management / 소아과

As chemotherapy and other sophisticated treatment strategies evolve and the number of survivors of long-term childhood cancer grows, the long-term complications of treatment and the cancer itself are becoming ever more important. One of the most important but often neglected complications is osteoporosis and increased risk of fracture during and after cancer treatment. Acquisition of optimal peak bone mass and strength during childhood and adolescence is critical to preventing osteoporosis later in life. However, most childhood cancer patients have multiple risk factors for bone mineral loss. Cancer itself, malnutrition, decreased physical activity during treatment, chemotherapeutic agents such as steroids, and radiotherapy cause bone mineral deficit. Furthermore, complications such as growth hormone deficiency and musculoskeletal deformity have negative effects on bone metabolism. Low bone mineral density is associated with fractures, skeletal deformity, pain, and substantial financial burden not only for childhood cancer survivors but also for public health care systems. Thus, it is important to monitor bone health in these patients and minimize their risk of developing osteoporosis and fragility fractures later in life.

Long-term Follow-up of Hb Madrid Patient / 임상소아혈액종양

We report a long-term follow-up of unstable hemoglobin (Hb) patient. He was diagnosed as Hb Madrid [beta115(G17)Ala-->Pro] by direct DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis. Hydroxyurea had been given for beta-chain hemoglobinopathies through activation of gamma(gamma)-chain synthesis. Nowadays he still needs transfusion three or four times per year, but he had been free of hemolytic crisis after hydroxyurea. Although he has been treated for hemochromatosis with parenteral and oral iron-chelating agents, liver cirrhosis complicated by esophageal varix was developed and treated with endoscopic ligation. In addition, he is on warfarin maintenance for anticoagulation therapy for extensive portal vein and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis which presented with abdominal pain and diagnosed by CT scan. In management of unstable Hb patients, physician should monitor and control the serum ferritin level with iron-chelating agents, and be aware of possible long-term complication including hemochromatosis, cirrhosis or thromboembolism.

Serum Hepcidin Level as an Early Marker of Hematopoietic Activity after Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin plays a central role in the regulation of iron metabolism, and hepatic iron production is stimulated by iron load and inflammation. Recent animal studies have shown that hepcidin levels increase when hematopoiesis is blocked. We aimed to monitor pre- and post-stem cell transplantation hepcidin levels and evaluate its association with hematologic recovery. METHODS: The study group comprised 12 patients with hematologic malignancies (7 with AML, 4 with ALL, and 1 with refractory anemia with excess blasts-2) undergoing allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). One day before and 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after PBSCT, reticulocyte count and levels of Hb, ferritin, and C-reactive protein were monitored; serum hepcidin-25 was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The median serum hepcidin-25 levels (ng/mL) were significantly higher until 1 week after PBSCT (103.6, 103.3, and 96.5) than those at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after PBSCT (63.9, 53.9, and 56.6, respectively). The reticulocyte count also significantly increased from 2 weeks after PBSCT. The hepcidin level showed an inverse correlation with reticulocyte count (r=-0.56, P or =63.9) tended to demonstrate lower Hb recovery at 8 weeks than patients with low hepcidin levels did (P=0.15), but without any differences in the incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that hepcidin production is associated with erythropoietic activity and that hepcidin level may be used as an early marker of hematopoietic recovery in PBSCT.

Fecal Biomarkers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are idiopathic, remitting and relapsing diseases causing chronic inflammation of intestine. Initial diagnosis, assessment of disease activity, and prediction of treatment outcomes present challenges to physicians in clinical care of IBD. Therefore it is critical to accurately determine inflammatory activity of the gut. Endoscopy, the current gold standard for assessing and monitoring intestinal inflammation, is costly, invasive and at times, dangerous. Fecal biomarkers are a simple, reliable, non-invasive test that, because of their direct contact with the intestinal mucosa, may be more accurate in determining intestinal inflammation than serum biomarkers. Since calprotectin was identified as a marker for IBD, several additional fecal markers, including lactoferrin, S100A12, and M2-pyruvate kinase, have been evaluated for their ability to differentiate and monitor disease activity. Fecal biomarkers are useful in differentiating IBD from functional bowel disorders, monitoring response to treatment and predicting clinical and endoscopic relapse. Although they may not ever replace endoscopy, fecal markers could minimize unnecessary, potentially dangerous examinations and help guide IBD management in a more cost-effective manner.

Hypereosinophilia-associated Diseases and the Therapeutic Agents in Development / 한양의대학술지

Eosinophil is one of the most enigmatic leukocytes that plays pleiotropic roles in initiation and propagation of inflammatory conditions, modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, homeostasis, and remodeling and repair of diverse tissues in health and disease. Eosinophils arise from CD34+ hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow under the influence of transcription factors (C/EBPalpha and GATA-1) and hematopoietic cytokines (IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF). The unusually high numbers of eosinophils in blood and/or tissues, so-called hypereosinophilia, are often critically involved in pathophysiology of a wide variety of inflammatory diseases in many organs, including many allergic diseases (asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis), gastrointestinal diseases (eosinophilic eosophagitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, idiopathic myositis), cancers (pancreas, bladder, liver, kidney, breast, melanoma, colon, glioblastoma, gastric, uterine, oral/nasal, lung), infectious diseases (helminth, bacteria, virus, fungi), transplantation rejection (lung, cardiac, corneal, skin, liver, and renal), reproduction, and autoimmune diseases. A dozen of therapeutic agents, notably including humanized anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibodies, that directly and indirectly target eosinophils have been developed and are studied extensively under clinical and preclinical trials. Some agents have been shown to have promising perspectives to hypereosinophilic diseases, especially against asthma exacerbations and hypereosinophilic syndromes. Further studies are required for discovery of the specific mechanisms of actions of the different eosinophil-targeted therapies, dosing strategies and treatment options with identification of biomarkers that can monitor and predict the responses.

Clinical Usefulness of Otoacoustic Emission Sum in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sudden hearing loss remain a controversial issue with respect to its prognostic indicators. In a recent study, the change in distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) has been shown to provide useful information about its prognosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the changes of DPOAE and hearing improvement in sudden deafness patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Sixty-one patients underwent pure tone audiometry (PTA) and DPOAE on their first hospital day; among them 35 patients underwent DPOAE after 2 weeks. These patients were divided into mild ( or =71 dB) group according to their initial hearing thresholds. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients in the moderate to severe group, 11 patients showed a DPOAE response and 5 patients (45%) showed hearing improved. In 11 non-DPOAE response patients, 4 patients (36.4%) had improved. We compared PTA and OAE sum gap results by analyzing 35 patient's initial thresholds with those measured 2 weeks after the therapy. The correlation coefficient between the two group was 0.547 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results show that OAE sum is an efficient and non-invasive objective method and that it can be used to monitor the effects of treatment in sudden hearing loss patients.

Significance of C-Reactive Protein and Transcranial Doppler in Cerebral Vasospasm Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral vasospasm is a common and potentially devastating complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Inflammatory processes seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. C-reactive protein (CRP) constitutes a highly sensitive inflammatory marker. Elevation of serum CRP levels has been demonstrated in patients with aSAH. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possible relationship between CRP levels in the serum and transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the development of vasospasm in patients with aSAH. METHODS: A total of 61 adult patients in whom aSAH was diagnosed were included in the study from November 2008 to May 2011. The patients' demographics, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, CT scans, digital subtraction angiography studies, and daily neurological examinations were recorded. Serial serum CRP measurements were obtained on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 and TCD was measured on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. All patients underwent either surgical or endovascular treatment within 24 hours of their hemorrhagic attacks. RESULTS: Serum CRP levels peaked on the 3rd postoperative day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 3rd day in the mean middle cerebral artery velocities on TCD. CONCLUSION: Patients with high levels of CRP on the 1st postoperative day and high velocity of mean TCD on the 3rd postoperative day may require closer observation to monitor for the development of vasospasm.

Investigation of Water Safety in Non-treated Drinking Water with Trace Toxic Metals

The trace toxic metal copper was assayed using mercury immobilized on a carbon nanotube electrode (MCW), with a graphite counter and a reference electrode. In this study, a macro-scale convection motor was interfaced with a MCW three-electrode system, in which a handmade MCW was optimized using cyclic-and square-wave stripping voltammetry. An analytical electrolyte for tap water was used instead of an expensive acid or base ionic solution. Under these conditions, optimum parameters were 0.09 V amplitude, 40 Hz frequency, 0.01 V incremental potential, and a 60-s accumulation time. A diagnostic working curve was obtained from 50.0 to 350 microg/L. At a constant Cu(II) concentration of 10.0 microg/L, the statistical relative standard deviation was 1.78% (RSD, n = 15), the analytical accumulation time was only 60 s, and the analytical detection limit approached 4.6 microg/L (signal/noise = 3). The results were applied to non-treated drinking water. The content of the analyzed copper using 9.0 and 4.0 microg/L standards were 8.68 microg/L and 3.96 microg/L; statistical values R2 = 0.9987 and R2 = 0.9534, respectively. This method is applicable to biological diagnostics or food surveys.

Long-term Follow-up of Hb Madrid Patient / 임상소아혈액종양

We report a long-term follow-up of unstable hemoglobin (Hb) patient. He was diagnosed as Hb Madrid [beta115(G17)Ala-->Pro] by direct DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis. Hydroxyurea had been given for beta-chain hemoglobinopathies through activation of gamma(gamma)-chain synthesis. Nowadays he still needs transfusion three or four times per year, but he had been free of hemolytic crisis after hydroxyurea. Although he has been treated for hemochromatosis with parenteral and oral iron-chelating agents, liver cirrhosis complicated by esophageal varix was developed and treated with endoscopic ligation. In addition, he is on warfarin maintenance for anticoagulation therapy for extensive portal vein and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis which presented with abdominal pain and diagnosed by CT scan. In management of unstable Hb patients, physician should monitor and control the serum ferritin level with iron-chelating agents, and be aware of possible long-term complication including hemochromatosis, cirrhosis or thromboembolism.

Marginal Bone Resorption Analysis of Dental Implant Patients by Applying Pattern Recognition Algorithm

Early-onset sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit in Beni Suef, Egypt: bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance pattern / 소아과

PURPOSE: To identify the frequency of bacterial isolates in early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. METHODS: A retrospective study of EONS was conducted at the Beni Suef University Hospital from September 2008 to September 2012. A case of EONS was defined as an infant who had clinical signs of infection or who was born to a mother with risk factors for infection, and in whom blood culture obtained within 72 hours of life grew a bacterial pathogen. RESULTS: Of 673 neonates screened, there were 138 positive blood cultures (20.5%) (confirmed EONS). Of the recovered isolates, 86.2% were gram-negative pathogens. Klebsiella pneumoniae (42.8%), Enterobacter cloacae (22.5%), and Escherichia coli (13.8%) were the commonest isolated organisms. The most common gram-positive microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus accounting for only 12 isolates (8.7%). All Klebsiella isolates and 93% of Enterobacter isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Gram-negative pathogens had the maximum overall sensitivity to imipenem, cefepime, and ciprofloxacin; whereas, gram-positive isolates were most susceptible to vancomycin, imipenem, and piperacillin. CONCLUSION: K. pneumoniae was the predominant causative bacteria of EONS followed by E. cloacae and E. coli. There was a high resistance to ampicillin. Imipenem had the maximum overall activity against the causative bacteria. Continuous surveillance is needed to monitor the changing epidemiology of pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity.

Performance Evaluation of the CAPILLARYS 2 FLEX Piercing Analyzer for HbA1c Determination

BACKGROUND: The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level is widely used to monitor glycemic control in diabetes mellitus patients, and various methods are used for its determination. The CAPILLARYS 2 FLEX Piercing (Sebia) is a fully automated, high-throughput glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) analyzer based on capillary electrophoresis. METHODS: The analytical performance of the CAPILLARYS 2 FLEX Piercing analyzer was evaluated for its precision, linearity, correlation with the Variant II Turbo (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.) analyzer, and its vulnerability to interference by carbamylated hemoglobin. We also investigated its agreement with National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) targets. All evaluations were performed according to CLSI guidelines EP05, EP06, and EP09. RESULTS: The coefficients of variation (CVs) for within-run and total imprecision were 1.7% and 1.8% at low concentrations and 1.2% and 1.3% at high concentrations, respectively. Linearity was excellent, with R2=0.9882 in the range of 5.13-13.83%; these results highly correlated with those produced by Variant II Turbo (R2=0.9978). The 95% confidence interval (for differences from the NGSP target) was -0.3618-0.3343%. No significant interference of carbamylated hemoglobin was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The CAPILLARYS 2 FLEX Piercing analyzer showed excellent precision and linearity. Its results correlated with those obtained by the Variant II Turbo analyzer, and were agreement with the NGSP target. Therefore, its analytical performance is satisfactory for diabetes diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Influence of Pathogen Inactivation on the Quality of Platelet Rich Plasma Derived Platelets / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Pathogen inactivation (PI) is a proactive approach to overcome the limitations of the current testing system and donor questionnaires. Effect of PI on non-leukoreduced platelet rich plasma derived platelets (PRP-PLTs) suspended in plasma has not yet been evaluated. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of PI on the quality of non-leukoreduced PRP-PLTs suspended in plasma. METHODS: PRP-PLTs treated with the Mirasol PRT System and the Intercept Blood System were tested for PLT count, blood gas, PLT activation, and apoptosis on days 3, 5, and 7 of storage. RESULTS: PLT number showed a decrease after PI. No difference in pH was observed until day 5. At day 7, PLTs treated with Mirasol had a lower pH value (6.5), however, it satisfied the quality control criteria. PLTs treated with Mirasol had a lower pO2 compared to pre-inactivation PLTs. pO2 during storage differed significantly between the two PI groups. pCO2 showed a decrease after inactivation and both groups showed a significant difference, compared with the control. PLTs treated with Mirasol had increased P-selectin expression after inactivation; however, difference of P-selectin during storage was not significant compared to the control. P-selectin of PLTs treated with Intercept was significantly different compared to those treated with Mirasol and control. Annexin V showed an increase after inactivation in Mirasol treated PLTs and difference during storage was significant compared to control and Intercept. CONCLUSION: As both PI systems showed satisfactory pH values, the criteria showing a high correlation with in vivo PLT viability and generally applied to monitor quality of PLTs, quality of PRP-PLTs after PI appears not to be negatively affected.