Impact of UV-C Radiation Applied during Plant Growth on Pre- and Postharvest Disease Sensitivity and Fruit Quality of Strawberry.

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation is efficient in reducing the development of diseases in many species, including strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). Several studies suggest that UV-C radiation is effective not only because of its disinfecting effect but also because it may stimulate plant defenses. In this study, the effect of preharvest UV-C radiation applied during strawberry cultivation on plant growth, fruit quality, and susceptibility to major fungal diseases such as gray mold, powdery mildew, and soft rot was evaluated. UV-C treatments had an impact on flowering initiation and fruit development. Flowering occurred earlier for UV-C-treated plants than for nontreated plants. At harvest, a larger amount of fruit was produced by treated plants despite their slight decrease in leaf area. UV-C treatment did not improve strawberry shelf life but did not alter the physical integrity of strawberry fruit. Natural infection of leaves to powdery mildew and of fruit to Rhizopus spp. strongly decreased in response to UV-C treatment.

Infection-related exposure of the lower anastomosis of femorodistal bypass: salvage through use of pedicle muscle flaps.

Wound dehiscence with exposure of the lower anastomosis is a limb- and life-threatening complication of femorodistal bypass. Plastic surgeons consider pedicle flaps to be unreliable in patients with arterial disease. Despite this opinion, we attempted to treat exposure complications using pedicle muscle flaps after careful study of vascularization on control angiography. The purpose of this report is to describe our results. From 1994 to 1997, infection-related exposure of the distal anastomosis was observed in three men and two women with a mean age of 76 years (range, 66 to 89 years). The exposed anastomosis was located on the dorsalis pedis artery in three cases, the anterior tibial artery in the upper third of the leg in one, and the anterior tibial artery in the lower third of the leg in one. The bypass material was a vein graft in three cases and a cuffed PTFE prosthesis in two cases. Bacteriological examination identified Staphylococcus aureus in three cases, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in one case, and both in one case. Two patients were diabetics and one was undergoing corticosteroid treatment. The anastomosis was covered with a pedicle muscle flap fashioned from the extensor digitorum in four cases and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius in one case. Our results showed that anastomoses on the anterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis artery are at higher risk for infection-related exposure but this complication can be treated using pedicle muscle flaps. This alternative should be considered before bypass removal or amputation.

Angioscopy-assisted valvuloplasty for primary deep venous valvular insufficiency.

Primary deep venous valvular insufficiency causes reflux syndrome. Angioscopy permits the surgeon not only to ascertain that venous valves have not been destroyed but to perform external valvuloplasty under visual control with the valves under pressure. We have performed angioscopy-assisted venous valvuloplasty in three men (mean age 36 years; range 30 to 38 years) and one woman (age 58 years). All four patients had class 3 disease (SVS/ISCVS classification). Descending phlebograms showed grade 3 reflux in one patient and grade 4 reflux in three patients. In all patients angioscopy-assisted valvuloplasty of the superficial femoral vein was combined with wrapping with a segment of polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis, stripping of incompetent superficial veins, and subfascial ligation of perforating veins. Mean follow-up was 12 months (range 6 to 17 months). In three patients ulcers healed and did not recur; in the remaining patient nearly complete healing was obtained after skin grafting. In all patients ambulatory venous blood pressure improved significantly and venous filling time returned to normal (> 15 seconds). At duplex ultrasonography and descending phlebography, no residual reflux was demonstrated. At final follow-up, all repaired valves were patent and competent. Our experience demonstrates that angioscopy-assisted venous valvuloplasty combines the accuracy of valvuloplasty by means of phlebotomy and the simplicity of external valvuloplasty and thus is preferred to either of these methods.

[Recent tracheobronchial ruptures caused by closed injuries of the thorax. Diagnosis and complications in 18 cases]. / Ruptures trachéo-bronchiques récentes par traumatisme fermé du thorax. Diagnostic et complications sur 18 cas.

Tracheo-bronchial ruptures are serious complications of thoracic trauma. The authors report their experience of 18 cases: 3 tracheal ruptures, 3 tears in the tracheal or bronchial membrane, 11 unilateral bronchial ruptures and 1 bilateral bronchial rupture. Diagnostic endoscopy was performed immediately in 9 cases, with a delay of 2 to 3 days in 6 cases and with a longer delay (15th, 23rd and 25th days) in 3 cases. The treatment was non-operative in the 3 cases with membranous tears. The other patients were operated by resection of the contused area and end-to-end anastomosis of the ruptured extremities: within 24 hours following the diagnosis in 10 cases, and after a delay in the 5 other cases. The post-operative course was uncomplicated in 13 cases; 1 patient developed a bronchial stenosis requiring pneumonectomy and 4 patients died, including 2 from infective lesions due to delay in the diagnosis.