Phenolic acids in Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae) after Tytanit fertilization

Aerial parts and roots of Crithmum maritimum L. fertilized with Tytanit were investigated on the presence of phenolic acids (PhAs). Cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives were quantified by use of validated RP-HPLC/DAD method. The amount of PhAs in fertilized plants (T) was higher than in control (C) plants (in the aerial parts: 2.16 mg/g and 1.28 mg/g dry weight, respectively, and in roots: 4.05 mg/g and 2.78 mg/g dry weight, respectively). The predominant PhA was the caffeic acid (83.2–94.2% of the total PhAs). After Tytanit treatment, amount of the caffeic acid rose from 667.41 µg/g in C to 1463.83 µg/g dry weight in the aerial parts of T, and in roots from 2251.74 µg/g in C to 3451.86 µg/g dry weight in T. Tytanit had also influence on the qualitative composition of PhAs; in extracts from aerial parts, some of PhAs (ferulic, chlorogenic, and syringic acids), absent in control, appeared after fertilization

Extraction of His Bundle Pacing Lead: More Difficult than Coronary Sinus Lead Extraction: An Analysis of 3897 Lead Extraction Procedures Including 27 His and 253 Coronary Sinus Lead Removals

Background: Experience with the transvenous extraction of leads used for His bundle pacing (HBP) is limited. Methods: Analysis of 3897 extractions including 27 HBP and 253 LVP (left ventricular pacing) leads. Results: The main reason for HBP lead extraction was lead failure (59.26%). The age of HBP and LVP leads (54.52 vs. 50.20 months) was comparable, whereas procedure difficulties were related to the LVP lead dwell time. The extraction of HBP leads > 40 months old was longer than the removal of younger leads (8.57 vs. 3.87 min), procedure difficulties occurred in 14.29%, and advanced tools were required in 28.57%. There were no major complications. The extraction time of dysfunctional or infected leads was similar in the HBP and LVP groups (log-rank p = 0.868) but shorter when compared to groups with other leads. Survival after the procedure did not differ between HBP and LVP groups but was shorter than in the remaining patients. Conclusions: 1. HBP is used in CRT-D systems for resynchronisation of the failing heart in 33.33%. 2. Extraction of HBP leads is most frequently performed for non-infectious indications (59.26%) and most often because of lead dysfunction (33.33%). 3. The extraction of “old” (>40 months) HBP leads is longer (8.57 vs. 3.87 min) and more difficult than the removal of “young” leads due to unexpected procedure difficulties (14.29%) and the use of second line/advanced tools (28.57%), but it does not entail the risk of major complications and procedure-related death and is comparable to those encountered in the extraction of LVP leads of a similar age. 4. Survival after lead extraction was comparable between HBP and LVP groups but shorter compared to patients who underwent the removal of other leads

Analysis of 1051 ICD Leads Extractions in Search of Factors Affecting Procedure Difficulty and Complications: Number of Coils, Tip Fixation and Position—Does It Matter?

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads are considered a risk factor for major complications (MC) during transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Methods: We analyzed 3878 TLE procedures (including 1051 ICD lead extractions). Results: In patients with ICD lead removal, implant duration was almost half as long (69.69 vs. 114.0 months; p p p p p = 0.011). Multivariable regression analysis showed that ICD lead implant duration ≥120 months (OR = 2.956; p p = 0.003) but not passive-fixation ICD leads (1.361; p = 0.149) or single coil ICD leads (OR = 1.540; p = 0.177) were predictors of higher procedure complexity, but had no influence on MC or clinical and procedural success. ICD lead implant duration was of crucial importance, similar to the number of leads. Lead dwell time >10 years is associated with a high level of procedure difficulty and complexity but not with MC and procedure-related deaths. Conclusions: The main factors affecting the transvenous removal of ICD leads are implant duration and the number of targeted ICD leads. Dual coil and passive fixation ICD leads are a bit more difficult to extract whereas fixation mechanism and tip position play a much less dominant role

Invasive electrophysiologySuccessful RF ablation of permanent VT in a patient with acute coronary syndrome treated by complex angioplasty and stent implantation

We describe a case of a 59-year-old male with permanent VT in the course of an acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography revealed acute occlusion of the right coronary artery. Although the underlying condition was treated by implantation of 4 stents with excellent haemodynamic effect (TIMI 3), the tachycardia continued, being refractory to drugs (amiodarone). The attempts to restore sinus rhythm by DC electrical cardioversion or transvenous pacing were unsuccessful. The patient was referred to the EP lab. A critical isthmus localised at the paraseptal region of the LV and parallel to the mitral annulus was identified. The isthmus was closed by linear RF application, resulting in VT termination. Due to impaired LV ejection fraction

Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Regulatory Activities of Extracts from Herb, Leaf and In Vitro Culture of <i>Achillea millefolium</i> (Yarrow)

Achillea millefolium L. is one of the most known medicinal plants with a broad spectrum of applications in the treatment of inflammation, pain, microbial infections and gastrointestinal disorders. In recent years, the extracts from A. millefolium have also been applied in cosmetics with cleansing, moisturizing, shooting, conditioning and skin-lightening properties. The growing demand for naturally derived active substances, worsening environmental pollution and excessive use of natural resources are causing increased interest in the development of alternative methods for the production of plant-based ingredients. In vitro plant cultures are an eco-friendly tool for continuous production of desired plant metabolites, with increasing applicability in cosmetics and dietary supplements. The purpose of the study was to compare phytochemical composition and antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory properties of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts from A. millefolium obtained from field conditions (AmL and AmH extracts) and in vitro cultures (AmIV extracts). In vitro microshoot cultures of A. millefolium were obtained directly from seeds and harvested following 3 weeks of culture. Extracts prepared in water, 50% ethanol and 96% ethanol were compared for the total polyphenolic content, phytochemical content using the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-hr-qTOF/MS), antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging assay and the influence on the activity of mushroom and murine tyrosinases. The phytochemical content of AmIV extracts was significantly different from AmL and AmH extracts. Most of the polyphenolic compounds identified in AmL and AmH extracts were present in AmIV extracts only in trace amounts and the major constituents presented in AmIV extracts were fatty acids. The total content of polyphenols in AmIV exceeded 0.25 mg GAE/g of dried extract, whereas AmL and AmH extracts contained from 0.46 ± 0.01 to 2.63 ± 0.11 mg GAE/g of dried extract, depending on the solvent used. The low content of polyphenols was most likely responsible for the low antioxidant activity of AmIV extracts (IC50 values in DPPH scavenging assay >400 µg/mL) and the lack of tyrosinase inhibitory properties. AmIV extracts increased the activity of mushroom tyrosinase and tyrosinase present in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, whereas AmL and AmH extracts showed significant inhibitory potential. The presented data indicated that microshoot cultures of A. millefolium require further experimental research before they can be implemented as a valuable raw material for the cosmetics industry

Professor Piotr Roniewicz (1936-2019) In memoriam

Piotr Roniewicz was born in 1936 in Warsaw, however his family roots were in Stanisławów (nowadays Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine). He completed his university studies at the Faculty of Geology of the University of Warsaw in 1959, gaining a Master’s Degree. He began his geological career at this Faculty already as a 4th year student. In 1981-1984 he was the Vice-Dean and later in 1984-1990 – the Dean of the Faculty. Professor Roniewicz worked there until his retirement in 2006

Elektrofizjologia inwazyjnaRzekomo atypowe trzepotanie przedsionków czy częstoskurcz przedsionkowy zależny od złożonego podłoża u chorej z sercem jednokomorowym po operacjach paliatywnych &#8211; opis ablacji

We describe a case of persistant atrial tachycardia/flutter in a 19-year old female with corrected transposition of great arteries (ccTGA) and dual inlet left ventricle (DILV), treated with surgical palliative operations. The arrhythmia became persistent and symptomatic with dyspnea and severe cyanosis. During the EP study, the right atrial isthmus-dependant reentry was identified. In electroanatomical maps large areas of low voltage and electrical silence were localised. Due to these areas of slow conduction the isthmus dependent arrhythmia had long CL. Linear RF applications closed the isthmus, resulting in flutter termination. During 3 months of follow-up the patient remained free of arrhythmia