Clinical Features in Pulmonary Hypertension Patients Combining Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To observe clinical features in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients combining obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Sleep apnea monitoring was conducted in 65 PH patients with right cardiac catheterization in our hospital from 2016-04 to 2016-08. General clinical tests and the parameters of sleep respiration and right cardiac catheterization were recorded. OSA was diagnosed by apnea hypopnea index (AHI)≥5, different parameters were compared between PH patients with and without OSA. Results: The average patients' age was (41.98±15.26) years including 72.31% (47/65) female, 26 (40%) patients combining OSA with the mean AHI at (18.12±13.40). Compared to those without OSA, PH with OSA patients had the elder age, more male and higher proportions of chronic thromboembolic PH, lung diseases or hypoxia; increased AHI, apnea index (AI), obstructive AI (oAI); more patients with nocturnal hypoxia>10% and SaO2<90%, increased BMI, more NYHA Ⅲ and elevated NT-proBNP; while decreased mean oxygen saturation, minimum oxygen saturation, PaO2, 6 minute walk distance and cardiac index, all P<0.05. Drug therapy was similar between 2 groups. Conclusion: Nocturnal hypoxia and OSA were common in PH patients, elder age and male gender were the risk factors for PH combining OSA; the patients had lower partial pressure of oxygen especially at night, longer time of hypoxia and severer cardiac function damage. It is necessary to conduct sleep apnea monitoring to alert sleep apnea and hypoxia in relevant patients.

Effect of Lactobacillus Strains on Intestinal Microflora and Mucosa Immunity in Escherichia coli O157:H7-Induced Diarrhea in Mice.

This study investigated the effects of KLDS 1.8701 and AD1 administrations by gavage on intestinal microflora and mucosal immunity in diarrhea mice infected by Escherichia coli O157:H7 compared to normal mice. The levels of E. coli, Enterobacteria, and Enterococcus decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while viable counts of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium increased in diarrhea mice. Moreover, KLDS 1.8701 and AD1 improved secretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and enhanced the levels of interferon-γ and interleukin. Results indicate that KLDS 1.8701 and AD1 could effectively alleviate diarrhea in mice via modulation of intestinal microflora and improve the function of immune system. The study on the effect of KLDS1.8701 and AD1 supplementation in human flora-associated animal models was recommended.

In vitro assessment of the antimicrobial potentials of Lactobacillus helveticus strains isolated from traditional cheese in Sinkiang China against food-borne pathogens.

Lactobacillus helveticus, an obligatory hetero-fermentative LAB, is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and is gaining popularity for application in dairy products. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a remarkable role in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in food products, without disturbing the sensory attributes of the food. In this study, the screening of the antimicrobial potential of Lactobacillus helveticus KLDS 1.8701 against four food-borne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43889 in vitro was inspected using the Oxford cup method and mixed culture inhibition assays. The organic acid production and antimicrobial potential of the cell-free supernatants (CFS) have been evaluated via different treatments and analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis results revealed that KLDS 1.8701 exhibited the highest antimicrobial potential compared to other antimicrobial strains. The antimicrobial activity of KLDS 1.8701 resulted from the organic acids in the culture and CFS. From the study, it was found that carbon sources, as well as organic acid production, accelerate the antimicrobial activity of KLDS 1.8701 and the fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were considered the best for improving the proliferation of KLDS 1.8701 and supporting its antimicrobial action. Results of the mixed culture inhibition assays showed that part of the antimicrobial activity resulted from the inhibitory action of the bacteria itself in culture, and this action required cellular contact between the food-borne pathogens and KLDS 1.8701. Conversely, the results of the antimicrobial spectrum assay revealed that some Lactobacilli remained unaffected by KLDS 1.8701. KLDS 1.8701 might also be favorable for use as a supplementary starter in fermented dairy productions. Furthermore, KLDS 1.8701 could survive well under GI tract conditions. Further studies on in vivo inhibition assays and the probiotic effects are recommended.