Visible light is a source of energy known to activate the visual system through absorption by photoreceptors in the eye. When the so-called stress-confinement condition is fulfilled, laser light can induce an acoustic signal through an optoacoustic effect. We sought to assess, if visible light with parameters that induce an optoacoustic effect (i.e., 532nm, 10ns pulses) could be used to stimula...

UNLABELLED Previous studies suggest that there is an excellent correlation between the morphology and dimensions of ear structures in sheep and human beings. AIM To analyze and describe the histology of structures inside the temporal bone in sheep. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 307 slides obtained from vertical and horizontal sections of the temporal bone of eight sheep were analyzed. Str...

OBJECTIVES Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) is more common in elderly patients; it has high rates of recurrence and mortality, even if surgery is performed. There has been little study on the surgical treatment of SSP. Therefore, we analysed the outcomes of surgical treatment of SSP patients, and investigated the risk factors of recurrence and morbidity. METHODS We studied 97 consecut...

Objectives: To demonstrate the ef®cacy of using thoracoscopic endoloop ligation of bullae in patients with bullous emphysema. Methods: From 1992 to 1997, 93 advanced age (mean age, 66 years) and oxygen dependency patients underwent thoracoscopic procedure using endoloop ligation for treatment of bullous emphysema. Clinical data were collected from chart review. Thoracoscopic loop ligation of bu...

Miconia sect. Lima is an entirely Greater Antillean clade that consists of 19 known species of shrubs and small trees, which were previously recognized under the polyphyletic genera Leandra and Ossaea. The highest species richness in the clade is represented on Cuba (10 species), followed by Hispaniola (8 species) and then Jamaica (1 species). Here we present a taxonomic revision of the clade b...

Radiofrequency cautery is widely used in minor surgery. However, it has not been considered to fit for major surgery. Herein, we report two cases of pneumothorax surgery using lowthermal coagulation by this general-purpose radiofrequency cautery device. Case 1: A 47-year-old male underwent bullectomy with a general radiofrequency cautery. We used Elleman® Surgitron PellevéTM S5 (Elleman Interna...