On the methods of disinfecting bronchofibroscopes

An apparatus is proposed for the wet disinfection of bronchofibroscopes which enables to wash with disinfectant solution the external surfaces of the tube and instrument channel while keeping dry the control mechanism. Several disinfecting regimens have been tested using chlorohexidine (Gibitan), benzalkonium chloride (Roccal), diocide and ethanol solutions. On experimental contamination of bronchofibroscopes with a P. aeruginosa culture effective disinfection was achieved using 0.5% aqueous and ethanol solution of chlorohexidine and 1% benzalkonium chloride solution (5-min, exposure in the circulation mode of the apparatus), 0.1% solution of diocide only produced a bactericidal effect after a 30-min, exposure. Adequate disinfection was not feasible when the endoscope was soaked in disinfectant. Similar results were obtained when bronchofibroscopes were disinfected in a clinical setup where they became contaminated with the most common pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microflora from the airways of patients suffering from purulent pulmonary diseases.     

Reliability of the disinfecting action of pulse electrical discharges in water treatment]

The irreversibility of the damaging action of pulse electric discharges (PED) on microorganisms in the process of the disinfection of water was studied. The experiments with standard E. coli culture showed that bacterial cells remaining alive after being subjected to the action of PED eventually died the sooner, the higher the temperature of the medium was. In any of the "blind passages" made within 7 days no growth of the test microorganism was observed. The use of enriched fluid media and 10-day incubation did not ensure the preservation of proliferation ability of the cells after the action of PED with the parameters used in the experiment.     

Staphylococci in the microbiocenosis of the skin of the hands]

The skin autoflora on the pad of a forefinger and the back and palm of a hand was studied in 40 healthy males aged 18-60 years by the modified washing and scraping method of P. Williamson and A. Kligman. 638 cultures of aerobic microorganisms, including coccal (55.3%) and bacilliform (44.7%) microbes, were isolated. In 6 persons (15%) coagulase-positive staphylococci were detected. Out of 10 coagulase negative species of this genus, S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus and S. warneri occurred most frequently on the skin of hands. The highest density of bacterial populations (10.970 +/- +/- 1.845 cells/sq. cm) was registered on the back of hands, the surface of palms was found to have somewhat lower density (8.679 +/- 1.282 cells/sq. sm) and the skin of forefingers, the lowest density of bacterial populations (6.878 +/- +/- 1.137 cells/sq. sm). 17.5% of examined persons were found to be carriers with S. aureus isolated from their nasal mucosa. S. aureus isolated from the skin surface and the nasal cavity of different persons belonged to different phage variants, but S. aureus isolated from the nasal cavity and the skin of the same person belonged to one phage variant.     

New methods for noninvasive and continuous determination of dynamic compliance of the carotid artery]

A new method for the noninvasive, continuous determination of the compliance of the carotid artery wall has been developed and, in an initial study, validated. Measurements of pulsatile changes in the diameter of the carotid artery are accomplished with the 4-electrode impedance method, and the intravascular blood pressure is measured using an applanation tonometer developed during this project. The method has been employed for measurements in 12 individuals with no vascular disease, and in one patient with carotid artery stenosis before, during and after successful dilatation. With the pressure-volume curves recorded during the cardiac cycle, it is possible to calculate dynamic compliance and the non-elastic deformation work. While initial results are very promising, further validation by a large-scale clinical study is required.     

D-value determinations are an inappropriate measure of disinfecting activity of common contact lens disinfecting solutions

Determination of a D value for specific test organisms is a component of the efficacy evaluation of new contact lens disinfecting solutions. This parameter is commonly defined as the time required for the number of surviving microorganisms to decrease 1 logarithmic unit. The assumption made in establishing a D value is that the rate of kill exhibits first-order kinetics under the specified conditions. Such exponential kill rates are seen with thermal contact lens disinfection system. A comparison of the death rate kinetics for a variety of chemical contact lens disinfecting solutions was undertaken to ascertain the suitability of D-value determination for these chemical disinfectants. The active agents of these different solutions included hydrogen peroxide, thimerosal, chlorhexidine, tris(2-hydroxyethyl)tallow ammonium chloride, thimerosal, polyaminopropyl biguanide, and polyquaternium-1. The solutions were challenged with 10(6) CFU of either Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, or Staphylococcus hominis per ml, and survival rate was determined. This study clearly demonstrates the nonlinear nature of the inactivation curves for most contact lens chemical disinfecting solutions for the challenge organisms. D-value determination is, therefore, an inappropriate method of reporting the biocidal activity of these solutions.     

D-value determinations are an inappropriate measure of disinfecting activity of common contact lens disinfecting solutions.

Determination of a D value for specific test organisms is a component of the efficacy evaluation of new contact lens disinfecting solutions. This parameter is commonly defined as the time required for the number of surviving microorganisms to decrease 1 logarithmic unit. The assumption made in establishing a D value is that the rate of kill exhibits first-order kinetics under the specified conditions. Such exponential kill rates are seen with thermal contact lens disinfection system. A comparison of the death rate kinetics for a variety of chemical contact lens disinfecting solutions was undertaken to ascertain the suitability of D-value determination for these chemical disinfectants. The active agents of these different solutions included hydrogen peroxide, thimerosal, chlorhexidine, tris(2-hydroxyethyl)tallow ammonium chloride, thimerosal, polyaminopropyl biguanide, and polyquaternium-1. The solutions were challenged with 10(6) CFU of either Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, or Staphylococcus hominis per ml, and survival rate was determined. This study clearly demonstrates the nonlinear nature of the inactivation curves for most contact lens chemical disinfecting solutions for the challenge organisms. D-value determination is, therefore, an inappropriate method of reporting the biocidal activity of these solutions.     

Discoid eczema of the hands

In general it is probable that round or oval, rather defined groups of fine vesicles (or crusting that results from former vesicular eruption) recurring in the same location like a "fixed drug eruption" is a particular type of eruption deserving a distinct name. The morphological features and the clinical course of repeated recurrences, always in round or oval areas, seem to make the term "discoid eczema of the hands" an appropriate one for the disease.A feature that distinguishes discoid eczema of the hands from infectious dermatologic conditions which it most closely resembles clinically, is the response of the disease to dietary therapy. A simple elimination diet was used with good effect in 20 cases of the disease reported upon herein.     

When the hands speak.

In the present review we will summarize evidence that the control of spoken language shares the same system involved in the control of arm gestures. Studies of primate premotor cortex discovered the existence of the so-called mirror system as well as of a system of double commands to hand and mouth. These systems may have evolved initially in the context of ingestion, and later formed a platform for combined manual and vocal communication. In humans, manual gestures are integrated with speech production, when they accompany speech. Lip kinematics and parameters of voice spectra during speech production are influenced by executing or observing transitive actions (i.e. guided by an object). Manual actions also play an important role in language acquisition in children, from the babbling stage onwards. Behavioural data reported here even show a reciprocal influence between words and symbolic gestures and studies employing neuroimaging and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) techniques suggest that the system governing both speech and gesture is located in Broca's area.     

Pompholyx of the hands and feet

The term pompholyx, both because of historical priority and because it does not convey misleading implications about etiology, is the preferable designation for this condition. Irrespective of its localization, the primary lesion is the same: a deep-seated, sago-grain-like, pinpoint to pinhead size blister or pustule, embedded in the normal skin, primarily without inflammatory reaction, and appearing suddenly. Pompholyx, as microbiologic, histopathologic and immunologic investigations have proved, is an endoparasitic-hematogenous eruption, having a characteristic localization. It is caused by the circulating endoparasite,B. endoparasiticus Benedek, 1927. Due to an universal infection immunity it is not infectious and not transmissible. Other microorganisms, like hyphomycetes, yeastlike organisms, common bacteria, etc. play no causative role in any phase of the condition. Dermatophytes, molds as well as yeastlike organisms which may be found in the roof of the blisters and other scrapings of diseased tissues are incidental nosoparasites. Extensive statistical analysis is presented about the occurrence of pompholyx on the hands and feet in military personnel and in civilian patients. Pompholyx has only one etiologically directed therapy: the specific vaccine ofB. endoparasiticus. The vaccine is prepared from the S-type of the bacilli, cultured from the blood.