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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

The use of absorbable co-polymer pads with alginate and cells for articular cartilage repair in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of polyglycolic acid (PGA)-polylactic acid (PLA) co-polymer pads with calcium alginate on chondrogenic gene expression for chondrocytes cultured in vitro. We also evaluated the ability of these absorbable pads with alginate to deliver chondrocytes and influence osteochondral defect repair in vivo in immature rabbit knees. METHODS: Rabbit rib chondrocytes were suspended in calcium alginate and co-polymer pads composed of either 47.5/52.5 PGA-PLA or 90/10 PGA-PLA at two different cell concentrations and cultured in vitro for 1, 3, and 5 days. Analysis was performed using RT-PCR for chondrogenic gene expression of aggrecan, type II collagen, and type I collagen. Cells labeled with a traceable green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker in vitro were suspended within the pads to analyze for dispersion and attachment to the pad. An in vivo study was performed in which full-thickness (3x4mm(2)) osteochondral defects were made in 60 rabbit knees. The study comprised four treatment groups based on the type of implant into the defect (empty, alginate alone, or either type of co-polymer pad) and harvested at either 6 or 12 weeks. Two independent blinded observers analyzed and scored the defects grossly and histologically. RESULTS: In vitro analysis of the chondrocytes after 1, 3, and 5 days in culture showed no statistical differences between the types of PGA/PLA co-polymer pad with regard to expression of aggrecan, type II collagen, or type I collagen. However, although statistically insignificant, the expression of aggrecan and type II collagen was found to be greater than that for type I collagen in both types of pads, confirming the chondrogenic effect of suspension culture for this system. The addition of alginate to polymer pads allowed costal chondrocytes to be implanted in vivo, as evidenced by the attachment of the cells to the fibers and the uniform dispersion of the GFP-labeled cells through the pad as seen on fluorescent microscopy. Histologic results showed improved scores for the 47.5/52.5 PGA-PLA group (21.3) and the 90/10 PGA-PLA group (18.3) when compared to empty (15.3) or alginate alone (15.1) defects at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The addition of calcium alginate to the co-polymer pads offers a new approach to deliver cells to an osteochondral defect and may enhance cartilage regeneration. Future application of this model may allow for an arthroscopic delivery system to assist the healing of cartilage defects.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed1993

Beam shaping for microwave waveguide hyperthermia applicators.

PURPOSE: Hyperthermia treatments commonly use single element microwave waveguide applicators. The microwave beam patterns produced by these applicators are often non-uniform. As a result, hot spots are formed in the heated tissue and therapeutic temperatures are reached in only small areas of the treatment field. We have constructed new coupling boluses that improve the heating patterns of external microwave applicators. METHODS: The microwave beam transmitted through the bolus is modified by microwave absorbing saline/gelatin pads. The pads can be designed to result in a uniform heating pattern over a large area or alternatively, complex heating patterns can be generated for specific clinical applications. An analysis of the effect of bolus design parameters on microwave absorption patterns is presented. The heating patterns of the MA-100 and MA-120 microwave waveguide applicators have been measured in muscle and fat phantom materials with both the manufacturer's boluses and the new boluses. RESULTS: In the case of the MA-100, the area above the 70% heating level measured in a muscle phantom was increased by a factor of 2.3 by an absorbing pad bolus. Similarly, the heating area of the MA-120 was increased by a factor of 2.6 by an absorbing pad bolus. The boluses were tested in a clinical setting by measuring tissue temperature profiles in patients under different bolus arrangements. The area over which therapeutic temperature was achieved was increased considerably when the absorbing bolus was used. A second bolus was designed for the MA-120 to produce a ring heating pattern for the treatment of a breast cancer patient who had developed recurrences at the periphery of a skin graft. The heating pattern produced in a muscle phantom is compared with tissue temperature profiles measured during the hyperthermia treatment of this patient. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave absorbing filters using saline pads significantly improve the heating patterns of microwave waveguide hyperthermia applicators. This improvement was confirmed in clinical application where much greater areas of homogeneous heating were observed. The technology was extended to produce complex heating patterns for special clinical applications.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Role of the calcaneal heel pad and polymeric shock absorbers in attenuation of heel strike impact.

The capacity of the calcaneal heel pad, with and without augmentation by a polymeric shock absorbing material (Sorbothane 0050), to attenuate heel strike impulses has been studied using five fresh human cadaveric lower leg specimens. The specimens, instrumented with an accelerometer, were suspended and impacted with a hammer; a steel rod was similarly suspended and impacted. The calcaneal heel pad attenuated the peak accelerations by 80%. Attenuations of up to 93% were achieved by the shock absorbing material when tested against the steel rod; however, when tested in series with the calcaneal heel pad, the reduction in peak acceleration due to the shock absorbing material dropped to 18%. Any evaluation of the effectiveness of shock absorbing shoe materials must take into account their mechanical interaction with the body.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Efficacy of nisin-coated polymer films to inactivate Salmonella Typhimurium on fresh broiler skin.

Nisin is an antimicrobial peptide produced by the food-grade microorganism Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. This peptide inhibits many gram-positive bacteria, and when combined with chelating agents it inhibits gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella sp. The efficacy of packaging films treated with nisin-containing formulations to reduce Salmonella contamination of fresh broiler drumstick skin and increase the refrigerated shelf life was investigated. Three films (5.1 cm2) of varying hydrophobicities (polyvinyl chloride [PVC], linear low density polyethylene, nylon) were coated with one of three liquid formulations (pH 3.5 to 3.8) composed of 100 microg/ml nisin and varying concentrations of citric acid, EDTA, and Tween 80. The treated films were applied either wet or dry to 5.1-cm2 broiler drumstick skin samples inoculated with a nalidixic acid-resistant (NAr) strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. After incubation at 4 degrees C for 24 h the populations of surviving Salmonella TyphimuriumNAr organisms were recovered from the skin and film samples using a rinse procedure and enumerated on brain heart infusion agar containing 800 ppm NA. Log reductions (untreated versus treated skin) in Salmonella TyphimuriumNAr populations ranged from 0.4 to 2.1. Treatment formulation compositions and wet versus dry treatment application also influenced the extent of kill. The shelf life of refrigerated broiler drumsticks was extended by 0.6 to 2.2 days following a 3-min immersion in a nisin-containing treatment solution and subsequent storage in a foam tray pack containing a nisin-treated PVC overwrap and a nisin-treated absorbent tray pad. These findings demonstrated that Salmonella Typhimurium and spoilage microorganism populations on the surface of fresh broiler skin and drumsticks can be significantly reduced using immersion treatments, absorbent tray pads, and packaging films treated with nisin-containing formulations.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Pad test by mail for home evaluation of urinary incontinence.

AIMS: To present a simple, cost-effective, and convenient method of home pad test using the mail system and evaluating change in pad weight over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of nine kinds of commonly available commercial brands of urinary incontinence pads ranging from thin liners less than 10 g in dry weight to large diapers weighing over 100 g each were assembled. Two or three of each variety were individually weighed on an OHAUS LS2000 Portable Standard scale accurate to +/- 1 g. The pads were then wet uniformly with 20 cc of saline, placed individually in sealable plastic bags, sealed, and reweighed. Random groups of three pads were mailed by standard 1st class mail to the Urocenter of New York. The sealed pads were reweighed at 8 and 14 days from the original wetting. Concurrently, ten incontinence pads soiled with urine were similarly examined to confirm that there would be no detectable difference between urine and saline for the purpose of the study. In the second part of the study, 20 pads of the same type (13 inch-long pads with absorbent gel) were divided into 4 groups of 5 pads; each group was uniformly wet with 5, 10, 20, or 50 g of saline. These pads were mailed and reweighed at 7 and 14 days from the initial wetting. RESULTS: Twenty-four pads were used in the first part of the study. The dry weights of 22/24 (92%) of the pads were within 2 g of the average weight for their brand. At the first reweighing, 22 pads (92%) weighed within 2 g of their initial wet weights (Fig. 1). Only two pads on day 8 differed substantially from their initial weights: one pad appeared to have lost 4 g and another one 9 g. On day 14, 23/24 pads remained within 1 g of their day 8 weight and 1 differed by 2 g, and the total weight of the 24 pads on day 14 was only 4 g different from their initial weight (P = 0.71, Fig. 1). The soiled pads exhibited weight changes that were indistinguishable from the saline pads. The average cost of mailing the pads by 1st class mail was $4 and the average length of time in the mail was 5 days +/- 1 day. In the second part of the study, 18/20 pads had lost less than 1 g at 1 week, and at 2 weeks, 19/20 had lost less than 2 g when compared to their initial weights (Fig. 2). One pad had lost 3 g. Pads in the low volume groups (5 and 10 g) lost an average of 1.4 and 1.2 g, respectively, while pads in the high volume groups (20, 50 g) lost an average of 1.8 and 2 g at 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Dry pads of any single brand have a relatively standard weight that varies insignificantly between pads. Up to 2 weeks of delay in the weighing of individually sealed pads does not significantly affect the clinical measurement of weight at a variety of low (5 g) or high (50 g) volumes of simulated incontinence. Home pad test using the mail system is a feasible, inexpensive, and clinically accurate method of evaluating incontinence. Patients can be instructed in techniques for home pad test, allowing for greater compliance, and convenience for both physicians and patients.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

An evaluation of two body-worn continence products in an NHS trust.

In October 2002 Southend Hospital NHS Trust in Essex undertook a trial of a two-piece disposable body-worn pad system (TENA Comfort Mini Extra) and a disposable absorbent one-piece body-worn pull-up (TENA Pants), with a view to converting the whole trust to using these products. The trial was successful and it was agreed by the commodity advisory group that these products should be standardised across the hospital.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed1993

In vivo examination of the dynamic properties of the human heel pad.

The shock-absorbing characteristics of the heel pad in vivo were examined in adults (N = 16) and 7-year-old children (N = 5) using a drop-impact tester (wt = 5 kg). Impact velocities were 0.72 m/s and 0.93 m/s. It was found that in adults the average peak deceleration was 11.6 G at an impact velocity of 0.93 m/s. The maximum deformation of the heel pad was 11.3 mm, and the computed energy absorption during impact amounted to 79% (range = 75%-89%). These mechanical characteristics remained nearly the same even after 6 min of repeated impacts by the impact tester and even after a 10 km run. The children had larger values of peak deceleration and maximum deformation and smaller energy loss than the adults. It was concluded that the heel pad was a fairly effective shock attenuator and high energy absorber, and that these characteristics remain nearly unchanged even after a relatively long period of repeated impacts. It was also concluded that the mechanical properties of the children's heel pads were different from those of the adults.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1996

[Effectiveness on the vicryl pad in treatment of primary, recurrent and re-recurrent inguinal hernias--10 years experiences].

After testing the absorbable vicryl pad, which was developed by us in 1985, and having applied the technique as a routine in the surgical therapy of inguinal hernias since 1986, in total 2222 primary inguinal hernias and additional 937 first up to maximum 10th recurrences have been treated at our surgical department by means of the additional vicryl pad implantation. Within 5 to 9 years after surgery, follow-up examinations of the primary inguinal hernias (follow-up rate of 87.8%) showed a recurrence rate of 0.96%; with a follow-up rate of 91% for re- as well as rerecurrent hernias an extremely low re-recurrent rate of only 1.7% was found. By implantation of a vicryl pad the recurrent and rerecurrent rate could therefore be decisively minimized. The vicryl pad is inducing an additional connective tissue growth in the inguinal area of the body resulting in this high success rate.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗
PubMed1989

Shock absorbency of factors in the shoe/heel interaction--with special focus on role of the heel pad.

The heel pad acts as a shock absorber in walking and in heel-strike running. In some patients, a reduction of its shock-absorbing capacity has been connected to the development of overuse injuries. In this article, the shock absorption of the heel pad as well as external shock absorbers are studied. Individual variation and the effect of trauma and confinement on the heel pad were specifically investigated. Drop tests, imitating heel impacts, were performed on a force plate. The test specimens were cadaver heel pads (n = 10); the shoe sole component consisted of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam and Sorbothane inserts. The shock absorption was significantly greater in the heel pad than in the external shock absorbers. The mean heel pad shock absorption was 1.1 times for EVA foam and 2.1 times for Sorbothane. The shock absorption varied by as much as 100% between heel pads. Trauma caused a decrease in the heel pad shock absorbency (24%), whereas heel pad confinement increased the shock absorbency (49% in traumatized heel pads and 29.5% in nontraumatized heel pads). These findings provide a biomechanical rationale for the clinical observations of a correlation between heel pad shock absorbency loss and heel strike-dependent overuse injuries. To increase shock absorbency, confinement of the heel pad should be attempted in vivo.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Development of a sensitive test method to evaluate mechanical irritation potential on mucosal skin.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The studies presented here are intended to continue the validation of the behind-the-knee test system developed to evaluate the mechanical irritation potential of products such as catemenial pads, baby and adult diapers (which are inherently non-irritating products/chemicals). These products are intended to be worn for prolonged periods of time on body sites that include the mucous membrane and non-keratinized epithelium in addition to normal squamous cell epithelium. These studies had two specific goals. The first was to validate the test model using a variety of conditions, including those that mimic the conditions that exist during normal product use. The second specific goal was to determine the most cost-effective protocol to use for screening different product executions for potential irritant effects. If the model proves to be reliable under a variety of conditions, it will be an ideal test system to use in claims support studies, where it is preferable to mimic use conditions as closely as possible. We were also interested in evaluating sensory responses that consumers often associate with irritation to determine if any of these sensations correlated with objective measures of irritation. METHODS: Three test materials were used in these experiments. All three are commercially available catemenial pads that were expected to be similar, but not identical, in irritant properties based on subjective consumer reports of irritation associated with product use. Test materials were applied daily to the area behind the knee and held in place for 6 h by an elastic knee band of appropriate size. Irritation was graded 30-60 min after test product removal, and the following morning before application of the next sample. Two products were compared using four different protocol variations: dry product on intact skin, dry product on tape stripped (compromised) skin, wet product (i.e., product loaded with 8 mL of saline) on intact skin and wet product on compromised skin. An additional study compared the two products using two protocol variations (intact skin/dry product vs. compromised skin/wet product). In addition, a study (#5) was conducted to compare a third product applied wet on intact vs. compromised skin. In the final two studies, information was collected from the panelists on subjective sensations of irritation. RESULTS: All four protocol variations were capable of detecting significant differences between the products. These differences were directionally similar to what was expected based on subjective consumer comments. In addition, a higher number of certain perceived sensory effects were reported for the more irritating product. CONCLUSIONS: In these studies, Product A is more irritating than Product B when assessed objectively, i.e., by scoring irritation at the test sites, and subjectively, i.e., by evaluating reports of adverse sensations perceived by panelists. There is no clear relationship between specific test conditions, i.e., compromised skin and/or testing wet samples, and reports of perceived sensory reactions. However, some sensory reactions appear to be associated with higher levels of irritation. The most cost-effective protocol to use for screening for potential irritant effects for catemenial pads, baby and adult diapers is two 6-h sample applications on intact skin, with scoring in the afternoon 30 min after removal of the sample. For claims support testing, a variety of test conditions can be used in the behind-the-knee assay to mimic the exposure conditions for the product under evaluation, including using compromised (tape stripped) skin and wet product samples.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed2006

The Behind-the-Knee test: an efficient model for evaluating mechanical and chemical irritation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The 'Behind-the-Knee' method (BTK test), using the popliteal fossa as a test site, evaluates both the inherent chemical irritation, and the potential for mechanical irritation of substrates and products. This approach eliminates some of the difficulties of in-use clinical test systems while still providing reliable results. In this publication, examples of the results of BTK tests on several materials are presented with direct comparisons, where possible, with results of in-use clinical testing conducted on the same materials. METHODS: In in-use clinical tests, volunteer panelists were provided with catamenial products to use in place of their normal product. In the BTK test, samples were applied daily to the popliteal fossa using an elastic athletic band. In both studies, irritation reactions were scored visually. RESULTS: Levels of irritation in the BTK test are consistently higher than those of standard patch tests, illustrating the contribution of mechanical irritation to the overall irritant potential of materials and products. Repeated tests on identical test materials demonstrated that the BTK test results are reproducible. Side-by-side comparisons of the BTK test and in-use clinical tests demonstrated that the BTK test produces results of similar quality to the in-use clinical. By using several concurrent panels with a common test material, it is possible to compare the irritant properties of several materials at once. CONCLUSIONS: We have tested over 25 different materials in over 35 BTK studies. The test method has proven reliable and versatile in testing a wide variety of materials, including menstrual pads, topsheets, interlabial pads, pantiliners, tampons and lotion coatings on products. Unlike in-use clinicals, the BTK test allows the direct comparison of two products at one time on the same individual, and is easily adapted to investigative programs. It is subject to fewer confounding factors, is much easier to implement, has a shorter turnaround time, and is less expensive than in-use clinical testing. Importantly, unlike standard patch tests, the BTK test evaluates both the inherent chemical irritation associated with materials and the mechanical irritation owing to friction. Although the BTK test was developed using catamenial products, the test system provides a valuable alternative for evaluating any material where mechanical irritation may play a role, including textiles, facial tissues, baby and adult diapers, and laundry products that may leave residues on fabrics.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed2004

Urine collection pads: are samples reliable for urine biochemistry and microscopy?

The aim of the study was to validate the reliability of samples obtained with urine collection pads (UCP) for selected laboratory biochemical analyses, urine cell microscopy, and bedside semi-quantitative stick urinalysis. A series of laboratory experiments was performed to test agreement between urine concentrations, or results, before and after passage through a UCP (incubated for 37 degrees C for 15 min). The following urinalyses were performed: electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, urate, osmolality, pH, protein, catecholamines, toxicology for drugs of abuse, stick urinalysis for glucose, ketones, protein, blood, leucocytes and nitrites, and microscopy for red and white cells. Close agreement was shown for all laboratory analyses except proteinuria, which was underestimated by, on average, 10% after UCP passage. However, stick urinalysis for proteinuria remains sufficiently reliable for clinical use. UCP substantially retain or destroy red and white cells, but stick urinalysis for blood and leucocyte esterase remains reliable. In conclusion, urine samples derived from UCP show good agreement across a clinically relevant range for the biochemical analyses undertaken in this study. Microscopy of UCP samples is unreliable for cellular material but semi-quantitative stick urinalysis for red and white cells is a satisfactory alternative.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed1996

The mechanical properties of the heel pad in elderly adults.

The shock absorbing characteristics of the heel pad in vivo were examined in two groups of active elderly individuals whose ages ranged between 60 and 67 years (n = 10) and between 71 and 86 years (n = 10). For comparative purposes, young adults (n = 10) aged between 17 and 30 years were also examined. A free-fall impact testing device which consisted of an instrumented shaft (mass 5 kg), accelerometer and position detection transducer was used to obtain deceleration and deformation of the heel during impact. The data were obtained from impact velocities of 0.57 m.s-1 (slow) and 0.94 m.s-1 (fast). Peak values of the deceleration and deformation, as well as the time to these peaks from onset of impact, and energy absorption were evaluated. At the slow impact velocity, no age effect was found for the parameters examined except for the energy absorption. At the fast impact velocity, there was higher peak deceleration and smaller deformation for the elderly than for the younger adults. The energy absorbed was less for the elderly than for the younger adults. It was concluded that the capacity for shock absorbency of the heel pad declines with age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of modifications of the traditional patch test in assessing the chemical irritation potential of feminine hygiene products.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The first main objective of the work presented in this paper was to investigate ways of optimizing the current arm patch test protocol by (1) increasing the sensitivity of the test in order to evaluate more effectively the products that are inherently non-irritating, and/or (2) reducing the costs of these types of studies by shortening the protocol. The second main objective was to use the results of these studies and the results of the parallel studies conducted using the behind-the-knee method to better understand the contribution of mechanical irritation to the skin effects produced by these types of products. In addition, we were interested in continuing the evaluation of sensory effects and their relationship to objective measures of irritation. METHODS: Test materials were prepared from three, currently marketed feminine protection pads. Wet and dry samples were applied to the upper arm using the standard 24-h patch test. Applications were repeated daily for 4 consecutive days. The test sites were scored for irritation prior to the first patch application, and 30-60 min after removal of each patch. Some test sites were treated by tape stripping the skin prior to the initial patch application. In addition, in one experiment, panelists were asked to keep a daily diary describing any sensory skin effects they noticed at each test site. RESULTS: All protocol variations ([intact skin/dry samples], [compromised skin/dry samples], [intact skin/wet samples], and [compromised skin/wet samples]) gave similar results for the products tested. When compared to the behind-the-knee test method, the standard upper arm patch test gave consistently lower levels of irritation when the test sites were scored shortly after patch removal, even though the sample application was longer (24 vs. 6 h) in the standard patch test. The higher level of irritation in the behind-the-knee method was likely due to mechanical irritation. The sensory skin effects did not appear to be related to a particular test product or a particular protocol variation. However, the mean irritation scores at those sites where a sensory effect was reported were higher than the mean irritation scores at those sites were no sensory effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: All four protocol variations of the standard upper arm patch test can be used to assess the inherent chemical irritant properties of feminine protection products. For these products, which are inherently non-irritating, tape stripping and/or applying wet samples does not increase the sensitivity of the patch test method. Differences in irritation potential were apparent after one to three 24-h applications. Therefore, the standard patch test protocol can be shortened to three applications without compromising our ability to detect differences in the chemical irritation produced by the test materials. The patch test can be used to evaluate effectively the inherent chemical irritation potential of these types of products. However, this method is not suitable for testing the mechanical irritation due to friction that occurs during product use. There is no relationship between specific test conditions, i.e., compromised skin and/or testing wet samples and reports of perceived sensory reactions. However, there seems to be a clear relationship between sensory reactions and objective irritation scores.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed2005

Alarm interventions for nocturnal enuresis in children.

BACKGROUND: Enuresis (bedwetting) is a socially disruptive and stressful condition which affects around 15 to 20% of five year olds, and up to 2% of young adults. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of alarm interventions on nocturnal enuresis in children, and to compare alarms with other interventions. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group specialised trials register (searched 22 November 2004) and the reference lists of relevant articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised trials of alarm interventions for nocturnal enuresis in children were included, except those focused solely on daytime wetting. Comparison interventions included no treatment, simple and complex behavioural methods, desmopressin, tricyclics, and miscellaneous other methods. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the eligible trials, and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Fifty five trials met the inclusion criteria, involving 3152 children of whom 2345 used an alarm. The quality of many trials was poor, and evidence for many comparisons was inadequate. Most alarms used audio methods. Compared to no treatment, about two thirds of children became dry during alarm use (RR for failure 0.38, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.45). Nearly half who persisted with alarm use remained dry after treatment finished, compared to almost none after no treatment (RR of failure or relapse 45/81 (55%) vs 80/81 (99%), RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.68). There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about different types of alarm, or about how alarms compare to other behavioural interventions. Relapse rates were lower when overlearning was added to alarm treatment (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.92) or if dry bed training was used as well (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.20). Penalties for wet beds appeared to be counter-productive. Alarms using electric shocks were unacceptable to children or their parents. Although desmopressin may have a more immediate effect, alarms appear more effective by the end of a course of treatment (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.99) and there was limited evidence of greater long-term success (4/22 (18%) vs 16/24 (67%), RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.69). Evidence about the benefit of supplementing alarm treatment with desmopressin was conflicting. Alarms were better than tricyclics during treatment (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.88) and afterwards (7/12 (58%) vs 12/12 (100%), RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.94). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Alarm interventions are an effective treatment for nocturnal bedwetting in children. Alarms appear more effective than desmopressin or tricyclics by the end of treatment, and subsequently. Overlearning (giving extra fluids at bedtime after successfully becoming dry using an alarm), dry bed training and avoiding penalties may further reduce the relapse rate. Better quality research comparing alarms with other treatments is needed, including follow-up to determine relapse rates.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed2002

Superabsorbent materials from shellfish waste--a review.

Increasing global demand for improved absorbent materials for body fluids in disposable medical and personal-care articles creates an incentive for new basic research and development of efficient absorbent materials and systems with additional benefits such as biodegradability or certain biomedical functions. Highly absorbing materials based on polyelectrolyte polymers can absorb up to 50 grams of body fluid per gram of dry mass. Currently available synthetic superabsorbents are not biodegradable in landfills and do not offer any value-added functions to personal and medical-care products. Various academic and industrial research groups have put considerable amounts of effort and resources toward development of new absorbent materials from natural polymers, which would decompose in landfills. The basic substrates in these studies have been mainly polysaccharides, particularly cellulose and starch. The most common approach has involved converting these polymers into carboxymethyl derivatives followed by structural cross-linking. Commercial synthetic superabsorbent polymers as well as those derived from cellulose and starch are essentially polyanionic. On the other hand, polycationic absorbers seem to have potential functional advantages over the polyanionic counterparts. Chitin is the second abundant natural polymer, whose main derivative, chitosan, becomes polycationic in acid media. Currently, the main source of this polysaccharide is shellfish waste. This review provides basic information about new superabsorbent materials based on chitosan salts, their properties and preparation.

Absorbent Pads↗