scholarly journals Identification and Validation of Nebulized Aerosol Devices for Sputum Induction

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren J Davidson ◽  
John Dennis ◽  
Stephanie The ◽  
Belinda Litoski ◽  
Cora Pieron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Induced Sputum ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Sputum Induction ◽  
Induction Program ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Scientific Testing ◽  
Patient Use ◽  
And Control ◽  
Multiple Patients

BACKGROUND: Induced sputum cell counts are a noninvasive and reliable method for evaluating the presence, type and degree of airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Currently, standard nebulizer devices used for sputum induction in multiple patients are labelled as single-patient devices by the manufacturer, which conflicts with infection prevention and control requirements. As such, these devices cannot feasibly be used in a clinical sputum induction program. Therefore, there is a need to identify alternative nebulizer devices that are either disposable or labelled for multi-patient use.OBJECTIVE: To apply validated rigorous, scientific testing methods to identify and validate commercially available nebulizer devices appropriate for use in a clinical sputum induction program.METHODS: Measurement of nebulized aerosol output and size for the selected nebulizer designs followed robust International Organization for Standardization methods. Sputum induction using two of these nebulizers was successfully performed on 10 healthy adult subjects. The cytotechnologist performing sputum cell counts was blinded to the type of nebulizer used.RESULTS: The studied nebulizers had variable aerosol outputs. The AeroNeb Solo (Aerogen, Ireland), Omron NE-U17 (Omron, Japan) and EASYneb II (Flaem Nuova, Italy) systems were found to have similar measurements of aerosol size. There was no significant difference in induced sputum cell results between the AeroNeb Solo and EASYneb II devices.DISCUSSION: There is a need for rigorous, scientific evaluation of nebulizer devices for clinical applications, including sputum induction, for measurement of cell counts.CONCLUSION: The present study was the most comprehensive analysis of different nebulizer devices for sputum induction to measure cell counts, and provides a framework for appropriate evaluation of nebulizer devices for induced sputum testing.

scholarly journals Asthma in elderly is characterized by increased sputum neutrophils, lower airway caliber variability and air trapping

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Schleich ◽  
S. Graff ◽  
F. Guissard ◽  
M. Henket ◽  
V. Paulus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Lower Airway ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Sputum Induction ◽  
Air Trapping ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Airway Caliber ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Acting

Abstract Background Elderly asthmatics represent an important group that is often excluded from clinical studies. In this study we wanted to present characteristics of asthmatics older than 70 years old as compared to younger patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis on a series of 758 asthmatics subdivided in three groups: lower than 40, between 40 and 70 and older than 70. All the patients who had a successful sputum induction were included in the study. Results Older patients had a higher Body Mass Index, had less active smokers and were more often treated with Long Acting anti-Muscarinic Agents. We found a significant increase in sputum neutrophil counts with ageing. There was no significant difference in blood inflammatory cell counts whatever the age group. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC values were significantly lower in elderly who had lower bronchial hyperresponsiveness and signs of air trapping. We found a lower occurrence of the allergic component in advanced ages. Asthmatics older than 70 years old had later onset of the disease and a significant longer disease duration. Conclusion Our study highlights that asthmatics older than 70 years old have higher bronchial neutrophilic inflammation, a poorer lung function, signs of air trapping and lower airway variability. The role of immunosenescence inducing chronic low-grade inflammation in this asthma subtype remains to be elucidated.

84 PTEROSTILBENE CAN REDUCE THE PERCENTAGE OF LIPIDS AND REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN IN VITRO-PRODUCED BOVINE EMBRYOS

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
F. Sosa ◽  
J. Fernando de la Torre ◽  
H. Álvarez ◽  
S. Pérez ◽  
M. E. Kjelland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

The actual challenge for the majority of research centers involves the embryo culture medium, since it is known that the culture medium plays a large role in determining embryo quality. Pterostilbene (PT) is a natural analogue of Resveratrol, an antioxidant that can reduce lipids in embryos, but no reports exist of PT being used with IVF-produced embryos or gametes. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effect of PT in culture media CDM1 and CDM2 on embryo production, cell count, lipid accumulation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). A total of 4 concentrations of PT and a control were evaluated, i.e. 3, 1, 0.33, 0.11, and 0 μM, in 2 separate experiments. The first experiment was performed using 6 replicates (n = 204) to evaluate blastocyst production (n = 201) and determine the percentage of lipids using the stain Sudan-Black, (n = 100). Hoechst 33258 and propidium iodide were used for determining cell counts. The second experiment was performed using 7 replicates, the effect of using PT (0.33 μM) was compared with a control with 2 O2 concentrations (5 and 20%) for evaluating ROS production (n = 124). Blastocysts without zona pellucida were incubated 48 h at 38.5°C in PBS (without polyvinyl alcohol) with 60 μL of ro-green fluorescent protein. After incubation, 25 μL of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (1 mg mL−1) was added and incubated for 5 min. A fluorescence microscope was used and positive ROS particles digitized using Photoshop CS6 and quantified using the program ImageJ®. The data were transformed to arcsin values for subsequent analysis. In the first experiment, ANOVA and least significant difference tests were used to determine statistical significance (Statgraphics). No significant differences were found among treatments (P > 0.05) for the internal cell mass: 3, 1, 0.33, 0.11 μM PT (29.2 ± 5.2; 28.9 ± 3.8; 22.2 ± 3.2; 29.0 ± 1.7, respectively) and the control (27.0 ± 1.7). The cells of the trophectoderm did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments (31.7 ± 4.8; 31.3 ± 3.9; 38.6 ± 3.5; 30.8 ± 1.8) and control (33.4 ± 2.1). Total cells did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments (72.0 ± 9.8; 82.6 ± 4.3; 94.8 ± 12.8; 73.2 ± 9.2) and control (83.8 ± 7.7). Embryo production (Day 8) was greater for control (33.5 ± 3.0) versus treatments (14.1 ± 1.7; 19.4 ± 1.9; 21.1 ± 2.6; 20.8 ± 2.1) (P < 0.05); however, PT reduced the percentage of lipids (11.0 ± 0.8; 10.7 ± 0.9; 11.6 ± 1.3; 11.3 ± 1.1) within the cytoplasm of the embryos (P < 0.05) versus control (17.01 ± 1.20). In the second experiment, a factorial 2 × 2 matrix demonstrated that the O2 concentration did not have an effect on ROS (P > 0.05); however, the PT had a significant effect on the reduction of ROS (P < 0.05), i.e. a negative correlation, r = −0.835. In summary, we determined that PT did not improve the production of blastocysts but resulted in a significant reduction of ROS and lipids.

scholarly journals Alcohol Fixation of Induced Sputum Samples for Applications in Rural Communities

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra C Dorman ◽  
Melanie A Bussoli ◽  
Stacey A Ritz
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Sputum Sample ◽  
Airway Disease ◽  
Induced Sputum ◽  
Fixation Method ◽  
Routine Method ◽  
Sputum Induction ◽  
Fresh Sample ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Differential Cell

BACKGROUND: Sputum induction is a tool recommended for the assessment of airway inflammation and disease management. Currently, its use is limited because samples need to be processed within 3 h of induction (ie, while cells are viable); therefore, this procedure is unavailable to most clinicians.OBJECTIVE: To develop a fixation method for induced sputum samples that allows for a delay in processing while maintaining sample integrity and not altering the standard processing method.METHODS: Sputum samples were collected and split into three portions: a fresh sample processed using the routine method (within 3 h, using dithiothreitol); fixation in alcohol followed by delayed processing using the routine method (within 48 h to 72 h, using dithiothreitol); and fixation in formaldehyde followed by delayed processing using an alternative method (within 48 h to 72 h, using proteolysis). For each method, cytospins were prepared and differential cell counts were performed.RESULTS: Fixation in alcohol provides accurate measures of eosinophils and macrophages, but not neutrophils. Formaldehyde fixation provides accurate measures of neutrophils and macrophages, but not eosinophils.DISCUSSION: Alcohol fixation is a superior method for eosinophil quantification. It requires alteration of standardized methods for sputum sample processing and should be recommended for monitoring eosinophilic airway disease in settings where immediate processing of a sputum sample is not possible.

scholarly journals Caregivers’ Perception and Practice of Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19 at a Tertiary Centre, Southern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 280-288
Author(s):  
G. K. Eke ◽  
L. E. Yaguo-Ide
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

Introduction: The World Health Organization had recommended a multi-prong approach for the prevention and control of COVID-19, which has risen into a major global public health challenge. Government of nations are to disseminate information on these protective measures to the general public to mitigate the spread of the disease. However, people’s adherence to these preventive strategies is essential to guarantee success. Objective: To appraise the perception and practice of recommended measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19 by caregivers of children attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done among parents/caregivers of children attending the Children’s Out Patient clinics, wards and emergency room of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, between August and September 2020. Information obtained using a structured investigator-administered questionnaire included bio data and perception about COVID-19 while practice of its preventive measures was observed. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.  Results: All participants (161) have heard about COVID-19, mainly through the television and radio. The majority of them (n=141, 87.6%) knew that a combination of measures is needed for its prevention. More than half of participants (59%) washed their hands with water and soap provided, 89% of them had a facemask, a lesser proportion (58%) wore the mask and an even lesser proportion (28.6%) of them wore it properly. There was no significant difference between level of education or occupation of caregivers and proper wearing of the facemask. Conclusion: Though the awareness of COVID-19 was high, there was a gap between perception and practice of its preventive measures. Health education and innovative local strategies are recommended, to help improve the people’s acceptance of, and compliance to the stipulated multi-prong preventive measures.

Infection prevention and control practice among traditional birth attendants in Lagos State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Ogechi Helen Abazie ◽  
Williamson Ejenwi Eppie
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Traditional Birth Attendants ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Control Practice ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lagos State ◽  
And Control

Background The World Health Organization has defined a traditional birth attendant as a ‘person who assists the mother during childbirth and initially acquired her skills by delivering babies herself or through apprenticeship to other traditional birth attendants’. It is estimated that over 40 million neonatal deaths occur annually worldwide; some of these deaths are the result of infection, which may be attributed to the practices of traditional birth attendants. In Nigeria, maternal mortality because of puerperal sepsis occurs in 12% of cases. This study aimed to assess infection prevention and control practice among traditional birth attendants in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods This is a descriptive study of infection prevention and control among traditional birth attendants in the three local government areas of Ikorordu, Mushin and Surulere. Simple random sampling (balloting) was used to select 144 registered traditional birth attendants. A self-structured questionnaire made up of four sections (sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice) was used for data collection. The participant knowledge scores were categorised into ‘good’ (60–100%) and ‘poor’ (0–59%). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data and tested for significance at P=0.005. Results The mean age of the respondents was 48 ± 10.6 years. Over one-third (37.5%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of infection control. There was a statistically significant association between respondent age and practice of infection prevention and control (P=0.003). There was no significant difference between the duration of practice and infection prevention and control (P=0.688). Additionally, there was no significant association between the length of training and infection prevention and control (P=0.890). Conclusions There is a need to increase the knowledge of traditional birth attendants by organising training for them on infection prevention and control. Over 70% of the respondents identified that practice could be improved by additional training. This will reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality caused by infection in Lagos, Nigeria.

scholarly journals The Effect of Time on Apoptosis Changes Following Ischemia-Reperfusion in Isolated Heart of Rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-80
Author(s):  
Yusef Dostar ◽  
Alireza Gorjani ◽  
Mehrdad Hashemi ◽  
Rambod Rezapour Shahir
Keyword(s):  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Isolated Heart ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Sd Rats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
One Way Anova

Background and objective: To study the time-dependent effects of ischemia – reperfusion on myocardium cells. Methodology: Male SD rats (270-330gr) were randomly grouped in four groups of 10 in an experimental study. After anesthesia using pentobarbital sodium (50-60 IP-kg/mg) the rats’ hearts in the treatment groups were isolated immediately and connected to langendorff apparatus with krebs solution at 37ºC and a fixed pressure. During stabilization, 30m ischemia and 60, 90, and 120min reperfusion was carried out on the hearts. Hearts of the control group remained intact. Immunhistochemistry of apoptotic cells was performed using TUNEL POD Kit and positive TUNEL myocardium cells of each group, in five microscopic view fields, was counted. The results were represented as mean ± SD. Findings: Apoptotic cell counts in control group was 1±0.4, and this figure in the treatment groups T/60min, T/90min, and T/120min was 2.0±0.5, 3.0±0.3, and 6.0±0.3 respectively. Comparison between the treatment groups and control group was carried out using one-way ANOVA and the results showed no significant difference between the groups T/90min and T/120min and the groups T/60 and control (p>0.05). However, the differences between the groups T/120min and T/60min (p<0.001) and groups T/120min and T/90min (p<0.01) was significant. Conclusion: The study showed that ischemia-reperfusion time can be effective on apoptotic changes of myocardium cells of heart.

scholarly journals Effect of Polarized Light Treatment on Milk Production and Milk Somatic Cell Count of Cows

2008 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fenyő ◽  
G. Szita ◽  
J. Bartyik ◽  
J. Dóra ◽  
S. Bernáth
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Treatment with linearly polarized light (LPL) is a widely used and recognized therapeutic method in human medicine for healing wounds, ulcers and a variety of other dermatological problems. Polarized light mobilizes the inadequately functioning defence mechanisms of the human body. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of LPL treatment on the udder of milking cows. Before the start of treatment, there was no significant difference between cows to be treated with LPL and the control cows in mean somatic cell counts (SCC) of milk samples taken separately by udder quarter and in the mean milk yield. The LPL treatment lasted for 20 min and was performed twice a day over a period of one month. Before treatment, the mean SCC of milk was 3.47 × 105 ± 910 in the group to be treated and 4.07 × 105 ± 920 in the control group. In a six-week period immediately after treatment, the mean SCC of the treated and the control group was 1.32 × 105 ± 825 and 2.63 × 105 ± 825, indicating a significant difference in favour of the treated group. Before the LPL treatment, the milk yield of cows in the group to be treated was 25.77 ± 1.2 kg/ day, while that of the control cows was 27.30 ± 1.4 kg/day. In a six-week period after treatment, the milk yield of cows in the treated and control groups was 28.83 ± 1.5 kg/day and 25.48 ± 1.4 kg/day, respectively. There is a significant difference between these values in favour of the treated group. The results show that a regular LPL treatment of the udder of cows can significantly reduce the SCC of milk and significantly increase the milk yield. The treatment can be applied during lactation without interfering with the milking regime.

Infection Control

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Vulfovich
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Environmental Cleaning ◽  
Contagious Diseases ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
And Control ◽  
Multiple Patients

Infection control is a field concerned with the scientific study of nosocomial-associated infections and the development of protocols and interventions to reduce rates of transmission. Within the Emergency Department, multiple patients with a wide variety of potentially infectious and contagious diseases are in close proximity to other patients and in contact with health care providers caring for multiple patients concurrently. This can increase the risk of exposure and contamination for both patients and staff. In this setting, standardization and monitoring play an especially vital role in infection prevention and control. This chapter provides a broad overview of standard isolation precautions and environmental cleaning.

scholarly journals Comparative assessment of infection prevention and control practice among maternity unit health workers in public and private secondary health facilities in Kaduna state, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Joseph Sunday ◽  
Muawiyya Babale Sufiyan ◽  
Clara Ladi Ejembi ◽  
Butawa Nuhu Natie ◽  
Abdulhakeem Abayomi Olorukooba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Objectives: Infection prevention and control (IPC) practice in health facility (HF) is abysmally low in developing countries, resulting in significant preventable morbidity and mortality. This study assessed and compared health workers’ (HWs) practice of IPC strategies in public and private secondary HFs in Kaduna State. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was employed. Using multistage sampling, 227 participants each were selected comprising of doctors, midwives, and nurses from public and private HF. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation checklist and analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Statistical significance determined at P < 0.05. Results: The practice of infection prevention was poor. Overall, 42.3% of the HWs did not change their gowns in-between patients, with the significantly higher rates in 73.1% of private compared to 42.3% of public HF workers (P < 0.001). In addition, 30.5% and 10.1% of HWs do not use face mask and eye goggle, respectively, when conducting procedures likely to generate splash of body fluids, however, there was no significant difference in these poor practices in public compared to private HFs. The mean IPC practice was 51.6 ± 12.5%, this was significantly lower among public (48.8 ± 12.5%) compared to private (54.5 ± 11.9%) HF workers (P < 0.0001). Private HF workers were 3 times more likely to implement IPC interventions compared to public HF workers. Conclusion: IPC practice especially among public HF workers was poor.

scholarly journals 954. Resources Needed by Critical Access Hospitals to Address Identified Infection Prevention and Control Program Gaps

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S569-S570
Author(s):  
M Salman Ashraf ◽  
Mounica Soma ◽  
Jody Scebold ◽  
Angela Vasa ◽  
Kate Tyner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Critical Access Hospitals ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) may face challenges with limited resources in their infection prevention and control (IPC) program. As part of the Project Firstline collaborative, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical partner Nebraska Medicine sought to identify needs and develop resources to mitigate IPC program gaps in small and rural hospitals, including CAHs. Since, little is known about the resources needed by CAHs to strengthen their IPC program, a needs assessment survey was deployed to Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VII CAHs. Methods A 49-question Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) survey was distributed via email to infection preventionists in Region VII CAHs. The survey had 4 sections with questions focused on IPC program infrastructure, competency-based training, audit and feedback, and identification and isolation of high-risk pathogens/serious communicable diseases. An IPC practice score was assigned to each CAH by totaling “yes” responses. A “no” or “not sure” response was considered an IPC gap. Respondents who selected “no” were asked to identify resources that would assist in mitigating identified gaps. Descriptive analyses evaluated frequency of gaps and most cited resources. Welch t-test was used to study differences in IPC practice score between states. Results 50 CAHs (33 in NE, 16 in IA and 1 in KS) and 1 small NE hospital (not licensed as CAH but included in the analyses as CAH) participated in the survey. Majority (n=38) responded to all sections with IPC scores ranging from 13 to 48. There was no significant difference between IPC practice scores of CAHs in NE and IA (average score 33 vs 36; p = 0.38). Specific IPC practice gaps present in &gt; 50% of CAHs were related to audit and feedback practices (Table 1). Additional gaps included lack of drug diversion program, absence of input from IPC team prior to purchasing equipment and failure to conduct risk assessment for the laboratory. Most CAHs cited a standardized audit tool and staff training materials as much needed resources (Table 1). Table 1. Needs/Resources for the identified Infection Prevention and Control Gaps. Conclusion Major IPC gaps exist in CAHs with many of them related to implementing audit and feedback practices that are an essential component of a successful IPC program. Focus should be directed on developing resources to mitigate identified IPC gaps. Disclosures M. Salman Ashraf, MBBS, Merck & Co. Inc (Grant/Research Support, I have recieved grant funding for an investigator initiated research project from Merck & Con. Inc. However, I do not see any direct conflict of interest related to the submitted abstract)

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