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International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022There is an ongoing search for novel disinfection techniques that are not only effective, cheap, and convenient, but that also do not have adverse effects on the...
There is an ongoing search for novel disinfection techniques that are not only effective, cheap, and convenient, but that also do not have adverse effects on the properties of dental impressions. We compared the effects of various methods (UVC, gaseous ozone, commercial solution, and spray) on the dimensional change, tensile strength, and hardness of silicone impressions. Moreover, as a secondary aim, we performed a statistical comparison of the properties of nondisinfected addition (Panasil Putty Soft, Panasil monophase Medium, Panasil initial contact Light) and condensation silicones (Zetaplus Putty and Oranwash L), as well as a comparison of materials of various viscosities (putty, medium-bodied, and light-bodied). Our results revealed that addition silicones had higher dimensional stability, tensile strength, and Shore A hardness compared to condensation silicones. Both traditional (immersion and spraying) and alternative methods of disinfection (UVC and ozone) had no significant impact on the tensile properties and dimensional stability of the studied silicones; however, they significantly affected the hardness, particularly of Oranwash L. Our study demonstrated that, similarly to standard liquid disinfectants, both UVC and ozone do not strongly affect the material properties of most silicones. However, before recommendation, their usefulness for each individual material should be thoroughly evaluated.
Topics: Disinfectants; Disinfection; Materials Testing; Ozone; Silicones; Surface Properties; Viscosity
PubMed: 36142778
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810859 -
Viruses Aug 2022The pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a serious global public health issue. Besides the high transmission rate... (Review)
Review
The pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a serious global public health issue. Besides the high transmission rate from individual to individual, indirect transmission from inanimate objects or surfaces poses a more significant threat. Since the start of the outbreak, the importance of respiratory protection, social distancing, and chemical disinfection to prevent the spread of the virus has been the prime focus for infection control. Health regulatory organizations have produced guidelines for the formulation and application of chemical disinfectants to manufacturing industries and the public. On the other hand, extensive literature on the virucidal efficacy testing of microbicides for SARS-CoV-2 has been published over the past year and a half. This review summarizes the studies on the most common chemical disinfectants and their virucidal efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, including the type and concentration of the chemical disinfectant, the formulation, the presence of excipients, the exposure time, and other critical factors that determine the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants. In this review, we also critically appraise these disinfectants and conduct a discussion on the role they can play in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: COVID-19; Disinfectants; Disinfection; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 36016342
DOI: 10.3390/v14081721 -
Environment International Oct 2022Herein, a highly efficient electro-peroxone (E-peroxone) process with graphite felt as ozone diffusion electrode (ODE) was developed for the synchronous removal of...
Herein, a highly efficient electro-peroxone (E-peroxone) process with graphite felt as ozone diffusion electrode (ODE) was developed for the synchronous removal of pharmaceutical contaminants and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in real hospital wastewater. Under optimal conditions, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate of real hospital wastewater could reach 93.9%. Importantly, 126 pharmaceutical compounds (antibiotics, antivirals, analgesics, antiepileptics, hormones, and others) were determined in hospital wastewater by using ultra performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). 110 pharmaceutical compounds could be efficiently degraded in E-peroxone system. Concurrently, the microbial community analysis through high-throughput sequencing showed that E-peroxone process exhibited an excellent disinfection effect in real hospital wastewater. Escherichia coli as a bacterial indicator could be completely inactivated in E-peroxone process·HO and hydroxyl radical (OH) were found in E-peroxone system based on the results of chemical probe experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. The in-situ generation of HO from cathodic oxygen reduction in ODE can react with ozone to produce OH, and realize high efficiencies for the elimination of pharmaceutical and sterilization. This work established a green and effective way without extra addition of chemical reagents for high-efficiency treatment of real hospital wastewater.
PubMed: 35961271
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107453 -
Medicine in Microecology Dec 2022SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly, causing millions of deaths across the globe. As a result, demand for medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) surged and...
SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly, causing millions of deaths across the globe. As a result, demand for medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) surged and supplies dwindled. Separate entirely, hospital-acquired infections have become commonplace and challenging to treat. To explore the potential of novel sterilization techniques, this study evaluated the disinfection efficacy of Fathhome's ozone-based, dry-sanitizing device by dose and time response. Inactivation of human pathogens was tested on non-porous (plastic) surfaces. 95.42-100% inactivation was observed across all types of vegetative microorganisms and 27.36% inactivation of bacterial endospores tested, with no residual ozone detectable after completion. These results strongly support the hypothesis that Fathhome's commercial implementation of gas-based disinfection is suitable for rapid decontamination of a wide variety of pathogens on PPE and other industrially relevant materials.
PubMed: 35945946
DOI: 10.1016/j.medmic.2022.100059 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2022The development of new approaches for the decontamination of surfaces is important to deal with the processes related to exposure to contaminated surfaces. Therefore,...
The development of new approaches for the decontamination of surfaces is important to deal with the processes related to exposure to contaminated surfaces. Therefore, was evaluated the efficacy of a disinfection technology using ozonized water (0.7-0.9 ppm of O) on the surfaces of garments and accessories of volunteers, aiming to reduce the spread of microbial pathogens in the workplace and community. A Log microbial reduction of 1.72-2.40 was observed between the surfaces tested. The microbial reductions remained above 60% on most surfaces, and this indicated that the disinfection technology was effective in microbial log reduction regardless of the type of transport used by the volunteers and/or their respective work activities. In association with the evaluation of efficacy, the analysis of the perception of use (approval percentage of 92.45%) was fundamental to consider this technology as an alternative for use as a protective barrier, in conjunction with other preventive measures against microbiological infections, allowing us to contribute to the availability of proven effective devices against the spread of infectious agents in the environment.
Topics: Disinfectants; Disinfection; Humans; Perception; Technology; Water
PubMed: 35906472
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16953-2 -
Human Reproduction Update Jan 2023Air pollution is both a sensory blight and a threat to human health. Inhaled environmental pollutants can be naturally occurring or human-made, and include...
BACKGROUND
Air pollution is both a sensory blight and a threat to human health. Inhaled environmental pollutants can be naturally occurring or human-made, and include traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), ozone, particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds, among other substances, including those from secondhand smoking. Studies of air pollution on reproductive and endocrine systems have reported associations of TRAP, secondhand smoke (SHS), organic solvents and biomass fueled-cooking with adverse birth outcomes. While some evidence suggests that air pollution contributes to infertility, the extant literature is mixed, and varying effects of pollutants have been reported.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
Although some reviews have studied the association between common outdoor air pollutants and time to pregnancy (TTP), there are no comprehensive reviews that also include exposure to indoor inhaled pollutants, such as airborne occupational toxicants and SHS. The current systematic review summarizes the strength of evidence for associations of outdoor air pollution, SHS and indoor inhaled air pollution with couple fecundability and identifies gaps and limitations in the literature to inform policy decisions and future research.
SEARCH METHODS
We performed an electronic search of six databases for original research articles in English published since 1990 on TTP or fecundability and a number of chemicals in the context of air pollution, inhalation and aerosolization. Standardized forms for screening, data extraction and study quality were developed using DistillerSR software and completed in duplicate. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess risk of bias and devised additional quality metrics based on specific methodological features of both air pollution and fecundability studies.
OUTCOMES
The search returned 5200 articles, 4994 of which were excluded at the level of title and abstract screening. After full-text screening, 35 papers remained for data extraction and synthesis. An additional 3 papers were identified independently that fit criteria, and 5 papers involving multiple routes of exposure were removed, yielding 33 articles from 28 studies for analysis. There were 8 papers that examined outdoor air quality, while 6 papers examined SHS exposure and 19 papers examined indoor air quality. The results indicated an association between outdoor air pollution and reduced fecundability, including TRAP and specifically nitrogen oxides and PM with a diameter of ≤2.5 µm, as well as exposure to SHS and formaldehyde. However, exposure windows differed greatly between studies as did the method of exposure assessment. There was little evidence that exposure to volatile solvents is associated with reduced fecundability.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
The evidence suggests that exposure to outdoor air pollutants, SHS and some occupational inhaled pollutants may reduce fecundability. Future studies of SHS should use indoor air monitors and biomarkers to improve exposure assessment. Air monitors that capture real-time exposure can provide valuable insight about the role of indoor air pollution and are helpful in assessing the short-term acute effects of pollutants on TTP.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Particulate Matter; Fertility; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 35894871
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac029 -
Membranes Jul 2022This work addresses hydrophilization of hydrophobic mesoporous membranes based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) via ozonation. Mesoporous HDPE membranes were prepared...
This work addresses hydrophilization of hydrophobic mesoporous membranes based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) via ozonation. Mesoporous HDPE membranes were prepared by intercrystallite environmental crazing. Porosity was 50%, and pore dimensions were below 10 nm. Contact angle of mesoporous membranes increases from 96° (pristine HDPE) to 120° due to the formation of nano/microscale surface relief and enhanced surface roughness. The membranes are impermeable to water (water entry threshold is 250 bar). The prepared membranes were exposed to ozonation and showed a high ozone uptake. After ozonation, the membranes were studied by different physicochemical methods, including DSC, AFM, FTIR spectroscopy, etc. Due to ozonation, wettability of the membranes was improved: their contact angle decreased from 120° down to 60°, and they became permeable to water. AFM micrographs revealed a marked smoothening of the surface relief, and the FTIR spectra indicated the development of new functionalities due to ozonolysis. Both factors contribute to hydrophilization and water permeability of the ozonated HDPE membranes. Hence, ozonation was proved to be a facile and efficient instrument for surface modification of hydrophobic mesoporous HDPE membranes and can also provide their efficient sterilization for biomedical purposes and water treatment.
PubMed: 35893451
DOI: 10.3390/membranes12080733 -
Scientific Reports May 2022To apply the sterilisation effect of low-temperature plasma to the oral cavity, the issue of ozone from plasma must be addressed. In this study, a new technology for...
To apply the sterilisation effect of low-temperature plasma to the oral cavity, the issue of ozone from plasma must be addressed. In this study, a new technology for generating cold plasma with almost no ozone is developed and is named Nozone (no-ozone) Cold Plasma (NCP) technology. The antimicrobial efficacy of the NCP against four oral pathogens is tested, and its specific mechanism is elucidated. The treatment of NCP on oral pathogenic microbes on a solid medium generated a growth inhibition zone. When NCP is applied to oral pathogens in a liquid medium, the growth of microbes decreased by more than 10 colony forming units, and the bactericidal effect of NCP remained after the installation of dental tips. The bactericidal effect of NCP in the liquid medium is due to the increase in hydrogen peroxide levels in the medium. However, the bactericidal effect of NCP in the solid medium depends on the charged elements of the NCP. Furthermore, the surface bactericidal efficiency of the dental-tip-installed NCP is proportional to the pore size of the tips and inversely proportional to the length of the tips. Overall, we expect this NCP device to be widely used in dentistry in the near future.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Hydrogen Peroxide; Ozone; Plasma Gases
PubMed: 35534525
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11665-z -
RSC Advances Jul 2021Supplies of respiratory masks have recently become a concern due to the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Sanitization and reuse of masks can alleviate high mask...
Supplies of respiratory masks have recently become a concern due to the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Sanitization and reuse of masks can alleviate high mask consumption and production stresses. In the present work, improved sanitization potency of vaporous hydrogen peroxide (VHP) treatment of resilient bacterial spores while retaining polymeric filter performance was explored. A batch fumigation chamber with hydrogen peroxide (HO) vapor and ozone (O) is featured, followed by intense pulsed light (IPL) flash treatments. A resilient bacterial indicator, (), was utilized to compare the efficacy of various HO concentrations in combination with O and IPL. It was found that exposure to 30 minutes of 4.01 L min 0.03% HO aqueous vapor and 3 g h O followed by 10 IPL flashes per side completely inactivated . The xenon sourced IPL irradiation was found to synergistically enhance radical production and strengthen the complementary biocidal interaction of HO with O. Due to the synergistic effects, HO was able to sanitize at a diluted concentration of 0.03% HO. The physical properties, such as surface potential, tensile strength, hydrophobicity, and filtration efficiency of >300 nm saline water aerosol of fibrous polypropylene (PP) sheets, were maintained. In addition, no residue of sanitizers was detected, thus confirming the biosafety and applicability of this method to disposable masks. Performance was benchmarked and compared with commercially available processes. The synergistic regime was found to achieve sterilization of at drastically reduced HO concentrations and in ambient conditions relative to commercial methods.
PubMed: 35479023
DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03675k -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2022To examine the bactericidal effects of three different states of medical ozone (liquid, gas, and oil) against drug-resistant strains of common bacteria on burn wounds,...
OBJECTIVE
To examine the bactericidal effects of three different states of medical ozone (liquid, gas, and oil) against drug-resistant strains of common bacteria on burn wounds, which could as a clinical reference.
METHODS
Three multidrug-resistant strains of methicillin-resistant , pan-resistant , and ESBLs were identified from burn wounds. The colonies of the three varieties of bacteria were each carried out using the pour plate method prior to the start of the experiment. Then, depending on the state of ozone, different treatment procedures are applied. Group of ozone gas: in a closed glass jar, the bacterial liquid was injected into a single layer of sterile gauze, and the ozone gas concentration was held at 50 g/mL. The bacterial liquid was diluted and combined directly with ozone water in the ozone water group. Ozone is a type of oil: after the emulsifier was added to the oil group. The gas, water, and oil groups were rapidly neutralized and counted again after 5, 10, and 30 minutes.
RESULTS
Ozone gas and oil groups totally eliminated multidrug resistant bacteria in the above study within 30 minutes. (2) At 5 and 10 minutes, the difference in bactericidal effect between ozone gas group and ozone water and oil group was statistically significant (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between ozone water and oil groups (P>0.05); at the time of 30 minutes, the effects of bactericidal effect between ozone water group and ozone gas and oil had no significance (P> 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Ozone has the ability to kill bacteria, depending on the treatment time, different ozone types should be chosen for sterilization and disinfection in clinical application.
PubMed: 35418764
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S353277