Vibrational heat capacity of silver carp collagen.

The study of the experimental and calculated heat capacity, Cp of fish collagen (silver carp) with contents of several additive components was presented. The experimental low-temperature heat capacity was measured in the temperature range of 1.85 to 302.8 K using a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) and the higher temperature Cp from 223.15 K to 382.15 K by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) method. For an interpretation of the experimental, low-temperature data, the vibrational heat capacity of the pure silver carp collagen was calculated based on the contribution of a sum of the vibrational heat capacity of 4248 amino acids. The vibrational heat capacity for each amino acids was taken from Advanced Thermal Analysis System (ATHAS) Data Bank for individual poly (amino acid) residues based on their group and skeletal vibrational spectra. Comparing of the experimental heat capacity of the collagen with additive components and the calculated vibrational heat capacity of the pure silver carp collagen shows that the differences range from around 10% at 100 K to 14% at 300 K temperature. Such thermal analysis can provide information about the contribution to Cp of unknown components or impurities in the investigated system.

Prognostic usefulness of IL-6 and VEGF for the occurrence of changes in coronary arteries of patients with stable angina and implanted stents.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with chronic coronary artery disease treated who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation, for assessing the risk of restenosis and the occurrence of de novo lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 498 patients with stable angina were examined during 18 months. 50 patients with significant (> 70%) stenosis of one coronary artery, eligible for the implantation of one stent, were enrolled to the study. Il-6 and VEGF level was measured using ELISA immunoassays during the initial coronary angiography with simultaneous angioplasty and stent implantation and 4 weeks after stent implantation. Coronary angiography was carried out 8-12 months after stent implantation. RESULTS: Statistically significant increase in IL-6 (from 4.02 ± 4.40 to 10.90 ± 8.23) and VEGF (from 310.13 ± 50.90 to 392.32 ± 106.84) level was observed 4 weeks after stent implantation in the group with restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of IL-6 and VEGF in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic stable angina pectoris, measured 4 weeks after coronary angioplasty with stent implantation, may indicate an increased risk of angiographic restenosis and de novo coronary artery lesions.

Melting, glass transition, and apparent heat capacity of α-D-glucose by thermal analysis.

The thermal behaviors of α-D-glucose in the melting and glass transition regions were examined utilizing the calorimetric methods of standard differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), standard temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC), quasi-isothermal temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (quasi-TMDSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The quantitative thermal analyses of experimental data of crystalline and amorphous α-D-glucose were performed based on heat capacities. The total, apparent and reversingheat capacities, and phase transitions were evaluated on heating and cooling. The melting temperature (T(m)) of a crystalline carbohydrate such as α-D-glucose, shows a heating rate dependence, with the melting peak shifted to lower temperature for a lower heating rate, and with superheating of around 25K. The superheating of crystalline α-D-glucose is observed as shifting the melting peak for higher heating rates, above the equilibrium melting temperature due to of the slow melting process. The equilibrium melting temperature and heat of fusion of crystalline α-D-glucose were estimated. Changes of reversing heat capacity evaluated by TMDSC at glass transition (T(g)) of amorphous and melting process at T(m) of fully crystalline α-D-glucose are similar. In both, the amorphous and crystalline phases, the same origin of heat capacity changes, in the T(g) and T(m) area, are attributable to molecular rotational motion. Degradation occurs simultaneously with the melting process of the crystalline phase. The stability of crystalline α-D-glucose was examined by TGA and TMDSC in the melting region, with the degradation shown to be resulting from changes of mass with temperature and time. The experimental heat capacities of fully crystalline and amorphous α-D-glucose were analyzed in reference to the solid, vibrational, and liquid heat capacities, which were approximated based on the ATHAS scheme and Data Bank.

QT interval dispersion as a new marker of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of isolated single-vessel coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: There are no reliable non-invasive markers of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The aim of our study was to measure changes in QT interval dispersion after PTCA and to determine whether restenosis subsequently affects QT interval dispersion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six consecutive patients - 41 men and 15 women (mean age: 56.2 +/-8.3 years) - with isolated stenosis of the left anterior descending artery who underwent successful PTCA were studied. A symptom-limited treadmill exercise test was performed within 7 days after PTCA and then again before repeated angiography. Repeated coronary angiography revealed restenosis in 15 patients (26.8%) and no signs of significant stenosis in 41 patients (73.2%). QT interval dispersion in the group of patients with restenosis measured before exercise increased from baseline 34 +/- 7 to 49 +/- 15 ms after 6 months (p < 0.01) and QT interval dispersion measured immediately after exercise increased from baseline 38 +/- 4 to 68 +/- 21 ms after 6 months (p < 0.001). In contrast, patients without restenosis showed no significant changes in QT interval dispersion measured before (baseline: 34 +/- 9 ms; after 6 months 33 +/- 12 ms; p = NS) and immediately after exercise (baseline: 34 +/- 12 ms; after 6 months: 33 +/- 10; p = NS). When QT interval dispersion > or =60 ms (measured 6 months after PTCA procedure) was considered as a potential marker of restenosis, this indicator had very high sensitivity and specificity when measured immediately after exercise (80 and 95% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: QT interval dispersion significantly increases in the group of patients with documented restenosis and may be a simple, non-invasive marker of restenosis. However, further studies are needed to confirm this observation.

[Unusual clinical course of ruptured aortic aneurysms--reports of three cases]. / Niezwykly przebieg kliniczny peknietych tetniaków aorty--opis trzech przypadów.

Three cases of unexpected clinical course of ruptured aortic aneurysm have been presented in patients of their 7th decade life. All of them had arterial hypertension. Signs and symptoms on admission to hospital (dysphagia, chest and interscapular pain, hematemesis, abdominal pain, elevated body temperature and diminished exercise tolerance) were non-specific of aortic aneurysm, suggesting other disease. Dramatic clinical course with hypovolemic shock in two cases led to death. One of them refused surgery. In the third one, in spite of blood effusions to pleural cavity, pericardial sac and mediastinum, effective hypotensive therapy with a preservation of the slow heart rate and fluid evacuation from pericardial sac, gave the opportunity to perform elective surgery. Aortic dissection often presents an atypical course and when suspected, all available imaging technics including computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance must be used.

[Unusual clinical course of ruptured aortic aneurysms--report of three cases]. / Niezwykly przebieg kliniczny peknietych tetniaków aorty--opis trzech przypadków.

Three cases of unexpected clinical course of ruptured aortic aneurysm have been presented in patients of their 7th decade life. All of them had arterial hypertension. Signs and symptoms on admission to hospital (dysphagia, chest and interscapular pain, hematemesis, abdominal pain, elevated body temperature and diminished exercise tolerance) were non-specific of aortic aneurysm, suggesting other disease. Dramatic clinical course with hypovolemic shock in two cases led to death. One of them refused surgery. In the third one, in spite of blood effusions to pleural cavity, pericardial sac and mediastinum, effective hypotensive therapy with a preservation of the slow heart rate and fluid evacuation from pericardial sac, gave the opportunity to perform elective surgery. Aortic dissection often presents an atypical course and when suspected, all available imaging technics including computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance must be used.

Hypertrophy or hyperplasia in cardiac muscle. Post-mortem human morphometric study.

In 103 hearts with various forms of cardiac muscle hypertrophy the following parameters were estimated: diameter, length, volume, density and number of myocytes, and density of myocyte nuclei. The values of all histometric parameters correlated well with left ventricular (LV) weight up to 350 g. In heavier hearts these parameters remained approximately of the same magnitude. The number of myocytes was significantly higher in hearts with LV weight above 250 g. The influence on LV weight of age, coronary artery diameters, degree of atherosclerosis, weight and percent of fibrous tissue was also evaluated. On the basis of a linear discriminant function, hearts were divided into three classes: (1) LV weight < or = 250 g (absence of hyperplasia, hypertrophy only); (2) LV weight 251-350 g (hypertrophy+signs of hyperplasia); (3) LV weight > 350 g (marked signs of hyperplasia). The percent of fibrosis increased proportionally to LV weight. Where LV weight was above 250 g there was a subsequent increase in the mean percent of fibrosis (approx. 26%). This phenomenon (plateau of percent fibrosis) is the result of an increased number of myocytes (myocyte hyperplasia). We suggest that, independent of aetiology, in all hearts above 350 g (patients with congestive heart failure) hyperplasia phenomenon exists.

[Heart amyloidosis with enormous cardiomegaly ("the king of hearts")]. / Amyloidoza serca z niezwyklym jego przerostem ("the king of hearts").

A case is presented of a 74 years old man with systemic hypertension, congestive heart failure and history of heart infarction in the past. The physical findings revealed: blood pressure - 130/80 mmHg, arrhythmia and symptoms of congestion in systemic and pulmonary circulation. Ecg tracing showed multifocal atrial rhythm about 90 bpm., very low QRS voltage and lack of R waves in precordial V1-V4. On autopsy an enormous enlargement of the whole heart (1005 g) was found. Microscopical investigation revealed abundant amyloid deposits in the muscle of atria, ventricles and sinus node, disseminated atheromatous changes in the coronary system with no critical narrowing (more than 75% of lumen area). No sings of healed infarct were find. This is the first published case of so called "the king of hearts" due to amyloidosis.

[Coronary lumen diameter and cardiac mass in various forms of cardiac hypertrophy]. / Swiatlo tetnic nasierdziowych a masa miesnia sercowego w róznych formach jego przerostu.

Morphometric evaluation of the epicardial arteries is described in detail in 103 patients with various forms of cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary lumen diameter increases with aging regardless of the cardiac mass. Such an increase is observed in some particular types of cardiac hypertrophy and presumably is caused by the changes of intramuscular vessels and diminished perfusion. In patients with so called myocardial atherosclerosis correlation between coronary lumen diameter age and cardiac mass is opposite. In some forms of cardiac hypertrophy the increment of coronary lumen diameter is accompanied by the increase of the cross sectional area of the artery. In this pattern the increase of lumen diameter is not due to passive vessel dilatation because significant thickening of its wall can be seen. Age appeared to be the most important factor influencing the coronary lumen diameter within the whole population, although this correlation can hardly be seen in patients with "myocardial arteriosclerosis".

[Ramus limbi dextri or "moderator band" artery]. / Ramus limbii dextri czyli tetnica "moderator band".

A patient who died of acute left ventricular failure in the course of myocardial infarct is described. At autopsy anterior myocardial infarct was confirmed. Postmortem coronarography revealed almost complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery and a very well developed collateral circulation. Part of the collateral circulation was the moderator band artery (visualized during coronarography).

[Comparative evaluation of coronary arteriosclerosis in arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Morphometric analysis of 4062 coronary artery specimens]. / Porównawcza ocena miazdzycy tetnic wiencowych w nadcisnieniu tetniczym i w chorobie niedokrwiennej serca. Morfometryczna ocena 4062 preparatów tetnic wiencowych.

We performed a postmortem study on 61 hearts from patients who died of acute ischemic heart disease (IA). Chronic ischemic heart disease (IB) and from hypertensive patients who died of heart infarction (IIA) and other hypertensive complications (IIB). Control group consisted of 16 pts. who died of non cardiac diseases. 4062 coronary artery specimens were estimated. Irrespective of the clinical course of ischemic heart disease the mean percent of coronary artery stenosis was similar in both ischemic groups and significantly higher than in control group. In hypertensive pts. who died of heart infarction it was also significantly higher and similar to ischemic pts. We found the highest percent of segments with critical stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery in group IA, IB, IIA. It was also significantly higher in the left main coronary artery in the group of ischemic pts. (IA, IB).

[Unusual location of mural thrombi in the right atrium caused by pathological changes in the sinoatrial node]. / Szczególne umiejscowienie skrzeplin przysciennych prawego przedsionka w nastepstwie zmian patologicznych w wezle zatokowym.

We present a post-mortem examination of two hearts in which we found organized mural thrombi attached to the right atrial endocardium in the recess called antrum atrii dextri. This region is a place where the sinus node is situated very close to the endocardium of right atrium. Any pathological process involving the node (inflammation, degeneration) may reach this part of endocardium by continuity, this in turn creates convenient conditions for mural thrombi formation. The first case--a 52-year old man who died of severe congestive heart failure caused by rheumatic disease with mitral and aortic stenosis. Atrial fibrillation had developed several years before his death. Apart from typical changes of mitral and aortic valves a post-mortem examination revealed an organized, globular thrombus in antrum atrii dextri. In the microscopical findings of the sino-atrial region the fatty degeneration of the sinus node with multiple mononuclear cell infiltration was the most striking feature. The sinus node artery was narrowed due to fibro-muscular dysplasia of its wall. The second case--a 74-years old man who suffered from arterial hypertension and chronic pyelonephritis with a history of heart infarct in the past. The ECG recording showed multifocal atrial rythm with variable P wave morphology and P-Q distance. At necropsy the whole heart was significantly enlarged with no scars or any other signs of healed infarct. The microscopical findings revealed the heart muscle to be infiltrated by amyloid deposits particularly apparent in the sinus node. Similar thrombus of 1.5 cm in diameter was found in antrum of the right atrium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)