Environmental flow methodology approach based on ecological impact assessment for hydroelectric power plants and hydraulic structures on stream ecosystems in Turkey.

Use areas of streams such as agricultural irrigation, drinking water and energy are important for people's needs. The uncontrolled increase in all these demands on the streams leads to a change in flow amount and regime thereof over time, causing the stream and dependent ecosystems to be adversely affected. The hydrological system and the stream ecosystems may not be significantly affected, with the removal of some water and/or the use of the stream for energy such that a stream does not differ substantially from the natural flow regime in the past. In this context, environmental flow assessments are considered, which are called the flow that should be provided in order to minimize the environmental impacts specific to each stream's flow basin characteristics and its ecosystem. The most reliable method is to determine the environmental water need in different stream systems with a holistic ecological impact assessment, as well as different scientific assessment methods. This study reveals environmental flow methodology studies, which have been revealed by integrated ecological impact assessment aiming to determine the principles and methods suitable for the geographical and climatic conditions of Turkey in order to minimize environmental risks for the design of river type hydroelectric power plants and water retention structures such as ponds and dams, which have been intensively planned, constructed and used for hydroelectric energy especially after 2010 in Turkey, and assessment of the "environmental flow" results established by these studies.

Serotonin2C ligands exhibiting full negative and positive intrinsic activity elicit purposeless oral movements in rats: distinct effects of agonists and inverse agonists in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

This study examined in naive or hemiparkinsonian rats the effect of various serotonin 2C (5-HT(2C)) receptor ligands differing in their intrinsic activity at 5-HT(2C) receptors on purposeless oral movements, a motor response integrated in the basal ganglia. Intraperitoneal administration of a non-selective [meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) 0.1-3 mg/kg], preferential [S-2-(6-chloro-5-fluoroindol-1-yl)-1-methylethylamine, Ro60-0175, 0.1-3 mg/kg] or selective [(7bR,10aR)-1,2,3,4,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-7bH-cyclopenta-[b][1,4]diazepino[6,7,1hi]indole, WAY163909, 0.3-10 mg/kg] 5-HT(2C) agonists enhanced oral bouts in naive rats. The 5-HT(2C) inverse agonists SB206553 [1-20 mg/kg; 5-methyl-1-(3-pyridylcarbamoyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-f]indole] and S32006 [1-20 mg/kg; N-pyridin-3-yl-1,2-dihydro-3H-benzo[e]indole-3-carboxamide], but not the 5-HT(2C) antagonist SB243213 [1-10 mg/kg; 5-methyl-1-[[2-[(2-methyl-3-pyridyl)oxy]-5-pyridyl]carbamoyl]-6-trifluoromethylindoline], likewise dose-dependently enhanced oral movements. The effects induced by preferential 5-HT(2C) agonists and inverse agonists, but not by the cholinomimetic drug pilocarpine (5 mg/kg), were abolished by SB243213 underpinning its specificity. S32006-induced oral bouts was unaffected by the 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions of 5-HT neurons. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic lesions potentiated oral effects induced by the agonists Ro60-0175 (3 mg/kg) and WAY163909 (1 mg/kg), but not by the inverse agonist SB206553 (10 mg/kg). The effect of Ro60-0175 in dopamine-lesioned rats was suppressed by SB243213. These data show that 5-HT(2C) agonists and full inverse agonists (but not neutral antagonists) perturb oral activity in rodents, paralleling studies of common antidepressant, anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. The differential sensitivity of their actions to depletion of dopamine suggests recruitment of different contrasting neural mechanisms in the basal ganglia.

[A rare cause of stridor in a 59 year old woman in intensive care]. / Stridor d'étiologie rare en post-réanimation chez une patiente de 59 ans.

INTRODUCTION: Stridor in the post extubation period occurs frequently and is most commonly caused by laryngeal oedema. During this period, the trachea can also be obstructed by pseudomembranes. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 59 year old woman who required re-intubation, 15 days after extubation because of the acute onset of severe respiratory distress secondary to pseudomembranes in her trachea. CONCLUSION: It is essential that physicians who care for patients during the post extubation period are aware of this severe and life threatening cause of stridor. Definitive treatment with the rigid bronchoscope allows for rapid recanalisation of the airway.

A reappraisal of blind bronchial sampling in the microbiologic diagnosis of nosocomial bronchopneumonia. A comparative study in ventilated patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of fiberscopy for microbiologic diagnosis of nosocomial bronchopneumonia (NBP) in ventilated patients. DESIGN: Data were collected prospectively. We compared the results of semiquantitative cultures obtained by protected specimen brush (PSB), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blind bronchial sampling (BBS). Positive thresholds were 10(3) CFU ml-1 for PSB and BAL and 10(4) CFU ml-1 for BBS. We also evaluated the diagnostic performance of direct examination of samples obtained by BAL and BBS. PATIENTS: We carried out this study in 64 ventilated patients admitted to a medico-surgical ICU. RESULTS: During the study, 85 sets of samplings were obtained. The concordance between the results of specimen cultures obtained with the three techniques was 87 percent. The concordance between BBS and PSB or between BBS and BAL was 91.8 percent. In two of seven patients with discordant results between BBS and PSB, the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures were found on BBS, but not on PSB samples. As for direct examination, the thresholds for the diagnosis of NBP using BBS were as follows: > or = 10 polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)/high-power field (HPF), > or = 1 bacteria/oil immersion field (OIF), presence of intracellular bacterial inclusions. Using BAL, the thresholds were as follows: > or = 1 PMN/HPF, presence of bacteria/OIF, presence of intracellular bacterial inclusions. The specificity of the presence of bacterial inclusions was excellent regardless of the sampling technique, but the sensitivity of this criteria was mediocre (30.8 percent with BBS and 19.2 percent with BAL). Except for the number of PMN on BBS, all the other diagnostic criteria (PMN count on BAL, bacterial count, count of cells exhibiting inclusions) provide a similar prediction of NBP (correctly classified: 61.2 to 81.2 percent). No combination of criteria enabled significantly better classification regardless of the sampling technique. CONCLUSIONS: In view of these findings and the high cost and morbidity of fiberscopy, it is arguably better to use a simple, repeatable, and risk-free technique for obtaining culture specimens from mechanically ventilated patients. Obviously, protected brushing techniques remain the most effective for nonintubated patients.

Treatment of tracheobronchial lesions by laser photoresection.

One hundred eleven patients underwent 205 laser photo-irradiation treatments using a Neodynium YAG laser with a flexible bronchoscope or an open tube for various tracheobronchial conditions, such as obstructing bronchogenic carcinomas, bronchial adenomas, and postintubation tracheal stenosis. The procedure was performed with either local or general anesthesia. Results were especially rewarding with endobronchial tumors. Tracheal stenoses were best treated by a combination of laser surgery and tracheal dilatation. No complication was encountered. Specific indications suggested for laser surgery are resection of inoperable tracheobronchial tumors, correction of tracheal stenosis, removal of surgical sutures, retrieval of tissue-embedded foreign bodies, and cauterization of hemorrhaging endobronchial tissues.

Principles for safety in application of neodymium-YAG laser in bronchology.

The YAG laser is being used more often in cases of nonresectable bronchogenic cancer and in some cases is called on in lieu of surgery for tracheal stenosis. Patient safety hinges first on the endoscopist's technical skill and second on his understanding of the dangers involved in laser therapy. This report is based on experience gleaned from a 1,503 case series of endoscopic YAG laser treatments on 839 patients. These treatments were carried out by seven endoscopists in four teams using exactly the same equipment and techniques. In spite of the use of this high-risk technique in a high-risk patient population comprising a majority of major airways malignancy, the mortality rate was only 0.4 percent (six deaths: all in the postoperative period). We attribute this success to careful screening prior to resection, whenever possible, and above all to our methodology which not only emphasizes prevention but also enables rapid response.

[Treatment of tracheobronchial lesions with Laser Yag]. / Trattamento delle lesioni tracheobronchiali con Laser Yag.

Various tracheobronchial obstruction indications have been treated with laser yag neodyme with flexible fibre introduced into a bronchofibroscope. Experience covers 44 patients who underwent 75 photocoagulation sessions under local or general anaesthesia. Inoperable tracheo-bronchial tumours are the most frequent and spectacular indications. Malignant tumour, cylindromas, carcinomas and benign tumours are the best indications. Tracheal stenoses were treated in association with instrumental dilatation. The other indications proposed are resections of granulomas, resection of suture threads, extraction of peripheral foreign bodies and control of major haemorrhages. No complications were observed. The immediate effectiveness of this new technique is considerable. Long-term development depends on the aetiology of tracheobronchial stenosis.

[Surgical treatment of benign laryngotracheal stenosis. Apropos of 12 cases]. / Traitement chirurgical des sténoses laryngo-trachéales bénignes. A propos de douze observations.

The authors report a series of twelve benign laryngotracheal strictures. In almost every case, these lesions were secondary to tracheal intubation and consisted of extensive, circumferential and almost complete stenosis. All were treated surgically. The authors obtained enlargement of the airway be means of an interposed cartilaginous graft and an intraluminal prosthesis which was left in place. In nine cases, this procedure was combined with posterior cricotomy. One eight month old infant died during the postoperative period. Ten patients had an uneventful postoperative course with a satisfactory anatomical and functional result.

[Esophageal prostheses in cancer stenosis. Insertion with the Dumon-Gilliard device. 342 patients]. / Prothèses oesophagiennes dans les sténoses cancéreuses. Mise en place avec l'appareil de Dumon-Gilliard. 342 malades.

Endoscopic placement of an oesophageal prosthesis rapidly brings a satisfactory comfort to patients with cancer of the oesophagus beyond the therapeutic stage. When the least traumatic technique and materiel are used, the procedure is simple and safe, irrespective of the patient's general condition and the extent of local or regional lesions. The present possibility to insert, at the same time, a tracheobronchial prosthesis broadens the indication to patients who have an oesophagus-airway fistula or who suffer from compression of the trachea or the left bronchus. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia at the expense of a short hospital stay which is always appreciated by this type of patients. The author's 10-year experience of oesophageal prosthesis placement with the Dumon-Gilliard applicator, is reported.

Double stents for carcinoma of the esophagus invading the tracheo-bronchial tree.

Extrinsic compression, neoplastic involvement of the trachea or left main bronchus, and esophago-airway fistula may cause airway obstruction and infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma. Further reduction of airway lumen may result from palliative treatment of dysphagia by radiation or esophageal stent insertion. In order to evaluate the extent of airway compromise, bronchoscopy was systematically performed in 39 consecutive patients with advanced carcinoma of the esophagus requiring esophageal endoprostheses. Airway obstruction observed in 10 patients (mean age, 60 years) resulted in the additional placement of a silicone stent in the trachea (five patients) or left main bronchus (five patients). Esophageal and airway procedures were performed under general anesthesia. All had squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus. Severe dyspnea at rest was documented in five patients prior to intervention. Esophago-tracheal fistula was present in five. Eight patients with associated, neoplastic invasion of the tracheo-bronchial tree required airway Nd:YAG laser therapy. The esophageal prosthesis contributed significantly to airway compromise in four patients. Symptomatic relief of dysphagia and dyspnea was obtained in all individuals. Mean survival was 121 days (range, 12 to 350 days). Complications were not serious, but included esophageal or tracheal stent migration in three patients.

[Endoscopic resection in bronchology using the YAG laser. Evaluation of a 5-year experience]. / Résection endoscopique au laser YAG en bronchologie. Bilan d'une expérience de 5 ans.

The authors describe their experience with 1222 tracheobronchial endoscopic laser resections. The technique uses the thermal effects of the YAG laser which can be set to produce coagulation and vaporization. In most cases, the rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia was preferred to the flexible fiberscope under local anesthesia. The main reason for this preference is that the rigid system allows management of hemorrhage should it occur. The technique is described with special attention to prevention of hypoxia, the major hazard. Inoperable malignant tumors accounted for 50% of the procedures. The other indications were tumors with uncertain prognosis, benign tumors, tracheal stenosis, and miscellaneous lesions. Results depend greatly on location. No fatality was recorded during the procedure, but two deaths did occur in the 48 hours thereafter. The authors conclude that endoscopic laser resection is a very effective modality for obstructive lesions in the main airways. It can be repeated as many times as needed and may be associated with other forms of therapy.

Techniques, results and complications of oesophageal dilatation.

The scope of therapeutic endoscopy, especially in the context of oesophageal dilatation, has greatly expanded in recent years. In this chapter we have described the currently used wire-guided systems and their dilatation technique. This technique can be used with most dilatation instrumentation now on the market. Perforation, the major risk of dilatation, is now rare (0.22% out of 909 dilatations with Savary-Gilliard bougies). Finally, we have presented the results of our own comparative studies for the Eder-Puestow, Savary Gilliard and Biomed systems and those of other authors for systems with which we have had no experience. In our opinion Savary-Gilliard bougies are the best, not only because of their greater flexibility and progressivity but also because of the improved safety tip of the guide wire.

A new method of esophageal dilation using Savary-Gilliard bougies.

A new method of esophageal dilation has been developed for tight, firm esophageal strictures. The Savary dilating system was evaluated in 300 patients by two groups of investigators who concluded that the Savary dilators were easier to use and more efficacious than the Eder-Puestow dilators.

Monitoring of alveolar macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in lung transplant recipients. Marseille and Montreal Lung Transplantation Group.

Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a common complication in lung transplant recipients, is a fibrotic process probably related to acute rejection (AR) and cytomegalovirus pneumonitis (CMVP). Because the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrotic diseases involves activation of alveolar macrophages (AM), the present study was carried out to determine if AM were activated during AR, CMVP, and BO. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured in 157 AM supernatants obtained from 29 transplant recipients by immunoradiometric assay. Five groups were analyzed: AR (n = 21), CMVP (n = 12), BO (n = 15), bacterial pneumonia (BP) (n = 8), and control subjects (n = 70). Cytokines were also assayed 15 d (n = 15) and 30 d (n = 9) after AR and 30 d (n = 9) after CMVP. Cytokine secretion was elevated during AR (TNF-alpha = 3,709 +/- 1,409 pg/10(6) cells, IL-6 = 5,482 +/- 2,058 pg/10(6) cells, p < 0.005), and they returned to control values within 15 d. A similar pattern was observed during CMVP (TNF-alpha = 5,000 +/- 2,773 pg/10(6) cells, IL-6 = 12,280 +/- 3,939 pg/10(6) cells, p < 0.005), and values returned to control levels within 30 d. During BP, cytokine production values were higher than control values, but to a lesser extent than in AR and CMVP (TNF-alpha = 2,502 +/- 1,072, p < 0.05; IL-6 = 3,734 +/- 1,440, p < 0.005). In contrast, cytokine secretion during BO was not statistically different from that of control subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Balance between alveolar macrophage IL-6 and TGF-beta in lung-transplant recipients. Marseille and Montréal Lung Transplantation Group.

Acute inflammation in the lung is characterized by a phase of tissue injury followed by a phase of tissue repair. When the latter is excessive, fibrosis occurs. Alveolar macrophages (AM) can produce cytokines involved in both phases of acute lung inflammation, notably interleukin-6 (IL-6), involved in injury and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), mediating repair. We hypothesized that AM were activated in both phases, and studied IL-6 and TGF-beta production by AM during complications of lung transplantation, acute rejection (AR), and cytomegalovirus pneumonitis (CMVP). In addition, we analyzed these cytokines in bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a fibrotic complication of lung transplantation linked to previous AR and CMVP. At the onset of AR and CMVP, IL-6 secretion increased, whereas AM TGF-beta content was increased, but not its secretion. In contrast, with time, IL-6 reached control value whereas TGF-beta secretion rose significantly. In BO, IL-6 was not oversecreted, but TGF-beta increased, notably before functional abnormalities occurred. These results show that during acute complications of lung transplantation, AM display an early activation with oversecretion of IL-6, which is involved in tissue injury, counterbalanced by a late activation in which TGF-beta predominates, mediating tissue repair. The results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of BO, which is linked to acute complications of lung transplantation through this biphasic AM activation.