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PubMed2006

[Effect of different bronchial washing sequences on diagnostic yield in endoscopically visible lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: Aspiration of bronchial wash fluid is commonly used in conjunction with brushing and forceps biopsy to diagnose endoscopically visible lung cancer. However, the optimal sequence of these procedures is subject to debate. The objective of this study was to determine if the order in which bronchial washing is performed relative to bronchial brushing and forceps biopsy has any effect on the diagnostic yield. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on patients with endoscopically visible lung cancer who underwent video-assisted fiberoptic bronchoscopy for diagnostic purposes. Aspiration of bronchial wash fluid was performed on all patients both before and after bronchial brushing and forceps biopsy. The results were analyzed separately for each type of endobronchial lesion and for both together. RESULTS: The study included 75 patients, with a mean age of 63.3 years; 81% were men. Bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 71 (94.7%) cases. Findings from bronchial washing fluid were positive in 40 (53.3%) patients when washing was performed prior to brushing and forceps biopsy; when washing was performed after these procedures, findings were positive in 43 (57.3%) patients (P=.6). The combined diagnostic yield of washing before and after brushing and forceps biopsy was 69.3%, a significantly better result than either washing before (P=.001) or after (P=.004) the other sampling techniques. In cases where findings from washing done after brushing and forceps biopsy were negative (14 of 32, 43.7%), blood in the aspirated sample interfered with cytology. In comparison, when washing was performed prior to brushing and biopsy, that problem arose in only 3 of the 35 cases (8.5%) (P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: The order in which bronchial washing is performed in relation to other sampling techniques for diagnosing bronchial tumors does not influence the diagnostic yield. This is probably because the aspirated fluid sample is more likely to contain excessive blood when washing is performed after brushing and forceps biopsy. However, the diagnostic yield can be significantly increased by combining the findings from bronchial washings performed both before and after other sample collection procedures.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Multi-country field trials comparing wash-resistance of PermaNet and conventional insecticide-treated nets against anopheline and culicine mosquitoes.

Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) are commonly used as a means of personal protection from malaria transmission by anopheline mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have special treatments intended to remain effective after many washes. The present trials assessed the efficacy and wash-resistance of several production batches of PermaNet (polyester net coated with polymer resin containing pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin 55 mg ai/m2) against malaria vectors in Pakistan, Iran and Tanzania compared to ITNs conventionally treated with alphacypermethrin 15 or 20 mg ai/m2, or deltamethrin 25 or 50 mg ai/m2. Insecticidal efficacy of the nets before and after repeated washing (using W.H.O. recommended and traditional local washing procedures) was monitored through contact bioassays with Anopheles and by experimental hut and outdoor platform tests. Local washing regimes gradually reduced the insecticidal efficacy of conventionally treated nets, but they were not exhausted, even after 21 washes. Using a more rigorous laboratory washing method, insecticide was more readily stripped from conventionally treated nets. PermaNet retained high efficacy after 21 washes, giving more than 97% mortality of Anopheles in contact bioassays with 3-min exposure. Using the more sensitive bioassay criterion of 'median time to knockdown', PermaNet showed no loss of insecticidal activity against Anopheles after washing repeatedly in 2 out of 6 trials; whereas in a further three trials knockdown activity of PermaNet and conventional ITNs declined at comparable rates. Higher mortality levels of Anopheles in contact bioassays did not always translate to superiority in experimental hut or enclosed platform trials. In only one of four comparative field trials did PermaNet out-perform conventional ITNs after washing: this was in the trial of PermaNet 2.0--the product with improved quality assurance. Because PermaNet and conventionally treated nets were both quite tolerant of local washing procedures, it is important in field trials to compare LLINs with conventional ITNs washed an equivalent number of times. Our comparison of PermaNet 2.0 against conventionally treated deltamethrin nets (CTDN) in Pakistan demonstrated superior performance of the LLIN after 20 washes in phase I and phase II bioassays, and this was corroborated by chemical assays of residual deltamethrin. Although PermaNet 2.0 has received WHOPES interim recommendation for malaria control purposes, its performance should be monitored in everyday use throughout its lifespan in various cultural settings to assess its durability and long-term effectiveness for malaria prevention and control. As many millions of conventionally treated nets are already in routine use, and these will require regular re-treatment, programme strategies should be careful to preserve the effectiveness of ITNS before and after establishing the reliability of LLINs in long-term use.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Laboratory wash resistance of long-lasting insecticidal nets.

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) may eliminate the need for retreatment of mosquito nets used for the control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The efficacy of LLINs after repeated washing under laboratory conditions has been used to predict long-lasting efficacy under field conditions. We evaluated under laboratory conditions the wash resistance of two LLINs (PermaNet 1.0, Vestergaard-Frandsen, Denmark; Olyset, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Japan), two candidate LLINs (Dawa, Siamdutch Mosquito Netting Co., Thailand; Insector, Athanor, France) and a net treated with a process designed to increase its wash resistance and compared them with conventionally treated nets (deltamethrin, 25 mg/m(2)). Nets of all six types were washed using a standard protocol and tested weekly using WHO cone bioassays with Anopheles gambiae (Kisumu strain). The PermaNet 1.0 was the most wash resistant with >50% mosquito mortality in WHO cone bioassays after as many as 20 washes. The Dawa net also retained some activity after repeated washing but exhibited wide variation in insecticide retention and biological activity. The remaining nets lost >90% of their biological activity after six washes as measured by 24-h mortality of A. gambiae in WHO cone tests. After 20 washes, all nets lost >50% of their initial insecticide concentrations except for the Olyset net. After 20 washes, nets were heated for 4 h at 60 degrees C to determine whether biological activity could be restored by heat-assisted regeneration. Only the Olyset net was regenerated by heating, with average mosquito mortality and knockdown in WHO cone tests rising to >90% after heating for 4 h at 60 degrees C. However, regeneration of the biological activity of Olyset nets that had been washed three times did not occur at 30 degrees C or 35 degrees C after 12 weeks. The wash resistance of these LLINs corresponded well to their retention of biological activity observed in a field trial, suggesting that wash resistance may be a good predictor of the longevity of insecticidal activity of LLINs under field conditions.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hand washing and adolescents. A study from seven schools in Konya, Turkey.

The aim of the study was to evaluate how and when adolescent students washed their hands and to detect the conditions that affect hand washing in schools. Seven schools were selected in Konya, Turkey. A questionnaire assessing the answers of 'how long', 'when' (frequency of hand-washing in six conditions with a Likert scale; after toilet, before eating, after eating, entering the home, cleaning a room, when sneezed or coughed), 'how' (hand-washing techniques) and 'why' was given to students. According to self report, person who washed his hands more than or equal to 20 sec and had adequate washing techniques (with soap and water) and had washing frequency score more than 20 was defined as having 'proper basic handwash'. Of a total of 1074 students, 1021 responded. According to self reported behaviours and attitudes, soap and water were used in 99.2% of hand washes, and an alcohol preparation was used in 0.2% of cases and wet paper was used in the remaining 0.6% in the schools. The average duration of soap and water washes was 41.8 +/- 39.1 sec. Overall, 42.4% of adolescents had a proper basic handwash. In multivariate analysis female sex, living at home, high knowledge level and urban school were associated with high proper basic handwash. In addition to this, the presence of some complaints about toilets in school affected proper basic hand wash in univariate analysis. Contrary to what had been expected, a factor such as type of school (health trade school) was not found to be associated with high proper basic handwash in both multivariate and univariate analysis. As a result, adolescents have limited knowledge about indications of hand-washing and some problems adversely influenced hand-washing. To increase compliance, problems should be solved and lessons about hand-washing and communicable disease should be given.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Sequential soil washing techniques using hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for remediating arsenic-contaminated soils in abandoned iron-ore mines.

Sequential washing techniques using single or dual agents [sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) solutions] were applied to arsenic-contaminated soils in an abandoned iron-ore mine area. We investigated the best remediation strategies to maximize arsenic removal efficiency for both soils and arsenic-containing washing solution through conducting a series of batch experiments. Based on the results of a sequential extraction procedure, most arsenic prevails in Fe-As precipitates or coprecipitates, and iron exists mostly in the crystalline forms of iron oxide. Soil washing by use of a single agent was not effective in remediating arsenic-contaminated soils because arsenic extractions determined by the Korean standard test (KST) methods for washed soils were not lower than 6mg kg(-1) in all experimental conditions. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that iron-ore fines produced mobile colloids through coagulation and flocculation in water contacting the soils, containing dissolved arsenic and fine particles of ferric arsenate-coprecipitated silicate. The first washing step using 0.2M HCl was mostly effective in increasing the cationic hydrolysis of amorphous ferrihydrite, inducing high removal of arsenic. Thus, the removal step of arsenic-containing flocs can lower arsenic extractions (KST methods) of washed soils. Among several washing trials, alternative sequential washing using 0.2M HCl followed by 1M HCl (second step) and 1M NaOH solution (third step) showed reliable and lower values of arsenic extractions (KST methods) of washed soils. This washing method can satisfy the arsenic regulation of washed soil for reuse or safe disposal application. The kinetic data of washing tests revealed that dissolved arsenic was easily readsorbed into remaining soils at a low pH. This result might have occurred due to dominant species of positively charged crystalline iron oxides characterized through the sequential extraction procedure. However, alkaline extraction using NaOH was effective in removing arsenic readsorbed onto the surface of crystalline minerals. This is because of the ligand displacement reaction of hydroxyl ions with arsenic species and high pH conditions that can prevent readsorption of arsenic.

Arsenic↗

PubMed2000

Loss of CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells due to washing can be reduced by the use of fixative-free erythrocyte lysing reagents.

Current protocols for sample preparation before flow cytometric enumeration of CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) include both lyse-non-wash and lyse and wash methods. Erythrocyte lysis without washing is the method of choice when absolute cell counts are to be assessed, whilst a washing step is recommended for immunological subtyping of CD34(+) cells in order to reduce background fluorescence. Here, we analyzed the effect of the interaction between type of erythrocyte lysis reagent and washing on the outcomes of (i) CD34(+) cell enumeration and (ii) expression of CD38 by CD34(+) cells in a single-platform, whole-blood staining assay [Gratama, J.W., Keeney, M., Sutherland, D.R., 1999. Enumeration of CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cell and progenitor cells. Curr. Protocols Cytometry 6(4), 1-22.]. We studied seven commercially available lysing reagents (five containing fixative and two fixative-free) using 12 samples from cord blood (n=4), mobilized peripheral blood (n=4) and apheresis products (n=4). Using the lyse and wash technique, significant reductions of absolute and relative numbers of CD34(+) cells, as well as in the numbers of lymphocytes and leukocytes, were observed on samples that had been lysed using fixative-containing buffers as compared to the lyse-no-wash technique. Cell losses due to washing could be significantly reduced when samples were lysed using fixative-free buffers. 'Postfixation' using PBS+1% paraformaldehyde of samples that had been lysed using fixative-free buffers and then washed did not result in additional loss of CD34(+) cells or other cell types. Finally, washing unfixed samples led to a slight decrease of CD38 monoclonal antibody bound to CD34(+) cells as compared to samples that had been fixed during erythrocyte lysis. These results indicate that fixation renders (CD34(+)) cells sticky and leads to their loss from the cell suspension upon centrifugation and resuspension. We conclude that all seven lysing reagents can be used with confidence in a lyse-no-wash technique, but that only fixative-free lysing reagents should be used when a washing step is considered necessary.

Antigens, CD34↗

PubMed1996

Cell saver autologous transfusion: metabolic consequences of washing blood with normal saline.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate acid-base and electrolyte changes in high volume cell saver autologous blood transfusion when normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is used as the wash solution. DESIGN: Open-label study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine anesthetized and anticoagulated mongrel dogs underwent 15 cycles of cell saver autologous blood transfusion. Eight percent of the circulating blood volume (125 mL) was withdrawn, washed with normal saline, and retransfused for each cycle. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Analyses of acid-base, electrolyte, and hematologic parameters were performed on both systemic and the washed blood. The washed blood had increased levels of sodium and chloride. There were decreased levels in pH, Pco2, total CO2 (bicarbonate), lactic acid, potassium, total and ionized calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, total protein, and albumin. Systemically, in the animals, by the end of the study, there were significant increases in the levels of chloride, inorganic phosphorus, hemoglobin, and hematocrit and significant decreases in the levels of pH, total CO2, total and ionized calcium, magnesium, total protein, and albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Acid-base, electrolyte, and hematologic changes occur when normal saline is used as the wash solution in high volume cell saver autologous blood transfusion. The washed blood with its elevation of sodium and chloride appears to reflect the constituents of the wash solution, normal saline. The depletion in the washed blood of PCO2, total CO2, potassium, total calcium, ionized calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, total protein, and albumin we feel is because of the absence of these electrolytes in the wash solution and their physical removal during salvaged blood separation and washing. The systemic acid-base and electrolyte changes primarily reflect the electrolyte pattern of the reinfused washed blood except for inorganic phosphorus. Inorganic phosphorus was maintained systemically, despite its wash out in the cell salvage process. This paradoxical finding may be caused by intracellular to extracellular inorganic phosphorus flux caused by the progressive systemic metabolic acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMed2007

The microbiological quality of hot water-washed broccoli florets and cut green beans.

AIMS: To determine the effect of hot water washing on the microbiological quality of cut broccoli florets and trimmed green beans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Broccoli florets and trimmed beans were washed for 90 s in tap water at either 20 degrees C or 52 degrees C and stored at 7 and 10 degrees C. The numbers of naturally occurring aerobic mesophilic organisms, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and moulds and lactobacilli or lactic acid bacteria were enumerated at intervals for up to 2 weeks. The ability of Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto the tissue post heat treatment to survive or grow was also measured to mimic the effect of postprocess contamination. Using a hot wash treatment improved the initial appearance of the vegetables and resulted in a small, but significant, reduction in populations of all groups of endogenous flora measured. The number of yeast and moulds on the vegetables washed at 52 degrees C remained below the levels observed on the 20 degrees C washed vegetables throughout the observation period, but Pseudomonas spp., lactobacilli and Enterobacteriaceae were better able to grow on the hot-washed vegetables such that the counts at the end of storage were greater on hot-washed than ambient-washed vegetables. All three of the pathogens tested were better able to grow on hot-washed broccoli and beans than on equivalent product washed at 20 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Hot water washing can be used to control enzymic browning or yeast and moulds growth but it can also allow more rapid and extensive growth by pathogens and spoilage organisms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Reduced protection against growth by pathogens means that the hot wash treatment of vegetables should be used with caution and requires careful assessment of risk.

Bacillus cereus↗

PubMed2006

Up to 21-day banked red blood cells collected by apheresis and stored for 14 days after automated wash at different times of storage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A closed-system technology (ACP-215, Haemonetics, Braintree, MA) enables automated washing and extended storage of frozen red blood cells (RBC). This technology was applied to wash banked RBC for removal of undesirable protein and metabolites before transfusion. We studied protein and metabolite depletion as well as RBC metabolism and viability up to 14 days postwash with regard to various pre-storage times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty RBC units were collected by means of apheresis and subdivided into three arms based on prewash storage time period (6 days/group 1, 14 days/group 2, 21 days/group 3). Wash efficacy (protein depletion, IgA), RBC metabolism (pH, lactate, potassium, haemolysis) and cell viability (ATP) were analysed immediately and 14 days after washing. RESULTS: Total protein and IgA postwash were lowered by automated wash in all groups and uniformly met EC guidelines. Potassium (mmol/l) was below 1.2 mmol/l postwash and significantly below prewash values in all groups, even after 14 days of storage (prewash vs. postwash; P < 0.05). RBCs washed after 14 and 21 days, respectively, showed significantly lower pH values and lower ATP content than RBCs washed after only 6 days of storage. Haemolysis rate remained significantly below 0.8%, the maximum level recommended by the EC guidelines, immediately and 14 days after washing in all units. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that RBC units banked up to 21 days can be effectively protein- and potassium-depleted with the ACP-215 independent from prewash storage time. With respect to high ATP levels and pH, postwash storage of 2 weeks should be limited to units not older than 7 days before wash. This new washing technology ensures better standardization in washed RBC and provides blood centres with a logistical alternative to 24-h washed RBC products.

Blood Component Removal↗

PubMed2004

Decontamination of cattle hides prior to slaughter using washes with and without antimicrobial agents.

Two trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of cattle wash treatments in reducing pathogens on hides of cattle before slaughter. In trial I, live cattle (n = 120) were washed in an automated, commercial cattle wash system with one of four treatments (single water wash, double water wash, water wash with 0.5% L-lactic acid, or water wash with 50 ppm chlorine). Samples were collected at three locations (brisket, belly, and inside round) pre- and posttreatment to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments on the reduction of aerobic plate counts, coliforms, Escherichia coli and the incidence of Salmonella. For all three locations, bacterial numbers increased from 0.1 to 0.8 log CFU/cm2 posttreatment. In trial II, hide samples were inoculated in the laboratory with 6.0 log CFU/cm2 of rifampicin-resistant Salmonella serotype Typhimurium. Hide wash treatments included higher concentrations of chlorine (100, 200, and 400 ppm) and L-lactic acid (2, 4, and 6%), as well as other antimicrobial agents such as ethanol (70, 80, and 90%), acetic acid (2, 4, and 6%), and Oxy-Sept 333 (0.5, 2, and 4%). Spray wash treatments with ethanol and 4 to 6% concentrations of lactic acid had greater (P < 0.05) mean log reductions than 2% solutions of acetic or lactic acid, as well as 100, 200, and 400 ppm chlorine and the control water wash treatment. Spray wash treatments with Oxy-Sept 333 and 100, 200, or 400 ppm chlorine were not effective (P > 0.05) in reducing Salmonella Typhimurium compared to the (control) distilled water spray wash treatment. Several effective cattle hide interventions were identified in a controlled laboratory setting, but the high concentrations required for effectiveness would likely present problems from an animal welfare standpoint.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

The impact of skin washing with water and soap during breast irradiation: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of washing the irradiated skin during radiotherapy for breast cancer is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of washing the breast skin with water and soap during radiotherapy on the intensity of acute skin toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine patients treated for breast cancer were prospectively randomized prior to receiving radiotherapy to the breast into two groups: (1), no washing was allowed during radiotherapy (49 patients); and (2), washing was allowed with water and soap (50 patients). Acute toxicity was recorded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute skin toxicity scale for each patient every week during radiotherapy and 1 month after the end of radiotherapy. Symptoms related to skin toxicity were scored by visual analogue scales at the same time intervals. Other data collected included sociodemographic data, characteristics related to the tumor and previous treatments, radiation technique, necessity for a second simulation due to loss of skin marks and treatment interruptions. RESULTS: In the non-washing group, the following maximum acute toxicity scores were observed: grade 0, 2%; grade 1, 41%; grade 2, 57%; grades 3 and 4, 0%. For the washing group, the scores were: grade 0, 0%; grade 1, 64%; grade 2, 34%; grade 3, 2%; and grade 4, 0%. Moist desquamation was seen in 33% of non-washing patients, but in only 14% of washing patients. The median scores of pain, itching and burning of the treated skin were higher in the non-washing group, although this was not statistically significant. In a multivariate analysis using logistic regression, acute skin toxicity was associated with the patient's weight, concomitant radiochemotherapy and hot spots on dosimetry, and there was a trend toward more acute skin toxicity in the non-washing group. CONCLUSION: Washing the irradiated skin during the course of radiotherapy for breast cancer is not associated with increased skin toxicity and should not be discouraged.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

An evaluation of two wash procedures for the differentiation of external contamination versus ingestion in the analysis of human hair samples for cocaine.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a wash procedure using isopropanol followed by multiple extended phosphate buffer washes as compared with a methanol wash procedure previously reported, a contamination experiment was designed involving the soaking of human head hair in cocaine-contaminated aqueous solutions. Fourteen negative human head hair samples were soaked in a solution of cocaine HCl (1000 ng/mL) at room temperature for 1 h, then rinsed with distilled water and dried at room temperature. Using the extensive wash procedures (15-min isopropanol wash, followed by three 30-min phosphate buffer washes and then two 60-min washes), in no case would any of the samples be reported out as positive at a cut-off of 5 ng cocaine/ 10 mg hair. With the methanol procedure, 8 of the 14 methanol-washed samples exceeded a cut-off of 5 ng/10 mg hair. Extensive washing was shown to be far more effective for removal of external contamination than the methanol wash procedure reported. In all cases, the extensive aqueous wash protocol would allow the differentiation of ingestion versus external contamination, as defined by this soaking experiment. All samples underwent solid-phase extraction and derivatization followed by liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric analysis. Analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole API 2000 PerkinElmer Sciex mass spectrometer (MS) equipped with an atmospheric pressure ionization source via an ion spray interface. The MS operated in the positive Cl multiple reaction mode.

2-Propanol↗

PubMed1999

Hand washing and use of gloves while managing patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of warning labels permanently attached to mechanical ventilators in improving the practice of hand washing and use of gloves by respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) in the ICU. DESIGN: The study consisted of two 4-week periods. Daily observations of hand washing and use of gloves by RCPs were made over four 1-h observation periods. Prior to the first 4-week period, the importance of hand washing and use of gloves was presented to all staff. At the end of the first period, "Wash Hands Use Gloves" labels were permanently placed on all ventilators in the ICU. The RCPs were not aware they were being observed for hand washing and use of gloves in either period. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The total number of encounters between the RCPs and patients as well as the rates of hand washing and use of gloves were obtained during the study. The rates of hand washing and use of gloves were significantly higher during the second period when labels were attached to the ventilators, as compared to the rates during the first period: hand washing, 92% vs 46% (p < 0.05); use of gloves, 92% vs 43% (p < 0.05), respectively. During the first period, the rates of pre-encounter hand washing (78%, 48%, 27%, and 29% in weeks 1 through 4, respectively) and the use of gloves (56%, 37%, 32%, and 45% in weeks 1 through 4, respectively) were primarily declining. This was not observed during the second period of the study (94%, 88%, 95%, and 92% in weeks 1 through 4, respectively) for the rates of pre-encounter hand washing and the use of gloves. CONCLUSIONS: Simple measures such as the placement of warning labels on mechanical ventilators can significantly improve hand washing and use of gloves by RCPs in the ICU.

Allied Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The wash-in/washout protocol in stable xenon CT cerebral blood flow studies.

PURPOSE: We conducted a comparative study to optimize the scanning and inhalation protocols for xenon CT cerebral blood flow (CBF) examination (Xe CT), with the aim of improving the practical performance of Xe CT as a routine clinical examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different inhalation protocols, including 3-min, 6-min, and 8-min wash-in protocols, and a 3-min wash-in/5-min washout protocol, were compared in five healthy volunteers. Each subject underwent two serial Xe CT examinations with an interval of 30 min between the first one (wash-in) and the second one (wash-in/washout). A computer simulation was also performed to support the results of the clinical study. The rate of success was calculated from our experience of 110 clinical cases examined with the wash-in/washout protocol over the last 9 months. RESULTS: The mean CBF values with 6-min and 8-min wash-in protocols were 59.0 and 59.5 mL/100-g brain per min in the thalamus, and 19.5 and 19.0 mL/100-g brain per min in the frontal white matter, respectively. The mean CBF values with 3-min wash-in/5-min washout protocol were 60.0 mL/100-g brain per min in the thalamus and 18.5 mL/100-g brain per min in the frontal white matter, respectively. Computer simulation showed improved signal-to-noise ratio by employing the 3-min wash-in/5-min washout protocol instead of 8-min wash-in protocol for the same number of data points. The rate of success improved to 99.1% due to the significant decrease in head motion with the shorter period of inhalation. CONCLUSION: A wash-in/washout protocol is a useful alternative in Xe CT CBF measurement and more useful than the wash-in method for clinical purposes.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1996

Cholesterol and phospholipid levels of washed and percoll gradient centrifuged mouse sperm: presence of lipids possessing inhibitory effects on sperm motility.

Levels of DNA, cholesterol, and phospholipids of mouse caudal epididymal and vas deferens sperm that were processed through simple washing and Percoll gradient centrifugation were measured. The DNA and cholesterol contents of washed sperm and Percoll gradient centrifuged (PGC) sperm (DNA = 3.6 +/- 0.3 pg/sperm and 3.4 +/- 0.3 pg/sperm, respectively; cholesterol = 0.219 +/- 0.057 nmole/microgram DNA and 0.224 +/- 0.030 nmole/microgram DNA, respectively, for washed and PGC sperm) were not significantly different from each other; however, the phospholipid level of PGC sperm was only one half of that of washed sperm (0.315 +/- 0.071 nmole/microgram DNA versus 0.720 +/- 0.075 nmole/microgram DNA, respectively). The presence of 0.3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the culture medium used in sperm washing did not change the cholesterol and phospholipid contents of washed sperm. Similarly, the cholesterol and phospholipid levels of washed sperm and PGC sperm that were further incubated in BSA-containing medium for 30 min remained the same. Interestingly, substantial amounts of lipids, as determined by the cholesterol and phospholipid levels, were released into the supernatants of the sperm washes, and sperm needed to be washed at least twice to ensure their stable levels of cholesterol and phospholipids. The lipid mixture in the first sperm wash supernatant was shown to have inhibitory effects on PGC sperm motility.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Face washing promotion for preventing active trachoma.

BACKGROUND: Trachoma remains a major cause of avoidable blindness among underprivileged populations in many developing countries. It is estimated that about 146 million people have active trachoma and nearly six million people are blind due to complications associated with repeat infections. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to assess the effects of face washing on the prevalence of active trachoma in endemic communities. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials - CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group trials register) on The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2004), EMBASE (1980 to February 2004), the reference lists of identified trials and the Science Citation Index. We also contacted investigators and experts in the field to identify additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials, comparing face washing with no treatment or face washing combined with antibiotics against antibiotics alone. Participants in the trials were people normally resident in endemic trachoma communities. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Two clinically heterogeneous trials are included, therefore a meta-analysis was considered inappropriate. MAIN RESULTS: This review includes two trials with data from a total of 2560 participants. Face washing combined with topical tetracycline was compared to topical tetracycline alone in three pairs of villages in one trial. The trial found a statistically significant effect for face washing combined with topical tetracycline in reducing 'severe' active trachoma compared to topical tetracycline alone. No statistically significant difference was observed between the intervention and control villages in reducing ('non-severe') active trachoma. The prevalence of clean faces was higher in the intervention villages than the control villages and this was statistically significant. Another trial compared eye washing to no treatment or to topical tetracycline alone or to a combination of eye washing and tetracycline drops in children with follicular trachoma. The trial found no statistically significant benefit of eye washing alone or in combination with tetracycline eye drops in reducing follicular trachoma amongst children with follicular trachoma. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence that face washing combined with topical tetracycline can be effective in reducing severe trachoma and in increasing the prevalence of clean faces. Current evidence does not however support a beneficial effect of face washing alone or in combination with topical tetracycline in reducing active trachoma.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2004

Molecular analysis of gastric washings in the diagnosis and monitoring of gastric lymphomas.

The monitoring of gastric lymphomas is often hampered by the inherently limited sampling provided by small endoscopic biopsy specimens. To investigate the feasibility of using gastric washing fluid for monitoring patients with known gastric lymphoma and for diagnosing gastric involvement in patients with extranodal nongastric lymphoma, we collected 49 gastric washings from 39 patients (29 patients with gastric lymphoma and 10 patients with nongastric extranodal lymphoma). Collection was done at the time of follow-up biopsy and when no endoscopic abnormalities were found. DNA was extracted from the washing fluid and analyzed for clonal IgH gene rearrangement by Southern blotting (J6 probe) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (using VH-FR3 and JH primers). Forty-one of 49 samples (84%) yielded sufficient DNA for molecular analysis. Sixteen of 41 analyzable gastric washing samples (39%) failed Southern blot analysis due to degraded or insufficient DNA. Concordance between the results of Southern blot analysis of the washing and histology of the simultaneous biopsy specimen was found in 20 (80%) of the remaining 25 samples. The IgH PCR result was concordant with biopsy histology in 33 out of 41 washing samples (80%). The overall concordance between molecular clonality studies of washings (Southern blotting and/or PCR) and biopsy histology was 83% (34 of 41). Of the 7 (18%) discrepant specimens, 2 were diagnosed histologically as lymphoma, but the simultaneous washings were negative by molecular studies. Five biopsy specimens were histologically benign, but the corresponding washings demonstrated clonal IgH gene rearrangement (3 cases by PCR and 2 cases by Southern blotting). This study demonstrates the diagnostic utility of molecular clonality analysis of gastric washings.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2000

Accuracy of three polyvinyl siloxane putty-wash impression techniques.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: There is much discussion in the dental literature concerning the effect of the impression technique on the accuracy of cast restorations. PURPOSE: This study assessed the accuracy of 3 putty-wash impression techniques using the same impression material (polyvinyl siloxane) in a laboratory model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 3 putty-wash impression techniques used were (1) 1-step (putty and wash impression materials used simultaneously); (2) 2-step with 2-mm relief (putty first as a preliminary impression to create 2-mm wash space with prefabricated copings. In the second step, the wash stage was carried out); and (3) 2-step technique with a polyethylene spacer (plastic spacer used with the putty impression first and then the wash stage). For each technique, 15 impressions were made of a stainless steel master model that contained 3 complete crown abutment preparations, which were used as the positive control. Accuracy was assessed by measuring 6 dimensions (intraabutment and interabutment) on stone dies poured from impressions of the master model. RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences among the 3 putty-wash impression techniques, for all intraabutment and interabutment measurements (P <.001). Overall discrepancies of the 2-step technique with 2-mm relief putty-wash impression technique were significantly smaller than that in the 1-step and polyethylene putty-wash impression techniques. CONCLUSION: The polyvinyl siloxane 2-step, 2-mm, relief putty-wash impression technique was the most accurate for fabricating stone dies.

Analysis of Variance↗