A giant right atrial myxoma with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Here we report a case of a right atrial mass that morphology mimicking myxoma, in a young patient with no past medical history. The mass was pathologically confirmed to be symptomatic and surgical removal was successfully done

Botanical and Genetic Identification Followed by Investigation of Chemical Composition and Biological Activities on the Scabiosa atropurpurea L. Stem from Tunisian Flora

Scarce information about the phenolic composition of Scabiosa atropurpurea L. is available, and no carotenoid compounds have been reported thus far. In this study the phenolic and carotenoid composition of this plant was both investigated and associated bioactivities were evaluated. Aiming to obtain extracts and volatile fractions of known medicinal plants to valorize them in the pharmaceutical or food industries, two techniques of extraction and five solvents were used to determine the biologically active compounds. Gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization and mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry highlighted the presence of 15 volatiles, 19 phenolic, and 24 natural pigments in Scabiosa atropurpurea L. stem samples; among them, the most abundant were 1,8-cineole, chlorogenic acid, cynaroside, and lutein. Bioactivity was assessed by a set of in vitro tests checking for antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and allelopathic (against Brassica oleracea L. and Lens culinaris Medik) effects. Scabiosa atropurpurea L. stem extracts presented a considerable antioxidant, antibacterial, and allelopathic potential, with less antifungal effectiveness. These results indicate that the volatile fractions and extracts from S. atropurpurea L. stem could be considered as a good source of bioactive agents, with possible applications in food-related, agriculture, and pharmaceutical fields. Genetic investigations showed 97% of similarity with Scabiosa tschiliensis, also called Japanese Scabiosa

Traumatic isolated perforation of lower oesophagus

One of the rarest cases of non-iatrogenic oesophageal perforation is falling from height. We report a case of a 26 year old man with oesophageal perforation resulting from a fall of 12 meter height. A pneumomediastinum in the absence of a pneumothorax and contrast extravasation from the oesophagus on CT evoked a perforation of the aerodigestive tract. No other injuries were seen. A non-operative management was pursued with good outcomes. Keywords: Oesophageal perforation, Trauma, Pneumomediastinum, High fallin

Duration of hospital admission, need of on-demand analgesia and other peri-procedural and short-term outcomes in sub-cutaneous vs. transvenous implantable cardioverter–defibrillators

International audienceBackground Post-procedural recovery following sub-cutaneous ICD (S-ICD) implantation is feared to be more painful and to require more prolonged hospital admission. The purpose of this study was to compare peri-procedural and short clinical outcomes of the S-ICD vs. the Transvenous ICD (TV-ICD). Methods We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study including all consecutive patients who underwent S-ICD implantation by the same operator since January 2016 and a gender and age-matched control group with all single chamber TV-ICD implanted patients over a contemporary time period. Results Thirty-one patients (sex ratio 1/5; mean age 58.7 ± 13.2 years) with S-ICD were compared to 31 matched TV-ICD patients. Duration of the implant procedure was significantly longer for the S-ICD (58.0 ± 24.4 min vs 41.7 ± 20.8 min TV-ICD, p < 0.01). Mean fluoroscopy time for the TV-ICD was 3.5 ± 3.6 min vs 0.1 ± 0.01 min for all S-ICD patients (p < 0.01). Requirement of on-demand analgesia administration, and duration of hospitalization (1.5 days for both groups; p = NS) were similar in the two groups. No peri-procedural events were reported, and after a mean follow-up of 6 months, the only complication was a pocket infection requiring reintervention in the TV-ICD group. Conclusions The S-ICD appears to be as effective and safe as the conventional single chamber TV-ICD. Duration of hospital admission and need of on-demand analgesia are also comparable for S-ICD patients. © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Lt