[Case Report of Pseudomonas Hot-Foot Syndrome in Uppsala, Sweden]. / Badhusfötter ­ ny diagnos i Sverige.

During February and March 2019, an accumulation of clinically similar erythematous plantar nodules was observed at the University Children's Hospital and several primary care facilities in Uppsala, Sweden. At least 20 children sought medical advice, and all cases presented with a recurrent plantar hidradenitis after within a day after visiting Uppsala's largest waterpark and arena for swimming. The presented symptoms were identical with a condition called pseudomonas hot-foot syndrome described in the literature. An investigation led by the local public health authorities revealed heavy growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water-filled toys in a children's play area and in samples taken from the floor of a pool where the surface was partly damaged. After closing the affected part of the pool and removal of the contaminated toys, no more people sought medical advice. Pseudomonas hot-foot syndrome is believed to be more frequent than diagnosed today, and increased awareness is essential to avoid unwarranted diagnostic tests and treatments, and to identify and eradicate the source of infection.

Microscopic structure and properties of discrete water layer in Na-exchanged montmorillonite.

In this work, we focus on the atomic structure of the water interlayer of Na-exchanged montmorillonite. For two different surface charge densities, namely -0.086 and -0.172 C/m(2), the adsorption process in the presence of water is described by first principles calculations. We describe the interactions and forces for every water molecule entering the interlayer during the swelling process. In particular, the dielectric permittivity of the water interlayer is calculated. Finally, we confirm our results performing ab initio thermodynamics calculations leading to a wide range of realistic experimental scenarios.

Low-frequency dielectric properties of three bentonites at different adsorbed water states.

Three bentonites of varying smectite content were investigated by dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range 10(-4) to 10(6) Hz after storage at well-defined humidities. The identification of relaxation processes from complex permittivity measurements was difficult, since conductivity effects were superimposed on the underlying relaxations. Relaxation peaks revealed by the dissipation factor indicated the occurrence of interfacial processes between 10(2) and 10(6) Hz. The intensity of the polarization of the electrochemical double-layer at the clay-water interface was promoted by increasing water content and was shifted to higher frequencies the higher the water content in the bentonites. Below ~1 Hz, electrode polarization (EP) was shown to be a participating process with capacitance values ranging from 0.6*10(-3) to 7.3*10(-3)F due to the accumulated charges. An equivalent circuit model was introduced that successfully described the low-frequency dielectric behavior of bentonites at low moisture levels. An included series R-CPE connection was used to describe the double-layer relaxation. At water contents up to 17%, the bulk resistivity was mainly influenced by smectite content and cation exchange capacity, whereas at water contents of ≥19%, interlayer occupation and hydration state became more important.