Effect of pleurotomy on pulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting with internal mammary artery

Coronary artery by-pass grafting with internal mammary artery (IMA) has become the graft conduit of choice, due to improved survival and its long term patency rate. However, some studies have shown that, in comparison with saphenous vein grafts, after IMA grafting, there is increased postoperative impairment of pulmonary function, possibly due to the frequent performance of pleurotomy. In 57 consecutive patients, admitted for elective CABG with IMA, we prospectively evaluated the early (2nd and 6th day) postoperative chest X-ray complications and the late (2 months) respiratory function tests changes. Thirty-two patients had been subjected to pleurotomy (group 1) and 25 not (group 2). The incidence of pulmonary atelectasis and pleural effusion in 2nd and in 6th postoperative days was not different in the two groups: 22 vs. 19%, 74 vs. 52% in 2nd, and 29 vs. 19%, 48 vs. 38% in 6th postoperative day respectively. The incidence of elevated hemidiaphragm in 6th postoperative day was not different in the two groups (18.5 vs. 14%). Two months after surgery the mean values of spirometric tests were significantly lower than the preoperative values: VC from 88.5 +/- 1.26 to 80 +/- 1.65% of predicted, P < 0.001, FEV1 from 96.1 +/- 1.27 to 84.7 +/- 1.73% of predicted, P < 0.001, MEF50 from 84.9 +/- 3.14 to 69.2 +/- 3.18% of predicted, P < 0.001. No significant changes were detected in RV and in AaPO2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absent pulmonary valve syndrome with associated anomalies of the pulmonary blood supply

We report four cases of so-called absent pulmonary valve syndrome associated with absence or anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery. The fate of the patients with this condition appears to be affected mainly by the occurrence of pulmonary complications (three of our patients died of pulmonary causes, two of them after surgery). The proper timing of corrective surgery is still uncertain. Preoperative investigations should strive to obtain a clear-cut identification of the pulmonary arteries, particularly the left one or, in its absence, of the anomalous vascular supply to the lung. Right ventriculography, as employed by us, is insufficient. Pulmonary angiography, aortography and pulmonary vein "wedge" angiography may be needed.

Relationships between otolith size and fish length in some mesopelagic teleosts (Myctophidae, Paralepididae, Phosichthyidae and Stomiidae)

Length-mass relationships and linear regressions are given for otolith size (length and height) and standard length (LS ) of certain mesopelagic fishes (Myctophidae, Paralepididae, Phosichthyidae and Stomiidae) living in the central Mediterranean Sea. The length-mass relationship showed isometric growth in six species, whereas linear regressions of LS and otolith size fit the data well for all species. These equations represent a useful tool for dietary studies on Mediterranean marine predators.

[Cysts of the choroid plexus: personal experience]

Twenty-six cases of fetal choroid plexus cysts were diagnosed using ultrasonography at the Ultrasound Out-patients clinic of the University of Turin during the period 1989-1991. In 21 of these cases fetal karyotype was ascertained since, as has been reported in the literature, cysts of the choroid plexus may be associated with an anomalous karyotype (trisome 18 or 21). One of the 21 cases had an altered karyotype (trisome 21) (4.2%). The Authors stress the importance of a detailed ultrasound study of fetal morphology since, in the presence of structural anomalies, the incidence of trisome 18 is much higher. On the basis of these data, prenatal diagnosis in the event of the echographic presence of choroid plexus cysts appears to be valid since the risk of chromosome anomalies is much higher than in 35-year-old women.

[Use of orgotein in the treatment of reactive damage to the use of high-energy radiation]

A study has been carried out on 62 patients submitted to pre- and postoperative X-ray treatment, evaluating tolerance and effectiveness of orgotein administered i.m. The therapeutic results obtained may be considered very satisfactory.

Citizen science through a recreational underwater diving project supports the collection of large-scale marine litter data: The Oceania case study

In recent years, a growing body of literature on seafloor macro-litter has been produced worldwide. However, the spatial coverage of these studies is still limited and highly unbalanced, resulting in considerable knowledge gaps in some regions. To address this lack of information in Oceania, we extracted data from the Citizen Science project Dive Against Debris® to characterize marine debris collected by volunteer scuba divers on the coastal seafloor. Overall, the average litter density was 58.22 items/100m2, with plastics accounting for approximately 50 % of the total abundance and Single Use Plastics accounting for nearly 17 %. Notably, 36 % of the total litter abundance consisted of lost Fishing Gear including fishing lines, sinkers, baits and hooks as the most abundant debris items. To reduce lost fishing gear, clean-up initiatives by divers along with management actions such as education programs for fishermen, gear restrictions and the identification of designated fishing sites are recommended.

[Anomalous uterine hemorrhages in the climacteric. Their etiopathogenesis]

Anomalous uterine bleeding accounts for approximately two-thirds of the causes of outpatient gynecological check-ups for women in menopause. The high incidence of this pathology raises considerable problems from a clinical and social point of view. In this paper the authors outline the main causes of both organic and functional bleeding.

[Preliminary study of the use of s. adenosyl methionine in the management of male sterility]

In a preliminary study 10 cases of male sterility were treated with 800 mg/day per os of Samyr-Bioresearch over three months. Increased basal motiligy of spermatozoa was observed in 6 out of 10 cases. The results of the study confirm the value and efficacy of SAM in the treatment of male sterility.