Risk factors for brain metastases in surgically staged IIIA non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy

mortality among patients with carcinomas. The aim of this study was to point out risk factors for brain metastases (BM) appearance in patients with IIIA (N2) stage of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with three-modal therapy. Methods. We analyzed data obtained from 107 patients with IIIA (N2) stage of NSCLC treated surgically with neoadjuvant therapy. The frequency of brain metastases was examined regarding age, sex, histological type and the size of tumor, nodal status, the sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy application and the type of chemotherapy. Results. Two and 3-year incidence rates of BM were 35% and 46%, respectively. Forty-six percent of the patients recurred in the brain as their first failure in the period of three years. Histologically, the patients with nonsquamous cell lung carcinoma had significantly higher frequency of metastases in the brain compared with the group of squamous cell lung carcinoma (46%: 30%; p = 0.021). Examining treatment-related parameters, treatment with taxane-platinum containing regimens was associated with a lower risk of brain metastases, than platinum-etoposide chemotherapy regimens (31%: 52%; p = 0.011). Preoperative radiotherapy, with or without postoperative treatment, showed lower rate of metastases in the brain compared with postoperative radiotherapy treatment only (33%: 48%; p = 0.035). Conclusion. Brain metastases are often site of recurrence in patients with NSCLC (IIIA-N2). Autonomous risk factors for brain metastases in this group of patients are non-squamous NSCLC, N1-N2 nodal status, postoperative radiotherapy without preoperative radiotherapy

PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND ITS IMPACT ON ASYMPTOMATIC CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS

The importance of metabolic syndrome (MetSy) lies in the fact that its components are proven risk factors for early blood vessel atherosclerosis and thrombosis.Aim of the paper: Our aim was to establish the prevalence of MetSy in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and its impact on asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. The study involved 391 examinees, divided into two groups. The study group consisted of patients with arterial hypertension (n=342; average age, 66.56 ± 09.52; with 51% of female gender). The presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors was established for all involved patients, cardiovascular risk score was determined (SCORE risk), laboratory analyses were performed, as well as anthropometric measurements and color Doppler sonography of the great blood vessels of the neck. The patients with AH were divided into two groups according to the presence of MetSy. Metabolic syndrome was confirmed in 198 patients who comprised group I; there were 144 examinees without MetSy and these comprised group II. Those with MetSy had a greater average number of CV risk factors, a higher SCORE risk score, higher body mass index (p<0.0001), and more frequently had diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity. The thickness of the intimal medial complex (IMC) of the carotid arteries was significantly greater in the group with MetSy (p<0.0001) – 51% of examinees had IMC thickness ≥0.90. The patients with MetSy more commonly had one or more carotid plaques (p=0.03), a higher average number of plaques (p=0.01) and percentage of stenosis (p=0.01). As the most important factors associated with early carotid atherosclerosis, multivariant regression analysis singled out the following (for the model R=0.512. R2=0.262. adjusted R2=0.255. standard error of the estimate = 0.174; p<0.0001): age (coefficiant β=0.331. p<0.0001), number of MetSy components (coefficient β=0.158. p=0.002), level of serum uric acid (coefficient β=0.284; p<0.0001). Our results demonstrated a significant association of MetSy and its components with early atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries

Anatomic and MRI bases for pontine infarctions with patients presentation

Objectives: There are scarce data regarding pontine arteries anatomy, which is the basis for ischemic lesions following their occlusion. The aim of this study was to examine pontine vasculature and its relationships with the radiologic and neuro-logic features of pontine infarctions. Materials and methods: Branches of eight basilar arteries and their twigs, including the larger intrapontine branches, were microdis-sected following an injection of a 10% mixture of India ink and gelatin. Two addi-tional brain stems were prepared for microscopic examination after being stained with luxol fast blue and cresyl violet. Finally, 30 patients with pontine infarctions underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to determine the position and size of the infarctions. Results: The perforating arteries, which averaged 5.8 in number and 0.39 mm in diameter, gave rise to paramedian and anteromedial branches, and also to anterolateral twigs (62.5%). The longer leptomeningeal and cere-bellar arteries occasionally gave off perforating and anterolateral twigs, and either the lateral or posterior branches. Occlusion of some of these vessels resulted in the para-median (30%), anterolateral (26.7%), lateral (20%), and combined infarctions (23.3%), which were most often isolated and unilateral, and rarely bilateral (10%). They were located in the lower pons (23.3%), middle (10%) or rostral (26.7%), or in two or three portions (40%). Each type of infarction usually produced characteristic neurologic signs. The clinical significance of the anatomic findings was discussed. Conclusions: There was a good correlation between the intrapontine vascular territories, the position, size and shape of the infarctions, and the type of neurologic manifestations. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)Peer reviewe

Anatomic and MRI bases for medullary infarctions with patients' presentation

Objective: There is a low incidence of the medullary infarctions and sparse data about the vascular territories, as well as a correlation among the anatomic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurologic signs. Materials and methods: Arteries of the 10 right and left sides of the brain stem were injected with India ink, fixed in formalin and microdissected. The enrolled 34 patients with medullary infarctions underwent a neurologic, MRI and Doppler examination. Results: Four types of the infarctions were distinguished according to the involved vascular territories. The isolated medial medullary infarctions (MMIs) were present in 14.7%. The complete MMIs comprised one bilateral infarction (2.9%), whilst the incomplete and partial MMIs were observed in 5.9% and 8.9%, respectively. The anterolateral infarctions (ALMIs) were very rare (2.9%). The complete and incomplete lateral infarctions (LMIs), noted in 35.3%, comprised 11.8% and 23.6%, respectively, that is, the anterior (5.9%), posterior (8.9%), deep (2.9%), and peripheral (5.9%). Dorsal ischemic lesions (DMIs) occurred in 11.8%, either as a complete (2.9%), or isolated lateral (5.9%) or medial infarctions (2.9%). The remaining ischemic regions belonged to various combined infarctions of the MMI, ALMI, LMI and DMI (35.3%). The infarctions most often affected the upper medulla (47.1%), middle (11.8%), or both (29.5%). Several motor and sensory signs were manifested following infarctions, including vestibular, cerebellar, ocular, sympathetic, respiratory and auditory symptoms. Conclusions: There was a good correlation among the vascular territories, MRI ischemia features, and neurologic findings regarding the medullary infarctions.Peer reviewe

Fabrication and properties of the field emission array with self-alignment gate electrode, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2001, nr 1

A new method for the fabrication of field emission arrays (FEA) based on bulk/surface silicon micromachining and diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coating was developed. A matrix of self-aligned electron field emitters is formed in silicon by mean anisotropic etching in alkali solution of the front silicon film through micro holes opened in silicon oxide layer. The field emission of the fabricated emitter tips is enhanced by a diamond-like-carbon film formed by chemical vapor deposition on the microtips. Back side contacts are formed by metal patterning. Detailed Raman, Auger and TEM investigations of the deposited DLC films (nanocrystalline diamond smaller than 10 nm) will be presented. In this paper we discuss the problems related to the development of field emission arrays technology. We also demonstrate examples of devices fabricated according to those technologies

Affective interpersonal touch in close relationships: a cross-cultural perspective

Interpersonal touch behavior differs across cultures, yet no study to date has systematically tested for cultural variation in affective touch, nor examined the factors that might account for this variability. Here, over 14,000 individuals from 45 countries were asked whether they embraced, stroked, kissed, or hugged their partner, friends, and youngest child during the week preceding the study. We then examined a range of hypothesized individual-level factors (sex, age, parasitic history, conservatism, religiosity, and preferred interpersonal distance) and cultural-level factors (regional temperature, parasite stress, regional conservatism, collectivism, and religiosity) in predicting these affective-touching behaviors. Our results indicate that affective touch was most prevalent in relationships with partners and children, and its diversity was relatively higher in warmer, less conservative, and religious countries, and among younger, female, and liberal people. This research allows for a broad and integrated view of the bases of cross-cultural variability in affective touch

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Preparation and gas-sensing properties of very thin sputtered NiO films

We present results on very thin NiO films which are able to detect 3 ppm of acetone, toluene and n-butyl acetate in synthetic air and to operate at 300°C. NiO films with 25 and 50 nm thicknesses were prepared by dc reactive magnetron sputtering on alumina substrates previously coated by Pt layers as heater and as interdigitated electrodes. Annealed NiO films are indexed to the (fcc) crystalline structure of NiO and their calculated grain sizes are in the range from 22 to 27 nm. Surface morphology of the examined samples was influenced by a rough and compact granular structure of alumina substrate. Nanoporous NiO film is formed by an agglomeration of small grains with different shapes while they are created on every alumina grain

Ethical Challenges in Nanometrology

Nanometrology is an intrinsic and fast developing part of nanoscience. Given the huge diversity of nanostructures ranging from large molecules from about 10 atoms to structures from 105 atoms (particles of the size ≤ 100 nm), broader investigations in this area cannot be exactly scrutinized nor repeated by the existing capacities. This gave rise to the initiative for reproducibility that aims to avoid simplified approaches, plagiarism and other phenomena that are often triggered by the "publish or perish" philosophy, as well as business practices of predatory journals. In this paper, we discuss two case studies illustrating how to solve these problems: a study of the structural stability of nanoparticles by three complementary methods, and a design of reliable nanoparticle gas sensors used in environment or medicine

Suzbijanje kukuruzove zlatice Diabrotica virgifera virgifera

Western corn rootworm (WCR) was registered for the first time in Europe near the Surčin international airport in Serbia in 1992. The spread of WCR on the territory of Serbia and its population density increased fast. The Serbian territory was entirely populated in the following few years, while major damages occurred on corn grown for two or more years in the same field. Data on damages caused to over 140,000 ha under corn until 1999 were collected by organized monitoring. After 2000 and 2003, population abundance of D.v. virgifera, as well as the number of damaged corn fields, significantly decreased due to drought and application of crop rotation. Corn rootworm has one generation per year. It overwinters in the egg stage. Under the climatic conditions of Serbia larvae hatching starts around May 15th. The highest number of larvae on root is observed around June 20th when feeding is most intensive and plants become lodged as they lose roots. First adults emerge by the end of June. Their abundance increases during July and reaches maximum by the end of the month. From the second decade of August the abundance decreases. Adults are present in the field until the first frosts. Larvae are much more harmful and significant than adults. Larvae feed on roots or into roots by boring. Roots can be entirely destroyed under heavy attack and the host plants lodged already at the end of June. Under our climatic and agrotechnical conditions, adults are sporadic pests. Adults are a threat only when sowing is done after the optimal sowing date or in case of stubble corn sowing. Crop rotation is an efficient and most widespread means of WCR control. No damage on corn grown in crop rotation has been registered in Serbia for now. In the first year of production corn does not require protection from Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte larvae. Several insecticides have performed high efficacy by application at sowing and have been registered for commercial use. On the other hand, soil insecticides have never been applied on a significant area in Serbia.Kukuruzova zlatica je prvi put registrovana 1992. godine pored međunarodnog aerodroma Surčin. Širenje zlatice po teritoriji Srbije i porast gustine njene populacije je bilo brzo. Celokupna teritorija Srbije je naseljena u narednih nekoliko godina, pri čemu su se značajne štete javile na kukuruzu u ponovljenoj setvi. Sakupljeni su podaci o štetama na preko 140.000 ha kukuruza u periodu do 1999. godine. Posle 2000. i 2003. godine brojnost popualcije D.v. virgifera kao i broj oštećenih kukuruzovih polja je značajno smanjen zbog suše i masovne primene plodoreda. Kukuruzova zlatica ima jednu generaciju godišnje. Prezimljava u stadijumu jajeta. U klimatskim uslovima Srbije piljenje larvi počinje oko 15. maja. Najveći broj larvi se nalazi na korenu kukuruza oko 20. juna kada je ishrana larvi najintenzivnija. Zbog gubitka korena dolazi do poleganja biljaka. Odrasli insekti se javljaju krajem juna. Njihova brojnost raste tokom jula i dostiže maksimum krajem tog meseca. Od druge dekade avgusta brojnost imaga opada. Odrasli insekti se mogu naći u polju sve do prvih mrazeva. Larve se hrane na korenu ili se ubušuju u njega. U slučaju velikog napada koren može biti potpuno uništen i takve biljke već krajem juna poležu. U našim klimatskim i agrotehničkim uslovima odrasli insekti su sporadične štetočine. Oni mogu biti štetni u slučajevima kasnije setve ili postrne setve. Plodored je efikasan i najrasprostranjeniji način suzbijanja kukuruzove zlatice. Do sada se u Srbiji nisu javile štete na kukuruzu u plodoredu. Stoga se u kukuruzu u plodoredu ne primenjuju zaštitne mere. Više insekticida pokazuje dobre rezultate u suzbijanju kukuruzove zlatice kada se primenjuju sa setvom i imaju dozvolu za primenu u Srbiji. Međutim, zemljišni insekticidi nisu nikada do sada primenjeni na većim površinama za suzbijanje kukuruzove zlatice