OBJECTIVE To evaluate group B streptococcus (GBS) detection in an in vitro setting, using a low and controlled inoculum from swabs directly inoculated into a selective medium, as compared to delayed inoculation following a period in a commercial Amies transport medium with charcoal (Venturi Transystem Copan, Italy). STUDY DESIGN Clinical isolates of GBS (n = 103), were inoculated into the Ami...

During early fetal life of males, conversion of testosterone (T) to 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the action of 5a-reductase in the external genital tissues is essential for complete sexual differentiation of male external genitalia. Measurement of low concentrations of DHT in serum of affected prepubertal males confirms the type of sexual disorder (1,2). Although commercial methodologies ha...

BACKGROUND Immunoassay is unsatisfactory for measuring the testosterone concentrations typically found in women. Bench-top tandem mass spectrometers are a viable alternative technology for measurements in the clinical laboratory. METHODS We used stable-isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID/LC-MS/MS) to measure testosterone in plasma and serum. The sample volume w...

OBJECTIVE To inspect cigarettes with a triple granular filter for charcoal granules on the cut filter surface and, if present, to determine whether the charcoal granules on the filter are released during smoking. DESIGN 400 Lark cigarettes in 20 packs were examined individually by each of three investigators for the presence of charcoal granules on the cut surface of the cellulose acetate fil...

A total of 280 unsexed broiler chicks, 21 days-old and weighing 580 g on average were randomly distributed into 28 experimental units of 10 birds each. Seven experimental diets containing respectively 0% (T0 control), 20% raw cowpeas (T1), 20% raw cowpeas + 0.2% of Canarium charcoal (T2), 20% raw cowpeas + 0.2% maize cob charcoal (T3), 20% cooked cowpeas (T4), 20% cooked cowpeas + 0.2% Canarium...

Introduction: Activated charcoal is administered through a nasogastric tube to some poisoned patients, but occasionally the insertion of unweighted fails in emergency department. Weighted with stylet, for example, Corflo ® tube, facilitates insertion, it not clear whether would impede activated delivery. We aimed compare utility and usual (Comforsoft ) tubes administering manikins. Method: This...

Single-dose activated charcoal therapy involves the oral administration or instillation by nasogastric tube of an aqueous preparation of activated charcoal after the ingestion of a poison. Volunteer studies demonstrate that the effectiveness of activated charcoal decreases with time. Data using at least 50 g of activated charcoal, showed a mean reduction in absorption of 47.3%, 40.07%, 16.5% an...

Abstract Exposure to benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like toluene, ethylbenzene, o -, m p -xylene (BTEX) at a fuel station is hazardous for the workers. This study aims estimate health risk worker due exposure of BTEX after implementation vapour recovery system (VRS) stations. Air samples were collected using low-flow sampling pump as per NIOSH method by Tenax (sorbent) tube...

African woodlands form a major part of the tropical grassy biome and support the livelihoods of millions of rural and urban people. Charcoal production in particular is a major economic activity, but its impact on other ecosystem services is little studied. To address this, our study collected biophysical and social datasets, which were combined in ecological production functions, to assess eco...

A method for the qualitative analysis of aromatic hydrocarbons in air and their various urinary metabolites is presented. The air was sampled in charcoal tubes and extracted with carbon disulfide. The hydrocarbons were identified as being aliphatic hydrocarbons (C(9)-C(19)), aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds. The urinary metabolites after enzymatic hydrolysis were analyzed by sol...