Degradation of cyanotoxins (microcystin) in drinking water using photoelectrooxidation.

The discharge of sewage and industrial effluents containing high concentrations of pollutants in water bodies increases eutrophication. Cyanobacteria, some of the organisms whose growth is promoted by high nutrient concentrations, are resistant and produce several types of toxins, known as cyanotoxins, highly harmful to human beings. Current water treatment systems for the public water supply are not efficient in degradation of toxins. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) have been tested for the removal of cyanotoxins, and the results have been positive. This study examines the application of photoelectrooxidation in the degradation of cyanotoxins (microcystins). The performance of the oxidative processes involved was evaluated separately: Photocatalysis, Electrolysis and Photoelectrooxidation. Results showed that the electrical current and UV radiation were directly associated with toxin degradation. The PEO system is efficient in removing cyanotoxins, and the reduction rate reached 99%. The final concentration of toxin was less than 1 µg/L of microcystin in the treated solution.

Medico-economic approach to the management of uterine myomas: a 6-month cost-effectiveness study of pelvic embolization versus vaginal hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine artery embolization is a technique that has been recently proposed for the management of uterine myomas an alternative to vaginal hysterectomy. The results provided by the first published studies demonstrate a significant decrease in symptoms in 70-95% of cases. The aim of our study was to compare the cost-effectiveness ratios for pelvic embolization and vaginal hysterectomy looked at from the hospital point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two populations of patients were randomly selected from women undergoing pelvic embolization or vaginal hysterectomy. We retrospectively measured the cost at 6 months of the two types of procedure (costs of hospitalization, drugs, and complementary examinations) as well as the success of each of them at 6 months. The cost of the techniques themselves were measured prospectively on the basis of four procedures. RESULTS: The cost-effectiveness ratios were 2320 Euros per success (mean cost 2134 Euros per effectiveness 92%) for embolization and 2789 Euros per success (mean cost 2789 Euros per effectiveness 100%) for hysterectomy. DISCUSSION: Pelvic embolization is more cost-effective than vaginal hysterectomy. The integration of the notion of quality of life with the notion of cost should permit a future study to reinforce interest in performing pelvic embolizations in the management of uterine myomas.

Late MR follow-up of hypothalamic hamartomas.

The absence of changes over time in the diagnostic features of suspected hypothalamic hamartomas is of paramount importance. Since magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is very sensitive to modifications in the brain parenchyma, a late MR follow-up study was performed in five children. In all cases, the diagnosis of hypothalamic hamartoma has been suspected on the basis of the association of central precocious puberty and the presence of a mass in the inferior aspect of the hypothalamus, demonstrated on previous MR studies. Late MR evaluation (after a mean of 39 months) demonstrated stability of the lesions in shape, size, and signal intensity. In three cases the lesions demonstrated a rim of isointense signal with a hyperintense center on T2-weighted sequences. In two cases a Chiari I malformation was found in association with the hypothalamic malformation. In one case a pineal cyst was demonstrated. These unusual findings are discussed. Late MR follow-up showed the absence of changes in the lesions over time, allowing the diagnosis to be confirmed.

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Apropos of a case]. / La pneumatose kystique intestinale. A propos d'un cas.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is most frequently characterised by the presence of gaseous cysts, in the intra-parietal, subserous or sub-mucous zones of the colon. This complaint, with symptoms of non specific colic and the cause of chronic pain, generally progresses favourably but can be responsible for surgical complications. Characteristic signs are detected on an plain abdominal X-ray and by colonoscopy. The diagnosis can be established by CT or by ultrasonography but needs carefully trained operators. CT remains the most successful technique for the initial diagnosis and subsequent follow-up. Ultrasonography can also be used for follow-up. As the lesions regress rapidly, the diagnosis must established rapidly, otherwise the disorder might easily be incorrectly diagnosed.

[Long-term administration of calcium-heparin in thromboembolism (author's transl)]. / Traitement au long cours de la maladie thrombo-embolique par l'héparinate de calcium.

The profound importance of thrombosis in natural history of venous and arterial thromboembolism justifies long-term use of heparin, the best antithrombotic agent. Through the study of 88 cases concerning patients treated by subcutaneous calcium-heparin for a time from 3 months to 6 years, in several indications of venous and arterial thromboembolism, we can bring the following results: - The treatment is easily accepted when patients are inquired and trained. The doses must be adapted according to clotting assays, which do no more restrain patients than during oral anticoagulant treatment. - The frequency of hemorrhagic complications is the same than during antivitamine K treatments. - Thrombosis occur rarely during heparin therapy, but with high frequency during oral anticoagulant treatments. - Osteoporosis is a real but acceptable risk (10 p. cent) of long-term heparin prescription. - The true limit of treatment is the frequency (34 p. cent) of cutaneous hypersensibility reactions with high blood eosinophilia rate. Always mild, this reaction is related to the subcutaneous administration, and heparin is likely not the single impeached substance. These undesirable effects bind us to their thorough study, in order to obtain better tolerated drugs.