Phenotypic reversion of Aspergillus nidulans morphological deteriorated variants in the presence of osmotic stabilisers

Strains of Aspergillus nidulans with chromosome duplications are unstable at mitosis. They produce sectors which are mainly of two types: improved sectors that result from partial or total loss of the duplication segment and deteriorated sectors having poor conidiation and dark brown mycelium. It is postulated that deteriorated variants carry additional duplications resulting from non-homologous sister-chromatid exchange within the duplicated segments. (Nga and Roper, 1968 Genetics 58: 193-209). Deteriorated sectors are unstable but can give more derivatives which probably are the result of transpositions of the tandem duplication segment to other regions of the genome (Azevedo and Roper, 1970 Genetical Research 16: 79-93). Crosses between these more stable deteriorated variants are not always successful due probably to incompatibility factors

Relationship of arterial and exhaled CO2 during elevated artificial pneumoperitoneum pressure for introduction of the first trocar.

The present study evaluated the correlation between arterial CO2 and exhaled CO2 during brief high-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups: P12 group (n=30) received a maximum intraperitoneal pressure of 12mmHg, and P20 group (n=37) received a maximum intraperitoneal pressure of 20mmHg. Arterial CO2 was evaluated by radial arterial catheter and exhaled CO2 was measured by capnometry at the following time points: before insufflation, once intraperitoneal pressure reached 12mmHg , 5 minutes after intraperitoneal pressure reached 12mmHg for the P12 group or 20mmHg for the P20 group, and 10 minutes after intraperitoneal pressure reached 12mmHg for the P12 group or when intraperitoneal pressure had decreased from 20mmHg to 12mmHg, for the P20 group. During brief durations of very high intraperitoneal pressure (20mmHg), there was a strong correlation between arterial CO2 and exhaled CO2. Capnometry can be effectively used to monitor patients during transient increases in artificial pneumoperitoneum pressure

Management of von Willebrand disease type 3 during pregnancy - 2 cases reports.

BACKGROUND: von Willebrand disease type 3, is an extremely rare condition. It can be severe and potentially life-threatening, particularly in pregnant women during labor and subsequently during early puerperium. Due to its rarity, there is no optimal treatment/management during pregnancy. CASE: We describe two cases of pregnant women with von Willebrand disease type 3, and its successful surveillance and treatment with Haemate P FVIII (human plasma-derived von Willebrand Factor-ristocetin co-factor associated with human coagulation factor VIII), during pregnancy, partum and puerperium. CONCLUSIONS: Daily prophylaxis with Haemate P FVIII in women with von Willebrand disease type 3, starting 2 hours before caesarean section until the 7th day of puerperium, associated with close analytical and clinical surveillance seems to be a safe clinical option

Invasive monitoring of the clinical effects of high intra-abdominal pressure for insertion of the first trocar.

Background: To analyze the effects of transitory, high intra-abdominal pressure on clinical, hemodynamic, blood gas and metabolic parameters.

Methods: Sixty-seven laparoscopic patients were divided into groups P12 (n = 30, maximum intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mmHg) and P20 (n = 37, maximum intra-abdominal pressure of 20 mmHg). Through radial artery cannulation, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was assessed and blood gas analysis – pH, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3) and base excess (BE) – was performed. These parameters were evaluated in both groups at time point zero, before CO2 insufflation; at time point one (TP1), when intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mmHg was reached in both groups; at time point two (TP2), 5 minutes after reaching intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mmHg in group P12 and of 20 mmHg in group P20; and at time point three (TP3), 10 minutes after reaching intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mmHg in group P12 and 10 minutes after TP1 in group P20, when intra-abdominal pressure decreased from 20 mmHg to 12 mmHg. Values out of the normal range or the occurrence of atypical phenomena suggestive of organic disease indicated clinical changes.

Results: Significant variations in MAP, pH, HCO3 and BE were observed in group P20; these changes, however, were within normal limits. Clinical changes were also within normal limits, and no pathological phenomena were observed.

Conclusions: Brief, intra-abdominal hypertension for the insertion first trocar insertion causes variations in MAP, pH, HCO3 and BE without adverse effects, and it may protect from iatrogenic injury