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A short description of some medicinal plants found during a 10-year ethnological study of traditional medicine in Angola. The point of interest is the double use of these plants: they are employed as drugs and as ichthyotoxics or soaps.
The soap-free emulsion polymerization has been applied for preparing the surfactant-free polystyrene/layered double hydroxide exfoliated nanocomposite. The XRD and TEM determinations have been used to monitor the changes of interlayer spacing and morphology during polymerization. The results show that the obtained nanocomposite has the homogeneous structure of polymeric and inorganic components. Due to the absence of organic surfactant, the PS/LDH nanocomposite shows a remarked improvement on the onset decomposition temperature compared with virgin PS.
Simplified skin barrier models are necessary to get a first hand understanding of the very complex morphology and physical properties of the human skin barrier. In addition, it is of great importance to construct relevant models that will allow for rational testing of barrier perturbing/occlusive effects of a large variety of substances. The primary objective of this work was to study the effect of lipid morphology on water permeation through various lipid mixtures (i.e., partly neutralised free fatty acids, as well as a skin lipid model mixture). In addition, the effects of incorporating Azone((R)) (1-dodecyl-azacycloheptan-2-one) into the skin lipid model mixture was studied. Small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction was used for structure determinations. It is concluded that: (a) the water flux through a crystalline fatty acid-sodium soap-water mixture (s) is statistically significantly higher than the water flux through the corresponding lamellar (L(alpha)) and reversed hexagonal (H(II)) liquid crystalline phases, which do not differ between themselves; (b) the water flux through mixtures of L(alpha)/s decreases statistically significantly with increasing relative amounts of lamellar (L(alpha)) liquid crystalline phase; (c) the addition of Azone((R)) to a skin lipid model system induces a reduction in water flux. However, further studies are needed to more closely characterise the structural basis for the occlusive effects of Azone((R)) on water flux.
Our perception of the role of hand washing in the clinical situation is based on experimental studies in which test-bacteria are usually inoculated onto the skin surface and removed using hand washing preparations containing antiseptics. In this study, we have investigated the distribution of bacteria on the hands of volunteers and the effectiveness of long (3 minute) and brief (10 second) washes in removing both naturally-occurring and artificially-inoculated bacteria (Micrococcus sp.), using only soap and water. There was a tenfold reduction in median counts of artificially inoculated bacteria following both long and brief washes. However, less than 50% of naturally-occurring bacteria were removed and, for hands previously disinfected by immersion in 70% ethanol, the washing procedure increased bacterial counts. In both unwashed hands, and hands washed following a strict protocol, the mean variation in counts of naturally-occurring bacteria at different sites (wrists, dorsal surface, palmar surface, fingertips and interdigital spaces) was only two-fold. The efficiency of recovery of naturally-occurring organisms was estimated by repeated swabbing, to be more than 60%. The data question the value of typical hand wash procedures recommended by many authorities for use in clinical situations and of the perfunctory hand washes frequently adopted by nursing staff in busy wards. Experimental evidence is required to justify procedures and to identify the precise circumstances in which they are of value.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplementing the diets of dairy cows with Ca soaps of rapeseed fatty acids (CSRFA) and rumen-protected (RP) methionine on their milk yield and composition, including milk protein fractions and fatty acids. Twelve Polish Red Lowland cows were used in a complete balanced two period changeover experiment. The four treatment diets were a control consisting of a total mixed ration of grass silage and concentrates, and the total mixed ration supplemented with RP methionine, CSRFA or RP methionine plus CSRFA. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet. Milk yield increased when cows were given the diet with CSRFA, but supplementation of diets with RP methionine did not affect milk yield. Milk protein content, but not milk protein yield, decreased when CSRFA was given. The addition of RP methionine to the control diet and the CSRFA diet produced similar increases in the milk protein content. Supplementation of the diet with CSRFA significantly changed the milk fatty acid profile: the proportions of 10:0, 12:0, 14:0, 15:0 and 16:0 in milk fat decreased, but those of 18:0 and cis-18:1 increased. We conclude that CSRFA can be used in practical dairy diets to increase milk yield and manipulate its fatty acid composition.
Outbreaks of enteric disease associated with exposure to live animals on exhibit have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years. Possibly the most important pathogen causing such outbreaks is Escherichia coli O157:H7, because of the serious illness it can cause. Hand hygiene is consistently protective against disease among persons exposed to animals implicated in these outbreaks. Livestock barns have limited hand-washing facilities, therefore a waterless hand-sanitizing gel would be a potentially preventive measure readily available to visitors and animal exhibitors. This study compared the reduction of bacterial counts on hands of animal exhibitors when soap and water was used or when an ethanol-based hand gel was used after animal handling. Participants were youth and adults involved with showing livestock. The sanitation methods were similar in reducing the total bacteria and coliform counts on the hands of the participants (Wilcoxon rank sum test P values 0.12 and 0.69 respectively).
Using molecular typing methods, we confirmed an outbreak of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia among bone marrow transplant patients. The likely source was a healthcare worker who may have washed with moisturizer instead of soap between patients. Hospital epidemiologists need to go beyond antibiograms when evaluating outbreaks and be vigilant about all aspects of hand washing.
Bacterial contamination with pan-resistant Acinetobacter and Klebsiella, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was noted on the surfaces of dispensers of hand soap with 2% chlorhexidine. Gram-negative isolates could multiply in the presence of 1% chlorhexidine. In contrast, MRSA was inhibited in vitro by chlorhexidine at concentrations as low as 0.0019%.
We describe intrinsic contamination with Klebsiella pneumoniae occurring during the manufacture of germicidal hand soap, labeled as containing 2% chlorhexidine, used throughout a 350-bed community medical center. A 3-year retrospective study failed to find evidence of increased incidence of clinical isolates of this strain.
The effectiveness of five 30-second handwashes with a non-antiseptic lotion soap to remove nosocomial pathogens (10(8) CFU) applied to fingertips was studied. CFU for all species dropped rapidly after the first handwash; persistence (10 to 15 CFU) was maintained thereafter. Wiping hands with an antiseptic (70% isopropyl or 10% povidone-iodine) sponge removed persisters.
A patient contact model was devised for health care workers (HCWs) to define heavy hand contamination with aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) that requires alcohol for complete removal. In patients, AGNB quantitation was per ml cup scrub fluid; in HCWs per ml glove juice. Following 15-second contact, two Proteeae groin carriers yielding greater than or equal to 4 log10 AGNB (high burden) transmitted greater than or equal to 3 log10 in 67% of 24 tests of six HCWs, and less than or equal to 2 log10 in 29%. Two carriers yielding less than or equal to 3 log10 in 38%. At less than or equal to 2 log10 HCW acquisitions, soap eliminated all AGNB in three of 10; alcohol in eight of eight (p = 0.009). Contact with densely colonized patient skin may cause heavy AGNB contamination of HCWs' hands that generally necessitates alcohol for complete removal.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of cleaning a contaminated orthopaedic wound with different classes of wound irrigation solutions. STUDY DESIGN: Rats with a contaminated orthopaedic wound were randomized into treatment groups: normal saline (NS), castile soap (CS), benzalkonium chloride (BzC), bacitracin (Abx), or sequential irrigation with BzC, CS, and NS. INTERVENTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa [P. aeruginosa; 1 x 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU)], or Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus; 1 x 10(6) CFU) were placed into a paravertebral wound (containing a wire implant placed through a spinous process) and allowed to incubate for fifteen minutes. The wound was then irrigated with three liters of either NS, 0.05 percent CS, 0.03 percent BzC, Abx (33,000 units per liter) or underwent a sequential irrigation treatment (one liter each of BzC, CS, NS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The animals were observed daily for wound complications for fourteen days and then killed, and cultures of the wound were obtained. RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Both CS and the sequential irrigation treatment significantly lowered the rate of positive wound cultures when compared with NS (p < 0.05). Irrigation with BzC resulted in a higher rate of positive wound cultures and complications. The sequential irrigation treatment prevented the wound complications associated with irrigation with BzC alone. Staphylococcus aureus: Only BzC irrigation significantly lowered the rate of positive wound cultures when compared with NS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The rate of positive wound cultures due to P. aeruginosa is effectively reduced by irrigation with CS alone or by the sequential irrigation treatment. When used alone, the antiseptic BzC results in a higher rate of positive wound cultures and wound complications. The wound complications seen with irrigation with BzC alone are prevented by the sequential irrigation treatment (BzC followed by CS and NS). The rate of positive wound cultures in this model due to S. aureus is not decreased by irrigation with CS; however, the rate of positive wound cultures is safely and effectively decreased with the use of BzC.
Crop activities lead to dermal exposure of workers to pesticides. The efficacy of hand washing as a control measure is unknown. The efficacy of water and soap was studied for some pesticides and exposure situations. Pre-washing contamination levels in field studies were calculated from foliar residues by models using transfer factors. Between 24.5% and 50.7% of the calculated prewashing contamination was removed in two field studies with three pesticides, with coefficients of variation between 43% and 72%. In a human volunteer study, on average 45.8% and 85.7% was removed for two pesticides (coefficients of variation 6% and 7%). No influence of 'washing vigour' was found and efficacy did not depend on pre-washing contamination levels. The combination of field studies and laboratory experiments was successful, partly compensating for weaknesses in both approaches.
Five soaps were tested for irritancy potential using both the aluminum chamber and a standard 21-day patch testing method. One of the products showed marked potential for irritation after 21 days of patch testing but not with the chamber method of testing. An explanation of the varying results obtained by the two methods requires further investigation.
The study showed that washing a gloved hand removed significant amounts of bacteria. If the proper soap or scrub is used, the gloved hand will be free of bacteria. It is suggested that all dental personnel wear gloves to protect themselves and to prevent cross-contamination of other patients.
Beef cows were used to determine the influence of calcium soaps of fatty acids (CSFA) incorporated in a range supplement on postpartum reproductive characteristics and growth of calves. Cows were assigned randomly to receive 0 (C, n = 68) or 125 g/d of CSFA (M, n = 66). Diets were isonitrogenous (23%) and were used during 105 d, beginning at 61 +/- 36 d (range) precalving. Two blood samples were collected monthly (7-d intervals). Weights of calves at 35, 50, and 90 d of age and weaning weight adjusted to 200 d of age were greater in M than in C (46.8 vs 43.8 kg, P < .05; 56.0 vs 50.6 kg, P< .01; 98.8 vs 91.8 kg, P < .01; and 186 vs 173 kg, P < .01, respectively). Body weights at 35 and 50 d postcalving were greater in M than in C cows (334 and 310 kg, P < .01; 329 and 300 kg, P < .01, respectively). A similar tendency was observed in body condition scores in the same postpartum periods (4.1 vs 3.4, P < .01 and 3.6 vs 2.5, P < .01 for M and C, respectively). Concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were greater (P < .01) in M than in C cows. Percentage of cycling (progesterone > 1 ng/mL) cows at 30 to 90 d postpartum was 38% in M and 22% in C (P < .02). Percentage of pregnant cows during the first half of the breeding season was greater (P < .02) in M (62.5%) than in C cows (35.5%). We concluded that CSFA incorporated in a range supplement during pre- and postpartum periods improved reproductive efficiency and growth of calves.
A 1-l soap enema given to nine healthy volunteers elicited significantly elevated plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK), together with a transient somatostatin peak. These rises coincided with significant rises both in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, whereas plasma levels of motilin and pancreatic polypeptide remained unchanged. It is suggested that the peptide releases are of colonic origin and that VIP and CCK may play mediatory roles in the enema-induced defecation.
A technique is described for separating plant cells used for morphological studies. The plant material is placed in a concentrated solution of olive oil castile soap for 1-2 days or more. The material is then thoroughly washed and placed between two glass slides. The upper glass slide is lifted from the lower one, then gently pressed down several times. Through this procedure Malpighian cells of the seed coat of Sesbania punicea, mesophyll cells of Euphorbia peplus and of Trifolium pratense and cortical cells of the aerial roots of Monstera deliciosa have been separated. Various shapes of the Malpighian cells of the Sesbania punicea seed coat can be observed along with intermediates.