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PubMed2000

Cumulative UV radiation dose and outcome in clinical practice: effectiveness of trioxsalen bath PUVA with minimal UVA exposure.

BACKGROUND: The cumulative artificial ultraviolet (UV) exposure dose of dermatological patients was prospectively monitored in clinical conditions for a total of 2 years (August 1997 - July 1999). We focused on whole body UV treatments, i.e. the trioxsalen (TMP) bath PUVA, the broad-band UVB, and the UVA plus UVB phototherapy. METHODS: Irradiance of the UV devices was calibrated with a spectroradiometer. The cumulative UV doses received by the patients were recorded. A visual analog scale scoring system (VAS) was employed to assess the improvement of various skin conditions at the end of the treatment course. RESULTS: The analysis included 265 patients (141 females and 124 males) and a total of 311 UV treatment courses. Treatments consisted of 86 courses of TMP bath PUVA for psoriasis with a mean cumulative UVA dose of 3.54 J/cm2 and an improvement rate of 89%. For other conditions, 30 courses were needed, with a cumulative UVA dose of 1.47 J/cm2 and an improvement rate of 76%. Altogether, 47 UVB courses were undertaken for psoriasis, and the mean cumulative unweighted UV dose was 2.20 J/cm2, equivalent to 85 standard erythema doses (SED), and an improvement rate of 85%. A total of 25 UVB courses was used for other skin conditions with a mean UV dose of 1.05 J/ cm2, equivalent to 40 SED, and an improvement rate of 71%. A total of 123 courses of UVA plus UVB phototherapy were completed, resulting in a mean cumulative dose of 73.01 J/cm2 for UVA and 0.75 J/cm2 for the unweighted UVB, equivalent to 29 SED. The VAS improvement rate was 85%. CONCLUSION: The exceptionally low mean cumulative UVA dose in the TMP bath PUVA, taken together with the previous report showing no increase in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma or cutaneous malignant melanoma after TMP bath PUVA, suggests that TMP bath PUVA is an effective and safe therapeutic option.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Distribution and seasonality of microbial indicators and thermophilic campylobacters in two freshwater bathing sites on the River Lune in northwest England.

Two freshwater bathing sites, the Crook O'Lune and the University Boathouse, on the River Lune in the north-west of England, were monitored over a 2 year period for the faecal indicators, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci, the pathogens, Salmonella and Campylobacter, and compliance with the EU Directive on Bathing Water Quality. Faecal indicator numbers showed no seasonal variation, with numbers in the bathing season similar to those in the non-bathing season. They were consistently above the EU Guideline and Imperative standards so that if the EU Bathing Water Quality Directive (76/160/EEC) were applied, neither site would comply. Faecal indicator numbers in the sediments were an order of magnitude higher than in the overlying water. Campylobacter numbers showed seasonal variation in the water with higher counts in winter than in the summer, although numbers were low. Higher numbers were found in the sediments but there was no seasonal variation. Analysis of various inputs showed that indicators and campylobacters came from a mixture of sources, namely a sewage treatment works, agricultural run-off, streams and mallards. Microbial numbers in the water at the Crook O'Lune, which is closer to the sources of pollution, were twice those at the Boathouse. In the sediments they were six to eight times higher. Faecal coliforms were all identified as Escherichia coli of which 80% were a single biotype. Faecal streptococci were all enterococci of which 55% were E. avium, 38% E. faecalis and 7% E. durans. Salmonella was not isolated from either the water column or the sediments. Campylobacters were mainly Camp. jejuni, followed by Camp. coli, UPTC and Camp. lari.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of paraffin bath treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of treatment with paraffin bath in patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). METHODS: In 17 patients with scleroderma one hand was treated daily with paraffin bath in combination with hand exercise. The other hand was treated with exercise only and was considered a control. Hand function was estimated before treatment and after 1 month of treatment, concerning hand mobility and grip force, and perceived pain, stiffness and skin elasticity. RESULTS: At the follow-up, finger flexion and extension, thumb abduction, volar flexion in the wrist, and perceived stiffness and skin elasticity had improved significantly in the paraffin-treated hand compared with the baseline values. The improved hand function was independent of skin score and disease duration. Improvements in function were significantly greater in the hand which was treated with paraffin bath and exercise than in the hand treated with exercise only concerning extension deficit, perceived stiffness and skin elasticity. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study hand exercise in combination with paraffin bath seemed to improve mobility, perceived stiffness and skin elasticity. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to attain more reliable results of the effect of paraffin bath treatment in patients with scleroderma.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A double-blind comparison of acitretin and etretinate in combination with bath PUVA in the treatment of extensive psoriasis.

Thirty-four patients with extensive psoriasis were treated in a double-blind parallel fashion with either acitretin plus bath PUVA (trimethylpsoralen bath + UVA) or etretinate plus bath PUVA. Each group consisted of 17 patients. The dose of retinoid was 40 mg/day during the 2-week monotherapy phase and subsequently 20 mg/day during the combination treatment. Bath PUVA was given three times a week starting with a UVA dose of 0.06 J/cm2. Remission (greater than 90% improvement) was achieved in all patients in 6-10 weeks. There were no significant differences in clinical response between the two groups; the mean +/- SD PASI score (psoriasis area and severity index) before treatment was 22.6 +/- 7.1 in the acitretin-PUVA group and 19.4 +/- 7.8 in the etretinate-PUVA group. The corresponding figures after treatment were 0.6 +/- 0.6 and 1.0 +/- 0.5, respectively. Side-effects related to retinoid treatment were frequent in both groups but they were usually mild and well-tolerated. There was only one case of diffuse alopecia after 8 weeks in the etretinate-PUVA group. Scaling of the palms and soles was seen in six patients in the acitretin-group but only in two patients in the etretinate-group. Triglycerides were elevated in about half of the patients in both groups. The present study shows that acitretin is as effective as etretinate in the combination with bath PUVA.

Acitretin↗
PubMed1998

[Occurrence of free-living amoebae and Legionella in whirlpool bathes].

Occurrence of both Legionella species and free-living amoebae were surveyed in whirlpool bathes installed in 11 private houses, 8 public bathes and 13 spas. Free-living amoebae that are known to be the hosts of Legionella were isolated from 24 out of 32 water samples (75%). Single Legionella species, L. pneumophila, with different serogroups (SG) predominantly SG3 (18.3%), SG5 (23.7%) and SG6 (15.8%), were isolated from 21 damples, ranging from 10(1) to 10(4) CFU/100 ml. Further studies were conducted for 10 consecutive weeks to monitor the occurrence of both free-living amoebae and Legionella in the whirlpool bathes of 4 private houses. Free-living amoebae, such as Hartmannella and Vexillifera, and L. pneumophila SG1, SG3, SG4, SG5 and SG6 were consistently isolated from all the water samples throughout the monitoring periods. Bath basins in which Hartmennella and Vannella were isolated tended to harbor large number of Legionella. Management practices such as frequent washing filter elements and/or frequent addition of tap water to bath basins is highly recommended to reduce microbial contaminants.

Amoeba↗
PubMed1998

Cytochrome P460 genes from the methanotroph Methylococcus capsulatus bath.

P460 cytochromes catalyze the oxidation of hydroxylamine to nitrite. They have been isolated from the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea (R. H. Erickson and A. B. Hooper, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 275:231-244, 1972) and the methane-oxidizing bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus Bath (J. A. Zahn et al., J. Bacteriol. 176:5879-5887, 1994). A degenerate oligonucleotide probe was synthesized based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of cytochrome P460 and used to identify a DNA fragment from M. capsulatus Bath that contains cyp, the gene encoding cytochrome P460. cyp is part of a gene cluster that contains three open reading frames (ORFs), the first predicted to encode a 59,000-Da membrane-bound polypeptide, the second predicted to encode a 12, 000-Da periplasmic protein, and the third (cyp) encoding cytochrome P460. The products of the first two ORFs have no apparent similarity to any proteins in the GenBank database. The overall sequence similarity of the P460 cytochromes from M. capsulatus Bath and N. europaea was low (24.3% of residues identical), although short regions of conserved residues are present in the two proteins. Both cytochromes have a C-terminal, c-heme binding motif (CXXCH) and a conserved lysine residue (K61) that may provide an additional covalent cross-link to the heme (D. M. Arciero and A. B. Hooper, FEBS Lett. 410:457-460, 1997). Gene probing using cyp indicated that a cytochrome P460 similar to that from M. capsulatus Bath may be present in the type II methanotrophs Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and Methylocystis parvus OBBP but not in the type I methanotrophs Methylobacter marinus A45, Methylomicrobium albus BG8, and Methylomonas sp. strains MN and MM2. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies against cytochrome P460 from M. capsulatus Bath indicated that the expression level of cytochrome P460 was not affected either by expression of the two different methane monooxygenases or by addition of ammonia to the culture medium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Effect of bath and luminal potassium concentration on ammonia production and secretion by mouse proximal tubules perfused in vitro.

To determine the effects of acute changes in K+ concentration in vitro on ammonia production and secretion by the proximal tubule, we studied mouse S2 segments perfused with and bathed in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffers containing various K+ concentrations. All bath solutions contained L-glutamine as the ammoniagenic substrate. High bath and luminal K+ concentrations (8 mM), but not high luminal K+ concentration alone, inhibited total ammonia production rates by 26%, while low bath and luminal K+ concentrations (2 mM), but not low luminal K+ concentration alone, stimulated total ammonia production rates by 33%. The stimulation of ammonia production by low bath K+ concentration was not observed when L-glutamine was added to the luminal perfusion solution. On the other hand, high luminal K+ concentration stimulated, while low luminal K+ concentration inhibited, net luminal secretion of total ammonia in a way that was: (a) independent of total ammonia production rates, (b) independent of Na(+)-H+ exchange activity, and (c) not due to changes in transepithelial fluxes of total ammonia. These results suggest that luminal potassium concentration has a direct effect on cell-to-lumen transport of ammonia.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1993

Spa bathing activates fibrinolysis in patients with cerebral infarction.

The effects of spa bathing on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were studied in 20 patients with chronic cerebral infarction. Blood was obtained before and after a 10-minute period of spa bathing at 41 degrees C. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, factor VIII activity, von Willebrand factor activity, and antithrombin III activity did not show significant changes after bathing, but euglobulin lysis time was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) and fibrin lysis activity was increased (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that spa bathing activates fibrinolysis without markedly changing blood coagulation in patients with chronic cerebral infarction. It is thought that the activation of fibrinolysis without the activation of coagulation has a favorable effect on blood circulation. The results of fibrin-plate assays using C1 inactivator indicated that tissue-type plasminogen activator was the major contributor to the activation of fibrinolysis during spa bathing.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Effect of Pseudomonas sp. MT5 baths on Flavobacterium columnare infection of rainbow trout and on microbial diversity on fish skin and gills.

Use of Pseudomonas sp. strain MT5 to prevent and treat Flavobacterium columnare infection was studied in 2 experiments with fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. In the first experiment, length heterogeneity analysis of PCR-amplified DNA fragments (LH-PCR) was used to assess the effect of antagonistic baths on the microbial diversity of healthy and experimentally infected fish. In the 148 samples studied, no difference was found between bathed and unbathed fish, and 3 fragment lengths were detected most frequently: 500 (in 75.7% of the samples), 523 (62.2%) and 517 bp (40.5%). The species contributing to these fragment sizes were Pseudomonas sp., Rhodococcus sp. and F. columnare, respectively. A specific PCR for detection of Pseudomonas sp. MT5 was designed, but none of the tissue samples were found to be positive, most likely indicating poor adhesion of the strain during bathing. LH-PCR was found to be a more powerful tool for detecting F. columnare in fish tissue than traditional culture methods (chi2 = 3.9, df = 1, p < 0.05). Antagonistic baths had no effect on the outbreak of infection or on fish mortality. F. columnare was also detected in healthy fish prior to and after experimental infection, indicating that these fish were carriers of the disease. In the second experiment, intensive Pseudomonas sp. MT5 antagonistic baths were given daily to rainbow trout suffering from a natural columnaris infection. Again, the antagonistic bacteria had no effect on fish mortality, which reached 95 % in both control and antagonist-treated groups in 7 d.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Validation of the Italian versions of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Dougados Functional Index (DFI) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVES: The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Dougados Functional Index (DFI) are the most commonly used instruments to measure functioning in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate these instruments into the Italian language. METHODS: The BASFI and DFI questionnaires were translated into Italian by two independent bilingual physicians who were familiar with the medical aspects of AS and by one professional translator. Two rheumatologists familiar with instrument validation, and who were aware of the purpose of the study, examined semantic, idiomatic and conceptual issues and produced by consensus unified versions of each instrument. English back-translations from the Italian were done by a professional translator unaware of the original version. Both English versions were compared, and where needed, modifications to the Italian versions were made. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were included: 77 males, age (mean+/-SD) 47.9+/-9.3years, and disease duration 12.4+/-6.6 years, and 18 females, age 45.9+/-8.7 years, and disease duration 11.3+/-8.2 years. Reliability, measured in 23 patients participating a physiotherapy program, showed an acceptable one-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)--BASFI ICC: 0.91, 95% CI: 0,87-0.94 and DFI ICC: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.83-0.90. The internal consistency was 0.90 (Cronbach's alpha) for the BASFI and 0.87 for the DFI. For validity the functional indices were correlated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS-G), modified Health Assesment Questionnaire (HAQ-S), SF-36 physical component summary (SF-36 PCS), stiffness, pain, physician's assessment of disease activity, Bath AS Radiology Index-total (BASRI-t), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The functional indices (BASFI and DFI) were correlated with each other (p<0.0001) and with activity variables. There was no significant relationship between functional indices and BASRI-t and acute phase reactants. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the BASFI ranked superior compared to HAQ-S, (p = 0.019) and SF36 PCS (p = 0.002), but not respect to DFI (p = NS), in distinguishing between patients with high and low disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian versions of the BASFI and DFI showed adequate reliability and validity in patients with AS. Because of psychometric advantages, the BASFI may be preferred in clinical trial settings. However, sensitivity to changes due to drug therapy and/or rehabilitation remains to be determined.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

The effect of foot-bath with or without the essential oil of lavender on the autonomic nervous system: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the effect of foot-bath with or without the essential oil of lavender on the autonomic nervous system. DESIGN: Randomized crossover controlled study. SETTING: Nursing college, Nagano, Japan. INTERVENTION: Young women sat with their feet soaked in hot water for 10 minutes with and without the essential oil. OUTCOME MEASURES: An electrocardiogram, finger tip blood flow and respiratory rate were recorded. Autonomic function was evaluated using spectral analysis of heart rate variability. RESULTS: The foot-bath caused no changes in heart or respiratory rates, but produced a significant increase in blood flow. Using spectral analysis, the parasympathetic nerve activity increased significantly during the both types of foot-bath. In the case of the foot-bath with the addition of essential oil of lavender, there were delayed changes to the balance of autonomic activity in the direction associated with relaxation. CONCLUSION: A hot foot-bath and oil of lavender appear to be associated with small but significant changes in autonomic activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Bacteriological and parasitological investigations in public indoor swimming baths (author's transl)].

The importance of the public swimming bath for the dissemination of Trichomonas vaginalis is disputed. 30 samples, each of 250 ml bath water from four indoor swimming baths, were examined for trichomonads. All the samples were negative. 218 smears taken from the wet places on the heated benches and other seating accommodation in these swimming baths were cultured for trichomonads and bacteria. Trichomonas vaginalis could not be demonstrated. Fecal organisms were found in 56 places, antibiotic-sensitive staphylococci were cultured from 20 samples and Ps. aeruginosa from 8. The negative tests for trichomonads suggests that the indoor swimming bath has no epidemiological importance in the dissemination of this parasite.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Turpentine white emulsion baths in the rehabilation in patients with sexual dysfunctions].

100 patients with sexual dysfunction (SD) and 20 SD patients took turpentine white emulsion baths and sodium chloride baths, respectively. The turpentine baths were given with step-by-step rise in turpentine concentration from 20 to 50 ml per 200 l of water, temperature 36-37 degrees C, duration of the procedure 10-15 min. The course consisted of 10-12 procedures which were conducted daily or each other day. The turpentine baths were more effective than sodium chloride baths (85 vs 50%, respectively).

Balneology↗
PubMed2000

Mud bath therapy influences nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase and glutathione peroxidase serum levels in arthritic patients.

Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been proposed as an important mediator in inflammatory phases and in loss of cartilage. In inflammatory arthritis NO levels are correlated with disease activity and articular cartilage is able to produce large amounts of NO with the appropriate inducing factors such as cytokines and/or endotoxin. Neutrophils also play an important role in inflammatory reactions and the level of myeloperoxidase, a constituent of neutrophil granules, is related to the intensity of the inflammation. Because there is evidence that suggests that mud packs influence the main cytokines involved in cartilage damage, we tried to determine whether NO and myeloperoxidase are involved in the mechanisms of action of mud bath treatment. We enrolled 37 subjects and randomly assigned them to two groups: 19 patients underwent mud bath treatment (group A) while 18 patients underwent bath treatment alone. Blood samples were obtained before and after the treatment cycles to assay serum levels of NO, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and glutathione (GSH)-peroxidase. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in NO and myeloperoxidase serum values in groups A and B, while GSH-peroxidase was not significantly increase in either of the groups; no correlation was found between NO, myeloperoxidase and GSH-peroxidase serum values. Mud bath treatment can exert beneficial effects on cartilage homeostasis and inflammatory reactions, influencing NO and decreasing myeloperoxidase serum values. The increase in GSH-peroxidase was not correlated with the reduction of other biochemical markers, suggesting that mud bath treatment has different mechanisms of action.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The role of trace elements in psoriatic patients undergoing balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt.

BACKGROUND: A beneficial effect was observed in patients with psoriasis vulgaris following balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible role of trace elements in the effectiveness of balneotherapy. METHODS: Serum levels of 11 trace elements were analyzed in 23 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who participated in a double-blind controlled study of balneotherapy with either Dead Sea bath salt (12 patients) or common salt (11 patients). Thirteen healthy volunteers served as controls. RESULTS: The mean pre-treatment serum levels of boron, cadmium, lithium and rubidium were significantly lower in patients compared to controls, whereas the mean pre-treatment serum level of manganese was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt resulted in a significant decrease (P = 0.0051) in the mean serum level of manganese from 0.10 +/- 0.05 mol/L to 0.05 +/- 0.02 mumol/L. The mean reduction in the serum level of manganese differed significantly (P = 0.002) between responders (% Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score reduction > or = 25) and non-responders (% PASI score reduction < 25). Following balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt the mean serum level of lithium decreased in responders by 0.01 +/- 0.02 mumol/L, whereas its level in non-responders increased by 0.03 +/- 0.03 mumol/L. (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Manganese and lithium may play a role in the effectiveness of balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt for psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Biomechanical experiments for measuring traction lengthening of the lumbar spine during weight bath therapy].

INTRODUCTION: Weight-bath as an effective traction therapy has successfully been applied in Hungary for nearly a half century, however, it has still been constrained exclusively to empirical bases until the numerical biomechanical analysis of Bene and Kurutz appeared in 1993. Due to their calculations, for cervical suspension in traction bath, the value and distribution of tensile force along the spine became known, however, the most important information, namely, the deformation of spine segments to be stretched by the therapy is so far unknown. AIMS: In this paper the results of a wide-ranging in vivo biomechanical experimental analysis are presented, aimed partly to obtain the traction deformation effects of weight-bath therapy, partly to obtain the biomechanical traction model of human lumbar segments. The analysis aimed to clear the effect of decompression, extra weights, sex, aging, body height and weight. PATIENTS/METHODS: The experiments have been executed during the prescribed 20 minutes long weight-bath treatment of patients having indication for cervical suspension. Patients with other forms of suspension, like armpit bars, have been excluded from the analysis. Two groups of patients have been distinguished: 67 patients without and 88 patients with extra weight loads of 20-20 N (2-2 kgf) applied on the ankles. Extension values of lumbar segments LIII-IV, LIV-V and LV-SI have been measured. Tensile deformations have been specified as the change of the distance between two spinous process of vertebrae, measured by a special subequal ultrasound method developed by the research group. The experimental results have been evaluated by using special software for analyzing ultrasound pictures. More than 3500 ultrasound pictures of 400 lumbar segments of 155 patients have been measured and evaluated. RESULTS: As for the results, at the end of the treatment, elongation of lumbar segments has been demonstrated practically in 60% of patients without and in 75% of patients with extra weights. The mean extension of a lower lumbar segment after a 20 minutes long weight-bath treatment is about 1.2-1.4 mm, while with extra weights it is about 1.3-1.6 mm, in the average of the deformed segments only. In the average of all segments, the above mean extensions are 0.7-0.9 mm, and with extra weights yield 0.8-1.4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Just being suspended in water, due to the decompression, even without any extra weights, significant extension has been registered: a mean value of 1.0-1.2 mm per segments for the deformable, and 0.4-0.6 mm for all segments. The 20 minutes long treatment time in itself has a significant effect: the average additional extension is 0.2-0.4 mm per segments without, and about 0.5 mm with extra weights. The deformation capacity of lumbar segments decreases with increasing age of patients. Elongations increase with increasing body height. Body weight shows different tendency depending on the sudden elastic and time-dependent viscous deformations. Significant difference has been observed in reaction time of male and female patients: female patients react later, however the final traction effect seems to be equal.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Production of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in osteoarthritic patients undergoing mud bath therapy.

Several studies have demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are frequently implicated in the destruction of articular cartilage in arthritis. The control of MMP activity is dependent on the local concentration of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and the imbalance of the enzyme-to-inhibitor ratios plays an important role in the remodeling of articular tissues. Some cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha which regulate leukocyte activities, promote MMP secretion and, as a consequence, cartilage degradation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a natural treatment is effective in reducing cartilage inflammation and degradation by influencing MMP and TIMP serum levels. Eighty patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were enrolled in the trial and were divided into group A (30 patients who did not undergo mud bath therapy), group B (28 patients repeating mud bath therapy more than 5 times and less than 10) and group C (22 patients repeating mud bath therapy more than 10 times). Blood samples were obtained from all the patients for assay of MMP-1, -2, -3, -8 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2. The parameters were determined by an ELISA technique. Statistical indexes were calculated for each parameter and mean values were compared. The differences between mean values of MMP-3, -8 and -9 were statistically significant between group A and the treated groups (B and C). Analysis of variance established a significant difference (p < 0.05) between groups A and C in mean serum levels of MMP-8, MMP-9 showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in mean serum concentration between groups A and B. Regression analysis showed a very high R2 between MMP-2 and TIMP-2. One of the most interesting findings in this study was that MMP-3 serum levels were significantly lower in the treated groups, since this enzyme plays an important role in cartilage degradation, suggesting that mud bath therapy contributes to matrix integrity in OA cartilage. In contrast, MMP-8 and -9 were higher in the treated subjects and no correlation with TIMPs was evident. One possible explanation is that these enzymes are required for the efficient degradation and removal of already compromised cartilage matrix and that they operate as part of a matrix turnover and repair process. In conclusion, our data suggest that mud bath therapy alone is not able to influence chondrocyte metabolic activity in the advanced phases of OA. There could be a synergic and sequential association with pharmacologic therapy and/or interventions.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Primary nonfunction. Is there a contribution from the back table bath?

A persistent problem in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is primary nonfunction (PNF) of the hepatic allograft. In most instances the cause of the failure is unknown. In an attempt to minimize these graft failure, modifications in the procurement and operative procedure have been investigated. One change in the procedure at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has been the monitoring of the temperature of the fluid in the back table bath during preparation of the donor liver. Our initial procedure involved creating an ice slurry of lactated Ringer's solution and ice slush in which the donor liver was then prepared. The temperature of this ice slurry was retrospectively found to be from -3 degrees C to -1 degrees C (group I). In this group there was a higher-than-expected incidence of PNF. To investigate whether the temperature of the back table bath influenced the incidence of PNF, beginning with transplant No. 42 the preparation of the back table bath was modified. The bath was created by adding a small amount of PlasmaLyte slush to 2 L of PlasmaLyte (group II). The temperature of the bath was maintained at 2-4 degrees C. Data were collected on 100 consecutive liver transplants. All transplants were performed using standard techniques, the operation for the two groups differing only as described above. Transaminase levels were followed as an index of the allograft function and were expected to begin to normalize within 2-3 days after transplantation. While both groups display this trend, transaminase levels in group II were significantly lower postoperatively than group I levels (P less than 0.05). Preoperative values were similar. There were 7 PNFs in group I; 0 in group II (P less than 0.005). We feel that the change in the back table procedure has positively influenced the function of the hepatic allografts, and we conclude that transplant centers need to monitor the temperature at which all allografts are stored and prepared, and the cognizant that this may influence the postoperative function of the transplanted liver.

Adult↗