Cold plasma is well‐tolerated and does not disturb skin barrier or reduce skin moisture

Background: Cold plasma, a new treatment principle in dermatology based on ionic discharge delivering reactive molecular species and UV‐light, exhibits strong antimicrobial efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Before implementing plasma as new medical treatment tool, its safety must be proven, as well as assessing skin tolerance and patient acceptance. Patients and Methods: We investigated the plasma effects of three different plasma sources (pulsed, non‐pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) and a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)) on the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin moisture after treating the fingertips of four healthy male volunteers. Results: TEWL values were reduced by pulsed APPJ and DBD by about 20% but increased after non‐pulsed APPJ by 5–20%. TEWL values normalized 30 min after all forms of plasma treatment. Skin moisture was increased immediately and 30 min after treatment with pulsed APPJ but was not affected by non‐pulsed APPJ and DBD. Conclusions: All plasma treatments were well‐tolerated and did not damage the skin barrier nor cause skin dryness. Cold plasma fulfils basic recommendations for safe use on human skin and as future option may serve as the first physical skin antiseptic.     

The physiological rationale of heat and moisture exchangers in post-laryngectomy pulmonary rehabilitation: a review

Total laryngectomy results in a permanent disconnection of the upper and lower airways and inevitably leads to chronic pulmonary complaints like frequent involuntary coughing, increased sputum production and repeated daily forced expectoration to clean the airway. Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs), applied in an attempt to compensate for the lost functions of the upper respiratory tract, have been found to diminish these symptoms and improve the quality of life significantly. An HME has three physical properties that might be responsible for these improvements. First, its heat and moisture exchanging capacity improves intra-airway preservation of heat and water. Since the condensation and evaporation of moisture are accompanied by the release and uptake of thermal energy, these parameters are inseparable. Secondly, the HMEs resistance may reduce dynamic airway compression, thereby improving ventilation. Thirdly, to some extent, an HME might filter out particles, thereby cleaning inspiratory breathing air. This article summarizes our present knowledge of changes in respiratory physiology after total laryngectomy and the influence of the HME by reviewing the physiological impact of these three physical properties separately for in vitro and in vivo data.     

湿润烧伤膏联合乳酸依沙吖啶湿敷在高龄患者慢性伤口中的应用

慢性伤口是指愈合时限延长,不能正常自愈,而需借助外力才能愈合的伤口,多发于长期卧床、身体状况较差的高龄患者。伤口迁延不愈,严重影响了患者的生活质量。     

润口液药理作用及刺激性的研究

润口液是一种用于解除生理性、病理性口干的制剂。实验研究结果表明，润口液具有促进唾液分泌，保持口腔湿润的功能，并且无毒、无刺激性。     

用时域反射法对杞菊地黄丸干燥过程在线水分测定及干燥工艺优化

目的以杞菊地黄丸为研究对象,采用时域反射法实时测定浓缩丸干燥过程中水分含量及对干燥工艺进行参数优化。方法通过水分、温度以及时域反射计反射信号值之间的关系建立杞菊地黄丸干燥过程水分模型;以马钱苷和丹皮酚的干燥前后转移率为评价指标,结合干燥总用时、杞菊地黄丸的外观形态,综合考察药丸不同厚度(8、16、24 mm)、不同干燥温度(30、40、50、60、70、80、90℃)对干燥工艺的影响并对变温参数进行分析、验证。结果采用时域反射法测试杞菊地黄丸干燥过程水分模型为Y=0.305 X-34.772,r~2=0.999;X=X(T)-(0.768 9 T-24.824 7)(T≥30℃);优化后工艺为以60℃干燥至水分为13.8%后升温到80℃后继续干燥至7.80%后降温至60℃干燥到目标水分5.0%。结论时域反射法实时测试杞菊地黄丸干燥过程中水分的含量是可行的,该方法可尝试在中药浓缩丸干燥过程中水分监测推广应用,而且该方法可应用于中药浓缩丸干燥工艺优化,使干燥过程变得节能省时,使干燥产品质量可控。     

Determination of moisture,total lipid,and bound lipid contents in oats using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance

In this study, we aimed to establish a novel method for determining moisture and lipid contents in oats using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). The applicabilities of the internal and external standard methods for determining oat moisture were compared. To determine oat lipids, calibration curves were established using the external standard method, and then the LF-NMR method and the conventional method were compared. The independent peaks of T₂₁ (0.01–3.0 ms) and T₂₂ (9.01–410.27 ms) in the T₂ spectral curves of oat flour represented water and lipid, respectively. Analysis of moisture content with the internal standard method was more accurate than with the external standard method, which uses 3 % MnCl₂•4H₂O as a standard. The area of T₂₁ peak and T₂₂ peak has a good linear correlation with the mass of water weight and lipid weight, respectively. The results of the LF-NMR method were consistent with the results of the oven method (for moisture content) and the Bligh method (for total lipid content). Moreover, the endosperm was found to contain 0.58–1.36 % of the bound lipid, which was slightly lower than the value for the oat bran.     

Efficiency of Twin-Screw Extrusion of Biodegradable Poly (Butylene Succinate)-Wheat Bran Blend

Unmodified poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) is characterized by very good processability; however, after the incorporation of various fillers of plant origin, its processing becomes much more complicated and its properties are significantly affected. Detailed studies of the processing aspects of PBS/wheat bran (WB) biocomposition are lacking, despite the addition of WB having a significant impact on both the production efficiency and the properties of end products. This research paper presents test results of the co-rotating twin-screw extrusion processing of a biodegradable polymer blend, the matrix of which was PBS, with WB as the filler. In undertaking this task, we examined the impact of extruder screw rotational speed and WB content on the characteristics of extrusion processing, as well as on certain thermal, physical, structural and processing properties of the obtained blend. The WB introduced to the blend was in the form of a selected fraction with particles smaller than 0.2 mm. The measurements were conducted using the Design of Experiment (DOE) methods, which enabled establishing the studied relationships in the form of polynomials and response surfaces. The determined extrusion process characteristics covered the impact of screw rotational speed and WB content on the mass flow rate of the processed blend and its pressure, the screw drive torque and specific energy consumption. The studies of the obtained polymer blend included determining the impact of the aforementioned variable factors on the melt flow rate (MFR) index, chemical structure (FTIR), thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG)), p-v-T relationships, microstructure, density and moisture absorbance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the effect of individual variable factors. The results of this work are presented, inter alia, using Pareto charts of standardized effects, which illustrate the influence of individual terms of the determined regression equations on the studied quantity.     

A comparison of five heat and moisture exchangers

Five heat and moisture exchangers were investigated to compare their efficiency of humidification, their ability to filter bacterial spores and their various physical properties. The results are presented and the various mechanisms of heat and moisture exchange are reviewed. The Pall Ultipor BB50, because of its hydrophobic properties, has a slightly different action from heat and moisture exchangers already in use, The place of the Pall Ultipor BB50 in clinical practice is discussed.     

Humidification devices

Humidification is concerned with the addition of water vapour to a gas and can be measured as either absolute or relative. Adequate humidification is a vital consideration in anaesthesia given that the anatomical source of natural gas humidification (the nasopharynx) is generally bypassed, which can lead to complications including hypothermia, thickening of respiratory secretions, mucus plugging and airway keratinization. Humidification may be passive or active. Equipment involved in passive humidification includes HME filters, soda lime and cold water baths, with these devices able to achieve varying efficiencies without extrinsic energy input. Active humidification devices (including hot water baths) are capable of delivering a higher relative humidity but are associated with higher cost and potential hazards. While not strictly classed as true humidification devices, nebulizers are considered in this article as they add water droplets into a gas flow using a Venturi system, spinning discs or ultrasound vibration technology.     

Mould-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in students from moisture- and mould-damaged schools: A 3-year follow-up study

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to moulds have been used as biomarkers of mould exposure, though their role reflecting exposure is not confirmed. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the changes in mould-specific IgG antibodies in children during a 3-year follow-up in relation to changes in exposure, and to allergic and respiratory morbidity. In 1996, 212 primary school students with asthma, wheezing or prolonged cough participated in a clinical study, including clinical examination, skin-prick tests to 12 moulds and mould-specific IgG determinations to 24 moulds. In 1999, 144 students of the same cohort participated in an identical follow-up study; among them, mould-specific IgG was measured in 121 students. No association was found between IgG antibodies to moulds and exposure to moisture or moulds in schools. Likewise, changes in mould-specific antibodies were only weakly associated with changes in exposure. Mould-specific IgG antibodies had no significant association with asthma, wheezing or cough episodes. IgG antibodies to moulds seem to be poor markers of exposure among children exposed to moisture or moulds at school.