Effects of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1 isolated from kefir grains on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection using mouse and intestinal cell models.

A potential probiotic strain, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1, was previously isolated from kefir grains, which are used to manufacture the traditional fermented drink kefir. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection, using mice and intestinal cell models. BALB/c mice were daily administrated with either phosphate buffered saline or Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 at 2×10(8) cfu/mouse per day intragastrically for 7 d. Intragastric challenges with EHEC (2×10(9) cfu/mouse) were conducted on d 0, 4, and 7 after treatment. Administration of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 was able to prevent EHEC infection-induced symptoms, intestinal damage, renal damage, bacterial translocation, and Shiga toxin penetration. Furthermore, the mucosal EHEC-specific IgA responses were increased after Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 administration in the EHEC-infected mouse system. Additionally, in vitro, Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 was shown to have a protective effect on Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cell monolayers; the bacteria limited EHEC-induced cell death and reduced the loss of epithelial integrity. These findings support the potential of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 treatment as an approach to preventing EHEC infection and its effects.

Effects of caponization and different exogenous androgen on the bone characteristics of male chickens.

The effects of caponization and androgen implantation on the bone characteristics of male chickens were evaluated. Healthy Single Comb White Leghorn cockerels were caponized or sham operated (sham) at 12 wk old. Sixteen birds from each group were selected for a 14-wk experiment in trial 1. Sixteen birds from the sham group and 64 from the caponized group (randomly allocated into 4 treatments) were implanted with 10.4 +/- 0.4 mg (1.62-mm i.d., 3.6-mm o.d.) of cholesterol, testosterone (TES), 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT), or 19-nortestosterone (19-NorT) and were assigned to trial 2 for a 14-wk experiment. The results from trial 1 showed that caponization increased BW (P < 0.05) and decreased tibia stress, ash content, and P content with higher blood P concentration (P < 0.05) as compared with the sham group. In trial 2, the cholesterol implantation group showed the lowest tibia breaking strength, bending moment, stress, and ash content (P < 0.05). The 19-NorT implantation group showed decreased (P < 0.05) blood Ca and P concentration but increased tibia ash and P content, reaching the same level as the sham group (P > 0.05). The adverse effects of caponization on bone characteristics could be improved using androgen implantation. Among the implantation groups, the 19-NorT implantation group showed the best improvement in tibia breaking strength and bending moment, followed by the TES and 5alpha-DHT groups. The TES group showed the best improvement in tibia stress, followed by the 19-NorT and 5alpha-DHT groups.

Dynamic CT perfusion imaging in subarachnoid hemorrhage-related vasospasm.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nimodipine is a therapy that reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), though the mechanisms by which it does so are not well understood. In a rabbit model of SAH, we studied the effects of nimodipine by using functional CT imaging. We hypothesized that the nimodipine treatment group would have (1) increased mean basilar artery diameter, (2) less diminished cerebral blood flow (CBF) following vasospasm, and (3) better neurologic outcomes. METHODS: SAH was induced in 26 New Zealand White rabbits randomized to 2 groups: treated (nimodipine) or control (no treatment). CT perfusion and CT angiography were used to measure CBF and basilar artery diameter at baseline, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after SAH, and on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 16. Neurologic assessments were performed on each day of scanning. RESULTS: Basilar artery diameter in the treated group was greater than in the control group post-SAH (P < .05). When vasospasm was >15%, CBF in the nimodipine group was significantly greater than in the control group in the brain stem, cerebellum, parieto-occipital cerebrum, and deep gray matter (P < .05). Neurologic scores in the nimodipine group were significantly better than in the control group on days 5 and 9 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Animals treated with nimodipine showed (1) increased mean basilar artery diameter, (2) improved neurologic outcome, and (3) increased mean CBF despite no significant difference in the incidence and severity of delayed vasospasm. These data provide a basis for future studies comparing the efficacy of new treatments for SAH to that of nimodipine.

The use of CT perfusion to monitor the effect of hypocapnia during laser thermal therapy in a rabbit model.

One of the limiting factors in the thermal therapy of tumours is the dissipation of heat by blood flow. The current study investigates the use of hyperventilation (hypocapnia) to decrease tumour blood flow during laser thermal therapy. Rabbits with implanted VX2 thigh tumours were treated using a diode laser (805 nm) as the heating source. One group of rabbits (n = 8) was treated with the new hypocapnia protocol and another group (n = 8) with the conventional (normocapnia) protocol. The mean tumour volume and blood flow were the same for the two groups prior to treatment. The laser power temporal profile (3.0-1.5 W) and the duration of treatment (60 min) were also the same for both treatment protocols. Blood flow maps were calculated from a series of contrast-enhanced CT images. The average change in thermal lesion area at 60 min post-laser thermal therapy from pre-treatment normalized to the pre-treatment tumour area was significantly different between the two treatment protocols: 0.52+/-0.13 (hypocapnia) vs 0.33+/-0.12 (normocapnia) (p < 0.001). Similarly, the average fractional decrease in global tumour blood flow 60 min post-treatment from pre-treatment was also significantly different between the two protocols: 0.64+/-0.10 (hypocapnia) vs 0.41+/-0.14 (normocapnia) (p < 0.001). The hypocapnia protocol produced larger thermal lesion area and greater decrease in tumour blood flow post-treatment than the normocapnia protocol. These results support the further investigation of the use of hypocapnia to increase the therapeutic effect of laser thermal therapy.

The Chinese experience of male infertility.

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of Chinese men who were diagnosed as infertile. Thirty men who had experienced infertility were interviewed in or near the clinic of a large general teaching hospital located in Taiwan. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Five categories were generated from the interview data: emotional response after hearing the diagnosis; seeking possible explanations for the diagnosis; using alternative treatments other than those of Western medicine; stressfrom the discovery of the infertility secret by family, relatives, and friends; and grief for discontinuation of the family heritage. Men in this study described infertility as a frustrating and stressful experience. Findings from this study can add to the knowledge base on infertility and contribute to recommendations for improving the ways that health professionals guide, counsel, and support men who are infertile.

Studies of the central neural pathways to the stomach and Zusanli (ST36).

The purpose of this morphological study was to investigate the relation between the meridian, meridian points and viscera using neuroanatomical tracers. The common locations of the spinal cord and brain projecting to the stomach and Zusanli were observed following injection of CTB (cholera toxin B subunit) and pseudorabies viruses (PRV-Ba, Bartha strain and PRV-Ba-Gal, galactosidase insertion) into the stomach and Zusanli (ST36). After 4-5 days of survival following injection into twelve rats, they were perfused, and their spinal cords and brains were frozen sectioned (30 microm). These sections were stained by X-gal histochemical, CTB and PRV-Ba immunohistochemical staining methods, and examined with the light microscope. The results were as follows: Commonly labeled medulla oblongata regions were dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve (DMV), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and area postrema (AP) following injection of CTB and PRV-Ba-Gal into stomach and Zusanli, respectively. In the spinal cord, commonly labeled neurons were found in thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal segments. Densely labeled areas were found in lamina IV, V, VII (intermediolateral nucleus) and X of the spinal cord. In the brain, commonly labeled neurons were found in the Al noradrenalin cells/Cl adrenalin cells/caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve, nucleus tractus solitarius, area postrema, raphe obscurus nucleus, raphe pallidus nucleus, raphe magnus nucleus, gigantocellular nucleus, locus coeruleus, parabrachial nucleus, Kolliker-Fuse nucleus, A5 cell group, central gray matter, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, lateral hypothalamic nucleus, retrochiasmatic hypothalamic nucleus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and amygdaloid nucleus. Thus central autonomic center project both to the stomach and Zusanli. These morphological results suggest that there is a commonality of CNS cell groups in brain controlling stomach (viscera) and Zusanli (limb).

Hemodynamic effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on cirrhotic rats.

Salvia miltiorrhiza (Sm) administration has been shown to reduce hepatic fibrosis in rats. We investigated the hemodynamic effects of Sm on bile duct ligated (BDL) rats. Hemodynamic, histological, and vascular contractile studies were conducted in rats 4 weeks after bile duct ligation. An aqueous extract of Sm (0.2 g twice per day) or vehicle was administered for 4 weeks to BDL rats. Sm treatment in BDL rats significantly reduced histological grades of fibrosis and ameliorated the portal hypertensive state (including portal venous pressure, superior mesenteric artery blood flow, cardiac index, and total peripheral resistance) as compared with vehicle treatment. Moreover, Sm treatment enhanced the vascular sensitivity of mesenteric arteries to phenylephrine in BDL rats. Sm treatment had no effect on plasma biochemical profiles of either BDL or normal rats. Our results suggest that 4-week Sm treatment ameliorates the portal hypertensive state in BDL rats.

Chest wall thickness measurements and the dosimetric implications for male workers in the south Korean uranium industry.

Using ultrasound techniques, the Human Monitoring Laboratory has measured chest wall thicknesses of a group of male workers at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. A site-specific biometric equation has been developed for these workers, who are somewhat smaller than other workers reported in the literature. Chest wall thickness is an important modifier on lung counting efficiency. These data have been put into the perspective of the ICRP recommended dose limits for occupationally exposed workers: 100 mSv in a 5-year period with a maximum of 50 mSv in any one year. For measured chest wall thicknesses of 1.9 cm to 4.1 cm and a 30 min counting time, the achievable MDAs for natural uranium in the KAERI lung counter vary from 6.6 mg to 13.2 mg. These values are close to, or even exceed, the predicted amounts of natural uranium that will remain in the lung (absorption type M and S) after an intake equal to the Annual Limit on Intake corresponding to a committed dose of 20 mSv. This paper shows that the KAERI lung counter probably cannot detect an intake of Type S natural uranium in a worker with a chest wall thickness equal to the average value (2.7 cm) under routine counting conditions.

Effect of BL-10 (tianzhu), BL-11 (dazhu) and GB-34 (yanglinquan) acuplaster for prevention of vomiting after strabismus surgery in children.

BACKGROUND: Stimulation of P6 (Neiguan) acupoint can prevent nausea and vomiting in adults. However, there is no antiemetic effect in children undergoing strabismus surgery. The effect of P6 may act only on hollow organs; in contrast, BL-10 (Tianzhu), BL-11 (Dazhu) and GB-34 (Yanglinquan) are more related to the meridians of the eye. Therefore these three more relevant acupoints, BL-10, BL-11 and GB-34 were stimulated to evaluate the antiemetic effect in children undergoing strabismus surgery. METHODS: Sixty-five children, ASA physical status I, between 3 and 14 years of age, were randomly divided into two groups as follows: placebo group (n = 31) and acuplaster group (n = 34). Bilateral acupressure using the Vital Point Needleless Acuplaster (Koa, Japan) was applied to BL-10, BL-11 and GB-34 points the night before surgery. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane and nitrous oxide in oxygen. Postoperative emesis was assessed at early (at PACU) and late (at ward) phases, and was recorded by an investigator blind to the treatment characteristics. RESULTS: In the early emesis phase, the incidence of vomiting was 35.5% for placebo group, compared with 14.7% for acuplaster group. In the late emesis phase, acuplaster patients had a significantly lower incidence of vomiting (23.5% vs. 58.1% in placebo patients, p < 0.05). The overall postoperative vomiting incidence in the acuplaster patients in a 24 h period which was significantly decreased was 29.4% as opposed 64.5% in the placebo group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that prophylactic use of bilateral noninvasive acuplaster on the BL-10, BL-11, and GB-34 acupoints significantly reduces vomiting after strabismus correction. The mechanism may be dispersal of these three acupoints, thus diminishing the parasympathetic stimulation resulting from surgical traction of eye muscles.

The value of human growth hormone as an adjuvant for ovarian stimulation in a human in vitro fertilization program.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the combined treatment of growth hormone (GH) and gonadotropins can improve ovulation stimulation in previously poor responders. Twelve patients who, had suboptimal responses in previous in vitro fertilization cycle were enrolled. They underwent 1 cycle with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) and gonadotropins and another cycle with GnRH-a, gonadotropins, and GH. Serum gonadotropins, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sex steroids, including estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), testosterone, and androstenedione were measured on Day 2 and during ovulation induction. The serum IGF-1 level was higher in the GH cycle. There were no significant differences in the levels of the serum luteinizing hormone, E2, P4, testosterone, and androstenedione between the 2 cycles, so was IGF-1, E2 and P4 in follicular fluid. Co-treatment with GH did not improve the ovarian response. However, the GH cycles had better performance in terms of the number of oocytes fertilized and the pregnancy rate.

Patch testing of 490 patients in Hong Kong.

Patch testing, using European standard allergens and suspected causative substances brought in by patients, was carried out in 490 patients with eczema in Hong Kong and 437 completed the test. Before patch testing, 244, 141 and 105 patients were diagnosed as having contact dermatitis, endogenous eczema and unclassified eczema, respectively. After patch testing, the diagnosis of the causal agent was changed in 54 contact dermatitis patients, and 18% of endogenous eczema patients and 34% of unclassified eczema patients were re-diagnosed as contact dermatitis. In the patients with a final diagnosis of contact dermatitis, 19.5% were positive to fragrance mix, followed by nickel sulfate (16.4%) and cobalt chloride (11.3%). The commonest causative agents for contact dermatitis were soap or detergent (22.0%) and traditional Chinese medicine (17.3%); the latter was a more common cause of contact dermatitis than Western medicine (9.0%) or metals (13.4%). The prevalence of allergic reaction to fragrance in Hong Kong was higher than among Chinese in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei or Singapore (78% ethnic Chinese). Dermatologists should have a high index of suspicion about traditional medications and should patch test with the suspected substance when patients give a history of use.

Effect of P-6 acupressure on prevention of nausea and vomiting after epidural morphine for post-cesarean section pain relief.

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting are important side effects following administration of epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief. Stimulation of the P-6 (Neiguan) acupoint is a traditional Chinese acupuncture modality used for antiemetic purpose; it has been found to be effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiemetic effect of P-6 acupressure in parturients given epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief. METHOD: In a randomized, double-blind and controlled trial, sixty parturients receiving epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief were investigated. Parturients were allocated to receive the acupressure bands or placebo bands on the P-6 acupoint bilaterally before the administration of spinal anesthesia and were observed over a 48-hour study period. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly decreased from 43% and 27% in the control group, to 3% and 0% in the acupressure group, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that prophylactic use of acupressure bands bilaterally on the P-6 acupoint can significantly reduce incidence of nausea and vomiting after epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to a Chinese orthopaedic solution tieh ta yao gin.

3 cases of contact dermatitis due to a Chinese herbal orthopaedic solution Tieh Ta Yao Gin and its putative ingredients are reported. Patch testing demonstrated allergy to mastic and myrrh, natural gum resins widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve pain and swelling due to traumatic injury.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Twenty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in April through May, 1990 in our hospital were included in this study to evaluate the merits and practicability of autologous blood transfusion. About 1,000 ml of arterial blood were collected via a radial arterial line and stored in a plastic bag containing CPD solution immediately after induction of anesthesia. Colloid or crystalloid solution was used to replace the volume deficit after the blood sampling. At the end of cardiopulmonary bypass and after adequate reversal of heparinization by protamine, the blood previously sampled was re-transfused to the patient via a peripheral venous line. Thirty patients undergoing CABG surgery, who did not receive autologous blood transfusion from February to June, 1990 save April and May were assigned as control. Comparison of the data between the two groups was made using the Student's t-test. It was found that the intraoperative acute normovolemic hemodilution could lower the hematocrit by approximately 12%. Packed red blood cells (PRBC) given intraoperatively in the autologous group was only 2.0 +/- 0.4 units whereas it was 5.3 +/- 0.7 units in the control group (p less than 0.001). Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) given intraoperatively in the autologous group was only 1.8 +/- 0.5 units whereas it was 6.6 +/- 0.7 units in the control group (p less than 0.001). The amount of platelets given intraoperatively in the autologous group was 1.9 +/- 1.0 units against 9.3 +/- 1.4 units in the control group (p less than 0.001). Thus, acute normovolemic hemodilution in CABG surgery decreased intraoperative requirement of bank blood components including PRBC, FFP and platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Contact dermatitis due to topical treatment with garlic in Hong Kong.

Contact dermatitis due to garlic is usually due to handling of garlic for cooking. Among the Chinese, garlic is also used as a form of topical medicament. 8 patients developed contact dermatitis after rubbing the cut end of a fresh garlic bulb onto the skin to treat fungal and other infections at the groin, neck, lower limb, hand or face. The distribution and morphology of the lesions were different from the classical form as described in the literature. Repeated open application tests with fresh garlic were all positive and patch tests with garlic extract were all negative. 5 controls tested by repeated open application with fresh garlic juice were also positive and patch tests in 10 controls with garlic extract were also negative. The results confirmed that the contact dermatitis was due to irritation. The patients were treated successfully with topical fluorinated steroid. For prevention, the practice of direct application of fresh garlic onto the skin for treating infections should be discouraged.