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The influence of post-filtration washing on the in vitro assay of Candida albicans adherence to human buccal epithelial cells.

A simple in vitro assay technique was used to determine the effect of post-filtration washing on the adherence of C. albicans (NCPF 3736) to human buccal epithelial cells (BEC). Washing was carried out with a range of volumes of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), viz. 0, 5, 10 and 20 ml, at a standard flow rate. Both the number of C. albicans adherent to BEC and the percentage of BEC with adherent C. albicans were significantly decreased (p < 0.001 for each of these measures) after washing with 5 ml PBS. Further increases in the volume of PBS did not significantly decrease either measure of adherence. These data indicate that only a small volume of PBS, 5 ml, is required to achieve the removal of non-adherent C. albicans from the surface of BEC. The result of the adherence assay is not significantly affected by increasing the volume of PBS used. It is concluded that considerable savings in time may be made through using only a small (5 ml) volume of washing buffer at a standard flow rate.

Adhesiveness↗

A simple device to inject indicator gas for wash-out tests during mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a simple device which injects a constant fraction of indicator gas to the inspiratory mixture for performing multi-breath wash-out tests during controlled ventilation. DESIGN: the technique in which the indicator gas is injected at the mouth of the patient (post-mix) is compared with the technique where the indicator gas is administered in the bellows of the ventilator (pre-mix). SETTING: Surgical Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital. PATIENTS: 10 post-operative mechanically ventilated patients. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: 3 wash-out tests with the post-mix and 3 wash-out tests with the pre-mix method were performed within an hour on every patient. The calculated mean end expiratory lung volume (EEV) was 1.91 +/- 0.871 with the post-mix technique and 1.89 +/- 0.881 with the pre-mix technique. There was a good agreement with a mean difference of -1.9 +/- 6.5% in the calculated EEV values by the two different techniques. CONCLUSION: The described injector is an affordable device, is easy to assemble and can be incorporated in most electronically regulated ventilators to perform multi-breath indicator gas wash-out tests for pulmonary monitoring at the bed side of ICU patients.

Aged↗

An experimental study on the epidemiology of enteroviruses: water and soap washing of poliovirus 1--contaminated hands, its effectiveness and kinetics.

As enteroviruses are mainly transmitted by the fecal-oral route, this study was initiated to investigate the nature of the binding of enteroviruses to human skin. Using poliovirus 1, Mahoney, we investigated the overall effectiveness of soap and water hand-washing of 1 and 5 min duration. The virus-skin interaction was studied by kinetic analysis of repeated serial washings. The following results were obtained: (1) Soap and water washing for 5 min reduced the number of infective particles on hands by 2-4 logs of ten. (2) Poliovirus binding to skin was essentially reversible. (3) Removal of virus followed a triexponential decline curve, suggesting loose, intermediate, and strong binding. (4) Washing agents more effective than soap were sand, aluminum hydroxide powder, and buffer alone, suggesting that friction was more important than emulsification. The results demonstrate the tenacity of poliovirus on skin, and offer a rationale for the epidemiology of enteroviruses on experimental grounds. From a practical point of view these results stress the need for an effective chemical hand disinfectant, particularly in hospitals.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗

Effect of Percoll wash on sperm motion parameters and subsequent fertility in intrauterine insemination cycles.

PURPOSE: This study examined sperm motion parameters as measured by computerized automated semen analysis before and after a Percoll wash and determined if differences in any parameter were correlated with fertility subsequent to intrauterine insemination (IUI). RESULTS: Total motile sperm decreased following the washing procedure from 79.0 +/- 9.0 to 37.2 +/- 7.6 million sperm. Motility increased from a mean of 43.4% to 61.7% (P < 0.001). Other motility parameters also changed significantly (P < 0.001) as follows: curvilinear velocity (VCL), 43.4 to 61.7 microns/s; straight-line velocity (VSL), 21.3 to 26.7 microns/s; linearity 53.1 to 45.2%; lateral head displacement (ALH), 2.97 to 3.94 microns. Similar changes occurred following a swim-up preparation, although changes in mean motility, VCL, and ALH were significantly greater when compared to Percoll. The postwash changes were not accounted for merely by time lapse in preparation since reanalyzed untreated controls did not show the same changes in motion parameters. Prewash linearity in those specimens which resulted in pregnancies was greater than in those which did not (P = 0.28). No other significant differences in pre- or post-Percoll washed sperm motion parameters were found between pregnant vs nonfertile cycles. CONCLUSION: Following Percoll wash all CASA-generated motility parameters were significantly altered, but there was little association between these parameters and pregnancy achieved in IUI cycles.

Cell Separation↗

Labeling of phosphatidylcholine in the alveolar wash of rabbits in utero.

Radioactive palmitic acid, choline, and phosphate were given to rabbits 28 and 30 days pregnant and the labeling;of phosphatidylcholine in the fetal lung and alveolar wash was studied. Labeled phosphatidylcholine was detected initially in the alveolar wash three hours after isotope administration. The three-hour delay was independent of precursor studied or gestational age, and the radioactive phosphatidylcholine continued to accumulate in the wash fluid for at least 18 hours. Each labeled precursor of phosphatidylcholine sequentially labeled the phosphatidylcholine from microsomal, lamellar body and alveolar wash lung fractions of the 30 day fetal animals.

Animals↗

Protein kinase assay by paper-trichloroacetic acid method: high performance using phosphocellulose paper and washing an ensemble of samples on flat sheets.

Phosphocellulose paper has been found to be the paper of choice in assaying protein kinase activities using [gamma-32P]ATP by the trichloroacetic acid method of precipitation and washing. A study of binding of ATP of increasing concentrations at constant specific activity with Whatman 3MM or ATP-coated Whatman 3 MM papers (in vogue) versus phosphocellulose paper (proposed here) has shown that the latter has the least affinity for ATP when washing is done with either trichloracetic acid or trichloroacetic acid containing pyrophosphate. In an experiment where the placental cytosolic protein kinase was serially diluted, the phosphocellulose paper was found to give higher signal/noise ratios at all dilutions studied compared to the other two papers. With regard to the technological side of washing the papers, we have found that the traditional method of cutting papers into small squares before loading the samples is perhaps not the best. Instead, we propose the use of a flat sheet matrix for loading the samples because this method ensures uniformity of washing among the samples while shaking is performed on a simple shaker. In addition, the whole paper matrix can provide an almost instantaneous autoradiogram of hundreds of samples facilitating biochemical experimentation with protein kinases.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Apparent coagulopathy caused by infusion of shed mediastinal blood and its prevention by washing of the infusate.

We found that reinfusion of shed mediastinal blood (SMB) after a cardiac operation was associated with laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. In view of this, we compared the effect of infusing washed or unwashed SMB on the coagulation profiles and blood use of two serial groups of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. We found that the results of testing for fibrin degradation products converted from negative to positive in 17 of 20 patients who received unwashed SMB versus 1 of 14 patients who received washed SMB (p less than 0.0001). Other coagulation studies did not reveal disseminated intravascular coagulation in either group, nor were there differences in blood use between the two groups. The unwashed SMB contained high titers of fibrin degradation products (mean reciprocal titer = 354 +/- 161) compared with washed SMB (mean reciprocal titer = 34 +/- 18) (p less than 0.01). Based on the volume of SMB infused, the amount of fibrin degradation products in unwashed SMB was sufficient to account for the positive fibrin degradation product assays after infusion in this group. We conclude that infusion of unwashed SMB may confuse the interpretation of tests for disseminated intravascular coagulation or fibrinolysis. As this could lead to unnecessary blood component use and is preventable by washing before infusion, we recommend that the routine infusion of unwashed SMB no longer be employed.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Lipoprotein-associated paf (LA-paf) was found in washed human platelets and monocyte/macrophage-like U937 cells.

Beyond cholesterol, inflammatory ether phospholipids such as platelet-activating factor (paf) may play a role in atherogenesis. (1) We detected a paf-like compound ('LA-paf') associated with human serum lipoproteins, mainly in LDL but not with the lipoprotein-poor fraction. (2) LA-paf was also found in washed human platelets, from where it was partially released during platelet aggregation in response to paf (50 nM) or thrombin (1 U). In addition, resident monocyte/macrophage-like U937 cells carried huge amounts of LA-paf (41 ng per 10(7) cells) and metabolized added [3H]paf to a labelled compound co-eluting with the retention time of LA-paf in standard HPLC. (3) Functionally, LA-paf had a comparable potency to synthetic paf, because LA-paf aggregated washed aspirin-treated platelets in a concentration-dependent manner. The specific paf receptor antagonist WEB2086 inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by three distinct LA-paf preparations as compared with synthetic paf with similar inhibitory concentrations (IC50: 35.6 +/- 12.8, 24.0 +/- 4.0, 38.0 +/- 15.8 nM for LA-paf, and 43.6 +/- 6.5 nM for synthetic paf), indicating that LA-paf interacted with paf receptors. (4) However, LA-paf had a distinct retention time using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as compared with synthetic paf. LA-paf eluted at 9-15 min and synthetic paf at 21-24 min. In addition, total and non-specific [3H]paf binding to intact washed human platelets was affected differently by the two unlabelled agonists: while LA-paf increased total and non-specific (but not specific) binding in a significant manner (P < 0.002 and P < 0.007) as LDL did (P < 0.006 and P < 0.03), synthetic paf decreased total binding (P < 0.03). Similarly, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) increased significantly the total [3H]paf binding. In contrast, paf did not affect specific [125I]LDL binding to human fibroblasts. Our results show the presence of LA-paf in lipoproteins, washed human platelets and monocyte/macrophage-like cells. As LDL and LA-paf purified from the same LDL particles increased significantly the total [3H]paf binding to intact human platelets, it might modulate platelet adherence to vascular endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Chlorhexidine for prevention of neonatal colonization with group B streptococci. II. Chlorhexidine concentrations and recovery of group B streptococci following vaginal washing in pregnant women.

The effect of a single washing of the urogenital tract with 0.5 g/l chlorhexidine was studied in 6 women in weeks 38-40 of pregnancy, among whom 5 were carriers of group B streptococci in urethra and/or cervix. The chlorhexidine concentrations varied between 25 and 200 mg/l during the first hour after washing in 5 of the 6 women, whereas one patient showed concentrations below 25 mg/l. With the exception of one patient, all individuals showed concentrations less than 25 mg/l at 3-24 h after washing. A clear suppression of the number of colony-forming units of GBS was already apparent after 60 min and was still evident 6 h after chlorhexidine washing.

Carrier State↗

Chlorhexidine for prevention of neonatal colonization with group B streptococci. IV. Depressed puerperal carriage following vaginal washing with chlorhexidine during labour.

The effect of vaginal washing with chlorhexidine acetate, 2 g/l at delivery, on the colonization of the urogenital tract with group B streptococci (GBS) 4 days later was investigated. Patients who were culture-positive for GBS in urethra and/or cervix in pregnancy weeks 32 and 36 as well as at delivery were included in a prospective study. The washing procedure was performed in 31 parturients, and 10 (32%) were culture-negative at day 4 after delivery. In contrast, only 7/47 (15%) non-washed controls were negative at day 4 (p = 0.044). The results demonstrate a prolonged suppressive effect of vaginal washing with chlorhexidine on the recovery of GBS from the urogenital tract in this highly selected patient group.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Crotoxin induces aggregation of human washed platelets.

Crotoxin, the main toxic component isolated from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, is a reversible protein complex composed of a non-toxic non-enzymatic acidic polypeptide (crotapotin) and a toxic basic phospholipase A2 (PLA2). In this study, we have evaluated the ability of crotoxin to induced aggregation in human washed platelets. Human washed platelet aggregation was monitored in a Payton aggregometer and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) release measured by direct radioimmunoassay (RIA). Crotoxin (15-50 micrograms/ml) produced dose-dependent and irreversible human washed platelet aggregation, which was inhibited by pre-incubation of the platelets with sodium nitroprusside (50-500 microM) or iloprost (8-80 nM). Crotoxin also induced TXB2 release (207 +/- 8 ng/ml, n = 6), and although indomethacin significantly reduced the release of TXB2 (to 23.5 +/- 5 ng/ml, P < 0.001, n = 6), it did not inhibit crotoxin-induced aggregation. Our results clearly demonstrate that crotoxin induces human washed platelet aggregation and that this phenomenon is independent of the formation of pro-aggregatory arachidonic acid metabolites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of fish oil consumption on platelet aggregation responses in washed human platelet suspensions.

Although the biochemical mechanisms relating to the inhibitory action of eicosapentaenoic acid on platelet function have previously been investigated in washed platelet suspensions, there is little existing evidence in washed platelet suspensions to indicate that dietary fish oil consumption reduces platelet aggregation responses. In the present work, eight healthy male volunteers consumed 20 fish oil capsules (MaxEPA) per day for a period of six weeks followed by a six week "dry-out" period during which no fish oil was consumed. Washed platelet suspensions were prepared and aggregation responses to collagen, platelet activating factor (PAF), and thrombin were assessed initially at week 0 and subsequently at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks of the experimental period. Three weeks of fish oil consumption did not produce any marked alterations in aggregation responses; however, six weeks of dietary fish oil supplementation resulted in decreased maximum aggregation responses to collagen and PAF by 50.1% and 27.2%, respectively. These results provide evidence, in washed platelet suspensions, that dietary fish oil consumption significantly diminishes platelet responses to collagen and PAF. The significance of these observations remains to be explored and interpreted.

Adult↗

A laboratory assessment of the antimicrobial effectiveness of glove washing and re-use in dental practice.

This study has assessed the ability of five hand-washing agents, Hibisol, Hibiscrub, Betadine, 70% isopropyl alcohol and bar soap, to decontaminate the surfaces of Biogel D, Surgikos Microtouch and Ansell Gammex latex medical gloves after repeated inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus. The glove and hand-washing agents were compared in a Latin Square experiment, and a standardized handwashing regime followed. Each of the gloves used in the study was later tested electrically for micropuncture formation. On the basis of microbial recovery, no specific combination of glove and hand washing agent proved superior, the marker organism being isolated on a sporadic basis. In addition, 17% of the gloves showed evidence of micropunctures after five sequential inoculations and washings. These results suggest that, even under strictly controlled conditions, glove surfaces cannot be reliably and consistently cleaned of microbial contamination, nor can they be guaranteed to remain puncture-free. Ideally, therefore, a new pair of gloves should be worn for each patient.

Cross Infection↗

Hospital green salads and the effects of washing them.

Each week from April 1989 to February 1990, a plate of green salad prepared in the hospital kitchen was examined microbiologically. Of the 256 plates examined, 51% had total viable counts (TVCs) of greater than or equal to 10(5) colony forming units (cfu) g-1. Staphylococcus aureus was present in 13 samples and Escherichia coli in one sample. No Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens or Salmonella spp. were isolated. The effect of washing mustard and cress, cucumber and the different layers of lettuce leaves was examined. Washing the salad by agitating it under running tap water in a colander for 2 min reduced the total bacterial counts by 10-fold. The inner leaves of a lettuce had TVCs less than 10(4)cfu g-1, at least 10-100-fold less than the outer leaves. Cucumber after washing had similar TVCs as after peeling. Five of six samples of mustard and cress had TVCs of at least 10(6)cfu g-1 before washing. As a consequence, mustard and cress was no longer used in our salads.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

A clinical evaluation of glove washing and re-use in dental practice.

This study has assessed the durability of four brands of latex gloves, Ansell Medical 'Medi-Grip', Regent 'Biogel D', Surgikos 'Microtouch' and the London Rubber Company 'Supreme', under conditions of repeated washing and re-use in a clinical dental setting. The microbiological effectiveness of 'Hibiscrub' as a decontaminating washing agent was examined simultaneously. Examination by an electrical test for micropunctures in 200 unused gloves of each brand revealed such defects in 6(3%) of Ansell 'Medi-Grip', 3(1.5%) of 'Biogel D', 14(7%) of Surgikos 'Microtouch' and 2(1%) of LRC 'Supreme' gloves. Following repeated clinical use, micropunctures were detected in 18% of Ansell 'Medi-Grip', 10% of 'Biogel D', 75% of Surgikos 'Microtouch' and 56% of LRC 'Supreme'. Microorganisms were isolated from the glove surfaces after 45% of the occasions on which the gloves were washed for 1 min in 'Hibiscrub' (ICI Dental). Eighty-five per cent of these isolates were environmental organisms, but oral streptococci were isolated from 8.4% of the pairs of gloves examined. The high rate of micropuncture development following repeated washing and re-use of latex gloves indicates that they cannot effectively perform their barrier function under such conditions. The microbiological data have also revealed the potential for cross-infection between patients through inadequate decontamination of glove surfaces. For operative dental surgery, the results suggest that heavier, surgical type gloves are to be preferred, and that multiple use of any glove type should be discouraged.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

A review of radionuclides in tide-washed pastures on the Irish Sea coast in England and Wales and their transfer to food products.

Close to the Sellafield Reprocessing Plant activity concentrations of many radionuclides including the long-lived 137Cs and actinides on tide-washed pastures bordering the Irish Sea are high compared with other terrestrial ecosystems in the United Kingdom. Despite the comparatively high deposition of radionuclides, contamination of agricultural products from tide-washed pastures is lower than would be predicted from studies in terrestrial ecosystems. This is because the main source of contamination in tide-washed pasture, radionuclides associated with sedimentary particles, has low availability for uptake by plant roots and in the gut of ruminants. Generalised Derived Limits (GDLs), published by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) are estimates of environmental radioactivity concentrations which would potentially be radiologically significant. These provide a benchmark against which environmental measurements can be assessed. In the past, several comparisons of radioactivity concentrations in tide-washed pastures with GDLs have been made, but only some of these comparisons are valid since current approaches used to assess doses are not always strictly appropriate to these ecosystems. Directly applicable GDLs are needed, and are currently being developed by the NRPB.

Journal Article↗

Measurement of tuberculostearic acid in sputa, pleural effusions, and bronchial washings. A clinical evaluation for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry combined with selected ion monitoring was used to measure tuberculostearic acid (TSA), in sputum, pleural effusion, and bronchial washing. The detection limit corresponded to the amount of TSA eluted from as low as 10(3) tubercle bacilli. Sputa were collected from 169 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, 35 clinically suspected to be active, 53 with obsolete pulmonary tuberculosis, and 160 with pulmonary diseases other than tuberculosis. TSA was positive in 90% of the patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (152/169) and 71% of the clinically suspected cases (25/35), respectively. In contrast, less than 10% of the patients with obsolete tuberculosis or other pulmonary diseases had a positive TSA. Pleural effusions and bronchial washings were also collected from patients with active tuberculosis and from those with other diseases, as the controls. TSA in pleural effusions and bronchial washings was detected in 24 of 32 patients and 15 of 22 patients with active tuberculosis, respectively. In those with pulmonary diseases other than tuberculosis, only 8.7% of pleural effusion (4/46) and 4.3% of bronchial washing samples (3/69) showed a positive TSA. Therefore, the measurement of TSA is useful as a rapid and sensitive method for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗

Comparison of the inhibitory effect of E-prostaglandins in human and rabbit platelet-rich plasma and washed platelets.

1. The anti-aggregatory potency of a number of E-type PGs was compared in human and rabbit platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets. The potency of 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 and 5,6-dihydro-PGE3 is significantly higher in human than in rabbit washed platelets, while the potency of 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGE1 is higher in rabbit. 2. The potency of PGEs in rabbit PRP is very similar to that of washed platelets, with the exception of 1a,1b-dihomo-PGE2, which is of a significantly lower potency in PRR. 3. In human, 5,6-trans-PGE2, PGE3, and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGE1 are more potent in PRP than in washed platelets. 4. The results indicate that the potency of E-type PGs in human and rabbit platelets is different and plasma can essentially influence the anti-aggregatory effect of PGEs; plasma can either decrease or increase potency.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗