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We report monthly averages of weekly 7 Be and 22 Na concentrations in aerosol samples collected with high volume aerosol filters at 5 sampling sites in Switzerland from 1994 to 2011 ( 7 Be) and from 2000 to 2011 ( 22 Na). Monthly average concentrations of the two cosmogenic isotopes varied between 2600 and 4600 μBq/m 3 for 7 Be and between 0.2 μBq/m 3 and 0.5 μBq/m 3 for 22 Na. The 22 Na concentration in ground level air strongly increased from March to May, while a corresponding 7 Be increase was seen from March until July. The observed variations of the 7 Be and 22 Na activities together with the changes in the 7 Be/ 22 Na ratio indicate input of stratospheric air between March and May, increased mixing of upper tropospheric air from June to August, and less exchange between the upper and lower troposphere in autumn and winter. Additionally, the 11-year solar cycle is clearly seen in the annual averages of the 7 Be concentrations.

Mirizzi syndrome is one possible complication of the gallstones. The incidence in patients treated with cholecystectomy is 0.7-1.1%.We have analyzed on 4123 colecistectomie conduct in Unit of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation of the University of Parma from January 1992 to October 2006, 46 cases of syndrome of Mirizzi (1.1%) with age comprised between 29-82 years (medium 67.8 years) were 28 women (60.9%) and 18 men (39.1%). We have considered the symptomatology, the diagnostic and therapeutic way, the comorbidity.In 19 cases (41.3%) there were the signs of acute cholecystitis; in 28 cases (60.9%) the clinical picture was characterized from repeated biliary pain. The jaundice was present in 29 cases (63%) with hyperpyrexia (38 degrees) in 27 cases (58.7%). In 14 cases (30.4%) was a Mirizzi type I, in 32 cases (69.6%) a Mirizzi of type II.The Mirizzi syndrome is a diagnosis frequently conduct intraoperatively. The surgical therapy is characterized by the acknowledgment of the biliary structures, the complete removal of the stones, the surgical therapy of the leaks.

We report our initial experience in the treatment of thyroid disease with Minimally Invasive Videoassisted Technique (MIVAT) introduced by Miccoli.We have treated from July to September 2005, 5 patients, with MIVAT. The procedure is carried out through an incision of 15-20 mm 2 cm on sternal notch and the thyroidectomy is performed by dedicated instruments.We have surgically treated 3 follicular hyperplasias, one Hurthle adenoma and one papillary carcinoma. The mean time of thyroidectomy was 98 +/- 14 minutes; four cases were discharged after 24 hours and one case after 48 hours for a postoperative hypertension. No hypocalcemia, no nerve palsy. Cosmetic result and postoperative pain were excellent.MIVAT is a safe, reproducible technique with an indication in a minority of patients candidates to thyroidectomy and is characterized by a better postoperative discomfort.

Hypocalcaemia is a possible sequela of thyroidectomy, the causes of which are not fully understood. Today, correct surgical technique is the most important factor in decreasing the incidence of hypocalcaemia. We analysed 1223 patients (930 total thyroidectomies, 293 hemi-thyroidectomies) treated in our institute from January 1995 to July 2003. Serum calcium, ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone and phosphoraemia were screened pre- and postoperatively. Hypocalcaemia, as defined by a serum calcium concentration below 8.5 mg/dL, occurred in 241 patients (25.1%). In 90.9% of these patients, serum calcium was normal 7 days after thyroidectomy. In three patients we registered permanent hypoparathyroidism 180 days after thyroidectomy. We found a statistically significant difference in the incidence of hypocalcaemia between patients treated for benign disease and those treated for malignant disease with a greater incidence in the latter group (P0.05). Several factors are important in determining the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia but the inadvertent excision of the parathyroid gland, ischaemia and injury are the main causes of the lowering of serum calcium concentrations.

Over the past three decades important progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We discuss the endoscopic techniques available today in combination therapies. The data in the literature regarding endoscopic techniques are discordant and no single technique has proved statistically superior in the management of bleeding. We believe that the initial injection approach is still the procedure of choice, particularly when performed by less expert endoscopists.