Difficult dual-stage transcutaneous multiple lead extraction with loss of external silicone tube of broken lead

The extraction of three implanted (18-, 16-, and ten year-old) damaged nonfunctional leads was complicated by a lead breaking and losing its external silicone tube. The missing part of the lead was invisible on X-ray, but was visible in ECHO as a thin, corded, very mobile limp structure without metallic reflection. Incomplete lead extraction did not cease laboratory symptoms of infection. The lost silicone tube was grasped and removed via femoral approach during the subsequent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided procedure. The presented case indicates that the criterion of full radiological success is not always correct, exposes the utility of ECHO techniques for X-ray-invisible broken lead fragments, and indicates the possibility of success for such TEE-guided procedures

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum of the lumbosacral spine in the polish hospitalized population : a prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, clinical features and distribution of lumbosacral ossifications of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), using MRI, CT and microCT, in hospitalized Polish patients. Patients were recruited prospectively between January 2011 and January 2013. Patients were further qualified to the study group only if CT or MRI of the lumbosacral region detected OLF. Level of OLF excision was determined by the localization of spinal stenosis. After excision the LF fragments containing OLF were stored in a 4% solution of formaldehyde until microCT assessment. A total of 184 agreed to take part in the study. In 50 patients (27.2%) OLF were found. Thus, the study group consisted of 17 women (34%) and 33 men, with a mean age of 55.4 \pm 17.2 years. OLF occurred more often in men (66%) than in women (34%) (p = 0.0014). The most common site for the localization of OLF in women, as well as in men was the L5/S1 level (60% and 53.3% respectively). The mean volume of OLF was 3.87\pm 5.27 mm^{3}\left ( 4.66 \pm 5.71 mm^{3} vs. 1.27 \pm 2.19 mm^{3}, in men and women respectively; p = 0.023 \right ). The LF were thickened in 21 (42%) patients. The mean volume of OLF in patients with normal LF was 4.78\pm 5.95 mm^{3} and in patients with thickened LF 5.33\pm 6.10 mm^{3} (p = 0.75). The prevalence of lumbosacral OLF in the Polish hospitalized population is very high. The most common site of their localization is the L5/S1 level. LF thickening is not associated with OLF formation

Diagnostyka i leczenie infekcyjnego zapalenia wsierdzia związanego z elektrodą

We report a typical case of lead-dependent infective endocarditis in an 84 year-old patient, occurring two years after pacemaker implantation. Before the correct diagnosis was reached, the patient was repeatedly hospitalised in several centres due to fever of unknown origin. Eventually, the diagnosis was confirmed when the patient was referred for transoesophageal echocardiography by a consulting cardiologist from the pacemaker implantation centre. The successful treatment included the removal of the whole pacing system with endocardial leads and adequate antibiotic therapy. Kardiol Pol 2011; 69, 5: 502–50

A model of partially-depleted SOI MOSFETs in the subthreshold range, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2001, nr 1

A steady-state model of partially-depleted (PD) SOI MOSFETs I-V characteristics in subthreshold range is presented. Phenomena, which must be accounted for in current continuity equation, which is a key equation of the PD SOI MOSFETs model are summarized. A model of diffusionbased conduction in a weakly-inverted channel is described. This model takes into account channel length modulation, drift of carriers in the „pinch-off” region and avalanche multiplication triggered by these carriers. Characteristics of the presented model are shown and briefly discussed

THE USE OF DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION IN THE STUDY OF ACHILLES TENDON STRAIN FIELD

The paper presents an application of vision-based measurement method in experimental mechanics of biological materials.  The displacement and strain fields of human Achilles tendon specimen under tensile test were computed using digital image correlation method. Different software applications, both commercial as well as open source ones, were compared. The performance of algorithms was tested based on a referential measurement, carried out by a commercial software with affine model of deformation implemented. The root mean square error of a difference between strain obtained using reference measurement and each of the analyzed programs was computed. Additionally,  an example of full field computation of displacement and strain field was presented

A versatile tool for extraction of MOSFETs parameters, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2005, nr 1

Extraction of MOSFET parameters is a very important task for the purposes of MOS integrated circuits characterization and design. A versatile tool for the MOSFET parameter extraction has been developed in the Institute of Electron Technology (IET). It is used to monitor the technologies applied for fabrication of several groups of devices, e.g., CMOS ASICs, SOI pixel detectors. At present two SPICE MOSFET models (LEVEL = 1, 2) have been implemented in the extraction tool. The LEVEL = 3 model is currently being implemented. The tool combines different methods of parameter extraction based on local as well as global fitting of models to experimental data

Telocytes : new insight into the pathogenesis of gallstone disease

The major mechanisms of gallstone formation include biliary cholesterol hypersecretion, supersaturation and crystallization, mucus hypersecretion, gel formation and bile stasis. Gallbladder hypomotility seems to be a key event that triggers the precipitation of cholesterol microcrystals from supersaturated lithogenic bile. Telocytes, a new type of interstitial cells, have been recently identified in many organs, including gallbladder. Considering telocyte functions, it is presumed that these cells might be involved in the signalling processes. The purpose of this study was to correlate the quantity of telocytes in the gallbladder with the lithogenicity of bile. Gallbladder specimens were collected from 24 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease. The control group consisted of 25 consecutive patients who received elective treatment for pancreatic head tumours. Telocytes were visualized in paraffin sections of gallbladders with double immunofluorescence using primary antibodies against c‐Kit (anti‐CD117) and anti‐mast cell tryptase. Cholesterol, phospholipid and bile acid levels were measured in gallbladder bile. The number of telocytes in the gallbladder wall was significantly lower in the study group than that in the control group (3.03 ± 1.43 versus 6.34 ± 1.66 cell/field of view in the muscularis propria, P < 0.001) and correlated with a significant increase in the cholesterol saturation index. The glycocholic and taurocholic acid levels were significantly elevated in the control subjects compared with the study group. The results suggest that bile composition may play an important role in the reduction in telocytes density in the gallbladder

Zmiany w sposobie leczenia operacyjnego wysiłkowego nietrzymania moczu u kobiet – obserwacje ostatnich dwudziestu dwóch lat

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the changing trends in surgical treatment of female urinary incontinence (UI). Material and methods: Medical records of all women admitted to II Department of Gynecology from 1985 to 2006 were analyzed in order to find out how the female SUI treatment changed over these years. Results: During analyzed time 36819 patients were hospitalized in our Department and 77.6% (28568) of them were operated because of various indications. The number of SUI surgeries among all hospitalized women steadily rose from 1.93% in 1985 to 10.96% in 2006 reaching maximum in 2005 (13.73%). Clinical effectiveness of SUI surgeries markedly improved from 35% for anterior colporrhaphy to almost 90 % for suburethral slings. Conclusions: Introduction into clinical practice modern suburethral slings improved clinical efficacy of SUI treatment. The percentage of women admitted and treated surgically because of SUI steadily increased over the last years.Cel pracy: Celem pracy było przeprowadzenie retrospektywnej analizy metod operacyjnego leczenia wysiłkowego nietrzymania moczu (WNM) u kobiet na przestrzeni ostatnich dwudziestu dwóch lat. Materiał i metody: Dane do analizy pozyskano z archiwum medycznego II Kliniki Ginekologii i na ich podstawie przedstawiono zmiany w operacyjnym leczeniu WNM u kobiet od 1985 do 2006 roku. Wyniki: W analizowanym okresie, w II Klinice hospitalizowanych było 36819 kobiet, z czego 77,6% (28568) było operowanych z powodu różnych wskazań. Liczba pacjentek operowanych z powodu WNM stale rosła od 1,93% w 1985r. do 10,96% w 2006r. ze szczytem w 2005r. (13,73%). Również skuteczność zabiegów znacznie wzrosła z 35% w przypadku różnych modyfikacji plastyki przedniej ściany pochwy do niemal 90% przy zastosowaniu taśm podcewkowych. Wnioski: Wprowadzenie nowoczesnych, małoinwazyjnych taśm podcewkowych znacząco zwiększyło efektywność operacyjnego leczenia WNM. Wydaje się to być jedną z przyczyn stałego wzrostu liczby kobiet decydujących się na tą metodę leczenia tej dolegliwości

Variations and morphometric analysis of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery

Introduction: The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed Tomography Angiography. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age ± SD 56.2 ± 17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography. Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery. Results: In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured atthe site of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin: wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48 ± 0.42 mm vs. 1.34 ± 0.52 mm; p = 0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38 ± 0.48 mm vs. 1.46 ± 0.44 mm; p = 0.55). Conclusion: Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other anatomical variations