Positive association between blood ethylene oxide levels and metabolic syndrome: NHANES 2013-2020.

Purpose: The exposure of Ethylene oxide (EO) is linked to systemic inflammatory response and various cardiovascular risk factors. Hemoglobin's binding to ethylene oxide (HbEO) was used to measure serum EO level. This research aims to explore the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and HbEO, and between HbEO and components of metabolic syndrome. Method: This research included 1842 participants from 2013 to 2020 in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Weighted logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between HbEO and metabolic syndrome risk, using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The restricted cubic spline plot explores whether there is a dose-response relationship between HbEO and MetS risk. Subgroup analysis was performed to analyze study heterogeneity. Results: Significant differences were found in gender, educational level, marital status, diabetes status and hypertension among different groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The serum HbEO level exhibited positive correlation with metabolic syndrome risk in Q2 level (OR=1.64, 1.04~2.48), Q3 level (OR=1.99, 1.29~3.08), and Q4 level (OR=2.89, 1.92~4.34). The dose-response association suggested a possible linear association between serum HbEO and metabolic syndrome risk (P-overall=0.0359, P-non-linear=0.179). L-shaped association was found between HbEO and the risk of MetS in female population, obese population and mid-age and elder population (P-overall<0.001, P-non-linear=0.0024; P-overall=0.0107, P-non-linear=0.0055 P-overall<0.001 P-non-linear=0.0157). Conclusion: This study indicates a linear correlation between MetS and HbEO, with MetS risk escalating as HbEO levels increase. The prevalence of MetS varies depending on BMI, age and gender, and these factors can also influence MetS prevalence when exposed to EO.

Association between blood ethylene oxide levels and the prevalence of periodontitis: evidence from NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to establish a link between blood ethylene oxide (EO) levels and periodontitis, given the growing concern about EO's detrimental health effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1006 adults from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. We assessed periodontitis prevalence across groups, used weighted binary logistic regression and restricted cubic spline fitting for HbEO-periodontitis association, and employed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves for prediction. RESULTS: In the periodontitis group, HbEO levels were significantly higher (40.57 vs. 28.87 pmol/g Hb, P < 0.001). The highest HbEO quartile showed increased periodontitis risk (OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.31, 6.31, P = 0.01). A "J"-shaped nonlinear HbEO-periodontitis relationship existed (NL-P value = 0.0116), with an inflection point at ln-HbEO = 2.96 (EO = 19.30 pmol/g Hb). Beyond this, ln-HbEO correlated with higher periodontitis risk. A predictive model incorporating sex, age, education, poverty income ratio, alcohol consumption, and HbEO had 69.9% sensitivity and 69.2% specificity. The model achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.761. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a correlation between HbEO levels and an increased susceptibility to periodontitis.

Construction of Polycarbonates with Pendant Multifunctional Groups via a One-Step CO2/ Diepoxide Copolymerization Approach.

A "one-step" strategy has been demonstrated for the tunable synthesis of multifunctional aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) with ethylene oxide (EO), ethylene carbonate (EC), and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) side groups by the copolymerization of 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide with carbon dioxide under an aminotriphenolate iron/PPNBz (PPN = bis(triphenylphosphine)-iminium, Bz = benzoate) binary catalyst. By adjusting the PPNBz-to-iron complex ratio and incorporating auxiliary solvents, the content of functional side groups can be tuned within the ranges of 53-75% for EO, 18-47% for EC, and <1-7% for CHO. The yield and molecular weight distribution of the resulting multifunctional APCs are affected by the viscosity of the polymerization system. The use of tetrahydrofuran as an auxiliary solvent enables the preparation of narrow-distribution polycarbonates at high conversion. This work presents a novel perspective for the preparation of tailorable multifunctional APCs.

Polyelectrolyte-protein synergism: pH-responsive polyelectrolyte/insulin complexes as versatile carriers for targeted protein and drug delivery.

The co-assembly of polyelectrolytes (PE) with proteins offers a promising approach for designing complex structures with customizable morphologies, charge distribution, and stability for targeted cargo delivery. However, the complexity of protein structure limits our ability to predict the properties of the formed nanoparticles, and our goal is to identify the key triggers of the morphological transition in protein/PE complexes and evaluate their ability to encapsulate multivalent ionic drugs. A positively charged PE can assemble with a protein at pH above isoelectric point due to the electrostatic attraction and disassemble at pH below isoelectric point due to the repulsion. The additional hydrophilic block of the polymer should stabilize the particles in solution and enable them to encapsulate a negatively charged drug in the presence of PE excess. We demonstrated that diblock copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N,N,N-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate), consisting of a polycation block and a neutral hydrophilic block, reversibly co-assemble with insulin in pH range between 5 and 8. Using small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS, SAXS), we showed that insulin arrangement within formed particles is controlled by intermolecular electrostatic forces between protein molecules, and can be tuned by varying ionic strength. For the first time, we observed by fluorescence that formed protein/PE complexes with excess of positive charges exhibited potential for encapsulating and controlled release of negatively charged bivalent drugs, protoporphyrin-IX and zinc(II) protoporphyrin-IX, enabling the development of nanocarriers for combination therapies with adjustable charge, stability, internal structure, and size.

Association between blood ethylene oxide levels and periodontitis risk: a population-based study.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of periodontitis is closely associated with environmental conditions. However, the relationship between ethylene oxide exposure and periodontitis risk remains unclear. Methods: We selected qualified participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014. Periodontitis was identified according to the criteria of the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) definition. Ethylene oxide exposure was quantified by hemoglobin adducts of ethylene oxide (HbEO) levels. Log2-transformation was used to normalize HbEO levels. We designed three logistic regression models to explore potential relationship between HbEO and periodontitis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) and subgroup analysis were also conducted with all covariates adjusted. We performed multivariable linear regression to appraise the association between the risk of periodontitis and different indicators of inflammation, including white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Mediation analysis was subsequently performed to examine whether ethylene oxide exposure contributed to periodontitis development through systemic body inflammation. Results: A total of 1,065 participants aged more than 30 were incorporated in this study. We identified that participants with higher HbEO levels showed increased risk of periodontitis after adjusting for all covariates (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.95, p = 0.0014). The results of subgroup analysis remained stable. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve also revealed a non-linear correlation between log2-transformed HbEO levels with the risk of periodontitis (p for nonlinear < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that HbEO level was significantly associated with four inflammatory mediators, with the mediated proportions of 14.44% (p < 0.001) for white blood cell, 9.62% (p < 0.001) for neutrophil, 6.17% (p = 0.006) for lymphocyte, and 6.72% (p < 0.001) for monocyte. Conclusion: Participants with higher ethylene oxide exposure showed higher risk of periodontitis, which was partially mediated by systemic body inflammation. More well-designed longitudinal studies should be carried out to validate this relationship.

Preparation of multifunctional cellulose macromolecule blended fabrics through internal and external synergy by N1, N6-bis (ethylene oxide-2-ylmethyl) hexane-1,6-diamine.

With the diversification of people's demand for textile functions, the preparation of multifunctional fabrics is still a current research hotspot. In this study, the water-soluble epoxy compound N1, N6-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl) hexane-1,6-diamine (EH) was introduced into cellulose macromolecule blended fabrics (cotton/modal) by two-phase vaporization technique, resulting in excellent wrinkle, hydrophobicity, and certain UV protection effects. It could be observed by electron microscopy that EH formed a polymer film on the fiber surface. In addition, the results of EDS scans and fiber swelling rate tests showed that EH was uniformly distributed and formed a cross-linked structure in the amorphous zones inside the fibers. Compared with the control fabrics, the wrinkle recovery angle of the EH-treated fabric was increased by 39.7 %. The fabrics could reach a contact angle of 136.9°, providing excellent hydrophobic effect. In addition, the fabrics achieved certain UV protection effects (UPF of 50+). The EH-treated fabrics were less stabilized in strong acid and alkali conditions, but exhibited greater durability in other environments. In summary, the internal and external synergistic effects of EH in forming polymer films on the fibers surface and internal cross-linking structures provided a cleaner, simple, and feasible method for the preparation of multifunctional cellulose macromolecule fibers textiles.

Automated, cryogen-free headspace-trap with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol as residual fumigants in foods.

Ethylene oxide (EtO), although banned for use, is still being detected in foodstuffs that have been fumigated to eradicate pests during storage and transport. Residual levels over the European Union's (EU) maximum residue limit (MRL) pose severe health concerns. Recent detection of EtO and its by-product 2-chloroethanol (2-CE) at alarming levels have led to product recalls throughout the EU. Here, a simple, automated headspace (HS)-trap method for the simultaneous determination of EtO and its derivative 2-CE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at the required MRL of ≤ 0.05 mg/kg has been implemented. Syringe-based HS combined with backflushed trapping technology provided enrichment of multiple extractions from the same sample vial (known as multi-step enrichment or MSE®) to increase sensitivity for EtO and 2-CE analysis by GC-MS using single-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. Method detection limits (MDLs) of 0.00059 mg/kg and 0.00219 mg/kg for EtO and 2-CE, respectively, were obtained without the need for manual handling, solvent extraction or derivatization methods. Recoveries were shown to average (n = 5) at 98% and 107% for EtO and 2-CE, respectively, and the reproducibility was <10% for both compounds.

Association between ethylene oxide exposure and periodontitis: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ethylene oxide (EO) induces inflammation and oxidative stress, which are the main mechanisms of periodontitis. However, the effect of EO on periodontal health is not unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between EO exposure and the risk of periodontitis in general US adults. METHODS: Data used in our study from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014. The EO biomarker, hemoglobin adduct of EO (HbEO), was measured in blood samples utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Periodontitis category was defined by the CDC/AAP according to clinical periodontal parameters. Natural cubic spline, weight multivariable logistic regression analyses and subgroup analysis were used to explore the association between EO exposure and the risk of periodontitis. RESULTS: A total of 1497 participants over the age of 30 were included in our study. A non-linear positive association with periodontitis was identified for HbEO levels. Participants in the highest tertile of HbEO levels were more likely to have poorer periodontal health compared to the lowest tertile (ORtertile3vs1 = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.85-4.24). Similar results were also found in different subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: HbEO levels are positively associated with poor periodontal health in US adults. Additional longitudinal studies are necessary to further enhance our comprehension of the impact of exposure to EO on periodontal status.

Impact of hemoglobin adducts of ethylene oxide on the prevalence and prognosis of chronic kidney disease in US adults: an analysis from NHANES 2013-2016.

Animal experiments have shown that high exposure to ethylene oxide (EO) can cause multiple system damages including the renal system. Recent studies have reported associations between exposure to EO and cancer, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of exposure to EO on the prevalence and prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans is scarcely investigated. The study was designed to investigate the associations between EO exposure and incidence and prognosis of CKD among 2900 US adults. Exposure to EO was measured by detecting the levels of hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO). The diagnosis of CKD was made according to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) > 30 mg/g. Prognosis of CKD was assessed based on the evaluation system initiated by KDIGO that consists of eGFR and UACR. Survey-weighted generalized linear models and proportional odds models were constructed to assess the associations between HbEO and prevalence and prognosis of CKD, with odds ratios (ORs) and proportional odds ratios (PORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported, respectively. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was performed to depict the correlation between HbEO and CKD. The weighted median (interquartile range) of HbEO was 31.3 (23.1-60.3) pmol/g Hb. A total of 491 participants (16.9%) were diagnosed with CKD, and 153 participants (5.31%) were identified to be at high or very high risk. Referred to the first tertile of HbEO, the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for CKD in the second and third tertile were 1.46 (0.85, 2.50) and 1.69 (1.00, 2.85), and the adjusted PORs (95% CIs) for prognosis of CKD in the second and third tertile were 1.37 (0.94, 1.99) and 1.58 (1.10, 2.26). When HbEO was analyzed as a continuous variable, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for CKD and POR (95% CI for prognosis of CKD were 1.24 (0.97, 1.58) and 1.22 (1.01, 1.47), respectively. RCS analysis revealed a non-linear positive correlation between HbEO and prevalence of CKD (P for nonlinearity < 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated smoking status had a significant impact on this association, which remained significant among never smokers but lost significance among smokers. Among US adults, increased EO exposure was independently related to increased CKD prevalence and poor CKD outcomes, which was established in never smokers but not among ever smokers.

Association between ethylene oxide levels and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2013-2018 database.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ethylene oxide (EO) is a commonly used compound with known health risks. However, the specific association between EO exposure and the development of depressive symptoms has not been well established. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the potential association between EO exposure, as indicated by hemoglobin adduct of ethylene oxide (HbEO) levels, and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. METHODS: We employed logistic regression, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analysis to investigate the association between EO exposure and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Additionally, we conducted a mediating effect analysis to explore the potential factors influencing the association between EO exposure and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Elevated HbEO levels were associated with the development of depressive symptoms. After adjusting for potential confounders, the highest quartile of HbEO levels showed an odds ratio (OR) of 3.37 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.87-6.10, P = 0.002] compared with the lowest quartile. Additionally, a linear association was observed between HbEO levels and the risk of depressive symptoms. We also revealed that the levels of several inflammatory factors and triglycerides mediated the association between EO exposure and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of EO exposure were related to an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms. The analysis also suggested that the inflammatory response might play a mediating role in the pathway from EO exposure to depressive symptoms.

The association of hemoglobin ethylene oxide levels with albuminuria in US adults: analysis of NHANES 2013-2016.

Ethylene oxide (EO) is a common chemical contaminant in the environment and associated with the occurrence of multiple clinical diseases. This study aimed to explore the association of hemoglobin ethylene oxide (HbEO) levels with the risk of albuminuria in a representative sample of US adults. In total, 3523 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2016 were enrolled and classified into four groups based on HbEO. Restricted cubic spline plots and multiple logistic regression were performed to investigate the connection between HbEO levels and albuminuria, and mediation analysis was applied to elucidate the potential mechanism for the effect of HbEO concentrations on albuminuria. In the results, compared with the extreme quartile of HbEO levels, the weighted prevalence of albuminuria was significantly increased in participants with highest quartile (Q4 vs Q1, 11.2% vs 8.1%). Restricted cubic spline plots revealed that the risk of albuminuria raised non-linearly and positively with elevated HbEO level. After adjusting for confounders, the logistic regression suggested that the risk of albuminuria was enhanced by 12% for each one-unit increase in log-2-transformed HbEO (OR = 1.12, 95% CI, 1.03-1.22, P = 0.007). Moreover, the multivariate ORs (95% CIs) on albuminuria was increased across the increasing HbEO quartiles (Q4 vs Q1, OR = 1.54, 95% CI, 1.09-2.17; P for trend = 0.029). Furthermore, the impact of high HbEO level on albuminuria was partially related to inflammation markers, including white blood cells (17.2%), neutrophils (22.1%), and lymphocytes (19.5%). To sum up, our study identified that high HbEO levels increased the risk of albuminuria in representative population of US adults, and several inflammatory mediators might be potentially involved in EO-associated albuminuria.

Associations of ethylene oxide exposure and "Life's Essential 8".

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a widely used industrial chemical with recognized health risks. While its carcinogenic properties have been extensively studied, emerging evidence suggests potential associations with cardiovascular diseases. Using the recently introduced Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score as a comprehensive cardiovascular health (CVH) measure, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between EtO exposure and CVH. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) encompassing 3748 adults was analyzed. CVH was assessed using the LE8 score, which incorporates diet, physical activity, tobacco/nicotine exposure, sleep duration, BMI, non-HDL cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The association between EtO exposure, gauged by Hemoglobin adduct (HbEtO) levels, and CVH was examined using linear regression and Cox regression models. An inverse relationship between EtO exposure and the overall CVH score was identified. Specifically, for every 1-unit increase in ln-transformed HbEtO, a 3.69-point decrease in the total CVH score was observed. An inverted J-shaped association between ln-transformed HbEtO and CVH score emerged, with an inflection point at 3.15 pmol/g Hb. Elevated EtO exposure was not significantly linked to all-cause mortality but was robustly associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Elevated EtO exposure is negatively associated with CVH, as outlined by the LE8 metrics. Beyond a certain threshold, this association underscores the cardiovascular risks of EtO exposure and highlights the importance of further research to determine underlying mechanisms and recommend preventive strategies.

Accurate selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry quantification of ethylene oxide contamination in the presence of acetaldehyde.

In September 2020, traces of ethylene oxide (a toxic substance used as a pesticide in developing countries but banned for use on food items within the European Union) were found in foodstuffs containing ingredients derived from imported sesame seed products. Vast numbers of foodstuffs were recalled across Europe due to this contamination, leading to expensive market losses and extensive trace exposure of ethylene oxide to consumers. Therefore, a rapid analysis method is needed to ensure food safety by high-throughput screening for ethylene oxide contamination. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is a suitable method for rapid quantification of trace amounts of vapours in the headspace of food samples. It turns out, however, that the presence of acetaldehyde complicates SIFT-MS analyses of its isomer ethylene oxide. It was proposed that a combination of the H3O+ and NO+ reagent ions can be used to analyse ethylene oxide in the presence of acetaldehyde. This method is, however, not robust because of the product ion overlaps and potential interferences from other matrix species. Thus, we studied the kinetics of the reactions of the H3O+, NO+, OH- and O-˙ ions with these two compounds and obtained their rate coefficients and product ion branching ratios. Interpretation of these experimental data revealed that the OH- anions are the most suitable SIFT-MS reagents because the product ions of their reactions with acetaldehyde (CH2CHO- at m/z 43) and ethylene oxide (C2H3O2- at m/z 59) do not overlap.

Ultrasound and surfactant-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction prior to poly(ethylene oxide)-mediated stacking in CE for highly sensitive determination of barbiturates in human fluids.

This study developed a facile, highly sensitive technique for extracting and quantifying barbiturates in serum samples. This method combined ultrasound and surfactant-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with poly(ethylene oxide)-mediated stacking in capillary electrophoresis. Factors influencing the extraction and stacking performance, such as the type and volume of extraction solvents, the type and concentration of surfactant, extraction time, salt additives, sample matrix, solution pH, and composition of the background electrolyte, were carefully studied and optimized to achieve the optimal detection sensitivity. Under the optimized extraction (injecting 140 µL C2 H4 Cl2 into 1 mL of sample with pH 4 (5 mM sodium phosphate containing 0.05 mM Tween 20 and sonication for 1 min) and separation conditions (150 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-borate with pH 8.5 containing 0.5% (m/v) poly(ethylene oxide)), the limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of five barbiturates ranged from 0.20 to 0.33 ng/mL, and the calculated sensitivity improvement ranged from 868- to 1700-fold. The experimental results revealed excellent linearity (R2  > 0.99), with relative standard deviations of 2.1%-3.4% for the migration time and 4.3%-5.7% for the peak area. The recoveries of the spiked serum samples were 97.1% -110.3%. Our proposed approach offers a rapid and practical method for quantifying barbiturates in biological fluids.

Sterilization of 20 billion medical devices by ethylene oxide (ETO): Consequences of ETO closures and alternative sterilization technologies/solutions.

BACKGROUND: To prevent healthcare-associated infections, it is essential that critical medical devices be sterilized before use. Although there are several sterilization technologies for medical devices, only ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization has virtually universal material compatibility. METHODS: We searched the published English literature (Google, Google scholar and PubMed) for articles on the sterilization of medical devices by ethylene oxide, the consequences of ETO closures, and alternative sterilization technologies/solutions. RESULTS: ETO's compatibility and effectiveness with medical products allows for sterilization of many medical devices that would otherwise be rendered ineffective or unsafe if sterilized with an alternative method. CONCLUSIONS: At present, there are no alternatives to ETO that provide the same sterility assurance and result in the same device performance as ETO; therefore, it is likely irreplaceable for years.

Dynamic headspace GC-MS/MS analysis of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol in dry food commodities: a novel approach.

With frequent RASFF notifications from the EU countries, the residue testing of ethylene oxide (EtO) and its metabolite 2-chloroethanol (2-CE) in food commodities has become essential to check their compliance with MRLs. This study, for the first time, aimed at establishing a dynamic headspace-GC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of these two analytes in acetonitrile extracts of cumin, ashwagandha, chilli powder, turmeric powder, guar gum, locust bean gum, and ginger powder. The samples (4 g) were extracted using acetonitrile (10 mL). A dispersive-solid phase extraction cleanup step with primary secondary amine sorbent (50 mg/mL) reduced the interfering signal of (matrix-derived) acetaldehyde by >40% in chilli powder, ginger, turmeric, and guar gum. This cleanup was not required for sesame seeds. With high selectivity and sensitivity, the GC-MS/MS approach identified and quantified both compounds simultaneously. At the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.05 mg/kg, the recoveries and precision were satisfactory (70-120%, RSDs, ≤15%). The headspace method-performance was similar to liquid injections. The method provided reproducible results when evaluated by two different laboratories. The method provided high-precision results for incurred residue analysis. Given its efficiency, the validated method is anticipated to improve the effectiveness of monitoring of EtO residues in food commodities.

Bioactive chitosan/poly(ethyleneoxide)/CuFe2O4 nanofibers for potential wound healing.

Wound healing is a complex process that often requires intervention to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent complications. The goal of this research was to assess the potential of bioactive chitosan@poly (ethylene oxide)@CuFe2O4 (CS@PEO@CF) nanofibers for wound healing applications by evaluating their morphology, mechanical properties, and magnetic behavior. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate their effectiveness in promoting wound healing treatment. The nanoparticles exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In the nanofibrous mats, the optimal concentration of CuFe2O4 was determined to be 0.1% Wt/V. Importantly, this concentration did not adversely affect the viability of fibroblast cells, which also identified the ideal concentration. The scaffold's hemocompatibility revealed nonhemolytic properties. Additionally, a wound-healing experiment demonstrated significant migration and growth of fibroblast cells at the edge of the wound. These nanofibrous mats are applied to treat rats with full-thickness excisional wounds. Histopathological analysis of these wounds showed enhanced wound healing ability, as well as regeneration of sebaceous glands and hair follicles within the skin. Overall, the developed wound dressing comprises CuFe2O4 nanoparticles incorporated into CS/PEO nanofibrous mats demonstrating its potential for successful application in wound treatment.

Evaluation of hernia surgical meshes sterilised with ethylene oxide for adoption under UK regulations.

BACKGROUND: Low-cost meshes (LCM) have been successfully used in low-income countries (LIC) over the past decades, demonstrating comparable surgical outcomes to commercial meshes at a fraction of the cost. However, LIC sterilisation standards (autoclave sterilisation at 121 °C) do not meet UK regulations for medical devices, which require either ethylene oxide (EO) sterilisation or steam sterilisation at 134 °C. Therefore, the aim of this study was to sterilise UK LCM and characterise their mechanical properties and in vitro biocompatibility to verify whether EO sterilisation causes changes in the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of LCM. METHODS: EO sterilised LCM were used. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed to measure mechanical properties. Biocompatibility was measured through viability and morphology of Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFs) cultured in mesh-conditioned media, and by calculating the metabolic activity and proliferation of HDFs attached on the meshes, with alamarBlue assay. RESULTS: Break stress of LCM1 was significantly higher than LCM2 (p < 0.0001), while Young's modulus of LCM1 was significantly lower than LCM2 (p < 0.05) and there was no significant difference in break strain. Viability and morphology showed no significant difference between LCM and control. Attachment and proliferation of HDFs on LCM showed a better proliferation on LCM2 than LCM1, with values similar to the control at the final time point. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that EO sterilisation affects LCM mechanical properties, but they still have values closer to the native tissues than the commercially available ones. We also showed that in vitro biocompatibility of LCM2 is not affected by EO sterilisation, as HDFs attached and proliferated on the mesh, while EO affected attachment on LCM1. A more detailed cost analysis of the potential savings for healthcare systems around the world needs to be performed to strengthen the cost-effectiveness of this frugal innovation.

Suitability of new and existing ambient ethylene oxide measurement techniques for cancer inhalation risk assessment.

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is an industrial gas that was recently reassessed to pose significant additional cancer risk at low ambient concentrations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the capabilities of existing and novel techniques to measure ambient EtO at concentrations relevant for assessing cancer risk. We present the first comparison of background ambient EtO measurements between the standard offline TO-15 techniques and two new cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) instruments, the Picarro G2920 Ethylene Oxide Gas Analyzer and the Entanglement Technologies AROMA-ETO, at a site in Atlanta, GA. Then, we analyzed background EtO measured at EPA NATTS sites across the US. Finally, we used TO-15 measurement data to assess EtO cancer risk at three near-source sites. We find that the TO-15 method has low precision for collocated samples (NME ranges from 24% to 63%), and measurements made with TO-15 pressurized samplers are biased 27% low compared to those from TO-15 passive samplers. Both CRDS methods are biased low compared to TO-15 methods (88% and 31% low bias for Picarro and AROMA, respectively), and TO-15 methods observe a seasonal peak during summer (June to September) whereas Picarro observes no seasonal trend. From our near-source assessment, we find only one site with notable elevation in cancer risk prior to EtO controls installation. Our results suggest that measurement techniques need further development to accurately assess near-source EtO cancer risk. Because different techniques measure distinct EtO trends, EtO cancer risk studies that rely on current measurement capabilities should subtract simultaneous background observations from near-source observations measured by the same method to account for these real or artificial background trends.

Endotoxin Is Inactivated by Ethylene Oxide, Gamma, Electron Beam, and Steam Sterilization.

The effect of sterilization on bacterial endotoxin is receiving greater attention within the medical device industry. Contributing factors to this increased attention include the growing popularity of transferring devices among sterilization modalities and the focus on aspects of microbiological quality other than sterilization. This systematic review examined the effects of sterilization on bacterial endotoxin, with attention drawn to industry standards and regulations to elucidate whether such documents are aligned with published data. In summary, numerous experiments have shown a reduction in pyrogenicity and/or limulus amebocyte lysate reactivity of endotoxin following sterilization, whereas a number of publications and industry standards have claimed (without data or references) that sterilization does not inactivate endotoxin. The results of this review would be useful for device manufacturers when selecting a sterilization modality or deciding whether to test for endotoxin pre- vs poststerilization, as well as for standards developers and regulators in aligning standards and regulations with peer-reviewed data.