Natural Rubber (NR) Latex Films with Antimicrobial Properties for Stethoscope Diaphragm Covers

Systematic disinfection of the stethoscope diaphragm is required to ensure that it does not act as a vector for cross-transmission of health-related diseases. Thus, an antimicrobial latex film could be used as a cover to inhibit pathogenic bacteria from growing on its surface. The aim of this work is to determine the antimicrobial activity and mechanical properties of antimicrobial natural rubber (NR) latex films with different types of antimicrobial agents (mangosteen peel powder (MPP), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP), and povidone-iodine (PVP-I)). The antimicrobial loading was varied from 0.5, to 1.0, and 2.0 phr to monitor the effective inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria and fungi growth. For MPP and PVP-I antimicrobial agents, a loading of 2.0 phr showed good antimicrobial efficacy with the largest zone of inhibition. Simultaneously, ZnO NP demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity at low concentrations. The addition of antimicrobial agents shows a comparable effect on the mechanical properties of NR latex films. In comparison to control NR latex film (29.41 MPa, 48.49 N/mm), antimicrobial-filled films have significantly greater tensile and tear strengths (MPP (33.84 MPa, 65.21 N/mm), ZnO NP (31.79 MPa, 52.77 N/mm), and PVP-I (33.25 MPa, 50.75 N/mm). In conclusion, the addition of antimicrobial agents, particularly ZnO NP, can be a better choice for NR latex films because they will serve as both an activator and an antimicrobial. In a clinical context, with regard to frequently used medical equipment such as a stethoscope, such an approach offers significant promise to aid infection control.     

The effect of heated humidified carbon dioxide on postoperative pain, core temperature, and recovery times in patients having laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of heated humidified carbon dioxide as insufflation gas during gynecologic laparoscopy reduced postoperative pain and hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification 1). SETTING: A tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty women scheduled for gynecologic laparoscopy between 30 and 90 minutes' duration. INTERVENTIONS: Operative laparoscopic management of endometriosis, adhesions, or adnexal pathology. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized into either receiving heated humidified carbon dioxide (study group) or standard cold dry gas (control group). Intraoperative and postoperative core temperature, total analgesic use, postoperative nausea, and recovery room time were recorded. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was performed using software. No significant difference was revealed between groups with regard to postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, recovery room time, or postoperative nausea. The control group had less postoperative hypothermia, suggesting that external warming blankets may be more effective than heated humidified gas at maintaining intraoperative normothermia. CONCLUSION: The use of heated humidified carbon dioxide insufflation for short-duration gynecologic laparoscopy up to 90 minutes' duration was not associated with any significant benefit with regard to postoperative pain, hypothermia, or time of recovery room stay.     

Effects of the components of hormone therapy on matrix metalloproteinases in breast-cancer cells: an in vitro study

We describe our experience of over 300 cycles of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and report clinical pregnancy rates (35%-67%) that support using this technology to screen for genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities. In clinical practice for over ten years, PGD offers couples the earliest form of genetic screening and may help improve ongoing pregnancy rates in poor-prognosis patients.     

Transmission of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus by Spissistilus festinus [Say, 1830] (Hemiptera: Membracidae) between Free-Living Vines and Vitis vinifera ‘Cabernet Franc’

Grapevine red blotch disease emerged within the past decade, disrupting North American vine stock production and vineyard profitability. Our understanding of how grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), the causal agent of the disease, interacts with its Vitis hosts and insect vector, Spissistilus festinus, is limited. Here, we studied the capabilities of S. festinus to transmit GRBV from and to free-living vines, identified as first-generation hybrids of V. californica and V. vinifera ‘Sauvignon blanc’ (Vcal hybrids), and to and from V. vinifera ‘Cabernet franc’ (Vvin Cf) vines. The transmission rate of GRBV was high from infected Vcal hybrid vines to healthy Vcal hybrid vines (77%, 10 of 13) and from infected Vvin Cf vines to healthy Vcal hybrid vines (100%, 3 of 3). In contrast, the transmission rate of GRBV was low from infected Vcal hybrid vines to healthy Vvin Cf vines (15%, 2 of 13), and from infected Vvin Cf vines to healthy Vvin Cf vines (19%, 5 of 27). No association was found between transmission rates and GRBV titer in donor vines used in transmission assays, but the virus titer was higher in the recipient leaves of Vcal hybrid vines compared with recipient leaves of Vvin Cf vines. The transmission of GRBV from infected Vcal hybrid vines was also determined to be trans-stadial. Altogether, our findings revealed that free-living vines can be a source for the GRBV inoculum that is transmissible by S. festinus to other free-living vines and a wine grape cultivar, illustrating the interconnected roles of the two virus hosts in riparian areas and commercial vineyards, respectively, for virus spread. These new insights into red blotch disease epidemiology will inform the implementation of disease management strategies.     

The ethics of feedback of HIV test results in population-based surveys of HIV infection

Population-based disease prevalence surveys raise ethical questions, including whether participants should be routinely told their test results. Ethical guidelines call for informing survey participants of any clinically relevant finding to enable appropriate management. However, in anonymous surveys of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, participants can “opt out” of being given their test results or are offered the chance to undergo voluntary HIV testing in local counselling and testing services. This is aimed at minimizing survey participation bias. Those who opt out of being given their HIV test results and who do not seek their results miss the opportunity to receive life-saving antiretroviral therapy.The justification for HIV surveys without routine feedback of results to participants is based on a public health utility argument: that the benefits of more rigorous survey methods – reduced participation bias – outweigh the benefits to individuals of knowing their HIV status. However, people with HIV infection have a strong immediate interest in knowing their HIV status. In consideration of the ethical value of showing respect for people and thereby alleviating suffering, an argument based on public health utility is not an appropriate justification. In anonymous HIV surveys as well as other prevalence surveys of treatable conditions in any setting, participation should be on the basis of routine individual feedback of results as an integral part of fully informed participation. Ensuring that surveys are ethically sound may stimulate participation, increase a broader uptake of HIV testing and reduce stigmatization of people who are HIV-positive.     

The effects of bilateral caudal epidural S2–4 neuromodulation on female sexual function

This is a pilot study to evaluate the effects of caudal epidural S2–4 neuromodulation on female sexual function in a population of women with voiding dysfunction. We prospectively studied 36 consecutive female patients who underwent caudal epidural sacral neuromodulation. Patients received the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Six months after permanent implantation, the overall score on the FSFI improved by 52% (p = 0.05). Results were better in patients who underwent the treatment for voiding dysfunction compared to those who had pain as their primary complaint. In this group, the overall score improved by 157% (p = 0.004). Stimulation of S2–4 by bilateral caudal epidural neuromodulation in this small group of women with voiding dysfunction, retention, and/or pelvic pain resulted in self-reported improvements in sexual function. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of S2–4 sacral stimulation in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.     

大鼠原位肝脏低温灌注和复流模型的建立及意义

目的建立一种大鼠肝脏原位低温灌注再复流模型,用于离体及活体供肝肝切除术的研究。方法大鼠78只,分成4组,A、B组分别用乳酸林格氏液和自制灌注液灌注,C组仅行全肝血流阻断,D组作正常对照。脾静脉和右肾上腺静脉分别作为灌注液流入和流出道,行在体原位低温灌注,观察再复流后对肝细胞和肝窦内皮细胞的影响。结果C组再复流2h和6h血清透明质酸浓度为（250.0±24.1）μg/L、（290.4±37.0）μg/L,分别高于A组（142.9±30.1）μg/L、（200.0±17.5）μg/L,差异均有非常显著性（P<0.01）;B组浓度为（63.3±16.2）μg/L、（62.1±14.6）μg/L,与A组相比浓度更低（P<0.01）。结论该模型方法简单,易成功,可用于离体和活体供肝肝切除防止肝脏损伤的研究。