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Outcomes of endoscopic treatment of gastroduodenal Dieulafoy's lesion with rubber band ligation and thermal/injection therapy.

BACKGROUND: Dieulafoy's lesion is a rare but important cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Current endoscopic methods used to treat Dieulafoy's lesion include injection, with or without thermal methods, and mechanical methods. The latter include variceal ligation and hemoclips. There are no studies comparing the outcomes of rubber band ligation and injection with or without thermal therapy. AIM: To report the outcomes of Dieulafoy's lesion treated endoscopically with rubber band ligation and injection with or without thermal therapy at a single institution. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of Dieulafoy's lesion treated endoscopically at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, between August 1994 and August 2002 were analyzed. Demographic data, mode of presentation, risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding, hemodynamic parameters, blood transfusion requirements, endoscopic findings, details of endoscopic therapy, length of stay in ICU/hospital, complications, recurrence of bleeding, and mortality rates were collected and compared between those receiving endoscopic band ligation (EBL group) and those receiving injection with or without thermal therapy (non-EBL group). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with Dieulafoy's lesion (14 in the EBL group and nine in the non-EBL group) were studied. All patients were men. The mean age, hemoglobin levels on admission, and the transfusion requirements before therapy were similar in both groups. Fourteen patients (eight in the EBL- and six in the non-EBL groups) presented with hematemesis and the remaining with melena. The majority of Dieulafoy's lesions (91.3%) were located in the stomach and two in the duodenum. Active bleeding at the time of endoscopy was seen in 61% of cases, and immediate hemostasis was achieved with either method in 100% of patients. Early rebleeding (within 72 hours of endoscopic therapy) occurred in only one patient treated with epinephrine plus heater probe therapy. The length of stay in ICU was longer in the non-EBL group (6.7 days) compared with the EBL group (1.8 days) (P = 0.2). There were six deaths (three in the non-EBL group and three in the EBL group) within 30 days of the index hospitalization. The causes of death included infection/sepsis (n = 3), complications of acute myocardial infarction (n = 2), and end-stage liver disease (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic rubber band ligation is as effective as injection with or without thermal therapy in the treatment of Dieulafoy's lesion.

Adult↗

Conjunctivorhinostomy with rubber-tipped Jones tube.

One of the problems of conjunctivorhinostomy that employs the conventional Jones tube is that the end of Jones tube has to be manipulated by the surgeon so that the tube resides within the nasal cavity while not touching the middle turbinate and the nasal septum. As a result, patients who have high nasal septal deviation, paradoxical curvature, or middle turbinate hypertrophy have inadequate space in the nasal cavity for the Jones tube to rest. Such patients required either septoplasty or turbinectomy prior to conjunctivorhinostomy. To overcome such a problem, the authors connected a 4 French rubber tube to the tip of the Jones tube and helped the end of the tube to reside within the nasal cavity regardless of the anatomic variation of nasal septum or the middle turbinate. When such modified procedure is used, the Jones tube makes good contact with the conjunctiva, lacrimal sac, and the nasal mucosa while the rubber tube remains afloat within the nasal conjunctiva. Such modification helps the tube to reside within the nasal cavity without foreign body reactions and granulation tissue complications, and there is no need to change tubes to make up for the loss of tube length because of postoperative tissue contracture. Between April 2000 and August 2001, the authors performed conjunctivorhinostomy with a rubber-tipped Jones tube on 8 patients with drainage problems of the nasolacrimal duct system and obtained satisfactory results without complications.

Dacryocystorhinostomy↗

Effect of probiotic bacteria on prevalence of yeasts in oropharyngeal biofilms on silicone rubber voice prostheses in vitro.

The proliferation of yeasts in the mixed bacterial and fungal biofilms colonising silicone rubber voice prostheses in laryngectomised patients is the main cause of malfunctioning of the valve mechanism on the oesophageal side of the prostheses. Indwelling voice prostheses usually have to be replaced every 3-4 months. The consumption of probiotic bacteria is largely motivated by health claims related to the urogenital and lower digestive tract, but not to the upper digestive tract. The present study examined the influence of probiotic bacteria on the prevalence of yeasts in oropharyngeal biofilms on silicone rubber voice prostheses, as formed in a modified Robbins device. Exposure of oropharyngeal biofilms on voice prostheses to suspensions of Bifidobacterium infantis 420 or Enterococcus faecium 603 did not significantly reduce the number of yeasts in the biofilm. However, suspensions of Lactobacillus fermentum B54, L. rhamnosus 744 or L. lactis cremoris SK11 led to a reduction in the number of yeasts harvested from the voice prostheses. Suspensions of L. casei Shirota and Streptococcus thermophilus B significantly reduced the number of yeasts in the biofilm to 39% and 33%, respectively. The reduction brought about in yeast prevalence in the mixed biofilm was greatest by exposure to a suspension of L. lactis 53, with yeast prevalence only 4% of the control. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that the prevalence of yeasts in oropharyngeal biofilms on silicone rubber voice prostheses might be controlled by consumption of probiotic bacteria.

Bifidobacterium↗

Interference in initial adhesion of uropathogenic bacteria and yeasts to silicone rubber by a Lactobacillus acidophilus biosurfactant.

The ability of the Lactobacillus acidophilus RC14 biosurfactant 'surlactin' to inhibit the initial adhesion of various uropathogenic bacteria and two yeast strains to silicone rubber was investigated in a parallel-plate flow chamber in filter-sterilised pooled human urine. A parallel-plate flow chamber with a silicone rubber bottom plate was filled with a 1.0 mg/ml biosurfactant solution for adsorption overnight (18 h). Subsequently, the adhesion of the bacterial or yeast cells from a urine suspension under low flow (shear rate 15 s(-1)) was followed in situ by automated image analysis. Control tests were with untreated silicone rubber. Initial deposition rates and numbers of adhering cells after 4 h of flow were determined. Surlactin layers caused a marked inhibition of the initial deposition rates and adhesion numbers after 4 h for the majority of the bacteria (11 of 15 strains tested) and this inhibition was particularly effective against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Although the initial deposition rates of the two Candida albicans strains were reduced by c. 50% in comparison with the controls, the numbers of yeast cells adhering after 4 h were similar.

Adult↗

Visual capture of touch: out-of-the-body experiences with rubber gloves.

When the apparent visual location of a body part conflicts with its veridical location, vision can dominate proprioception and kinesthesia. In this article, we show that vision can capture tactile localization. Participants discriminated the location of vibrotactile stimuli (upper, at the index finger, vs. lower, at the thumb), while ignoring distractor lights that could independently be upper or lower. Such tactile discriminations were slowed when the distractor light was incongruent with the tactile target (e.g., an upper light during lower touch) rather than congruent, especially when the lights appeared near the stimulated hand. The hands were occluded under a table, with all distractor lights above the table. The effect of the distractor lights increased when rubber hands were placed on the table, "holding" the distractor lights, but only when the rubber hands were spatially aligned with the participant's own hands. In this aligned situation, participants were more likely to report the illusion of feeling touch at the rubber hands. Such visual capture of touch appears cognitively impenetrable.

Adult↗

Allergic contact urticaria from natural rubber latex in healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

To compare the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) sensitization and allergic contact urticaria from NRL in healthcare and non-healthcare workers, we studied all 1171 patients who attended our clinic during 2001 and 2002. Prick testing for NRL and patch testing with European standard series were performed in all patients and an additional rubber series in those who had contact with rubber. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels against NRL and tropical fruits were measured when prick testing was positive. Sensitization to NRL (positive prick test and specific IgE levels) was much more common in healthcare workers than that in non-healthcare workers, 16.7 versus 2.3%. Among the non-healthcare workers, sensitization to NRL was more common in food handlers (17.1%), construction workers (6.6%), painters (6.2%), hairdressers (5.1%) and cleaners (3.8%). The difference in the prevalence of specific IgE to tropical fruits was not significant. Allergic contact urticaria from NRL was also much more frequent in healthcare workers, 71.4 versus 28.6%. In conclusion, sensitization to NRL and allergic contact urticaria from NRL are more common in healthcare workers, but this is a growing problem in non-healthcare workers and should be investigated in all workers with a history of NRL intolerance or who have contact with NRL.

Dermatitis, Occupational↗

Capacitance effect of rubber gloves on electric pulp testers.

Electric pulp testers (EPTs) are widely used to assess tooth pulp vitality. With many unipolar EPTs the electrical circuit is completed through the operator. Since dentists now routinely wear rubber gloves, these might be expected to provide electrical insulation, and therefore to break the circuit. The objective of this investigation was to define the electrical effect of wearing rubber gloves. Two battery-powered unipolar EPTs were examined using a digital storage oscilloscope with an input impedance of 1 M omega. The probe tip was connected directly to the positive input lead of the oscilloscope. Three conditions were tested: (i) with the conductive handle connected directly to the negative input lead; (ii) with the ungloved operator holding the negative input lead in one hand and the conductive handle of the EPT in the other; and (iii) holding the conductive handle in a gloved hand. While the two EPTs produced different patterns of voltage spike, for each there was no difference between conditions (i) and (ii). However, when the conductive handle was held in a gloved hand (condition iii), there was a reduction in peak negative voltage and a change in wave form with positive overshoot. The alteration in wave form could be reproduced by substitution of the operator's gloved hand with a capacitance of 47 pF. These results support the hypothesis that a rubber glove acts partly as a capacitor in series with the electric pulp tester, and will alter the performance of EPTs unless the glove is bypassed electrically.

Dental Pulp Test↗

Microflora on explanted silicone rubber voice prostheses: taxonomy, hydrophobicity and electrophoretic mobility.

Silicone rubber voice prostheses are implants which are inserted in a non-sterile environment and therefore become quickly colonized by micro-organisms. The micro-organisms exist on the medical grade silicone rubber as mixed biofilms of bacteria and yeasts. A total of 79 bacterial and 39 yeast strains were isolated from these biofilms by soft ultrasonic treatment. Gram-positive/catalase-negative and Gram-positive/catalase-positive cocci represented the dominant bacterial strains. The yeasts were mainly Candida species. Further characterization of cell surface properties such as hydrophobicity by microbial adhesion to hexadecane and electrophoretic mobility showed a distinct difference when the bacterial strains were compared with the yeasts. The bacterial hydrophobicities ranged from 0 to 100% adhesion to hexadecane, whereas the yeast strains, especially the Candida albicans strains, all had markedly hydrophilic cell surfaces. A comparison of the electrophoretic mobilities showed also differences between bacteria and yeast. The values for the bacteria were found to be between -2.5 to -0.5 (10(-8) m2 V-1 s-1), whereas for the yeasts electrophoretic mobilities were more positive. Based on the adhesive properties of the isolated micro-organisms, strategies can now be developed to modify the properties of the silicone rubber to reduce biofilm formation on such prostheses.

Candida↗

The titanium/silicone rubber clip for female sterilization.

A composite titanium/silicone rubber clip has been developed for female sterilization. The 12.7 mm long metal clip is lined with silicone rubber and is bent round the Fallopian tube by means of an applicator that can be used laparoscopically. As tubal necorsis occurs, the rubber expands to keep the lumen blocked. The tube eventually divides and the stumps heal closed. Since the Mark 3 version of the clip was introduced, over 5700 women in several countries have been sterilized. The first 540 British women who were followed-up for five to 17 months experienced one method failure (ectopic) and tow operator failures, to total failure rate of 5.5/1000. Clip-related complications were minimal and long-term sequelae were comparable to tubal ligation. The clip causes minimal destruction but still seems effective for tubal occlusion and it can accommodate thick tubes.

Adolescent↗

The increased incidence of pure red cell aplasia with an Eprex formulation in uncoated rubber stopper syringes.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) in chronic kidney disease patients treated with epoetins increased substantially in 1998, was shown to be antibody mediated, and was associated predominantly with subcutaneous administration of Eprex. A technical investigation identified organic compounds leached from uncoated rubber stoppers in prefilled syringes containing polysorbate 80 as the most probable cause of the increased immunogenicity. METHODS: This study investigated whether the incidence of PRCA was higher for exposure to the product form containing leachates than for leachate-free product forms. Antibody-mediated PRCA cases were classified according to indication, product form, and route of administration. Exposure estimates were obtained by country, indication, route of administration, and product form. RESULTS: For 2001 to 2003, the PRCA incidence rate for patients with subcutaneous exposure to Eprex in prefilled syringes with polysorbate 80 and uncoated rubber stoppers (leachates present) was 4.61/10,000 patient years (95% CI 3.88-5.43) versus 0.26/10,000 patient years (95% CI 0.007-1.44) for syringes with coated stoppers (leachates absent). The rate difference was 4.35/10,000 patient years (95% CI 3.44-5.26; P < 0.0001); the rate ratio was 17 (95% CI 3.14-707). A substantial rate difference remained in sensitivity analyses that adjusted for exposure to multiple product forms. CONCLUSION: The epidemiologic data, together with the chemical and immunologic data, support the hypothesis that leachates from uncoated rubber syringe stoppers caused the increased incidence of PRCA associated with Eprex. Currently, all Eprex prefilled syringes contain fluoro-resin coated stoppers, which has contributed to decreased incidence of PRCA with continued surveillance.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Stress responses in lambs docked and castrated surgically or by the application of rubber rings.

A comparative study has been made in lambs 3 to 6 weeks of age of the behavioural responses and changes in plasma immunoreactive beta-endorphin (ir beta-endorphin) and cortisol after docking or docking plus castration by the application of rubber rings or by surgery. The use of rubber rings on lambs at this age was characterised by very agitated behaviour indicative of considerable distress for a period of up to 1 h. In contrast, surgery was accompanied by some post-operative shock exhibited by reduced exploratory and social behaviour, at least in the lambs exposed to docking plus castration. In the latter group there were highly significant increases in both plasma ir beta-endorphin and cortisol concentrations that may be consistent with the induction of stress-induced analgesia. We conclude that surgery caused less distress than the rubber rings, and is therefore preferable for docking and castration of lambs 3 to 6 weeks of age.

Animals↗

Silicone rubber membrane for extraction of high vapor tension toxic substances. Experiences with ammonia and ethanol.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the permeability of a silicone rubber membrane to two toxic substances, ammonia and ethanol, under high vapor tension. A device was assembled for testing the diffusion of the substances through a silicone rubber membrane interposed between two aqueous phases. 9 experiences were carried out with ammonia at different temperatures: 3 at 11 degrees C, 3 at 24 degrees C and 3 at 37 degrees C. 8 experiences were carried out with ethanol at different temperatures: 3 at 11 degrees C, 3 at 24 degrees C and 2 at 37 degrees C. Mean transmembrane flow (mumol/m2 X h) for ammonia was 43.99 at 11 degrees C, 59.18 at 24 degrees C and 145.45 at 37 degrees C. Mean transmembrane flow (mmol/m2 X h) for ethanol was 6.48 at 11 degrees C, 12.54 at 24 degrees C and 22.51 at 37 degrees C. The results confirm that ammonia and ethanol in water solution can pass through a silicone rubber membrane. Better results could be expected with both aqueous phases in motion as in dialysis devices.

Ammonia↗

Biocompatibility of platinum-metallized silicone rubber: in vivo and in vitro evaluation.

Silicone rubber is commonly used for biomedical applications, including implanted cuff electrodes for both recording and stimulation of peripheral nerves. This study was undertaken to evaluate the consequences of a new platinum metallization method on the biocompatibility of silicone rubber cuff electrodes. This method was introduced in order to allow the manufacture of spiral nerve cuff electrodes with a large number of contacts. The metallization process, implying silicone coating with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), its activation by an excimer laser and subsequent electroless metal deposition, led to a new surface microtexture. The neutral red cytotoxicity assay procedure was first applied in vitro on BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts in order to analyze the cellular response elicited by the studied material. An in vivo assay was then performed to investigate the tissue reaction after chronic subcutaneous implantation of the metallized material. Results demonstrate that silicone rubber biocompatibility is not altered by the new platinum metallization method.

Animals↗

The effect of plasma-induced graft copolymerization of PHEMA on silicone rubber towards improving corneal epithelial cells growth.

A PHEMA grafted polymer film was prepared by plasma induced graft copolymerization onto an elastic material, silicone rubber. The control, Ar plasma-treated, and PHEMA-grafted silicone rubber surfaces were characterized by ESCA, FTIR-ATR, and SEM techniques. ESCA verified the respective chemical shift of control and Ar plasma-treated films. The presence of the grafted PHEMA was also verified by ESCA. The amounts of grafted PHEMA did not monotonously increase with the plasma exposure conditions, but decreased after passing a maximum. The introduction of PHEMA onto a hydrophobic support provided an adequate surface for rabbit corneal epithelium cell attachment and growth. Cell attachment and growth onto these surfaces were examined by light microscopy. Cell attachment onto the control and Ar plasma-treated surface was negligible, while improved attachment and growth of rabbit corneal epithelium cells was demonstrated on the PHEMA-grafted polymer surface. The PHEMA-grafted silicone rubber surface demonstrated a confluent cell layer after 72 h.

Animals↗

Protein adsorption and macrophage activation on polydimethylsiloxane and silicone rubber.

Static and dynamic human blood adsorption studies on polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, and silicone rubber show that these materials are similar, but not identical, in their protein adsorption behavior. Fibrinogen, immunoglobulin G, and albumin were the predominant proteins identified on the material surfaces with fibronectin, Hageman factor (factor XII), and factor VIII/vWF adsorbing at intermediate levels. While the protein adsorption characteristics for the two materials were similar, higher levels of the respective proteins were identified on silicone rubber compared to PDMS. Monocytes/macrophages incubated on PDMS, silicone rubber and low density polyethylene, LDPE, with or without protein adsorption produced variable levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha dependent on the polymer and adsorbed protein. PDMS showed lower levels of the cytokines when compared to the polystyrene control and polyethylene. Protein preadsorption on the PDMS, polystyrene, and LDPE surfaces showed lower levels of cytokines when compared to the respective quantities produced with no protein adsorption suggesting a passivating effect by the protein adsorption phenomenon on monocyte/macrophage activation. Preadsorption of IgG, fibrinogen or fibronectin decreased the quantitative expression of IL-1 beta but increased the functional activity in the thymocyte proliferation assay indicating the presence of monocyte/macrophage activation products which either downregulated the activity of IL-1 beta or upregulated thymocyte proliferation in an independent fashion.

Adsorption↗

Thin rubber sheeting in frontal sinus surgery: animal and clinical studies.

Closure of the nasofrontal communication is the most common cause of failure of nonobliterative external of nonobliterative external frontal sinus operations for chronic sinus disease. To determine whether silicone rubber sheeting or tubing might prevent closure, we designed animal experiments and conducted a clinical study. We enlarged the nasofrontal duct in dogs, inserted silicone rubber tubing or sheeting and assessed ductal patency grossly and microscopically. The tubes prevented epithelization and failed to prevent local osteoblastic reaction, fibroplasia, and scar formation. In contrast, sheeting permitted rapid mucosal regeneration, less osteoblastic activity, and less fibrosis. Our 16 patients with chronic sinus disease underwent a modified Lynch operation, with enlargement of the nasofrontal duct and stenting with rubber tubes or sheeting. The sheeting provided the best long-term result. In our experience, it raised the success rate of the classic Lynch external operation.

Adolescent↗

The use of Gore-Tex E-PTFE bonded to silicone rubber as an alloplastic implant material.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of an alloplastic material, Gore-Tex Soft Tissue Patch, which when bonded to silicone rubber (Silastic) may represent a more "ideal" implant material. It's use in the rabbit model is compared to Silastic alone, Supramid Mesh, and cartilage control. Grafts were harvested at 3 weeks and 3 months, and the histologic findings were reviewed. Our results demonstrate that the implant is quite inert (minimal tissue reaction), allows for tissue ingrowth with reduced capsule formation, and protects the silicone rubber infrastructure from encapsulation. These findings suggest that Gore-Tex Soft Tissue Patch bonded to silicone rubber is a superior implant material and is worthy of consideration for clinical applications.

Animals↗

Gelatin-glutaraldehyde cross-linking on silicone rubber to increase endothelial cell adhesion and growth.

Silicone is a biomaterial that is widely used in many areas because of its high optical clarity, its durability, and the ease with which it can be cast. However, these advantages are counterbalanced by strong hydrophobicity. Gelatin cross-linking has been used as a hydrophilic coating on many biomaterials but not on silicone rubber. In this study, two gelatin glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linking methods were used to coat a hydrophilic membrane on silicone rubber. In method I, gelatin and GA were mixed in three different proportions (64:1, 128:1, and 256:1) before coating. In method II, a newly formed 5% gelatin membrane was cross-linked with a 2.5% GA solution. All coatings were hydrophilic, as determined from the measurement of contact angle for a drop of water on the surface. Bovine coronary arterial endothelial cells were shown to grow well on the surface modified by method II at 72 h. In method I, the cells grew well for gelatin-GA proportions of 64:1 and 128:1 at 72 h. No cell attachment on untreated silicone rubber was observed by the third d of seeding. The results indicated that both methods of gelatin-GA cross-linking provided a hydrophilic surface on silicone for endothelial cell adhesion and growth in vitro.

Animals↗