Early clinical and radiological results following cervical disc arthroplasty]

The aim of this study was to assess early results of anterior cervical decompression and arthroplasty for cervical disc disease. The results of operations of 32 patients (43 instrumented levels) were examined to assess clinical outcome, the restoration of disc height, postoperative lordosis, mobility of instrumented segment and complication rate. Clinical outcome evaluated with VAS score improved from 7.5 preoperatively to 2.7 post operation. There was improvement in disc height measured by Tureyen method of 48%, 5 degree restoration of lordosis per segment and average 5 degree mobility of operated segment. In two cases spontaneous fusion occurred. There were no loosening of prosthesis observed. Overall the study shows that early results of arthroplasty are clinically efficient and safe as fusion. Assessment of biomechanical advantages of arthroplasty demands further observation to compare if long-term results are superior to fusion.     

Taking history in diagnosing coronary artery disease in the 21st century--wasting time or a valuable diagnostic tool?

The relation of chest pain characteristics and other features of the history of disease to coronary angiograms was assessed in 551 patients with chest pain regarded as definite or probable stable angina pectoris. A standardised questionnaire was used to record demographic details and chest pain characteristics of interviewed patients. The differentiation between typical, atypical or nonanginal pain was based on classification proposed by Diamond. The indications for catheterization in each patient were determined at the discretion of the attending physician. All patients underwent diagnostic coronary angiography (clinically important coronary artery disease was defined as > 50 per cent narrowing of the diameter of at least one major vessel or > or = 50 per cent of the left main coronary artery). CONCLUSION: Chest pain characteristics remains an effective tool for estimating probability of coronary artery disease.     

The Effect of Humidity on the Atomization Process and Structure of Nanopowder Designed for Extinguishment

Increasingly, firefighting aerosols are being used to extinguish fires. It is assumed that the extinguishing mechanism involves breaking the chain of physicochemical reactions occurring during combustion by binding free radicals at ignition. The radicals are most likely formed from the transformation of water molecules, with the active surfaces of aerosol micro- or even nanoparticles. The aerosol extinguishing method is very effective even though it does not reduce oxygen levels in the air. In contrast to typical extinguishing powders, the aerosol leaves a trace amount of pollutants and, above all, does not adversely affect the environment by depleting the ozone layer and increasing greenhouse effects. Depending on how the firefighting generators are released, the aerosol can act locally or volumetrically, but depending on environmental conditions, its effectiveness can be variable. The article presents the influence of environmental humidity on the atomization of aerosol nanosize, which confirms the radical combustion mechanism. This paper presents the effect of environmental humidity on the atomization of aerosol superfine (nano) particles. The main focus was on the grain distribution and its effect on the surface activity of the FP-40C type firefighting aerosol. Changes in the characteristic parameters of the particle size distribution of RRSB (Rosin-Rammler-Sperling-Bennet) are presented.     

Segmental mean transit times of 99m technetium within central vascular space in liver cirrhosis

Abstract: Mean transit time (MTT) through a given vascular space is closely related to the effective blood volume in this compartment. Central vascular blood volume in liver cirrhosis is believed to be reduced, but more precise data on the location of the underfilled vascular area are lacking. ^99mTechnetium first-pass angiography was performed in 15 cirrhotic patients and in 10 age-matched normals. The method of segmental analysis of MTT was validated by performing an analog study in a plastic tubing/chamber system. The mean tracer sojourn in the central circulation was described in cirrhotic patients (10.25 ± 2.17 s vs 12.92±2.88 s; p>0.05); however, this finding was not observed beyond cardiopulmonary circulation (MTT between right and left heart chambers). Segmental comparative analysis between cirrhotics and normals revealed significant MTT differences in two vascular subcompartments, i.e. right chamber – pulmonary artery, and within the lung vascular bed. Analysis of time activity lung curves in patients with cirrhosis disclosed a shorter time to peak and more rapid washout of the tracer from this area, without any change in curve symmetry as compared to normals. Ascites had no apparent impact on MTT rate, and cirrhotics with most advanced disease (grade C Child-Pugh) had longer MTT through the cardiopulmonary circulation as compared to combined groups A & B (7.32 ± 0.13 s vs 6.03 ± 1.23 s; p > 0.05). Our data provide further evidence for contraction of the cardiopulmonary vascular space in liver cirrhosis.     

Anatomical study of the greater palatine artery and related structures of the palatal vault: considerations for palate as the subepithelial connective tissue graft donor site

Palate is considered as a tissue graft donor site for dental surgical procedures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anatomy of palatal structures, such as greater palatine artery, greater palatine foramen, and incisive fossa, in order to consider their topography at planning the graft dimensions and reduce the potential risk of injury of greater palatine artery. Direct inspection of 41 Thai cadavers was performed. The results showed the statistically significant differences as for the length of female and male palates (p = 0.017); however, vertical measurements were equally distributed in examined population. Main location of greater palatine foramen was palatal to the second molar (35.7%), as well as, interproximal to the second and third molars (35.7%) in women, and palatal to the second molar in men (65%). GPA was branching most frequently at the level of first premolar (38%) and at first and second molars together (43%) in women. In men, the branching on the alveolar process side was commonly observed at the level of first and second premolars together (56%), and at the level of second and third molars together (32%). In the area between maxillary first premolar and second molar, it appeared possible to harvest a connective tissue graft measuring at least 5 mm in height. The results of this research will provide the useful data for other comparative studies and for assisting periodontologists in planning the dimensions and harvesting the subepithelial connective tissue grafts from palate.     

Complete atrioventricular block due to hyperkalemia caused by rhabdomyolysis during treatment with statin

Complete atrioventricular block can occur, among others, in case of hyperkalemia, that is a life-threatening complication of rhabdomyolysis. Statins constitute the medication group that is especially associated with a possibility of muscle complications. Frequency of statin-associated myalgia is 5-10%, and potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis--0.02-0.09%. We describe a male patient who was admitted due to syncope caused by complete atrioventricular block. Iatrogenic rhabdomyolysis with life-threatening hyperkalemia, that was related to statin, was diagnosed. After application of suitable pharmacotherapy, conduction abnormalities resolved. The patient was discharged in a good condition.     

Seasonal interest in pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum: a retrospective analysis of Google Trends data

BackgroundIndividuals affected by chest wall deformities may search for information on these conditions on the web. Google data may reflect the global interest in health-related information. Our aim was to investigate the global trends in searches associated with the topics “Pectus excavatum” and “Pectus carinatum” using Google Trends.MethodsWe retrieved the global data from 1st January 2004 to 31st October 2019. We analyzed the relative search volume (RSV) for countries or areas with a no-low search volume. We compared differences in interest between seasons using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the post-hoc test.ResultsThe median RSV for the pectus excavatum was equal to 58.00 (54.00–65.00) while for pectus carinatum 28.00 (23.25–31.00). The interest in pectus excavatum decreases on average by 0.98 RSV each year, while interest in pectus carinatum increased each year by 0.87 RSV. We observed the highest interest in analyzed topics during summer and the lowest during winter. The relative difference in interest between summer and winter was equal to 21.4% for pectus excavatum and 19.2% for pectus carinatum. Pectus excavatum was the most popular topic in n=51 countries or areas, while pectus carinatum in n=7 countries or areas/regions.ConclusionsGlobally, interest in pectus excavatum is higher than the interest in pectus carinatum that might reflect real-world prevalence. The interest in both topics shows seasonal variation. The Internet is an essential source of information on chest wall deformities. The medical professionals should provide quality content on pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum.     

Application of the Strain Compensation Model and Processing Maps for Description of Hot Deformation Behavior of Metastable β Titanium Alloy

The flow behavior of metastable β titanium alloy was investigated basing on isothermal hot compression tests performed on Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator at near and above β transus temperatures. The flow stress curves were obtained for deformation temperature range of 800–1100 °C and strain rate range of 0.01–100 s⁻¹. The strain compensated constitutive model was developed using the Arrhenius-type equation. The high correlation coefficient (R) as well as low average absolute relative error (AARE) between the experimental and the calculated data confirmed a high accuracy of the developed model. The dynamic material modeling in combination with the Prasad stability criterion made it possible to generate processing maps for the investigated processing temperature, strain and strain rate ranges. The high material flow stability under investigated deformation conditions was revealed. The microstructural analysis provided additional information regarding the flow behavior and predominant deformation mechanism. It was found that dynamic recovery (DRV) was the main mechanism operating during the deformation of the investigated β titanium alloy.     

Diagnosis by sheer coincidence

We present a case of a 69 year-old woman complaining of palpitations and worsening heart failure, after the 2nd cycle of fludarabine due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Echocardiography revealed abnormalities typical for corrected transposition of the great arteries (CTGA), which were confirmed in multislice computed tomography (MSCT), as well as subvalvular pulmonary stenosis. There is the case of one of the oldest patients with CTGA and subvalvular pulmonary stenosis. MSCT seems to be a useful and complementary method in diagnosis such diseases.