Effectiveness of activated hydrogen ions in neutralizing paraquat intoxication in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effectiveness of H4O in preventing the paraquat's effect in rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Disease-free male spraque Dawley rats were used in the experiment. They were divided into two groups of 5, as the control group and the experiment group. All rats were poisoned with paraquat. The control group was fed water (H2O) while the experiment group was fed activated hydrogen ions (H4O). RESULTS: The mortality of rats was equal (40%) in both groups. The control group died earlier than the experimental group (48 hours, 96 hours). In the rats that could survive till 1 month, the pathology of the lungs in the experimental group revealed less severity than the control group. CONCLUSION: This may reflect the protective effects of activated hydrogen ions in the lungs, which are abundant in oxygen, and may offer fruitful results in humans.

Influenza viral infection in 2005-2006 in Samitivej Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Set an alarm system for early detection of respiratory viral infection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors prospectively investigated avian flu and SARS between March 2005 and April 2006. Specimens from a nasopharyngeal swab or bronchial washing were analyzed for influenza A, B, parainfluenza, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and avian flu and SARS by using technique of PCR and immunofluorescence by the Department of Medical Sciences. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients who were enrolled in the present study. Peak of the incidence was 43% on April 2005 and there was no incidence of the influenza from December 2005 till April 2006. This may be due to the mass campaign of influenza vaccination or seasonal variation. CONCLUSION: Vaccination remains the primary strategy for the prevention of influenza, and the broadened recommendations should lead to protection of a larger portion of the population.