OBJECTIVES To compare the contamination level of physicians' hands and stethoscopes and to explore the risk of cross-transmission of microorganisms through the use of stethoscopes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a structured prospective study between January 1, 2009, and May 31, 2009, involving 83 inpatients at a Swiss university teaching hospital. After a standardized physical examination...

One of the most important attributes of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is its exquisite sensitivity. However, the high sensitivity of PCR also renders it prone to falsepositive results because of, for example, exogenous contamination. Good laboratory practice and specific anti-contamination strategies are essential to minimize the chance of contamination. Some of these strategies, for exam...

Scatterometer Contamination Mitigation

The article investigates the linguistic and extralinguistic nature of contamination – a word-building pattern that seems to be on the rise in modern English. The relative productivity of contamination is traced down to several factors: first, the speaker’s intention to assert his individuality through punning and word-juggling; second, saving up time and physical and mental effort; third, camou...

This issue of Foods is dedicated to discuss the microbial, chemical and physical contamination challenges of food products.[...].

[Purpose] Interferential therapy and electrical stimulation are electrophysical modalities commonly used in physical therapy departments to treat patients with musculoskeletal problems. These machines are applied directly to the patient's skin via a medium or electrodes, which can facilitate the transmission of microorganisms from one patient to another. The purpose of this study was to determi...

Methods Following a standardized physical exam using sterile gloves and a sterile stethoscope, bacterial contamination of the following regions were assessed using contact plates: stethoscope diaphragm, stethoscope tube, fingertips, thenar region, hypothenar region and back of physician’s dominant hand. Total aerobic colony count (ACC) were determined on digital photographs using a counting tool.

........................................................................................................................2 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3 THE NATIONAL MAIZE ECONOMY.............................................................................4 GUATEMALA’S AGRICULTURE AND MAIN MAIZE PRODUC...