Disinfection of Transvaginal Ultrasound Probes by Ultraviolet C – A clinical Evaluation of Automated and Manual Reprocessing Methods

Abstract Purpose Since pathogens can be transmitted to patients via transvaginal ultrasound probes, it is of particular importance that cleaning and disinfection are performed adequately. This study was designed to do a qualitative comparison of a low-level disinfection technique with disinfectant-impregnated wipes and an automated disinfection technique using ultraviolet C radiation in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods The transvaginal ultrasound probes used in two groups of 160 patients were compared in a prospective controlled study regarding the effectiveness of manual low-level disinfection (Mikrozid sensitive wipes) and automated disinfection using ultraviolet C radiation (Antigermix AS1). Microbiological samples were taken from the whole surface of the probe before and after the disinfection process. Results Before disinfection, 98.75 % (316/320) of the samples showed bacterial contamination. After automated and manual disinfection, the contamination rates were 34.2 % (54/158, automated) and 40.5 % (64/158, disinfectant wipes) (p > 0.05). Pathogens with the potential to cause healthcare-associated infections, such as Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, were removed completely by both techniques. Manual disinfection showed a lower contamination rate after disinfection of bacteria that usually belong to the vaginal, pharyngeal and skin flora (disinfectant wipes 10.6 %, 11/104, automated 32.5 %, 38/117) (p < 0.001). Conclusion For the clinical routine, automated disinfection with ultraviolet C is a promising technique for transvaginal ultrasound probes because of the simple handling and time efficiency. In our study, this method was completely effective against nosocomial pathogens. However, the study didn’t show any significant difference in terms of effectiveness compared to low-level wipe disinfection.

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Electrosleep Therapy: A Controlled Study of its Effects in Anxiety Neurosis

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674378002500302 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 213-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C.L. Von Richthofen ◽

C.S. Mellor

Keyword(s):

Electrical Current ◽

Placebo Treatment ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Physiological Measures ◽

Anxiety Neurosis ◽

Cutaneous Sensation ◽

Eysenck Personality Inventory ◽

Treatment Conditions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

This study has investigated the effects of electrosleep treatment, or cerebral electrotherapy (CET) on the symptoms of ten subjects with anxiety neurosis. A blind crossover experimental design, in which subjects received five consecutive days of active and five days of placebo treatment was employed, the order being counterbalanced. The subjects’ experience of CET, particularly with regard to cutaneous sensation, was identical for both treatment conditions. Anxiety levels were determined pre- and post-treatment using daily psychological and physiological measures. Weekly symptom measures were also obtained before and after each type of treatment and one week and four weeks after the treatment terminated. The results showed a statistically significant overall improvement in the levels of anxiety, but no difference between placebo and active treatment. Nor was there any significant difference between these two treatment conditions in their effect upon physiological measures made while treatment was in process. There was a post hoc finding of a significant correlation between the overall response to this procedure and extraversion as measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). The implications of these findings are that the therapeutic effectiveness of CET is attributable to non-specific or placebo components of the treatment, and not to the direct effects of electrical current on the brain.

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OC05.07: Transvaginal ultrasound probes are human papillomavirus-free following low-level disinfection: a survey of 667 observations

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1002/uog.19238 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 11-12

Author(s):

M. Dommergues ◽

C. Estellat ◽

I. Heard ◽

A. Roueli ◽

A. Lafourcade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Papillomavirus ◽

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Low Level ◽

Ultrasound Probes

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Topical estradiol does not interfere with the expression of the metalloproteinase-1 enzyme in photo exposed skin cells

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia ◽

10.1590/s0365-05962012000100008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 70-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Luciana Neder ◽

Sebastião Freitas de Medeiros

Keyword(s):

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Exposed Skin ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Dermal Collagen ◽

Cutaneous Atrophy ◽

The Right

BACKGROUND: In postmenopausal women there is a rapid destruction of dermal collagen, resulting in accelerated skin ageing, which is manifested by cutaneous atrophy, increased number and depth of wrinkles and sagging. This accelerated catabolism of the collagen is due to estrogen deficiency and increased synthesis of the metalloproteinase-1 enzyme, which degrades the dermal collagen. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the use of topical estradiol 0.05% cream on photo exposed skin can inhibit the expression of the metalloproteinase-1 enzyme on the dermis and subsequently the rapid loss of collagen in women after menopause. METHODS: We included 40 postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy. Information about lifestyle, lipid profile, blood glucose level, thyroid hormones, mammography, Pap smear and transvaginal ultrasound were obtained to rule out associated diseases. Skin biopsy of the right preauricular region was performed before and after treatment with topical estradiol 0.05% for 30 days. The biopsy specimens were subjected to immunohistochemistry to identify the expression of the metalloproteinase-1 enzyme. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference on the expression of the metalloproteinase-1 enzyme in keratinocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells before and after treatment with topical estradiol for 30 days. CONCLUSION: Treatment with estradiol 0.05% cream, in photo exposed skin for 30 days, does not inhibit the production of metalloproteinase-1.

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Role of Aminophylline Intravesical Instillation on Enhancing Ureteral Dilatation prior to Ureteroscopy

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab110.011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed Mohamed Saafan ◽

Mohamed Ismail Shabayek ◽

Marwa Mamdouh Mohamed ◽

Mostafa Mabrouk Bayomi Ali

Keyword(s):

Intravesical Instillation ◽

Controlled Study ◽

P Value ◽

Pressure Monitor ◽

Post Operative Pain ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Group A ◽

Ureteral Dilatation ◽

Group B

Abstract Background Semi-rigid uretroscopy (URS) is a common intervention approach for lower ureteric stones. Ureteral dilatation is frequently needed before URS to enable ureter accessing. Aminophylline is known by its muscle relaxant effect and has been suggested to be effective in ureteral dilation. Objectives To evaluate the effect of intravesical administration of aminophylline on ureteroscopy and to measure intraureteral pressure Methods This prospective randomized controlled study included 50 before and after aminophylline injection. patients with lower ureteral calculi. In group A, the ureter was dilated by intravesical aminophylline whereas in group B balloon dilator was used. Intraureteral pressure was measured using pressure transducer connected to invasive pressure monitor. Results No statistically significant difference was noticed between both groups in operative time, intra operative complication, need for ureteral stenting or stone free rate. However, post-operative pain and haematuria were statistically significantly higher among balloon group compared to aminophylline group. In group A, there was statistically significant decrease in intraureteral pressure after injection of aminophylline (7.80 ± 1.71) compared to before injection (12.2 ± 1.85) with p-value < 0.001. Conclusion Aminophylline is effective in ureteral dilatation when intravesically injected with less frequent post-operative pain and hematuria.

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Effects of low-level laser therapy versus soft occlusive splints on mouth opening and surface electromyography in females with temporomandibular dysfunction: A randomized-controlled study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258063 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258063

Author(s):

Tamer Shousha ◽

Mohamed Alayat ◽

Ibrahim Moustafa

Keyword(s):

Laser Therapy ◽

Surface Electromyography ◽

Low Level Laser Therapy ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Low Level ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Splint Therapy ◽

Low Level Laser ◽

Level Laser ◽

Significant Difference

Background Low level lasers have been used as an alternative pain relief therapy for muscle and joint pain, since it induces analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and biomodulation effects of the physiological cell functions. The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) treatment, however, is not well established. Although Surface electromyography (sEMG) has been suggested as a complementary means in TMD diagnosis, the effect of conservative treatments on muscle activity has not yet been thoroughly correlated with (sEMG) findings. Purpose To assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as compared to occlusive splint therapy (OST) on the TMJ opening index (TOI) and sEMG of masticatory muscles. Materials and methods 112 female subjects suffering from unilateral myogenous TMD, aged 21–30 years-old, were recruited and divided into three groups: LLLT; soft occlusive splint therapy OST and a waitlist group as controls. Outcome measures TMJ opening index (TOI), Visual analogue scale (VAS), surface electromyography (sEMG). Results A significant reduction was reported in TOI, VAS and the sEMG within the LLLT and OST groups as well as significant decrease in all outcomes between groups in favor of the LLLT group (P< 0.0001). Meanwhile, there was a weak significant difference within the control group probably attributed to the analgesic. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons between groups [control vs occlusive splints, control vs low-level laser and low-level laser vs occlusive splints] revealed significant differences in the VAS and TOI [P = 0.0001; 95% CI: 0.9–2.2, 1.61–4.01, 0.65–1.96]. Conclusions Findings support an evident short term therapeutic effect of the LLLT on improving VAS, TOI and sEMG in females suffering from myogenous TMD.

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The effect of planned training given to women with preeclamptic pregnancy on oxidative stress and anxiety levels: non-randomised controlled-study

10.22541/au.161951850.08146918/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

emel tasci ◽

serdal ogut ◽

mehmet özkaya

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomised Controlled Study ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Before And After ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Experimental Group

This study aimed to studying the effects of planned training given to women with preeclamptic pregnancy on stress-anxiety and oxidative stress levels. A non-randomised controlled-study study, carried out in Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinics of Research and Application Hospital of one university. In the study, 28 preeclamptic patients matching the sampling criteria were taken as the experimental group and 22 other preeclamptic patients who also match the sampling criteria constituted the control group. Questionnaire, scale application and laboratory evaluation for the control group were performed only once. In the experimental group, there is a statistically significant difference between the TAS (mmol trolox equ./L) (t = -9.71 P = 0.00) and the TOS (lmol H2O2 equ./L) (t = 6.56 P = 0.00) measurements before and after the training and there is a statistically significant difference between the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (t = 3.64 P = 0.00) before and after the training. It has been determined in the study that the planned training given to the pregnant women who received a diagnosis of preeclampsia has decreased their oxidative stress levels and state anxiety levels.

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Platelet-rich plasma in the management of Asherman's syndrome; An RCT

International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine ◽

10.18502/ijrm.v18i2.6423 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Atiyeh Javaheri ◽

Katayoon Kianfar ◽

Soheila Pourmasumi ◽

Maryam Eftekhar

Keyword(s):

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Foley Catheter ◽

Uterine Cavity ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Case Group ◽

Asherman’S Syndrome ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Menstrual Pattern ◽

American Society

Background: Asherman’s syndrome (AS) is a rare reproductive abnormality, resulting in endometrial collapse due to aggressive or recurrent endometritis and/or curettage. Objective: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to lower the recurrence rate of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) following postlysis hysteroscopy. Materials and Methods: In a nonrandomized controlled study, women aged 20-45 years with AS diagnosed by sonohysterography, 3D sonography, hysteroscopy, or uterosalpingography between May 2018 and September 2018 were included. Patients (n = 30) were divided into case and control groups. Following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, a Foley catheter was placed into the uterine cavity in all women. After two days, the catheter was removed, and 1-mL PRP was injected into the uterine cavity of women in the PRP (case) group, while the control received no PRP. All controls and subjects underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy 8-10 weeks following the intervention to assess the IUAs according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine scoring system. Result: Our results did not reveal any significant difference in the menstrual pattern of either the control or test groups before or after treatment (p = 0.2). Moreover, the IUA stage in both studied groups before and after treatment was similar (p = 0.2). The duration of menstrual bleeding in both studied groups before and after treatment was also similar. Conclusion: PRP cannot decrease the menstrual pattern or development of postsurgical IUAs, as evaluated by follow-up hysteroscopy. Key words: Asherman’s syndrome, Platelet-rich plasma, Pregnancy rate.

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Effect of Fluoxetine on Melatonin in Patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder and Matched Controls

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.166.2.196 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 166 (2) ◽

pp. 196-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

P. A. Childs ◽

I. Rodin ◽

N. J. Martin ◽

L. Plaskett ◽

C. Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Affective Disorder ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Melatonin Concentration ◽

Secretion Profile ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

BackgroundThe aim was to investigate the secretion profile of melatonin and seasonal affective disorder before and after treatment with fluoxetine.MethodA six-week case-controlled study with repeated overnight blood sampling was conducted. Ten patients fulfilling the criteria for major depressive disorder, seasonal type, with a 29-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score of at least 20 were compared with ten age- and sex-matched healthy controls in a clinical laboratory. The effects of fluoxetine (20 mg/day) on the HDRS and melatonin concentration were measured.ResultsFluoxetine significantly reduced melatonin levels in both groups. There was no significant difference in melatonin secretion between the groups.ConclusionsThe effect of fluoxetine differs from tricyclics and fluvoxamine, both of which increase melatonin.

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