Balneotherapy Research Articles

A Method to This Madness: Do we need a methods section for implementation guides and toolkits?

BACKGROUND Implementation guides and toolkits have become a common tool developed to facilitate implementation of evidence-based infection prevention and control practices. Unlike published professional guidelines and formal literature reviews, the methods used to develop these guides and toolkits are not detailed in these documents. Although some guidance is available for the design of these documents, little is known about the methodology used in their development and subsequent evaluation of implementation effectiveness. METHODS An implementation pilot of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in nonICU settings was conducted between October 2015 to September 2018 in four VA facilities across the U.S. Toolkit development was a deliverable desirable by the funding agency to facilitate translation of this evidence-based practice into real-world settings. A human factors engineering framework was applied to direct toolkit development for this infection prevention and control evidence-based practice of CHG bathing treatments to reduce multidrug-resistant HAIs. We conducted nine end-user evaluations to ensure acceptability and usability of the toolkit; evaluations were performed using an 11-question survey of a modified version of the System Usability Scale (SUS). RESULTS We had a 67% response rate on the SUS survey. The use of a human factors engineering framework resulted in high acceptability and usability ratings with a score of 83.75, compared to an average score of 68. The toolkit, “Chlorhexidine Bathing Treatment: A Toolkit to Guide Implementation” will be available online in 2019. CONCLUSIONS Implementation guides and toolkits are commonly developed by, and for, infection preventionists to facilitate translation of evidence into practice. We provide an exemplar using a human-centric framework for consideration to future guide and toolkit development. Detailing methodologies used during toolkit development may enhance standardization, usability, ongoing evaluation of effectiveness, and future refinement

Effects of Thermochemical Surface Treatments on the Industrially Important Properties of X2CrNiMo 17-12-2 Austenitic Stainless Steel

Austenitic stainless steels have low corrosion resistance in applications where strong acids and vapors attack the surface, typically in food and chemical industries. This drawback can be improved by surface treatments. Salt bath, gaseous or plasma-based surface treatments are a diffusion process for improving the hardness of the surface layer of stainless steels without significantly affecting their corrosion resistance. Low temperature nitriding and carburizing process can form a diffusion zone or/and compound phase. The corrosion-wear resistance of austenitic stainless steels can also improve with low temperature plasma nitriding and carburizing. The effect of these treatments on hardness and corrosion resistance was investigated in this research. Optical microscopy and Vickers hardness test were used for the characterization of the surface and potentiodynamic tests were performed to determine the corrosion rate. The results show that the hardness of the kolsterised sample is higher compared to the plasma nitride one. Beside this property, the corrosion rate is similar, but pitting corrosion was observed on the surface, due to the Cr2N formation.

Post-spawning bath treatments to reduce morbidity and mortality of pond-cultured pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) broodstock

High mortality (88.9–91.4%) of pond-cultured pikeperch Sander lucioperca broodstock was found 10 days post-spawning primarily due to body injury (15.2–18.2% of body area) and secondary fungal infection (27.6–34.8% of body area). Ninety days post-spawning mortality was 97.1–98.1%. Surviving broodstock showed satisfactory condition with no observable pathology. Thirty-six treatments were evaluated for effects on post-spawning injury, fungal infection, and broodstock mortality: salt short (60–240 min) and long baths (36–144 h) at concentrations of 5–20 g L−1 and 2.5–10 g L−1, respectively, and formalin short (15–60 min) and long baths (24–72 h) at 0.15–0.30 ml L−1 and 0.015–0.030 ml L−1, respectively. The treatments most effective in reducing post-spawning pathology and mortality were salt baths for 144 h at 2.5, 5, and 10 g L−1 and formalin at 0.015 ml L−1 for 48 h. These treatments were evaluated in the following trial, and their positive effect was confirmed by low mortality of broodstock (0–8.3%) and low (3.0–10.5%) injury at 10 days post-spawning and no additional mortality or body injury at 90 days post-spawning. No secondary fungal infection was observed at either time post-spawning. The three salt baths are recommended as effective treatments for reduction of post-spawning morbidity and mortality of pond-cultured pikeperch broodstock.

Morphology and properties of composite coating on mild steel: effect of bath temperature and snail shell weight composition

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the parametric study of addition of snail shell particles (SSp) and bath temperature on the properties of Zn-ZnO-SSp composites coating.Design/methodology/approachBath temperatures of 60°C and 90°C and SSp of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25g were used in the electrodeposition. The microstructure, electrochemical, wear and hardness values of the coated samples were determined.FindingsHighest coating thickness of 240 µm, 277 per cent improvement in hardness values, 66.67 per cent improvement of wear rate were obtained at bath temperature of 60oC and 15gSSp addition over that of the uncoated sample. There was improvement in corrosion resistance after composites coating. Maximum improvement in the properties was obtained at bath temperature of 60°C at 15gSSp addition.Originality/valueIt has been established in this work that bath treatment and SSps improved the properties of the developed coating.

The protective effect of the Phe362Tyr mutation in salmon lice’ (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) AChE when exposed to full-scale azamethiphos bath treatments

Organophosphates are applied for medicinal bath treatments of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infested farmed salmonids. This chemical class remains important despite the development of resistant parasites, due to few available treatment options. The protective effect of the Phe362Tyr mutation in one of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) genes of L. salmonis has previously been studied in small-scale treatments with the organophosphate azamethiphos. The current study was aimed at investigating the protective effect of this mutation in field treatments of commercial fish farms. In addition the effect of different methods of sampling on the occurrence of salmon lice with zero, one or two copies of Phe362Tyr (homozygote sensitive (SS), heterozygote (RS) and homozygote resistance (RR) respectively) were investigated.Salmon lice were collected prior to and after azamethiphos treatments in four fish farms. The resistance genotypes were determined for each parasite. No SS lice were found in any of the farms post-treatment. Both RR and RS genotypes protected the salmon lice from the effect of azamethiphos, but the protective effect of RR genotype was greater than of RS. The study thereby emphasizes the strong selection pressure towards resistant parasites imposed by an azamethiphos treatment event in farms where resistant parasites are present.The distribution of SS, RS and RR genotypes were not found to differ between lice from different net pens, sampled at different dates or picked off fish of different health statuses in a study with repeated sampling from a single farm.

Using Sodium Polyacrylate Aqueous Solution to Replace Lead Bath for Patenting High-Strength Steel Rope Wire of Automobile Industry

Abstract In order to eventually eliminate the lead toxicity in the steel wire making industry and to protect our environment from pollution, a polymer quenchant, aqueous sodium polyacrylate (SPA) solution, was selected to replace the lead bath and used as a substitution quenchant in patenting of high strength and precise steel rope wire for a car window auto lifter. A series of different concentrations of aqueous SPA solution were made up, cooling curves of these solutions at different temperatures were measured, and the cooling characteristics of the quenchant were evaluated according to the requirements for high strength steel wire patenting treatment. The cooling mechanism of patenting treatment and the cooling behavior of steel wires in the different concentrations of SPA solution bath at different temperatures were systematically explored and analyzed. Then, the cold-drawn KSC72A (0.72 % carbon) steel wires were subjected to patenting treatment in the optimized concentration of the SPA solution bath. The effect of the staying time in the water bath treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the steel wire was investigated by means of a scanning electron microscope, a transmission electronic microscope, and material testing machines. The results show that when the SPA solution concentration is between 5–20 %, both the cooling rate at the high temperature range and the vapor blanket breaking the temperature decrease with the bath temperature increasing. When the temperature of the SPA aqueous solution bath is between 70°C∼95°C, the concentration has a barely significant effect on the cooling rate at a higher temperature range, which is needed for the sorbite transformation; however, the higher bath temperatures can make the vapor blanket stage (A-stage) maintain at 400°C. The patenting test results show that, within the designed length of the patenting bed, both the sorbite colony size and the lamella space decrease with the extension of processing time in the solution bath, and the mechanical properties (tensile strength, percentage of elongation, and reduction of area) of the steel wires do increase as the sorbite colony size and the lamella space decrease. When the KSC72A (0.72 % carbon) steel rope wires with diameters of 0.8 mm are subjected to the patenting treatment in the SPA solution bath at 90°C with the concentration of 10 %, the satisfactory metallurgical results and mechanical properties can be obtained by using a wire feed speed of 50 cm/min within the 50-cm length of the solution bath. The sorbite lamellae space and the sorbite colony size of the steel rope wires are about 82.76 nm and 2.86 μm, respectively. The tensile strength, elongation percentage, area reduction, and micro-hardness reach 1,266 MPa, 6.4 %, 54.5 %, and 340 HV, correspondingly. This excellent combination of the mechanical properties completely meets the technical requirements of the high strength steel rope wire. Hence, the SPA aqueous solution bath can replace the traditional lead bath to be used for the patenting process of high strength steel rope wires.

Associated factors with adherence to standard exercise therapy and health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the current situations of standard exercise treatment and predictors of non-standard exercise in Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). An analysis of the effect of standard exercise on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) was also conducted.Methods: In the cross-sectional study, a total of 259 AS patients were constantly invited to participate in this study and complete the questionnaire under the researchers’ supervision in a clinical setting including sociodemographic variables, clinical variables, psychological variables, and HR-QoL. Data were analyzed by Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-square test as well as multivariable analysis of Binary Stepwise Logistic Regression.Results: The data showed that just 20.5% of them could complete the standard exercise. Exercise adherence was associated with employment, educational level, marital status, place of residence, treatment of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α inhibitor, knowledge about exercise, disease duration, clinical variables, and anxiety. The HR-QoL in the group of standard exercise was better than that in the non-standard exercise group. Logistic Regression Analysis showed that lower educational level, less knowledge about benefits of exercise treatment and higher score of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were the independent risk factors of exercise treatment non-adherence.Conclusion: AS patients educated less than 9 years or with higher BASDAI score were more likely not to adhere to standard exercise treatment. Non-adherence to exercise treatment among AS patients is exceedingly common, particularly in patients without knowledge about benefits of exercise treatment. Standard exercise treatment can also improve HR-QoL of AS patients.

Thermo-mineral springs of North-Eastern Sikhote-Alin’ Ridge, Far East of Russia

New data on hydrogeochemistry of thermal waters of the Russian Far East is presented in the paper. Ul’skiy, Annenskiy and Tumninskiy thermo-mineral waters belong to low-mineralized (TDS<320 mg/l), alkaline (pH∼9.3), N2-rich, bicarbonate or sulfate-bicarbonate sodium type of water with elevated concentrations of silicon acid (up to 120 mg/l), fluorine (up to 4mg/l) and some trace metals (Li, Sr, As). Due to isotopic data water has a meteoric origin, as well as gas phase, lack of mantle helium points on the not deep intrusive body as a heat source. Waters are used for balneological purposes as bath treatment as well as drinking.

Modulated electro-hyperthermia-enhanced liposomal drug uptake by cancer cells.

PurposeModulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) stands to be a significant technological advancement in the hyperthermia field, utilizing autofocusing electromagnetic power on the cell membrane to create massive apoptosis. Since mEHT possesses the unique ability to excite cell membranes, we hypothesized that mEHT could enhance the uptake of liposomal drugs by enhancing phagocytic activity.Materials and methodsWater bath control and mEHT were used to compare the enhancement of liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (Lipodox®) uptake by cancer cells. Cancer cells were made visible by doxorubicin fluorescence to investigate drug uptake. Viable cell yield was determined via the Trypan Blue exclusion method. Various substrates were used to investigate the mechanism of drug-uptake enhancement. The murine colon carcinoma model, CT26, was used to confirm the tissue infiltration of Lipodox® and its therapeutic effect.ResultsmEHT treatment showed a significant enhancement of Lipodox® uptake of doxorubicin fluorescence compared with 37°C or 42°C water bath treatment. Tumor tissue sections also confirmed that mEHT treatment achieved the highest doxorubicin concentration in vivo (1.44±0.32 µg/g in mEHT group and 0.79±0.32 µg/g in 42°C water bath). Wortmannin was used to inhibit the macropinocytosis effect and 70 kDa dextran-FITC served as uptake substance. The uptake of dextran-FITC by cancer cells significantly increased after mEHT treatment whereas such enhancement was significantly inhibited by wortmannin.ConclusionThe result showed mEHT-induced particle-uptake through macropinocytosis. mEHT-enhanced uptake of Lipodox® may amplify the therapeutic effect of liposomal drugs. This novel finding warrants further clinical investigation.

Optical properties of nanostructured ZnO:Eu film by sol–gel method

ABSTRACTZnO:Eu film has been deposited and grown on glass substrates by spin coating technique followed by water bath treatment. The precursors were synthesised by a sol–gel method and all of the film annealed at 450°C for 1 h. The structure, morphology and optical properties of ZnO films doped with different Eu concentrations in precursor were investigated. Eu doping concentrations have a great influence on the crystallinity, morphology, size and optical properties of films. The EDX analysis proves the presence of Eu elements in the synthesised film. The film has optical transparency in the visible range. Where Eu doping concentration was 5%, the film emits a strong near-ultraviolet emission at 325 nm laser excitation. All of the film had a very strong blue emission at 421 and 439 nm under 397 nm excitation.

Demonstrating Efficacy of CHG Bathing Treatment for Inpatient Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients Improves Daily Compliance Among Staff

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing is recommended as a method to decrease blood stream infections (BSI) in intensive care units; this strategy may also be effective in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) units. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis CHG bathing treatment was initiated in the Adult HSCT unit as standard clinical care in January 2017. Patients admitted for HSCT and recovery from January 2016 through August 2018 were reviewed. Patients transferred from outside hospitals or units were excluded. Patients were grouped by frequency of documented CHG bathing treatment: (1) no CHG (includes patients before CHG implementation and patients with no CHG even after implementation); (2) 75% of admission days. CHG treatment frequency was evaluated until discharge, transfer off unit, or BSI, whichever came first. BSI was defined as either ≥2 positive blood cultures or a single positive blood culture within 24 hours of meeting ≥1 SIRS criteria. A chi square test for trend was performed to evaluate the association between CHG frequency and BSI. Findings & Interpretation One hundred eighty-six inpatients met inclusion criteria (n=79 pre-CHG implementation, 107 post-CHG). BSI developed in 28% of patients with no CHG treatment, 20% with 75% CHG treatment (Table 1). Increased CHG treatment frequency was significantly associated with decreased BSI (p = 0.0028). Discussion & Implications In this retrospective study, CHG bathing treatment was associated with significantly reduced BSI in adult HSCT inpatients. After preliminary data were shared among staff, compliance with daily CHG treatment (>75% of admission days) has increased 7.2-fold in 2018 compared to 2017. Efforts are ongoing to increase compliance by collaborating with hospital informatics to facilitate CHG treatment reminders and improve accuracy of documentation through incorporating CHG bathing orders into the electronic medical record.

Electrical Characteristics Based on Resistance and Impedance of Polish Olkuska Sheep Lambs Wool

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to determine the electrical characteristics of wool derived from Polish Olkuska breed lambs. The comparison involved the features of wool both in its natural state and washed. The lambs were bathed on the 1st and 14th days of life. Electrical features were determined on the basis of impedance (Ω) and resistance (Ω) for wool samples from 16 lambs from twin litters. The wool samples were collected from the lambs on the 14th and 35th days of life. The results of blood morphology (RBC, WBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC) were used in order to evaluate the health status of both lambs subjected to bathing and control ones. The level of resistance and impedance at low frequencies in both cases demonstrated the step changes from 0 Ω to over 100 MΩ. This shows that wool has the features of a dielectric (insulator) in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 64 kHz. At a frequency of > 64 kHz, there was a linear trend of decline in the value from about 30 kΩ to the lowest values of resistance and impedance at a frequency of 1 MHz, and these values amounted to > 7.3 kΩ and > 4 kΩ, respectively. The effect of lamb bathing on the electrical properties of wool was demonstrated. These treatments resulted in an increase in resistance of wool from 35-day-old lambs bathed on the 14th day of life compared to the control group (maximum differences at the level of 40–50%). In turn, wool of lambs bathed on the 1st day of life had lower resistance than wool from lambs in the control group, on average 10–20% lower. No significant correlations were demonstrated between bathing treatment and lamb health status, except for higher levels of leukocytes in the 14-day-old lambs subject to bathing on the 1st day of life compared to the control, which amounted to 8.76 x 109/L, and 6.38 x 109/L (P ≤ 0.05), respectively.

Effects of microwave and water bath heating on the interactions between myofibrillar protein from beef and ketone flavour compounds

AbstractThis paper presents the effects of microwave on the structure changes of myofibrillar protein compared with traditional water bath heating method. Under microwave or water bath heating conditions, α‐helix conformation of myofibrillar protein was converted into β‐turn, β‐sheet and randomly coiled structures gradually. T he fluorescence intensity of myofibrillar protein exhibited a marked red shift of the maximum absorption wavelength after microwave or water bath treatment. Total sulfhydryls groups and surface hydrophobicity contents were increased with progressing microwave or water bath treatment time. Results indicated that the thermal effects of microwave dominated the structure changes of myofibrillar protein, and microwaving also had an apparent influence on myofibrillar protein structure compared with water bath heating due to its nonthermal effects, and thus affecting the retention and release of ketone flavour compounds.

An oxytetracycline bath protocol to eliminate the agent of withering syndrome, Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis, in captive abalone populations

Abalone (Haliotis spp.) populations are in decline due to overfishing and/or disease in all regions that historically supported important fisheries worldwide. Two species have been federally listed as Endangered in the USA. Recovery plans for these and other highly depleted species typically include outplanting of progeny from captive-reared broodstock, for which maintaining good health is essential to promote gonad development and maturation. In California, USA, the principal disease of concern for abalone is withering syndrome, caused by a gastrointestinal intracellular Rickettsiales-like prokaryote named Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis (Ca.Xc). We report the application of an antibiotic bath exposure method to eliminate the pathogen in captive red abalone (H. rufescens) populations. A series of eight, 24-h baths consisting of 500 ppm oxytetracycline in seawater were delivered over a period of 21 days. Testing of feces by PCR and histology indicated complete elimination of Ca.Xc by day 105 following the first bath treatment. Mean oxytetracycline levels in the digestive gland reached a peak of 670 ppm at the end of the treatment period and remained above 100 ppm for 125 days. Survival rate, body condition index, growth and a measure of foot muscle health were similar between treated and control groups, despite tetracyclines being potentially toxic or immunosuppressive in some animal systems. This method should prove useful for creating Ca.Xc specific-pathogen-free captive abalone populations for land-based production and to prevent pathogen transfer when abalone are introduced to growing regions where the pathogen is not present.

Play behaviour, fear responses and activity levels in commercial broiler chickens provided with preferred environmental enrichments

There is currently a lack of research investigating the effectiveness of commercial broiler enrichments, and in particular the ability of these additions to create opportunities for positive welfare. One aim of this study was to investigate whether offering broiler chickens enrichments that have recently been found to be preferred leads to increased levels of activity. A second aim was to investigate the emotional effects of provision of these enrichments by assessing levels of fearfulness and play-like activity. Commercially housed broilers were assigned to treatment houses containing either: (1) platform perches, (2) platform perches+peat dust baths, (3) no enrichment (control). Activity levels and play behaviours in unenriched areas of the house were measured in weeks 3, 4 and 5. Levels of active behaviours, such as foraging and locomotion, were determined from video recordings of undisturbed birds in unenriched areas of the house. To stimulate play-like behaviours an observer walked through the birds, displacing them and creating a space. The broilers using the space were then filmed for 5 min and the occurrences of frolicking, sparring and food-running were recorded. Fearfulness of broilers in unenriched areas of the house, and also when using enrichments, was measured using observer avoidance tests in week 5. We found that creating space among the broilers was a successful method of stimulating play (largely sparring and frolicking), with play being observed in 93% of videos, however the presence of enrichments did not have an effect on the level of play recorded (P>0.05). There was also no treatment effect on activity levels of broilers in unenriched areas (P>0.05), however levels of overall activity decreased as broilers aged. Compared with the control, flight distances in unenriched areas were significantly lower in the perches+dust bath treatment (P=0.026), and were numerically lower in the perches treatment. This suggests a reduction in fearfulness with increased environmental complexity, and thus possible welfare benefits. It is suggested that further research should investigate whether increasing the level of provision of these enrichments leads to more marked improvements in welfare.

Sulfurous Balneotherapy in Poland: A Vignette on History and Contemporary Use.

Balneotherapy experiences a sharp increase in popularity during recent years. The present paper gives a perspective on the therapeutic use of mineral baths in the town of Solec-Zdroj in southeastern Poland, an old time spa endowed with rich natural sulfurous water resources. Historical aspects of the formation and development of the spa are presented, along with the contemporary insights into the plausible mechanisms and benefits of sulfide treatment, not only in otherwise hardly treatable chronic skin disorders but also in a variety of disease processes in organ systems. Sulfurous balneotherapy is not without potential risks, particularly for the skin, a tissue it is considered the most viable treatment for. The healing effect of sulfide waters does not increase in proportion to the sulfur content. As in every stimulus-based treatment, the stimulant strength should not go beyond the favorable hormetic boundaries of safety. Although the exact bioproperties of a high content of hydrogen sulfide in natural mineral springs are yet to be fully unraveled and understood in the context of healing capability, sulfide bath treatment is capable of growing and developing. It remains a cost-effective alternative to pharmaceutical products in a variety of disorders.

The effects of common yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linnaeus), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis Linnaeus) hydrosols on the some immunological and hematological parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758)

In this study, the effects of some plant hydrosols (distilled plant waters) based upon some hematological parameters and Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) activities in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) infected with Yersinia ruckeri were investigated. In the trial, it was utilized totally 200 common carps with 54.3±6.7 g mean live weight and 15.7±1.8 cm mean total lenght. The 10% rate of the common yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linnaeus) hydrosol; 0.5% rate of the cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) hydrosol; and 5% rate of the rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis Linnaeus) hydrosol were applied to fish as a bath treatment. The erythrocyte (RBC), leukocyte count (WBC), hematocrit value (HCT), haemoglobin amount (Hg), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and activities of NBT in the blood samples taken from the caudal vena of the control and experimental fish groups were analyzed in the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of the exposure treatment. At the end of the research, HCT, Hg, RBC, WBC, MCH and MCV values decreased in the C-2 Group (the control group contain pathogen) compared to the C-1 Group (the control group no contain pathogen), except MCHC value. The NBT activities in the C-1 Groups increased at the 14th day, but decreased quite a few at the 21st day. It has been consequently reached the conclusion that the bath treatments of the some plant hydrosols might be beneficial in increasing of antibacterial properties and in strengthening of defense mechanisms of common carp against Y. ruckeri pathogen.

Tolerance of lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus, to freshwater bath treatment for amoebic gill disease, Neoparamoeba perurans, infection and efficacy of different treatment regimens

The tolerance of lumpfish to freshwater treatment and efficacy over a range of salinities and treatment durations is examined. No structural and cellular changes were noted in organs, including gills and gut, sampled 48 hr posttreatment because of freshwater baths for periods of up to 5 hr exposure at 0 ppt or continuous treatment in 15 ppt water for 10 days. Behavioral indicators such as activity and ventilation frequency were also not significantly different between treatments, with the exception of the first trial where lumpfish were inactive during treatment in 0 ppt water compared with active fish in 32 ppt seawater. Amoeba numbers declined from an initial 21.5/gill arch to 0.33 after 3 hr in freshwater and to zero after 5 hr, and to five amoebas/gill arch after 3 hr in brackish water treatment (15 ppt). When fish were treated continuously for 15 days in 15 ppt water, amoeba numbers declined from 231 to 3.7/gill arch after 3 days and a mean of 1.75 amoebae after 10 days. In the last trial, no amoebas were present per gill arch after 3 hr treatment in 0 and 3 ppt bath.

The effects of a therapeutic formalin bath on selected immunological and oxidative stress parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Formalin is commonly used as a component of antiparasitic baths in fisheries. In this study the impact of this bath on the immune profile and oxidative stress parameters was evaluated. A formalin bath was prepared in the concentration of 185.3 mg L−1 (0.17 mL L−1) at a temperature of 20 °C. A total of 96 common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) individuals were immersed in this bath for 60 min. The effects were monitored immediately, and then after 24, 48 h and 10 days following the treatment. The study revealed the most effects 10 days after the treatment, when we observed the decrease of lysozyme in skin mucus, the decrease of anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta in gill tissue and increase of interleukin 10 in cranial kidney tissue. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1b showed an increase in gill tissue immediately after the bath and the increase in glutathione peroxidase in gill tissue was also observed 24 h and 10 days after bath treatment. The other investigated parameters did not show any significant changes. In conclusion, even though the formalin bath elevated some parameters as mentioned above, formalin used in the bath is probably safe as an antiparasitic treatment of fish.

Herbal medicine foot bath for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: protocol for a randomized, double-blind and controlled trial

BackgroundAs a common complication of diabetes, the incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is 60–70% worldwide. DPN is a major risk factor for diabetic foot, which may lead to foot ulceration and even amputation. The treatment of DPN remains challenging. Our preliminary study demonstrated that the external application of Tangbi Waixi (TW) decoction to the lower extremities relieved clinical symptoms and improved nerve conduction velocity in DPN patients. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of TW among DPN patients and evaluate the herb mixture’s safety using rigorous methodological designs.Methods/designThis study is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 640 DPN patients will be recruited and randomized to receive a foot bath with either the TW decoction or control drug. Participants will be assessed at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome was the change of the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS). Secondary outcomes were nerve conduction velocity, blood glucose, blood lipids, serum inflammatory cytokines, and the European Quality of Life Five-Dimension Scale (EQ-5D) and TCM symptom scores.DiscussionThis multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial will provide valuable data regarding the efficacy and safety of foot bath treatment with TW decoction. Positive results would provide a novel treatment regimen for DPN patients.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-16009331. Registered on 8 October 2016.