Palynology and microfacies of Lower Devonian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposits in Podolia, Ukraine

Investigation of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Lower Devonian deposits have been carried out in the Ivanye Zolote and Ustechko sections in Podolia, Ukraine. Based on palynomorph evidence, the age of the samples studied is late Lochkovian, not older than the NM Oppel Miospore Zone, specifically the Si Lineage Zone. The presence of acritarchs and chitinozoans points to dominantly marine depositional conditions. However, a regressive environmental change to-ward more brackish conditions is indicated by a decrease in the taxonomic diversity of acritarchs in the topmost samples, the simultaneous disappearance of chitinozoans, and an increase in leiosphaerid frequency. Furthermore, evolution of limestone microfacies demonstrates a progressive transition from a shrinking marine basin toward a brackish, storm-af-fected muddy lagoon, manifested by recurrent profusion of impoverished, mostly opportunistic and euryhaline shelly benthos (nuculanid bivalves, leperditicopids and other ostracods, terebratulid brachiopods), chaetetid demosponges and diverse ichthyofauna. The association of plant (mainly nematophytes and some tracheids) and animal (eurypterid, ?scor-pion, and possibly other arthropod) remains points to the presence of nearby Early Devonian wetland vegetation, provid-ing food and shelter for various semi-aquatic and other terrestrial arthropods. Copyright © 2012

Extensive postpartum urinary retention successfully treated with clean intermittent catheterization

We present a case of extensive urine retention after vaginal delivery. Postpartum urinary retention occurs in 0.7 to 0.9% of vaginal deliveries. In the literature, mediolateral episiotomy, epidural analgesia, perineal lacerations, macrosomic birth and prolonged 2nd stage of labor are suggested as risk factors for postpartum urine retention.          

Historical outline of iron mining and production in the area of present-day Poland

Funding Information: Funding: Funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, through the MineHeritage Project (Grant Agreement 18111).The article presents the history of iron ore mining and production in present-day Poland and takes into account mining and production techniques and the influence of mining on the development of the surrounding areas. Examples of development are presented for the most important iron ore mining centers established since the period of the so-called Roman influences—Lower Silesia in the region of Tarchalice and the Świętokrzyskie region in the area of Góry Świętokrzyskie (Świętokrzyskie Mountains). The oldest traces of underground iron ore mining in Poland date back to the 7th–5th century B.C., and iron production dates back from the 1st century B.C. in the Częstochowa region where economically significant iron ore exploitation started in the 14th century and lasted until the 20th century. Studies showed that the development of iron ore mining in today’s Poland was associated with significant events in the country’s history, for example, with the expansion of a network of fortified castles in Silesia or with the industrial revolution. In each case, the increase in iron production resulted in the development and growth of the surrounding areas.publishersversionpublishe

Reversing dabigatran effect with idarucizumab to enable intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischaemic stroke — a single centre experience

Introduction. Our study analysed the safety and effectiveness of idarucizumab in enabling intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in dabigatran-treated patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Clinical rationale for the study. New oral anticoagulants (NOAC), including dabigatran, are the first-choice treatment option for preventing ischaemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, a significant percentage of AF patients develops AIS despite NOAC treatment. According to current guidelines, treatment with IVT is contraindicated in patients who have received NOAC within the last 48 hours. Idarucizumab is a fragment of a monoclonal antibody that reverses the anticoagulation effect of dabigatran. The latest research shows that it can enable safe and successful IVT in patients with recent dabigatran intake, but more data is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of such treatment. Material and methods. Our study included dabigatran-treated patients who received idarucizumab to allow AIS treatment with IVT in the University Hospital in Kraków (Poland) from December 2018 to June 2023. We gathered data on their past medical history, stroke severity, course of treatment and outcomes as defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at discharge. A good functional outcome was defined as mRS 0–2 points at discharge. Results. This observational study included 19 patients (13 male and six female) with a median age of 74 (IQR = 13) years. In all patients (100%), the reason for dabigatran treatment was AF. A good functional outcome after treatment (mRS 0–2) was achieved in 68.4% of patients, but mRS was already ≥ 3 points before stroke onset in three (15.8%) patients. Haemorrhagic transformation of stroke occurred in three (15.8%) patients, including symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage in two (10.5%). The mortality rate was 5.3%. Conclusions and clinical implications. Our study results are in line with previous research on this topic, showing that IVT after idarucizumab can be successfully administered and is reasonably safe in dabigatran-treated patients with AIS

Embolizacja tętnic macicznych – zagadnienia kliniczne

The aim of the study was to present clinical issues concerning uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with uterine fibromas. In order to ensure high clinical efficiency of UAE and prevent subsequent complications, it is necessary to carefully select patients eligible for the procedure. Patients with intramural fibromas, who do not plan to conceive, are the best candidates for the procedure. Fibroma necrosis, with following infection, and premature ovarian failure remain to be the most common complications after UAE. UAE may cause amenorrhea and increase FSH levels, what is typical for menopause. Thus, it may be responsible for problems with conception as well as optimal development of a pregnancy. It may also cause premature, iatrogenic menopause. This complication significantly more frequently occurs in women over the age of 45 as compared to younger patients. UAE is considered as an alternative therapeutic procedure, available to women who do not desire the surgery or wish to preserve the uterus. Patients subject to this procedure should be informed about the possible side effects.Celem pracy było przedstawienie zagadnień klinicznych związanych z zabiegami embolizacji tętnic macicznych (UAE) w przypadku objawowych mięśniaków macicy. Zwrócono uwagę, że odpowiednia kwalifikacja chorych do zabiegu ma kluczowe znaczenie dla wysokiej skuteczności klinicznej oraz zapobiegania powikłaniom po UAE. Kandydatkami powinny być kobiety z objawowymi mięśniakami położonymi śródściennie, które w przyszłości nie planują zachodzić w ciążę. Przedwczesne wygasanie czynności jajników, obok martwicy mięśniaka z następową infekcją stanowi jedno z najczęstszych powikłań embolizacji. Może być przyczyną przedwczesnej, jatrogennej menopauzy oraz trudności w zajściu i donoszeniu ciąży. UAE może niekorzystnie wpłynąć na funkcję jajników, powodując czasowe lub stałe zatrzymanie miesiączki, a także typowy dla okresu menopauzy wzrost poziomu FSH. Znacznie częściej to powikłanie UAE obserwuje się u kobiet po 45 roku życia, niż młodszych. Embolizacja tętnic macicznych przeprowadzana w celu leczenia objawowych mięśniaków macicy stanowi alternatywną opcję terapeutyczną, istotną dla kobiet, które nie chcą poddawać się operacji lub pragnących zachować macicę. Chore poddawane tego typu leczeniu powinny być poinformowane o możliwych skutkach ubocznych

Reversal ventilation as a method of fire hazard mitigation in the mines

Reversal ventilation is one of prevention methods against fire hazard in underground mines, but it is not recommended for the mines where methane is present. The authors introduce the new method of reversal and by conducting numerical simulations they prove that it allows to keep methane at the acceptable level during miners escape. However, it requires connection between the subnetworks of the main ventilation fans. It was also shown, that by using the method some escape routes will be shortened. It is possible to apply this method in the mines where the fans and stoppings are fully controlled across the full range of their operating parameters. The findings are important for underground mines, as well as for surface facilities where air control or smoke control is managed by two or more fans.Web of Science137art. no. 175

Influence of the auxiliary air-duct outlet and the brattice location on the methane hazard-numerical simulations

The article presents the results of research into the influence of the location of auxiliary ventilation devices on the distribution of methane concentrations at the outlet of the longwall in an underground mine. Since this area is crucial from the point of view of explosion risk, the existence of an optimal arrangement of these devices could lead to improved safety of the crew working in the area. The aim of conducted study was to examine if the impact of this devices placement is significant. The research was carried out with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling-Ansys Fluent. The analyses took into account the location of the two most commonly used devices: a brattice and an auxiliary air-duct. The numerical model has been prepared and validated based on in situ measurements. Thirty-two cases of device configurations were analysed. The length and position of the brattice, as well as the height and position air-duct outlet along tailgate, were modified. It has been shown that although the presented solutions are an effective risk mitigation method, contrary to the common opinion of many practitioners, the impact of their exact placement, provided it is compliant with the regulations, is not significant for the registered methane concentration distribution at a longwall outlet.Web of Science1510art. no. 367