Rapid detection of viable Legionella pneumophila in tap water by a qPCR and RT-PCR-based method.

Aims: A molecular method for a rapid detection of viable Legionella pneumophila of all serogroups in tap water samples was developed as an alternative to the reference method (ISO). Legionellae are responsible for Legionnaires' disease, a severe pneumonia in humans with high lethality.

Methods And Results: The developed method is based on a nutritional stimulation and detection of an increase in precursor 16S rRNA as an indicator for viability.

Tablet computers and forensic and correctional psychological assessment: A randomized controlled study.

Mobile computing technology presents various possibilities and challenges for psychological assessment. Within forensic and correctional psychology, assessment of justice-involved persons facilitated by such technology has not been empirically examined. Accordingly, this randomized controlled experiment involved administering questionnaires about risk-needs, treatment readiness, and computerized technology opinions to a large (N = 212) and diverse sample of individuals under custodial correctional supervision using either a tablet computer or traditional paper-and-pencil materials.

Hepatitis B and C in Switzerland - healthcare provider initiated testing for chronic hepatitis B and C infection.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are contagious liver diseases caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV), respectively. In particular, chronic infection with HBV or HCV is a major public health problem throughout Europe. The majority of persons chronically infected (65%-75%) are not aware of their infection status until symptoms of advanced liver disease appear.

Examining improvements in criminogenic needs: the risk reduction potential of a structured re-entry program.

The risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model describes the importance of targeting criminogenic needs through planned interventions in order to reduce the risk of future offending behavior. Although risk/needs instruments capture these dynamic risk factors and previous research has demonstrated their sensitivity to change in these domains, correctional programs may not be leveraging the full case management potential of these instruments. This study explored the potential for improvements in criminogenic needs through participation in a brief, structured re-entry program consistent with the principles of RNR.

Outbreak of acute gastroenteritis due to a washwater-contaminated water supply, Switzerland, 2008.

An operating error in a sewage treatment plant led to severe drinking water contamination in a well-defined district of a suburban municipality of Zurich, Switzerland. Despite the alert issued to the local population on the same day advising people not to consume the contaminated water, cases of acute gastroenteric diseases were subsequently observed. Considerable faecal contamination was detected the day after the incident in water samples taken up to 500 m from the sewage plant.