Definition of the data for comprehensiveness in scenario analysis of near-surface nuclear waste repositories.

This article provides data on the near-surface repository for nuclear waste in the associated Research article "Comprehensiveness of scenarios in the safety assessment of nuclear waste repositories" [1].We illustrate i) the parameters of the COMSOL Multiphysics model for calculating the radiological impact of the repository, ii) the set of scenarios analyzed following a pluralistic approach, and iii) nodes, experts' beliefs and prior probabilities for the scenario analysis based on Bayesian networks.

Subpubic cartilaginous cyst: a rare cause of dysuria.

A subpubic cartilaginous cyst is a rare lesion that may present as a vulvar mass or rarely with dysuria. This condition occurs predominantly in multiparous postmenopausal women and is believed to be secondary to degenerative changes in the fibrocartilaginous disc of the symphysis pubis. The midline location, close relationship with the undersurface of the symphysis pubis and the cystic nature are the clues to the correct diagnosis.

Myospherulosis as a complication of functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a double case report.

INTRODUCTION: Paraffinomas (also known as 'sclerosing lipogranulomas' or 'myospherulosis') are a widely acknowledged complication of cosmetic paraffin injections but they are rare following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Our first case features a 45-year-old woman presenting with a peri-ocular swelling two weeks after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The procedure was complicated by a fractured lamina papyracea. A nasal packing with antibiotic ointment was left in situ. Initially, the inflammation was controlled successfully with corticosteroids but the swelling persists to this day. Our second case is a 45-year-old man who suffered from a recurrent swelling of the right eyelid after endoscopic sinus surgery. Multiple treatments with oral antibiotics and corticosteroids brought about no improvement. Debulking surgery was performed and a PDS film was placed between the peri-orbita and the bony orbital floor but the swelling recurred. The patient finally consulted a plastic surgeon as a last resort, but the reconstructive procedure only exacerbated the clinical picture. In both cases a biopsy was performed which established the foreign body reaction typical of a paraffinoma. At present, both patients still suffer from this condition. CONCLUSION: The complete resection of a paraffinoma is seldom possible because of diffuse infiltration and recurrence is very likely. We therefore conclude that paraffin-based ointments should not be used with nasal packing after sinus surgery, especially when there has been a lesion involving the orbital wall.

Exergy analysis of the Chartherm process for energy valorization and material recuperation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood waste.

The Chartherm process (Thermya, Bordeaux, France) is a thermochemical conversion process to treat chromated copper arsenate (CCA) impregnated wood waste. The process aims at maximum energy valorization and material recuperation by combining the principles of low-temperature slow pyrolysis and distillation in a smart way. The main objective of the exergy analysis presented in this paper is to find the critical points in the Chartherm process where it is necessary to apply some measures in order to reduce exergy consumption and to make energy use more economic and efficient. It is found that the process efficiency can be increased with 2.3-4.2% by using the heat lost by the reactor, implementing a combined heat and power (CHP) system, or recuperating the waste heat from the exhaust gases to preheat the product gas. Furthermore, a comparison between the exergetic performances of a 'chartherisation' reactor and an idealized gasification reactor shows that both reactors destroy about the same amount of exergy (i.e. 3500kWkg(wood)(-1)) during thermochemical conversion of CCA-treated wood. However, the Chartherm process possesses additional capabilities with respect to arsenic and tar treatment, as well as the extra benefit of recuperating materials.

Analysis of the receptor specificity of tolerance induction in stress versus opioid-related prolactin secretion in rats.

The effects of restraint stress and opiates on prolactin secretion in male rats have been measured. Both induced a short-lived increase in prolactinaemia. Experimental evidence indicates that both opioids and restraint stress bring about their actions by the activation of opioid receptors. When restraint stress was followed by administration of the specific kappa-agonist bremazocine, a second prolactin peak was observed. In contrast, morphine (predominantly a mu-agonist) lost its prolactin-stimulating capacity when given after a period of restraint stress. This indicates cross-tolerance between restraint stress and morphine. Tolerance was overcome when the dose of morphine was doubled, and an increase in prolactin secretion could again be obtained. The cross-tolerance phenomenon argues that a common opioid receptor is involved in morphine- and restraint stress-stimulated prolactin release. In another set of experiments, in which morphine administration replaced restraint stress as a means of inducing tolerance, a second rise in prolactinaemia was seen only with bremazocine and not with a further administration of morphine. This suggests a morphine (mu) receptor-specific development of tolerance. Two consecutive administrations of bremazocine also produced tolerance, in this case for the kappa-receptor. This illustrates the rapid and receptor-specific development of tolerance for the prolactin-releasing capacity of opioid compounds.

The growth hormone secretory response to fentanyl in rat: an involvement of mu type receptors.

Fentanyl, a selective mu opioid receptor agonist, administered intravenously, influences growth hormone secretion in conscious male rats. A dose-response study demonstrated that the maximum growth hormone release was obtained with 10 micrograms/kg while higher doses were less or not effective. MR-2266 (6 mg/kg i.v.), a mu and kappa opioid receptor antagonist, and bremazocine (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) a mu opioid receptor antagonist with kappa agonistic properties, both potently inhibited the growth hormone response to fentanyl (10 micrograms/kg i.v.). In contrast, the effect of fentanyl on growth hormone release was not blocked in rats treated with either ICI-154129 (30 mg/kg i.v. or 150 micrograms/kg intracerebroventricularly a selective delta opioid receptor antagonist, or U-50488 (10 mg/kg i.v.), a specific kappa opioid receptor agonist. These results suggest that opioid receptors of the mu type are involved in the fentanyl-induced growth hormone release.

The effect of bombesin on basal, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, haloperidol, morphine, bremazocine and stress-induced prolactin secretion.

Intravenously administered bombesin lowered basal PRL levels in conscious male rats and prevented the morphine, bremazocine and stress-induced PRL secretion. The same dose of bombesin had no effect on PRL levels in alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine pretreated rats and did not affect haloperidol-stimulated PRL release. These results show that bombesin given intravenously acts as an inhibitor of PRL secretion and suggests that it does not act on the lactotrope itself but rather by an increase of the inhibitory dopaminergic tone.

Renal hamartoma associated with renal cell (Grawitz) tumor: another indication that Grawitz tumors are carcinosarcomas.

We report a case of renal hamartoma (angiofibroma) which contained nests of renal cell (Grawitz) tumor and review the literature regarding this subject. We believe that the finding of Grawitz tumor cells within a mesodermal tumor supports our hypothesis that renal cell (Grawitz) tumors are of mixed (mesodermal and endodermal) origin, that is, they show at least one important biological characteristic of carcinosarcomas.

[Activities of the emergency department of a suburban hospital in 1984]. / Activité du service de garde d'un hôpital de Faubourg en 1984.

This is a review of the population coming to the outpatients department along June 1984. Most of the people are coming between noon and midnight. 20% of the patients are driven by ambulance and 59% of them are admitted, while only 23% of the total population and 11% of surgical cases are hospitalized. 56% of the patients are living in the neighbourhood of the hospital and 38% in the other suburbs of Brussels' urban area. Only 26% of the patients are referred by the family physician and 86% of them are admitted, while only 14% are requesting for a specific examination.

Incidence of pre-operative deep venous thrombosis in abdominal surgery.

In order to determine the incidence of pre-operative and postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients not receiving prophylactic anticoagulant therapy, bilateral phlebography was performed in a prospective study pre-operatively and on the 9th postoperative day, in 51 consecutive patients submitted for major abdominal surgery. The presence of a DVT before surgery was demonstrated in 15.7 per cent of the patients. This high frequency confirms objectively the rationale of starting prophylactic anticoagulant therapy before the surgical procedure. Thrombi were demonstrated postoperatively by phlebography in 54.9 per cent of the patients. Thus the true incidence of DVT induced by surgery was 39.2 per cent taking into account the 15.7 per cent pre-operative DVT rate.

Evolution of antithrombin III during the postoperative period.

In a prospective study, antithrombin III (AT III) was performed preoperatively, peroperatively immediately after the surgical procedure and daily during the 8 postoperative days in 57 consecutive patients who underwent major abdominal surgery without prophylactic anticoagulant therapy. On d 8, according to the results of a bilateral radiological phlebography, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I: presence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT): n = 28 (49%) and Group 2: absence of deep venous thrombosis: n = 29 (52%). The results of the study showed that the preoperative AT III value did not constitute a marker of the postoperative DVT risk. During the postoperative period, AT III level decreased immediately following the intervention and resumed its preoperative value within 8 d. Nevertheless, this evolution was not different in the 2 groups and was not related to the presence of postoperative DVT.

[Ulcer perforating into the free peritoneum. Review of 70 cases]. / Ulcère perforé en péritoine libre. Revue de 70 cas.

We retrospectively studied a series of 70 patients admitted between 1977 and 1982 with an acute perforated ulcer. As compared to available data our patient's population is characterized by elevated mean age and by important delay between onset of symptoms and admission. Clinical diagnosis supported by plain X-rays and laboratory was confirmed in 91%. In one patient only, treatment was purely conservative; nine vagotomies, four gastrectomies and fifty-six suture plication were performed. Hospital stage was short (mean: 13,5 days) despite 37% morbidity. Mortality (10%) was close correlated with age and delay between onset of symptoms and treatment.