A potential global surveillance tool for effective, low-cost sampling of invasive Aedes mosquito eggs from tyres using adhesive tape.

BACKGROUND: The international movement of used tyres is a major factor responsible for global introductions of Aedes invasive mosquitoes (AIMs) (Diptera: Culicidae) that are major disease vectors (e.g. dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever). Surveillance methods are restricted by expense, availability and efficiency to detect all life stages. Currently, no tested method exists to screen imported used tyres for eggs in diapause, the life stage most at risk from accidental introduction. Here we test the efficiency of adhesive tape as an affordable and readily available material to screen tyres for eggs, testing its effect on hatch rate, larval development, DNA amplification and structural damage on the egg surface. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the properties of adhesive tape can influence pick up of dormant eggs attached to dry surfaces. Tapes with high levels of adhesion, such as duct tape, removed eggs with high levels of efficiency (97% ± 3.14). Egg numbers collected from cleaned used tyres were found to explain larval hatch rate success well, particularly in subsequent larval to adult emergence experiments. The strength of this relationship decreased when we tested dirty tyres. Damage to the exochorion was observed following scanning electron microscopy (SEM), possibly resulting in the high variance in the observed model. We found that five days was the optimal time for eggs to remain on all tested tapes for maximum return on hatch rate success. Tape type did not inhibit amplification of DNA of eggs from three, five or ten days of exposure. Using this DNA, genotyping of AIMs was possible using species-specific markers. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that adhesive tapes are effective at removing AIM eggs from tyres. We propose that this method could be a standardised tool for surveillance to provide public health authorities and researchers with an additional method to screen tyre cargo. We provide a screening protocol for this purpose. This method has a global applicability and in turn can lead to increased predictability of introductions and improve screening methods at high risk entry points.

Crossover clinical trial of the influence of the use of adhesive on biofilm formation.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Contrasting results have been reported regarding the influence of the use of adhesive on biofilm formation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of adhesive on the formation of biofilm on the internal surface of complete dentures and the palatal mucosa of denture wearers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty participants with well-fitting complete dentures were randomly divided according to the experimental design: protocol 1, adhesive use during the first 15 days, followed by no use of adhesive over the next 15 days; protocol 2, no use of adhesives during the first 15 days, followed by adhesive use over the next 15 days. After each period, material from the mucosa and intaglio of the maxillary dentures was collected. Replicate aliquots were plated onto Petri dishes containing selective media for Candida spp, Streptococcus mutans, and a nonselective culture medium. Colony-forming units were expressed as log (CFU+1)/mL. In addition, the internal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular complete dentures were stained and photographed. From the photographs, the total internal surface and the surface stained with biofilm were quantified (software ImageTool 3.00), and the percentage of the biofilm-covered area (%) on the maxillary and mandibular dentures was calculated and compared with 2-way ANOVA. For the nonselective culture medium, data were compared with the paired-sample t test, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to compare the colony counts of Candida spp and Streptococcus mutans (α=.05). RESULTS: Similar colony counts were found with or without the use of adhesive for the mucosa and internal surfaces of maxillary dentures, irrespective of the culture medium (P>.05). The area of dentures covered with biofilm was influenced by the use of adhesive (P=.025), regardless of the type of denture (P=.121). CONCLUSIONS: The use of adhesive did not alter the colony counts of microorganisms from the palatal mucosa and maxillary dentures of complete denture wearers during the 15-day period, but it did influence the area covered with biofilm on the internal surfaces of the complete dentures.

Mepitel: a non-adherent wound dressing with Safetac technology.

OBJECTIVE: Wound pain and tissue trauma are two main considerations of wound management, and appropriate dressing selection plays an important role in both. Traditional dressings may adhere to wounds resulting in significant pain and trauma to new tissue upon removal. The development of primary wound contact materials has provided a unique approach to solving this problem. This article aims to aid clinicians in identifying wound types on which Mepitel, a primary wound contact dressing with Safetac soft silicone adhesive technology, can be used by summarizing the published clinical literature relating to its use. METHOD: Searches of bibliographic databases and internet sites were supplemented with manual searches of journals of relevance to wound management for clinical data relating to the use of Mepitel. RESULTS: The literature search identified a number of articles, presenting data generated from randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials and case study evaluations of Mepitel on a wide range of wound types and skin injuries. CONCLUSION: The results of the clinical evaluations demonstrate that Mepitel is associated with atraumatic and virtually pain-free dressing changes. The dressing with Safetac can be used cost-effectively in the treatment of a wide range of wound types and skin injuries.

[A medical and economic study about use of hemostatic glues in cardiac surgery]. / Etude médicoéconomique en chirurgie cardiaque : application aux colles hémostatiques.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of the use of biological and synthetic glues in cardiac surgery was assessed by an economic and medical study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observational prospective study had duration of three months. All the patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included in the study. The end points were medical (blood transfusion) and economic (duration and cost of the stay in hospital). There were 2 groups: treated or not by glues. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: T Student tests. RESULTS: Among 154 patients, the 2 principal indications were valvular replacement (48%) and coronary artery bypass grafting (37%). Fifty seven (37%) patients received a glue. The number of transfused globular units and the duration of the stay in the intensive care unit were significantly higher (p<0.05) by treated patients. CONCLUSION: Not only the use of glues did not decrease the post-operative bleedings but it increased also the cost of the stay in hospital. Guidelines were validated by the hospital Commission on drugs.

Summary of product trials for 10, 164 patients: comparing an intravenous stabilizing device to tape.

Inadequate catheter securement is an underrecognized patient safety issue that contributes significantly to catheter-related complications, including dislodgment, occlusion, infiltration, and infection. Pooled data from prospective product trials at 83 hospitals compared tape to a standard peripheral intravenous (PIV) securement method with a PIV-specific catheter-stabilizing device (StatLock). A 67% reduction (P<.001) in total patient complications was observed in the stabilizing device group, as compared with the tape group. Also, the need for unscheduled PIV restarts was reduced by 76% with the stabilizing device (P<.001). An annual cost savings of $18,000 per hospital on PIV materials and a combined savings of $277,000 on materials, complication costs, and nursing time were estimated on the basis of these reduced complications. Newer catheter-stabilizing technologies can help to reduce patient complications, for an overall cost savings, and consequently reduce needlestick exposures for healthcare providers by reducing restarts and prolonging dwell times.

[Comparative evaluation of four methods of an endotracheal tube holder. Preliminary results]. / Evaluación comparativa de cuatro métodos de fijación de tubo orotraqueal. Resultados preliminares.

OBJECTIVE: To compare four different types of endotracheal tube holders. PATIENTS: Patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit in Thertiary Hospital with 800 patients admitted/year. The minimum sample was 188 to obtain statistically significant differences. During the first 6 months, 68 consecutive patients non selected were randomly assigned to one of four types of tube holders. PARAMETERS: Each 8 hours were evaluated the presence of lesions in skin or mucose membrane, colocation facility and patients commodity. Also security and cost analysis parameters were included. STATISTIC ANALYSIS: SPSS statistical package were used, Kaplan-Meier curve, Kruskal-Wallis test; and making statistical contrasts between the different types of tube holders. We considered significant a p < 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results till this moment showed significant differences in time free of lesions, between Haid holder and the rest of tube holders. Likewise, in the subjective parameters for the nurse and patient evaluations the Haid holder obtained a superior mind in facility of colocation and commodity of patients, consecutive gauze bandage.

Evaluation of a hydrocolloid dressing.

A hydrocolloid dressing was compared to adhesive skin tapes on children's postoperative wounds. A total of 170 children of varying ages were randomised in two parallel groups, in nine centres of plastic, thoracic, gastrointestinal, urogenital and orthopaedic surgery. Skin closure was satisfactory in both groups, with 76 (89.4%) healthy closures without dehiscence in the hydrocolloid group and 81 (95.3%) in the control group; a relationship was found between partial closures/dehiscence and the type of surgical procedure. No product-related maceration, infection or adverse event was reported during the study and both groups showed very satisfactory cosmetic results.

Comparison of tape products on skin integrity.

A two-group, nonconcurrent design was used in this comparative study to assess the incidence of skin breakdown accompanying Durapore silk tape and Medipore soft cloth tape (both manufactured by 3M Health Care). A significantly higher number of skin tears were found with silk tape use (mean 2 = 7.69, p < 0.01). This type of skin damage caused patient discomfort and incurred additional treatment costs. Soft cloth tape is recommended to decrease skin tears in surgical patients.

The cost of wound care in the community.

As part of a project examining expenditure on all wound management materials currently prescribed by general practitioners in Wales, the cost of bandages and surgical tapes was analysed. Changes to prescribing patterns are suggested which could result in significant financial savings and improvements in patient care.