Racial differences in systemic sclerosis disease presentation: a European Scleroderma Trials and Research group study

Objectives. Racial factors play a significant role in SSc. We evaluated differences in SSc presentations between white patients (WP), Asian patients (AP) and black patients (BP) and analysed the effects of geographical locations.Methods. SSc characteristics of patients from the EUSTAR cohort were cross-sectionally compared across racial groups using survival and multiple logistic regression analyses.Results. The study included 9162 WP, 341 AP and 181 BP. AP developed the first non-RP feature faster than WP but slower than BP. AP were less frequently anti-centromere (ACA; odds ratio (OR) = 0.4, P < 0.001) and more frequently anti-topoisomerase-I autoantibodies (ATA) positive (OR = 1.2, P = 0.068), while BP were less likely to be ACA and ATA positive than were WP [OR(ACA) = 0.3, P < 0.001; OR(ATA) = 0.5, P = 0.020]. AP had less often (OR = 0.7, P = 0.06) and BP more often (OR = 2.7, P < 0.001) diffuse skin involvement than had WP.AP and BP were more likely to have pulmonary hypertension [OR(AP) = 2.6, P < 0.001; OR(BP) = 2.7, P = 0.03 vs WP] and a reduced forced vital capacity [OR(AP) = 2.5, P < 0.001; OR(BP) = 2.4, P < 0.004] than were WP. AP more often had an impaired diffusing capacity of the lung than had BP and WP [OR(AP vs BP) = 1.9, P = 0.038; OR(AP vs WP) = 2.4, P < 0.001]. After RP onset, AP and BP had a higher hazard to die than had WP [hazard ratio (HR) (AP) = 1.6, P = 0.011; HR(BP) = 2.1, P < 0.001].Conclusion. Compared with WP, and mostly independent of geographical location, AP have a faster and earlier disease onset with high prevalences of ATA, pulmonary hypertension and forced vital capacity impairment and higher mortality. BP had the fastest disease onset, a high prevalence of diffuse skin involvement and nominally the highest mortality

Dielectric Materials, Design and Realization

It has been the dream of many scientists to create polymeric materials which exhibit simultaneously high dielectric permittivity, low glass transition temperature, and excellent elastic properties. Such materials would be a highly attractive dielectric in electromechanical transducers. Within this topic we are focusing on silicones because of their excellent elastic properties over wide temperature and frequency ranges combined with low glass transition temperatures. To increase their low permittivity, we followed different approaches which include: blending the matrix with highly polarizable conductive and polar nanofillers and chemical modification with polar side groups. This presentation will show the advantages and disadvantages of the two strategies we have been following and will provide an assessment of their future potential

Analysis of Surface Water Quality and Sediments Content on Danube Basin in Djerdap-Iron Gate Protected Areas

As water is essential to life and is an indispensable resource for ecosystems and their services and for nearly all human activities, the goal of this research was to evaluate the surface water quality of the Danube as it passes through the Romania–Serbia border in the nature reservations Djerdap and Iron Gate. The study aimed to assess the oxygen regime, nutrients and heavy metals contamination of the surface waters of the Danube on a length of about 240 km, between Bazias and Iron Gate II. Reference sampling and analytical methods (UV-VIS and AAS) were deployed to reach this goal. In addition, sediments were analyzed through back scattered SEM-EDAX for the elemental analysis of the sediment surface. Results obtained show a low environmental impact of heavy metals, while the Danube’s oxygen regime is under stress due to nutrients’ (nitrites and orthophosphates) significant concentration in the Danube surface water in the analyzed sector. Our approach can be applied to other water bodies in the area, to increase available scientific data together with societal awareness of the Danube’s environmental risks

Evaluation of Perioperative Beta-Blockers and Factors Associated with Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery: A Single Center Experience

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) has a complex etiology, and beta-blockers are commonly recommended for its pharmacological prevention. This study aims to assess the impact of beta-blocker therapy on postoperative AF occurrence in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, surgical revascularization of the myocardium, or a combination of these procedures. Methods: The study encompassed 472 patients who received aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, surgical revascularization, or their combination. We evaluated the efficacy of preoperative and one-month postoperative beta-blocker administration in preventing postoperative AF, and the associated risk factors involved in the development of postoperative AF. Results: Of the total patient population, 36% experienced postoperative AF. Our study demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative AF incidence among patients receiving beta-blocker treatment (all p-values < 0.05). Additionally, one-month post-surgery, beta-blocker treatment exerted a protective effect by maintaining the sinus rhythm (p = 0.0001). Regarding the risk factors involved in the development of postoperative AF, both age and left atrium (LA) sizeassessed pre-and postoperatively—were positively correlated with the occurrence of postoperative AF (p = 0.006). No relationship was found between leukocyte counts and AF incidence. Notably, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated on the fifth postoperative day in patients with AF (p < 0.007). The duration of ischemia was significantly longer in patients with AF (p = 0.009). Conclusions: This study establishes the efficacy of perioperative beta-blocker treatment in mitigating postoperative AF. One month post-surgery, most patients under beta-blocker therapy maintained sinus rhythm, suggesting a potential long-term protective effect of beta-blockers against late-onset AF

A Rare Case of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Cardiac Sarcoma with Inflammatory Pattern

Cardiac undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) associated with fever and inflammatory response is an extremely rare condition. Herein, we report a rare case of cardiac UPS with unusual clinical presentation and inflammatory response. A 67-year-old male complaining of progressive dyspnea and intermittent fever of unknown cause was referred to our hospital for surgical resection of a left atrial mass. Laboratory analysis showed leukocytosis (26 &times; 103/&mu;L) and high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (155.4 mg/L). Hemoculture tests and urine analysis were negative for infection. A contrast chest computed tomography revealed a mass measuring 5.5 &times; 4.5 cm, occupying the left atrium cavity. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass, however, surgical margin of the resected tumor could not be evaluated, due to the multifragmented nature of the resection specimen. Postoperative CRP and leukocyte levels normalized, highlighting the relationship between the tumor and the inflammatory status. Early diagnosis is crucial for a proper management and favorable outcome, enabling patients to undergo chemotherapy and achieve complete surgical resection