Investigating Cross-Linking Parameters and Molecular Arrangement in Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Monomer with Aromatic Diamine: DSC-TOPEM and WAXS Analysis.

This study presents the characterization of cross-linking parameters of a liquid crystalline epoxy monomer with an aromatic diamine as a curing agent. The mixture tested consisted of bis [4-(10,11-epoxyundecanoyloxy)benzoate] p-phenylene (LCEM) and 1,3-phenylenediamine (1,3-PDA). This paper focuses on the structural characterization of such systems using X-ray analysis.

Acoustic approach as an alternative to human-based survey in bird biodiversity monitoring in agricultural meadows.

Acoustic monitoring has been tested as an alternative to the traditional, human-based approach of surveying birds, however studies examining the effectiveness of different acoustic methods sometimes yield inconsistent results. In this study we examined whether bird biodiversity estimated by traditional surveys of birds differs to that obtained through soundscape surveys in meadow habitats that are of special agricultural importance, and whether acoustic monitoring can deliver reliable indicators of meadows and farmland bird biodiversity. We recorded soundscape and simultaneously surveyed birds by highly skilled human-observers within a fixed (50 m and 100 m) and unlimited radius using the point-count method twice in the breeding season at 74 recording sites located in meadows, in order to compare differences in (1) bird biodiversity estimation of meadow, farmland, songbird, and all bird species and (2) the detection rate of single bird species by these two methods.

High-Altitude Decompression Sickness Treated with Hyperbaric Therapy and Extracorporeal Oxygenation.

High-altitude decompression sickness (HADCS) is a rare condition that has been associated with aircraft accidents. To the best of our knowledge, the present paper is the first case report of a patient treated for severe HADCS using recompression therapy and veno-venous extracorporeal oxygenation (VV-ECMO) with a complete recovery. After depressurization of a cabin, the 51-yr-old jet pilot was admitted to the Military Institute of Medicine with a life-threatening HADCS approximately 6 h after landing from a high-altitude flight, in a dynamically deteriorating condition, with progressing dyspnea and edema, reporting increasing limb paresthesia, fluctuating consciousness, and right-sided paresis.

Combined total mitral and tricuspid valve reconstruction with the use of CorMatrix in an adult.

The article confirms the possibility of simultaneous implementation of custom-made mitral and tricuspid valve prostheses together with their subvalvular apparatuses from extracellular matrix. Both prostheses were implanted in a 43-year-old man experiencing severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, acromegaly, macrocardia and a history of undiagnosed infective process. Postoperative echocardiography showed good haemodynamic function of implanted valves.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement - pros and cons of keyhole aortic surgery.

Over the last twenty years, minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) has evolved into a safe, well-tolerated and efficient surgical treatment option for aortic valve disease. It has been shown to reduce postoperative morbidity, providing faster recovery and rehabilitation, shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results compared with conventional surgery. A variety of minimally invasive accesses have been developed and utilized to date.

[Angiographic and stress echocardiographic evaluation after surgical treatment of Bland-White-Garland syndrome and mitral valve insufficiency].

We report case of 58-year-old male patient with severe mitral insufficiency in whom in preoperative angiography anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery arising from pulmonary artery was revealed. Patient successfully underwent mitral valve replacement, ligation and bypass of left anterior descending artery. Eighteen months after surgery control exercise echocardiography and angiography were performed to evaluate coronary flow, valve prosthesis and left ventricle function.

149Sm(n,α)146Nd cross sections in the MeV region.

We have measured the (149)Sm(n,α)(146)Nd cross section at 4.5, 5.0, 5.

Cross section measurement for the (95)Mo(n, alpha)(92)Zr reaction at 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0MeV.

Measurements of cross sections of the (95)Mo(n, alpha)(92)Zr reaction at E(n)=4.0, 5.0 and 6.

Multivariate comparison of elemental concentrations in human teeth.

R-mode factor analysis was applied to characterize the chemical composition of human teeth investigated by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. The approach developed in this study enabled the separation between essential mineral teeth components and the pollutants deposited in teeth tissues during the human life. The three independent sources of metals incorporated in human teeth were found.

[Aortic aneurysym dissection in 80-year-old woman].

We present a case of 80-year-old woman with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation admitted to the cardiology department due to syncope and chest pain with suspicion of pulmonary embolism. In course of further diagnostics the initial diagnosis was excluded and anticoagulant treatment was stopped. The real cause of the above signs and symptoms was aortic dissection.

Measurement of cross sections for the 147Sm(n, alpha)144Nd reaction at 5.0 and 6.0 MeV.

Cross sections of the (147)Sm(n, alpha)(144)Nd reaction were measured at En=5.0 and 6.0MeV.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass].

Unlabelled: Development of beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery was possible since introduction of heart stabilizing instruments in mid-90's.

The Aim Of This Review: To summarize available evidence of benefits of beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery in comparison with use of cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery. Methods of heart stabilization during operation without cardiopulmonary bypass allow to performing complete revascularization with lower degree of myocardial damage.

[Severe cardiovascular complications due to the pituitary adenoma with acromegaly. An interdisciplinary approach to the treatment. A case report].

Acromegaly reduces life expectancy and leads to 3-5-fold increase in mortality. The main causes are cardiovascular, pulmonary and enhanced prevalence of deaths from malignancy. Successful therapy ought to normalize GH, IGF-I secretion, remove the adenoma mass and its local pressure effects and preserve pituitary functions intact to improve systemic morbidity and normalize mortality.

Reactivity of isolated human right atria to norepinephrine in various disease states.

The reactivity of isolated, electrically driven, right human atrial muscle to norepinephrine was studied in patients with coronary heart disease, with and without proximal right coronary artery occlusion, and in patients with mitral valve disease. The dose-effect curves for norepinephrine and ED50 doses for each group were compared. We found no difference in reactivity of atria from both coronary artery disease groups.