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International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Bacterial contamination is a hazard in many industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The availability of a rapid and simple method for detecting this...
Bacterial contamination is a hazard in many industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The availability of a rapid and simple method for detecting this type of contamination in sterile areas enables immediate intervention to avoid or reduce detrimental effects. Among these methods, colorimetric indicators are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, ease of use, and quick visual interpretation of the signal. In this article, a bacterial contamination indicator system was designed by incorporating MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) into an electrospun PADAS matrix, which is a biodegradable poly(ester amide) synthesized from L-alanine, 1,12-dodecanediol, and sebacic acid. Uniaxial stress testing, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and morphology of the mats, respectively. The capacity for bacterial detection was not only analyzed with agar and broth assays but also by replicating important environmental conditions. Among the MTT concentrations tested in this study (0.2%, 2%, and 5%), it was found that only with a 2% MTT content the designed system produced a color response visible to the naked eye with optimal intensity, a sensitivity limit of 10 CFU/mL, and 86% cell viability, which showed the great potential for its use to detect bacterial contamination. In summary, by means of the process described in this work, it was possible to obtain a simple, low-cost and fast-response bacterial contamination indicator that can be used in mask filters, air filters, or protective clothing.
Topics: Tetrazolium Salts; Polyesters; Colorimetry; Thiazoles; Bacteria; Humans
PubMed: 38928377
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126671 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jun 2024Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases declined upon the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) (social distancing and mask wearing) to control the...
BACKGROUND
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases declined upon the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) (social distancing and mask wearing) to control the COVID-19 pandemic but rebounded in 2022 in numbers with genotypical changes of the strains. We explored here associated modifications in the clinical presentations of IMD.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective descriptive study using the Database of the French National Reference Centre for meningococci and Haemophilus influnezae for IMD cases between 2015 and 2022. We scored serogroups, sex, age groups, clinical presentations and clonal complexes of the corresponding patients and isolates.
FINDINGS
Non-meningeal forms of IMD increased significantly upon easing of NPI, such as bacteremic meningococcal pneumonia and bacteremic abdominal forms. They represented 6% and 8% of all IMD forms and were significantly linked to serogroups Y and W respectively, to older adults for bacteremic pneumonia and to young adults for bacteremic abdominal presentations. These forms were significantly associated with more early mortality and clonal complexes 23, 11 and 9316.
INTERPRETATION
The increase in atypical IMD forms may lead to higher burden of IMD due to delayed diagnosis and management. Updating prevention may be needed through by adapting the current vaccination strategies to epidemiological changes.
Topics: Humans; France; Retrospective Studies; Female; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Adult; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Middle Aged; Aged; Infant; Neisseria meningitidis; Serogroup; Bacteremia; Aged, 80 and over; COVID-19; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 38926823
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09547-y -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024COVID-19 surveillance in Ukraine ceased after the Russian invasion of the country in 2022, on a background of low vaccination rates of 34.5% for two doses at this time....
COVID-19 surveillance in Ukraine ceased after the Russian invasion of the country in 2022, on a background of low vaccination rates of 34.5% for two doses at this time. We conducted a modelling study to estimate the epidemic trajectory of SARS-COV-2 in Ukraine after the start of the war. We use a COVID-19 deterministic Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model for Ukraine to estimate the impact of increased vaccination coverage and masking as public health interventions. We fit the model output to case notification data between 6 January and 25 February 2022, then we forecast the COVID-19 epidemic trajectory in different scenarios of mask use and vaccine coverage. In the best-case scenario, 69% of the Ukrainian population would have been infected in the first half of 2022. Increasing mask use from 50 to 80% reduces cases and deaths by 17% and 30% respectively, while increasing vaccination rates to 60% and 9.6% for two and three doses respectively results in a 3% reduction in cases and 28% in deaths. However, if vaccination is increased to a higher coverage of 80% with two doses and 12.8% with three, or mask effectiveness is reduced to 40%, increasing vaccination coverage is more effective. The loss of health services, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure will amplify the risk of COVID-19 in Ukraine and make vaccine programs less feasible. Masks do not need the health infrastructure or cold-chain logistics required for vaccines and are more feasible for rapid epidemic control during war. However, increasing vaccine coverage will save more lives. Vaccination of refugees who have fled to other countries can be more feasibly achieved.
Topics: Ukraine; Humans; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Vaccination Coverage; SARS-CoV-2; Masks; Vaccination
PubMed: 38926448
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57447-7 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Jun 2024Melasma is a prevalent pigmented disease, yet its pathogenesis remains unclear, posing challenges for effective treatment. Bibliometric analysis, a novel approach to...
BACKGROUND
Melasma is a prevalent pigmented disease, yet its pathogenesis remains unclear, posing challenges for effective treatment. Bibliometric analysis, a novel approach to literature research, offers the opportunity to evaluate research trends through qualitative and quantitative methods. This study utilizes bibliometric methods to analyze the existing literature on melasma treatment, examining influential publications, institutions, countries, and authors through statistical analysis.
METHODS
In order to retrieve manuscripts related to the topic of melasma treatment, we conducted a search using the search formula: (TS = (melasma or Chloasma or "mask of pregnancy")) AND TS = (treatment or therapy). We searched through the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering publications from 2000 to 2023. VOSviewer, CiteSpace and the Bibliometric online site (https://bibliometric.com/app) were used to conduct this bibliometric analysis. Our analysis focused on various factors including publications, authors co-authorship, institutions, countries, citation analysis, keywords co-occurrence, references co-citation and journal co-citation.
RESULTS
A total of 943 articles and 200 reviews were published between 2000 and 2023, accumulating a total of 8628 citations. The average number of citations per item was 18.85, and the average number of citations per year was 292.69. The most prolific author, Sungeun Chang, contributed a total of 9 articles. Cario University emerged as the top research institution. The United States led in terms of article publications with a count of 276. In the past 5 years, the research trends in this field have primarily focused on tranexamic acid and epidermal melasma, as indicated by the burst analysis of publications and keywords.
CONCLUSIONS
The United States continues to lead in terms of institutions and research output. The current emphasis is on the meticulous implementation of tranexamic acid and laser therapy. It is crucial to foster enhanced collaboration among countries, institutions, and authors to facilitate improved research.
PubMed: 38925583
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16438 -
American Journal of Infection Control Jun 2024The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in emergency departments (EDs) is an important defence during infectious disease emergencies. However, what counts as...
Risk assessment and the use of personal protective equipment in an emergency department: differing perspectives of emergency and infection control clinicians. A video-vignette survey.
BACKGROUND
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in emergency departments (EDs) is an important defence during infectious disease emergencies. However, what counts as appropriate PPE in EDs is contentious and inconsistently implemented in practice.
METHODS
An online scenario-based video-survey was distributed through purposive sampling, and completed by 270 ED and infection prevention and control (IPAC) clinicians in Australia. A descriptive content analysis was performed on the data, and differences between groups were tested using Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
Participants agreed that most items were required for both scenarios. Eye protection, mask use and hand hygiene frequency were more contentious. Physicians were more likely than nurses, and ED clinicians more likely than IPAC clinicians, to regard items/actions as optional rather than essential. Many ED clinicians, particularly physicians, regarded sequences as too time-consuming to be practical in a busy emergency department.
DISCUSSION
Our findings likely reflect differences in professional roles, competing priorities and risks, and highlight important contextual characteristics of EDs, such as diagnostic uncertainty, equipment inaccessibility and resource constraints.
CONCLUSIONS
To be feasible, practicable and thereby effective, PPE guidance in the ED must be designed collaboratively with frontline ED staff, and reflect the complexities of their practice.
PubMed: 38925501
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.06.012 -
The American Journal of Medicine Jun 2024In certain situations, masks are worn during sleep to prevent respiratory infections. However, the effects of mask wearing on cardiopulmonary function during sleep are...
Physiological effects and tolerance of wearing surgical and N95 masks during sleep in normal individuals and patients with mild-moderate obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized crossover trial.
BACKGROUND
In certain situations, masks are worn during sleep to prevent respiratory infections. However, the effects of mask wearing on cardiopulmonary function during sleep are unknown. This study aimed to determine whether wearing masks during sleep has an impact on cardiopulmonary function, including in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized crossover-controlled trial. The effects of wearing surgical masks or N95 respirators on cardiopulmonary function were measured in healthy subjects and patients with mild-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep breathing parameters were monitored during nocturnal sleep using a sleep monitor, and subjective feelings about mask wearing were assessed using a questionnaire.
RESULTS
Wearing masks during sleep at night did not significantly impact sleep breathing parameters. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in heart rate, blood oxygenation, and blood pressure before and after wearing masks. However, masks wearing, especially wearing N95 mask, had an adverse impact on sleep quality and were subjectively uncomfortable.
CONCLUSIONS
Wearing masks during sleep at night does not adversely affect cardiopulmonary function but it's uncomfortable, especially N95 mask. Thus, in circumstances where wearing N95 masks during nocturnal sleep proves intolerable, we recommend the use of surgical masks as a more comfortable alternative.
PubMed: 38925495
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.06.013 -
Life Sciences Jun 2024SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious pathogen that predominantly caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The persistent effects of COVID-19 are defined as an inflammatory or host... (Review)
Review
SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious pathogen that predominantly caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The persistent effects of COVID-19 are defined as an inflammatory or host response to the virus that begins four weeks after initial infection and persists for an undetermined length of time. Chronic effects are more harmful than acute ones thus, this review explored the long-term effects of the virus on various human organs, including the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurological, reproductive, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and lymphoid systems and found that SARS-CoV-2 adversely affects these organs of older adults. Regarding diagnosis, the RT-PCR is a gold standard method of diagnosing COVID-19; however, it requires specialized equipment and personnel for performing assays and a long time for results production. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, artificial intelligence employed in imaging and microfluidics technologies is the most promising in diagnosing COVID-19. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are the most effective treatment for reducing the persistent impacts of COVID-19 by providing immunity to post-COVID-19 patients by reducing cytokine release syndrome, improving the T cell response, and increasing the circulation of activated natural killer and CD8 T cells in blood and tissues, which ultimately reduces fever, nausea, fatigue, and muscle weakness and pain. Vaccines such as inactivated viral, live attenuated viral, protein subunit, viral vectored, mRNA, DNA, or nanoparticle vaccines significantly reduce the adverse long-term virus effects in post-COVID-19 patients; however, no vaccine was reported to provide lifetime protection against COVID-19; consequently, protective measures such as physical separation, mask use, and hand cleansing are promising strategies. This review provides a comprehensive knowledge of the persistent effects of COVID-19 on people of varying ages, as well as diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, and future preventative measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
PubMed: 38925222
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122861 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Synthetic fibrous textiles are ubiquitous plastic commodities in everyday existence. Nevertheless, there exists a dearth of understanding regarding their environmental...
Synthetic fibrous textiles are ubiquitous plastic commodities in everyday existence. Nevertheless, there exists a dearth of understanding regarding their environmental occurrence and the releasing capacities of associated additives. In this study, ten additives were determined in twenty-eight kinds of daily used plastic products including face masks, synthetic clothing, and food containers. Our results revealed that a typical kind of fibrous plastic, face masks, contained a greater variety of additives with UV stabilizers in particular, when compared to other plastic commodities. The above phenomena triggered our field investigation for the occurrence and release potentials of face mask fibers and the co-existing UV stabilizers into the environment. We further collected 114 disposed masks from coastal areas and analyzed their UV stabilizer concentrations. Results showed that the abundance of littered face masks ranged from 40-1846 items/km along the Yangtze Estuary, China; and UV stabilizers were of 0.3 ± 0.7 ng/g and 0.7 ± 1.7 ng/g in main bodies and ear ropes, respectively. The UV stabilizer concentrations in the field collected masks were only ∼7 % of their new counterparts, implying their potential leaching after disposal. By simulating the weathering scenario, we predict that a substantial amount of microplastics, with 1.1 × 10 polypropylene fibers and 3.7 × 10 polyester fibers, are probably be released daily into the coastal environment after face masks disposal; whereas the accompanied leaching amount of UV stabilizers was relatively modest under the current scenario.
PubMed: 38925055
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134999 -
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and... 2024After the 2012 Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) CPR Guidelines, this is an update of evidence-based consensus guidelines for Basic Life...
OBJECTIVE
After the 2012 Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) CPR Guidelines, this is an update of evidence-based consensus guidelines for Basic Life Support (BLS), advanced life support (ALS), and periarrest monitoring.
DESIGN
These RECOVER CPR Guidelines were generated using a modified version of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system for evidence evaluation and translation of this evidence into clear and actionable clinical instructions. Prioritized clinical questions in the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) format were used as the basis to conduct systematic literature searches by information specialists, to extract information from relevant publications, to assess this evidence for quality, and finally to translate the findings into treatment recommendations. These recommendations were reviewed by the RECOVER writing group and opened for comment by veterinary professionals for 4 weeks.
SETTING
Transdisciplinary, international collaboration in university, specialty, and emergency practice.
RESULTS
A total of 40 worksheets were prepared to evaluate questions across the 3 domains of BLS, ALS and Monitoring, resulting in 90 individual treatment recommendations. High-dose epinephrine is no longer recommended, and atropine, if used, is only administered once. Bag-mask ventilation is prioritized over mouth-to-nose ventilation in nonintubated animals. In addition, an algorithm for initial assessment, an updated CPR algorithm, a rhythm diagnosis tool, and an updated drug dosing table are provided.
CONCLUSIONS
While the majority of the BLS and ALS recommendations remain unchanged, some noteworthy changes were made due to new evidence that emerged over the past 10 years. Indirectness of evidence remains the largest impediment to the certainty of guidelines formulation and underscores an urgent need for more studies in the target species of dogs and cats.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Cats; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Cat Diseases; Dog Diseases; Heart Arrest
PubMed: 38924627
DOI: 10.1111/vec.13391 -
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and... 2024To systematically review evidence and devise treatment recommendations for basic life support (BLS) in dogs and cats and to identify critical knowledge gaps.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review evidence and devise treatment recommendations for basic life support (BLS) in dogs and cats and to identify critical knowledge gaps.
DESIGN
Standardized, systematic evaluation of literature pertinent to BLS following Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Prioritized questions were each reviewed by 2 Evidence Evaluators, and findings were reconciled by BLS Domain Chairs and Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Co-Chairs to arrive at treatment recommendations commensurate to quality of evidence, risk to benefit relationship, and clinical feasibility. This process was implemented using an Evidence Profile Worksheet for each question that included an introduction, consensus on science, treatment recommendations, justification for these recommendations, and important knowledge gaps. A draft of these worksheets was distributed to veterinary professionals for comment for 4 weeks prior to finalization.
SETTING
Transdisciplinary, international collaboration in university, specialty, and emergency practice.
RESULTS
Twenty questions regarding animal position, chest compression point and technique, ventilation strategies, as well as the duration of CPR cycles and chest compression pauses were examined, and 32 treatment recommendations were formulated. Out of these, 25 addressed chest compressions and 7 informed ventilation during CPR. The recommendations were founded predominantly on very low quality of evidence and expert opinion. These new treatment recommendations continue to emphasize the critical importance of high-quality, uninterrupted chest compressions, with a modification suggested for the chest compression technique in wide-chested dogs. When intubation is not possible, bag-mask ventilation using a tight-fitting facemask with oxygen supplementation is recommended rather than mouth-to-nose ventilation.
CONCLUSIONS
These updated RECOVER BLS treatment recommendations emphasize continuous chest compressions, conformation-specific chest compression techniques, and ventilation for all animals. Very low quality of evidence due to absence of clinical data in dogs and cats consistently compromised the certainty of recommendations, emphasizing the need for more veterinary research in this area.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Cats; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Veterinary Medicine; Cat Diseases; Heart Arrest; Evidence-Based Medicine; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 38924625
DOI: 10.1111/vec.13387