Strong renormalization of phonon frequencies in Mg(1-x)Al(x)B2.

The phonon spectrum of Mg(1-x)Al(x)B2 shows a strong dependence on the aluminum content x. This is experimentally demonstrated by both Raman and inelastic neutron scattering and theoretically predicted by first-principles calculations. The observed changes in the phonon spectrum are put into perspective with respect to the superconducting properties within this family of materials.

Phonon dispersion and electron-phonon coupling in MgB2 and AlB2.

We present a first principles investigation of the lattice dynamics and electron-phonon coupling of the superconductor MgB2 and the isostructural AlB2 within the framework of density functional perturbation theory using a mixed-basis pseudopotential method. Complete phonon dispersion curves and Eliashberg functions alpha2F are calculated for both systems. The main differences are related to high frequency in-plane boron vibrations, which are strongly softened in MgB2 and exhibit an exceptionally strong electron-phonon coupling. We also report on Raman measurements, which support the theoretical findings. Implications for the superconducting transition temperature are briefly discussed.

[Diabetic ketoacidosis--personal experience with treatment using low (physiologic) doses of insulin]. / Diabetická ketoacidóza--nase skúsenosti s liecbou malými (fyziologickými) dávkami inzulínu.

The authors present an account on their experience with treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis with small (physiological) doses of insulin in a group of patients who were hospitalized in the course of four years at the intensive metabolic care unit. Diabetic ketoacidosis is in spite of therapeutic advances still a serious matter. It calls for monitoring of vital functions, intensive treatment and regular checks of laboratory indicators. Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis with small (physiological) insulin doses proved effective and safe and the incidence of complications was minimal.

[Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy]. / Cushingov syndróm v gravidite.

Active Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy is a rare phenomenon which was so far described in the literature only in 85 women. The authors give an account of a patient who developed Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy and who was delivered during the eighth month of a healthy foetus by caesarean section, afterwards the hypercortisolism associated with hyperaldosteronism was treated by dextrolateral adrenalectomy. In the removed adrenal gland was a cortical adenoma made up of clear cells and cells reminding of the zona glomerulosa. Subsequently the authors summarize data from the literature on the prevalence of different pathogenetic forms of Cushing's syndrome in pregnant women, on the influence of hypercortisolism on mother and foetus, on the optimal diagnosis and therapy of this syndrome during pregnancy.

[Results of thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarct-- echocardiographic findings]. / Výsledky trombolytickej liecby akútneho infarktu myokardu--echokardiografické nálezy.

The authors present an account on their experience with echocardiographic examinations of patients with acute myocardial infarction. They evaluated impaired contractility, the left ventricular ejection fraction and compared the results in patients treated by thrombolysis and anticoagulants during the acute stage of myocardial infarction and results assembled one year after development of the acute infarction. The results are significantly more favourable in patients treated by thrombolysis as regards the extent of the infarction, serious contractility disorders, regional contractility and left ventricular systolic function.

[Success of pharmacologic cardioversion and electric cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter in a 5-year retrospective study]. / Uspesnost' farmakologickej kardioverzie a elektrickej kardioverzie u chorých s fibriláciou alebo flutterom predsiení v pät'rocnej retrospektívnej stúdii.

The authors evaluated in a five-year retrospective study the success of pharmacological and electric cardioversion in general in 353 patients with atrial fibrillation and in 117 patients with atrial flutter. The success of electric cardioversion in the group with fibrillation arrhythmia was 72%, in the group with atrial flutter 92%. The success of pharmacological cardioversion in the group with fibrillation arrhythmia was 96.2%, in the group with atrial flutter 79.8%. In pharmacological cardioversion in both groups the combination quinidine-isoptin was best.

[Thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarct in a district hospital. Analysis of a group of patients treated with streptokinase]. / Trombolyticá liecba akútneho infarktu myokardu v okresnej nemocnici. Analýza súboru chorých liecených streptokinázou.

At the intensive care unit of the hospital and policlinical department in Zilina the authors treated between May 29, 1985 and Dec. 31, 1990, 87 patients with AIM by systemic administration of streptokinase which was injected after an average period of 2.5 hours following the onset of stenocardia. As to the selection of patients for thrombolysis and tactics of treatment, the authors proceeded according to an elaborated protocol. The upper borderline of the age range is not limited. Non-invasive markers of reperfusion of the heart muscle (regression of stenocardia, regression of ECG changes, reperfusion arrhythmias) were observed in 25-80% of the patients. There was only a small number of complications in the patients of the described group; they were not serious and did not call for therapeutic intervention. Thrombolytic treatment of AIM by streptokinase is a safe and effective method which can be successfully used also in intensive care units of district hospitals.

[Thyroid gland function after short-term administration of amiodarone and digoxin]. / Funkcia stítnej zl'azy po krátkodobom podávaní amiodaronu a digoxínu.

The authors administered to 13 patients with auricular fibrillation amiodarone (Cordarone), 1200 mg/day, by the oral route from the 4th to the 10th day of the trial, 600 mg per day from the 11th to the 13th day of the trial. Simultaneously the patients were given digoxin, 1 mg, by the i.v. route: on the first day 1 mg i.v., 2nd to 5th day 0.5 mg i.v., and on the 6th to 10th day of the trial 0.25 mg. They assessed the serum digoxin concentration on the 1st, 4th, 11th and 14th day, the serum concentration of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropic hormone (TSH) on the 1st and 14th day of the trial. The authors revealed that after ten days administration of amiodarone T4 does not change (102.4 +/- 28.2 nmol/l vs. 101.3 +/- 13.4 nmol/l, NS), T3 declines significantly (2.47 +/- 0.85 nmol/l vs. 1.86 +/- 0.54 nmol/l, p less than 0.001) and TSH rises insignificantly (2.82 +/- 1.18 mU/l vs. 3.34 +/- 1.43, NS). Consistent with data in the literature on the effect of several weeks administration of amiodarone on thyroid function, the authors assume inhibition of 5'monodeiodization of T4 with a reduced formation of T3 and increased formation of rT3. The drop of T3 may play a part also in the antiarrhythmic action of amiodarone in the treatment of auricular fibrillation.