Management practices and phytoremediation by native grasses.

Using native species for phytoremediation may be more ecologically beneficial and cost-effective than monoculture planting approaches. This study evaluated the effect of various soil amendments and management on the potential of Midwestern prairie grasses to remediate field soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other pollutants. A greenhouse investigation was conducted using six different grass species native to Ohio. Plants were grown in buckets containing topsoil and a layer of field-collected contaminated soil. Buckets were amended with commercial compost, fertilizer, or a combination of both. Replicates were watered every fourth day (frequently) or every sixth day (infrequently). Chlorophyll content were measured monthly for five months during the growing season. After five months, cores were sampled from each treatment and the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and PAH concentration of the soil determined. Native Ohio grasses reduced TPH contamination at least 87% with frequent irrigation and 90% with infrequent irrigation from buckets containing both compost and fertilizer. PAHs were dissipated to concentrations below detection limit of 1 ppm except for benzo (123) perylene and indeno (123-cd) pyrene. Results of this study suggest that it may be effective to allow contaminated sites to re-vegetate with native grasses.

Endoscopic rollerball electrovaporization of the prostate--the sandwich technique: evaluation of the initial efficacy and morbidity in the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety, initial efficacy and morbidity of a new treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), endoscopic rollerball electrovaporization (EREV) of the prostate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Endoscopic rollerball electrovaporization with or without a modified transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) was performed in 51 patients (mean age 69 years). Before treatment, patients were evaluated by measuring maximum flow rate, post-void residual volume (PVR) and a symptom score. After undergoing EREV and modified TURP the operative and hospital records were reviewed and the duration of the procedure, hospital stay and the incidence of complications and/or morbidity were recorded. The urodynamic variables were re-evaluated after 3-8 months. RESULTS: Five patients were operated on for retention: of the remaining patients, the pre-operative mean symptom score was 18 (maximum 30), the mean maximum flow rate was 11.5 mL/s, the mean PVR was 159 mL and the mean duration of the procedure was 28 min. Of the 51 patients, 30 were discharged catheter-free on the first day after surgery. No patient required transfusion for associated blood loss, none had evidence of symptomatic bacteraemia and the transurethral resection syndrome did not occur. One patient who had a bladder carcinoma resected at the same operation was readmitted 2 weeks later with haematuria and clots. Three patients presented as emergencies within 8 weeks because of retention; one was admitted and required further EREV. On re-evaluation, the symptom scores decreased by a mean of 11 points, the maximum flow rate increased by a mean of 6.2 mL/s and the mean PVR decreased by 102 mL. CONCLUSIONS: EREV of the prostate is a safe, effective and economic alternative to a standard TURP.

Pathological review of female patients undergoing cystectomy for cancer of the bladder.

The female patient undergoing cystectomy for invasive cancer of the bladder usually has some form of diversion to the skin. Recently, in the male patient there has been a major shift from cutaneous diversion to functioning orthotopic urethral reservoirs so that the patient can void per urethra. We were intrigued by Bartsch's anatomical studies of the female urethra. With this new information, it seemed feasible to perform the orthotopic urethral diversion in the female. In order to have guidelines in choosing which patients could undergo cystectomy preserving the urethra, we reviewed the pathological findings on female patients undergoing cystectomy at Vancouver General Hospital for 10 years.

High incidence of bronchospasm with regular administration of aerosolized pentamidine.

A systematic evaluation of changes in pulmonary status by objective spirometric assessment and subjective rating using visual analog scale was performed in a cohort of 134 patients receiving aerosolized pentamidine (AP) for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Significant bronchospasm defined as greater than or equal to 15 percent reduction in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s was noted in 26 of 100 (26 percent) of patients receiving AP alone. Despite the use of salbutamol (albuterol) as concurrent aerosolized treatment in 34 subjects, bronchospasm developed in 9 of 34 (26 percent) of the patients. The subjective respiratory status rating scale was found to be unreliable in correctly predicting the development of bronchospasm. We conclude that a high incidence of bronchospasm is present in patients receiving regular AP administration using an ultrasonic nebulizer as studied, and concurrent administration of salbutamol is not fully protective of this acute adverse pulmonary reaction.

Blount's disease: a retrospective review and recommendations for treatment.

Thirty-two patients treated for Blount's disease were retrospectively reviewed. The results of treatment were assessed by clinical and radiographic parameters and arbitrarily classified good, fair, or poor. Five patients were definitively treated with braces; five extremities were rated good and one poor. Twelve patients were treated with a proximal tibial osteotomy performed before their fifth birthday. Nineteen extremities were rated good, one fair, and three poor. Fifteen patients had their initial surgical procedure after the fifth birthday. Eight extremities were rated good, six fair, and seven poor. Recurrence of the varus deformity secondary to an unsuspected medial bony physeal bar occurred in four patients. Resection of this bony bridge concomitant with a varus correcting osteotomy may be indicated. For severe deformity in older children, several different salvage procedures were used.