Radon exhalation from fly-ash geopolymer mortar

Geopolymers are a type of alkali activated binders, inorganic aluminosilicate polymers with amorphous cross-linked structure. Fly-ash is produced in abundance during coal firing, and poses an environmental and health risk in untreated powder form. Fly-ash geopolymer presents a sustainable alternative to Portland cement, due to lower net greenhouse gas emissions. Presence of naturally occurring radioactive elements in fly-ash is one of the factors taken into account when estimating the safety of fly-ash based building materials. Radon, a radioactive noble gas originating from the decay of radium, can leave the material and contribute to internal dose in closed spaces, so radon exhalation is of special interest. Radon exhalation for a standard sample of fly-ash geopolymer mortar was measured

THE USE OF PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER (PICC) IN PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES – A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Cilj. Prikazati vlastita iskustva s upotrebom periferno uvedenoga centralnog venskog katetera (PICC) u bolesnika sa zloćudnim hematološkim bolestima. Metode. U razdoblju od 2009. do 2012. godine postavljeno je ukupno 105 PICC-ova kod 90 bolesnika. Bolesnici s ne-Hodgkinovim limfomima na terapiji DA-EPOCH-om čine gotovo 40% svih bolesnika. Rezultati. Ukupan broj dana s PICC-om je 14.781, a medijan vremena s PICC-om je 129 dana (raspon 8 – 570 dana). Malpozicija PICC-a zabilježena je u 12 bolesnika (11,4%) i u svim slučajevima PICC je uspješno reponiran ili ponovo postavljen. Kod 39 bolesnika (37%) PICC je izvađen prije završetka liječenja: zbog sumnje na infekciju ili dokazane infekcije kod 30 bolesnika (29%; 2,03 na 1000 dana s PICC-om), tromboze vezane uz PICC kod četiri bolesnika (3,8%); okluzija lumena PICC-a kod dva bolesnika, slučajno izvučeni kateteri kod dva bolesnika te sumnja na tromboemboliju kod jedne bolesnice. Zaključak. PICC je siguran i praktičan dugotrajni venski put kod bolesnika sa zloćudnim hematološkim bolestima.Aim. In this study we presented our experience with peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods. In the period from 2009 to 2012, a total of 105 PICCs were inserted in 90 patients. Patients with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with DA-EPOCH comprised almost 40% of the cohort. Results. The total PICC in-dwell time was 14781 days with a median of 129 days (range 8–570 days). Malposition of the PICC occurred in 12 patients (11.4%) with a successful reposition or re-insertion. In 39 patients (37%) PICC was removed before the end of treatment due to suspected or proven infection (30 patients, 29%; 2.03 per 1000 PICC days), thrombosis associated with PICC in four patients (3.8%), occlusion of the PICC (two patients), misplaced catheter (two patients), and suspected thromboembolism in a single patient. Conclusion. PICC is a safe and convenient long-term venous access in patients with hematological malignancies

Upotreba periferno uvedenoga centralnog venskog katetera (PICC) u bolesnika sa zloćudnim hematološkim bolestima - prikaz vlastitih iskustava [The use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in patients with hematological malignancies - a single center experience]

AIM. In this study we presented our experience with peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in patients with hematological malignancies. ----- METHODS In the period from 2009 to 2012, a total of 105 PICCs were inserted in 90 patients. Patients with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with DA-EPOCH comprised almost 40% of the cohort. ----- RESULTS The total PICC in-dwell time was 14781 days with a median of 129 days (range 8-570 days). Malposition of the PICC occurred in 12 patients (11.4%) with a successful reposition or re-insertion. In 39 patients (37%) PICC was removed before the end of treatment due to suspected or proven infection (30 patients, 29%; 2.03 per 1000 PICC days), thrombosis associated with PICC in four patients (3.8%), occlusion of the PICC (two patients), misplaced catheter (two patients), and suspected thromboembolism in a single patient. ----- CONCLUSION PICC is a safe and convenient long-term venous access in patients with hematological malignancies