The possible effect of contrails in modifying the weather is reconsidered in the light of information obtained from ground-level contrails in Alaska. It appears likely that inadvertent cloud seeding b y jet aircraft may be of the same order of magnitude as that attained in commercial cloud seeding operations. Further investigation is needed; but in the meantime, the possibility of contrail cont...

The contamination rate of phlebotomy tourniquets with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was assessed, and it was determined whether this could be reduced by changes in practice or by the use of a physical barrier. Initially, the tourniquets of both preregistration house officers and phlebotomists were investigated, but as phlebotomists reported significantly more venepunctures d...

OBJECTIVE To study factors possibly associated with tumor contamination in the biopsy path of primary malignant bone tumors. METHOD Thirty-five patients who underwent surgical treatment with diagnoses of osteosarcoma, Ewing's tumor and chondrosarcoma were studied retrospectively. The sample was analyzed to characterize the biopsy technique used, histological type of the tumor, neoadjuvant che...

The impact of tracheal suctioning with an open or a closed system on equipment and health care workers contamination with multidrug-resistant pathogens was compared. Only the closed system reduced hand and equipment contamination during tracheal suctioning. This equipment could be systematically used to reduce risk of cross contamination in the intensive care unit.