How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Effects of Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 on the growth of two Prunus rootstocks during the rooting phase

Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 (T22) is one of the most effective strains of this fungus that is able to colonise the roots of most plant species across a wide range of soil types. This fungus is used as a biocontrol agent during crop production, and for the improvement of the rooting and acclimatisation phases in plant nurseries. In vitro-cultured shoots of GiSeLa6® (Prunus cerasus Ã\u97 P. canescens) and of GF677 (P. amygdalus Ã\u97 P. persica), two important Prunus varieties used as commercial rootstocks, were inoculated with T22. The results showed that early inoculation of the fungus (at the stage of shoot transfer to root-inducing medium) seriously damaged both GiSeLa6® and GF677 plants; whereas, following later inoculation (7 d after shoot transfer to root-inducing medium), the plants survived and showed significant increases in shoot growth and root development. In particular, root lengths in GiSeLa6® and GF677 plants increased by 180% and 136%, respectively, compared to non-inoculated controls. Microscopic analysis revealed T22 hyphae spreading on the root surface in GiSeLa6® (fungus colonisation frequency = 20%), but not in GF677 roots. Our results demonstrate that the application of T22 during the rooting phase resulted in greater shoot lengths, as well as increased numbers of leaves, roots, and stem diameters. These morphological characteristics could increase the quality and viability of nursery planting material and provide advantages during the plant acclimatisation phase

[Cystic tumors of the pancreas: diagnosis, management and results]

Pancreatic cystic tumours are rare and less frequent than other pancreatic tumours. In recent decades, these tumours are being diagnosed with increasing frequency due to the extensive availability of, and improvement in, modern imaging techniques and it is often possible not only to differentiate them preoperatively from other cystic pancreatic disorders but also from one another. Pancreatic cystic tumours comprise a variety of neoplasms with a wide range of malignant potential: serous cystic tumours are benign, whereas mucinous cystic tumours, and intraductal papillary mucinous tumours are considered premalignant, while solid pseudopapillary tumours have a non-aggressive behaviour in the vast majority of cases. Most patients have no symptoms; and when clinical signs are present, they never help us to identify the type of pathology. Serous cystic neoplasms usually do not mandate resection unless the lesion is symptomatic. Mucinous cystic neoplasms and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms have a premalignant or malignant tendency, and therefore need to be managed aggressively by pancreatic resection. Their prognosis is excellent in the absence of invasive disease, but the presence of invasive malignancy is associated with a poor prognosis. This review addresses the symptoms, diagnosis, management and prognosis of this group of tumours

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis

no abstrac

Image of the month--quiz case.

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Auxin accumulation and transport in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh adventitious roots are modified by cadmium and arsenic

Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) are very toxic elements for all organisms and the environment. They are not essential elements for plants but can be easily absorbed by the plant root system provoking damages in tissues of sensitive plants, e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana. Damages to the root system have negative consequences on plant growth and productivity. It is known that the quiescent centre (CQ) of the root apical meristem controls the root development in the primary root (PR), lateral roots and adventitious roots (ARs). The QC definition and maintenance depend on polar auxin transport and accumulation in the stem cell niche surrounding the QC. The membrane carriers LAX3 and PIN1 are involved in root polar auxin influx and efflux, respectively. DR5::GUS line is a useful system for monitoring auxin localization at cell and tissue levels. Our investigations, based on morphological analyses of Columbia (Col) plantlets and histochemical GUS analyses on ARs of QC25::GUS (i.e., QC identity marker) transgenic plantlets, grown in the same experimental conditions of this research, revealed that these pollutants affected AR development, either increasing AR formation (60 μM CdSO4, combined or not with 100 μM Na2HAsO4.7H2O) or inhibiting formation and growth (400 μM Na2HAsO4.7H2O). In all cases both pollutants altered the QC definition and maintenance. These alterations prompted us to investigate whether the two pollutants may cause anomalous IAA levels/distribution during AR development. To the aim, we investigated auxin levels in the wild type, and auxin localization in the DR5::GUS transgenic line, under in vitro growth in the presence/absence of 60 μM CdSO4 or 400 μM Na2HAsO4.7H2O or in the presence of both salts. The plantlets were cultured in continuous darkness for nine days and then transferred to the light (long-day exposure) for additional seven days. The effects of Cd and/or As on auxin transport were also investigated in the ARs by analyses on PIN1::GUS and LAX3::GUS lines.Results show that no signal was detected in the QC and surrounding stem cell niche of the ARs in DR5::GUS plantlets treated with 400 μM As, indicating that the semimetal compromised the regular establishment of the auxin maximum necessary for the correct definition and maintenance of the stem cell niche. Cadmium, combined or not with As, either caused a significant reduction in the number of ARs with a normally localized DR5::GUS signal with respect to control treatment, or induced a weak signal often dislocated to the columella cells. These results indicated that also the metal altered the auxin maximum necessary to the correct stem cell niche organization and functioning. Cd and As also interfered with the expression patterns of PIN1::GUS and LAX3::GUS, especially in AR primordia. Cadmium alone negatively affected auxin efflux by PIN1 causing its unexpression in the most of the primordia. Arsenic, alone or combined with Cd, exhibited minor effects in inhibiting PIN1 expression. The auxin influx by LAX3 was reduced in AR primordia in the same way by both pollutants, alone or combined. In conclusion, Cd and As alter auxin apical accumulation by affecting the influx and efflux auxin carriers, thus negatively disturbing stem cell niche and QC functioning in the ARs

Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective abdominal surgery by peroperative systemic administration of cefuroxime. Findings in 191 treated cases

NOT FOUN