Search

In the present study, electrocoagulation process was investigated for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity from ointment pharmaceutical wastewater in batch operation under different conditions. The effects of solution temperature, type of electrode pair, current density, conductivity and initial COD concentration on the removal efficiency of COD and turbidity were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the removal efficiency of COD and turbidity are 95% and 98%, respectively, found with the use of Fe/Al as electrode pair and the specific energy consumption was 0.48 kWh/kg COD after 20 min of electrolysis time. The optimum temperature, current density, conductivity and initial COD concentration were found to be 298 K, 15.56 mA/cm2, 3.20 mS/cm and 5,000 mg/L, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Groundwater from karst aquifers is an important source of drinking water worldwide. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis linked to surface water and treated public water are regularly reported. Cryptosporidium oocysts are resistant to conventional drinking water disinfectants and are a major concern for the water industry. Here, we examined conditions associated with oocyst transport along a karstic hydrosystem, and the impact of intensive exploitation on Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination of the water supply. We studied a well-characterized karstic hydrosystem composed of a sinkhole, a spring and a wellbore. Thirty-six surface water and groundwater samples were analyzed for suspended particulate matter, turbidity, electrical conductivity, and Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cyst concentrations. (Oo)cysts were identified and counted by means of solid-phase cytometry (ChemScan RDI®), a highly sensitive method. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 78% of both surface water and groundwater samples, while Giardia cysts were found in respectively 22% and 8% of surface water and groundwater samples. Mean Cryptosporidium oocyst concentrations were 29, 13 and 4/100 L at the sinkhole, spring and wellbore, respectively. Cryptosporidium oocysts were transported from the sinkhole to the spring and the wellbore, with respective release rates of 45% and 14%, suggesting that oocysts are subject to storage and remobilization in karst conduits. Principal components analysis showed that Cryptosporidium oocyst concentrations depended on variations in hydrological forcing factors. All water samples collected during intensive exploitation contained oocysts. Control of Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination during intensive exploitation is therefore necessary to ensure drinking water quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A proof-of-concept study is reported for the differentiation between microcolonies of Enterobacter sakazakii and Klebsiella pneumoniae by means of a novel sample preparation for infrared (IR) analysis. A disposable, IR-transparent, microporous (0.2-µm pores), hydrophobic, polyethylene (PE) membrane (51 µm thick) was plasma treated under an oxygen atmosphere and used to (i) filter (or print microarrays of) dilute aqueous foodborne bacterial suspensions and (ii) subsequently grow bacterial microcolonies when the treated, hydrophilic PE membrane was placed over brain heart infusion agar medium and incubated. Because this unique membrane is transparent to IR light, isolated microcolonies (200 µm) of bacterial cells grown on this PE substrate for the first time could be directly fingerprinted by IR microspectroscopy in the transmission mode. Hence, time-consuming bacterial cell transfer from culture plates to an IR sample holder for subsequent measurement by IR spectroscopy was eliminated. Multivariate analysis of the observed IR spectra for microcolonies allowed the rapid differentiation between E. sakazakii and K. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Background The aims of this study were: –to describe the health profiles and care management of polyhandicapped patients according to 3 modalities specialized rehabilitation centers (SRC), residential facilities (RF), and home care (HC); –to estimate the adequacy of care management of these patients. Material and method This was an 18-month cross-sectional study including patients with a combination of severe motor deficiency and profound intellectual impairment. The patients were from 4 SRC, 9 RF, and a pediatric/neurologic department (HC). The following data were collected: sociodemographics, health status, care management, and adequacy of care management. Results A total of 875 patients were included: 410 (47%) were cared for in SRC, 372 (43%) in RF, and 84 (10%) in HC. Global objective adequacy (health severity and age category) was higher for patients cared for in SRC compared with patients cared for in RF (57 vs. 44%, P ≤10 −3 ). Global subjective adequacy (self-perception of the referring physician and request of change in structure) was higher for patients cared for in SRC (98%) in comparison with patients cared for in RF and HC (92 and 87%). Conclusion This study provides key elements of adequacy of care management modalities for polyhandicapped patients in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Background A better understanding of the natural course of the health status of patients with polyhandicap may optimize preventive and curative care management. From a large sample of patients aged from 3 to 25 years, we reported the description of their health status. Material and method This was an 18-month cross-sectional study including patients aged from 3 to 25 years with a combination of severe motor deficiency and profound intellectual impairment. The patients were recruited from 4 specialized rehabilitation centers, 9 residential facilities, and a pediatric/neurological department. The following data were collected: polyhandicap etiology, health status (handicaps, comorbidities, and neurodevelopmental status), medical devices, and rehabilitation procedures. Results A total of 545 patients were included ( n = 80 [3–5 years], n = 166 [6–11 y], n = 155 [12–17 y], and n = 144 [18–25 y]). The etiology of polyhandicap was unknown for 11% of the cases. Behavioral disorders and (orthopedic and digestive) comorbidities were more frequent in the oldest age classes. The neurodevelopmental status of the patients was close to those of a 5- to 7-month-old child without progression across age. Gastrostomy was the most frequent device needed by the patients. Conclusion Early detection and management of handicaps and comorbidities may improve the disease course of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]