Innovative energy interaction with a waste incineration plant leads to advanced biological P- and COD-removal and costs reduction of the extension of Nijmegen wastewater treatment plant.

The extension of the Nijmegen wastewater treatment plant for full nitrogen and phosphorus removal is enormously reduced by introducing an innovative energy interaction with an incineration plant. A reduction of the investment costs of 30-40% has been reached. Heating up a part of the primary sedimentation overflow leads to a constant process temperature of 20-25 degrees C and an advanced biological phosphorus and COD removal.

Evaluation of the interobserver reproducibility of Gleason grading of prostatic adenocarcinoma using tissue microarrays.

The Gleason system is the internationally recognized standard for grading prostate cancer, due mainly to its strong prognostic capability. However, interobserver reproducibility is variable in the community setting. Herein we present a novel approach to evaluating Gleason grading among pathologists using high-density tissue microarrays (TMAs).

[Buschke-Lowenstein penile tumor].

The Buschke-Löwenstein genital tumour is a poorly defined, uncommon tumour. The distinction between benign lesions, potentially malignant lesions and carcinomatous lesions is difficult. The authors report a case of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 11-associated Buschke-Löwenstein tumour with an area of micro-invasive carcinoma on histological examination of the surgical resection specimen.

Unusual mammographic and ultrasonographic findings in fibromatosis of the breast.

Fibromatosis of the breast is an uncommon disease, most often appearing as an aggressive lesion mimicking carcinoma on mammography. We describe, in an asymptomatic 40-year-old woman, an unusual imaging appearance of fibromatosis of the breast mimicking a benign lesion at mammographic and sonographic studies.

[Primary mucinous carcinoma of the female ureter].

The authors report a new case of primary mucinous carcinoma of the urethral meatus in a 66-year-old patient, treated by simple excision. The patient is in very good general health one year after the diagnosis. Although primary mucinous carcinoma of the female urethra is very rare, this diagnosis should be considered in any case of macroscopically suspicious urethral polyp, after having eliminated a gastrointestinal, vesical or gynaecological origin.

Enzymatic saccharification of solid residue of olive mill in a batch reactor.

This paper describes the enzymatic hydrolysis of solid residue of olive mill (OMRS) in a batch reactor with the Trichoderma reesei enzyme. Before enzymatic saccharification, crude lignocellulosic material is submitted to alkaline pre-treatment with NaOH. Optimum conditions of the pre-treatment (temperature of T=100 degrees C and OMRS-NaOH concentration ratio of about R=20) were determined.

Incidence of preputial lichen sclerosus in adults: histologic study of circumcision specimens.

Background: Narrowing of the prepuce in men is poorly documented, and the causes are often unknown, except in the case of clinical infections or skin diseases such as lichen sclerosus (LS).

Objective: We conducted a histologic study of circumcision specimens with phimosis or paraphimosis.

Methods: This prospective study included 43 men with contraction referred for circumcision.

Heterogeneity of DNA distribution in diploid cells: a new predictive discriminant factor for solid tumour behaviour.

Spatial nuclear DNA heterogeneity distribution of Feulgen-stained DNA diploid cells was studied by image cytometry in voided urine of 119 patients without bladder tumour (n = 20) and with initial (n = 23) or previous (n = 76) diagnosed bladder tumour. For each patient, repetitive DNA measurements were performed during 1-4 years of follow up. Only cells of diploid DNA histograms and diploid subpopulations of aneuploid DNA histograms were used for analysis.

Preliminary investigation of the effects of surface treatments on biological response to shape memory NiTi stents.

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) offers many advantages for the fabrication of coronary stents: shape memory, superelasticity, and radiopacity. However, many authors highlighted the selective dissolution of Ni from the alloy during the corrosion process that could lead to potential toxicity. The improvement of the NiTi stent's corrosion resistance by different surface treatments (electropolishing, heat treatment, and nitric acid passivation) was reported in a previous article.

Effect of modification of oxide layer on NiTi stent corrosion resistance.

Because of its good radiopacity, superelasticity, and shape memory properties, nickel-titanium (NiTi) is a potential material for fabrication of stents because these properties can facilitate their implantation and precise positioning. However, in vitro studies of NiTi alloys report the dependence of alloy biocompatibility and corrosion behavior on surface conditions. Surface oxidation seems to be very promising for improving the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of NiTi.

Comparison of clinical, histological, and virological symptoms of HPV in HIV-1 infected men and immunocompetent subjects.

Objective: We assessed the clinical, histological, and virological features of anogenital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, according to their immune status in HIV-1 infected men, referred for an anogenital examination or treatment, in comparison with immunocompetent patients.

Methods: The study population comprised 33 HIV-1 infected heterosexual or homosexual men and 38 HIV negative men seen in a screening and treatment centre for anogenital HPV infections. All patients were examined with a colposcope.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: multivariate analysis of prognostic factors and natural history in monocentric study with a conservative policy.

Background: Penile carcinoma is uncommon in Western countries. Here we report on a large series of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis, describing prognostic factors, survival and therapeutic results.

Patients And Methods: From 1973 to 1993, 102 patients with invasive SCC of the penis were treated at the Institut Gustave-Roussy.

Color Doppler-guided prostate biopsies in 591 patients with an elevated serum PSA level: impact on Gleason score for nonpalpable lesions.

Objectives: To compare results of color Doppler-guided ultrasonography (CDUS) versus those of systematic biopsies in 591 patients with an elevated serum PSA level and to correlate them with digital rectal examination (DRE) findings.

Methods: Biopsies were directed into hypervascularized (CDUS+) or hypovascularized (CDUS-) hypoechoic peripheral zone nodules (443 cases). When transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) was normal (148 cases), biopsies were directed into hypervascular area.

NiTi shape memory alloys treated by plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene. A physicochemical and electrochemical characterization.

NiTi alloy specimens were plasma cleaned and then coated with a thin film of plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) in a Radio-Frequency reactor. The corrosion protection provided by these films was studied by potentiodynamic tests performed in Hank's physiological solution. Surface properties which determine biocompatibility were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Corrosion resistance improvement of NiTi osteosynthesis staples by plasma polymerized tetrafluoroethylene coating.

NiTi shape Memory Alloys (SMA) are potential biomaterial candidates for medical devices such as osteosynthesis staples. However, Ni dissolution induced by uniform or localized corrosion could lead to toxicity. In this work, plasma polymerized tetrafluoroethylene (PPFTE) coating is used to improve the corrosion resistance of NiTi plates and corresponding NiTi stables.

A chemical study of 2-butyne-1,4-diol.

Commercial grade 2-butyne-1,4-diol has been used in electroplating for several years. In laboratory experiments, its presence in the electrolyte increases the current efficiency of zinc electro-winning. Its chemical behaviour in solution is not well known.