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Biomedical subjects

G Salvatorelli

Publications and source records attributed to G Salvatorelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of floor sanitation methods.

Two methods for cleaning waxed polyvinylchloride and porcelain grès hospital room floors were compared in order to determine their decontamination capacity: dry wiping followed by damp washing, and damp washing followed by dry wiping. Dry wiping followed by damp washing did not produce any significant reduction in the average bacterial load. However, damp washing followed by dry wiping reduced the bacterial load for both types of flooring. The difference was statistically significant.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

Evaluation of the bactericidal effect of five products for surgical hand disinfection according to prEN 12054 and prEN 12791.

Surgical hand disinfection (with an alcohol-based hand rub) and surgical handwash (with an antiseptic-based liquid soap) are accepted measures to reduce the risk for surgical site infections. The new European Standards allow a comparison of their antimicrobial efficacy. The bactericidal activity of surgical hand rubs [Sterillium and Softaman, (active ingredient=alcohols)] and handwashes [Derman plus (triclosan), Hibiscrub (chlorhexidine) and Betadine (PVP-iodine)] was tested according to the prEN 12054 suspension test using Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus hirae, and to prEN 12791 for the effect on resident skin flora in comparison with 1-propanol, 60% (v/v). All five products achieved a reduction of test bacteria within 3 min of >10(5)-fold so fulfilling prEN 12054. However, only Hibiscrub, Sterillium and Softa Man met the requirements of prEN 12791, giving a mean reduction of resident micro-organisms (immediate and sustained effect) which was not significantly lower than the reference alcohol (P>0.1; Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test). Sterillium was significantly more effective than the reference alcohol (immediate and sustained affect). Products for surgical hand disinfection may have equal antimicrobial activity in suspension tests but show large differences under practical conditions. Healthcare workers should not rely on results from suspension tests when deciding on a product for surgical hand disinfection.

1-Propanol↗

Hospital use of decontaminating mats.

Decontaminating mats made of several layers of adhesive sheets (water-based acrylic 6 g/m2) supplemented with a bactericidal agent (3-1 benzoisothiazolin) at a concentration of 25% were placed in the passages providing access to the operating rooms of an orthopaedic service. Contact plates containing tryptone soy agar were used to assess bacterial concentration at specific points in front of and beyond the mats. For trolley passageways two areas were defined: central and lateral paths, corresponding to the areas walked upon by the personnel pushing the trolleys and to the paths covered by the trolley wheels, respectively. In order to exclude a simple mechanical effect, a comparison of bacterial loads at defined sites beyond the mats was carried out in the presence and in the absence of decontaminating mats. Bacterial colony counts in the presence of decontaminating mats were substantially and statistically significantly reduced compared with the absence of mats. The lower mean number of colony-forming units detected at points located beyond the mats parallels this finding; this difference is also statistically significant. We thus conclude that decontaminating mats are potentially useful in decreasing micro-organism carry-over due to personnel or the passage of trolleys into areas at high risk of infection such as operating rooms.

Bacteria↗

Endoscope washers--a protocol for their use.

A protocol for the disinfection of gastroduodenoscopes, retrograde cholangiopancreatography endoscopes and colonoscopes using endoscope washers is described. The process recommends initial manual washing with a disinfectant containing didecyldimethylammonium chloride, surfactants and enzymes, a second washing in the endoscope washer using a detergent associated with a bacteriostatic, fungistatic substance (benzoisothiazolone) and finally the use of a 2% glutaraldehyde product buffered at pH6. After treatment with 2% Steranios added to the washer, less than 1 micro-organism/ml liquid was found in the following units: 83% of the colonoscopes, 83% of the oesophagogastroduodenoscopes, 83% of the main channels of the retrograde cholangiopancreatography endoscopes and 75% of the auxiliary channels of the latter instruments. In 14% of the colonoscopes, 42% of the gastroduodenoscopes, 42% of the main and 50% of auxiliary channels in the retrograde cholangiopancreatography endoscopes there were no signs of microbial growth in the wash liquid. The results obtained indicated that this protocol allowed adequate disinfection of the endoscope channels, structurally the most difficult part of the instrument to disinfect. Emphasis is given to the degree by which instrument contamination can increase during overnight storage, suggesting that endoscopes need to be submitted to further disinfection after overnight storage. Moreover, the water flowing into the washers can also cause instrument recontamination, particularly during the final rinses. Therefore, to better safeguard the health of patients undergoing endoscopy, special care must be taken to maintain the filters and disinfect the washers themselves, no matter how effective the disinfection protocol used may be.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

The bactericidal effect of microwaves on Mycobacterium bovis dried on scalpel blades.

The action of microwaves on stainless steel scalpel blades contaminated with Mycobacterium bovis was investigated. The complete destruction of M. bovis was obtained with 4 min of microwave exposure. When the preparations were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, the bacteria had undergone a progressive series of alterations consisting, initially, of the formation of deep pits in the bacterial body and eventually the complete disintegration of the microorganisms. Such phenomena are less evident when this mycobacterium is exposed to other sterilization methods such as dry heat or autoclaving.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

Effect of microwave radiation on Candida albicans.

Microwave exposure (90 s) provides an effective, rapid sterilization for surgical scalpel blades which have been contaminated with Candida albicans. SEM analysis showed that microwave irradiation induced a morphological modification of the cells. The longer the exposure time the greater such alterations and this micro-organism in effect fractures after 9 min. No evidence was found of morphological alteration of the fungus after being submerged in boiling water for the same amount of time even though cell death was actually achieved.

Candida albicans↗

Changes in human epithelial kidney cells induced by nordihydroguaiaretic acid in vitro.

Some chemical agents induce kidney cystic changes in vivo comparable to human multicystic kidney disease. The biochemical aspects of human tubular cells were analysed by in vitro culture in the presence of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). The uptake of 3H-thymidine in cultured cells in the presence of NDGA was comparable with control cultures, while 3H-hydroxyproline incorporation produced elevated values. The results suggest that NDGA in vitro induces modifications which may be related only to the synthesis of basement membrane components.

Cell Division↗

[Effect of microwaves on the vegetative and spore forms of Bacillus stearothermophilus].

Microwave irradiation provides a rapid and effective method for sterilization of stainless steel scalpel blades or cover glasses contaminated by B. stearothermophilus. A study by SEM of vegetative forms showed that microwave irradiation induce a progressive series of alterations and finally the complete destruction of the microorganism. On the contrary there were no significant morphological variations of the spores after lethal irradiation by microwaves.

Geobacillus stearothermophilus↗

[Effect of Ara-C on chick embryo erythropoiesis: hemoglobin pattern].

The present work studies the ability of cytoarabine (Ara C) to modify temporal regulation of hemoglobin synthesis in chicken embryos. Thus different concentrations of Ara C were injected into fertilized chicken eggs after 94 hours of incubation. Blood samples were taken from both treated and control embryos on the 7th and 8th day of incubation. 1) Ara C 4.1 x 10(-3) M: embryo mortality is total and takes place upon injection. 2) Ara C 4.1 x 10(-5) M: no significant difference was seen between hemoglobin patterns in the treated and control embryos. 3) Ara C 4.1 x 10(-4) M: a delay of at least 24 hours in hemoglobin switch-over is seen in the treated embryos. In fact, at the 7th day adult hemoglobin fractions A and D have not yet appeared while, on the 8th day, embryonic fraction P is still present.

Animals↗

[Effect of Ara-C on chick embryo erythropoiesis: erythrocyte differentiation].

The present work studies the possibility of inducing an alteration in the erythropoietic switchover from primitive to definitive red cells in the chicken embryo by means of Cytoarabine (Ara C). To this purpose two different concentrations of Ara C were injected into fertilized chicken eggs after 94 hours of incubation. Optical microscopy was used in the morphological analysis of the blood smears taken from treated and control embryos on the 7th and 8th day of incubation (state 30 and 33 in the Lillie Table). 1) Injection of Ara C 4.1 x 10(-5) M did not induce any significant differences in the hematological picture between treated embryos and the controls. 2) Injection of Ara C 4.1 x 10(-4) M revealed a delay in the erythropoietic switchover both at the 7th and 8th day of incubation. In fact, the peripheral blood of the treated embryos showed that in the treated embryos there was a more than 24 hour delay in erythropoietic maturation. This is indicated by an unusually high number of 1st generation erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. Moreover, the 2nd generation red cells are at a lower stage of cell differentiation than the controls.

Animals↗

Microwave sterilization of enterobacteria.

A new method is described which makes it possible to treat metal materials with microwaves. In consequence scalpel blades as well as cover glasses contaminated with four species of bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were sterilized. With this method sterilization can be achieved quite rapidly (1.5-2 min). Scanning electron microscopy revealed a progressive alteration in the morphology of micro-organisms and this proved proportional to the microwave exposure time. Only in Proteus mirabilis were no modifications found, even after long periods of microwave exposure.

Enterobacteriaceae↗

Epo serum levels in heterozygous beta-thalassemia.

An immunoenzymatic assay (Epo-Eia) has been used in order to evaluate the seric Epo level in beta-thalassemic heterozygous subjects. The present results lead one to conclude that serum Epo levels in thalassemic subjects are higher than in normal subjects and that the differences between thalassemic and normal females are highly significant statistically (p < 0.01). The Epo levels in thalassemic females are also higher than those in thalassemic males (0.01 < p < 0.05). Differences in Epo levels may be observed between thalassemic and normal males although they are not highly significant statistically. No correlations seem to exist between Epo and Hb values.

Adult↗

Betamethasone-induced lecithin release in vitro from the fetal membranes.

Lecithin release from fetal membranes and placental tissue was assayed in basal conditions as well as under betamethasone administration. In the absence of the steroid, amnion and chorion released lecithin as a function of incubation time. Both tissues responded to betamethasone by increasing the lecithin release, the amnion exhibited a higher basal level and a greater responsiveness to the hormone than the chorion. Basal lecithin release from placental tissue was unaffected by any steroid concentration.

Amnion↗

Serum erythropoietin activity following kidney transplantation.

31 patients with successful kidney grafts were studied. Ep, Ht, Hb and T lymphocytes were determined. Native and grafted kidneys were studied by ultrasonography. After KT, 45% of patients had PTE and in 71% of these a spontaneous regression was observed. Mean serum Ep activity in patients with and without PTE was significantly higher than in healthy controls. Different erythroid colony growth sensibility and responsiveness to higher serum Ep (PTE and non-PTE patients) may be due to T3 cell interaction with BFU-E.

Adult↗

[Preliminary observation of blood cells and hematopoietic organs in Lutjanus herenbergi and Lutjanus flaviflammus].

The morphology of differentiated and differentiating cells of the red and white series in Lutjanus herenbergi and in Lutjanus flaviflammus is described. Early stages of red and white blood cells may be found only in smears of hemopoietic organs. Polychromatic erythroblasts, myelocytes and lymphoblasts may also occasionally be found in blood smears. Mature blood cells may be found both in blood smears and in hemopoietic organs. Differential white cell counts seem to demonstrate that the granulocytic series elements are the most common leukocytes in blood smears. Almost all granulocytes may be classified in the first three Arneth classes. An analysis of hemopoietic organs in these species was also performed. It was found that the only organs carrying on a hemopoietic function are the kidney and the spleen. The kidney is essentially a site of granulocytic differentiation while the spleen is a lymphopoietic organ. An erythropoietic activity may generally be observed in the kidney although weak erythropoietic activity may at times be found in the spleen.

Animals↗

[Normal human gingiva. In vitro observations].

By comparing human embrional gum fragments cultivated in vitro using the technique of Wolff and Haffen with adult gum fragments, the advantages of the fetal gum are evident; and this could serve as a point of departure for an analysis of the differentiation and the cytophysiology of this structure, which is still not very well known.

Cells, Cultured↗