Day Treatment Research Articles

COVID-19 INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONIA (case report)

A clinical case of treatment of a 54-year-old man with several risk factors, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, with moderate COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia is presented. His clinical symptoms and signs at presentation included combinations of fever, nonproductive cough, and shortness of breath. Initial chest radiograms faid to show any changes, but chest CT revealed ground glass opacities (GGOs) with fuzzy contours, parenchyma damage (27 %). He was treated according to the Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 cases (the Order of Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 762). After a 12-day treatment, the damaged area reduced to 5 % with fibrosis.

Cautious clams? Energetic state modifies risk assessment in giant clams

AbstractA fundamental trade‐off exists between the essential activities of acquiring energy and avoiding predators, thus animals are expected to make decisions that optimize foraging and avoid predation. These assessments are often state‐dependent with hungrier animals taking greater risks when foraging. Previous studies have explored state‐dependent risk assessment in a variety of taxa, yet no studies have focused on giant clams, genus Tridacna. These organisms provide a unique system to test foraging‐risk trade‐offs because they have two main energy sources: photosynthesizing symbiotic algae and siphoning nutrients from the water column. These activities can only occur when the clams’ shells are open and the mantle is vulnerable to predation. Here, we tested whether risk assessment in giant clams was state‐dependent. We designed three experiments of different shading durations (within‐day and multiday) to block photosynthesis while allowing limited water flow for siphoning. We measured the latency of the clams to reopen after a simulated predator touch to determine whether different duration of shading modified their antipredator response. Our single‐day experiment did not show a change in the hiding times across the three treatments. However, clams increased their hiding time as the treatments increased food deprivation (no restrictions on flow or photosynthesis, restriction on flow, restriction on flow and photosynthesis) when exposed to treatments for multiple days. Overall, we found that clams that were more energy‐deprived had a longer hiding time. This contrasts with findings from previous state‐dependent risk assessment literature and suggests that clams are more cautious when energy deprived, a result that may be generalizable to other sessile invertebrates.

First brachytherapy treatment of prostate cancer in Nigeria using low dose rate radioactive iodine 125

BackgroundWe report the first prostate brachytherapy in Nigeria, using low dose radioactive iodine 125 (I-125) permanent seeds implant.Case PresentationThe low dose rate brachytherapy using I-125 implants was performed in a private clinic in the city of Benin, Edo state of Nigeria. This pilot study reports the case of the first two patients with prostate cancer. The patients were treated under spinal anesthesia using 2 ml of heavy bupibacaine which is equivalent to 10 mg of bupibacaine. Biopsy, total blood count, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, urinalysis, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, prostate-specific antigen and bone scan were checked prior to the procedure. The first two prostate cancer patients who were in low risk category successfully received the treatment in the first day of the clinic’s operations. This paper describes the settings in which these clinical operations occurred, detailing the type of technology used, the clinical procedure and the obtained dose distribution.ConclusionsThe paper ends with discussing the overall cost of the investment and the challenges encountered as well as the perspectives of extending the brachytherapy practice to treat other cancer diseases, such as breast and genealogical cancers.

56 Impact of Electronically-Controlled Cooling Pads on Physiological Signs of Heat Stress in Early Lactation Sows

Abstract The study objective was to evaluate the impact of electronically controlled cooling pads on physiological measurements of heat stress during early lactation. Twelve sows (d 3 to 11 of lactation) were provided with a specially designed cooling pad. Sows randomly received no cooling (CONTROL, n=6) or pads set to flush 2L cool water every 30s when aluminum plate reached 29.5°C (TREAT, n=6). Respiration rates (RR), rectal temperatures (RT) and skin temperatures (ST, 15 cm posterior to the ear) were recorded daily (0700 and 1500 h) for seven days of early lactation. Feed intake (DFI) was measured daily at 0700 h. RR, RT, and ST were fitted to a model that included the effects of day, time, parity, cooling pad treatment, and interactions. DFI was fitted to the same model, excluding time of day. For RR: treatment, day, time, treatment by day, treatment by time, and day by time interactions were significant (P< 0.0004, CONTROL=49, TREAT= 30). Pad treatment had greater impact on RR during the first two days of the trial when the temperature was greater (32°C maximum CONTROL mean=66 vs. TREAT mean=30) than the following five days: 42, and 30 respectively). There was greater treatment impact on RR at 1500 versus 0700 h (0700 h: CONTROL= 35, TREAT= 25; 1500 h: CONTROL= 61, TREAT= 36). For RT: treatment, day, time, parity and interaction of day by time were significant (P< 0.01, CONTROL= 37, treat= 35.). For ST: treatment, day, time, parity and the interactions of time by parity, treatment by time, and day by time were significant (P< 0.0006, mean CONTROL=36.5, TREAT= 35.1). For DFI: day and the interaction of day by treatment were significant. The difference in feed intake between treatments increased as day increased. The use of electronically controlled cooling pads reduced measures of heat stress in early lactating sows.

82 Evaluation of feeding immunoglobulin-Y to Holstein feeder cattle for the control of liver abscesses & reduction of macrolide-resistant bacteria dissemination

Abstract Despite the regular use of macrolide-antibiotics in the diets of feedlot cattle, liver abscesses persist representing a financial burden to both pre- and post-mortem sectors of the beef industry. Alternative strategies, which simultaneously address liver infections and reduce the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are needed. An immunoglobulin-Y (IGY) product, developed to target Fusobacterium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes, was evaluated for the control of liver abscesses and its effect on macrolide-resistant Enterococcus growth from feces. Sixty-four Holstein steers (Initial BW= 384±13.5kg) consuming a finishing diet (90% concentrate) for 188 days (Final BW= 660±42 kg) were used in a completely randomized design where treatments included: TYL (Tylosin phosphate fed at 90 mg/hd/day; n = 32) or IGY (fed at 2.5g/hd/day; n = 32).Feed intake was recorded daily and BW was recorded every 28 days until slaughter. After 150 d on treatment fecal samples were randomly obtained from each treatment group four times (n = 40) and cultured on bile-esculine agar enriched with 8 μg/mL of erythromycin. Continuous variables of feedlot growth performance, carcass data and bacterial growth were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of steer or sampling day, respectively. Ordinal carcass data was analyzed using the FREQ procedure of SAS observing the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel value. Treatment did not affect DMI (P = 0.21), ADG (P = 0.50) or G:F (P = 0.36). Treatment neither affected hot carcass weight (P = 0.37) nor longissimus muscle area (P = 0.25). However, TYL resulted in greater back fat thickness than IGY (0.32 vs. 0.23 in.; P < 0.02) and consequently greater numerical yield grade (P < 0.02). Quality grade was not affected by treatment (P = 0.65). No treatment difference was observed for liver abscesses prevalence (TYL= 63% vs. IGY= 52%; P = 0.40) or severity (P = 0.23). There was a greater proportion of erythromycin-resistant Enterococcus growth for TYL than IGY (42.6 vs. 21.9%; P < 0.04). Specifically formulated IGY feed additives may be viable alternatives to antibiotics in the diets of feedlot cattle.

81 Evaluation of feeding immunoglobulin-Y to Holstein feeder cattle for the control of liver abscesses & reduction of macrolide-resistant bacteria dissemination

Abstract Despite the regular use of macrolide-antibiotics in the diets of feedlot cattle, liver abscesses persist representing a financial burden to both pre- and post-mortem sectors of the beef industry. Alternative strategies, which simultaneously address liver infections and reduce the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are needed. An immunoglobulin-Y (IGY) product, developed to target Fusobacterium necrophorum andTrueperella pyogenes, was evaluated for the control of liver abscesses and its effect on macrolide-resistant Enterococcus growth from feces. Sixty-four Holstein steers (Initial BW= 384±13.5kg) consuming a finishing diet (90% concentrate) for 188 d (Final BW= 660±42 kg) were used in a completely randomized design where treatments included: TYL (Tylosin phosphate fed at 90 mg/hd/day; n = 32) or IGY (fed at 2.5g/hd/day; n = 32). Feed intake was recorded daily and BW was recorded every 28 d until slaughter. After 150 d on treatment fecal samples were randomly obtained from each treatment group four times (n = 40) and cultured on bile-esculine agar enriched with 8 μg/mL of erythromycin. Continuous variables of feedlot growth performance, carcass data and bacterial growth were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of steer or sampling day, respectively. Ordinal carcass data was analyzed using the FREQ procedure of SAS observing the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel value. Treatment did not affect DMI (P = 0.21), ADG (P = 0.50) or G:F (P = 0.36). Treatment neither affected hot carcass weight (P = 0.37) nor longissimus muscle area (P = 0.25). However, TYL resulted in greater back fat thickness than IGY (0.32 vs. 0.23 in.; P < 0.02) and consequently greater numerical yield grade (P < 0.02). Quality grade was not affected by treatment (P = 0.65). No treatment difference was observed for liver abscesses prevalence (TYL= 63% vs. IGY= 52%; P = 0.40) or severity (P = 0.23). There was a greater proportion of erythromycin-resistant Enterococcus growth for TYL than IGY (42.6 vs. 21.9%; P < 0.04). Specifically formulated IGY feed additives may be viable alternatives to antibiotics in the diets of feedlot cattle.

83 Evaluation of feeding immunoglobulin-Y to Holstein feeder cattle for the control of liver abscesses & reduction of macrolide-resistant bacteria dissemination

Abstract Despite the regular use of macrolide-antibiotics in the diets of feedlot cattle, liver abscesses persist representing a financial burden to both pre- and post-mortem sectors of the beef industry. Alternative strategies, which simultaneously address liver infections and reduce the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are needed. An immunoglobulin-Y (IGY) product, developed to target Fusobacterium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes, was evaluated for the control of liver abscesses and its effect on macrolide-resistant Enterococcus growth from feces. Sixty-four Holstein steers (Initial BW= 384± 13.5kg) consuming a finishing diet (90% concentrate) for 188 days (Final BW= 660± 42 kg) were used in a completely randomized design where steer was experimental unit and treatments included: TYL (Tylosin phosphate fed at 90mg/hd/day; n = 32) or IGY (fed at 2.5g/hd/day; n= 32). Feed intake was recorded daily and BW was recorded every 28 days until slaughter. After 150 d on treatment fecal samples were randomly obtained from each treatment group four times (n = 40) and cultured on bile-esculine agar enriched with 8 μg/mL of erythromycin. Continuous variables of feedlot growth performance, carcass data and bacterial growth were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of steer or sampling day, respectively. Ordinal carcass data were analyzed using the FREQ procedure of SAS observing the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel value. Treatment did not affect DMI (P= 0.21), ADG (P = 0.50) or G:F (P = 0.36). Treatment neither affected hot carcass weight (P = 0.37) nor longissimus muscle area (P = 0.25). However, TYL resulted in greater back fat thickness than IGY (0.32 vs. 0.23 in.; P < 0.02) and consequently greater numerical yield grade (P < 0.02). Quality grade was not affected by treatment (P = 0.65). No treatment difference was observed for liver abscesses prevalence (TYL=63% vs. IGY=52%; P = 0.40) or severity (P = 0.23). There was a greater proportion of erythromycin-resistant Enterococcus growth for TYL than IGY (42.6 vs. 21.9%; P < 0.04). Specifically formulated IGY feed additives may be viable alternatives to antibiotics in feedlot cattle diets.

Clinical trial of electroacupuncture at Neimadian-point for cancer pain

To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neimadian-point for cancer pain. A total of 140 cancer patients with pain were randomly divided into EA and control groups, with 70 cases in each group. The patients of the EA group received EA at Neimadian-point plus analgesia pump (all prepared with normal saline). The patients of the control group were treated by Sufentanil patient-controlled intravenous analgesia plus sham EA (without stimulation). The treatment was conducted once daily for two days at 8 o'clock every morning. Respectively, in 1 h before treatment (T0), 1 h (T1), 8 h (T2), 24 h (T3) after treatment of the first day, 1 h (T4), 8 h (T5), 24 h (T6) after treatment of the second day, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score of pain, and the plasma levels of norepinephrine, 5-HT, leucine enkephalin, β-endorphin and dynorphin A1-13 were tested. The security level (1-4 grade) was assessed during the treatment. Compared with their own pre-treatment, in T1 to T6, the VAS scores, and the contents of plasma norepinephrine and 5-HT obviously decreased in both groups （P<0.05）, and the contents of leucine enkephalin, β-endorphin and dynorphin A1-13 all increased (P<0.05) in the EA group. The analgesia effects were significantly higher in the EA group than in the control group in T1, T2, T4 and T5 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The therapeutic effect of EA at Neimadian-point was significantly superior to that of the Sufentanil in down-regulating plasma norepinephrine and 5-HT levels, and in up-regulating leucine enkephalin, β-endorphin and dynorphin A1-13 levels (P<0.05,P<0.01). EA at Neimadian-point can effectively relieve the pain of cancer patients and improve their quality of daily life.

Involvement of the transcription factor E75 in adult cuticular formation in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum

Insect adult metamorphosis generally proceeds with undetectable levels of juvenile hormone (JH). In adult development of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, biosynthesis of adult cuticle followed by its pigmentation and sclerotization occurs, and dark coloration of the cuticle becomes visible in pharate adults. Here, we examined the molecular mechanism of adult cuticular formation in more detail. We noticed that an exogenous JH mimic (JHM) treatment of Day 0 pupae did not inhibit pigmentation or sclerotization, but instead, induced precocious pigmentation of adult cuticle two days in advance. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that ecdysone-induced protein 75B (E75) is downregulated in JHM-treated pupae. Meanwhile, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), an enzyme involved in cuticular pigmentation and sclerotization, was precociously induced, whereas a structural cuticular protein CPR27 was downregulated, by exogenous JHM treatment. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of E75 resulted in precocious adult cuticular pigmentation, which resembled the phenotype caused by JHM treatment. Notably, upregulation of Th as well as suppression of CPR27 were observed with E75 knockdown. Meanwhile, JHM treatment suppressed the expression of genes involved in melanin synthesis, such as Yellow-y and Laccase 2, but E75 knockdown did not result in marked reduction in their expression. Taken together, these results provided insights into the regulatory mechanisms of adult cuticular formation; the transcription of genes involved in adult cuticular formation proceeds in a proper timing with undetectable JH, and exogenous JHM treatment disturbs their transcription. For some of these genes such as Th and CPR27, E75 is involved in transcriptional regulation. This study shed light on the molecular mode of action of JHM as insecticides; exogenous JHM treatment disturbed the expression of genes involved in the adult cuticular formation, which resulted in lethality as pharate adults.

Physiotherapy Practice postoperative blepharoplasty: experimental study

Introduction: Blepharoplasty word is of Greek origin (blepharos refers to the eyelids, and plasty is on the form, shape), used to call the eyelid rejuvenation surgery. The physical therapy can prevent or reduce many of the complications caused by blepharoplasty, such as swelling, bruising, hematoma, keloid, among others. Objective: This project aims to observe the physiotherapy performance in the post-blepharoplasty, assessing the general condition of the patient, as the possible complications of surgery. Methods: This study is characterized as a clinical trial and quasi-experimental. The survey sample contains 8 participants (n = 8). Inclusion criteria were patients who had undergone blepharoplasty surgery at the Institute of Vision, female, with a mean age of 60.1 years, menopausal and time availability in the morning and / or afternoon. Exclusion criteria were patients who missed 3 or more sessions, presence of eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, exacerbated pain in the surgery area, infection in the incision area and to provide dehiscence. They started treatment in the second postoperative day, being applied to pumping technique with the use of gauze on the upper eyelid region, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and kinesiotherapy in a 40 minute session, with the total of 10 sessions. Results: The level of education of patients and their professions was observed to changes in the postoperative period, the quality of life of patients and duration of the presence of complications. Conclusion: It is suggested that physical therapy in the daily early postoperative period of blepharoplasty may have contributed to avoid complications and that blepharoplasty does not affect the quality of life.

JA:2021-31. Does the Use of a Nasal Lavage Intervention Improve Pulmonary Function for Dairy Workers?

ABSTRACT Purpose: Dairy workers are at the frontline of exposure to bioaerosols, which typically contain bacteria and associated pro-inflammatory constituents (e.g., endotoxin). As such, dairy workers are at an increased risk for respiratory illness, most likely mediated through a strong proinflammatory response. Very few studies have systematically evaluated control strategies to reduce exposure and improve health. Given the challenges and limitations of implementing engineering controls, we propose the use of a low-cost and low-burden intervention. Hypertonic saline (HTS) was recently shown to attenuate inflammation in trauma patients. Here, we conducted an intervention to administer HTS in a nasal lavage to determine if the inflammatory response was mitigated and if the airway function improved among dairy workers. Methods: Ten participants were recruited from a large herd dairy and randomly assigned to treatment (n = 5) and control groups (n = 5). Each participant received normotonic saline (308 mOsm) nasal lavage (NL) before their shift over 5 consecutive days. After each shift, the treatment group received HTS, while the control group received normotonic saline. All samples were analyzed for 10 different cytokines using a multiplex assay. Spirometry was performed pre- and post-shift to examine forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity and the subsequent ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Personal breathing zone samples for inhalable bioaerosols were collected across the work shift; mass concentrations and endotoxin abundance were determined by gravimetry and a fluorescent assay, respectively. Statistical analyses and models were performed using SAS. Results/Findings: Differences in pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed. There was an interaction effect on IL-10 between treatment, day, and time of day, indicating promotion of anti-inflammatory effect. The treatment group experienced an increase in PEFR change (0.76 L, p = 0.12) near statistical significance; no statistically significant differences were observed in the other spirometry measures. Both groups of dairy workers in this study experienced less of a decline in cross-shift pulmonary function when compared to other studies. Practical Application: The HTS nasal lavage is designed as a low-cost intervention that can be self-administered before and after every shift across other agricultural operations. This study was limited by small sample size and warrants further investigation.

Identification of Anti-tuberculosis Compounds From Aurone Analogs.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains has made tuberculosis (TB) control more difficult. Aurone derivatives have demonstrated promising anti-bacterial activities, but their effects against Mtb have not been thoroughly determined. In this study, we aimed to develop anti-TB compounds from aurone analogs. We used a fluorescent protein tdTomato labeled Mtb CDC1551 strain to screen 146 synthesized aurone derivatives for effective anti-TB compounds. The 9504, 9505, 9501, 9510, AA2A, and AA8 aurones inhibited the growth of Mtb with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, 25, 25, and 50 μM, respectively. We also examined cytotoxicities of the six leads against the human liver cell line HepG2, the primate kidney cell line Vero and human monocyte THP-1 derived macrophages. Three of the aurone leads (9504, 9501, and 9510) showed low cytotoxic effects on all three cell lines and high Mtb inhibitory efficacy (selectivity index > 10). Aurone 9504, 9501, AA2A, or AA8 significantly reduced the Mtb load in the lungs of infected mice after a 12-days treatment. We determined that the aurone leads inhibit Mtb chorismate synthase, an essential enzyme for aromatic acid synthesis. Our studies demonstrate the promise of synthetic aurones as novel anti-TB therapeutics.

The effect of qualitative feed restriction in broiler breeder pullets on fear and motivation to explore

Restrictively fed broiler breeders are known to have increased motivation to explore and reduced fearfulness because hunger increases the motivation to search for and to acquire food, forcing the birds to face and engage with aversive stimuli that they would otherwise avoid. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four dietary treatments on the level of fear and motivation to explore during rearing. In total, 1200 female breeder chicks of the genotype Ross 308 were housed in 24 pens, six pens of 50 birds per treatment. The treatments were: 1) standard feed (Control), 2) feed containing insoluble fibres (Insoluble), 3) feed containing a mix of both insoluble and soluble fibres (Mixed) and 4) standard feed supplemented with maize silage (Roughage). The treatments followed a qualitative restriction feeding strategy meant to allow the birds to consume larger portions of feed, increasing feeding time and reducing hunger and frustration. A novel object (NO) test was performed in the home pens at 6, 13 and 18 weeks of age. The test was performed two times at each age: 1 h before feeding and 5 h after feeding. In addition, at 7 weeks of age, 12 birds from each pen from all treatment groups were subjected to a tonic immobility (TI) test. We hypothesised that the Control birds would be less fearful in the TI test and keep a shorter distance to the NO than the treatment birds. For the NO test, there was an effect of the interaction between treatment and time of day on the likelihood of the birds to approach the NO at all ages (P ≤ 0.0001). At 13 weeks of age, in the afternoon, birds from the Mixed treatment were more likely to approach the NO compared to the birds from the Insoluble and Roughage treatments (P = 0.003) and tended to be more likely to approach than Control birds (P = 0.009). This suggests that the Mixed birds were in a hungrier state at that moment and therefore more willing to approach a NO than the birds fed the other dietary treatments. There was no effect of treatment on the latency to touch the NO or on the TI test. The results show minimal effects of the three qualitative dietary treatments on fearfulness and motivation to explore in female broiler breeders during rearing and, therefore, do not provide evidence of decreased sensation of hunger.

Effects of repeated treatment with monoamine-transporter-inhibitor antidepressants on pain-related depression of intracranial self-stimulation in rats.

Synaptic neurotransmission with dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) is terminated primarily by reuptake into presynaptic terminals via the DA, NE, and 5-HT transporters (DAT/NET/SERT, respectively). Monoamine transporter inhibitors constitute one class of drugs used to treat both depression and pain, and therapeutic effects by these compounds often require repeated treatment for days or weeks. The present study compared antinociceptive effects produced by repeated treatment with monoamine transporter inhibitors in a preclinical assay of pain-related depression of positively reinforced operant responding. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats equipped with microelectrodes targeting a brain-reward area responded for pulses of electrical brain stimulation in an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure. Intraperitoneal injection of dilute lactic acid served as a noxious stimulus that repeatedly depressed ICSS and also produced weight loss during 7days of repeated acid administration. Acid-induced depression of both ICSS and body weight were completely blocked by repeated pretreatment with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketorolac. The DAT-selective inhibitor bupropion also fully blocked acid-induced ICSS depression and weight loss throughout all 7days of treatment. The NET-selective inhibitor nortriptyline and the SERT-selective inhibitor citalopram were generally less effective, but both drugs blocked acid-induced ICSS depression by the end of the 7-day treatment. Acid-induced depression of ICSS and body weight were not blocked by the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist U69593 or the KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine. These results support effectiveness of bupropion to alleviate signs of pain-related behavioral depression in rats and further suggest that nortriptyline and citalopram produce significant but less reliable effects.

Pet-related Pasteurella multocida induced peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis: a case report and review of the literatures

BackgroundP. multocida (Pasteurella multocida) is animal-sourced gram-negative coccobacillus which can be transmitted to human through many animals including household pets. P. multocida induced peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis has rarely been reported. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of P. multocida induced peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis, for the reason that patients with PD at home bred household pets. In this study, we present a case of a P. multocida induced peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis, which is suspected to be caused through intimate contact with a household cat and we have reviewed 28 cases reported before and give suggestions for treatment and the way of prevention.Case presentationA 75-year-old man with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for nearly 5 years on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was admitted to the nephrology department with a 1-week history of abdominal pain and a cloudy peritoneal dialysis effluent. Based on the history, physical examination and laboratory results with the findings in the peritoneal dialysis fluid, a diagnosis of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis was confirmed. The final culture of initial peritoneal effluent results indicated the organism was P. multocida. After a 12-day antibiotic treatment, the condition of patient was not improved. The patient was switched to ampicillin/sulbactam (3 g intravenously) twice every day and the condition was improved significantly. On further inquiring, the patient reported that he had had a cat at home and when the patient did CAPD, the cat was usually playing with the tubing or contacting the patient during CAPD.ConclusionIn our case and reviewed cases, P. multocida induced peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis could be cured by proper antibiotic treatment. If individuals keep the pet away from the PD process, the infection route may be severed. P. multocida induced peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis does not need catheter removal and exchange with hemodialysis except long-time intractable peritonitis.

Preliminary exploration of 3D printed individualized applicator for 3D-image-guided intracavitary HDR-brachytherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To explore the feasibility of 3D printed individualized applicator for the intracavitary HDR-brachytherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods CT scan was performed in 1 case of recurrent rT1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 1 case of T2 residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the obtained images were transmitted to 3D image processing software. The geometric contour parameters of the nasopharyngeal cavity were obtained and a pipeline was designed to make it close to the recurrent gross tumor volume (rGTV). Individualized cavity applicators were created by using 3D printer. The applicator was inserted into the patient′s nasopharyngeal cavity through oral cavity. The source tube and false source were inserted into the preset pipe of the applicator. CT scan was performed again and the images were transmitted to the 3D brachytherapy planning system. After delineating the target volume and organ at risk, treatment plan was optimized. After completing the first treatment, the applicator was removed. Before second treatment in a few days, CT scan was reviewed to confirm whether the position was correct. Results When the applicator was inserted into the nasopharyngeal cavity, it could be fully aligned with the nasopharyngeal wall and self-fixed without additional fixation measures. Comparing the location of false source in multiple reviews of CT scan, the error was ≤1 mm. No significant discomfort was reported throughout the treatment. In optimized three-dimensional treatment, 100% prescription dose curve included the full rGTV, maximum dose of the brain stem and spinal cord was<30% prescription dose. Recurrent patients were given with a prescription dose of DT 40Gy/8 fractions/4 weeks and patients with residual tumors were given with 12Gy/2 fractions/1 week. No tumor recurrence was observed at postoperative 3 months in two cases. Conclusions The 3D printed individualized nasopharyngeal intracavitary applicator has the advantages of self-fixation, accurate location, good repeatability and good patient tolerance. The short-term outcome is effective, whereas its long-term clinical effect and adverse reactions need to be further observed. Key words: 3D printed; Individualized applicator; Nasopharyngeal neoplasm/intracavitary radiotherapy

Preliminary study on the effect of suspension rapid filtration process on sewage treatment in sunny days

Preliminary study on the effect of suspension rapid filtration process on sewage treatment in sunny days

Influence of sucrose and Acetobacter aceti adition to acetic acid content on coconut water vinegar

Vinegar can be made from coconut water through a fermentation process in two stages, namely alcohol fermentation used yeast in an anaerobic state and acetic acid fermentation using Acetobacter aceti in aerobic. The present work was to investigate the influences of sucrose addition on alcohol fermentation and Acetobacter aceti on acetic acid fermentation to the acetic acid and phenol content of product vinegar. Method of the experiment was used in a completely randomized design by factorial with two replications. The first factor was sugar concentration (A) consisting of 2 levels i.e 15% and 20%, whereas the second factor was the concentration of inoculum of A.aceti consisting of 3 levels i.e 10%, 15% and 20%. Observations determined for ethanol content, pH, specific gravity, acetic acid andand phenol content. The results showed that ethanol and acetic acid contents tended to increase, and the pH value decreased, while the specific gravity almost constant. Then, for acetic acid fermentation was showed increasing the acetic acid content for all treatment in days 49, especially for the addition of 15% sucrose and 10% A.aceti.

Comparative Study of Najia and Nazi Acupunctures to Reduce Rat Gastric Ulcer

Gastric ulcer is a common digestive system disease, which leads to the serious decline in the life quality and effective therapies are in urgent need. Midnightmidday ebb flow acupunctures including Najia and Nazi acupunctures have been applied in clinics in China for more than one thousand years and the acupoints are selected according to the time rhythm. Najia acupuncture, namely day-prescription of acupoints, divides ten days (one cycle) into 120 two-hour periods and each period is coordinated with a meridian. Meanwhile, Nazi acupuncture, namely hour-prescription of acupoints, divides a day(one cycle) into 12 two-hour periods and each period is coordinated with a meridian. When there is a disease in a certain meridian, the relevant acupoints are operated in the corresponding time. However, the comparative efficacies of Najia and Nazi acupunctures on promoting the healing of gastric ulcer are still unknown. In this study, gastric ulcer rats were induced by acetic acid and were randomly divided into four groups: non-acupuncture group, normal acupuncture group, Najia acupuncture group and Nazi acupuncture group. After different treatments for continuous 10 days, the gained weight, gastric ulcer area and the thickness of gastric mucosa were measured and analyzed. Decreased ulcer area, increased mucosa thickness and dense scar tissue occurred in the Najia group and Nazi group compared to that in the non-acupuncture group (P&lt;0.05). However, there were no significant differences between Najia and Nazi acupuncture groups (P&gt;0.05). Thickness of gastric mucosa in Nazi acupuncture group increased significantly compared to normal acupuncture group (P&lt;0.05). Therefore, the findings in this study indicated that Najia and Nazi acupunctures had gastroprotective effects and accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats, but no significant differences between them. It may provide valuable information for development of acupuncture for the treatment of gastric ulcer in clinics.

Prediction and management of solar energy to power electrochemical processes for the treatment of wastewater effluents

A highly versatile software tool able to predict and manage the solar power coming from photovoltaic panels and to assess the environmental remediation of wastewater effluents has been developed. The prediction software tool is made up of four modules. The first one predicts the solar radiation by a phenomenological model. Secondly, an energy optimization algorithm manages the solar power towards the third and fourth modules, an environmental remediation treatment (electrooxidation) and an energy storage system (redox flow battery), respectively. The software tool is aimed to the best solar power management to obtain the highest remediation treatment. Results shows a daily solar radiation prediction with a high accuracy, attaining correlation coefficients of 0.89. Furthermore, the prediction of the removal of an organochlorinated compound from a wastewater effluent at different time of the year was studied. Different percentages of the total solar power are sent directly to the electrooxidation reactor and to the redox flow battery. At non-solar production hours, the electrooxidation reactor is powered by the redox flow battery in order to exploit the total solar power produced. The results show that, the higher the solar radiation, the higher the power percentage that must be directly sent to the electrooxidation treatment in order to attain the best energy management and the higher remediation. Thus, an 82.5% of the total solar power must be sent to the electrooxidation treatment in summer days in contrast to the 25% that have to be powered in winter days to attain the highest removal of pollutant.Consequently, it is important to evaluate the connection between devices to get the best green energy management and the lower energy losses.