Extreme conditions reduce hatching success of green turtles (Chelonia mydas L.) at Karan Island, the major nesting site in the Arabian Gulf.

Survival in the early life stages is a major factor determining the growth and stability of wildlife populations. For sea turtles, nest location must provide favorable conditions to support embryonic development. Hatching success and incubation environment of green turtle eggs were examined in July 2019 at Karan Island, a major nesting site for the species in the Arabian Gulf. Mean hatching success averaged at 38.8 % (range = 2.5-75.0 %, n = 14). Eggs that suffered early embryonic death (EED) and late embryonic death (LED) represented 19.8 % (range: 3.3-64.2 %) and 41.4 % (range: 4.8-92.6 %) of the clutch on average, respectively. Nest sand was either coarse (0.5-1 mm: mean 44.8 %, range = 30.4-56.9 % by dry weight, n = 14) or medium (0.25-0.5 mm: mean 33.6 %, range = 12.0-45.5 % by dry weight, n = 14). Mean sand moisture (4.0 %, range = 3.2-4.9 %, n = 14) was at the lower margin for successful development. Hatching success was significantly higher in clutches with sand salinity <1500 EC.uS/cm (n = 5) than those above 2500 EC.uS/cm (n = 5). Mean clutch temperatures at 1200 h increased by an average of 5.4 °C during the 50-d post-oviposition from 31.2 °C to 36.6 °C. Embryos experienced lethally high temperatures in addition to impacts of other environmental factors (salinity, moisture, sand grain size), which was related to reduced hatching success. Conservation initiatives must consider the synergistic influence of the above parameters in formulating strategies to improve the overall resilience of the green turtle population in the Arabian Gulf to anthropogenic and climate change-related stressors.

Surgical management of pyogenic pericarditis.

Sixteen cases of acute pyogenic pericarditis have been reviewed. Uncontrollable septic course, episodes of cardiac tamponade and failure of the nonsurgical regimen were the main indications for surgery. Medical management is often ineffective because of the relentless septic course, presence of thick, viscid pus and granulation tissue, and loculation. Even if it is effective, it may not halt the progression to constriction. We treated these cases by emergency pericardiectomy. The results were gratifying, the risk of cardiac tamponade was eliminated and termination of the septic course was dramatic. The mortality rate was within acceptable limits. All the survivors have remained asymptomatic.

Constrictive pericarditis and its surgical management.

The surgical management of 66 cases of constrictive pericarditis has been presented. Tuberculosis was the most common etiologic factor in this series. The importance of optimal myocardial function has been emphasized. Pericardiectomy was limited to release of the ventricles in order to correct the hemodynamic anomaly. The vast majority of patients claimed to have benefited from surgery.