Mycoflora of atmospheric air and dust samples collected from air conditioning systems in 12 of each I.C.U. (intensive care units) and O.R. (operation rooms) were tested using settle and dilution plate methods on f...Mycoflora of atmospheric air and dust samples collected from air conditioning systems in 12 of each I.C.U. (intensive care units) and O.R. (operation rooms) were tested using settle and dilution plate methods on four types of agar media and incubated at 25℃. Forty-five fungal species representing 23 genera were isolated and identified. The most prevalent genera recorded were Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The total colony forming units of airborne fungi recovered in I.C.U. and O.R. ranged between 31.13-49.61 colonies/m3 on the four types of media usedl The fungal total catch of the dust samples collected from the air conditioning system filters in I.C.U. and O.R. were ranged from 65.5-170 colonies/mg dust. Since, the interest to replace synthetic xenobiotics by natural compounds with low environmental persistence and biodegradable to control such airborne fungal contaminants is needed. In this respect, essential oils showed to possess a broad spectrum of antifungal activity. Fungal static ability of six oils was tested on 30 different fungal isolates. Vapors of common thyme oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on the tested isolates, whereas the headspace vapors of blue gum and ginger had no inhibitory effects on the tested fungal isolates. These data revealed that the air conditioning systems may be an important source of contamination in I.C.U. and O.R. of Assiut university hospitals. Thus, patients may be in risk of being exposed to contaminated atmospheric air by opportunistic fungi and the use of essential oils as an alternative option to control hospital wards from fungal contaminants needs further studies.展开更多
The ‘Freedom of Navigation' issue has been volatile and often influenced by Sino-US relations in recent years. This problem was rooted in different interpretation of the UNCLOS by China and the US. It has also re...The ‘Freedom of Navigation' issue has been volatile and often influenced by Sino-US relations in recent years. This problem was rooted in different interpretation of the UNCLOS by China and the US. It has also reflected their different national Interests and maritime strategies. This issue has caused frequent frictions between the two sides and may lead to their future contest for sea power. At the same time, it also urges the both sides to set up new mechanism for confidence building that may help them to manage it in a more rational way.展开更多
文摘Mycoflora of atmospheric air and dust samples collected from air conditioning systems in 12 of each I.C.U. (intensive care units) and O.R. (operation rooms) were tested using settle and dilution plate methods on four types of agar media and incubated at 25℃. Forty-five fungal species representing 23 genera were isolated and identified. The most prevalent genera recorded were Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The total colony forming units of airborne fungi recovered in I.C.U. and O.R. ranged between 31.13-49.61 colonies/m3 on the four types of media usedl The fungal total catch of the dust samples collected from the air conditioning system filters in I.C.U. and O.R. were ranged from 65.5-170 colonies/mg dust. Since, the interest to replace synthetic xenobiotics by natural compounds with low environmental persistence and biodegradable to control such airborne fungal contaminants is needed. In this respect, essential oils showed to possess a broad spectrum of antifungal activity. Fungal static ability of six oils was tested on 30 different fungal isolates. Vapors of common thyme oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on the tested isolates, whereas the headspace vapors of blue gum and ginger had no inhibitory effects on the tested fungal isolates. These data revealed that the air conditioning systems may be an important source of contamination in I.C.U. and O.R. of Assiut university hospitals. Thus, patients may be in risk of being exposed to contaminated atmospheric air by opportunistic fungi and the use of essential oils as an alternative option to control hospital wards from fungal contaminants needs further studies.
文摘The ‘Freedom of Navigation' issue has been volatile and often influenced by Sino-US relations in recent years. This problem was rooted in different interpretation of the UNCLOS by China and the US. It has also reflected their different national Interests and maritime strategies. This issue has caused frequent frictions between the two sides and may lead to their future contest for sea power. At the same time, it also urges the both sides to set up new mechanism for confidence building that may help them to manage it in a more rational way.