Utilization of remote sensing and nuclear techniques for detailed modeling and quantitative assessment of gully erosion within the forested area of the Malčanska river basin, eastern Serbia

The gully erosion is one of the most significant land degradation processes. Although gully erosion significantly threatens agricultural productivity and natural ecosystems, European land management strategies frequently need more reliable data on environmental conditions governing this process. This study presents a methodology that integrates remote sensing and nuclear techniques for examining gully erosion (Đokić et al., 2023). It introduces a novel approach to erosion research by employing 360-degree camera photogrammetry to characterize gullies morphometrically. The main objectives of this approach are to evaluate the applicability of unmanned aerial vehicles and terrestrial photogrammetry for modeling gullies, to study small-scale erosion processes within gullies, compare erosion intensity between adjacent gullies, and determine the most effective and cost-efficient method for monitoring gullies. A total of 39 soil samples were taken in three studied gullies. The results revealed an average soil redistribution rate of 16.2 t ha−1 yr−1 and coefficients of variation of 32%, 59%, and 91% for the gullies. The estimated erosion rate varies from a minimum of 0.1 t ha−1 yr−1 to a maximum of 34.3 t ha−1 yr−1. Soil deposition was identified at only two sampling sites, 1.1 and 2 t ha−1 yr−1. Highly detailed 3D models of the gullies were created using 360-degree photogrammetry. The micro-relief obtained through modeling proved to be an essential aspect of advanced erosion research

Treatment of primary liver tumors with electrochemotherapy

Izhodišče in namen: Incidenca primarnih jetrnih tumorjev v svetu se povečuje. Najpogostejši med njimi (90 %) je hepatocelični karcinom (HCC) in skupaj z intrahepatičnim holangiokarcinom (CHC) predstavlja 98,5 % primarnih jetrnih tumorjev. Ne glede na dejstvo, da je to eden najpogostejših vzrokov smrti zaradi raka v svetu, je manj kot 20 % bolnikov s HCC kandidatov za kurativno zdravljenje – kirurško resekcijo ali presaditev jeter. Samo kurativno zdravljenje omogoča bolnikom možnost za dolgoletno preživetje s petletnim preživetjem do 70 % pri kirurških resekcijah in presaditvi jeter. Ko radikalni/kurativni tretmaji zaradi splošnega stanja telesne zmogljivosti, pridružene okvare jeter ali velikosti in razširjenosti tumorja ne pridejo v poštev, uporabljamo druge metode, kot sta transarterijska kemoembolizacija (TACE) in transarterijska radioembolizacija (TARE), ali lokalne ablativne tehnike, kot so radiofrekvenčna ablacija (RFA), mikrovalovna ablacija (MWA), krioterapija in druge metode za zdravljenje primarnih jetrnih tumorjev, ki podaljšajo preživetje teh bolnikov. Elektrokemoterapija (ECT) omogoča netoplotno ablacijo kožnih in tudi globlje ležečih tumorjev. Na podlagi dobrih rezultatov pri zdravljenju jetrnih zasevkov raka debelega črevesa in danke smo opravili prospektivno raziskavo zdravljenja hepatoceličnega karcinoma z namenom ugotavljanja izvedljivosti, varnosti in učinkovitosti elektrokemoterapije pri primarnih jetrnih tumorjih. Metode: Elektrokemoterapijo z bleomicinom smo izvedli pri 25 bolnikih s hepatoceličnim karcinomom, skupno je bilo tretiranih 33 lezij po predvidenem protokolu. Zdravljenje je bilo izvedeno med odprto laparotomijo pri 24 od 25 bolnikov, pri enem bolniku je bila elektrokemoterapija izvedena perkutano pod kontrolo računalniške tomografije. Ob zaključku spremljanja bolnikov je bila mediana opazovanja 23,5 meseca. Rezultati: Elektrokemoterapija je bila izvedljiva pri vseh 33 hepatoceličnih karcinomih. Pri nobenem bolniku ni prišlo do neželenih stranskih učinkov zdravljenja ali večjih pooperativnih zapletov. Do popolnega odgovora na zdravljenje je po 3 do 6 mesecih prišlo pri 92 % bolnikov in 94 % zdravljenih lezij. Ob zaključku spremljanja, tj. po medianem času spremljanja 23,5 meseca, je pri 31 od 33 lezij prišlo do popolnega odgovora. Zaključki: Elektrokemoterapija primarnih jetrnih tumorjev se je izkazala kot izvedljiv in varen način zdravljenja pri vseh 25 bolnikih. Za dokončno oceno učinkovitosti zdravljenja je potreben daljši interval sledenja bolnikov. Elektrokemoterapija je predvsem primerna pri bolnikih z zmanjšano jetrno funkcijo zaradi jetrne ciroze, pri bolnikih z zmerno do hudo portalno hipertenzijo in/ali pri zdravljenju lezij, pri katerih bi lahko zgolj operacija z velikim tveganjem za zaplete ponudila možnost popolne ozdravitve, saj elektrokemoterapija ponuja možnost popolnega odgovora lezije na zdravljenje.Background and objectives: The incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC) is rising across the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common (90%) and it and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma represent more than 98.5% of all primary liver tumors. Despite being one of the most common causes of cancer-related death around the world, fewer than 20%of patients with HCC are eligible for curative treatment—that is, surgical resection or liver transplantation. Only curative treatment offers the patient a chance for long-term survival, with 5-year survival rates of 70% for liver resection and liver transplantation. When radical or curative treatment is not indicated due to the patient’s condition, underlying liver disease, or tumor extent, other methods such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transarterial radioembolization (TARE), and local ablative treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), cryotherapy, and other methods help in longer survival of those patients. Electrochemotherapy provides non-thermal ablation of cutaneous and deep-seated tumors. Based on positive results of the treatment of colorectal liver metastases, we conducted a prospective pilot study on hepatocellular carcinomas with the aim of testing the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of electrochemotherapy. Patients and methods: Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was performed on 33 hepatocellular carcinomas in 25 patients using a previously established protocol. The procedure was performed during open laparotomy for 24/25 patients, and percutaneous electrochemotherapy with computed tomography control was performed for one patient. At the end of the observation period, the median follow-up was 23.5 months. Results: Electrochemotherapy was feasible for all 33 lesions, and no treatment-related adverse events or major postoperative complications were observed. The complete response rate at 3 to 6 months was 92% per patient and 94% per treated lesion. At the end of the observation period, after a median follow-up time of 23.5 months, complete response was obtained in 31 out of 33 lesions. Conclusions: Electrochemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma proved to be a feasible and safe treatment in all 25 patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of this method, a longer observation period is needed. Electrochemotherapy is predominantly applicable for patients with impaired liver function due to liver cirrhosis, in patients with mild to severe portal hypertension, and/or for lesions where a high-risk operation is needed to achieve curative intent because ECT offers the possibility for complete response of the lesion to treatment

An unusual presentation of metastatic malignant melanoma causing jejuno-jejunal intussusception: a case report

Abstract Background Small bowel intussusception in adults is rarely encountered. In most cases small bowel intussusception is caused by benign neoplastic lesions, but metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma causing small bowel intussusception is rare. We present such a case of jejuno-jejunal intussusception with an intraluminal metastatic lesion acting as a lead point. Case presentation We present a case of a 71-year-old Caucasian man who presented with small bowel obstruction. His medical history revealed that he had had a cutaneous malignant melanoma excised 7 years earlier and underwent total laryngectomy due to a metastasis 6 years later. The disease was classified as stage IV and he was receiving immunotherapy. An emergency abdominal computed tomography scan demonstrated small bowel obstruction, most probably caused by an intraluminal lesion. An emergency laparotomy revealed an intraluminal metastatic lesion causing jejuno-jejunal intussusception. Metastasectomy of the lesion was performed and 13 days later he was discharged. Conclusions Jejuno-jejunal intussusception with a malignant melanoma metastasis acting as a lead point is very rare. With the gastrointestinal tract being a common location of distal metastases, a medical history of malignant melanoma treatment in cases of small bowel obstruction should raise a suspicion of possible metastatic disease. A computed tomography scan is the diagnostic modality of choice and surgery still remains the standard of care

Bile duct injuries during cholecystectomy in Slovenia (5-years analysis)

Background: Injuries to bile duct system occur during the operation or as a consequence of the operation. Injuries during cholecystectomy are important cause for morbidity. They are the cause for prolonged treatment, higher cost of treatment and diminished life quality of patients. Frequency of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still almost twice as high as during classic cholecystectomy.Conclusions: Mode and type of bile duct injury, clinical manifestation, reasonable diagnostic procedures as well as principals of surgical treatment are systematically given in the article. Three classifications mostly used in the clinical practice are presented. Then a national study of bile duct lesions is presented for a period 2001–2005. Finally the principals of prevention of bile lesions at cholecystectomy are presented.</p

Remote Sensing and Nuclear Techniques for Soil Erosion Research in Forest Areas: Case Study of the Crveni Potok Catchment

Hilly terrains characterized by the looseness of the surface soil layer and the slope of the topographic surface are subjected to diverse erosion processes, which could greatly impact forest management. An erosive process was identified along the unstable slopes in most of the Crveni potok catchment in the southeastern part of Serbia. The results of this study indicate two erosion types of variable intensity, dominated by weak and moderate erosion, while severe erosion is identified at several locations. Water pressure in the pores of loose soil in the Crveni potok catchment generates gully erosion in parts of the catchment that are geologically predisposed by the composition of the parent substrate. The paper discusses the factors influencing gully erosion, such as soil density, the slope of the topographic surface, rainfall (precipitation amount, annual distribution), and vegetation characteristics. The set of used methodologies, including remote sensing, nuclear, and geospatial ones, provided an integrated assessment of factors affecting erosion in unstable forest areas. The soil erosion rates in the study area are estimated from inventories of fallout radionuclide 137 Cs using conversion models. Airborne photogrammetry, terrestrial Structure-from-Motion 360-degree camera photogrammetry, and Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning (TLS) are used to model complex geomorphological features of forest terrain. These techniques are found to be convenient for the quantification of the existing state of erosion (length, width, volume, and density of the gully systems) in the forest gullies. The remote sensing techniques provided an insight into the physiographic characteristics of the studied area important for determining its parts affected by erosion. The models obtained using different techniques are compared, techniques are evaluated, and their advantages and disadvantages are pointed out. This approach enables the identification of priority targets for soil conservation and site-specific remediation measures to foster sustainable forest management

Remote sensing and nuclear techniques for high-resolution mapping and quantification of gully erosion in the highly erodible area of the Malčanska River Basin, Eastern Serbia

Gully erosion leads to the formation of deep and wide channels that increase the risk of soil loss, flooding, and water pollution. In addition, this process reduces the productivity and viability of agricultural land and natural ecosystems. Preventing gully erosion is critical for maintaining ecological balance and preserving natural resources in certain areas. This paper presents a methodology integrating remote sensing and nuclear techniques to study gully erosion. The morphometric characterization of gullies using 360-degree camera photogrammetry was introduced as a new method in erosion research. This approach aims to investigate the suitability of unmanned aerial vehicle and terrestrial photogrammetry for modeling gullies, to study the variability of erosion processes in gullies at a small scale, and to compare the differences in erosion intensity between nearby gullies. The study’s objectives include identifying the effective and economical method for gullies monitoring and providing a starting point for controlling and safeguarding gullies. Mainly erosion process was detected in the studied gullies, while deposition was identified at only 2 out of 39 sampling locations. The results showed an average soil redistribution rate of 16.2 t ha− 1 yr− 1 and coefficients of variation of 32%, 59%, and 91% for three investigated gullies. It was determined that aerial photogrammetry methods were not practical under the conditions prevailing in the study area. Highly detailed 3D models of the gullies were created using 360-degree photogrammetry. It was confirmed that the micro-relief obtained by photogrammetric modeling is an essential contribution to erosion research. The 360-degree camera photogrammetry serves as a reliable tool for analyzing the morphology of gullies and, in perspective, tracking changes in gully systems over time or monitoring the effectiveness of the applied protection measures