Polish experience with sewage sludge dewatering in reed systems

Macrophyte plants e.g. reed, cattails, bulrush, can be applied to sewage sludge utilisation. One of the first facilities of this type in the Gdansk region (Northern Poland) was established in Darzlubie in 1995 and primary sludge has been utilised in reed beds there. The objective of the undertaken research was evaluating the influence of sewage sludge storage on its chemical and biological properties. A total of 5.5 m thick layer of primary, anaerobically stabilised sludge (moisture 90-96%) was loaded to the reed bed during 6 years of operation. As a consequence of dewatering and biochemical transformation, the sludge layer decreased to 30 cm. Moisture, organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus contents, as well as coli index, Clostridium perfringens index and the number of Ascaris lumbricoides ova were measured. Also the contents of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr and Cd) were determined in sludge samples. The study showed that sludge storage in reed beds results in dewatering and partial stabilisation. In the reed lagoons in Swarzewo and Zambrow, dewatering of secondary sludges was investigated. The results of measurements of the quality of sludge and effluent from the reed lagoon in Zambrow are also presented.

[Evaluation of incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections among the group of infertile women diagnosed by laparoscopy, and based on properties of Chlamydia trachomatis in the cervical canal, peritoneal fluid and ovarian cyst puncture]

The number of 75 patients who underwent diagnostic et operative laparoscopy was analysed. The percentage of infection cases caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis was 9.33% investigations proved correlation between fallopian tube factor and infection. It seems that pelvic infection not always undergoes with infection of uterine cervix.

[Effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis in negative Rhesus factor]

In the research an evaluation was made of the effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis applied in fetomaternal incompatibility in the range of antigen D. Material was based on patients who were delivered in the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz in the years 1981-1999. In that period of time there were 46,398 deliveries. 6217 pregnancies were found to be serologically incompatible in the range of antigen D. In 5384 patients immunoglobulin anti D was administered at a dose of 15-300 micrograms. At one time 311 patients with serological conflict in the range of antigen D were treated. Postpartum immunoprophylaxis was found effective in 93.9%. Lak of compliance with the principles of immunoprophylaxis, especially in patients after a miscarriage, and too low doses of Ig anti D were recognised as the reasons for incomplete effectiveness.

[The evaluation of efficiency of PGE 1 (alprostadil) during intracavernous injection in the treatment of erectile dysfunctions]

We have investigated the influence of PGE1 (alprostandil--"Prostavasin"--Schwarz Pharma company) on the erection in the group of 34 men with erectile disfunction (28 with and 6 without diabetes mellitus) treated in period from 1996 to 1998. Other diseases were excluded in all patients. The concentrations of FSH, LH, T, PRL, T3 and T4 were in normal range. The applied dose of PGE 1 varied from 5 mg to 20 mg maximum three times a week. The effect of the treatment was estimated according to subjective symptoms. The effectiveness of the treatment varied from 50% to 67%. The most effective dose was the maximal one (20 mg). The minimal effective dose of alprostadil was 10 mg.

[Socio-medical conditioning of marital infertility]

An inquiry was carried out among 185 women diagnosed because of infertility. The questionnaires included personal data, obstetric information from the past and information concerning earlier attempts at diagnosing and treating both partners. Authors of this article are of the opinion that infertile couples, especially from the country, decide only too late to find out the causes of the infertility. Taking into consideration the range of present day knowledge, the authors point out that highly specialized centres should deal with diagnosing and treating infertility.