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Ferrous-sulphate infused gels, or 'Fricke gels', encounter great interest in the field of radiation dosimetry, due to their potential for 3D radiation dose mapping. Typically, magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation rates are determined in these systems in order to derive the absorbed dose. However, when large concentration gradients are present, diffusion effects before and during the MR imaging may not be negligible. In these cases, optical techniques may represent a viable alternative. This paper describes research aimed at measuring 3D dose distributions in a Fricke-xylenol orange gel by measuring optical density with a CCD camera. This method is inexpensive and fast. A series of early experiments is described, in which optical density profiles were measured with a commercial microdensitometer for film dosimetry. The light box of the device was modified to work at 567 nm, close to the maximum absorbance of the ferric ion-xylenol orange complex. Under these conditions, the gel shows linearity with dose and high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Symptomatic rectocele results in obstructed defecation and constipation. Surgical repair may provide symptomatic relief. A variety of surgical procedures have been used in the rectocele repair to enhance anatomical and functional results and to improve long-term outcomes.Methods: In this prospective study, we treated 25 selected women suffering from simple symptomatic rectocele with transperineal repair using porcine dermal acellular collagen matrix Biomesh (Permacol®). Watson score and SF-36 questionnaire were used to evaluate postoperative outcomes and quality of life.Results: Follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months, the mean total Watson score was significantly lower than the preoperative score (P < 0.001), and every patient has improved functional outcomes. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. Two cases of urinary infection and 4 patients delayed wound healing were reported. Those patients who were sexually active prior to surgery have not experienced problems with sexual function or dyspareunia.Conclusions: Despite lack of comparative study in literature, rectocele repair with Permacol® by the transperineal approach seems an effective and safe procedure that avoids some of the complications associated with synthetic mesh use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Le méthotrexate est utilisé pour traiter la dermatite atopique (DA) mais n’a jamais été évalué versus ciclosporine chez les adultes. Nous avons réalisé une étude prospective, multicentrique, randomisée, de non-infériorité comparant le méthotrexate à la ciclosporine. Méthodes Quatre-vingt-dix-sept adultes présentant une DA modérée à sévère ont reçu du méthotrexate oral (15 mg/semaine) ou de la ciclosporine (2,5 mg/kg/jour) pendant 8 semaines. Le critère d’évaluation principal était la proportion de patients présentant une amélioration de 50 % du SCORing Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD 50) à la semaine 8. Si l’amélioration n’était pas obtenue à cette semaine, le méthotrexate était augmenté à 25 mg/semaine et la ciclosporine à 5 mg/kg/jour pendant les 16 semaines suivantes. Les critères d’évaluation secondaires étaient la proportion de patients atteignant une diminution de 50 % du Eczema Area Severity Intensity index (EASI 50) et du SCORAD 50 à chaque visite mensuelle. La limite de non-infériorité du méthotrexate versus ciclosporine était une différence de 20 % pour le SCORAD 50. Résultats Le critère d’évaluation principal n’était pas atteint : limite de l’intervalle de confiance unilatérale (LCU) de −34 % pour une différence de −48 %. Le méthotrexate et la ciclosporine étaient respectivement augmentés chez 56 % et 49 % des patients. La non-infériorité était réalisée pour le critère secondaire, EASI 50 à la semaine 20 chez 92 % (22/24) des patients sous méthotrexate et 87 % (26/30) des patients sous ciclosporine, la différence étant +5 % (LCU : −9 %). Les effets secondaires liés aux traitements étaient plus fréquent avec la ciclosporine ( p < 0,0001). Discussion Cette première étude comparant le méthotrexate à la ciclosporine chez l’adulte a inclus essentiellement des patients présentant une DA sévère. Le faible dosage initial du méthotrexate par rapport à la sévérité de la DA, et son utilisation orale peuvent expliquer la latence de 20 semaines pour que le méthotrexate puisse faire la preuve de son efficacité. Conclusion Le méthotrexate améliore la DA d’intensité modérée à sévère moins rapidement que la ciclosporine mais avec un meilleur profil de tolérance (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier : NCT00809172 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In Italy, colorectal surgery has been strongly affected with the vast majority (90%) of operations treating benign diseases, with an estimated overall 12-week cancellation rate of 72%. Little is known on how to best manage patients with benign diseases and the consequences this interruption of care will have in post-pandemic times. Proctologic diseases have social, psychological, and healthcare repercussions for their high incidence and great impact on the quality of life. Methods: We decided to treated 10 urgent cases affected from III- and IV-degree hemorrhoids with 3% polidocanol foam in attempt to reduce hemorrhoidal symptoms while waiting for surgery so called "bridge treatment". Results: During the follow-up no complications were occurred, and all patients had resolution of bleeding and pruritus with a mean VAS of 1 (range, 0-1). Conclusions: This treatment could reduce the bleeding that is the main symptom from which patients suffer and for which they underwent proctological evaluation and surgery. According to our preliminary experience in the impossibility of accessing the surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, ST could be considered as the treatment of choice in those patients who are suffering from grade III- and IV-degree hemorrhoids while waiting for surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]