Cardiovascular hybrid procedure in severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia with significant left heart hypoplasia

The authors discuss an early hybrid cardiovascular intervention in a neonate with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia and significant left heart hypoplasia. The operation included persistent ductus arteriosus stenting and right pulmonary artery calibrated banding (3.5?mm) to increase blood flow in the aorta and to decrease right ventricle overload and decrease blood pressure and overflow in pulmonary circulation. The operation improved the child's general condition and gained time for left ventricle growth and restoration of its function.     

A large asymptomatic pericardial cyst in the apical region

We presented a case of the large asymptomatic pericardial cyst localised near cardiac apex, filled with fluid of water- -equivalent density. The cyst was detected accidentally during transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography. Repeated transthoracic echocardiography was recommened.     

EPR Spectra of Sintered Cd1−xCrxTe Powdered Crystals with Various Cr Content

In this paper, we show a simple method of producing ferromagnetic materials with a Curie temperature above room temperature. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Cd_1−xCr_xTe (0.002 < x < 0.08) were measured with a dependence on temperature (82 K < T < 381 K). Obtained EPR lines were fitted to a Lorentz-shaped curve. The temperature dependencies of the parameters of the EPR lines, such as the peak-to-peak linewidth (H_pp), the intensity (A), as well as the resonance field (H_r), were studied. Ferromagnetism was noticed in samples at high temperatures (near room temperature). For a sample with a nominal concentration of chrome of x = 0.05, a very strong intrinsic magnetic field is observed. The value of the effective gyromagnetic factor for this sample is g_e = 30 at T = 240 K. An increase of chrome concentration above x = 0.05 reduces the ferromagnetic properties considerably. Analysis of the temperature dependencies of the integral intensity of EPR spectra was carried out using the Curie–Weiss law and the paramagnetic Curie temperature was obtained.     

Increased serum levels of progranulin (PGRN) in patients with haemophilic arthropathy

Haemophilia A and B are rarely occurring X chromosome‐linked congenital coagulation disorders dominated by spontaneous joint bleedings and chronic synovitis, leading to development of haemophilic arthropathy (HA). Progranulin (PGRN) is a growth factor with anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. PGRN is an important molecule in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatological disorders. This study was aimed at investigating the potential role of PGRN in the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of HA. The serum levels of PGRN were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with end‐stage knee joint HA (n = 20) and end‐stage primary knee joint OA (n = 20) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical and radiological assessment of disease severity was evaluated by the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Kellgren‐Lawrence scale. Median PGRN levels in HA patients was 349.1 ng/mL (232.8–415.6 ng/mL) and in OA patients 148.3 ng/mL (112.1‐275.3 ng/mL) with statistically significant differences between both groups (P < 0.015). Further analysis revealed no correlation between PGRN levels and any of the patient demographics and clinical parameters. This study demonstrates increased PGRN serum levels in patients with HA and provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of HA indicating a new potential target for therapeutic intervention.     

Late right pulmonary artery stenosis after arterial switch operation in mirror image dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis

The operation of D-transposition of the great arteries is performed extremely rarely in patients with mirror image dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis. Therefore, it is not surprising that such unusual anatomy case presents problems with primary operation. We present a case of late right pulmonary artery stenosis after neonatal surgical anatomic correction of mirror image dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis.     

Mild type of the Ebstein anomaly

Ebstein anomaly is a congenital malformation of the heart that is characterised by apical displacement of the septal and posterior tricuspid valve leaflets, leading to atrialisation of the right ventricle with a variable degree of malformation and displacement of the anterior leaflet. We present a case of a mild type Ebstein anomaly leading to moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation and some degree of right ventricular dysfunction.     

BCR/ABL kinase induces self-mutagenesis via reactive oxygen species to encode imatinib resistance

Mutations in the BCR/ABL kinase domain play a major role in resistance to imatinib mesylate (IM). We report here that BCR/ABL kinase stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes oxidative DNA damage, resulting in mutations in the kinase domain. The majority of mutations involved A/T-->G/C and G/C-->A/T transitions, a phenotype detected previously in patients, which encoded clinically relevant amino acid substitutions, causing IM resistance. This effect was reduced in cells expressing BCR/ABL(Y177F) mutant, which does not elevate ROS. Inhibition of ROS in leukemia cells by the antioxidants pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and vitamin E (VE) decreased the mutagenesis rate and frequency of IM resistance. Simultaneous administration of IM and an antioxidant exerted better antimutagenic effect than an antioxidant alone. Therefore, inhibition of ROS should diminish mutagenesis and enhance the effectiveness of IM.     

Prognostic value of carotid intima-media thickness in detection of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with calcified aortic valve stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic stenosis (AS) coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD) in at least 30% of patients. Patients with concomitant CAD may benefit from simultaneous coronary bypass grafting. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with AS in assessing concomitant CAD. METHODS: Group I consisted of 33 patients (mean age +/- SD, 61.0 +/- 8.2 years; 18 men and 15 women) with AS but without CAD on angiograms. Group II consisted of 34 patients (64.4 +/- 8.0 years; 25 men and 9 women) with AS and CAD confirmed angiographically. A control group included 36 patients (61.2 +/- 4.9 years; 18 men and 18 women) with normal coronary arteries and no AS. Maximal IMT was assessed in all patients at the common carotid artery, bulb, and internal carotid artery and expressed as a mean value. RESULTS: There were no differences among the respective groups with regard to age, sex, frequency of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking habit, although patients with CAD were more often hyperlipemic (P = .038). The IMT of the common carotid artery, bulb, and internal carotid artery was significantly higher in patients with AS and CAD compared with both the control group and patients with AS only. The multivariable regression model revealed that CAD (P < .001), AS (P = .006), male sex (P = .034), age (P < .001), and diabetes mellitus (P = .047) were independent risk factors for IMT thickening. A mean IMT value of greater than 1.2 mm was predictive (sensitivity, 73.5%; specificity, 72.7%) of concomitant CAD in patients with AS. CONCLUSIONS: Intima-media thickness increases in patients with AS. The greatest IMT values are observed in patients with both AS and CAD. Patients with AS might be suspected of having CAD when the IMT value exceeds 1.2 mm.