Latex Gloves Research Articles

Wearable Design for Occupational Safety of Pb2+ Water Pollution Monitoring Based on Fluorescent CDs

Abstract The indiscriminate discharge of industrial and domestic wastewater leads to the pollution of production, living, and landscape waters with heavy metals, including Pb2+. To protect people working in environments with risk of water pollution by Pb2+, the Pb2+ chemosensor based on fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) was designed in this study. Based on quenching of the fluorescence of CDs via electron or energy transfer between Pb2+ and CDs, the sensor induces a significant “dark blue to light blue” fluorescence burst color change under the naked eye. Results suggest that the fluorescence intensity of CDs positively correlated with the concentrations of Pb2+ (R2 = 0.823–0.986), which is conducive to the detection of Pb2+-containing wastewater by CDs. On this basis, we integrated CD fluorescent sensors into wearable gloves via a mediated coating method. With no additional burden (off-site, long lead times, high cost, etc.), the designed wearable gloves enable front loading of the detection window for Pb2+-contaminated water to protect the wearer from poisoning. Eight watershed environmental occupants reported a 57.42% reduction in occupational anxiety after using our safety gloves. We believe that the proposed flexible and stable wearable sensing system will not only have great potential applications in Pb2+ field detection but also stimulate the development of other environmental pollution sensing devices.

Donning Sterile Surgical Gloves - A Prospective Clinical Audit of Young Surgeons at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Lahore, Pakistan.

Background Sterilization and aseptic surgical techniques are the most important keys to successful postoperative outcomes. The standard surgical gloving technique causes early wound healing and reduces morbidity and mortality. Objective To assess the standard technique of donning sterile surgical gloves while scrubbing among young surgeons. Material and Methods This two-week prospective audit involved 60 young residents and house officers after ensuring ethical implications. Participants were observed unannounced for donning sterile surgical gloves in the surgical operation theatre (OT) according to the standard criteria set by World Health Organization (WHO) before and after the relevant intervention. The intervention was made through a clinical lecture, live demonstration, and hands-on sessions. After a detailed literature study, a pro forma was generated to record participants' compliance with 14 steps of donning sterile surgical gloves. Data was sent to a statistician for descriptive analysis. Results About 72.14% of the participants followed the standard criteria of donning sterile surgical gloves before intervention. This percentage raised to 90.71% after the intervention, showing marked improvement. Conclusion Pre-intervention and post-intervention observations showed apparent differences in compliance rates for the standard criteria of donning sterile surgical gloves. This scientific study signifies the need for such clinical audits to boost standard surgical practices, especially among newcomers.

Employing a three-stage procedure to develop a sizing system for medical gloves

There is a need for gloves that are designed based on the dimensions of the hand of each society because the proper size is a key factor that affects performance. This study aimed to design and develop a glove sizing system for Iranian healthcare workers using anthropometric data. This study was conducted on a sample including 540 healthcare workers across Iran classified by ethnicity and gender. Thirty-three dimensions were measured as the anthropometric data. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and clustering analysis were used to create classifications for glove sizes. The most effective dimensions in defining the hand sizes of Iranian healthcare workers were middle finger length and the handbreadth. The designed six-size system covered 94% of the sample. This system can be used to design suitable gloves for Iranians. The sizes presented can be used to compare size differences in different communities.

Healthcare Worker Having Irritant Contact Dermatitis Due to Rubber Accelerators: A Case Report

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is common among workers, especially healthcare workers, partly due to medical latex gloves. The main element found in gloves is the accelerator. Most research indicates that thiurams and dithiocarbamate groups cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Rattanarak et al, 2019 reported that accelerators could cause ICD. The current research was of a 26-year-old working as a nurse in the operating room, having symptoms of erythematous rash, burning sensation, and mild itching. Opened application test of the rubber gloves was negative. The suspected glove came from the Thai rubber latex company, which declined to provide information. However, Rojruthai et al, 2022 extracted and analyzed residual accelerators from Thai rubber latex gloves and found dithiocarbamates, ZDEC, ZDBC, ZMBT, and thiuram. The worker was diagnosed with occupational ICD from rubber accelerators, thiurams and dithiocarbamate, albeit cases are rare. The worker was treated with low-dose steroids and provided access to low-dermatitis potential medical gloves. After six months of follow-up, the worker recovered. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of ICD in workers exposed to accelerators in medical gloves. Avoiding causative substances is the most effective way to avoid ICD, so providing suitable low-dermatitis potential medical gloves is essential for this group of patients. Keywords: Case reports; Irritant contact dermatitis; Medical gloves; Rubber accelerator; Occupational

Commentary: A Sensorized Surgical Glove to Analyze Forces During Neurosurgery.

Commentary: A Sensorized Surgical Glove to Analyze Forces During Neurosurgery.

A Sensorised Surgical Glove to Analyze Forces During Neurosurgery.

Measuring intraoperative forces in real time can provide feedback mechanisms to improve patient safety and surgical training. Previous force monitoring has been achieved through the development of specialized and adapted instruments or use designs that are incompatible with neurosurgical workflow. To design a universal sensorised surgical glove to detect intraoperative forces, applicable to any surgical procedure, and any surgical instrument in either hand. We created a sensorised surgical glove that was calibrated across 0 to 10 N. A laboratory experiment demonstrated that the sensorised glove was able to determine instrument-tissue forces. Six expert and 6 novice neurosurgeons completed a validated grape dissection task 20 times consecutively wearing the sensorised glove. The primary outcome was median and maximum force (N). The sensorised glove was able to determine instrument-tissue forces reliably. The average force applied by experts (2.14 N) was significantly lower than the average force exerted by novices (7.15 N) ( P = .002). The maximum force applied by experts (6.32 N) was also significantly lower than the maximum force exerted by novices (9.80 N) ( P = .004). The sensorised surgical glove's introduction to operative workflow was feasible and did not impede on task performance. We demonstrate a novel and scalable technique to detect forces during neurosurgery. Force analysis can provide real-time data to optimize intraoperative tissue forces, reduce the risk of tissue injury, and provide objective metrics for training and assessment.

Durable and Nontoxic Natural Rubber-Based Composites with Antibacterial Properties.

Natural rubber latex (NRL) has prophylactic properties and is used to make pathogen-isolating products like condoms and surgical gloves. However, obtaining NRL and casting it into durable products are challenging. Consequently, progress in the research and development of medical NRL products has been slow. This study aims to strengthen NR and induce it with bactericidal properties. In this regard, we introduce inorganic whiskers into the NRL and synthesize whiskers/NR composites with strong mechanical and antibacterial properties. The method proposed herein is a template method, which can rapidly and efficiently reveal the antibacterial effect of the composite latex, providing convenience for research institutions and factories studying antibacterial latex. A complete system is established for studying the antibacterial medical NRL, and a precedent is set for the relevant products.

Surgical experience and different glove wearing conditions affect tactile sensibility

BackgroundThe fingers’ tactile sensibility is essential in surgery, especially in microsurgery. Therefore, surgeons seeking to improve their performance often prefer certain glove brands and wearing habits. There is the need of objectively testing these glove wearing conditions and determine the effect of surgical experience with regard to tactile sensibility by comparing surgeons with non-surgeons. MethodsThis cross-sectional single-center pilot-study was conducted between June and August 2021. Two groups of 27 surgeons and 27 non-surgeons underwent two-point-discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing (SWMT) of both index fingers with bare hands and with wearing six different brands of surgical gloves. Different wearing conditions, such as single-gloving, double-gloving, well-fitted, under- and oversized gloves, were evaluated within and between the groups. ResultsMost glove types decreased tactile sensibility (2PD and SWMT) of surgeons and non-surgeons. Interestingly, the thinnest gloves showed similar 2PD values to bare hands in both groups. Double-gloving negatively impacted SWMT, without influencing 2PD. Undersized gloves showed better 2PD and SWMT than well-fitted gloves, while oversized gloves showed no tactile drawbacks. With bare hands and certain glove conditions, the surgeons' 2PD and SWMT was significantly better than the non-surgeons’, indicating a positive effect of surgical experience on tactile sensibility. ConclusionOur study demonstrated the positive impact of surgical experience on tactile sensibility, as demonstrated by the surgeons. The sensibility of the gloved hand varies on the surgical glove type, but favors thinner gloves, single gloving (rather than double gloving) and undersized or well-fitted gloves.

Natural fluorescent red colorants produced by Talaromyces amestolkiae as promising coloring agents for custom-made latex gloves

Synthetic-based colorants have been extensively used in several industries, viz., cosmeceutical, feed, pharmaceuticals, food and textile. However, the growing awareness of potential teratogenicity, carcinogenicity and environmental concerns of certain synthetic colorants have expressed several limitations regarding their use in some products. These limitations, justifies the motivation to look for eco-friendly alternatives (cf., natural colorants) to be used as coloring agents for industrial applications. The filamentous fungi Talaromyces amestolkiae appeared as a promising source of natural fluorescent red colorant (NFRC) for the development of custom-made latex gloves. In this study, some basic colorant properties, including 3D-fluorescence and CIELAB color characteristics were first investigated systematically before their incorporation in natural rubber latex (NRL) films. The NFRC-NRL films properties were evaluated by physicochemical tests and toxicity through cell viability using 3T3 fibroblasts, wherein eluate of NFRC-NRL films (2.28 AU) revealed viability >70 % (exposing the biocompatibility). Regardless of the strategy proposed, it is shown as a proof-of-concept the potential application of NFRC in the NRL matrix as a biocompatible alternative to produce sustainable commercial colored custom-made latex gloves.

Feasibility of tracking in open surgical simulation

The aim of this study was to develop an adequate tracking method for open surgical training, using tracking of the instrument or hand motions. An open surgical training model and the SurgTrac application were used to track four separate suturing tasks. These tasks were performed with colour markings of either instruments or fingers, to find the most promising setting for reliable tracking. Four experiments were used to find the optimal settings for the tracking system. Tracking of instruments was not usable for knot tying by hand. Tracking of fingers seemed to be a more promising method. Tagging the fingers with a coloured balloon-tube, seemed to be a more promising method (1.2–3.0% right hand vs. 9.2–17.9% left hand off-screen) than covering the nails with coloured tape (1.5–3.5% right hand vs. 25.5–55.4% left hand off-screen). However, analysis of the videos showed that redness of the hand was seen as red tagging as well. To prevent misinterpreting of the red tag by redness of the hand, white surgical gloves were worn underneath in the last experiment. The off-screen percentage of the right side decreased from 1.0 to 1.2 without gloves to 0.8 with gloves and the off-screen percentage of the left side decreased from 16.9–17.9 to 6.6–7.2, with an adequate tracking mark on the video images. This study shows that tagging of the index fingers with a red (right) and blue (left) balloon-tube while wearing surgical gloves is a feasible method for tracking movements during basic open suturing tasks.

Geometrical and positional isomers of unsaturated furan fatty acids in food.

Furan fatty acids (FuFA) are important antioxidants found in low concentrations in many types of food. In addition to conventional FuFA which normally feature saturated carboxyalkyl and alkyl chains, a few previous studies indicated the FuFA co-occurrence of low shares of unsaturated furan fatty acids (uFuFA). For their detailed analysis, the potential uFuFA were enriched by centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) or countercurrent chromatography (CCC) followed by silver ion chromatography from a 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester oil, a 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester oil and a latex glove extract. Subsequent gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis enabled the detection of 16 individual uFuFA isomers with a double bond in conjugation with the central furan moiety. In either case, four instead of two uFuFA isomers previously reported in food, respectively, were detected by GC/MS. These isomers showed characteristic elution and abundance patterns in GC/MS chromatograms which indicated the presence of two pairs of cis/trans-isomers (geometrical isomers).

Surface Microhardness of Bulk-Fill Resin Composites Handled With Gloves

It has been reported that resin composites may experience alterations in their mechanical properties when they come into contact with glove powder. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the surface microhardness of 3 bulk-fill resin composites handled with latex and nitrile gloves prior to light curing. This in vitro experimental study consisted of 90 resin composite specimens with a 6-mm diameter and a 4-mm height divided equally and randomly into 9 groups. Prior to light curing, the resin composites were handled with latex gloves, nitrile gloves, or only a spatula (control). Subsequently, the surface microhardness was measured with an Electronic Vickers Hardness Tester. The Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric H test with Bonferroni correction was used for comparisons. A significance level of 5% (P < .05) was considered. When comparing surface microhardness of each resin composite according to type of handling received, significant differences were observed in Filtek One Bulk Fill (P < .001) and Opus Bulk Fill (P < .001). In addition, these resin composites presented significantly higher surface microhardness than Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill resin (P < .05) when handled with latex gloves, nitrile gloves, and only a spatula. Finally, Filtek Bulk Fill resin presented significantly higher surface microhardness compared to Opus Bulk Fill resin when handled with nitrile gloves (P=.038) and a spatula only (P=.033). The surface microhardness of Filtek One Bulk Fill and Opus Bulk Fill resin composites decreased significantly when handled with latex or nitrile gloves, showing no variation in Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill resin composite. In addition, Filtek One Bulk Fill resin composite showed significantly higher surface microhardness than Opus Bulk Fill and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill resin composites when handled with nitrile gloves. It is recommended that bulk-fill resin composites be handled with a spatula, because the use of latex or nitrile gloves could adversely affect their clinical performance.

Proposed Safety Guidelines for Patient Assistants in an Open MRI Environment.

The wide-open side of an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system allows a patient to easily contact the patient assistant during MRI scans. A wide-open-shaped magnet is highly effective when interventional procedures are necessary. Patient assistants can provide comfort by holding a part of the patient's body. Because current regulations or guidelines are concerned with only patient radio frequency (RF) safety, investigations on the safety of patient assistants exposed to high-magnetic field MRI (up to 1.2 T) are required. In this study, five different poses of patient assistants were numerically simulated at a 1.2 T open MRI system to determine the impact of poses on the RF exposure level. The 10-g averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) levels were analyzed for the poses of each patient assistant wearing gloves. Compared with the patient, up to 29.8% of the patient SAR was observed in the patient assistant. When the patient assistant wore latex gloves, a 63.7% reduction in the 10-g averaged SAR level was observed, which could be a remedy to minimize possible RF hazards. To prevent possible RF hazards during MRI scans, certain clauses regarding the patient assistant's poses or wearing gloves must be added to the existing MRI screening forms.

Investigating the short-term effects of using full-body hospital personal protective equipment and changes in physical workload intensity on human physiological and cognitive performance

The present study investigated the short-term effects of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and physical workload intensity on human physiological and cognitive performance among 21 males and 19 females. PPE1 consisted of a medical coverall and surgical mask, while PPE2 consisted of impermeable full-body coverall, shoe covers, latex gloves, N95 mask, and face shield. Objective assessments were heart rate, energy expenditure, core body temperature, clothing microclimate temperature and humidity, and cognitive performance were the continuous performance test and N-Back test. Subjective assessments included thermal sensation, perceived fatigue/skin wetness/clothing moisture. Using PPE2 and increased workload intensity significantly increased the values of all physiological parameters and the subjective ratings of fatigue, thermal sensation, skin wetness, and clothing moisture. Moreover, the participants’ cognitive performance was not affected by the type of PPE. Practitioner summary: Healthcare workers are at the highest risk in the fight against pandemics. Therefore, these people are required to use personal protective equipment. Using this equipment may have difficulties. The results show physiological strain and higher subjective ratings associated with using full-body hospital PPE and increased physical workload.

Physicochemical, Mechanical, and Esthetic Properties of the Composite Resin Manipulated with Glove Powder and Adhesive as a Modeling Liquid.

Composite resins with low flowability are usually handled and manipulated before insertion into the tooth preparation with gloved hands and/or using an instrument covered with a little amount of adhesive to facilitate modeling. We investigated if the modeling techniques (combined or not) affected physicochemical and esthetic properties of a composite resin. Specimens were fabricated and divided into groups according to the handling/modeling technique: Gloved-hands (composite was hand-manipulated with powdered latex gloves); Adhesive (adhesive was used in between the composite layers); Gloved-hands + Adhesive; Control (no adhesive and no touch with gloved-hands). The highest values for flexural strength (MPa), modulus of elasticity (GPa), and fracture toughness (MPa.m0.5) were obtained for Adhesive and Gloved-hands + Adhesive (p < 0.05); the lowest values were obtained for Control and Gloved-hands (p < 0.05). The Control group had the highest sorption. The Gloved-hands (p < 0.05) group had the highest solubility. Adhesive and Gloved-hands + Adhesive had a similar solubility (p > 0.05). The Control group (p < 0.05) had the lowest solubility. There was no statistical interaction between translucency vs. handling/modeling techniques and color stability vs. handling/modeling techniques. Adhesive as a modeling liquid protected the composite against sorption and solubility (if powdered gloves were used) and improved its physical/mechanical properties. Translucency and color stability were not correlated with modeling techniques.

Effect of Latex Purification and Accelerator Types on Rubber Allergens Prevalent in Sulphur Prevulcanized Natural Rubber Latex: Potential Application for Allergy-Free Natural Rubber Gloves.

Natural rubber (NR) gloves manufactured from NR latex are widely utilized in various applications as a personal protective device due to their exceptional barrier characteristics in infection control. However, the use of NR gloves was associated with concerns on NR protein allergy. With comprehensive leaching procedures now a common practice in NR latex glove factories to eliminate latent rubber proteins and chemical allergens, occurrences and complaints of protein allergy from medical glove users have decreased drastically over the past two decades. The present work aims to eliminate further the residual rubber allergens in NR latex through effective purification of the NR latex and compounding the thus purified latex with an established formulation for allergy-free NR for glove applications. NR latex was purified by deproteinization and saponification, respectively. Several analytical techniques were used to verify rubber allergens eliminated in the purified latexes. Saponified NR (SPNR) latex was the purified NR latex of choice since it is devoid of allergenic proteins and poses the lowest risk of Type I allergy. The purified NR latex was compounded with zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate (ZDBC), and zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT), respectively, for glove dipping. Among the investigated accelerators, only ZDBC was not detected in the artificial sweat that came into contact with the dipped articles. Thus, it is deduced that ZDBC poses the lowest risk of Type IV allergy to consumers. Additionally, the morphological and physical properties of dipped articles were assessed. It was revealed that the dipped film from the SPNR latex compounded with ZDBC provided thinner and less yellow products with a more uniform internal structure and a tensile strength comparable to those of commercial NR gloves.

Copper oxide nanoparticles impregnated antibacterial surgical gloves for potential application in prevention of nosocomial transmission infections during nursing

This work showed the preparation of Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) from leaf extract of Cinnamomum camphora (C.camphora) by a green synthetic method. To prepare CuO NPs, about 10 ml of 0.01 M copper sulphate and 30 ml of C.camphora extract were mixed by heating for 60 min at a temperature of 80 °C. Various techniques such as x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for the characterization of biosynthesized CuO NPs. The formation of CuO NPs was indicated by gradual color change of brownish yellow solution into dark brown. Poly-dispersive and spherically shaped NPs were seen from TEM images with an average particle size of about 23 nm. FTIR results confirmed that polyphenols were capped onto the surface of the formed CuO NPs. On the other hand, the Gloves coated with CuO NPs were extremely successful in suppressing contamination of the outside glove surface with nosocomial-resistant microorganisms and hence beneficial of their use in the food sector or clinical context. CuO NPs-coated latex gloves significantly reduced all experimental bacteria within 30 s, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin resistant enterococci, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter, and Candida albicans (P <.05). In addition, research must be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of CuO NPs coated gloves in health care setting to know their effectiveness in protection from contaminated fluids that may infiltrate gloves.

Relief and stimulus in a cross-sector multi-product scarce resource supply chain network

In the era of a growing population, systemic changes to the world, and the rising risk of crises, humanity has been facing an unprecedented challenge of resource scarcity. Confronting and addressing the issues concerning the scarce resource’s conservation, competition, and stimulation by grappling its characteristics and adopting viable policy instruments calls the decision-maker’s attention with a paramount priority. In this paper, we develop the first general decentralized cross-sector supply chain network model that captures the unique features of scarce resources under a unifying fiscal policy scheme. We formulate the problem as a network equilibrium model with finite-dimensional variational inequality theories. We then characterize the network equilibrium with a set of classic theoretical properties, as well as with a set of properties that are novel to the network games application literature, namely, the lowest eigenvalue of the game Jacobian. Lastly, we provide a series of illustrative examples, including a medical glove supply network, to showcase how our model can be used to investigate the efficacy of the imposed policies in relieving supply chain distress and stimulating welfare. Our managerial insights inform and expand the political dialogues on fiscal policy design, public resource legislation, social welfare redistribution, and supply chain practice toward sustainability.

Awareness of Dental Practitioners Regarding Biocompatibilty of Dental Materials

Objective: This study was done to evaluate awareness of dental practitioners regarding biocompatibility of dental materials among dental practitioners. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in Islamic international dental college Islamabad during June 2019 to December 2019. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional questionnaire based study. Questionnaires were distributed to house officers and post graduate trainees (N=100) of Islamic International Dental Hospital. The recorded data was analyzed using SPSS2015 (version 23) software. Results: 85% of dental practitioners had knowledge about biocompatibility of polymer based materials. 89% were aware of type of adverse reactions associated with latex gloves. 64% of dental practitioners had awareness that eugenol is a cytotoxic substance present in zinc oxide eugenol. 7% of dental practitioners knew about the various methods to diagnose titanium allergy. Practical implication: This study will help the dental practitioners to comprehend what type of allergies are prevalent in their local population and which dental material can give best results without adverse effects. Conclusion: Our participants have sufficient knowledge about the biocompatibility of dental materials but the knowledge about titanium allergy needs to be enhanced. Keywords: awareness, biocompatibility, dental practitioners, dental materials

A Scientific Revolution: Ten Men and Women Who Reinvented American Medicine

A Scientific Revolution: Ten Men and Women Who Reinvented American Medicine