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The herbal immunoregulation mixture (HIRM) were extracts of several traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs): Astragalus membranaceus (from the root and stem), Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (from the root), Isatis tinctoria L. (from the root), Glycyrrhiza glabra (from the stem). Immune parameters, which included macrophage phagocytic activity, macrophage reactive oxygen species (ROS), activity of serum lysozyme, nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), levels of total serum protein, globulin, albumin, triglyceride and cholesterol, were determined in carp that had been fed diets containing HIRM at 0.5% or 1% for 30 days. The results showed that, compared with those in the control group, the diets with 0.5% and 1% HIRM resulted in significant increase in macrophage phagocytic activity, macrophage ROS and the levels of total protein, globulin, albumin and NOS activity in serum (P < 0.05), and no significant difference was found in SOD, lysozyme activities and triglyceride level (P > 0.05). On the other hand, 0.5% HIRM led to evident enhancement of NOS activity and cholesterol level compared to 1% HIRM. These results indicated that HIRM might elevate the function of immunity in carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Qompsell are extracts of several traditional Chinese medicines: Astragalus membranaceus, Portulaca oleracea L, Flavescent sophora and Andrographis paniculata, etc. The macrophage phagocytic activity, macrophage ROS (reactive oxygen species), activity of serum lysozyme, SOD (superoxide dismutase), NOS (nitric oxide synthetase) and levels of total serum protein, globulin, and albumin were measured in carp that had been fed diets containing Qompsell at 0.3 g kg−1 for 60 days. The results showed that Qompsell had increased the macrophage phagocytic activity, macrophage ROS and the content of total protein, globulin, lysozyme in serum significantly (P<0.05). Also, the triglyceride and cholesterol levels had slightly increased but there was no significant difference. However, NOS, SOD and albumin showed no significant difference (P>0.05). These results indicate that the Qompsell formula might elevate the immunity function of carp (Cyprinus carpio).

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Background To explore the prevalence, outcome and perinatal risks of neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure (NRF) in a survey of all livebirths from a regional network of perinatal-neonatal care during the transition period after 5-year universal health insurance implemented in China. Methods Clinical data of all neonatal respiratory morbidities in Huai’an were retrospectively collected in the regional perinatal network database of all livebirths as vital statistics in 2015. NRF was defined as hypoxemia requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and/or mechanical ventilation (MV) for at least 24 h. Mortality risks of antenatal and perinatal morbidities, major respiratory therapies and complications were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression model. Results There were 788 NRF cases identified in 9.9% (7960) hospitalized, or 13.3‰ (59056) livebirths, in which 6.7% received intensive care and 93.0% critical care. The major underlying morbidities were respiratory distress syndrome (RDS, 36.4%) and pneumonia/sepsis (35.3%), treated mainly by CPAP, MV and surfactant. Significantly improved outcomes by surfactant in RDS were in patients with birthweight (BW) < 1500 g or gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks. The overall mortality rate in NRF was 18.4% whereas for those of BW < 1000 g and GA < 28 weeks, 70% and 54%, respectively. The multivariable regression analysis showed the highest odds for NRF death among meconium aspiration syndrome, congenital anomalies, BW < 1500 g and necrotizing enterocolitis, whereas born in level III hospitals, cesarean delivery, CPAP and MV were associated with markedly reduced death odds. Conclusions The salient findings with associated risk estimates reflected efficiency of respiratory support as critical care in a prefectural regional network infrastructure for annual livebirths in 5.6 million inhabitants. It implicated the representativeness of contemporaneous perinatal-neonatal care standard at medium to medium-high level, in one/fourth of the population of China, aiming at saving more life of very critical and preterm infants for better survival. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03603-9.

No abstract

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is an additive used to oxygenate gasoline to improve air quality by reducing tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide and ozone precursors. Although several toxicity studies in rats have been conducted to examine the acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicities by employing various routes of exposure to MTBE, few data were available on the effects of MTBE exposure on blood. In this study, MTBE was administered to rats at dose levels of 0, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kg/day, respectively. After 2- or 4-weeks treatment period, rats were euthanized and blood was collected for the assay of hematological indicators and blood biochemistry indicators. Some organs, including brain, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidneys, testes, epididymis, thymus, and prostate, were immediately removed and weighed. Possible subchronic health effects of MTBE exposure by gavage were evaluated on mortality, body weight, relative organ weight, hematology, and blood biochemistry indicators in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that MTBE did not disrupt the growth rate of rats. Relative organ weight showed change in heart, liver, kidney, testes, thymus, and prostate. In the 2-week treatment, MTBE exerted toxicity on white blood cell count, including lymphocyte, granulocyte, and eosinophil. This finding was especially strong at 1600 mg/kg/day MTBE. In the 4-week treatment, hemoglobin at high dose MTBE significantly increased. The results of the assay for the biochemistry indicators and relative organ weight indicated that MTBE could impair liver and kidney functions and also have adverse effects on lipid metabolism and immune system. It was conducted that subchronic MTBE exposure induced the adverse effects occurring in the relative organ weight, the hematological indicators, and the biochemistry indicators under high MTBE dose.