Feeding habits of Aspitrigla cuculus (L., 1758) (red gurnard), Lepidotrigla cavillone (Lac., 1802) (large scale gurnard) and Trigloporus lastoviza (Brunn., 1768) (rock gurnard) around Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands (E. Mediterranean)

The feeding habits of the three most abundant gurnard species, red gurnard (Aspitrigla cuculus), large scale gurnard (Lepidotrigla cavillone) and rock gurnard (Trigloporus lastoviza) in the eastern Mediterranean (Dodecanese and Cyclades, Greece) are examined. The stomach contents of the gurnard specimens collected in April and September 1996 by bottom trawling were analyzed. The % frequency of occurrence, % number and % weight of prey types in the stomach contents were evaluated. By weight, Mysidacea and Decapoda dominated in the diet of the three species in both seasons, however the Index of Relative Importance, as well as the percentage frequency of occurrence varied. Rock gurnard presented the most diverse diet whereas the diet of large scale and red gurnard were more specialized. High overlap in terms of number was found between rock and large scale gurnard in May. Rock gurnard had the most divers diet in both seasons

First Occurrence Of The Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus Niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) In Lesina Lagoon (Eastern Italian Coast)

Individuals of the tilapia species Oreochromis niloticus niloticus(Linnaeus, 1758) were caught in Lesina Lagoon during experimental sampling for the shrimp Penaeus kerathurus using fyke net traps from December 1999 to September 2000. The species O. niloticusis not native in Italian coastal waters, although attempts of tilapia culture in land-based aquaculture farms were occasionally carried out in the past. The number of individuals captured in the samples suggests a colonization of the area of Lesina lagoon. The highest catches were observed during July. In July, the individuals caught represented the 22.3±4.1 % of the total catch weight. Such colonization of a marine environment byO. niloticusniloticus is the first case reported for Italy. The occurrence of the species in Lesina lagoon is attributed to fish which escaped from fish farms in the area and entered the lagoon through the numerous streams and irrigation-drainage channels that outflow along the south coastline

Isolated descemetorhexis for anterior synechiolysis prior to endothelial keratoplasty - case report and technique.

To describe the utilization of descemetorhexis for reformation of the anterior chamber in eyes with central iridocorneal synechiae before endothelial keratoplasty (EK). A 71-year-old man with a history of trabeculectomy complicated by hypotony presented with bullous keratopathy in the presence of extensive iridocorneal synechiae and a flat anterior chamber. In order to proceed with EK, synechiolysis with the use of viscoelastic and scissors was attempted. Despite successful dissection of the peripheral strands, the pupillary margin of the iris remained attached to the endothelium. Therefore, descemetorhexis was performed to detach the Descemet membrane along with central synechiae and create sufficient space for safe EK at a later stage. Corneal clarity was restored by ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, leaving a fibrous membrane in the pupillary plane, which was excised 2 months later, allowing an improvement of best-corrected visual acuity to 0.5. Isolated descemetorhexis was successfully employed to reform the anterior chamber and proceed with EK in a case of bullous keratopathy and resistant iridocorneal synechiae. This stepwise approach may be considered in similar cases in order to avoid a more invasive treatment, ie, penetrating keratoplasty and synechiolysis

Corneal Neovascularization with Associated Lipid Keratopathy in a Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome Using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine.

To report a case of corneal neovascularization with secondary lipid keratopathy in a patient treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). A 49-year-old male had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 10 years ago and has been treated with the application of a CPAP machine during night sleep ever since. For the past year, the patient had been complaining for ocular irritation and excessive tearing of the left eye on awakening. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed the presence of neovascularization and lipid exudation in the inferior third of the cornea of the left eye. Ocular patching during night sleep resulted in recession of the reported symptoms and shrinkage of the neovascularization, while the area of lipid exudation ceased to enlarge. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of corneal neovascularization in a patient using a CPAP machine for OSAHS

Annotated records of scombroid eggs and larvae distribution in northeastern Mediterranean waters

The distribution of eggs and larvae of scombroid fish in northeastern Greek waters were studied during the summer of three consecutive years(1992-1994) to determine spawning, time of spawning peaks, and the possible preferred spawning grounds. Among eggs only those of Xiphias gladius were successfully identified. Larvae of Thunnus alalunga, Euthynnus alleteratus, X. gladius and Auxis rochei were recorded, the latter species being encountered more frequently than the rest. Most scombroid larvae were collected in the Sporades Islands’ basin and their abundance, particularly that of A. rochei, was relatively increased at the end of the summer, possibly suggesting increased spawning activities during that period

Impact of a novel surgical wound protection device on observed versus expected surgical site infection rates after colectomy using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Risk Calculator

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a persistent and morbid problem in colorectal surgery. A novel surgical device that combines barrier surgical wound protection and continuous surgical wound irrigation was evaluated in a cohort of elective colorectal surgery patients. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing rates of SSI observed in a prospective cohort study with the predicted rate of SSI using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Risk Calculator.A prospective multi-center study of colectomy patients was conducted using a study device for surgical site retraction and protection, as well as irrigation of the incision. Patients were followed for 30 days after the surgical procedure to assess for SSI. After completion of the study, patients' characteristics were inserted into the ACS-NSQIP Risk Calculator to determine the predicted rate of SSI for the given patient population and compared with the observed rate in the study.A total of 108 subjects were enrolled in the study. The observed rate of SSI in the prospective study using the novel device was 3.7% (4/108). The predicted rate of SSI in the same patient population utilizing the ACS-NSQIP Risk Calculator was estimated to be 9.5%. This demonstrated a 61% difference (3.7% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.04) in SSI from the NSQIP predicted rate with the use of the irrigating surgical wound protection and retraction device.These data suggest the use of a novel surgical wound protection device seems to reduce the rate of SSIs in colorectal surgery

Human pericardium graft in the management of bleb's complication performed in childhood: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To report a case with hypotony due to late leakage of the filtering bleb performed during childhood and treated surgically using human pericardium graft.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>A man with hypotony related to bleb's leakage in his right eye was presented. During his childhood trabeculectomy was performed to manage ocular hypertension due to pediatric glaucoma. Biomicroscopy revealed choroidal tissue incarcerated in the sclerectomy under the conjunctiva. Bleb revision was performed. Human pericardium graft was used to cover the sclerectomy and a new bleb with controlled outflow was created. The intraocular pressure (IOP) and Seidel test represent the main outcomes. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Fifteen days postoperatively the IOP was of 7 mmHg and the bleb seemed to filter properly. Five months later the IOP was 9 mmHg and no complications were noticed. During the follow up time, the Seidel test was negative.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We used human pericardium graft with no complications in a case of bleb leakage performed for pediatric glaucoma.</p

Management dilemma; a woman with cystic fibrosis and severe lung disease presenting with colonic carcinoma: a case report

Introduction There are increasing reports of bowel cancer in cystic fibrosis, suggesting a possible causal link. Individuals with cystic fibrosis who have advanced lung disease present a high operative risk, limiting curative treatment options in early bowel malignancy. Case presentation We describe a 41-year-old Caucasian woman with cystic fibrosis and severe lung disease who had been considered for lung transplantation, who presented with rectal bleeding and was found to have a Stage I adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. After considerable discussion as to the operative risks, she underwent a laparoscopic resection and remains relatively well 1 year postoperatively with no recurrence. Conclusion We discuss the complexity of the management decisions for cystic fibrosis patients with severe lung disease and early stage colonic malignancy, particularly in the context of potential need for lung transplantation. The case demonstrates that cystic fibrosis patients with very severe lung function impairment may undergo laparoscopic abdominal surgical interventions without compromising postoperative airway clearance

Cube law, condition factor and weight-length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations

This study presents a historical review, a meta-analysis, and recommendations for users about weight–length relationships, condition factors and relative weight equations. The historical review traces the developments of the respective concepts. The meta-analysis explores 3929 weight–length relationships of the type W = aLb for 1773 species of fishes. It shows that 82% of the variance in a plot of log a over b can be explained by allometric versus isometric growth patterns and by different body shapes of the respective species. Across species median b = 3.03 is significantly larger than 3.0, thus indicating a tendency towards slightly positive-allometric growth (increase in relative body thickness or plumpness) in most fishes. The expected range of 2.5 < b < 3.5 is confirmed. Mean estimates of b outside this range are often based on only one or two weight–length relationships per species. However, true cases of strong allometric growth do exist and three examples are given. Within species, a plot of log a vs b can be used to detect outliers in weight–length relationships. An equation to calculate mean condition factors from weight–length relationships is given as Kmean = 100aLb−3. Relative weight Wrm = 100W/(amLbm) can be used for comparing the condition of individuals across populations, where am is the geometric mean of a and bm is the mean of b across all available weight–length relationships for a given species. Twelve recommendations for proper use and presentation of weight–length relationships, condition factors and relative weight are given