Evaluation of White Rot Fungus to Control Growth of Escherichia coli in Cattle Manure.

Biological soil amendments of animal origin, such as aqueous dairy manure, may be contaminated with microbial pathogens that can subsequently result in contaminated soil, water runoff, and crops. Multiple mitigation strategies are being evaluated to reduce these risks. Inclusion of filamentous fungus in a biofiltration system to inactivate pathogenic bacteria in aqueous dairy manure prior to land application is explored in this study as a preharvest preventative method.

An analysis of unscheduled return visits to an urban emergency department.

Aim: This study was undertaken to identify the reasons for unscheduled return visits to an urban emergency department, particularly those relating to physician errors in diagnosis and management, and, where possible, to identify strategies to reduce unscheduled return visits.

Method: All patients returning to the Emergency Department, Christchurch Hospital, within seven calendar days of initial visit were identified. These cases were reviewed to identify reasons for return visit.

Stability of murine monoclonal anti-A, anti-B and anti-A,B ABO grouping reagents and a multi-centre evaluation of their performance in routine use.

We have previously reported the production of 3 murine monoclonal reagents for ABO typing (designated ES-9, ES-4 and ES-15). This study presents results of tests of stability of these 3 reagents, together with a fourth murine monoclonal antibody (LM103/107). In addition, data are also presented from a multi-centre evaluation of the performance of the murine monoclonal reagents in routine ABO typing of both donors and patients using a wide variety of techniques, both manual and automated.

The management of reflux oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture.

In a five year period, 140 patients with hiatal hernia were admitted to the cardiothoracic surgery department for investigation and treatment of their condition. Seventy-three of these patients had oesophageal strictures and of these 35 were treated by oesophageal dilatation and Nissen fundoplication. One patient with an intractable stricture was treated by oesophagogastrectomy.