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PubMed1997

A cluster of acute hepatitis E infection in United Nations Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Haiti.

In the fall of 1995, within a month of deployment to Haiti for peacekeeping duty, four Bangladeshi soldiers developed acute icteric hepatitis in rapid succession. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was found to be the etiology by demonstrating HEV genomic sequences in serum samples by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serologically by the detection of elevated IgM titers to HEV. No case had serologic evidence of acute hepatitis A or C infection. The soldiers had probably acquired their infection while living in a cantonment area outside Dhaka, Bangladesh for one month prior to deployment. Cloning and sequencing of amplified PCR products demonstrated a single strain suggestive of a common source of infection. Furthermore, high genomic identity with Asian strains of HEV and dissimilarity with the Mexican strain was demonstrated, verifying that the strain had indeed been imported. Human waste management from the Bangladesh camp in Haiti was strictly controlled and no secondary cases were observed. A convenience sample of 105 (12%) soldiers from the Bangladesh battalion (850 men) revealed anicteric or asymptomatic HEV infection in seven (7%) of 105. This report contains the first demonstration of acute hepatitis E in natives of Bangladesh and demonstrates the power of the PCR in the rapid diagnosis and epidemiologic analysis of HEV infection. More importantly, this cluster demonstrates the importation of an important infectious disease by multinational peacekeepers to a potentially susceptible host country.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

Pathogenic intestinal parasites and bacterial agents in solid wastes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the profile of potentially pathogenic enteric parasites and bacterial agents in municipal refuse dumps in Ibadan, Nigeria. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Five major market places refuse dumps in Ibadan municipality, Nigeria. METHODS: The major market places in Ibadan city were randomly selected by lottery method. The refuse sludge were sampled and examined parasitologically and bacteriologically using the methods as described. Data analysis was done by using chi-square test where applicable. RESULTS: Cases of multiple intestinal parasites and bacterial agents were commonly encountered in the sludge refuse samples. The commonly found parasitic agents were of both human and veterinary importance. These include Ascaris Lumbricoides (9.3 egp), Entamoeba histolytica (8.07 cyst per gram), Hookworm/strongyle (6.27 egp) and Ascaris suum (1.07 egp). Others were Ascaris vitolorum (1.09 epg), Strongyloides papillosu (0.52 larvae per gram.), Schistosoma suis (0.31 epg) Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.9 egp). The most commonly found bacterial agents were Klebsiella species, Escherichia Coli, Proteus species, streptococci, and other gram-positive organisms. Climatic conditions affected the distribution of both parasites and bacterial agents in the sludge (P<0.001). More intestinal parasites 2423 (53.4%) and bacterial agents 2150 (27.2%) were encountered at mean air temperature 26.1 +/- 0.6, mean relative humidity of 72 +/- 3.5%. The degree of contamination by market locations varies significantly (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: A high degree of contamination of solid waste dumpsites with bacterial and parasitic agents was observed in the present study. As a result of the public health importance of the organisms isolated it is opined that well planned waste management and health education programs will go a long way to reduce the potential epidemic risks posed by such sites in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus in the hospital. Epidemiology, infection control, and biosafety considerations.

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (formerly HTLV-III/LAV) is transmitted by sexual contact, by blood and blood products, and perinatally. There is no evidence for casual transmission. The risk to health care workers is low but appropriate infection control precautions should be taken. Specimens should be transported to the laboratory in plastic bags labeled with an easily recognized biohazard warning. Placing patients in private rooms is unnecessary unless a patient has an additional illness that requires such an arrangement. Disinfection, sterilization, housekeeping, and waste management must be done according to recommended guidelines. Asymptomatic hospital personnel with HIV antibody can safely engage in direct patient care. Routine HIV serologic screening of personnel or patients is not recommended. Counseling and HIV antibody testing should be offered to pregnant high-risk women. Laboratories that process specimens potentially containing HIV virus should adhere to maximum containment procedures. An intensive and continuing educational program on the epidemiology of HIV infection and appropriate infection control practice is recommended.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1999

The realm of microbial lipases in biotechnology.

In this review, a comprehensive and illustrious survey is made of the applied aspects of microbial lipases in modern biotechnological practices. Lipases are the most versatile biocatalyst and bring about a range of bioconversion reactions such as hydrolysis, interesterification, esterification, alcoholysis, acidolysis and aminolysis. After a brief description of the microbial sources of lipases, the pivotal role of lipases in the processes and products of the food and flavourings industry is illustrated. An illustration is presented of biomedical applications. The panorama of lipases in the manufacture of fine chemicals is depicted with special emphasis on pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, biosensors and detergents. Widening applications such as those in waste management and improved tanning techniques are other novel aspects of lipase utilization that are discussed in this review.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1991

Garbage wars '91. Report from the front.

In this first of a three-part series examining the status of waste management strategies available to non-commercial foodservice operators, Food Management looks at the use and recycling of polystyrene in light of the McDonald's Corp.'s decision to replace polystyrene with paper and paper-based packaging.

Environmental Pollutants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Knee-deep and rising: America's recycling crisis.

Every year, Americans generate 180 million tons of solid waste, 70% of which goes into landfills. Since 1979, the United States has exhausted more than two-thirds of its landfills; another one-fifth will close over the next five years. Solving the problem will require a new understanding between industry and government--an understanding that combines industry competence and government authority. But the two sides are mired in an unfortunate combination of good intentions and failed systems. A classic example that epitomizes the problem is the recycling of plastics. Two stories capture the sense of chaos that pervades the recycling of plastics. The first is a comedy of errors played out in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the city council passed a measure that would have banned all plastic packaging from the city. In this case, the government acted without the competence of industry. The second story involves McDonald's decision to abandon its polystyrene packaging and switch to plastic-coated paper. In this case, a single business's approach to recycling proved fruitless because of the lack of government authority. According to the authors, five principles provide the underpinnings to a new solid-waste management infrastructure: business and government are partners; the infrastructure is a system and must operate in balance; economics and politics must act as partners; all levels of government have roles to play; and generating less trash and recycling more depends on a workable system. Setting up the system will require an infrastructure that balances supply and demand, an advisory committee to manage the infrastructure, and a management system that uses incentives and disincentives to balance the system.

Commerce↗

PubMed1991

The other healthcare market. Doctors' offices and medical clinics are a profitable and growing market niche for some operators.

The healthcare market doesn't just mean hospitals anymore. For some textile rental operators, doctors' offices and medical clinics are a profitable and growing niche. On the positive side, this market offers growth, low abuse, good prices, and light soil. But operators also must weigh the cons--scattered deliveries, low volume, small stops, and medical waste management. Is the "other" healthcare market for you?

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMed1992

Health promotion programs yield long-term savings.

Companies implement health promotion programs as an investment that they hope will result in decreased health care costs in the future. B&H reviews the health promotion programs of Coors, Waste Management, and Baker Hughes.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed1998

Human resources. Happy families or snap?

Family-friendly initiatives are popular with staff, but little research has been done to determine their effect. Employers should ask staff what sort of schemes would be most useful to avoid wasting managers' time. Under half the employers surveyed offered creches, nurseries or holiday play schemes. Where they are offered, they are very popular with staff. Employers should specify what they offer in advertisements for staff.

Family↗

PubMed1982

Standards applicable to owners and operators of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities; liability coverage requirements--Environmental Protection Agency. Final rule and notice of extension of effective date.

The effective date for qualifications of insurers providing liability insurance used to satisfy liability coverage requirements applicable to owners or operators of hazardous waste management facilities, as such requirements are included in 40 CFR Parts 264 and 265, is extended from July 15, 1982, to October 16, 1982. The effective date for the rest of the liability coverage requirements remains July 15, 1982. This extension is being provided to allow 6 months between the date of promulgation and the effective date for the insurer qualification provision, in accordance with Section 3010(b) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended. During the period between July 15 and October 16, 1982, owners or operators may use certificates of insurance or policy endorsements that do not certify to the qualifications of the insurer.

Insurance, Liability↗

PubMed1999

Polychlorinated biphenyls induce meiotic length mutations at the human minisatellite MS32 in yeast.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are lipophilic compounds, several of which are toxic and carcinogenic. Complex mixtures of PCBs (e.g., Aroclor) have been widely used in the industry. The persistence of PCBs, in combination with poor waste management, has led to a large-scale distribution of PCBs in the biosphere. The toxic and carcinogenic effects of PCBs are poorly understood, but are suggested to be associated with Ah receptor binding and induction of the Ah-gene battery. We have previously shown that a higher-chlorinated PCB mixture, Aroclor 1254, significantly increased the germline mutation rate at the mouse minisatellite PC-1. We have recently developed an in vitro model system to study and characterize spontaneous and induced meiotic mutations in human minisatellites integrated in yeast. Here, for the first time, we have used this model system to show that chemicals, in this case Aroclor 1254, can induce meiotic length mutations at the human minisatellite MS32 in a yeast strain harboring 38- and 42-repeat-unit alleles. The results also show that the size distribution of mutant MS32 alleles differs between PCB and the control, with a larger proportion of mutant allele sizes below 29 repeat units in the PCB series. These alleles were not structurally different from the alleles of the same size in the control. We conclude that PCBs induce minisatellite mutations in meiosis and have recombinogenic properties, and that the mutations are induced in an Ah receptor-independent manner. The induction of minisatellite mutations in meiosis as an indication of genomic damage must be taken into account in the risk assessment of PCBs and other environmental contaminants.

Alleles↗

PubMed2000

Acetone, butanol and ethanol production from domestic organic waste by solventogenic clostridia.

Domestic organic waste (DOW) was washed and dried to 85 % dryness by VAM (The Netherlands). This material contained 25.1 g glucose, 8.4 g xylose and 5.8 g other monosaccharides/100 g dry matter. Using Mansonite steam explosion and enzymatic hydrolysis, a hydrolysate containing 15.4 g glucose, 2.2 g xylose and 0.8 g other monosaccharides per l was made. Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM 1731 produced 1.5 and C. beijerinckii B-592 0.9 g/l ABE and Clostridium LMD 84.48 1.9 g/l IBE, respectively, from this hydrolysate without further supplementation. Incubation with 2 fold concentrated hydrolysate completely impaired ABE production. After removal of unspecific inhibiting components, the yield of ABE production by Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM 1731 increased about 3 fold as compared to the nontreated hydrolysate. From 4 fold concentrated, partially purified, hydrolysate containing 34.2 g glucose/l, ABE production was 9.3 g/l after 120 h as compared to 3.2 g ABE/I from non-concentrated hydrolysate which contained 12.0 g glucose/l after elution over the same column. The concentration of butyric acid in the fermented hydrolysates was 2.2 and 0.4 g/l, respectively. This reasonably low amount of butyric acid showed that the fermentation had proceeded quite well.

Acetone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dental infection control at the year 2000. Accomplishment recognized.

OVERVIEW: Health care providers have strived to address the many elements necessary to achieve effective infection control. Historical progress in microbiology and hospital asepsis provided the foundation for advances in dental preventive practices. Evidence supporting the application of current practices includes a long history of scientific and clinical investigations, technological advances in equipment and materials, and periodic publication of updated recommendations by professional health care organizations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The routine application of precautions such as multiple aseptic procedures, latex gloves, masks, protective eyewear, clinic coats, automated instrument decontamination devices, time-efficient heat sterilization modalities, chemical disinfectants, waste management procedures and single-use disposable items have created a safer environment for dental personnel and patients alike.

Asepsis↗

PubMed1991

German CELSS research with emphasis on the C.E.B.A.S.-project.

In general the German CELSS research program covers both animal and plant systems. In the field of botany a higher plant growth unit is disposed. The construction of a continuous culture device for unicellular algae in long-term multi-generation experiments will start in 1990. In zoology an experimental system for multi-generation experiments, the AQUARACK is already under construction and a running laboratory prototype is surrounded by a wide-spread ground research program. The combination of the algae system with AQUARACK will result in a combined animal-plant system, the "Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System", C.E.B.A.S. which may be the origin for further interdisciplinary research leading to an aquatic plant-animal-CELSS. This research field is closely associated with cybernetical science because the development of the combined systems need simulation processes and highly sophisticated electronical control. A further point in the CELSS program is the study of biological waste management.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

CELSS for advanced manned mission.

An overview of the major concepts of Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) includes an identification of environmental factors, such as gravity levels, light levels, and growth volume, that influence the type of CELSS system that can be developed. Various plant growth systems are described together with their possible space applications. Life support functions performed by plants include food production, atmosphere regeneration, and water purification. Selected relationships between biological and physical-chemical life support techniques are considered as a part of these functions. Consumers in a CELSS may be humans, animals, or microorganisms, but nutritional, water, and atmosphere requirements of humans are emphasized in this report, as they are the primary requirement drivers for a CELSS design. The human role in waste generation is discussed as it affects plant nutrient availability. The role of waste management systems in recovering nutrients for plant growth and requirements for CELSS are defined for air, water, and food. Both physical and a biological nutrient recovery/waste disposal systems are examined. The separate subsystems of a CELSS are identified and discussed. Nutrient recovery, plant irradiation, automation, and facilities equipment and applications are reviewed with special attention to direct solar irradiation using fiber optics. These subsystems, along with other environmental control systems, such as thermal, humidity, and ventilation, are essential to plant growth in the space environment.

Crops, Agricultural↗

PubMed1996

Solid waste processing in a CELSS: nitrogen recovery.

Life support technologies are being developed for long-duration space missions at NASA Ames Research Center as part of the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Program. The primary goal of the CELSS Program is to develop small-scale ecological systems, a CELSS, that mimic ecological systems on Earth. This small-scale replica CELSS can provide all of the necessary life support functions and recycle nearly 100% of the waste products. A CELSS will use plants to purify air, clean water, and generate food for a human habitat. Human and plant waste products will be converted to useful products and reintroduced into the plant and human habitats for consumption. Both physical/chemical and biological waste-processing systems may be utilized to recycle waste materials. Recovering nitrogen from waste products is a major concern because nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants and humans. This article will outline plant selection requirements and waste-processing requirements, characterize waste streams, and discuss the potential physical/chemical waste processors used to process the wastes and the fate of nitrogen as a result of the process employed.

Biomass↗

PubMed1996

Nitrogen dynamics in the CELSS Breadboard facility at Kennedy Space Center.

For the past 9 years, the Breadboard Project at Kennedy Space Center has studied the feasibility of using crop plants in bioregenerative life support systems for long-duration space missions. Nitrogen (N) has been emphasized in nutrient balance studies because it is a major plant nutrient, undergoes biogenic and abiogenic transformations, and is often limiting to plant growth under field conditions. Nitrogen budgets have been calculated from experimental results to quantify utilization and losses associated with specific crop production systems. The Breadboard Project has recently completed a 418-day potato crop study using recycled nutrient solution to evaluate the impact of continuous production on life support functions. A continuous production system is desirable in maintaining N balance within a solution because crop uptake rates vary dramatically depending upon the stage of crop development. Strategies for recycling N using biological techniques (e.g., biomass degradation with microbial bioreactors) have required that the production system be modified to distribute inputs more evenly over time. Recovery of N is dependent on the form of N entering the bioreactor and the desired output. Aerobic and anaerobic bioreactors for the recovery of N from waste streams and its transformation into a form usable by higher plants are being designed and tested.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health and safety programs for art and theater schools.

A wide variety of health and safety hazards exist in schools and colleges of art and theater due to a lack of formal health and safety programs and a failure to include health and safety concerns during planning of new facilities and renovation of existing facilities. This chapter discusses the elements of a health and safety program as well as safety-related structural and equipment needs that should be in the plans for any school of art or theater. These elements include curriculum content, ventilation, storage, housekeeping, waste management, fire and explosion prevention, machine and tool safety, electrical safety, noise, heat stress, and life safety and emergency procedures and equipment. Ideally, these elements should be incorporated into the plans for any new facilities, but ongoing programs can also benefit from a review of existing health and safety programs.

Art↗