Fluid intake at work in foresters working in different thermal conditions.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of fluid intake on hydration status indices in men at work. The secondary aim was to determine the type of fluids drunk at work in different thermal conditions. Fifty-nine male foresters were examined before and after one working day during summer, autumn, and winter. Before and after work, urine and blood samples were obtained from foresters. Immediately after a shift, participants completed a questionnaire regarding fluid intake during one working day. The amount of fluid consumed affects the hydration urine indices. Urine specific gravity and urine osmolality significantly decreased with increasing fluid intake (r = - 0.385 and r = - 0.405, respectively). Moreover, an impact of season on the type of fluids consumed by workers was observed. Tea was significantly more often chosen by workers to drink in winter (68%) than in summer (32%) (p = 0.026). The consumption of any non-alcoholic fluids contributes to the daily total water intake, but it is necessary to create individualized fluid replacement plans. Workers should know how much and what types of drinks to consume at work.

The Extent of Task Specificity for Visual and Tactile Sequences in the Auditory Cortex of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

It has been proposed that the auditory cortex in the deaf humans might undergo task-specific reorganization. However, evidence remains scarce as previous experiments used only two very specific tasks (temporal processing and face perception) in visual modality. Here, congenitally deaf/hard of hearing and hearing women and men were enrolled in an fMRI experiment as we sought to fill this evidence gap in two ways. First, we compared activation evoked by a temporal processing task performed in two different modalities, visual and tactile. Second, we contrasted this task with a perceptually similar task that focuses on the spatial dimension. Additional control conditions consisted of passive stimulus observation. In line with the task specificity hypothesis, the auditory cortex in the deaf was activated by temporal processing in both visual and tactile modalities. This effect was selective for temporal processing relative to spatial discrimination. However, spatial processing also led to significant auditory cortex recruitment which, unlike temporal processing, occurred even during passive stimulus observation. We conclude that auditory cortex recruitment in the deaf and hard of hearing might involve interplay between task-selective and pluripotential mechanisms of cross-modal reorganization. Our results open several avenues for the investigation of the full complexity of the cross-modal plasticity phenomenon.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Previous studies suggested that the auditory cortex in the deaf may change input modality (sound to vision) while keeping its function (e.g., rhythm processing). We investigated this hypothesis by asking deaf or hard of hearing and hearing adults to discriminate between temporally and spatially complex sequences in visual and tactile modalities. The results show that such function-specific brain reorganization, as has previously been demonstrated in the visual modality, also occurs for tactile processing. On the other hand, they also show that for some stimuli (spatial) the auditory cortex activates automatically, which is suggestive of a take-over by a different kind of cognitive function. The observed differences in processing of sequences might thus result from an interplay of task-specific and pluripotent plasticity.

Alkali metal impact on structural and phonon properties of Er3+ and Tm3+ co-doped MY(WO4)2 (M = Li, Na, K) nanocrystals.

The Pechini and microwave-assisted hydrothermal syntheses of nanocrystalline Er3+ and Tm3+ co-doped MY(WO4)2, where M = Li, Na, K, double tungstates are reported. The obtained samples were characterized using standard X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) technique, Rietveld method, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and IR spectroscopy. The smallest crystallites (about 13 nm) could be obtained for the sodium samples synthesized by both the Pechini (for the resin calcined at 550 °C) and hydrothermal methods (synthesis at 230 °C). The average particle size of nanocrystalline powders increases with increasing temperature. It was found that nanocrystals retain the bulk structure with tetragonal and monoclinic symmetry for the sodium and potassium analogues, respectively. In contrast to this behaviour, LiY(WO4)2 undergoes a size-induced structural transformation from monoclinic (space group P2/n) to tetragonal (space group I41/a) symmetry. IR spectra of the synthesized sodium and potassium compounds are very similar to their bulk counterparts. IR spectra of the lithium analogues show, however, abrupt changes when the calcination temperature increases to 850 °C or higher. This behaviour is consistent with the size-induced phase transition in this compound.

The influence of thyroid function and bone turnover on lipoprotein profile in young physically active men with different insulin sensitivity.

Physical activity induces changes in the endocrine system. Previous data indicated that changes in insulin secretion and the tissue response to this hormone are very important for energy metabolism. It is believed that they are accompanied by changes in lipid metabolism, but factors contributing to this process are still disputed. The aim of this study was to assess interactions among insulin sensitivity, thyroid function, a bone turnover marker and serum lipid profile in young physically active men. Eighty-seven physical education students, aged 18-23 years, participated in the study. We measured serum levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), osteocalcin and anthropometric parameters. Insulin sensitivity was determined using homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The median value of HOMA-IR (1.344) was used to divide the study population into Group A (above the median) and Group B (below the median). Men from both groups did not differ in anthropometric parameters or in daily physical activity. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were higher in Group A (P < 0.05). TSH and osteocalcin levels were similar in males with different HOMA-IR. Multiple regression analysis for TSH and osteocalcin showed that in Group A these hormones had no effect on plasma lipoproteins. However, in Group B they significantly determined the variation of plasma TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (in about 28% and 29%, respectively). We concluded that TSH and osteocalcin are involved in determination of a more healthy lipid profile at a certain level of insulin sensitivity.

Experimental assessment of a new direct fixation implant for artificial limbs.

An alternative to prosthetic socket rehabilitation of patients with transfemoral amputation is realized by means of direct skeletal fixation devices. offering significant improvements in mobility and comfort. However, strain shielding due to high stiffness of these metal-based implants causes considerable and progressive bone loss. To overcome this phenomenon a new concept of a direct fixation implant, in form of a collared metallic pin articulating inside a polymer intramedullary part, was developed. In this study we used experimental and finite element techniques to assess whether the novel concept produced a more physiological strain distribution in the bone as compared to a standard titanium implant. Cortical strains were measured experimentally on seven human cadaver femora, both intact and implanted with a generic standard implant and the new implant. Three load configurations were considered, simulating: heel strike, toe off and one leg stance. A finite element model derived from computed tomography data was used to calculate strains in intact bone and bone with generic models of the two implant types. Significant strain shielding occurred around both implant types, albeit that for the novel design strain shielding was generally less (p<0.04). Significant differences in strain shielding between both implant types were obtained for heel strike at the distal (p<0.04) and the middle level (p<0.03), as well as for the one leg stance at the middle level (p<0.03) showing 21-29% less strain shielding for the new implant in these cases. Finite element results were in agreement with the experimental findings: more strain shielding for the standard implant as compared to the novel design. In fact, the benefit of the new design was bigger in the simulations as compared to the experimental measurements, which was attributed to the idealized collar-cortex fit in the FE model of the new design which was not obtained in the experiments. In conclusion, the study showed that the new implant has a potential to increase distal load transfer to the femur and reduce strain shielding as compared with the standard implant. Collar-cortex contact is an important aspect and requires further attention when developing the surgical technique. The encouraging results obtained in this study justify further development of this concept in order to improve the quality and applicability of direct skeletal fixation devices for patients requiring a transfemoral amputation.

Simulated bone remodeling around two types of osseointegrated implants for direct fixation of upper-leg prostheses.

Direct attachment of an upper leg prosthesis to the skeletal system by a percutaneous implant is an alternative solution to the traditional socket fixation. In this study, we investigated long-term periprosthetic bone changes around two types of fixation implants using two different initial conditions, namely immediate post-amputation implantation and the conventional implantation after considerable time of socket prosthesis use. We questioned the difference in bone modeling response the implants provoked and if it could lead to premature bone fracture. Generic CT-based finite element models of an intact femoral bone and amputated bone implanted with models of two existing direct-fixation implants, the OPRA system (Integrum AB) and the ISP Endo/Exo prosthesis (ESKA Implants AG) were created for this study. Adaptive bone-remodeling simulations used the heel-strike and toe-off loads from a normal walking cycle. The bone loss caused by prolonged use of socket prosthesis had more severe effects on the ultimate bone quality than adaptation induced by the direct-fixation implants. Both implants showed considerable bone remodeling; the titanium screw implant (OPRA system) provoked more bone loss than the porous coated CoCrMo stem (ISP implant). The chance of the peri-prosthetic bone fracture remained higher for the post-socket case as compared to the direct amputation cases. In conclusion, both direct-fixation implants lead to considerable bone loss and bone loss is more severe after a prolonged period of post-socket use. Hence, from a biomechanical perspective it is better to limit the post-socket time and to re-design direct fixation devices to reduce bone loss and the probability of peri-prosthetic bone fractures.

Numerical analysis of an osseointegrated prosthesis fixation with reduced bone failure risk and periprosthetic bone loss.

Currently available implants for direct attachment of prosthesis to the skeletal system after transfemoral amputation (OPRA system, Integrum AB, Sweden and ISP Endo/Exo prosthesis, ESKA Implants AG, Germany) show many advantages over the conventional socket fixation. However, restraining biomechanical issues such as considerable bone loss around the stem and peri-prosthetic bone fractures are present. To overcome these limiting issues a new concept of the direct intramedullary fixation was developed. We hypothesize that the new design will reduce the peri-prosthetic bone failure risk and adverse bone remodeling by restoring the natural load transfer in the femur. Generic CT-based finite element models of an intact femur and amputated bones implanted with 3 analyzed implants were created and loaded with a normal walking and a forward fall load. The strain adaptive bone remodeling theory was used to predict long-term bone changes around the implants and the periprosthetic bone failure risk was evaluated by the von Mises stress criterion. The results show that the new design provides close to physiological distribution of stresses in the bone and lower bone failure risk for the normal walking as compared to the OPRA and the ISP implants. The bone remodeling simulations did not reveal any overall bone loss around the new design, as opposed to the OPRA and the ISP implants, which induce considerable bone loss in the distal end of the femur. This positive outcome shows that the presented concept has a potential to considerably improve safety of the rehabilitation with the direct fixation implants.

Luminescence and phonon properties of nanocrystalline Bi2WO6:Eu3+ photocatalyst prepared from amorphous precursor.

Bi2WO6:Eu3+ samples were prepared by mechanically activated metathesis reaction and subsequent annealing at different temperatures of the as-prepared precursor. X-ray, TEM, Raman, IR, diffuse reflectance and luminescence studies of the prepared samples are presented. It was found that variation of the particle size have significant impact on phonon and emission properties of this material. It was observed that intensity of some Raman and IR bands significantly decreases and the bandwidth of Raman, IR and Eu3+ emission lines significantly increases with decreasing particles size. Moreover, it was observed that intensity ratios I((5)D0-(7)F2)/I((5)D0-(7)F1) and I(5D0_(7)F0)/I((5)D0-(7)F1) increase with decreasing particle size. The observed changes were attributed to phonon confinement effect, decrease in the orthorhombic distortion of the unit cell and concentration increase of surface defects.

A comparative finite-element analysis of bone failure and load transfer of osseointegrated prostheses fixations.

An alternative solution to conventional stump-socket prosthetic limb attachment is offered by direct skeletal fixation. This study aimed to assess two percutaneous trans-femoral implants, the OPRA system (Integrum AB, Göteborg, Sweden), and the ISP Endo/Exo prosthesis (ESKA Implants AG, Lübeck, Germany) on bone failure and stem-bone interface mechanics both early post-operative (before bony ingrowth) and after full bone ingrowth. Moreover, mechanical consequences of implantation of those implants in terms of changed loading pattern within the bone and potential consequences on long-term bone remodeling were studied using finite-element models that represent the intact femur and implants fitted in amputated femora. Two experimentally measured loads from the normal walking cycle were applied. The analyses revealed that implantation of percutaneous prostheses had considerable effects on stress and strain energy density levels in bone. This was not only caused by the implant itself, but also by changed loading conditions in the amputated leg. The ISP design promoted slightly more physiological strain energy distribution (favoring long-term bone maintenance), but the OPRA design generated lower bone stresses (reducing bone fracture risk). The safety factor against mechanical failure of the two percutaneous designs was relatively low, which could be improved by design optimization of the implants.

Fitting a single-phase model to the post-exercise changes in heart rate and oxygen uptake.

The kinetics of post-exercise heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (EPOC) was studied in 10 elite cyclists subjected to four laboratory cycle ergometer maximal exercises lasting 30, 90, 180 or 360 s. Heart rate and oxygen uptake (VO2) were recorded over a period of 6 min after the exercise. By applying the logit transformation to the recorded variables and relating them to the decimal logarithm of the recovery time, uniform single-phase courses of changes were shown for both variables in all subjects and exercises. This enabled computing half-recovery times (t(1/2)) for both variables. Half-time for VO2 negatively correlated with square root of exercise duration (within-subject r = -0.629, p < 0.001), the total post-exercise oxygen uptake till t(1/2) was thus constant irrespectively of exercise intensity. The method is simple and enables reliable comparisons of various modes of exercise with respect to the rate of recovery.

Structural and optical properties of nano-sized K3Nd(PO4)2:Yb3+ orthophosphate.

Nanocrystals of tripotassium neodymium bis-phosphate(V) doped with ytterbium ions, K3Nd(PO4)2: Yb3+, were synthesized by Pechini method. The obtained grains, having an average size of about 40 nm, were characterised by X-ray, electron microscopic, electron absorption, luminescence and IR studies. Moreover, fluorescence decay studies were carried out at room temperature. The energy transfer from the Nd3+ to Yb3+ was described and discussed. The results were compared to those of the K3Nd(PO4)2 bulk crystal.

Size dependent structural, vibrational, and luminescence properties of nanocrystalline LiIn(WO4)2:Cr3+.

X-ray, electron transmission spectroscopy, vibrational and luminescence studies of LiIn(WO4)2:Cr+ nanoparticles prepared by Pechini method are reported. On annealing the sample several structural changes were observed resulting in a creation of three new, previously unknown polymorphs. It was shown that this tungstate undergoes two size-induced phase transitions from the structure similar to LiFe(WO4)2 into the structure similar to LiYb(WO4)2 and then into the structure of LiGa(WO4)2 type. These transitions occur for the critical particle size of about 100 and 30 nm, and they could be attributed mainly to some changes in the distribution of the sites occupied by Li+ and In3+ ions. Luminescence studies revealed decrease of the covalent character of chromium environment and electron-phonon coupling strength with decreasing size of the nanoparticles.

[Difficulties in distinguishing left ventricular aneurysm from pseudoaneurysm. Case report]. / Trudnosci w róznicowaniu rzekomego i prawdziwego tetniaka sciany dolnej serca. Opis przypadku.

A case of 51-year old female with large inferior left ventricular aneurysm developed 3 months after myocardial infarction is presented. The patient demonstrated advanced congestive heart failure and angina. Coronarography revealed amputation of the distal part of 3 coronary vessels without possibility of revascularisation. In ventriculography large inferior wall aneurysm was found. Echocardiography strongly suggest the presence of pseudoaneurysm. During the operation very large real aneurysm arising from inferior wall and apex was found. Postoperative period was complicated by many cardiac and non cardiac events. Authors discuss the problems of proper diagnostic and its influence on decision about surgical management.

[Ketone bodies in patients after partially liver resection]. / Wskaznik ketonowy u pacjentów poddanych czesciowym resekcjom watroby.

This study explores the relationship between Arterial Ketone Body Ratio (AKBR = acetoacetate/3-hydroxybutyrate) and the patients state after partially liver resections. Enzymatic methods of Mellanby and Williamson for the determination of ketone bodies (acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate) were used. Twelve surgical patients (8 women and 4 men) were examined. The control group consisted of 5 persons. Ketone bodies were measured in samples of arterial blood taken before operation and in the postoperative period. Then AKBR values were calculated. Patients were classified into three groups. Group A patients (8 subjects) had AKBR value higher than 0.7, group B patients had AKBR between 0.4 and 0.7 (2 cases), and group C patients had AKBR below 0.4 (2 cases). We observed that incidence of postoperative complications increased with the decrease of AKBR value. No postoperative complications and good general conditions of patients were observed in group A only. Group B patients had postoperative complications, whereas group C patients decreased in the postoperative period. These results indicate that Arterial Ketone Body Ratio is a good indicator for prognosis of postoperative survival of patients after partially liver resections.