One hundred eighty-three patients with cloth-covered valves were studied from 1 1/2 to 8 years after operation, with an average follow-up time of 3 1/2 years. Over the total period, patients taking Coumadin sustained a 4 percent embolic incidence (1.2 per 100 patient-years); those taking aspirin had a 7 percent incidence (2.6 per 100 patient-years); and those taking Persantine had a 43 percent incidence (10 per 100 patient-years). Patients on no regimen of anticoagulation had a 16 percent embolic rate (four per 100 patient-years), whereas another group of patients who stopped anticoagulants after a year incurred a 13 percent embolic incidence in the subsequent 2 years (6.4 per 100 patient-years). These data showed a significantly lowered embolic rate with anticoagulation and suggest that all patients with cloth-covered valves should be taking anticoagulants. That these valves become epithelialized and do not form thrombus after a year was not borne out by this study. Persantine alone is not a satisfactory anticoagulant. Coumadin appears to be the superior anticoagulant, but if careful monitoring of its use is in question or if serious bleeding complications ensue, aspirin may provide satisfactory protection.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission can occur when women acquire CMV while pregnant. Infection control guidelines may reduce risk for transmission. We studied the duration of CMV survival after application of bacteria to the hands and after transfer from the hands to surfaces and the effectiveness of cleansing with water, regular and antibacterial soaps, sanitizer, and diaper wipes. Experiments used CMV AD169 in saliva at initial titers of 1 × 10(5) infectious particles/ml. Samples from hands or surfaces (points between 0 and 15 min) were placed in culture and observed for at least 2 weeks. Samples were also tested using CMV real-time PCR. After application of bacteria to the hands, viable CMV was recovered from 17/20 swabs at 0 min, 18/20 swabs at 1 min, 5/20 swabs at 5 min, and 4/20 swabs at 15 min. After transfer, duration of survival was at least 15 min on plastic (1/2 swabs), 5 min on crackers and glass (3/4 swabs), and 1 min or less on metal and cloth (3/4 swabs); no viable virus was collected from wood, rubber, or hands. After cleansing, no viable virus was recovered using water (0/22), plain soap (0/20), antibacterial soap (0/20), or sanitizer (0/22). Viable CMV was recovered from 4/20 hands 10 min after diaper wipe cleansing. CMV remains viable on hands for sufficient times to allow transmission. CMV may be transferred to surfaces with reduced viability. Hand-cleansing methods were effective at eliminating viable CMV from hands.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of propofol and midazolam as an intravenous sedative agent in minor oral surgical procedures in terms of: (a) the onset of action, (b) heart rate, (c) oxygen saturation, (d) systolic and diastolic blood pressure, (e) respiratory rate, (f) pain during the injection of sedative agent, (g) recovery period, (h) side effects, (i) patient's cooperation during the surgery.

METHODS

This was a double blind randomized study in which one group of 20 patients received propofol with the induction dose of 0.5 mg/kg and 50 μg/kg/min which was administered by syringe infusion pump as a maintenance dose and the other group received midazolam in a single dose of 75 μg/kg and no maintenance dose was given, instead 5 % dextrose was administered by syringe infusion pump at the rate of 50 μg/kg/min. Since propofol was milky white in colour, a green cloth was covered over the infusion pump in all cases. The surgeon, assistants and observers were blind about the medications which would be given to the patient for sedation. After the administration of the sedative, local anesthesia was achieved with 2 % lignocaine hydrochloride.

RESULTS

The onset of action in propofol group was significant as onset of action was faster. The maximum increase in heart rate in propofol group was at 10 min intraoperatively (Mean ± 80.40 ± 12.73) and that in midazolam group was at 15 min intraoperatively (Mean 79.25 ± 13.44). Post operatively the heart rate decreased near to the baseline value in both the groups. The average oxygen saturation before induction in propofol group was 99.7 ± 0.73 % and that of midazolam group was 99.15 ± 01.31 P = 0.314. None of the patients in this study developed apnea. The systolic blood pressure (Mean ± SD) before induction in both the groups decreased from the baseline value after the administration of sedatives. The diastolic blood pressure (Mean ± SD) before induction in both the groups decreased from the baseline value after the administration of sedatives and the decreased diastolic blood pressure was maintained throughout the procedure. The respiratory rate (Mean ± SD) before induction in both the groups decreased from the baseline value after the administration of sedatives. The decreased respiratory rate remained throughout the surgical procedure. Pain during the injection of the sedatives was reported by nine patients (45 %) in the propofol group whereas none of the patients in midazolam group complained of pain during the injection. This is statistically significant (P = 0.001). The recovery time (Mean ± SD) in propofol group was 22.50 ± 3.04 (range 15-25 min) and that in midazolam group was 33.75 ± 3.93 (range 30-40 min), which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Patients in the propofol group were significantly less co-operative than midazolam group at both 10 and 25 min intra operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The design of the present study permitted qualitative assessment of propofol and midazolam as sedative agents in minor oral surgical procedures. The ideal anesthetic agent should provide rapid onset of action, profound intra operative amnesia while ensuring rapid recovery without much complications. There were no significant differences in either patient demographics or surgical characteristics between the two groups. The propofol group was less co-operative than midazolam group. Pain during the injection of sedative was a significant adverse effect in the propofol group. Cardiovascular parameters remained stable throughout the procedure in both study groups and no intervention was required. However recovery and onset of action was faster in the propofol group as compared with the midazolam group.

Produce, including tomatoes, has been implicated in several outbreaks of foodborne illness. A number of the sources of contamination for produce grown in open fields are known. However, as an alternative agricultural system, hydroponic greenhouses are reasonably expected to reduce some of these sources. The objective of the present study was to determine the microbiological profile of tomatoes grown in greenhouses at a Mexican hydroponic farm with a high technological level and sanitary agricultural practices (SAPs) in place. Tomatoes and other materials associated with the farm were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella enterica and populations of Escherichia coli, coliforms, and Enterobacteriaceae. Tomatoes showed median levels of 0.8 log CFU per tomato for Enterobacteriaceae, < 0.5 log CFU per tomato for coliforms, and 0.5 most probable number per tomato for E. coli. Despite the physical barriers that the facilities provide and the implemented SAPs, we found that 2.8% of tomatoes were contaminated with Salmonella and 0.7% with E. coli. Other Salmonella-positive materials were puddles, soil, cleaning cloths, and sponges. Samples from the nursery and greenhouses were positive for E. coli, whereas Salmonella was found only in the latter. Although hydroponic greenhouses provide physical barriers against some sources of enteric bacterial contamination, these results show that sporadic evidence of fecal contamination and the presence of Salmonella can occur at the studied greenhouse farm.

Bacteria-contaminated inanimate surfaces within hospitals and clinics result in transmission of pathogens via direct or indirect contact, leading to increased risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAI). The use of antibacterial coatings is a potential way of reducing the bacterial burden, but many surfaces such as instrument panels and monitors necessitate the coatings to be transparent while being highly antibacterial. In this work, silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) were first grown over a layer of acrylated quaternized chitosan (AQCS) covalently immobilized on commercially available transparent poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) films. The SiO2 NPs then served as nanoreservoirs for adsorption of copper ions. The coated PVF films were transparent and reduced viable bacterial count by ∼99% and 100%, when incubated with a bacteria-loaded droplet for 60 and 120 min, respectively. The killing efficacy of these coatings, after wiping 100 times, with a deionized water-wetted cloth was reduced slightly to 97-98%. The stability of these coatings can be further improved with the deposition of another layer of cationic quaternized chitosan (QCS) over the negatively charged SiO2 NP layer, wherein the coatings maintained ∼99% killing efficacy even after 100 wipes. These coatings showed no significant toxicity to mammalian cells and, hence, can potentially be used in a clinical setting for reducing HAI.

Personal monitoring of exposure to tetrachloroethylene (TETRA) with carbon felt dosimeters and analyses of urine for total trichloro-compounds (TTC) were carried out in two groups of workers (36 males and 25 females), one group (20 males and 19 females) in dry-cleaning workshops and the other (16 males and 6 females) engaged in the removal of glue from silk cloth. Comparison of the urinary TTC levels with TETRA in the environment revealed that, while the metabolite levels increased essentially linear to TETRA concentrations up to 100 ppm, leveling off was apparent in the metabolite excretion when the exposure to TETRA was more intense (e.g. more than 100 ppm), indicating that the capacity of humans to metabolize TETRA is rather limited, as previously discussed. From the set of the data thus obtained, screening levels of 30 and 61 mg TTC (as TCA)/l urine as the lower 95% confidence limits for a group mean were calculated for the biological monitoring, by means of urinalysis, of exposure to TETRA at 50 and 100 ppm (TWA), respectively. A tentative calculation with additional exhaled-air analyses indicated that, at the end of an 8-h shift with exposure to TETRA at 50 ppm (TWA), 38% of the TETRA absorbed through the lungs would be exhaled unchanged and less than 2% would be metabolized to be excreted into the urine, while the rest would remain in the body to be eliminated later.

Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) is known to selectively reduce pulmonary hypertension and improve the ventilation-perfusion relationship in subjects with lung injury of various origin. However, some forms of lung injury do not react to inhaled NO at all, or show only a reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure. Very little is known about the effects of inhaled NO after smoke inhalation injury. We investigated the effects of inhaled NO in an established model of ovine smoke inhalation injury. Chronically instrumented sheep (n = 8) had tracheostomies and were insufflated with smoke generated from burning cotton cloth (4 times at 12 breaths each). They were then connected to a ventilator with oxygen-enriched air to achieve arterial oxygen tensions within the normal range. After 48 hours, NO was added to the inspired gas in ascending concentrations of up to 100 ppm. Systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics as well as oxygen transport were analyzed. Inhaled NO dose dependently lowered the pulmonary hypertension. Concentrations higher than 20 ppm did not further reduce the pulmonary artery pressure. Right ventricular stroke work index was significantly improved owing to the reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance. Arterial oxygenation, however, was not optimized by inhaled NO, probably because of interstitial edema formation.

A fast and convenient bacterial immobilization method was proposed as an attempt to improve the anode efficiency of a microbial fuel cell, in which bacteria were entrapped into carbon nanoparticle matrix. The direct electron transfer from the entrapped bacterial cells to the anode was verified using cyclic voltammogram (CV). Using the immobilized bioanode, the start-up time of the MFC was greatly reduced. Meanwhile, the maximum power density of 1,947 mW m⁻² with the modified anode was much higher than that with the biofilm-based carbon cloth anode (1,479 mW m⁻²). Impedance measurements suggested that performance improvement resulted from the decrease in charge transfer and diffusion resistances. The results demonstrated that bacteria immobilization using carbon nanoparticle matrix was a simple and efficient approach for improving the anodes performances in MFCs.

Surgical resection and replacement of a segment of the cervical trachea was performed in 8 mongrel dogs. The replacement was with a porous prosthesis made of Dacron cloth mesh stiffened with a heat-curing polyetherurethane. Ten tracheal rings were resected in each animal to create a complete circumferential defect of the trachea measuring 7 or 8 cm in length depending on the size of the dog. Animals were sacrificed periodically from 3 to 27 months post-reconstruction. The luminal surfaces of the reconstructed tracheae showed respiratory epithelium.

Triatoma dimidiata is the vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP). Earlier studies have shown that domestic and peri-domestic populations of the vector originated from the sylvan stock and that effectiveness of insecticide-spraying was affected by re-infestations of houses from the sylvan T. dimidiata population. In addition, in the YP most previously published reports have focused on domestic and peri-domestic populations and very little is known about the nocturnal behavior of the sylvan populations. The main aim of our study was to determine the nightly activity patterns of adult T. dimidiata in a selected location in the YP. Secondly, we sought to document the reproductive status and infection rate of active females. During eight sampling nights spaced from late March to late July, 2007, we collected 544 adult T. dimidiata. We found that square-cloth illuminated white traps were effective to attract the sylvan individuals and that T. dimidiata adults exhibited a unimodal activity pattern throughout the night. The accumulated mean of captured bugs also showed a non-linear distribution for females and males. Furthermore, we found that male and female catches were significantly correlated with the means of temperature and humidity recorded during the sampling period. Out of 46 dissected females, we observed that 43.5% of females had fully-formed eggs in their abdomens, and only two females (4.4%) had sperm within the spermatheca. The infection rate of T. dimidiata harboring T. cruzi was found to be 3.7%. The implications of the light attraction to bugs and potential dispersal capabilities are discussed in the paper in the context of infestation/re-infestation of rural houses by sylvan T. dimidiata flying adults.

BACKGROUND

Colostomy is a common procedure performed in children, mostly for anorectal malformation and Hirschsprung's disease. However, acceptance by parents in developing countries is thought to be poor.

METHODS

A prospective evaluation was done to determine the acceptability of colostomy among parents and caregivers, and their attitude towards colostomy in their children.

RESULTS

During the period January 1999 - January 2004 a structured questionnaire was administered to 57 parents and caregivers of children with colostomies (41 boys and 16 girls). The indication for colostomy was anorectal malformation in 28 children and Hirschsprung's disease in 29. The length of time the children had the colostomy ranged from 3 weeks to 8 years. Forty-four respondents (77%) found the colostomy and its management acceptable. Thirteen (23%) found the colostomy unacceptable, mainly because of a feeling of social isolation. Problems the respondents complained of included disturbing smell (17, 30%), frequent change of the cloth napkin used as colostomy appliance (15, 26%) and intermittent bleeding from the stoma (4, 7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Colostomy in children is acceptable to most parents in our environment. Although some parents found it unacceptable, adequate explanation and counselling may modify their view.

In a continuation of the World Health Organization's collaborative scheme for testing new insecticides against malaria vectors, field trials were carried out during 1965 in the forest belt of Western Nigeria near Lagos and in the Guinea savanna belt of Northern Nigeria near Kaduna, using bromophos residual spray and cheesecloth impregnated with Bayer 39007; Schering 34615 was applied as a residual spray in Lagos. Although bromophos appeared to be effective for at least five months after spraying in the Lagos area, the desired control was obtained for only one month in the Kaduna area; these differences appear to be due to differences in environmental conditions and to the ecology of Anopheles gambiae. Schering 34615 was also effective for up to five months in Lagos and was definitely superior to bromophos. Cheesecloth impregnated with Bayer 39007 gave good control of mosquitos for two and for three months in Kaduna and Lagos, respectively, but because the walls of the treated huts were only partly covered, some mosquitos avoided contact with the cloth. It is suggested that, because of the reduced toxic hazards, cheesecloth treatments may be feasible with potentially effective insecticides that are too toxic to spray.

This work presents an innovative nanorobot architecture based on nanobioelectronics for diabetes. The progressive development toward the therapeutic use of nanorobots should be observed as the natural result from some ongoing and future achievements in biomedical instrumentation, wireless communication, remote power transmission, nanoelectronics, new materials engineering, chemistry, proteomics, and photonics. To illustrate the nanorobot integrated circuit architecture and layout described here, a computational approach with the application of medical nanorobotics for diabetes is simulated using clinical data. Integrated simulation can provide interactive tools for addressing nanorobot choices on sensing, hardware design specification, manufacturing analysis, and methodology for control investigation. In the proposed 3D prototyping, a physician can help the patient to avoid hyperglycemia by means of a handheld device, like a cell phone enclosed with cloth, that is used as a smart portable device to communicate with nanorobots. Therefore, this architecture provides a suitable choice to establish a practical medical nanorobotics platform for in vivo health monitoring.

OBJECTIVE

(a) To compare the effectiveness of five cloth gloves for cut resistance and their ability to prevent inner latex glove perforation. (b) To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and comfort of the outer gloves when reused.

METHODS

Tertiary care level I trauma hospital and biomechanics laboratory.

METHODS

Laboratory evaluation consisting of assessing cut resistance and fabric deterioration and clinical assessment of all cloth gloves worn as a liner between two latex gloves.

RESULTS

Laboratory testing demonstrated significant differences in cut resistance, with gloves divided into three groups: most resistant (Centurion, which required over 3,000 slices or 1,300 chops to failure), resistant (MedArmor, failing at eighty-five slices or 121 chops; Paraderm, failing at thirty-eight slices or ninety-four chops; and Repel, failing at forty-six slices or seventy-five chops), and least resistant (Protek, failing at two slices and less than two chops). Clinically, 3 percent of all the inner latex gloves demonstrated a perforation, with no violation of the skin in any of the five types of cloth gloves used. Only the Protek and MedArmor cloth gloves were positively ranked for comfort.

CONCLUSIONS

All gloves provided equal protection with respect to inner latex glove perforation during all of the orthopaedic procedures, with comfort being the most important variable. Gloves should be selected based on comfort, because it appears that all gloves provide equal protection during surgery regardless of the material woven into the fabric.

Field-collected bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) showed little, if any, adverse effects after 2-h direct exposure to the aerosolized pyrethroid(s) from three over-the-counter total-release foggers ('bug bombs' or 'foggers'); Hotshot Bedbug and Flea Fogger, Spectracide Bug Stop Indoor Fogger, and Eliminator Indoor Fogger. One field-collected population, EPM, was an exception in that there was significant mortality at 5-7 d when bugs out in the open had been exposed to the Spectracide Fogger; mortality was low when these bugs had access to an optional harborage, a situation observed for all field-collected populations when exposed to the three foggers. Even the Harlan strain, the long-term laboratory population that is susceptible to pyrethroids and that served as an internal control in these experiments, was unaffected if the bugs were covered by a thin cloth layer that provided harborage. In residences and other settings, the majority of bed bugs hide in protected sites where they will not be directly contracted by the insecticide mist from foggers. This study provides the first scientific data supporting the position that total-release foggers should not be recommended for control of bed bugs, because 1) many field-collected bed bugs are resistant to pyrethroids, and they are not affected by brief exposure to low concentrations of pyrethrins and/or pyrethroids provided by foggers; and 2) there is minimal, if any, insecticide penetration into typical bed bug harborage sites. This study provides strong evidence that Hotshot Bedbug and Flea Fogger, Spectracide Bug Stop Indoor Fogger, and Eliminator Indoor Fogger were ineffective as bed bug control agents.

OBJECTIVE

The Starr-Edwards ball valve was first applied clinically in 1960. In our hospital, this valve has been used since 1963, and some patients have been followed up for 30 years or more. Based on our experience, therapeutic strategies included revalve replacement as a preventive procedure in the absence of valve-related complications. In this study, we investigated whether prophylactic reoperation after valve replacement with the Starr-Edwards ball valve is appropriate.

METHODS

Of 58 patients in our institute who underwent mitral valve replacement with the Starr-Edwards ball valve, 12 underwent revalve replacement. Of these 12, the subjects of the present study were 4 patients who underwent prophylactic revalve replacement.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative follow-up of the 4 patients was 31.0+/-3.7 years. There were no operative deaths or postoperative complications. On examination of the extirpated Starr-Edwards valves, cloth wear was observed in all 4 patients. Although there was no influence on the range of ball motion, they showed the entity of "thrombus/pannus."

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, all of the patients showed cloth wear in the absence of complications. Therefore we consider that prophylactic reoperation after valve replacement with the Starr-Edwards valve should be performed to prevent complications.

The relationship between the time-weighted average intensity of exposure to toluene and o-cresol concentration in shift-end urine was investigated in nearly 500 factory workers of both sexes in China, together with a similar number of nonexposed control subjects. Toluene concentration (25 ppm as geometric mean and 550 ppm as the maximum) was monitored by diffusive sampling using carbon cloth as adsorbent followed by gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. o-Cresol (up to 7 mg/l) was measured by GC after acid hydrolysis of samples. Urinary o-cresol levels correlated significantly (r = 0.69-0.77; p < 0.01) with toluene exposure in men, women and the two sexes in combination, regardless of correction for urine density. When compared with hippuric acid, however, o-cresol was less sensitive as an indicator of exposure to toluene and is not a suitable biological marker for detecting low level toluene exposure. Since urinary o-cresol level was significantly reduced by smoking, drinking, and the two habits combined, it cannot be considered reliable as an indicator of exposure to toluene.

A novel electrochemical reactor employing activated carbon fiber (ACF) electrodes was constructed for disinfecting bacteria in drinking water. Escherichia coli adsorbed preferentially onto ACF rather than to carbon-cloth or granular-activated carbon. E. coli cells, which adsorbed onto the ACF, were killed electrochemically when a potential of 0.8 V vs. a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was applied. Drinking water was passed through the reactor in stop-flow mode: 2mL/min for 12 h, o L/min for 24 h, and 1 mL/min for 6 h. At an applied potential of 0.8 V vs, SCE, viable cell concentration reamined below 30 cells/mL. In the absence of an applied potential, bacteria grew to a maximum concentration of 9.5 x 10(3) cells/mL. After continuous operation at 0.8 V vs. SCE, cells adsorbed onto the ACF could not be observed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, chlorine in drinking water was completely removed by the reactor. Therefore, clean and efficient inactivation of bacteria in drinking water was successfully performed. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A flexible and robust electrode is demonstrated by assembling the 3D ordered macroporous MoS2 @C nanostructure on carbon cloth with ultrasmall few-layered MoS2 nanosheets homogenously embedded into the interconnected carbon wall. Such unique nanostructures are favorable for enhancing lithium storage capacity, directly applied as a flexible electrode, demonstrating a very high electrochemical performance and superior cycling stability for lithium-ion batteries.

Owing to the layered structure and high theoretical capacity, MoS2 has attracted more and more interest as a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, it suffers from rapid capacity decay and low rate capability. In this work, we introduce a novel hierarchical material consisting of ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets grown on the surface of an active carbon fiber (ACF) cloth fabricated by a facile morphogenetic process. The ACF cloth acts as both a template and a stabilizer. The obtained MoS2/ACF cloth composite possesses hierarchical porosity and an interconnected framework. Serving as a free-standing and binder-free anode, it shows high specific capacity and excellent reversibility. A discharge capacity as high as 971 mA h g(-1) is attained at a current density of 0.1 A g(-1), and the capacity fade is only 0.15% per cycle within 90 cycles. Even after 200 cycles at a high current density of 0.5 A g(-1), the composite still shows a capacity of 418 mA h g(-1). The superior electrochemical performance of MoS2/ACF can be attributed to its robust structure and to the synergistic effects of ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets and ACF. This single-component anode that we propose benefits from a simplified electrode preparation process. The morphogenetic strategy used for the material production is facile but effective, and can be extended to prepare other metal sulfides with elaborate textural characteristics.

In this study we evaluated the biting deterrent effects of a series of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids against Aedes aegypti (L), yellow fever mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) using the K & Dbioassay module system. Saturated (C6:0 to C16:0 and C18:0) and unsaturated fatty acids (C11:1 to C14:1, C16:1, C18:1, and C18:2) showed biting deterrence index (BDI) values significantly greater than ethanol, the negative control. Among the saturated fatty acids, mid chain length acids (C10:0 to C13:0) showed higher biting deterrence than short (C6:0 to C9:0) and long chain length acids (C14:0 to C18:0), except for C8:0 and C16:0 that were more active than the other short and long chain acids. The BDI values of mid chain length acids (C10:0 to C13:0) were not significantly less than N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), the positive control. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, C11:1 showed the highest activity (BDI = 1.05) and C18:2 had the lowest activity (BDI = 0.7). In C11:1, C12:1, and C14:1 BDI values were not significantly less than DEET. After the preliminary observations, residual activity bioassays were performed on C11:0, C12:0, C11:1, and C12:1 over a 24-h period. All the fatty acids (C11:0, C12:0, C11:1, and C12:1) and DEET showed significantly higher activity at all test intervals than the solvent control. At treatment and 1-h posttreatment, all fatty acids showed proportion not biting (PNB) values not significantly less than DEET. At 3-, 6-, and 12-h posttreatment, all fatty acids showed PNB values significantly greater than DEET. At 24-h posttreatment, only the PNB value for C12:0 was significantly higher than DEET. The dose-responses of C12:0 and DEET were determined at concentrations of 5-25 nmol/cm2. As in the residual activity bioassays, the PNB values for C12:0 and DEET at 25 nmol/cm(2) were not significantly different. However, at lower concentrations, the PNB values for C12:0 were significantly greater than DEET. These results clearly indicate that mid chain length fatty acids not only have levels of biting deterrence similar to DEET at 25 nmnol/cm(2) in our test system, but also appeared to be more persistent than DEET. In contrast, in vivo cloth patch assay system showed that the mid-chain length fatty acids, C11:0, C11:1, C12:0, and C12:1 had minimum effective dose (MED) values greater than DEET against Ae. aegypti and their relative repellency varied according to species tested. The MED values of 120 (C11:0), 145 (C12:0) and 116 (C11:1) nmol/cm(2) against Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, indicated that these acids were not as potent as DEET with a MED of 54 nmol/cm(2). The MED ratio of the C11:0 and C11:1 for all three mosquito species indicated the C11 saturated and unsaturated acids as more repellent than their corresponding C12:0 and C12:1 homologues.

BACKGROUND

Sensitization to fish or crustaceans requires intensive skin contact and/or airway exposition and therefore especially workers in the seafood processing industry may develop an occupational seafood allergy. However, even in jobs with limited direct exposure, individuals with atopic disposition not using appropriate skin protection are at risk for developing occupational seafood allergy which requires termination of employment.

METHODS

Due to increasing workload and pressure of time a truck driver in charge of seafood deliveries for 10 years neglected preventive measures such as wearing protective cloths and gloves which resulted in increasing direct skin contact to seafood or mucosal contact to splashing storage ice. Despite his sensitization to fish and crustaceans he tried to remain in his job but with ongoing incidental allergen exposure his symptoms progressed from initial contact urticaria to generalized urticaria, anaphylaxis and finally occupational asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Faulty knowledge and increased work load may impede time-consuming usage of preventive measures for occupational health and safety. In predisposed atopic individuals even minor allergen exposure during seafood distribution may lead to occupational seafood allergy. With ongoing allergen exposure progression to potentially life-threatening allergy symptoms may occur.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the magnetic resonance imaging findings of an antenatal intracranial venous thrombosis.

METHODS

Prenatal ultrasound (US) at 22 weeks' gestational age (GA) in a 27-year-old patient (G2 P1) revealed a nonspecific avascular echogenic mass above the cerebellum evaluated with MRI at 23 weeks' GA.

RESULTS

With MRI an enlarged occipital pericerebral space with a layered ovoid mass at the torcular herophili was demonstrated and MRI characteristics suggested a subacute cloth. In follow-up, an important enlargement of the mass was noticed on US examinations. After multidisciplinary consult and parental consent, a prostaglandin induction was performed at 25 weeks' GA. The baby died immediately after birth. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of a venous thrombosis at the torcular herophili with extension into the superior sagittal sinus.

CONCLUSIONS

In our case, MRI findings were helpful in diagnosing an intracranial fetal venous thrombosis.

Developing high-active and low-cost bifunctional materials for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) holds a pivotal role in water splitting. Therefore, we present a new strategy to form NiS/Ni2P heterostructures. The as-obtained NiS/Ni2P/carbon cloth (CC) requires overpotentials of 111 mV for the HER and 265 mV for the OER to reach a current density of 20 mA cm-2, outperforming their counterparts such as NiS and Ni2P under the same conditions. Additionally, the NiS/Ni2P/CC electrode requires a 1.67 V cell voltage to deliver 10 mA cm-2 in a two-electrode electrolysis system, which is comparable to the cell using the benchmark Pt/C||RuO2 electrode. Detailed characterizations reveal that strong electronic interactions between NiS and Ni2P, abundant active sites, and smaller charge-transfer resistance contribute to the improved HER and OER activity.