[50 Hz electric and magnetic fields and health: which message to the public?]. / Champs électriques et magnétiques 50 Hz et santé: quel message au grand public?

Scientific data of effects of 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields on health are inconclusive. This uncertainty raises numerous questions. In this paper, significant key concepts are described to better understand the potential effects of electric and magnetic fields on health. Everyday life exposure values are included, as well as courses of action to be taken in front of a patient asking questions on health effects of 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields.

Does the KCE restrictive policy for preoperative testing lead to increased postoperative complications rate?

The majority of the industrialized country tries to contain the health care costs. One of the solutions applied was to restrict preoperative routine testing. To determine whether such policy was safe for the patient, we conducted a retrospective study related to 659 women, classified ASA 1 or 2, admitted for gynaecological surgery. In this study we have not observed an increased complications rate related to this restrictive policy. We conclude that for the population selected, the KCE recommendations for preoperative testing are secure and do not induce an increased postoperative complications rate.

Anaesthetic management of a child with type VIIc Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIIc is characterized by altered tensile strength of connective tissue. Several severe complications exist but skin fragility is the origin of perioperative morbidity during routine procedures. We describe the difficulties encountered during the anaesthetic management of a child suffering from the disease, and suggest special care advices to avoid any skin injury.

Plasma levels of polymorphonuclear elastase and myeloperoxidase after uphill walking and downhill running at similar energy cost.

This study was designed to compare the effects of eccentric and concentric exercises on blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil count (nPMN) and plasma levels of myeloperoxidase ([MPO]) and elastase ([EL]) used as markers of neutrophil (PMN) activation. Ten healthy male subjects underwent 2 periods of exercise of 20 min duration each at 60% VO2max on an inclined treadmill. They initially walked up a 5% grade (UW). Ten days later they ran downhill on a 20% grade (RD). Blood samples were collected 10 min before and immediately after exercise. A postexercise sample was drawn after 20 min recovery. Both exercise bouts were accompanied by a similar and significant (p < 0.01) increase of 33% in nPMN above resting values. Baseline nPMN values were reached after 20 min recovery. There were no significant changes in [MPO] and [EL] following UW. In contrast, RD was followed by significant increases (p < 0.001) in [MPO] (+97%) and [EL] (+70%) above resting levels. While [MPO] returned to its pre-exercise level after 20 min recovery, [EL] remained significantly elevated (p < 0.05). These results clearly demonstrate the importance of the eccentric component of muscle contraction in exercise-induced PMN activation.