scholarly journals The pencil eraser swab technique to quantify <i>Cutibacterium acnes</i> on shoulder skin

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 451-456
Author(s):  
Vendela M. Scheer ◽  
Malin Bergman Jungeström ◽  
Lena Serrander ◽  
Johan H. Scheer ◽  
Anders Kalén
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Viable Count ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Healthy Male ◽  
Postoperative Infections ◽  
Colony Forming Unit ◽  
Bacterial Cultures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cutibacterium Acnes ◽  
The Right

Abstract. Introduction: Cutibacterium acnes is the most common cause of postoperative infections in orthopaedic shoulder surgery and is hard to eradicate with current measures. Newer strategies focus on reducing bacterial load on the skin before surgery. Several previous studies have used a large number of both described and undescribed sampling techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare three previously described swab techniques to obtain bacterial cultures: Levine's (L) technique, the Z technique and the pencil eraser swab (PES) technique. Methods: Three consecutive skin swabs were collected from the right shoulder, on 15 healthy male volunteers, using Levine's technique, Z technique and PES technique from each participant. To determine the number of living bacteria, serial dilutions were made, and after culturing for 5 d, viable count (VC) was expressed as CFU/mL (with CFU representing colony-forming unit). Results: The PES technique yielded significantly higher VC than the two others. PES: median 3700 CFU/mL, L: 200 CFU/mL and Z: 220 CFU/mL (p=0.003). There was no significant difference between the methods regarding the number of positive cultures. PES: 14/15, L: 11/15 and Z: 12/15. Conclusions: There is a need to harmonise sampling techniques of C. acnes in order to compare the efficacy of different measures to reduce the bacterial load on the skin before and during surgery. Of the three tested methods, the PES technique is simple and produces the highest bacterial counts.

scholarly journals Wedding Rings are not a Significant Source of Bacterial Contamination Following Surgical Scrubbing

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Al-Allak ◽  
S Sarasin ◽  
S Key ◽  
G Morris-Stiff
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Load Following ◽  
Right Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Viable Bacteria ◽  
The Right ◽  
In Transit

INTRODUCTION Despite some evidence that the wearing of rings may increase the microbial load, there is currently nothing to suggest that viable bacteria remain following a standard surgical scrub. The aim of the study was to examine the distribution and type of microbial flora seen on the hands of doctors following a standard surgical scrub. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten surgeons and 10 anaesthetists, all of whom wore wedding rings on the fourth finger of their left hand, participated in the study. Each individual was asked to ‘scrub-up’ as for their normal first scrub of the day. Following completion of washing, the wedding ring was removed, its internal circumference swabbed and the swab placed in a culture medium. Volunteers placed each hand palm-down on separate agar plates. The plates were incubated and the number of colonies counted and classified. RESULTS The culture plates of one of the anaesthetists were damaged in transit leaving a total of 19 subjects for analysis. In all the palm imprint plates, coagulase-negative staphylococci were grown. One surgeon grew coagulase-negative staphylococci from the ring swab. A Candida spp. from the right hand of one surgeon was grown. There was no statistically significant difference between the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) cultured from the right and left (ring-wearing) hands of the surgeons (P = 0.260) and anaesthetists (P = 0.345). There was no statistical difference in CFUs when surgeons were compared with anaesthetists (P = 0.383 for right hand and P = 0.234 for left). CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study would suggest that a traditional band wedding ring is not a source of a bacterial load following a standard surgical scrub procedure and, as such, there is no requirement for their removal pre-operatively.

scholarly journals Sheep urinary tract architecture is not affected by acute urethral obstruction

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 1111-1128
Author(s):  
Thiago Arcoverde Maciel ◽  
◽  
Clédson Calixto de Oliveira ◽  
Millena de Oliveira Firmino ◽  
Lismara Castro do Nascimento-Hama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Fatty Degeneration ◽  
Morphometric Study ◽  
Healthy Male ◽  
Bladder Mucosa ◽  
Experimental Diet ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tubular Lumen ◽  
The Right

Urolithiasis affects the urinary tract of small ruminants, thereby requiring the animal to prematurely terminate breeding. Morphometric study of organs can be used as a diagnostic method. Thus, this study aimed to describe the macroscopic, histopathological, and histomorphometric changes in the urinary tract of sheep with urolithiasis. For this purpose, 14 healthy male Santa Inês sheep, approximately 90 days old, were studied and fed an experimental diet. After the development of urolithiasis, the animals were reorganized into two groups, D1 (without urolithiasis) and D2 (with urolithiasis) for comparative data analysis. Sheep were necropsied to evaluate the pathological changes, followed by macroscopic morphometric analysis, and the histopathological and histomorphometric characteristics were described. Urethral necrosis and a full urinary bladder were observed in all animals that developed the disease. The comparison between sheep with and without urolithiasis showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the evaluated macroscopic morphometric variables, except for the right ureter width. Regarding the histopathological evaluation, multifocal areas of mild to moderate congestion within the glomerular tufts and protein in the tubular lumen of the kidneys were observed. In the liver, mild to moderate fatty degeneration was noted in the centrolobular regions, and an ulcerated focal area in the bladder mucosa was observed in only one animal. The present study demonstrated that the formulated diet was effective in inducing clinical disease. In acute obstructive urolithiasis in sheep tissue, lesions in the liver and urinary tract were observed, although there were no significant histomorphometric changes.

Suicidal Ideation and Self-Determination in Institutionalized Elderly

Crisis ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrée Fortin ◽  
Sylvie Lapierre ◽  
Jacques Baillargeon ◽  
Réal Labelle ◽  
Micheline Dubé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Determination ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Rational Suicide ◽  
Institutionalized Elderly ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Social Subscale ◽  
Civil Status ◽  
The Right ◽  
Taking Action

The right to self-determination is central to the current debate on rational suicide in old age. The goal of this exploratory study was to assess the presence of self-determination in suicidal institutionalized elderly persons. Eleven elderly persons with serious suicidal ideations were matched according to age, sex, and civil status with 11 nonsuicidal persons. The results indicated that suicidal persons did not differ from nonsuicidal persons in level of self-determination. There was, however, a significant difference between groups on the social subscale. Suicidal elderly persons did not seem to take others into account when making a decision or taking action. The results are discussed from a suicide-prevention perspective.

Investigation of microbial contamination of Powdered Infant Formula during different storage periods after opening

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Khalid Al-atrash
Keyword(s):  
Infant Formula ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Viable Count ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Powdered Infant Formula ◽  
Total Viable Count ◽  
Coliform Count ◽  
Significant Difference

The present study was carried out to knowing effect different storage periods of the microbial quality for the Powdered Infant Formula (PIF) after opening the tin, and ensuring from the safety note (after opening, use within 3 weeks). Thirty (30) samples of (PIF) from category (1 – 6 months) in five different types are collected from pharmacies and local markets in Baquba city / Iraq, which are used as substitutes for breast milk during the first day of opening the tin powders such as Total viable count, Total coliform count, Salmonella count and Yeast and Molds count. These experiments repeated at each week of same samples within (5) weeks. Results were obtained at opening the tin, Total viable count (less than 0.05 1.0 x 103 ±1.5x10 CFU/g) were significantly higher than Total Coliform count (less than 0.05 ± 0.3 x 10 CFU/g) and Total Salmonella count (less than 0.05 0 x 10 CFU/g) and Yeasts and Molds (less than 0.05 ± 0.3 x 10 CFU/g). while results obtained at fifth week were (less than 0.05 8.8 x 103 ±5.5x102 CFU/g), (less than 0.05 0.9 x 102 ± 0.4x101 CFU/g), (less than 0.05 0 x 10 CFU/g), (less than 0.05 9.5 x 10 ± 1.2x101 CFU /g) respectively. All samples of (PIF) having non-significant difference. These results compared to Iraqi Quality Standards (IQS), all the results from the opening samples to fifth week were within the range of IQS and USA Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and as indicates the hygienic condition of (PIF) without risk level for human health. also observed increase in microbial contamination in each week because increase the moisture content for powdered milk. Can be used more than 3 weeks after opening if stored in good conditions with good hygienic practices during milk preparation.

DeVega versus ring annuloplasty in severe functional tricuspid insufficiency and their impact on the right ventricle

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Yasser Hamdy ◽  
Mohammed Mahmoud Mostafa ◽  
Ahmed Elminshawy
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Tricuspid Valve ◽  
Tricuspid Regurgitation ◽  
Early Postoperative Period ◽  
Tricuspid Valve Repair ◽  
Ring Annuloplasty ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Right

Background: Functional tricuspid valve regurgitation secondary to left-sided valve disease is common. DeVega repair is simple, but residual regurgitation with subsequent impairment of the right ventricular function is a concern. This study aims to compare tricuspid valve repair using DeVega vs. ring annuloplasty and their impact on the right ventricle in the early postoperative period and after six months. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 51 patients with rheumatic heart disease who underwent tricuspid valve repair for secondary severe tricuspid regurgitation. Patients were divided into two groups: group A; DeVega repair (n=34) and group B; ring annuloplasty repair (n=17). Patients were assessed clinically and by echocardiography before discharge and after six months for the degree of tricuspid regurgitation, right ventricular diameter and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Results: Preoperative echocardiographic assessment showed no difference in left ventricular end-systolic diameter, end-diastolic diameter, ejection fraction and right ventricular diameter, however; group A had significantly better preoperative right ventricular function measured by TAPSE (1.96 ± 0.27 vs1.75 ± 0.31 cm; p=0.02). Group B had significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (127.65 ± 13.56 vs. 111.74 ± 18.74 minutes; p= 0.003) and ischemic time (99.06 ± 11.80 vs. 87.15 ± 16.01 minutes; p= 0.009). Pre-discharge, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of tricuspid regurgitation, but the right ventricular diameter was significantly lower in group B (2.66 ± 0.41 and 2.40 ± 0.48 cm; p=0.049). After six months of follow up, the degree of tricuspid regurgitation (p= 0.029) and the right ventricular diameter were significantly lower in the ring annuloplasty group (2.56 ± 0.39 and 2.29 ± 0.44 cm; p=0.029). Although there was a statistically significant difference in preoperative TAPSE, this difference disappeared after six months. Conclusion: Both DeVega and ring annuloplasty techniques were effective in the early postoperative period, ring annuloplasty was associated with lesser residual regurgitation and better right ventricular remodeling in severe functional tricuspid regurgitation than DeVega procedure after 6-months of follow up.

scholarly journals POS0586 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS AN INFLAMMATORY DISEASE WITH A HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 526.1-526
Author(s):  
L. Nacef ◽  
H. Riahi ◽  
Y. Mabrouk ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
K. Maatallah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
External Carotid ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right

Background:Hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are traditional risk factors of cardiac events. Carotid ultrasonography is an available way to detect subclinical atherosclerosis.Objectives:This study aimed to compare the intima-media thickness in RA patients based on their personal cardiovascular (CV) history of hypertension (hypertension), diabetes, and dyslipidemia.Methods:The present study is a prospective study conducted on Tunisian RA patients in the rheumatology department of Mohamed Kassab University Hospital (March and December 2020). The characteristics of the patients and those of the disease were collected.The high-resolution B-mode carotid US measured the IMT, according to American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The carotid bulb below its bifurcation and the internal and external carotid arteries were evaluated bilaterally with grayscale, spectral, and color Doppler ultrasonography using proprietary software for carotid artery measurements. IMT was measured using the two inner layers of the common carotid artery, and an increased IMT was defined as ≥0.9 mm. A Framingham score was calculated to predict the cardiovascular risk at 10-year.Results:Forty-seven patients were collected, 78.7% of whom were women. The mean age was 52.5 ±11.06 [32-76]. The rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 57.8% of cases, and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 62.2% of cases. RA was erosive in 81.6% of cases. Hypertension (hypertension) was present in 14.9% of patients, diabetes in 12.8% of patients, and dyslipidemia in 12.8% of patients. Nine patients were active smokers. The mean IMT in the left common carotid (LCC) was 0.069 ±0.015, in the left internal carotid (LIC) was 0.069 ±0.015, in the left external carotid (LEC) was 0.060 ±0.023. The mean IMT was 0.068 ±0.01 in the right common carotid (RCC), 0.062 ±0.02 in the right internal carotid (RIC), and 0.060 ±0.016 in the right external carotid (REC). The IMT was significantly higher in the left common carotid (LCC) in patients with hypertension (p=0.025). There was no significant difference in the other ultrasound sites (LIC, LEC, RCC, RIC, and REC) according to the presence or absence of hypertension. The IMT was also significantly increased in patients with diabetes at LCC (p=0.017) and RIC (p=0.025). There was no significant difference in the IMT at different ultrasound sites between patients with and without dyslipidemia.Conclusion:Hypertension was significantly associated with the increase in IMT at the LCC level in RA patients. Diabetes had an impact on IMT in LCC and RIC. However, dyslipidemia did not affect the IMT at the different ultrasound sites.References:[1]S. Gunter and al. Arterial wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2018; 36: Clinical E.xperimental.[2]Aslan and al. Assessment of local carotid stiffness in seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL, 2017.[3]Martin I. Wah-Suarez and al, Carotid ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects: A case-control study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018;1–7.[4]Gobbic C and al. Marcadores subclínicos de aterosclerosis y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en artritis temprana. Subclinical markers of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors in early arthritis marcadores subclínicos de aterosclerose e fatores de risco cardiovascular na artrite precoce.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

The Effect of Reflexology on Lactation in Women Who Had Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sevde Aksu ◽  
Pelin Palas Karaca
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Right ◽  
Documentation Tool ◽  
And Control

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (<i>n</i> = 30) and control groups (<i>n</i> = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.

scholarly journals Frequency-Following Response (FFR) in Military Pilots

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graziela Maria Martins-Moreira ◽  
Alessandra Spada Durante
Keyword(s):  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Frequency Following Response ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Qualitative Variables ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
The Right ◽  
Military Pilots

Abstract Introduction Good hearing in pilots, including central auditory skills, is critical for flight safety and the prevention of aircraft accidents. Pure tone audiometry alone may not be enough to assess hearing in the members of this population who, in addition to high noise levels, routinely face speech recognition tasks in non-ideal conditions. Objective To characterize the frequency-following response (FFR) of a group of military pilots compared with a control group. Methods Twenty military pilots in the Study Group and 20 non-pilot military personnel, not exposed to noise in their work, in the Control Group, all with normal hearing, aged between 30 and 40 years old, completed a questionnaire to assess their hearing habits, and their FFRs were measured with a /da/ syllable (duration 40 milliseconds, speed 10.9/s), at 80 dB NA in the right ear. All procedures were approved by the ethical committee of the institution. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-Student or Mann-Whitney tests for quantitative variables, and the Fisher or chi-squared tests for qualitative variables, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results There was no significant difference between the groups regarding auditory habits. In the FFR, wave amplitudes A (p = 0.01) and C (p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the Study Group. Conclusion Working as a military pilot can be a crucial factor in determining an individual's typical FFR pattern, demonstrated in the present study by statistically significant reductions in the amplitudes of the A and C waves.

scholarly journals In vivo exploration of synaptic projections in frontotemporal dementia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Salmon ◽  
Mohamed Ali Bahri ◽  
Alain Plenevaux ◽  
Guillaume Becker ◽  
Alain Seret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Input Function ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
Synaptic Density ◽  
Clinical Disorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Right

AbstractThe purpose of this exploratory research is to provide data on synaptopathy in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Twelve patients with probable bvFTD were compared to 12 control participants and 12 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Loss of synaptic projections was assessed with [18F]UCBH-PET. Total distribution volume was obtained with Logan method using carotid artery derived input function. Neuroimages were analyzed with SPM12. Verbal fluency, episodic memory and awareness of cognitive impairment were equally impaired in patients groups. Compared to controls, [18F]UCBH uptake tended to decrease in the right anterior parahippocampal gyrus of bvFTD patients. Loss of synaptic projections was observed in the right hippocampus of AD participants, but there was no significant difference in [18F]UCBH brain uptake between patients groups. Anosognosia for clinical disorder was correlated with synaptic density in the caudate nucleus and the anteromedial prefrontal cortex. This study suggests that synaptopathy in bvFTD targets the temporal social brain and self-referential processes.

Different selective dry cow therapy concepts compared to blanket antibiotic dry cow treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (06) ◽  
pp. 343-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Wente ◽  
Jan-Hendrik Paduch ◽  
Doris Klocke ◽  
Elisabeth Mansion-de Vries ◽  
Martina Hoedemaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Test ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Right

SummaryObjective: The aim of the study was to investigate the use of somatic cell count (SCC) and aerobic bacterial counts as possible tools to choose animals for selective dry cow treatment (DCT) on cow level. Blanket antibiotic DCT is an approved and common method in Germany aimed at increasing the cure rate of existing intramammary infections (IMI) at the time of drying off and decreasing the risk of new infections during the dry period. However, not all animals benefit equally from an antibiotic DCT. Moreover, dairies, consumers and politicians demand a reduction in the use of antibiotics in farm animals. Several criteria for identifying animals which would benefit from antibiotic DCT have been described in the literature. Material and methods: Animals chosen for this investigation were divided into three study groups: Aerobic Count Petrifilm® group A (153 cows), SCC group S (160 cows) and control group C (169 cows). All quarters were treated with an internal teat sealant (ITS) no matter which group the cows belonged to. Results: Group C, in which all cows received an antibiotic DCT, achieved the best results referred to udder health, particularly regarding bacteriological dry period cure. However, the results of the two study groups A and S, in which the animals were dried off selectively, were only marginally worse. A significant difference regarding bacterial dry period cure was revealed between group S and group C (p = 0.039), whereas no significant difference concerning new IMI risk could be detected between the three study groups. Compared to a blanket antibiotic DCT of all cows in the corresponding study group, a reduction of the usage of antibiotics of 23.5 % (A) and 55 % (S) was noticed, respectively. Furthermore, it could be shown that the lactation number as well as the microorganisms present at the time of drying off influence udder health. Conclusion: Selective DCT is an alternative method to the widespread blanket antibiotic DCT. However, it has to be mentioned that selective DCT involves the described marginal decline in udder health and the additional amount of time, which might arise from the procedure of choosing the right animals and performing the applied rapid test methods.

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