BACKGROUND: The false positive signals of a continuous monitoring blood culture system (CMBCS) increase the reporting time and laboratory cost. This study aimed to determine the highly relevant variables that discriminate false positive signals from true positive signals in a CMBCS. METHODS: Among 184,363 blood culture sets (aerobic and anaerobic), the signal-positive samples according to a BACTEC FX system (Plus Aerobic/F, BDA; Plus Anaerobic/F, BDN) and BacT/Alert 3D system (Standard Aerobic, BSA; Standard Anaerobic, BSN) between April 2010 and November 2013 were classified into two groups: false positive or true positive signals. The data of 15 parameters between the two groups were then statistically compared. RESULTS: Among total blood cultures, the positive rates of CMBCS signals according to BDA, BDN, BSA, and BSN were 4.9%, 2.8%, 3.8%, and 3.2%, respectively. The false positive rates of CMBCS signals according to BDA, BDN, BSA, and BSN were 0.6%, 0.1%, 0.1%, and 0.1%, respectively. The blood volume, detection time, time interval between admission and test, C-reactive protein concentration, leukocyte count, delta neutrophil index, and mean peroxidase index showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There were no variables with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for discriminating the two groups. Therefore, analysis of bacterial growth curves produced by CMBCS is needed for early and effective detection of false positive signals.
Blood Volume ; C-Reactive Protein ; Leukocyte Count ; Neutrophils ; Peroxidase

OBJECTIVETo investigate the serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity in patients with silicosis and observation subjects and their clinical significance.

METHODSSeventy-two patients with silicosis (stage I: 30 cases, stage II: 22 cases, stage III: 20 cases) and 37 observation subjects were selected as a case group, and 110 healthy men were selected as a control group. Serum MPO activity was measured by double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum PON-1 activity was measured by chemical spectrophotometry.

RESULTSSerum MPO activity was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [(102.1 ± 15.7) U/L vs. (62.4 ± 11.4) U/L, P < 0.01], but serum PON-1 activity was significantly lower in the case group than in the control group [(85.4 ± 15.7) U/ml vs. (125.4 ± 13.7) U/ml, P < 0.01]. Serum MPO activity was significantly lower in patients with stages I, II, and III silicosis than in the observation subjects [(91.3 ± 13.5) U/L, (85.7 ± 14.4) U/L, and (88.6 ± 14.5) U/L vs. (128.4 ± 16.4) U/L, P < 0.01]. Serum PON-1 activity declined as the stage of silicosis increased; serum PON-1 activity was significantly lower in the patients with stages II and III silicosis than in the observation subjects and the patients with stage I silicosis [(70.4 ± 11.4) U/ml and (67.6 ± 13.7) U/ml vs. (101.5 ± 14.0) U/ml and (89.1 ± 10.1) U/ml, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONSerum MPO activity and serum PON-1 activity are valuable for early diagnosis of silicosis and evaluation of patient's condition.

Aged ; Aryldialkylphosphatase ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxidase ; blood ; Silicosis ; blood

Adult ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Military Personnel ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Silicosis ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the interventional effects of 16-week aerobic exercises on the elderly's arteriosclerosis and its mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-seven elderly people with the average age of 62. 70 ±3. 26 joined a 16-week square dance/taijiquan exercise program that conducted 60 minutes each time, six times per week. Arterial stiffness and its related indexes such as systolic pressure(SBP), diastolic pressure(DBP), left brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (L-baPWV), right brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(R-baPWV), left ankle brachial index (L-ABI), right ankle brachial index(R-ABI), serum triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected at 3 time points including before exercise program, by the end of exercise for 8 weeks and 16 weeks. RESULTS: ① Compared with pre-exercise, the R-baPWV and R-ABI of the elderly people were decreased at the end of the 8 week, and the L-baPWV, RbaPWV, R-ABI and L-ABI were decreased significantly at the end of the 16 week. ②Compared with pre-exercise, SBP and DBP were declined markedly (<0.01, <0.05) at the end of the 8 week, SBP, DBP and pulse pressure were decreased significantly (<0.01, <0.05) at the end of the 16 week. ③Compared with pre-exercise, TC and LDL-c were declined markedly (<0.01) at the end of the 8 and the 16 week, and there was no difference of the level of TG and LDL-c between pre-exercise and post-exercise. ④There was no evident difference of serum level of SOD, GSH-Px, MDA between pre-exercise and post-exercise at the end of the 8 week. Compared with pre-exercise, the level of serum SOD, GSH-Px was increased evidently while the content of serum MDA was decreased significantly (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Sixteen-week aerobic exercises could reduce baPWV and ABI levels, regulate blood pressure, blood lipids and lipid peroxides levels of the elderly evidently, thus improve the controlling quality of atherosclerosis.
Aged ; Ankle ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Arteriosclerosis ; therapy ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Exercise ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxidase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of storage time on arginase level, and the possible source of arginase in suspended red blood cells (RBC).

METHODSThe arginase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in suspended RBC and control plasma were detected by ELISA. The free hemoglobin level in suspended RBC and control plasma were detected by colorimetric method. The relationship between arginase level, MPO level and free hemoglobin level in suspended RBC was analyzed by the related methods.

RESULTSThe arginase and free hemoglobin levels in suspended RBC were higher than those in control plasma. Otherwise, MPO level was not significantly different between suspended RBC and control plasma. All of them did not increase along with prolonging of storage time. There was not a significant correlation between arginase level and free hemoglobin level in suspended RBC of different storage time (r = 0.03), but arginase level positively correlated with MPO level in the suspended RBC of different storage time (r = 0.76).

CONCLUSIONThe arginase level in suspended RBC storaged for different time increases significantly, but not along with prolonging of storage time. The main possible source of arginase in the suspended RBC is the residual white blood cell, especially neutrophils.

Arginase ; chemistry ; Blood Preservation ; Erythrocytes ; enzymology ; Humans ; Peroxidase ; chemistry ; Plasma ; enzymology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of occupational stress on the oxidation/antioxidant capacity in nurses.

METHODSA total of 131 nurses were included as study subjects. The occupational health information collection system (based on the Internet of things) was used for measurement of occupational stress. Levels of hydroxyl free radicals and antioxidant enzymes were determined.

RESULTSThe serum level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was the highest in nurses under the age of 30 and the lowest in those over 45 (P < 0.05). The serum levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and peroxidase (POD) were the highest in nurses of working age less than 5 years, followed by those of 5-15 years, and nurses with more than 25 years' working experience showed the lowest GSH-Px and POD levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, nurses with a university (college) degree had a higher GSH-Px level and a lower POD level compared with those with junior and senior high school degrees (P < 0.05). Job prospects and job control were positive occupational stress factors for SOD. Job hazards were negative occupational stress factors for POD. Psychological satisfaction was negative occupational stress reaction for hydroxyl free radicals. Calmness was positive occupational stress reaction for SOD, and daily stress was a negative one. The positive occupational stress reactions for GSH-Px were psychological satisfaction and job satisfaction, and daily stress was negative reaction.

CONCLUSIONNurses with higher occupational stress have stronger oxidation and weaker antioxidant capacity, which intensifies oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and leads to oxidative stress damage.

Adult ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Nurses ; psychology ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; blood ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo explore the anti-aging effect of artemisia burning products (ie. smoke of moxibustion) and its proper intervention parameters.

METHODSAccording to factorial experiment design, 70 SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into one model group (group M) and 6 intervention groups: low concentration with 15 min group (group A1), low concentration with 30 min group (group A2), middle concentration with 15 min group (group B1), middle concentration with 30 min group (group B2), high concentration with 15 min group (group C1), high concentration with 30 min group (group C1). There were 10 cases in each group. Ten age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as normal group (group Z). All the mice in the 6 intervention groups were fumed with artemisia burning products of different concentration and time. The content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Px) were tested.

RESULTSMDA content in group M was significantly higher than that in group Z (both P < 0.05), while SOD and GSH-Px activity were significantly lower in group M than that in group Z (both P < 0.05). Results of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px in 6 intervention groups were either of no statistically significant differences, or better than that in group M. Among 6 intervention groups, results of MDA and GSH-Px were better in group B1, while the result of SOD was better in group B2. Time factor didn't make any difference, while concentration of artemisia burning products is meaningful. As to SOD and GSH-Px, there's a strong interaction between the two factors.

CONCLUSIONWith certain concentration and time period, the intervention of artemisia burning products can exert anti-aging effect by increasing antioxydative capability and reducing metabolites of free radicals. Middle concentration and 30 minutes are recommended when intervened with artemisia burning products.

Aging ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Artemisia ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Glutathione Reductase ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Mice ; Moxibustion ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

AIMTo observe possible mechanism that endurance training can enhance anti-fatigue capability, and that blood redistribution by analyzing some biochemical indexes of endurance-trained mice after exhaustive exercise.

METHODSThe model was set up by exhaustive exercise. The indexes include the activity of SOD, CAT and POD and the MDA content in serum and the NO content in liver, muscle, heart and serum.

RESULTSAfter exhaustive exercise, the SOD activity in serum and the NO content in liver significantly decrease (P < 0.05 - 0.01), and the activity of POD and CAT, the NO content in serum and muscle significantly increase (P < 0.05 - 0.01), but the rest insignificantly change in non-endurance (P > 0.05). In endurance group, the CAT activity in serum are significantly higher than in non-endurance (P < 0.05), and the NO content in serum is significantly lower than in non-endurance (P < 0.01), but the rest are insignificantly different between two groups (P > 0.05). After 24h restoration, in non-endurance group, the CAT activity and the MDA content in serum and the NO content in liver significantly rise (P < 0.05-0.01), and the NO content in muscle and serum significantly decrease (P < 0.05), but the rest insignificantly change (P > 0.05). In endurance group, the SOD activity in serum and the NO content in liver, serum and heart significantly rise (P < 0.05), and the CAT activity in serum significantly decreases (P < 0.05), but the rest insignificantly change (P > 0.05). In endurance group, the CAT activity and the MDA content in serum are significantly lower than in non-endurance (P < 0.05), but the NO content in heart is higher than in non-endurance (P < 0.05). The rest are insignificantly different between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe possible mechanism, which endurance training can enhance anti-fatigue capability, is relative to enhance the capability to resume balance. Blood redistribution are possibly relative to change to the NO content.

Animals ; Catalase ; blood ; Liver ; chemistry ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Mice ; Muscles ; chemistry ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; blood ; Peroxidase ; blood ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Physical Endurance ; physiology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood