Ecological risk assessment of trace elements in sediment: A case study from Limpopo, South Africa.

This study aimed to determine the ecological risk posed by metals, in sediments from the Nyl River system in Limpopo, South Africa. Metals were extracted from sediment samples by aqua regia microwave digestion and were analysed using standard ICP-OES techniques. The ecological risk indices applied to the data included Contamination Factor, Pollution Load Index, Geo-accumulation Index and Enrichment Factor. The results showed that the levels of Ni at STW and NYL in the HF period exceeded the Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines by a factor of 1.36 and 1.83 respectively whereas NYL and MDD had 2.57 and 1.32 times the allowed limit of Ni in the LF period. During the HF period, the GC site exceeded the allowed limit of Zn by a factor of 1.04 and NYL had 1.21 times the allowed Zn in the LF period. The levels of metals are generally low near the origin of the river and increase moving downstream. The levels of metals in the Nyl River floodplain, a Ramsar accredited wetland, were high with CF scores ranging between 0.905 and 5.82, Igeo values with a range of -0.541 to 2.441 and EF scores ranging from 0.959 to 6.171. and posed a greater risk than the other sites. This indicated that the wetland is performing its ecological function by trapping and removing toxins from the water body. The Pollution Load Index determined that the Golf Course (PLI=4.586) and STW (PLI=2.617) sites were polluted only in the low flow period whereas the Nyl River floodplain (HF PLI=79.845; LF PLI=30378.768) and Moorddrift Dam (HF PLI=1.903; LF PLI=9.256) sites were polluted in high flow and low flow periods.

A baseline study of metal contamination along the Namibian coastline for Perna perna and Choromytilus meridionalis.

The use of bivalves such as the brown mussel (Perna perna) and the black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis) is common in the study of marine pollution and the effect of these pollutants on ecosystems and are important in both economic and ecological roles. Namibian marine ecosystems are threatened by pollution from mining, commercial fishing and population growth. The aims of this study were to determine baseline metal concentrations, spatial variation and variation between species. Metal levels in C. meridionalis from Guano Platform (GP) are the lowest of all the sites. The most polluted sites are Rocky Point (RP), Halifax Island (HIL) and between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund (WS). The bioaccumulation of metals between P. perna and C. meridionalis were not uniform for all metals. Overall the study indicates the condition of the coastline to be mostly normal, with Cd and Pb levels being of concern.

Efficacy of amphoteric surfactant- and peracetic acid-based disinfectants on spores of bacillus cereus in vitro and on food premises of the German armed forces.

In mass catering facilities of the German Armed Forces, foodborne outbreaks are commonly attributed to Bacillus cereus, and spores of this organism are regularly found on equipment surfaces. B. cereus is the causative agent of foodborne emetic or diarrheic disease. Hence, the use of sporicidal disinfectants may provide a starting point for successful risk mitigation of diseases associated with B. cereus. In this study, the amphoteric surfactant-based disinfectant (product A) that has been routinely used in catering facilities of the German Armed Forces and a peracetic acid-based disinfectant (product B) were compared for their efficacy against B. cereus spores in laboratory tests and under field conditions. In a carrier test for B. cereus spores, product A displayed no efficacy against spores of the test strain. In contrast, a substantial reduction in spore concentration (>5-log reduction) was achieved with product B. In a controlled trial conducted in seven Army catering facilities, the reduction in the number of B. cereus-positive samples was significantly greater (P < 0.001) for product B (from 28% initial contamination to 3% after application) than for product A (from 33 to 21%). Product B was estimated to be 6.25 times more efficacious than product A. Field trials confirmed the higher efficacy of the peracetic acid-based disinfectant to reduce B. cereus contamination on surfaces as found for the in vitro experiments. The tests used to assess the sporicidal effects of disinfectants were adequate under practice conditions and could be used for sporicidal testing of disinfectants for catering and food production establishments.

[Combination of variance components estimation, regression trees and logistic regression as a concept for exploring associations between animal husbandry conditions and lesions found at slaughter]. / Die Kombination von Varianzkomponentenschätzung, Regressionsbäumen und logistischer Regression als Konzept zur Untersuchung von Zusammenhängen zwischen Haltungsfaktoren und Schlachtbefunden.

Integrated quality control measures have been discussed in farm animal husbandry and veterinary medicine for some time in search of concepts to link information on management factors with disease data gained by veterinary meat inspection at slaughter. Better understanding of relationships between these variables hopefully will help to improve management practices as well as meat quality and safety. In order to analyse data gained on-farm and at slaugherhouses and to investigate relationships between animal husbandry conditions and lesion occurrence at slaughter a biometrical concept has been developed. This concept combines a characterization of variation structures, the generation of regression trees to explore association structures in available animal management and disease data, and logistic regression used to quantify systematic effects of farm management factors. The combination of these three steps is illustrated with an example.

[Health, growing performance and meat quality of pigs in indoor and outdoor housing--a controlled field trial]. / Gesundheit, Mastleistung und Fleischqualität von Schweinen in der Stall- und Freilandhaltung--ein kontrollierter Feldversuch.

The purpose of the study was to compare indoor and outdoor housing of pigs and their influence on animal health, growing performance and meat quality in a controlled field trial: 29 litters (252 piglets) from indoor and 22 litters (221 piglets) from outdoor were separated at weaning. One half of each litter changed to the opposite housing resulting finally in 4 types of housing: Continuous outdoor or indoor raising and combined outdoor-indoor or indoor-outdoor raising. Pigs in continuous resp. predominant outdoor housing showed lower morbidity and mortality during all raising periods, more active behaviour, higher daily weight gain in weaned pigs and in fattening pigs, but higher feed consumption as compared to indoor housed pigs. However, feed conversion did not differ significantly. Due to climatic influences differences in morbidity were partly more significant in summer litters (intestinal infections) or in winter litters (lung infections). Outdoor pigs raised in summer resulted less often in meat classification E (lean meat percentage > 55%), however, meat quality, estimated by pH-measures did not differ significantly. We conclude from our findings that outdoor housing of pigs from birth to slaughtering may be a serious alternative to predominant indoor keeping with regard to general welfare and growing performance.

[Discussion of a biometrical model for the evaluation of feeding, age, and animal effects on transport properties of small intestinal mucosa]. / Diskussion eines biometrischen Modells zur Bewertung von Fütterungs-, Alters- und Tiereffekten auf transportphysiologische Eigenschaften der Dünndarmschleimhaut.

This paper is concerned with the question in which ways study results can depend on the choice of the statistical model and factors included in this model. This is shown using example data of a study dealing with the effects of an Enterococcus faecium as probiotic in the diet of pigs. We focused on the effects on transport properties of pig jejunum. The experimental design was the following: the sows and piglets were randomly assigned to two different feeding groups. The control group was fed a conventional diet and the experimental group was additionally supplemented with a probiotic preparation of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415. The animals were divided into four age groups. Two samples of five animals of each feeding and age group were taken and mounted into conventional Ussing chambers. Glucose transport rates were measured by changes in short-circuit current (Isc) of the pig jejunum epithelium. The appropriate reference base for evaluation of effects of feeding or age on Isc is the variation between animals which are submitted to identical conditions relating to these factors. To refer explicitly to this variation a random animal effect has to be included in the statistical model of variance analysis. Otherwise the variation between animals could be underestimated. With the example data set conclusions for the factor "feeding" would be different depending on whether a random animal effect is included in the model or not.

[Statistical principles of "good clinical practice" in veterinary medicine--a position paper for planning, implementation and evaluation of empirical studies]. / Statistische Grundlagen von "Good Clinical Practice" in der Veterinärmedizin--ein Positionspapier zur Planung, Durchführung und Auswertung empirischer Untersuchungen.

The complexity of the design, conduct, analysis and evaluation of empirical studies necessitates a high degree of interdisciplinary collaboration in all areas of research. In order to make sure that no essential harmonisation is missed among the plenitude of processes, it has become common to provide direction on the essential operating procedures in so called "Good ... Practice" guidelines in recent years. In pharmaceutical research on human medicinal products guidelines on Good Clinical Practice have been an integral part of research and development in industry, academia, and the regulatory authorities for a long time. On the other hand, in the development and registration of pharmaceuticals for veterinary use such procedures are not yet established to this extent in Germany. Notwithstanding there being a lot of regulations on specialised subjects. This paper tries to summarise the current state of the discussion and to give an overview on the important points in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of veterinary clinical studies mainly from an biometrical point of view.

Chronic sacral neuromodulation for treatment of neurogenic bladder dysfunction: long-term results with unilateral implants.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic value of sacral neuromodulation in patients with neurogenic disorders in whom conservative treatment options were unsuccessful. Neurogenic disorders may result in various forms of lower urinary tract dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (19 women, 8 men) aged 18 to 63 years (mean 44.9 years) were subjected to percutaneous test stimulation of the sacral spinal nerves. Their urologic symptoms consisted of bladder storage failure (n = 15) due to detrusor hyperreflexia and/or bladder hypersensitivity, failure to empty due to detrusor areflexia (n = 11), and combined bladder hypersensitivity and detrusor areflexia (n = 1). Twelve patients (11 women and 1 man) underwent chronic sacral neuromodulation with unilateral electrode implantation into one of the dorsal S3 foramina. The follow-up was 89.3 months (range 13 to 126). RESULTS: Severe side effects were encountered in 2 patients (1 with infection and 1 with adverse sensation during stimulation) and moderate side effects in another 3 patients. In 1 patient, the implant had to be removed during the immediate postoperative period. In 3 patients, the implant was not effective. In 8 patients, the symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction were significantly attenuated (50% or more) for 54 months (range 11 to 96). After this period, all implants became ineffective, except one, which was still in use at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral chronic sacral neuromodulation using sacral foramen electrodes can be a valuable, but only temporary, treatment for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The technique of chronic sacral neuromodulation should be refined to achieve the same and lasting results with implantation systems as achieved with preoperative test stimulation.

The effect of simulated birth trauma and/or ovariectomy on rodent continence mechanism. Part I: functional and structural change.

PURPOSE: We examined the changes in the lower urinary tract after delivery, intravaginal ballooning and/or ovariectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 10 virgin and 48 primiparous pregnant rats. Cystometry and the stress/sneeze test were performed in virgin and postpartum rats shortly after delivery and at 8 weeks before sacrifice. Half of the delivered animals underwent intravaginal balloon dilation. Four weeks later half in each group underwent ovariectomy. The rats were subdivided into group 1--delivery, group 2--delivery plus balloon inflation, group 3--delivery plus ovariectomy and group 4--delivery plus balloon inflation plus ovariectomy. Tissues from the bladder, bladder neck, urethra and levator were collected, analyzed by electron microscopy, and immunostained for caveolin-1, caveolin-3 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. RESULTS: Higher bladder capacity was detected in postpartum than in virgin rats. Urine leakage on stress/sneeze testing increased significantly in groups 2 and 4. Electron microscopy revealed a significant decrease in sarcolemma caveolae in the smooth muscle of the bladder and urethra in groups 2 to 4. In the bladder neck in group 3 caveolae were increased in smooth muscle. In groups 2 to 4 in the smooth muscle of the bladder and urethra caveolin-1 was significantly decreased. Caveolin-3 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in striated muscle also significantly decreased in groups 2 to 4. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that birth trauma simulated by ballooning and ovariectomy may contribute to stress urinary incontinence. The alteration in smooth muscle caveolae as well as the membrane protein caveolin may have a role in functional alterations caused by birth trauma and ovariectomy.

Sacral bladder denervation for treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia and autonomic dysreflexia.

OBJECTIVES: Detrusor hyperreflexia after spinal cord injury may cause urinary incontinence and chronic renal failure. In patients refractory to conservative treatment and not eligible for ventral sacral root stimulation for electrically induced micturition, we investigated the therapeutic value of sacral bladder denervation as a stand-alone procedure. METHODS: Nine patients (8 men and 1 woman) between 21 and 58 years old (mean 30.2) with traumatic suprasacral spinal cord lesions underwent sacral bladder denervation for treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia and/or autonomic dysreflexia. RESULTS: Detrusor hyperreflexia and autonomic dysreflexia were eliminated in all cases. Bladder capacity increased from 177.8 +/- 39.6 to 668.9 +/- 64.3 mL; intravesical pressure decreased from 89.3 +/- 19.1 to 20.2 +/- 2.7 cm H(2)O. For facilitating clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), 4 patients received a continent vesicostomy in a second-stage procedure; one of them in combination with bladder augmentation. Four patients empty their bladder by way of urethral CIC. One completely tetraplegic patient has an indwelling urethral catheter. In the 5 patients with autonomic dysreflexia, the systolic blood pressure was lowered from 196 +/- 16.9 to 124 +/- 9.3 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure from 114 +/- 5.1 to 76 +/- 5.1. The annual frequency of urinary tract infections decreased from 9 +/- 1.2 to 1.8 +/- 0.7. In all patients, renal function remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with detrusor hyperreflexia and/or autonomic dysreflexia, sacral bladder denervation is a valuable treatment option. It is only moderately invasive in nature, requires neither sophisticated nor expensive medical equipment, and is an attractive alternative to urinary diversion using intestinal segments.

Low urethral pressure profile--clinical implications.

The clinical impact of urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) has been a main urological topic over the past three decades. Exaggerated expectations and differing techniques with incongruent results caused a controversial appearance. However, since the UPP is the only method to measure directly aspects of the urethral closure function, all types of sphincteric urinary incontinence represent indications for this measurement. Based on long-term experience this paper aims to discuss the various complexes regarding the urethral pressure profilometry. The significance of the urethral closure function for urinary continence and the urodynamic relevance of active and passive pressure transmission are described. In addition, clinical implications in terms of therapeutic strategies to treat urinary stress incontinence with regards to a low urethral pressure profile are presented.

[Sampling plans in microbiological criteria for food and their "performance criteria"]. / Stichprobenpläne in mikrobiologischen Normen für Lebensmittel und ihre "Performance Criteria".

Statistically based acceptance sampling plans have been integrated into microbiological criteria for food in international trade for some time. Especially two- and three-class sampling plans for attributes are used, variables plans are applied less. A lot of examples can be found in the so-called ICMSF (International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods) "sampling book" or in EU guidelines. However, quite often the required confidence and the assumptions on tolerable lot qualities on which the choice and design of sampling plans are based can't be deduced from such recommendations and prescriptions. These problems have led to critical discussion of the performance of two- and three-class sampling plans used in microbiological criteria, showing complex dependencies on microbiological limits and on the expected variability of sampling results. As a result means should be considered to use knowledge gained from process analyses in food production in the design of sampling plans. In this context the performance of acceptance sampling plans as prescribed in microbiological criteria for foods will be discussed as well as their role in recently developed food safety concepts.

Sacral neurostimulation and neuromodulation in urological practice.

The problems associated with treating various forms of lower tract dysfunction by electrical stimulation are reflected in the many years of basic and clinical research in this area. However, better understanding of both neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, and development of new technologies have led to further application of electrical current to restore impaired bladder function. Contemporary knowledge of the potential for both sacral neurostimulation and neuromodulation as a therapeutic option for lower urinary tract dysfunction is reviewed.

Comparison of two different meat inspection techniques.

Field studies of meat inspection procedures in three different slaughter houses were performed in Germany, in 1996. In total 22,634 fattening pigs from 63 farms were inspected twice, using a visual and the traditional (mandatory inspection system) procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using the rate of ND+ (Non-Detected Positives) for both visual and traditional inspection. Neither the visual nor the traditional methods detected all lesions which were supposed to be in the lot of animals inspected. Some of the results could be explained by the nature and obviousness of the respective lesion. Conclusions regarding the future performance of inspection should not be drawn before a formal risk analysis procedure for the particular lesion has been done.

Surgical treatment of interstitial cystitis in women.

Interstitial cystitis is a clinical entity that has been known for a century, but its pathophysiology remains largely unknown and the optimal treatment is a matter of ongoing discussion. A successful strategy for treatment relies on precise appraisal of symptoms, clinical findings and histology, as well as on the patient's individual personality. The least invasive treatment possible should be chosen, and only after conservative options have been exhausted should a surgical solution be considered. In this respect, anatomical bladder capacity plays an important role. A large capacity indicates the potential for conservative treatment and may be regarded as a negative predictor for the outcome of orthotopic bladder substitution. In contrast, a small anatomical capacity is unlikely to respond to conservative therapy, but is associated with a high probability of successful orthotopic bladder substitution.

Sacral neuromodulation for treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Despite initial reservations, sacral neuromodulation has begun to develop as a new therapeutic tool for the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. It bridges the gap between conservative treatment options and highly invasive procedures, such as urinary diversion. At present, there are no clinical variables that can reliably predict the efficacy of neuromodulation in an individual patient. All patients, regardless of indication, must therefore undergo a test stimulation before they can be offered chronic sacral neuromodulation with an implanted system. Evaluations in various clinical trials have confirmed that sacral neuromodulation, based on unilateral sacral foramen electrode implantation, has statistically significant therapeutic effects compared to controls, in patients with urge syndromes and failure to empty. The patients most likely to benefit from this treatment are those with detrusor hyperactivity or detrusor hypo-activity. Those with pain syndromes are less likely to respond and to benefit from treatment. Acute and subchronic sacral neuromodulation are associated with very low rates of complications. Complications of chronic sacral neuromodulation are caused either by surgery-related morbidity or hardware problems. Conservative treatment options should be exhausted before neuromodulation is considered. This rule has two purposes: First, it postpones surgery, with its potential morbidity, for as long as possible; second, the long-term efficacy of neuromodulation is still unclear and may be limited in some patients. A fully exploited conservative therapy, in combination with subsequent sacral neuromodulation, may therefore be the optimum way to pursue therapeutic options of relatively low invasiveness.

An unusual case of ureteral ectopia in the seminal vesicle: diagnosis and surgical management.

We report the case of a young man who presented with numerous episodes of ipsilateral epididymitis. Selected imaging studies with consideration of urogenital embryology lead to the rare diagnosis of a dysplastic kidney with ureteral ectopia in the seminal vesicle. After nephroureterectomy and vesiculectomy, convalescence was uneventful. No specific symptoms, equivocal diagnostic findings and the small number of patients limit the surgical experience in diseases of the seminal vesicle. Suprainguinal extravesical extirpation, however, appears to be an excellent operative approach in cases of unilateral seminal vesicle cysts.

Orthotopic bladder augmentation and substitution.

Orthotopic bladder augmentation or substitution using intestinal segments has become a standard procedure for many disorders that cause a loss of functional or anatomical bladder capacity. From the technical point of view, reservoir configuration by detubularizing the intestinal segments is the general practice. Various techniques exist, depending which types of segments and which techniques of ureteral implantation are used. Common problems include urinary incontinence, retention, metabolic disorders, and the possibility of secondary malignancies. As a result, research has been conducted into utilizing tissues other than intestine for bladder augmentation or substitution.

Bladder acellular matrix graft: in vivo functional properties of the regenerated rat bladder.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the rat urinary bladder augmented by an acellular matrix graft can restore the bladder's low-pressure reservoir function and preserve normal micturition. After partial cystectomy (> 50%) and grafting with the bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG), storage and voiding functions were monitored in 20 rats by means of a specially designed "micturition cage," leak-point cystography, and cystometry. After 4 months, sections (n = 6) were examined histologically to evaluate regeneration of bladder wall components within the BAMG. Bladder capacity and compliance increased progressively and were significantly higher in the grafted animals than in controls (partial cystectomy only), and volumes per void were significantly higher than in either control or normal animals. At 4 months, the regenerated urothelium, smooth muscle, blood vessels and nerves within the BAMG were qualitatively identical to normal bladder wall. Augmentation cystoplasty with the homologous BAMG leads to morphologic and functional rat bladder regeneration, thus enhancing low-pressure reservoir function and preserving normal micturition.