Covid-19 infection in pregnant women: Auditory evaluation in infants.

 Recent studies showed that COVID-19 infection can affect cochleo-vestibular system. The possibility of a vertical transmission is controversial. Some studies suggested that it is possible but unlikely, others find no evidence of vertical transmission. The objective of this study was to investigate whether exposure to COVID-19 during pregnancy or at birth has an impact on the hearing of the offspring. As part of the national hearing screening program, we performed in all newborns between January 2022 and February 2023, TEOAEs (Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions) at birth and at 3 months. For those "REFER" at the third month test, we performed aABR (Automatic Auditory Brainstem Response) at 6 months. We analysed separately result between infants born to COVID-positive mothers during pregnancy and those born to COVID-negative mothers. To statistical verify differences we performed "Chi-square test". We enrolled a total of 157 infants, of whom 16 were born to mothers who had a molecular PCR test positive for COVID-19. In the latter we tested a total of 32 ears and only 1 ear (3,1%) resulted "REFER". On the other hand, in the control group we tested a total of 282 ears and 22 (7,8%) were found to be "REFER". Our study showed no significant differences in audiological assessment between newborns exposed to COVID-19 infection during pregnancy or at birth compared to the unexposed group. However, further studies with a larger patient's sample will be necessary for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Retrospective Study of Salivary Gland Tumor Cases in a Large Italian Public Hospital and Review of the Literature.

ABSTRACT: A variety of tumors can develop in the salivary glands. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the demographic characteristics of salivary gland tumors (SGT) in the population of a large area of the city of Rome, ASL RM1, over a 4-year period and compare these data with other epidemiological studies. Forty-nine cases were diagnosed as SGT; 63.2% were males and 32.6% were females. The mean age range was 62.13 years. Forty SGT (81.6%) were benign and 9 (18.4%) were malignant. Among benign tumors, Warthin' s tumor was the most common tumor, comprising 55.1% all SGTs followed by Pleomorphic Adenoma and other less common types. Among malignant tumors, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was the most frequent type. The results of this study suggest that benign tumors are most common in parotid gland and are mainly represented by Warthin's Tumor. Males are the most affected, especially for benign lesions. Regarding malignant tumors, the incidence by gender is variable, as the incidence of several types worldwide. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge regarding the incidence of SGT.

Flow monitoring with a camera: a case study on a flood event in the Tiber River.

Monitoring surface water velocity during flood events is a challenging task. Techniques based on deploying instruments in the flow are often unfeasible due to high velocity and abundant sediment transport. A low-cost and versatile technology that provides continuous and automatic observations is still not available. Among remote methods, large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) is an optical method that computes surface water velocity maps from videos recorded with a camera. Here, we implement and critically analyze findings obtained from a recently introduced LSPIV experimental configuration during a flood event in the Tiber River at a cross section located in the center of Rome, Italy. We discuss the potential of LSPIV observations in challenging environmental conditions by presenting results from three tests performed during the hydrograph flood peak and recession limb of the event for different illumination and weather conditions. The obtained surface velocity maps are compared to the rating curve velocity and to benchmark velocity values. Experimental findings show that optical methods should be preferred in extreme conditions. However, their practical implementation may be associated with further hurdles and uncertainties.

The osteo-chondro-mucous flap of the nasal septum in orbital reconstruction.

This paper describes a technique for orbital infero-medial wall reconstruction after "en bloc" resection of squamous cell carcinomas involving ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses utilizing an osteo-chondro-mucous flap of the nasal septum. This technique seems to be superior for many reasons: rapidity in flap preparation, direct access to the donor area in the resection surgical field, reliabilty due to good vascular supply, major functional and aesthetic results (low risk of diplopia and eyeball displacement). In our opinion, among the orbital reconstruction techniques, the osteo-chondro-mucous flap of the nasal septum can be the preferred reconstructive choice in ethmoid-orbital-maxillectomy with excision of the whole medial and two thirds of the lower orbital walls.