Personal Protective Equipment for Protecting Healthcare Staff during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Narrative Review

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic state as the coronavirus spread across the world. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has become a critical subject during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is necessary to prevent coronavirus transmission to healthcare workers (HCWs) as providing care. They are at high risk of exposure to coronavirus. The aim of this study was to provide a brief review of some routes of transmission of COVID-19, what, when and why PPE is recommended base on the route of transmission. Evidence acquisition: In this review, articles were extracted from the Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed search engines. The main keywords for search were coronavirus, COVID-19, personal protective PPE, healthcare, transmission, contact, and protect. Results: Findings showed the COVID-19 transmission rate in the HCWs that wore PPE significantly decreased. All HCWs must use appropriate and adequate PPE in order to minimize the COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion: Although still uncertainty remains around COVID-19 transmission and it is early to have conclusion on its prevention, most of recommendations and guidance have emphasized to apply the PPE during COVID-19 outbreak among HCWs

Personal Protective Equipment for Protecting Healthcare Staff during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Narrative Review

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic state as the coronavirus spread across the world. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has become a critical subject during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is necessary to prevent coronavirus transmission to healthcare workers (HCWs) as providing care. They are at high risk of exposure to coronavirus. The aim of this study was to provide a brief review of some routes of transmission of COVID-19, what, when and why PPE is recommended base on the route of transmission. Evidence acquisition: In this review, articles were extracted from the Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed search engines. The main keywords for search were coronavirus, COVID-19, personal protective PPE, healthcare, transmission, contact, and protect.Results: Findings showed the COVID-19 transmission rate in the HCWs that wore PPE significantly decreased. All HCWs must use appropriate and adequate PPE in order to minimize the COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion: Although still uncertainty remains around COVID-19 transmission and it is early to have conclusion on its prevention, most of recommendations and guidance have emphasized to apply the PPE during COVID-19 outbreak among HCWs

Fabrication and Optimization of Molecularly Imprinted Nanofibers in Assessment of Occupational Exposure to 5-fluorouracil

Background and purpose: Cytotoxic drugs are a group of chemicals that raise concerns over the health of healthcare professionals. Therefore, accurate methods are needed to investigate the traces of these drugs. This study was done to fabricate and optimize molecularly imprinted membrane as a specific absorbent in assessment of occupational exposure to 5-fluorouracil. Materials and methods: 5-FU molecularly imprinted microspheres were produced by precipitation polymerization and encapsulated into nanofibers using electrospinning. Optimization of electrospinning parameters (MIP value, electrospinning voltage, the distance between needle tip to collector, and flow rate) was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) and Experimental design software. Totally, 22 trials were done on the basis of study design.  The diameter of the fiber was measured using SEM image analysis. The applicability of the synthesized membranes in absorbing 5-FU was evaluated. Results: In this study, MIP particles were successfully encapsulated into PET nanofibers. The optimization process showed that the molecularly imprinted nanofibers diameter of 276.38 nm could be obtained in 57%W MIP, 25 kV, 13 cm, and 0.55 ml/h. The efficacy of extracting 5-FU by synthesized membranes was 97.2±0.34. Conclusion: The experimental models presented in this study can be used in further experiments to create a uniform molecularly imprinted nanofibers for specific analyte absorption in occupational and environmental monitoring

Optimization of Solid Phase Extraction for Trace Determination of Cobalt (II) Using Chromosorb 102 in Biological Monitoring

Cobalt is widely used in different industrial processes for production of various synthetic materials. For assessment of human exposure to toxic metal of Co (II), environmental and biological monitoring are essential processes, in which, preparation of samples is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone aspects prior to instrumental analysis. The aim of this study was to achieve optimum factors necessary for development of a sample preparation technique for cobalt (II), present in urine, hair, and nail samples followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Solid phase extraction (SPE) using mini columns filled with Chromosorb 102 resin was optimized regarding sample pH, ligand concentration, loading flow rate, elution solvent, sample volume (up to 500 ml), elution volume, amount of resins, and sample matrix interferences. Cobalt ion was retained on sorbent and was eluted with 2 M HNO3 followed by determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Obtained recoveries of cobalt ion were more than 92%. To evaluate occupational exposure to Co (II), successful applicability of the optimized method for human exposure was used by treatment real samples, including urine, hair, and nail. Suitable results were obtained for relative standard deviation (less than 10%). This optimized method can be considered successful in simplifying sample preparation for trace residue analysis of Co (II) in different matrices when an evaluation of occupational and environmental exposures is required

Evaluation of Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS): Radiologists’ perspective

Background: Evaluating Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) from the perspective of radiologists can provide valuable insights into the system's strengths and weaknesses, enabling designers to receive feedback and make improvements accordingly. As user acceptance is critical for the successful implementation of information systems, it is important to identify the views of radiologists on PACS. Discovering the users' perspectives can help identify possible system weaknesses and provide feedback to designers. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study involved radiologists and radiology residents working in two teaching hospitals that used different PACS. A total of 138 participants were included in the study using a census method. A standard questionnaire comprising 40 items based on a three-option Likert scale (disagree, no idea, and agree) was used to collect data, which was divided into four sections. After translation, the content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed (CVI>0.9), and its reliability was confirmed by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.71. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, and the mean score for each item was calculated. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean scores of each section between the two PACS. Results: Radiologists identified better education for medical students as the most significant advantage of PACS. Almost 90% of radiologists believed that PACS met their expectations for patient care and improved care delivery. The biggest challenge of PACS was the continued dependence on paper after implementation, rather than being entirely paperless. According to radiologists, PACS B had a more significant impact on patient care and posed fewer challenges than PACS A (P value < 0.01). Conclusions: Based on radiologists' perspectives, PACS improves care delivery and patients' satisfaction compared to traditional film-based systems, while also reducing patient care costs by eliminating the need for film and paper. However, the system faces several challenges, such as poor image quality and slow processing speeds. The use of appropriate infrastructure to implement the system could be one solution to these challenges

Sound Absorption Performance Of Natural Fiber Composite From Chrome Shave And Coffee Silver Skin

This paper presents the sound absorption performance of natural fiber composites developed from chrome shave (CS) and coffee silver skin (CSS). Twelve test samples of thickness 30 mm and 50 mm were fabricated with different fiber sizes and fiber ratios and by maintaining the density of the samples by 150 kg/m3. Normal incidence sound absorption coefficient spectra were measured in an impedance tube. Absorption coefficient spectra were predicted using the Johnson-Allard-Champoux (JCA) model using best fit values of tortuosity and the two characteristic lengths together with measured values of porosity and flow resistivity. The results revealed that the CS-CSS composite had average absorption coefficient of 0.95 above 1 kHz for a thickness of 30 mm and 50 mm. 'The predictions and data are in good agreement up to 6 kHz

Descriptive Study of Occupational Accidents and their Causes among Electricity Distribution Company Workers at an Eight-year Period in Iran

Background: Occupational accidents are unplanned events that cause damage. The socio-economic impacts and human costs of accidents are tremendous around the world. Many fatalities happen every year in workplaces such as electricity distribution companies. Some electrical injuries are electrocution, electric shock, and burns. This study was conducted in an electricity distribution company (with rotational 12-hour shift work) in Iran during an 8-year period to survey descriptive factors of injuries. Methods: Variables collected included accident time, age of injured worker, employment type, work experience, injury cause, educational background, and other information about accidents. Results: Results indicated that most of the accidents occurred in summer, and 51.3% were during shift work. Worker negligence (malpractice) was the cause of 75% of deaths. Type of employment had a significant relationship with type of injuries (p < 0.05). Most injuries were electrical burns. Conclusion: High rate of accidents in summer may be due to the warm weather or insufficient professional skills in seasonal workers. Shift workers are at risk of sleep complaints leading to a high rate of work injuries. Acquiring knowledge about safety was related to job experiences. Temporary workers have no chance to work all year like permanent workers, therefore impressive experiences may be less in them. Because the lack of protective equipment and negligence are main causes of accidents, periodical inspections in workshops are necessary

Investigating the Effects of Exposure to Continuous White Noise on SLC26A4 Gene Expression Levels in Male Rat Cochlea

Background and purpose: Irreversible damage to the inner ear is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Exposure to excessive noise can affect the expression of genes in molecules involved in development of NIHL. SLC26A4 gene or PDS is responsible for causing both syndromic and non-syndromic deafness and is located at DFNB site. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level of this gene due to continuous white noise exposure. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 10 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into exposure group (n=6) and control group (n=4). Exposur group was exposed to continuous white noise (8hr/day, 6days, SPL=110±5dB) in noise chambers. Cochlear biopsy was done 1 hour (n=5) and 1 week (n=5) after exposure and then, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and Real-Time PCR analysis were done. In addition, histological analyzes were performed. Data analysis was done using One-Way ANOVA (95% CI diff.). Results: At both 1 hour and 1 week after exposure, the expression of SLC26A4 gene decreased significantly (P= 0.0005 and P= 0.0003, respectively). The fold changes compared to the control group (=1) were 0.0733 and 0.00712, respectively. Histological images illustrated serious damage to the cochlea. Conclusion: Sensorineural deafness will happen if exposure to intense noise continues and subsequently down-regulation of SLC26A4 in the cochlea occur during longer discontinuation and in case of expression level failure to return to its basal level

Voltammetric Determination of Carbofuran Pesticide in Biological and Environmental Samples using a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor, a Multivariate Optimization

Abstract: Increasing application of pesticides and their toxicity made it essential to develop reliable and accurate methods of their trace quantification. This research was aimed to develop an electrochemical nanocomposite sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for selective and sensitive determination of carbofuran. The proposed sensor was made based on incorporation of carbofuran MIP in the carbon paste. The square wave voltammetric (SWV) method was applied for the electrochemical measurements. The experimental design was then used to optimize parameters affecting the sensor response according to selected experimental domain. The obtained linear range after optimization of the parameters was from 1 � 10�9 to 1 � 10�6 M. The calculated detection limit was 3 � 10�10 M. Under optimized extraction and determination conditions, the proposed modified sensor indicated the considerable sensitivity and selectivity to determine carbofuran in some real samples (human urine, tap and river water) without any special sample pre-treatment before the analysis. © 2020, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd