Plasma pharmacy - physical plasma in pharmaceutical applications.

During the last years the use of physical plasma for medical applications has grown rapidly. A multitude of findings about plasma-cell and plasma-tissue interactions and its possible use in therapy have been provided. One of the key findings of plasma medical basic research is that several biological effects do not result from direct plasma-cell or plasma-tissue interaction but are mediated by liquids.

Sporicidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide aerosol.

Because of its high sporicidal activity but low toxicity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a useful agent for gentle antimicrobial treatment of irritable goods. Above all to optimise practical aspects of H2O2 application, sporicidal efficacy of aerosols based on 1% H2O2 solution was tested. Using commercially available bioindicators with Bacillus subtilis spores immobilized on filter paper strips, a 7 h lasting aerosol treatment at room temperature resulted in a reduction of viable count of 2.

The influence of antimicrobial treatments on the cytocompatibility of polyurethane biosensor membranes.

The cytocompatibility of polyurethane membranes was tested following ultraviolet or gamma irradiation as well as treatment with hydrogen peroxide or glutaraldehyde containing solutions. Despite the fact that all of the methods had been recommended for antimicrobial treatment of glucose biosensors, the treatments investigated significantly influenced cytocompatibility characteristics. Cytotoxicity of membrane eluates was not observed following irradiation treatments.

The usefulness of a biosensor controlled perfusion cell culture for the investigation of new drugs demonstrated with the marine fungus Kirschsteiniothelia maritima.

The investigation of new biological active substances from limited sources for example from marine organisms needs sensitive and evident test systems. Such a system is the glucose biosensor controlled perfusion cell culture. The glucose consumption of cells is a very sensitive parameter which allows the continuous measurement of external effects of test substances on the cells under in vivo-like conditions.

Sterilization of enzyme glucose sensors: problems and concepts.

A useful method of enzyme glucose sensor sterilization has not only to ensure the needs of sterility assurance but has also to guarantee the functional stability of the sensors. The action of 2 or 3% alkalinized glutaraldehyde solution, as well as gamma irradiation with a dose of 25 kGy caused changes of the in vitro functionality and polymer material irritations, respectively. After a combined treatment by 0.