OVERVIEW OF NEUTRON MEASUREMENTS IN JET FUSION DEVICE.

The design and operation of ITER experimental fusion reactor requires the development of neutron measurement techniques and numerical tools to derive the fusion power and the radiation field in the device and in the surrounding areas. Nuclear analyses provide essential input to the conceptual design, optimisation, engineering and safety case in ITER and power plant studies. The required radiation transport calculations are extremely challenging because of the large physical extent of the reactor plant, the complexity of the geometry, and the combination of deep penetration and streaming paths. This article reports the experimental activities which are carried-out at JET to validate the neutronics measurements methods and numerical tools used in ITER and power plant design. A new deuterium-tritium campaign is proposed in 2019 at JET: the unique 14 MeV neutron yields produced will be exploited as much as possible to validate measurement techniques, codes, procedures and data currently used in ITER design thus reducing the related uncertainties and the associated risks in the machine operation.

[Breathing sleep disturbances and occupational medicine: study of 20 clinical cases]. / Disturbi respiratori del sonno e medicina del lavoro: considerazioni su 20 casi clinici.

During 2004, in the Center for Sleep Disorders, a questionnaire including Epworth sleepiness scale (ES) was administered to 120 subjects; 20 male subjects of this group with elevated score (ES >14) were selected and submitted to polysomnography. Subjects, all in working age, were represented by 3 (15%) shift-workers, 9 (45%) drivers, 17 (85%) industrial workers (among those 5 building workers) and 3 (15%) employers. By polysomnography, moderatelsevere OSAHS was diagnosed in all subjects (40% moderate, 60% severe). CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy led to an improvement of clinical symptoms since the first month. Counselling of Occupational Medicine Physician with the Center for Sleep Disorders, was useful to direct the action of Competent Doctor, especially for jobs requiring high vigilance (drivers or shift-worker). The pass certificate for jobs with an high risk (alone, in high places, heavy means drivers) cannot avoid to evaluate this pathology, that is often associated to other related risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes), because it compromises both the specific suitability and the protection of common health and safety.

Anxiolysis and postoperative pain in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for abdominal hysterectomy.

AIM: The relationship between pain and psychological factors is well known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of lorazepam, given before total abdominal hysterectomy, on postoperative pain control. METHODS: Sixty patients, enrolled in the study, were defined as either anxious or not anxious when the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) score was =/>51 or =/< 50, respectively. The anxious patients were randomly assigned to receive oral lorazepam 0.035 mg/kg the night and 2 h before surgery (Group A), or placebo at the same time (Group B). The not anxious patients were assigned to receive oral lorazepam 0.035 mg/kg the night and 2 h before surgery (Group C), or placebo at the same time (Group D). Anesthesia was performed with subarachnoidal block. Ketorolac was used for postoperative pain. As rescue drug, tramadol was administered using a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) modality. Postoperative pain was assessed during the 24 h after surgery by tramadol consumption. RESULTS: Tramadol consumption was significantly greater in Group B (216.3+/-58.9 mg) than in Groups A, C and D respectively (150.9+/-28.9 mg; 153.6+/-39.9 mg; 154.4+/-39.9 mg). Group B showed a significantly higher pain score compared to the other groups during the first 8 h. No difference in patient satisfaction with perioperative treatment was noted. CONCLUSION: Preoperative lorazepam reduced perioperative anxiety. This could explain the better postoperative pain control in patients undergoing hysterectomy, a very stressful surgical procedure.

[Use of remifentanil in ambulatory obstetric-gynecologic surgery. A dose-effect study]. / Uso del remifentanil in chirurgia ambulatoriale ostetrico-ginecologica. Studio dose-effetto.

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil, a recently commercialised opioid, is characterised by a predictable and non cumulative effect which vanishes rapidly without determining side effects in the long term. These characteristics make remifentanil an ideal opioid in continuous infusion for the ambulatory surgery setting. Aim of this study was to assess the ideal dose of remifentanil, administered in bolus before propofol, in patients undergoing uterine curettage and assisted by mask ventilation in 100% oxygen. METHODS: Sixty patients, ASA status I-II, scheduled for uterine curettage, were divided into three study groups according to the bolus dose of remifentanil received before the induction agent: group A (n = 20) 1 microgram/kg; group B (n = 20) 2 micrograms/kg; group C (n = 20) 2 micrograms/kg. All patients were assisted by 100% oxygen ventilation with facial mask. During surgery the following were recorded: time to spontaneous ventilation (in case of post induction apnea); incidence of somatic and autonomic responses to surgical stress (treated with remifentanil in bolus). At the end of surgery the times to response to simple verbal commands, to discharge from the recovery room (by Aldrete score every 5') and to discharge from hospital (by PADSS score every 30') were registered. RESULTS: All patients presented post-induction apnea with a significantly more rapid return to spontaneous ventilation in group A. Six patients of group A responded to surgical stress while in groups B and C there was no need for supplementary boluses (p < 0.05). Five patients of group C were treated with atropine for bradycardia, in four of group C it was necessary to administer succinylcholine for thoracic rigidity. No significant differences regarding the anesthesia recovery times were observed. All patients were discharged from the recovery room after 10' from the end of surgery. Overall, the qualification for discharge from hospital was obtained at the second PADSS score control, except for one group A patient who incurred in metrorrhagia. CONCLUSIONS: The administration in bolus of remifentanil, before the inducing agent, permits short-term surgery in ambulatory surgery settings thanks to the rapid recovery of vital functions. Compared to the other doses, the 1.5 micrograms/kg dose guaranteed a good control over surgical stress without influencing the speed of awakening and without determining uncomfortable side effects.

[Chronic exposure to inhalation anesthetics and immunity]. / Esposizione cronica agli anestetici inalatori ed immunità.

The existence of a professional disease caused by exposure to general anesthetics has been reported by a number of studies, but opinions still differ as to the effective implications of this type of exposure. The aim of the present study was to analyse alterations in cellular and humoral immunity in anesthetists regularly exposed to general anesthetics. Regression analysis showed that IgA and NK lymphocytes were significantly increased whereas total T lymphocytes reduced in parallel with age and length of service. It can therefore be supposed that the increase in IgA might suggest chronic liver disease, while alterations in the lymphocyte populations, even if closely associated to chronic exposure leading to the hypothesis of a cause-and-effect relationship, do not alter immune system functions since they are similar to those that occur with ageing.