Cornstarch Powder Research Articles

Nasal Challenge, Skin Tests, and Serum Antibodies in the Diagnosis of Latex-Induced Occupational Rhinitis

The purpose of the study was to develop a suitable natural rubber latex (NRL) antigen powder and a control material for the nasal application of the test reagent and to evaluate the nasal provocation test (NPT) response pattern in latex allergic and nonlatex allergic subjects with a suspicion of latex-induced rhinitis. A questionnaire was completed among health care workers (n = 268) in one hospital. Seven health care workers who had upper respiratory symptoms associated with daily usage of latex gloves were examined by using skin prick test (SPT), NPT, and sinus plain X-ray. NRL allergen for the nasal challenge was collected from surgical gloves. The powder was obtained by washing the gloves, freeze-drying the solution, and the powder was then used in NPT. As a negative control, clean corn starch powder was applicated on nasal mucous. SDS-PAGE analysis of the NRL test powder was performed. After the nasal challenge, one of seven workers showed rhinorrhea, a significant increase in nasal obstruction, and in the amount of nasal secretion in NPT. This patient also showed a positive SPT to NRL allergens and an elevated NRL specific IgE level in her serum. In six patients NPT, SPT, and specific IgE for latex were negative. SDS-PAGE analysis of the glove powder showed a major NRL antigen, with molecular weight of 14 kDa. The NPT may be used in persons with a suspicion of latex-induced rhinitis and borderline skin and humoral test results for NRL and in subjects with heavy glove powder-associated nasal symptoms but negative skin and humoral tests for latex. Only well known test reagents should be used in NPT.

Occupational asthma caused by natural rubber latex

IgE-mediated sensitization in protein allergens of natural rubber latex (NRL) can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions ranging from mild urticaria in life threatening anaphylaxis after cutaneous, mucosal or visceral exposure. Elutable allergens from NRL gloves absorb to the cornstarch powder particles, become airborne, and have the potential to cause respiratory reactions. Recent studies indicate that asthma is a frequent manifestation of NRL allergy among workers manufacturing NRL materials and among health-care providers using NRL workers. NRL-induced asthma should receive increasing attention as it can lead to permanent respiratory sequelae and occupational disability. The need for early and accurate diagnosis is outlined and the different diagnostic approaches are reviewed. Specific issues pertaining to the management of affected subjects and to the prevention of exposure to airborne NRL are discussed. Ares of future research should include: 1) further characterization of relevant NRL allergens; 2) development and validation of methods for quantitative assessment of allergen content in NRL devices and workplace environment; 3) evaluation of the natural history and risk factors of NRL-induced asthma; and 5) analysis of effectiveness and cost of preventive strategies.

Cornstarch Powder on Latex Products Is an Allergen Carrier

Cornstarch Powder on Latex Products Is an Allergen Carrier

Cornstarch Powder on Latex Products Is an Allergen Carrier

Cornstarch Powder on Latex Products Is an Allergen Carrier

Cornstarch powder on latex products is an allergen carrier

Allergic reactions of the upper respiratory tract during use of powdered latex rubber gloves have been recently associated with sensitivity to latex. We have studied the ability of cornstrach powder to bind latex proteins and evaluated allergenic properties of the bound protein. Allergenicity was determined by competitive inhibition of human anti-latex IgE binding to solid-phase latex antigen. Cornstarch extracted from powdered latex products and clean cornstarch exposed to latex protein extracts were evaluated in comparison with clean unexposed cornstarch. Both exposed cornstarch preparations inhibited specific binding of anti-latex IgE antibodies to latex proteins in a dose-response manner. Latex-exposed cornstarch diluted 50% vol/vol produced complete inhibition, whereas greater dilutions exhibited variable levels of inhibition, depending on the source of cornstarch-bound proteins, insolubilized latex proteins, and IgE antibody-containing human serum used. Cornstarch not exposed to latex had no inhibitory activity. The study demonstrates that cornstarch indeed binds allergenic latex proteins and supports the causative relationship between allergic reactions in individuals with latex sensitivity and the exposure to airborne particles from powdered latex products.

Bronchial provocation testing in the diagnosis of occupational asthma due to latex surgical gloves.

In sensitized subjects, provocation tests to latex may induce severe systemic reactions and even anaphylactic shock. It is probable that part of the risk is due to the difficulty in grading the stimulating dose and in starting from very low levels of exposure. To identify the aetiological agent of work-related asthma in four nurses with previous allergic contact urticaria to latex surgical gloves dusted with cornstarch powder, we performed a specific bronchial provocation test study, based on exposure on three different days to nonpowdered latex surgical glove extract, powdered latex surgical glove extract and cornstarch powder extract, respectively. Extracts were nebulized in increasing concentrations in a 7 m3 challenge room, in the absence of the patients. The initial extract concentration was a tenfold dilution of the predetermined skin test end-point in the individual undergoing challenge, and the highest concentration was the undiluted extract. After exposure, the patients' forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was monitored for 2 h. If FEV1 decreased by at least 15%, the next scheduled exposure was not carried out and FEV1 was monitored over a period of 24 h. Whereas nebulization of cornstarch powder extract caused no bronchial reaction in the patients, nebulization of nonpowdered latex surgical glove extract induced immediate bronchoconstriction in two subjects as an undiluted solution, and nebulization of powdered latex surgical glove extract induced immediate bronchoconstriction in all subjects at the 1:10 dilution. No systemic reaction was elicited by the bronchial provocation challenges. Our results demonstrate that airborne powder from latex gloves can be an inhalative occupational hazard.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A new hazard of cornstarch, an absorbable dusting powder

Cornstarch is currently the only powder used in the manufacture of surgical and examination gloves. The purpose of this study was to determine If cornstarch damages local tissue defenses in contaminated wounds. It was found that in contaminated wounds, cornstarch enhanced the growth of bacteria and elicited exaggerated inflammatory responses as measured by wound induration. As a result of this investigation, we do not recommend the use of gloves with cornstarch powders.

Pastes: What Do They Contain? How Do They Work?

Pastes are semisolid stiff preparations containing a high proportion of finely powdered material. Powders such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, starch, kaolin or talc are incorporated in high concentrations into a preferably lipophilic, greasy vehicle. A clinically distinctive feature which is generally attributed to pastes is the quality to absorb exudates by nature of the powder or other absorptive components. Reviewing the various pharmacopoeias serious doubts arise from the various formulas of pastes and their absorptive features. The zinc oxide pastes of the USP XXII, the DAB 10 and BP 88 (US, German and British pharmacopoeias). are composed of petrolatum, zinc oxide and starch. Petrolatum, a highly lipophilic, water-immiscible vehicle surrounds the powder particles preventing any absorption of water or exudates. The goal of our investigation was to test a simple experimental setting to characterize the clinically important absorptive feature of powders and pastes. The absorptive features of the powders were determined by the method of Enslin. The absorptive features of the paste preparations were calculated from the weight difference between the paste preparation before and after incubation with water using a simple standardized procedure. The absorptive features of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, kaolin, corn starch and methylcellulose powder in pharmacopoeia quality were determined. Zinc oxide and kaolin powder showed the highest absorption of 1,000 mg water/g powder (100%). The water absorption of corn starch and titanium dioxide was 700 and 450 mg/g powder, respectively. The absorptive features of a series of paste preparations were studied in a simple experimental setting. The data show that two-phase pastes consisting of two immiscible components, one (the dispersed or inner phase; powder) being suspended in the other (the continuous or outer phase; lipophilic vehicle), have no absorptive features. In contrast, three-phase pastes consisting of a hydrophilic two-phase emulsion with high concentrations of incorporated powder (cream pastes) show considerable water uptake. We conclude that the classical two-phase pastes such as the zinc oxide pastes have no absorptive features. On the contrary, these formulations are highly occlusive. Therefore lipophilic pastes are only indicated when protection of intact skin against aggressive body exudates and humidity is required. The hydrophilic three-phase pastes or cream pastes show considerable water uptake and fulfil common expectations of pastes to dry the skin.

Health risk in hospitals through airborne allergens for patients presensitised to latex

Two nurses had to stop practicing because of severe work-related allergic respiratory or systemic symptoms. Both developed similar symptoms within a short time when they attended hospitals as outpatients or visitors or consulted a doctor or dentist, even when they had no direct contact with latex articles. The airborne latex allergen concentration in one room that induced symptoms was 128 ng per m3. In skinprick tests both women showed positive reactions to the phosphated cornstarch powder used to prevent latex gloves sticking together, but only when the powder had been in contact with latex. This powder seems a likely vehicle for the airborne latex allergen.

Anaphylaxis due to Cornstarch Surgical Glove Powder

Two nurses suffered anaphylaxis to cornstarch glove powder. Both exhibited (1) positive prick skin tests to cornstarch powder in water, with resultant anaphylaxis in one and (2) negative prick skin tests and RAST to corn. Analysis of the powder revealed only glucose and inorganic salts. We were unable to detect in vitro histamine release or cornstarch powder specific IgE. Because of the positive skin tests and the resultant anaphylaxis, we suspect that cornstarch is the responsible allergen.

Hot‐surface ignition temperatures of dust layers

AbstractMinimum dust layer ignition temperatures on a hot surface were determined for several dusts, using a test procedure recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. The dusts included coal, three oil shales, lycopodium spores, corn starch, grain and brass powder. For a few of the dusts the effects of particle size and layer thickness on the minimum ignition temperatures were examined. Test results were repeatable and reliable for the fuels, the lycopodium and the brass powder. The minimum hot‐surface ignition temperatures of 12.7‐mm thick layers of these dusts ranged from 160°C for brass to 290°C for 20‐gal ton−1 oil shale. Flaming combustion was observed only with the brass powder. The minimum ignition temperatures decreased with thicker layers and with smaller particle sizes. Some difficulties were encountered with the corn starch and grain dusts. During heating, the starch charred and expanded; the grain dust swelled and distorted. The test was found acceptable for the purpose of determining the minimum layer ignition temperature of a variety of dusts. To prevent fire hazards due to smoldering or flaming dust layers the temperatures of surfaces on which combustible dusts accumulate should be lower than the minimum hot‐surface ignition temperatures of the dusts.

Evaluation of soluble and insoluble xanthate process for the removal of heavy metals from wastewaters

The effectiveness of xanthate (water soluble and water insoluble) process for hexavalent chromium removal has been evaluated. Insoluble xanthates were synthesized in the laboratory from corn starch (ICSX), potato starch (IPSX) and cellulose powder (ICX), and their removal efficiency for Cr(VI) is compared with soluble starch xanthate (SSX). In preliminary experiments various insoluble xanthates were tested for their effectiveness in removal of both metallic cation [Cd(II)] and metallic anion (chromate). The results indicated that the metal binding capacity followed the sequence q e( ICSX) > q e( IPSX) ⋍ q e( ICX) . Comparison between ICSX and SSX revealed that ICSX has better removal capacity for Cr(VI) on unit weight basis. However, based on chemical requirements for the synthesis of ICSX and SSX, SSX appears to be better than ICSX. The removal of Cr(VI) decreased with increase in pH while ionic composition of the aqueous phase had little effect on the removal for both soluble and insoluble xanthates. The removal mechanism for Cr(VI) appears to be reduction and complexation of the reduced chromium with xanthate groups. A comparative analysis of the traditional reduction-precipitation process and xanthate process for hypothetical waste containing hexavalent chromium revealed that xanthate process would be a worthwhile alternative.

Mobility of Water in Starch Powders Determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

AbstractThe molecular mobility of water in corn starch powders (71 to 96% solids) was determined by deuterium (2H) and oxygen‐17 (17O) high‐field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, in deuterium (D2O) and oxygen‐17 enriched water (H217O), respectively. The NMR transverse relaxation rate (R2) was related to both the concentration and activity of water (aw). The concentration plot showed two regions of water mobility; trapped and monolayer water. The water activity plot showed two linear regions of water mobility; Region A, from 0.99 to 0.23 aw, and Region B, from 0.23 to 0.11 aw. The linear relationship in Region A between water mobility, as measured by R2 and water activity is hypothesized to be due to the hydrophobic nature of the starch granules which results in diffusion limited water motion. Relaxation rates for 2H and 17O at high aw were compared with one another and literature data.

Foreign Body Granulomas in Peritubal and Periovarian Adhesions: A Possible Cause for Unsuccessful Reconstructive Surgery in Infertility

A major problem in tubal reconstructive surgery is the recurrence of peritubal and periovarian adhesions which negate the surgical endeavors. In many cases the etiology of these adhesions is obscure. Histologic re-evaluation with polarized light of 49 resected adhesions revealed residual cornstarch glove powder and suture material in seven specimens. It is concluded that cornstarch powder may be an active agent, and may not be as innocuous as its widespread use indicates.

Peritonitis Fibroplastica Incapsulata with Superadded Post-operative Starch Powder Peritonitis

Peritonitis fibroplastica incapsulata is not generally accepted as a distinct syndrome. However, characteristic pathological alterations can be identified at laparotomy and by histological examinations. The aetiology of the disease is unknown. In the case reported a second disease arose, i.e. the peritoneal reaction to corn starch powder in the course of the surgical treatment of the peritonitis fibroplastica.

Dangers of corn starch powder.

Dangers of corn starch powder.

Points from Letters: Dangers of Corn Starch Powder

Points from Letters: Dangers of Corn Starch Powder

Dangers of corn starch powder.

<h3>Introduction</h3> Persistence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into adolescence is a significant burden to patients. Clinical guidelines recommend non-pharmacological therapies, but the evidence to support this recommendation is sparse. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a 12-week group cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for adolescents with ADHD aged 14–18 years, who still have impairing symptoms after treatment with medication. We will study the effect of the treatment on ADHD symptoms and examine moderators and mediators of the effect of the treatment on ADHD. <h3>Methods and analysis</h3> We conduct a randomised controlled trial of CBT group therapy in adolescents with ADHD recruited from child psychiatric outpatient units in Mid-Norway. 99 adolescents who met inclusion criteria and consented to participation have been randomised to a 12-week group intervention or to a control group receiving treatment as usual. Assessments are made at admission to the clinic, preintervention, postintervention and at a 9-month follow-up, obtaining adolescent, parent and teacher reports. Clinicians blinded to group allocation rate all participants as to their functioning preintervention and at the two postintervention assessment points. The primary outcome is change in symptom scores on the ADHD Rating Scale-IV. <h3>Ethics and dissemination</h3> The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in South East Norway approved the study protocol (2015/2115). We will disseminate the findings in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, to user organisations and at courses attended by families and professionals. Two PhD students will publish and defend dissertations relating to the study. Planned publications include primary and secondary outcomes and patient satisfaction with the treatment. Furthermore, we plan to publish a manual of CBT group therapy in adolescent ADHD to benefit treatment of patients in Norway and elsewhere. <h3>Trial registration number</h3> NCT02937142

Dangers of corn starch powder.

Dangers of corn starch powder.

Dangers of corn starch powder.

Dangers of corn starch powder.