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A study of 14 males with fragile X syndrome, 12 females with Rett Syndrome, and 25 individuals with other developmental disorders found that among those with fragile X syndrome, none of the 11 who did not have a diagnosis of autism met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for pervasive developmental disorder. (CR)

A study examines the impact of the carbohydrate, chitosan, on the presence of the pathogen, grey mold, on table grapes.

The present research examined the effect of physical fitness on self-esteem of pre-adolescent children. Students performed the MOTORFIT tests and filled IPAQ-C and Self-Esteem questionnaires. According to the level of the physical fitness we evaluated the self-esteem. Results showed no gender differences, while differences for the level of physical fitness was found. In particular, participants who performed better the MOTORFIT test reported a higher self-esteem compared to less physical fit participants. However, a discrepancy emerged when the self-esteem was analysed as a function of the physical activity reported where no differences emerged between the groups. In conclusion, our results provided an effect of physical activity on self-esteem through objective measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sicilian fold-and-thrust belt is located in the central Mediterranean area, and it represents the south-eastern arcuate segment of the Apennine-Maghrebide orogen. The tectonic evolution of the Sicilian belt is documented after outcrop analysis of small-scale structural features carried out throughout the region. Results are consistent with the following four main deformation stages having affected the study area, from the oldest to the youngest: (i) multilayer weakening; (ii) folding-and-thrusting, (iii) extension, and (iv) renewed thrusting. The first deformation stage included three different substages (layer-parallel shortening, bed-parallel simple shear and fold nucleation), the second one by both thrusting and fold amplification and tightening. The third deformation stage involved re-activation of the pre-existing mechanical discontinuities and formation of low-to-high angle normal faults. Out-of-sequence thrusting postdated the aforementioned extensional stage, and formed the latest orogenic deformation stage that affected the Sicilian belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During hemodialysis, amino acids (AA) are lost in the ultrafiltrate with consequent modification of their plasma profile. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate intradialytic changes of plasma AA levels during a single session of hemodiafiltration with endogenous reinfusion (HFR) versus acetate-free biofiltration (AFB). 48 patients chronically treated with HFR or AFB were matched 1:1 for age, gender, Kt/V and diabetes. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of dialysis. Baseline plasma levels (μmol/l) of total AA (3,176 ± 722), essential AA (889 ± 221), and branched chain AA (459 ± 140) levels in HFR were similar to those in AFB (3,399 ± 621, 938 ± 277, and 463 ± 71, respectively). Plasma intradialytic AA levels did not change in HFR, while in AFB there was a reduction by about 25%. In conclusion, as compared with AFB, HFR has a sparing effect on AA loss due to the lack of adsorption by cartridge and to their complete reinfusion in blood. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium-channel blockers act by slowing sodium influx into myocytes through voltage gated channels. Many substances have sodium-channel blocking properties and many others show this effect when taken in overdose. Sodium-channel blocker poisoning, associated with a high death rate, is characterized by a variety of clinical presentation, depending on the pharmaceutical agent involved. Sodium bicarbonate or lactate, increasing serum pH and extracellular concentration of the ion, displace the drug from its receptor sites and can be used for the treatment of cardiac toxicity in the setting of sodium-channel blocker poisoning. In spite of this theoretical assumption, the role played by hypertonic sodium salts is not well elucidated and conflicting results have been reported. Authors review the pathophysiologic mechanisms of sodium-channel blocker poisoning and the evidences in literature concerning the efficacy of hypertonic sodium salts in the treatment of the related toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common medical problem among critical patients. In current clinical practice, AKI is diagnosed by measuring serum creatinine concentration, which is an unreliable and delayed marker of the deterioration of kidney function. Its rise occurs when a significant amount of renal function has been lost. Many are the factors able to modify physiological levels, such as age, gender, ethnicity, dietary protein intake, muscle mass or metabolism, hydration status and drugs. Definitely, creatinine, as well as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or urine markers of kidney injury (fractional excretion of sodium, urinary concentrating ability, casts), do not directly reflect cell injury, but rather the delayed functional consequences of the damage. Due to the lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers, the identification of early stages of AKI has been impossible but, recently, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is emerging as a novel biomarker of AKI from several etiologies, such as cardiac surgery, contrast nephropathy, kidney transplantation and sepsis. This protein, produced in a number of human tissues and particularly in the distal nephron, has siderophore-chelating property and acts as an iron-trasporting shuttle. NGAL increases in both serum and urine 48 hours before the rise of creatinine, and shows a strong correlation with change in creatinine concentrations. An early diagnosis of AKI allows the early institution of therapeutic measures for the protection of renal function and improves the prognosis. This possibility is particularly important in the Emergency Department for the treatment of critical patients with potential nefrotoxic therapies. Use of NGAL as early marker of AKI in the Emergency Department is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Thrombosis secondary to renal closed abdominal trauma is a rare event, most of the time it is clinically silent. We report here our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This is the case of a boy came to our observation after a road trauma with motorbike fall-out. The boy arrived in ED for head injury. The patient, stable for haemodynamics, had lacerated and contused injuries at pelvis and right buttock level. He underwent chest x-rays, brain CT and neurosurgery examination: all resulted negative. There was no macrohematuria, nor lumbar pain. Objectively abdomen was treatable. The patient was referred to temporary observation for 12 hours when he was asked to undergo abdomen ultrasound, which showed no documented lesions except for fluid collection at the pelvic level. To rule out all doubts, the patient had an abdominal CT scan, which showed a silent left kidney with suspected thrombosis at left renal level. The patient was sent to our attention after 15 hours: we decided to perform immediately selective arteriography with thrombus lysis. The arteriography documented a massive thrombosis. The thrombus lysis was impossible to be performed. To maintain the perfect functionality of the contralateral kidney we decided not to proceed further, but to perform only left nephrectomy. During surgery mesocolon laceration occurred, so the patient underwent also colic resection. DISCUSSION. Thrombosis secondary to a closed renal abdominal trauma is an uncommon event, with little clinical expression. It is the consequence of an injury. Deceleration produces arterial dissection, which alters the blood flow to the kidney, which is then twisted and complicated with renal thrombosis. Quite common is the association with diaphragmatic rupture or urethral detachment. The alterations of renal parenchyma in the early hours are detectable only through CT scan, which represents the method of election, and which can highlight a functionally silent kidney. CONCLUSIONS. Renal thrombosis requires that diagnosis is done within the first 12 hours; a rapid revascularization should be promptly attempted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Normal and abnormal bladder contractions are principally mediated by acetylcholine released from postganglionic parasympathetic nerves. Since amikacin was reported to affect neurotransmission by a prejunctional mechanism, we investigated the effect of amikacin on isolated detrusor smooth muscle contraction to further evaluate its potential relaxant properties. Materials and Methods: Detrusor smooth muscle obtained from 15 rats and 8 patients undergoing surgery were studied through measurement of isometric muscular contraction induced with electrical field stimulation (EFS) (10–60 Hz), carbachol (10–7 to 10–3M) and nicotine (10–7 to 10–3M) in the presence or absence of 1 mM amikacin in a low-Ca medium. Results: Amikacin (1 mM) significantly reduced EFS-induced contraction of isolated rat and human detrusor muscle by 33 ± 6.57% (p < 0.005) and 40 ± 1.14% (p < 0.001), respectively. Contraction was restored after addition of calcium chloride (1 mM). The effect of amikacin was comparable to that of magnesium ions. Rat and human detrusor contractile response to nicotine was inhibited by 70 ± 8.27% (p < 0.001) and 64 ± 14.09% (p < 0.01) after the addition of amikacin (1 mM), while no significant effect was observed on carbachol-induced stimulation. Conclusion: Amikacin significantly inhibited detrusor contraction evoked by prejunctional stimulation in vitro, suggesting a depressant effect on autonomic neurotransmission in urinary bladder. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Cardiac catheterization (CC) is a life-threatening procedure in adult patients. Complicated by idiopathic arterial pulmonary hypertension (IPAH), there is a potential risk of central nervous system (CNS) damage. We measured serum levels of a well-established brain damage marker, namely S100B, collected before, during and after CC in adult patients in whom the nitric oxide (NO) test had been performed. Material and methods. In 12 adult patients who had undergone CC for IPAH diagnosis, we recorded clinical and standard monitoring procedures (laboratory variables and echocardiographic patterns) and serum concentrations of S100B before (time 0), during (time 1) and after the NO test (time 2) and at 24 h after (time 3) the procedure in samples obtained from the systemic and pulmonary circulation. Patients were subdivided into NO test responders (n = 6) and non-responders (n = 6). Neurological evaluation was performed at admission and at discharge from hospital. Results. Adult patients subjected to CC showed no overt neurological injury at discharge from hospital. No significant differences (p>0.05 for all) in S100B serum levels between groups at times 0, 1 and 3 have been shown independently from the sampling site. It was noteworthy that the concentration of protein in the responders group at time 2 was significantly decreased (p<0.05, for all) compared to the responder group and to baseline values. A significant correlation was found between arterial oxygen partial pressure and individual S100B concentration in the pulmonary and systemic bloodstream in the entire study group (R = -0.66 and R = -0.71, respectively; p<0.05, for both). Conclusions . The data suggest that S100B protein assessment, as well as the NO test, may be useful when monitoring possible CNS damage during CC in patients with IPAH, and may also be valuable in relation to brain functions, especially when performed as an emergency procedure in severely hypoxic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of 10 calcium salts in controlling Phytophthora root rot of citrus was evaluated both in vitro, on agar and liquid media, and in vivo, on sour orange citrus seedlings. In vitro, calcium salts were applied at 300, 600, and 1200 ppm. Calcium oxide and calcium carbonate significantly reduced the growth of P. nicotianae, in comparison with the control; minimum dry weight of the mycelium was observed with calcium oxide; moreover, this salt significantly reduced zoospore production and their viability. In vivo, calcium salts were applied at 1200 ppm on 4-month old sour orange seedlings. Calcium propionate and calcium lactate significantly reduced the inoculum density of the pathogen in the soil, whereas all the other calcium salts—except nitrate, pantothenate and gluconate—significantly reduced root infections in comparison with the control. Phytotoxicity symptoms on sour orange seedlings were induced only by calcium chloride. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article investigates the effectiveness of pre- and post-harvest Chitosan treatments to control the storage grey mold Botrytis cinerea on table grapes. The researchers observed greater decay reduction in table grapes inoculated with higher chitosan concentrations, and the reduced incidence of grey mold in pre-and post-harvest treatment groups. Results revealed an increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity in table grapes treated with 1.0 percent chitosan solution.

The article presents a case study of a 51-year-old man with hepatitis admitted to gastroenterology ward because of persistent diffuse abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. It mentions that contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) diagnosed the diffuse oedema and concentric thickening of the ascending and transverse colon and the left colonic wall. It states that a primary laparoscopic repair was performed with Vicryl followed by thorough lavage and drainage of the abdominal cavity.

With flexible fuel technology, customers can choose among gasoline, ethanol, or any mix thereof at the fuel station pump. This paper presents the endogenous and exogenous factors that influnced the development of a flexible fuel electronic injection system by Magneti Marelli Automotive Systems Brazil – the first to the market. This software-based technological architecture, launched commercially in 2003, is now the dominant flexfuel design in the Brazilian market. This article documents the emergence of a local dominant technology (design) in a specific car sub-system. It is shown how exogenous institutional factors played the major role in this process. The paper describes how this local dominant technological design emerged through the sharing of capabilities and interaction among the key market players, in the absence of a strong appropriability regime. All the main market pioneers were multinational affiliates, inviting questions concerning this technology diffusion outside Brazil.

In the framework of Project No. 14 "Laboratory network for the selection, characterization and conservation of germplasm and for preventing the spread of economically-relevant and quarantine pests (SELGE)", founded by the Apulia Region, PO FESR 2007-2013, an Illumina HiScan Seq platform was acquired. The next generation sequencing technologies (NGS) can be applied to improve knowledge in several contexts, such as genotyping, whole-genome sequencing, targeted resequencing, gene expression, discovery of transcription factor binding sites, noncoding RNA expression profiling, etc. With particular regard to transcriptomics, the application of NGS, commonly RNA-seq, allows the nearly complete characterization of transcriptomic events occurring in a specific biological system. Quantitative and qualitative differences in gene expression are detected by comparing multiple mRNA populations, and the understanding of fungal plant diseases can be improved. The analysis of gene expression during infection, together with expression profiling in a multitude of different in vivo and in vitro growth conditions can greatly enhance the understanding of fungal pathogenicity. The Illumina NGS was applied to gain insight into a wide range of transcriptional events related to: (i) plant-pathogen interaction (i.e grapevine-Phomopsis viticola); (ii) morphogenesis and development in Botryotina fuckeliana, with particular regard to mycelial growth, sclerotia differentiation, occurrence of the sexual process, and ascocarp development; (iii) synthesis of ochratoxin A in Aspergillus carbonarius grown under inducive and non-inducive condition; (iv) defoliating and non-defoliating pathotypes of Verticillium dahliae growing in a synthetic simulated xylem medium; (v) induced resistance to postharvest decay in oranges treated with electrolyzed water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hemi-hydranencephaly is a very rare condition characterized by complete or almost near-complete unilateral absence of the cortical cortex, which is filled by a sac of cerebrospinal fluid. Prenatal vascular disruption with occlusion of the carotid artery territories ipsilateral to the damaged brain is the presumed pathogenesis. We have selected nine cases that fit the clinical and pathologic characteristics of hemi-hydranencephaly, demonstrating that destruction of one hemisphere may be not always associated with severe neurologic impairment and may allow an almost normal life. This disorder is an example of a possible prenatal re-organization in which the right and left cerebral hemispheres present functional potentiality to make up the damaged brain. The cases reported in the literature are discussed, including a patient previously reported and followed-up for 10 years. A review of the cases is performed with an evaluation of the most important aspect of this rare and mysterious disorder.

Four patients with carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein (CDG) syndrome type I underwent ophthalmic examination. All of them had retinitis pigmentosa with extinguished scotopic electroretinogram. The importance of CDG syndromes as one of the metabolic causes of retinal dystrophy with 'bony spicule' pigment is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Safe alternative treatments have become an essential requirement for the management of postharvest pathogens due to concerns regarding the negative impact on human and environmental health and development of fungicide resistant strains. The efficacy of a novel formulation of 85% potassium bicarbonate (Karma, Certis Europe B.V.) as a possible alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling postharvest pathogens was evaluated. Karma at increasing concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5%, w/v) mixed with Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium was tested; the concentration causing 50% growth reduction (ED50, SAS probit analysis) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were recorded. The ED50 was 0.12, 0.12, 0.075, 0.12, 0.08, 0.05, and 0.11 % (w/v) for Penicillium digitatum, P. italicum, P. ulaiense, P. expansum, Phytophthora nicotianae, Monilinia laxa, and Botrytis cinerea, respectively; a complete growth inhibition for the same pathogens was achieved at 0.3, 0.3, 0.2, 0.3, 0.2, 0.2, and 0.3% (w/v), respectively. The effect of Karma was primarily fungistatic since fungal discs, re-seeded onto the fresh PDA medium, revived their growth. In in vivo experiments, carried out on 'Tarocco' and 'Valencia late' oranges, Karma confirmed its activity against the pathogens, significantly reducing the incidence of Penicillium rot as compared to water-treated fruits. The incidence of Penicillium decay in fruit dipped in 3% salt solution was reduced by 38 and 100% in 'Tarocco' and 'Valencia late', respectively. The results show potential benefits of Karma as alternative to fungicides for controlling postharvest pathogens attacking fruit and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of soil texture and water content on the inoculum density (ID) of Verticillium dahliae microsclerotia was tested in a series of 24 lysimeters containing clay (C) or sandy (S) soil artificially infested with the pathogen. In the lysimeters, seedlings of artichoke cv Opal were transplanted and two water regimes (33% and 100% of the evapotranspiration, ET) were compared. The experimental design was a split plot with three replications (soil texture as the main treatment and water regime as the secondary treatment). Lysimeters were periodically sampled over a 3-yr period, and the ID was determined by the plate-dilution method. Regardless of the water regime and soil texture, ID showed a seasonal variation, with significant increase between February and April; conversely, the lowest ID values were found in July and September. At 0-25 cm depth, ID values showed a larger fluctuations in the S than in the C soil for both water regimes tested. Moreover, irrespective of the water regime applied, higher ID of microsclerotia was found in the S soil as compared to the C soil. At 25-50 cm depth, the water regime exerted opposite effects, determining significantly lower and significantly higher ID values in S than in C soil at 33% and 100% ET, respectively. Information obtained in this study may represent a starting point for a better understanding of the factors affecting the population dynamics of V. dahliae microsclerotia in the soil, thus allowing the development of more effective integrated strategies for controlling Verticillium wilt of artichoke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deep sequencing transcriptome analysis of Verticillium dahliae has been carried out by comparing the expression profile of two different isolates, previously characterized as defoliating (V937I) (D) and non-defoliating (V111) (ND) pathotypes in olive and cotton. Total RNA was extracted from mycelium grown in a synthetic simulated xylem medium and the corresponding expression libraries were constructed. The high-throughput sequencing of the libraries was performed on a HiScanSQ Illumina platform. Data were analyzed using CLC Genomics Workbench v5.1. A total of 68,152,130 reads were mapped on the reference genome of V. dahliae (http://www.broadinstitute.org/). Relying on the normalized gene signals, the average log2 fold-changes between the D and ND pathotype was assessed for 10,535 genes. A list of 502 genes differentially expressed was obtained by fixing a fold changes (FC) cut-off at FC≥10 and ≤-10. Among these, 48 genes were differentially expressed at a significant (p≤0.05) level between the two pathotypes. Up-regulated genes (47%) in the ND isolate referred to mitochondrial proteins, endonuclease/exonuclease/phosphatase family proteins, carboxypeptidase and permease, while the remaining 53% were identified as hypothetical proteins. By contrast, among the up-regulated genes of the D isolate, 18% were related to monooxygenase, kinase and transmembrane proteins, while 82% were identified as hypothetical proteins. Moreover, six and three genes were exclusively expressed in the ND and D isolate, respectively. Results confirmed the suitability of high-throughput sequencing for transcriptomics analysis of V. dahliae under axenic and nutritional-defined conditions. Further data will contribute to unravel the different lifestyle of the two V. dahliae pathotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative factors, as progressive reduction of organic matter, salinity excess, low availability of mineral elements and alterations of microrganisms populations, can favour soil-borne plant pathogens and lead to "soil sickness" in intensive cultivation systems. Soil fumigation with methyl bromide has been an effective control means against soil-borne pathogens, but its use is now strongly restricted. Alternatives control methods, used alone, have low effectiveness in comparison with fumigants. Biological control of soil-borne pathogens can be a valid alternative, however large-scale application of bio-control agents is often limited by the lack of a suitable method for their introduction and distribution in the soil. A key point of our research was to assay widespread organic amendments (grape marc, poultry manure, fowl- manure or composted plant residues) as carriers of bio-control agents effective against important soil-borne pathogens. Activated amendments were evaluated for their suppressive activity on the following soil-borne-pathogen/crop/antagonist systems: Pyrenochaeta lycopersici/tomato/Streptomyces spp.; Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis/melon/Trichoderma viride; Verticillium dahliae/eggplant/Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis; F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici/tomato/B. amyloliquefaciens; Phytophthora nicotianae/sour orange/T. harzianum. Blind-trials were carried out in micro-plot and/or in greenhouse conditions by adding activated amendments to soils artificially contaminated with each tested pathogen. Two amendments, Humus Terra (TERRA 'Ricerca e Sviluppo', Italy) and TerraViva (Distillerie Bonollo, Italy), were found to be suppressive against the tested diseases and suitable as carriers of microbial antagonists. They may be candidate for developing control strategies based on organic amendments enriched with bio-control agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To show a case of WPW ablation in a patient with non compaction of ventricular myocardium. Background Non compaction of ventricular myocardium represents a fail in the normal process of myocardial compaction. Clinical case: A 23 years old, black female in her first six months of life had three aborted episodes of SCD and was free symptoms until ten years ago when became symptomatic for palpitations after exercise. After she had delivered her second son in January-2003 she started to have episodes of tachycardia and acute heart failure. A baseline ECG showed the picture of postero septal accessory pathway. Ecocardiographic evaluation revealed a left ventricular dysfunction and a severe mitral regurgitation. The cardiac MRI scan and biventricular angiography made possible the diagnoses of non compaction. During tachycardia with a cycle of 400 ms and ventricular pacing the earliest retrograde atrial activation was recorded in the CS ostium. RFC aimed at this site was successful. We performed 3 applications of one minute each one with a temperature of 60 °Celsius. Conclusion SVT can aggravate symptoms in patients with this cardiomyopaty and RFC can be safely and successfully performed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background To atrial fibrillation catheter ablation a second transseptal puncture is usually advocated to perform the procedure. Aim To report a retrospective data about a single transseptal puncture for AF ablation. Methods A thousand patients were recruited in whom ablation of (AF) was performed. After the transseptal puncture a guidewire was then anchored in the LSPV and the transseptal assembly pulls back to the right atrium. Then a catheter was advanced approaching the septum parallel to the guidewire and guiding the crossing. After the catheter was positioned in the left atrium, the transseptal system was advanced to the left atrium over the guidewire. Results In 5/1000 (0.5 %) cases a second transseptal puncture was required. Neither complications of the transseptal were reported nor were catheter properly manoeuvred. In a year follow up no persistent atrial defect were observed. Conclusions This data on a large cohort of pts shows that single transseptal puncture AF ablation is a highly successful and safe maneuver with a very low morbidity in the majority of pts. This can avoid potential complications related to a second transseptal puncture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background During a supraventricular tachycardia an eccentric retrograde atrial activation usually suggests a left side accessory pathway (AP) Aim of the Study To report cases AVNRT with eccentric retrograde atrial activation. Methods Among 526 patients (pts) referred for electrophysiological evaluation for recurrent supraventricular tachycardia, we selected 6 pts (2 males, mean age 39±14 yrs) with AV node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) showing an eccentric retrograde atrial activation during tachycardia. An AT was ruled out by VAV response during entrainment by ventricular pacing. Pacing maneuvers were employed such as ventricular pre-excitation during atrial pacing, advancement of atrial activation by a premature ventricular contraction during His refractoriness, recording of an AP, lengthening of VA interval during bundle branch block to rule out the conduction over an AP. Ablation aiming at the slow AV nodal pathway potential was successful in eliminating and preventing tachycardia inducibility in all patients. Conclusions Detailed electrophysiological evaluation is required for correct diagnosis and elimination of tachycardia is usually achieved by ablating the slow AV nodal pathway at the right posteroseptal area. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

: ObjectivesTo use the elementary physical measurements of temperature and size to prove that the thermal effects produced by the holmium laser''s pulses are due to the formation of a plasma bubble. The physical phenomenon related to high temperatures generated during procedures with the holmium laser (holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) was the object of our interest.: MethodsUsing a double micrometric slide attached to a 550-μm optic fiber and two thermocouples submerged in water, a series of pulses of 0.8 J at 10 to 30 Hz was delivered from a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, and we recorded temperatures on both frontal and lateral planes. Subsequently, samples of prostatic tissue and small stones were treated with 1.5 J at 20 Hz on both frontal and lateral planes.: ResultsTreatment with 1.5 J at 30 Hz (frontal plane) and with 1.5 J at 20 Hz (lateral plane) produced the ablation of the structure of the thermocouple at 2 mm and 1 mm, respectively, indicating plasma formation. The dimensions of the bubble after the delivery of 1.5 J at 20 Hz was 2 × 1.5 mm. Coagulation of the prostatic tissue took place at 1 mm from the plasma bubble, on both frontal and lateral planes.: ConclusionsThe plasma bubble that forms at the tip of the fiber connected to the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser makes it possible to work on stones and soft tissues. The coagulation of the prostatic tissue is caused by the hot water-vapor bubble that forms on the edge of the plasma bubble. During lithotripsy, guidewires and baskets within the expansion area of the plasma bubble risk damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]