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Determination of inorganic sulfate in human saliva and sweat by controlled-flow anion chromatography. Normal values in adult humans.

Following the previous demonstration that low concentrations of inorganic sulfate (SO4) in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid can be accurately determined by controlled-flow anion chromatography, the assay has been extended to the quantitation of free SO4 in saliva and sweat by modification of the established methods of sample collection and preparation. Salivary secretions were ultrafiltered to remove macromolecular polyanions that bind irreversibly to the anion-exchange separator column and reduce resolution. Sweat was collected from 22 fasted adult volunteers using a method which utilizes absorbent filter pads applied to the forearm after secretion had been stimulated by pilocarpine iontophoresis. It was necessary to acid wash the filter pads to reduce sulfate contamination. Saliva ultrafiltrate or sweat was diluted and injected onto a Dionex D-10 Ion Analyzer using the standard anion column system. The mean inorganic SO4 concentration in saliva from seventeen adult fasting volunteers was 72 +/- 4 mumol/l (+/- S.E.); the mean SO4 concentration in sweat was 83 +/- 3 mumol/l. Both are significantly less than in matching serum, suggesting that SO4 is actively removed during formation of these glandular secretions. The ion chromatographic assay is shown to be capable of measuring SO4 in biological fluids at concentrations that are otherwise undetectable by conventional assay techniques.

Adolescent↗

Health care discussions and treatment for urinary incontinence in U.S. women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the proportions of women with urinary incontinence who had discussed their condition with a health care provider or received treatment and to identify factors associated with seeking health care. STUDY DESIGN: The study was a population-based, age-stratified postal survey of 6000 women aged 30 to 90 years enrolled in a large health maintenance organization in Washington state. RESULTS: The response rate was 64% (n = 3536) after applying exclusion criteria. Eighty percent (n = 1160) of women with urinary incontinence completed a detailed set of questions on care seeking and treatments. Fifty percent had discussed their incontinence with a health care provider, 21% reported receiving surgery or prescription medication, 10% reported performing Kegel exercises, and 48% reported wearing a pad to absorb urine daily or weekly. The following factors were significantly associated with odds of discussing urinary incontinence with a health care provider: age (50 to 69 years, adjusted odds ratio 1.5 [1.1 to 2.0]; 70 to 89 years, adjusted odds ratio 1.9 [1.4, 2.7]); duration of urinary incontinence (2 to 5 years, adjusted odds ratio 1.9 [1.3 to 2.8]; more than 5 years, adjusted odds ratio 2.8 [2.0,4.1]); severe urinary incontinence (adjusted odds ratio 1.7 [1.2 to 2.6]); and greater effect on daily activities (adjusted odds ratio 2.7 [1.9,3.8]). CONCLUSION: Among women with urinary incontinence, one half have discussed their incontinence with a health care provider and one third have received any form of treatment.

Adult↗

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and growth factors in diabetic foot wounds treated with a protease absorbent dressing.

UNLABELLED: Wound healing in diabetes is impaired, and nonhealing ulceration represent clinically relevant complications. Persistently high levels of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) contribute to wound chronicity. Thus, the topical use of protease inhibitors might influence wound healing and promote transition from a chronic to an acute wound. METHODS: In this study, 33 patients with chronic diabetic foot lesions (stage 2a of the University of Texas Wound Classification system) were included. Fifteen patients received redundant "good standard wound care." In addition, 18 patients were treated with a protease inhibitory modulating matrix (the OCR/collagen Promogran matrix, Ethicon) with dressings changed on a daily basis. Prior to treatment and at 4 and 8 days after treatment, two 3-mm punch biopsies were taken from the center of the wounds and analyzed using ELISA techniques for MMPs, tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) levels. In addition, mRNA levels of MMPs as well as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (TaqMan, Applied Biosystems, Weiterstadt, Germany). RESULTS: No differences were detected between both groups and at the three time points for the mRNA levels of MMPs as well as of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. In addition, MMP levels in wound tissue (analyzed by ELISA) were also not significantly different between both groups. However, IL-1beta was increased on day 8 in the treatment group (P=.01) only. Interestingly, we found a significant reduction of the MMP-9/TIMP-2 ratio in the group being treated with the ORC/collagen. These wounds exhibited a more rapid healing rate when treated with the ORC/collagen matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The local treatment with a protease inhibitor has a beneficial effect on wound healing. In contrast to the data on wound fluid, our study demonstrated for the first time the unaltered mRNA levels of MMPs during treatment with a protease inhibitory modulating matrix. At the cellular level, MMPs were also not statistically different. However, the more relevant ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-2 was decreased in the treatment group. An equally important finding was that we did not detect a compensatory increase in the MMP-RNA expression even though wound size was clearly reduced.

Absorbent Pads↗

Lactobacilli in the female genital tract in relation to other genital microbes and vaginal pH.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between lactobacilli and other microbes and the association with vaginal pH in the female genital tract were examined. The study also included evaluation of the possibility of supplying probiotics to the genital tract by using panty liners impregnated with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum LB931. METHODS: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study involving 191 healthy fertile women. Specified microbes were counted and vaginal pH was measured once a month for five consecutive months. RESULTS: Major individual variations in the genital microflora composition and the vaginal pH were found among the women. The number of lactobacilli was significantly related to vaginal pH (p<0.001) and approximately 70% of the women were permanent carriers of individual lactobacilli strains. Women with high numbers of lactobacilli were less prevalent with Group B streptococci than women with low numbers (p=0.036), and these women had a lower mean vaginal pH. The number of lactobacilli also correlated with the prevalence of yeast. LB931 could be found in 86% of the labial samples and 54% of the vaginal samples. CONCLUSIONS: High numbers of lactobacilli may contribute to a low vaginal pH and seem to have a negative influence on Group B streptococci. LB931 could be transferred from the panty liners to both the vagina and the labial fold.

Absorbent Pads↗

Rapid culture confirmation of herpes simplex virus by a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay.

Rapid confirmation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is essential in many clinical settings. Viral isolation in cell culture is the standard method for diagnosing HSV infection, with confirmation by specific immunological staining. The performance of the Rapid Absorbent Matrix Pad (RAMP) HSV culture confirmation test was evaluated with specimens obtained from 71 patients with suspected HSV infection and inoculated into African green monkey kidney cell lines. Forty-one culture-positive specimens were confirmed to be HSV by both the RAMP HSV test and the Bartels HSV immunoperoxidase test. Thirty immunoperoxidase-negative specimens were also negative in the RAMP HSV test. The sensitivity and specificity of the RAMP HSV test were 100%. Twelve specimens positive for cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, or enterovirus tested negative by the RAMP HSV test. Thus, the RAMP HSV test was faster than, easier to perform than, as sensitive as, and as specific as other well-documented confirmation methods.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Wetting between parallel fibres; column-unduloid and column disintegration transitions.

Wetting phenomena are studied for a fibre bundle consisting of three parallel cylinders of radius b. Two types of long liquid column (a disintegrated and a channel-filling column) and a state akin to the unduloid can form, depending on whether the cylinder-cylinder separation, 2d, is larger or smaller than certain critical values. The dimensionless threshold values d/b have been calculated, when gravity can be neglected and the liquid-fibre contact angle is zero. The threshold value for the morphological transition between disintegrated columns and channel-filling columns occurs for (d/b)tr1 = 0.07869, and the transition between channel-filling column and unduloid sets in when (d/b)tr2 = 2.85337. The existence of the first type of morphological transition is validated by computer simulation based on the Ising model and the Monte Carlo method, as well as by experiments carried out with steel cylinders and epoxy resin.

Absorbent Pads↗

Undertreatment of urinary incontinence in general practice.

BACKGROUND: In the urinary incontinence guidelines that are issued by the Dutch College of General Practitioners, treatment guidelines are related to the type of incontinence. It is unknown whether treatment of urinary incontinence in general practice complies with these guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To describe treatment patterns and costs of urinary incontinence. METHODS: The source population for this retrospective cohort study included all women aged > or =40 years in the Integrated Primary Care Information general practice research database. Women were included in the final study cohort if they were newly identified as being urinary incontinent during the study period (1998-2000) and had at least one year of follow-up after the first diagnosis/treatment. The type of incontinence, treatment course, and costs of incontinence were assessed during the first year after the subjects' identification. RESULTS: The final study cohort comprised 1663 women (mean age 68.5 y). Overall, 71% of newly identified women with urinary incontinence did not receive active treatment within one year after identification. In 13%, the first treatment was bladder training or pelvic floor exercises, and 11% started treatment with a bladder relaxant drug. First treatment was related to the type of incontinence; however, in <50% of the women, the type of incontinence was reported or could be assessed. Absorbent products were used by 66% of the women; 87% of them received no active treatment. The mean direct costs of urinary incontinence over the first year amounted to 392 per woman, of which 200 (51%) for absorbent products. CONCLUSIONS: Less than one-third of the women with newly identified urinary incontinence were actively treated for their incontinence. Although treatment patterns were in line with guidelines, the high rate of undertreatment points to the need for better patient and physician education.

Absorbent Pads↗

Effects of cetylpyridinium chloride, acidified sodium chlorite, and potassium sorbate on populations of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus on fresh beef.

The effects of selected food-grade antimicrobial agents at decreasing the number of pathogenic bacteria on fresh beef were determined. Beef cubes inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, or Staphylococcus aureus were sprayed with 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), 0.12% acidified sodium chlorite (ASC), 0.1% potassium sorbate (PS), or an equal mix of any two solutions. The beef samples were placed on absorbent tray pads sprayed with each single or mixed solution, wrapped with polyvinyl chloride film, heat sealed, and stored at 4 degrees C for 2 weeks. Surface sanitization using CPC, ASC, or an equal mix of these two agents effectively reduced microbial numbers on the beef during storage. At day 0, ASC and the CPC-ASC mix reduced the number of E. coli O157:H7 by 2.50 and 1.58 log CFU/cm2, respectively. CPC demonstrated a 3.25-log reduction of L. monocytogenes and a 4.70-log reduction of S. aureus at 14 days. The CPC-PS mix reduced E. coli O157:H7 numbers by 1.46, L. monocytogenes by 2.95, and S. aureus by 4.41 log CFU/cm2 at 14 days. PS alone and the mixed solutions, CPC-ASC, CPC-PS, or ASC-PS, were not as effective as ASC or CPC alone. To effectively reduce E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, or S. aureus numbers, higher (> 0.1%) concentrations of PS were necessary. Loss of redness and light color of beef surfaces consistently coincided with decreases in pH for ASC-treated beef samples.

Animals↗

4. Bedwetting and toileting problems in children.

Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is common. It occurs in up to 20% of 5 year olds and 10% of 10 year olds, with a spontaneous remission rate of 14% per year. Weekly daytime wetting occurs in 5% of children, most of whom (80%) also wet the bed. Bedwetting can have a considerable impact on children and families, affecting a child's self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, and his or her performance at school. Primary nocturnal enuresis (never consistently dry at night) should be distinguished from secondary nocturnal enuresis (previously dry for at least 6 months). Important risk factors for primary nocturnal enuresis include family history, nocturnal polyuria, impaired sleep arousal and bladder dysfunction. Secondary nocturnal enuresis is more likely to be caused by factors such as urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus and emotional stress. The treatment for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting with no daytime symptoms) is an alarm device, with desmopressin as second-line therapy. Treatment for non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting with daytime symptoms--urgency and frequency, with or without incontinence) should initially focus on the daytime symptoms.Bedwetting without daytime symptoms, the most common toileting problem, can be effectively treated with an alarm device.

Absorbent Pads↗

Potential applications of smart clothing solutions in health care and personal protection.

The rapid development in the fields of sensor and telecommunication technologies has created completely new possibilities also for the textile and clothing field. New smart textile and clothing systems can be developed by integrating sensors in the textile constructions. Application fields for these added-value products are e.g. protective clothing for extreme environments, garments for the health care sector, technical textiles, sport and leisure wear. Some products have already been introduced on the markets, but generally it can be stated that the development is only in its starting phase, and the expectations for the future are big. Many different aspects have to be considered in the development of the wearable technology products for the health care sector: medical problems and their diagnosis, sensor choice, data processing and telecommunication solutions, clothing requirements. A functional product can be achieved only if all aspects work together, and therefore experts from all fields should participate in the RTD projects. In the EC-funded project DE3002 Easytex clothing and textiles for disabled and elderly people were investigated. Some recommendations concerning durability, appearance, comfort, service and safety of products for different special user groups were defined, based on user questionnaires and seminars, general textile and clothing requirements and on laboratory test series."Clothing Area Network--Clan" is a research project aiming to develop a technical concept and technology needed in enabling both wired and wireless data and power transfer between different intelligent modules (user interfaces, sensors, CPU's, batteries etc.) integrated into a smart clothing system. Fire-fighters clothing system is chosen as the development platform, being a very challenging application from which the developed technology can be transferred to other protective clothing systems.

Absorbent Pads↗