Impact of stormwater on biofilm density and microbial community composition in water distribution networks.

Harvesting of stormwater and injecting it into aquifers for storage and recovery during high water demand periods is a promising technology for augmenting conventional water reserves. However, little has been known on how stormwater impacts the biofouling of water distribution infrastructure. This study evaluated the effect on harvested and limestone aquifer treated stormwater on biofilm formation in a pilot distribution pipe network compared to an identical drinking water pipe rig.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients with and without Non-Expandable Lung Secondary to Malignant Pleural Effusion-A Single-Centre Observational Study.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) affects up to 15% of patients with malignancy, and the prevalence is increasing. Non-expandable lung (NEL) complicates MPE in up to 30% of cases. However, it is not known if patients with malignant pleural effusion and NEL are more symptomatic in activities of daily living compared to patients with MPE with expandable lung.

Quantification of β-lactamase producing bacteria in German surface waters with subsequent MALDI-TOF MS-based identification and β-lactamase activity assay.

Environmental oligotrophic bacteria are suspected to be highly relevant carriers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, there is a lack of validated methods for monitoring in the aquatic environment. Since extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) play a particularly important role in the clinical sector, a culturing method based on R2A-medium spiked with different combinations of β-lactams was applied to quantify β-lactamase-producing environmental bacteria from surface waters.

Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Non-Expandable Lung: A Prospective Observational Study of M-Mode, B-Mode, and 2D-Shear Wave Elastography.

Background: Non-expandable lung (NEL) has severe implications for patient symptoms and impaired lung function, as well as crucial implications for the management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Indwelling pleural catheters have shown good symptom relief for patients with NEL; hence, identifying patients early in their disease is vital. With the inability of the lung to achieve pleural apposition following thoracentesis and the formation of a hydropneumothorax, traditionally, chest X-ray and clinical symptoms have been used to make the diagnosis following thoracentesis.

Safety and feasibility of oesophageal ultrasound for the work-up of thoracic malignancy in patients with respiratory impairment.

Biopsying lung tumours with endobronchial access in patients with respiratory impairment is challenging. However, fine needle aspiration with the endobronchial ultrasound-endoscope via the oesophagus (EUS-B-FNA) makes it possible to obtain tissue samples without entering the airways. Safety of EUS-B-FNA in these patients has not earlier been investigated prospectively.

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Solitary fibrous tumours (SFT) are rare soft tissue tumours with a primarily benign course. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay treatment. In this case report, a 75-year-old man had a massive intrathoracic SFT which was subsequently surgically resected without complications.

Decay of Cryptosporidium parvfum DNA in cowpats in subtropical environments determined using qPCR.

Cryptosporidium oocysts pose a significant threat to public health due to its ability to contaminate environmental waters, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases and emphasizing the crucial need for effective water treatment and monitoring systems. This study aimed to investigate the decay of Cryptosporidium oocyst DNA in cow fecal matter under different environmental conditions prevalent in sub-tropical Southeast Queensland (SEQ) during summer and winter seasons. The effects of ambient sunlight and shaded conditions on the decay rates of C.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreas biopsy in the hands of a chest physician.

This is the first paper to report sampling of pancreatic lesions by EUS-B-FNA. A 76 year old patient suspected of primary lung cancer presented with a 36 × 24 mm lesion in the pancreas. Thoracentesis showed malignant cells suggestive of mucinous adenocarcinoma, but immunohistochemistry was inconclusive.

Microbiological characterization of stormwater in a high-income neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Stormwater harvesting and reuse in the urban environment is emerging as an alternative water source, despite human pathogens in the stormwater may represent a hazard to public health. This study presents the results of 1-year monitoring to evaluate the quality of stormwater obtained in a high-income neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro for a set of microbiological parameters as total coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli), human adenovirus (HAdV), human JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), Group A rotavirus (RVA), and norovirus GI and GII.

Assessment of competence in local anaesthetic thoracoscopy: development and validity investigation of a new assessment tool.

Background: The aims of the study were to develop an assessment tool in local anaesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT), investigate validity evidence, and establish a pass/fail standard.

Methods: Validity evidence for the assessment tool was gathered using the unified Messick framework. The tool was developed by five experts in respiratory medicine and medical education.

Virological Characterization of Roof-Harvested Rainwater of Densely Urbanized Low-Income Region.

Roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW) is considered relatively clean water, even though the possible presence of pathogens in the water may pose human health risks. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of enteric viruses in the first flush (10 mm) of RHRW from a densely populated and low-income urbanized region of Rio de Janeiro. One hundred samples (5 L) were collected from 10 rainfall events between April 2015 and March 2017.

Characterization of Lung Tumors that the Pulmonologist can Biopsy from the Esophagus with Endosonography (EUS-B-FNA).

Background: According to guidelines, it is possible to biopsy lung tumors "immediately adjacent to the esophagus" with EUS-B-FNA. However, it is unknown what "immediately adjacent" exactly means.

Objective: to investigate the possibility of achieving EUS-B-FNA biopsies from a lung tumor depending on the distance from the esophagus and to establish the maximal allowable distance between the tumor and the esophagus.

EUS-B for suspected left adrenal metastasis in lung cancer.

Background: Several studies have reported the efficacy of esophageal ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for the detection of metastases in the left adrenal gland (LAG) in patients with lung cancer. Currently we have only limited evidence based on small studies on the usefulness of EUS-B [endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) scope into the esophagus] to provide tissue proof of suspected LAG metastases. The objectives of this study are to investigate feasibility, safety and diagnostic yield of EUS-B-FNA in LAG analysis in patients with proven or suspected lung cancer.

Fluoroscopy guided percutaneous biopsy in combination with bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound in the diagnosis of suspicious lung lesions - the triple approach.

Flexible bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are the pulmonologists´ basic procedures for the biopsy of suspicious lung lesions. If inconclusive, other guiding-modalities for tissue sampling are needed, computed tomography performed by a radiologist, or - if available - radial EBUS or electromagnetic navigation biopsy. We wanted to investigate if same-day X-ray fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (F-TTNAB) performed by the pulmonologist immediately after bronchoscopy and EBUS is a feasible alternative.

Optimization of sampling strategy to determine pathogen removal efficacy of activated sludge treatment plant.

Large-scale wastewater schemes rely on multi-barrier approach for the production of safe and sustainable recycled water. In multi-barrier wastewater reclamation systems, conventional activated sludge process (ASP) often constitutes a major initial treatment step. The main aim of this research was to determine most appropriate sampling approach to establish pathogen removal efficacy of ASP.

Quantification of hookworm ova from wastewater matrices using quantitative PCR.

A quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was used to quantify Ancylostoma caninum ova in wastewater and sludge samples. We estimated the average gene copy numbers for a single ovum using a mixed population of ova. The average gene copy numbers derived from the mixed population were used to estimate numbers of hookworm ova in A.

Comparative prevalence of Escherichia coli carrying virulence genes and class 1 and 2 integrons in sub-tropical and cool temperate freshwater.

Aquatic environments are now recognized secondary habitat of potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli. In this study, PCR-based analyses were used to determine the phylogenetic composition and frequency of occurrence of eight clinically significant virulence genes (VGs) in E. coli isolates from sub-tropical Brisbane and cool temperate Tasmania freshwater in Australia.

Pesticide occurrence and spatio-temporal variability in urban run-off across Australia.

Stormwater is a major driving factor of aquatic ecosystem degradation as well as one of the largest untapped urban freshwater resources. We present results from a long-term, multi-catchment study of urban stormwater pesticides across Australia that addresses this dichotomous identity (threat and resource), as well as dominant spatial and temporal patterns in stormwater pesticide composition. Of the 27 pesticides monitored, only 19 were detected in Australian stormwater, five of which (diuron, MCPA, 2,4-D, simazine, and triclopyr) were found in >50% of samples.

Amplicon-based profiling of bacteria in raw and secondary treated wastewater from treatment plants across Australia.

In this study, we investigated the use of Illumina high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) amplicons to explore microbial diversity and community structure in raw and secondary treated wastewater (WW) samples from four municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs A-D) across Australia. Sequence reads were analyzed to determine the abundance and diversity of bacterial communities in raw and secondary treated WW samples across the four WWTPs. In addition, sequence reads were also characterized to phenotypic features and to estimate the abundance of potential pathogenic bacterial genera and antibiotic-resistant genes in total bacterial communities.

Biofouling potential and material reactivity in a simulated water distribution network supplied with stormwater recycled via managed aquifer recharge.

The injection of stormwater into aquifers for storage and recovery during high water demand periods is a promising technology for augmenting conventional water reserves. Limited information exists regarding the potential impact of aquifer treated stormwater in distribution system infrastructure. This study describes a one year pilot distribution pipe network trial to determine the biofouling potential for cement, copper and polyvinyl chloride pipe materials exposed to stormwater stored in a limestone aquifer compared to an identical drinking water rig.

Attachment and Detachment Behavior of Human Adenovirus and Surrogates in Fine Granular Limestone Aquifer Material.

The transport of human adenovirus, nanoparticles, and PRD1 and MS2 bacteriophages was tested in fine granular limestone aquifer material taken from a borehole at a managed aquifer recharge site in Adelaide, South Australia. Comparison of transport and removal of virus surrogates with the pathogenic virus is necessary to understand the differences between the virus and surrogate. Because experiments using pathogenic viruses cannot be done in the field, laboratory tests using flow-through soil columns were used.

Urban stormwater harvesting and reuse: a probe into the chemical, toxicology and microbiological contaminants in water quality.

Stormwater is one of the last major untapped urban water resources that can be exploited as an alternative water source in Australia. The information in the current Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling relating to stormwater harvesting and reuse only emphasises on a limited number of stormwater quality parameters. In order to supply stormwater as a source for higher value end-uses, a more comprehensive assessment on the potential public health risks has to be undertaken.

Occurrence of virulence genes associated with Diarrheagenic pathotypes in Escherichia coli isolates from surface water.

Escherichia coli isolates (n = 300) collected from six sites in subtropical Brisbane, Australia, prior to and after storm events were tested for the presence of 11 virulence genes (VGs) specific to diarrheagenic pathotypes. The presence of eaeA, stx(1), stx(2), and ehxA genes specific for the enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) pathotype was detected in 56%, 6%, 10%, and 13% of isolates, respectively.

Incorporating parameter uncertainty into Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA).

Modern statistical models and computational methods can now incorporate uncertainty of the parameters used in Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessments (QMRA). Many QMRAs use Monte Carlo methods, but work from fixed estimates for means, variances and other parameters. We illustrate the ease of estimating all parameters contemporaneously with the risk assessment, incorporating all the parameter uncertainty arising from the experiments from which these parameters are estimated.