Effects of cold plasma, UV-C or aqueous ozone treatment on Botrytis cinerea and their potential application in preserving blueberry.

AIMS: This study aimed to compare the effects of cold plasma (CP), ultraviolet (UV-C) and aqueous ozone (AO) on Botrytis cinerea and explore their application in preserving blueberry. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of CP, UV-C or AO on B. cinerea were investigated. Results showed that three treatments effectively inhibited the growth of B. cinerea, increasing cell membrane penetrability and causing the leakage of cytoplasm and nucleic acid. Scanning electron microscopy showed that CP caused the mycelium fold and collapse depression; UV-C caused the mycelium shrivelled; mycelium treated with AO appeared to fold and break. In the in vivo test in blueberry, all treatments effectively inhibited the growth of micro-organisms, maintained qualities and enhanced antioxidant activities in blueberry during postharvest storage. CONCLUSION: Cold plasma, UV-C and AO effectively inhibited the growth of B. cinerea and significantly extended the shelf life of blueberry. Based on in vitro and in vivo tests, CP showed better effects to preserve blueberry compared with other treatments. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our findings revealed the effective mechanisms of CP, UV-C and AO to inhibit B. cinerea in vitro. CP exhibited better application potential to preserve fresh fruit than traditional sterilization methods such as UV-C and AO.

Proton pump inhibitors. Compliance with a mandated step-up program.

OBJECTIVE: To assess compliance with a step-up approach to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy before implementation of a new provincial policy to promote histamine-type 2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) use before PPI therapy. DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective, open cohort study using prescribing and medical procedure data from January 1, 1995, to April 30, 1999. SETTING: Health administration databases for the universal health care system in Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 1.4 million residents of Ontario older than 65 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients who received a trial of H2RA therapy or gastrointestinal diagnostic testing 12 months before starting PPI therapy in 1996. RESULTS: Among the 25,870 patients who met study criteria in 1996, about 63% had received H2RAs 12 months before starting PPI therapy and 73% had had a trial of H2RAs or gastrointestinal diagnostic testing. Repeat analysis for January through April 1999, following the new policy implementation, showed that about 72% of patients had had a trial of H2RAs within 12 months of starting PPI therapy. CONCLUSION: A modest gain (9%) in compliance with using H2RA therapy within 12 months before starting PPI therapy was seen following introduction of the step-up intervention. In future, costs and benefits of potential interventions should be carefully considered before implementing new policies.

Women's health care in China: American travelers' views.

Chinese health care was examined by three American nurses who visited China between 1986 and 1988. A thorough discussion of women's health care as it was presented to the authors is provided. Each author found the experience invaluable to her understanding of the world and the vast differences, as well as commonalities, between health care in the United States and health care in China.

PIP: This article provides a perspective of health care in China based upon the observations of 3 American nurses who visited the country for 6 weeks between 1986 and 1988. The authors provide an overview of the health care system including the primary mission, the hierarchy of services, the educational background of the medical personnel, and insurance programs. There is a focus on nursing as a profession that includes a history of the formal institutions established for the training of nurses. 3 of the problems identified within the nursing field were a shortage of nurses, an inadequate supply of textbooks for the training programs, and the lack of a licensure requirement to practice nursing. The authors discuss at length of issues of overpopulation, the national family planning program, and maternity care. The government had implemented a program that allowed each couple to have only 1 child. Despite this policy, many couples would continue to have children until they had a son because of the high societal value placed on males over females. The government was working to address the traditional and economic factors that contributed to the preference for male children. Some of the initiatives mentioned included providing care and financial support for the elderly, granting special benefits to couples who had only a daughter, and giving priority to women for school and employment. The majority of the paper focuses on the trends and practices in maternal and child health. In conjunction with the government's family planning policy, contraceptives, abortions, and sterilizations were easily obtained. Couples eagerly anticipate parenthood and are very cooperative in participating in prenatal care and education. Fathers are encouraged to take an active role in the educating process. There is an emphasis on proper nutrition and careful monitoring during pregnancy. Both traditional and Western style hospitals and clinics offer maternity services. Obstetric patients are often treated with a combination of traditional and Western methods. Some traditional methods described include the use of acupuncture and heat to change the position of the fetus, and an herbal medicine that is said to be effective in terminating ectopic pregnancies. Western medicine facilities offered chromosome analysis, urinary estriol, and serum alpha-feto protein levels. Genetic screening and counseling was also available. There was said to be a high rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension, (41.2% in Beijing). It was reported that premature births are rare. Perinatal mortality rates ranged between 12.7 and 13.9%. Fetal monitors were available, but were not seen in use. Analgesia was rarely administered during labor because it was believed to have a negative effect on the baby. Private rooms were not available on the maternity units due to a lack of space and extreme shortage of nursing staff. Mothers were encouraged to have their babies room-in with them. There has been an increase by almost 30% in the number of women who chose to breast feed after the rooming-in was instituted. Most women receive 10 weeks of paid maternity leave; some factories provide 4 months of paid maternity leave; some factories provide 4 months of paid leave. When mothers returned to work, most children were cared for in a state-run nursery or by a grandmother.