The Trieste Karst is a relative old karst that has been evolving for almost 10 million years: the initial superficial morphologies (planation surfaces which have evolved in the shape of polje system ...and deep collapse dolines) are difficult to distinguish. The cavities maintain rare primary morphologies filled by deposits, breakdowns and concretions, which at the same time modify other deep morphologies due to changes in the baseline level and adaptations to tectonic movements.The comparison between structural setting of rocks and development directions of caves confirms the strict influence of geological-structural features on speleogenesis: the drainage network should have been mainly conditioned by the highest slope of the stratification (sometimes modified by intersections following a similar direction between strata and fracture plains). Secondary influences regard the presence of "opened planes" and those related to intersection lines between opened plains due to tectonics or structural features.
Aims
A multicentre trial, ICOS‐ONE, showed increases above the upper limit of normality of cardiac troponin (cTn) in 27% of patients within 12 months after the end of cancer chemotherapy (CT) with ...anthracyclines, whether cardiac protection with enalapril was started at study entry in all (prevention arm) or only upon first occurrence on supra‐normal cTn (troponin‐triggered arm). The aims of the present post hoc analysis were (i) to assess whether anthracycline‐based treatment could induce cardiotoxicity over 36 month follow‐up and (ii) to describe the time course of three cardiovascular biomarkers (i.e. troponin I cTnI‐Ultra, B‐type natriuretic peptide BNP, and pentraxin 3 PTX3) and of left ventricular (LV) function up to 36 months.
Methods and results
Eligible patients were those prescribed first‐in‐life CT, without evidence of cardiovascular disease, normal cTn, LV ejection fraction (EF) >50%, not on renin‐angiotensin aldosterone system antagonists. Patients underwent echocardiography and blood sampling at 24 and 36 months. No differences were observed in biomarker concentration between the two study arms, ‘prevention' vs. ‘troponin‐triggered'. During additional follow‐up 13 more deaths occurred, leading to a total of 23 (9.5%), all due to a non‐cardiovascular cause. No new occurrences of LV‐dysfunction were reported. Two additional patients were admitted to the hospital for cardiovascular causes, both for acute pulmonary embolism. No first onset of raised cTnI‐Ultra was reported in the extended follow‐up. BNP remained within normal range: at 36 months was 23.4 ng/L, higher (N.S.) than at baseline, 17.6 ng/L. PTX3 peaked at 5.2 ng/mL 1 month after CT and returned to baseline values thereafter. cTnI‐Ultra peaked at 26 ng/L 1 month after CT and returned to 3 ng/L until the last measurement at 36 months. All echocardiographic variables remained stable during follow‐up with a median LVEF of 63% and left atrial volume index about 24 mL/m2.
Conclusions
First‐in‐life CT with median cumulative dose of anthracyclines of 180 mg/m2 does not seem to cause clinically significant cardiac injury, as assessed by circulating biomarkers and echocardiography, in patients aged 51 years (median), without pre‐existing cardiac disease. This may suggest either a 100% efficacy of enalapril (given as preventive or troponin‐triggered) or a reassuringly low absolute cardiovascular risk in this cohort of patients, which may not require intensive cardiologic follow‐up.
UDC 551.4(497.5-16) Stefano Furlani, Davide Chersicla, Guido Bressan, Sara Biolchi & Franco Cucchi: Shore grykes along the western Istrian coast We provided new data on topography, morphology and ...physical/chemical parameters (pH, T, NO super( 2-), Ca super( 2+), PO super( 3-) sub( 4), NaCl super( 3-) sub( 4)) collected in several shore grykes along the Northwestern Istrian coast, between Savudrija and Zambratija. Six transects, each containing four to five pools, have been surveyed. Three morphological zones have been identified along the selected profiles. Morphological features of the shore grykes along the western Istrian coast are, in fact, closely related to the local tide. High-level pools are affected by karstic processes, and the surface is usually smooth. At their bottom, terrigenous deposits, mainly terra rossa, occur. Seaward, bioerosion prevails and at the bottom of the grykes, sand and rounded pebbles have been found. Chemical/physical parameters suggest that grykes located at lower altitudes are affected by seawater factors, while pools located at increasing altitudes are affected mainly by rainfall and consequentially freshwater or saltwater remaining from rainfalls or storm events. Shore gryke genesis is strongly controlled by geological weakness, along which they develop. Their origin is in fact due to local tectonics, while their development is related to the active vertical tectonic subsidence of the study area. Pools located at higher altitudes are mainly affected by solution karst processes, but due to the tectonic downdrop of the area, when the grykes come in contact with sea, they are gradually shaped by marine processes.
UDC 551.44:621.332.8(450+497.4) Luca Zini, Luca Visintin, Franco Cucchi & Walter Boschin: Potential impact of a proposed railway tunnel on the karst environment: the example of Rosandra valley, ...Classical Karst Region, Italy-Slovenia Val Rosandra is a unique geomorphological environment located on the western side of the Classical Karst Plateau (NE Italy). This deep limestone gorge is crossed by a stream that is fed by a large basin located in Slovenia. Val Rosandra is the only example of a karst river valley with surface hydrography in the Classical Karst Plateau. The torrent that crosses it digs a deep gully into the rock, rich in rapids, swirl holes, small waterfalls, enclosed meanders and basins; here, the first seepage phenomena occur, and part of the water feeds the underground aquifer.Val Rosandra is characterised by a complex structural situation. The NE slope culminates in the structure of Mt. Stena, a limestone tectonic wedge between two faults, firmly rooted in the karst platform. Both its external morphology and its caves are influenced by the structure, i.e. by the attitude of bedding planes, fault planes and master joints. Mt. Stena, in particular, hosts a comprehensive net of articulated and diversely shaped caves, basically organised on several levels. This network stretches over a total of 9,000 metres, bearing testimony to ancient geological and hydrogeological origins.The deepest areas of the system reach a suspended aquifer that is probably sustained by an overthrust and placed about 100 meters above the underground aquifer of the Rosandra torrent.A series of feasibility studies on the Trieste-Divaca high-speed railway link concentrated on the potential interaction between the project and karst features. In line with the project requirements, risk of voids intersection and water contamination were analyzed as Mt. Stena's suspended aquifer partially feeds the Rosandra torrent, which flows in a protected natural area. We therefore suggest that further investigations ought to be performed to integrate the existing knowledge on karst and on the hydrogeological aspects of the massif.
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