The Dynamics of Tectonic Modelling of Some Caves in the Karst Region (Croatia)

Deformational processes resulted in the formation of certain caves in the carbonate rocks of the karst area are analysed. Some of the caves were formed by deformational processes connected to extension of the area, while others were formed by processes that followed compression during structural formation of the Dinarides. In the first case, the caves were infilled by calcite material and/or by debris from the surrounding rocks mixed with terra rossa. The second group is mostly represented by caves forming open spelaeological objects

Jabuka Shoal, a New Location with Igneous Rocks in the Adriatic Sea

Petrographic and XRF analyses of the magmatic rock from Jabuka Shoal, 2300 m west of Jabuka Islet (central Adriatic Sea) revealed that the rock is gabbro. This new location of magmatic rocks in the Adriatic confirms their linear arrangement, and indicates the presence of an important fault line which predisposed the occurrences of magmatic rocks

Gas hydrate on the northern Cascadia margin: regional geophysics and structural framework

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 311 is based on extensive site survey data and historic research at the northern Cascadia margin since 1985. This research includes various regional geophysical surveys using a broad spectrum of seismic techniques, coring and logging by the Ocean Drilling Program Leg 146, heat flow measurements, shallow piston coring, and bottom video observations across a cold-vent field, as well as novel controlled-source electromagnetic and seafloor compliance surveying techniques. The wealth of data available allowed construction of structural cross-sections of the margin, development of models for the formation of gas hydrate in an accretionary prism, and estimation of gas hydrate and free gas concentrations. Expedition 311 established for the first time a transect of drill sites across the northern Cascadia margin to study the evolution of gas hydrate formation over the entire gas hydrate stability field of the accretionary complex. This paper reviews the tectonic framework at the northern Cascadia margin and summarizes the scientific studies that led to the drilling objectives of Expedition 311 Cascadia gas hydrate

Atrial fibrillation in a patient with lung cancer: a case report

Introduction. Cancer remains one of the most common causes of death in the world, second only to cardiovascular diseases. The use of novel chemotherapeutic and targeted agents has significantly improved the prognosis of this group of patients. However, this significantly increased the number of cardiotoxic complications of anticancer therapy, including arrhythmias, in particular atrial fibrillation (AF), which negatively affects the prognosis.Brief description. The purpose of this article was to describe the case of a 64-yearold woman with central right lung lower lobe cancer. Upon admission to the chemotherapy department, the patient was first diagnosed with paroxysmal AF. After chemical cardioversion, the first course of multiagent chemotherapy (MAC) was performed as follows: paclitaxel 280 mg and carboplatin 450 mg, which was complicated by the development of recurrent AF episode. During subsequent MAC courses, arrhythmia episodes regularly occurred. During the next AF episode, the patient was hospitalized at the City Clinical Hospital № 51, where she died despite intensive therapy. Postmortem examination ruled out tumor invasion into the left atrium.Discussion. For the AF development, the patient had prerequisites in the form of a significantly remodeled left atrial myocardium. Chemotherapy agents used as antitumor therapy are characterized by the common development of cardiotoxicity, including variety of arrhythmias. The occurrence of AF episodes coincided with the course of MAC, which suggested its cardiotoxic manifestations. Postmortem examination confirmed the high probability of an association between AF episodes and MAC.Conclusion. The presented case illustrates the difficulties encountered by oncologists and cardiologists in determining the genesis and treatment of complex arrhythmias in cancer patients

Atrial Fibrillation in Cancer Patients: Who is at Risk?

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the world, second only to cardiovascular diseases. Simultaneously cancer mortality has been steadily decreasing due to the development  of new chemotherapy and targeted  drugs  and the improvement  of existing  treatment protocols.  Improving the prognosis of treatment of cancer patients leads to an unexpected  result - more patients are faced with side effects of cancer treatment. Cardiotoxicity, including  arrhythmia, has  become  a significant  factor  to reduce  the effectiveness  of cancer  patient’s  treatment.  Atrial  fibrillation  is frequent  and persistent a rhythm disorder, affecting  all categories  of patients, especially the elderly. An association  between these two conditions  can be expected, considering the fact that in old age the prevalence of malignant neoplasms  and comorbid pathology predisposing to the onset of AF is high. Therefore, AF may be an additional  factor negatively  influencing the prognosis and treatment tactics in patients with malignant neoplasms. A comprehensive search was conducted  using the keywords  “cancer”, “atrial fibrillation” and “cardiotoxicity” using the PubMed,  Scopus and Cohrane  databases. We reviewed publications having the relationship between AF and cancer. The literature review considered 61 publications on the prevalence of AF in cancer patients, classification, mechanisms of development, the effect of anticancer drugs and other treatment methods on this group of patients. Analyzed articles include clinical guidelines, consensus  expert opinions,  systematic  reviews,  meta-analyzes, and previously  published  reviews of the literature. The problem of cardiotoxic  complications diagnostics is evaluated separately,  incl. arrhythmias, and their monitoring in cancer patients. Therefore, the direction of medicine named "Cardio-oncology" comes to the fore. Interdisciplinary interaction will allow identify cardiotoxic  manifestations at the subclinical stage and optimize anticancer treatment

Vasotoxic Effects of Anticancer Therapy: a Review of Current Data

Cardiovascular and oncological diseases are the leading causes of adult death in the world. Despite proven efficacy, anticancer drugs can cause severe cardiovascular complications. Recently, data have appeared on the possible vasotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs, which can manifest themselves as the progression of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, the development of myocardial ischemia and acute coronary syndrome, the formation of venous and arterial thrombosis. The key mechanism for the development of vasotoxicity is endothelial dysfunction, and anticancer drugs can also affect the processes of thrombosis. The review presents the results of 12 selected observational retro- and prospective studies involving cancer patients receiving presumably vasotoxic therapy. Data on the frequency of occurrence and possibilities for the prevention of vasotoxicity are presented