ABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION: The microscopic examination of microhematocrit tubes (mHCT) has been proposed as the gold standard for acute and congenital Chagas disease diagnosis. We compared different mHCT methodologies detecting T. cruzi parasites in the blood. METHODS: The rotating method, water mount, and immersion oil methods were compared for their suitability, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: The rotating method was easier, faster, and more sensitive than the others with 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The rotating method is feasible for laboratory technicians with standard training in microscopic techniques and is recommended for the diagnosis of acute Chagas disease in primary health care facilities.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolation & purification , Centrifugation/methods , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Parasitemia/diagnosis , Capillary Tubing , Hematocrit/methods , Sensitivity and Specificity , Chagas Disease/parasitology , Chagas Disease/blood , Parasitemia/parasitology , Clinical Laboratory ServicesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Although various sampling methods of tears from conjunctival sac have been reported, no previous study compared their effectiveness or efficiency based on protein extraction. By comparing the compliance, volume and protein concentration of each tear sampling method, we searched for the most efficient tear collection method. METHODS: Resting tear samples of 14 eyes of normal subjects were collected using Schirmer paper, capillary tube, cellolose acetate rod and 3 different ophthalmic sponges made of different materials and density (Merocel(R), KeraCel(R) and Weck-Cel(R)). After centrifugation of the collected tear samples, the tear volume and protein concentration were measured for each method. Additionally, the compliance of each tear sampling method was analyzed by numerically representing the amount of discomfort experienced during resting tear collection. RESULTS: The average volume retrieved by each tear sampling method was 9.0 +/- 1.1 microL with no significant differences between groups. The average concentration of protein retrieved by each tear sampling method was 5.3 +/- 1.2 microg/microL. Merocel(R) retrieved 7.6 +/- 0.61 microg/microL, which was significantly higher than other sampling methods (p < 0.05). The compliance of Merocel(R) and the capillary tube were the highest, while KeraCel(R) showed the lowest compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Merocel(R) retrieved the highest amount of protein and showed high compliance and may be the most effective and easily applicable tear sampling method in clinical settings.
Subject(s)
Capillaries , Centrifugation , Compliance , Methods , Porifera , TearsABSTRACT
This study was aimed to evaluate the hemostatic effect and mechanism of action for water decoction of Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng in order to understand its influence to the liver function. The glass slides method and capillary tube method were used in the measurement of the coagulation time (CT). And the tail-cutting method was used to measure the bleeding time (BT), prothrombin time (PT), activated part clotting live en-zyme time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), content of plasma fibrinogen (FIB), platelet count (PLC), plasma complex cal-cium time (PRT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The results showed that intragastric administration with different doses of water decoction of Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng (6.7 g·kg-1, 13.4 g·kg-1, 26.8 g·kg-1) can reduce CT and BT of mice. And intragastric administration with different doses of wa-ter decoction of Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng (4.7 g·kg-1, 9.4 g·kg-1, 18.9 g·kg-1) can produce different degrees of impact on PT, APTT, TT and PRT of rats. Certain dose of water decoction of Blumea megacepha-la (Randeria) Chang et Tseng can reduce ALT and AST. It was concluded that Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng had the hemostatic effect and its mechanism of action may be through the activation of the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation system. There was no obvious damage to the liver.
ABSTRACT
This study assesses the weight gain of partially engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus females that were artificially fed via capillary tubes and the influence of capillary tube feeding on the biological parameters of the non-parasitic stage of the species. The ticks were sorted into four groups, each containing ten females of a homogeneous weight. The groups were each treated for different feeding times, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The weight gain of the artificially fed females was measured, and the biological parameters of the non-parasitic stage of the tick were observed for each treatment group. The statistical non-parametrical Dunn and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the results. The mean weights (mg) were 0.2±2.4; 4.3±5.8; 7.4±5.8 and 12.0±11.2 for the 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours feeding groups, respectively. The weight of the fed groups increased as the capillary feeding time increased, and this relationship was highly significant (P<0.05) between the groups fed for 2 and 24 hours. No statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the parameters of the non-parasitic stage for the artificially fed groups. It can be concluded that artificial feeding via capillary tubes provides an efficient and easy method for the artificial intake of blood by R. sanguineus. Furthermore, it was noted that the ticks fed in vitro were able to establish a new generation. The experimental method shows great promise in studies that aim to investigate biological disease agents.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o ganho de peso de fêmeas Rhipicephalus sanguineus parcialmente ingurgitadas alimentadas artificialmente por meio de tubos capilares e verificar a sua influência nos parâmetros biológicos da fase não parasitária. Os carrapatos foram separados em quatro grupos de peso homogêneo compostos por 10 fêmeas cada. Os grupos foram submetidos a diferentes tempos de alimentação: 2, 6, 12 e 24 horas. Para comparação dos resultados, foram utilizados os testes estatísticos não paramétricos Dunn e Kruskal-Wallis. Os pesos médios (mg) adquiridos foram de 0,2±2,4; 4,3±5,8; 7,4±5,8 e 12,0±11,2 nos grupos de 2, 6, 12 e 24 horas, respectivamente. O peso dos grupos alimentados foi maior à medida que o tempo de exposição ao tubo capilar aumentou, observando-se diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os grupos alimentados por 2 e 24 horas. Não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas (P>0,05) nos parâmetros relativos à fase não parasitária entre os grupos submetidos à alimentação artificial. Concluiu-se que a alimentação artificial por meio de tubos capilares é um método de fácil execução e eficiente para ingestão de sangue por carrapatos R. sanguineus. Além disso, verificou-se que os carrapatos alimentados in vitro foram capazes de estabelecer uma nova geração. Esse método tem potencial para o desenvolvimento de estudos que visem a transmissão de bioagentes.
ABSTRACT
The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of physical vibration on blood viscosity. The "capillary tube viscometer concept" is applied to measure blood viscosity. Blood viscosity can be measured at the minimum shear rate of 12 s(-1) by the capillary tube viscometer. To examine the effect of physical vibration on blood viscosity, the vibrations are produced by contact with an electronic speaker. The frequencies of vibration are varied from 0 to 1000 Hz. The experimental results show that blood viscosity can be effectively reduced by applying vibration. Blood viscosity decreases as much as 10~12 % by applying vibration.