Use of Arsenic contaminated sludge in making ornamental bricks

Arsenic contaminated sludge can be found from the treatment of arsenic contaminated ground water. Lake of management and reuse of this sludge can create further environmental problem as there is probability of mixing with soil and water. In this paper, an effort is taken for the use of such waste. Here, effectiveness of using this sludge in making ornamental brick has been analyzed and justified. The detailed study was made upon the suitability of sludge in making bricks. Results of different tests indicate that sludge proportion is the key factor for determining the quality of ornamental bricks/tiles. The compressive strength of ornamental bricks decreases with increase of sludge proportion. This study showed that arsenic contaminated sludge could be used safely up to 4% for making ornamental bricks. Because after that limit the quality of bricks or tiles fall markedly

Study of current management of community acquired pneumonia and strategies for improvement

To see that the patients admitted with community acquired pneumonia [CAP] are managed in accordance with British Thoracic society recommendations and guidelines. All patients admitted with Community-Acquired Pneumonia in medical wards admitted in large district general hospital setting in UK, were audited. The study period was between September and October 2002. Permission for the study was taken from the local hospital trust audit department. Seventy one sets of notes were reviewed leaving 38 patients appropriate for inclusion into the study. The findings observed in the record revealed that, Respiratory rate was not recorded in 36.8% [n=14] patients, level of confusion not recorded in 47.4% [n=18], Blood cultures not sent in 42.1% [n=16] patients, sputum not sent for culture in 47.4% [n=18] cases. Inappropriate antibiotics used 18.4% [n=7], treatment time of senior review not documented in 36.8% [n=14], radiographic findings not documented in 13% [n=5] cases. No follow up arrangements were made in 13.2% [n=5]. Average time of senor review was 6 hours and average time of antibiotic given after admission was 2 hours. This audit shows that even in a developed country with well-established guidelines for management of different diseases, guidelines for management of community-acquired pneumonia are not strictly adhered to. More efforts need to be made for dissemination and implementation of these guidelines

Glomerulonephritis presented as acute severe renal failure [ASRF]

To investigate the aetiology, clinical features, histological diagnosis and response to treatment of patients with glomeulonephritis presenting as acute renal failure [ARF] or rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis [RPGN]. Of the 66 patients with ARF, admitted in the Nephrology department of BSMMU, Dhaka in the period January 1998 to June 1999, 19 presented clinically as RPGN. They were evaluated for histological diagnosis and clinical outcome. There were 11 males and 8 females with a mean age of 31 +/- 4.62 years. The mean arterial B.P. was 103 +/- 6.8 mmHg, urinary total protein 2.7 +/- 1.9 gm/24 hours, urinary RBC 12 +/- 3.8 per high power field. Mean blood urea was 118.9 +/- 11.76 mg% and S.creatinine 7.78 +/- 4.3 mg%. Immunohistological findings revealed crescentic GN in 8 [42.11%], glomerulonephritis without crescent 11[57.89%] and granular deposition of the immunoglobulin and complement in 11 [73.33%] cases. Patients were treated with methyiprednlsolone for 3 days followed by oral prednisolone and cyclophosphamide as per schedule protocol along with acute haemodialysis through temporary venous catheter. Nine [47.37%] patients died, 6 [31.57%] improved and 4 [21.10%] developed CRF. The study showed that among the patients with ARF, 28% presented with RPGN. The prognosis was uniformly had, although 1/3rd improved with appropriate and early treatment