Search Results (41)

Background: Maintaining skin integrity is essential for individuals with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin. This study was conducted to evaluate the skin tolerability and effects of a 3-in-1 pre-moistened wet wipe containing 3% dimethicone on prespecified skin biophysical parameters compared with cleansing using water and soap. Methods: In this monocentric controlled observational study, 30 adults with very dry, easily damaged skin used the wet wipe three times daily for 4 weeks on the intimate area and left shin, while the right shin was cleansed with water and soap. Hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin roughness were measured on the shins; the intimate area was assessed for clinical tolerability only. Results: The wet wipe was well-tolerated, with no clinically relevant skin reactions observed under the study conditions. On day 28, compared with water and soap, the wet wipe increased hydration (mean relative change +105.84%) and reduced TEWL (−16.44%) on the lower leg. Skin roughness decreased numerically (−13.90%), but the between-condition difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: In adults with very dry and easily damaged skin, the 3-in-1 dimethicone-containing wet wipe was associated with favorable lower-leg hydration and reduced TEWL (a barrier-related indicator) compared with water and soap, with good clinical tolerability. Further site-specific studies with additional endpoints are warranted. Full article

The environmental sustainability of cleaning materials used in heritage conservation remains poorly quantified despite growing attention to the replacement of hazardous petroleum-based solvents with bio-based alternatives. This study applies a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCIA) to compare conventional solvents with innovative bio-based formulations, including Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs), Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), and aqueous or organogel systems used for cleaning painted surfaces. Following ISO 14040/14044 standards and using the Ecoinvent v3.8 database with the EF 3.1 impact method, three functional units were adopted to reflect material and system-level scales. Results demonstrate that water-rich systems, such as agar gels and emulsified organogels, yield significantly lower climate and toxicity impacts (up to 85–90% reduction) compared with petroleum-based benchmarks, while FAME and DES exhibit outcomes highly dependent on allocation rules and baseline datasets. When including application materials, cotton wipes dominate total environmental burdens, emphasizing that system design outweighs solvent substitution in improving sustainability. The study provides reproducible data and methodological insights for integrating LCIA into conservation decision-making, contributing to the transition toward evidence-based and environmentally responsible heritage practices. Full article

Paper plays an important role in the packaging industry due to its low cost, light weight, recyclability and biodegradability. However, the use of paper as a packaging material is severely limited due to its hydrophilicity caused by the hydroxyl groups of cellulose. This study reports a simple preparation of highly hydrophobic kraft paper by a one-step dip coating method using [3-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)propyl]silsesquioxane, {3-[(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl)oxy]propyl}silsesquioxane or {3-[(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyl)oxy]propyl}silsesquioxane as hydrophobic agents. As a result of modification of kraft paper, a stable covalently bonded coating is formed on its surface. The coated kraft paper has demonstrated (1) high water resistance (the water contact angle (WCA) values were 124–141°, and the water absorption and the water vapor permeability (WVP) rates were significantly decreased), (2) excellent resistance to aggressive environments and temperature, (3) enhanced mechanical properties (tensile strength increased from 46.8 to 70.8 MPa), and (4) high wear resistance, as confirmed by sandpaper abrasion, bending, and finger-wipe tests. It was shown that the maximum contact angle values were achieved for kraft paper modified with a 5% polymer solution. The results of this study have great potential, given the simplicity of the modification method, for use in the production of paper-based packaging materials with water-repellent, enhanced mechanical and moisture-protective properties. Full article

The unhygienic practices in retail poultry meat shops adversely affect chicken meat quality and shelf life. To address this issue, a meat-surface-decontaminating wipe was developed. Deionized water, jamun leaf (Syzygium cumini) extracts, and other generally recognized as safe ingredients were used to prepare a decontamination solution. A sterile non-woven cloth soaked in the solution was applied over the meat surface as a decontamination wipe. Treated and untreated meat samples were stored at 4 ± 1 °C under aerobic packaging conditions, and various meat quality parameters were evaluated at every 1-day interval until the onset of spoilage. It was observed that the wipe could significantly reduce 2.31 log microbial loads (p = 0.00005, CI-95%, 1.85, 2.77) over the meat surface. With the increasing storage intervals, the meat quality parameters changed significantly (p < 0.05), and the treated chicken samples spoiled on day 6, whereas the control spoiled on day 5. The meat spoilage was confirmed by the evaluation of quality changes in the stored meat. Additionally, the wipe could cause 1.14 (p = 0.00000, CI-95%, 1.01, 1.25) and 1.03 (p = 0.00005, CI-95%, 0.90, 1.16) log reductions of E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that the decontamination wipe could improve the meat quality and shelf life of retail chicken meat without affecting the sensory quality attributes. Full article

Anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) not only enable the fabrication of catalyst-coated membranes without precious metals but are also projected to achieve a technology-readiness level (TRL) suitable for industrial deployment before the end of this decade. Accurate and reproducible water uptake data are essential for guiding AEM design, yet conventional gravimetric methods—relying on manual blotting and loosely defined drying steps—can introduce variabilities exceeding 20%. Here, we present a standardized protocol that transforms water uptake measurements from rough estimates into precise, comparable “hydration fingerprints.” By replacing manual wiping with a calibrated pressure-blotting rig (0.44 N cm⁻² for 10 s twice) and verifying both dry and wet states via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, we dramatically reduce scatter and align our FAAM-PK-75 (Fumatech, Bietigheim, Germany) results with published benchmarks in DI water, aqueous KOH (0.1–9 M), various alcohols, and controlled humidity (39–96% RH). These uptake profiles reveal how OH⁻ screening, thermal densification at 60 °C, and PEEK reinforcement govern equilibrium hydration. A low-cost salt-bath method for vapor-phase sorption further distinguishes reinforced from unreinforced architectures. Extending the workflow to additional commercial and custom membranes confirms its broad applicability. Ultimately, this work establishes a new benchmark for AEM hydration testing and provides a predictive toolkit for correlating water content with conductivity, dimensional stability, and membrane–ink interactions during catalyst-coated membrane fabrication. Full article

This article compares two new textile materials used to clean up spills of oil or two oil products (crude oil, diesel fuel, and base oil SN 150). The plain-woven cotton fabric is hydrophilic, with a typical porous structure. After coating with a layer of chitosan modified with benzaldehyde and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (CB), its hydrophobicity increases, hence the sorption affinity to hydrophobic hydrocarbons. Including in situ synthesized zinc oxide particles in the hydrophobic chitosan layer (CBZ) changes its structure and increases the sorption capacity. The morphology of the layers was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by comparing the contact angles of the pollutants against the cotton fabric and the composite materials. EDX analysis and mapping for the Zn element show that zinc is homogeneously distributed on the fabric surface. The roughness enhancement and mesoporous structure under the influence of zinc oxide particles were established by the Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The advantages of textile composites are their flexibility, stability, and ability to float on the water and wipe up oil spills. It was found that the materials can be successfully regenerated and used repeatedly, making them highly effective because the sorbed crude oil or petroleum products can be separated and utilized. Full article

Hyperalgesic priming is a model of the transition from acute to chronic pain. Whether a similar mechanism exists for “pruritic priming” of itch is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that itchy skin in a commonly used mouse model of dry skin pruritus develops latent sensitization after resolution. Acetone–ether–water (AEW) treatment induced a dry and itchy skin condition in the mouse cheek that elicited site-directed scratching behavior. After cessation of treatment and the complete resolution of AEW-induced scratching, histaminergic and non-histaminergic pruritogens were administered to the cheek to test for altered site-directed scratching and wiping behavior. Each pruritogen was also tested following the resolution of carrageenan-induced nociceptor hypersensitivity to test for cross-modality priming. Peak AEW-induced scratching occurred 24 h after the final day of treatment, and 5 days were required for scratching levels to return to baseline. Likewise, epidermal thickening was the greatest on the final treatment day and completely returned to baseline after 5 days. After the resolution of itchy cheek skin, acute histamine- and non-histamine-evoked scratching and wiping behaviors were unchanged, nor were scratching and wiping behaviors to acute pruritogens altered after the resolution of carrageenan-induced hypersensitivity. The results indicate that persistent itch due to dry skin likely resolves completely, without producing a latent primed response to subsequent pruritic stimuli. We conclude that the mechanisms regulating hyperalgesic priming are likely distinct from pruritic signaling in the dry and itchy skin model. Full article

Clostridioides difficile is widely recognised as one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated C. difficile infections due to the ability of spores to survive for prolonged periods in the hospital environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of UV-C 254 nm light in the inactivation of the spores of different C. difficile ribotypes on brain heart infusion (BHI) agar plates or in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with varying spore densities. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a sporicidal surface disinfectant against C. difficile spores was determined on different surfaces. Spore suspensions of different C. difficile strains in the range of 10⁵–10⁷ colony-forming units (CFUs) mL⁻¹ were inoculated on BHI agar plates or in PBS and exposed to UV-C light for up to 30 min. Additionally, a spore suspension of 10³–10⁵ CFUs was spread over a 1 cm² test area on different surfaces, and sporicidal surface wipes were used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The findings demonstrated that spores of C. difficile ribotypes exhibited a complete reduction in log₁₀ CFU on BHI agar plates and PBS following 20 min of exposure to a UV-C dose of 2208 mJ cm⁻². The surface wipes with sporicidal properties demonstrated efficacy in reducing the number of C. difficile spores on the Formica, stainless steel, and plastic surfaces by 2.03–3.53 log₁₀. The present study demonstrates that moist surfaces or liquids can enhance the efficacy of UV-C treatment in reducing C. difficile spores. This approach may be applicable to the surfaces of healthcare facilities and to water disinfection systems. Full article

A key functionality for cleansing wipes is their efficiency in removing dirt and microbial contamination from the skin to safe or non-detectable levels, traditionally determined using the gravimetric method, which has been reported to be prone to experimental errors. This study evaluates the efficiency of a water-based cleansing wipe, WaterWipes^® (WaterWipes, UC, Drogheda, Ireland), for removing synthetic faecal matter (Feclone^TM, SiliClone Creations LLC, Havertown, PA, United States) and Escherichia coli (NCTC 10538) from volunteers’ skin, the former using a dermal analytical device called the Antera 3D^TM camera (Miravex Ltd., Dublin, Ireland), and the latter using standard microbiological methods. Feclone^TM was applied to participants’ forearms and the Antera 3D^TM camera captured detailed images of the skin surface before and after wiping. The Antera 3D^TM camera approach was found to be effective in measuring cleaning efficiency, with the wipe removing all detectable traces of the Feclone^TM applied. The total pore area (mm²), pore count, and total pore volume (mm³) in test participants post-wiping were observed to be reduced on average by 39.05%, 34.39%, and 39.98%, respectively. The wipe removed 99.99% of E. coli (NCTC 10538) applied, as measured using the microbial plate count method. In conclusion, the Antera 3D^TM camera method was observed to be effective in evaluating removal of topically applied Feclone^TM. Full article

As a daily consumable, wet wipes are mostly synthetic fibers, which are incinerated or landfilled after use. The nanoplastics generated during this process will lead to environmental pollution. The application of flushable wet wipes, which are dispersible and fully degradable, is of great significance. The main raw material for flushable wipes is wood pulp, which has a long growth cycle and high cost. Corn is widely planted and has a short growth cycle. Currently most corn stalk is treated by incineration, which produces a lot of smoke that pollutes the environment. Therefore, using corn stalk as the raw material for flushable wet wipes, replacing wood pulp, is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. In this study, aiming at industrial production, we explored the full process of producing flushable wet wipes from corn stalk to pulp board, then to the final wipes. The corn stalk was treated using alkali and a bleaching agent to obtain corn stalk pulp, which was then made into pulp board through the nonwoven wet-laid process. The optimal parameters for the alkali treatment and bleaching were obtained. The properties of the corn stalk pulp board were compared with the commercial wood pulp board. Further, we mixed the corn stalk pulp with Lyocell fiber to prepare wet-laid webs, which were then bonded using a chemical binder poloxamer. Then, the evenness of the web, mechanical properties, absorption, and dispersibility of the flushable wipes were characterized. Results showed that the pulp obtained using the optimal treatment process has a high yield and better whiteness. The properties of the corn stalk pulp board are comparable with the commercial wood pulp board, which can therefore potentially be replaced by the corn stalk board prepared in our study. The prepared flushable wet wipes had good evenness and their water absorption rate was more than 600%. The mechanical strength in dry and wet states achieved 595.94 N/m and 179.00 N/m, respectively. Most importantly, the wet wipes can completely disperse under the standardized testing method. A good balance of dispersibility and wet strength of the wet wipes was achieved. Full article

Exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides is associated with adverse human health outcomes. There is environmental contamination in Saunders County, Nebraska, due to the accumulation of fungicides and insecticides from a now-closed ethanol plant using seed corn as stock. A pilot study quantified environmental contamination in nearby houses from residual pesticides by measuring dust and air (indoor/outdoor) concentrations of neonicotinoids and fungicides at the study site (households within two miles of the plant) and control towns (20–30 miles away). Air (SASS^® 2300 Wetted-Wall Air Sampler) and surface dust (GHOST wipes with 4 × 4-inch template) samples were collected from eleven study households and six controls. Targeted analysis quantified 13 neonicotinoids, their transformation products and seven fungicides. Sample extracts were concentrated using solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, eluted with methanol and evaporated. Residues were re-dissolved in methanol–water (1:4) prior to analysis, with an Acquity H-Class ultraperformance liquid chromatograph (UPLC) and a Xevo triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. We compared differences across chemicals in air and surface dust samples at the study and control sites by dichotomizing concentrations above or below the detection limit, using Fisher’s exact test. A relatively higher detection frequency was observed for clothianidin and thiamethoxam at the study site for the surface dust samples, similarly for thiamethoxam in the air samples. Our results suggest airborne contamination (neonicotinoids and fungicides) from the ethanol facility at houses near the pesticide contamination. Full article

In order to provide a cost-effective solution for photocurable coatings and introduce a novel approach for utilizing waste cooking oil (WCO), a type of photocurable resin based on WCO was synthesized. This WCO-based coating incorporated epoxy waste oil methacrylate (EWOMA) derived from WCO and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as a second monomer. It allowed for easy application and rapid curing when exposed to 405 nm purple light. The cured coating, with an optimized composition of EWOMA: HEMA = 4:1 in mass ratio, exhibited favorable mechanical properties (tensile strength: 9.3 MPa, elongation at break: 38.1%) and demonstrated good coating film performance. The coating film exhibited good adhesion (grade 2), high pencil hardness (2H), excellent impact strength (62 kg·cm⁻¹) and low aldehyde content (0.34 μg·g⁻¹). Moreover, it showcased excellent antismudge properties, with a low percentage of water-based ink residual (6.8%), which could be effortlessly and completely removed by wiping. Additionally, the WCO-based coating demonstrated impressive anticorrosive properties, as evidenced by the intact coating film on the tinplate that remained corrosion-free for over 20 days in brine. This cost-effective WCO-based coating offers a viable alternative to commercial photocurable coatings. Full article

Cutting boards can serve as potential carriers for the cross-contamination of pathogens from chicken to other surfaces. This study aimed to assess chefs’ handling practices of cutting boards across five provinces in China and identify the key factors contributing to unsafe cutting board usage, including cleaning methods and handling practices. Handling practices associated with cutting boards were examined through a web-based survey (N = 154), while kitchen environment tests were conducted to investigate the splashing or survival of Campylobacter, inoculated in chicken or on cutting boards, to mimic the practices of chefs. Among chefs in the five provinces of China, wood and plastic cutting boards were the most commonly used for preparing chicken meat. Approximately 33.7% of chefs washed boards with running tap water, 31.17% of chefs washed boards with detergent, and 24.03% of chefs cleaned boards by scraping them with a knife after preparing other meats or chicken. The study tested 23 cutting boards from commercial kitchens for Campylobacter presence before and after chicken preparation and cleaning. Among these, 17 were cleaned with a knife, 5 with running tap water, and only 1 with disinfectant. Results showed that cleaning with a knife significantly reduced Campylobacter presence on cutting boards (p < 0.05), while the three main cleaning methods were inadequate in eliminating contamination to a safe level. In kitchen environment tests, contaminated chicken was chopped on cutting boards, with a maximum distance of 60 cm for low contamination, and 120 cm for medium and high contamination levels. This suggested a contamination risk exposure area ranging from 60 cm to 120 cm. Campylobacter survival on surfaces of wood, plastic, and stainless steel was also tested, with plastic surfaces showing the longest survival time (4.5 h at 15 °C and 3.5 h at 25 °C) In comparison, survival time on stainless steel or wood surfaces was only 3 h, implying a cross-contamination risk exposure period of 3 to 4.5 h after chicken preparation. In conclusion, based on the current study data, the practices employed by chefs play an important role in Campylobacter transfer in the kitchen environment. The presence of Campylobacter on cutting boards even after wiping or droplet splashing highlights its potential as a source of cross-contamination in the kitchen environment. So, chefs in China should reinforce their hygiene culture and adopt effective cutting board cleaning practices to prevent pathogen contamination. Full article

Marble kitchen countertops and other natural stone surfaces are often stained by various food ingredients and contaminants during daily use and require frequent cleaning, which is time-consuming and leads to the wasting of water. If the surface is coated with a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating, food ingredient contamination becomes easier to wipe clean. Therefore, a UV-curable monomer with fluorocarbon branched chains was synthesized and added to UV-curable coatings in different ratios. The preferred formulation that meets the basic performance requirements of UV-curable coatings, and has the best hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, was designed and selected. The formulation was upgraded by adding a hydrofluoric ether (HFE) solvent. These upgraded formulations were tested for hydrophobicity and oleophobicity under various conditions. The addition of an HFE solvent improves the initial water and cetane contact angles of the paint film, as well as the water and cetane contact angles under various conditions. Moreover, the upgraded formulations have better stain resistance. The degree of hydrophobicity and oleophobicity improvement is positively correlated with the addition of an HFE solvent. The UV-curable fluorocarbon polyurethane coating has good adhesion on a marble surface that has been polished and primed. Due to the presence of TEOH-6 instead of PFOA, the low content of fluorocarbon functional groups effectively located on the film surface makes the coating quite stable and safe. Full article

This research investigated a non-thermal, dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma-based approach to prepare poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) from acrylic acid in its liquid state at atmospheric temperature and pressure. Neither additives nor solvents were needed, and the polymerization was accomplished both as a film and inside a sheet of mesoporous paper. All prepared samples were characterized and the DBD plasma-initiated kinetics were analyzed for the polymerization of acrylic acid. Using FTIR semi-quantitative analysis, the degree of polymerization was monitored, and the reaction followed an overall second-order kinetic model with respect to the DBD-initiated polymerization. Additionally, the application of a PAA-modified paper as a water retention cloth or ‘wet wipe’ was investigated. The results showed that the PAA-modified paper substrates using DBD plasma increased water retention as a function of plasma treatment time. Full article