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Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the thickness of the left atrial wall surrounding the LAA orifice. Methods and results The tissue thickness around the LAA orifice was measured at four points (superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior) in 200 randomly selected autopsied human hearts. The thickest tissue was observed at the anterior point (3.17±1.41mm), followed by the superior (2.47±1.00mm), inferior (2.22±0.80mm) and posterior (2.22±0.83mm). The chicken wing LAA type was associated with the lowest thickness at the superior point compared to the cauliflower and arrowhead shapes (p=0.024). In hearts with an oval LAA orifice, the atrial wall was significantly thicker in all points than in specimens with a round LAA orifice (p > 0.05). Both the LAA orifice anteroposterior diameter and orifice surface area were negatively correlated with the tissue thickness in the anterior (r =-0.22, p=0.004 and r=-0.23, p=0.001) and posterior points (r=-0.24, p=0.001 and r=-0.28, p=0.005). Endocardial surface roughness was commonly in the inferior pole of the LAA orifice (75.5% of cases), while they are much less prevalent in other sectors around the orifice (anterior: 17.5%), superior: 4.0%, and posterior: 1.5%). Conclusions Although a significant heterogeneity in the atrial wall thickness around the LAA orifice was observed, the thickness in the respective points is quite conservative and depends only on LAA orifice size and shape, as well as LAA body shape. Thin atrial wall and endocardial surface roughness might challenge invasive procedures within this region. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effects of the Neurofeedback-EEG training during physical exercise on the improvements in mental work performance and physiological parameters. The study examined seven swimmers based on the following anthropometric measurements: body height, body mass and body composition. The Kraepelin’s work curve test, EEG and EMG during physical exercise were also performed. The athletes followed 20 Neurofeedback-EEG training sessions on the swimming ergometer for 4 months. Most mean indices of partial measures of the work curve were significantly modified (p

Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is featured by pruritus, which causes diminished quality of life. Little clinical data exists concerning the use, efficacy and side effects of UVA1 phototherapy in AD patients. Aim To determine the effectiveness of medium-dose UVA1 phototherapy in AD treatment. Material and methods Thirty-six patients with AD were irradiated with medium-dose UVA1 (45 J/cm2) as monotherapy for 4 weeks for a total of 20 sessions (daily irradiations during weekdays only). Clinical status was evaluated with the visual analogue scale for pruritus, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) for evaluating general well-being and the SCORAD index. All parameters were measured twice: before and after phototherapy. Results UVA1 phototherapy resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in pruritus, improvement in DLQI (p < 0.001) and SCORAD (p < 0.001). Before phototherapy, the intensity of pruritus and SCORAD index correlated with DLQI (r = 0.34, p < 0.05 and r = 0.61, p < 0.05, respectively). Similarly, after irradiation, pruritus correlated with DLQI, and SCORAD index correlated with DLQI (r = 0.51, p < 0.05 and r = 0.55, p < 0.05, respectively). No severe adverse effects were noted during the study. Conclusions Phototherapy with medium-dose UVA1 irradiation exerts a significant antipruritic effect, decreases the severity of the disease and improves the quality of life of AD patients. This technique can therefore be used as a safe and effective treatment method.

Background: The aim of our study was to investigate the presence and mutual relationships of coronary vessels within the right atrial appendage (RAA) vestibule. Methods: We examined 200 autopsied hearts. The RAA vestibule was cross-sectioned along its isthmuses (superior, middle, and inferior). Results: The right coronary artery (RCA) was present in 100% of the superior RAA isthmuses but absent in 2.0% of hearts within the middle isthmus and in 6.5% of hearts within the inferior RAA isthmus. Its diameter was quite uniform along the superior (2.6 ± 0.8 mm), middle (2.9 ± 1.1 mm), and inferior (2.7 ± 0.9 mm) isthmuses (p = 0.12). The location of the RCA varied significantly, and it was sometimes accompanied by other accessory coronary vessels. In all the isthmuses, the RCA ran significantly closer to the endocardial surface than to the epicardial surface (p &lt, 0.001). At the superior RAA isthmus, the artery was furthest from the right atrial endocardial surface and this distance gradually decreased between the middle RAA isthmus and the inferior RAA. Conclusions: This study was the most complex analysis of the mutual arrangements and morphometric characteristics of coronary blood vessels within the RAA vestibule. Awareness of additional blood vessels within the vestibule can help clinicians plan and perform safe and efficacious procedures in this region.

The right atrioventricular valve (RAV) is an important anatomical structure that prevents blood backflow from the right ventricle to the right atrium. The complex anatomy of the RAV has lowered the success rate of surgical and transcatheter procedures performed within the area. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of the RAV and determine its spatial position in relation to selected structures of the right atrium. We examined 200 randomly selected human adult hearts. All leaflets and commissures were identified and measured. The position of the RAV was defined. Notably, 3-leaflet configurations were present in 67.0% of cases, whereas 4-leaflet configurations were present in 33.0%. Septal and mural leaflets were both significantly shorter and higher in 4-leaflet than in 3-leaflet RAVs. Significant domination of the muro-septal commissure in 3-leflet valves was noted. The supero-septal commissure was the most stable point within RAV circumference. In 3-leaflet valves, the muro-septal commissure was placed within the cavo-tricuspid isthmus area in 52.2% of cases, followed by the right atrial appendage vestibule region (20.9%). In 4-leaflet RAVs, the infero-septal commissure was located predominantly in the cavo-tricuspid isthmus area and infero-mural commissure was always located within the right atrial appendage vestibule region. The RAV is a highly variable structure. The supero-septal part of the RAV is the least variable component, whereas the infero-mural is the most variable. The number of detected RAV leaflets significantly influences the relative position of individual valve components in relation to right atrial structures.

Introduction : Mechanisms responsible for UVA1 efficacy in atopic dermatitis (AD) are not fully elucidated. Aim: To investigate IL-8, CCR-4, and IFN-γ mRNA expression in AD before and after UVA1, to identify correlations among them, and to determine whether and to what degree mRNA expression is influenced by UVA1. Material and methods : Twenty-five patients with AD underwent medium dose UVA1-phototherapy at daily dosages of 10, 20, 30, 45, and then continuing 45 J/cm 2 up to 20 days, from Monday to Friday for 4 weeks. Before and after UVA1, biopsies from acute skin lesions were studied using reverse-transcription and RT-PCR. Results : The levels of CCR-4 mRNA correlated with those of IFN-γ, both before and after UVA1 phototherapy (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found after UVA1 between mRNA levels of IL-8 and IFN-γ (p < 0.05). After UVA1 an increase in IL-8 mRNA expression in comparison to the baseline assessment (p = 0.02) was found, while no significant difference was revealed in the expression of CCR-4 and IFN-γ mRNA. UVA1 improved both SCORAD and severity of AD (p < 0.001). SCORAD and the severity of AD did not correlate with the degree of expression of measured cytokine mRNA, neither before nor after UVA1. Conclusions : CCR-4 is expressed in parallel with IFN-γ in acute skin lesions of patients with AD both before and after UVA1 phototherapy. UVA1 significantly improves SCORAD index, lessens the severity of AD and increases the expression of IL-8, with no direct effects on other studied molecules.

Background Effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV)A1 in flares of atopic dermatitis (AD) is thought to influence the expression of cytokines involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether mRNA expression of human β defensin-1 (hβD-1) correlates with that of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-31 in skin lesions in AD before and after UVA1 phototherapy, to determine whether UVA1 decreases the expression of the aforementioned mediators, and to confirm whether changes in mRNA expression correspond with the clinical efficacy of UVA1. Methods Twenty-five patients with AD underwent medium-dose UVA1 phototherapy. Before and after UVA1, biopsies from acute skin lesions were studied using reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Levels of mRNA hβD-1 correlated with those of IL-10 and IL-31, levels of IL-4 mRNA correlated with those of IL-10 and IL-31, and IL-10 expression correlated with that of IL-31, both before and after UVA1. Phototherapy with UVA1 improved SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) values, decreased pruritus, and increased expression of IL-4. After UVA1, no difference was found in the mRNA expression of other molecules. The SCORAD index did not correlate with the expression of any examined mRNA either before or after UVA1. Conclusions hβD-1, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-31 are expressed in acute skin lesions in AD, and their levels correlate with each other. UVA1 improves SCORAD and pruritus and increases the expression of IL-4 without direct effect on other molecules.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effects of the Neurofeedback-EEG training during physical exercise on the improvements in mental work performance and physiological parameters. The study examined seven swimmers based on the following anthropometric measurements: body height, body mass and body composition. The Kraepelin's work curve test, EEG and EMG during physical exercise were also performed. The athletes followed 20 Neurofeedback-EEG training sessions on the swimming ergometer for 4 months. Most mean indices of partial measures of the work curve were significantly modified (p 0.05) following the Neurofeedback-EEG training. Mean level of maximal oxygen uptake in study participants was over 55 ml/kg/min, with statistically significant differences documented between the first and the second measurements. No significant differences were found in the fatigue rate between the measurements 1 and 2. The improved mental work performance following the Neurofeedback-EEG training facilitates optimization of psychomotor activities.

Background The mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) are not fully understood. Objectives This study was designed to investigate mRNA expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and IL-13 in AD before and after UVA1 therapy, to determine correlations among them, and to examine whether UVA1 influences their expression and whether it is associated with UVA1 efficacy. Methods Twenty-five patients with AD underwent medium-dose UVA1 phototherapy. Before and after UVA1, biopsies from acute skin lesions were studied using reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Levels of mRNA TSLP correlated with those of TARC, IL-5, and IL-13, and levels of TARC correlated with those of IL-5 and IL-13, both before and after UVA1. Expression of IL-5 correlated with that of IL-13 only before UVA1. SCORAD (SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis) indices correlated with levels of TARC and IL-5 before irradiation. After UVA1, no mRNA level correlated with the SCORAD index. Phototherapy with UVA1 improved SCORAD values (P < 0.001) and increased expression of TARC (P < 0.05) but did not affect mRNA expression of TSLP, IL-5, or IL-13. Conclusions Expression levels of the mediators TSLP, TARC, IL-5, and IL-13 in AD are interrelated. Phototherapy with UVA1 improves SCORAD indices and increases expression of TARC but has no direct effects on the expression of other molecules. It is likely that UVA1 also interferes with or acts via intermediators on the link between IL-5 and IL-13.

The role of the solvent in the preparation of ternary CuInX2 (X = S or Se) nanocrystals was investigated. It was found that the use of oleylamine as a solvent with copper(II) oleate, indium(III) acetate diphenyl diselenide as precursors yields copper-rich, wurtzite-type Cu2.0In1.0Se2.5 (2Cu2Se–In2Se3) nanocrystals which after size sorting exhibit the quantum confinement effect. Changing oleylamine for 1-octadecene, while keeping the same set of precursors and reaction conditions, results in the formation of indium-rich chalcopyrite nanocrystals Cu1.0In1.8Se3.2 (Cu2Se-1.8 In2Se3). The differences in the stoichiometry can be rationalized on the basis of stronger reducing properties of oleylamine which more effectively reduces Cu(II) to Cu(I) in the reaction medium. Stoichiometric chalcopyrite CuInSe2 nanocrystals can be obtained in the same conditions by exchanging diphenyl diselenide for the Woollins' reagent, never previously applied to the preparation of Cu–In–Se nanocrystals. In the case of Cu–In–S nanocrystals the chemical composition is governed not by the type of the solvent but by the reducing properties of 1-dodecanethiol, the precursor of sulfur. Independently of the solvent copper-rich nanocrystals are obtained of either wurtzite-type Cu1.6In1.0S2.3 (1.6 Cu2S–In2S3) in 1-octadecene or chalcopyrite-type Cu1.8In1.0S2.4 (1.8 Cu2S–In2S3) in oleylamine.

Różne badania pokazują, że status społeczno-ekonomiczny rodziny jest czynnikiem silnie wpływającym na osiągnięcia edukacyjne, a także na dalsze wybory życiowe ludzi. W artykule podjęto zagadnienie pochodzenia społecznego nauczycieli szkół podstawowych. Na podstawie Badania szkolnych uwarunkowań efektów kształcenia starano się odpowiedzieć na pytanie, w jakim stopniu nauczyciele dziedziczą po swoich rodzicach pozycję społeczną, a w jakim ich wykształcenie i wykonywany zawód są efektem awansu społecznego. O pochodzeniu społecznym nauczycieli wnioskowano na podstawie wielkości miejscowości pochodzenia oraz danych dotyczących ich rodziców (osobno matek i ojców): poziomu wykształcenia, aktywności zawodowej i rodzaju wykonywanego zawodu. Na tej podstawie zbadano kapitał kulturowy nauczycieli, który posiadali w momencie wyboru przyszłej drogi zawodowej. Zrekonstruowano także niezwykle zróżnicowane ścieżki kształcenia nauczycieli oraz sposoby uzyskania przez nich formalnego przygotowania pedagogicznego na przestrzeni kilku dziesięcioleci.

International audience; A novel synthesis method for the preparation of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals is presented using a liquid precursor of tin, namely tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, which yields small and nearly monodisperse NCs either in the kesterite or in the wurtzite phase depending on the sulfur source (elemental sulfur in oleylamine vs. dodecanethiol).

We report on a simplified procedure of InP/In 2 O 3 core/shell nanocrystals preparation in which indium(III) carboxylates are used as indium precursors and at the same time as a source of capping ligands whereas phosphine (PH 3 ), generated in situ in the reaction of HCl with zinc phosphide, (Zn 3 P 2 ), is used as a source of phosphorus. This modified one-step, one-pot procedure, exploiting a smaller number of components in the reaction mixture, extends the range of obtainable nanocrystals’ sizes below 3.0 nm while retaining their low polydispersity. Initial ligands can be readily exchanged at ambient conditions for aliphatic diamines such as hexane-1,6-diamine (HDA) or ethane-1,2-diamine (EDA), as evidenced by IR and NMR investigations. EDA-capped nanocrystals can be transferred to aqueous solution forming colloidal dispersions. This property is of significant importance in the view of their potential use in biolabeling. The prepared nanocrystals can also be surface functionalized with electroactive molecules such as N -(4-aminophenyl)- N ′-(4-nitrophenyl)benzene-1,4-diamine (nitroderivative of aniline trimer) yielding an electrochemically interesting hybrid nanomaterials whose conductivity, magnetic and spectral properties can be controlled by the applied potential.

Exchange of initial, predominantly stearate ligands for pyridine in the first step and butylamine (BA) or 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) in the second one was studied for alloyed quaternary Cu-In-Zn-S nanocrystals. The NMR results enabled us to demonstrate, for the first time, direct binding of the pyridine labile ligand to the nanocrystal surface as evidenced by paramagnetic shifts of the three signals attributed to its protons to 7.58, 7.95 and 8.75 ppm. XPS investigations indicated, in turn, a significant change in the composition of the nanocrystal surface upon the exchange of initial ligands for pyridine, which being enriched in indium in the 'as prepared' form became enriched in zinc after pyridine binding. This finding indicated that the first step of ligand exchange had to involve the removal of the surface layer enriched in indium with simultaneous exposure of a new, zinc-enriched layer. In the second ligand exchange step (replacement of pyridine with BA or MUA) the changes in the nanocrystal surface compositions were much less significant. The presence of zinc in the nanocrystal surface layer turned out necessary for effective binding of pyridine as shown by a comparative study of ligand exchange in Cu-In-Zn-S, Ag-In-Zn-S and CuInS2, carried out by complementary XPS and NMR investigations.

It is demonstrated that ternary Cu–Fe–S nanocrystals differing in composition (from Cu-rich to Fe-rich), structure (chalcopyrite or high bornite) and size can be obtained from a mixture of CuCl, FeCl3, thiourea and oleic acid (OA) in oleylamine (OLA) using the heating up procedure. This new preparation method yields the smallest Cu–Fe–S nanocrystals ever reported to date (1.5 nm for the high bornite structure and 2.7 nm for the chalcopyrite structure). A comparative study of nanocrystals of the same composition (Cu1.6Fe1.0S2.0) but different in size (2.7 nm and 9.3 nm) revealed a pronounced quantum confinement effect, confirmed by three different techniques: UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The optical band gap increased from 0.60 eV in the bulk material to 0.69 eV in the nanocrystals of 9.3 nm size and to 1.39 eV in nanocrystals of 2.7 nm size. The same trend was observed in the electrochemical band gaps, derived from cyclic voltammetry studies (band gaps of 0.74 eV and 1.54 eV). The quantum effect was also manifested in Mossbauer spectroscopy by an abrupt change in the spectrum from a quadrupole doublet to a Zeeman sextet below 10 K, which could be interpreted in terms of the well defined energy states in these nanoparticles, resulting from quantum confinement. The Mossbauer spectroscopic data confirmed, in addition to the results of XPS spectroscopy, the co-existence of Fe(III) and Fe(II) in the synthesized nanocrystals. The organic shell composition was investigated by NMR (after dissolution of the inorganic core) and IR spectroscopy. Both methods identified oleylamine (OLA) and 1-octadecene (ODE) as surfacial ligands, the latter being formed in situ via an elimination–hydrogenation reaction occurring between OLA and the nanocrystal surface.

A novel synthesis method for the preparation of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals is presented using a liquid precursor of tin, namely tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, which yields small and nearly monodisperse NCs either in the kesterite or in the wurtzite phase depending on the sulfur source (elemental sulfur in oleylamine vs. dodecanethiol).

A convenient method of the preparation of alloyed quaternary Ag-In-Zn-S nanocrystals is elaborated, in which a multicomponent mixture of simple and commercially available precursors, namely, silver nitrate, indium(III) chloride, zinc stearate, 1-dodecanethiol, and sulfur, is used with 1-octadecene as a solvent. The formation of quaternary nanocrystals necessitates the use of an auxiliary sulfur precursor, namely, elemental sulfur dissolved in oleylamine, in addition to 1-dodecanethiol. Without this additional precursor binary ZnS nanocrystals are formed. The optimum reaction temperature of 180 °C was also established. In these conditions shape, size, and composition of the resulting nanocrystals can be adjusted in a controlled manner by changing the molar ratio of the precursors in the reaction mixture. For low zinc stearate contents anisotropic rodlike (ca.3 nm x 10 nm) and In-rich nanocrystals are obtained. This is caused by a significantly higher reactivity of the indium precursor as compared to the zinc one. With increasing zinc precursor content the reactivities of both precursors become more balanced, and the resulting nanocrystals are smaller (1.5-4.0 nm) and become Zn-rich as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive spectrometry investigations. Simultaneous increases in the zinc and sulfur precursor content result in an enlargement of nanocrystals (2.5 to 5.0 nm) and further increase in the molar ZnS content (up to 0.76). The prepared nanoparticles show stable photoluminescence with the quantum yield up to 37% for In and Zn-rich nanocrystals. Their hydrodynamic diameter in toluene dispersion, determined by dynamic light scattering, is roughly twice larger than the diameter of their inorganic core.