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 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

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients, as well as its relationship with superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and neopterin (NPT). METHODS: By the concentration of urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and creatinine (Cr), 85 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients were divided into 4 groups as non-DN group (DM), early-staged DN group (DN3), significant DN group (DN4) and end-staged DN group (DN5). The concentration of the serum AOPP was measured by ameliorated method introduced by Wikto-Sarsat, while SOD by Xanthine oxidase test, GPx by [5,5'Dithio-bis (2-Nitrobenzoic aicd) ] (DTNB) reaction test and NPT by ELISA. RESULTS: AOPP in Group DN5 [(117.8 +/- 64.8) [micromol/L] and Group DN4 [ (80.0 +/- 23.0) micromol/L] were significantly higher than those in Group DM [(58.2 +/- 17.7) micromol/L]. There was no significant difference of AOPP between Group DN3 [(72.7 +/-17.2) micromol/L] and Group DM. Serum AOPP negatively correlated with SOD and GPx (r = -0.217 and -0.374 respectively, P < 0.05), while positively correlated with NPT (r = 0.499, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION DN patient has enhanced protein oxidation than DM patient, which is related to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in DN.
Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; blood ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neopterin ; blood ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of Tuina for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

METHODSA total of 90 patients were randomly divided into a Tuina group, a Taijiquan (take exercise) group and a Fluoxetine group, 30 cases in each group. They were treated with Tuina, Taijiquan and Fluoxetine, respectively. After a month, the therapeutic effects and the changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of serum superoxide dismutases (SOD) and serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were ohserved.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 93.3% (28/30) in the Tuina group was better than 80.0% (24/30) in the Taijiquan group and 73.3% (22/30) in the Fluoxetine group (both P < 0.05). After treatment, MDA contents in the three groups were all decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the activity of SOD. GSH-Px in both the Tuina group and the Fluoxetine group were increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and especially in the Tuina group with a significant difference as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of the Tuina group is superior to that of the Taijiquan group and the Fluoxetine group. Tuina can regulate oxygen free radicals metabolism and clean superfluous oxygen free radicals to alleviate fatigue, which may be one of the mechanisms of Tuina in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Adult ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; blood ; enzymology ; therapy ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood