布托啡诺复合右美托咪定抑制剖宫产术后宫缩痛的临床效果观察

目的:观察布托啡诺复合右美托咪定抑制剖宫产术后宫缩痛的临床效果及安全性。方法:将2015年7月到2016年10月在我院进行建档分娩的剖宫产产妇84例作为研究对象,根据随机信封抽签原则分为观察组与对照组,每组各42例。两组都给予腰硬联合麻醉,对照组给予术后右美托咪定镇痛,观察组给予术后布托啡诺复合右美托咪定镇痛,记录和比较两组产妇的宫缩痛情况。结果:两组新生儿的Apgar评分对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05),所有新生儿都存活。术后2h、4h与24h,观察组的宫缩痛评分分别为0.46±0.14分、0.82±0.19分和2.44±0.92分,都明显低于对照组的5.44±0.98分、5.63±0.78分和6.09±0.99(P0.05)。观察组术后恶心、呕吐、皮肤瘙痒、呼吸抑制等不良反应发生率为9.5%,对照组为11.9%,两组对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组与对照组出院时镇痛满意度分别为100.0%和90.5%,观察组的满意度明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:布托啡诺复合右美托咪定能更好抑制剖宫产术后宫缩痛,对新生儿无明显影响,且安全性较高。     

硬膜外腔单次注射吗啡联合地佐辛静脉用于剖宫产术后镇痛的疗效及对患者血清5-羟色胺、泌乳素水平的影响

目的:探讨硬膜外腔单次注射吗啡联合地佐辛静脉用于剖宫产术后镇痛的疗效及对患者血清5-羟色胺、泌乳素水平的影响。方法:选择2016年1月至2018年11月择期进行剖宫产的产妇80例,按照随机数字法将其分为观察组和对照组,每组各40例。对照组采用硬膜外腔单次注射吗啡自控镇痛,观察组采用硬膜外腔单次注射吗啡联合地佐辛静脉自控镇痛。采用视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评估两组产妇术后镇痛效果,酶联免疫法及化学发光法分别测定产妇术前、术后6 h、12 h、24 h和48 h血清5-羟色胺水平及泌乳素水平,并观察两组产妇术后不良反应的发生情况。结果:两组产妇患者术后VAS评分随着时间延长逐渐降低,观察组术后第6 h、12 h、24 h以及48 h的VAS评分均显著低于对照组(P0.05);两组产妇术后血清5-羟色胺水平均较术前明显降低(P0.05),而血清泌乳素均较术前显著升高(P0.05),且观察组术后第6 h、12 h、24 h以及48 h血清5-羟色胺水平均显著低于对照组(P0.05),而血清泌乳素浓度均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。两组产妇患者术后均未出现呼吸抑制,对照组恶心(Nausea)、呕吐、头晕、皮肤瘙痒的发生率明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:硬膜外腔单次注射吗啡联合地佐辛静脉用于剖宫产术后镇痛疗效及安全性均较硬膜外腔单次注射吗啡自控镇痛更好,产妇术后血清泌乳素及5-羟色胺浓度显著提高,对于产后抑郁的发病可能有一定的抑制作用,也有利于产妇术后恢复,尽早哺乳。     

Repositioning Suture of the Erector Spinae Muscle for Lumbar Spine Surgery via the Posterior Approach: A Prospective Randomized Study

We prospectively studied the effectiveness of the repositioning suture of the erector spinae muscle for lumbar spine surgery using the posterior approach. 393 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery were randomized to receive the repositioning or conventional suture of the erector spinae muscle. Time to stitch removal and drainage volume was recorded at 24 and 48 h after operation. Hemoglobin loss rate was determined at 48 h post operation and the rate of malunion (redness, swelling and effusion at stitch removal and would disruption after stitch removal) was recorded. Low back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and 6 and 12 months after operation. Time to stitch removal was comparable in lumbar spine surgery patients receiving the repositioning or conventional suture of the erector spinae muscle (P > 0.05). Compared with the conventional suture, the repositioning suture was associated with significantly reduced drainage volume both at 24 (P < 0.01) and 48 h after operation (P < 0.05). Hemoglobin loss rate at 48 h post operation was also markedly lower in lumbar spine surgery patients receiving the repositioning suture than in those receiving the conventional suture (P < 0.01 or 0.05). Furthermore, the malunion rate in lumbar spine surgery patients using the repositioning suture was markedly lower than that in the conventional group (P < 0.05 or 0.001). There was no difference in preoperative VAS scores in both the groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the conventional suture, the repositioning suture was associated with significantly reduced VAS scores both at 24 and 48 h after operation (P < 0.01 in both). The repositioning suture of the erector spinae muscle is superior to the conventional suture in posterior lumbar spine surgery with marked lessened pain and reduced drainage volume.     

Sufentanil and Bupivacaine Combination versus Bupivacaine Alone for Spinal Anesthesia during Cesarean Delivery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Objective

The addition of lipophilic opioids to local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia has become a widely used strategy for cesarean anesthesia. A meta-analysis to quantify the benefits and risks of combining sufentanil with bupivacaine for patients undergoing cesarean delivery was conducted.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search without language or date limitation was performed to identify clinical trials that compared the addition of sufentanil to bupivacaine with bupivacaine alone for spinal anesthesia in healthy parturients choosing cesarean delivery. The Q and I² tests were used to assess heterogeneity of the data. Data from each trial were combined using relative ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data or weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous data and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for each trial. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by removing one study a time to assess the quality and consistency of the results. Begg’s funnel plots and Egger’s linear regression test were used to detect any publication bias.

Results

This study included 9 trials containing 578 patients in the final meta-analysis. Sufentanil addition provided a better analgesia quality with less breakthrough pain during surgery than bupivacaine alone (RR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.18, P < 0.001). Sensory block onset time was shorter and first analgesic request time was longer in sufentanil added group compared with the bupivacaine-alone group (WMD = −1.0 min, 95% CI −1.5 to −0.58, P < 0.001 and WMD = 133 min, 95% CI 75 to 213, P < 192, respectively). There was no significant difference in the risk of hypotension and vomiting between these two groups. But pruritus was more frequentely reported in the group with sufentanil added (RR = 7.63, 95% CI 3.85 to 15.12, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Bupivacaine and sufentanil combination is superior to that of bupivacaine alone for spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery in analgesia quality. Women receiving the combined two drugs had less breakthrough pain, shorter sensory block onset time, and longer first analgesic request time. However, the addition of sufentanil to bupivacaine increased the incidence of pruritus.     

平行侧入法硬膜外穿刺CSEA对剖宫产术后腰背痛的影响

目的:探讨平行侧入法硬膜外穿刺腰硬联合麻醉对剖宫产术后腰背痛的影响。方法:选择2014年10月至2016年9月在我院行剖宫产的产妇95例,将其随机分为两组。对照组45例,产妇接受平行直入法硬膜外穿刺腰硬联合麻醉,观察组50例产妇接受平行侧入法硬膜外穿刺麻醉。比较两组产妇术后宫缩、伤口、腰背疼痛VAS评分、术中穿刺情况、术后使用镇痛泵的有效按压次数及术后3 d、7 d、14 d和2个月后腰背疼痛的情况。结果:观察组产妇术后宫缩、伤口以及腰背疼痛评分、术后使用镇痛泵的有效按压次数均显著低于对照组(P0.05),且术中一次性穿刺成功率显著高于对照组(P0.05),且术后7 d、14 d以及2个月腰背痛的发生率显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:平行侧入穿刺法行腰硬联合麻醉可有效提高剖宫产产妇一次穿刺成功率,显著缓解产妇的术后疼痛,并降低术后腰背疼痛的发生率。     

Relationship between seasonal weather changes,risk of dehydration,and incidence of severe bradyarrhythmias requiring urgent temporary transvenous cardiac pacing in an elderly population

There is little information on any seasonal variations or meteorological factors associated with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias requiring cardiac pacing. The aim of this single-center study was to investigate the seasonal distribution of the incidence of severe, life-threatening bradyarrhythmias requiring urgent temporary transvenous cardiac pacing in an elderly population. Consecutive patients who underwent urgent temporary transvenous cardiac pacing between 2007 and 2012 were enrolled. The baseline characteristics of the patients and some meteorological parameters, including the calculation the daily heat index (HI), were recorded. During the study period, 79 consecutive patients (mean age 82?±?8 years, 41 % male) underwent urgent temporary transvenous cardiac pacing, mainly for third-degree atrioventricular block (79 %). The incidence of bradyarrhythmias was significantly higher in summer than in the other seasons (P??90 °F for >3 h per day for at least 10 days (P?P?P?P?相似文献   

异丙酚复合布托啡诺辅助腰硬联合麻醉用于妇科腹腔镜手术

目的探讨异丙酚复合布托啡诺辅助腰硬联合麻醉应用于妇科腹腔镜手术的安全性和优越性。方法将50例行妇科腹腔镜手术患者随机分为两组,B组为异丙酚复合布托啡诺辅助腰硬联合麻醉组,F组为异丙酚复合芬太尼辅助腰硬联合麻醉组。术中保证患者睡眠、无体动。观察两组术中有无呼吸抑制、舌后坠及恶心呕吐,记录各时段生命体征及气腹时间、苏醒时间、异丙酚总用量。结果两组患者各时段的MAP、HR、RR、SpO2变化均在正常范围内。B组呼吸抑制、舌后坠、寒战发生率显著低于F组（P〈0.05）,异丙酚总用量显著少于F组（P〈0.05）。结论异丙酚复合布托啡诺辅助腰硬联合麻醉能为妇科短时间腹腔镜手术提供安全满意的麻醉效果。     

罗哌卡因腰麻-硬膜外联合麻醉对剖宫产患者血清泌乳素水平的影响及其风险评估

目的:探讨罗哌卡因腰麻-硬膜外联合麻醉对剖宫产初产妇血清泌乳素水平的影响并评估其安全性。方法:收集我院就诊的90例剖宫产足月单胎初产妇,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组45例。实验组组均采用1%罗哌卡因1.5 mL+生理盐水1.5 mL,对照组产妇给予硬膜外麻醉。术后,比较两组产妇的泌乳素、感觉以及运动阻滞情况、麻醉效果以及不良反应发生率。结果:与手术前相比,两组产妇术后的泌乳素水平升高,且实验组产妇的泌乳素水平显著高于对照组(P0.05)。与对照组相比,实验组产妇感觉阻滞起效时间、运动阻滞起效时间较短,感觉恢复时间以及运动恢复时间较长,麻醉效果较好,不良反应的发生率较低(P0.05)。结论:罗哌卡因腰麻-硬膜外联合麻醉对剖宫产患者血清泌乳素水平的变化影响较硬膜外麻醉小,且麻醉效果及安全性更高。     

Late Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Provides Benefit to Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

To assess whether late remote ischemic preconditioning (L-RIPC) is effective in myocardial protection in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). L-RIPC is exerted by newly synthesized cardioprotective proteins. The cardioprotective effects of L-RIPC are more durable. 200 consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI were randomized to receive L-RIPC (induced by three 5-minute inflations of a blood pressure cuff to 200 mmHg around the upper arm, followed by 5-min intervals of reperfusion) or control (an uninflated cuff around the arm) at 18 h before PCI. Creatine phosphokinase (CK), its cardiac isoenzyme (CK-MB), troponin I (TNI), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured at 24 h after PCI. Adverse events’ rates at 6 months were assessed. Compared with the control group, patients in L-RIPC group were observed with significantly lower incidences in Chest pain score >1 and ECG ST deviation >1 mm (P < 0.05). The median TNI, CK, and CK-MB concentrations at 24 h were lower in the L-RIPC group (0.009 vs. 0.036 ng/mL, 123 vs. 186 IU/L, 15 vs. 27 IU/L; P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in hs-CRP between two groups. At 6 months, the adverse events’ rate was lower in the L-RIPC group (P = 0.036). L-RIPC is effective in myocardial protection in patients undergoing elective PCI and reduces adverse events’ rate at 6 months.     

The efficacy of ropivacaine and bupivacaine in the caesarean section and the effect on the vital signs and the hemodynamics of the lying-in women

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of ropivacaine and bupivacaine in caesarean section and vital signs and the hemodynamics of the lying-in women.MethodsA total of 480 lying-in women who were admitted to this hospital for treatment between December 2017 and June 2018 were enrolled into this study as the subjects, which were divided into the experiment group and the control group, with 240 subjects in each group. In the experiment group, subjects received the local anesthesia by infusion of 1.5 mL ropivacaine (0.75%), while those in the control group also took the local anesthesia by infusion of 1.5 mL bupivacaine (0.75%). Thereafter, we observed the differences in the anesthetic efficiency, vital signs and hemodynamics of the lying-in women between two groups.ResultsThe excellent and good rates of the anesthesia in two groups were 92.1% and 87.9%, showing no obvious difference; in the experiment group, the average arterial pressures and systolic pressures at 5 min and 10 min after combined spinal and epidural analgesia (CSEA) were all elevated when comparing to the control group (all P < 0.05); in the experiment group, the onset time was obviously extended, while duration of sensory and motor block and the duration of motor block were all shorter than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). During anesthesia, the incidence rate of the adverse reactions in the control group was 2.50%, significantly higher than 0.83% in the experiment group (P < 0.05).ConclusionDespite that ropivacaine and bupivacaine are efficient in anesthesia in the CSEA in the caesarean section, ropivacaine is more recommended for little influence on the hemodynamics, shorter duration of sensory block and motor block and low incidence rate of adverse reactions, which are conducive to the recovery and also safe to the patients.     

Changeability of sperm chromatin structure during liquid storage of ovine semen in milk-egg yolk- and soybean lecithin-based extenders and their relationships to field-fertility

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of semen extender on sperm chromatin structure and to correlate chromatin integrity with field-fertility of preserved ram semen. Ejaculates of at least 2 × 10⁹ sperm/ml and 70 % progressive motility were collected using an artificial vagina from Chios rams (n = 11, 4–6 years old), split-diluted to 1 × 10⁹ sperm/ml with milk-egg yolk- and soybean lecithin (Ovixcell^®)-based extenders, packaged in 0.5-ml straws and examined after 6, 24 and 48 h of storage at 5 ± 1 °C. Evaluation endpoints were computer-assisted sperm motion analysis, fluorescence-based analysis of chromatin structure by chromomycin A₃ and acridine orange assays, and 65-day pregnancy rate (PR) of 34- to 36-h preserved semen after intra-cervical insemination of ewes (n = 154) in progestagen-synchronized estrus. Neither extender nor storage time had any influence on incidence of decondensed chromatin. Unlike Ovixcell^® extender, deterioration of sperm motility (P < 0.01) and chromatin stability (P < 0.005) was detected after 48 h of storage in milk-egg yolk extender. Sperm motility accounted for 14.4–18.5 % of variations in chromatin integrity (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in PR of Ovixcell^®- and milk-egg yolk-stored semen. Nevertheless, PR differed between rams (14.3–71.4 %; P < 0.025). Chromatin integrity explained 10.2–56.3 % of variations in PR (P < 0.05–0.01). A pronounced decline in PR (19.1 %) was observed when percentages of decondensed and destabilized chromatin have reached thresholds of 10.5–30 % and 4–9 %, respectively. In conclusion, Ovixcell^® is superior to milk-egg yolk extender in preserving chromatin stability and motility. Chromatin defects are negatively associated with sperm fertility.     

Effect of butorphanol,midazolam or ketamine on romifidine based sedation in horses during standing cheek tooth removal

Background

Standing surgery, especially dental procedures, are commonly performed in horses. This leads to an increasing demand for reliable sedation protocols. Therefore, it was the purpose of this study to investigate the influence of butorphanol, midazolam or ketamine on romifidine based sedation in horses during cheek tooth removal.

Methods

Forty horses presented for tooth extraction were divided in four groups using matched pair randomization. Group R was sedated with romifidine (bolus 0.03 mg/kg, followed by a constant rate infusion (CRI) 0.05 mg/kg/h) and group RB with romifidine (same dose) and butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg; CRI 0.04 mg/kg/h). Group RM received romifidine (same dose) and midazolam (0.02 mg/kg; CRI 0.06 mg/kg/h) whereas group RK was administered romifidine (same dose) and ketamine (0.5 mg/kg; CRI 1.2 mg/kg/h). If sedation was not adequate a top up bolus of romifidine (0.01 mg/kg) was administered. The quality of sedation and the conditions for tooth extraction, the level of ataxia, chewing, head and tongue movement were evaluated by using a scoring system. The investigator was blinded to the applied sedation protocol. Furthermore, serum cortisol concentrations before, during and after the procedure were analyzed to gain more information about the stress level of the horses.

Results

Horses in group RM showed significantly less chewing and tongue activity compared to horses sedated with romifidine alone or with butorphanol additionally, but also significantly higher levels of ataxia. The quality of sedation was significantly better if romifidine was administered in combination with ketamine compared to romifidine alone. Furthermore, horses of group RK needed less additional romifidine boli compared to all other groups. Blood cortisol concentrations during surgery in groups RB and RM remained unchanged. Horses of group R showed higher cortisol concentrations during sedation compared to horses of groups RB and RM.

Conclusion

Romifidine alone at an initial bolus dose of 0.03 mg/kg followed by a constant rate infusion of 0.05 mg/kg/h was insufficient to obtain an adequate level of sedation and led to increased stress levels, whereas the addition of butorphanol inhibited the stress response. The combination of romifidine with either midazolam or ketamine improved sedation quality and surgical conditions.

     

Sodium arsenite mediated immuno-disruption through alteration of transcription profile of cytokines in chicken splenocytes under in vitro system

Arsenic is a ubiquitously found metalloid that commonly contaminates drinking water and agricultural food. To understand the ecotoxicological effects of arsenic in environment, it is essential to ameliorate the deleterious effects on human and animal health, particularly on the immune response. We investigated the effects of inorganic arsenic (iAs) on the immune response of chicken splenocytes. Both 1 and 10 mM concentrations of sodium arsenite treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.001) splenocyte proliferation and phagocytic activity compared to concanavalin A (ConA) stimulated cells at 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. Nitrous oxide (NO) production was significantly higher (P < 0.001) at 24 h and subsequently declined in the higher dose group, while there was a gradual decline from 24 to 72 h in the lower dose group. Comparison of two different concentration of arsenic treatment also revealed time dependent differences. Relative quantification of expression of IFN?? and IL2 revealed that both genes were significantly down regulated (P < 0.001) at both concentrations at each time point. iNOS gene was rapidly down regulated in splenocytes at 24 h at the high doses of As treated splenocyte, a gradual decreasing trend at low doses. Down regulation of IL-2 gene expression in response to As was further evidenced by a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the release of IL-2 into the splenocyte culture medium. We suggest that arsenic, a potent immunotoxic agent, modulates non-specific immune responses and alters the expression of cytokines in a dose and time dependent manner.     

Evaluation of Nisin F in the Treatment of Subcutaneous Skin Infections, as Monitored by Using a Bioluminescent Strain of Staphylococcus aureus

The potential of nisin F as an antimicrobial agent in treating subcutaneous skin infections was tested in vivo by infecting C57BL/6 mice with a bioluminescent strain of Staphylococcus aureus (Xen 36). Strain Xen 36 has the luxABCDE operon located on a native plasmid. Mice were grouped into four groups: Infected with strain Xen 36 and treated with nisin F, infected with strain Xen 36 and treated with saline (placebo), not infected and treated with nisin (control) and not infected and not treated (control). The immune systems of the mice were suppressed with deksamethasone. Mice were treated with either nisin F or sterile physiological saline 24 and 48 h after infection with subcutaneously injected S. aureus Xen 36 (4 × 10⁶ CFU). Histology and bioluminescent flux measurements revealed no significant difference between infected mice treated with nisin and saline, respectively. However, infected mice treated with nisin F had an increased number of polymorphonuclear cells when compared with infected mice treated with saline. Also, not infected mice treated with nisin F had an influx of polymorphonuclear cells. Nisin F is thus ineffective in combating deep dermal staphylococcal infections. The apparent immune modulation of nisin when subcutaneously injected has to be investigated.     

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes

Synbiotics are known to exert multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of synbiotic administration on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes among gestational diabetic (GDM) women. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out among 60 subjects with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. Patients were randomly assigned to consume either one synbiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), L. casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 × 10⁹ CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin (HPX) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. Compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (? 1.9 ± 4.2 vs. +1.1 ± 3.5 mg/L, P = 0.004), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (? 0.1 ± 0.6 vs. + 0.3 ± 0.7 μmol/L, P = 0.02), and significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+ 70.1 ± 130.9 vs. ? 19.7 ± 124.6 mmol/L, P = 0.009) and total glutathione (GSH) levels (+ 28.7 ± 61.5 vs. ? 14.9 ± 85.3 μmol/L, P = 0.02). Supplementation with synbiotic had a significant decrease in cesarean section rate (16.7 vs. 40.0%, P = 0.04), lower incidence of hyperbilirubinemic newborns (3.3 vs. 30.0%, P = 0.006), and newborns’ hospitalization (3.3 vs. 30.0%, P = 0.006) compared with the placebo. Synbiotic supplementation did not affect plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels and other pregnancy outcomes. Overall, synbiotic supplementation among GDM women for 6 weeks had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma TAC, GSH, and MDA; cesarean section; incidence of newborn’s hyperbilirubinemia; and newborns’ hospitalization but did not affect plasma NO levels and other pregnancy outcomes. http://www.irct.ir: www.irct.ir: IRCT201704205623N108     

不同术式的剖宫产术对再次剖宫产产妇腹腔粘连、盆腔粘连及妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨不同术式的剖宫产术对再次剖宫产产妇腹腔粘连、盆腔粘连及妊娠结局的影响。方法:选取我院于2007年7月-2017年10月间收治的需再次行剖宫产产妇168例为研究对象。根据首次剖宫产术式分为对照组(新式腹壁横切式)92例和观察组(传统腹壁纵切式)76例。观察并比较两组产妇临床指标,盆腔粘连、腹腔粘连严重程度以及妊娠结局情况。结果:观察组产妇手术时间、胎儿娩出时间、术中出血量、住院时间、肛门排气时间均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组产妇腹腔粘连发生率为46.05%(35/76),显著低于对照组的77.17%(71/92),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组产妇盆腔粘连发生率为34.21%(26/76),低于对照组的54.35%(50/92),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组产妇产后出血、术后切口感染、新生儿窒息等发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:首次剖宫产术式的选择对再次剖宫产产妇具有较大影响,传统腹壁纵切式可显著改善产妇临床指标情况,减少盆腔粘连、腹腔粘连发生的概率,且术后并发症较少,值得临床推广应用。     

Fertilization,soil and plant community characteristics determine soil microbial activity in managed temperate grasslands

Background and aims

Contaminated soils can impede germination and growth of selected plant species, restricting effective phytoremediation strategies. The purpose of the present study was to enhance the germination and growth of saltgrass [Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene] by evaluating the efficacy of certain seed pretreatments and soil amendments.

Methods

Ten seed pretreatment methods, two amendments, three soil depths and five saline levels were tested under greenhouse conditions.

Results

Saltgrass germination and growth were negatively correlated with increasing salinity levels when NaCl > 85.6 mM. Among ten seed pretreatments (stratification + Proxy 24 h, hot water + Proxy 24 h, stratification, hot water + Proxy 48 h, Proxy 48 h, Proxy 24 h, hot water, scarification, gibberellins, and KMnO₄), the two best methods were stratification + Proxy 24 h and hot water + Proxy 24 h for enhancing saltgrass germination, with the latter pretreatment being especially useful because of its shorter preparation time and high germination rates. Proxy is a commercial ethephon product. Potting soil (5.0 cm depth) was found to be the best amendment for saltgrass germination and growth in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.

Conclusion

We conclude that direct seeding of saline soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons is a feasible phytoremediation strategy provided that appropriate seed pretreatments and amendments are utilized.

     

Immuno-phenotypic and functional characterization of rabbit pulmonary intravascular macrophages

Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) are present in species such as cattle, sheep and horse and promote acute lung inflammation (ALI). Rabbits are often used as a model of ALI but there is controversy about the presence of PIMs in these species. Rabbits were treated with 10 mg/kg of gadolinium chloride intravenously (GC; n?=?6) or saline (n?=?6) followed by euthanasia at 48 h post-treatment to determine the presence of PIMs. In a subsequent study, rabbits were pre-treated with GC or 0.9 % saline followed by 100 μg/kg of E. coli lipopolysaccharide intravenously 48 h later. Rabbits were euthanized 24 h post-LPS treatment. Light and electron microscopy showed that PIMs attached to the capillary endothelium and were positive for RAM-11 anti-macrophage antibody. While GC treatment induced apoptotic PIMs, there was no difference in the PIM number between control and GC-treated rabbits. Rabbits administered with LPS were 3.5 times more likely to die before the end of the 24-h period than those pre-treated with GC. Lung heterophil accumulation and IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6 mRNA expression were significantly higher in rabbits administered with LPS compared to those administered with GC before the LPS injection. PIMs from the LPS-treated rabbits were positive for TNFα. Lung, BAL and serum IL-8 and MCP-1 expression was not different between LPS rabbits with or without pre-treatment with GC. We conclude that rabbit lungs contain PIMs and that their depletion reduces endotoxin-induced lung inflammation. The presence of PIMs in rabbit lungs may need to be considered while using rabbit to model acute lung injury.