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M Rasch

Publications and source records attributed to M Rasch.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Decontamination of rooms, medical equipment and ambulances using an aerosol of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant.

A programmable device (Sterinis, Gloster Sante Europe) providing a dry fume of 5% hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) disinfectant was tested for decontamination of rooms, ambulances and different types of medical equipment. Pre-set concentrations were used according to the volumes of the rooms and garages. Three cycles were performed with increasing contact times. Repetitive experiments were performed using Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly Bacillus subtilis) Raven 1162282 spores to control the effect of decontamination; after a sampling plan, spore strips were placed in various positions in rooms, ambulances, and inside and outside the items of medical equipment. Decontamination was effective in 87% of 146 spore tests in closed test rooms and in 100% of 48 tests in a surgical department when using three cycles. One or two cycles had no effect. The sporicidal effect on internal parts of the medical equipment was only 62.3% (220 tests). When the devices were run and ventilated during decontamination, 100% (57/57) of spore strips placed inside were decontaminated. In the ambulances, the penetration of H(2)O(2) into equipment, devices, glove boxes, under mattresses, and the drivers' cabins was 100% (60/60 tests) when using three cycles, but was less effective when using one or two cycles. In conclusion, an H(2)O(2) dry fumigation system, run in three cycles, seemed to have a good sporicidal effect when used in rooms, ambulances, and external and internal parts of ventilated equipment. Further studies need to be performed concerning concentration, contact time and the number of cycles of H(2)O(2). This is especially important for inner parts of medical equipment that cannot be ventilated during the decontamination process.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2004

Environmental changes in the North Atlantic Region: SCANNET as a collaborative approach for documenting, understanding and predicting changes.

The lands surrounding the North Atlantic Region (the SCANNET Region) cover a wide range of climate regimes, physical environments and availability of natural resources. Except in the extreme North, they have supported human populations and various cultures since at least the end of the last ice age. However, the region is also important at a wider geographical scale in that it influences the global climate and supports animals that migrate between the Arctic and all the other continents of the world. Climate, environment and land use in the region are changing rapidly and projections suggest that global warming will be amplified there while increasing land use might dramatically reduce the remaining wilderness areas. Because much of the region is sparsely populated--if populated at all--observational records of past environmental changes and their impacts are both few and of short duration. However, it is becoming very important to record the changes that are now in progress, to understand the drivers of these changes, and to predict future consequences of the changes. To facilitate research into understanding impacts of global change on the lands of the North Atlantic Regions, and also to monitor changes in real time, an EU-funded network of research sites and infrastructures was formed in 2000: this was called SCANNET--SCANdinavian/North European NETwork of Terrestrial Field Bases. SCANNET currently consists of 9 core sites and 5 sites within local networks that together cover the broad range of current climate and predicted change in the region. Climate observations are well replicated across the network, whereas each site has tended to select particular environmental and ecological subjects for intensive observation. This provides diversity of both subject coverage and expertise. In this paper, we summarize the findings of SCANNET to-date and outline its information bases in order to increase awareness of data on environmental change in the North Atlantic Region. We also identify important gaps in our understanding and identify where the roles of existing infrastructures and activities represented by SCANNET can facilitate future research, monitoring and ground-truthing activities.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

A comparative study on the use of flow cytometry and colony forming units for assessment of the antibacterial effect of bacteriocins.

Flow cytometry was investigated as a rapid method to determine the antibacterial effect of the bacteriocins nisin, pediocin PA-1, and sakacin A on the indicator organisms Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 12246, Lactobacillus sakei NCFB 2714 and Lactobacillus sakei DSM 20017, respectively. Fluorescence intensities of the cells were measured by flow cytometry upon exposure to bacteriocins after staining with carboxyfluorescein diacetate (cFDA) and were compared to the number of colony forming units (CFU). The fluorescence index (FI) of the bacterial populations decreased when exposed to the bacteriocins. For the different bacteriocins the pattern of decreases in FI and colony forming units differed at equal bacteriostatic concentrations. FI was the most sensitive measure of bacteriocin activity, i.e. the decrease in FI was observed at lower bacteriocin concentrations than decrease in CFU. It was demonstrated that the decrease in FI was caused by rapid leakage of carboxyfluorescein from cells exposed to pediocin. Cells showing severe leakage after pediocin treatment could be detected as CFU when transferred to a rich medium. Such a repair was less pronounced for cells exposed to sakacin and very limited for cells exposed to nisin. The influence of temperature and NaCl in combination with pediocin on FI and CFU of Lactobacillus sakei NCFB 2714 was examined at conditions relevant to foods. At all temperatures (5, 10, 20 and 37 degrees C) and NaCl concentrations (0, 2 and 4% w/v) investigated the flow cytometric measurements were significantly more sensitive compared to CFU. Both methods showed that the inhibitory effect of pediocin increased with increasing temperatures and decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed2000

Outbreak of scabies in Norwegian nursing homes and home care patients: control and prevention.

Over a period of five months (October 1998-February 1999), an outbreak of scabies affected 19 persons associated with a nursing home in Oslo, Norway. Scabies was diagnosed in 13 patients; six long-term patients, five short-term patients also cared for at home, and two home care patients associated with the same institution. Six healthcare workers who had assisted with infected patients in their own homes were also diagnosed with scabies. Two separate index cases were found. Both had had pruritus for several months, diagnosed as eczema, and were repeatedly treated at dermatology outpatient clinics before the diagnosis was made. Both index cases were cared for at home and in the nursing home (short-term). Repeated treatments with permethrin were tried before effective treatment with benzyl benzoate. Altogether 370 persons (patients, staff, relatives) were treated. In June-July 1999, scabies was diagnosed in two other nursing homes; six patients or staff, and 156 persons were treated. Patients with scabies were contact isolated and disinfection and cleaning was performed. Simultaneous treatment and washing or disinfection of clothing, bedding and environment of all potentially affected individuals is imperative to control an outbreak of scabies.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Hospital-acquired infections in Norwegian long-term-care institutions. A three-year survey of hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic treatment in nursing/residential homes, including 4500 residents in Oslo.

Point prevalence studies of hospital-acquired infections among the elderly in 65-70 long-term care facilities (LTCF) were carried out once a year over a three-year period in Oslo city, Norway. They showed an overall rate of 6.5% of hospital-acquired infections among 13 762 residents. The infection rate was approximately the same as in hospitals and twice as high as among hospitalized long-term psychiatric patients. Residents who had received surgical treatment within the previous three months had a high rate of postoperative infections, especially wound infections (14.8%). During the study period, the LTCFs were found to be understaffed and overcrowded. They had few private rooms, a lack of bathrooms and toilets, no isolation facilities and deficient ventilation systems. The economic consequences of hospital-acquired infections in these LTCFs were extra costs in medical and nursing care and antibacterial treatment of 157 500 Nkr/day (22500 USD). There would be a substantial cost-benefit in effective preventive measures against hospital-acquired infections in long-term care institutions.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

GB virus type C viremia and envelope antibodies among population subsets in The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Two new flaviviruses, hepatitis G virus and GB virus type C (GBV-C), are possible causative agents for non-A-E hepatitis. In this study we established the prevalence of GBV-C markers in various population subsets in The Netherlands by assays for GBV-C antibodies and GBV-C nucleic acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested specimens from groups of patients with hepatitis of various causes, intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and blood donors for GBV-C RNA (LCx(R) GBV-C assay, Abbott Laboratories), and for antibodies to the GBV-C envelope E2 protein (GBV-C anti-E2) with an enzyme immunoassay (Abbott Laboratories). Patients and donors were represented in one group only. RESULTS: GBV-C RNA and GBV-C anti-E2 prevalence were, respectively, 2/34 (6%) and 3/34 (9%) among patients with non-A-E hepatitis, 2/10 (20%) and 0/10 (0%) among hepatitis B virus patients, 10/40 (25%) and 19/40 (48%) among hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, 1/8 (13%) and 0/8 (0%) among patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), 24/102 (24%) and 72/102 (71%) among IVDUs, 1/34 (3%) and 2/34 (6%) among blood donors with indeterminate anti-HCV recombinant immunoblot assay reactivity, and 3/250 (1.2%) and 8/250 (3.2%) among first-time blood donors. The profile of simultaneous GBV-C RNA positivity plus GBV-C anti-E2 positivity was found in 2/40 (5%) HCV patients, 4/102 (4%) IVDUs, and 1/250 (0.4%) first time blood donors. CONCLUSION: GBV-C infection appears not to be a major cause of non-A-E hepatitis and AIH, but is associated with parenteral risk. The prevalence of GBV-C viremia in first time blood donors is higher than that of HCV (1.2 vs. 0.04%), but GBV-C viremia in IVDUs is lower than HCV (24 vs. 59%). Most IVDUs have probably previously been exposed to GBV-C given the very high prevalence of GBV-C anti-E2 (71%). Most persons with GBV-C markers are GBV-C RNA-negative and anti-E2-confirmed positive, suggesting that GBV-C infection is transient.

Blood Donors↗
PubMed1998

[Methicillin resistant yellow staphylococci].

The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Norway is extremely low. Isolation of such strains is nearly always associated with import. From December 1993 to January 1997 at the Ullevål University Hospital Department of Medical Microbiology, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 22 persons in Oslo (17 patients and five healthy carriers). A cluster of ten infected persons was detected (five patients and five carriers (nurses)) who were infected with strains showing an unusual antibiotic resistance pattern. All of the cluster strains except for beta-lactams were resistant to fucidic acid and sensitive to other antistaphylococcal agents. The cluster was associated with two hospitals. The five patients were all admitted to the same intensive care unit during the period May to July 1995. Four of the five patients (one died) were referred to the same department in a long-term care hospital for rehabilitation and training. Problems concerning epidemiological investigation and control are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Variations in tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes to nisin, pediocin PA-1 and bavaricin A.

A collection of 381 Listeria monocytogenes strains was examined for strain variations in nisin and pediocin sensitivity at three different concentrations on Tryptic Soya Agar. Two of the strains were able to grow on agar plates containing 500 IU nisin ml-1. These strains were characterized as having an enhanced nisin tolerance. Twenty strains had normal growth on agar plates containing 1600 AU pediocin ml-1 and higher. These strains were characterized as pediocin-resistant. Another 34 strains, characterized as having enhanced tolerance, exhibited inhibited growth at 1600 AU pediocin ml-1. Bavaricin sensitivity, examined for 22 strains of L. monocytogenes, correlated with the pediocin sensitivity of the strains. It is therefore assumed that there is accordance between the pediocin and bavaricin sensitivity of the remaining strains. Cross-resistance between nisin and pediocin/bavaricin was not found.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1998

Use of the Hand Test in the classification of psychiatric inpatient adolescents.

This study investigates the extent to which 2 Hand Test variables, the Pathology summary score (PATH) and the Acting Out Score (AOS), were able to differentiate among 3 groups of adolescents. Thirty psychiatric inpatient adolescents diagnosed with various Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) behavioral and emotional disorders were compared to 30 outpatient and 30 nonclinical adolescents matched on age, grade, and sex. An analysis of variance demonstrated the ability of both PATH and AOS to significantly differentiate among the 3 groups. Multiple regression equations utilized PATH and AOS as significant predictors of inpatient status (p < .0001) and general patient (inpatient and outpatient) status (p < .0001). Utilizing diagnostic efficiency statistics, overall correct classification was found to be highest for PATH > or = 3 and AOS > or = 2. These findings support the application of the Hand Test as a useful assessment tool for adolescents suspected of having psychiatric disorders and present evidence for the use of PATH and AOS for classification purposes in ways that are clinically meaningful.

Acting Out↗
PubMed1993

Detection of HIV-1 distribution in different blood fractions by two nucleic acid amplification assays.

A new amplification procedure, NASBA (nucleic acid sequence-based amplification), was used together with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect HIV-1 sequences in different blood fractions of both HIV-infected and uninfected samples. We tested whole blood, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and platelets. No HIV-1 sequences were found in blood fractions of 37 uninfected persons either by PCR, reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), or NASBA. We found that none of the infected plasma samples contained HIV-1 DNA sequences. However, a high percentage of these plasma samples was positive for HIV-1 RNA: 86% by NASBA and 80% by RT-PCR. The concordance on a sample-to-sample basis of NASBA and RT-PCR was 91%. Only 33% of the plasma samples was HIV-1 p24-antigen positive, demonstrating the superior sensitivity of amplification procedures. We found that almost all PBMC fractions were positive for HIV-1 (pro)viral sequences (99% HIV-1 DNA positive, 91% HIV-1 RNA positive). A large proportion of the platelet fractions contained HIV-1 RNA, as demonstrated by positive RT-PCR and NASBA results. We found an inverse relation between CD4+ T cell count and T cell reactivity on the one hand and detection of HIV-1 sequences by PCR, RT-PCR, and NASBA on the other hand in all blood fractions. Quantification of the HIV-1 PCR signal in PBMCs revealed an inverse relation of proviral titers with CD4+ levels. This finding supports earlier observations that clinical disease and low CD4+ cell counts are related to an increased viral burden.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1983

[Cardiac complications in meningococcal infections].

The clinical courses of three children with meningococcal meningitis and cardiac complications are described. In two patients a mixed peri/myocardial form of cardiac involvement is probable. One child showed a pericarditis with relapses as found in the postpericardiotomy syndrome. The pathogenesis of the cardiac involvement in meningococcal infections is discussed based on the literature. The three cases observed are tentatively classified accordingly.

Adolescent↗