Diagnosing solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy: the effect of underperformance in neuropsychological testing.

The diagnoses of solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (CSE) can be supported by neuropsychological tests. However, since results not only reflect cognitive functioning but also the patient's effort to perform well, this study examines to what extent underperformance impacts neuropsychological outcomes in individuals referred for suspected CSE. : A retrospective study of 48 suspected CSE patients having completed ten neuropsychological tests assessing different domains of cognition.

[Delayed diagnosis in a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a psychiatric hospital].

A 51-year-old female teacher of dance was referred to the diagnostic unit of our psychiatric hospital with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The clinical image was suggestive of organic pathology, but this could not be determined with certainty until a late stage. We discuss the course of the patient's illness.

Critical points for point source pollution in the Yser catchment area (Flanders-France).

In the frame of the European TOPPS project (Train the Operator to prevent Pollution from Point Sources), 200 on farm audits and 300 tele interviews were performed in the Yser catchment area. The objective was to determine the critical points for point source pollution within the spraying process and to inform advisors, intermediaries and farmers on practical measures and achievable solutions to reduce the contamination of the surface water by Plant Protection Products (PPP) due to point source pollution. For the on farm auditing, the Aquasite tool (Arvalis-France) was used.

Proposal on a sustainable strategy to avoid point source pollution of water with plant protection products.

Based on the results and lessons learned from the TOPPS project (Training the Operators to prevent Pollution from Point Sources), a proposal on a sustainable strategy to avoid point source pollution from Plant Protection Products (PPPs) was made. Within this TOPPS project (2005-2008), stakeholders were interviewed and research and analysis were done in 6 pilot catchment areas (BE, FR, DE, DK, IT, PL). Next, there was a repeated survey on operators' perception and opinion to measure changes resulting from TOPPS activities and good and bad practices were defined based on the Best Management Practices (risk analysis).

Drift-reducing nozzles and their biological efficacy.

In 2007 and 2008, field trials were carried out with different standard and drift-reducing nozzles in sugar beet, maize, chicory, Belgian endive (all herbicide applications), wheat (fungicide application) and potatoes (Haulm killing herbicide application). The effect of nozzle type (standard flat fan, low-drift flat fan, air injection), nozzle size (ISO 02, 03 and 04) and application volume on the biological efficacy was investigated. All applications were done using a plot sprayer with volume rates ranging from 160 to 320 l.