Influence of Purging Gas on 316L Stainless Steel Fusion Zone in Autogenous Stationary TIG Welding

This research reveals the influence of different purging conditions on the fusion zone dimensions and shape for stationary autogenous TIG welding of 316L stainless steel. Welding experiments were performed for unpurged and purged weld root side for 7, 14 and 21 second arcing time. Purging was executed with ten seconds of pre-flow and 23 seconds of post-flow with 10 l/min Ar and 4 l/min of He. Characteristic fusion zone dimensions were extracted and calculated from photo-macrographs of weld cross-sections. Purging the weld root side by argon increased penetration depth and cross-section area compared to helium. Those benefits of argon purging can be attributed to its low thermal conductivity. Measurement of thermal cycles on the weld root side revealed that peak temperatures were higher by argon purging compared to the presence of helium or air. The fusion zone width exhibited no significant differences regardless of weld root side gas type

Duke Treadmill Score in Prioritizing Patients for Coronary Angiography: Retrospective Study of a Croatian Regional Hospital

Aim of the study was to determine the potential of Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional country clinical setting.We analyzed 114 patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease who underwent exercise treadmill testing, and coronary angiography in Slavonski Brod General Hospital. DTS was calculated from treadmill test as: exercise time – (5 ST deviation in mm) – (4 exercise angina). Regarding the score, patients were grouped into three groups of risk for coronary artery disease: low risk, medium risk, and high risk patients. All patients underwent coronary angiography, and were grouped in accordance to the severity of the coronary artery disease into three groups: insignificant, significant, or severe coronary artery disease. All patients scored as high risk DTS had significant or severe coronary artery disease. Medium and low risk DTS patients had insignificant coronary artery disease in 50%, and 90% of cases, respectively. Medium risk patients with significant or severe coronary artery disease were significantly older, and had more frequent history of typical chest pain with higher number of episodes per week (P<0.05), whereas there were no differences regarding gender or presence of risk factors. There were no significant differences among medium risk patients regarding the severity of coronary artery disease in exercise time or ST deviation. However, the presence of limiting exercise angina in medium risk patients was significantly more related with significant and severe coronary artery disease (P<0.05). High risk DTS result showed great potential in stratifying patients for immediate coronary angiography. This scoring system may be used in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional clinical setting

Duke Treadmill Score in Prioritizing Patients for Coronary Angiography: Retrospective Study of a Croatian Regional Hospital

Aim of the study was to determine the potential of Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional country clinical setting.We analyzed 114 patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease who underwent exercise treadmill testing, and coronary angiography in Slavonski Brod General Hospital. DTS was calculated from treadmill test as: exercise time – (5 ST deviation in mm) – (4 exercise angina). Regarding the score, patients were grouped into three groups of risk for coronary artery disease: low risk, medium risk, and high risk patients. All patients underwent coronary angiography, and were grouped in accordance to the severity of the coronary artery disease into three groups: insignificant, significant, or severe coronary artery disease. All patients scored as high risk DTS had significant or severe coronary artery disease. Medium and low risk DTS patients had insignificant coronary artery disease in 50%, and 90% of cases, respectively. Medium risk patients with significant or severe coronary artery disease were significantly older, and had more frequent history of typical chest pain with higher number of episodes per week (P<0.05), whereas there were no differences regarding gender or presence of risk factors. There were no significant differences among medium risk patients regarding the severity of coronary artery disease in exercise time or ST deviation. However, the presence of limiting exercise angina in medium risk patients was significantly more related with significant and severe coronary artery disease (P<0.05). High risk DTS result showed great potential in stratifying patients for immediate coronary angiography. This scoring system may be used in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional clinical setting

Imitation of clinical manifestations of myocardial infraction in patients with lung carcinoma

Autori u radu prikazuju klinički tijek bolesti 68-godišnjeg muškarca koji je hospitaliziran pod slikom akutne boli u prsištu i sumnje na akutni infarkt miokarda. U bolesnika su bili prisutni čimbenici rizika za koronarnu bolest, a laboratorijskom obradom dobivene su izrazito visoke vrijednosti izoenzima MB-kreatinin fosfokinaze (MB-CPK), koje su bile značajno više od ukupne vrijednosti kreatinin fosfokinaze (CPK). EKG i vrijednosti troponina I bile su u granicama urednoga. U ostalim laboratorijskim nalazima prisutni su pokazatelji lezije jetre, azotemija i trombocitopenija. U ponavljanim nalazima neprekidno je bila prisutna visoka vrijednost MB-CPK, bez dinamike u EKG-u i uz normalne vrijednosti troponina. Tijekom hospitalizacije slijedi brzo kliničko propadanje uz pogoršanje jetrenih nalaza, trombocitopenije i bubrežne funkcije, te ulazak u komu koja vrlo brzo završi smrću bolesnika. Obdukcijom se dijagnosticira mikrocelulami karcinom pluća. Visoka vrijednost MBCPK u ovog bolesnika jest posljedica povišenih vrijednosti izoenzima BB-CPK ili makro-CPK koji su u metodi imunoinhibicije, laboratorijskoj metodi određivanja MB-CPK, uzrokovali lažno visoku vrijednost MB-CPK. Ovo opažanje upućuje na to da u bolesnika koji imaju visoku vrijednost MB-CPK, značajno višu od ukupne vrijednosti CPK, a kliničkom slikom, EKG-om i troponinom se isključi akutni srčani infarkt, treba pomišljati na druge uzroke povišenja izoenzima CPK i moguću malignu bolest.A 68-year-old man with known coronary artery disease risk factors was admitted to hospital because of acute chest pain, and acute myocardial infarction was initially suspected. Laboratory data showed elevated creatine kinase of MB type values that greatly exceeded the total creatine kinase activity. ECG and Troponin I values were normal. In other laboratory findings there were indicators of liver insufficiency, as well as the presence of azothaemia and thrombocytopenia. Repeated laboratory tests showed constantly elevated CKMB value, without significant ECG findings, and with normal Troponin I values. During the hospitalization, rapid physical deterioration, along with worsening of liver and renal function, as well as thrombocytopenia was noted. The patient soon entered into coma, and died. Microcelullar carcinoma of the lungs was diagnosed during autopsy. Elevated CK-MB value was mostly likely due to presence of CK-BB or macro CK in the plasma. These forms of enzyme interfere with the immunoinhibition methods normally used in laboratories to measure CK-MB and they are reason for false positive increase of CK-MB. It is important to be aware of different causes of CK isoenzyme elevation. When the patient\u27s condition is not compatible with myocardial infarction, malignancy must be considered

The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Croatian Hospitalized Coronary Heart Disease Patients

The aim of this article was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using selected anthropometric variables in a sample of hospitalized coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Croatia (N=1,298). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in surveyed patient population was high: 48.2% of participants were overweight and 28.6% were obese according to their body mass index; measured through waist-to-hip ratio 54.5% of participants were centrally obese. These data on prevalences of overweight, obesity and central obesity show that although there are some reassuring trends, there is still considerable amount of work to be done if the prevalence of this cardiovascular risk factor is to be reduced further among Croatian CHD patients. While the prevalence of obesity seems to be on the decline, the prevalence of overweight is rising, which may be just an early warning sign of an incoming wave of obesity epidemic in future years

The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Croatian Hospitalized Coronary Heart Disease Patients

The aim of this article was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using selected anthropometric variables in a sample of hospitalized coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Croatia (N=1,298). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in surveyed patient population was high: 48.2% of participants were overweight and 28.6% were obese according to their body mass index; measured through waist-to-hip ratio 54.5% of participants were centrally obese. These data on prevalences of overweight, obesity and central obesity show that although there are some reassuring trends, there is still considerable amount of work to be done if the prevalence of this cardiovascular risk factor is to be reduced further among Croatian CHD patients. While the prevalence of obesity seems to be on the decline, the prevalence of overweight is rising, which may be just an early warning sign of an incoming wave of obesity epidemic in future years

Influence of vibrations on residual stresses distribution in welded joints

This paper presents research experience related to implementation of vibrations on residual stress relief with the equipment for treatment by vibration method. The paper provides explanation of effects achieved by vibration method when implemented during welding, and elaborates advantages and disadvantages of that method applied after welding process. In order to present effects of vibration on solid structures, there was experimental analysis performed and compared with heat treatment

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Croatian hospitalized coronary heart disease patients [Prevalencija prekomjerne tjelesne težine i pretilosti u hospitaliziranih koronarnih bolesnika u Hrvatskoj]

The aim of this article was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using selected anthropometric variables in a sample of hospitalized coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Croatia (N = 1,298). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in surveyed patient population was high: 48.2% of participants were overweight and 28.6% were obese according to their body mass index; measured through waist-to-hip ratio 54.5% of participants were centrally obese. These data on prevalences of overweight, obesity and central obesity show that although there are some reassuring trends, there is still considerable amount of work to be done if the prevalence of this cardiovascular risk factor is to be reduced further among Croatian CHD patients. While the prevalence of obesity seems to be on the decline, the prevalence of overweight is rising, which may be just an early warning sign of an incoming wave of obesity epidemic in future years