Pesticide residues in tomatoes from greenhouses in Souss Massa Valley, Morocco

Eight pesticide residues in tomato samples collected in the area of Souss Massa Valley (Southern Morocco) were analyzed. The detected residue levels ranged from 0.001 to 0.400 mg kg(-1) for dicofol, from 0.003 to 0.170 mg kg(-1) for procymidone, from 0.001 to 0.250 mg kg(-1) for chlorothalonil, from 0.050 to 0.500 mg kg(-1) for bifenthrin, from 0.001 to 0.010 mg kg(-1) for λ-cyhalothrin, from 0.001 to 0.300 mg kg(-1) for cypermethrin, from 0.010 to 1 mg kg(-1) for deltamethrin and from 0.003 to 1.123 mg kg(-1) for endosulfan. European MRL for endosulfan in tomatoes set in 0.500 mg kg(-1), was exceeded in 8 samples, and MRL for deltamethrin set in 0.300 mg kg(-1) for tomatoes was exceeded in 2 samples.

Role of multidetector CT and FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis of local and distant recurrence of resected rectal cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for the detection of local and distant recurrence in patients operated on for rectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven patients who underwent radical surgery for rectal cancer and were followed up with FDG-PET/CT and MDCT were included in this retrospective study. The FDG-PET/CT and MDCT findings were independently compared with histological sampling or 2 years' follow-up.

RESULTS

Local recurrence occurred in 15/67 patients. MDCT diagnosed local recurrence in 15/15 cases and FDG-PET/CT in 14/15. Sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 98% for MDCT and 93% and 98% for FDG-PET/CT, respectively. Hepatic lesions were found in 17/67 patients. All hepatic metastases were detected by both techniques. Pulmonary metastases occurred in 8/67 patients: they were correctly identified in all cases by MDCT and in 6/8 by FDG-PET/CT.

CONCLUSIONS

MDCT and FDG-PET/CT showed high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of local recurrence of rectal cancer. Both techniques were equally accurate for the detection of hepatic metastases. MDCT showed slightly higher sensitivity and positive predictive value in detecting pulmonary metastases compared with FDG-PET/CT.

Inhibition de la corrosion de l'alliage d'aluminium 6063 au moyen de composés inorganiques dans une solution de chlorure de sodium à 3 %

Some inorganic compounds have been tested as corrosion inhibitors for 6063 aluminium alloy in 3% NaCl by electrochemical and metalographic methods. The compounds were MoO42–, CrO42–, NO2– oxo-anions and Li+ and Mg2+ metallic cations. Results obtained show that these compounds inhibited corrosion of 6063 aluminium alloy, and that the Li+ cations were the best inhibitors. The difference between pitting potential and corrosion potential increase by increasing the concentration of Li+. The maximum inhibition efficiency (E% = 85%) was attained at 5 × 10–3 M. Increasing temperature from 25 to 55°C improve corrosion resistance of 6063 aluminium alloy in the absence of Li+. However, in the presence of these cations, E% decreased at elevated temperature.Key words: corrosion, inhibition, inorganic compounds, 6063 aluminium alloy, 3% NaCl.