Hydrogeological Characterization of Crystalline Bedrock Using Borehole Magnetic Resonance.

We aimed to test borehole magnetic resonance (BMR) method for determining hydraulic parameters (porosity, permeability, and hydraulic conductivity) required for hydrogeological modeling in two distinct crystalline rock environments. These sites comprise Proterozoic basement rocks of different compositions: mafic rocks at the Sakatti mining development site in northern Finland and felsic rocks at the Olkiluoto Island nuclear repository site in southwest Finland. Although BMR is widely used for determining storage and hydraulic properties in sedimentary environments, there have been few studies in crystalline bedrocks. The results indicate that BMR is a suitable tool for studying lithologically and hydrogeologically heterogeneous fractured crystalline bedrocks. It can produce continuous data from hydraulic properties of bedrock in addition to more time-consuming methods such as flowmeter and packer tests and can provide guidance on where to focus additional flow measurements. The intervals display fracture and reduced matrix porosity characteristics, both of which can be enhanced or reduced locally by chemical alteration and by tectonic processes. Flow parameters vary significantly throughout the studied intervals: independently from the lithological composition, these intervals locally display relatively high porosities, and may be correlated to the more intensely fractured and/or brecciated zones. However, due to the heterogeneity in mineralogy, grain/pore arrangement, and the variability of fracture flow-driven transport in each borehole, the challenge remains in finding a unique set of permeability constants for these crystalline rock types. The permeability models could be calibrated by laboratory measurements of the core, and possibly a new permeability model suitable for crystalline bedrock could be created.

Outcomes after anterior vaginal wall repair with mesh: a randomized, controlled trial with a 3 year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare anterior colporrhaphy with and without a mesh. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred two women with anterior prolapse were assigned to undergo colporrhaphy alone or reinforced with a tailored polypropylene mesh. Before and 2, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery, the outcome was assessed by examination and standard questions. The primary endpoint was anatomic recurrence of anterior vaginal prolapse. Secondary outcomes were symptom resolution, reoperation, and mesh exposure. RESULTS: Recurrences of anterior vaginal prolapse were noted in 40 of the 97 (41%) in the colporrhaphy group and 14 of 105 (13%) in the mesh group (P < .0001). The number needed to treat was thus 4. The proportion of symptomatic patients, including those with dyspareunia, did not differ between the groups. The mesh erosion rate was 19%. CONCLUSION: At 3 year follow-up, anterior colporrhaphy with mesh reinforcement significantly reduced anatomic recurrences of anterior vaginal prolapse, but no difference in symptomatic recurrence were noted and the mesh erosion rate was high. The use of mesh was not associated with an increase in dyspareunia.

Symptom resolution and sexual function after anterior vaginal wall repair with or without polypropylene mesh.

To evaluate whether symptom resolution and sexual function is better after reinforcement with polypropylene mesh than with traditional anterior repair. Ninety-seven patients were randomized to anterior colporrhaphy and 105 to an operation with mesh. Participants were evaluated up to 24 months by physical examination, standard questions, and questionnaire. The overall symptom rate did not differ between the groups, but a sensation of vaginal bulge was reported less frequently in the mesh group, the figures being 17 versus 5 (p = 0.003). The recurrence rate for the no-mesh group was 41% and for the mesh group 11% (p < 0.001). The dyspareunia score was statistically significantly lower in the mesh group (p = 0.015). The mesh exposure rate was 8%. Sensation of vaginal bulge was relieved more efficiently by the mesh technique without causing dyspareunia.

Low-weight polypropylene mesh for anterior vaginal wall prolapse: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare anterior colporrhaphy with and without a tailored mesh. METHODS: Postmenopausal women with anterior vaginal prolapse to the hymen or beyond were randomly assigned to undergo traditional anterior colporrhaphy alone or reinforced with mesh. The low-weight monofilament polypropylene mesh was self-tailored, having four arms and being placed over the plicated fascia. Before and 2 and 12 months after surgery, participants were evaluated by physical examination, postvoidal residual urine measurement and standard questions covering prolapse-related symptoms. The primary outcome was recurrence of anterior vaginal prolapse at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included operative complications, symptom resolution, and postvoidal urine residual volume. RESULTS: Of the 202 women randomly assigned, 201 were operated on (97 without, 104 with mesh). Thirty-seven women (38.5%) in the no-mesh and seven (6.7%) in the mesh group experienced a recurrence of anterior wall prolapse (P<.001) at 12 months; as a result, the number needed to treat for benefit was four. The mean (standard deviation) postvoidal residual urine volume was lower in patients with mesh than in those undergoing the traditional operation: 25 (26) mL and 41 (57) mL (P=.01). Twenty-three women (23%) with mesh and 9 (10%) with no mesh reported stress urinary incontinence (P=.02). In 18 (17.3%), exposure of the mesh was noted, mainly asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Anterior colporrhaphy, reinforced with, tailored mesh significantly reduced the rate of recurrence of anterior vaginal wall prolapse compared with the traditional operation, but was associated more often with stress urinary incontinence.

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis in Sweden and Estonia: clinical, genetic and ultrastructural findings in eighty-three patients.

Congenital (non-bullous) ichthyosis is a rare group of keratinizing disorders which can be tentatively subclassified based on clinical criteria, analysis of transglutaminase 1 gene mutations and electron microscopy of epidermis. We studied 83 patients who were all on topical therapy and in 16 cases also on oral retinoids. Three main groups of patients were distinguished: (A) those with transglutaminase 1 gene mutations (n=44), (B) those without transglutaminase 1 gene mutations showing a coarse, generalized scaling (n=19), and (C) those without transglutaminase 1 gene mutations showing only fine or focal scaling (n=20). On clinical scoring, patients in group A were more hyperkeratotic and less erythematous than those in group B (p < 0.05). Anhidrosis was recorded in nearly all patients (> or = 80%), but ectropion and a collodion phenotype at birth were more common in group A versus other groups. Ultrastructurally, a high frequency of type I (Anton-Lamprecht's classification) was found in all three groups (37-63%), 20 cases of type II in group A and a few cases of types III and IV in groups B and C, respectively. In conclusion, transglutaminase 1 gene mutation is a major cause of congenital ichthyosis in Sweden and Estonia, and is often associated with severe scaling and ultrastructural type II in corneocytes. The transglutaminase-unrelated cases are more heterogeneous, probably reflecting a more varied aetiology.