Urinary Tract Infections in the Newborn: Diagnosis from Mid-stream Urine Specimens

Mid-stream urines can be obtained for culture in the majority of neonates with a minimum of effort. Urines collected in plastic bags for cultures showed more than 10,000 organisms per ml. in over 50% of the specimens so obtained from healthy neonates. The use of bags or similar collecting devices should be discouraged. The use of skin disinfectants before obtaining the urine did not decrease the number of contaminants. A good mid-stream urine is more important in avoiding contamination than is the cleansing of the external genitals. Suprapubic aspiration or catheterization should be reserved for those infants in whom (a) repeat mid-stream urine cultures yield equivocal results and (b) the clinical situation does not allow time for repetition of a mid-stream urine culture.     

Use of frozen bagged seed inoculum for secondary metabolite and bioconversion processes at the pilot scale

Frozen bagged seed inoculum was prepared, thawed and tested for seven cultures. Thawing techniques were developed and other key influences on thawing rate were quantified; seed bag thawing without a water bath rarely required more than 4 to 5 h and was as short as 0.5 to 1 h for lower fill volume bags. Testing included growth of bagged seed as a function of bag fill volume (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.5 L), comparison of culture age at time of bagging, growth of bagged versus laboratory-prepared seed, productivity of production cultures derived from bagged versus laboratory-prepared seed, growth of bagged seed as a function of volume percent glycerol added at time of bagging, and growth of bagged seed as a function of frozen storage time and temperature. For each culture tested, conditions were developed such that seed tanks inoculated with bagged seed showed only minimal delay in attaining the target oxygen uptake rate (OUR) relative to seed tanks inoculated with laboratory-prepared inoculum. Although the bag fill volume did influence culture growth in some cases, bag fill volumes required were reasonable (typically 2.0 to 3.5 L) compared with laboratory seed inoculum volumes of 2.0 L. In the most remarkable example, frozen bagged seed was prepared from a second-stage seed-tank cultivation of Glarca lozoyensis, then thawed and inoculated into first-stage seed medium. It grew to the desired OUR in a similar timeframe as laboratory-prepared inoculum inoculated into first-stage seed medium. Thus, the frozen bagged seed replaced an existing laboratory inoculum preparation period of 7 days without an appreciable delay in either of the two subsequent seed-tank growth stages. Furthermore, productivities were found to be comparable for bagged-seed-derived and laboratory-seed-derived production cultivations for four different fermentation processes.     

Evaluation of the Bladder Stimulation Technique to Collect Midstream Urine in Infants in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Objective

Midstream clean-catch urine is an accepted method to diagnose urinary tract infection but is impracticable in infants before potty training. We tested the bladder stimulation technique to obtain a clean-catch urine sample in infants.

Materials and methods

We included 142 infants under walking age who required a urine sample in a cross- sectional study carried out during a 3-months period, from September to November 2014, in the emergency department of the University Children’s Hospital of Nice (France). A technique based on bladder stimulation and lumbar stimulation maneuvers, with at least two attempts, was tested by four trained physicians. The success rate and time to obtain urine sample within 3 minutes were evaluated. Discomfort (EVENDOL score ≥4/15) was measured. We estimated the risk factors in the failure of the technique. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to compare frequencies. T-test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare quantitative data according to the normality of the distribution. Risk factors for failure of the technique were evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

We obtained midstream clean-catch urine in 55.6% of infants with a median time of 52.0 s (10.0; 110.0). The success rate decreased with age from 88.9% (newborn) to 28.6% (>1 y) (p = 0.0001) and with weight, from 85.7% (<4kg) to 28.6% (>10kg) (p = 0.0004). The success rate was 60.8% for infants without discomfort (p<0.0001). Heavy weight and discomfort were associated with failure, with adjusted ORs of 1.47 [1.04–2.31] and 6.65 [2.85–15.54], respectively.

Conclusion

Bladder stimulation seems to be efficient in obtaining midstream urine with a moderate success rate in our study sample. This could be an alternative technique for infants before potty training but further randomized multicenter studies are needed to validate this procedure.     

Practicability of Hygienic Wrapping of Touchscreen Operated Mobile Devices in a Clinical Setting

Background

To prove effectiveness of wrapping tablet computers in order to reduce microbiological contamination and to evaluate whether a plastic bag-covered tablet leads to impaired user satisfaction or touchscreen functionality.

Materials and Methods

Within a period of 11 days 115 patients were provided with a tablet computer while waiting for their magnetic resonance imaging examination. Every day the contamination of the surface of the tablet was determined before the first and after the final use. Before the device was handed over to a patient, it was enclosed in a customized single-use plastic bag, which was analyzed for bacterial contamination after each use. A questionnaire was applied to determine whether the plastic bag impairs the user satisfaction and the functionality of the touchscreen.

Results

Following the use by patients the outside of the plastic bags was found to be contaminated with various bacteria (657.5 ± 368.5 colony forming units/day); some of them were potentially pathogenic. In contrast, the plastic bag covered surface of the tablet was significantly less contaminated (1.7 ± 1.9 colony forming units/day). Likewise, unused plastic bags did not show any contamination. 11% of the patients reported problems with the functionality of the touchscreen. These patients admitted that they had never used a tablet or a smartphone before.

Conclusions

Tablets get severely contaminated during usage in a clinical setting. Wrapping with a customized single-use plastic bag significantly reduces microbiological contamination of the device, protects patients from the acquisition of potentially pathogenic bacteria and hardly impairs the user satisfaction and the functionality of the touchscreen.     

果实采收前套袋对湖景蜜露桃果实品质的影响

研究了光对湖景蜜露桃果实成熟的影响。用1层、2层和3层橘黄色果袋（透光率分别为27．0％、13．9％和8．2％）为完全花后（DAFB）50d的果实套袋。分别在111、114、117、120DAFB（果实硬熟期）和124DAFB（果实完熟期）测定乙烯、呼吸速率和果实品质。套1层和3层袋的果实乙烯生成速率高于其他处理。111和114DAFB时,未套袋果实呼吸速率最高,其余测定期1层套袋果实最低。完熟期未套袋果实￡值较高,而色角ho值较低。果实硬熟期前未套袋果实硬度高于套袋果实,完熟期则是套3层袋果实较高。完熟期套1层袋果实TSS高于其他果实。套1层袋果实分别在硬熟期和完熟期生成了最高量的内脂类物质和γ-癸内酯。根据以上结果可以认为完全花后50d左右,用一层橘黄色果袋为果实套袋,可以生产具有丰富桃香气的高品质桃果实。适当的光照强度明显增加了桃果实果香型香气物质,尤其是γ-癸内酯的合成。     

Detection of bacteriuria by bioluminescence: effect of pre-analysis centrifugation of specimens

N ichols , W.W., C urtis , G.D.W. & J ohnston , H.H. 1984. Detection of bacteriuria by bioluminescence: effect of pre-analysis centrifugation of specimens. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 56 , 247–257.
Three bioluminescence-based, rapid methods of detecting significant bacteriuria were applied in parallel to 514 urine specimens. The results were compared with those of a quantitative pour plate viable count method, defined as positive if ≥ 10⁵ c.f.u./ml of urine were observed. When adjusted to yield 21% falsely positive results the three rapid methods yielded 24%, 21% and 19% falsely negative results. If specimens with evidence of urethral or vaginal contamination were excluded (237 specimens remaining) the three methods yielded respectively 14%, 8% and 13% falsely negative results. A major source of disagreement between the bioluminescence-based methods and quantitative culture thus appeared to be contaminated urine specimens.     

A contamination reducing method by ion beam bombardment of the specimen in high resolution electron microscopy

The theory of contamination and a contamination reducing method are discussed on the basis of time dependent micrograph series and their tilted images for determining contamination.For a high current density of an electron probe in the field emission scanning electron microscope, it is observed that contaminated cones are formed in proportion to the exposure time of an electron beam. From the measurement of the contamination layer thickness and its area, the contamination rate and time dependent shape are formulated, mainly depending on the cross-section and current density together with the average lifetime of adsorption molecules.It is found that the contamination rate and stray contamination of outgassing molecules forming part of the specimen are effectively reduced by a pre-bombardment of argon ions on the surfaces of specimens. The contamination rate is reduced to a small extent (5%) using the present method.     

Forensic application of microbiological culture analysis to identify mail intentionally contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores

The discovery of a letter intentionally filled with dried Bacillus anthracis spores in the office of a United States senator prompted the collection and quarantine of all mail in congressional buildings. This mail was subsequently searched for additional intentionally contaminated letters. A microbiological sampling strategy was used to locate heavy contamination within the 642 separate plastic bags containing the mail. Swab sampling identified 20 bags for manual and visual examination. Air sampling within the 20 bags indicated that one bag was orders of magnitude more contaminated than all the others. This bag contained a letter addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy that had been loaded with dried B. anthracis spores. Microbiological sampling of compartmentalized batches of mail proved to be efficient and relatively safe. Efficiency was increased by inoculating culture media in the hot zone rather than transferring swab samples to a laboratory for inoculation. All mail sampling was complete within 4 days with minimal contamination of the sampling environment or personnel. However, physically handling the intentionally contaminated letter proved to be exceptionally hazardous, as did sorting of cross-contaminated mail, which resulted in generation of hazardous aerosol and extensive contamination of protective clothing. Nearly 8 x 10(6) CFU was removed from the most highly cross-contaminated piece of mail found. Tracking data indicated that this and other heavily contaminated envelopes had been processed through the same mail sorting equipment as, and within 1 s of, two intentionally contaminated letters.     

A tale of two fluids: does storing specimens together in liquid preservative cause DNA cross‐contamination in molecular gut‐content studies?

The study of food webs and trophic interactions increasingly relies on PCR‐based molecular gut‐content analysis. However, this technique may be prone to error from contamination of minute quantities of DNA; i.e., simply storing specimens together in a liquid medium may lead to cross‐contamination. In this study, we used PCR to determine the contamination rate when (1) specimens were stored together in 95% ethanol for various time periods, and (2) predators fall into ethylene glycol‐filled pitfall traps where the dying predator may inadvertently consume prey DNA‐contaminated liquid. We designed experiments and PCR primers to quantify the risk of contamination for both situations and found no contamination by storing specimens together in 95% ethanol. Furthermore, zero predators contained prey DNA in their gut contents from imbibing prey DNA‐contaminated ethylene glycol. These results support the use of mass sampling techniques, like wet pitfall traps, for molecular gut‐content analysis.     

Forensic Application of Microbiological Culture Analysis To Identify Mail Intentionally Contaminated with Bacillus anthracis Spores

The discovery of a letter intentionally filled with dried Bacillus anthracis spores in the office of a United States senator prompted the collection and quarantine of all mail in congressional buildings. This mail was subsequently searched for additional intentionally contaminated letters. A microbiological sampling strategy was used to locate heavy contamination within the 642 separate plastic bags containing the mail. Swab sampling identified 20 bags for manual and visual examination. Air sampling within the 20 bags indicated that one bag was orders of magnitude more contaminated than all the others. This bag contained a letter addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy that had been loaded with dried B. anthracis spores. Microbiological sampling of compartmentalized batches of mail proved to be efficient and relatively safe. Efficiency was increased by inoculating culture media in the hot zone rather than transferring swab samples to a laboratory for inoculation. All mail sampling was complete within 4 days with minimal contamination of the sampling environment or personnel. However, physically handling the intentionally contaminated letter proved to be exceptionally hazardous, as did sorting of cross-contaminated mail, which resulted in generation of hazardous aerosol and extensive contamination of protective clothing. Nearly 8 × 10⁶ CFU was removed from the most highly cross-contaminated piece of mail found. Tracking data indicated that this and other heavily contaminated envelopes had been processed through the same mail sorting equipment as, and within 1 s of, two intentionally contaminated letters.     

Aluminium bone disease in patients receiving plasma exchange with contaminated albumin.

Aluminium balance studies were carried out on eight patients with various immunological disorders who were receiving plasma exchange with albumin solutions known to be contaminated with aluminium. Four patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance less than 50 ml/min) retained between 60% and 74% of the aluminium infused during a single plasma exchange. Transiliac bone biopsy specimens from three patients in this group had a high content of aluminium and showed histological evidence of current or previous bone disease related to aluminium. Two of these patients suffered intermittent bone pain. The main route of excretion of injected aluminium was in urine, only a small proportion of the total input being removed in the "plasma bag" during plasma exchange. The extent of aluminium retention and bone deposition was not reflected by the plasma aluminium concentration before or after plasma exchange. Treatment of five patients with intravenous desferrioxamine increased the plasma aluminium concentration and urinary output of aluminium in those with evidence of aluminium retention. These studies show that patients with poor renal function receiving treatment with albumin contaminated with aluminium retain the metal and deposit it in bone, where it may eventually cause aluminium bone disease. Plasma exchange should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment.     

Selective isolation of mycobacteria from soil: a statistical analysis approach

We compared four decontamination methods for the isolation of mycobacteria from soil specimens. Different media were used: L?wenstein-Jensen, Ogawa and various modified Ogawa media. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the best results (low contamination and high positivity rates) were obtained when the specimens were incubated in trypticase soy broth, treated with solutions containing malachite green and cycloheximide, then decontaminated with sodium hydroxide and inoculated onto Ogawa media. The lowest contamination rates were obtained with Ogawa medium containing 500 micrograms cycloheximide ml-1. The use of these techniques is proposed for the isolation of mycobacteria from heavily contaminated clinical specimens as well as from soil.     

Fungus gnats, Bradysia spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae), and other arthropods in commercial bagged soilless growing media and rooted plant plugs

Fungus gnats, Bradysia spp., in greenhouses cause economic losses to horticultural producers by damaging young root systems during plant propagation, by spreading soilborne diseases, and by reducing the marketability of the crop. In a greenhouse cage study, our observations suggested that bagged soilless growing media or rooted plant plugs from wholesale distributors may be sources for the introduction of fungus gnats into commercial greenhouse facilities. To evaluate these possibilities, carefully collected samples of bagged soilless growing media stored in the greenhouse, as well as bagged soilless growing media and rooted plant plugs delivered from midwestern wholesale distributors, were incubated under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Fungus gnats emerged from soilless media stored in the greenhouse, soilless media delivered from wholesale distributors, and from rooted plant plugs delivered from wholesale distributors. These results demonstrate that pasteurization of even bagged soilless media may be essential to effectively managing greenhouse populations of fungus gnats. However, pasteurization is not an option for responding to contamination of rooted plant plugs. Preliminary evidence is provided that application of entomopathogenic nematodes may offer potential as a method for managing fungus gnats in plant plugs, so long as treatment is early. Other arthropods found contaminating soilless media and rooted plant plugs included the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Collembola, Acari, Formicidae, Staphylinidae, Psychodidae, and other Diptera.     

Uranium distribution in broiler organs and possibilities for protection

The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of uranium (uranyl nitrate hexahydrate, UN) in muscle and organs (kidney, liver, and brain) of broilers, after a 7-day contamination with UN and administration of two different adsorbents (organobentonite and organozeolite). The birds were contaminated during 7 days with 25 mg/UN per day. Adsorbents were given via gastric tube, immediately after contamination with UN. In group 1 that did not receive any adsorbents, histopathological changes in the contaminated broilers were observed in small intestine, liver, and kidney in the form of necrosis of intestinal villi, oedema and cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes, and dystrophic changes in the kidney tubules epithelium. Organobentonite administered via gastric tube (group 2) reduced uranium distribution by 66 % in kidney, 81 % in liver, and 34 % in brain. In group 3, administration of organozeolite reduced uranium distribution by 67 % in kidney, 68 % in liver, and 49 % in brain. In groups 2 and 3, where the broilers received adsorbents immediately after the UN contamination, no histopathological lesions were observed.     

套袋对番茄果实表面光系统Ⅱ光能吸收利用的影响

用白纸淋膜袋对温室番茄‘保罗塔’果实进行套袋处理,采用光纤光谱仪和叶绿素成像荧光仪测定了番茄果实的吸收光谱和叶绿素荧光参数,分析了套袋对番茄果实光系统Ⅱ光能利用效率的影响.结果表明： 在套袋后的前20 d内,与对照(CK)相比,套袋果实表面的叶绿素a (Chl a)含量和光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)无明显变化,但是套袋降低了果实表面的相对吸光系数A_670/780和光系统Ⅱ实际光化学效率（Y_Ⅱ）,此时番茄果实主要以PSⅡ调节性能量耗散机制为主.随后,番茄果实表面的Chl a和Chl b含量开始明显下降,但是套袋果实的F_v/F_m、Y_Ⅱ和A_670/780与CK无显著差异.在套袋后的第40天,套袋果实表面的Chl a和Chl b含量分别比CK降低了35.2%和52.8%,F_v/F_m和Y_Ⅱ仍然维持较高水平,分别比CK增加了24.5%和35.4%,表明此时番茄果实PSⅡ具有较高的光能利用效率,通过进一步降低非调节性能量耗散量子产额Y_NO为果实的早熟奠定了能量基础.     

Human epithelial cells cultured from urine: growth properties and keratin staining

Epithelial cells can be cultured from the urine of newborn infants, providing a simple, noninvasive biopsy method. We established such cultures by standard techniques from 44% of uncontaminated specimens obtained from newborn infants up to 1 week of age. There was an average of three colonies per milliliter of urine. Many cultures accomplished 15 to 25 population doublings in as many as five subcultures and yielded total potential culture sizes of 10(4) to 6 x 10(8) cells. Plating efficiency was high at each passage. The cultures displayed two morphologically distinct epithelial cell types. Immunofluorescent staining of keratin fibers in most of these cells further identified them as epithelial.     

Nonspecific Urethritis in Females

The possibility of nonspecific urethritis must be considered in females with persistent irritative symptoms of the lower urinary tract despite “negative” urine cultures. The diagnosis can be made only by the proper collections of urine specimens from both the urethra and the bladder. These specimens will reveal the presence of white blood cells in the urethral washings, while the midstream (bladder) specimen will be free of cells.     

Residual Disinfection of Wool Blankets Treated with Formaldehyde

SUMMARY: Treatment with formaldehyde during laundering conferred a persistent residual disinfectant action on wool blankets but not on cotton ones. The former was shown by a slower rate of bacterial contamination of blankets during use or by the more rapid disappearance of nonsporing bacteria from contaminated blankets during storage. The formaldehyde treated blankets had no perceptible odour during use, and did not cause irritation of the skin or mucous membranes. It is suggested that the formaldehyde treatment of wool blankets might be worthy of trial as a means of reducing bacterial contamination in rooms occupied by patients with a high risk of infection.     

Systems for Maintenance of Urinary Sterility After Prostatectomy

Closed drainage is recommended for all patients after prostatectomy where hemostasis has been adequate. Although closed drainage can maintain sterility of the bladder, thereby fostering healing and reducing infectious complications, such drainage is not insisted upon at most hospitals because of the inconveniences associated with it. However, when closed drainage was used in 25 consecutive cases of transurethral resection, infection was reduced to 25 per cent (in contrast to the 85 to 100 per cent encountered with open drainage).The ideal closed system should incorporate:1. Fixed tubing to prevent contamination where the catheter joins the tubing and where the tubing is attached to the container;2. An aseptic method of emptying;3. A device to prevent reflux of the potentially contaminated urine in the container into the bladder;4. Free urinary flow from bladder to container; and5. Portability for the patient and convenience for the staff.A system is proposed that incorporates these features. Particularly effective are a fixed drip chamber with vents at the site of attachment of the tubing to the bag and a protected spigot for emptying.