Publications by authors named "Hirko M"

In a field study, the impact of different levels of brewery sludge (BS) enrichment on L. (wheat plants) was examined in terms of growth, yield, heavy metal absorption, and potential health risks linked to plant consumption. Using a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three blocks, the study showed that applying up to 12 t ha brewery sludge significantly improved all agronomic parameters (except harvest index) compared to control and mineral-fertilized soil.

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Background: Recent emphasis in medical education has been to encourage students to pursue primary care careers. This could have a negative impact on applications to surgical residencies.

Methods: To determine what factors are most influential for a student to pursue a surgical career in spite of this environment, third- and fourth-year medical students were surveyed with a 40-item questionnaire.

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The purpose of this study was to correlate the preoperative level of antioxidant defenses, measured by the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), to the degree of postoperative systemic inflammatory response, measured by the severity of pulmonary injury following elective aortic surgery. Twenty-four patients had TAC measured preoperatively and 24 hr postoperatively. Chest radiography and arterial blood gases were obtained preoperatively and serially during the first 24 hr after surgery.

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Background: We report the use of retroperitoneal aortic aneurysm repair utilizing exclusive regional anesthesia (no intubation or inhalation anesthetic) in high pulmonary risk patients.

Methods: Six patients were retrospectively reviewed. Pulmonary disease was diagnosed by clinical history and pulmonary function tests.

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Recombinant FGF-2-SAP is a mitotoxin consisting of the plant-derived ribosome-inactivating toxin saporin (SAP) fused to basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). FGF-2-SAP targets and kills cells bearing upregulated FGF receptors. In vivo, FGF-2-SAP inhibits smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in models of restenosis.

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Background: Through prior investigation we established that only a small minority of patients who undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) have a complicated postoperative course requiring an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. An appropriate policy for patient management was established. This study prospectively analyzes the safety and efficacy of this policy.

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Purpose: The economic milieu and improvements in care have altered the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm of the patient with carotid stenosis. This study analyzes the efficacy and safety of these changes.

Methods: The records of patients who underwent 320 consecutive carotid endarterectomies performed by three surgeons at our institution from 1990 to 1994 were reviewed retrospectively.

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The clinical applicability of fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) plus heparin delivery in optimizing the healing of both autogenous vein and synthetic vascular grafts has been suggested. The authors have reported enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, concurrent increased capillarization, and minimal intimal hyperplasia using suspensions of FGF-1 and heparin impregnated onto expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. The current study characterizes the tissue distribution of 125I-FGF-1 delivered by continuous intraarterial infusion.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three drugs (cilazapril, cyclosporine, and aspirin) in modulating the progression of intimal hyperplasia during short postoperative times in short-segment, autogenous vein bypass grafts in a canine model. The relative effects of the drugs on the progression of intimal hyperplasia were compared with the Gilman parameter, a measure used extensively as a wound healing descriptor. To our knowledge this is the first use of the Gilman parameter in assessing vascular disease.

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The ideal prosthetic vascular graft for the replacement or bypass of small vessels has not yet been developed. Many studies have documented the success of endothelial cell seeding in small-diameter Dacron grafts, but few have reported the application of this protocol to small-diameter PTFE grafts, and none have reported seeding small-diameter PTFE grafts in antiplatelet medicated dogs. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of endothelial cell seeding of small-diameter (4 mm ID) PTFE (Gore-Tex) carotid artery interposition grafts in the antiplatelet medicated dog.

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Despite numerous advances in biomaterials design and utilization, the perfect artificial small-vessel substitute has yet to be developed. Dacron and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are two materials potentially appropriate for use as small-vessel prostheses. We report the patencies of endothelial cell-seeded and nonseeded 4 mm I.

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The experiments with sheep and young cattle were carried out to test the immunizing efficacy of inactivated adjuvant vaccine against Aujeszky's disease. The vaccine application at doses of 1 ml and 2 ml to lambs at the age of eight to ten months caused the neutralizing antibody production with a significant rise of titres after revaccination. A survival of infection induced with a dose of 10(5.

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