Electrical potentials between stent-grafts made from different metals induce negligible corrosion.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the risk of galvanic corrosion in various stent-grafts in current practice, when devices with unmatched alloy compositions are deployed together. METHOD: Five nitinol (NT) and two steel (SS) stent-grafts produced by different companies were used in different combinations to create 21 samples (NT:NT, n = 10; NT:SS, n = 10; SS:SS, n = 1). Electric potential was measured between the metal couplings after immersion in 0.9% NaCl at a temperature of 37 °C. Subsequently, the same samples were incubated for 24 months in 0.9% NaCl at 37-39 °C under hermetic conditions and examined under a scanning electron microscope in order to search for any evidence of corrosion. RESULTS: Electric potentials between different metals alloys were found (means: NT:SS, 181 µV; NT:NT, 101 µV; SS:SS, 160 µV). The mean electrical potential between stainless steel and nitinol samples was significantly higher than between NT:NT couplings (p < .001). During the final scanning electron microscope examination, only one spot of pitting corrosion (>10 µm) on a nitinol surface was found (associated with previous mechanical damage) in an NT:SS sample after 24 months of incubation in vitro and no sign of mechanical failure of the wires was found. CONCLUSION: Direct contact between the stainless steel and the nitinol alloys does indeed create electrical potential but with a minimal risk of galvanic corrosion. No evidence was found for significant galvanic corrosion when two endovascular implants (stent-grafts) made from different metal composition were used in the same procedure.

[An influence of cardiovascular risk factors and pharmacotherapy on the long-term results in women undergoing coronary artery bypass]. / Analiza wplywu czynników ryzyka i leczenia farmakologicznego na odlegle wyniki pomostowania tetnic wiencowych u kobiet.

This study aimed at analysing an effect of the coronary risk factors and pharmacotherapy on the long-term outcome in women following the coronary artery by-pass. In 1004-1997, 253 female patients, aged between 33 and 82 years (mean [+/- SD] 57.0 +/- 8 years) were treated surgically. The follow-up period lasted for 7 to 60 months (mean 32.0 +/- 14 months). Ten patients (3.9%) died. Answers to the questionnaire and personal interviews assessed physical fitness based on CCS classification, pharmacotherapy, and presence of risk factors. According to CCS scale, significant improvement has been seen in 195 (82.6%; p < .0001) patients. Health state did not change in 34 (14.4%) patients, and deteriorated in 7 (3.0%). Analysisn coronary risk factors, hypertension proved prevailing (60.3%), followed by diabetes mellitus (25.5%) and obesity (22.9%). Eleven percent of patients returned to cigarettes smoking after surgery. Postoperatively, 74.1% of patients received nitrates as a constant, medication, 58.2%--beta-blockers, 53.4%--ACE inhibitors, and 19.8% of patients received calcium antagonists. Lipid abnormalities have been treated in 49.1% of patients whereas antiplatelet therapy has been carried out in 74.1%. Only 9.9% of patients received hormones. The lower CCS class before surgery, the more significant improvement after it. As pharmacotherapy was used according to the European guidelines, an improvement in the long-term outcome required some modifications in patients' life style.

Cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl (eta 1-N-phthalimidato) complexes containing an isothiocyanate function: synthesis and application to protein side-chain selective labeling.

The two first transition metal carbonyl isothiocyanates were prepared in high yield within two steps from photolysis of CpFe(CO)2I and 3- or 4-aminophthalimide in the presence of diisopropylamine followed by reaction with thiophosgene/triethylamine. Their reaction with a model amino acid, i.e. beta-alanine, was performed and led to the expected thioureas. When reacted with bovine serum albumin in aqueous medium, conjugates bearing 6-10 iron-carbonyl fragments were obtained and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thus demonstrating the usefulness of these reagents for the selective and covalent labeling of proteins.

[Pattern of breathing and obstruction pressure in patients with airway obstruction after inhalation of bronchodilators]. / Wzorzec oddychania i cisnienie okluzji u chorych z obturacja dróg oddechowych po inhalacji leku rozszerzajacego oskrzela.

The neuromuscular drive is increased in patients with an airway obstruction. The aim of the study was to estimate an influence of beta-agonist on breathing pattern and mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) in patients with reversible and nonreversible airway obstruction. Ventilatory function tests, pattern of breathing analysis, mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) and inspiratory impedance (P0.1/Vt/Ti) were measured in 23 obstructive patients and 20 healthy subjects. In all patients these measurements were repeated 20 minutes after bronchodilator inhalation (0.2 mg fenoterol). During quiet room-air breathing in patients we observed increased Vt, Vt/Ti comparing with healthy persons. The time of inspiration (Ti) and total time (Ttot) were shortened in comparison to our control group. P0.1 and inspiratory impedance were significantly increased (P0.1 3.6 +/- 1.6 vs 1.6 +/- 0.3 cm H2O, p < 0.01 and P0.1/Vt/Ti 6.6 +/- 2.3 vs 3.8 +/- 1.0 cm H2O/L/s). Measurements performed after bronchodilator inhalation revealed decrease of P0.1 and P0.1/Vt/ Ti in patients responsive to beta-agonist (delta FEVI > 15%). In unresponsive patients (delta FEVI < or = 15%) such decrease in neuromuscular respiratory drive was not observed. We conclude that diminishing of increased neuromuscular respiratory drive in patients with reversible obstruction is a consequence of airway resistance decreasing. It seems to be an additional, advantageous for a patient, effect of bronchodilator inhalation.

[Diagnostic difficulties with detection of foreign bodies from the lower respiratory tract--late detection]. / Trudnosci diagnostyczne w rozpoznawaniu cial obcych w dolnych drogach oddechowych--pózne ich wykrywanie.

Five cases of aspirated foreign bodies in bronchial tree were described. The clinical symptoms did not suggest the real cause of the illness and most of patients did not remember the fact of foreign body aspiration. The foreign bodies were removed during bronchofiberoscopy performed in local anaesthesia.

[Use of methotrexate for treatment of corticosteroid-dependent asthma]. / Zastosowanie metotreksatu w leczeniu kortykozaleznej astmy oskrzelowej.

We evaluated the effects of methotrexate treatment in 20 subjects (10 men, 10 women) suffering from corticosteroid-dependent asthma. All patients had been treated with 15 mg of prednisone or more per day for at least 3 years before including in the study. Methotrexate (15 mg once weekly) had been given for 9.7 months on average. Oral steroid intake was reduced by 50% in 8 patients and it was possible to discontinue oral corticosteroids in further 6 patients without deterioration of spirometric parameters at the end of the study. Side effects of methotrexate therapy were observed in 40% of patients, and required the discontinuation of treatment in 6 subjects.

[Analysis of fenoterol efficacy given as an aerosol using various mouth pieces]. / Analiza skutecznosci fenoterolu podawanego w aerozolu przy uzyciu róznych ustników.

The effect of different mouth pieces on efficacy of fenoterol was studied in 40 patients with atopic and non-atopic bronchial asthma with reversible bronchial constriction. Four devices were studied: standard MDI unit, MDI unit with Boehringer and Astra mouth pieces, MDI unit with spacer. PEF values were registered 7 hours following inhalation. Statistical differences were not significant within the whole group. In selected older patients (above 60 years of age) spacer and Astra mouth pieces produced significant changes.

[Gold salts in the treatment of bronchial asthma]. / Sole zlota w leczeniu astmy oskrzelowej.

Gold salts are used mainly in the therapy of rheumatoid diseases. Thanks to their immunoregulative and antiinflammatory properties they may be used in treatment of chronic bronchial asthma. In order to study the efficacy of gold salts in such therapy the authors studied the effect of Solganal B (Schering) in 8 patients with chronic steroid dependent bronchial asthma. In 6 patients a clinical improvement was observed enabling to lower the steroid dose. Basing on this pilot study we believe that gold salts have an beneficial effect on the course of chronic bronchial asthma.

[Comparative studies of cyclic 11, 12 erythromycin carbonate (davercin) and erythromycin a levels in lung tissue, serum and bronchial secretions]. / Badania porównawcze stezenia cyklicznego 11, 12 weglanu erytromycyny a (davercin) i erytromycyny a w tkance plucnej, surowicy krwi i sluzie oskrzelowym.

A comparison of serum, pulmonary tissue and bronchial secretory levels of erythromycin and cyclic--11,12 carbonate of erythromycin (Davercin--Polfa) was carried out in 55 patients with lung cancer. All patients received erythromycin and Davercin 80 hours prior surgery, during which a small fragment of pulmonary tissue was removed for further evaluation. Concentration of both antibiotics was determined microbiologically. Better penetration of Davercin to the pulmonary tissue was found, as well as higher tissue concentration. The study demonstrates the advantage of Davercin over erythromycin in treating bacterial infections of the respiratory system.