The results of two trawl surveys carried out in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) aiming at evaluating the retention coefficients and the selectivity of the commercial gear used in the ...fishery of the deepwater giant red shrimp,
Aristaeomorpha foliacea, are presented and discussed. The study is based on the covered cod-end method (cover of 14
mm mesh) and illustrates the selectivity of three different cod-ends, with mesh of 20, 24 and 28
mm (nominal side dimension).
Data were collected in spring and summer 1993, from about 2 weeks of experimental trawling in each season on three fishing grounds. The total number of valid hauls (3
h each) was 31 and 42 in the first and second period, respectively. The two chosen periods allowed the whole dimensional span of the red shrimp (from 12 to 70
mm of carapace length, CL) to be covered.
The 20
mm mesh cod-end (the minimum legal size by Italian by-laws) catches all the adult red shrimps
(
CL>35–40
mm)
, with only a minimal fraction of the juveniles passing through
(CL
50=18–19
mm;
SF
=0.9)
. The 24
mm mesh cod-end permits the greater fraction of the juvenile component
(CL
50=21
mm;
SF
=0.9)
to escape, whereas the 28
mm mesh cod-end still captures the greatest majority of the adults, while allowing a substantial part of the juveniles
(CL
50=23–24
mm;
SF
=0.83–0.87)
to escape.
The main conclusions are: (1) neither the mesh presently in use in the Strait of Sicily (16–18
mm) nor the legal mesh (20
mm) are satisfactory in the biological sense; (2) the introduction of a cod-end with a mesh of 28
mm (side) is strongly recommended; (3) management interventions other than mesh regulation are required, given that not even the 28
mm cod-end achieves a CL
50 near the size at onset of maturity estimated for the red shrimp of the Strait of Sicily (about 40
mm CL).
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Introduction
Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a new non-thermal, tissue-specific ablation technique. Through the application of a local ...electric field, it is possible to induce a selective electroporation of cardiomyocytes membranes, resulting in myocytic apoptosis and sparing of non-myocardial structures (nerves, connective tissue, esophagus, vessels).
Purpose
A new PFA system for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has recently been introduced in our hospital. The aim of this retrospective review is to share the initial results of our experience in terms of acute efficacy and safety.
Methods
A total of 41 adult patients suitable for AF percutaneous ablation underwent PFA between April and November 2022 in our Institute. PFA system consisted of a current generator, a deflectable sheath and a multielectrode PFA catheter. Once inside the left atrium (LA), the PFA catheter was directed to the pulmonary veins (PVs) ostia through an over-the-wire system. Then, 8 electric impulses were applied for each PV to achieve electrical isolation; in some cases, applications to the posterior left atrium wall (LAPW) were delivered to obtain LAPW isolation (LAPWI). A moderate-to-deep sedation was provided by an anesthesiologist during all the procedures. Acute ablation efficacy was defined as absence of intracavitary signals at the electroanatomic mapping and local capture failure at the pacing maneuvers. Intra and peri-procedural safety was defined as the absence of major complications (pericardial effusion/ tamponade, stroke, vascular complications, death) during the procedure and the hospitalization period.
Results
Of the 41 patients included, 24 (58.5%) were treated for paroxysmal AF and 17 (41.5%) for persistent AF. In almost all cases (n=40, 97.6%) pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) was performed; in 14 cases (34.1%, almost all persistent AF patients) a LAPWI was performed with the application of a variable number of pulses (mean value = 13). In most of the cases (n=28, 68.3%) an electroanatomic mapping was acquired before and after the ablation. Acute efficacy was observed in all PVI cases (n=40, 100%) and in all LAPWI cases (n=14, 100%).
No periprocedural major complications were observed (n=0, 0%).
Conclusions
PFA is a promising ablation technique capable of inducing selective myocytic apoptosis through electroporation, causing a thick damage across the muscle with no injury of other tissues, and could become a game changer in electrophysiology in the next future.
Our initial data report a combination of ease of use and high efficacy and safety profiles.
PVs and LAPW isolation after PFA
PVs isolation after PFA
The abundance, occurrence, biological features, growth and mortality parameters of the thornback ray,
Raja clavata
L. 1758 (Rajformes, Rajidae), coming from two contiguous areas of the Strait of ...Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) were analysed in order to discriminate the stocks. The two investigated areas include bottoms off southern Sicily (I-G16) and bottoms further at large (O-G16). The density indexes, biomass indexes and occurrences were substantially lower in I-G16 than O-G16. On the contrary, the biological traits were more similar, although significant differences were detected in the sex ratio, in the median total length of all specimens, in the length frequency distribution, in the estimated maximum length and in the female length-weight slope parameter. The median length of fully mature specimens did not significantly differ between the two areas. The von Bertalanffy’s asymptotic length and the ratio of total mortality/von Bertalanffy’s curvature parameter suggest a total mortality higher in the I-G16 than the O-G16 populations. This article supports the hypothesis that the investigated populations, in spite of a similar original life cycle, have evolved in two distinct unit stocks as a consequence of the different fishing efforts and the low-intermingling rate between the two areas.
Abstract Background Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a rare, infiltrative cardiomyopathy that results from granulomatous inflammation affecting the heart with high morbidity and mortality. It is usually ...associated with a systemic (i.e. pulmonary) involvement, but lone heart involvement has been described. Even with extensive multidisciplinary evaluation making a firm diagnosis is difficult, especially in case of isolated CS where the endomyocardial biopsy (EBM) diagnostic yield is low (20–30%). Case Description A 71–year–old patient, heavy smoker with no previously known diseases, was admitted with a 3–month history of dyspnea. On admission he showed typical features of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A coronary angiography excluded coronary artery disease, while echocardiography (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and positron emission tomography (FDG–PET) showed a pattern consistent with a non–ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with reduction in systolic function, and signs of active inflammation (highly suspected CS). Two electroanatomic mapping driven EBM were made but no clear histological signs of CS (i.e., granulomatous inflammation) were detected. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and HFrEF optimal medical therapy (sacubitril/valsartan, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, beta–blockers, dapagliflozin) and a temporary wearable defibrillator (LifeVest) was applied. At 2–month follow–up, despite a moderate improvement in the systolic function and HF symptoms, after a multidisciplinary discussion, considering the extensive left ventricle scar, inflammatory involvement, and the presence of multiple non–sustained ventricular tachycardia, a permanent cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) was implanted. Conclusion This case highlights how, even with (repeated) extensive multidisciplinary evaluation (TTE, CRM, FGD–PET, EBM), a definitive diagnosis of isolated CS often remains presumptive. The presence of an experienced cardiomyopathy team (HF specialists, cardiac imager, electrophysiologists, internal medicine doctor) can help in the diagnostic–therapeutic management of these patients with inflammatory heart disease.
Promoting the inclusion of students with disabilities in e-learning systems has brought many challenges for researchers and educators. The use of synchronous communication tools such as interactive ...whiteboards has been regarded as an obstacle for inclusive education. In this paper, we present the proposal of an inclusive approach to provide blind students with the possibility to participate in live learning sessions with whiteboard software. The approach is based on the provision of accessible textual descriptions by a live mediator. With the accessible descriptions, students are able to navigate through the elements and explore the content of the class using screen readers. The method used for this study consisted of the implementation of a software prototype within a virtual learning environment and a case study with the participation of a blind student in a live distance class. The results from the case study have shown that this approach can be very effective, and may be a starting point to provide blind students with resources they had previously been deprived from. The proof of concept implemented has shown that many further possibilities may be explored to enhance the interaction of blind users with educational content in whiteboards, and further pedagogical approaches can be investigated from this proposal.
The authors propose a method for developing operational indicators of resource state, with an example based on a set of eight variables (mean abundance index in weight, mean body weight, median ...length, sex ratio, sex ratio by selected length class, mean and median female length-at-maturity, and percentage of females at maturity) derived from surveys conducted in the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea, 1994–2002) for six target species. The method combines univariate (kite diagrams, sphere displacement plots) and multivariate techniques (multi-dimensional scaling).
Abstract
Background
Myocarditis represents a common but often under-diagnosed disease, with a wide range of clinical presentations; diagnosis is often presumptive and a clear etiology leading to a ...specific therapeutic approach is usually not identified.
Purpose
To describe and assess disease etiology in a cohort of myocarditis patients (pts) with arrhythmic presentation undergoing an invasive diagnostic work-up.
Methods
All pts with myocarditis presenting with ventricular arrhythmias undergoing an electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) guided endo-myocardial biopsy (EMB) at our institution were enrolled. All enrolled pts also underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an electrophysiological study (EPS). Demographics, arrhythmic presentation, MRI data, arrhythmic inducibility at EPS, EAM and EMB biopsy data were retrieved and analyzed. Molecular biology testing for cardio-tropic virus genome as well as leukocyte immunohistochemical typization were routinely performed on all EMB samples.
Results
Twenty-six pts were enrolled (85% male, 39±6 y.o.). Clinical presentation was an organized ventricular arrhythmia in 16 (62%) pts (n=3 non-sustained ventricular arrhythmia; n=9 sustained ventricular arrhythmia; n=4 ventricular fibrillation) while frequent (>10.000) premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) in the remaining 10 (38%) pts.
MRI showed a late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) pattern consistent with myocarditis in all pts (35% left LGE; 65% right LGE). At the EPS, 10 (38%) pts showed inducibility for SVTs and underwent an intra-cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implant, while 4 (16%) more were implanted for secondary arrhythmic prevention.
EAM was performed in 18 (70%), 6 (22%) and 2 (8%) pts in the right, left and in both ventricle respectively; in all cases, abnormal myocardial voltages were retrieved in the area showing LGE at MRI. Extensive myocardial scarring was detected in 7 (27%) pts.
All EMB were performed without peri-procedural complications; inflammatory infiltrate and substrate alteration consistent with myocarditis were retrieved in 100% of the bioptic samples. Viral genome was identified in 13 (50%) samples (n=5 Human Herpes Virus 6; n=2 Parvovirus B 19; n=3 Adenovirus; n=1 Ebstein Barr Virus; n=1 Cytomegalovirus; n=1 Rhinovirus) and specific human immunoglobulin treatment was undergone by a single pt; eosinophilic infiltration was found in 2 (8%) patients; lymphocite invasion and auto-antibodies consistent with auto-immune myocarditis were detected in 2 (8%) patients and appropriate immunosuppressive therapy was started, while a myocardial band contraction pattern typical of toxic myocarditis was found in a single (4%) patient Figure 1.
Different Myocarditis Etiology Rates
Conclusion
In our myocarditis cohort, EMB confirmed viruses to represented the first myocarditis etiological agent. Despite an invasive work-out, 31% of the cohort etiology still remains unclear.
We determined the effect of okadaic acid (OA), a potent phosphoprotein phosphatase inhibitor, on the intracellular pH (pHi) of rat thymic lymphocytes and human bladder carcinoma cells. OA induced a ...rapid and sustained cytosolic alkalinization. This pHi increase was Na(+)-dependent and was inhibited by 5,N-disubstituted analogs of amiloride, indicating mediation by the Na+/H+ antiport. As described for other stimulants, such as mitogens and hypertonic challenge, activation of the antiport by OA is attributable to an upward shift in its pHi dependence. Accordingly, the alkalinization produced by the phosphatase inhibitor was not additive with that induced osmotically. Activation of the antiport by OA was accompanied by a marked increase in phosphoprotein accumulation, revealing the presence of active protein kinases in otherwise unstimulated cells. We considered the possibility that phosphorylation of the antiport itself or of an ancillary protein is responsible for activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Consistent with this notion, the alkalinization induced by OA was absent in ATP depleted cells. More importantly, immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated increased phosphorylation of the antiport following treatment with OA. We conclude that, upon inhibition of phosphoprotein phosphatase activity, constitutively active kinases induce the activation of Na+/H+ exchange, possibly by direct phosphorylation of the antiport.
Abstract
Background
The diagnosis of concealed cardiomyopathies in patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is one of the major challenging issues faced by physicians.
Purpose
We aimed at ...reporting the cardiomyopathic substrate in patients with recurrent arrhythmias of ventricular origin.
Methods
Consecutive patients with unexplained VAs underwent a complete diagnostic work-out, including endomyocardial biopsy (EMB).
Results
Ninety-seven patients were enrolled (76.3% male, age 39.7±13.3 yrs). The presenting arrhythmic manifestation was aborted cardiac arrest in 30 (30.9%) patients, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 9 (9.3%), nonsustained VT in 15 (15.5%) and frequent premature ventricular complexes in 43 (44.3%). Overall, 350 biopsies were collected (3.6/patient). The incidence of procedure-related complications was 5.1% (n=5): 4 major complications (1 rupture of a tricuspid chorda tendinea w/o hemodynamic impairment, 1 dissection of right external iliac artery treated with stent, 1 thrombotic occlusion of left superficial femoral artery which required surgical treatment, 1 TIA) and 1 minor complication (groin hematoma) occurred. The final diagnosis was arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) (n=41; 42.3%), followed by myocarditis (n=20; 20.6%), dilated cardiomyopathy (n=6; 6.2%), cardiac sarcoidosis (n=6; 6.2%), and myocarditis in ARVD/C (n=5; 5.1%). Among the 25 patients whose final diagnosis was consistent with myocarditis, an acute stage of the disease was documented in 7 (7.2%), while a chronic myocarditis in 18 (18.5%). Additionally, according to medical history and diagnostic workout, in 2 of the 6 patients the dilated cardiomyopathy had a likely post-inflammatory etiology. Absence of myocardial abnormalities was documented in 15 (15.5%) patients: this group included 1 case of methadone-induced torsade de pointes. The remaining 4 (4.1%) patients were diagnosed with a cardiac hypertrophy (n=2, 2.1%, secondary to exercise or Fabry disease), a dilated mitochondrial cardiomyopathy (n=1, 1.0%), a dilated cardiomyopathy in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (n=1; 1.0%).
Conclusion
In our series, approximately 45% of patients with unexplained VAs had a final diagnosis of ARVD/C.
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