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Forest plantations can positively influence ecosystem patterns and processes, but afforestation based on monocultures can also affect plant diversity and should therefore be soundly designed. In the Aguas Frias Forest Station, Argentina, planting areas were determined using a geopedologic and ecological approach, and project effects on vegetation and soil were assessed. In 2007, a fence was installed around the station for protection against herbivores and a fire control system was implemented. Vegetation cover in the study area includes natural steppes, meadows, forests, and a relict scrubland. Soils are Andisols derived from cinder and pumice of Holocene volcanic activity. Main soils are Humic (45 %) and Aquic Udivitrands (6 %), and Typic Endoaquands (14 %). Suitable land for forest tree planting comprised 160 ha, taking into account soil fertility and planting restriction on valuable ecosystems. Geopedology has proven to be useful for assessing land suitability for pine plantation. Ecological indicators related to plant diversity, forest regeneration, and soil protection show improvement after 7 years of project implementation. These variables should be carefully monitored so that the social, conservation, and economic objectives of the project can be sustainably achieved.

Hyperthyroid Graves’ disease (GD) is a B-cell-mediated disease caused by antibodies stimulating the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TRAb). A proportion of patients (40–60%) present with an associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), a progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease of the retroorbital tissue. We thought that the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (RTX), by inducing transient B-cell depletion, may potentially modify the active inflammatory phase of TAO. One patient with GD and TAO in its active phase and unresponsive to steroid, was treated with RTX. Whereas the ophthalmopathy responded to RTX therapy and a decrease in the clinical activity score from 5 to 2 was observed during the B-cell depletion, serum antithyroid antibodies, and in particular serum TRAb, were not affected by therapy. When the patient underwent total thyroidectomy, we found B-cells in the thyroid tissue specimens. The eye disease remained stable (clinical activity score = 2) and the patient subsequently underwent orbital decompression to correct proptosis of the eye. At that time we did not find lymphocytes in any of the orbital tissue specimens. We believe that RTX therapy in GD may cause amelioration of ophthalmopathy by depleting total lymphocyte population in the orbit, but not lymphocyte depletion in thyroid tissue with consequent unchanged serum TRAb levels.

The effect of vegetation on morphological soil features was examined by characterizing twenty-six sites in southwest Neuquén province, Argentina. Thirteen sites were under native vegetation Nothofagus forest and thirteen under Pinus ponderosa Dougl. Four representative soil profiles were compared, under both conditions, to establish it there were any relationships between vegetation change and soil porosity, soil water retention and soil structure. For each horizon, three samples were plotted for bulk density and three undisturbed samples for water characterization. Hydric constants were determined for disturbed and undisturbed samples. Hydric contents at low tension were made with tension tables, and others with a pressure plate extractor. Total porosity and pore size distribution (macropores and micropores) were determined. A change in soil structure from granular to massive was observed under ponderosa pine at all sites. No significant changes in bulk density and total porosity were detected between the vegetation conditions. The change in soil structure reflected the change in pore size distribution, increasing microporosity and decreasing macroporosity under ponderosa pine., Se caracterizaron veintiséis sitios, trece bajo vegetación nativa de bosque de Nothofagus y trece bajo vegetación implantada con Pinus ponderosa Dougl. para determinar el electo que la vegetación pueda tener sobre las características morfológicas del suelo en el sudoeste de la Provincia del Neuquén, Argentina. En cuatro perfiles representativos se compararon estructura y porosidad bajo esas dos condiciones, para establecer si existe relación entre el tipo de vegetación y la porosidad, la retención hídrica y la estructura. Se tomaron tres muestras por horizonte para densidad aparente y tres muestras no disturbadas para la caracterización hídrica. El contenido de humedad a bajas tensiones se determino en mesas de tensión y las demás con la placa extractora por presión. Se calculó la porosidad total y la distribución por tamaño de poros (macroporos y microporos). Se observó un cambio de estructura en todos los sitios bajo pino ponderosa, pasando de granular a masivo. No se encomió diferencia significativa en la densidad aparente, y la porosidad total se mantuvo bajo las dos condiciones de vegetación. El cambio en la estructura refleja el cambio de la distribución del tamaño de poros, amentando la microporosidad y disminuyendo la macroporosidad bajo pino ponderosa.

Obesity is associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Adipocytokines (e.g. leptin), produced by the endocrine function of adipose tissue, can contribute to cardiometabolic risk in overweight and obese people. Oxidative stress, imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. High serum oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels, marker of lipid peroxidation, a primary cause of atherosclerosis, can contribute to its progression. The aims of this study are to assess markers of oxidative status and cytokine profile and evaluate their role as cardiometabolic risk factors and possible correlations. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 76 occupational overweight-obese adults (46 females, 30 males; aged 46.8±9.5; BMI 33.7±4.8 kg/m2) without any previous cardiovascular disease. Oxidative status was measured by evaluating serum Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and oxLDL concentrations. All subjects' soluble cytokine and adhesion molecule levels were evaluated by cytofluorimetric method and compared with 35 controls matched for sex and age. ROS and oxLDL levels were high in 84% and 92% of the study population, respectively, despite adequate TAC (68%). Female ROS levels were significantly higher than those of males (414±99.3 vs 318±48.2 UCarr, p

Studies of T-cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD8+ CD57+ cells), lymphocyte response to concanavalin A (Con A), phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA) and the alterations of white cell membranes shown by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) in 51 patients who underwent cardiac operation were performed. Out of these 51 unselected patients, for 16, duration of CPB wasor = 110 min (group A), while for the other 35 (group B) it was prolonged (110 minutes). Although variations of the lymphocyte subset observed between groups A and B were slightly significant (p0.05 before CPB and on postoperative day 7), the T-cell reactivity in group B in comparison to that of group A did not normalize by postoperative day 7 regardless of stimulation with PHA or with Con A. With the use of the SEM, the folded aspect of lymphocyte surface decreased after surgery in about 71% (group A) and 78% (group B) of the observed cells. The outcome of the immunological effects given by our studies could have been due to an elongated CPB even if there need to be taken into consideration multifactorial influences, i.e. biological, pharmacological and hormonal hypotheses, and rapid changes in CPB-micro-environment.

A case of staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis associated with a right atrial thrombosis around a pacemaker electrode is presented. Stuce the antibiotic therapy had proved uneffective, the electrode had to be removed with cardiopulmonary bypass; the infection was subsequently eliminated. When a foreign body cannot be removed by closed techniques, open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass may be necessary.

From January 1968 to July 1983, 38 patients with an intracardiac myxoma underwent surgical excision of the tumor at our Institution. There were 15 males and 23 females, ranging in age from 17 to 68 years (mean 47.7). In all but 2 patients, the presence of an intracardiac myxoma was documented preoperatively by angiographic and/or echocardiographic study. The first 2 patients of this series were referred with the diagnosis of mitral stenosis, and the myxoma was an unexpected surgical finding. In 32 cases (84.2%) the myxoma was located in the left atrium, in 4 (10.5%) in the right atrium and in 2 (5.3%) in the right ventricle. Surgery was performed on an emergency basis in 36 patients. Two patients (5.2%) both with a left atrial myxoma, died after surgery: one died intraoperatively of hemorrhage and the other after one month of bowel infarction. Follow-up of the 36 survivors ranges from 3 months to 14.5 years (average 5.2 yr); all were controlled by means of clinical and echocardiographic investigations, and no evidence of tumor recurrence was detected. Surgery for intracardiac myxoma, which should be undertaken on an emergency basis, carries a low operative risk; excision of the tumor appears to be curative with no recurrences at long-term follow-up; non-invasive tools are of the utmost importance in both the preoperative assessment and follow-up of these patients.

The present report reviews our experience with 12 cases of delayed cardiac tamponade following open heart surgery, which occurred at various times after the seventh postoperative day (average 19 days). In each case the diagnosis was made on clinical grounds, supported by the radiographic findings in all, and confirmed by echocardiography in 4. Pericardial effusion was serous in 5 patients, sero-sanguineous in 3, sanguineous in 3, and purulent in one; it was most frequently caused by a postpericardiotomy syndrome (7 cases). A single pericardiocentesis was curative in 6 instances, while repeat procedures were required in 2 because of recurrence. A repeat median sternotomy was performed in 5 patients associated with pericardiocentesis, and a pericardiectomy in 2. Three patients died within one month from the initial operation; no recurrences have been noted so far in the long-term survivors. According to the results of the present investigation, early clinical recognition is considered the clue to a successful outcome. Sole pericardiocentesis is followed by immediate improvement of the patient's state, and is often curative, but recurrences may require other maneuvers for further fluid evacuation. Awareness of this possible complication may contribute to a decrease in the still high mortality rate associated with this condition.