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In the paper, a research on effects of baking temperature on chromite sand base of moulding sands bonded with sodium silicate is presented. Pure chromite sand and its chromite-based moulding sand prepared with use of sodium silicate were subjected to heating within 100 to 1200 °C. After cooling-down, changes of base grains under thermal action were determined. Chromite moulding sand was prepared with use of 0.5 wt% of domestic made, unmodified sodium silicate (water-glass) grade 145. After baking at elevated temperatures, creation of rough layer was observed on grain surfaces, of both pure chromite sand and that used as base of a moulding sand. Changes of sand grains were evaluated by scanning microscopy and EDS analyses. It was found that changes on grain surfaces are of laminar nature. The observed layer is composed of iron oxide (II) that is one of main structural components of chromite sand. In order to identify changes in internal structure of chromite sand grains, polished sections were prepared of moulding sand hardened with microwaves and baked at elevated temperatures. Microscopic observations revealed changes in grains structure in form of characteristically crystallised acicular particles with limited magnesium content, intersecting at various angles. EDS analysis showed that these particles are composed mostly of chromium oxide (III) and iron oxide (II). The temperature above that the a.m. changes are observed in both chromite-based moulding sand and in pure chromite sand. The observed phenomena were linked with hardness values and mass of this sand.

This paper presents the results of a study investigating the tribological properties of Stellite 6 alloy following the implantation of nitrogen ions at 120 keV and of manganese ions at 175 keV. The results demonstrate that the coefficient of friction and wear of the nitrogen implanted samples are several times lower until the modified layer is worn. The thickness of this layer depends on the ion beam energy and ion fluence, and it increases as the nitrogen ion fluence is increased. Following the implantation with a fluence of 1 × 1017 N+/cm2, the thickness of the layer is about 1.0 (1) μm exceeding the range of implanted nitrogen ions by four times. This phenomenon is known as the long-range effect. It is associated with the diffusion of nitrogen atoms into the area of friction. It is also assumed that this effect is caused by the displacement of radiation damage deep into the material. However, the long-range effect practically does not occur when the very same material is implanted with same fluence of manganese ions. It is the first case ever to demonstrate that the long-range effect in a target material depends on the type of implanted species and is not only caused by implantation damage.

This article depicts developed biomechanical system designed for measuring the breaking force of the inguinal hernia mesh according to its fixation method – stitching and gluing. Authors describe in details structure of the laboratory stand which objective was to simulate Lichtenstein tension-free repair conditions as well as facilitate presentation of the methodology of conducted experiments. Statistical analysis of obtained data was performed to confirm usefulness of both fixation techniques. The goal of the presented in this work biomechanical system was to verify the reliability of inguinal hernia mesh fixation methods and to reach conclusions that could be later put into clinical practice.

Nitrogen ion implantation can be used to improve the surface mechanical properties (hardness, wear) of steel by modifying the near-surface layers of these materials. In this research, AISI H11 hot work tool steel was implanted with 120 keV nitrogen ions at the fluence of (1 ÷ 10) × 1016 N+/cm2. The concentration profiles of nitrogen ions implanted into H11 steel were measured by RBS and these were compared with the profiles created using SATVAL and SRIM computer simulation codes. The surface morphology was examined and elemental analysis was performed using SEM, AFM, EDS, and RBS. Wear tests were conducted with the use of the pin-on-disc method. The worn surfaces of samples were observed by means of SEM, EDS, WDS and CEMS. The surface layers were characterised using a nano-hardness test. A significant improvement in nano-hardness and wear resistance has been found with increasing implantation fluences. The decreased wear rate and increased friction coefficient caused by the long-range effect extended to a 19-fold greater depth than the range of the implanted nitrogen ions. The investigations have shown that the long-range effect is also induced by nitrogen diffusion during a local increase in temperature in the friction process. Nitrogen implantation modified the nature of surface wear, decreasing adhesive wear and increasing oxidizing wear. The oxidizing wear predominated after the implantation at the fluence of 1 × 1017 N+/cm2.

The paper presents results of fluorescence analysis of ionic and nonionic 2-((4-fluorophenyl)amino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxybenzeno)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (FABT) in monocrystals and solutions. We found a single fluorescence band in the case of FABT crystals grown in methanol and dual fluorescence for FABT crystals grown in an aqueous environment. The effect of dual fluorescence was preserved for FABT dissolved in aqueous solutions with pH ranging from 7.5 to 1. In contrast, FABT dissolved in methanol exhibited a single fluorescence band. The dual fluorescence effect is associated with conformational changes in the FABT molecule, which can be induced by aggregation effects. On the basis of crystallographic data, two types of FABT crystal molecule conformations were distinguished. In methanol, FABT molecules are in conformation "S" (the -OH group from the resorcyl ring oriented toward the sulfur atom from the 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring), which a gives single fluorescence band. In water, FABT in conformation "N" (the -OH group from the resorcyl ring oriented toward the nitrogen atom from the 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring due to 180° rotation) has two fluorescence bands. This significant finding implies the possibility of performing a rapid analysis of conformational changes in FABT molecules using fluorescence spectroscopy both in solutions and in biological samples.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer among patients, and its aetiology is still not precisely known. It is believed that 15–30% of colorectal cancers are genetically determined. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the MDR1 gene in normal conditions plays an important role in the action of colon epithelial cells. However, the MDR1 polymorphism influences the P-gp expression and can weaken its effect against xenobiotics (procarcinogens) and increase the frequency of CRC. Aim: To evaluate the correlation between the MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer. Material and methods: The study group with colorectal cancer included 47 women and 60 men while the control group consisted of 110 healthy patients. The diagnosis in patients suffering from CRC was confirmed by histopathological report. Genetic analysis was performed using PCR-RFLP method. Results: We showed only a correlation between the frequency of CT and TT genotypes of C3435T polymorphism and the risk of colorectal cancer in younger age. There was no correlation between the C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms of the MDR1 gene and other clinical parameters. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that T allele carriers of C3435T polymorphism have an increased risk of CRC. However, further studies are needed on a much larger number of patients and genes associated with metabolism and transport of xenobiotics including procarcinogens.

In this work, we studied the influence of the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB) on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multibilayers modified by cholesterol and ergosterol investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. The periodic structures related to AmB–DPPC–sterol complexes in multibilayers are completely created in temperatures above the main lipid phase transition. The differences between all observed multilayer structures are related to the thickness. Multibilayers composed of lipid and sterols have similar thickness of 51 A. Addition of amphotericin B leads to creation of new periodic structures. Multibilayers composed of lipid–ergosterol–AmB have thickness of 44 A which does not change with temperature. Multibilayers composed of lipid–cholesterol–AmB at 20 °C are 43 A and gets thicker at 50 °C. Most probably this is caused by weaker van der Vaals cholesterol–amphotericin B interactions.

Various morphologies of docosane crystals have been obtained by crystallization of samples of the same origin with different methods. The positron annihilation lifetime spectra indicate some differences between them, which are related to the differences in the electron trapping capability. To find out the origin of these differences, some crystallographic and optical spectroscopic studies were performed. We argue that the differences in each structure are related to the ease of electron release from traps during excitation and not only to the density of the traps, as has been assumed so far.

Xanthohumol (XN) is the major prenylated flavonoid found in hop resin. It has attracted considerable attention in recent years due to its wide spectrum of biological activities and the beneficial effect on human health. Since lipid membrane is first target for biologically active compounds, we decided to investigate the influence of XN on the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multibilayers. Interactions of XN with DPPC were investigated as a function of temperature and its concentration by using X-ray diffraction and the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The aim of understanding the mechanisms of molecular interactions between XN and DPPC was to indicate the localization of the XN with respect to the membrane and the type of interaction with phospholipids. The results revealed that XN changes the physical properties of the DPPC multibilayers in the form of dry film. A new complex formation between XN and DPPC is reported. The detailed analysis of refraction effect indicates the changes in electron density ratio between hydrophobic and hydrophilic zones of lipid at phase transition. This is in compliance with reported changes in FTIR spectra where at pretransition XN moves from interface region between polar heads to the neighborhood of phosphate groups.

BACKGROUND This study analyzes the influence the of kidney donor hemostasis on the risk of complications in the kidney recipient after transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 38 deceased kidney donors, of whom 14 donors died from a physical injury and the others died from ischemic or bleeding central nervous system stroke. The donors were categorized into 2 subgroups. If the recipient's postoperative period proceeded smoothly, the kidney donor was assigned to the uncomplicated donors (UD) group. If the recipient's postoperative period was complicated, the donor was assigned to the complicated (CD) Group. The CD group of consisted of 9 donors who died from strokes or bleedings and 2 who died from physical injury. We examined the antithrombin (AT) protein C (PC), complexes of thrombin/antithrombin (TAT), fragments F1+2 of prothrombin (F1+2), plasminogen (Pl), complexes of plasmin/antiplasmin (PAP), and D-dimers (D-d). RESULTS In the CD group had decreased activity of AT, PC, and Pl and increased activity of F1+2, TAT, and D-d. The UD group had a higher level of PAP. The CD group had evidence of intensive blood coagulation, but the UD group had evidence of fibrinolysis. Fisher's exact test revealed an increased risk in recipients who received a kidney from the CD group. CONCLUSIONS The hemostasis of the kidney donors had a correlation with the occurrence of some complications in the kidney recipients, especially complications connected with activation of blood coagulation. It seems that the activation of fibrinolysis could be positive prognostic factor, but this requires further investigations.

Here we demonstrate the controlled growth of Bi(110) and Bi(111) films on an (insulating) $\alpha$-Al$_2$O$_3$(0001) substrate by surface X-ray diffraction and X-ray reflectivity using synchrotron radiation. At temperatures as low as 40 K, unanticipated pseudo-cubic Bi(110) films are grown having a thickness ranging from a few to tens of nanometers. The roughness at the film-vacuum as well as at the film-substrate interface, can be reduced by mild heating, where a crystallographic orientation transition of Bi(110) towards Bi(111) is observed at 400 K. From 450 K onwards high quality and ultrasmooth Bi(111) films are formed. Growth around the transition temperature results in the growth of competing Bi(110) and Bi(111) thin film domains.

In medicine spectacular progress can be observed at many stages, which sometimes requires the redefinition of already known anatomical structures. One of them is the transverse abdominal plane, which was the focus of anaesthetists. It was observed that anaesthetics introduced locally into this plane have similar power to a traditional epidural procedure or spinal anaesthesia. The concept of the transverse abdominal plane is a relatively new anatomical term which was introduced into clinical medicine by anaesthetists. Because of the potential performance of anaesthetic procedures through access to the transverse abdominal plane, there has been a growing interest not only expressed by anaesthetists, but also anatomists who wish to explore new anatomical aspects of this plane. It is generally believed that anatomical studies will provide more information on this plane, which can contribute to a wider spread of this procedure among anaesthetists.

Interactions and complex formation between lipids and biologically active compounds are crucial for better understanding of molecular mechanisms occurring in living cells. In this paper a molecular organisation and complex formation of 2-(4-fluorophenylamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxybenzeno)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (FABT) in DPPC multibilayers are reported. The simplified pseudo binary phase diagram of this system was created based on the X-ray diffraction study and fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data. The detailed analysis of the refraction effect indicates a much higher concentration of FABT in the polar zones during phase transition. Both the lipid and the complex ripple after cooling. It was found that FABT occupied not only the hydrophilic zones of the lipid membranes but also partly occupied the central part of the non polar zone. The infrared spectroscopy study reveals that FABT strongly interact with hydrophilic (especially PO2−) and hydrophobic (especially “kink” vibrations of CH2 group). The interactions of FABT molecules with these groups are responsible for changes of lipid multibilayers observed in X-ray diffraction study.

The paper analyzes unintiutive properties (paradoxes) of the FIFA's ranking of national football teams. The most surprising phenomenon is underrating the teams of the main championship tournament hosts. This "host effect" follows the absence of hosts in preliminaries and the resulting restriction of hosts' pre-tournament matches to friendlies that enter the FIFA system with low weights. Various models built with the FIFA data allow to estimate that the place of the Polish team as a host of Euro 2012 was lowered from 16 to 35 positions.

A new crystallization method of N-iodoacetylamphotericin B derivative is reported. The crystallization process in the presence of different quantities of amphotericin B additives was extensively studied and its mechanism was proposed. It also resulted in good quality single crystals suitable for X-ray structure determination (100 K). The structural information obtained allowed for periodic and dimer single point computational studies at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. These confirmed the proposed controlled crystallization mechanism and the stabilization of crystals formed by the iodoacetyl derivative and parent amphotericin B. The calculation results indicate the strength of different intermolecular interactions and reveal the great contribution of the solvent molecules to the crystal lattice formation, with the total energy gain of about 335 kJ·mol–1, which almost doubles the cohesive energy value. Hirshfeld surface analysis shows the more efficient crystal packing of N-iodoacetylamphotericin versus ...

Organ donors can be generally divided into two groups according to the cause of their death. The first group is composed of those who died because of physical injuries, especially road traffic injury, and the second group, those who died from central nervous system (CNS) stroke or bleeding. The aim of our work was to examine hemostatic processes among kidney donors.The 38 deceased kidney donors (KD) included 11 women and 27 men of overall average age of 37±12 years. The donor group of according to the cause of death, included 14 injured donors (ID) (41%) and 24 noninjured donors (ND) donors (59%). The control group consisted of 25 healthy volunteers matched for sex and age. We determined the following concentrations: antithrombin (AT), thrombin/antithrombin complexes (TAT), and prothrombin F1+2 fragments. The fibrinolytic parameter concentrations were: plasminogen (PL), plasmin/antiplasmin complexes (PAP), and D-dimers.Deceased kidney donors showed an increased plasma concentrations of TAT complexes (P.000001) and prothrombin fragments F1+2 (P.0000001); however, the protein C concentration was decreased (P.000001). The antithrombin activity was similar to the control group. The concentrations of PAP complexes and d-dimers were higher (both P.000001), but the level of PL lower among KD compared with controls (P.0000001). The higher of TAT, PAP complexes, d-dimers, and F1+2 concentrations as well and as lower plasminogen and PC concentrations were evidence for increased activation of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in cadaveric KD. However, analysis compairing ID versus ND donors revealed increased concentrations of PAP complexes (P.05) and decreased amounts of TAT complexes (P.01) among ID subgroup. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative (NPV) for PAP complexes were 75% and 68% and for TAT, 71% and 57%, respectively. On the basis of these observations, we concluded that an intensive activation of fibrinolytic process occurs among the ID. In contrast, ND show intensive activation of blood coagulation.

Background The etiopathogenesis of lymphoceles remains incompletely understood. The aim of our work was to analyze the perturbations of blood coagulation process for their possible impact on the etiology of lymphoceles. Additionally we performed an evaluation of the incidence and effectiveness of treatment methods for lymphoceles. Materials and methods During 2004 to 2010, we performed 242 kidney transplantations in 92 female and 150 male patients. The hemostatic parameters included concentrations of: antithrombin, plasminogen, thrombin/antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin products F1+2 (F1+2), d-dimers, and plasmin/antiplasmin complexes. Results At 7 years follow-up 27 (11%) recipients had developed symptomatic lymphoceles, namely abdominal discomfort, a palpable mess in the lower abdomen, arterial hypertension, infection of the operative site with fever, lymphorrhoea with surgical wound dehiscence, decreased diurnal urine output with an elevated plasma creatinine, voiding problems of urgency and vesical tenesmus, and/or symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. We applied the following methods of treatment aspiration alone, percutaneous drainage, laparoscopic fenestration or open surgery. In two only patients did perform open surgery. Since 2008 we have not performed an aspiration alone because of high rate of recurrence (almost 100%) and abandoned open surgery in favor of a laparoscopic approach. Our minimally invasive surgery includes percutaneous drainage guided by ultrasound and a laparoscopic procedure with 100% effectiveness. The examined hemostatic parameters revealed decreased concentrations of TAT complexes and F1+2 in subjects with lymphocele showing positive predictive values of 33% and 41% respectively. The negative predictive values for TAT complexes and F1+2 were 14% and 10%, respectively, suggesting decreased blood coagulation activity among effected recipients. Altered blood coagulation processes may explain some aspects of the disturbances of postoperative obliteration of damaged lymphatic vessels and formation of pathological lymph collection afterward. Conclusions Perturbations of blood coagulation may be one cause for a lymphocele.

The main issue of this paper is the stability analysis of elastic systems with random parameters using the Generalized Stochastic Finite Element Method. The Taylor expansion with random coefficients of nth order is used to express all random functions and to determine up to fourth order probabilistic moments of the critical force or critical pressure. The response function method assists to determine higher order partial derivatives of the structural response instead of the Direct Differentiation Method employed widely before. This approach is examined on the classical Euler problem, 2D and 3D steel frames as well as in addition to the cylindrical shell with some geometrical parameters defined as the Gaussian variables. The comparison of the GSFEM versus the Monte-Carlo simulation on the Euler problem proves the probabilistic convergence of this new technique.

The aim of this research is to investigate amphotericin B (AmB)–Cu2+ complexes in aqueous solution at different pH values. Electronic absorption, circular dichroism (CD), Raman and FTIR spectroscopies were used in this study. We found that different concentrations of AmB and Cu2+ ions in solution leads to formation of complexes with stoichiometry of 2:1 and 1:1. The formation of AmB–Cu2+ complexes at physiological pH values is accompanied by changes of the molecular organization of AmB especially disaggregation. These observed effects might be significant from a medical point of view.

The paper presents the results of tests, numerical analyses and theoretical analyses of reinforced concrete beams loaded with a torsional moment as well as a shearing force and a bending moment, carried out in the Research Laboratory of the Institute of Building Engineering at Wroclaw University of Technology. The research focused on the load capacity and stiffness of such elements. Beams angular (in the shape of the inverted letter L) and rectangular in cross section were investigated. The tests were carried out in two series. In the first test series the elements were loaded with solely a torsional moment. In the second test series the beams were subjected to the combined load of a torsional moment, a shearing force and a bending moment. The behaviour of the beams with the different cross sectional shapes was compared. The experimental results and the ones yielded by numerical analyses were compared with theoretical and standard results.

Because of the properties of the material (concrete), computer simulations in the field of reinforced concrete structures are pose a challenge. As opposed to steel, concrete when subjected to compression exhibits nonlinearity right from the start. Moreover, it much quicker undergoes degradation under tension. All this poses difficulties for numerical analyses. Parameters needed to correctly model concrete under compound stress are described in this paper. The parameters are illustrated using the Concrete Damaged Plasticity model included in the ABAQUS software.

2-(4-Fluorophenylamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxybenzeno)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (FABT) is a biologically active compound. It forms planar molecules and cations. Single crystals of the FABTH+ chloride grown from water solutions of different alcohols, such as methanol, propan-2-ol, and butanol, show structural changes induced mostly by hydrogen bond interactions with chloride anions and solvent molecules. For structures with the alcohol molecules built in the crystal lattice, the FABTH+ moiety takes the conformation with the o-OH (ortho position) group from the resorcin ring on the same side of the molecule as the sulfur atom in the thiadiazole ring, whereas, in the alcohol free crystals growth from a butanol−water mixture, this group is situated on the other side of the thiadiazole ring. The incorporation of the alcohol molecules into the crystal structures formed by FABTH+ cations strongly depends on their size, and it influences the properties of crystal lattices. In the case of the FABTH+Cl− crystallized from butano...

We report room temperature measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical transmission microscopy (OTM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared-absorption (IR), and micro-Raman spectroscopy (µ-RS) of the oriented SAT0.3 :L A 0.075 :C AT 0.625 single crystal. The final structure refinement of SAT0.3 :L A 0.075 :C AT 0.625 crystal was performed for I4/m space group at room temperature. Vibrational spectra of the crystal were discussed in terms of group-theoretical predictions for untilted (Fm3m) and tilted tetragonal (I4/m) perovskite structure. The confocal µ-Raman measurements of depth profiling of SAT0.3 :L A 0.075: CAT0.625 crystal suggest a relationship between sensitivities of the ordering-related Raman-active modes and the variation of order parameter η .C opyrightc � 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts in both kidneys. Symptoms of the disease may arise either from the presence of cysts or from increasing loss of kidney function. First symptoms usually appear in the third decade of life: lumbar pain, urinary tract infections, arterial hypertension, or renal colic due to cyst rupture or coexistent nephrolithiasis. An early diagnosis, male gender, large kidneys by sonography, arterial hypertension, hematuria, and urinary tract infections are predictive factors of a faster progression of the disease. Our aim was to establish the indications for nephrectomy among symptomatic ADPKD patients before kidney transplantation and to assess the risks of posttransplantation complications among ADPKD patients without nephrectomy. Patients and Methods The observed group consisted of 183 patients with ADPKD among whom 50 (27.3%) underwent kidney transplantation during a 7-year observation period (2000–2007). Among those subjects were 3 groups: (I) nephrectomy preceding transplantation; (II) nephrectomy during kidney transplantation; and (III) without nephrectomy. Results Among group I before transplantation we observed: arterial hemorrhage, wound infections, and splenectomy 4 weeks after ADPKD nephrectomy; afterward we observed: urinary tract infections and contralateral cyst infection. Among group II we only observed 1 case of wound infection. Among group III we observed: ascending urinary tract infections, cyst infections, and cyst hemorrhage. Cyst hemorrhage and cyst infections led mainly to ADPKD kidney nephrectomy. During the observation time, 80.95% of grafts were functioning. Conclusions Unilateral nephrectomy is a well-founded preliminary surgical treatment before kidney transplantation. Bilateral nephrectomy before or during transplantation eliminates ADPKD complications and does not significantly increase general complications. The greatest numbers of complications and of graft losses were observed among the group without pretransplantation nephrectomy.

Introduction Reperfusion is a crucial moment in kidney transplantation, connected with many metabolic changes that are the result of preservation and intraoperative course including ion movements, free radical generation, ATP and other adenylate depletion. During reperfusion we observed increased metabolic acidosis, which may be the result of accumulation of lactic acid due to anaerobic metabolism, with a simultaneous expiratory pCO2 growth as respiratory compensation. The study’s purpose was to examine acid-base balance dynamics during 30 minutes of reperfusion of the transplanted kidney and its influence on renal function based on observations of the 1-year creatinine values. Materials and methods The examined group consisted of 76 recipients: 44 men, 32 women. Measurements by gasometric analysis and expiratory pCO2 in each patient were performed nine times during reperfusion. In the postoperative period we analyzed donor-related factors including: gender, age, number of HLA matches weight and height, as well as recipient-related factors including: gender, age, basic immunosuppression, creatinine level at hospital discharge and at 5 to 24 months of follow-up. Statistical significance was analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by Tukey post hoc test as well as Mann-Whitney U and Spearman’s correlation tests. Results The analysis showed correlations between reperfusion, acidosis, respiratory pCO2 compensation, early graft loss, patient death, donor and recipient gender, renal function, donor age, and histocompatibility. Conclusions At the beginning of reperfusion there is increasing metabolic acidosis with simultaneous expiratory pCO2 as compensation. A greater relative increase in expiratory air pCO2 was correlated with a higher incidence of early graft loss. The higher intensity of metabolic acidosis correlated with worse renal function at 6 months after transplantation. Elderly donor age and fewer HLA-matched antigens correlated with greater intensity of metabolic acidosis during 30 minutes of kidney reperfusion.

In this paper we present experimental investigations of carbon nanotubes deposited on highly orientated pyrolytical graphite using scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The aforementioned methods apart from detailed topographic data provided us with information about local density of state. We also show the I−V and dI/dV characteristics, which display the metallic and semiconducting characters of investigated carbon nanotubes. All measurements were taken in the air and at room temperature.

Introduction Many factors affect long-term results in kidney transplantation including histologic damage as a independent predictor, such as chronic allograft/nephropathy in protocol biopsies and age-dependent lesions. Histopathologic findings correlate with the incidence of delayed graft function, renal function, and allograft survival, allowing a rather precise prediction of graft outcome. Materials and Methods We analyzed 92 renal thick needle preimplantation and 29 postexplantation biopsies. Biopsies were preserved in 4% formalin and immersed in paraffin. Optimal biopsies contained at least 10 glomeruli and at least 2 cross-sections of arteries. We analyzed tubulitis, intensity of acute tubular necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, glomerulonephritis, arterial hyalinization, arteritis, fibrosis, tubular atrophy, arterial intimal fibrosis, increase of mesangial matrix, and percentage of glomerulosclerosis. During the postoperative course we analyzed patients condition, exigency of postoperative dialysis, urine output, as well as serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, uric acid, and ions. During a 1-year observation period, we analyzed living recipients, graft loss, death with a functioning graft, incidence of nephropathy (CAN), and acute rejection episodes (ARE). Results We observed a significant correlation between immediate graft function (IGF) and lack of ATN in the pre-0 biopsy. We observed no correlation between renal function and arterial hyalinization and fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration, tubular atrophy. In the postoperative period, we observed a significant correlation between IGF and lack of interstitial fibrosis with significantly lower levels of creatinine, urea, and potassium and higher urine output early after transplantation. IGF and better function of the right kidney was correlated with shorter time to reach a creatinine level of 2 mg%. In the postoperative periods, we also observed a difference between renal function depending on gender. The presence of acute tubular necrosis, arterial fibrosis, lack of inflammatory infiltration in the pre-0 biopsy correlated with worse late renal function. Among explantation biopsies 65.5% showed signs of CAN, and 37.93%, histologic marks of ARE.

Weak radiative decays of the B mesons belong to the most important flavor changing processes that provide constraints on physics at the TeV scale. In the derivation of such constraints, accurate standard model predictions for the inclusive branching ratios play a crucial role. In the current Letter we present an update of these predictions, incorporating all our results for the O(α_{s}^{2}) and lower-order perturbative corrections that have been calculated after 2006. New estimates of nonperturbative effects are taken into account, too. For the CP- and isospin-averaged branching ratios, we find B_{sγ}=(3.36±0.23)×10^{-4} and B_{dγ}=(1.73_{-0.22}^{+0.12})×10^{-5}, for E_{γ}1.6 GeV. Both results remain in agreement with the current experimental averages. Normalizing their sum to the inclusive semileptonic branching ratio, we obtain R_{γ}≡(B_{sγ}+B_{dγ})/B_{cℓν}=(3.31±0.22)×10^{-3}. A new bound from B_{sγ} on the charged Higgs boson mass in the two-Higgs-doublet-model II reads M_{H^{±}}480 GeV at 95% C.L.

Introduction Reperfusion is a crucial moment in kidney transplantation. Resumption of blood flow is associated with many metabolic changes, which result from the kidney’s initial condition and preservation. These biochemical alterations including the acid–base balance are the part of ischemia–reperfusion injury. The study’s purpose was to examine acid–base balance during the first 30 minutes after reperfusion of the transplanted kidney. Materials and Methods The 30 recipients (13 men, 17 women) averaged ages of 46 ± 14 years. Measurements performed nine times (at 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after unclamping renal vessels) included: gas analysis, expiratory P co 2 , tidal volume, and respiratory rate. The evaluation of the temporary acid–base balance was performed on the basis of common parameters: pH, P co 2 , [HCO 3 − ], and base excess (BE). The patients were under general anesthesia with stable external conditions of O 2 saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Blood samples were analyzed using Corning 278 and 248 blood gas analyzer; vital parameters were recorded using Ohmeda 5250 RGM and Drager Sulla 909V/Julian apparatus. Results The analysis showed increasing metabolic acidosis with coexisting increase in blood P co 2 , changes that were most intense in the first minute of reperfusion. Decreasing mean pH index did not exceed physiologic limits, but the final mean values of [HCO 3 − ] and BE were in most of cases below the limit. Increased expiratory air P co 2 was most intense in the first 3 minutes reaching a maximum at about 15 minutes. Conclusions The beginning of reperfusion was the cause of increasing metabolic acidosis, which was partially compensated by blood buffers. Simultaneous increase in expiratory P co 2 , corresponding to the dynamics of acidosis, indicated the existence of respiratory compensation. Sudden increase in acidosis parameters may be the result of lactate accumulation during kidney ischemia. The decreased [HCO 3 − ] may indicate postreperfusion kidney injury, which must be the subject of further research.

An attempt at standardization of the diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) procedure during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was undertaken by establishing a simple pattern and checking its applicability in 100 consecutive LCs. DL was performed following the reversed number 5 pattern, starting from the right upper quadrant and moving to the left upper quadrant, left flank, back to the right flank along the transverse colon, down to the pelvis, along the sigmoid to the left flank, and back to the right upper quadrant inspecting small bowel. DL was incomplete in 11 patients. Inspection lasted 6-12 minutes (operation time increase, 14%). Abnormalities were discovered in 38% of patients, diagnosis elucidated in 8%, intervention undertaken in 11%, and control or further treatment proposed in 33%, without morbidity and mortality. The reversed 5 pattern of diagnostic laparoscopy is feasible and safe. It can be routinely done during LC in the general hospital setting. Standardization of diagnostic laparoscopy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems necessary for early disclosure of visible disorders and for medicolegal purposes.

Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy were applied to study the non-structural and nanoelectronic properties of periodic nickel nanoparticles deposited on n-silicon substrates. Periodic nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were prepared by using nanosphere lithography and analyzed by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. By the evaporation of Ni perfectly ordered nanoparticles were produced and very good correlation between latex mask was observed. Finally, tunneling spectroscopy performed with non-magnetic tip yield information about local electronic properties of nanoscale structures at surface.

Electrical and luminescent properties of ZnS:Mn,Cu,Cl thin films were investigated. Combined both studies: scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy were made. The current and differential conductance versus applied voltage were measured for the ZnS:Mn,Cu,Cl thin films. Additionally, the spectral and kinetic properties of the electroluminescent cells based on the ZnS:Mn,Cu,Cl thin films were measured. The maximum of the electroluminescence lies at 586 nm. The electroluminescence was excited by rectangular wave voltage pulses with pulse length from 1 μs to 1 ms. It was shown that time dependence of the electroluminescence is well explained assuming energy transfer between monomolecular centres.

The results of the scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy measurements on the bismuth cuprate superconductors Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x in the ab-plane are reported. STM high-resolution images of cleaved single crystal reveal an atomic lattice and a superimposed incommensurate superstructure. We have also clearly seen this superstructure in high-resolution electron micrographs. Scanning tunneling microscopy of the deposited clusters yield information on the cluster shape. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy at low temperature allows identifying quantum size effect in individual Ni clusters.

Two isomeric cis-2,9-bis(aminomethyl)-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (1 and 2) and two 2-aminomethyl-2-methyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (3 and 4) cobalt(III) complexes have been prepared and characterised. During the synthesis of 2 a minor oxidation product 5 was formed. The structures of 3, 4 and 5 have been determined by X-ray crystallography, and the UV/Vis spectra of 1−5 have been analysed. The average Co−N distances in 1 and 2 have been estimated from the correlation between the average Co−N bond lengths and position of the maximum absorption for hexaamine complexes given in literature. The electrochemical behaviour of 1−5 in neutral and acidic solutions has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. In complexes displaying electronic maxima at higher energy, cobalt(III) was reduced at more negative potentials. Small differences in the conformation of ligand between 3 and 4 explain the different behaviour of these complexes in acidic solutions. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)