ABSTRACT
IntroductionMany countries are administering a third dose of some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, but the evaluation of vaccine-induced immunity is insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers in the health care workers after the third BNT162b2 vaccination. MethodsDynamics of anti-spike IgG titers were assessed two months following the third BNT162b2 vaccination in 52 participants. All participants received the primary series of vaccination with BNT162b2 and received the third dose eight months after the second vaccination. Associations between anti-spike IgG titer, baseline characteristics, and adverse reactions were also evaluated. ResultsThe geometric mean titer of anti-spike IgG one month after the third vaccination was 17400 AU/ml, which increased to approximately 30 times immediately before the third vaccination and approximately twice that one month after the second vaccination. In addition, participants with anti-spike IgG titers less than 10000 AU/ml after the second vaccination tended to have higher increases in ant-spike IgG titers before and after the third vaccination. The decline rate of anti-spike IgG was significantly slower after the third vaccination as 35.7% than that after the second vaccination as 59.1%. The anti-spike IgG titer was significantly negatively associated with age (r = -0.31). Participants who had a headache at the vaccination showed significantly higher anti-spike IgG titer than those without a headache. ConclusionsThe anti-spike IgG induced by primary immunization with BNT162b2 waned over time. The third dose of BNT162b2 substantially increased the anti-spike IgG with a slower decline rate.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionThe administration of a third vaccine is ongoing in many countries, but the evaluation of vaccine-induced immunity is still insufficient. This study evaluated anti-spike IgG levels in 373 health care workers six months after the BNT162b2 vaccination. MethodsDynamics of anti-spike IgG levels six months after the 2nd vaccination were assessed in 49 participants (Analysis-1). A cross-sectional assessment of anti-spike IgG level was performed in 373 participants (Analysis-2). Participants positive for anti-nucleocapsid IgG or IgM and receiving immunosuppressants were excluded from Analysis-2. ResultsIn Analysis 1, the median anti-spike IgG level was lower in the older age group and decreased consistently after the second vaccination regardless of age. In Analysis-2, the anti-spike IgG level was significantly negatively associated with age (r = -0.35, p < 0.01). This correlation remained statistically significant (r = -0.28, p < 0.01) even after adjusting for sex, BMI, smoking habits, alcohol drinking habits, allergies, and the presence of fever or other adverse reactions at the time of the vaccination. Alcohol drinking habit was also associated with the anti-spike IgG level; daily alcohol drinkers had significantly lower anti-spike IgG levels than never alcohol drinkers. Sex, smoking habit, allergy, and fever and other side effects after the vaccination were not associated with anti-spike IgG levels six months after the 2nd vaccination. ConclusionsSix months after the vaccination, the anti-spike IgG level was substantially low among older persons and daily alcohol drinkers.
ABSTRACT
Ibusuki hotspring sand bath (SB)(Sunamushi) is a special thermal therapy using heated sands by natural hotspring gushed at the seashore of Ibusuki city. Heated heavy sands (50°C, 40-60kg) was piled on the lied body. It has traditionally been used here for 250 years to relieve muculoskeletal and neuralgic pain, and still accepts 260 thousands visitors a year. In the present study, cardiovascular and metabolic effects by SB was studied from the viewpoint of accelerated circulation.<BR><b>Subjects and Methods: </b>General physical parameters (BP, HR, sublingual temperature) and plasma chemistry were examined in 20 healthy males(36 ± 10yrs). The subjects wore thin bathrobe and a venous catheter for blood sampling were set in the forearm. They kept rest in the supine position for 30min and subjected 10min SB at the municipal SB institute with hotspring piping under the sands. In another 28 healthy subjects (44.3 ± 2.4yrs), cardiac outputs and plasma catecholamines (CA) and renin activity (PRA) were measured. In 6 subjects intracardiac study by Swan-Ganz catheterization were performed. <BR><b>Results: </b>Diastolic pressure were significantly decreased by 6mmHg, and heart rate and sublingual temperature were significantly increased by +20bpm and +1.1°C, respectively, after 10min SB. Venous blood pO<sub>2</sub> and pH was significantly increased by 20mm Torr and 0.03pH, and pCO<sub>2</sub> was significantly reduced by 5mm Torr. Lactate, pyruvate and L/P ratio were significantly reduced suggesting improved oxidative metabolism of peripheral tissues. Plasma CAs and PRA were elevated after SB. All of these results gradually returned to the resting level after 30min. Cardiac output (CO) measured by dye dilution or thermo-dilution method was significantly increased from 5.6l/min to 10.5 l/min after 10min SB, and reduced to 8.1 l/min by removing piled heavy sands. Calculated total peripheral resistance (TPR) was significantly decreaased suggesting thermal vasodilation. Although mean right atrial pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure were increased during SB, they were immediately decreased by removing piled sands.<BR><b>Discussion: </b>All of these results indicate that the basic effects of SB are derived from strong hydrostatic pressure of piled heavy sands and thermal vasodilation. Increased CO due to accelerated venous return and reduced afterload (TPR) will induce sufficient oxygen supply and increased discharge of wasted matters from peripheral tissues. These data seem to be compatible with the clinical effects of SB to relieve musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.<BR><b>Conclusion: </b>Significant clinical effects is induced by increased CO due to the increased hydrostatic pressure of piled sands and thermal vasodilation.
ABSTRACT
Ibusuki hot spring sand bath (SB) (Sunamushi) has traditionally been used for the relief of musculoskeletal pain. It is specified by piling up heavy (40-60 kg) and hot (50°C) sands on the lied body heated by the hot spring water gushed at the seashore of Ibusuki. In this study, remarkable circulatory activation and metabolic improvements probably due to thermal vasodilation and higher hydrostatic pressure is examined.<BR><b>Subjects:</b> The subjects examined were 20 healthy males (34.3±10.5 yrs) who accepted informed consents. <BR><b>Methods:</b> The subjects were thin bathrobe and kept rest for 30 min in the supine position. BP, HR and sublingual temperature measurements and venous blood sampling from the indwelling catheter was done. Blood counts, blood gas pressure and plasma chemistry were examined. Then sand bath carried out for 10 min and 30 min rest under keeping sufficient warmth by blankets.<BR><b>Results:</b> Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased though diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced. HR and sublingual temperature were significantly increased by +22 bpm and +1.1°C, respectively, just after 10 min SB. Venous blood pO<sub>2</sub> and pH were significantly increased by +18.3 mm Torr and +0.03pH, and pCO<sub>2</sub> was significantly reduced by -5.8 mm Torr. Lactate and pyruvate were significantly reduced after 10 min and 30 min after sand bath suggesting the improved peripheral oxidative metabolism. <BR><b>Conclusion:</b> Increase in blood pressure and heart rate indicating cardiac acceleration was considered to be induced by hydrostatic pressure with heavy sands and thermal vasodilation.Improved peripheral circulation and oxidative metabolism were also suggested by increased pO<sub>2</sub>, decreased pCO<sub>2</sub> and decreased lactate and pyruvate level. Sufficient O<sub>2</sub> supply and removal of wasted substances due to activated circulation was considered to be the basic mechanism of the effects of sand bath.
ABSTRACT
Ibusuki hot spring sand bath (SB) (Sunamushi) has traditionally been used for the relief of musculoskeletal pain. It is specified by piling up heavy (40-60 kg) and hot (50°C) sands on the lied body heated by the hot spring water gushed at the seashore of Ibusuki. In this study, remarkable circulatory activation and metabolic improvements probably due to thermal vasodilation and higher hydrostatic pressure is examined. Subjects: The subjects examined were 20 healthy males (34.3±10.5 yrs) who accepted informed consents. Methods: The subjects were thin bathrobe and kept rest for 30 min in the supine position. BP, HR and sublingual temperature measurements and venous blood sampling from the indwelling catheter was done. Blood counts, blood gas pressure and plasma chemistry were examined. Then sand bath carried out for 10 min and 30 min rest under keeping sufficient warmth by blankets. Results: Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased though diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced. HR and sublingual temperature were significantly increased by +22 bpm and +1.1°C, respectively, just after 10 min SB. Venous blood pO2 and pH were significantly increased by +18.3 mm Torr and +0.03pH, and pCO2 was significantly reduced by -5.8 mm Torr. Lactate and pyruvate were significantly reduced after 10 min and 30 min after sand bath suggesting the improved peripheral oxidative metabolism. Conclusion: Increase in blood pressure and heart rate indicating cardiac acceleration was considered to be induced by hydrostatic pressure with heavy sands and thermal vasodilation. Improved peripheral circulation and oxidative metabolism were also suggested by increased pO2, decreased pCO2 and decreased lactate and pyruvate level. Sufficient O2 supply and removal of wasted substances due to activated circulation was considered to be the basic mechanism of the effects of sand bath.
ABSTRACT
Ibusuki hotspring sand bath (SB)(Sunamushi) is a special thermal therapy using heated sands by natural hotspring gushed at the seashore of Ibusuki city. Heated heavy sands (50°C, 40-60kg) was piled on the lied body. It has traditionally been used here for 250 years to relieve muculoskeletal and neuralgic pain, and still accepts 260 thousands visitors a year. In the present study, cardiovascular and metabolic effects by SB was studied from the viewpoint of accelerated circulation. Subjects and Methods: General physical parameters (BP, HR, sublingual temperature) and plasma chemistry were examined in 20 healthy males(36 ± 10yrs). The subjects wore thin bathrobe and a venous catheter for blood sampling were set in the forearm. They kept rest in the supine position for 30min and subjected 10min SB at the municipal SB institute with hotspring piping under the sands. In another 28 healthy subjects (44.3 ± 2.4yrs), cardiac outputs and plasma catecholamines (CA) and renin activity (PRA) were measured. In 6 subjects intracardiac study by Swan-Ganz catheterization were performed. Results: Diastolic pressure were significantly decreased by 6mmHg, and heart rate and sublingual temperature were significantly increased by +20bpm and +1.1°C, respectively, after 10min SB. Venous blood pO2 and pH was significantly increased by 20mm Torr and 0.03pH, and pCO2 was significantly reduced by 5mm Torr. Lactate, pyruvate and L/P ratio were significantly reduced suggesting improved oxidative metabolism of peripheral tissues. Plasma CAs and PRA were elevated after SB. All of these results gradually returned to the resting level after 30min. Cardiac output (CO) measured by dye dilution or thermo-dilution method was significantly increased from 5.6l/min to 10.5 l/min after 10min SB, and reduced to 8.1 l/min by removing piled heavy sands. Calculated total peripheral resistance (TPR) was significantly decreaased suggesting thermal vasodilation. Although mean right atrial pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure were increased during SB, they were immediately decreased by removing piled sands. Discussion: All of these results indicate that the basic effects of SB are derived from strong hydrostatic pressure of piled heavy sands and thermal vasodilation. Increased CO due to accelerated venous return and reduced afterload (TPR) will induce sufficient oxygen supply and increased discharge of wasted matters from peripheral tissues. These data seem to be compatible with the clinical effects of SB to relieve musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Conclusion: Significant clinical effects is induced by increased CO due to the increased hydrostatic pressure of piled sands and thermal vasodilation.
