Desorption of Cs from vermiculite by ultrasound assisted ion exchange

Nuclear power plant accidents typically lead to the contamination of large volumes of soils with radioactive cesium. This element is hard to desorb from soil, especially when it is bound to mica minerals, and aggressive and energy-consuming techniques are often required. In this study, we investigated the use of ultrasound with Mg²⁺ cation exchange for the removal of a¹³³Cs-contaminated vermiculite over a wide range of temperatures (20-200 °C). At room temperature, ultrasound was found to significantly accelerate Cs desorption but only reversibly adsorbed Cs species were removed. Under hydrothermal conditions and ultrasonic irradiation in contrast, the removal efficiency after 1 h was 50% at 100 °C and more than 95% at 200 °C, compared with only 50% without ultrasonication at 200 °C. Cs contamination can therefore be nearly totally removed, even from collapsed vermiculite sites where sorption is considered irreversible. Ultrasound waves and high temperatures both make trapped Cs more accessible by spreading the sheets and improving mass transfer. Acoustic noise spectra show that even at high pressure and temperature, cavitation bubbles form, oscillate and collapse, with the desired physical effects. These results demonstrate the potential of synergistic ultrasound and hydrothermal treatment for soil remediation.

Complementary and alternative medicine use in children

OBJECTIVE

Adults frequently use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Few studies have reported how often CAM therapies are used to treat children. The purpose of this study is to describe the use of alternative therapies by children visiting an emergency department (ED) and to identify sociodemographic factors that may influence the decision to use such therapies.

DESIGN

Survey of families using a self-administered questionnaire.

SETTING

An urban, tertiary care pediatric emergency department.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sample of families presenting to the ED for acute care.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Use of CAM therapies to treat children. Secondary measures include the type of therapies used, types of medical problems the therapies were used for, reasons for using such therapies, use of such therapies by the child's caretakers, and sociodemographic characteristics of the children and families.

RESULTS

A review of 525 completed surveys identified 63 caretakers (12%) who acknowledged that they had used at least one form of CAM therapy to treat any of their children. Homeopathic and naturopathic remedies were the most common therapies used. Parents most often used CAM therapies to treat respiratory problems in their children and were most influenced by word-of-mouth. Children who were treated with CAM therapies were more likely to have a caretaker who used such therapies. Twelve (40%) of 30 families who reported using either an herbal or homeopathic remedy, also used a prescription or over-the-counter medication at the same time to treat their child. Thirty-nine of 55 families (70.9%) reported informing their child's physician of their use of CAM therapies.

CONCLUSION

CAM therapies are frequently used to treat children. Most parents who use CAM therapies to treat their children use such therapies themselves. Large proportions of children who are taking herbal supplements are also taking prescription or over-the-counter medications concurrently.

Health professional workstations and their integration in a hospital information system: the pragmatic approach MEDIAS

Within the daily workload at a ward there is a considerable amount of information processing. It is the task of a systematic management of hospital information systems to provide health professionals with the right information in the right place at the right time. This paper deals with the consequences for the management of hospital information systems if health professional workstations are introduced as a means for this information logistic and with the experiences gained in the Heidelberg University Hospital. Health professional workstations are formally defined in the context of a three level graph-based model of hospital information systems. It is found that health professional workstations have communication needs not only on the physical level of computer systems in the hospital information system but also on the logical tool level, which is the level of application systems. On this level communication servers or brokers are of considerable importance. In Heidelberg there are about 200 health professional workstations (MEDIAS) in routine use.

System for quantitation of gene expression in single cells by computerized microimaging: application to c-fos expression after microinjection of anti-casein kinase II antibody

A system which allows sensitive and fast automated analysis of weakly labeled fluorescent specimens is described. It is tested in the analysis of c-fos expression stimulated by fetal calf serum and calibrated by quantitation of defined solutions injected into cells with the automated microinjection system. Low light level imaging technology combined with quantitative image processing methods and computer control of the hardware allows fully automated analysis of fluorescent molecules in single living or fixed cells. Reliable methods for subtraction of fluorescent background and automated identification of objects of interest in double-stained cells are described. The accuracy of quantitation is considerably improved by normalizing the fluorescence intensities of respective fluorophores in the same object by the method of ratio imaging. The error rate in determining the relative protein content in single cells is less than 15%. The method is applied to microinjection studies with a monoclonal antibody against casein kinase II subunit beta. Microinjection of this antibody into synchronized cells specifically inhibits c-fos expression stimulated by fetal calf serum. In combination with the computer-automated capillary microinjection system, the technique will become a useful tool in experiments requiring quantitative single cell analysis.

A serological comparison of complement fixation reactions using Brucella abortus and B. melitensis antigens in B. abortus infected cattle

Brucella abortus and B. melitensis antigens were used in parallel on the National Standard Brucella abortus antiserum and on field sera coming from cattle where practically exclusively B. abortus biotypes 1 and 2 have been isolated over the last 11 years. With the National Standard serum the titres to B. melitensis were consistently lower than those to B. abortus antigen. Most were 1 dilution (twofold) lower. Although a similar trend was seen with the field sera, there were 7/346 sera which had twofold or higher titres to B. melitensis antigen. Although this may be due to the vagaries of the test it also warrants closer investigation of the animals concerned to see whether M-antigen predominant Brucella biotypes are possibly present. The use of the dual antigens could identify herds which are infected only with A-antigen predominant brucellae but would not be reliable for classifying individual animals.

A reduction in the duration of infection with Tritrichomonas foetus following vaccination in heifers and the failure to demonstrate a curative effect in infected bulls

Seven batches of 25% water-phase, oil-in-water vaccine were prepared from whole cultures of Tritrichomonas foetus. Two inoculations were given, spaced 6 weeks apart, to virgin heifers and infected bulls. A significant reduction (P less than 0.01) in the duration of infection in vaccinated heifers was seen when they were challenged by being bred to a bull infected with the same isolate as that contained in the vaccine. Only 1/12 vaccinated heifers were pregnant 4.5 months after the end of the breeding season compared to 2/12 in the control group. The vaccine, therefore, has no practical advantage. Vaccine was supplied to 2,724 bulls on properties where the infection was present. From these bulls, 110 reliable results were obtained, where bulls had been infected, been inoculated and tested 1 month later. No curative effect was demonstrable with 69/110 (62.7%) bulls, remaining infected after the course of inoculations. There was also no difference between vaccine batches or between bulls of different ages. Further work on improving the vaccine is indicated. Three media suitable for the culture of T. foetus are described in detail.

The use of filter paper discs impregnated with thionin acetate, basic fuchsin and thionin blue in the identification of Brucella species

Filter paper discs impregnated with solutions containing 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/milliliter of thionin acetate, 0.75 and 1.5 mg/milliliter of basic fuchsin and 0.5 mg/milliliter of thionin blue were used in the typing of Brucella species. All the strains used reacted as expected, proving this new technique to be reliable in the identification of Brucella species. The method is less expensive and the results easier to interpret than those obtained with methods previously used.

The use of sensitivity discs in the identification of Campylobacter species

Filter paper discs were impregnated with a solution containing 20 mg of triphenyltetrazolium chloride per millilitre, and used in the typing of catalase-positive Campylobacter species. Also used were filter paper discs impregnated with cephalothin at 30 micrograms/ml, 60 micrograms/ml and 3 mg/ml and nalidixic acid at the same concentrations, as well as commercially available discs containing 30 micrograms of, respectively, cephalothin and nalidixic acid. Results obtained proved the technique to be reliable and easier to interpret than previously used methods, and laboratory prepared filter paper discs compared favourably with commercial discs.

The isolation and serology of Brucella melitensis in a flock of goats in central RSA

Brucella melitensis biotype 1 was isolated in pure culture from the lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach contents, abomasum and brain of an aborted caprine (Boer goat) foetus in the district of Cullinan near Pretoria. The 18 does and 1 ram in the flock of Boer goates were examined serologically by means of the complement fixation (CF) test, using Brucella abortus antigen. Six weeks later they were examined again, using B. abortus as well as B. melitensis biotype 1 antigens. No significant differences were found between the 2 CF tests using B. abortus antigen, or between the results obtained by using the B. abortus and B. melitensis antigens. Twelve goats, showing CF antibody titres, were slaughtered and examined bacteriologically. No relationship was found between the serological and bacteriological results.

The persistence of serological reactions following heifer vaccination with Brucella abortus strain 19 on brucellosis-free farms

Of 392 heifers vaccinated between 4 and 9.5 months of age and tested at 22 months or older, 3 (0.77%) had titres in the complement fixation test of between 30 and 98 international units per millilitre. The results confirm that persistent serological reactions can be a problem even in brucellosis-free herds. To reduce the incidence of these problem reactors, it is suggested that: in clean herds the age of inoculation be reduced to 3 months of age; the age at first testing be delayed as long as possible, but be done before the heifers are 4 months pregnant, c) consideration be given to reducing the vaccine dose for all heifers from the present 4 to 12 x 10(10) to between 3 x 10(8) and 3 x 10(9) and syringes used for strain 19 vaccination be exclusively reserved for this purpose to prevent the possibility of antigenic residues acting as a booster when used for other vaccinations.

The use of cephalothin and triphenyltetrazolium chloride impregnated filter paper strips in the identification of Campylobacter species

Filter paper impregnated strips using cephalothin at 30 and 60 micrograms/ml and triphenyltetrazolium chloride at 20 mg/ml were prepared and used in the typing of catalase-positive Campylobacter species. There was no difference in the sensitivity of campylobacters to cephalothin at 30 micrograms/ml and 60 micrograms/ml. Results were as reported by other workers except for a C. jejuni strain which was resistant to the triphenyltetrazolium. The technique is nevertheless inexpensive and the results are consistent and easy to interpret.

The isolation and serology of the "FSA" Brucella melitensis Rev. 1 mutant in a flock of sheep

A flock of sheep, known to be infected with the "FSA" mutant of Brucella melitensis Rev. 1, was examined serologically and bacteriologically to determine whether any relationship existed which would help in the control of this infection in the field. An attempt was also made to determine whether vertical transmission occurred. Twenty-one out of 62 sheep were bacteriologically positive. The best organs for isolation were the udder, supramammary lymphnodes and uterus. No significant relationship could be shown between the complement fixation test and bacterial isolation. The absence of any relationship between serological and bacteriological results agrees with a short-lived infection. None of the 24 lambs sacrificed at 5 months showed either serological reactions or were bacteriologically positive, thus no vertical transmission could be shown.

Trichomoniasis and campylobacteriosis in bulls in the Republic of Transkei

Trichomonas foetus was demonstrated in 23/87 (26.4%) and Campylobacter fetus in 25/87 (28.7%) of bulls tested in Transkei. A total of 16/87 (18.39%) of bulls tested were positive for both Trichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus. Bulls from 14 sites in Transkei were tested and Trichomonas foetus was isolated at 9 of these sites. Campylobacter fetus was isolated at 10 of the 14 sites. The results indicate that both Trichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus are widespread throughout the cattle population in the Republic of Transkei and may account for infertility problems.

The characteristics of a variant strain of Brucella melitensis Rev 1

Circumstantial evidence is presented for the occurrence of a variant of a vaccine strain of B. melitensis Rev 1, designated "FSA" (foreign South African). FSA resembles Rev 1 in its reactions to penicillin and streptomycin but reacts closer to a field strain of B. melitensis as regards dye (thionine and basic fuchsin) sensitivity and colony size. Although colonies of Rev 1 were consistently smaller than other B. melitensis strains, their size was 0,75 mm as opposed to the 1-2 mm reported in the literature, while B. melitensis 16M colonies were 1,25-1,5 mm as opposed to the 3-4 mm previously reported. Rev 1 was found to be urease positive, unless a test of low sensitivity was applied.

The incidence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in cattle in the Transvaal

With the use of the complement fixation test, 8,900 cattle were tested for antibodies to Coxiella burnetii. These were randomly selected from 178 different farms in 37 districts in the Transvaal. The percentage of cattle in the sample with positive antibody titres was equal to 7.78%, with a standard error of 0.28%. Because of the large size of the sample, asymptotic normality can be relied upon and the population confidence interval calculated. This was found to be greater than or = 0.07 and less than or = 0.085 at a 99% confidence level. Hence we are 99% confident that between 7% and 8.5% of the cattle in the Transvaal had antibodies to Coxiella burnetii during the period March 1985 to July 1986. The proportion of cattle with C. burnetii antibodies was also estimated for each of the 37 districts tested. Every district tested had some evidence of C. burnetii. The percentage of positive titres ranged from less than 1%-30% per district. This suggests that C. burnetii is probably an endemic disease of the cattle population of the Transvaal. A higher proportion of cattle had antibody titres in the central and south-eastern parts of the Transvaal. This distribution may be linked to the distribution of Boophilus species ticks which occur in the same areas of the Transvaal.

The use of meso-erythritol sensitivity discs in the typing of Brucella strains

Sensitivity discs containing 1 and 2 mg meso-erythritol were found to give comparable results to the use of meso-erythritol incorporated into growth medium at 1 and 2 mg/ml. The discs proved easy and efficient when used in a disc ring together with benzyl penicillin and streptomycin sulphate discs.

Leptospirosis as a cause of "white spot" kidneys in South African pig abattoirs

The incidence of isolation of Leptospira sp. from the kidneys of slaughter pigs with "white-spot" macroscopic lesions was determined. Histology and general bacteriology were performed. Leptospira pomona was isolated from 19/21 kidneys showing macroscopic lymphocytic lesions.

A rapid microtitration serum agglutination test for the detection of contagious equine metritis antibodies

A microtitration serum agglutination test, based on that used for brucellosis, has been developed to detect antibodies in the sera of horses exposed to the contagious equine metritis (CEM) organism. Two known positive sera were tested 100 times in 15 separate tests. The results were reproducible to within a twofold range. The test is capable of being carried out within 100 min.

The relationship between the microtitration serum agglutination and complement fixation tests in bovine brucellosis serology

The relationship between antibody titres in the microtitration serum agglutination test and the complement fixation test in bovine brucellosis is described. For low and high MSAT values there is good agreement between the 2 tests. This is not the case for MSAT values between 54 and 338 IU/ml. For practical reasons, results falling into this category cannot all be repeated. Repetitions are so structured that less than 4% of the tests need to be repeated. If the level of repetitions should show an increase above 4%, it is assumed that technical or human error has occurred.

Brucellosis serology: reduced dose S19 vaccination of yearling heifers versus the use of the standard dose at 5-7 months of age in a clean herd

In the 427 heifers vaccinated at 12 to 14 months of age with the reduced dose (3 X 10(8) to 1 X 10(9) viable organisms per dose) 3 had antibody titres in the complement fixation test of 196, 688 and 748 IU ml-1, respectively, at 5 months post-inoculation. At 23 to 25 months of age 8/128 (6.3%) of these heifers had rose bengal test (RBT) reactions, at least 6/128 (4.7%) a serum agglutination test (SAT) antibody titre in excess of 30 IU ml-1 and 1/128 had a suspicious reaction in the complement fixation test (CFT) of 30 to 49 IU ml-1. In the 116 heifers inoculated with the standard dose (4 to 12 X 10(10) viable organisms) at 5 to 7 months of age and tested at 22 to 24 months of age, a reactor rate of 37/116 (31.9%) in the RBT was seen. At least 34/116 (29.3%) had antibody titres in excess of 30 IU ml-1 in the SAT. Only 1 animal had a suspicious reaction in the CFT of 18 to 24 IU ml-1. No abortions could be attributed to the vaccine strain and no other isolates of the vaccine strain were made. The possible role of vaccine residues in syringes as a cause of persistent reactions is discussed. The use of disposable syringes is recommended. On serological grounds there appears to be little advantage in using the reduced dose vaccine in yearling heifers as opposed to the standard dose vaccination of 5 to 7 month old heifers.

A short, reliable, highly reproducible complement fixation test for the serological diagnosis of contagious equine metritis

A complement fixation test, using round-bottomed microtitration plates and an 8 channel microdiluter, based on that used for brucellosis by Herr, Huchzermeyer, Te Brugge, Williamson, Roos & Schiele, 1985, has been developed for use on the sera of horses to detect antibodies to the contagious equine metritis organism. The results with 2 known positive sera tested 116 times in 27 separate tests were reproducible for the most part within a twofold range. They seldom exceeded these limits and never exceeded a fourfold range. The test itself is capable of being carried out within 90 min. The test was slightly more sensitive when sera were inactivated in a hot air oven for 50 min at 58 degrees C, as compared to inactivation at 62 degrees C in a water-bath for 50 min. There were no false negative or false positive reactions and no anticomplementary activity in the sera tested.

Dourine in Southern Africa 1981-1984: serological findings from the Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort

The distribution of positive dourine cases found on the complement fixation test at the Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort from 1981 to 1984, is recorded. Within the Republic of South Africa, foci of infection occurred in the Johannesburg, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Upington, Lichtenburg, Kroonstad, Louis Trichardt, Middelburg (Cape) and Mossel Bay state veterinary districts. In Bophuthatswana, Transkei, Lesotho, South West Africa and Swaziland, positive cases were also recorded. Anti-complementary activity of horse sera does not present a problem. In donkey and mule sera, however, sera show anticomplementary activity in approximately 50% of cases. This can be reduced by diluting the sera 1/2 before inactivating at 63 degrees C for 1 h.

The use of a single complement fixation test technique in bovine brucellosis, Johne's disease, dourine, equine piroplasmosis and Q fever serology

The same techniques may be used in the complement fixation test (CFT) for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, Johne's disease (paratuberculosis), dourine, equine piroplasmosis and Q fever (caused by Coxiella burnetii). The reproducibility of results is excellent, falling for the most part within the twofold range and never exceeding the fourfold range. Agreement with other laboratories is excellent (i.e. within twofold) in the case of brucellosis and equine piroplasmosis antibody titres. A good correlation between the occurrence of the disease and serological reactions is found on circumstantial evidence in the cases of dourine, Johne's disease and Q fever. A standard unitage system is used to report the antibody titres found in all the tests. To simplify laboratory protocols, laboratories required to employ the CFT for the diagnosis of these diseases are advised to use a single proven technique in all the tests. Problems experienced with transient false-positive Johne's disease antibody titres in cattle following on tuberculin (bovine and avian) testing make it advisable to take specimens for the Johne's disease test prior to performing the tuberculin tests.

Profiles of serological reactions following adult cow inoculation with standard dose Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine

Experimental use of the standard dose (4-12 X 10(10) viable organisms per dose) Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine (S19) in adult cattle led to a serological response in the complement fixation test (CFT) within 2 weeks. The antibody titres recorded could not be distinguished from those arising from infection for a period of 6-11 months. This was in the absence of the booster effect of Brucella antigen from either field or vaccine strains. The illegal or unintentional use of S19 in adult cattle may be recognized by a sudden steep antibody titre response in the CFT which will decline to negative levels within 6-11 months provided no booster Brucella antigen is present.

The first isolation of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona from cattle in Botswana

Serological evidence for the occurrence of L. pomona associated with abortions in cattle was supported by the successful isolation of the organism from the urine of a cow. Leptospirosis should be considered as a possible cause of abortion even in relatively dry regions.

The reproducibility of results in bovine brucellosis serology and their correlation with the isolation of Brucella abortus

In both the complement fixation test (CFT) and the serum agglutination test (SAT) titres were reproducible for the most part within a twofold range. They seldom exceeded these limits and never a fourfold range. Brucella abortus was successfully isolated in 86% of serologically positive cases and evidence is presented to confirm the use of the 30 International Units/ml level in the CFT as being diagnostically significant. The SAT, when done in microtitration plates, is even more reproducible than when done in tubes. The incidence of infected animals aborting or calving down with negative titres was found to be low.

Unilateral orchitis in a bull caused by Brucella abortus biotype1

A case of Brucella orchitis in a Brahman bull is described. Positive serological titres were detected 1 month before clinical symptoms became obvious, whereas the seminal plasma only contained detectable levels of antibody after the onset of orchitis. It is concluded that serological assays on the seminal plasma alone are inadequate to detect sub-clinically infected animals, and consequently particularly bulls that are intended for use in AI centres should be subjected to a full battery of serological tests as well, before they are certified to be free of brucellosis. The pathology seen in this case was an acute, necrotic orchitis characterized by the presence of numerous granulomas containing the Brucella organisms centrally.

Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona associated with abortion in cattle: isolation methods and laboratory animal histopathology

Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was successfully isolated from cattle urine in the western Transvaal after an abortion storm had occurred. Direct inoculation of EMJH medium proved the most successful method. The selective agent, 5-fluorouracil, was most effective in controlling contamination when used at the 0,4 mg/ml level. The strain isolated was pathogenic in hamsters, but specific lesions and the leptospirae were seen only where overwhelming infection occurred.

The relationship between the minimal and the 50% haemolytic dose in complement titrations

The 50% spectrophotometric complement titration end-point (C'H50) was found to be more reproducible than the 100% end-point. The relationship of the 100% end-point (MHD) to the (C'H50) was 1:2, 5. The use of thrombin tubes induced clotting within 2 min and enabled the process of complement preparation to be completed well within 1 hour.

Brucellosis in free-living African buffalo (Syncerus caffer): a serological survey

The rose bengal and complement fixation tests were successfully applied to buffalo (Syncerus caffer) sera. An overall occurrence of 23% positive reactors was obtained, but Brucella infection does not appear to act as an effective culling agent in buffalo. Any eradication programme must take free-living buffalo into account as a possible source of re-infection for cattle.

The efficacy of bacteriological procedures for the isolation of Brucella abortus from abattoir material

A process of emulsifying and centrifuging abattoir specimens before plating out is described. Brucella abortus was isolated more successfully by this process than by conventional methods, especially in low grade infections. The 5 different media used were equally effective in our attempts at isolation, but growth did not necessarily occur on all 5 plates. In dairy cows, specimens from supra-mammary lymph nodes, udder and iliac lymph nodes accounted for a high percentage of positive isolations.

The isolation of Brucella abortus biotype I from serologically positive reactors following on S19 adult inoculation of dairy cows

The incidence of infection following adult inoculation is such that this method alone cannot be relied on to control the spread of brucellosis. Brucella infection is present in a high percentage of serologically positive cases using the interpretation of titres as applied in South African. One premature and one full term calf born to cows 7-9 months after adult vaccination as well as the placentae, discharges and colostrum were all heavily infected with B. abortus biotype I.

Lesions resulting from inoculation of porcine foetuses with porcine parvovirus

In utero inoculation of 15 sows at various stages of gestation with a local strain of porcine parvovirus (PPV) resulted in resorption, abortion or the birth of weak, dead, or mummified foetuses. Histopathological lesions observed in foetuses of sows slaughtered at various post-inoculation intervals consisted of a perivascular inflammatory reaction primarily observed in the brain and kidneys. The presence and extent of the inflammatory reaction were dependent upon the age of the foetus at the time of infection. In the sow a perivascular inflammatory reaction was found in the endometrium, while the larger blood-vessel walls were infiltrated by lymphocytes, and it is suggested that these vascular lesions may contribute to the reproductive failures associated with PPV.

Wesselsbron disease: a cause of congenital porencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia in calves

Fifteen pregnant cows were inoculated subcutaneously and intravenously between 101-147 days of gestation with the wild-type Wesselsbron disease virus. In addition, 2 foetuses were injected directly through the uterine wall after surgical exposure of the pregnant horn. The clinical symptoms, viraemia and serology in the cows are reported, as also the gross- and histopathology and the virological and serological results of the calves and foetuses. Abortion was not an important manifestation of experimental Wesselsbron disease in cows, as it occurred in 3 animals only. Apart from a short temperature reaction in some cows no other clinical symptoms were recorded. A viraemia was not always present in these cows and, when detected, was of low magnitude and short duration. One cow, in which the foetus was ioculated at 115 days of gestation, aborted at 231 days. The foetus showed marked porencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia.