Is endoscopic inspection necessary to detect residual disease in acoustic neuroma surgery?

Main goals: To analyze how and when the endoscope is used in vestibular schwannoma surgery and identify the benefits of using endoscopy in this type of surgery. Background: It is currently unclear if there is any benefit from using an endoscope in vestibular schwannoma surgery so this retrospective analysis set out to study this. Methods: All the patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma surgery at our clinic were included for all the vestibular schwannoma approaches taken. We studied when endoscopy was used during surgery and the goal of using endoscopy. Several pre- and postoperative factors were assessed such as complications, facial function, and hearing function in the case of techniques that allow hearing preservation. Results: From January 2015 to September 2018, 280 patients underwent lateral skull base surgery. Of these, 112 were included in this study. The endoscope was used in all 112 patients, and in eight cases it was possible to identify residual disease using the endoscope to check the surgical field, and then to remove the disease under endoscopic view. Moreover, in two other cases, the endoscope was used to resolve a vasculoneural conflict between the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) loop and facial nerve in one case, and for deafferentation of the superior and inferior vestibular nerves in the second case. No major intraoperative complications occurred in our series. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative facial nerve function between patients in whom the endoscope was used as a diagnostic tool and patients in whom it was used as an operative tool (p = 0.3152). Conclusions: The endoscope may be useful, especially in surgical techniques where there is poor control of the internal auditory canal (IAC). An endoscopic support technique is strongly recommended to avoid residual disease, particularly in retrosigmoid and retrolabyrinthine approaches. Moreover, the recent introduction of the transcanal transpromontorial approach allows the endoscope to be used during all the procedures in patients affected by a vestibular schwannoma limited to the IAC or to support surgical procedures during an enlarged microscopic approach

seasonal abundance of the nearctic gall midge obolodiplosis robiniae in italy and the impact of its antagonist platygaster robiniae on pest populations

The Nearctic gall midge Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman, 1847) (Diptera Cecidomyiidae) infesting black locusts, Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae), was detected in Asia in 2002 and in Europe (first in Italy) in 2003. Its distribution in Europe has expanded dramatically, probably favored by extensive distribution of its host plant along the main routes. The results of a 3-yr study on the seasonal abundance of O. robiniae in northern Italy are reported here. O. robiniae can develop three to four generations per year by exploiting plants of different ages and vigor. Overwintering takes place as diapausing larvae and adults emerge in spring. Two generations are completed on mature plants where populations decline in summer. Two additional generations can develop on root suckers from midsummer onward. Pest population densities reach their highest levels in late spring. Gall midge larvae were attacked by various predators, but parasitism by the platygastrid Platygaster robiniae Buhl & Duso was particularly significant. The impact of parasitism by P. robiniae is indicated as a key factor in reducing O. robiniae population densities

Is endoscopic inspection necessary to detect residual disease in acoustic neuroma surgery?

Main goals: To analyze how and when the endoscope is used in vestibular schwannoma surgery and identify the benefits of using endoscopy in this type of surgery. Background: It is currently unclear if there is any benefit from using an endoscope in vestibular schwannoma surgery so this retrospective analysis set out to study this. Methods: All the patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma surgery at our clinic were included for all the vestibular schwannoma approaches taken. We studied when endoscopy was used during surgery and the goal of using endoscopy. Several pre- and postoperative factors were assessed such as complications, facial function, and hearing function in the case of techniques that allow hearing preservation. Results: From January 2015 to September 2018, 280 patients underwent lateral skull base surgery. Of these, 112 were included in this study. The endoscope was used in all 112 patients, and in eight cases it was possible to identify residual disease using the endoscope to check the surgical field, and then to remove the disease under endoscopic view. Moreover, in two other cases, the endoscope was used to resolve a vasculoneural conflict between the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) loop and facial nerve in one case, and for deafferentation of the superior and inferior vestibular nerves in the second case. No major intraoperative complications occurred in our series. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative facial nerve function between patients in whom the endoscope was used as a diagnostic tool and patients in whom it was used as an operative tool (p = 0.3152). Conclusions: The endoscope may be useful, especially in surgical techniques where there is poor control of the internal auditory canal (IAC). An endoscopic support technique is strongly recommended to avoid residual disease, particularly in retrosigmoid and retrolabyrinthine approaches. Moreover, the recent introduction of the transcanal transpromontorial approach allows the endoscope to be used during all the procedures in patients affected by a vestibular schwannoma limited to the IAC or to support surgical procedures during an enlarged microscopic approach

Sarcopenic obesity: Etiology and lifestyle therapy

OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenic obesity (OS) is a multifactorial condition characterized by the simultaneous presences of sarcopenia and obesity. The prevalence of OS is increasing in adults over 65 years of age: people with OS present greater health risks than people who are only sarcopenic or obese. Therefore. the study of OS and the search for effective treatment are important due to the constant increase of the elderly population.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review discusses the etiology and evolutionary mechanisms of OS while exploring its molecular, metabolic, oxidative, inflammatory, hormonal, and nutritional stresses. Studies have tried to unravel the causes related to the onset of sarcopenia, which is responsible for the decrease of muscle mass and strength in elderly subjects. The diagnostic criteria and the methods of evaluation of OS are described in these research studies, although there is no univocal definition for these parameters. The most studied treatments in OS are illustrated and highlight how the physical activity performed through both aerobic and resistance exercises, as well as a correct nutritional treatment, prove to be the most effective interventions in the regression of the pathology and in the improvement of physical function.RESULTS: New therapies for OS are hypothesized that will open the way to other possible types of intervention in the future.CONCLUSIONS: The deficiency of muscle mass in obese elderly subjects will be one of the health challenges of the future to reduce the risk of chronic diseases

Single and combined releases of biological control agents against canopy- and soil-dwelling stages of Frankliniella occidentalis in cyclamen

Biological control agents (BCA) can be used against Frankliniella occidentalis as an alternative to conventional insecticides. Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus californicus and Orius laevigatus were applied to the canopy and Macrocheles robustulus and Steinernema feltiae to the soil in single and combined releases. The combination of nematodes in the soil and predatory mites in the canopy caused a more prompt reduction of thrips in flowers

Time-dependent analysis of extra length of stay and mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive-care units of ten limited-resources countries: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

Ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs) are a worldwide problem that significantly increases patient morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (LoS), and their effects should be estimated to account for the timing of infection. The purpose of the study was to estimate extra LoS and mortality in an intensive-care unit (ICU) due to a VAP in a cohort of 69 248 admissions followed for 283 069 days in ICUs from 10 countries. Data were arranged according to the multi-state format. Extra LoS and increased risk of death were estimated independently in each country, and their results were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis. VAP prolonged LoS by an average of 2.03 days (95% CI 1.52-2.54 days), and increased the risk of death by 14% (95% CI 2-27). The increased risk of death due to VAP was explained by confounding with patient morbidity