High-speed cryo-microscopy reveals that ice-nucleating proteins of Pseudomonas syringae trigger freezing at hydrophobic interfaces.

Ice-nucleating proteins (INpro) trigger the freezing of supercooled water droplets relevant to atmospheric, biological, and technological applications. The high ice nucleation activity of INpro isolated from the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae could be linked to the aggregation of proteins at the bacterial membrane or at the air-water interface (AWI) of droplets. Here, we imaged freezing onsets, providing direct evidence of these proposed mechanisms. High-speed cryo-microscopy identified the onset location of freezing in droplets between two protein-repellent glass slides. INpro from sterilized P. syringae (Snomax) statistically favored nucleation at the AWI of the droplets. Removing cellular fragments by filtration or adding surfactants increased the frequency of nucleation events at the AWI. On the other hand, cultivated intact bacteria cells or lipid-free droplets nucleated ice without an affinity to the AWI. Overall, we provide visual evidence that INpro from P. syringae trigger freezing at hydrophobic interfaces, such as the AWI or the bacterial membrane, with important mechanistic implications for applications of INpro.

Furcellaran: Impact of Concentration, Rheological Properties, and Structure on Ice Recrystallization Inhibition Activity.

Recrystallization is considered the main damaging mechanism during the frozen storage of biologic materials. In this study, furcellaran, a polysaccharide related to κ-carrageenan, was studied for its concentration-dependent effect on ice crystal growth and recrystallization. The structure and sulfate content of the utilized furcellaran was analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, ion chromatography, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. Additionally, the rheological properties of furcellaran solutions were investigated. Our findings demonstrate that furcellaran inhibits ice growth as effectively as κ-carrageenan. Furthermore, the rheological properties change with increasing furcellaran concentration, resulting in a gel-like consistency at 5 g/L, which coincides with decreased recrystallization inhibition activity and larger crystals. This suggests that gel formation or a gel-like consistency has to be avoided for optimal recrystallization inhibition activity.

Frost-free zone on leaves revisited.

Particular frost patterns on natural leaves had prompted Yao et al. [Y. Yao et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 117, 6323-6329 (2020)] to investigate the underlying physics. Their work revealed why on corrugated surfaces ice forms on crests and dries out adjacent grooves. In the absence of frost, in contrast, grooves tend to constitute niches on a leaf where microorganisms are less limited by moisture than in other locations. Here, we show that microorganisms able to nucleate ice before it forms on crests can modify the frosting pattern to their advantage. This ability might drive in cold arid environments the association between certain microorganisms and plants.

Ice nucleation active bacteria metabolites as antibiofilm agent to control Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus agalactiae infections in Aquaculture.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to quantify and identify metabolites of Ice Nucleation Active (INA) bacteria as an anti-biofilm agent against biofilms of fish pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus agalactiae. RESULTS: Ice nucleation active bacteria, which have the ability to catalyze ice nucleation, isolated from rainwater in previous studies, were used. All INA isolates were tested in several assays, including the antimicrobial test, which uses streptomycin as the positive control and none of the isolates were found positive in the antimicrobial test. As for the quorum quenching assay, it was found that four out of ten isolates were able to disturb the communication system in Chromobacterium violaceum wild type, which was used as the indicator bacteria. On the next assay, all ten isolates were tested for Biofilm Inhibition and Destruction and showed anti-biofilm activity with the highest percentage inhibition of 33.49% by isolate A40 against A. hydrophila and 77.26% by isolate A19 against S. agalactiae. C1 performed the highest destruction against A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae, with percentages of 32.11% and 51.88%, respectively. As for the GC-MS analysis, supernatants of INA bacteria contain bioactive compounds such as sarcosine and fatty acids, which are known to have antibiofilm activity against several biofilm-forming bacteria. Through 16s rRNA sequencing, identified bacteria are from the Pantoea, Enterobacter, and Acinetobacter genera. As for the conclusion, ice nucleation active bacteria metabolites tested showed positive results against pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus agalactiae in destructing and inhibiting biofilm growth.

On the engulfment of antifreeze proteins by ice.

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are remarkable biomolecules that suppress ice formation at trace concentrations. To inhibit ice growth, AFPs must not only bind to ice crystals, but also resist engulfment by ice. The highest supercooling, [Formula: see text], for which AFPs are able to resist engulfment is widely believed to scale as the inverse of the separation, [Formula: see text], between bound AFPs, whereas its dependence on the molecular characteristics of the AFP remains poorly understood. By using specialized molecular simulations and interfacial thermodynamics, here, we show that in contrast with conventional wisdom, [Formula: see text] scales as [Formula: see text] and not as [Formula: see text]. We further show that [Formula: see text] is proportional to AFP size and that diverse naturally occurring AFPs are optimal at resisting engulfment by ice. By facilitating the development of AFP structure-function relationships, we hope that our findings will pave the way for the rational design of AFPs.

Frost fighters: unveiling the potential of microbial antifreeze proteins in biotech innovation.

Polar environments pose extreme challenges for life due to low temperatures, limited water, high radiation, and frozen landscapes. Despite these harsh conditions, numerous macro and microorganisms have developed adaptive strategies to reduce the detrimental effects of extreme cold. A primary survival tactic involves avoiding or tolerating intra and extracellular freezing. Many organisms achieve this by maintaining a supercooled state by producing small organic compounds like sugars, glycerol, and amino acids, or through increasing solute concentration. Another approach is the synthesis of ice-binding proteins, specifically antifreeze proteins (AFPs), which hinder ice crystal growth below the melting point. This adaptation is crucial for preventing intracellular ice formation, which could be lethal, and ensuring the presence of liquid water around cells. AFPs have independently evolved in different species, exhibiting distinct thermal hysteresis and ice structuring properties. Beyond their ecological role, AFPs have garnered significant attention in biotechnology for potential applications in the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. This review aims to offer a thorough insight into the activity and impacts of AFPs on water, examining their significance in cold-adapted organisms, and exploring the diversity of microbial AFPs. Using a meta-analysis from cultivation-based and cultivation-independent data, we evaluate the correlation between AFP-producing microorganisms and cold environments. We also explore small and large-scale biotechnological applications of AFPs, providing a perspective for future research.

Glycosylated Polyhydroxyproline Is a Potent Antifreeze Molecule.

Molecules that inhibit the growth of ice crystals are highly desirable for applications in building materials, foods, and agriculture. Antifreezes are particularly essential in biomedicine for tissue banking, yet molecules currently in use have known toxic effects. Antifreeze glycoproteins have evolved naturally in polar fish species living in subzero climates, but practical issues with collection and purification have limited their commercial use. Here, we present a synthetic strategy using polymerization of amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides to produce polypeptide mimics of these potent natural antifreeze proteins. We investigated a set of mimics with varied structural properties and identified a glycopolypeptide with potent ice recrystallization inhibition properties. We optimized for molecular weight, characterized their conformations, and verified their cytocompatibility in a human cell line. Overall, we present a material that will have broad applications as a biocompatible antifreeze.

Cryoprotective Polysaccharides with Ordered Gel Structures Induce Ice Growth Anticipation and Survival Enhancement during Cell Cryopreservation.

This work cross-correlated rheological, thermodynamic, and conformational features of several natural polysaccharides to their cryoprotective performance. The basis of cryoprotection of FucoPol, pectin, and agar revealed a causal combination of (i) an emerging sol-gel transition (p = 0.014) at near-hypothermia (4 °C), (ii) noncolligative attenuated supercooling of the kinetic freezing point of water (p = 0.026) supporting ice growth anticipation, and (iii) increased conformational order (p < 0.0001), where helix-/sheet-like features boost cryoprotection. FucoPol, of highest cryoprotective performance, revealed a predominantly helical structure (α/ß = 1.5) capable of forming a gel state at 4 °C and the highest degree of supercooling attenuation (TH = 6.2 °C). Ice growth anticipation with gel-like polysaccharides suggests that the gel matrix neutralizes elastic deformations and lethal cell volumetric fluctuations during freezing, thus preventing the loss of homeostasis and increasing post-thaw viability. Ultimately, structured gels capable of attenuated supercooling enable cryoprotective action at the polymer-cell interface, in addition to polymer-ice interactions. This rationale potentiates implementing alternative, biobased, noncytotoxic polymers in cryobiology.

Limits of pressure-based ice detection during isochoric vitrification.

Vitrification under isochoric (constant-volume or volumetrically confined) conditions has emerged as an intriguing new cryopreservation modality, but the physical complexities of the process confound straight-forward interpretation of experimental results. In particular, the signature pressure-based ice detection used in many isochoric techniques becomes paradoxical during vitrification, wherein the emergence of a sharp increase in pressure reliably indicates the presence of ice, but avoidance of this increase does not necessarily indicate its absence. This phenomenon arises from the rich interplay between thermochemical and thermovolumetric effects in isochoric systems, and muddies efforts to confirm the degree to which a sample has vitrified. In this work, we seek to aid interpretation of isochoric vitrification experiments by calculating thermodynamic limits on the maximum amount of ice that may form without being detected by pressure, and by clarifying the myriad physical processes at play. Neglecting kinetic effects, we develop a simplified thermodynamic model accounting for thermal contraction, cavity formation, ice growth, solute ripening, and glass formation, we evaluate it for a range of chamber materials and solution compositions, and we validate against the acutely limited data available. Our results provide both counter-intuitive insights- lower-concentration solutions may contract less while producing more pressure-undetectable ice growth for example- and a general phenomenological framework by which to evaluate the process of vitrification in isochoric systems. We anticipate that the model herein will enable design of future isochoric protocols with minimized risk of pressure-undetectable ice formation, and provide a thermodynamic foundation from which to build an increasingly rigorous multi-physics understanding of isochoric vitrification.

Insights into Thermal Interactions in Frozen Pharmaceutical Vials: Effects on Ice Nucleation Times and Inhibition.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the thermal interactions between adjacent vials during freezing and assesses their impact on nucleation times. METHODS: Various loading configurations were analyzed to understand their impact on nucleation times. Configurations involving direct contact between vials and freeze-dryer shelves were studied, along with setups using empty vials between filled ones. Additionally, non-conventional loading configurations and glycol-filled vials were tested. The analysis includes 2R and 20R vials, which are commonly utilized in the freezing and lyophilization of drug products, along with two different fill depths, 1 and 1.4 cm. RESULTS: The investigation revealed that configurations with direct contact between vials and freeze-dryer shelves led to substantial thermal interactions, resulting in delayed nucleation in adjacent vials and affecting the temperature at which nucleation takes place in a complex way. In another setup, empty vials were placed between filled vials, significantly reducing thermal interactions. Further tests with non-conventional configurations and glycol-filled vials confirmed the presence of thermal interactions with a minimal inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS: These findings carry significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the role of thermal interactions among vials during freezing and their impact on the temperature at which ice nucleation occurs.

Tunable biomimetic materials elaborated by ice templating and self-assembly of collagen for tubular tissue engineering.

Synthetic tubular grafts currently used in clinical context fail frequently, and the expectations that biomimetic materials could tackle these limitations are high. However, developing tubular materials presenting structural, compositional and functional properties close to those of native tissues remains an unmet challenge. Here we describe a combination of ice templating and topotactic fibrillogenesis of type I collagen, the main component of tissues' extracellular matrix, yielding highly concentrated yet porous tubular collagen materials with controlled hierarchical architecture at multiple length scales, the hallmark of native tissues' organization. By modulating the thermal conductivity of the cylindrical molds, we tune the macroscopic porosity defined by ice. Coupling the aforementioned porosity patterns with two different fibrillogenesis routes results in a new family of tubular materials whose textural features and the supramolecular arrangement of type I collagen are achieved. The resulting materials present hierarchical elastic properties and are successfully colonized by human endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells on the luminal side, and by human mesenchymal stem cells on the external side. The proposed straightforward protocol is likely to be adapted for larger graft sizes that address ever-growing clinical needs, such as peripheral arterial disease or tracheal and bronchial reconstructions.

Phosphorus accumulation during the ice-on season in macrophyte-dominated eutrophic lakes and its implications.

Macrophyte overgrowth in eutrophic lakes can hasten the decline of shallow water bodies, yet the impact of macrophyte deposition on sediment phosphorus (P) accumulation in the ice-on season remains unclear. Comparative analyses of P variations among 13 semi-connected sub-lakes in Wuliangsu Lake in China, a typical MDE lake, considered external flow and macrophyte decomposition as driving forces. Sediment P fractions and water total phosphorus (TP) were analyzed at 35 sampling points across three ice-on season stages, along with macrophyte TP content to assess debris contributions. Our findings reveal that phosphorus accumulation occurs during the ice-on season in the MDE lake, with an average TP content increase of 16 mg/kg. However, we observed a surprisingly small sediment nutrient accumulation ratio (ΔTP/ΔTN=0.006) compared to macrophyte nutrient levels before decomposition. Further analysis of the dominant species, Potamogeton pectinatus, indicates that a significant portion (55%) of macrophyte phosphorus is released before the ice-on season. This highlights the critical importance of timing macrophyte harvesting to precede the phosphorus leaching process, which has implications for lake management and ecosystem restoration efforts. Additionally, our research demonstrates similar transformations among different sediment fractions as previously reported. Macrophyte debris decomposition likely serves as the primary source of Residual P (Res-P) or TP accumulation. In addition, Ca-bound P (Ca-P) generally showed a decrease, which mainly caused by its transformation to Fe/Al-bound P (Fe/Al-P), Exchange-P (Ex-P), and sometimes to Res-P. However, we emphasize the significant impacts of flow dynamics on Ca-P transport and transformations. Its hydrodynamic action increases water dissolved oxygen, which accelerates the transformation of Ca-P to more easily released Fe/Al-P and Ex-P. Furthermore, hydrodynamic transport also leads to upstream Ca-P transport to downstream. This underscores the necessity of considering flow dynamics when estimating phosphorus variations and formulating phosphorus restoration strategies.

Characterization of Freezing Processes in Drug Substance Bottles by Ice Core Sampling.

Freezing of biological drug substance (DS) is a critical unit operation that may impact product quality, potentially leading to protein aggregation and sub-visible particle formation. Cryo-concentration has been identified as a critical parameter to impact protein stability during freezing and should therefore be minimized. The macroscopic cryo-concentration, in the following only referred to as cryo-concentration, is majorly influenced by the freezing rate, which is in turn impacted by product independent process parameters such as the DS container, its size and fill level, and the freezing equipment. (At-scale) process characterization studies are crucial to understand and optimize freezing processes. However, evaluating cryo-concentration requires sampling of the frozen bulk, which is typically performed by cutting the ice block into pieces for subsequent analysis. Also, the large amount of product requirement for these studies is a major limitation. In this study, we report the development of a simple methodology for experimental characterization of frozen DS in bottles at relevant scale using a surrogate solution. The novel ice core sampling technique identifies the axial ice core in the center to be indicative for cryo-concentration, which was measured by osmolality, and concentrations of histidine and polysorbate 80 (PS80), whereas osmolality revealed to be a sensitive read-out. Finally, we exemplify the suitability of the method to study cryo-concentration in DS bottles by comparing cryo-concentrations from different freezing protocols (-80°C vs -40°C). Prolonged stress times during freezing correlated to a higher extent of cryo-concentration quantified by osmolality in the axial center of a 2 L DS bottle.

Visualization of intracellular ice formation and growth in mouse oocytes.

BACKGROUND: Characterization of intracellular ice formation (IIF) in oocytes during the freezing and thawing processes will contribute to optimizing their cryopreservation. However, the observation of the ice formation process in oocytes is limited by the spatiotemporal resolution of the cryomicroscope systems. OBJECTIVE: To observe the intracellular icing of oocytes during cooling and rewarming, and to study the mechanism of formation and growth of intracellular ice in oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse oocytes were frozen at different cooling rates to induce intracellular ice formation using a cryomicroscopy system consisting of a microscope equipped with a cryogenic cold stage, an automatic cooling system, a temperature control system, and a high-speed camera. The growth patterns of intracellular ice in oocytes were analyzed from the images recorded. Finally, the growth rate of intracellular ice formation in oocytes was calculated using an automatic intracellular ice tracking method. RESULTS: The IIF temperature decreased gradually with the increase in cooling rate. Initiation sites of IIF could be classified into three categories: marginal type, internal type and coexisting type. There was a strong predominance for ice crystal initiation site in the oocytes, with up to 80% of the initiation sites located in the marginal region. The intracellular ice growth modes of darkening and twitching cells were characterized by "spreading" and "clustering", respectively. In addition, twitching cells started to recrystallize during rewarming, while darkening cells did not. The instantaneous maximal growth rate of ice crystals in twitching cells was about 10 times higher than that in darkening cells. CONCLUSION: By visualising the growth of ice crystals in mouse oocytes during cooling and rewarming, we obtained valuable information on the kinetics of ice formation and melting in these cells. This information can help us understand how ice formation and melting affect the viability and quality of oocytes after cryopreservation. Doi.org/10.54680/fr24310110412.

Predicting black ice-related accidents with probabilistic modeling using GIS-based Monte Carlo simulation.

Black ice, a phenomenon that occurs abruptly owing to freezing rain, is difficult for drivers to identify because it mirrors the color of the road. Effectively managing the occurrence of unforeseen accidents caused by black ice requires predicting their probability using spatial, weather, and traffic factors and formulating appropriate countermeasures. Among these factors, weather and traffic exhibit the highest levels of uncertainty. To address these uncertainties, a study was conducted using a Monte Carlo simulation based on random values to predict the probability of black ice accidents at individual road points and analyze their trigger factors. We numerically modeled black ice accidents and visualized the simulation results in a geographical information system (GIS) by employing a sensitivity analysis, another feature of Monte Carlo simulations, to analyze the factors that trigger black ice accidents. The Monte Carlo simulation allowed us to map black ice accident occurrences at each road point on the GIS. The average black ice accident probability was found to be 0.0058, with a standard deviation of 0.001. Sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulations identified wind speed, air temperature, and angle as significant triggers of black ice accidents, with sensitivities of 0.354, 0.270, and 0.203, respectively. We predicted the probability of black ice accidents per road section and analyzed the primary triggers of black ice accidents. The scientific contribution of this study lies in the development of a method beyond simple road temperature predictions for evaluating the risk of black ice occurrences and subsequent accidents. By employing Monte Carlo simulations, the probability of black ice accidents can be predicted more accurately through decoupling meteorological and traffic factors over time. The results can serve as a reference for government agencies, including road traffic authorities, to identify accident-prone spots and devise strategies focused on the primary triggers of black ice accidents.

Probing the interaction between biomolecules under sub-zero temperature conditions by electrophoresis in ice grain boundaries.

BACKGROUND: Psychrophiles can survive under cryogenic conditions because of various biomolecules. These molecules interact with cells, ice crystals, and lipid bilayers to enhance their functionality. Previous studies typically measured these interactions by thawing frozen samples and conducting biological assays at room temperature; however, studying these interactions under cryogenic conditions is crucial. This is because these biomolecules can function at lower temperatures. Therefore, a platform for measuring chemical interactions under sub-zero temperature conditions must be established. RESULTS: The chemical interactions between biomolecules under sub-zero temperature conditions were evaluated within ice grain boundaries with a channel-like structure, which circumvents the need for thawing. An aqueous solution of sucrose was frozen within a microfluidic channel, facilitating the formation of freeze-concentrated solutions (FCSs) that functioned as size-tunable electrophoretic fields. Avidin proteins or single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) were introduced into the FCS in advance. Probe micro/nanospheres whose surfaces were modified with molecules complementary to the target analytes were introduced into the FCS. If the targets have functionalities under sub-zero temperature conditions, they interact with complementary molecules. The chemical interactions between the target molecules and nanospheres led to the aggregation of the particles. The size tunability of the diameter of the FCS channels enabled the recognition of aggregation levels, which is indicative of interaction reactivity. The avidin-biotin interaction and ssDNA hybridization served as models for chemical interactions, demonstrating interactivity under sub-zero temperature conditions. The results presented herein suggest the potential for in situ measurement of biochemical assays in the frozen state, elucidating the functionality of bio-related macromolecules at or slightly below 0 °C. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first methodology to evaluate chemical interactions under sub-zero temperature conditions without employing the freeze-and-thaw process. This method has the advantage of revealing the chemical interactions only at low temperatures. Therefore, it can be used to screen and evaluate the functionality of cryo-related biomolecules, including cold-shock and antifreeze proteins.

Every Picture Tells A Story: Managing Exertional Heatstroke with Rotating Ice Water Towels.

ABSTRACT: A 23-year-old woman completing her first marathon collapsed near the finish line at 4 hours 6 min with a rectal temperature of 41.8°C. She was in good health before the race with no recent illness, had completed a full training program, and was taking no medications or supplements. On the initial exam, she was unconscious with a response to painful stimulus, spontaneous breathing, rapid pulse, eyes closed, fully dilated pupils, poor muscle tone, and pale skin that was warm to touch. The medical team initiated whole-body cooling using rapidly rotating ice water towels and ice packs placed in the neck, axilla, and groin. She developed echolalia during active cooling. About 20 minutes into the cooling procedure, she "woke up," was able to answer questions coherently, and her pupils were normal size and reactive. She was discharged home with instructions to follow-up in 2 d for evaluation and blood chemistry testing.

Correlation analysis of phosphorylation of myofibrillar protein and muscle quality of tilapia during storage in ice.

In this study, the correlation between protein phosphorylation and deterioration in the quality of tilapia during storage in ice was examined by assessing changes in texture, water-holding capacity (WHC), and biochemical characteristics of myofibrillar protein throughout 7 days of storage. The hardness significantly decreased from 471.50 to 252.17 g, whereas cooking and drip losses significantly increased from 26.5% to 32.6% and 2.9% to 9.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). Myofibril fragmentation increased, while myofibrillar protein sulfhydryl content and Ca2+-ATPase activity decreased from 119.33 to 89.29 µmol/g prot and 0.85 to 0.46 µmolPi/mg prot/h, respectively (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the myofibrillar protein phosphorylation level was positively correlated with hardness and Ca2+-ATPase activity but negatively correlated with WHC. Myofibrillar protein phosphorylation affects muscle contraction by influencing the dissociation of actomyosin, thereby regulating hardness and WHC. This study provides novel insights for the establishment of quality control strategies for tilapia storage based on protein phosphorylation.

Synergistic mechanism of steam blanching and freezing conditions on the texture of frozen yellow peaches based on macroscopic and microscopic properties.

Freezing and blanching are essential processing steps in the production of frozen yellow peaches, inevitably leading to texture softening of the fruit. In this study, the synergistic mechanism of stem blanching, freezing conditions (-20°C, -40°C, -80°C, and liquid nitrogen [-173°C]), and sample sizes (cubes, slices, and half peaches) on macroscopic properties of texture, cellular structure, and ice crystal size distribution of frozen yellow peaches were measured. Blanching enhanced the heat and mass transfer rates in the subsequent freezing process. For nonblanched samples, cell membrane integrity was lost at any freezing rate, causing a significant reduction in textural quality. Slow freezing further exacerbated the texture softening, while the ultra-rapid freezing caused structural rupture. For blanched samples, the half peaches softened the most. The water holding capacity and fracture stress were not significantly affected by changes in freezing rate, although the ice crystal size distribution was more susceptible to the freezing rate. Peach cubes that had undergone blanching and rapid freezing (-80°C) experienced 4% less drip loss than nonblanched samples. However, blanching softened yellow peaches more than any freezing conditions. The implementation of uniform and shorter duration blanching, along with rapid freezing, has been proven to be more effective in preserving the texture of frozen yellow peaches. Optimization of the blanching process may be more important than increasing the freezing rate to improve the textural quality of frozen yellow peaches.

A Four-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial of Topical Pain Control for Sentinel Node Radiotracer Injections in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radioactive tracer injections for breast cancer sentinel lymph node mapping can be painful. In this randomized trial, we compared four approaches to topical pain control for radiotracer injections. METHODS: Breast cancer patients were randomized (9 April 2021-8 May 2022) to receive the institutional standard of ice prior to injection (n = 44), or one of three treatments: ice plus a vibrating distraction device (Buzzy®; n = 39), 4% lidocaine patch (n = 44), or 4% lidocaine patch plus ice plus Buzzy® (n = 40). Patients completed the Wong-Baker FACES® pain score (primary outcome) and a satisfaction with pain control received scale (secondary). Nuclear medicine technologists (n = 8) rated perceived pain control and ease of administration for each patient. At study conclusion, technologists rank-ordered treatments. Data were analyzed as intention-to-treat. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare pain scores of control versus pooled treatment arms (primary) and then control to each treatment arm individually (secondary). RESULTS: There were no differences in pain scores between the control and treatment groups, both pooled and individually. Eighty-five percent of patients were 'satisfied/very satisfied' with treatment received, with no differences between groups. No differences in providers' perceptions of pain were observed, although providers perceived treatments involving Buzzy© more difficult to administer (p < 0.001). Providers rated lidocaine patch as the easiest, with ice being second. CONCLUSION: In this randomized trial, no differences in patient-reported pain or satisfaction with treatment was observed between ice and other topical treatments. Providers found treatments using Buzzy® more difficult to administer. Given patient satisfaction and ease of administration, ice is a reasonable standard.