Scrotal Exploration for Testicular Torsion and Testicular Appendage Torsion: Emergency and Reality

Background: Scrotal exploration is considered the procedure of choice for acute scrotum. Objectives: We evaluated the importance of early diagnosis and testicular salvage on the therapeutic outcomes of patients with pediatric testicular torsion (TT) and testicular appendage torsion (TAT) in our geographic area. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective database analysis of patients who underwent emergency surgery for TT or TAT between January 1996 and June 2009. Patient history, physical examination findings, laboratory test results, color Doppler sonography (CDS) results, and surgical findings were reviewed. Results: A total of 65 cases were included in our analysis. Forty-two cases were followed up for at least 3 months. Testicular tenderness was identified as the major clinical manifestation of TT, while only a few patients with TAT presented with swelling. CDS was an important diagnostic modality. The orchiectomy rate was 71% in the TT group. Conclusions: Cases of acute scrotum require attention in our area. Early diagnosis and scrotal exploration could salvage the testis or preserve normal function without the need for surgery.

Geological Characterisation of Depleted Oil and Gas Reservoirs for Carbon Sequestration Potentials in a Field in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The injectivity, containment and storage capacity of sandstone reservoirs in a field in the Coastal Swamp depobelt of the onshore eastern Niger Delta were evaluated using wireline logs and seismic data to assess their potentials for carbon dioxide storage and geosequestration. The reservoir formation consists of multilayered alternating beds of sandstone and shale cap rocks. Active seismicity and fracturing intensity are low and growth faults provide the reservoir sealing mechanisms. Three reservoirs were delineated at depths between 3319 m and 3539 m which will keep injected CO2 in a supercritical state. The reservoir depth of at least 800 m, porosity and permeability of more than 10 percent and 20 mD, and a caprock thickness of at least 10 m, in addition to geothermal gradients of 13.46 to 33.66 ºC /km are the ideal conditions for the efficacy of storage. Comparison of the derived reservoir and seal properties such as porosity, permeability, thickness and depth with the minimum recommended site selection criteria shows that the reservoirs are potential candidates for carbon geosequestration with a total theoretical storage capacity of 147MM tons.

PRODUTOS FLORESTAIS NÃO MADEIREIROS E VALOR POTENCIAL DE EXPLORAÇÃO SUSTENTÁVEL DA FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA NO SUL DE SANTA CATARINA

Este estudo indicou os produtos florestais não madeireiros (PFNM) associados a espécies arbóreas dos remanescentes de Floresta Ombrófila Densa estudados no Sul de Santa Catarina. As espécies analisadas foram hierarquizadas com base na análise de valor potencial de exploração sustentável (VPES) dos PFNM, integrando-se às seguintes informações obtidas a partir de revisão bibliográfica: densidade, parte usada, capacidade de regeneração natural e crescimento, conhecimento sobre biologia reprodutiva e dinâmica populacional, processamento requerido e nível de injúria ou toxicidade. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam ser possível a conservação e desenvolvimento regional, a partir de alternativas sustentáveis de uso dos recursos florestais. Das 79 espécies observadas, 38 atingiram VPES igual ou superior a 10, sendo consideradas de elevado potencial de exploração sustentável de PFNM.