INFLUENCE OF TACK WELDS DISTRIBUTION AND WELDING SEQUENCE ON THE ANGULAR DISTORTION OF TIG WELDED JOINT

In this paper the influence of tack welds distribution and welding sequence on angular distortion of the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welded joint was tested. Additionally, the effect of welding current on angular distortion was assessed. For research X2CrTiNb18 (AISI 441) stainless steel (2.5 mm thick) was chosen. During research specimens were prepared with different distributions of tack welds. Then they were welded by different welding sequences with the use of different welding current values. After welding the angular distortion of each specimen was measured by using the coordinate measuring machine. In the next step specimens were cut. Cross-sections were polished and the metallographic macroscopic testing was conducted to check the geometry of performed welds. Performed experiments allowed determining the optimal tack weld sequence and welding parameters for welding thin stainless steel sheets

Flagellate Dermatitis due to Bleomycin Intake

Flagellate dermatitis is a rare cutaneous manifestation in which long, striated erythematous lesion appear on the patient’s skin. It is most frequently associated with bleomycin treatment or Shiitake mushroom intake, but it may also be attributed to many other possible causes. Herein we present a case of striated, hyperpigmented lesions which occurred after bleomycin intake. The typical flagellate lesions appeared for the first time on the patient’s back and shoulders after the first course of chemotherapy for seminoma (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin). The active lesions disappeared with the discontinuation of chemotherapy. Clinicians should be aware of flagellate pattern of dermatitis which may accompany different clinical situation

Nevus Sebaceous with Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas and Extracutaneous Abnormalities: Genetic Origin or Coincidence?

The association of cutaneous and extracutaneous abnormalities is a common phenomenon, widely described in a variety of genetic syn- dromes. Nevertheless, yet undescribed syndromic combinations may still exist. Herein we present a case report of a patient who was admitted to the Dermatology Department due to multiple basal cell carcinomas arising from nevus sebaceous. In addition to the cutaneous malignancies, the patient presented with palmoplantar keratoderma, prurigo nodularis, hypothyroid- ism, multiple lumbar abnormalities, uterine myoma, an ovarian cyst, and highly dysplastic colon adenoma. Such a combination of multiple disorders may indicate a genetic origin of the diseases

Transportation of sediment carried during flood events in a small urban catchment

The aim of this study is to present results of investigations into rainfall–runoff–suspended sediment transport process, based on field measurements conducted in small (A = 28.7 km2) urban catchment of Służew Creek, located in Warsaw. Hydrological monitoring was carried out by the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at the WULS-SGGW (Warsaw University of Life Sciences). Between 2014–2017, twelve flood events were recorded, during which rainfall, discharge, turbidity, and suspended sediment concentrations were measured. The correlation between the flows and sediment concentration was analysed and dextrorotary hysteresis for all events was indicated, meaning that sediment concentrations during the increase of water flows were higher than at the same flow values during the fall of the flood wave. Also first flush effect has been noted, that is, most of the sediment loads was washed-off at the beginning of the flood event; whereas the peak concentration occurred prior to the maximum discharge. Statistically significant correlation between direct runoff and suspended sediment has been established

Self-Reported Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity: Is It Useful for Clinical Practice?

Introduction. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is considered to be the most burdensome dermatosis, with a well-documented negative influence on quality of life (QoL). The patient’s perception of the disorder, assessed as the self-reported severity, has been used in other dermatoses but not in HS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of self-reported HS severity in clinical practice. Methods. The study was performed on a group of 130 Spanish HS patients. HS severity was assessed for all the subjects. Hurley staging and patient self-reported severity were used. Moreover, QoL impairment was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life 24 (HSQoL-24) questionnaire. Results. The severity of HS according to the Hurley staging was most commonly assessed as Hurley II (47.7%), indicating moderate disease, followed by severe disease (Hurley III, 26.9%) and mild disease (Hurley I, 25.4%). According to the patient self-reported HS severity, most of the patients reported having mild disease (76 patients, 58.5%), followed by moderate disease (31 patients, 23.8%). Only 23 patients (17.7%) assessed their disease as severe. Moreover, men reported mild disease significantly more frequently than women (70.9% and 49.3%, respectively; p = 0.014). The self-reported HS severity correlated positively with the effect of the disease on patient QoL assessed with DLQI (r = 0.288, p < 0.001). Likewise, a strong positive correlation was found between self-reported HS severity and QoL impairment assessed with HSQoL-24 (r = 0.404, p = 0.001). No statistically significant correlation between Hurley severity stage and DLQI or HSQoL-24 was found. Moreover, there were significant differences in both DLQI and HSQoL-24 total score between different self-reported HS severities. This was not seen for any of the QoL instruments or for Hurley severity staging. Conclusion. The results show that self-assessment severity may reflect patients’ subjective feelings more adequately than popular objective instruments, and there should be a place for its use in daily clinical practice

The strategies to support the COVID-19 vaccination with evidence-based communication and tackling misinformation

COVID-19 vaccinations are about to begin in various countries or are already ongoing. This is an unprecedented operation that is also met with a loud response from anti-vaccine communities—currently using all available channels to manipulate public opinion. At the same time, the strategy to educate on vaccinations, explain their mechanism of action, and build trust in science is subdued in different world parts. Such actions should go much beyond campaigns promoting the COVID-19 vaccines solely on the information provided by the health institutions and national authorities. In this paper, actions provided by independent expert groups needed to counteract the anti-vaccine propaganda and provide scientific-based information to the general public are offered. These actions encompass organizing groups continuously communicating science on COVID-19 vaccines to the general public; tracking and tackling emerging and circulating fake news; and equipping celebrities and politicians with scientific information to ensure the quality of messages they communicate, as well as public letters, and statements of support for vaccination by healthcare workers, recognized scientists, VIPs, and scientific societies; and no tolerance to false and manipulated claims on vaccination spread via traditional and social media as well as by health professionals, scientists, and academics. These activities should be promptly implemented worldwide, regardless of the current status and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in a particular region. If we are about to control the pandemic for the sake of public benefit, it is high time to collectively speak out as academic and medical societies with support from decision-makers. Otherwise, the battle will be lost to those who stand against scientific evidence while offering no feasible solution to the problem

The role of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Streszczenie Balonowa walwuloplastyka zastawki aortalnej (balloon aortic valvuloplasty -BAV) to metoda leczenia chorych, u których wykonanie klasycznego zabiegu kardiochirurgicznego (aortic valve replacement -AVR) bądź przezcewnikowej wymiany zastawki aortalnej (transcatheter aortic valve implantation -TAVI) jest niemożliwe lub czasowo przeciwwskazane. W ciągu ostatnich lat obserwuje się wzrost liczby wykonywanych zabiegów BAV. Zabieg ten pozwala wyselekcjonować chorych z dużym uszkodzeniem lewej komory bądź z objawami niejasnego pochodzenia z powodu chorób współistniejących (w tym przewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc) rokujących poprawę po leczeniu chirurgicznym lub TAVI. Balonowa walwuloplastyka zastawki aortalnej umożliwia przygotowanie chorych w ciężkim stanie do zabiegu AVR lub TAVI. Obecnie dzięki ulepszeniu sprzętu notuje się znacznie mniej powikłań niż w pierwszych latach po wprowadzeniu tej techniki. Zabiegi BAV są dobrze znoszone nawet przez chorych w stanie ciężkim lub bardzo ciężkim, lecz ich wyniki długoterminowe pozostają słabe. Wobec ograniczonej dostępności TAVI w Polsce uzasadniona wydaje się częstsza kwalifikacja chorych do zabiegu BAV jako relatywnie bezpiecznej procedury, która pozwala poprawić stan kliniczny w grupie chorych oczekujących na AVR lub TAVI. Słowa kluczowe: stenoza aortalna, balonowa walwuloplastyka, TAVI, AVR. CARDIAC SURGERY Abstract Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is recommended in patients not suitable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation/aortic valve replacement (TAVI/AVR) or when such interventions are temporarily contraindicated. The number of performed balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) procedures has been increasing in recent years. Valvuloplasty enables the selection of individuals with severe left ventricular dysfunction or with symptoms of uncertain origin resulting from concomitant disorders (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) who can benefit from destination therapy (AVR/TAVI). Thanks to improved equipment, the number of adverse effects is now lower than it was in the first years after the advent of BAV. Valvuloplasty can be safely performed even in unstable patients, but long-term results remain poor. In view of the limited availability of TAVI in Poland, it is reasonable to qualify patients for BAV more often, as it is a relatively safe procedure improving the clinical condition of patients awaiting AVR/TAVI