2 research outputs found
An Integrated Approach for Evaluating the Restoration of the Salinity Gradient in Transitional Waters: Monitoring and Numerical Modeling in the Life Lagoon Refresh Case Study
Large lagoons usually show a salinity gradient due to fresh water tributaries with inner
areas characterized by lower mean values and higher fluctuation of salinity than seawaterdominated
areas. In the Venice Lagoon, this ecotonal environment, characterized in the past by
oligo‐mesohaline waters and large intertidal areas vegetated by reedbeds, was greatly reduced by
historical human environmental modifications, including the diversion of main rivers outside the
Venice Lagoon. The reduction of the fresh water inputs caused a marinization of the lagoon, with
an increase in salinity and the loss of the related habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. To
counteract this issue, conservation actions, such as the construction of hydraulic infrastructures for
the introduction and the regulation of a fresh water flow, can be implemented. The effectiveness of
these actions can be preliminarily investigated and then verified through the combined
implementation of environmental monitoring and numerical modeling. Through the results of the
monitoring activity carried out in Venice Lagoon in the framework of the Life Lagoon Refresh
(LIFE16NAT/IT/000663) project, the study of salinity is shown to be a successful and robust
combination of different types of monitoring techniques. In particular, the characterization of
salinity is obtained by the acquisition of continuous data, field campaigns, and numerical modeling
ECMO for COVID-19 patients in Europe and Israel
Since March 15th, 2020, 177 centres from Europe and Israel have joined the study, routinely reporting on the ECMO support they provide to COVID-19 patients. The mean annual number of cases treated with ECMO in the participating centres before the pandemic (2019) was 55. The number of COVID-19 patients has increased rapidly each week reaching 1531 treated patients as of September 14th. The greatest number of cases has been reported from France (n = 385), UK (n = 193), Germany (n = 176), Spain (n = 166), and Italy (n = 136) .The mean age of treated patients was 52.6 years (range 16–80), 79% were male. The ECMO configuration used was VV in 91% of cases, VA in 5% and other in 4%. The mean PaO2 before ECMO implantation was 65 mmHg. The mean duration of ECMO support thus far has been 18 days and the mean ICU length of stay of these patients was 33 days. As of the 14th September, overall 841 patients have been weaned from ECMO
support, 601 died during ECMO support, 71 died after withdrawal of ECMO, 79 are still receiving ECMO support and for 10 patients status n.a. . Our preliminary data suggest that patients placed
on ECMO with severe refractory respiratory or cardiac failure secondary to COVID-19 have a reasonable (55%) chance of survival. Further extensive data analysis is expected to provide invaluable information on the demographics, severity of illness, indications and different ECMO management strategies in these patients