scholarly journals Evaluation of two Sigma Transwab® systems for Maintenance of Viability of pathogenic Candida spp. Using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M40-A2 Standard

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Elcocks ◽  
E.C. Adukwu
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Plate Method ◽  
Quality Control Standard ◽  
Roll Plate ◽  
Reference Strains

ABSTRACTA key aspect to routine microbiology processes include the retrieval, transport and maintenance of specimens. Swab transport systems (STS) can be utilised for their low cost, ease of use and their ability to recover and maintain specimens over long durations. An increase in healthcare complications due to fungal infections raises the requirement for STS to efficiently recover and preserve pathogens of yeast origin. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M40-A2 protocol is used to assess the compliance of STS to a quality control standard but at present does not include the recovery of yeast. The aim of this study was to compare the results of two commercial STS and their ability to recover and maintain viability of five clinical and reference strains of Candida spp., including C. auris, when stored at room temperature and 4°C, over 48 h, using the qualitative roll plate method. Findings from this study indicate that the STS used in this study are suitable for the collection and maintenance of the Candida spp. tested, and is very suitable for the recovery of clinical C. auris.

scholarly journals Comparison of Direct Inoculation and Copan Transport Systems for Isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeaefrom Endocervical Specimens

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 3583-3585 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Olsen ◽  
J. R. Schwebke ◽  
W. H. Benjamin ◽  
A. Beverly ◽  
K. B. Waites
Keyword(s):  
Transport System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic ◽  
Direct Inoculation ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Culture Positive

Two commercial swab transport systems, Copan Amies gel agar with and without charcoal (Copan Diagnostics, Corona, Calif.), were compared to direct inoculation onto modified Thayer-Martin medium for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 1,490 endocervical specimens obtained from women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Copan swabs were held in the transport system for 24 h at room temperature prior to inoculation onto modified Thayer-Martin medium. All cultures were incubated at 35°C in 5% CO2, and bacteria were identified on the basis of Gram stain, oxidase, and biochemical reactions. Copan Amies gel agar transport system without charcoal detected 77 of 81 (95%) direct inoculation culture-positive specimens, and Copan Amies gel agar transport system with charcoal detected 53 of 56 (95%) directly inoculated culture-positive specimens. Copan Amies gel agar without charcoal inoculated after 6 h supported growth of 56 (98%) positive cultures out of only 55 directly inoculated culture-positive specimens. This study demonstrates that Copan swabs represent a reasonable alternative, providing convenience, low cost, and ease of use while still maintaining a satisfactory recovery rate of N. gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens, if specimens can be inoculated onto selective media within a relatively short time period not involving overnight shipment.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Liquid-Based Swab Transport Systems against the New Approved CLSI M40-A2 Standard

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 1152-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Gizzie ◽  
Emmanuel Adukwu
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Holding Period ◽  
Roll Plate ◽  
Testing Protocols

Following revised information pertaining to newer swab types and testing protocols in the new CLSI M40-A2 standard, we evaluated three liquid swab transport systems for the recovery of aerobic, anaerobic, and fastidious organisms at room temperature and at 4°C. All tested liquid swab transport systems were fully compliant with the M40-A2 standard, with acceptable performance at both temperatures after the full specified holding period, using both qualitative (roll-plate) and quantitative (swab elution) methods.

scholarly journals Persistence of Candida auris on latex and nitrile gloves with transmission to sterile urinary catheters‡

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
Kauser Jabeen ◽  
Pushpa Bhawan Mal ◽  
Areeba Tharwani ◽  
Mariam Hashmi ◽  
Joveria Farooqi
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Catheter ◽  
Urinary Catheters ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Plate Method ◽  
Latex Glove ◽  
Latex Gloves ◽  
Roll Plate ◽  
Agar Surface

Abstract Candida auris’ ability to persist on contaminated gloves and transmit to urinary catheters was evaluated. 105 and 103 cfu/ml suspensions of eight Candida species including C. auris were inoculated on latex and nitrile gloves fingertips and touched on agar surface at different time intervals. Urinary catheter piece, touched by latex glove carrying Candida spp. suspensions at various time intervals, was cultured by roll-plate method. C.auris persisted on latex gloves at both 105 and 103 cfu/ml up to 3 minutes and could be transmitted from both wet and dry contaminated gloves to catheters. Proper glove use with strict hand hygiene should be advocated in settings with ongoing C.auris transmission.

scholarly journals Laboratory evaluation of the Sigma Transwab® transport system for the recovery of Candida species using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M40-A2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Elcocks ◽  
E.C. Adukwu
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Laboratory Evaluation ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
Specimen Collection ◽  
Maintenance Systems ◽  
Medical Transport

Abstract Rising healthcare complications due to fungal infections increase the importance of efficient specimen collection and maintenance systems for correct identification and diagnosis. The CLSI M40-A2 protocol provides guidelines for laboratories assessing quality of medical transport devices, including swab transport systems (STS). This study assessed the efficiency of the Sigma Transwab® foam and flock swab in recovering and maintaining viability of different Candida spp. including C. auris, in different test conditions. Both swab types recovered and maintained viability of all Candida spp. with greater CFU at room temperature after incubation (24 and 48 h) in comparison with swabs maintained at 4 °C.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Copan ESwab Transport System for Viability of Pathogenic Fungi by Use of a Modification of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Document M40-A2

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Gandhi ◽  
Richard Summerbell ◽  
Tony Mazzulli
Keyword(s):  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Transport System ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Test Panel ◽  
Plate Method ◽  
Time Zero ◽  
Fungal Organisms ◽  
Roll Plate ◽  
Reference Strains

ABSTRACTThe Copan ESwab system was evaluated for its ability to maintain the viability of pathogenic fungi. Tests followed the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M40-A2 roll-plate method at room and refrigerator temperatures. A system was devised for standardizing homogeneous inoculum suspensions of variously sized conidia and sporangiospores of filamentous fungi. A total of 19 clinical and reference strains were standardized to a 0.5 McFarland turbidity standard with a simple photometer. Corresponding optical densities were measured with a spectrophotometer. Colony counts equal to or greater than those seen at time zero were obtained for the entire test panel. Results indicate that the Copan ESwab system effectively maintains prevalent opportunistic fungal organisms for at least 48 h.

Graphene Modified Molecular Imprinting Electrochemical Sensor for Determining the Content of Dopamine

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-634
Author(s):  
Rong Liu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Tongsheng Zhong ◽  
Liping Long
Keyword(s):  
Electrochemical Sensor ◽  
Molecular Imprinting ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Differential Pulse ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Specific Selectivity ◽  
Pulse Voltammetry

Background: The unnatural levels of dopamine (DA) result in serious neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Electrochemical methods which have the obvious advantages of simple operation and low-cost instrumentation were widely used for determination of DA. In order to improve the measurement performance of the electrochemical sensor, molecular imprinting technique and graphene have always been employed to increase the selectivity and sensitivity. Methods: An electrochemical sensor which has specific selectivity to (DA) was proposed based on the combination of a molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) with a graphene (GR) modified gold electrode. The performance and effect of MIP film were investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the solution of 5.0 ×10-3 mol/L K3[Fe(CN)6] and K4[Fe(CN)6] with 0.2 mol/L KCl at room temperature. Results: This fabricated sensor has well repeatability and stability, and was used to determine the dopamine of urine. Under the optimized experiment conditions, the current response of the imprinted sensor was linear to the concentration of dopamine in the range of 1.0×10-7 ~ 1.0×10-5 mol/L, the linear equation was I (µA) = 7.9824+2.7210lgc (mol/L) with the detection limit of 3.3×10-8 mol/L. Conclusion: In this work, a highly efficient sensor for determination of DA was prepared with good sensitivity by GR and great selectivity of high special recognization ability by molecular imprinting membrane. This proposed sensor was used to determine the dopamine in human urine successfully.

Single–atom manganese and nitrogen co-doped graphene as low-cost catalysts for the efficient CO oxidation at room temperature

2021 ◽  
Vol 536 ◽  
pp. 147809
Author(s):  
Mingming Luo ◽  
Zhao Liang ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Xiaopeng Qi ◽  
Mingwei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Co Oxidation ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Single Atom ◽  
Doped Graphene ◽  
Co Doped

scholarly journals The Impact of Gelatin on the Pharmaceutical Characteristics of Fucoidan Microspheres with Posaconazole

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4087
Author(s):  
Marta Szekalska ◽  
Aleksandra Citkowska ◽  
Magdalena Wróblewska ◽  
Katarzyna Winnicka
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Drug Release ◽  
Spray Drying ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Vaginal Fluid ◽  
Sustained Drug Release ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
The Impact

Fungal infections and invasive mycoses, despite the continuous medicine progress, are an important globally therapeutic problem. Multicompartment dosage formulations (e.g., microparticles) ensure a short drug diffusion way and high surface area of drug release, which as a consequence can provide improvement of therapeutic efficiency compared to the traditional drug dosage forms. As fucoidan is promising component with wide biological activity per se, the aim of this study was to prepare fucospheres (fucoidan microparticles) and fucoidan/gelatin microparticles with posaconazole using the one-step spray-drying technique. Pharmaceutical properties of designed fucospheres and the impact of the gelatin addition on their characteristics were evaluated. An important stage of this research was in vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of developed microparticles using different Candida species. It was observed that gelatin presence in microparticles significantly improved swelling capacity and mucoadhesiveness, and provided a sustained POS release. Furthermore, it was shown that gelatin addition enhanced antifungal activity of microparticles against tested Candida spp. strains. Microparticles formulation GF6, prepared by the spray drying of 20% fucoidan, 5% gelatin and 10% Posaconazole, were characterized by optimal mucoadhesive properties, high drug loading and the most sustained drug release (after 8 h 65.34 ± 4.10% and 33.81 ± 5.58% of posaconazole was dissolved in simulated vaginal fluid pH 4.2 or 0.1 M HCl pH 1.2, respectively).

scholarly journals Room-Temperature Solution-Processed 0D/1D Bilayer Electrodes for Translucent CsPbBr3 Perovskite Photovoltaics

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1489
Author(s):  
Bhaskar Parida ◽  
Saemon Yoon ◽  
Dong-Won Kang
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Plasma Damage ◽  
Temperature Solution ◽  
Ito Nanoparticles

Materials and processing of transparent electrodes (TEs) are key factors to creating high-performance translucent perovskite solar cells. To date, sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) has been a general option for a rear TE of translucent solar cells. However, it requires a rather high cost due to vacuum process and also typically causes plasma damage to the underlying layer. Therefore, we introduced TE based on ITO nanoparticles (ITO-NPs) by solution processing in ambient air without any heat treatment. As it reveals insufficient conductivity, Ag nanowires (Ag-NWs) are additionally coated. The ITO-NPs/Ag-NW (0D/1D) bilayer TE exhibits a better figure of merit than sputtered ITO. After constructing CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells, the device with 0D/1D TE offers similar average visible transmission with the cells with sputtered ITO. More interestingly, the power conversion efficiency of 0D/1D TE device was 5.64%, which outperforms the cell (4.14%) made with sputtered-ITO. These impressive findings could open up a new pathway for the development of low-cost, translucent solar cells with quick processing under ambient air at room temperature.

scholarly journals Imaging in Propeller Flap Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (03) ◽  
pp. 145-151
Author(s):  
Shimpei Ono ◽  
Hiroyuki Ohi ◽  
Rei Ogawa
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Duplex Sonography ◽  
Computed Tomographic Angiography ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Imaging Tool ◽  
Preoperative Mapping ◽  
Flap Design ◽  
Tomographic Angiography

AbstractSince propeller flaps are elevated as island flaps and most often nourished by a single perforator nearby the defect, it is challenging to change the flap design intraoperatively when a reliable perforator cannot be found where expected to exist. Thus, accurate preoperative mapping of perforators is essential in the safe planning of propeller flaps. Various methods have been reported so far: (1) handheld acoustic Doppler sonography (ADS), (2) color duplex sonography (CDS), (3) perforator computed tomographic angiography (P-CTA), and (4) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). To facilitate the preoperative perforator assessment, P-CTA is currently considered as the gold standard imaging tool in revealing the three-dimensional anatomical details of perforators precisely. Nevertheless, ADS remains the most widely used tool due to its low cost, faster learning, and ease of use despite an undesirable number of false-positive results. CDS can provide hemodynamic characteristics of the perforator and is a valid and safer alternative particularly in patients in whom ionizing radiation and/or contrast exposure should be limited. Although MRA is less accurate in detecting smaller perforators of caliber less than 1.0 mm and the intramuscular course of perforators at the present time, MRA is expected to improve in the future due to the recent developments in technology, making it as accurate as P-CTA. Moreover, it provides the advantage of being radiation-free with fewer contrast reactions.

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