Evaluation of microfiltration for the treatment of spent cutting-oil

A pilot plant using ceramic microfiltration membranes which could be regularly back-flushed with air for fouling control was evaluated for the treatment of spent cutting-oil. It was found that membrane fouling could be effectively controlled with regular air back-flushes (every 3 min for 1 s) and chemical cleaning using caustic soda. Permeate flux remained approximately constant and varied from 78 to 126 ./hEm2 for the first six runs and from 114 to 150 ./hEm2 for three more runs. An increase in feed temperature from ambient to 40‹C and cleaning of the membrane with 1% caustic soda, increased permeate flux from 183 to 282 ./hEm2 and from 195 to 264 ./hEm2 in two more runs. Excellent COD (75.5 to 90.3%) and O&G (97.2 to 99.1%) removals were obtained. The permeate quality should be suitable for discharge to the municipal sewer system (O&G < 500 mg/.) and the concentrated oil should be a useful energy source. Treatment of spent cutting-oil with microfiltration rather thanlandfilling should save valuable landfilling space

Sandy beaches at the brink

Sandy beaches line most of the world’s oceans and are highly valued by society: more people use sandy beaches than any other type of shore. While the economic and social values of beaches are generally regarded as paramount, sandy shores also have special ecological features and contain a distinctive biodiversity that is generally not recognized. These unique ecosystems are facing escalating anthropogenic pressures, chiefly from rapacious coastal development, direct human uses — mainly associated with recreation — and rising sea levels. Beaches are increasingly becoming trapped in a ‘coastal squeeze’ between burgeoning human populations from the land and the effects of global climate change from the sea. Society’s interventions (e.g. shoreline armouring, beach nourishment) to combat changes in beach environments, such as erosion and shoreline retreat, can result in severe ecological impacts and loss of biodiversity at local scales, but are predicted also to have cumulative large-scale consequences worldwide. Because of the scale of this problem, the continued existence of beaches as functional ecosystems is likely to depend on direct conservation efforts. Conservation, in turn, will have to increasingly draw on a consolidated body of ecological theory for these ecosystems. Although this body of theory has yet to be fully developed, we identify here a number of critical research directions that are required to progress coastal management and conservation of sandy beach ecosystems

Escherichia coli with virulence factors and multidrug resistance in the Plankenburg River

CITATION: Lamprecht, C., et al. 2014. Escherichia coli with virulence factors and multidrug resistance in the Plankenburg River. South African Journal of Science, 110(9-10): 1-6, doi: 10.1590/ sajs.2014/20130347.The original publication is available at http://www.sajs.co.zaEscherichia coli is a natural inhabitant of the gut and E. coli levels in water are considered internationally to be an indication of faecal contamination. Although not usually pathogenic, E. coli has been linked to numerous foodborne disease outbreaks, especially those associated with fresh produce. One of the most common ways through which E. coli can be transferred onto fresh produce is if contaminated water is used for irrigation. In this study, a total of 81 confirmed E. coli strains were isolated from the Plankenburg River as part of three separate studies over 3 years. During sampling, E. coli levels in the river were above the accepted levels set by the World Health Organization and the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for safe irrigation of fresh produce, which indicates that transfer of E. coli during irrigation is highly probable. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction screening for pathogenic gene sequences revealed one enteroaggregative positive strain and four enteropathogenic positive strains. The four enteropathogenic strains were also found to be resistant to three or more critically and highly important antibiotics and were therefore classified as multidrug resistant strains. These results show that E. coli with enteropathogenic potential and multiple antimicrobial resistance properties has persisted over time in the Plankenburg River.http://www.sajs.co.za/escherichia-coli-virulence-factors-and-multidrug-resistance-plankenburg-river/corne-lamprecht-marco-romanis-nicola-huisamen-anneri-carinus-nika-schoeman-gunnar-o-sigge-trevor-jPublisher's versio

Post-tuberculosis lung health: perspectives from the first International symposium

Tuberculosis, although curable, frequently leaves the individual with chronic physical and psycho-social impairment, yet these consequences have to-date been largely neglected. The 1st International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium was devoted entirely to impairment after tuberculosis, and covered a number of multi-disciplinary topics. Using the Delphi process, consensus was achieved for the terms “post-tuberculosis”, “post-tuberculosis lung disease/s (PTLD)”, and “post-tuberculosis economic, social and psychological well-being” (Post-TB ESP)”, to overcome the historical challenge of varied terminology in the literature. A minimum case-definition was proposed by consensus for PTLD in adults and children. Lack of sufficient evidence hampered definitive recommendations in most domains, including prevention and treatment of PTLD, but highlighted the dire need for research and priorities were identified. The heterogeneity of respiratory outcomes and previously employed research methodologies complicates the accurate estimation of disease burden. However, consensus was reached proposing a toolkit for future PTLD measurement, and on PTLD patterns to be considered. The importance of extra-pulmonary consequences and progressive impairment throughout the life-course was identified, including tuberculosis recurrence and increased mortality. Patient advocates emphasised the need for addressing the psychological and social impacts post tuberculosis, and called for clinical guidance. Increased awareness and more research addressing post-tuberculosis complications is urgently needed

Management of intracranial tuberculous mass lesions: how long should we treat for? [version 3; peer review: 3 approved]

Tuberculous intracranial mass lesions are common in settings with high tuberculosis (TB) incidence and HIV prevalence. The diagnosis of such lesions, which include tuberculoma and tuberculous abscesses, is often presumptive and based on radiological features, supportive evidence of TB elsewhere and response to TB treatment. However, the treatment response is unpredictable, with lesions frequently enlarging paradoxically or persisting for many years despite appropriate TB treatment and corticosteroid therapy. Most international guidelines recommend a 9-12 month course of TB treatment for central nervous system TB when the infecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) strain is sensitive to first-line drugs. However, there is variation in opinion and practice with respect to the duration of TB treatment in patients with tuberculomas or tuberculous abscesses. A major reason for this is the lack of prospective clinical trial evidence. Some experts suggest continuing treatment until radiological resolution of enhancing lesions has been achieved, but this may unnecessarily expose patients to prolonged periods of potentially toxic drugs. It is currently unknown whether persistent radiological enhancement of intracranial tuberculomas after 9-12 months of treatment represents active disease, inflammatory response in a sterilized lesion or merely revascularization. The consequences of stopping TB treatment prior to resolution of lesional enhancement have rarely been explored. These important issues were discussed at the 3rd International Tuberculous Meningitis Consortium meeting. Most clinicians were of the opinion that continued enhancement does not necessarily represent treatment failure and that prolonged TB therapy was not warranted in patients presumably infected with M.tb strains susceptible to first-line drugs. In this manuscript we highlight current medical treatment practices, benefits and disadvantages of different TB treatment durations and the need for evidence-based guidelines regarding the treatment duration of patients with intracranial tuberculous mass lesions

Screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful alcohol use among patients with active tuberculosis attending primary care clinics in South Africa: a cluster randomized controlled trial protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2008 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that South Africa had the highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence in the world. This high incidence rate is linked to a number of factors, including HIV co-infection and alcohol use disorders. The diagnosis and treatment package for TB and HIV co-infection is relatively well established in South Africa. However, because alcohol use disorders may present more insidiously, making it difficult to diagnose, those patients with active TB and misusing alcohol are not easily cured from TB. With this in mind, the primary purpose of this cluster randomized controlled trial is to provide screening for alcohol misuse and to test the efficacy of brief interventions in reducing alcohol intake in those patients with active TB found to be misusing alcohol in primary health care clinics in three provinces in South Africa.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Within each of the three selected health districts with the highest TB burden in South Africa, 14 primary health care clinics with the highest TB caseloads will be selected. Those agreeing to participate will be stratified according to TB treatment caseload and the type of facility (clinic or community health centre). Within strata from 14 primary care facilities, 7 will be randomly selected into intervention and 7 to control study clinics (42 clinics, 21 intervention clinics and 21 control clinics). At the clinic level systematic sampling will be used to recruit newly diagnosed TB patients. Those consenting will be screened for alcohol misuse using the AUDIT. Patients who screen positive for alcohol misuse over a 6-month period will be given either a brief intervention based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) Model or an alcohol use health education leaflet.</p> <p>A total sample size of 520 is expected.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The trial will evaluate the impact of alcohol screening and brief interventions for patients with active TB in primary care settings in South Africa. The findings will impact public health and will enable the health ministry to formulate policy related to comprehensive treatment for TB and alcohol misuse, which will result in reduction in alcohol use and ultimately improve the TB cure rates.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>PACTR: <a href="http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/trial.aspx?trialid=PACTR201105000297151">PACTR201105000297151</a></p