Application of a mixture of glycol polyethylenes for the preparation of microcorrosion casts : an observation

Preparation of microcorrosion casts that can be used for observation in SEM is a laborious, time-consuming procedure. The authors paid particular attention to the process of dissection of the microcorrosion casts. This prompted the authors to reconstruct the plastic mass, produced by the firm Gurr (Great Britain) in the 1970s, which was used by them in previous research to immerse the cast in order to minimise the damage. By using easily obtainable polyethylene glycols, characterised by different physical and chemical features, in order to obtain smooth surface of the section, a low-toxic mixture was composed, which protected the microcorrosion casts sufficiently and did not interfere with the physical and chemical properties of the cast

Application of acrylic emulsion Liquitex R (Binney and Smith) for the preparation of injection specimens and immunohistochemical studies - an observation

Application of acrylic emulsion Liquitex R for injection studies of the vascular system of human myomatous uteri was analysed. It was found that this injection mass does not penetrate the capillary bed of human organs, but it is useful in studies carried out on the blood supply of the human organs removed from cadavers. The results were compared with the studies performed with the help of immunohistochemical tests for von Willebrandt's factor

Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial morphology and function to predict maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion in patients with non-valvular persistent atrial fibrillation and normal function or mild dysfunction of left ventricle

Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether echocardiographic measurements of left atrial (LA) morphology and function could predict sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal function or mild dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV). Methods: One hundred seventeen patients with persistent AF who underwent successful electrical cardioversion were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiography was performed one day subsequent to successful cardioversion. Patients were followed up clinically and electrocardiographically at 1, 6, and 12 months. At 12 months, 61 (52%) patients had maintained sinus rhythm (SR). Results: Compared to patients who maintained SR, those with AF recurrence had larger LAs, worse LA systolic function, and increased LV filling pressure. On multivariate stepwise logistic regression, E/A ratios (odds ratio [OR] 0.550, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.341–0.886; p = 0.014) and E/e’ ratios (OR 0.871, 95% CI 0.771–0.985; p = 0.027) were significant predictors of AF recurrence. On receiver operator characteristic curve analysis of AF recurrence at 12 months, the area under curve for both E/A and E/e’ ratios were 0.726. With an E/A cutoff of 2.2, the sensitivity for predicting AF recur­rence at 12 months was 72%, and specificity was 73%. With an E/e’ cutoff of 9.17, the sensitivity for predicting AF recurrence at 12 months was 72%, and specificity was 74%. Conclusions: Left ventricular filling pressure assessed with E/A and E/e’ ratios predict AF recurrence after electrical cardioversions among patients with AF and normal function of LV

Czynniki ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego w grupie 100 pacjentów z zatorem tętnic siatkówki — rejestr jednoośrodkowy

Introduction. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in patients after retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Additionally, our findings were compared with the results of epidemiological studies on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Polish population. Material and methods. We conducted a retrospective study which involved a group of 100 patients admitted to the ophthalmology service due to RAO in 2004–2014. Results. In our study group, hypertension was found in 78% of patients, hypercholesterolemia in 67% of patients, ischemic heart disease in 53% of patients, previous myocardial infarction in 20% of patients, heart failure in 17% of patients, diabetes type 2 in 16% of patients, atrial fibrillation in 14% of patients, and kidney dysfunction in 11% of patients. Twelve percent of patients had a history of stroke, and 31% were smokers. Doppler ultrasonography (USG) showed carotid atherosclerotic plaques in 78% of patients and ≥ 70% carotid artery stenosis in 33% of patients. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed aortic valve calcifications in 63% of patients. Conclusions. Cardiovascular risk factors are present in a large majority of patients with RAO. Compared to the general population, patients with RAO often suffer from hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes and renal dysfunction. Due to an association between RAO and cardiovascular risk factors, appropriate diagnostic work-up is of major importance in these patients. Basic investigations in patients after a RAO event should include carotid artery Doppler ultrasound, echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood pressure measurement, and laboratory tests  Wstęp. Celem pracy była ocena obecności czynników ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego w grupie pacjentów po epizodzie zamknięcia naczynia tętniczego siatkówki (RAO). Cel dodatkowy stanowiło porównanie wyników badań epidemiologicznych dotyczących rozpowszechnienia czynników ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego wśród ludności Polski z wynikami przeprowadzonego badania. Materiał i metody. Przeprowadzono badanie retrospektywne, które objęło grupę 100 pacjentów hospitalizowanych na oddziale okulistyki w latach 2004–2014 z powodu RAO. Wyniki. W badanej grupie nadciśnienie tętnicze stwierdzono u 78% pacjentów, hipercholesterolemię u 67% pacjentów, chorobę niedokrwienną serca u 53% pacjentów, zawał serca u 20% pacjentów, niewydolność krążenia u 17% pacjentów, cukrzycę typu 2 u 16% pacjentów, migotanie przedsionków u 14% pacjentów, upośledzoną funkcję nerek u 11% pacjentów. Dwanaście procent pacjentów było po udarze mózgu. Nikotynizm stwierdzono u 31% pacjentów. Blaszkę miażdżycową w wykonanych badaniach ultrasonografii (USG) metodą Dopplera uwidoczniono u 78% pacjentów, zwężenie tętnicy szyjnej równe lub większe 70% dotyczyło 33% pacjentów. W wykonanych badaniach echokardiograficznych stwierdzono obecność zwapnień na płatkach zastawki aortalnej u 63% pacjentów. Wnioski. Znamienna większość pacjentów z rozpoznanym RAO jest obciążona czynnikami ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego. Pacjenci ci, w porównaniu z populacją ogólną, częściej chorują na nadciśnienie tętnicze, hipercholesterolemię, cukrzycę typu 2, częściej też stwierdza się u nich dysfunkcję nerek. Ze względu na związek między RAO a czynnikami ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego niezwykle istotna jest odpowiednia diagnostyka. Wśród podstawowych badań u pacjentów po epizodzie RAO powinny się znaleźć badanie USG tętnic szyjnych z oceną doplerowską, badanie echokardiograficzne i elektrokardiograficzne, pomiar ciśnienia tętniczego a także badania laboratoryjne.