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At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Starch as a renewable finish to improve the pesticide-protective properties of conventional workclothes.

Because many pesticide handlers persist in wearing and reusing conventional workclothes, a renewable functional finish that enhances the pesticide-protective qualities of fabrics would be useful. This study investigated the ability of starch to act as a pesticide trap, preventing transfer and increasing removal by laundering, and the effect of carboxymethyl cellulose on release of pesticide in laundry. The retention and distribution of methyl parathion (MeP) on 65% polyester/35% cotton fabric was studied with four finishes: starch and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as nondurable finishes; durable press resin (DP) and durable press/carboxymethyl cellulose (DP/CMC) as durable finishes. Starching with an add-on of 8% (w/w) effectively reduced the area of contamination and enhanced the removal of methyl parathion from polyester/cotton fabrics. Residual pesticide values for CMC, DP, and DP/CMC finishes were similar to that of the unfinished fabric. While distribution profiles of methyl parathion throughout the yarn and fiber structures were similar for all the finishes, lower concentrations of pesticide were observed on the cotton fibers from the starched fabric. Starch reduced the pesticide transferring by rubbing from both 100% cotton and 65% polyester/cotton fabrics. These studies support the intriguing theory that starch can act as a pesticide trap on the fabric surface to decrease pesticide transfer and to enhance pesticide removal. Extensive penetration studies, field studies, and additional investigation of fiber, yarn, and fabric parameters are needed to further quantify the effects of starch.

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium↗
PubMed1992

The self-perceived health needs of the rural elderly who live alone.

A randomised cross-sectional survey of Public Health Nurses (PHN) registers was carried out in two rural counties, Westmeath and Longford, Ireland. 200 elderly people living alone, consisting of 50 aged 65-74 years in each of the two counties and 50 aged > or = 75 years expressed their health needs in terms of physical, mental and social well-being. 50% lived in accommodation with inadequate bathroom facilities and only 38.9% were content with their current accommodation. 37.9% felt their finances were inadequate while 15.7% were unsure of their eligibility for different entitlements. 17.6% had personal experience of crime. 39.4% lacked a means of obtaining emergency help. The majority (61.7%) perceived themselves as enjoying excellent/good health. The unmet demand for services, other than transport, varied from 11.6% for laundry services to 0% for PHN visits. Transport services were judged inadequate by 51.5% of the study group. It is concluded that by analysing and cross-analysing in terms of variables used in this study, aspects of health care needs could be targetted for different subgroups within the elderly alone group. While not complete in themselves they would help in the targetting of scarce resources.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Restricting detergent protease action to surface of protein fibres by chemical modification.

Due to their excellent properties, such as thermostability, activity over a broad range of pH and efficient stain removal, proteases from Bacillus sp. are commonly used in the textile industry including industrial processes and laundry and represent one of the most important groups of enzymes. However, due to the action of proteases, severe damage on natural protein fibres such as silk and wool result after washing with detergents containing proteases. To include the benefits of proteases in a wool fibre friendly detergent formulation, the soluble polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) was covalently attached to a protease from Bacillus licheniformis. In contrast to activation of PEG with cyanuric chloride (50%) activation with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) lead to activity recovery above 90%. With these modified enzymes, hydrolytic attack on wool fibres could be successfully prevented up to 95% compared to the native enzymes. Colour difference (DeltaE) measured in the three dimensional colour space showed good stain removal properties for the modified enzymes. Furthermore, half-life of the modified enzymes in buffers and commercial detergents solutions was nearly twice as high as those of the non-modified enzymes with values of up to 63 min. Out of the different modified proteases especially the B. licheniformis protease with the 2.0-kDa polymer attached both retained stain removal properties and did not hydrolyse/damage wool fibres.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Potential commercial applications of microbial surfactants.

Surfactants are surface-active compounds capable of reducing surface and interfacial tension at the interfaces between liquids, solids and gases, thereby allowing them to mix or disperse readily as emulsions in water or other liquids. The enormous market demand for surfactants is currently met by numerous synthetic, mainly petroleum-based, chemical surfactants. These compounds are usually toxic to the environment and non-biodegradable. They may bio-accumulate and their production, processes and by-products can be environmentally hazardous. Tightening environmental regulations and increasing awareness for the need to protect the ecosystem have effectively resulted in an increasing interest in biosurfactants as possible alternatives to chemical surfactants. Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compounds of microbial origin with considerable potential in commercial applications within various industries. They have advantages over their chemical counterparts in biodegradability and effectiveness at extreme temperature or pH and in having lower toxicity. Biosurfactants are beginning to acquire a status as potential performance-effective molecules in various fields. At present biosurfactants are mainly used in studies on enhanced oil recovery and hydrocarbon bioremediation. The solubilization and emulsification of toxic chemicals by biosurfactants have also been reported. Biosurfactants also have potential applications in agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents, personal care products, food processing, textile manufacturing, laundry supplies, metal treatment and processing, pulp and paper processing and paint industries. Their uses and potential commercial applications in these fields are reviewed.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1997

Alkaline cellulases from alkaliphilic Bacillus: enzymatic properties, genetics, and application to detergents.

We have isolated a number of alkaliphilic Bacillus that produce alkaline exoenzymes and found a possible use for alkaline cellulase (carboxymethylcellulase) as an additive for improving the cleaning effect of detergents. Enzymatic properties of some candidate cellulases fulfilled the essential requirements for enzymes to be used practically in laundry detergents. Here I describe the properties and possible catalytic mechanism of the hydrolytic reaction and the gene for the industrial alkaline cellulase produced by one of the isolates, Bacillus sp. KSM-635.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Elective versus ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a 1-year cost-effectiveness analysis.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition with an overall mortality of 80%. It predominantly affects men 65-74 years of age and is caused by focal distension of the main blood vessel in the abdomen. Most patients go undetected until their aneurysm ruptures. Controversy surrounds the most appropriate form of screening for AAA. Currently, screening is only carried out selectively in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Some patients have their AAA detected incidentally, whilst ultrasound examination of the abdomen is carried out for other indications. These patients have the opportunity to undergo surveillance or elective surgery. The mortality rate of emergency surgical intervention following rupture (50%) is far worse in comparison to that of patients undergoing planned intervention under specialist vascular surgeons (5%). Despite improvements in outcomes from elective intervention for AAA as a result of specialisation, the overall mortality from this condition remains very high (80%) as the commonest presentation of an AAA is rupture. Screening all men aged 65-74 years is considered too costly in the current economic climate. However the cost difference between elective repair and emergency repair of AAA must be considered given that the outcome from elective AAA repair is far superior to that following ruptured AAA repair. Our objective was to retrospectively collect costs and outcomes of elective and emergency AAA repair in order to carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis. Four multiprofessional teams in accident and emergency, operation theatres, intensive care, and surgical wards at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital were selected from health-care professionals including doctors, managers, nurses, and clerical staff with the purpose of obtaining costs. Detailed cost data collection sheets were prepared to calculate costs, which included staff costs, consumables including drugs, intravenous fluids, equipment, investigations, laundry, catering, and stationery. An inventory of costs per item was obtained, and the total cost was calculated from the number of items used. Outcomes were measured in terms of survival. The total costs of emergency AAA repair were pounds sterling 96,700.69, with a cost per life saved of pounds sterling 24,175.17. The total cost of elective AAA repair was pounds sterling 76,583.22, with a cost per life saved of pounds sterling 5,470.23. Emergency intervention for AAA was found to cost five times more than a planned intervention per life saved per year.

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal↗
PubMed2004

Purification and characterisation of alkaline cellulase produced by a novel isolate, Bacillus sphaericus JS1.

A novel strain of Bacillus sphaericus JS1 producing thermostable alkaline carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase; endo-1,4-beta-glucanase, E.C. 3.2.1.4) was isolated from soil using Horikoshi medium at pH 9.5. CMCase was purified 192-fold by (NH(4))(2)SO(4) precipitation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, with an overall recovery of 23%. The CMCase is a multimeric protein with a molecular weight estimated by native-PAGE of 183 kDa. Using SDS-PAGE a single band is found at 42 kDa. This suggests presence of four homogeneous polypeptides, which would differentiate this enzyme from other known alkaline cellulases. The activity of the enzyme was significantly inhibited by bivalent cations (Fe(3+) and Hg(2+), 1.0 mM each) and activated by Co(2+), K(+) and Na(+). The purified enzyme revealed the products of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrolysis to be CM glucose, cellobiose and cellotriose. Thermostability, pH stability, good hydrolytic capability, and stability in the presence of detergents, surfactants, chelators and commercial proteases make this enzyme potentially useful in laundry detergents.

Alkalies↗
PubMed2004

Compatibility of alkaline xylanases from an alkaliphilic Bacillus NCL (87-6-10) with commercial detergents and proteases.

Alkaline xylanases from alkaliphilic Bacillus strains NCL (87-6-10) and Sam III were compared with the commercial xylanases Pulpzyme HC and Biopulp for their compatibility with detergents and proteases for laundry applications. Among the four xylanases evaluated, the enzyme from the alkaliphilic Bacillus strain NCL (87-6-10) was the most compatible. The enzyme retained its full activity (40 degrees C for 1 h) in the presence of detergents, whereas Pulpzyme HC and Sam III showed only 30% and 50% of their initial activity, respectively. Biopulp, though stable to detergents, had only marginal activity (5%)at pH 10. However, all four enzymes retained significant activity (80%) for 60 min in the presence of the proteases Alcalase and Conidiobolus protease. Supplementation of the enzyme enhanced the cleaning ability of the detergents.

Alkalies↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of lipase from Aspergillus niger as an additive in detergent formulations: a statistical approach.

The efficacy of lipase from Aspergillus niger MTCC 2594 as an additive in laundry detergent formulations was assessed using response surface methodology (RSM). A five-level four-factorial central composite design was chosen to explain the washing protocol with four critical factors, viz. detergent concentration, lipase concentration, buffer pH and washing temperature. The model suggested that all the factors chosen had a significant impact on oil removal and the optimal conditions for the removal of olive oil from cotton fabric were 1.0% detergent, 75 U of lipase, buffer pH of 9.5 and washing temperature of 25 degrees C. Under optimal conditions, the removal of olive oil from cotton fabric was 33 and 17.1% at 25 and 49 degrees C, respectively, in the presence of lipase over treatment with detergent alone. Hence, lipase from A. niger could be effectively used as an additive in detergent formulation for the removal of triglyceride soil both in cold and warm wash conditions.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed2005

Occupational risks for uveal melanoma results from a case-control study in nine European countries.

OBJECTIVE: Uveal melanoma is a rare disease with poor prognosis and largely unknown etiology. We studied potential occupational risk factors. METHODS: A population based case-control study was undertaken during 1995-1997 in nine European countries using population and colon cancer controls with personal interviews. Occupational exposure to sunlight and artificial UV radiation was assessed with a job exposure matrix. In total, 320 uveal melanoma cases were eligible at pathology review, and 292 cases were interviewed, participation 91%. Out of 3357 population controls, 2062 were interviewed, 61%, and out of 1272 cancer controls 1094 were interviewed, 86%. RESULTS: Using population controls, occupational exposure to sunlight was not associated with an increased risk (RR=1.24, 95% CI=0.88-1.74), while an excess risk found with use of colon cancer controls was attributed to confounding factors. An excess risk in welders was restricted to the French part of the data. Cooks, RR=2.40; cleaners, RR 2.15; and laundry workers, RR=3.14, were at increased risk of uveal melanoma. CONCLUSION: Our study does overall not support an association between occupational sunlight exposure and risk of uveal melanoma. The finding of an excess risk of eye melanoma in cooks in several European countries is intriguing.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

In defense of paternalism.

This paper argues that we have wrongly and not for the patient's benefit made a form of stark autonomy our highest value which allows physicians to slip out from under their basic duty which has always been to pursue a particular patient's good. In general - I shall argue - it is the patient's right to select his or her own goals and the physician's duty to inform the patient of the feasibility of that goal and of the means needed to attain it. If the goal is not one that is possible, the patient, with the physician and family, must select a feasible goal and then discuss the costs/benefits of various approaches. The physician should take a leading role in helping the patient select the goal. I argue that to simply present a laundry list of means and insist that patients choose for themselves is not only abandoning patients to their autonomy but is, in fact, a crass form of violating the patient's autonomy. Freely choosing not to choose is a choice a patient with decisional capacity is entitled to make and one that needs to be respected.

Beneficence↗
PubMed1985

Acute renal failure and glucosuria induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate in rats.

Nitrilotriacetate (NTA), an effective metal-chelating agent, has been used as a substitute for polyphosphates in household laundry detergents. Nephrotoxicity and renal tumorigenicity have been reported in experimental animals that received high doses of NTA po for 4 weeks to 2 years. Since NTA exists in water as a variety of NTA-metal complexes, it was important to investigate the biological effects of NTA in a complexed form. In this study, acute and subchronic toxicity of a ferric iron chelate of NTA (Fe-NTA) was investigated in rats. When Fe-NTA was given ip, acute tubular necrosis and renal failure occurred following a single injection of 15 mg iron/kg. Repeated injections of sublethal doses produced degeneration and necrosis of the proximal tubular epithelium and was associated with polyuria, glucosuria, aminoaciduria, and azotemia. After 9 days of treatment, regeneration of the tubular epithelium with atypical cells was observed. Except for a parenchymal iron deposit, no marked changes were observed in other organs. None of these effects were observed in animals given noncomplexed NTA. In conclusion, the toxicity observed following high doses of NTA given po may be the result of an absorbed metal-NTA chelate.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1977

Consequences of detergent pollution of the sea: effects on regenerating sponge cubes of Geodia cydonium.

Regenerating cubes of the sponge Geodia cydonium cyconium were used as a model in the investigation of detergent pollution in the sea. The anionic detergent sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and a 1:1 mixture of Faks and Radion, two commercial laundry detergents, were used in the concentration range from 1 X 10(-9) g/ml (1 ppb) to 1 X 10(-5) g/ml. It is shown that SDS is taken up, weakly accumulated but not incorporated into the macromolecular fractions of the sponge. At concentrations of 0.1 ppm and above, SDS decreases the uptake of thymidine, uridine and phenylalanine into the acid-soluble sponge fraction. Their incorporation into the acid insoluble fractions, which have been isolated, was different from the controls at 10 ppb and higher levels. Faks and Radion were less active by a factor of 10. However, they showed similar effects. The chemical composition of the regenerating sponge cubes with respect to DNA, RNA and protein content has been evaluated. The alterations are less pronounced on detergent incubation than precursor uptake. The use of the cetyltrimethyl-ammoniumbromide-turbidity-dilution technique reveals drastic qualitative changes in the nucleic acid fractions. The relevant literature on biological effects of detergent is listed. It is shown that this investigation extends the scale of known effects far into the low and pollution-relevant concentration levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

An appraisal of Impregon as a deterrent of domestic fungus growth.

Impregon brand of tetrachlorsalicylanilide (TCSA) has been profferred widely as a household fungistatic agent, although its value remains unproved. To assess its effects, this agent was used as a laundry and paint additive and as a treatment for burlap rug backing; after recommended applications of Impregon, coded replicate materials were inoculated with mixed suspensions of fungus particles. No difference was evident in fungus growth points on fabric swatches washed in tap water with and without Impregon. However, growth on both of these was significantly greater than on samples laundered in tap water using only a commercial soap or liquid detergent. Fungus soiling of burlap was not clearly diminished by prescribed applications of Impregon solution 3 mo previously. Similarly, the addition of this agent to paint did not suppress fungus growth on Masonite plaques to which it had been applied. However, comparable levels of Impregon incorporated into agar media substantially inhibited spore germination. These findings suggest that the bioavailability of TCSA is insufficient to provide desired household antifungal effects when Impregon is used in accord with current recommendations.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1983

Intractable sneezing due to IgE-mediated triethanolamine sensitivity.

Sneezing has been commonly recognized as part of the nasal allergic reaction in response to pollen and inhalant allergens; isolated intractable sneezing is an unusual presentation in allergic patients. An 8-yr-old white girl developed intractable sneezing in the fall while walking past an area where fresh roofing tar was being prepared. Her personal and family histories were negative for allergic disease or symptoms. Positive physical findings were boggy nasal mucosa; pollen and inhalant skin tests were negative. Response to topical cromolyn and beclomethasone administered intranasally was only partial; antihistamines were little help. Upon careful review of history, exposure to clothes washed in Miracle White Laundry Soil and Stain Remover correlated to symptoms; removal from clothing by extensive washing relieved the sneezing, which recurred upon exposure. Prick test was positive to triethanolamine at 10(7)M to 10(-4)M and not to other ingredients of this product. Investigation demonstrated dose-dependent leukocyte histamine release (25% to 27% specific release) to triethanolamine (10(-4)M to 10(-7)M); this release (50% at 10(-5)M) was inhibited by preincubation with cromolyn sodium (5 X 10(-6)M). Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was demonstrated to triethanolamine (10(-7)M to 10(-4)M); specific IgE to triethanolamine was demonstrated by polystyrene tube radioimmunoassay. Controls had no histamine release or specific IgE. Thus exposure to triethanolamine caused IgE-mediated intractable sneezing.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Accelerated oxide growth on titanium implants during autoclaving caused by fluorine contamination.

Titanium implants were occasionally found to be strongly discoloured after autoclaving. The discolouration is shown to be due to an accelerated growth of the surface oxide that covers the implants. Oxide thicknesses up to 650 A have been observed, i.e. more than ten times thicker than on normal implants. By applying surface sensitive spectroscopies (SIMS and XPS or ESCA) it is also shown that these oxide films contain considerable amounts of fluorine, alkali metals and silicon. Screening tests with alkali-halide solutions identify fluorine as the impurity responsible for the accelerated oxide growth. Discolouration after autoclaving can be observed for fluorine contaminations down to the ppm level. In those cases where discolouration was observed in the clinical situation, the source of fluorine was the textile cloths in which the titanium implant storage box had been wrapped during the autoclaving procedure. The cloths contained residual Na2SiF6 which had been used as an additive to the rinsing water used in the last step of the cloth laundry procedure. Since the biocompatibility of titanium implants is closely related to their surface oxides it is advisable to avoid all sources of fluorine in the implant preparation procedures.

Color↗
PubMed1989

The mutagenic activity of sodium perborate.

Sodium perborate (CAS No. 1333-73-9, 10486-00-7, or 13517-20-9, depending on the structural formula given) is produced in huge amounts mainly for its use as a bleaching agent in laundry detergents. Its action involves the liberation of active oxygen species at elevated temperatures. In view of the widespread use of this compound it is surprising to note that no mutagenicity test data yet exist. The investigations reported in this paper have shown that sodium perborate is indeed capable of producing mutagenic changes in a number of in vitro test systems. Its potential for inflicting damage to DNA could be demonstrated in an assay which is tailored to probe for oxidative damage induced by a chemical agent. As expected, sodium perborate proved to be able to oxidize thymidine to an appreciable extent at an incubation temperature of 80 degrees C, but even at 40 degrees C thymidine oxidation was measurable. The compound induced point mutations in the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA102, while TA98 did not respond. Also, incubation in the presence of a mammalian auxiliary metabolic system (rat liver S9) abolished the mutagenic activity completely. Finally, Chinese hamster ovary cells (strain CHO-K1) were shown to undergo extensive chromosomal damage when treated with sodium perborate. The rather unusual prevalence of chromosome rearrangements was especially noted. Sodium perborate is thus to be regarded as a direct-acting in vitro mutagen.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Catheter-free geriatric care. Routines and consequences for clinical infection, care and economy.

In a geriatric hospital the routines of one ward were modified with the intention of removing indwelling catheters from all patients admitted to the ward. A continence training programme had been designed during the preceding 6 months. A total of 124 patients were admitted with indwelling catheters during a period of 18 months. It was possible to remove the catheters in 117 of these. Patients and their relatives reacted favourably to catheter-free care. The attitude of ward staff also was positive. The overall nursing requirements did not increase. Antibiotic prescription was 90 per cent less than in the control wards. This difference was accounted for not only by a reduction in drugs used against urinary tract infections, but also by a lower consumption of agents mainly used in the treatment of septicaemia, bronchopneumonia and wound infection. The cost of laundry and of hygiene and storage articles, including catheters, absorbing pads and other incontinence aids was 46 per cent of that in the control wards. Four years later, 65 per cent and 72 per cent of the patients from the test and control wards respectively, had died. Of the surviving patients from the test ward 78 per cent were still catheter-free.

Aged↗