The Relationship Between Left Ventricular Filling Shortly After an Uncomplicated Myocardial Infarction and Subsequent Exercise Capacity

Resting measurement of only left ventricular systolic function, is not enough sufficient parameter that predicts exercise capacity in patients with cardiac disease. Therefore, left ventricular filling shortly after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was prospectively studied to determine whether it could predict subsequent exercise time. Consecutive AMI patients underwent Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography within 48 hours of infarction. The study group consisted of 63 participants: 33 patients with an uncomplicated AMI who had undergone symptom-limited stress testing during recovery and 30 healthy subjects. Systolic function was evaluated by wall motion score index (WMSI), and diastolic one was assessed by the peak transmitral Doppler velocity in early diastole (E) and atrial systole (A), then by their ratio (E/A), normalized E/A ratio, and by diastolic filling period (DFP). Myocardial infarction (MI) size was measured electrocardiographically, using Selvester’s QRS scoring system (QRSSI) and then expressed in percentages. Healthy participants and patients were compared, through common parameters. The patients receiving BB treatment at the time of exercise testing, had a lower resting pulse, and achieved a lower maximal pulse, yet their exercise time was similar incomparison to that of the group not receiving BB therapy. Our results have shown a strong positive correlation between exercise time and WMSI (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) DFP (r = 0.56, p < 0,001), respectively weak negative correlation with QRSSI (r = –0.17, p < 0.001) and better negative correlation with normalized E/A ratio (r = –0.56, p < 0.001). This correlation was not influenced by beta-blokers (BB) at the time of stress testing. Normalized E/A ratio and DFP are the only diastolic function parameters, which predict exercise capacity during recovery, measured soon after an uncomplicated AMI

An Evaluation of the Quality of Tooth Preparation with Intraoral Parallometer-Axisgraph - Pilot Study

Measuring of the axial angle in practice shows an average angle of 20 degrees. The result of the high taper angles is a nonsatisfactory resistance form in 22.5% cases. The purpose was to examine the efficiency of the Jonjić oral parallelometer, known as the "AXISGRAPH", with respect to basic ergonomic rules, leading to savings in working energy and time and an increase in the quality of the preparation. METHODS: On the basis of clinical cases models were made of the upper and of the lower jaw of acrylic resin. The practitioner, who has 10 years experience, initially prepared each model set in a KAWO-EWL model, conventionally using freehand preparation, and then with an Axisgraph. Both models were in the same condition. Comparison was made between the time required for preparation, working energy used, and the quality of the preparation. The quality of the preparation was determined using the axial angle of the prepared tooth, measured by the method described in Jonjic\u27s dissertation. RESULTS: The freehand preparation took 80 minutes while preparation with the Axisgraph took 50 minutes. The average angle in freehand preparation was 15.03 degrees while, (the average angle of preparation was 10.4 degrees) using Axisgraph, and in 30 minutes less time than the freehand preparation. CONCLUSION: Preparation with the Axisgraph significantly saves time on preparation and allows better quality for the prepared tooth

Influence of the Type of Occlusion on the Occurrence of Noncarious Cervical Lesion

INTRODUCTION: The term \u27noncarious cervical lesions’ (NCCL) stands to indicate the loss of hard tissue at the tooth cervix. This loss can be caused by different physical and/or chemical agents. One of the causes of NCCL can be occlusal stress, which lead to toothflexure and loss of enamel at the cervical area. In different types of occlusion there are numerous lateral eccentric movements that can cause NCCL. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the frequency of NCCLs between patients with different occlusal conception. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study involved 815 persons over the age of 10 years, chosen at random. The cervical third of the vestibular surface of the upper and lower teeth was clinically examined. NCCLs were measured with plus and minus. The type of occlusal conception was established by clinical examination and classified as canine guidance, group function and combined occlusion. The results showed that the NCCLs were equally participate in both sexes, and in all three types of occlusion (Chi-square values were 1.96, df=2, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in the frequency of NCCLs between patients with different occlusal

The Relationship Between Type of Occlusion and TMJ Sounds

Utjecaj okluzije na nastanak zvuka u temporomandibularnom zglobu nije potpuno potvrđen. Svrha je ovog istraživanja bila utvrditi utjecaj okluzijskih koncepcija na nastanak zvuka u temporomandibularnome zglobu. Ispitivana skupina sastojale se je od 96 ispitanika u dobi od 24 - 52 godine (x = 35,03 ± 6,92). Okluzijske koncepcije određene su kliničkim pregledom. U ovisnosti o kontaktima na laterotruzijskoj i meziotruzijskoj strani ispitanici su kategorizirani u tri skupine (okluzija vođena očnjakom, grupna funkcija, te bilateralno uravnotežena okluzija). Kliničkim pregledom te auskultacijom s pomoću stetoskopa registrirano je postojanje zvuka. 70,83 % ispitanika imalo je okluziju vođenu očnjakom, 16,66 % grupnu funkciju, a 12,5 % bilateralno uravnoteženu okluziju. Zvuk u temporomandibularnom zglobu postojao je u 41,6 % slučajeva. Rezultati statističke raščlambe (Pearson ?2) pokazuju da između skupina nema statistički znatne razlike (?2 = 2,09 p = 0,351). Rezultati ovog istraživanja upućuju na zaključak da okluzijske koncepcije nemaju utjecaja na nastanak zvuka u temporomandibularnom zglobu.The influence of occlusion on the occurrence of sound in the temporomandibular joint had not been complately proved. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of type of occlusion on the occurrence of sounds in the TMJ. A group of 96 subjects, aged from 24-52 years (x = 35.03 ± 6.92) was examined. The type of occlusion was dentermined by clinical examination. Depending on the contacts on the laterotrusal and mediotrusal side the subjects were categorized into three groups (canine guided occlusion, group function and balanced occlusion). The existence of sounds was registred by means of a clinical examination and auscultation by stethoscope. In the examined group 70.83% of examinees had canine guidance, 16.66 % group function and 12.5 % balanced occlusion. Temporomandibular joint sound was present in 41.6 % of subjects. The results of the statistical analysis (Pearson ?2) shows no statistically significant difference between these 3 groups (?2 = 2.09 p = 0.351). The results of this study suggest that the type of occlusion does not have an influence on the occurrence of sound in the TMJ

Newtonian Hydrodynamics of the Coalescence of Black Holes with Neutron Stars I: Tidally locked binaries with a stiff equation of state

We present a detailed study of the hydrodynamical interactions in a Newtonian black hole-neutron star binary during the last stages of inspiral. We consider close binaries which are tidally locked, use a stiff equation of state (with an adiabatic index Gamma=3) throughout, and explore the effect of different initial mass ratios on the evolution of the system. We calculate the gravitational radiation signal in the quadrupole approximation. Our calculations are carried out using a Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) code.Comment: Replaces previous version which had figures separate from the text of the paper. Now 47 pages long with 19 embedded figures (the figures are the same, they were renumbered) Uses aaspp4.st

The Late-Effect Of X-Irradiation on the Mouse Submandibular Gland

INTRODUCTION: Life-long severe xerostomia is a common complication after radiotherapy of head and neck malignancy. It is a clinical entity which causes a great deal of suffering and disability for the patient. Saliva is an important factor for denture retention. Hyposalivation causes reduced retention of full dentures. The aim of the study was to determine late consequences of irradiation in the mouse submandibular gland. MATERIAL AND METHODS : Mouse submandibular glands were locally X-irradiated by single dose irradiation with 15Gy. Day 90 post-irradiation tissues were analyzed by morphology and morphometry. RESULTS: Strong vacuolization of almost all acini was noted. Kariopyknotic nuclei were found in numerous acini and the largest amount of acini was in the lysis. The epithelial cells of the granular convoluted tubule were degenerated and desquamated in the lumen, and some granular convoluted tubules were in the lysis. In the interstitial connective tissue disseminated focal mononuclear infiltrate was found. With respect to the control group a statistically significant decrease in the number of acinar cells (p<0.001) was determined, as well as a significant increase in the number of granular convoluted tubule cells (p<0.001). Whereas the number of intercalated duct cells was not different with respect to the control (p=0.10). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that hypofunction in the late stage is a consequence of morphological changes and loss of acinar cells. The patients should use a saliva substitute to alleviate their symptoms easier

Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Cardiac Monitoring by Continuous Wave-Doppler Ultrasound Cardiac Output Monitoring and Correlation to Echocardiography

Background: Anthracyclines are agents with a well-known cardiotoxicity. The study sought to evaluate the hemodynamic response to an anthracycline using real-time continuous-wave (CW)-Doppler ultrasound cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) and echocardiography in combination with serum biomarkers. Methods: 50 patients (26 male, 24 female, median age 59 years) suffering from various types of cancer received an anthracycline-based regimen. Patients' responses were measured at different time points (T0 prior to infusion, T1 6 h post infusion, T2 after 1 day, T3 after 7 days, and T4 after 3 months) with CW-Doppler ultrasound (T0-T4) and echocardiography (T1, T4) for hemodynamic parameters such as stroke volume (SV; SVUSCOM ml) and ejection fraction (EF; EFechocardiography%) and with NT-pro-BNP and hs-Troponin T (T0-T4). Results: During the 3-month observation period, the relative decrease in the EF determined by echocardiography was -2.1% (Delta T0-T4, T0 71 +/- 7.8%, T4 69.5 +/- 7%, p = 0.04), whereas the decrease in SV observed using CW-Doppler was -6.5% (Delta T0-T4, T0 54 +/- 19.2 ml, T4 50.5 +/- 20.6 ml, p = 0.14). The kinetics for serum biomarkers were inversely correlated. Conclusions: Combining real-time CW-Doppler USCOM and serum biomarkers is feasible for monitoring the immediate and chronic hemodynamic changes during an anthracycline-based regimen; the results obtained were comparable to those from echocardiography

Inbreeding and Learning Disability in Croatian Island Isolates

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of learning disability (LD) in isolate populations with different inbreeding coefficients (F). Prevalence of LD and F were determined in 10 villages from five Croatian islands: Bra~, Hvar, Kor~ula, Lastovo and Susak. For the purpose of this study, LD was defined as the inability to attend the public school system. As the elementary schools (grade 1–8) in the place of the study are both public and compulsory, the assessment of child\u27s inability to attend the school is performed at the age of six. This is required by all children in the country based on standard set of tests of cognitive performance defined by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Croatia. The average inbreeding coefficients in each village population (F) were estimated in a random sample of 20–30% adults in each of the 10 villages based on 4 ancestral generations and using Wright\u27s path method. Prevalence of LD ranged from 0.43% to 2.47%, and the inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.8% to 4.9%. The Pearson\u27s correlation coefficient between F and LD prevalence was 0.80 (p<0.01). Although the relative risk per 5% inbreeding appeared very high (about 10), the absolute risk only increased from 0.18% to 1.77%. The genetic effect of inbreeding (GEI) was approximately 0.69% and the population-attributable fraction 76.6%. A review of the literature and the results of this study lead to a conclusion that a very large number of predominantly recessive genetic factors might mediate the genetic susceptibility to various forms of LD in these populations

Guidance on the environmental risk assessment of plant pests

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requested the Panel on Plant Health to develop a methodology for assessing the environmental risks posed by harmful organisms that may enter, establish and spread in the European Union. To do so, the Panel first reviewed the methods for assessing the environmental risks of plant pests that have previously been used in pest risk assessment. The limitations identified by the review led the Panel to define the new methodology for environmental risk assessment which is described in this guidance document. The guidance is primarily addressed to the EFSA PLH Panel and has been conceived as an enhancement of the relevant parts of the “Guidance on a harmonised framework for pest risk assessment and the identification and evaluation of pest risk management options by EFSA”. Emphasizing the importance of assessing the consequences on both the structural (biodiversity) and the functional (ecosystem services) aspects of the environment, this new approach includes methods for assessing both aspects for the first time in a pest risk assessment scheme. A list of questions has been developed for the assessor to evaluate the consequences for structural biodiversity and for ecosystem services in the current area of invasion and in the risk assessment area. To ensure the consistency and transparency of the assessment, a rating system has also been developed based on a probabilistic approach with an evaluation of the degree of uncertainty. Finally, an overview of the available risk reduction options for pests in natural environments is presented, minimum data requirements are described, and a glossary to support the common understanding of the principles of this opinion is provided

Scientific Opinion on the phytosanitary risk associated with some coniferous species and genera for the spread of pine wood nematode

The European Commission requested the Panel on Plant Health to deliver a scientific opinion on the phytosanitary risk of plants (other than fruits and seeds) of Pinus pinea and of the genera Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria and Juniperus for the spread of pine wood nematode (PWN) via movement of infested plants or untreated plant products or by supporting natural spread of PWN in conjunction with European species of the vector. The Panel analysed the data submitted by Portugal regarding surveys on the Tróia Peninsula where P. pinaster and P. pinea co-occur, and the related laboratory results of Naves et al. (2006) on feeding and oviposition preferences of Monochamus galloprovincialis. The Panel also undertook a comprehensive review of the literature. The zero infestation of PWN recorded on P. pinea on the Tróia Peninsula was not significantly different from the result for P. pinaster, because of the small P. pinea sample. Hence, the conclusion that P. pinea is not a host plant for PWN is not supported by the data submitted, principally because of low statistical confidence arising from the few P. pinea trees present. Moreover, the limited presence of P. pinea in the study areas means that the results are representative neither of the Tróia Peninsula nor of other parts of Portugal. Naves et al. (2006) recorded some oviposition by M. galloprovincialis on P. pinea, but less than on other hosts. No differences in feeding of M. galloprovincialis on P. pinaster and P. pinea were detected, thus potentially allowing PWN transmission to trees by this route. The available information regarding the genera Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria and Juniperus as potential hosts of Monochamus spp. and PWN suggests overall a low susceptibility to PWN or its vectors; the uncertainty concerning PWN is high and would require supplementary research