Sterilization Methods Research Articles

Surface immobilization and properties optimization of phage hydrolase against Gram-negative bacteria

Immobilized hydrolase not only reduces the production of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but also effectively improves the stability of hydrolase in external use. In this study, phage hydrolase LysSSE1 against Gram-negative bacteria were surface immobilized and optimized for their bactericidal activity. Different anti-pathogen surface materials were prepared, where LysSSE1 was immobilized on the glass surface with a silica-affinity peptide and into which different peptide linkers were introduced. Immobilized enzymes inserted into the natural amino acid peptide linker exhibited higher bactericidal activity, greater stability, and more consistent bactericidal performance compared to those without the peptide linker. Among these immobilized enzymes, LysSSE1-NL-SiAP1 exhibited the strongest bactericidal activity and the best repeatable bactericidal performance, which only reduced the original performance by about 5% after three bactericidal cycles. Modeling analysis suggested that the presence of peptide linker might increase the molecular flexibility of the proximal hydrolase domain to better interact with the bacterial substrate. Our surface immobilization strategy could be extended to other lytic proteins, providing support for the development of surface sterilization methods and materials.

Impact of Race, Ethnicity, Insurance, and Procedural Timing on Sterilization Method.

Objective: This study aims to determine if race, ethnicity, insurance status, or procedural timing is associated with type of sterilization procedure. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The study population included women who underwent elective sterilization at one institution from January 2010 to December 2020. The medical record was reviewed to obtain age, race, ethnicity, procedure type and timing, and insurance status. Race and ethnicity groups included were Asian, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or non-Hispanic White. Timing was divided into peripartum (at the time of cesarean section or before discharge after vaginal delivery) and interval procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association of procedure type with race, ethnicity, insurance status, and timing. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed for procedures after January 1, 2016, to determine if the associations with the above categories differed. Results: A sample of 2,041 individuals received sterilization procedures, and 1,115 were included in the analysis: 70% (782) of sterilizations were performed during the peripartum period, and 60% (670) of women had public insurance. On multivariate analysis, both non-Hispanic Black (odds ratio [OR] 0.54 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.89) and Asian (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.06-0.72) individuals were less likely to have salpingectomy (SL) when compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. On sensitivity analysis for procedures after January 1, 2016, non-Hispanic Black (OR 0.31 95% CI 0.17-0.56), Hispanic (OR 0.31 95% CI 0.14-0.66), and Asian (OR 95% CI 0.04-0.54) individuals were less likely to have when compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. Conclusion: Tubal ligation is more frequently performed in our health system, and we identified critical disparities in performance of SL for sterilization.

Role of Sterilization on In Situ Gel-Forming Polymer Stability

In recent years, stimulus-sensitive drug delivery systems have been developed for parenteral administration as a depot system. In situ systems incorporate smart polymers that undergo a phase transition at the site of administration. All parenteral and ocular dosage forms must meet sterility requirements. Careful selection of the sterilization method is required for any type of stimuli-sensitive system. Current sterilization methods are capable of altering the conformation of polymers or APIs to a certain extent, ultimately causing the loss of pharmacological and technological properties of the drug. Unfortunately, the issues of risk assessment and resolution regarding the sterilization of stimuli-sensitive systems, along with ways to stabilize such compositions, are insufficiently described in the scientific literature to date. This review provides recommendations and approaches, formulated on the basis of published experimental data, that allow the effective management of risks arising during the development of in situ systems requiring sterility.

Synergistic Dual Antibacterial Activity of Magnetite Hydrogels Doped with Silver.

In this work, we utilized poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and silver nitrate to prepare magnetic hydrogel microparticles doped with silver, which exhibited a dual antimicrobial effect. The antibacterial effect of these composites was mediated by the antimicrobial activity of silver and the magnetic hyperthermic induction, which we believe increased biofilm disruption and silver release into the surrounding bacterial biofilms. The prepared particles were characterized by using several analytical techniques. The particles exhibited a porous morphology impregnated evenly with silver nanoparticles, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, we examined the antibacterial activity of our microparticles against Escherichia coli by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Our findings revealed that the composites demonstrated significant antibacterial activity of up to 81% under magnetic hyperthermia as compared to 45% when samples were heated to the same temperature in a water bath at constant silver concentration. This demonstrates the distinctive inhibitory features of MNPs in enhancing bacterial killing when a magnetic field is applied. The findings of this study lay the groundwork for further exploration of microparticle-based antimicrobial therapies, which can contribute to the development of more advanced wound healing devices and better sterilization methods for medical devices.

Intelligent computing framework to analyze the transmission risk of COVID-19: Meyer wavelet artificial neural networks

The optimum control methods for the epidemiology of the COVID-19 model are acknowledged using a novel advanced intelligent computing infrastructure that joins artificial neural networks with unsupervised learning-based optimizers i.e., Genetic Algorithms (GA) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP). Unsupervised learning strategy is provided which depends on the wavelet basis's sequential deconstruction of stochastic data. The weights or selection values of neural networks are utilizing cumulative algorithms of Meyer wavelet artificial neural networks (MWANNs) optimized with global search Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP), referred to as MWANNs-GA-SQP and the design technique is utilized to determine the COVID-19 model for five different scenarios employing different step sizes and input intervals. The findings of this research article examined that in order to minimize the total disease transmission at the lowest cost and complexity, safety, focused medical care, and exterior sterilization methods applicability. The provided data is validated through various graphical simulations, which surely authenticate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed solver. The suggested solver, MWANNs-GA-SQP, is tested in a variety of circumstances to examine that how reliable, safe, and tolerant. Using the proposed MWANNs hubristic intelligent approach, an objective optimization function is created in feed forward neural networking to minimize the mean square error. An investigation of the hybrid GA-SQP is used to confirm the accuracy and dependability of the MWANNs model results. Mean absolute graphs have been constructed to assess the integrity and efficiency of the proposed methodology. The accuracy and reliability of the suggested method are demonstrated by constantly achieving maximum variables of analytical assessment criteria computed for a large appropriate variety of distinct trials.

Graphene nanocoating on titanium maintains structural and antibiofilm properties post-sterilization

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of sterilization methods on the structural integrity and antimicrobial properties of graphene nanocoating on titanium (GN). MethodsGN was transferred to titanium using wet (WT) or dry transfer (DT) techniques and sterilized using an autoclave (AC), glutaraldehyde (GA), or ethylene oxide (EtO). The GN structure was characterized using Raman spectroscopy before and after sterilization. Additional specimens were characterized by Raman after AC and water jetting. Biofilm formation was assessed before and after AC using colony-forming units (CFU), biofilm biomass, and SEM (uncoated titanium was the control). Three independent samples were used for structural characterization and biofilm quantification. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). ResultsWT and DT demonstrated high structural stability after sterilization and water jetting, with negligible coating quality or coverage loss. GN exhibited lower biofilm formation even after AC sterilization, as shown by the reduction in CFU counts, biofilm biomass, and SEM images compared to the control. SignificanceGN demonstrated high resistance to the stresses imposed by all sterilization methods tested, maintaining its structural integrity, resistance to water-jet cleaning, and antibiofilm potential. The findings suggest that standard industrial practices can effectively sterilize highly resilient GN on titanium implants and possibly other biomaterials.

Contraception for women over 40: A comprehensive guide.

Women in their 40s experience significant reproductive health changes, requiring personalised contraception to avoid unintended high-risk pregnancies and adapt to changing health conditions. This article examines optimal contraceptive choices for women in their 40s, considering effectiveness, ease of use, non-contraceptive benefits, side effects, contraindications and re-evaluation or discontinuation timings. Contraceptive choices for women in their 40s vary depending on their family planning status, underlying health conditions and risk factors. Long-acting reversible contraceptives, permanent sterilisation and progestogen-only methods (excluding depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) are preferred options for women who have completed their families. Hormonal contraceptives can help manage menstrual disorders and bone health issues while providing endometrial protection during menopause. Regular contraceptive reviews should be conducted, and options adapted asneeded.

Featured Cover

The cover image is based on the article Effects of sterilization and disinfection methods on digitally designed surgical implant guide accuracy: An in vitro study by Ruikun Li et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/cid.13350. image

A choice experiment for different preparation methods of eggs: The impact of sensory, health, and animal welfare

The risk of salmonella food poisoning increases the lower the degree of heating the eggs.This study investigated the effect of cooking methods on the willingness to pay (WTP) for sterilization method.The choice experiment consisted of eight attributes; yolk color (yellow vs. orange), grade (special vs. first grade), omega-3 (3 levels), egg sterilization method (no sterilization vs. sodium hypochlorite vs. pasteurization), hen feed (antibiotics vs. antibiotic-free vs. organic), hen’s breeding method (caged vs. cage-free), production area (in-prefecture vs. outside of prefecture), and price (5 levels).The online survey included 1,000 Japanese consumers. A within-design was employed in which everyone responded under the assumptions of eating a hard-boiled egg, a soft-boiled egg, and a raw egg.As the degree of heating decreased, the WTP for the sterilization attribute became higher. Sodium hypochlorite was always higher than pasteurization. As the degree of rawness increased, the WTP of antibiotic-free and organic feed rise. However, the organic feed had a lower WTP than the antibiotic-free feed. When eating raw eggs, the WTP of antibiotic-free was the second important compared with the sterilization. As the degree of rawness increased, the WTP of the orange color of the yolk rise, and finally reached three times higher when eating raw eggs than when eating hard-boiled eggs. The WTP of local production was not significantly different in any case. Omega-3 had a significant negative WTP only for raw eggs. Cage-free had a significant negative WTP only for boiled eggs.

Biocompatibility Study of Purified and Low-Temperature-Sterilized Injectable Collagen for Soft Tissue Repair: Intramuscular Implantation in Rats.

The clinical application of collagen-based biomaterials is expanding rapidly, especially in tissue engineering and cosmetics. While oral supplements and injectable skin boosters are popular for enhancing skin health, clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness remains limited. Injectable products show potential in revitalizing skin, but safety concerns persist due to challenges in sterilization and the risk of biological contamination. Traditional methods of sterilization (heat and irradiation) can denature collagen. This study addresses these issues by introducing a novel technique: the double filtration and low-temperature steam sterilization of a collagen gel. In vitro tests documented the sterility and confirmed that the collagen did not show cytotoxicity, degradation, integrity, and viscosity characteristics changes after the processing and sterilization. The collagen gel induced new collagen expression and the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts when the cells were cultured with the collagen gel. An in vivo study found no adverse effects in rats or significant lesions at the implantation site over 13 weeks. These results suggest that this novel method to process collagen gels is a safe and effective skin booster. Advanced processing methods are likely to mitigate the safety risks associated with injectable collagen products, though further research is needed to validate their biological effectiveness and clinical benefits.

Title Changes in Plasma Levels of Selected Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) Enzymes in Patients with Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD).

Background: Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) belongs to the group of sterile bone necrosis and mainly affects athletically active children. The pathogenesis of OSD is currently not fully understood, so the purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-10 and MMP-26 in patients diagnosed with OSD compared to patients with diseases other than sterile bone necrosis Methods: The study group included 140 patients with OSD, while the control group contained 100 patients with knee pain unrelated to sterile bone necrosis. The MMPs tested were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in plasma. Results: Patients with OSD had higher concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared to the control group. The concentrations of MMP-7, MMP-10 and MMP-26 were lower in affected children. High values of diagnostic parameters-diagnostic accuracy (AC), sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP) and area under curve (AUC)-were obtained for MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-26. Conclusions: The collected results convince that MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-26 can be consider as a differential ancillary test between OSD and other knee pain and may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition.

Short-Cycle Autoclave Sterilization of Instruments in Same-Day Ophthalmic Surgeries

What Is the Issue? The volume of ophthalmic surgeries is increasingly high, with cataract surgery being 1 of the most performed surgeries in Canada. Infections following ophthalmic surgeries, while rare, can cause severe complications that may lead to irreversible vision loss. Reducing postsurgery infections is a high priority in clinical practice. Running a full wrapped, terminal steam sterilization cycle for ophthalmic instruments in autoclaves may be inefficient for ophthalmic surgeries and may cause unnecessary heavy economic and environmental burdens due to high surgical volumes. Using instruments sterilized on a short cycle between sequential same-day ophthalmic surgeries may help improve efficiency and reduce resources used. These instruments are generally processed using autoclaves (i.e., steam sterilizers); the effectiveness of a shorter-cycle method of sterilization is unclear. What Did We Do? To inform decisions regarding the use of autoclaves for short-cycle sterilization for sequential same-day instrument use in ophthalmic surgery, we sought to identify and summarize evidence comparing this method to full-cycle sterilization of wrapped instruments and identify any relevant recommendations. We searched key resources, including journal citation databases, and conducted a focused internet search for relevant evidence published since 2012. One reviewer screened articles for inclusion based on predefined criteria. What Did We Find? In a laboratory setting to simulate sequential same-day procedures, short-cycle sterilization with interrupted dry time for unwrapped ophthalmic instruments is feasibly as effective as full-cycle sterilization for wrapped instruments using the STATIM autoclave. Similarly, short-cycle sterilization with interrupted dry time for contained ophthalmic instruments is feasibly as effective as full-cycle sterilization for contained instruments using the AMSCO autoclave. For sequential same-day ophthalmic procedures, wet instruments sterilized by a short-cycle process with an interrupted dry time can remain sterile for at least 3 minutes if kept in a covered sterilizer containment device. One guideline recommends that wrapped or unwrapped ophthalmic instruments sterilized by a short-cycle process without full drying should be stored in a covered containment device until retrieved by staff wearing sterile gloves and gowns in the operating room for the subsequent surgery after a short delay. Phaco handpieces should be immediately primed with a balanced salt solution and remain wet as they sit on the sterile instrument table. We did not identify any clinical setting evidence from studies or autoclave manufacturers. It is unclear if clinical outcomes differ between patients undergoing sequential same-day ophthalmic surgeries using short-cycle sterilized instruments and those undergoing surgery using full-cycle sterilized instruments. What Does This Mean? Preliminary laboratory evidence and guideline recommendations supporting the use of autoclaves for short-cycle sterilization of instruments for sequential same-day ophthalmic surgeries are available. However, there is no clinical effectiveness evidence available on this process in patient settings. Future research is necessary to understand the clinical safety of using instruments sterilized by short cycles for sequential same-day use for patients undergoing ophthalmic surgeries. In addition to the evidence and recommendations identified, other factors, such as environmental influence, may be useful considerations when making decisions about short-cycle sterilization for sequential same-day instrument use for ophthalmic surgery.

Effects of Media and Processes on the Aromas of White Truffle Solid-State Fermented Products

This study aimed to formulate a black bean soy sauce using black beans and black rice as media for the solid-state fermentation of white truffle. Various proportions of these media (4:0, 3:1, 2:2, 1:3, and 0:4) were prepared, with methionine concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5%) serving as precursors for a 4-week solid-state fermentation to analyze the aroma profiles. GC-MS analysis showed that samples with 1.5% methionine exhibited significantly higher levels of sulfur-containing volatile compounds compared to those without methionine. GC-IMS analysis revealed that a 2:2 ratio of black beans to black rice produced the most enriched aroma. Lower methionine levels improved mycelial growth, with 0.3% methionine yielding the richest aroma components. After fermentation, the white truffle products were sterilized using autoclaving, hot air assisted radio frequency (HARF), and high pressure processing (HPP), followed by freeze drying. GC-IMS analysis showed that HPP samples had an aroma closest to fresh samples, whereas HARF and autoclave resulted in similar aromas. However, 24 h freeze drying significantly diminished the aroma, resulting in no significant difference in aroma among the freeze-dried products treated with different sterilization methods.

The exploitation of local electric field generated by oxygen vacancies on BiOIO3 nano-antibacterial agents for enhanced photocatalytic sterilisation

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a typical Gram-positive foodborne pathogen, and its infection has been reported since its discovery. Photocatalysis has emerged as a safe and efficient new sterilization method in clinical and food sectors. In this study, we developed an oxygen vacancy-rich BiOIO3 nano-antibacterial agent using a hydrothermal method, which was successfully synthesized and confirmed through various characterization techniques. Notably, the BiOIO3 nano-antibacterial agent exhibits almost complete inactivation of 107 CFU/mL MRSA within 2 h under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, with increasing exposure duration to irradiation, gradual shrinkage and disintegration of the MRSA cell membrane were observed along with inhibition of the intracellular enzyme activity. Haemolysis tests were performed to prove the biological safety of the agent. Mechanistic investigations revealed that surface oxygen vacancies of BiOIO3 facilitated adsorption binding of water and oxygen within a local electric field promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This leads to the rapid accumulation of ROS, which attacks the cell membrane causing significant damage, disrupting normal physiological metabolism of the bacteria, and ultimately killing MRSA. The present study is expected to provide a favourable solution for developing novel efficient and green nano-antibacterial agents through surface modifications.

Effects of anti-rainbow trout germ-cell monoclonal antibody on germ cells and gonadal tissues in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The development of sterilization technology is important to improve the production efficacy of aquaculture and prevent genetically modified fish from escaping. Immunosterilization is a novel sterilization method that has already been used in mammals. In this study, anti-rainbow trout germ-cell monoclonal antibodies (anti-GC mAbs) were injected into immature rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and their effects were analyzed. First, anti-GC mAbs labeled with Alexa Fluor 488 were injected into the body cavity of larvae 20 days (group 1) and 102 days (group 2) after fertilization. Second, anti-GC mAbs were injected into the body cavity of yearling trout (group 3), and their impacts on gonadal tissue were analyzed in terms of histology and gene expression levels. As a result, anti-GC mAbs were observed to bind to some primordial GCs in group 1, whereas there were no obvious positive cells in male testes of group 2. In contrast, green fluorescent signals were observed in an arrangement parallel to the ovarian lamina in female ovaries of group 2, which was similar to the arrangement of positive signals on ovarian tissue sections immunostained with anti-GC mAbs. GCs in group 1 were observed again after 76 days, and double-positive cells remained. In group 3, there were changes in the expression levels of GC-specific genes, but the changes were not seen as biologically meaningful. Moreover, there was no histological abnormality in gonadal tissues after immunization. In conclusion, these results suggested that anti-GC mAbs could only reach GCs in early developmental stages or in the ovary, and injection of anti-GCs mAbs did not have harmful effects on GCs after binding.

Effect of ethylene oxide and gamma sterilization on surface texture of films and electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone-co-p-dioxanone) (PCLDX) scaffolds

In the field of tissue engineering, synthetic and degradable polyesters like poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ε-caprolactone-co-p-dioxanone) (PCLDX) are widely used as scaffolds. Our previous research revealed that thermal storage conditions could alter the surface texture of PCL and PCLDX scaffolds, which might influence cell-scaffold interactions in tissue engineering applications. These findings highlighted the importance of multi-scale characterization techniques to identify the scales most sensitive to external changes and the need for personalized surface texture analysis. Sterilization techniques, such as ethylene oxide and gamma radiation, are essential for ensuring the sterility of polymeric medical devices. However, these processes can significantly impact the bulk polymer properties and/or surface texture of the scaffolds, potentially affecting their biocompatibility, safety, and overall performance. Therefore, the influence of sterilization processes on the surface texture of PCLDX films and electrospun nanofibers and to correlate these findings with the thermal and physical properties of the polymer are essential and have been assessed. Our results demonstrated that ethylene oxide maintained the structural integrity and surface texture of PCLDX scaffolds, while gamma irradiation caused a significant reduction in molar mass and increased the number of hills (Shn) and dales (Sdn) on PCLDX samples. Despite these changes, both sterilization methods showed minimal effects on the thermal properties, such as melting temperature and degree of crystallinity, and surface wettability of the scaffolds. This comprehensive surface texture analysis highlights the importance of evaluating feature parameters such as Shn and Sdn for optimizing the performance and biocompatibility of polymeric scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Fast, Easy, and Reproducible Fingerprint Methods for Endotoxin Characterization in Nanocellulose and Alginate-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds.

Nanocellulose- and alginate-based hydrogels have been suggested as potential wound-healing materials, but their utilization is limited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements regarding endotoxin levels. Cytotoxicity and the presence of endotoxin were assessed after gel sterilization using an autoclave and UV treatment. A new fingerprinting method was developed to characterize the compounds detected in cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)- and cellulose-nanofiber (CNF)-based hydrogels using both positive- and negative-ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy (ESI FT-ICR MS). These biobased hydrogels were used as scaffolds for the cultivation and growth of human dermal fibroblasts to test their biocompatibility. A resazurin-based assay was preferred over all other biocompatibility methodologies since it allowed for the evaluation of viability over time in the same sample without causing cell lysis. The CNF dispersion of 6 EU mL-1 was slightly above the limits, and it did not affect the cell viability, whereas CNC hydrogels induced a reduction of metabolic activity by the fibroblasts. The chemical structure of the detected endotoxins did not contain phosphates, but it encompassed hydrophobic sulfonate groups, requiring the development of new high-pressure sterilization methods for the use of cellulose hydrogels in medicine.

In vitro degradation of 3D-printed polycaprolactone\\biomimetic hydroxyapatite scaffolds: Impact of the sterilization method

In the transition from the laboratory to the clinic, the sterilization of medical devices becomes a fundamental and mandatory step to ensure patient safety. This work evaluates the impact of three different sterilization methods - autoclave, ethylene oxide and gamma irradiation - on the physicochemical properties and degradation kinetics of 3D-printed polycaprolactone\\calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (PCL\\CDHA) scaffolds for bone regeneration. The in vitro degradation test was performed in phosphate buffer saline solution at 47 °C for 18 weeks by recording the evolution of pH, scaffold morphology, swelling degree, mass loss as well as polymer content, molecular weight and crystallinity. The results showed that under thermally accelerated degradation, the scaffolds underwent hydrolytic bulk degradation without altering the pH of the soaking medium nor compromising the morphology and integrity of the constructs. Although the structural integrity of the scaffolds was maintained, autoclaving severely deteriorated the properties of the polymer, resulting in a faster degradation pattern, confirming that it is not an appropriate sterilization method for PCL\\CDHA scaffolds. While ethylene oxide had no significant effect on degradation, gamma irradiation slightly accelerated hydrolysis by chain scission. However, due to the porous nature of the scaffolds, the use of ethylene oxide is inadvisable due to the risk of gas trapping in the pores. Therefore, gamma irradiation, a non-toxic, effective, predictable and reproducible sterilization method, is considered the most appropriate.

The Reuse of Healing Abutments: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Healing abutments (HA) are used in second-stage implant surgery to create the optimal peri-implant environment. Despite being a component intended only for short-term use, it remains in the mouth for a few weeks to several months and stays in close contact with organic debris, intraoral fluids, and bacteria.Reusing the HAs modifies their surfaces, expands the coating layer's porosity, and promotes bacterial colonization at the HA-implant interface in addition to the previous contamination. Therefore, the study's goals were to determine the frequency of HA reuse, examine the sterilizing and disinfection techniques employed, and examine the factors that contributed to the dental professionals in the Indian state of Maharashtra utilizing these components again when placing dental implants. For the study, 150 dentists who worked in the field of implantology were chosen. An online questionnaire issued via email and WhatsApp was used to collect data, which started in January 2023. The survey was designed to store the demographic information and responses of the participants, and it was made available through Google Forms. By the end of February 2023, the responses had been gathered.Tables and graphs were used to present the study outcomes that were based on the statistical analysis. The analysis employed the Chi-square test, with a p-value of 0.05 deemed statistically significant. There were 150 answers in all, with 44% women and 56% men. Merely 7.4% of participants do not reuse healed abutments, compared to 92.6% who follow this procedure. The respondents were also asked about the number of times theyreused the HAs, 69% of the implantologists reused the same component countless times, while 31% reused it only once. All the respondents reported sterilizing the HAs before reuse and the method used for sterilization was autoclave (96.4%) and UV chamber (3.6%). In response to a question concerning informing patients about the reuse of HAs, 77.6% of implantologists stated they do not interact with patients, while only 22.4 reported doing so. Implantologists in the state of Maharashtra, India reuse HAs and use heterogeneous methods for disinfection and autoclave sterilization.

3-Sulfopropyl acrylate potassium-based polyelectrolyte hydrogels: sterilizable synthetic material for biomedical application.

Hydrogels are extensively used in the biomedical field due to their highly valued properties, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity and resistance to rheological stress. However, determining an efficient sterilization protocol that does not compromise the functional properties of hydrogels is one of the challenges researchers face when developing a material for a medical application. In this work, conventional sterilization methods (steam-, radiation- and gas sterilization) were investigated regarding the influence on the degree of swelling, mechanical performance and chemical effects on the poly 3-sulfopropyl acrylate potassium (pAESO3) hydrogel, which is a promising representative for biomedical engineering applications. In summary, no significant changes in the gel properties were observed after sterilization, showing the potential of the selected hydrogel for biomedical applications.