scholarly journals Characterization of Antimicrobial Effects of Plasma‑Treated Water (PTW) Produced by Microwave‑Induced Plasma (MidiPLexc) on Pseudomonas fluorescens Biofilms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Handorf ◽  
Viktoria Isabella Pauker ◽  
Uta Schnabel ◽  
Thomas Weihe ◽  
Eric Freund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Fluorescens ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Microbial Inactivation ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Antimicrobial Effects ◽  
Microwave Induced Plasma ◽  
Maximum Reduction ◽  
Pre Treatment

For the decontamination of surfaces in the food production industry, plasma generated compounds (PGCs) such as plasma-treated water (PTW) or plasma processed air (PPA) offer many promising possibilities for future applications. Therefore, the antimicrobial effect of water treated with microwave-induced plasma (MidiPLexc) on Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms was investigated. 10 ml deionized water was treated with the MidiPLexc plasma source for 100 s, 300 s and 900 s (pre-treatment time) and the bacterial biofilms were exposed to the PTW for 1 min, 3 min and 5 min (post treatment time). To investigate the influence of PTW on P. fluorescens biofilms, microbiological assays (CFU, fluorescence and XTT assay) and imaging techniques (fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM)) were used. The CFU showed a maximum reduction of 6 log10 by using 300 s pre-treated PTW for 5 min. Additionally, a maximum reduction of 81 % for the viability of the cells and a 92 % reduction in the metabolic activity of the cells was achieved by using 900 s pre-treated PTW for 5 min. The microscopic images showed evident microbial inactivation within the biofilm even at the shortest pre treatment (100 s) and post-treatment (1 min) times. Moreover, reduction of the biofilm thickness and increased cluster formation within the biofilm was detected. Morphologically, the fusion of cell walls into a uniform dense cell mass. The findings correlated with a decrease in the pH value of the PTW, which forms the basis for the chemically active components of PTW and its antimicrobial effects. These results, provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of inactivation of biofilms by plasma generated compounds (PGCs) such as PTW and thus allow for further parameter adjustment for applications in food industry.

scholarly journals Characterization of Antimicrobial Effects of Plasma-Treated Water (PTW) Produced by Microwave-Induced Plasma (MidiPLexc) on Pseudomonas fluorescens Biofilms

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Handorf ◽  
Viktoria Isabella Pauker ◽  
Uta Schnabel ◽  
Thomas Weihe ◽  
Eric Freund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Fluorescens ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Microbial Inactivation ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Antimicrobial Effects ◽  
Microwave Induced Plasma ◽  
Maximum Reduction ◽  
Colony Forming Units

For the decontamination of surfaces in the food production industry, plasma-generated compounds such as plasma-treated water or plasma-processed air offer many promising possibilities for future applications. Therefore, the antimicrobial effect of water treated with microwave-induced plasma (MidiPLexc) on Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms was investigated. A total of 10 mL deionized water was treated with the MidiPLexc plasma source for 100, 300 and 900 s (pretreatment time) and the bacterial biofilms were exposed to the plasma-treated water for 1, 3 and 5 min (post-treatment time). To investigate the influence of plasma-treated water on P. fluorescens biofilms, microbiological assays (colony-forming units, fluorescence and XTT assay) and imaging techniques (fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and atomic force microscopy) were used. The colony-forming units showed a maximum reduction of 6 log10 by using 300 s pretreated plasma water for 5 min. Additionally, a maximum reduction of 81% for the viability of the cells and a 92% reduction in the metabolic activity of the cells were achieved by using 900 s pretreated plasma water for 5 min. The microscopic images showed evident microbial inactivation within the biofilm even at the shortest pretreatment (100 s) and post-treatment (1 min) times. Moreover, reduction of the biofilm thickness and increased cluster formation within the biofilm was detected. Morphologically, the fusion of cell walls into a uniform dense cell mass was detectable. The findings correlated with a decrease in the pH value of the plasma-treated water, which forms the basis for the chemically active components of plasma-treated water and its antimicrobial effects. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of inactivation of biofilms by plasma-generated compounds such as plasma-treated water and thus allow for further parameter adjustment for applications in food industry.

scholarly journals Assessment of subjective outcomes in women after treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3401
Author(s):  
Shruthi Shivashankar ◽  
N. V. Manjula
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ◽  
Lower Urinary Tract ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Urinary Tract Symptoms ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Subjective Outcomes ◽  
Lower Urinary

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are the most common symptoms in women at all age groups worldwide. Their overall prevalence among women is 67%, and incidence increases with age. To assess the impact of LUTS comprehensively, it is therefore necessary to measure both the level of an individual’s symptoms and the extent to which they impair their life. This is particularly important when making a decision as to whether an individual is likely to require or benefit from treatment, and in evaluating the effectiveness of such treatment. Aim and objectives were to assess the subjective outcomes in women following treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms using King’s health questionnaire (KHQ).Methods: This study was carried out in 106 women presenting with LUTS at Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria from November 2017 to June 2019. KHQ was used to assess subjective outcomes pre-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. Statistical analysis was done using the statistical software namely IBM statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) statistics version 22.Results: There was significant improvement in all the domains of KHQ indicating that patients had a better quality of life (QoL) post treatment. The mean total KHQ score decreased from a maximum of 40.14 at the pre-treatment time point to a minimum of 12.25 at the post treatment time point. This change was statistically significant. 90.6% of the participants had subjective improvement following treatment of LUTS. 9.4% of the participants reported no improvement in quality of life QoL following treatment of LUTS.Conclusions: This study shows the value of KHQ as an evaluation tool to determine the subjective outcome in women following treatment of LUTS. There was significant improvement in all the domains of KHQ between the two time points in our study indicating a better QoL following the treatment given with subjective improvement of 90.6%. 

scholarly journals Plasma-Treated Air and Water—Assessment of Synergistic Antimicrobial Effects for Sanitation of Food Processing Surfaces and Environment

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uta Schnabel ◽  
Oliver Handorf ◽  
Kateryna Yarova ◽  
Björn Zessin ◽  
Susann Zechlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Microwave Plasma ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma ◽  
Plasma Source ◽  
Reduction Factor ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Antimicrobial Effects ◽  
Proliferation Assays

The synergistic antimicrobial effects of plasma-processed air (PPA) and plasma-treated water (PTW), which are indirectly generated by a microwave-induced non-atmospheric pressure plasma, were investigated with the aid of proliferation assays. For this purpose, microorganisms (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pectobacterium carotovorum, sporulated Bacillus atrophaeus) were cultivated as monocultures on specimens with polymeric surface structures. Both the distinct and synergistic antimicrobial potential of PPA and PTW were governed by the plasma-on time (5–50 s) and the treatment time of the specimens with PPA/PTW (1–5 min). In single PTW treatment of the bacteria, an elevation of the reduction factor with increasing treatment time could be observed (e.g., reduction factor of 2.4 to 3.0 for P. carotovorum). In comparison, the combination of PTW and subsequent PPA treatment leads to synergistic effects that are clearly not induced by longer treatment times. These findings have been valid for all bacteria (L. monocytogenes > P. carotovorum = E. coli). Controversially, the effect is reversed for endospores of B. atrophaeus. With pure PPA treatment, a strong inactivation at 50 s plasma-on time is detectable, whereas single PTW treatment shows no effect even with increasing treatment parameters. The use of synergistic effects of PTW for cleaning and PPA for drying shows a clear alternative for currently used sanitation methods in production plants. Highlights: Non-thermal atmospheric pressure microwave plasma source used indirect in two different modes—gaseous and liquid; Measurement of short and long-living nitrite and nitrate in corrosive gas PPA (plasma-processed air) and complex liquid PTW (plasma-treated water); Application of PTW and PPA in single and combined use for biological decontamination of different microorganisms.

scholarly journals The Combination of Plasma-Processed Air (PPA) and Plasma-Treated Water (PTW) Causes Synergistic Inactivation of Candida albicans SC5314

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uta Schnabel ◽  
Kateryna Yarova ◽  
Björn Zessin ◽  
Jörg Stachowiak ◽  
Jörg Ehlbeck
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Reduction Factor ◽  
Sample Treatment ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Microwave Induced Plasma ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Polymeric Surface ◽  
Strain Sc5314

Microwave-induced plasma was used for the generation of plasma-processed air (PPA) and plasma-treated water (PTW). By this way, the plasma was able to functionalize the compressed air and the used water to antimicrobial effective agents. Their fungicidal effects by single and combined application were investigated on Candida albicans strain SC5314. The monoculture of C. albicans was cultivated on specimens with polymeric surface structures (PE-stripes). The additive as well as the synergistic fungicidal potential of PPA and PTW was investigated by different process windows of plasma exposure time (5–50 s) and sample treatment time with PPA/PTW (1–5 min). For a single PTW or PPA treatment, an increase in the reduction factor with the indicated treatment time was observed (maximum reduction factor of 1.1 and 1.6, respectively). In comparison, the combined application of PTW and then PPA resulted in antagonistic, additive and synergistic effects, depending on the combination. An application of the synergistically acting processes of PTW for cleaning and PPA for drying can be an innovative alternative to the sanitary processes currently used in production plants.

scholarly journals Plasma-Treated Water Affects Listeria monocytogenes Vitality and Biofilm Structure

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Handorf ◽  
Viktoria Isabella Pauker ◽  
Thomas Weihe ◽  
Jan Schäfer ◽  
Eric Freund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Microwave Plasma ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Cell Vitality ◽  
Pre Treatment

Background: Plasma-generated compounds (PGCs) such as plasma-processed air (PPA) or plasma-treated water (PTW) offer an increasingly important alternative for the control of microorganisms in hard-to-reach areas found in several industrial applications including the food industry. To this end, we studied the antimicrobial capacity of PTW on the vitality and biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes, a common foodborne pathogen.Results: Using a microwave plasma (MidiPLexc), 10 ml of deionized water was treated for 100, 300, and 900 s (pre-treatment time), after which the bacterial biofilm was exposed to the PTW for 1, 3, and 5 min (post-treatment time) for each pre-treatment time, separately. Colony-forming units (CFU) were significantly reduced by 4.7 log10 ± 0.29 log10, as well as the metabolic activity decreased by 47.9 ± 9.47% and the cell vitality by 69.5 ± 2.1%, compared to the control biofilms. LIVE/DEAD staining and fluorescence microscopy showed a positive correlation between treatment and incubation times, as well as reduction in vitality. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated changes in the structure quality of the bacterial biofilm.Conclusion: These results indicate a promising antimicrobial impact of plasma-treated water on Listeria monocytogenes, which may lead to more targeted applications of plasma decontamination in the food industry in the future.

Cytoprotective Effect of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction and α-Tocopherol Vitamin E Isoforms Against Glutamate-Induced Cell Death in Neuronal Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 0140-0151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilaga Rati Selvaraju ◽  
Huzwah Khaza’ai ◽  
Sharmili Vidyadaran ◽  
Mohd Sokhini Abd Mutalib ◽  
Vasudevan Ramachandran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Neuronal Cells ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Tocotrienol Rich Fraction ◽  
Major Mediator

Glutamate is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian central nervous system. Extreme amounts of glutamate in the extracellular spaces can lead to numerous neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to clarify the potential of the following vitamin E isomers, tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol (α-TCP), as potent neuroprotective agents against glutamate-induced injury in neuronal SK-N-SH cells. Cells were treated before and after glutamate injury (pre- and post-treatment, respectively) with 100 - 300 ng/ml TRF/α-TCP. Exposure to 120 mM glutamate significantly reduced cell viability to 76 % and 79 % in the pre- and post-treatment studies, respectively; however, pre- and post-treatment with TRF/α-TCP attenuated the cytotoxic effect of glutamate. Compared to the positive control (glutamate-injured cells not treated with TRF/α-TCP), pre-treatment with 100, 200, and 300 ng/ml TRF significantly improved cell viability following glutamate injury to 95.2 %, 95.0 %, and 95.6 %, respectively (p < 0.05).The isomers not only conferred neuroprotection by enhancing mitochondrial activity and depleting free radical production, but also increased cell viability and recovery upon glutamate insult. Our results suggest that vitamin E has potent antioxidant potential for protecting against glutamate injury and recovering glutamate-injured neuronal cells. Our findings also indicate that both TRF and α-TCP could play key roles as anti-apoptotic agents with neuroprotective properties.

CONTRACEPTION BY AN INJECTABLE LONG-ACTING OESTROGEN-PROGESTOGEN AGENT. III

1972 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Rolf Plesner
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Period ◽  
Treatment Cycle ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Mixed Phase ◽  
Discontinuation Of Treatment ◽  
Phase Type ◽  
Secretory Type ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Fertile Women

ABSTRACT Twenty-two fertile women were treated cyclically in from 4–30 cycles (mean 15.5) with a total of 341 injections of Deladroxate®, an injectable, long-acting oestrogen-progestogen. The injections were administered on the 8th (7th–9th) day of each cycle. Before treatment, the last pre-treatment cycle was controlled by means of daily recordings of the basal body temperature (BBT), urinary excretion of pregnanediol and total pituitary gonadotrophins at certain intervals, and by endometrial biopsies obtained late in the cycle. The effects of Deladroxate® on ovulation, on pituitary gonadotrophic function, and on the endometrium were controlled by the above mentioned parameters during cycles 1, 3, and 6, and all assessments were repeated after discontinuation of treatment. During treatment, there was a statistically significant fall in gonadotrophin excretion values (as compared with the pre-treatment values), and the fall was found to be gradually progressive during treatment. After discontinuation of treatment, there seemed to be a tendency towards an increase in the excretion values. Suppression of ovulation as determined by means of the pregnanediol excretion during treatment, was effective in nearly all of the treatment cycles checked. The fall in pregnanediol excretion was also gradually progressive during treatment, while there was a slight increase in excretion values in the post-treatment period. During treatment, 79 BBT curves were recorded. Nearly 50 % were monophasic, indicating anovulatory cycles, 17 curves were biphasic, but with the rise in temperature occurring at non-characteristic times in the cycles, 18 curves were classified as thermogenic because of a rise in temperature occurring within 24 hours after the injection, and 5 curves were not assessable. During the first month after discontinuation of treatment, 8 out of 10 recorded curves were monophasic. Out of 53 endometrial biopsies obtained around the 23rd day of the cycle, 31 were of the mixed phase type, but showing a predominance of proliferative patterns, 15 were of the secretory type, and 7 were purely proliferative. Out of 15 biopsies obtained in the post-treatment period, only two were of the mixed phase type, 12 were proliferative and one was purely secretory.

Pre-treatment and post-treatment visual functions in congenital myopia alone versus congenital myopia complicated by amblyopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
A. Mukhina ◽  
◽  
I. Boichuk ◽  
L. Zhuravliova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Treatment ◽  
Visual Functions ◽  
Pre Treatment

scholarly journals Relationship between metamorphopsia and inner retinal microstructure following intravitreal ranibizumab injection for branch retinal vein occlusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshimi Sugiura ◽  
Fumiki Okamoto ◽  
Tomoya Murakami ◽  
Shohei Morikawa ◽  
Takahiro Hiraoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Edema ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Intravitreal Ranibizumab ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Number Of Injections

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) on metamorphopsia in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and to assess the relationship between metamorphopsia and inner retinal microstructure and other factors. Thirty-three treatment-naïve eyes of 33 patients with macular edema caused by BRVO with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. The degree of metamorphopsia was quantified using the M-CHARTS. Retinal microstructure was assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) at the first month after resolution of the macular edema (early DRIL) and at 12 months after treatment (after DRIL) was studied. Central retinal thickness (CRT), and status of the external limiting membrane as well as ellipsoid zone were also evaluated. IVR treatment significantly improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CRT, but the mean metamorphopsia score did not improve even after 12 months. Post-treatment metamorphopsia scores showed a significant correlation with pre-treatment metamorphopsia scores (P < 0.005), the extent of early DRIL (P < 0.05) and after DRIL (P < 0.05), and the number of injections (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the post-treatment mean metamorphopsia score was significantly correlated with the pre-treatment mean metamorphopsia score (P < 0.05). IVR treatment significantly improved BCVA and CRT, but not metamorphopsia. Post-treatment metamorphopsia scores were significantly associated with pre-treatment metamorphopsia scores, the extent of DRIL, and the number of injections. Prognostic factor of metamorphopsia was the degree of pre-treatment metamorphopsia.

scholarly journals Comparison of Selected Immune and Hematological Parameters and Their Impact on Survival in Patients with HPV-Related and HPV-Unrelated Oropharyngeal Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3256
Author(s):  
Adam Brewczyński ◽  
Beata Jabłońska ◽  
Agnieszka Maria Mazurek ◽  
Jolanta Mrochem-Kwarciak ◽  
Sławomir Mrowiec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Oropharyngeal Cancer ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Hpv Status ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Several immune and hematological parameters are associated with survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). The aim of the study was to analyze selected immune and hematological parameters of patients with HPV-related (HPV+) and HPV-unrelated (HPV-) OPC, before and after radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (RT/CRT) and to assess the impact of these parameters on survival. One hundred twenty seven patients with HPV+ and HPV− OPC, treated with RT alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), were included. Patients were divided according to HPV status. Confirmation of HPV etiology was obtained from FFPE (Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded) tissue samples and/or extracellular circulating HPV DNA was determined. The pre-treatment and post-treatment laboratory blood parameters were compared in both groups. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune inflammation (SII) index were calculated. The impact of these parameters on overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival was analyzed. In HPV+ patients, a high pre-treatment white blood cells (WBC) count (>8.33 /mm3), NLR (>2.13), SII (>448.60) significantly correlated with reduced OS, whereas high NLR (>2.29), SII (>462.58) significantly correlated with reduced DFS. A higher pre-treatment NLR and SII were significant poor prognostic factors for both OS and DFS in the HPV+ group. These associations were not apparent in HPV− patients. There are different pre-treatment and post-treatment immune and hematological prognostic factors for OS and DFS in HPV+ and HPV− patients. The immune ratios could be considered valuable biomarkers for risk stratification and differentiation for HPV− and HPV+ OPC patients.

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