Marzanoptera tersillae, a new balaenopterid genus and species from the Pliocene of Piedmont, north-west Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelangelo Bisconti ◽  
Piero Damarco ◽  
Marco Pavia ◽  
Barbara Sorce ◽  
Giorgio Carnevale
Keyword(s):  
Close Association ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Shark Species ◽  
Computed Tomography Scan ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
North West ◽  
Zygomatic Process ◽  
Shark Teeth ◽  
Storm Wave ◽  
Tomography Scan

Abstract Marzanoptera tersillae gen. & sp. nov., a new balaenopterid from the Pliocene of the Piedmont in north-west Italy, is described based on a partial skeleton and compared with other living and fossil baleen whales. Marzanoptera tersillae shares characters, such as the shape of the supraoccipital, glenoid fossa of the squamosal and zygomatic process of the squamosal, with ‘Balaenoptera’ bertae. We used a computed tomography scan to view parts of the skull that were otherwise impossible to observe, such as the periotic. A phylogenetic analysis based on 355 character states scored from 87 taxa revealed a well-resolved hypothesis of relationships for Balaenopteridae and a general phylogenetic hypothesis for chaeomysticetes. The monophyly of all superfamily- and family-rank clades and of crown balaenopterid species was confirmed. In addition, a monophyletic group including most basal thalassotherian taxa was recovered. The mollusc fauna associated with the specimen was autochtonous and constituted a residual fossil assemblage indicative of an environmental context located below the base of the storm wave, characterized by a low-energy hydrodynamic regimen. Many shark teeth have been found in close association or embedded within the bones, suggesting a possible scavenging action by two shark species on the whale carcass.

scholarly journals Multiple Tracheal Diverticula in a COVID-19 Positive Patient

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110346
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Garefis ◽  
Konstantinos Tarazis ◽  
Konstantinos Gkiouzelis ◽  
Anastasia Kipriotou ◽  
Iordanis Konstantinidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Positive Patient ◽  
Computed Tomography Scan ◽  
Tracheal Diverticulum ◽  
Tomography Scan ◽  
Paratracheal Air Cyst

A tracheal diverticulum is a type of paratracheal air cyst and is usually an incidental finding after a computed tomography scan of the neck and thorax. With an incidence between 1% and 4% in adults, tracheal diverticula are rare entities that can be symptomatic in certain cases. We present a case of a COVID-19 positive patient who presented to our hospital and was diagnosed with multiple tracheal diverticula during his hospitalization.

scholarly journals Pulmonary coinfection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Tropheryma whipplei: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Binghua Zhu ◽  
Jing Tang ◽  
Rong Fang ◽  
Xuejie Fei ◽  
Qing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Tropheryma Whipplei ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Computed Tomography Scan ◽  
Chest Computed Tomography ◽  
Tomography Scan ◽  
Generation Sequencing

Abstract Background We diagnosed a clinical case of pulmonary infection involving Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Tropheryma whipplei in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome. The diagnosis was assisted by metagenomic next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Case presentation A 44-year-old Han Chinese inmate was transferred to the emergency department because of dry cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The patient’s body temperature rose to 39.3 °C following empirical cephalosporin treatment for 1 week. The blood CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 0.7, suggesting immunodeficiency. Routine microbiological tests were performed, and tuberculosis interferon gamma release assays were positive. Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction was also positive. Chest computed tomography scan revealed miliary nodules and ground-glass opacifications, which were in accordance with tuberculosis. To fully examine the etiology, we performed routine laboratory tests and metagenomic sequencing, the results of which indicated the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Tropheryma whipplei. We administered anti-tuberculosis regimen in combination with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The patient recovered, with chest computed tomography scan showing absorption of lesions. Conclusions Compared with traditional diagnostic methods such as culture and serology, metagenomic next-generation sequencing has the advantage of detecting a wide array of microorganisms in a single test and therefore can be used for clinical diagnosis of rare pathogens and microbial coinfections. It is particularly useful for immunocompromised patients as they are more prone to infection by opportunistic microorganisms.

Numerical assessment of natural respiration and particles deposition in the computed tomography scan airway with a glomus tumour

2021 ◽  
pp. 095440892110240
Author(s):  
Digamber Singh
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Glomus Tumour ◽  
Computed Tomography Scan ◽  
Human Respiratory Tract ◽  
Airflow Pattern ◽  
Human Airways ◽  
Tomography Scan

The human respiratory tract has a complex airflow pattern. If any obstruction is present in the airways, it will change the airflow pattern and deposit particles inside the airways. This is the concern of breath quality (inspired air), and it is decreasing due to the unplanned production of material goods. This is a primary cause of respiratory illness (asthma, cancer, etc.). Therefore, it is important to identify the flow characteristics in the human airways and airways with a glomus tumour with particle deposition. A numerical diagnosis is presented with an asymmetric unsteady-state light breathing condition (10 l/min). An in vitro human respiratory tract model has been reconstructed using computed tomography scan techniques and an artificial glomus tumour developed 2 cm above a carina on the posterior wall of the trachea. The transient flow characteristics are numerically simulated with a realizable (low Reynolds number) k–ɛ turbulence model. The flow disturbance is captured around the tumour, which influenced the upstream and downstream of the flow. The flow velocity pattern, wall shear stress and probable area of inflammation (hotspot) due to suspended particle deposition are determined, which may assist doctors more effectively in aerosol therapy and prosthetics of human airways illness.

scholarly journals Retroauricular Emphysema as a Late Complication After Bonebridge Implantation: Case Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110002
Author(s):  
Soňa Šikolová ◽  
Dagmar Hošnová ◽  
Klára Perceová ◽  
Michal Bartoš ◽  
Vít Kruntorád ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Postoperative Complications ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Late Complication ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Computed Tomography Scan ◽  
Artificial Opening ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Tomography Scan

Bonebridge (BB) is the first active implantation system for bone conduction that is placed fully under the skin. Experience suggests that BB is characterized by low incidence of postoperative complications. This case report presents a rare case of a 16-year-old girl with incidence of emphysema occurring over the implant 1 year after operation. We performed a computed tomography scan that showed pockets of gas above the floating mass transducer so we provided the revision surgery and sealed the artificial opening with fat from the earlobe and fibrin glue. Since that time, no air has collected in the retroauricular area and the implant has been fully functional.

scholarly journals Excessive dynamic airway collapse during general anesthesia: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunichi Murakami ◽  
Shunsuke Tsuruta ◽  
Kazuyoshi Ishida ◽  
Atsuo Yamashita ◽  
Mishiya Matsumoto
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Positive End Expiratory Pressure ◽  
Computed Tomography Scan ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Airway Lumen ◽  
Asthma Attack ◽  
Airway Collapse ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tomography Scan

Abstract Background Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) is an uncommon cause of high airway pressure during mechanical ventilation. However, EDAC is not widely recognized by anesthesiologists, and therefore, it is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Case presentation A 70-year-old woman with a history of asthma received anesthesia with sevoflurane for a laparotomic cholecystectomy. Under general anesthesia, she developed wheezing, high inspiratory pressure, and a shark-fin waveform on capnography, which was interpreted as an asthma attack. However, treatment with a bronchodilator was ineffective. Bronchoscopy revealed the collapse of the trachea and main bronchi upon expiration. We reviewed the preoperative computed tomography scan and saw bulging of the posterior membrane into the airway lumen, leading to a diagnosis of EDAC. Conclusions Although both EDAC and bronchospasm present as similar symptoms, the treatments are different. Bronchoscopy proved useful for distinguishing between these two entities. Positive end-expiratory pressure should be applied and bronchodilators avoided in EDAC.

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