Alcohol-based Gel Research Articles

Virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility and molecular profile in Candida species isolated from the hands of health professionals before and after cleaning with 70% ethyl alcohol-based gel

Fungal infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are mainly related to Candida species, with high mortality rates. They are predominantly of endogenous origin, however, cross-infection transmitted by healthcare professionals' hands has occurred. The aim of this study was to identify Candida species isolated from the hands of healthcare professionals in a NICU before and after hygiene with 70% ethanol-based gel and evaluate virulence factors DNase, phospholipase, proteinase, hemolysin, biofilm biomass production, and metabolic activity. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing and similarity by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were also performed. C. parapsilosis complex was the most frequent species (57.1%); all isolates presented at least one virulence factor; three isolates (Candida parapsilosis complex) were resistant to amphotericin B, two (Candida famata [currently Debaryomyces hansenii] and Candida guilliermondii [currently Meyerozyma guilliermondii]) was resistant to micafungin, and six (Candida parapsilosis complex, Candida guilliermondii [=Meyerozyma guilliermondii], Candida viswanathi, Candida catenulata [currently Diutina catenulata] and Candida lusitaniae [currently Clavispora lusitaniae]) were resistant to fluconazole. Molecular analysis by RAPD revealed two clusters of identical strains that were in the hands of distinct professionals. Candida spp. were isolated even after hygiene with 70% ethanol-based gel, highlighting the importance of stricter basic measures for hospital infection control to prevent nosocomial transmission.

Hand sanitizer gel formulations: Influence of polymer type on the rheological properties

COVID-19 increased the demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizer in establishments. The present study aimed to characterize different polymers and/or polymer mixtures with the potential to be used to produce alcohol-based gel hand sanitizers and evaluate the different formulations of alcohol gel as to their rheological properties. Polymers and polymer blends (natural and/or synthetic) were characterized by DSC and FTIR/NIR analysis. Six were polymers or blends of polymers efficient to production of this product in the concentration of 70% ethanol (w/w). Alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel formulations were stored at two different temperatures (25 °C and 40 °C) and subjected to rheological analysis over the storage time (0, 7, 14, and 28 days). The rheological profile indicated a behavior of pseudoplastic fluid of the samples, and they remained stable throughout the days of storage at 25 °C. Formulations containing natural polymers derived from cellulose are good alternatives to replace the carbomer gelling agent, with limitations related to the reduction of the gel apparent viscosity.

Prussian blue nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide for printed supercapacitor applications

Prussian Blue nanoparticles were grown on the graphene oxide sheet through a one-pot in situ synthesis. The microscopic studies revealed that the PB nanoparticles formed are distributed uniformly on the graphene sheet. A symmetric supercapacitor in the interdigitated form was fabricated using a polyvinyl alcohol-based gel electrolyte. The intercalation/deintercalation of alkali metal ions into the crystalline structure of PB causes the oxidation of the metal center. The high surface area (99.931 m2/g) enhances the electrochemical response of the composite. The fabricated supercapacitor showed an areal capacitance of 68.86 mF cm−2 with 0.0215 mWh cm−2 areal energy density and 4.125 mW cm−2 areal power density. The device could retain 95.3 % of the areal capacitance after 2000 cycles.

A flexible, autonomous self-healing and high ionic conductivity hydrogel electrolyte for all-in-one supercapacitor

Conventional polyvinyl alcohol-based gel electrolytes are generally limited in ionic conductivity and cannot well meet the requirements of the self-healing and flexible smart device. Herein, we design a highly conductive hydrogel electrolyte (ionic conductivity up to 84 mS cm−1), based on cross-linked aqueous acrylamide (AAm) solution in the presence of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), with excellent self-healing capability by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between PVP and PAM. The self-healing all-in-one flexible supercapacitor fabrication with the gel electrolyte and in-situ polymerization polypyrrole (PPy) electrode can achieve repeated healable 5 cycles without extra addition, stretch up to 750 % compared with the original lengths and bend different angles with slight performance decay. This work provides new idea for the synthesis of highly conductive, self-healing and flexible hydrogel electrolyte to promote the development of all-in-one supercapacitor with high specific capacitance for practical applications in flexible and wearable electronics.

Multiple healing flexible zinc-ion battery based on double cross-linked polyampholyte hydrogel electrolyte

Flexible and multifunctional zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) play an important role in flexible and wearable electronics. However, traditional polyvinyl alcohol-based gel electrolytes have inherent limitations in terms of healability and stretchability, which cannot fully meet the requirements of flexible, healable, and multifunctional ZIBs. Herein, polyampholyte nanocomposite hydrogels are synthesized via in-situ co-polymerization of the anionic monomer sodium p-styrenesulfonate and the cationic monomer methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride in the presence of inorganic crosslinkers graphene oxide (GO) and Laponite. The hydrogels demonstrate high mechanical performance, excellent ionic conductivity (27.3 mS cm−1), and superior multiple healable performance due to the presence of inorganic crosslinkers such as Laponite and GO, as well as zwitterionic monomers. The as-prepared ZIBs based on polyampholyte hydrogel electrolyte are assembled using carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/vanadium disulfide as cathode and CNTs/Zn as anode. The resulting ZIBs possess excellent electrochemical properties (245 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1) and multifunctional healability under ambient temperature, near infrared light with 808 nm and heating conditions, respectively. More significantly, the broken/healed ZIBs exhibit superior flexibility and six broken/healing cyclic stability. The polyampholyte nanocomposite hydrogel electrolytes extend the application of flexible energy storage devices to other portable and wearable energy related devices with multifunctionality.

Effect of Long-Term Use of Alcohol-Containing Handwashing Gels on the Biofilm-Forming Capacity of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has promoted the use of hand sanitizers among the general population as recommended by health authorities. Alcohols, which are used in many hand sanitizers, have been shown to promotes the formation of biofilms by certain bacteria and to increase bacterial resistance to disinfection. We investigated the effect of continued use of alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer on biofilm formation by the Staphylococcus epidermidis resident strain isolated from the hands of health science students. Hand microbes were counted before and after handwashing, and the ability to produce biofilms was investigated. We found that 179 (84.8%) strains of S. epidermidis isolated from hands had the ability to form biofilm (biofilm-positive strains) in an alcohol-free culture medium. Furthermore, the presence of alcohol in the culture medium induced biofilm formation in 13 (40.6%) of the biofilm-negative strains and increased biofilm production in 111 (76.6%) strains, which were classified as low-grade biofilm-producing. Based on our findings, there is no clear evidence that the continued use of alcohol-based gels results in the selection of strains with the capacity to form biofilms. However, other disinfectant formulations that are more commonly used in clinical settings, such as alcohol-based hand-rub solutions, should be tested for their long-term effects.

Soap or alcohol-based products? The effect of hand hygiene on skin characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Different strategies for hand skin hygiene have been used to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, frequent hand sanitization has been associated with skin damage. The present study aimed to evaluate hand hygiene habits during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect of the repetitive use of soap or alcohol-based products on skin characteristics. We conducted a survey regards hand hygiene habits acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we performed cutometry in a cohort of individuals who cleansed their volar forearms every 30 min, during 4h, using soap or alcohol-based products. We received 138 responses from people with medium-high educational level who reported a 2.5-time increase in the frequency of hand cleansing (p < 0.0001) that resulted in skin damage. An in vivo analysis of skin moisture and elasticity was also performed among 19 health workers and students. In general, skin moisture decreased with every cleansing, mainly after 2h of washing with soap (p < 0.01), while skin elasticity only reduced after 4h of treatment (p < 0.05). Alcohol-based solution or alcohol-based gel (70% ethanol, both) did not affect skin moisture or elasticity during testing. It is known that the excessive use of soap or alcohol-based products causes dermatological issues. The present study demonstrates that non-medicated soap significantly affects skin moisture and elasticity, probably because the soap removes the hydrolipidic protective barrier, favoring transepidermal water loss, where the lack of the appropriate stratum corneum hydration also affects skin elasticity, mainly associated with changes in epidermal structure.

Influence of potassium iodide in polyvinyl alcohol-based gel polymer electrolyte for efficiency enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells

Influence of potassium iodide in polyvinyl alcohol-based gel polymer electrolyte for efficiency enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells

Expansion of Hand Hygiene Compliance and Decreasing Counterfeiting of Sanitation Products in the Era of the COVID-19 through Diversification and Standardization of Alcohol-Based Gel and Wipes Hand Sanitizer

The increasing cases of infection and the number of deaths triggered by COVID-19 make all prevention and treatment efforts urgent. Increased discipline to maintain hand hygiene must be sought immediately to break the chain of its spread. The availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products with various specifications is needed to ensure increased discipline in hand hygiene. This study carried out the diversification of alcohol-based hand sanitizers by varying the active ingredients and preparations. The effect of alcohol on the characteristics and anti-microbial activity of the gel and wipe hand sanitizer products was studied to obtain optimal benefits. The best hand sanitizer characteristics are shown in gel formulation 3 with bioethanol as an active ingredient, which has pH 5.88, good homogeneity, density 0.95 g/cm3, viscosity 2783.69 cPs, dispersibility 5.16 cm, adhesion 3.21 s, and dry time 29.27 s. While the best formulation of wipe hand sanitizer produced by formulation 3 made from bioethanol has a pH of 6.14, good homogeneity, density 0.86 g/cm3, viscosity 2.812 cPs, spreadability 15.34 cm, adhesion 1.92 s, and dry time 18.20 s. The biological activity test results of the two best hand sanitizer formulations, gel, and wipe preparations, showed good anti-microbial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. In addition, the two preparations of hand sanitizer products were also detected to have good stability characteristics up to 4 weeks of storage time.

Rheological stability of carbomer in hydroalcoholic gels: Influence of alcohol type.

Rheological stability of carbomer in hydroalcoholic gels: Influence of alcohol type.

A Method for Measuring the Surface Free Energy of Topical Semi-solid Dosage Forms.

Our aim was to determine the surface free energy (SFE) of semi-solid dosage forms (SSDFs) by establishing a reproducible method for measuring the contact angle of liquids to SSDFs. Four SSDFs were used: petrolatum, an oil/water (O/W) and a water/oil (W/O) cream, and an alcohol-based gel. The SSDFs were evenly spread on a glass slide, and the change in contact angle over time was measured by dropping water, glycerol, diiodomethane and n-hexadecane as the test liquids. Depending on the combination of test liquid and SSDF, the contact angle was either constant or decreased in an exponential manner. Contact angles may have decreased in an exponential manner because the reaction between the test liquid and the SSDF altered the interfacial tension between the two phases and changed the surface tension of the test liquid and the SFE of the SSDF. The contact angle of the test liquid to the SSDF could be determined reproducibly using the initial contact angle immediately after dropping the liquid on the SSDF as the contact angle before reaction. Using the obtained contact angles and the Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble equation, we calculated the SFE and its component for the SSDFs tested and found that the results reflect the physicochemical properties of SSDFs. Furthermore, the work of adhesion (WA) of the SSDF to Yucatan micropig skin was calculated using the SFE for the SSDFs. Interestingly, the WA values for all SSDFs tested were comparable.

Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Gel Electrolytes with High Water Content for Flexible Zinc-Air Batteries with High Rate Capability

Due to the fast development of consumer electronics and wearable devices, demand for safe and light batteries is soaring. Flexible zinc-air batteries using quasi-solid gel electrolytes are considered a potential candidate because of their high energy density, long-term durability and safety. In this work, spinel NiCo2O4 is employed as the bifunctional catalyst for fabricating flexible zinc-air batteries. Electrochemical measurements in both the three-electrode and full-cell configurations indicate a good bifunctionality for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The flexible zinc-air batteries are assembled using a gel electrolyte consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 6 M KOH. A simple method for preparing the gel electrolyte is reported to maintain a high water content within the gel, which is the key factor facilitating the high discharge rate of flexible zinc-air batteries. The optimal flexible battery can be discharged at a large current density of 50 mA cm−2 for 5 min and reaches a capacity of 37 mAh cm−2 and a maximum power density of 64 mW cm−2. The origin of the decayed charge/discharge behavior and cell failure is investigated by the three-electrode chronopotentiometry and post-mortem X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. ZnO precipitation is considered the main reason for the decay of both zinc and air electrodes. The good flexibility during cycling is also demonstrated by a continuous bending test, revealing its potential for practical applications.

Hand Areas Which Are Commonly Missed during Hand Disinfection by Nursing Students Who Completed a Basic Educational Course in Hand Hygiene

Background: Teaching nursing students how to correctly perform hand hygiene procedures may guarantee a reduction in transmitting pathogens through direct contact and, thus, it may lead to a decrease in the number of hospital infections. The aim of the study, which was conducted in low fidelity simulation conditions, was to assess the performance and the efficiency of a hand-rubbing disinfection technique among nursing students on the last day of their course. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in a group of 190 nursing students studying at the Jagiellonian University and it focused on the performed hand-rubbing disinfection procedure. The accuracy of the task performance was assessed by measuring the percentage of the amount of Fluo-Rub (B. Braun) fluorescent alcohol-based gel remaining on students’ hands after disinfection. The gel was rubbed into particular hand parts including four surfaces (left palm, right palm, left back and right back) divided into thirteen areas (I–XIII) and each surface was examined separately. The results were then dichotomized based on the cut-off point of 10% and two categories: “clean” and “dirty” were established. Additionally, the range of negligence in the disinfection procedure was assessed by counting the total number of the areas classified as “dirty”. The comparison of continuous and categorical variables was conducted by means of Friedman’s and Cochrane’s tests, respectively. Results: It was found out that the palm surfaces that were commonly missed during hand disinfection included the whole thumb (I and VI), the fingertip of the little finger (V) and the midpalm (XIII), whereas in the case of back surfaces (on both right and left hand) the most commonly missed areas were the fingertips and the whole thumb I–VI. Only 30 students (13%) had all 52 areas of both hands completely clean, whereas more than one third—66 students (33%)—failed to disinfect properly more than 10 areas out of all assessed ones on the surfaces of both hands. Conclusions: In the examined group of nursing students, a significant lack of compliance with hand disinfection procedures was observed and it was related mainly to thumbs and back parts of both hands. Therefore, it is essential to conduct systematic training sessions and assessment of hand hygiene procedures for nursing students at the end of every educational stage as it can lead to their developing these skills properly.

Phase 3 of COVID-19: Treat your patients and care for your radiographers. A designed projection for an aware and innovative radiology department

Abstract Since the spread of Covid-19 outbreak, healthcare workers (HCWs) have faced an unprecedented and unpredictable situation on the frontlines. The aim of this document is therefore to provide useful and operative recommendations to radiographers who perform imaging services, such as chest X-ray (XR) and Computer Tomography (CT) scans to three types of patients: negative, suspected or suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome by Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It is paramount to design two different paths’ layouts for patients entering the Radiology Department. One path should care for the confirmed and suspected SARS-CoV-2 patients, whereas the other path should be for negative patients. A setting envisaging two radiographers is highly recommended when managing Covid-19 patients. One radiographer fully-equipped with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should deal with the patient in the scanning or x-ray room. The second one should stay in the console room wearing essential PPE. Disinfection plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of disease transmission. Moreover, having clear protocols is key to ensure personal safety and avoid cross-infections. Taking care of patients and HCWs, such as radiographers, is crucial to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Within a Radiology Department, different designed pathways should be taken into consideration both for everyday and epidemic/pandemic healthcare situations. Though Covid-19 pandemic has been a harsh experience in terms of world health and care systems for patients and health professionals - being radiographers among the most involved - we must not miss this chance to learn from what happened. There is the need to address wider causes through learning and in order to prevent failures. The distinction between passive learning (where lessons are identified but not put into practice) and active learning (where those lessons are embedded into an organization’s culture and practices) is crucial in understanding why truly effective learning so often fails to take place.

Negative Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to Hand-Expressed Colostrum from SARS-CoV-2-Positive Mothers.

Aim: The objective of our study was to determine whether the SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers transmit the virus to their hand-expressed colostrum. Methods: This is an observational prospective study that included pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR test on a nasopharyngeal swab at the moment of childbirth and who wanted to breastfeed their newborns. A colostrum sample was obtained from the mothers by manual self-extraction. To collect the samples, the mothers wore surgical masks, washed their hands with an 85% alcohol-based gel, and washed their breast with gauze that was saturated with soap and water. Results: We obtained seven colostrum samples from different mothers in the first hours postdelivery. SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in any of the colostrum samples obtained in our study. Conclusion: In our study, breast milk was not a source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Hand expression (assuring that a mask is used and that appropriate hygienic measures are used for the hands and the breast), when direct breastfeeding is not possible, appears to be a safe way of feeding newborns of mothers with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the use of MS disease-modifying therapies

The COVID-19 pandemic and the use of MS disease-modifying therapies

Assessing virus infection probability in an office setting using stochastic simulation

Viral infections are an occupational health concern for office workers and employers. The objectives of this study were to estimate rotavirus, rhinovirus, and influenza A virus infection risks in an office setting and quantify infection risk reductions for two hygiene interventions. In the first intervention, research staff used an ethanol-based spray disinfectant to clean high-touch non-porous surfaces in a shared office space. The second intervention included surface disinfection and also provided workers with alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel and hand sanitizing wipes to promote hand hygiene. Expected changes in surface concentrations due to these interventions were calculated. Human exposure and dose were simulated using a validated, steady-state model incorporated into a Monte Carlo framework. Stochastic inputs representing human behavior, pathogen transfer efficiency, and pathogen fate were utilized, in addition to a mixed distribution that accounted for surface concentrations above and below a limit of detection. Dose-response curves were then used to estimate infection risk. Estimates of percent risk reduction using mean values from baseline and surface disinfection simulations for rotavirus, rhinovirus, and influenza A infection risk were 14.5%, 16.1%, and 32.9%, respectively. For interventions with both surface disinfection and the promotion of personal hand hygiene, reductions based on mean values of infection risk were 58.9%, 60.8%, and 87.8%, respectively. This study demonstrated that surface disinfection and the use of personal hand hygiene products can help decrease virus infection risk in communal offices. Additionally, a variance-based sensitivity analysis revealed a greater relative importance of surface concentrations, assumptions of relevant exposure routes, and inputs representing human behavior in estimating risk reductions.

Ultrastretchable and superior healable supercapacitors based on a double cross-linked hydrogel electrolyte

Due to inherently poor healable and stretchable features, the most explored polyvinyl alcohol-based gel electrolytes cannot well meet the requirements of stretchable, healable and multifunctional supercapacitors. Here, we report a hydrogel of a copolymer cross-linked by double linkers of Laponite (synthetic hectorite-type clay) and graphene oxide. The resultant hydrogel shows high mechanical stretchability, excellent ionic conductivity, and superior healable performance. Along with designing wrinkled-structure electrodes, supercapacitors fabricated by using this hydrogel as a gel electrolyte not only exhibit ultrahigh mechanical stretchability of 1000%, but also achieve repeated healable performance under treatments of both infrared light irradiation and heating. More significantly, a broken/healed supercapacitor also possesses an ultrahigh stretchability up to 900% with slight performance decay. This hydrogel electrolyte could be easily functionalized by introducing other functional components, and extended for use in other portable and wearable energy related devices with multifunction.

Optimizing Accessibility of a Hand-wash Gel to Infant's Cradle: Effect on Neonatal Conjunctivitis.

In our recent study in 2015, we showed a significant relationship between increased rate of clinical neonatal conjunctivitis (CNC) and performance of eye red reflex examination. Our study aim was to assess whether improved accessibility of staff to disinfectant gel (via attaching the gel bottle to infant's cradle) will increase the caring staff compliance with hand hygiene and decrease the rate of CNC. Our intervention included attaching bottles of alcohol-based gel to newborns' cradles to ensure full availability and accessibility of hand-wash disinfectant. We included all newborn infants who were born beyond 35 weeks' gestation and stayed in the well-baby nursery. We compared 2 periods: pre-intervention period (n = 9380) versus an intervention period (n = 8087). Three variables were recorded: (1) rate of CNC: number of conjunctival swabs sampled per 1000 newborns whenever an eye discharge was noted, (2) rate of bacterial conjunctivitis: number of positive swabs per 1000 newborns and (3) percentage of positive swabs out of all sampled swabs. Compared with pre-intervention period, the rate of CNC dropped significantly during the intervention period: 28.6/1000 versus 21.3/1000, respectively, P < 0.01. However, the number of positive bacterial swabs per 1000 newborns (3.2 vs. 2.5) and the percentage of positive bacterial swabs of all sent samples (11.6% vs. 10.8%) were not different between the 2 periods. The majority of pathogens in swabs were Gram-negative sp. without difference between study periods (77.4% vs. 80%), respectively. Univariate analysis showed significant association between rate of CNC and longer length of stay >5 days (P < 0.001) and vaginal delivery. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that 4 variables were significantly and independently associated with higher rate of clinical conjunctivitis. These include birth during pre-intervention period [P = 0.018, odds ratio (OR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.54], length of stay 4-5 days (P < 0.001, OR = 2.23, CI: 1.63-3.06), length of stay >7 days (P < 0.001, OR = 6.51, CI: 4.24-10.02), vaginal delivery (P = 0.004, OR = 1.6, CI: 1.17-2.2) and male gender (P = 0.006, OR = 1.31, CI: 1.08-1.59). Accessibility of a disinfectant gel within each newborn's cradle raised hygiene awareness among the caring staff and contributed to the reduction of CNC rate in the newborn nursery.

Take the initiative to reduce surgical site infections

Take the initiative to reduce surgical site infections