Microbial biosensors for recreational and source waters.

Biosensors are finding new places in science, and the growth of this technology will lead to dramatic improvements in the ability to detect microorganisms in recreational and source waters for the protection of public health. Much of the improvement in biosensors has followed developments in molecular biology processes and coupling these with advances in engineering. Progress in the fields of nano-engineering and materials science have opened many new avenues for biosensors.

Participation in water-exercising long-term after breast cancer surgery: Experiences of significant factors for continuing exercising as a part of cancer rehabilitation.

Although physical exercising has great benefits, little is known regarding factors of significance for cancer survivors to continue exercising within their rehabilitation. The objective was to describe factors experienced to be of significance for cancer survivors to continue with water-exercising long-term after breast cancer surgery. Women (n = 29) who had undergone breast cancer surgery (mastectomy 79%, axillary surgery 86%, and radiotherapy 86%) for median (md) 13 (25th-75th percentile 3-21.

Multigeneration Cross-Contamination of Mail with Bacillus anthracis Spores.

The release of biological agents, including those which could be used in biowarfare or bioterrorism in large urban areas, has been a concern for governments for nearly three decades. Previous incidents from Sverdlosk and the postal anthrax attack of 2001 have raised questions on the mechanism of spread of Bacillus anthracis spores as an aerosol or contaminant. Prior studies have demonstrated that Bacillus atrophaeus is easily transferred through simulated mail handing, but no reports have demonstrated this ability with Bacillus anthracis spores, which have morphological differences that may affect adhesion properties between spore and formite.

WATER EXERCISE COMPARED TO LAND EXERCISE OR STANDARD CARE IN FEMALE CANCER SURVIVORS WITH SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA.

There are few studies showing that physical exercise can improve secondary lymphedema. We hypothesized that water exercise would be more effective than land exercise in reducing limb volume. Secondary objectives were joint movement, BMI, daily function, well-being, and body image.

A Method Detection Limit for Bacillus anthracis Spores in Water Using an Automated Waterborne Pathogen Concentrator.

The method detection limit (MDL, 99% chance of detecting a positive result in a single replicate), as per the United States Code of Federal Regulations, was determined for a protocol using an ultrafiltration based automated waterborne pathogen concentration device. Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain spores were seeded at low levels into 100 L reagent water samples. Suspect colonies were confirmed through morphological, chemical, and genetic tests.

Assessment of relative potential for Legionella species or surrogates inhalation exposure from common water uses.

The Legionella species have been identified as important waterborne pathogens in terms of disease morbidity and mortality. Microbial exposure assessment is a tool that can be utilized to assess the potential of Legionella species inhalation exposure from common water uses. The screening-level exposure assessment presented in this paper developed emission factors to model aerosolization, quantitatively assessed inhalation exposures of aerosolized Legionella species or Legionella species surrogates while evaluating two generalized levels of assumed water concentrations, and developed a relative ranking of six common in-home uses of water for potential Legionella species inhalation exposure.

Lower limb lymphedema in gynecological cancer survivors--effect on daily life functioning.

Purpose: Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is a common condition after pelvic cancer treatment but few studies have evaluated its effect on the quality of life and its consequences on daily life activities among gynecological cancer survivors.

Methods: We identified a cohort of 789 eligible women, treated with pelvic radiotherapy alone or as part of combined treatment of gynecological cancer, from 1991 to 2003 at two departments of gynecological oncology in Sweden. As a preparatory study, we conducted in-depth interviews with gynecological cancer survivors and constructed a study-specific questionnaire which we validated face-to-face.

Comparison of filters for concentrating microbial indicators and pathogens in lake water samples.

Bacterial indicators are used to indicate increased health risk from pathogens and to make beach closure and advisory decisions; however, beaches are seldom monitored for the pathogens themselves. Studies of sources and types of pathogens at beaches are needed to improve estimates of swimming-associated health risks. It would be advantageous and cost-effective, especially for studies conducted on a regional scale, to use a method that can simultaneously filter and concentrate all classes of pathogens from the large volumes of water needed to detect pathogens.

Intragenomic sequence variation of the ITS-1 region within a single flow-cytometry-counted Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts.

Cyclospora cayetanensis, a protozoan of emerging concern, causes self-limiting gastroenteritis in immune-competent hosts. It has been established that sequence variability exists in the first internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-1) of the ribosomal DNA operon from collections of oocysts obtained from individual or pooled fecal samples. To determine if single oocysts also exhibited ITS-1 sequence variability, DNA was extracted from individually flow-cytometry-counted oocysts.

Multigeneration cross contamination of mail with Bacillus species spores by tumbling.

In 2001, envelopes loaded with Bacillus anthracis spores were mailed to Senators Daschle and Leahy as well as to the New York Post and NBC News buildings. Additional letters may have been mailed to other news agencies because there was confirmed anthrax infection of employees at these locations. These events heightened the awareness of the lack of understanding of the mechanism(s) by which objects contaminated with a biological agent might spread disease.

Using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and cell culture plaque assays to determine resistance of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts to chemical sanitizers.

Toxoplasma gondii oocysts are highly resistant to many chemical sanitizers. Methods used to determine oocyst infectivity have relied primarily on mouse, chicken, and feline bioassays. Although considered gold standards, they only provide a qualitative assessment of oocyst viability.

Recovery efficiency and limit of detection of aerosolized Bacillus anthracis Sterne from environmental surface samples.

After the 2001 anthrax incidents, surface sampling techniques for biological agents were found to be inadequately validated, especially at low surface loadings. We aerosolized Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores within a chamber to achieve very low surface loading (ca. 3, 30, and 200 CFU per 100 cm(2)).

Comparison of traditional and molecular analytical methods for detecting biological agents in raw and drinking water following ultrafiltration.

Aims: To compare the performance of traditional methods to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for detecting five biological agents in large-volume drinking-water samples concentrated by ultrafiltration (UF).

Methods And Results: Drinking-water samples (100 l) were seeded with Bacillus anthracis, Cryptospordium parvum, Francisella tularensis, Salmonella Typhi, and Vibrio cholerae and concentrated by UF. Recoveries by traditional methods were variable between samples and between some replicates; recoveries were not determined by qPCR.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in water sample concentrates by real-time PCR.

PCR techniques in combination with conventional parasite concentration procedures have potential for the sensitive and specific detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in water. Three real-time PCR assays based on the B1 gene and a 529-bp repetitive element were analyzed for the detection of T. gondii tachyzoites and oocysts.

Evaluation of ultrafiltration cartridges for a water sampling apparatus.

Aims: To determine the efficiency of various ultrafiltration cartridges (UFC) in concentrating test micro-organisms from drinking water.

Methods And Results: Replicate drinking water samples from three potable water supplies were dosed with Bacillus anthracis Sterne, Francisella tularensis LVS, Yersinia pestis CO92, bacteriophages MS2 and phi-X174, and Cryptosporidium parvum. The test micro-organisms were dosed together in 100 l of water, which was then recirculated through one of five different UFC until the retentate volume was reduced to c.

Evaluation of rayon swab surface sample collection method for Bacillus spores from nonporous surfaces.

Aim: To evaluate US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended swab surface sample collection method for recovery efficiency and limit of detection for powdered Bacillus spores from nonporous surfaces.

Methods And Results: Stainless steel and painted wallboard surface coupons were seeded with dry aerosolized Bacillus atrophaeus spores and surface concentrations determined. The observed mean rayon swab recovery efficiency from stainless steel was 0.

Enhanced concentration and isolation of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts from human fecal samples.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is the causative agent of cyclosporiasis, an emerging infectious disease. We present a new method for the purification of C. cayetanensis oocysts from feces using a modified detachment solution and Renocal-sucrose gradient sedimentation.

Using ultrafiltration to concentrate and detect Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus atrophaeus subspecies globigii, and Cryptosporidium parvum in 100-liter water samples.

A strategy that uses ultrafiltration (UF) to concentrate microorganisms from water samples has been developed and tested. This strategy was tested using 100-liter water samples with volume reduction achieved through ultrafiltration and recycling the microorganisms of interest through a retentate vessel, rather than returning them to the sample container, where they might pose an incremental hazard to sample takers or the environment. Three protocols based on this strategy were tested.

Postoperative pain management on surgical wards-impact of database documentation of anesthesia organized services.

Postoperative pain management (POPM) should be based on an organization exploiting existing expertise and documenting the outcome of the POPM in each individual patient. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the adequacy of database documentation of POPM of an anesthesia organized, nurse-based, anesthesiologist-supervised acute pain service (APS) on surgical wards and to assess to what extent the information obtained was continuously used to improve practice. From 2890 registered cases in the database (patient controlled analgesia, n = 1975; epidural analgesia [EDA], n = 915), a homogeneous two-year sample of documentation charts from use of EDA for POPM in connection with major, open, abdominal surgical procedures (n = 381) was chosen for detailed analysis.

Evaluation of an alternative IMS dissociation procedure for use with Method 1622: detection of Cryptosporidium in water.

U.S. EPA Methods 1622 and 1623 are used to detect and quantify Cryptosporidium oocysts in water.

Autofluorescence of Toxoplasma gondii and related coccidian oocysts.

This is the first report of blue autofluorescence as a useful characteristic in the microscopic detection of Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia hammondi, Hammondia heydorni, Neospora caninum, Besnoitia darlingi, and Sarcocystis neurona oocysts or sporocysts. This autofluorescence is of sufficient intensity and duration to allow identification of these oocysts from complex microscopic sample backgrounds. As with the autofluorescence of related coccidia, the oocysts glow pale blue when illuminated with an ultraviolet (UV) light source and viewed with the correct UV excitation and emission filter set.

Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis using a quantitative real-time PCR assay.

Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian parasite, with a fecal-oral life cycle, has become recognized worldwide as an emerging human pathogen. Clinical manifestations include prolonged gastroenteritis. While most cases of infection with C.

Species-specific detection of three human-pathogenic microsporidial species from the genus Encephalitozoon via fluorogenic 5' nuclease PCR assays.

This study describes fluorogenic 5' nuclease PCR assays suitable for rapid, sensitive, high-throughput detection of the human-pathogenic microsporidial species Encephalitozoon hellem, E. cuniculi and E.intestinalis.

A single genotype of Encephalitozoon intestinalis infects free-ranging gorillas and people sharing their habitats in Uganda.

Microsporidian spores have been detected by Chromotrope 2R and calcofluor stains in fecal samples of three free-ranging human-habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda and in two people who share gorilla habitats. All spore isolates have been identified by PCR with species-specific primers and fluorescent in situ hybridization with a species-specific oligonucleotide probe to be Encephalitozoon intestinalis. Sequencing analyses of the full length SSUrRNA amplified from all spore isolates were identical with Enc.