Efficacy Of Cleaning Research Articles

Efficacy of Cleaning and Sanitizing Methods in Reducing Salmonella on Banana Leaves and Bamboo Baskets, Common Surfaces Found in Cambodian Fresh Food Markets

Efficacy of Cleaning and Sanitizing Methods in Reducing Salmonella on Banana Leaves and Bamboo Baskets, Common Surfaces Found in Cambodian Fresh Food Markets

To Compare and Evaluate Rotary and Manual Techniques in Biomechanical Preparation of Primary Molars to Know Their Effects in Terms of Cleaning and Shaping Efficacy.

The introduction of the rotary file system for children was a revolution in the field of pediatric endodontics. These files are cost-effective and help in consistent obturations with shorter instrumentation time. The present randomized controlled trial (RCT) was planned for a comparative evaluation of rotary and manual techniques in biomechanical preparation of primary molars to determine their effect in terms of cleaning and shaping efficacy, working time, quality of obturation, and postoperative pain. A randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 75 children aged 5-9 years requiring pulpectomy. Each tooth was randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups: Kedo-S files, rotary K-Flex files, and hand instruments group. It was observed that Kedo-S files and rotary K-Flex files were more effective in cleaning and shaping of root canals compared to hand H/K files. The postbacterial count for hand files was higher compared to rotary files. Shorter working time was seen with rotary files (3.88-5.04 minutes) compared to hand files (15.68 minutes). Rotary files showed a reduced number of voids, with Kedo-S files in 92% of cases and rotary K-Flex files in 80% of cases. Apical seal and extent of fill were maximum with rotary files, having a grade C rating in 92% of cases. Kedo-S files and rotary K-Flex files showed a significant reduction in postoperative pain compared to hand files. The present study showed a significant reduction in bacterial count, working time, quality of obturation, and postoperative pain with rotary files. Moudgalya MS, Tyagi P, Tiwari S, et al. To Compare and Evaluate Rotary and Manual Techniques in Biomechanical Preparation of Primary Molars to Know Their Effects in Terms of Cleaning and Shaping Efficacy. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(8):864-870.

Soiling, cleaning, and abrasion: The results of the 5-year photovoltaic glass coating field study

External contamination (“soiling”) of the incident surface is a major limiting factor for solar technologies. A 5-year field glass coupon study was conducted to better understand external contamination and its effects; compare cleaning methods and the use of preventative coatings; and explore the abrasion resulting from cleaning to advise on accelerated abrasion testing. Test sites included the cities of Dubai (UAE), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Mesa (AZ), Mumbai (India), and Sacramento (CA). Through the 5-year cumulative study, dry brush, water spray, and wet sponge and squeegee cleaning methods were compared to no cleaning. Optical microscopy was used to obtain images, including representative color images, grayscale images for object analysis, and oblique images for coating integrity assessment. A thresholding protocol was developed to analyze and distinguish specimens using the ImageJ software. Optical performance was quantified using a spectrophotometer, including comprehensive optical characterization (transmittance, reflectance, and absorptance in addition to forward- and back-scattering). Atomic force microscopy was used to verify the abrasion damage morphology, including the width and depth of surface scratches. Analysis of the results included correlation of optical performance and particle area coverage, rank order (by coating or location), and the acceleration factor for abrasion damage. The efficacy of external cleaning was more readily distinguished from the effectiveness of antisoiling coatings. The acceleration factor for dry brush cleaning of a porous silica coating was found to be on the order of unity.

Evaluation of the Smear Layer Removal Ability of Various Rotary Files with/without Chemical Agents on Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study.

The aim of the current study was to assess the cleaning and smear layer removal efficacy of two different rotary files with or without chemical agents on primary teeth. For the study, 90 extracted primary maxillary incisors without internal or external resorption and with at least two-thirds of complete roots were chosen. Then, based on the kind of instruments used to clean and shape the canals, they were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, each consisting of 30 teeth. Group-I: The canal was instrumented manually with K-files, Group-II: The canal was instrumented with Kedo-S files, Group-III: The canal was instrumented with Kedo-SG Blue files. After the canals were finally instrumented, 2 mL of QMixTM solution was used to irrigate 15 samples from each group. The samples were subsequently allowed to remain in the canals for 90 seconds in order to eliminate the smear layer. After that a stereomicroscope was used to assess the cleaning effectiveness. With irrigant solution, the highest mean value was found in manual K-files (2.86 ± 0.34), followed by Kedo-S files group (1.34 ± 0.26) and Kedo-SG Blue files (1.28 ± 0.18). Without irrigant solution, the highest mean value was found in manual K-files (2.92 ± 0.22) followed by Kedo-S files group (1.44 ± 0.18) and Kedo-SG Blue files (1.36 ± 0.14). There was a statistically significant difference found at all the three levels. On conclusion, the current study's findings demonstrated that irrigation solution was significantly more effective in cleaning and removing smear layers from pediatric rotary files than manual K-files. The effectiveness of endodontic therapy depends on a successful chemomechanical preparation. The canals are instrumented using either hand files or rotary instruments; there are several irrigation and instrumentation techniques. In order to completely sterilize the canals, chemical agents are utilized for irrigation during instrumentation. Due to their numerous biological, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities, many natural compounds are also utilized as irrigants. How to cite this article: Abushanan A. Evaluation of the Smear Layer Removal Ability of Various Rotary Files with/without Chemical Agents on Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(4):354-357.

In situ cleaning of foulants by gas scouring on the membrane-electrode in an electro-membrane bioreactor

Low-maintenance membrane cleaning is essential for the stable operation of membrane bioreactors. This work proposes an in-situ electrical-cleaning method using an electro-MBR. When the applied bias was transiently increased, the membrane flux recovered rapidly because of the scouring effect from gas evolution reactions. The exfoliation of the cake layer induced by gas scouring played a major role in mitigating membrane fouling, recovering the transmembrane pressure (TMP) by 88.6 % under optimal conditions. Membrane modules did not require replacement during the operation period due to the efficacy of electrical cleaning, with the TMP varying between 37.5 % and 62.5 % of the ultimate pressure requiring change of the membrane modules. Despite the increase in power consumption of 0.66 Wh·m−3 due to the additional applied bias, there was no need for chemical additives or manual maintenance. Therefore, the electrical cleaning method enhanced the service life and reduced the maintenance costs of the electro-MBR.

Impact of in vitro lens deposition and removal on bacterial adhesion to orthokeratology contact lenses

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the impact of several contact lens (CL) care solutions on the removal of proteins and lipids, and how deposit removal impacts bacterial adhesion and solution disinfection. MethodsLysozyme and lipid deposition on three ortho-k (rigid) and two soft CL materials were evaluated using an ELISA kit and gas chromatography respectively. Bacterial adhesion to a fluorosilicone acrylate material using Pseudomonas aeruginosa with various compositions of artificial tear solutions (ATS), including with denatured proteins, was also investigated. The impact of deposition of the different formulations of ATS on biofilm formation was explored using cover slips. Finally, the lysozyme and lipid cleaning efficacy and disinfection efficacy against P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus of four different contact lens care solutions were studied using qualitative analysis. ResultsWhile maximum lysozyme deposition was observed with the fluorosilicone acrylate material (327.25 ± 54.25 µg/lens), the highest amount of lipid deposition was recorded with a fluoro-siloxanyl styrene material (134.71 ± 19.87 µg/lens). Adhesion of P. aeruginosa to fluorosilicone acrylate lenses and biofilm formation on cover slips were significantly greater with the addition of denatured proteins and lipids. Of the four contact lens care solutions investigated, the solution based on povidone-iodine removed both denatured lysozyme and lipid deposits and could effectively disinfect against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus when contaminated with denatured proteins and lipids. In contrast, the peroxide-based solution was able to inhibit P. aeruginosa growth only, while the two multipurpose solutions were unable to disinfect lenses contaminated with denatured proteins and lipids. ConclusionBacterial adhesion and biofilm formation is influenced by components within artificial tear solutions depositing on lenses, including denatured proteins and lipids, which also affects disinfection. The ability of different solutions to remove these deposits should be considered when selecting systems to clean and disinfect ortho-k lenses.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Cleaning Efficacy of Five Different Root Canal Irrigation Devices: A Histological Study.

This study is aimed to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of five different irrigation systems as SonicMax, RinsEndo, EndoVac, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and manual needle irrigation (MNI) to histologically evaluate the presence of organic structures and the penetration of irrigation solution. Forty-two single-rooted, extracted human mandibular premolars were used in the study. Each tooth was decoronated at the cementoenamel junction and the root canals were instrumented using ProTaper rotary instruments in a crown-down manner. The specimens were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n = 7) Group (1) SonicMax, group (2) RinsEndo,group (3) EndoVac, group (4) PUI, group (5) MNI, and the control groups (n = 7). Each system used 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 2.5% NaOCl, respectively, in the experimental groups. The control group did not receive any final irrigation.The measurements were analyzed by employing two-way analysis of variance multivariate results to show significant differences between the length of the dentin tubules in the apical, middle, and coronal of the six groups. The post-hoc test was used when groups were compared by pairs. The results of this study indicate that among the five groups, the RinsEndo and EndoVac were found to be most effective in the cleaning of root canals. The RinsEndo shows highly significant results in the cleaning efficiency of the coronal and middle parts compared with the other groups. The cleaning efficiency in the apical area was the same for RinsEndo and EndoVac. The result of our study indicates that RinsEndo and EndoVac may be more effective in clinical practice.

The Comparative Efficacy of Conventional and Crown-Down Root Canal Preparation Techniques in Relation to the Extrusion of Apical Debris

Numerous scientific investigations have been undertaken to assess the efficacy of standard root canal preparation methods and the crown-down procedure in mitigating the ejection of apical debris. The aforementioned research examines multiple facets, encompassing the efficacy of canal cleaning, the potential for debris extrusion, and their influence on the outcome of root canal therapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of conventional and crown-down root canal preparation methods in relation to the extrusion of apical debris. The literature search used a lot of different databases, like PubMed, Web of Sciences, EMBASE, Cochrane Libraries, and Google Scholar, to look into how well traditional and crown-down root canal preparation methods work for getting debris out of the root canal. Traditional methods of root canal preparation have been extensively employed in the field of endodontics. While root canal cleaning and shaping techniques have demonstrated efficacy, there is still a potential danger of apical debris extrusion. Several factors contribute to the level of risk involved in dental procedures. These factors encompass the use of instruments, the amount of pressure applied during preparation, the effectiveness of irrigation, and the level of experience possessed by the dentist. In conclusion, the efficacy of both methodologies is contingent upon various aspects, including the level of expertise possessed by the dentist, the specific instruments employed, the irrigation technique employed, and the thoroughness of the case examination. The particulars of each case and the dentist's personal preference should guide the choice of either procedure.

Efficacious elimination of salts from a convoluted ethylene glycol-water solution employing nanofiltration membranes

ABSTRACT In the current scientific studies, a flat-sheet module pilot plant with an HPP-200 nanofiltration membrane was employed to process an ethylene glycol-water mixture from Jayshree Chemicals, Ankleshwar, India, that contained a significant amount of sodium sulfate. The membrane clogged due to degradation fueled by the excessive salt concentration. Hence, the solution was treated because it was diminished, and the impact of dilution was investigated. Consequently, fouling occurs due to increased flux and reduced concentration polarization. 294, 490, and 784 Kpa pressures were applied to the solution. With the dilution factor, the flow rises while the rejection decreases. Rejection rates range from 97% for membrane plugging without dilution to 92% for five folds and 85% for ten folds dilution. The efficacy of chemical cleaning was investigated using 2% solutions of citric acid and ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed alterations in membrane structure resulting from interactions with the sodium sulfate feed solution. Scanning Electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed substantial fouling on the membrane surface, which was successfully eliminated through chemical cleaning process. The implementation of dilution and pressure control strategies demonstrated efficacy in the mitigation of fouling phenomena and the enhancement of membrane performance. The efficacy of EDTA in flux recovery (69.84%) was superior to that of citric acid (55.77%) during chemical cleaning processes. These findings have potential to facilitate the implementation of nanofiltration technology in industrial wastewater treatment processes on commercial scale.

Evaluation of Cleaning Efficacy Between Two Rotary Files and Manual K-File in primary molars: An In Vitro-Study.

Evaluation of Cleaning Efficacy Between Two Rotary Files and Manual K-File in primary molars: An In Vitro-Study.

Comparative Evaluation of Cleaning Efficacy of Interdental Brush and Interdental Floss in Orthodontics Patients From Vidarbha Region: An Interventional Study.

Background Plaque and dental caries are the primary agents causing gingival and periodontal diseases, eventually progressing into tooth loss. If oral hygiene practice is poor, plaque easily accumulates on the tooth surface, especially in interproximal areas. To maintain a good oral environment, it is mandatory to remove or at least reduce the percentage of plaque formation from the oral cavity. To achieve this, interdental aids should be used along with toothbrushes, as cleansing the teeth only with a toothbrush is not effective. Various interdental aids, like interdental brushes, floss, toothpicks, etc., are now available on the market. The objective of the current survey was to rate knowledge as well as make a comparison between the cleaning effectiveness of interdental brushes and interdental floss to determine which was better at reducing plaque accumulation and, subsequently, dental caries. The survey was accessed by measuring individual plaque and gingival index before and after using interdental cleaning aids. Methodology The objective of the survey was to evaluate and analyze the efficiency of interdental brushes and interdental floss in maintaining oral hygiene among orthodontic patients residing in the Vidarbha region. After receiving approval from the Ethical Committee DMIHER(DU)/IEC/2023/721, a study was conducted over a 30-day period, focusing on a group of 100 individuals aged between 15 and 30 years, and their assessments were analyzed. The patient was briefed about the study and asked to make use of an interdental brush and interdental floss. The gingival index and plaque index were calculated on the same patients before and after the use of the interdental brush and interdental floss to determine which was better at reducing plaque accumulation on the surface of teeth. Descriptive analysis, unpaired for intergroup comparison, and paired T-tests for intragroup comparison were used. The software used was SPSS 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) and GraphPad Prism 7.0 (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA). Result Everyone's tooth surfaces naturally develop a thin layer of plaque biofilm, but the presence of heavy plaque deposits on teeth indicates poor dental hygiene, which can lead to various oral health issues. Failure to improve dental hygiene status can result in problems such as halitosis, gingival issues, periodontal disease, and eventually tooth loss. Dentists play a crucial role in raising awareness about these concerns among their patients and providing education on effective oral care practices, including the use of interdental aids in conjunction with toothbrushes. When comparing the effectiveness of interdental brushes and dental floss in removing plaque, interdental brushes have been found to be more efficient. They not only excel in plaque removal but also contribute to a reduction in gingival problems. The statistical analysis supports this, with a significant p-value of less than 0.01 for both the plaque index and gingival index when using interdental brushes, indicating their superior performance in maintaining oral health. Conclusion The study will help every individual improve their oral hygiene status with the help of an interdental aid and a toothbrush. This will reduce the chances of having gingival and periodontal diseases and eventually reduce the risk of tooth loss.

De-oiling characteristics and mechanism of oil-bearing sludge cleaned by CGAs

There hasn't been much study on using Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGAs) to clean oily sludge. In addition, the efficacy and mechanism of CGAs-enhanced surfactant cleaning of oily sludge are not yet clear. Therefore, in this study, CGAs prepared from the compound surfactant solution were used to clean oily sludge in an oil field in Xinjiang. The performance of CGAs in terms of oil removal and particle size was both examined when building the surfactant compounding system. The removal abilities of CGAs from different crude oil components and an analysis of the chemical cleaning process of CGAs were studied. The results demonstrated that the interfacial tension was as low as 3.535 mN/m and the oil removal rate of CGAs was as high as 92.9% when the ideal ratio of sophorolipid (SL) to sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) was 6: 4. The average particle size of CGAs was 90.57 µm at this ideal ratio. The Zeta potential and turbidity of the supernatant after CGAs cleaning was lower than those of chemical cleaning. Infrared analysis, two-dimensional fluorescence analysis, and thermogravimetric methods were used to characterize the oily sludge after CGAs cleaned. According to the analysis's findings, CGAs' enormous specific surface area allows them to adsorb more petroleum pollutants and improved the ability of those pollutants to migrate between the water phase and other phases of the atmosphere. Also, CGAs are particularly successful in adhering to petroleum-based pollutants in oil sludge for the removal of light constituents like n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons due to the synergistic effects of hydrophobic and electrostatic effects on the functional surface of CGAs. This work provides useful information on the mechanism of the enhanced removal of crude oil from oily sludge by CGAs and provides a new idea for oily sludge cleaning.

Assessment of ATP-Bioluminescence and Dipslide Sampling to Determine the Efficacy of Slaughterhouse Cleaning and Disinfection Compared with Total Aerobic and Enterobacterales Counts

Inadequate cleaning and disinfection (C&D) in slaughterhouses can cause bacterial contamination of meat, resulting in foodborne disease and reduced meat quality. Different methods for monitoring the efficacy of C&D procedures are available, but few studies have assessed their reliability. This study examined C&D efficacy in slaughterhouses and evaluated the diagnostic performance of methods for measuring surface hygiene.One red meat and one poultry slaughterhouse in Sweden were each visited on six occasions before and six occasions after C&D. Sampling points were sampled with: swabbing and plating for total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and Enterobacterales (EB); dipslides for total viable count; and ATP-bioluminescence tests. To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the dipslide and ATP-bioluminescence methods, the results were compared with (TAB) as a reference.In total, 626 samples were collected. For the majority of samples, TAB was lower after than before C&D and EB were mainly detected before C&D, indicating C&D efficacy. Greater reductions in mean TAB were observed in processing areas (2.2 and 2.8 log CFU/100 cm2 in red meat and poultry slaughterhouse, respectively) than in slaughter areas (1.3 log CFU/100 cm2 in both slaughterhouses). Approximately half of all samples were assessed as non acceptably clean (52% for red meat and 46% for poultry slaughterhouse) according to previously published thresholds. Critical food contact surfaces that were insufficiently cleaned and disinfected were plucking fingers, shackles, and a post-dehairing table. Cleaning and disinfection of drains and floors were inadequate.The ATP-bioluminescence method showed low specificity compared with the reference (TAB) in both the red meat (0.30) and poultry slaughterhouses (0.64). The sensitivity of dipslides was low (0.26) in the red meat slaughterhouse compared with TAB. A combination of ATP-bioluminescence and dipslides could provide more accurate estimates of C&D efficacy.

(Digital Presentation) Application of Plasma Cleaning in the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage

The chemical reactivity of metals at inappropriate climate conditions can be a threat to metallic cultural heritage. It is known that oxygen plays an important role in the corrosion and decay of metallic objects. Oxide formation is among the most prevalent destructive phenomena in this field. The metallic archaeological objects lose their original shape due to the oxide layer that develops on their surface. Among physical-mechanical and chemical techniques used in the past to remove the oxide layer from these antiques, Cold plasma technology has been proposed as a novel safe method to successfully achieve this goal. In a plasma medium, which can be formed by an electrical discharge, chemically reactive species exhibit a unique behavior in response to the injected gas type, electrical and chemical parameters, etc. This special behavior aids in achieving the user's goal through physicochemical phenomena. In this study, Hydrogen gas, with its reductive character, in the plasma phase provides free radicals of Hydrogen reacting to the copper oxide layer on ancient coins. As a result of this plasma reduction reaction, separation of the oxide layer from the copper surface is achievable. This phenomenon which is called Plasma cleaning, is a type of etching. Plasma cleaning does not destroy surface structure and information contained within metallic heritage artifacts. The feasibility of this non-destructive cleaning method has been investigated for the preservation and restoration of ancient copper coins dating back roughly 300 years ago. These ancient copper coins were exposed to a cold hydrogen plasma for 120 minutes. Results show that Tenorite and Spertiniite formed on the surface of coins have been successfully removed. The black color of Tenorite, a type of copper oxide, gives a dark appearance to copper coins' surface, and Spertitnite, as a copper hydroxide, exhibits a blue-green color on copper coins. According to the results, after 2 hours of hydrogen plasma treatment, not only these green spots have been removed, but also the dark appearance of the entire surface of the coin has been reduced. This amount of clearance is a good result considering the untreated area. Moreover, Figure 1 illustrates the coin's surface using SEM (A) before and (B) after Hydrogen plasma treatment. These images were obtained at a 200x magnification from the surface. In contrast to Figure 1(A), which had heavily polluted surfaces, case B's dark pollution has been removed, reducing the amount of darkness on the coin's surface. This study shows the efficacy of Plasma cleaning for the preservation and restoration of ancient copper coins. Figure 1

Comparison of Cleaning Efficacy of Different Rotary Files in Primary Teeth-An In vitro Study.

The aim of the present study was to comparatively assess the cleansing efficiency of dissimilar rotary files in deciduous teeth. Forty-five deciduous anterior teeth that had been subjected to extraction were chosen for this research. The teeth were included if they had a minimum of 2/3rd undamaged root portions. Coronal entrée was completed using round diamond burs. All 45 samples were allocated at random to one of the following three groups: Group I: Control group in which the radicular canal was not subjected to any form of instrumentation, Group II: The radicular canal was subjected to instrumentation employing rotary ProTaper files, Group III: The radicular canal was subjected to instrumentation with rotary MTwo files. The samples were subjected to immersion in a succession of diluted ethyl alcohols to permit dehydration: With a change of solution every eight hours, the first 16 hours were spent in 70% alcohol, followed by eight hours in 80% alcohol, eight hours in 95% alcohol, and eight hours in 100% alcohol. The samples thus subjected to dehydration were cleared by immersion in methyl salicylate for six hours. Under a stereomicroscope with a 10x magnification, the root canals were examined by a person who was blinded to the groups in order to look for any traces of ink in the coronal, middle, and apical third of the canals. In the control group, greater residual remains were present in the apical 3rd at 2.16 ± 0.08 followed by the coronal 3rd at 2.02 ± 0.14, and then in the middle 3rd at 1.88 ± 0.10. While using the ProTaper files, greater residual remains were present in the middle portion at 1.68 ± 0.16, followed by the coronal third at 0.94 ± 0.09, then the apical third at 0.98 ± 0.22. Greater residual remains were again noted with the MTwo files in the mid-portion at 1.44 ± 0.18, followed by the coronal part at 0.86 ± 0.10 and then the apical part at 0.82 ± 0.04. Differences among these groups were statistically significant with a P value < 0.001. The present study concluded that either of the file types used exhibited reasonably lower remnant score values in the apical third versus the middle/coronal thirds. Nonetheless, MTwo type files delineated superior capacity at removing debris versus the ProTaper file types at the apical level.

Importance of Pre-Milking Udder Hygiene to Reduce Transfer of Clostridial Spores from Teat Skin to Raw Milk.

Butyric acid producing clostridia (BAPC) cause the so-called late-blowing defect, a serious quality problem in semi-hard and hard cheeses. Late-blown cheeses are characterized by undesired slits and cracks, irregular eyes, and off-flavors due to excessive amounts of gas and organic acids produced by clostridia. Clostridial transfer to raw milk can occur during milking through dirty teats. Therefore, teat cleaning before milking is a key factor in preventing clostridial contamination of the milk. However, different cleaning methods are used, and little information is available on the efficacy of routine teat cleaning in reducing clostridial endospores. The main objectives of this study were to assess the extent of udder contamination with BAPC spores and to investigate the efficacy of routine teat cleaning on BAPC spore counts in milk. In a longitudinal study, eight dairy farms were visited during five sampling events. Clostridial spore counts were quantified from teat skin before and after routine teat cleaning, in pooled quarter milk samples from individual cows, and in bulk tank milk samples using a most probable number method. In addition, farm management data were collected periodically through a survey, and average cow cleanliness was assessed by a veterinarian. On average, teat cleaning resulted in a 0.6 log unit reduction in BAPC spores on teat skin, and a strong positive correlation was found between BAPC spore concentrations on teat skin after cleaning and in pooled quarter milk samples. Seasonal variations and the potential influence of differences in farm management were also noted. Interestingly, average cow cleanliness correlated strongly with BAPC spore levels in milk, suggesting the potential for a quick and rough estimation method of clostridial contamination that could be implemented by farmers.

Effect of Toothbrush Bristle Stiffness and Brushing Force on Cleaning Efficacy.

This study investigated the effect of toothbrush bristle stiffness and brushing force on the cleaning efficacy in vitro. Eighty bovine dentin samples were allocated to eight groups (n=10). Two custom-made toothbrushes of different bristle stiffness (soft and medium) were tested at four different brushing forces (1, 2, 3 and 4 N). Dentin samples were stained in black tea and brushed (60 strokes/min) for a total of 25 min in a brushing machine with an abrasive solution (RDA 67). Photographs were taken after 2 and 25 min of brushing time. Cleaning efficacy was measured planimetrically. After 2 min of brushing, the soft-bristle toothbrush did not cause statistically significantly different cleaning efficacy at different brushing forces, while the medium-bristle toothbrush cleaned statistically significantly less efficaceously only at 1 N. Comparing the two different toothbrushes, higher cleaning efficacy was observed only at 1 N for the soft-bristle brush. At 25 min brushing time, the soft-bristle cleaned statistically significantly better at 4 N compared to 1 N and 2 N and at 3 N compared to 1 N. Using the medium-bristle, cleaning efficacy increased with increasing brushing force. After 25 min of brushing, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two different toothbrushes. Irrespective the brushing force, the use of a soft or medium toothbrush results in comparable cleaning efficacy. At 2 min brushing time, increasing the brushing force does not increase the cleaning efficacy.

Bench-Scale and Full-Scale Level Evaluation of the Effect of Parameters on Cleaning Efficacy of the Firefighters' PPE.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851 document provides guidelines for firefighters on the care and maintenance of their PPE, including decontamination practices. Firefighters are exposed to various toxic chemicals during fire suppression activities, making effective decontamination crucial for their safety. This study evaluated the efficacy of different washing parameters, including temperature, time, and surfactants, on cleaning outer-shell material contaminated with nine targeted compounds from three different functional groups: phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and phthalates. The study was conducted on both bench-scale and full-scale levels, with contaminated swatches washed in a water shaker bath in the bench-scale evaluation and full-sized washer extractors used in the full-scale evaluation. The results showed that bench-scale washing demonstrated similar trends in contaminant removal to full-scale washing. Importantly, the study highlighted the complexity of removing fireground contaminants from the personal protective ensemble (PPE). The findings of this study have practical implications for the firefighting industry as they provide insight into the effectiveness of different washing parameters for PPE decontamination. Future studies could explore the impact of repeated washing on PPE and investigate the potential for developing more efficient decontamination strategies. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of firefighters, who face significant occupational hazards.

Efficacy of ultrasonic cleaning on cockle shells

Processing technologies have contributed greatly to improving the efficacy of seafood processing. The conventional pretreatment step includes cleaning by boiling or chemical immersion. Cockle shells are composed of calcium-rich materials with the potential to be used for producing various kinds of innovative seafood products (ISP). Therefore, cleaning the shells at the pretreatment step is crucial to ensuring safety and quality by removing contaminants beforehand. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound as a decontamination technique for cleaning cockle shells. Samples were separated into control and ultrasonic groups, and treated for 15 and 25 min. The ultrasonication was done in two modes, i.e., i) continuous (0.18 W/cm2, 0.35 W/cm2, 0.41 W/cm2), and; ii) pulse (0.35nullW/cm2, 1:1 On-Off ratio). The efficacy of the decontamination was analyzed in terms of the whiteness index (WI), morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and turbidity of the wash water. Decontamination of the shells was achieved through physical effects i.e., erosion of the shell surface. The effective zone for ultrasonic cleaning was between 0.35 and 0.41 W/cm2 at 37 kHz for 15 min. The effectiveness of pulsed mode with the same actual power for cleaning is considered time-dependent. Ultrasonic cleaning could be a useful tool to clean cockle shells. This approach functions as a pre-treatment step for various innovative products from seafood processing.

Comparison and Efficacy of Breast Pump Cleaning Techniques for Bioburden Reduction.

Background: Donor milk is a good alternative for premature babies whose mothers cannot breastfeed. To reduce the risk of milk contamination, donors have to follow some hygiene instructions, including disinfecting their breast pump (BP). This study aims to investigate the efficacy of BP cleaning and disinfection methods. Methods: Contamination of BP parts was performed by passing milk inoculated with Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, or Escherichia coli, through BPs. Devices were then rinsed with cold water or cleaned with hot soapy water. Disinfection was achieved using either a microwave or by immersing BP parts in boiling water. After treatment, residual bacteria were recovered by passing sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS) through BPs before being inoculated on plates and performing bacterial counts. Method efficiency was assessed by comparing BP residual bioburden to results obtained from BPs that have not undergone cleaning or disinfection treatment (controls). Results: Rinsing BP parts with cold water leads to a diminution of residual bacteria in PBS recovered from device. This decrease is even more effective when hot soapy water is used. There is a slight persistence of all bacteria if disinfection of BPs is performed by using a microwave. This persistence reached up to 3.58 colony-forming unit/mL of sporulating B. cereus in PBS eluted from the pump parts. The use of boiling water, with or without cleaning step, removes bacteria to a level such that no residual contamination was observed. Conclusions: Cleaning BP parts in hot soapy water followed by a disinfection in boiling water ensures a completed decontamination of the BP. These results give evidences for instructions to milk bank donors for whom reducing risks of infections to minimal level is essential.