Molecular Characterization of Fungal Colonization on the Provox™ Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis in Post Laryngec-tomy Patients

Background: Tracheoesophageal voice prostheses (TVPs) have been the gold standard in rehabilitation, after laryngectomy, producing faster and premier voicing towards esophageal speech. Fungal colonization shortens the device’s lifetime and leads to prosthesis dysfunction, leakage, and subsequent respiratory infection. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the fungal colonization patterns and to propose prophylactic measures that shall increase the longevity of voice prosthesis. Methods: Failed TVPs were removed - due to leakage and/or aspiration - from 66 post laryngectomy patients and examined. They were referred to Amiralam and Rasoul Hospital, the main centers of Ear, Nose, and Throat in Tehran, Iran from April 2018 to January 2020. Fungal colonization patterns were assessed using DNA sequencing techniques. Furthermore, the susceptibility to fluconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin, and white vinegar was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Resident fungal species from the upper airways colonized all the 66 TVPs (100%). Diabetes (31%) and smoking (98%) were the predominant underlying disease and predisposing factors, respectively. Among the 79 fungal agents isolated from the 66 TVPs, Candida glabrata (n=25, 31.7%) was the most common. A significant reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were observed for white vinegar when used alone (P<0.05). Conclusion: White vinegar at a very low concentration could decrease the amount of fungal colonization on TVPs without any adverse effects; its wide accessibility and affordability ensure a decrease in the overall health cost.

Effects of white vinegar on carbohydrate contents in hepatorenal tissues in rats.

White vinegar is mildly acidic with a pH of 2-3 that has long been used as a relish and traditional medication that depends on its concentration. Yet even a small amount of white vinegar in a small concentration may cause serious poisoning. Recently, many sorts of white vinegar have been developed using fundamental sources and technologies to satisfy customer needs. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of white vinegar on carbohydrate contents in hepatorenal tissues in rats. Thirty female rats were used, they were divided into three groups, group 1 was given distilled water as the normal control group, group 2 was given white vinegar with a dose (1 ml/kg (5 %)) and group 3 was given white vinegar with a dose (1 ml/kg (10 %)) for two weeks. PAS stain in all treated tissues showed a decrease in carbohydrate contents when compared with the control group. In conclusion, white vinegar consumption has adverse effects on carbohydrate contents in hepatic and renal tissues in rats, hence the quantity of white vinegar should be discouraged or reduced.

Synthesis and Characterization of Aluminum Nanoparticles Prepared in Vinegar Using a Pulsed Laser Ablation Technique

The second harmonic wavelength of a neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd-YAG) laser (λ=532 nm) was used in a pulsed laser ablation technique (PLAL) to synthesize aluminum nanoparticles suspended in white vinegar from an aluminum target. The nanoparticles were characterized by HRTEM and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. They were found to range in size between 2 and 50 nm in diameter, with an average diameter of 12±9 nm. The nanoparticles had a maximum absorption peak at 237 nm and were found to exhibit a core-shell structure with an Al core coated by a thin layer of an amorphous material which could be attributed to amorphous carbon. HRTEM results revealed that the small nanoparticles (<20 nm) had an fcc phase of aluminum crystalline structure, where the larger particles represented alumina (γ-Al2O3) nanoparticles. Such observation suggests that the use of white vinegar as an ablation medium could facilitate the synthesis of aluminum nanoparticles with minimal evidence of the existence of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in the resultant suspension.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Home Remedies for Toothbrush Decontamination using Vinegar and Vinegar with Common Salt

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate if vinegar and vinegar with 3.5% sodium chloride could be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine gluconate for disinfection of toothbrushes. Materials and methods The study consisted of three groups: group I: 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate, group II: 38% white vinegar, and group III: 38% white vinegar with 3.5% sodium chloride. Two new toothbrushes were cultured to check their sterility before use. Eight children in the age group of 6 to 12 years were given oral hygiene instructions and four sets of oral hygiene kits. At the end of the 1st week, one set of used toothbrushes was cultured to check for total viable count. Again at the end of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sets of brushes were collected, subjected to respective decontamination treatment for 12 hours, and then cultured for microbial analyses. The obtained data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results In group I, three out of eight brushes showed 1 to 10,000 colonies, in group II, one out of eight cases showed >10,000 colonies and two out of eight showed 1 to 10,000 colonies, and in group III, all the eight cases showed no colonies upon culturing. Conclusion Out of all the tested decontaminating agents, combination of 38% white vinegar and 3.5% sodium chloride was found to be the most efficient. Clinical significance Toothbrushes become contaminated upon use and act as a reservoir for microorganisms. Thus, toothbrush decontamination should become a routine practice. Testing the disinfecting efficacy of vinegar and common salt is, thus, beneficial as they are available in every kitchen. How to cite this article Mavani V, Mahabala KY, Suman E, Natarajan S, Nayak PA, Srikrishna SB, Rao A. Evaluation of Effectiveness of Home Remedies for Toothbrush Decontamination using Vinegar and Vinegar with Common Salt. World J Dent 2018;9(1):19-23.

Microbial Decontamination of Fresh Produce (Strawberry) Using Washing Solutions

<p>This study was carried out to determine the effect of natural antimicrobial washing solutions against microbial growths on fresh produce specifically strawberries. Selected washing solutions used for strawberry washing, and treatments were sterile water (control), white vinegar (VI), crude lemon juice extract (LE), VI+Origanum oil (VIO), LE+Origanum oil (LEO), and VI+LE+Origanum oil (VILEO). From the preliminary study of antimicrobial activity of washing solutions in aqueous model system tested at 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min against <em>S.</em> Typhimurium, washing time was determined as 5 min to be used for this study. After the washing, strawberries were stored at 4 °C for 5 days. Results showed that all natural washing solutions exhibited inhibitory effect against total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold. On day 5, compared to the control, all washing solutions significantly reduced <em>S.</em> Typhimurium by 2.7 Log CFU/g (P&lt;0.05). Color results showed that samples color were slightly changed by washing with VIO and VILEO. However, there was no significant difference in total color change on strawberries compared to the control (P&gt;0.05). Based on the results, it is indicated that the combination of vinegar with crude lemon juice extract and essential oil might be suitable as natural sanitizer for decontamination of fresh produce.</p>

In Vitro Antifungal Evaluation of Seven Different Disinfectants on Acrylic Resins

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate alternative methods for the disinfection of denture-based materials.Material and Methods. Two different denture-based materials were included in the study. Before microbial test, the surface roughness of the acrylic resins was evaluated. Then, the specimens were divided into 8 experimental groups(n=10), according to microorganism considered and disinfection methods used. The specimens were contaminated in vitro by standardized suspensions ofCandida albicansATCC#90028 andCandida albicansoral isolate. The following test agents were tested: sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl 1%), microwave (MW) energy, ultraviolet (UV) light, mouthwash containing propolis (MCP), Corega Tabs, 50% and 100% white vinegar. After the disinfection procedure, the number of remaining microbial cells was evaluated in CFU/mL. Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, and Dunn’s test were used for multiple comparisons. Mann WhitneyUtest was used to compare the surface roughness.Results. Statistically significant difference(P<0.05)was found between autopolymerised and heat-cured acrylic resins. The autopolymerised acrylic resin surfaces were rougher than surfaces of heat-cured acrylic resin. The most effective disinfection method was 100% white vinegar for tested microorganisms and both acrylic resins.Conclusion. This study showed that white vinegar 100% was the most effective method for tested microorganisms. This agent is cost-effective and easy to access and thus may be appropriate for household use.