Minefield Indicators and Analytical Mine Contamination Assessment in Scientific Projects and in Practice

The key factors of the application of the airborne remote sensing technology for humanitarian demining are the minefield indicators [1] or the indicators of mine presence and the indicators of mine absence [2] and the analytical assessment of the contamination by the landmines [3]. The basic simple concept of the minefield indicators was given in [1], where it was related to the ordinary physical features of the artificial and natural objects in the mine suspicious area. Similar concept was used in other works, while in [2] were introduced signatures of the minefield indicators and additional contextual features. The signatures depend on the sensors used for the remote sensing and this aspect was thoroughly considered in [2]. The contextual features can be derived by the analytical assessment of the terrain contamination by the land mines [3], addition of the formalized knowledge enables efficient use of the indicators for the support of the decision making and for suspicious area reduction [4]

Recovery of canine retina and optic nerve function after acute elevation of intraocular pressure: implications for canine glaucoma treatment

Purpose  To characterize the timing and extent of functional recovery in healthy canine eyes exposed to acute elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods  Acute elevation of IOP was induced in 14 healthy Beagles by elevating IOP above the levels of systolic blood pressure for 60 min (average elevation was between 100 and 160 mmHg). Menace, dazzle and pupillary light reflexes (PLR) were tested at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days post elevation. Optical coherence tomography was used to evaluate retinal thickness preoperatively and at 15 and 30 days post elevation. Results  One day post elevation all animals were blind in the operated eye (no positive menace), 5/14 had positive PLR and 10/14 had positive dazzle response. Seven days post elevation 4/14 animals had positive menace response and all animals (14/14) had positive dazzle and PLR responses. Fourteen and 28 days post elevation all animals had positive menace, PLR and dazzle responses. Optical coherence tomography analysis revealed significant thinning of the inferior retina (pre elevation: 156.3 ± 4.8 µm; 15 days post elevation: 125 ± 10.4 µm; 30 days post elevation 123 ± 11.9 µm; P \u3c 0.01, anova). The superior retina, however, did not show any detectable decrease in thickness compared to control eyes (pre elevation: 193.8 ± 2.6 µm; 15 days post elevation: 176.9 ± 8.5 µm; 30 days post elevation 176.9 ± 7 µm; P = 0.057, anova). Conclusions  Detailed functional and morphologic analysis revealed precise information about retinal damage after acute elevation of IOP. Canine retina has the capacity to recover at least some visual function even at 14 days after acute elevation of the IOP. More aggressive medical and surgical treatment of canine glaucomatous patients may be indicated despite complete loss of visual function, PLR and dazzle responses in early days after development of an acute glaucomatous attack

Genotoksični efekat metanolskog ekstrakta biljke Cotinus Coggygria Scop. kod Drosophila Melanogaster

Plant extracts that appear to have favorable properties, may contain chemical compounds with mutagenic, teratogenic and/or carcinogenic activity, and it is of great importance to the inclusion of genotoxic approaches to toxicological evaluation of plant extracts. Using a comet assay on eukaryotic model organism Drosophila melanogaster in in vivo condition, potential genotoxic activity of the methanol extract of plant Cotinus coggygria Scop. was determined. Treatment with the methanol extracts, at a concentration of 1%, caused no significant changes compared to the negative control. Based on the distribution of comet class and selected quantitative parameters (% DNA in tail and tail length) it can be concluded that a methanol extract obtained from C. coggygria at a concentration of 1% does not shows genotoxic activity.Uključivanje genotoksičnog pristupa u toksikološku evaluaciju biljnih ekstrakata, koji i pored povoljnih svojstava mogu da sadrže komponente sa mutagenim, teratogenim i/ili kancerogenim aktivnostima, je od velike važnosti. Primenom Komet testa kod eukariotskog model organizma Drosophila melanogaster u in vivo uslovima ispitivana je genotoksična aktivnost metanolskog ekstrakta biljke Cotinus coggygria Scop. Тretman sa ekstraktom u koncentraciji od 1% nije uzrokovao statistički značajne promene u odnosu na negativnu kontrolu. Na osnovu raspodela komet klasa i odabranih kvantitativnih parametara može se zaključiti da ekstrakt biljke C. coggygria ne pokazuje genotoksičnu aktivnost

Evaluation of retinal status using chromatic pupil light reflex activity in healthy and diseased canine eyes

purpose. To differentiate rod-cone–mediated pupil light reflexes (PLRs) from intrinsic melanopsin-mediated pupil light reflexes by comparing pupil responses with red and blue light stimuli of differing intensities in normal dog eyes and in those with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) exhibiting a nonrecordable electroretinogram. methods. The PLR was evaluated in 14 healthy dogs using a computerized pupillometry system and in five dogs with SARDS. Contraction amplitude, velocity, and implicit time of the PLR were studied as a function of peak wavelength (480 nm vs. 630 nm) and light intensity (−0.29 to 5.3 log units) to determine characteristics of the rod-cone versus predominantly melanopsin-mediated PLR activity. results. The PLR in healthy, mildly sedated dogs could be elicited at low light intensities (−0.29 log units; 0.51 cd/m2). Canine SARDS patients displayed a complete absence of vision, electroretinographic amplitude, and PLR at low light intensity. However, in SARDS dogs, a pupil light reflex could be elicited with wavelengths corresponding to the melanopsin spectral sensitivity (blue light − peak at 480 nm) and at relatively high intensity (4.3 log units or higher), whereas red light (630 nm peak wavelength) was ineffective in eliciting any detectable PLR response even at light intensities of 6 log units (1,000,000 cd/m2). conclusions. The PLR in healthy canine eyes can be elicited at very low light intensities using red and blue wavelengths of light, but in dogs with blindness caused by SARDS, the pupil reacts only to high-intensity blue wavelength light, implying loss of the rod-cone–mediated PLR and most likely the presence of intrinsic, melanopsin-mediated, retinal ganglion cell–mediated PLR.This article is from Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 48 (2007): 5178, doi: 10.1167/iovs.07-0249.</p

Enhancing predictive accuracy of the cardiac risk score in open abdominal aortic surgery: the role of left ventricular wall motion abnormalities

BackgroundOpen abdominal aortic surgery carries many potential complications, with cardiac adverse events being the most significant concern. The Vascular Study Group Cardiac Risk Index (VSG-CRI) is a commonly used tool for predicting severe cardiac complications and guiding clinical decision-making. However, despite the potential prognostic significance of left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (LVWMAs) and reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) for adverse outcomes, the VSG-CRI model has not accounted for them. Hence, the main objective of this study was to analyze the added value of LV wall motion on the discriminatory power of the modified VSG-CRI in predicting major postoperative cardiac complications.MethodsA prospective study was conducted involving 271 patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic surgery between 2019 and 2021. VSG-CRI scores were calculated, and preoperative transthoracic echocardiography was conducted for all patients. Subsequently, a modified version of the VSG-CRI, accounting for reduced LVEF and LVWMAs, was developed and incorporated into the dataset. The postoperative incidence of the composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including myocardial infarction, clinically relevant arrhythmias treated with medicaments or by cardioversion, or congestive heart failure, was assessed at discharge from the index hospitalization, with adjudicators blinded to events. The predictive accuracy of both the original and modified VSG-CRI was assessed using C-Statistics.ResultsIn total, 61 patients (22.5%) experienced MACEs. Among these patients, a significantly higher proportion had preoperative LVWMAs compared to those without (62.3% vs. 32.9%, p &lt; 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis revealed the VSG-CRI [odds ratio (OR) 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–1.77; p &lt; 0.001] and LVWMA (OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.46–5.23; p = 0.002) as independent predictors of MACEs. Additionally, the modified VSG-CRI model demonstrated superior predictability compared to the baseline VSG-CRI model, suggesting an improved predictive performance for anticipating MACEs following abdominal aortic surgery [area under the curve (AUC) 0.74; 95% CI 0.68–0.81 vs. AUC 0.70; 95% CI 0.63–0.77; respectively].ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that incorporating preoperative echocardiography can enhance the predictive accuracy of the VSG-CRI for predicting MACEs after open abdominal aortic surgery. Before its implementation in clinical settings, external validation is necessary to confirm the generalizability of this newly developed predictive model across different populations

Maternal alcohol ingestion reduces SP-A expression by pre-term fetal lung epithelia

In addition to neurodevelopmental effects, alcohol consumption at high levels during pregnancy is associated with immunomodulation and premature birth. Premature birth, in turn, is associated with increased susceptibility to various infectious agents such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The initial line of pulmonary innate defense includes the mucociliary apparatus, which expels microorganisms trapped within the airway secretions. Surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D, respectively) are additional components of pulmonary innate immunity and have an important role in pulmonary defense against inhaled pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic alcohol consumption during the third trimester of pregnancy alters the function of the mucociliary apparatus and expression of SP-A and SP-D of fetal lung epithelia. Sixteen, date-mated ewes were assigned to two different groups; an ethanol exposed group in which ewes received ethanol through surgically implanted intra-abomasal cannula during the third trimester of pregnancy, and a control group in which ewes received the equivalent amount of water instead of ethanol. Within these two groups, ewes were further randomly assigned to a full-term group in which the lambs were naturally delivered, and a pre-term group in which the lambs were delivered prematurely via an abdominal incision and uterotomy. Ethanol was administered 5 times a week as a 40% solution at 1gr/kg of body weight. The mean maternal serum alcohol concentration (SAC) measured 6 hr post administration was 16.3 +/− 4.36 mg/dL. Tracheas from 6 full-term lambs were collected to assess ciliary beat frequency (CBF). The lung tissue from all (24) lambs was collected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of SP-A and SP-D protein production and fluorogenic real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (qPCR) of SP-A and SP-D mRNA levels. Exposure to ethanol during pregnancy significantly blocked stimulated increase in CBF though ethanol-mediated desensitization of cAMP-dependant protein kinase (PKA). In addition, pre-term born/ethanol-exposed lambs showed significantly decreased SP-A m-RNA expression when compared to the pre-term born/control group (p=0.004); no significant changes were seen with SP-D. The full-term/ethanol exposed lambs had no significant alterations in mRNA levels, but had significantly less detectable SP-A protein when compared to the full-term/control lambs (p=0.02). These findings suggest that chronic maternal ethanol consumption during the third trimester of pregnancy alters innate immune gene expression in fetal lung. These alterations may underlie increased susceptibility of pre-term infants, exposed to ethanol in utero, to RSV and other microbial agents

Mental Health Assessment of Cancer Patients: Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Depression and Anxiety

Background: Patients with oncological diseases often have mental disorders in the form of comorbidity. The aim of this study was to research the association of cancer with the presence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in primary health care patients.Methods: This prospective observational study done in 2020 included adult users of health care at the Health Center Trstenik, Central Serbia, aged 19 and over, both sexes, with a diagnosis of oncological disease. A research instrument to assess depressive symptoms is used PHQ-9 (The Patient Health Questionnaire) questionnaire, derived from PRIME MD- and (The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders), and the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI) to register the presence of certain anxiety symptoms.Results: The largest percentage of patients had symptoms of mild (27.2%) or moderate depression (22%), while 18% reported symptoms of major depression. The level of depression was higher in older subjects, in the presence of chronic diseases with greater limitations of activity and the presence of difficulties in performing daily activities, with a more pronounced effect of pain on activity, the presence of stress. All subjects were characterized as persons with severe anxiety (score 26-63). The level of anxiety was higher in older respondents, in the presence of long-term illness, with greater limitations of activities and difficulties in performing daily activities, with a more pronounced influence of pain on performing activities and the influence of the media.Conclusion: Caring for the mental health of cancer patients must occupy a significant part of each country's national health policy

Shear strength of fish glue bonds of glued wood evaluated by the ABES method

V prispevku smo s pomočjo sistema za avtomatizirano vrednotenje zlepljenosti (ABES) ugotavljali razvoj strižne trdnosti ribjega kleja pri lepljenju lesa. Uporabili smo bukov (Fagus sylvatica L.) furnir, ki smo ga lepili pri konstantnem tlaku 12 barov, medtem ko smo spreminjali temperaturo in čas stiskanja. Temperatura je znašala med25 °C in 100 °C, z intervalom 25 °C, čas stiskanja pa od 1 minute do 60 minut. Dosežena maksimalna strižna trdnost je znašala okoli 10 N/mm², dosegli smo jo pri vseh štirih proučevanih temperaturah stiskanja. Na podlagi rezultatov študije smo ugotovili, da strižna trdnost ribjega kleja pri različnih temperaturah segrevanja neenakomerno narašča. Pri višjih temperaturah segrevanja hitreje dosežemo maksimalne strižne trdnosti. Strižne trdnosti spoja lepila iz ribjega kleja smo ugotavljali tudi po standardih EN 204 in EN 205.Detail of the development of the shear strength of fish glue in wood bonding using an automated bonding evaluation system (ABES) are presented. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) veneer was used, which was compressed at constant pressure of 12 bars while the temperature and pressing time were varied. The temperature ranged between25°C and 100°C with an interval of 25°C, while the time period was between 1 minute and 60 minutes. The achieved maximum shear strength was approximately 10 N/mm², which was reached at all four studied pressing temperature intervals. Based on the study results, we found that the shear strength of fish glue increases unevenly at different heating temperatures. Maximum shear strength values are reached faster at higher heating temperatures. The shear strength of the fish glue bonds was also determined according to the EN 204 and EN 205 standards

Evaluation of Retinal Status Using Chromatic Pupil Light Reflex Activity in Healthy and Diseased Canine Eyes

purpose. To differentiate rod-cone–mediated pupil light reflexes (PLRs) from intrinsic melanopsin-mediated pupil light reflexes by comparing pupil responses with red and blue light stimuli of differing intensities in normal dog eyes and in those with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) exhibiting a nonrecordable electroretinogram. methods. The PLR was evaluated in 14 healthy dogs using a computerized pupillometry system and in five dogs with SARDS. Contraction amplitude, velocity, and implicit time of the PLR were studied as a function of peak wavelength (480 nm vs. 630 nm) and light intensity (−0.29 to 5.3 log units) to determine characteristics of the rod-cone versus predominantly melanopsin-mediated PLR activity. results. The PLR in healthy, mildly sedated dogs could be elicited at low light intensities (−0.29 log units; 0.51 cd/m2). Canine SARDS patients displayed a complete absence of vision, electroretinographic amplitude, and PLR at low light intensity. However, in SARDS dogs, a pupil light reflex could be elicited with wavelengths corresponding to the melanopsin spectral sensitivity (blue light − peak at 480 nm) and at relatively high intensity (4.3 log units or higher), whereas red light (630 nm peak wavelength) was ineffective in eliciting any detectable PLR response even at light intensities of 6 log units (1,000,000 cd/m2). conclusions. The PLR in healthy canine eyes can be elicited at very low light intensities using red and blue wavelengths of light, but in dogs with blindness caused by SARDS, the pupil reacts only to high-intensity blue wavelength light, implying loss of the rod-cone–mediated PLR and most likely the presence of intrinsic, melanopsin-mediated, retinal ganglion cell–mediated PLR.This article is from Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 48 (2007): 5178, doi: 10.1167/iovs.07-0249.</p

Recovery of canine retina and optic nerve function after acute elevation of intraocular pressure: implications for canine glaucoma treatment

Purpose  To characterize the timing and extent of functional recovery in healthy canine eyes exposed to acute elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods  Acute elevation of IOP was induced in 14 healthy Beagles by elevating IOP above the levels of systolic blood pressure for 60 min (average elevation was between 100 and 160 mmHg). Menace, dazzle and pupillary light reflexes (PLR) were tested at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days post elevation. Optical coherence tomography was used to evaluate retinal thickness preoperatively and at 15 and 30 days post elevation. Results  One day post elevation all animals were blind in the operated eye (no positive menace), 5/14 had positive PLR and 10/14 had positive dazzle response. Seven days post elevation 4/14 animals had positive menace response and all animals (14/14) had positive dazzle and PLR responses. Fourteen and 28 days post elevation all animals had positive menace, PLR and dazzle responses. Optical coherence tomography analysis revealed significant thinning of the inferior retina (pre elevation: 156.3 ± 4.8 µm; 15 days post elevation: 125 ± 10.4 µm; 30 days post elevation 123 ± 11.9 µm; P P = 0.057, anova). Conclusions  Detailed functional and morphologic analysis revealed precise information about retinal damage after acute elevation of IOP. Canine retina has the capacity to recover at least some visual function even at 14 days after acute elevation of the IOP. More aggressive medical and surgical treatment of canine glaucomatous patients may be indicated despite complete loss of visual function, PLR and dazzle responses in early days after development of an acute glaucomatous attack.This article is from Veterinary Ophthalmology 10 (2007): 101, doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2007.00584.x.</p