无针接头不同消毒方式对预防导管相关性感染的影响

目的:探讨无针接头不同消毒方式对预防外周中心静脉导管(PICC)相关性感染的影响。方法:选取在本院行PICC置管治疗的148例肿瘤患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组各74例。对照组采用传统的碘伏棉签消毒导管无针接头,观察组采用独立包装的酒精棉片消毒无针接头。结果:观察组发生静脉炎1例,导管细菌定植1例,导管相关性感染(CRI)发生率2.70%明显低于对照组14.86%(χ~2=6.831,P<0.05)。导管相关性感染病原菌以革兰氏阳性菌(G+)为主(72.73%),其次为革兰氏阳性菌(G-)(27.27%)。结论:采用独立包装酒精棉片包裹无针接头,运用正反揉搓法消毒,可有效降低导管相关性感染的发生率,促进患者康复。     

酒精棉塞耳配合按压三阴交缓解50例原发性痛经效果评价

目的评价酒精棉塞耳同时按压三阴交缓解痛经，减轻痛经伴随症状的效果。方法将有痛经并存在有伴随症状的100名自愿参与研究的女学生，分为试验组50例（采用75％酒精棉塞耳配以按压三阴交穴位的方法）与对照组50例（口服止痛剂布洛芬），比较两种方法缓解痛经的时间及疗效。结果试验组10min内疼痛缓解人数明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）；30min内疼痛缓解人数高于对照组（P〈0．05）；痛经的治愈率、好转率明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论与药物治疗相比，酒精棉塞耳配以按压三阴交的方法治疗缓解痛经起效快，相同时间内疗效更好，对治愈痛经有良好的效果。     

Developmental inhibition and DNA damage of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by gamma radiation

Purpose: Gamma radiation on Helicoverpa armigera Hübner was performed to assess developmental inhibition and to identify a potential quarantine treatment dose of the radiation.

Materials and methods: Gamma radiation (⁶⁰Co) treatment at different doses of 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 Gy was carried out with egg, larvae, pupae and adults of H. armigera.

Results: Gamma radiation induced developmental inhibition of all stages of H. armigera. The effective dose values required for inhibition 99% (ED₉₉) of hatching, pupation and adult emergence from the irradiated eggs were 550.7, 324.9 and 136.4 Gy, respectively. ED₉₉ values for inhibition of the larvae to adult emergence was 200.0 Gy. Irradiation on pupae could not completely inhibit adult emergence even at 400 Gy. ED₉₉ value for inhibition of F₁ egg hatchability from the irradiated adults was estimated to be 229.5 Gy.

Conclusions: This study suggests that gamma radiation is a possible alternative to phytosanitary treatments. Irradiation treatment with minimum dose of 200 Gy can be suggested as optimum dose for larval treatment in quarantine.     

Effect of glove occlusion on human skin (II)

Gloves are indispensable in many occupations. Irritant skin reactions from gloves have, however, been reported. In the present study, the effect of long-term glove occlusion on normal skin (6 h/day for 14 days) was studied and, in addition, the effect of a cotton glove worn under the occlusive glove was also studied. 2 studies were performed (studies A and B). Study A: 19 volunteers wore an occlusive glove on normal skin 6 h/day for 14 days. They wore the glove on one hand only, while the other hand served as control. Study B: 18 volunteers wore occlusive gloves on both hands on normal skin. A cotton glove was worn under the occlusive glove on either the left or the right hand. Skin barrier function was evaluated by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Evaporimeter) skin hydration by electrical capacitance (Corneometer) and inflammation by erythema index (Derma-Spectrometer). The gloves used were hypoallergenic non-latex gloves. Results Study A: glove occlusion on normal skin 6 h/day for 14 days had a significant negative effect on skin barrier function, as measured by TEWL. Study B: the negative effect on skin barrier function from occlusive gloves was prevented by the use of a cotton glove. It is concluded that gloves may be a substantial factor in the pathogenesis of cumulative irritant contact dermatitis, and that recommendations as to their use are important.     

Evaluation of Hemorrheologic Parameters and Biliary Secretion in Ligaria cuneifolia (Argentine mistletoe) Extract-Treated Rats

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory effect of seed powder [SPP I (100 mg/kg) and II (200 mg/kg) p.o.] and aqueous extract [SPE I (100 mg/kg) and II (200 mg/kg) p.o.] of Strychnos potatorum. Linn (Loganiaceae) seeds was studied in carrageenin-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. In carrageenin-induced rat paw edema model, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited mild inhibition at 1 h and maximum inhibition at 2.5 h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, both wet and dry weights of the cotton pellets were significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited by SPP and SPE at both dose levels, whereas a maximum (p < 0.001) inhibition of wet and dry weights was found at 200 mg/kg, p.o. Both SPP and SPE were found to normalize the increased alkaline, acid phosphatases, and lipid peroxide levels indicating their membrane stabilization and free radical scavenging properties, respectively. In conclusion, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute inflammatory models, whereas SPE-II was found to possess maximum activity and its effect was also comparable with the standard drug diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg, p.o.).     

Anti-inflammatory effect of petroleum ether extract of Vitex negundo leaves in rat models of acute and subacute inflammation

The anti-inflammatory effect of a petroleum ether extract of Vitex negundo Linn (Verbenaceae) leaves, (PEVNL) (250 and 500?mg/kg, p.o.), was evaluated in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. Diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug. The biochemical parameters were estimated in serum. In carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model PEVNL exhibited significant (p?<?0.01) inhibition of edema volume at 4?h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, dry weight of cotton pellets was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner with maximum effect noticed at 500?mg/kg, p.o. Both doses of PEVNL were found to normalize the increased alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) and reversed the decreased serum albumin. In conclusion, PEVNL exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute models. At a dose of 500?mg/kg, p.o., PEVNL was found to possess maximum activity, and this effect was comparable with reference drug diclofenac sodium (5?mg/kg, p.o.).     

The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia officinalis leaf aqueous and butanol extracts

Context: The leaf of sage Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is reputed in the folk medicine of Arabia, and Jordan in particular, to relieve pain associated with gastrointestinal disturbance.

Objectives: Evaluation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous and butanol extracts of S. officinalis leaf.

Materials and methods: The analgesic effects of the aqueous extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1000?mg/kg) and butanol extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316?mg/kg) were studied using the hot-plate test for mice and the formalin-induced paw licking in rats. The effects were compared to those of morphine and the influence of naloxone on these effects was also evaluated. The same concentrations of both extracts were used to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects using the cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

Results: The aqueous extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1000?mg/kg) and butanol extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316?mg/kg) caused analgesic effect in the hot-plate latency assay as well as in early and late phases of formalin-induced paw licking in rats. These effects were reduced by the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (5?mg/kg). The same range of doses of both extracts caused dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats as well as inhibition of cotton pellet granuloma.

Discussion and conclusion: These observations suggest that the sage leaf aqueous and butanol extracts have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, confirming the traditional use of this plant for pain alleviation.     

Developing resistance to aflatoxin in maize and cottonseed

At this time, no "magic bullet" for solving the aflatoxin contamination problem in maize and cottonseed has been identified, so several strategies must be utilized simultaneously to ensure a healthy crop, free of aflatoxins. The most widely explored strategy for the control of aflatoxin contamination is the development of preharvest host resistance. This is because A. flavus infects and produces aflatoxins in susceptible crops prior to harvest. In maize production, the host resistance strategy has gained prominence because of advances in the identification of natural resistance traits. However, native resistance in maize to aflatoxin contamination is polygenic and complex and, therefore, markers need to be identified to facilitate the transfer of resistance traits into agronomically viable genetic backgrounds while limiting the transfer of undesirable traits. Unlike maize, there are no known cotton varieties that demonstrate enhanced resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. For this reason, transgenic approaches are being undertaken in cotton that utilize genes encoding antifungal/anti-aflatoxin factors from maize and other sources to counter fungal infection and toxin production. This review will present information on preharvest control strategies that utilize both breeding and native resistance identification approaches in maize as well as transgenic approaches in cotton.