Stability of Viscoelastic Solutions: BrijL4 and Sodium Cholate Mixtures with Metal Ions Across a Broad pH and Temperature Range.

The impact of pH, temperature, and metal ions on the rheological and interfacial properties of aqueous mixed surfactant solutions composed of anionic NaC (sodium cholate) and nonionic BrijL4 [polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether] surfactants has been investigated. The various compound systems were analyzed, considering variations in each selected factor. The results highlight the unique characteristics of the BrijL4/NaC mixture, suggesting its potential as a viable alternative to other existing surfactants.

Immunosuppressant Adherence Factors Differentiating Compliant and Non-Compliant Kidney Transplant Recipients.

The purpose of this study is to find out the psychological factor characteristic of non-adherence patients. The study population comprised kidney transplant recipients aged between 18 and 82 years at least 3 months post-transplant who voluntarily agreed to answer a couple of fully anonymous questionnaires that questions pertaining to basic data, type of immunosuppressive drugs taken, and standardized questionnaires. Participants were recruited using direct routine, free-of-charge visits to specialist doctors in transplant clinics.

Rheological Properties of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Solutions in Dihydroxy Alcohol/Water Mixtures.

The aim of the research presented in this paper was to determine the effect of dihydroxy alcohols on the rheological properties of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) solutions with different degrees of substitution and different average molecular masses. Rheological measurements were carried out with a rotational rheometer in continuous and oscillatory flows. Two dihydroxy alcohols were used in the study: butane-1,3-diol and propane-1,2-diol.

Lipid disorders - the comparison between general population and haemodialyzed patients. Will the Oral Fat Tolerance Test improve the diagnostic?

The cardiovascular events are frequent complications in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the general population the risk factors of CV disease are well established and divided into two groups: non-modifiable, and modifiable. The best-known modifiable risk factors leading to the atherosclerotic plaque formation are lipid disorders.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine-Induced Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background/aims: Chronic kidney disease CKD patients on intermittent hemodialysis IHD are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and carry a risk of developing severe symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immunity induced by two doses of mRNA vaccines, the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna (mRNA-1273) COVID-19 vaccine.

Patients And Methods: The study included 281 patients from five dialysis centers in northern Poland.

Five-year Outcomes of the COMMENCE Trial Investigating Aortic Valve Replacement With RESILIA Tissue.

Background: The COMMENCE trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of aortic valve replacement using a bioprosthesis with novel RESILIA tissue (Edwards Lifesciences). RESILIA tissue is incorporated in the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve (Edwards Lifesciences).

Methods: Patients underwent clinically indicated surgical aortic valve replacement with a bovine pericardial bioprosthesis (model 11000A; Edwards Lifesciences) in a prospective, multinational, multicenter (n = 27), US Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption trial.

The Multifactorial Pathogenesis of Calciphylaxis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Calciphylaxis is a rare and lifethreatening syndrome characterized by small vascular calcifications, which lead to the occlusion of blood vessels and painful skin lesions with tissue necrosis. Although the disease can develop in a population without kidney failure, it is typically detected in patients receiving dialysis, with an increasing frequency ranging from 1% to 4%. Therefore, the disease is also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy.

[Cancer or vitamin B12 deficiency? Difficult differential diagnosis in elderly].

Unlabelled: Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia in adults is usually caused by Addison- Biermer's disease. The presence of antibodies against gastric parietal cells and intrinsic factor (IF) in blood is typical for the disease. The gastrointestinal malabsorption or a diet poor in vitamin B12 are rarer causes.

Final 5-year outcomes following aortic valve replacement with a RESILIA™ tissue bioprosthesis.

Objectives: Long-term durability of bioprosthetic valves is predominantly limited by structural valve deterioration. RESILIA™ tissue has exhibited reduced calcification in pre-clinical and early clinical studies. This study evaluated the 5-year clinical and haemodynamic outcomes of an aortic valve with this tissue.

Heart failure in Poland: Left ventricular assist device destination therapy and other challenges of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery.

Patients with severe heart failure (HF), who are not eligible for cardiac transplantation and receive optimal medical management, based mainly on the use of pharmacological treatment and devices such as resynchronization therapy (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator), achieve poor clinical outcomes and constitute a group with extremely poor prognosis. Currently, the technology used in the latest generation left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), such as the HeartMate 3, makes it possible to achieve patient survival at the level obtained by patients after heart transplantation, and they can be used not only in patients eligible for heart transplantation as a bridge to transplant, but also in those with significantly worse prognosis, who are ineligible for heart transplantation as destination therapy. The objective of this publication is to present recommendations from experts in cardiology and cardiac surgery, supported by clinical trial results, on the use of LVADs as a destination therapy in HF patients who are not eligible for cardiac transplantation.

Effect of pH on Total Volume Membrane Charge Density in the Nanofiltration of Aqueous Solutions of Nitrate Salts of Heavy Metals.

The separation efficiencies of aqueous solutions containing nitric salts of Zn, Cu, Fe or Pb at various pH in process of nanofiltration have been investigated experimentally. These results were used to obtain the total volume membrane charge densities, through mathematical modelling based on the Donnan-Steric partitioning Model. The experimentally obtained retention values of individual heavy metal ions varied between 36% (Zn at pH = 2), 57% (Pb at pH = 2), 80% (Fe at pH = 9), and up to 97% (Cu at pH = 9).

Infective endocarditis - can we treat it more effectively?

Infective endocarditis (IE), despite the diagnostic and therapeutic advances, still remains a serious disease associated with high mortality and serious complications. The present guidelines of the European Cardiology Society of 2015 recommend administration of the antibiotics indicated in empirical therapy for multiple weeks and in targeted treatment often for 6-8 weeks. This is associated with a risk of adverse effects of antibiotic therapy in the form of nephro- and/or hepatotoxicity and an increased risk of infections with , while long-term hospitalisation is associated with high non-drug costs.

Factors associated with the need for pulmonary valve replacement in asymptomatic patients with isolated pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot: a cardiac magnetic resonance study.

Background: Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is the most common late complication in patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Most patients remain asymptomatic over years, but eventually, the compensatory mechanisms fail, leading to right ventricular (RV) dilation and dysfunction, limited exercise capacity, ventricular arrhythmia, and sudden death.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate associations between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters and the need for either surgical or percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in asymptomatic patients with significant PR after repair of TOF.

Is there any role for computed tomography imaging in anticipating the functional status in adults late after total cavopulmonary connection? A retrospective evaluation.

Background: The Fontan procedure is performed in patients with congenital heart diseases and abnormal anatomy of the heart, which preclude intracardiac repair involving a separation of the systemic and pulmonary circulations. The role of computed tomography (CT) in assessing patients' clinical status after the total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) procedure is not well defined.

Aims: To determine a potential role and diagnostic capability of CT in the functional assessment of adults with the TCPC.

Intermediate-term outcomes after aortic valve replacement with a novel RESILIA tissue bioprosthesis.

Background: The durability of bioprosthetic heart valves is limited by structural valve deterioration (SVD) due to long-term calcification. A novel bioprosthetic tissue (RESILIA) has been developed which, in preclinical studies, has shown reduced calcification. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intermediate-term clinical outcomes and hemodynamic performance of this tissue.