Unusual median pores of Alona head shields recovered from recent and pre-industrial sediments of alpine lakes

We report the finding of Alona (affinis-quadrangularis) - type headshields with atypical median pores, recovered from the sediments of high-mountain lakes. Subfossil Cladocera remains were analyzed in the framework of the European Project EMERGE (2000-2002, European Mountain lakes Ecosystem: Regionalisation, diaGnostic & socioeconomic Evaluation), to evaluate changes in their assemblages consequent to industrial pollution. Observed response includes an increase in A. affinis with respect to A. quadrangularis after industrialization. According to the literature, the atypical head shields are most probably attributable to A. affinis. However, being detected in high mountain lakes, these remains may be interpreted as a result of mutations, as the intensity of UV radiation is high in these environments. In this sense, they might be interpreted as the abnormal Daphnia?s and Chydorus? ephippia, which were also detected in the sediments of these lakes

Zooplankton abundance and diversity in Lake Bracciano, Latium, Italy

The zooplankton community structure in Lake Bracciano (Latium, Central Italy) was studied in monthly surveys throughout an annual cycle (November 1998 – October 1999). The seasonal cycles and population dynamics of the dominant species are described and discussed. Copepods numerically dominated the community throughout the study period with calanoid Eudiaptomus padanus etruscosexsetosus making up the largest share of zooplankton density; moreover it accounted for the largest portion of total biovolume. Cladocerans represented a significant component of the zooplankton in the summer and autumn months. No substantial differences in regard to results of previous investigations (1971, 1972, 1984) were observed. The only differences for which there is evidence consist of the appearance of Filinia terminalis, never previously found in the lake, and the replacement of Keratella cochlearis instead of Kellicottia longispina as dominant species. However, the results of the comparison of the different investigations confirm that the trophic state of the pelagial region may be classified as oligo-mesotrophic

Does morbid obesity influence perioperative outcomes after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer? Analysis of the Italian VATS group registry

Objectives Obesity in Europe, and worldwide, has been an increasing epidemic during the past decades. Moreover, obesity has important implications regarding technical issues and the risks associated with surgical interventions. Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence assessing the influence of obesity on video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy results. Our study aimed to assess the impact of morbid obesity on perioperative clinical and oncological outcomes after VATS lobectomy using a prospectively maintained nationwide registry. Methods The Italian VATS lobectomy Registry was used to collect all consecutive cases from 55 Institutions. Explored outcome parameters were conversion to thoracotomy rates, complication rates, intra-operative blood loss, surgical time, hospital postoperative length of stay, chest tube duration, number of harvested lymph-node, and surgical margin positivity. Results From 2016 to 2019, a total of 4412 patients were collected. 74 patients present morbid obesity (1.7%). Multivariable-adjusted analysis showed that morbid obesity was associated with a higher rate of complications (32.8% vs 20.3%), but it was not associated with a higher rate of conversion, and surgical margin positivity rates. Moreover, morbid obesity patients benefit from an equivalent surgical time, lymph-node retrieval, intraoperative blood loss, hospital postoperative length of stay, and chest tube duration than non-morbid obese patients. The most frequent postoperative complications in morbidly obese patients were pulmonary-related (35%). Conclusion Our results showed that VATS lobectomy could be safely and satisfactorily conducted even in morbidly obese patients, without an increase in conversion rate, blood loss, surgical time, hospital postoperative length of stay, and chest tube duration. Moreover, short-term oncological outcomes were preserved

Predatory impact of the mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki Girard) on zooplanktonic populations in a pond at Tenuta di Castelporziano (Rome, Central Italy)

A study of a permanent pond located in a nature reserve in Central Italy was carried out over two periods (1985-87; 1995-98) to determine the structure and dynamics of planktonic biocoenosis. The composition of the zooplankton community was quite different in the two periods of study: in the first period, rotifers, small-bodied cladocerans and larval copepods were the dominant groups; in the second there was a shift from rotifers and microcrustaceans to dominance by large-bodied Daphnidae and adult copepods. The possibility is stressed that Gambusia holbrooki, present in 1985 and absent in 1995, may be responsible for the changes in the planktonic community

Posterior mediastinal melanoma causing severe dysphagia: A case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We describe an original case of progressive severe dysphagia caused by a posterior mediastinal metastatic melanoma of unknown origin. To the best of our knowledge, such an event has never been described before in the literature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A progressive severe dysphagia case is reported induced by a melanoma of unknown origin (metastatic to a posterior mediastinal lymph node). At the time of diagnosis, the lesion appeared as a large posterior mediastinal mass mimicking a neurogenic tumour with oesophageal involvement. After complete resection, pathological assessment of the tumour by immunohistochemistry was consistent with nodal metastatic melanoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This report of a posterior mediastinal lymph node melanoma is unique. The nodal origin is definitely unusual: a primary melanoma should always be carefully ruled out. In fact no other evidence, a part from the absence of the tumour elsewhere, can support the diagnosis of a primary nodal melanoma.</p

Chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery versus surgery alone in esophageal cancer patients: is it time for additional evidence?

Recent efforts to improve survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma have combined both systemic and local therapy. However, the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in technically operable IIa-III esophageal carcinoma is still unresolved

Tapias Score for Predicting Recurrences in Resected Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura

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High incidence of vascular complication after computed tomography guided lung biopsy : what's matter , the patient or the tecnique?

We read with interest the article of Anzidei on a predicitive score of complication after lung computed tomography -guided biopsy . We think there is a percentage of complications especially pneumotohorax which are impossible to avoid , but it would be useful to predict in which cases they occur with hiogh frequency

Macroecological and spatial patterns in the distribution of cladocerans in Alpine lakes

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F-024TIME-TREND ANALYSIS OF THE PULMONARY FUNCTION AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR OESOPHAGEAL CANCER: POTENTIALITY AND ROLE OF PULMONARY REHABILITATION

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