Equilibrium sampling can be applied to measure freely dissolved concentrations (cfree) of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) that are considered effective concentrations for diffusive uptake and partitioning. It can also yield concentrations in lipids at thermodynamic equilibrium with the sediment (clip⇌sed) by multiplying concentrations in the equilibrium sampling polymer with lipid to polym...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is no consensus among surgeons on the indication of putting drains for in groin hernias. In this study we aimed to investigate the factors that are associated with drain usage by comparing the clinical characteristics of patients who had drains with the patients without drains in the repair of groin hernias. MATERIAL AND METHODS The data of all groin hernia repairs f...

AIMS To identify the most efficient techniques for the separation of micro-organisms from coastal sediments and, using these techniques, to determine the concentration of faecal indicator organisms in recreational coastal water and sediment. METHODS AND RESULTS Sediment samples were taken from a range of recreational coastal sites and subjected to various physical techniques to separate micro...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether bacterial colonization of drains can be reduced by local antiseptic interventions. BACKGROUND Drains are a potential source of bacterial entry into surgical wounds and may contribute to surgical site infection after breast surgery. METHODS After institutional review board approval, patients undergoing total mastectomy and/or axillary lymph node dissection were...

In the past, it was generally advised that every patient undergoing thyroid surgery have a drain placed because of the fear of post-operative hematoma. In the past 9 years, we have performed 400 thyroidectomies. For the first 6 years, we drained the operative site in most of thyroid procedures. However, it was apparent from our experience that drains had very little effect on the prevention of ...

Attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) were used to control mosquitoes in the storm drains of a residential area on the outskirts of St Augustine, Florida. The drainage system was newly constructed and no mosquitoes were breeding inside it. The area covered by the storm drains was divided in half; 10 drains served as control drains and 16 drains served as experimental drains. The baits, which con...

Previous studies conducted on the hydrography, chemical and biological characteristics of Lake Edku; one of the northern Nile Delta Lakes, concluded that this lake suffered from a high level of eutrophication, due to the heavy load of nutrients, especially phosphorus. Before deciding what type of treatment should be used for decreasing total phosphorous (TP), knowledge of the sources and sinks ...

AIMS To determine the levels and species distribution of enterococci in intertidal and marine sediments and coastal waters at two beaches frequently in violation of bacterial water standards. METHODS AND RESULTS Faecal indicator bacteria were extracted from sediment and enumerated using membrane filtration. High levels of enterococci were detected in intertidal sediments in a seasonal river a...

The Taquari River basin (TRB) drains an area of 28,000 km in the plateau adjacent to the so-called Pantanal, a large floodplain area in midwest Brazil. It is characterized by sedimentary soils, primarily sandy soils, with areas of accentuated declivities and high erosive potential. These characteristics of TRB, associated with its intensive use and the mishandling of the soil by agricultural ac...