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The objective of this field trial was to evaluate the body temperature within the interval of 10 days post partum in cows with puerperal metritis, as confirmed by a clinical examination, in comparison with cows without clinical symptoms of this disease. In addition, the body temperature in cows having a purulent and putrid character of lochia was compared. Rectal temperature was measured daily in 92 randomly selected cows. The cows were examined clinically on day 10 ± 3 post partum and were divided according to the character of lochia into Group M1 (purulent lochia, n = 29), Group M2 (putrid lochia, n = 28) and Group C (normal lochia, n = 35). The number of cows with a fever (temperature > 39.0°C or > 39.5°C) at least once during 10 days post partum was higher in Groups M1 and M2 compared to Group C (86.2% and 92.9% vs. 54.3%, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, or 41.4% and 71.4% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). In addition, there was a higher number of cows with a temperature > 39.5°C in Group M2 in comparison with Group M1 (P < 0.05). More cows showed consistent temperatures > 39.0°C for three days or > 39.5°C for two days in Group M2 compared to Group C (42.9% vs. 8.6%, P < 0.01 or 25.0% vs. 2.9%, P < 0.05). Average daily temperatures were higher in Group M2 compared to Group C on Days 1, 3, 5 and 7 (PP < 0.05) as well as on Days 2 and 6 (P < 0.01) post partum. The results reveal the following: higher incidence of body temperature > 39.0°C in cows with puerperal metritis; risk period for fever from Day 3 to Day 7 post partum; higher incidence of fever in cows with putrid lochia compared to cows with purulent lochia; body temperature > 39.5°C being a more accurate indicator of puerperal metritis than temperature > 39.0°C. Despite that, the occurrence of fever was irregular. In conclusion, measurement of body temperature does not represent a sufficiently accurate diagnostic method for puerperal metritis although it may be considered a useful indicator for assessment of the severity of the disease.

This study demonstrates the use of nanoparticles prepared by a gas aggregation source for fabricating structures by combining laser sintering and ablation. At first, the morphology and optical properties of prepared nanoparticle coatings were characterized. Then, the response of coatings to laser irradiation at different powers or exposure times was studied by in situ time-of-flight mass spectrometry, followed by scanning electron microscopy measurements of the resulting structures. By comparing the numbers of detected Ag ions, that were ablated and desorbed, with changes in morphology after irradiation, the optimum conditions for laser sintering and ablation of Ag nanoparticle coatings were found. As a proof of concept we fabricated micromirrors from sintered metal, microwires from both sintered metal and interconnected nanoparticles, and arbitrary metallic bulky or nanoparticle patterns. Vacuum compatibility and the possibility of fabrication of both metallic and nanoparticle structures in one step predetermines applications of developed method in electronics or sensing.

Mass photometry (MP) is a rapidly growing optical technique for label-free mass measurement of single biomolecules in solution. The underlying measurement principle provides numerous advantages over ensemble-based methods but has been limited to low analyte concentrations due to the need to uniquely and accurately quantify the binding of individual molecules to the measurement surface, which results in diffraction-limited spots. Here, we combine nanoparticle lithography with surface PEGylation to substantially lower surface binding, resulting in a 2 orders of magnitude improvement in the upper concentration limit associated with mass photometry. We demonstrate the facile tunability of degree of passivation, enabling measurements at increased analyte concentrations. These advances provide access to protein-protein interactions in the high nanomolar to low micromolar range, substantially expanding the application space of mass photometry.

Solid-state 2 µm lasers based on thulium-doped active media Tm:YAG, Tm:YAP, and Tm:YLF were investigated under 1.7 µm resonant diode pumping. In contrast with standard 0.8 µm pump wavelength, a high slope efficiency was achieved, up to 80% in the case of Tm:YAP and Tm:YLF, nearing a quantum limit without relying on Tm 3+ -Tm 3+ cross-relaxation energy transfer. Low thermal load allowed for stable continuous-wave operation with good beam quality and output power up to 6 W (Tm:YAG, Tm:YLF), and 8 W (Tm:YAP).

Double strap lap adhesive joints between metal (AA 6061-T6) and composite (carbon/epoxy) laminates were fabricated and characterized based on strength. Hand layup methods were used to fabricate double strap match lap joints and double strap mismatch lap joints. These joints were compared for their strength under static and fatigue loadings. Fracture toughness (GIIC) was measured experimentally using tensile testing and validated with numerical simulations using the cohesive zone model (CZM) in ABAQUS/Standard. Fatigue life under tension-tension fluctuating sinusoidal loading was determined experimentally. Failure loads for both joints were in close relation, whereas the fatigue life of the double strap mismatch lap joint was longer than that of the double strap match lap joint. A cohesive dominating failure pattern was identified in tensile testing. During fatigue testing, it was observed that inhomogeneity (air bubble) in adhesive plays a negative role while the long time duration between two consecutive cycle spans has a positive effect on the life of joints.

The finite element analysis technique was used to investigate the suitability of silver nanorods, spheres, ellipsoids and core−shell structures for the hyperthermia treatment of cancer. The temperature of the silver nanostructures was raised from 42 to 46 °C, in order to kill the cancerous cells. The time taken by the nanostructures to attain this temperature, with external source heating, was also estimated. The heat transfer module in COMSOL Multiphysics was used for the finite element analysis of hyperthermia, based on silver nanostructures. The thermal response of different shapes of silver nanostructures was evaluated by placing them inside the spherical domain of the tumor tissue. The proposed geometries were heated at different time intervals. Optimization of the geometries was performed to achieve the best treatment temperature. It was observed that silver nanorods quickly attain the desired temperature, as compared to other shapes. The silver nanorods achieved the highest temperature of 44.3 °C among all the analyzed geometries. Moreover, the central volume, used to identify the thermal response, was the maximum for the silver nano-ellipsoids. Thermal equilibrium in the treatment region was attained after 0.5 μs of heating, which made these structures suitable for hyperthermia treatment.

Pyran-2-ones 3 undergo a novel Pd 0 -catalyzed 1,3-rearrangement to afford isomers 6. The reaction proceeds via an η 2 -Pd complex, the pyramidalization of which (confirmed by quantum chemistry calculations) offers a favorable antiperiplanar alignment of the Pd-C and allylic C-O bonds (C), thus allowing the formation of an η 3 -Pd intermediate. Subsequent rotation and rate-limiting recombination with the carboxylate arm then gives isomeric pyran-2-ones 6. The calculated free energies reproduce the observed kinetics semi-quantitatively., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This study examined compliance with the criteria of transparency and best practice in scholarly publishing defined by COPE, DOAJ, OASPA and WAME in Biomedical Open Access journals indexed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR). 259 Open Access journals were drawn from the JCR database and on the basis of their websites their compliance with 14 criteria for transparency and best practice in scholarly publishing was verified. Journals received penalty points for each unfulfilled criterion when they failed to comply with the criteria defined by COPE, DOAJ, OASPA and WAME. The average number of obtained penalty points was 6, where 149 (57.5%) journals received 6 points and 110 (42.5%) journals 7 points. Only 4 journals met all criteria and did not receive any penalty points. Most of the journals did not comply with the criteria declaration of Creative Commons license (164 journals), affiliation of editorial board members (116), unambiguity of article processing charges (115), anti-plagiarism policy (113) and the number of editorial board members from developing countries (99). The research shows that JCR cannot be used as a whitelist of journals that comply with the criteria of transparency and best practice in scholarly publishing.

Urgent need for innovative and effective antibacterial coatings in different fields seems to have triggered the development of numerous strategies for the production of such materials. As shown in this short overview, plasma based techniques arouse considerable attention that is connected with the possibility to use these techniques for the production of advanced antibacterial Ag/plasma polymer coatings with tailor-made functional properties. In addition, the plasma-based deposition is believed to be well-suited for the production of novel multi-functional or stimuli-responsive antibacterial films.

Addition of high-aspect-ratio (AR) nanofillers can markedly influence flow behavior of polymer systems. As a result, application of graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) allows preparation of microfibrillar composites (MFC) based on PCL matrix reinforced with in-situ generated PLA fibrils. This work deals, for the first time, with preparation of analogous melt-drawn fibers. Unlike other blend-based fibers, the spinning and melt drawing leads to structure of deformed inclusions due to unfavorable ratio of rheological parameters of components. Subsequent moderate cold drawing of the system with dissimilar deformability of components causes strengthening with PLA fibrils. Unexpectedly, high velocity and extent of cold drawing leads to structure with low-AR inclusions, similar to the original melt-drawn blend. Extensive fast deformation of the soft PCL matrix does not allow sufficient stress transfer to rigid PLA. In spite of peculiarities found, the GNP-aided melt spinning allows facile preparation of biodegradable biocompatible fibers with wide range of diameters (80-400 µm) and parameters (2.35-18 cN/tex)., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Structure and properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) influenced by graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) were studied in dependence on blend composition. Electron microscopy indicates predominant localization of GNP in PCL. GNP-induced changes in viscosity hinder refinement of PCL inclusions, support PCL continuity in the co-continuous system, and lead to reduction of PLA inclusions size without GNP being present at the interface in the PCL-matrix blend. Negligible differences in crystallinity of both phases indicate that mechanical behaviour is mainly influenced by reinforcement and GNP-induced changes in morphology. Addition of 5 parts of GNP leads to ~40% and ~25% increase of stiffness in the PCL- and PLA-matrix systems, respectively, whereas the reinforcing effect is practically eliminated in the co-continuous systems due to GNP-induced lower continuity of PLA which enhances toughness. Impact resistance of the 80/20 blend shows increase with 5 parts content due to synergistic effect of PCL/GNP stacks, whereas minor increase in the blend of the ductile PCL matrix with brittle PLA inclusions is caused by GNP-modification of the component parameters. Results indicate high potential of GNP in preparing biocompatible systems with wide range of structure and properties., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Authors who publish in scientific or scholarly journals today face the risk of publishing in so-called predatory journals. These journals exploit the noble idea of the Open Access movement, whose goal is to make the latest scientific findings available for free. Predatory journals, unlike the reputable ones working on an Open Access basis, neglect the review process and publish low-quality submissions. The basic attributes of predatory journals are a very quick review process or even none at all, failure to be transparent about author fees for publishing an article, misleading potential authors by imitating the names of well-established journals, and false information on indexing in renowned databases or assigned impact factor. Some preventive measures against publishing in predatory journals or drawing information from them are: a thorough credibility check of the journals webpages, verification of the journals indexing on Bealls List and in the following databases: Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, ERIH PLUS and DOAJ. Asking other scientists or scholars about their experience with a given journal can also be helpful. Without these necessary steps authors face an increased risk of publishing in a journal of poor quality, which will prevent them from obtaining Research and Development Council points (awarded based on the Information Register of Research & Development results); even more importantly, it may damage their reputation as well as the good name of their home institution in the professional community.Key words: academic writing - medical journals - Open Access - predatory journals - predatory publishers - scientific publications.

Proximal hamstring avulsion is an uncommon muscle injury with a lack of consensus on indications and the timing and technique of surgery. Poor clinical symptoms and difficulties in the diagnostic process can lead to a false diagnosis. The authors present three cases of proximal hamstring avulsion, two complete and one partial ruptures of the biceps femoris muscle. MRI and ultrasound scans were used for optimal treatment alignment. Acute surgery reconstruction (< 4 weeks) was done in two patients. Re-attachment of the full thickness ruptures was performed to the original place and secured by suture anchors, the partial rupture was fixed by a simple suture. Two patients were free of any symptoms at 6 months after surgery, the last one had pain in the subgluteal area and a mild deficit in hamstring strength. Two interesting systematic reviews published on the treatment of proximal hamstring avulsion are discussed in the final part of the paper. Key words: hamstring, rupture, avulsion.

Migita-Stille coupling of (Z)-β-iodoacrylates with (E)-α-stannyl allylic alcohols to furnish 5-alkylidene-4-substituted-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones is efficiently catalyzed by 2% Pd black in DMF, while Pd(PPh3)4 is inactive. Heterogeneous Pd released in solution is most likely responsible for the catalysis. The reaction is applicable to other substrates, without having to resort to ligands, additives, and/or solid support for Pd. The resulting pyranones can be rearranged to fully functionalized pyranones in another single step.

In this case report is described a patient with an abdominal pain, who came to surgery. Intraoperatively was found the infarcted formation of unknown origin in the omentum--suspicion of accessory spleen. Histologically was elucidated, that the formation consisted of ischemic adipose tissue--there was a torsion of a large caul.

Background: Previous studies established that a level of partial pressure end-tidal carbon dioxide (P(ET)CO(2)) of 10 mm Hg divided patients undergoing advanced life support (ALS) into those likely to be resuscitated (values > 10 mm Hg) and those likely to die during ALS (values < 10 mm Hg)., Objective: The study tested the significance of a sudden increase in the P(ET)CO(2) in signaling the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during ALS., Material and Methods: P(ET)CO(2) values were continuously recorded during ALS in out-of-hospital patients with cardiac arrest. Constant ventilation was maintained by an automatic device. There were 108 patients, representing two extreme outcomes of ALS, who were subdivided into two groups. The first group included 59 patients with a single ROSC followed by a stable spontaneous circulation. The second group included 49 patients with no signs of ROSC., Results: ROSC was associated with a sudden increase in P(ET)CO(2) that remained significantly higher than before ROSC. P(ET)CO(2) did not rise during the entire ALS in the second group of patients without ROSC and was lower than in the first group of patients., Conclusions: In constantly ventilated patients, P(ET)CO(2) is significantly higher (about 10 mm Hg) after ROSC than before ROSC. A sudden increase in P(ET)CO(2) exceeding 10 mm Hg may indicate ROSC. Consequently, the rule of 10 mm Hg may be extended to include a sudden increase in continuously recorded P(ET)CO(2) by more than 10 mm Hg as an indicator of the possibility of ROSC., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is a rare disorder characterised by acute, potentially fatal atacks of muscle weakness or paralysis. Massive shift of potassium into cells is caused by elevated levels of insulin and catecholamines in the blood. Hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia may be also present. Acidobasic status usually is not impaired. HPP occurs as familiar (caused by ion channels inherited defects) or acquired (in patients with hyperthyroidism). On the basis of two clinical cases we present a review of hypokalemic periodic paralysis in hyperthyroid patients. We discuss patogenesis, clinical and laboratory findings as well as the principles of prevention and treatment of this rare disorder.

Introduction: The presence of malnutrition is connected with the significantly higher mortality and morbidity. Its early detection is very important for the institution of nutrition intervention that has favourable impact on patient's prognosis. The nutrition screening is the simple and fast way of nutrition risk assessment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation of the modified Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) with mortality of patients admitted to metabolic intensive care unit (MICU) in prospective study., Methods: Nutrition screening has been examined in all the patients admitted to MICU over half year period since January till June 2006. According to the screening result the patients were divided into three groups: with low, moderate and high nutrition risk. The relation of nutrition screening result with mortality in MICU was statistically evaluated., Results: Data of 291 patients admitted to MICU have been collected. The modified nutrition screening revealed low risk in 130 (45%), moderate risk in 111 (38%) and high nutrition risk in 50 (17%) patients. 28 patients (9.6%) died during stay in MICU. 3 patients (2.3%) with low, 10 (9%) with moderate and 15 (30%) with high nutrition risk passed away in MICU (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: The significant relation between the grade of nutrition risk evaluated by modified NRS 2002 and mortality in MICU has been found in our study.

Background: Early enteral nutrition is recommended in patients with critical illness. Generally implementing of nutritional support algorithm is advised. The aim of study was evaluation of early enteral nutrition application in critically ill patients in medical intensive care unit., Methods and Results: Early enteral nutrition was given according to written protocol in medical intensive care unit. During the first 96 hours hypocaloric nutrition 20-25 calories/kg was applied, followed by increase to 25-30 calories/kg at the end of the first week of admission. Apart from the patients who reached 25-30 calories/kg we recorded the number of patients who tolerated hypocaloric enteral nutrition and evaluated the number of patients with complications due to enteral nutrition. Early enteral nutrition was given to 44 out of 99 patients admitted to intensive care unit with life threatening diasese and indication for nutrition support. Out of 44 critically ill patients (35 with sepsis, 9 with another medical emergency) 22 died during admisssion in intensive care unit (50%). Hypocaloric enteral nutrition during the first 96 hours was given to 36 patients (82%). In 8 patients enteral nutrition had to be stopped and substituted for parenteral one due to complications. Three patients suffered from abdominal distension, 2 from profused diarrhea, 1 from combination of diarrhea and abdominal distension and 2 from aspiration. Twenty seven patients tolerated the application of enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube. In 10 patients nasogastric tube had to be replaced for nasojejunal one for high gastric aspirate volume. The caloric intake of 25-30 calories/kg was reached by the end of the first week of admission in 26 patients (60%)., Conclusions: Early enteral nutrition applied according to protocol was given succesfully to the substantial number of the critical patients. In 18% of the patients enteral nutrition had to be replaced for parenteral one due to complications. The caloric intake 25-30 calories/kg was reached in 60% of patients.

Introduction: The article summarises the experience of the authors in the administration of insulin using an infusion dispenser at a metabolic intensive care unit (MICU) both to patients with decompensated diabetes mellitus and to patients admitted with a sepsis or other life-threatening condition of internal nature., Patients and Results: Insulin was administered with the use of a dispenser to a total of 50 patients during 6 months of 2005. 13 of those patients showed signs of ketoacidotic or hyperosmolar coma in the course of diabetes mellitus. All of these patients were compensated within 24 hours and transferred to a standard ward for further treatment within 48 hours. 37 patients were admitted in a critical condition, the cause ofwhich was sepsis and a serious internal disease in 29 and 8 patients, respectively. 12 of the patients died during their hospitalisation at MICU, of which 8 in the first 3 days after admission. No significant correlation between the age, diabetes mellitus diagnosis or an associated cardiovascular morbidity and the death at MICU was discovered, but there was a very close ling between the mortality at the intensive care unit and the baseline blood level of C-reactive protein (160 mg/l; 32-352 in the patients who died, and 111 mg/l 15-168 in the patients who survived), p < 0.01. Glycaemia at admission did not differ significantly for the patients who dies and those who survived, but average glycaemia for all three measurements at MICU was significantly higher in the patients who died (10.4 mmol/l; 6.2-22.4) as compared with those who survived (7.8 mmol/l; 5.8-16.6), p < 0.01. The time of insulin administration was significantly shorter in patients who died (3.3 days; 1-6) as compared with those who survived (5.2 days; 3-10), p < 0.01. There was no significant difference between hourly insulin dose in the patients who died (2.8 j/hour; 0.6-8.6) and in those who survived (2.6 j/hour; 0.8-7.6). A trend towards lower mortality was recorded for the group of patients with average glycaemia below 8 mmol/l and/or those in whom glycaemia mostly ranged between 4.4 and 8.0 mmol/l, but the difference was not statistically significant. A significantly lower consumption of insulin was recorded for the patients with average glycaemia below 8 mmol/l and/or those whose glycaemia measurements mostly ranged between 4.4 and 8.0 mmol/l. Hypoglycaemia defined as glycaemia below 4.4 mmol/l was present in 2% of all measurements, in 11 patients on the total, and their results were not significantly associated with mortality at MICU., Conclusion: Mortality of patients admitted with sepsis or other life-threatening condition of internal nature was significantly higher in the group of patients with higher average glycaemia among all the measurements performed at MICU. In patients who died, the total time of insulin administration was significantly shorter, but there was no difference between the average hourly insulin dose in the group of the patients who died and those who survived.

The authors tested in an open clinical investigation in a group of 30 patients the therapeutic effectiveness and tolerance of the newly developed preparation Ranitidine VUFB in the treatment of peptic gastroduodenal ulcers. The preparation was administered to patients with an endoscopically confirmed diagnosis, 300 mg/day by the oral route, for a period of 4 weeks. A positive and rapid effect on regression of subjective complaints was observed and a very favourable effect on healing of the ulcer. After four weeks complete healing of gastroduodenal ulcers was recorded in 73% of the patients, in another 10% marked diminution of the ulcer occurred with a tendency to heal. The preparation was tolerated very well by the patients and there were no serious side-effects. The assembled results are comparable with data on similar preparations prepared abroad and Ranitidine VUFB should be included among desirable and useful anti-ulcer drugs.

The study was conducted in two groups of factory apprentices including boys aged 15 to 17 years. The first group consisted of a randomly selected 10% sample of 231 apprentices of the total number of 2,300 boys. The second group included 77 boys with casually found proteinuria. In both groups, the distribution of blood pressure and of the body mass and changes in these indices were followed up over a period of two years. The boys with proteinuria had a significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a lower body mass index. Their systolic and diastolic blood pressure was rising more steeply in regression to the body mass. The casual finding of asymptomatic proteinuria in juveniles always calls for a long-term follow-up. It signalizes, inter alia, also the presence of a factor raising blood pressure probably independently of body height and body mass.

The technique of atomic absorption spectrophotometry was employed for the estimation of sodium and magnesium in 50 deceased persons. No dependence on the time elapsed after death was found. Significantly higher average quantities of sodium were proved in subjects who had died as a result of brain contusion; higher quatities of magnesium were found in subjects who had suffered from chronic liver involvement.