Noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic reconstructions of dual-energy CT angiographies improve assessability of the lower leg arterial segments in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a noise optimized virtual monoenergetic reconstruction algorithm (VMI+) on the image quality and assessability of dual energy (DE) computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the lower extremity runoff. METHODS: A total of 118 lower extremity runoff CTA performed on a 3rd generation DE-CT scanner in 109 patients (54 females; 75.6 ± 9.5 years) were included in this retrospective study. Axial image stacks were reconstructed with a standard 120 kV setting and VMI+ of different keV levels. Objective image quality criteria (contrast attenuation, signal-to-noise [SNR] and contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR]) were measured. Two radiologists evaluated subjective image quality regarding intraluminal attenuation and image noise using a 5-point Likert scale. Diagnostic accuracy for significant stenosis (>75%) and vessel occlusion was assessed for 120 kV and 50 keV VMI+ images rated by two radiologists. In all patients, a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) rated by on board-certified radiologist served as the standard of reference. RESULTS: Intraluminal attenuation was highest in 40/50 keV VMI+ while SNR were similar to 120 kV images. In subjective assessment, intraluminal contrast of 50 keV images was deemed superior compared to 120 kV despite higher image noise. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detection of a vessel occlusion were similar in 50 keV VMI+ compared to 120 kV (70%/92%/84%; 70%/91%/83%; p < 0.001) but 13 of 118 (11%) lower leg runoffs were only assessable with 50 keV VMI+. CONCLUSION: VMI+ reconstructions improve assessability of DE-CTA by increased luminal attenuation with consistent image noise, also allowing the evaluation of lower leg arterial segments inassessable with standard reconstructions. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Providing higher intraluminal attenuation and similar image noise compared with conventional reconstructions, 50 keV VMI+ may be appropriate for routine evaluation of DE-CTA.

Influence of short-term drought conditions and subsequent re-watering on the physiology and proteome of Lolium multiflorum/Festuca arundinacea introgression forms, with contrasting levels of tolerance to long-term drought.

Festuca arundinacea is a drought tolerant species. Lolium multiflorum has better forage quality but lower tolerance to abiotic stresses. Their hybrids offer an opportunity to perform research on the molecular basis of tolerance to drought. The aim of this work was to recognise the mechanisms of response to short-term drought (11 days) in a glasshouse in two L. multiflorum/F. arundinacea introgression forms with distinct levels of tolerance to long-term drought (14 weeks) in the field. Measurements of physiological parameters, analyses of protein accumulation profiles using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry identification of proteins, which were accumulated differentially between the selected genotypes during short-term drought, were performed. Genotype 7/6, with lower yield potential during 14 weeks of drought, and lower ability to re-grow after watering, had a higher capacity for photosynthesis during 11 days of drought. Genotype 4/10, more tolerant to long-term drought, was able to repair damaged cell membranes after watering and was also characterised by lower transpiration during short-term drought. A total of 455 proteins were analysed, and the 17 that were differentially accumulated between the two genotypes were identified. The results of physiological and proteomic research led to a hypothesis that the higher photosynthetic capacity of genotype 7/6 could be due to a more efficient Calvin cycle, supported by higher accumulation of crucial proteins involving chloroplast aldolase.

[Silent cardiotocogram during general anesthesia. Indication for emergency Cesarean section?]. / Silentes Kardiotokogramm während Allgemeinanästhesie. Indikation zur Notsectio?

This case report of a silent cardiotocogram (CTG) registration during general anesthesia in a 33-week-pregnant patient undergoing non-obstetric surgery demonstrates the possibility of misinterpretation whereby typical CTG patterns of fetal reactions to anesthetics can be misinterpreted as fetal hypoxia or even asphyxia.

Are nitric oxide donors a valuable tool to study the functional role of nitric oxide in plant metabolism?

In the present work, we tested known nitric oxide (NO) modulators generating the NO+ (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) and NO˙ forms (S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D-penicillamine, SNAP and nitrosoglutathione, GSNO). This allowed us to compare downstream NO-related physiological effects on proteins found in leaves of pelargonium (Pelargonium peltatum L.). Protein modification via NO donors generally affects plant metabolism in a distinct manner, manifested by a lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity in response to SNAP and GSNO. This is in contrast to the response observed for SNP treatment. Most changes in enzyme activity (GR, glutathione reductase; GST, glutathione-S-transferase; GPX, glutathione peroxidase) are most spectacular and repeatable during the first 8 h of incubation, which is explained by the half-life of the applied donors. In particular, a close dependence was found between the time-course of NO emission from the applied donors and the temporary inhibition of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The observed changes were accompanied by time-dependent alterations in protein accumulation as analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in pelargonium leaves treated with NO donors (SNP, SNAP and GSNO). Using proteomics, different proteins were found to be down- and up-regulated. However, no new protein spots characteristic of all three donors were found. These results indicate that the form of NO emitted from the donor structure plays a key role in switching on appropriate metabolic modifications. It has been noted that several NO-affected metabolomic changes induced by the used donors were not comparable, which confirms the need to maintain caution when interpreting results obtained using the pharmacological approach with different NO modulator compounds.

Introgression mapping of genes for winter hardiness and frost tolerance transferred from Festuca arundinacea into Lolium multiflorum.

Genes for winter hardiness and frost tolerance were introgressed from Festuca arundinacea into winter-sensitive Lolium multiflorum. Two partly fertile, pentaploid (2n = 5x = 35) F(1) hybrids F. arundinacea (2n = 6x = 42) x L. multiflorum (2n = 4x = 28) were generated and backcrossed twice onto L. multiflorum (2x). The backcross 1 (BC(1)) and backcross 2 (BC(2)) plants were preselected for high vigor and good fertility, and subsequently, a total of 83 BC(2) plants were selected for winter hardiness after 2 Polish winters and by simulated freezing tests. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was performed on 6 winter-hardy plants selected after the first winter and shown to be significantly (P < 0.05) more frost tolerant than the L. multiflorum control. Among the analyzed BC(2) winter survivors, only diploid (2n = 2x = 14) plants were found. Five plants carried 13 intact L. multiflorum chromosomes and 1 L. multiflorum chromosome with a single introgressed F. arundinacea terminal chromosome segment. The sixth BC(2) winter survivor appeared to be Lolium without any Festuca introgression capable of detection by GISH. A combined GISH and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with rDNA probes of the most winter-hardy (after 2 winters) and frost-tolerant BC(2) plant revealed the location of an F. arundinacea introgression on the nonsatellite arm of L. multiflorum chromosome 2, the same chromosome location reported previously as a site for frost tolerance genes in the diploid and winter-hardy species Festuca pratensis.

GISH/FISH mapping of genes for freezing tolerance transferred from Festuca pratensis to Lolium multiflorum.

The first backcross breeding programme for the transfer of freezing-tolerance genes from winter hardy Festuca pratensis to winter-sensitive Lolium multiflorum is described. A partly fertile, triploid F(1) hybrid F. pratensis (2n=2x=14) x L. multiflorum (2n=4x=28) was employed initially, and after two backcrosses to L. multiflorum (2x) a total of 242 backcross two (BC(2)) plants were generated. Genomic in situ hybridisation (GISH) was performed on 61 BC(2) plants selected for their good growth and winter survival characters in the spring following one Polish winter (2000-2001). Among the winter survivors, diploid chromosome numbers were present in 80% of plants. An appropriate single Festuca introgression in an otherwise undisturbed Lolium genome could provide increased freezing tolerance without compromise to the good growth and plant vigour found in Lolium. Among all the diploids, a total of 20 individuals were identified, each with a single F. pratensis chromosome segment. Another diploid plant contained 13 Lolium chromosomes and a large metacentric F. pratensis chromosome, identified as chromosome 4, with two large distal Lolium introgressions on each chromosome arm. Three of the diploid BC(2), including the genotype with Festuca chromosome 4 DNA sequences, were found to have freezing tolerance in excess of that of L. multiflorum, and in one case in excess of the F. pratensis used as control. A detailed cytological analysis combining GISH and fluorescence in situ hybridisation analyses with rDNA probes revealed that the other two freezing-tolerant genotypes carried a Festuca chromosome segment at the same terminal location on the non-satellite arm of Lolium chromosome 2.

Impact assessment of a wastewater treatment plant effluent using the fish biomarker ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase: field and on-site experiments.

The impact of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent was assessed with the fish biomarker ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) using field and on-site laboratory experiments. EROD activity was measured in chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and stone loach (Noemacheilus barbatulus) caught at three sites of the Chalaronne River (southeast France). Liver somatic index (LSI) and organochloride bioaccumulation in muscle were estimated for chub only. In September, EROD activity and LSI of chub increased significantly between the sites above and below the WWTP effluent discharge. EROD induction detected in chub was confirmed by on-site tank experiments. EROD levels were determined in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to different concentrations of the WWTP effluent and river water for 16 days. After a 4-day exposure, EROD activities of the carp exposed to the effluent increased significantly compared with the control. The response was linked to the effluent concentration and was stable with exposure time. WWTP effluent induced EROD activity, whereas organic and metal analyses, performed on fish muscle and sediment, did not indicate any difference between upstream and downstream of the discharge.

[Evaluation of the results of synovectomy of the knee joint performed in the early period of the rheumatoid process]. / Próba oceny wyników synowektomii stawu kolanowego wykonanej u chorych we wczesnym okresie zaawansowania procesu reumatoidalnego.

The authors analyzed the results of 77 early knee synovectomies in 65 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, performed in 1976-1987. Special attention was paid to pain, exudate, range of motion, flexion contracture, instability, ability to walk, and radiological changes in the Larsen's scale. The patient's subjective evaluation and the surgeon's intraoperative evaluation were also taken into account. The results were excellent --32.5 per cent, good 46.8 per cent, fair 6.5 per cent, and poor 14.2 per cent.

[Endoprosthesis of the knee joint]. / Endoprotezoplastyka stawu kolanowego.

Endoprosthetic replacement of the knee joint is an important, often the terminal stage of surgical treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and gonarthritis. Basing on the results of the over-11-year-experience of the ward, treatment methods were analyzed and various knee prostheses were evaluated. In evaluation, the modified Gschwend's scale was used. Nineteen results were good 18 fair, and 7 poor. An especially important role of proper qualification of a patient to surgery, conditions for insertion of endoprosthesis and the choice of a proper type of endoprosthesis has been stressed.