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Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common presentations in the emergency department. However, this is less common after contact with contaminated saltwater or freshwater. This review presents the diagnosis and management of water-related soft tissue sepsis in this vulnerable and difficult-to-treat subgroup of necrotizing soft tissue sepsis. Methods: A summative literature overview is presented regarding bacterial and fungal SSTI after contact with contaminated water, with practical diagnostic and management aspects. Results: The literature indicates that these wounds and infections remain difficult to treat. An approach using appropriate diagnostic tools with both medical and surgical management strategies is provided. Conclusions: SSTIs due to water contamination of wounds involve unusual organisms with unusual resistance patterns, and require a nuanced and directed diagnostic approach with an adaptation of the usual antibiotic or antifungal selection to achieve a successful cure, along with aggressive debridement and wound care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakes are integrators of past climate and ecological change. This information is stored in the sediment record at the lake bottom, and to make it available for paleoclimate research, potential target sites with undisturbed and continuous sediment sequences need to be identified. Different geophysical methods are suitable to identify, explore, and characterize sediment layers prior to sediment core recovery. Due to the high resolution, reflection seismic methods have become standard for this purpose. However, seismic measurements cannot always provide a comprehensive image of lake-bottom sediments, e.g., due to lacking seismic contrasts between geological units or high attenuation of seismic waves. Here, we developed and tested a complementary method based on water-borne electrical-resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements. Our setup consisted of 13 floating electrodes (at 5 m spacing) used to collect ERT data with a dipole–dipole configuration. We used a 1D inversion to adjust a layered-earth model, which facilitates the implementation of constraints on water depth, water resistivity, and sediment resistivity as a priori information. The first two parameters were readily obtained from the echo-sounder and conductivity-probe measurements. The resistivity of sediment samples can also be determined in the laboratory. We applied this approach to process ERT data collected on a lake in southern Mexico. The direct comparison of ERT data with reflection seismic data collected with a sub-bottom profiler (SBP) showed that we can significantly improve the sediment-thickness estimates compared to unconstrained 2D inversions. Down to water depths of 20 m, our sediment thickness estimates were close to the sediment thickness derived from collocated SBP seismograms. Our approach represents an implementation of ERT measurements on lakes and complements the standard lake-bottom exploration by reflection seismic methods.

Abstract Background On 5 March 2015, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control was notified of more than 200 students with gastroenteritis at a senior high school during excursion to Kenting. We conducted an outbreak investigation to identify the causative agent and possible vehicle of the pathogen. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study by using a structured questionnaire to interview all students for consumed food items during their stay at the resort. Students were defined as a gastroenteritis case while having vomiting or diarrhea after the breakfast on 4 March. We inspected the environment to identify possible contamination route. We collected stool or vomitus samples from ill students, food handlers and environmental specimens for bacterial culture for common enteropathogens, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for norovirus and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rotavirus. Norovirus PCR-positive products were then sequenced and genotyped. Results Of 267 students enrolled, 144 (54%) met our case definition. Regression analysis revealed elevated risk associated with iced tea, which was made from tea powder mixed with hot water and self-made ice (risk ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.22–1.98). Ice used for beverages, water before and after water filter of the ice machine and 16 stool and vomitus samples from ill students were tested positive for norovirus; Multiple genotypes were identified including GI.2, GI.4 and GII.17. GII.17 was the predominant genotype and phylogenetic analyses showed that noroviruses identified in ice, water and human samples were clustered into the same genotypes. Environmental investigation revealed the ice was made by inadequate-filtered and un-boiled water. Conclusions We identified the ice made by norovirus-contaminated un-boiled water caused the outbreak and the predominant genotype was GII.17. Adequately filtered or boiled water should be strongly recommended for making ice to avoid possible contamination.

Background: Climate change affects human health by altering the proliferation and distribution of pathogen, vectors and allergen. Objective: To estimate the magnitude of climate related diseases in coastal areas in contrast to the plain area and also to determine their relationship with environmental factors. Methods: This prospective cross sectional study was conducted in southern part of Bangladesh from April 2012 to March 2013. Two Upazilla for this study were Dakope in coastal area and Terokhada in plain area. Patients of all ages attending the Upazilla Health Complex (UHC) with target diseases were enrolled. Nine target diseases were: water borne (diarrhea, typhoid, viral hepatitis); vector borne (malaria, kalazar, dengue) and systemic diseases (asthma, hypertension, arsenicosis). Results: Target diseases were observed in 1042 patients in Dakope and 1296 cases in Terokhada. Diseases were lowest (20%) in monsoon and highest in winter (42%). Large bulk of patients (31-32%) in both areas was young adult (16-30 years). Diarrhoea was highest (49-53%) in frequency in both areas. A few case of dengue (1%) in Dakope and kala-azar (2%) in Terokhada was found. Hypertension (19% Vs 13%) in Dakope and asthma (11% Vs 16%) in Terokhada was more frequent. Diarrhoea, was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with pond water consumption. Bushes/ditches (47%) were more prevalent in dengue prone area and cattleshed/poultry (55%) in kala-azar affected area. Conclusion: Diarrhoea, dengue and hypertension were more frequent in coastal area, conversely kala-azar, asthma was more common in plain area. Water consumption, environment and economy had significant influences over them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Triflic acid was found to be a very effective catalyst for preparing ESBO polyether polyols. [•] As alcohol concentration relative to ESBO is reduced, higher molecular weight polyether polyols are produced in a controlled fashion. [•] These higher molecular weight polyether polyols can be cured with conventional crosslinkers to give reasonable film properties. [•] ESBO polyether polyols can be grafted with acrylic monomers to produce solvent and water borne co-polymers with cured film properties equivalent to a commercial epoxy control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] High performance waterborne organic–inorganic hybrid materials from UV curing. [•] AFM techniques were used to study the surface morphology of hybrid coatings. [•] Structure of hybrid composite coatings was investigated by XRD and FT-IR. [•] Strong interaction between organic and inorganic components could also be detected. [•] Higher thermal stability and glass transition temperature for the TMSPM hybrid films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this research, a water borne intumescent fire retardant varnish based on phosphate resin acid (PRA) cold cured amino resin was synthesized. Infrared (IR) spectrum proved that PRA was from 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDE) and epoxy resin E-51 (E-51) via the reaction between epoxy group and Ph name="sbnd" />H of phosphate ester acid of N-butyl alcohol (BA) and pentaerythritol (PT). The introduction of BDE and E-51 improved water resistance and flexibility of painted film. The fire retardancy test demonstrated that a higher phosphorus content is beneficial to the intrinsic fire retardancy of painted films, but the high quality char formation is another key of fire retardancy of painted films. The TG and DTA proved: E-51 and PT are true carbon source that is beneficial to form a high quality charred layer, but their high combustion heat is detrimental to the intrinsic fire retardancy of painted film material. BDE is beneficial to increase the intrinsic fire retardancy of painted film material, but detrimental to form a high quality charred layer. The conclusion also is showed directly by the scanning emission microscopy (SEM). To achieve high performance painted film, all the components need to be balanced perfectly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and compatibility of an in situ–gelling polymeric device when implanted in the fallopian tube to prevent pregnancy. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Animals in a controlled laboratory environment. Animal(s): Ten white New Zealand rabbits (nine female and one male). Intervention(s): The material was implanted through a small incision into one of each rabbit''s twin fallopian tubes. The rabbits then were allowed to heal. After a healing period of 6 to 10 weeks, the rabbits were bred. After breeding, the animals were killed, and samples were collected from their fallopian tubes for histology. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy of the specimens. Result(s): Four specimens showed unilateral pregnancy (pregnancy in only one uterus). Because rabbits have the capacity to be pregnant in both uteri simultaneously, this suggests strong potential of the material for use as a contraceptive. Conclusion(s): Although concerns remain concerning distension and potential injury resulting from use of the system, enough data have been gathered to warrant further study of this material for use in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lakes are integrators of past climate and ecological change. This information is stored in the sediment record at the lake bottom, and to make it available for paleoclimate research, potential target sites with undisturbed and continuous sediment sequences need to be identified. Different geophysical methods are suitable to identify, explore, and characterize sediment layers prior to sediment core recovery. Due to the high resolution, reflection seismic methods have become standard for this purpose. However, seismic measurements cannot always provide a comprehensive image of lake-bottom sediments, e.g., due to lacking seismic contrasts between geological units or high attenuation of seismic waves. Here, we developed and tested a complementary method based on water-borne electrical-resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements. Our setup consisted of 13 floating electrodes (at 5 m spacing) used to collect ERT data with a dipole–dipole configuration. We used a 1D inversion to adjust a layered-earth model, which facilitates the implementation of constraints on water depth, water resistivity, and sediment resistivity as a priori information. The first two parameters were readily obtained from the echo-sounder and conductivity-probe measurements. The resistivity of sediment samples can also be determined in the laboratory. We applied this approach to process ERT data collected on a lake in southern Mexico. The direct comparison of ERT data with reflection seismic data collected with a sub-bottom profiler (SBP) showed that we can significantly improve the sediment-thickness estimates compared to unconstrained 2D inversions. Down to water depths of 20 m, our sediment thickness estimates were close to the sediment thickness derived from collocated SBP seismograms. Our approach represents an implementation of ERT measurements on lakes and complements the standard lake-bottom exploration by reflection seismic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Suddenly, many cases of fever with jaundice were reported from Sodala area at Jaipur. This outbreak of acute hepatitis at Jaipur Rajasthan was investigated for aetiology and subsequent phylogenetic analysis., Methods: Blood samples were collected from 106 symptomatic patients of acute hepatitis and 39 pregnant females (with or without symptoms of hepatitis) during an outbreak at Jaipur. The samples were tested for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) by serological and molecular methods (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Sequencing of nested PCR product was done for phylogenetic analysis. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs antigen), anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), anti-Leptospira and anti-scrub typhus IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was done for patients negative for HEV and HAV., Results: Among 106 symptomatic patients, HEV IgM was positive in 84/106 (79.2%) patients and HEV RNA in 72/106 (67.9%) patients. Among pregnant women, 6/39 (15.4%) were HEV IgM positive and 5/39 (12.8%) for HEV RNA. One (2.5%) pregnant woman died due to hepatitis. All the isolates belonged to genotype 1A of HEV. All HAV, HEV-negative samples were negative for HBs antigen, HCV antibody, Leptospira and scrub typhus IgM ELISA., Conclusion: The outbreak was due to HEV genotype 1A. The municipal water supply was contaminated and sanitary conditions and waste disposal were poor in the area. Boiling of drinking water, fixing the water supply pipes and frequent hand washing helped in controlling the outbreak., Competing Interests: None