Reusable Tube Research Articles

Estimation of birth year by radiocarbon dating of tooth enamel: Approach to obtaining enamel powder

Atmospheric radiocarbon (14C) levels increased from 1955 to 1963 due to atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, and then decreased. As 14C accumulates in human tooth enamel while the enamel is being formed, 14C can be used to estimate the birth year of unidentified bodies. Measurement results of 14C content in tooth enamel using accelerator mass spectrometry vary depending on the enamel's sample site. To address this problem, a method for equalizing samples using a pulverizer was considered in this study. Regarding the tube and cone used as the pulverizer, (1) a polycarbonate tube and stainless steel cone, (2) a stainless steel tube and cone, and (3) a tungsten carbide tube and cone, were compared. In (1), the modern carbon ratio was approximately half that of the normal ratio of 100 pMC, with which accurate dating was impossible, and in (2), a high background value was obtained for IAEA-C1, which was pulverized using a reusable tube and cone. In (3), the 14C content for IAEA-C1 pulverized using reusable tube and cone, which was washed with quartz sand, was 0.31 ± 0.01 pMC. This result did not show any problems regarding background value. Therefore, the use of tungsten carbide products and washing with quartz sand is recommended for 14C measurement of pulverized teeth.

New Metal Shield for the Endotracheal Tube during Laser Endolaryngeal Surgery

To present and assess a newly designed autoclavable, reusable tube shield for an endotracheal tube (ETT) during laser laryngeal surgery. This study included patients scheduled for endolaryngeal laser surgery. A carbonated stainless-steel hemisphere shield (~1.5×0.6 mm) connected to a silk thread passing through a hole in its middle near upper edge was used. Under general anesthesia, patients were intubated orally using a small cuffed polyvinyl ETT, filling the cuff with saline. When the laser was used, the shield was applied either to the side of the tube or anterior to it, depending on the site of the laser procedure. The shield could easily be repositioned when needed during surgery. In 25 cases (six cordectomy for glottic carcinomas and 19 posterior cordotomy for bilateral vocal cord paralysis), application of the shield over the ETT was easy and the shield could be easily and simply fitted in all cases, with change in position achieved easily during the work as required. The shield over the ETT could not be penetrated by the laser, regardless of the gas composition or laser energy. No intraoperative complications were encountered in any of our cases. Recovery was event-free in all patients without the need for admission to an intensive care unit. The newly designed autoclavable reusable stainless-steel shield designed for an ETT could be safely, easily, and effectively used during laser laryngeal surgery with low cost and easy availability. However, comparative and multicenter studies are still needed.

Boll weevil within season and off-season activity monitored using a pheromone-and-glue reusable tube trap

The boll weevil colonizes cotton fields as early as cotton squaring, causing significant losses due to feeding and protected development inside fruiting structures throughout crop phenology. Successful control depends on control of adults and their accurate detection when they colonize the crops. The commercial trap and boll weevil attract-and-control tubes (BWACT) are the only available tools to monitor and attract-and-kill boll weevil, despite limitation in efficacy, and insecticide in BWACT is not allowed in organic production. A grandlure-and-glue reusable and insecticide-free tube (GGT) made with polyvinyl chloride tube, smeared with entomological glue, and lured with pheromone was tested to detect boll weevil activity across various seasons. Boll weevil showed activity during growing season and off-season from 2009 to 2012 in the Semiarid and with higher numbers captured in GGT in comparisons to commercial traps. GGT was able to detect early weevils in the field right after planting. Further, the overall averages resulted in 34-, 16.8-, and 7.5-times more weevils captured in GGTs compared to the traps during stalk destruction in the Semiarid 2011 and Cerrado season 2012/13 and during the harvesting period in the Cerrado season 2011/12, respectively. Therefore, boll weevils were captured actively during season and off-season and early captures obtained in GGT compared to traps showed a better correlation between captures and square damage.

A quality improvement study of the placement and complications of double-lumen endobronchial tubes

To assess the complications of conventional and fiberoptic endobronchial intubations using reusable (Leyland, London) and disposable (Rusch, Waiblinger, Germany; Sheridan, Argyle, NY) double-lumen tubes (DLTs), endobronchial intubations occurring over a 12-month period were prospectively studied at this hospital. Residents working with staff anesthesiologists placed either left or right reusable (Leyland) or disposable (Rüsch or Sheridan) DLTs. The DLT used, the use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), findings at FOB if used during the intubation or operation, and complications occurring during the case (SpO 2 < 90%, peak inflation pressure > 40 cm H 2O, air trapping, poor lung isolation, and airway trauma) were recorded. Two hundred thirty-four intubations were analyzed (102 right, 132 left; 70 Leyland reusable DLTs, 66 Rusch disposable tubes, and 98 Sheridan tubes). Physical signs alone were used to confirm tube position more frequently when Leyland tubes were placed compared with disposable tubes (79% v 39%, P < 0.0001). Rüsch and Sheridan DLTs had similar rates of conventional placement. Nineteen percent of reusable tubes and 44% of disposable tubes required position adjustments using FOB during the initial intubation ( P = 0.0002). Disposable tubes also more commonly required readjustment using FOB during the operation (30% v 7%, P < 0.0005). Complications occurred in 42 234 patients (18%). The frequency of specific complications was: decreased SpO 2, 9%; increased airway pressures, 9%; poor lung isolation, 7%; air trapping, 2%, and airway trauma, 0.4%. Right-sided Sheridan DLTs had a statistically higher incidence of malposition, resulting in poorer lung isolation. The frequency of specific complications was otherwise not correlated with the type of DLT chosen, the side intubated, or the use of FOB during intubation. FOB was useful in confirming or adjusting DLT position when complications occurred during OLV.

Convenient, degassable, reusable tubes for "merry-go-round" photochemistry and general vacuum line applications

Convenient, degassable, reusable tubes for "merry-go-round" photochemistry and general vacuum line applications