Cardiac sympathetic dysfunction in haemodialysed patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate thecardiac sympathetic nervous system function in haemodialysed(HD), non-diabetic patients by iodine-123 meta-iodo-benzylguanidine(123I-mIBG).MATERIALS AND METHODS: Planar scintigraphy of the chestwas performed in 36 HD, male patients; 15 minutes and 4 hourspost injection of 370 MBq of 123I-mIBG. The semiquantitativeanalysis of myocardial tracer uptake was expressed as routineheart to mediastinum (H/M) ratio: 15 minutes (early H/M) and4 hour (late H/M) post administration as well as washout of thetracer from myocardium (WR). 24-hour Holter studies were recordedand heart rate variability (HRV) was evaluated. Patientswere divided into two groups according to the H/M value: groupA patients with H/M > 1.8 which has been accepted as a norm,and group B patients with H/M < 1.8.RESULTS: In 21/36 patients H/M ratio was below normal values.Significant differences between groups A and B were foundamong the following parameters: early H/M and late H/M ratios,WR and duration of haemodialysis therapy.CONCLUSIONS: In patients with abnormal function of cardiacsympathetic nervous system, expressed by means of H/M ratiobelow 1.8, duration of haemodialysis treatment was longer.Duration of HD appears to be an important factor influencingcardiac sympathetic nervous system.

Morphometric parameters of the human pineal gland in relation to age, body weight and height

The aim of the study was to compare the size, weight, volume and density of the pineal gland in several groups divided by age, body weight and height. 80 human pineal glands were included in the study. Obtained data were statistically analysed by means of Statistica by Statsoft to check existing differences. Obtained data show some significant differences between pineal gland morphometry in weight- and height-related groups. However, these differences do not influence pineal volume significantly. Differences between the pineal gland volume in the maximal and in the minimal weight groups may suggest some relationship between the gland’s structure and body weight. No age-related changes in the morphometry of the pineal gland were observed

Thoracic ectopic kidney in adults. A report of 2 cases

Thoracic kidney is the rarest, usually asymptomatic type of kidney ectopia. 2 cases of thoracic kidney discovered incidentally through chest radiography are reported. In both patients renal function tests were normal and no further treatment was necessary. Ultrasonography and computed tomography studies performed for confirmation of the diagnosis are presented. An embryonic background of this abnormality is discussed

Simulation techniques in the anatomy curriculum: review of literature

Modern medical education faces a problem of combining the latest technology, procedures and information with classic teaching methods. Simulation is a technique, which replaces or amplifies doctor–patient experiences in controlled conditions and therefore evokes or replicates substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive manner. The basic course of anatomy in medical education could be recognised as the best example of implementing new educational techniques such as simulation, into the traditional medical curriculum. The PubMed database was searched using specific key words. Finally 72 articles were accepted and were divided into 3 basic categories of teaching methods: Category 1 — cadaveric dissection, Category 2 — simulator based education and Category 3 — other. A state of the art anatomical curriculum offers numerous possibilities and solutions including the oldest like cadaveric dissection and newest like simulators. Different simulation techniques are used with different intensity; however cadaveric dissection is still the most popular method. The second most frequent method is simulation-based training, in which North America is the leading country. The identification of anatomical structures during virtual surgical procedures or laparoscopic robotic procedures can be integrated into the traditional anatomy course. New technologies are supportive and beneficial in anatomy teaching however each excitement of new technologies sometimes should be tempered and evaluated for its usefulness in making the learning process constructive for students and their future practice

Persistent trigeminal artery as a rare cause of ischaemic lesion and migraine-like headache

The persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare remnant of the embryonic intracranial circulatory system that forms a carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis. In most cases PTA does not have clear clinical implications. However, some authors report the association of PTA occurrence with vertigo, dizziness and nerve palsy, resulting in diplopia, strabismus or trigeminal neuralgia in patients. In rare cases it may also be related to posterior cerebral circulation strokes. This work reports the case of a female patient who presented with migraine-like headache and an ischaemic lesion in the left temporal lobe in association with PTA

Coronary artery fistulas morphology in coronary computed tomography angiography

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) in coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) and verify whether there is correlation between the fistula’s morphology and other cardiac functional findings and clinical data.Materials and methods: A group of 14,308 patients who were diagnosed in coronary CTA was retrospectively analysed. Achieved data were related to referrals.Results: Coronary artery fistula frequency was 0.43% in the examined population. The assessment of coronary artery disease was the most frequent indication for the examination. In 2 out of 3 cases the diagnosis of CAFs was incidental. Fistulas to cardiac chambers were significantly shorter than those to other vascular structures (19.9 vs. 61.8 mm, respectively, p = 0.001). Pulmonary trunk was most often the drainage site. Fistulas with singular supply and drainage constituted the majority. The new morphologic classification of CAFs was introduced with linear, spiral, aneurysmal, grid-like and mixed types. Most numerous was the spiral type group. Patients with aneurysmal fistulas had a tendency for wider diameter of aorta and pulmonary trunk. Smallest left ventricle fraction was observed in gridlike fistulas (48.0%, comparing to 59.2% for all patients with fistulas, p = 0.001). Concomitant abnormalities were found in 13.1% of CAFs patients.Conclusions: Computed tomography angiography has proven to be a useful tool in CAFs detection and morphological assessment. Proposed classification may simplify the predictions whether fistula has a significant influence on cardiac function; however, further studies are needed

Validation of hydrodynamic models of the Baltic Sea in polish waters - HIROMB as an example

Proper description of thermo-hydrodynamic processes in seas is important for scientific and for many practical purposes. Among mathematical models, deterministic models, basing on the set of conservation equations, and calculating the response of the modelled system on the external forcing, are now being most intensively used by researchers. Reliable forecast of thermo-hydrodynamic processes is one of the most important applications of the geophysical fluid dynamics. In this paper, we concentrate on problems of validation of the particular deterministic operational model for the Baltic Sea, the HIROMB model. Possibilities of observations and measurements useful for the model validation in the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea are discussed

Marine forecast system in maritime institute for aiding salvage actions and economical activities in the sea. Present state of development

In the paper the system of digital marine forecast, covering the Polish area of the Baltic Sea, developed in the Department of Operational Oceanography, Maritime Institute, for the needs of rescue services and marine administration, is described. The present system uses data from different Polish and foreign operational centres, and generates its own forecast, as it is in the case of wind waves or object drift. The combined forecast is processed into the formats demanded by the services and is available also in Internet at Department 's web site

Common origin of left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery from right aortic sinus: presentation of rare variant

The authors discuss a case of 55-year-old man admitted to hospital with clinical symptoms and electrocardiac signs of myocardial infarction, who underwent invasive diagnosis and one of most rare coronary arteries anomaly was observed: common origin of right coronary artery and anterior interventricular artery (left anterior descending artery) from right aortic sinus. Anatomical variants of coronary arteries are rare amongst general population, ranging between 0.29% to 1.3% and such anomaly is found in 0.03% of all coronarographies and is responsible for 2.3% of all coronary variations. Knowledge about coronary arteries anomalies is helpful not only in making better diagnosis but also in making better therapeutic decisions

Experimental tests of post-tensioned girders strengthened with prestressed CFRP composites

Tematem pracy jest program badań doświadczalnych przeprowadzonych w ramach Polsko-Szwajcarskiego Programu Badawczego „TULCOEMPA” realizowanego przez Politechnikę Łódzką we współpracy ze szwajcarskim instytutem EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. Głównym celem projektu jest wzmocnienie istniejących belek mostowych przy użyciu naprężonych taśm kompozytowych CFRP z zastosowaniem innowacyjnej metody bezkotwowej aplikacji „gradientowej”. Badania doświadczalne przeprowadzone na replikach dźwigarów mostowych o długości 18,4m, wykonanych w rzeczywistej skali, potwierdziły skuteczność zaproponowanego wzmocnienia. Przyrost nośności kablobetonowego dźwigara po wzmocnieniu wyniósł 24% w porównaniu z elementem referencyjnym, osiągając przy tym o ponad 60% mniejsze ugięcia.The paper presents a research carried out within the framework of the Polish-Swiss “Tulcoempa” project, carried out by Lodz University of Technology and EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. The main goal of the project was to perform the first field application of an innovative, anchorless flexural strengthening with use of prestressed CFRP laminates on an existing bridge in Poland. Laboratory tests were conducted to verify the efficiency of the strengthening of two real-scale, 18.4m long, post-tensioned bridge girders reconstructed at EMPA institute. Flexural strengthening was successful and resulted in an increase of the member’s load capacity by 24% and reduction of the midspan deflection by more than 60%