Gel Usage Research Articles

Silver Printed Electrode on Poly-Imide (Pi) Film And Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) Film For ECG Monitoring Device: A Case Study

According to World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the tenth of primary global cause of death in 2017. However, this problem could be alleviated via early detections, especially for patients with a history of heart-related problems. In addition, ECG monitoring could reduce the cause of CVD if diagnose earlier thus reduce the risk of sudden death. The measurement of ECG signals is important to assist physicians about people heart and health conditions. The sophisticated characteristics of ECG signals could be acquired by using the good electrodes. Thus, electrodes play a vital role in ECG recording. The commercially available electrodes are the conventional wet electrode (gel) using silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl). The gel usage tends to dry gradually and could cause skin problems like dermal inflammation and skin irritation. Due to the limitations associated with conventional gelled electrode, dry electrode is expected to overcome the main limit of Ag/AgCl electrode. By fabricating the silver ink onto the polyimide (PI) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates to produce a dry ECG sensor, which could withstand high temperature, reusable, and has been shown to be biocompatible. This study is a case study to measure the performance of dry electrode based by silver printed electrode on PI and PEN films in ECG application.

CHARACTERISATION AND POLLUTANT LOAD OF GREYWATER CONTAINING PERSONAL CARE COSMETIC PRODUCTS (PCCPS) FOR BODY CARE

Personal Care Cosmetic Products (PCCPs) are used on the exterior of the body, such as the skin, nails, hair, lips, external genitalia, teeth, and oral membranes. Greywater from a bathing activity is a significant contributor to domestic wastewater quantity. The greywater contains residual substances from the rinsing process of body care products. Aim: This study will focus on the characteristic and the specific pollutant load of greywater generated from the usage of shower gel. Methodology and Results: The characterization and specific pollutant loads are conducted based on artificial greywater which is made from three brands of shower gel which is diluted in tap water. The greywater from body cleaning activities has a pH value in the range of 7.26-7.33; total phosphate in the range of 1.71-3.09 mg/L; the value of NTK total Kjedahl nitrogen in the range of 2.45-4.03 mg/L; total COD in the range of 380.97-506.16 mg/L; dissolved COD values in the range of 310.92-393.68 mg/L; TSS value in the range of 62-229.50 mg/L; and TDS values in the range of 283-376.67 mg/L. The specific pollutant load generated from shower gel usage in greywater are 0.012 g TP/person/day; 0.016 g TKN/person/day; 2.14 g Total COD/person/day; 1.59 g dissolved COD/person/day; 0.94 g/person/day for TSS; and 1.48 g/person/day for TDS. Conclusion, significance, and impact study: The Greywater from shower gel usage contains physical and chemical constituents that can promote environmental deterioration. The finding of this research will provide useful information for domestic wastewater management and system design, especially for urban areas in Indonesia.

Aluminum phosphate gel reduces early rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with gastric variceal bleeding treated with histoacryl injection therapy.

Esophageal-gastro varices bleeding (EGVB) is the most widely known cause of mortality in individuals with cirrhosis, with an occurrence rate of 5% to 15%. Among them, gastric varices bleeding (GVB) is less frequent than esophageal varices bleeding (EVB), but the former is a more critical illness and has a higher mortality rate. At present, endoscopic variceal histoacryl injection therapy (EVHT) is safe and effective, and it has been recommended by relevant guidelines as the primary method for the treatment of GVB. However, gastric varices after endoscopic treatment still have a high rate of early rebleeding, which is mainly related to complications of its treatment, such as bleeding from drained ulcers, rebleeding of varices etc. Therefore, preventing early postoperative rebleeding is very important to improve the quality of patient survival and outcomes. To assess the efficacy of aluminium phosphate gel (APG) combined with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in preventing early rebleeding after EVHT in individuals with GVB. Medical history of 196 individuals with GVB was obtained who were diagnosed using endoscopy and treated with EVHT in Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021. Based on the selection criteria, 101 patients were sorted into the PPI alone treatment group, and 95 patients were sorted into the PPI combined with the APG treatment group. The incidences of early rebleeding and corresponding complications within 6 wk after treatment were compared between both groups. Statistical methods were performed by two-sample t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and χ 2 test. No major variations were noted between the individuals of the two groups in terms of age, gender, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, coagulation function, serum albumin, hemoglobin, type of gastric varices, the dose of tissue glue injection and EV that needed to be treated simultaneously. The early rebleeding rate in PPI + APG group was 3.16% (3/95), which was much lower than that in the PPI group (12.87%, 13/101) (P = 0.013). Causes of early rebleeding: the incidence of gastric ulcer bleeding in the PPI + APG group was 2.11% (2/95), which was reduced in comparison to that in the PPI group (11.88%, 12/101) (P = 0.008); the incidence of venous bleeding in PPI + APG group and PPI group was 1. 05% (1/95) and 0.99% (1/101), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (0.999). The early mortality rate was 0 in both groups within 6 wk after the operation, and the low mortality rate was related to the timely hospitalization and active treatment of all patients with rebleeding. The overall incidence of complications in the PPI + APG group was 12.63% (12/95), which was not significantly different from 13.86% (14/101) in the PPI group (P = 0.800). of abdominal pain in the PPI + APG group was 3.16% (3/95), which was lower than that in the PPI group (11.88%, 12/101) (P = 0.022). However, due to aluminum phosphate gel usage, the incidence of constipation in the PPI + APG group was 9.47% (9/95), which was higher than that in the PPI group (1.98%, 2/101) (P = 0.023), but the health of the patients could be improved by increasing drinking water or oral lactulose. No patients in either group developed spontaneous peritonitis after taking PPI, and none developed hepatic encephalopathy and ectopic embolism within 6 wk of EVHT treatment. PPI combined with APG can significantly reduce the incidence of early rebleeding and postoperative abdominal pain in cirrhotic patients with GVB after taking EVHT.

The impact of using a multistrain probiotic supplement on gastrointestinal function in children and adolescents with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Children and adolescents with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB-S) often have severe constipation in addition to gastrointestinal dysbiosis, due to frequent antibiotic use and reduced oral diet. Constipation is treated with long-term use of high daily doses of macrogol gel (Movicol Paediatric PlainTM or LaxidoTM). Constipation is refractory to increases in fibre and fluids, and impacts severely on quality of life. To study the initial impact andefficacy of using amultistrainprobiotic supplement daily for 12 weeks in patients with RDEB-S.The authors sought to determine the impact of such a supplement on gastrointestinal symptoms, stool consistencyand the use of macrogol gel to treat constipation, as well asunderstandingpatient reaction, palability andease of use. Patients were identified through the epidermolysis bullosa tertiary multidisciplinary team clinic in July 2021. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of RDEB-S, prescribed at least one sachet of macrogol gel and provided written consent to take part. Patients were provided, proprietary liquid multistrain probiotic supplement (Symprove™) with a high bacterial count, at a dose of 1 mL kg-1 once a day. Each patient completed an anonymous, nine-question, electronic survey to document symptoms and report overall findings at the start and end of a 12-week trial period. Four patients with RDEB-S (two boys and two girls; age range 7-14 years) who met the inclusion criteria were approached to take part. All patients had chronic constipation requiring daily macrogol gel use (range 2-5 sachets per day). Three out of four (75%) completed the 12-week course. At baseline (before supplementation commenced), all three (100%) patients reported poor oral appetite, constipation, flatulence, abdominal bloating and pain, and frequent skin infections requiring oral antibiotics, with two of the three (66%) patients also having nausea. After 12 weeks of supplementation, all three patients (100%) reported a significant improvement in abdominal pain and bloating, nausea, stool consistency, stool frequency, flatulence and increased appetite. Two of the three patients (66%) were able to reduce their macrogol gel usage and the third patient (33%) was able to stop macrogol gel usage altogether during the study period. All three patients said they would choose to continue using the supplement if it was available. We have shown in this case series that giving a multistrain probiotic supplement in patients with RDEB-S has the potential to improve stool consistency and reduce or prevent the need for chronic macrogol gel use. Future larger-scale, placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

Lidocaine Incorporated Alprostadil-phentolamine Urethral Gel for Erectile Dysfunction: Patient Tolerability and Satisfaction

ABSTRACT Introduction Localized therapy remains an important tool in the armamentarium against ED in patients who decline surgical intervention. Options include intracavernosal injections (ICI) and intraurethral (IU) therapies. For patients averse to injections, IU can be an option. Discomfort is a common side effect of IU therapies. Objective Herein, we assess the use, tolerability and satisfaction of a lidocaine incorporated IU gel treatment including phentolamine and alprostadil. Methods In this single-center study, 75 patients were telephonically surveyed following the prescription of IU lidocaine-alprostadil-phentolamine gel for ED. Prior to IU therapy, all patients had ICI incorporated penile Doppler exams as part of their routine ED workup. Each survey consisted of 5 questions from the validated Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire and 4 questions regarding satisfaction with IU therapy. Patients were excluded if they did not fill their IU prescription, did not answer after 3 attempted calls, declined participation, or were non-English speaking. Clinico-demographic factors were analyzed using chi-square, t-tests, and logistic regression to determine associations of treatment satisfaction. Results Out of 75 patients, 39 had treatment data available for analysis. Median age of the cohort was 61 years (IQR 56-66). Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were the most common comorbidities within the group at 21 (53.8%) patients and 13 (33.3%) patients, respectively. Surveys were conducted a median 128 days after initial prescription. In total, 15 (38.4%) patients were satisfied with IU treatment. Thirty-seven (94.9%) patients did not report pain with IU gel usage. Prior success with <10 units of ICI alprostadil-papaverine-phentolamine (during penile Doppler or as a previous therapy) was associated with increased treatment satisfaction (p=0.039). Post-treatment SHIM scores were also associated with increased treatment satisfaction (p=0.047). Factors such as age, time since initial insult, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia were not found to influence treatment satisfaction. Conclusions IU therapy is an acceptable alternative in patients interested in localized ED therapy who are averse to ICI. Patients who responded to <10 units of ICI was associated with IU treatment satisfaction. IU therapy has a success rate of ∼33%, with the most common adverse event being discomfort. In this study, lidocaine incorporated IU gel offered similar efficacy (38.4%) and is well-tolerated with 94.9% reporting no discomfort. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Boston Scientic, Coloplast, Neotract

Clinical effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate gel usage for prevention of postoperative adhesion in children

It was considered expedient to study the effectiveness of intraoperative prevention of adhesion formation in children based on the results of our own experimental and clinical studies on the effectiveness of using an anti-adhesive gel based on cross-linked sodium hyaluronate. Purpose - to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel (SHG) usage as a barrier agent for primary prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions formation in children. Materials and methods. This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, patient blinded observational study, which includes 62 children. All patients underwent laparotomy for appendicular peritonitis and were randomly divided into two equal groups. Patients from group A (n=31) received conventional surgical treatment, SHG was additionally applied in group B (n=31) before abdominal closure. Immediate and long-term effects of SHG usage were investigated to evaluate the influence on adhesions reformation. The average period of postoperative observation was 14.0±2.4 months. Results. SHG application was associated with no increase in complications rate: duration of postoperative ileus, need in nasogastric decompression, intensive care unit state, hospital state, the incidence of surgical site infection, and need for relaparotomy did not differ significantly between compared groups. The prevalence of peritoneal adhesions at the end of in-hospital treatment differs significantly between groups according to the ultrasound data (χ2=10.930; p=0.005). The incidence of small bowel obstruction (SBO) developed during the follow-up period in group A (16.1%) was significantly higher than in group B (3.23%) where the anti-adhesive gel was applied (χ2=4.026; p=0.045). Conclusions. Intraoperative use of SHG based on sodium hyaluronate allows reduction of postoperative adhesions formation in children without worsening the postoperative course. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors. Key words: sodium hyaluronate, adhesions, small bowel obstruction.

Hyaluronic Acid Gels Versus Estrogen Therapy as Treatments for Reducing Adhesions in Patients Undergoing Hysteroscopic Adhesiolysis

<h3>Study Objective</h3> The purpose of this paper is to analyze studies on medication therapy (preoperative and postoperative estrogen) versus physical barrier application (hyaluronic acid-based gels) in reducing adhesions in patients undergoing hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. We discuss the success of these treatment methods in the context of their safety profiles and reduction of complications such as infertility. <h3>Design</h3> Articles from 2010 to 2020 that provided data specific to hysteroscopic adhesiolysis were compiled through a PubMed search with Boolean logic. <h3>Setting</h3> Dosing of estrogen therapy varied. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine's classification system for intrauterine adhesions (based on extent of involvement in the uterine cavity, menstrual pattern, and type of adhesion) were utilized by the majority of studies. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> 728 patients were treated with hyaluronic acid gels and 475 patients with estrogen therapy. <h3>Interventions</h3> IUA recurrence rate and severity ratings, menstrual patterns, pregnancy rates, and adverse events from all studies were evaluated alongside aggregate findings with meta-analysis. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> Returning to normal menstrual pattern was more commonly reported with estrogen therapy than with hyaluronic acid gel usage. No major adverse effects were reported for either treatment. Adhesion severity displayed a positive correlation with reduction in adhesion recurrence in the group treated with hyaluronic acid gels and among 5 patients with Asherman's Syndrome who received estrogen therapy as part of their management of a false passage following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. Neither treatment yielded a significant effect on pregnancy rate. <h3>Conclusion</h3> While both treatments display a positive safety profile, randomized controlled trials with hyaluronic acid gels suggested more favorable outcomes in menstrual pattern and adhesion recurrence. Further research should aim to document all three factors measured in our study. We emphasize the need for data on gravidity and parity as well as concrete dosage amounts of estrogen over numerical ranges for a nuanced investigation of how these new treatments affect post-surgery pregnancy.

Study on the potential of chia gel usage as a natural fat substitute in cake formulation

AbstractIn the current study, cakes were prepared with the addition of different levels of chia gel obtained by soaking 1 part of chia seeds in 9 parts of water by weight. Mix was allowed to stand for 30 min for gel formation and seeds were left in the gel and later incorporated into the batter. The addition of chia gel to cake batter to partially substitute the fat from the basic recipe (control) resulted both in improved quality characteristics at all levels of substitution and reduction of caloric value, at the expense of energy from fat, especially at higher reduction levels (40 and 60%). The fat replacement at 40 and 60% had a caloric value decrease by 48 kcal per 100 g compared to the control and respectively the energy at the expense of the fat was 37.9 and 25.7% (reduction by 71.3 and 48.3%). Sensory evaluation demonstrated good acceptability for all the products with slight prevail for the samples with 40% followed closer by those with 20% fat replacement. Hence, chia gel proved to be a good alternative for fat substitution in baking goods recipes while preserving the quality and sensory parameters aiming to produce healthier foods.

Autologous platelet gel improves outcomes in tubularized incised plate repair of hypospadias

Backgroundhypospadias is one of the most widespread male congenital anomalies, occurring in 1:250 to 1:300 live births. Several repair techniques have been developing to improve the outcomes. Purposea randomized prospective controlled study was adopted to evaluate effectiveness of autologous platelet gel in healing promotion and improving the outcomes of hypospadias repair. Methodsthirty children who aged between 6 months and 12 years were recruited and subdivided into two groups; group A had tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair with autologous platelet gel application and group B had TIP repair without autologous platelet gel. Resultsthere was no significant difference in duration of operation between both groups. All patients in groups A and B had slit-like meatus shape in the distal glans. While all those of group A had one urine stream, yet only 11 of group B had one. There were complications that happened exclusively in group B such as spray stream (27%) and fistula (20%). Whereas other complications occurred insignificantly more in group B than in A including meatal stenosis (53 versus 27%), glans dehiscence, (20 versus 7%), bleeding (33 versus 13%), infection (33 versus 27%), edema (27% versus13), respectively. The incidence of skin necrosis was equal in both groups. Conclusionautologous platelet gel usage in TIP hypospadias repair can be a reliable technique to promote wound healing, and to limit of postoperative surgical complications.

Comparative Study of Effect of Silver Nitrate Gel and Differentiated Dermal Precursors (BMSCs) on Third Degree Burn in Wistar Rats

Skin is an ectodermal derivative that maintains internal homeostasis of the body. Any damage to the skin like burn injury internal homeostasis is lost, resulting in delayed healing. The aim is to study the histoarchitecture comparative effect of silver nitrate gel, and BMSCs (DDP) on third-degree burns in Wistar rats. A burn wound of size 2.5 cm (length) x 2.5 cm (breadth) x 6 mm (depth) was created using a preheated metal plate on flanks of Wistar rat. Every burn wound was treated with silver nitrate gel (commercially available as silverex), bone marrow differentiated dermal precursors, and monitored for 1, 7, 14, 21 days until wound healing. Wound surface area was measured and compared among groups with histological and gross observations. The healing time was faster in bone marrow differentiated dermal precursors (DDP) group compared to control. Prolonged silver nitrate gel usage heals burn wound with no infection, but silver toxicity was noted. Wound contraction is slower but steady using bone marrow differentiated dermal precursors (DDP) cell when compared to the group treated with silver nitrate gel. The data from this study help use to use bone marrow differentiated dermal precursors (DDP) cells as an alternate and effective way to treat burn wounds.

Mechlorethamine Gel Usage in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides in a Lymphoma Clinic.

Mechlorethamine Gel Usage in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides in a Lymphoma Clinic.

Can ultrasound probes and gels be the source for opportunistic bacterial infections?

The aim of this study was to investigate the contaminant microorganisms on the surface of probes used in noninvasive ultrasound examination and in the gels. Culture samples were obtained from the convex abdominal probe at the beginning of the day and after use on every five patients. Cultures were taken from linear breast probe at the beginning of the day and after use one very two patients. All samples were taken after wiping with a dry tissue paper until no visible gel remained on the probes. Furthermore, the samples were taken from gels when the gel was first opened, at the end of the day and 24 hours after opening. A total of 76 samples from 25 breast probes, 33 abdominal probes and 18 gels were included. Bacteria was detected in 20 (80%) of 25 linear probe samples. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were detected in 19 (76%), Burkholderia cepacia and Staphylococcus aureus in two (8%), Cupriavidus pauculus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in one (%4). Bacterial growth was detected in 23 of 33 (69.7%) abdominal probes. aureus and S.maltophilia were isolated in 2 samples, most of which were CNS (n:20; 60.6%). The bacterial growth rate of all probes was 74.13% (43/58). Bacteria was detected in 2 of 18 gel samples (16.66%), two of which were CNS and one of them was S.maltophilia. Although more skin flora bacteria were detected in noninvasive probes and gels, a small number of pathogenic bacteria were also found in our study. Proper disinfection of the noninvasive probes and proper use of gels is therefore necessary. We believe that wiping with nonsterile dry tissue paper after each procedure is insufficient for disinfection of the probe surface. Disinfection and gel usage guidelines should be determined for ultrasound units both in our hospital and in our country.

Submucosal Lifting Agent ORISE Gel Remnants Histopathologically Mimic Mucin and Malignancy: A Case Series

Abstract Introduction There were an estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases in 2018, with colon cancer being the third most common worldwide. Colon cancer development is an accumulation of mutations resulting in normal epithelial cells transforming into adenomas and then adenocarcinomas. In certain scenarios, endoscopic interventions have gained considerable momentum over invasive surgery as an alternative to manage early gastrointestinal lesions. New techniques such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection allow for removal of large, flat sessile polyps. Successful EMR is dependent on expanding the submucosal space to create adequate lift of the polyp to facilitate tissue capture and to avoid perforation and excess bleeding. ORISE gel (Boston Scientific) is a submucosal lifting agent currently in use in the United States. Methods We present three cases of gastrointestinal specimens obtained using ORISE gel. Histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin revealed submucosal amorphous deposits that appeared to be mucin. Due to the concern for malignancy, additional stains were performed, including periodic acid–Schiff with diastase digestion (DPAS) to identify mucin. DPAS staining for mucin was negative, indicating the mucinous-appearing amorphous material seen on hematoxylin and eosin staining was not mucin but a likely remnant ORISE gel used during EMR. Additional immunohistochemical stains for epithelial cells (cytokeratin AE1/AE3) were also performed to exclude the presence of infiltrating tumor cells. Conclusion These three cautionary cases reveal the importance of good communication between endoscopists and pathology. In an effort to avoid overdiagnosis and/or the usage of unnecessary additional stains, pathologists should be alerted of ORISE gel usage.

Fabrication of Composite Microneedle Array Electrode for Temperature and Bio-Signal Monitoring.

Body temperature and bio-signals are important health indicators that reflect the human health condition. However, monitoring these indexes is inconvenient and time-consuming, requires various instruments, and needs professional skill. In this study, a composite microneedle array electrode (CMAE) was designed and fabricated. It simultaneously detects body temperature and bio-signals. The CMAE consists of a 6 × 6 microneedles array with a height of 500 μm and a base diameter of 200 μm. Multiple insertion experiments indicate that the CMAE possesses excellent mechanical properties. The CMAE can pierce porcine skin 100 times without breaking or bending. A linear calibration relationship between temperature and voltage are experimentally obtained. Armpit temperature (35.8 °C) and forearm temperature (35.3 °C) are detected with the CMAE, and the measurements agree well with the data acquired with a clinical thermometer. Bio-signals including EII, ECG, and EMG are recorded and compared with those obtained by a commercial Ag/AgCl electrode. The CMAE continuously monitors bio-signals and is more convenient to apply because it does not require skin preparation and gel usage. The CMAE exhibits good potential for continuous and repetitive monitoring of body temperature and bio-signals.

A microneedle electrode array on flexible substrate for long-term EEG monitoring

Conventional wet electrodes require skin preparation and gel usage to maintain low interface impedance, which limit their applications in long-term monitoring of biopotentials such as electroencephalogram (EEG). To address this problem, microneedle electrode arrays (MNEAs) have been employed as dry electrodes, which could be capable of EEG monitoring without skin abrasion and gel electrolyte. However, most of them are usually based on rigid substrates that are not conformal to curved and moved human skin. Therefore, we develop a flexible parylene-based MNEA (P-MNEA) with silicon microneedles, which could provide not only conformal but also robust contact. Firstly, the microfabrication process is concretely illustrated and makes it repeatable. Then, penetration tests illustrate these microneedles are robust enough to penetrate into epidermis so that impedances of stratum corneum make limited contribution to interface impedance. Consequently, in vivo impedance results verify the priority of P-MNEA in long-time impedance stability. Meanwhile, competitive impedance density of 7.5KΩcm2@10Hz is attained. Eventually, EEG recoding results as well as correlation and coherence analyses of P-MNEA indicate comparable performance to that of wet electrode. In brief, these results reveal promising prospect of P-MNEA in long-time EEG monitoring.

Let Us Use LET: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Well-managed pain is associated with faster recovery, fewer complications, and decreased use of resources. In children, pain relief is also associated with higher patient and parent satisfaction. Studies have shown that there are deficiencies in pediatric pain management. LET gel (lidocaine 4%, epinephrine 0.1%, and tetracaine 0.5%) is a topical anesthetic that is routinely used before laceration repair. The aim of this study was to determine if educational initiatives as part of a quality improvement initiative lead to increased rates of early topical anesthetic usage in a large urban pediatric emergency department. The initiative consisted of an educational session and a triage booth poster. We then reviewed the charts of patients with facial and scalp lacerations for the month before the initiative, the month after the initiative, and 1 year after the initiative. We assessed if LET gel usage and time to administration improved and were sustainable. We reviewed 138 charts. Before the initiative, only 57.4% received LET gel before facial laceration repair with a mean time to application of 58.3 minutes. One month after the initiative, there was an increase in LET gel application by 20.1% with a reduction in time to application by 35.9 minutes (P < 0.05). In addition, these improvements were significantly sustainable. One year after the interventions, 82.4% received LET before facial laceration repair, and the time to LET application was 27.8 minutes. Simple educational initiatives can improve the use of topical anesthetics. By using educational tools as part of a quality improvement initiative, we were able to significantly improve the rates of LET gel application for facial lacerations in children and decrease the time to administration.

Создание рациональной лекарственной формы для лечения кариеса дентина

The wide distribution of caries determines not only its clinical, but also its social value. Remineralizing gel was produced for the treatment of medium and deep caries, it contains basic mineralizing ions - calcium, phosphorus and fluorine at the same time. The gel has a structured water space, it provides a protective effect on the interaction of Са 2+, НРО4 2- and F¯. This allows you to retain components in a free active state and to provide a substantial increase in their penetration into the dentin. The simulation is carried out on the ratio of phosphorus to calcium of dentin 2:1. Gel usage in case of dentin remineralization on the first stage of deep caries treatment allows us to fill cavities without lining treatment, therefore, this gel may find wide application in dentistry.

An electrochemical cell study on polyvinylpyrrolidine aqueous gel with glycol addition for capacitor applications

In order to improve a capacitor's energy density, an operative voltage extension is a simplest way. And, an organic gel usage, which has a more stabilized potential window than an aqueous gel. Based on these concepts, we have examined a two electrode symmetric electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) based on YECA activated carbon electrodes at 22°C using a gel electrolyte from polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) in ethylene glycol (EG)–water with sodium sulphate as a salt. Infrared spectroscopy has taken to confirm the electrolyte interactions. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) results have shown the capacitor's reversibility and symmetric EDL. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was used to determine a 2V applicability of the gel. From the AC impedance (EIS) result, the glycol has increased the cell resistance, but a low percentile of glycol did not show any magnificent changes on the aqueous gel based cell. Galvanostatic cycling (CD) test also performed which evidences an improvement in the low rate aqueous gel based cell and its voltage limit. A typical specific capacitance, real power and energy density of the cell with 10% replacement of water by glycol were ∼21 F.g−1, 0.7kW.kg−1 and 11 Wh.kg−1 respectively which is significantly higher than the aqua gel based cell (∼22 F.g−1, 0.55kW.kg−1 and 6 Wh.kg−1).

The use of real-time feedback via wireless technology to improve hand hygiene compliance

Hand hygiene (HH) is widely regarded as the most effective preventive measure for health care-associated infection. However, there is little robust evidence on the best interventions to improve HH compliance or whether a sustained increase in compliance can reduce rates of health care-associated infection. To evaluate the effectiveness of a real-time feedback to improve HH compliance in the inpatient setting, we used a quasiexperimental study comparing the effect of real-time feedback using wireless technology on compliance with HH. The study was conducted in two 20-bed step-down units at a private tertiary care hospital. Phase 1 was a 3-month baseline period in which HH counts were performed by electronic handwash counters. After a 1-month washout period, a 7-month intervention was performed in one step-down unit while the other unit served as a control. HH, as measured by dispensing episodes, was significantly higher in the intervention unit (90.1 vs 73.1 dispensing episodes/patient-day, respectively, P = .001). When the intervention unit was compared with itself before and after implementation of the wireless technology, there was also a significant increase in HH after implementation (74.5 vs 90.1 episodes/patient-day, respectively, P = .01). There was also an increase in mean alcohol-based handrub consumption between the 2 phases (68.9 vs 103.1 mL/patient-day, respectively, P = .04) in the intervention unit. We demonstrated an improvement in alcohol gel usage via implementation of real-time feedback via wireless technology.

A Study on Sexual Behaviour and HIV Awareness among Men who have Sex with Men in Mangalore City, India

This article attempts to study the sexual behaviour and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) vulnerability of men who having sex with men (MSMs) including sexual transmitted disease (STD). The data was generated from 55 MSMs from Mangalore city of the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state. For collection of data, an interview schedule was administered as well informal observation also done. The profile of the MSMs included social demographic variable include at what age they had first time sex with men, It was noted that large number of respondents were (49.09) unmarried. It has been found that around (63.64) of the respondents were having sex with the same sex to get sexual satisfaction. The study revealed that all these respondents (100) were well furnished with HIV awareness. However, 70 percent of them reported about the symptoms of STDs they had over a period. The article advocates to comprehensive medical social work intervention with MSMs and suggests non-government organisations (NGOs) to integrate the non-formal education, create awareness about health problems, condom and gel usage.