scholarly journals Decontamination of a Diving Suit

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Dąbrowiecki ◽  
Małgorzata Dąbrowiecka ◽  
Romuald Olszański ◽  
Piotr Siermontowski
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Protective Clothing ◽  
Fire Department ◽  
Gaseous Hydrogen ◽  
The Body ◽  
Night Vision ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fabric Surface ◽  
Micro Organisms

AbstractWhen working in chemical or biological environments, contamination is an extremely dangerous issue for the rescue services of the fire department, police and the army.Modern protective overalls worn by fire fighters or dry “Viking” diving suits made from neoprene or nylon covered with polyurethane, have been proven to ensure sufficient protection. However, once the contaminated area is left, there is a need to perform decontamination of the external and internal surfaces of the protective overalls; in order to ensure the clothing continues to offer a high level of comfort and to retain the durability of said protective clothing, it is of course also necessary to perform a drying procedure.Moreover, there is a risk of a transfer of pathogenic micro-organisms between persons utilising the same protective clothes, particularly in the case of expensive specialist suits. Micro-organisms which may potentially spread through clothing include intestinal bacteria, such as: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli (including E. coli O157), C. difficile, viruses inducing infections of the upper respiratory tract and alimentary tract (noraviruses, rotaviruses, adeno and astroviruses). The risk of infection also involves the presence of the flu viruses, herpesviruses and pathogens transferred through skin, such as S. aureus (including MRSA), yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans), fungal strains inducing Tinea pedis and Tinea corporis [1]. Pathogenic micro-organisms can easily transfer from fabric surface onto the body of a person wearing protective clothing.From the numerous available techniques of decontamination of surfaces, equipment and protective clothing we propose to use for this purpose gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a very effective biocidal agent. In field conditions, typical for the activities of rescue crews of the fire department, police and army we assume utilisation of a portable decontamination chamber enabling performance of a complete decontamination process.The process lasting approximately 3 hours encompasses 3 phases:• Drying phase;• Decontamination with gaseous hydrogen peroxide;• Catalytic combustion phase of hydrogen peroxide residues to a level safe for the environment.The integrated humidity and H2O2level sensors ensure automatic control of the entire process and the unique distribution system of gaseous H2O2secures full accessibility of the biocidal agent to the external surface of protective clothing as well as its interior. Moreover, the container allows for the conduction of the complete decontamination of the rescue equipment, night vision devices, binoculars, field telephones, radio stations, etc. Upon decontamination cycle completion, we obtain a completely dried suit which can be safely used by another crew member.

scholarly journals Species composition of certain strains of microorganisms in the development of upper respiratory tract disease in agricultural workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (11) ◽  
pp. 1261-1266
Author(s):  
Lyaylya M. Masyagutova ◽  
Lilia G. Gizatullina ◽  
Maxmuza K. Gainullina ◽  
Natalya V. Vlasova ◽  
Linara A. Rafikova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
The Body ◽  
Antibacterial Drug ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Upper Respiratory

Introduction. Microbiocenosis is a self-regulating system of relationships between the body and microflora. Ensuring the technological process of agricultural production involves contact with conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic microflora. The spread of antibacterial drug resistance is a matter of concern. Materials and methods. There was studied the microbiocenosis of the upper respiratory tract in agricultural enterprises: in the absence of inflammatory diseases; the clinical picture of diseases of the ENT organs, and the susceptibility of the isolated strains to antibacterial drugs. Results. Working conditions of employees correspond to classes 3.1 - 3.3. Typical representatives are strains of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Neisseria, Corynebacterium. The etiological share of S. Aureus, C. Albicans, E. Coli, Kl. Pneumoniae, Ps. Aeruginosa, predominates in the formation of inflammatory diseases. Staphylococcus are most susceptible to Cefotaxime and Sparfloxacin, followed by Cefepime, Levofloxacin and Amikacin. Strains of Kl. pneumoniae are susceptible to Cefotaxime and Sparfloxacin; strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa - to Cefepime and Ceftazidim; C. Albicans and C. crusei - to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole. Conclusion. The complex industrial factors of agricultural production contributes to the violation of the ratio of microbial associations even against the background of clinical health, which is a risk factor for the development of inflammatory processes. S. Aureus strains; Candida Albicans; Klebsiella Pneumoniae play the leading role. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. Coli. The isolates demonstrate multidrug resistance to antimicrobial drugs.

scholarly journals Microbial Contamination of a Diving Suit

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-74
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Dąbrowiecki ◽  
Małgorzata Dąbrowiecka ◽  
Romuald Olszański ◽  
Piotr Siermontowski
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Gaseous Hydrogen ◽  
Transmission Route ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Hyperbaric Chamber ◽  
Single Carrier ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Micro Organisms

Abstract Pathogenic micro-organisms can easily transfer from the surface of a diver’s skin onto the surfaces of a protective suit. A long-term stay in a hyperbaric chamber during a saturation dive increases the risk of infection if in the chamber there is even a single carrier of disease-causing pathogens. The conducted research has confirmed that the diving equipment located in Diving Centres is a place of many different bacteria and fungi, including pathogenic ones. The vast majority of microbes found on the surfaces of wetsuits, etc. are commensals (with some being opportunistic organisms). This fact allows us to realise that the surfaces of diving equipment are an excellent “transmission route” for various dermatoses and other diseases. In order to reduce the risk of infection the diving equipment used by various people should be subject to the process of decontamination. The authors recommend decontamination with the use of gaseous hydrogen peroxide which does not cause damage to equipment.

scholarly journals Rap1a Overlaps the AGE/RAGE Signaling Cascade to Alter Expression of α-SMA, p-NF-κB, and p-PKC-ζ in Cardiac Fibroblasts Isolated from Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Burr ◽  
James A. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
The Body ◽  
Signaling Cascade ◽  
Diabetic Mice ◽  
Pkc Ζ ◽  
Type 2 Diabetic

Cardiovascular disease, specifically heart failure, is a common complication for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Heart failure can arise with stiffening of the left ventricle, which can be caused by “active” cardiac fibroblasts (i.e., myofibroblasts) remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). Differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts has been demonstrated to be an outcome of AGE/RAGE signaling. Hyperglycemia causes advanced glycated end products (AGEs) to accumulate within the body, and this process is greatly accelerated under chronic diabetic conditions. AGEs can bind and activate their receptor (RAGE) to trigger multiple downstream outcomes, such as altering ECM remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Previously, our lab has identified a small GTPase, Rap1a, that possibly overlaps the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade to affect the downstream outcomes. Rap1a acts as a molecular switch connecting extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Therefore, we hypothesized that Rap1a crosses the AGE/RAGE cascade to alter the expression of AGE/RAGE associated signaling proteins in cardiac fibroblasts in type 2 diabetic mice. To delineate this cascade, we used genetically different cardiac fibroblasts from non-diabetic, diabetic, non-diabetic RAGE knockout, diabetic RAGE knockout, and Rap1a knockout mice and treated them with pharmacological modifiers (exogenous AGEs, EPAC, Rap1a siRNA, and pseudosubstrate PKC-ζ). We examined changes in expression of proteins implicated as markers for myofibroblasts (α-SMA) and inflammation/oxidative stress (NF-κB and SOD-1). In addition, oxidative stress was also assessed by measuring hydrogen peroxide concentration. Our results indicated that Rap1a connects to the AGE/RAGE cascade to promote and maintain α-SMA expression in cardiac fibroblasts. Moreover, Rap1a, in conjunction with activation of the AGE/RAGE cascade, increased NF-κB expression as well as hydrogen peroxide concentration, indicating a possible oxidative stress response. Additionally, knocking down Rap1a expression resulted in an increase in SOD-1 expression suggesting that Rap1a can affect oxidative stress markers independently of the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade. These results demonstrated that Rap1a contributes to the myofibroblast population within the heart via AGE/RAGE signaling as well as promotes possible oxidative stress. This study offers a new potential therapeutic target that could possibly reduce the risk for developing diabetic cardiovascular complications attributed to AGE/RAGE signaling.

Electrospun PU/MgO/Ag Nanofibers for Antibacterial Activity and Flame Retardency

2021 ◽  
pp. 0887302X2110094
Author(s):  
V. Mamtha ◽  
H. N. Narasimha Murthy ◽  
V. Pujith Raj ◽  
Prashantha Tejas ◽  
C. S. Puneet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Melting Point ◽  
Protective Clothing ◽  
Electrospun Nanofibers ◽  
Synthesis And Characterization ◽  
Zone Of Inhibition ◽  
Solution Combustion ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Afterglow Time

Antibacterial activity and fire retardation are equally desired for protective clothing. For achieving this, AgNP and MgO are independently researched as nanofillers in Polyurethane based electrospun nanofibers and their synergistic effect is scarcely addressed. This article reports synthesis and characterization of MgO of 70.01 nm and AgNP of 51 to 76 nm by solution combustion and hydrothermal routes respectively and their incorporation in electrospinning of Polyurethane. Flow rate 1 ml/hr, applied voltage 13 kV, tip to collector distance 15 cm were adopted for the electrospinning. Nanofibers of 65 nm were obtained for PU/MgO (3 wt. %) and 106 nm for PU/MgO (3 wt. %)/Ag (1 wt. %). Addition of MgO increased the melting point, after flame time and afterglow time. Incorporation of AgNP improved antibacterial activity. PU/MgO/Ag (2 wt. %) exhibited zone of inhibition of 2.1 cm and 3 cm against E. Coli and S. Aureus, respectively.

Preparation of bioactive and antibacterial PMMA-based bone cement by modification with quaternary ammonium and alkoxysilane

2021 ◽  
pp. 088532822110044
Author(s):  
Haiyang Wang ◽  
Toshinari Maeda ◽  
Toshiki Miyazaki
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Methyl Methacrylate ◽  
Bone Cement ◽  
Setting Time ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
The Body ◽  
Apatite Formation ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria

Bone cement based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) powder and methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid is a very popular biomaterial used for the fixation of artificial joints. However, there is a risk of this cement loosening from bone because of a lack of bone-bonding bioactivity. Apatite formation in the body environment is a prerequisite for cement bioactivity. Additionally, suppression of infection during implantation is required for bone cements to be successfully introduced into the human body. In this study, we modified PMMA cement with γ-methacryloxypropyltrimetoxysilane and calcium acetate to introduce bioactive properties and 2-( tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate (TBAEMA) to provide antibacterial properties. The long-term antibacterial activity is attributed to the copolymerization of TBAEMA and MMA. As the TBAEMA content increased, the setting time increased and the compressive strength decreased. After soaking in simulated body fluid, an apatite layer was detected within 7 days, irrespective of the TBAEMA content. The cement showed better antibacterial activity against Gram-negative E. Coli than Gram-positive bacteria; however, of the Gram-positive bacteria investigated, B. subtilis was more susceptible than S. aureus.

scholarly journals An Intelligent Baby Monitor with Automatic Sleeping Posture Detection and Notification

AI ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-306
Author(s):  
Tareq Khan
Keyword(s):  
Language Translation ◽  
Video Data ◽  
The Body ◽  
Night Vision ◽  
Monitoring Device ◽  
Peace Of Mind ◽  
Image Processing Techniques ◽  
Pose Detection ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
Monitoring Devices

Artificial intelligence (AI) has brought lots of excitement to our day-to-day lives. Some examples are spam email detection, language translation, etc. Baby monitoring devices are being used to send video data of the baby to the caregiver’s smartphone. However, the automatic understanding of the data was not implemented in most of these devices. In this research, AI and image processing techniques were developed to automatically recognize unwanted situations that the baby was in. The monitoring device automatically detected: (a) whether the baby’s face was covered due to sleeping on the stomach; (b) whether the baby threw off the blanket from the body; (c) whether the baby was moving frequently; (d) whether the baby’s eyes were opened due to awakening. The device sent notifications and generated alerts to the caregiver’s smartphone whenever one or more of these situations occurred. Thus, the caregivers were not required to monitor the baby at regular intervals. They were notified when their attention was required. The device was developed using NVIDIA’s Jetson Nano microcontroller. A night vision camera and Wi-Fi connectivity were interfaced. Deep learning models for pose detection, face and landmark detection were implemented in the microcontroller. A prototype of the monitoring device and the smartphone app were developed and tested successfully for different scenarios. Compared with general baby monitors, the proposed device gives more peace of mind to the caregivers by automatically detecting un-wanted situations.

Potentiation by L-cysteine of the bactericidal effect of hydrogen peroxide in Escherichia coli

1982 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
E H Berglin ◽  
M B Edlund ◽  
G K Nyberg ◽  
J Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Metal Ion ◽  
Chelating Agent ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Bactericidal Effect ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Dna Breakage ◽  
E Coli ◽  
K 12

Under anaerobic conditions an exponentially growing culture of Escherichia coli K-12 was exposed to hydrogen peroxide in the presence of various compounds. Hydrogen peroxide (0.1 mM) together with 0.1 mM L-cysteine or L-cystine killed the organisms more rapidly than 10 mM hydrogen peroxide alone. The exposure of E. coli to hydrogen peroxide in the presence of L-cysteine inhibited some of the catalase. This inhibition, however, could not fully explain the 100-fold increase in hydrogen peroxide sensitivity of the organism in the presence of L-cysteine. Of other compounds tested only some thiols potentiated the bactericidal effect of hydrogen peroxide. These thiols were effective, however, only at concentrations significantly higher than 0.1 mM. The effect of L-cysteine and L-cystine could be annihilated by the metal ion chelating agent 2,2'-bipyridyl. DNA breakage in E. coli K-12 was demonstrated under conditions where the organisms were killed by hydrogen peroxide.

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