Efficacy of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy with Tetrachlorodecaoxygen-Anion Complex Instillation Compared with Standard Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for Accelerated Wound Healing: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with instillation is a novel wound therapy. The optimal solution is still being investigated. Tetrachlorodecaoxygen-anion complex (TCDO) causes increased phagocytosis and oxygenation. The authors' objective was to investigate the efficacy of NPWT with TCDO instillation (NPWTi) and to compare the results with NPWT alone. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Inclusion criteria were wound size greater than 4 cm2 and depth greater than 10 mm. Exclusion criteria were malignancy, immunocompromise, and allergy to TCDO. Patients were randomized into NPWT and NPWTi groups. Outcome measurements consisted of wound surface area, depth, volume, tissue culture, and pathologic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients in each group were enrolled. The percentages of wound surface area reduction of NPWTi and NPWT groups were 24.1 ± 6.8 and 28.2 ± 7.6 on day 12, and 19.0 ± 6.6 and 22.7 ± 7.8 on day 15, respectively (p < 0.05). The percentages of wound depth reduction were 16.4 ± 5.3 and 22.5 ± 10.5 on day 12, and 12.0 ± 6.7 and 14.1 ± 8.0 on day 15, respectively (p < 0.05). The percentages of wound volume reduction were 17.9 ± 4.6 and 21.6 ± 5.8 on day 12, and 14.7 ± 6.0 and 17.1 ± 6.6 on day 15, respectively (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in microbial reduction was found between the groups. Histopathologic examination showed that more angiogenesis was observed in the NPWTi group than in the NPWT group. CONCLUSIONS: NPWT with TCDO instillation statistically significantly accelerated wound healing, but it did not show significant microbial reduction. The authors' results suggest that TCDO instillation may be an adjunctive treatment in NPWT. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Use of chlorine solutions as disinfectant agents in health units to contain the spread of COVID-19 / Uso de soluções de cloro ativo como agente desinfetante em unidades de saúde para conter a propagação do COVID-19

Objective: This study aimed to gather information available in different disinfection protocols for establishments that provide care to suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19, to contain the spread of the virus, besides proposing different ways of preparing the bleach solution for the most varied purposes within a Health Unit. Methods: It was realized bibliographic research about disinfection protocols to contain COVID-19, as well as disinfectant agents used to inactivate the virus. Results: Many hospitals and basic health units perform disinfection in many hospitals based on disinfection protocols that are not suitable due to the insufficient amount of daily cleaning recommended, as well as the use of ineffective agents or in inadequate concentrations. Among the most used disinfectant agents chlorine solutions have been described as the most efficient and most applicable, thus, we recommend the use of solutions containing chlorine in its composition, such as commercial bleach, as well as highlight its finalities, correct way of use and application at environments that take care of patients with disease COVID-19 or suspected. Conclusion: the use of solutions containing chlorine in its composition, such as commercial bleach, is a viable alternative for disinfecting hospitals and health basic units, due to its efficiency against the coronavirus, low cost, accessibility, and greater applicability when detected by other widespread disinfectant agents.(AU)

Objetivo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo reunir informações disponíveis em diferentes protocolos de desinfecção para estabelecimentos que prestam atendimento a pacientes suspeitos ou confirmados com COVID-19, para conter a disseminação do vírus, além de propor diferentes formas de preparo da solução de água sanitária para as mais variadas finalidades dentro de uma Unidade de saúde. Métodos: foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre protocolos de desinfecção para conter o COVID-19, bem como os agentes desinfetantes empregados para inativar o vírus. Resultados: Muitos hospitais e unidades básicas de saúde realizam a desinfecção baseada em protocolos que não são adequados devida a quantidade insuficiente de limpeza diária recomendada, bem como o uso de agentes ineficazes ou em concentrações inadequadas. Dentre os agentes desinfetantes mais utilizados, soluções de cloro ativo têm sido descritas como as mais eficientes e aplicáveis, portanto, recomendamos o uso de soluções contendo cloro ativo em sua composição, como água sanitária, bem como enfatizamos suas finalidades, correta forma de uso e apliações em ambientes que prestam cuidados a pacientes suspeitos ou confirmados com COVID-19. Conclusão: o uso de soluções contendo cloro ativo em sua composição, como água sanitária, é uma alternativa viável para desinfecção de hospitais e unidades básicas de saúde devido a sua eficácia contra o coronavírus, baixo custo, fácil acesso, e maior aplicabilidade quando comparados com outros agentes desinfetantes.(AU)

Aggravation of asthmatic inflammation by chlorine exposure via innate lymphoid cells and CD11cintermediate macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Chlorine is widely used in daily life as disinfectant. However, chronic exposure to chlorine products aggravates allergic TH 2 inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in airways contribute to the inception of asthma in association with virus infection, pollution, and excess of nutrient, but it is not known whether chronic chlorine exposure can activate innate immune cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of chlorine inhalation on the innate immunity such as ILCs and macrophages in relation with the development of asthma by using murine ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization/challenge model. METHODS: Six-week-old female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA in the presence and absence of chronic low-dose chlorine exposure by inhalation of naturally vaporized gas of 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. AHR, airway inflammatory cells, from BALF and the population of ILCs and macrophages in the lung were evaluated. RESULTS: The mice exposed to chlorine with OVA (Cl + OVA group) showed enhanced AHR and eosinophilic inflammation compared to OVA-treated mice (OVA group). The population of TH 2 cells, ILC2s, and ILC3s increased in Cl + OVA group compared with OVA group. CD11cint macrophages also remarkably increased in Cl + OVA group compared with OVA group. The deletion of macrophages by clodronate resulted in reduction of ILC2s and ILC3s population which was restored by adoptive transfer of CD11cint macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic chlorine inhalation contributes to the exacerbation of airway inflammation in asthmatic airway by mobilizing pro-inflammatory macrophage into the lung as well as stimulating group 2 and 3 ILCs.

The Effect of Sanitizers on Microbial Levels of Chicken Meat Collected from Commercial Processing Plants.

Chicken meat can potentially become contaminated with bacteria at the processing plant. In Australia, there is currently a lack of knowledge on the parameters and indications of use of non-chlorine based treatments in the chicken meat processing plants. Chlorine is widely used as a sanitizer in Australian chicken meat processing plants but due to occupational health and safety concerns and consumer perception, there is a need to identify alternative sanitizers. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of four different sanitizers in reducing the microbial load from naturally contaminated chicken meat carcasses collected from the processing plants in South Australia. There was a significant variation in a load of Campylobacter and total viable count (TVC) between samples collected from two different processing plants and within carcass batches collected from the same plant that was tested during the study. All sanitizers generally reduced the load of Campylobacter on chicken meat carcasses. Treatment with acidified sodium chlorite significantly reduced the level of Salmonella enterica serovars at all temperatures tested during this study. These findings are helpful to the industry for selection of the appropriate sanitizers. Findings are also useful for the regulatory authorities in Australia for providing approval for the use of sanitizers.

Reservoir Chlorination of the Local Well-Tank-Faucet Systems is a Rapid and Efficient Tool for Controlling Water-related Diseases: Pathogens' Load-clinical Response Rate Correlation.

Chlorination is a chemical method for water disinfection that has been proved to be highly effective in controlling waterborne diarrheal diseases. Most studies have focused on wells' chlorination or later at household level, whereas there have been relatively few researches evaluating the treatment of reservoirs water. Our study followed a mixed design with a before-and-after comparison. It was conducted in a refugee settlement, Um-Baddah Nevachah, which is located in the western outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan. Baseline total coliform test findings have paired areas of four wells that were labeled as sample or control based on fair coin-tossing. A centrally administered water treatment that contains chlorine was added to intervention wells, whereas the other set was considered as chlorine-free placebo. Data were collected 15 days later from the following four main sources: total coliform count, questionnaire-based experimental data trackers, health center records, and face-to-face interviews. The calculated sample size was 341 with corresponding controls selected by systematic random sampling. We found that both groups' prevalences of waterborne diseases were significantly different before the intervention and they shifted later (p = 0.043 vs. p = 0.496, 95% CI). These findings suggest that reservoir chlorination provides prompt disinfection of well-tank-faucet systems water. Highly credible gastroenteritis is a useful tool to detect cases of gastroenteritis in resources limit settings.

Consistent production of chlorine-stressed bacteria from non-chlorinated secondary sewage effluents for use in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alternate Test Procedure protocol.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alternative Test Procedure protocol outlines a method to produce chlorine-stressed bacteria for water quality testing. Achieving consistent results is challenging due effluent variability. We describe a starting point for generating chlorine-stressed samples from secondary effluent to evaluate detection technologies to demonstrate comparability to EPA reference methods.

Differences in Viral Disinfection Mechanisms as Revealed by Quantitative Transfection of Echovirus 11 Genomes.

Virus inactivation mechanisms can be elucidated by methods that measure the loss of specific virus functionality (e.g., host attachment, genome internalization, and genome replication). Genome functionality is frequently assessed by PCR-based methods, which are indirect and potentially inaccurate; genome damage that affects detection by high-fidelity PCR enzymes may not adversely affect the ability of actual cellular enzymes to produce functional virus. Therefore, we developed here a transfection-based assay to quantitatively determine viral genome functionality by inserting viral RNA into host cells directly to measure their ability to produce new functional viruses from damaged viral genomes. Echovirus 11 was treated with ozone, free chlorine (FC), UV light at 254 nm (UV254), or heat, and then the reductions in genome functionality and infectivity were compared. Ozone reduced genome functionality proportionally to infectivity, indicating that genome damage is the main mechanism of virus inactivation. In contrast, FC caused little or no loss of genome functionality compared to infectivity, indicating a larger role for protein damage. For UV254, genome functionality loss accounted for approximately 60% of virus inactivation, with the remainder presumably due to protein damage. Heat treatment resulted in no reduction in genome functionality, in agreement with the understanding that heat inactivation results from capsid damage. Our results indicate that there is a fundamental difference between genome integrity reductions measured by PCR enzymes in previous studies and actual genome functionality (whether the genome can produce virus) after disinfection. Compared to PCR, quantitative transfection assays provide a more realistic picture of actual viral genome functionality and overall inactivation mechanisms during disinfection.IMPORTANCE This study provides a new tool for assessing virus inactivation mechanisms by directly measuring a viral genome's ability to produce new viruses after disinfection. In addition, we identify a potential pitfall of PCR for determining virus genome damage, which does not reflect whether a genome is truly functional. The results presented here using quantitative transfection corroborate previously suggested virus inactivation mechanisms for some virus inactivation methods (heat) while bringing additional insights for others (ozone, FC, and UV254). The developed transfection method provides a more mechanistic approach for the assessment of actual virus inactivation by common water disinfectants.

Sodium and chloride requirements of yellow-feathered chickens between 22 and 42 days of age.

Sodium and chloride are the key factors maintaining normal osmotic pressure (OSM) and volume of the extracellular fluid, and influencing the acid-base balance of body fluids. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Na+ and Cl- level on growth performance, excreta moisture, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal Na+-glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) messenger RNA (mRNA), and Na+-H+ exchanger 2 (NHE2) mRNA, and to estimate the optimal dietary sodium and chlorine level for yellow-feathered chickens from 22 to 42days. A total of 900 22-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male chickens were randomly allotted to five treatments, each of which included six replicates of 30 chickens per floor pen. The basal control diet was based on corn and soybean meal (without added NaCl and NaHCO3). Treatments 2 to 5 consisted of the basal diet supplemented with equal weights of Na+ and Cl-, constituting 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% of the diets. Supplemental dietary Na+ and Cl- improved the growth performance (P<0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a quadratic broken-line regression to increasing dietary Na+ and Cl- (R2=0.979, P<0.001), and reached a plateau at 0.1%. Supplemental Na+ and Cl- increased (P<0.05) serum Na+ and OSM in serum and showed a quadratic broken-line regression (R2=0.997, P=0.004) at 0.11%. However, supplemental Na+ and Cl- decreased (P<0.05) serum levels of K+, glucose (GLU) and triglyceride. Higher levels of Na+and Cl- decreased duodenal NHE2 transcripts (P<0.05), but had no effect on ileal SGLT1 transcripts. The activity of Na+ /K+-ATPase in the duodenum decreased (P<0.05) with higher levels of dietary Na+ and Cl-. In conclusion, the optimal dietary Na+ and Cl- requirements for yellow-feathered chickens in the grower phase, from 22 to 42 days of age, to optimize ADG, serum Na+, OSM, K+ and GLU were 0.10%, 0.11%, 0.11%,0.17% and 0.16%, respectively, by regression analysis.

Evaluation of an Emergency Bulk Chlorination Project Targeting Drinking Water Vendors in Cholera-Affected Wards of Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, Tanzania.

In August 2015, an outbreak of cholera was reported in Tanzania. In cholera-affected areas of urban Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, many households obtained drinking water from vendors, who sold water from tanks ranging in volume from 1,000 to 20,000 L. Water supplied by vendors was not adequately chlorinated. The Tanzanian Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children and the U.N. Children's Fund, Tanzania, collaborated to enroll and train vendors to treat their water with 8.68-g sodium dichloroisocyanurate tablets (Medentech, Ireland). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided monitoring and evaluation support. Vendors were provided a 3-month supply of chlorine tablets. A baseline assessment and routine monitoring were conducted by ward environmental health officers. Approximately 3 months after chlorine tablet distribution, an evaluation of the program was conducted. The evaluation included a full enumeration of all vendors, an in-depth survey with half of the vendors enumerated, and focus group discussions. In total, 797 (88.9%) vendors were included in the full enumeration and 392 in the in-depth survey. Free residual chlorine (FRC) was detected in 12.0% of tanks at baseline and 69.6% of tanks during the evaluation; however, only 17.4% of these tanks had FRC ≥ 0.5 mg/L. The results suggest high acceptability and use of the chlorine tablets by water vendors. However, given variation in the water source used and longer storage times, dosing could be increased in future programming. Bulk chlorination using chlorine tablets offers an efficient community-level approach to treating water closer to the point of use.

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water disrupts biofilms and effectively disinfects Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

INTRODUCTION: Biofilm formation is an important issue in the healthcare industry, but conventional disinfectants are not effective for biofilms formed in the hospital environment and on medical instruments. In this study, aim at determine the effectiveness of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) on biofilm removal and the disinfection of biofilm-forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: Mucoid and non-mucoid strains were used for biofilm formation. Biofilms were incubated with SAEW and the reduction in biofilm volume was determined based on the optical density. Furthermore, to investigate the mechanism underlying the effects of SAEW, a biofilm was produced with alginate and structural changes in response to incubation with SAEW were observed by fluorescence microscopy. The minimum bactericidal chlorine concentration of SAEW for P. aeruginosa cells was evaluated. RESULTS: The amounts of alginate and biofilm decreased by 99.9% and 56.8% immersed by 30 ppm of SAEW at 25 °C for 10 min. The effectiveness of SAEW increased as the temperature increased, and the biofilm volume was reduced by 85.4% at 45 °C. Furthermore, 30 ppm SAEW completely disinfected P. aeruginosa in the biofilm, even for immersion at 15 °C for 5 min. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that SAEW, a low-cost and safe chlorine disinfectant, is a useful disinfectant for biofilm-forming bacteria.

Attachment strength and on-farm die-off rate of Escherichia coli on watermelon surfaces.

Pre-harvest contamination of produce has been a major food safety focus. Insight into the behavior of enteric pathogens on produce in pre-harvest conditions will aid in developing pre-harvest and post-harvest risk management strategies. In this study, the attachment strength (SR) and die-off rate of E. coli on the surface of watermelon fruits and the efficacy of aqueous chlorine treatment against strongly attached E. coli population were investigated. Watermelon seedlings were transplanted into eighteen plots. Prior to harvesting, a cocktail of generic E. coli (ATCC 23716, 25922 and 11775) was inoculated on the surface of the watermelon fruits (n = 162) and the attachment strength (SR) values and the daily die-off rates were examined up to 6 days by attachment assay. After 120 h, watermelon samples were treated with aqueous chlorine (150 ppm free chlorine for 3 min). The SR value of the E. coli cells on watermelon surfaces significantly increased (P<0.05) from 0.04 to 0.99 in the first 24 h, which was primarily due to the decrease in loosely attached population, given that the population of strongly attached cells was constant. Thereafter, there was no significant change in SR values, up to 120 h. The daily die-off rate of E. coli ranged from -0.12 to 1.3 log CFU/cm2. The chlorine treatment reduced the E. coli level by 4.2 log CFU/cm2 (initial level 5.6 log CFU/cm2) and 0.62 log CFU/cm2 (initial level 1.8 log CFU/cm2), on the watermelons that had an attachment time of 30 min and 120 h respectively. Overall, our findings revealed that the population of E. coli on watermelon surfaces declined over time in an agricultural environment. Microbial contamination during pre-harvest stages may promote the formation of strongly attached cells on the produce surfaces, which could influence the efficacy of post-harvest washing and sanitation techniques.

Análise da concentração de cloro ativo em sanitizantes industrializados comercializados em Maceió, AL

No Brasil, do ano de 2000 a 2017, ocorreram 12.503 surtos de origem alimentar e os locais que sobressaíram como os mais frequentes na ocorrência destes surtos foram restaurantes e residências tendo como uma das causas principais, as superfícies de equipamentos, utensílios e objetos mal higienizados. O produto mais usado para realizar a higiene é o hipoclorito de sódio (água sanitária), sendo este utilizado tanto para serviços de alimentação como para uso residencial. O hipoclorito é comercializado industrialmente e este pode ser fabricado de forma impropria não correspondendo ao percentual de cloro contido em sua rotulagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o teor de cloro das marcas comerciais de águas sanitárias industrializadas comercializadas na cidade de Maceió/ AL. A metodologia utilizada para determinação de Cloro Ativo foi o método volumétrico, em solução de hipoclorito de sódio. Duas marcas comerciais apresentaram valores menores que 2% de cloro, sete com valores acima e três com valores entre 2 e 2,5%, valores estes preconizados pela legislação. Os resultados mostram que a fabricação deste produto precisa de fiscalização por órgãos competentes para que o teor de cloro esteja dentro do padrão da Legislação. Com essa inadequação a população será prejudicada, pois estará comprando um produto adulterado.

In Brazil, from the year 2000 to 2017, 12,503 foodborne outbreaks have occurred, and the other important local as the more frequent occurrence of these outbreaks was restaurants and residences having as one of the main causes, the surfaces of equipment, utensils and objects poorly sanitized. The product used to perform hygiene is sodium hypochlorite (bleach), which is used for both food service as for residential use. The hypochlorite is sold industrially and this can be manufactured in a manner unbecoming not corresponding to the percentage of chlorine contained in your labelling. The aim of this study was to analyze the chlorine content of the trademarks of sanitary water marketed in the industrialised city of Maceió/AL. The methodology used for the determination of active chlorine, was using the volumetric method, solution of sodium hypochlorite. Two trademarks presented values less than 2% chlorine, seven with values above and 3 with values between 2 and 2.5%, these values provided by the legislation. The results show that the manufacture of this product needs supervision by competent bodies so that the chlorine content is within the pattern of legislation. Whit this inadequacy to population will suffer, as will be buying and adulterated product.

Chlorinated drinking water for lightweight laying hens / Cloração na água de dessedentação para poedeiras leves

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of chlorine in drinking water of laying hens on zootechnical performance, eggs shell quality, hemogasometry levels and calcium content in tibia. 144 Hy-Line laying hens, 61 weeks old, were used distributed in 24 metabolism cages. They were subjected to water diets, for a period of 28 days, using sodium hypochlorite as a chlorine source in order to obtain the following concentrations: 5ppm (control), 20ppm, 50ppm, and 100ppm. Their performance was evaluated through water consumption, feed intake, egg production and weight, egg mass, feed conversion. Shell quality was measured by specific gravity. At the end of the experiment, arterial blood was collected for blood gas level assessment and a poultry of each replicate was sacrificed to obtain tibia and calcium content measurement. There was a water consumption reduction from 20ppm of chlorine and feed intake reduction in poultry receiving water with 100ppm of chlorine. The regression analysis showed that the higher the level of chlorine in water, the higher the reduction in consumption. There were no differences in egg production and weight, egg mass, feed conversion, specific gravity, tibia calcium content, and hemogasometry levels (hydrogenionic potential, carbon dioxide partial pressure, oxygen partial pressure, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, carbon dioxide total concentration, anion gap and oxygen saturation). The use of levels above 5ppm of chlorine is not recommended in the water of lightweight laying hens.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de cloro na água de dessedentação de poedeiras sobre o desempenho zootécnico, a qualidade da casca dos ovos, os índices hemogasométricos e o teor de cálcio na tíbia. Foram utilizadas 144 poedeiras leves Hy Line, de 61 semanas de idade, distribuídas em 24 gaiolas de metabolismo. As aves foram submetidas, durante um período de 28 dias, a dietas hídricas utilizando-se hipoclorito de sódio como fonte de cloro para compor as seguintes concentrações: 5ppm (controle), 20ppm, 50ppm e 100ppm. O desempenho foi avaliado mediante o consumo de água e ração, a produção e o peso dos ovos, a massa de ovos e a conversão alimentar. A qualidade da casca foi aferida por meio da gravidade específica. Ao final do experimento, coletou-se sangue arterial para avaliação dos índices hemogasométricos e sacrificou-se uma ave de cada repetição para coleta de tíbias e aferição do teor de cálcio. Verificou-se redução do consumo de água a partir de 20ppm de cloro e no consumo de ração em aves que receberam água com 100ppm de cloro. A análise de regressão demonstrou que quanto maior for o nível de cloro na água, maior será a redução no consumo. Não foram observadas diferenças na produção e no peso dos ovos, na massa de ovos, na conversão alimentar, na gravidade específica dos ovos, no teor de cálcio nas tíbias e nos índices hemogasométricos (potencial hidrogeniônico, pressão parcial de gás carbônico, pressão parcial de oxigênio, sódio, potássio, cloro, bicarbonato, concentração total de dióxido de carbono, ânion gap e saturação de oxigênio). Não se recomenda a utilização de níveis superiores a 5ppm de cloro na água de dessedentação de poedeiras leves.(AU)

Inhibition of the heme-induced hemolysis of red blood cells by thechlorite-based drug WF10.

Excessive release of hemoglobin from red blood cells markedly disturbs the health status of patients due to cytotoxic effects of free hemoglobin and heme. The latter component is able to initiate novel hemolytic events in unperturbed red blood cells. We modeled this process by incubation of ferric protoporphyrin IX with freshly isolated red blood cells from healthy volunteers. The heme-induced hemolysis was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the chlorite-based drug WF10, whereby the hemolysis degree was totally abolished at a molar ratio of 1:2 between chlorite and heme. Upon incubation of heme with WF10, the ultraviolet-visible spectrum changed, whereas the release of iron from heme and the appearance of fluorescent breakdown products of the porphyrin ring were negligible at this ratio, but increased with increasing excess of chlorite over heme. Thus, inhibition of hemolysis by WF10 takes already place at those chlorite concentrations, where no degradation of the porphyrin ring occurs. As WF10 is applied in form of an intravenous infusion to patients with severe inflammatory states, these data support the hypothesis that the beneficial WF10 effects are closely associated with inactivation of free heme.

Acute respiratory changes and pulmonary inflammation involving a pathway of TGF-ß1 induction in a rat model of chlorine-induced lung injury.

We investigated acute and delayed respiratory changes after inhalation exposure to chlorine (Cl2) with the aim to understand the pathogenesis of the long-term sequelae of Cl2-induced lung-injury. In a rat model of nose-only exposure we analyzed changes in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammatory responses in airways, expression of pro-inflammatory markers and development of lung fibrosis during a time-course from 5h up to 90days after a single inhalation of Cl2. A single dose of dexamethasone (10mg/kg) was administered 1h following Cl2-exposure. A 15-min inhalation of 200ppm Cl2 was non-lethal in Sprague-Dawley rats. At 24h post exposure, Cl2-exposed rats displayed elevated numbers of leukocytes with an increase of neutrophils and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and edema was shown both in lung tissue and the heart. At 24h, the inflammasome-associated cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18 were detected in BAL. Concomitant with the acute inflammation a significant AHR was detected. At the later time-points, a delayed inflammatory response was observed together with signs of lung fibrosis as indicated by increased pulmonary macrophages, elevated TGF-ß expression in BAL and collagen deposition around airways. Dexamethasone reduced the numbers of neutrophils in BAL at 24h but did not influence the AHR. Inhalation of Cl2 in rats leads to acute respiratory and cardiac changes as well as pulmonary inflammation involving induction of TGF-ß1. The acute inflammatory response was followed by sustained macrophage response and lack of tissue repair. It was also found that pathways apart from the acute inflammatory response contribute to the Cl2-induced respiratory dysfunction.

Persistent effects of chlorine inhalation on respiratory health.

Chlorine gas is a toxic respiratory irritant that is considered a chemical threat agent because of the potential for release in industrial accidents or terrorist attacks. Chlorine inhalation damages the respiratory tract, including the airways and distal lung, and can result in acute lung injury. Some individuals exposed to chlorine experience a full recovery from acute injury, whereas others develop persistent adverse effects, such as respiratory symptoms, inflammation, and lung-function decrements. In animal models, chlorine can produce persistent inflammation, remodeling, and obstruction in large or small airways, depending on species. Airways with pseudostratified epithelia are repaired efficiently, with surviving basal epithelial cells serving as progenitor cells that repopulate the complement of differentiated cell types. Distal airways lacking basal cells are repaired less efficiently, leading to chronic inflammation and fibrosis at these sites. Persistent chlorine-induced airway disease in humans is treated with asthma medication to relieve symptoms. However, such treatment does not ameliorate the underlying disease pathogenesis, so treatments that are more effective at preventing initial development of airway disease after irritant gas exposure and at reversing established disease are needed.

Eficiência do cloro para sanitização de hortaliças / Chlorine efficiency for vegetable sanitation

Esta pesquisa visou avaliar a eficiência do cloro na sanitização de vegetais folhosos usados em saladas cruas. Foram utilizadas 24 amostras de folhosos diversos, sendo 12 coletadas após lavagem em água corrente e 12 após a sanitização com solução de cloro na concentração de 200 ppm por imersão durante 15 minutos. As amostras foram transferidas para o laboratório e imediatamente submetidas à análise de Coliformes totais, por meio da técnica de Tubos múltiplos, a fim de determinar o Número Mais Provável de Coliformes totais por grama de amostra (NMP/g), conforme metodologia estabelecida por AOAC. Os resultados obtidos em todas as amostras demonstraram redução da concentração de Colifomes após os folhosos serem submetidos à sanitização com cloro, havendo situações nas quais o NMP de Coliformes foi reduzido a um limite superior à detecção do método. Diante dos resultados pode-se concluir que o cloro apresenta eficiência para sanitização de folhosos.

This research has the purpose to evaluate the efficiency of chlorine in the leafy vegetables used in raw salads. There were used 24 samples of several leafy, 12 samples collected after washed in running water an 12 after sanitizing with chlorine solution at 200ppm concentration by immersion during 15 minutes. The samples were transferred for the lab and promptly submitted to coliforms analysis by the multiple tubs technique, with the purpose to find out the most probable number of total coliforms by gram of sample (NMP/g) accordingly established methodology by AOAC. The results obtained in all the samples showed a reduction in the concentration of coliforms after leafs were submitted to sanitizing in chlorine, there were situation in which the NMP of coliforms was reduced to a superior limit to the method detection. With the results its possible to concluded that chorine show sanitizing efficiency for leafs.