Search results for "Thorax"

Successful surgery of neuroendocrine carcinoma infiltrating right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

2020

We present the clinical case of a 60-year-old woman complained of dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiogram showed a giant mass in the right ventricle (RV) with obstruction to the outflow tract. Thorax computed tomography confirmed a mass of greater than 60 mm infiltrating RV and causing severe stenosis in the pulmonary artery, with severe pericardial effusion. Cardiac surgery was performed for tumor resection and pulmonary root replacement with a biological valved conduit. Histological analysis diagnosed a poorly differentiated large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient had no immediate postoperative complications and has completed radiotherapy at a 9-month follow-up.

2021

BACKGROUND Postoperative air leaks are a common complication after lung surgery. They are associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased postoperative pain and treatment costs. The treatment of prolonged air leaks remains controversial. Several treatments have been proposed including different types of sealants, chemical pleurodesis, or early surgical intervention. The aim of this review was to analyze the impact of autologous blood pleurodesis in a systematic way. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was conducted until July 2020. Studies with more than five adult patients undergoing lung resections were included. Studies in patients receiving blood pleurodesis for pneumothora…

Diagnostic procedures in internal medicine. Thoracentesis, paracentesis and arthrocentesis in hospital practice. [Procedure diagnostiche in medicina …

1999

The aim of this paper is to give a rapid and concise guide for the diagnostic procedures frequently used in internist's clinical practice. Thoracentesis, paracentesis and arthrocentesis were analyzed as regards to indications, contraindications, procedure of execution and interpretation of findings. Addressed to the young physician, the present paper could also be useful as a rapid guide for the experienced physician which does not frequently use these procedures.

Developing Science Observation Skills

2015

Acorn ants (genus Temnothorax) are a powerful model organism for illustrating the variety of interactions in an ecosystem. We developed five teaching units with acorn ants as the exemplary insect. The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis of secondary school students’ attitudes before and after teaching units. Students (N = 459) from 22 classes participated in the study. Students’ attitudes were measured using a two-stage test design. We investigated the influence of class level, gender, teaching units, and time period of participation on students’ attitudes. Additionally, we surveyed a subsample of students on their learning enjoyment in 10-minute intervi…

Chest fistula repair

2020

Chest wall plays a fundamental role in the human body, as it represents a protective cage around vital organs such as heart and lungs. Chest wall fistula is a rare and insidious condition that could lead to severe functional and aesthetical consequences, and thus represents a serious surgical challenge. Goals of reconstructive surgery are to preserve the respiratory function, to provide visceral protection, and to assure the best possible cosmetic outcome. In this chapter, we present an overview of all key principles in chest wall fistula management and repair.

The ecological success of a social parasite increases with manipulation of collective host behaviour.

2015

Many parasites alter the behaviour of their host to their own advantage, yet hosts often vary in their susceptibility to manipulation. The ecological and evolutionary implications of such variation can be profound, as resistant host populations may suffer lower parasite pressures than those susceptible to manipulation. To test this prediction, we assessed parasite-induced aggressive behaviours across 16 populations of two Temnothorax ant species, many of which harbour the slavemaker ant Protomognathus americanus. This social parasite uses its Dufour's gland secretions to manipulate its hosts into attacking nestmates, which may deter defenders away from itself during invasion. We indeed find…

In situ localization of the Antennapedia gene on the chromosomes of nine Drosophila species of the obscura group.

2008

The homeotic Antennapedia gene, cloned from the genomic DNA of D. subobscura, was localized on the polytene chromosomes of nine species of the Drosophila obscura group. In all of them, the probe used hybridized on chromosomes equivalent to the E element of Muller's terminology. These results are consistent with the idea that single copy genes do not move around the genome and that chromosomal elements have conserved their genetic identity during evolution.

Molecular regulation of lifespan extension in fertile ant workers.

2021

The evolution of sociality in insects caused a divergence in lifespan between reproductive and non-reproductive castes. Ant queens can live for decades, while most workers survive only weeks to a few years. In most organisms, longevity is traded-off with reproduction, but in social insects, these two life-history traits are positively linked. Once fertility is induced in workers, e.g. by queen removal, worker lifespan increases. The molecular regulation of this positive link between fecundity and longevity and generally the molecular underpinnings of caste-specific senescence are not well understood. Here, we investigate the transcriptomic regulation of lifespan and reproduction in fat bod…

A 15-Year-Old Boy with Anterior Chest Pain, Progressive Dyspnea, and Subcutaneous Emphysema of the Neck

2009

We describe the case of an adolescent who was admitted to the hospital because of sudden occurrence of chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema. On admission, physical examination revealed subcutaneous crepitations in the superior part of the rib cage, and auscultation of the chest showed widespread wheezing. The radiological assessment confirmed the diagnosis of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. A follow-up CT scan performed one week after the admission showed almost complete resolution of the radiological alterations. At the following visits, the patient was asymptomatic, but reported to have suffered from frequent episodes of rhinorrea, sneezing, nasal blockage, and sometimes, ch…

Pathogenicity of intrathoracically administrated Bacillus thuringiensis spores in Blatta orientalis.

2006

Abstract The ability of Bacillus thuringiensis to produce septicaemia in Periplaneta americana and Blatta orientalis has been investigated. Spores and crystals from several wild-type strains as well as spores of a B. thuringiensis crystal-deficient mutant, were first orally administrated at high doses, and no significant mortality was recorded. Intrathoracic injection of spore suspensions in P. americana revealed that this species is not very susceptible to B. thuringiensis spores. B. orientalis , by contrast, was found to be very susceptible to B. thuringiensis , with a LD 50 of about 35,000 spores, that is similar to that reported on Lepidoptera challenged with parenterally injected B. th…