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Autogenous self-healing of water retaining concrete structures is included in Eurocode 1992-3 as a possibility to heal cracks up to a width of 200 μm without additional repair. In this self-healing scenario water flow through a crack should result in a progressive closure of the fracture, mainly due to CaCO3 precipitation, when certain hydraulic gradients are met, the pH of the water is > 5.5 and the concentration of CO2 in the water remains < 40 mg*L-1. The material composition is not further restricted by the regulation. However, despite standardization, the healing effect seems to be random in practice, which requires further research, while experiments aimed at quantifying autogenous self-healing are expensive and time-consuming. Thermodynamic models could support in estimating the effect of different environments such as groundwater or seawater exposure on autogenous self-healing. Moreover, adjusting the water chemistry according to the conditions of different construction sites and changing the material design could easily be considered. In this study thermodynamic models of a hydrated CEM I 52.5 R paste that is exposed to either simulated groundwater or seawater are discussed concerning the influence on autogenous self-healing and compared to experimental and literature data.

Reinforced concrete (RC) is the most used construction material for infrastructure due to its strength and durability. However, under chloride exposure, often the RC structures do not achieve their designed service life. Therefore, premature repairs or even replacement of components is required, hence increasing the environmental impacts and economic costs over the entire service life. This study evaluates the sustainability of low-clinker cements as a corrosion prevention measure in reinforced concrete under several chloride exposures conditions. Through a life cycle assessment (LCA), the environmental impacts of a RC generic element are evaluated, considering three alternatives for low-clinker cement and ordinary Portland cement as reference. The materials production and use service are considered in the LCA. The service phase includes the repair activities necessary to keep a defined level of serviceability given the steel corrosion due to chloride ingress. The number of repairs is determined on a probabilistic durability assessment. The results showed that the durability of the reinforced element plays a major role in the overall environmental impacts. Furthermore, low-clinker binders have a positive environmental impact in the sustainability of reinforced concrete structures.

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Abstract: Objective: Phloroglucinol is used to prevent gastric, intestine or urogenital spasms. In France, many pregnant women are exposed to phloroglucinol for which no data are available about its use in pregnancy. The present study, using EFEMERIS database, investigates potential teratogenic risk of phloroglucinol in pregnancy. Materials and methods: EFEMERIS is a database including prescribed and delivered drugs during pregnancy (data from Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie of Haute-Garonne) and outcomes (data from Maternal and Infant Protection Service and from Antenatal diagnostic Centre). Women delivered from July 1st 2004 to June 30th 2008 in Haute-Garonne and registered in the French Health Insurance Service were included into EFEMERIS database. We compared pregnancy outcomes and newborn health between women exposed to phloroglucinol during organogenesis and non-exposed women. Malformations were classified according to Eurocat classification. Results: Five thousand one hundred and thirty-two newborns (12.7%) exposed during organogenesis to phloroglucinol were compared to 35,223 controls (non exposed newborns). The mean number of different drugs prescribed during the first trimester of pregnancy per woman was higher in women exposed to phloroglucinol than in non-exposed women (6.4±4.3 versus 2.4±3.3, P <10−4). Among newborns, 126 (2.5%) had a malformation versus 804 (2.3%) in control newborns (OR=1.1, [0.9–1.3]). The present study was powered to find a 1.3 fold increase in the overall rate of major anomalies. Discussion and conclusion: This first epidemiologic study about phloroglucinol in pregnancy does not support evidence of a teratogenic risk for phloroglucinol in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ectopic intrathoracic kidney is a rare congenital anomaly, usually asymptomatic. This anomaly is sometimes associated with a diaphragmatic hernia. Few cases of this combination have been described, often in the absence of a prenatal diagnosis. We report on the case of a female newborn infant who was diagnosed with an ectopic intrathoracic right kidney and a diaphragmatic hernia upon 33 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent surgery on the first day of life and the respiratory and renal outcomes were simple. We review the literature and discuss the seemingly good prognosis of this combination., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Phloroglucinol is used to prevent gastric, intestine or urogenital spasms. In France, many pregnant women are exposed to phloroglucinol for which no data are available about its use in pregnancy. The present study, using EFEMERIS database, investigates potential teratogenic risk of phloroglucinol in pregnancy., Materials and Methods: EFEMERIS is a database including prescribed and delivered drugs during pregnancy (data from Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie of Haute-Garonne) and outcomes (data from Maternal and Infant Protection Service and from Antenatal diagnostic Centre). Women delivered from July 1st 2004 to June 30th 2008 in Haute-Garonne and registered in the French Health Insurance Service were included into EFEMERIS database. We compared pregnancy outcomes and newborn health between women exposed to phloroglucinol during organogenesis and non-exposed women. Malformations were classified according to Eurocat classification., Results: Five thousand one hundred and thirty-two newborns (12.7%) exposed during organogenesis to phloroglucinol were compared to 35,223 controls (non exposed newborns). The mean number of different drugs prescribed during the first trimester of pregnancy per woman was higher in women exposed to phloroglucinol than in non-exposed women (6.4 ± 4.3 versus 2.4 ± 3.3, P < 10(-4)). Among newborns, 126 (2.5%) had a malformation versus 804 (2.3%) in control newborns (OR=1.1, [0.9-1.3]). The present study was powered to find a 1.3 fold increase in the overall rate of major anomalies., Discussion and Conclusion: This first epidemiologic study about phloroglucinol in pregnancy does not support evidence of a teratogenic risk for phloroglucinol in humans., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Neuman's tumors also called congenital epulis or congenital gingival granulomatous tumors are rare and benign oral cavity tumors. They are usually discovered at birth., Case Report: A 32 year-old pregnant female patient was followed for gravid diabetes well controlled. A maxillary tumor in the fetus was revealed by the third trimester US. A fetal MRI was prescribed, after discussion with the antenatal diagnostic center, to determine the localization, size, and nature of the tumor. It revealed a 3 cm long tumor with cystic like areas not communicating with the encephalus. A caesarian section was performed 2 weeks before term. A simple tumoral excision was performed at 12 hours of age. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis. There was no local recurrence after 6 months of follow-up., Discussion: A prenatal diagnosis of congenital gingival granulomatous tumor is rare. It is usually made at the third trimester ultrasound scan, rarely with fetal MRI. Nevertheless, prenatal diagnosis allows for a better postnatal management.

Good self-knowledge enables us to have a well- reasoned adaptation to our environment. Starting from this precept based on simple common sense, activity and cost analysis, when applied to medical departments in a university hospital setting, represents a necessary phase in their scientific progression and in the continuation of their university vocation. This is all the more true given the present climate of economic and organizational restructuring of medical facilities. This paper relates the experience of a French surgical pathology department which was assessed for cost effectiveness using the Activity-Based Costing (ABC) method in 1999. This method, which originated in the business world and of which the general concepts are presented here, has given us a keener understanding of the diverse processes involved, their costs and how these costs are arrived at. Moreover, this method has identified the proportion of costs imputable to diagnostic work and of those linked to work specific to a university hospital, in particular teaching and research and development. The results can then be used for a clearer analysis of the figures required by prescribers and health care funding agencies, and, within the department, to enhance perception of work carried out by the entire staff in order to initiate a new type of management centered on activity (Activity-Based Management). Adaptable to any medical department, whatever its organizational structure, independent of the significance of any given code letter and regardless of the rating method used to grade activities, the ABC method also allows for comparisons between structures of a similar nature. The thoughts it inspires on economic performance must take into account the rules of good medical practice, the imperatives of quality assurance, the need for "breathing space" which are indispensable to research and a humanist conception of working relations.