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Superconducting properties of two bismuthide intermetallic compounds, RbBi2 and CsBi2, were studied by means of experimental measurements and ab initio calculations. We show that in both compounds the superconductivity emerges from the pyrochlore Bi lattice and its formation is heavily influenced by relativistic effects. Based on our analysis of the effect of spin-orbit coupling on the electron-phonon coupling we suggest a possible criterion for finding new superconducting materials by looking for structures featuring relativistically-stabilized hypervalent networks of heavy p-block elements.

UNLABELLED Assessment of satisfaction with life, as a result of comparing own life situation with the individualised personal standards, is an important element for measuring satisfaction with life of the patients suffering from somatic disorders. Literature provides numerous data on satisfaction with life of different groups of patients suffering from somatic disorders. Little space is devoted to the study of the level of satisfaction of patients with rectal prolapse, which is particularly evident in relation to the Polish patient population. The aim of the study was planned to determine the level of satisfaction with life and its determinants among patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse surgery as well as to assess the improvement of continence after this surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 20 patients operated on for full-thickness rectal prolapse in the Department of General and Colorectal Surgery, Medical University in Lodź. SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Scale) Diener et al. in the Polish adaptation by Juczynski was used to assess global life satisfaction. Assessment of the incontinence severity and the postoperative improvement was made with Jorge and Wexner scale. RESULTS The average level of global life satisfaction among patients with rectal prolapse surgery is 21.05 (SD = 4.68) and it corresponds to the level of satisfaction of the total population. In the study group, there were no statistically significant differences in the level of global satisfaction with life depending on age, disease recurrence and continence improvement after surgery. The continence after rectal prolapse surgery improved significantly (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The most common consequences of rectal prolapse include incontinence of varying severity. The studies give grounds for considering that a rectal prolapse surgery is an effective method of treatment, being conducive to continence improvement in the study group. Rectal prolapse involves also numerous psychosocial consequences. Due to the complexity of the problem, it appears advisable to undertake further empirical studies with the object of identifying the factors influencing life satisfaction of patients operated on for rectal prolapse.

Exposure to loud sounds can cause acute acoustic trauma and permanent sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of pharmacological treatment combined with the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss following acute acoustic trauma for patients treated in the Department of Otolaryngology of Military Institute of Health Service and Warsaw Center for Hyperbaric Therapy and Wounds Treatment.Group of 12 patients (22 damaged ears) with acute acoustic trauma (10 men and 2 women), 16-67 years of age, mean age 28 years, was involved in our study. Patients with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss of minimum 15 dB at 0.25-8 kHz were included in the treatment group. Hearing gain of minimum 10 dB at 0.25-8 kHz and decrease in the intensity of tinnitus was considered as an improvement. 4 days was the mean time interval between acoustic trauma and starting the pharmacological treatment, 7 days was the mean time interval for the hyperbaric oxygen therapy commencement.Statistically significant difference in Pure Tone Audiometry results obtained before and after the treatment was noted in 4 kHz when considering all damaging factors that caused acoustic trauma and in 6 kHz only for damage resulting form shooting. Statistically significant difference was noted in 6 kHz if the HBO therapy was continued over 10 days (p0.00001). Statistically significant difference was noted in 4, 6, 8 kHz when treatment was started within 5 days since the acoustic trauma (p0.000001).Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the unique method of increasing concentration of oxygen in the inner ear fluids thus facilitates the regeneration process. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with steroids is an effective method of sensorineural hearing loss treatment following acute acoustic trauma.

Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is a rare genetically determined disorder that affects blood vessels throughout the body and results in a tendency for bleeding. Authors describe the case of superselective embolization of the left maxillary artery with polyvinyl alcohol particles in a patient with the Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome hospitalized and treated in the Department of Otolaryngology and the Department of Radiology of the Military Institute in Warszawa, Poland due to persistent, severe and difficult to manage nasal bleeding. After the procedure had been performed patient condition improved and frequency and severity of nasal bleeding significantly diminished. Authors conclude that superselective embolization of the maxillary artery in a patient with Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is safe and effective and can be a valuable alternative to the maxillary artery or the carotis externa artery ligation. Authors also describe other methods of nasal bleeding management: laser photocoagulation, argon plasma coagulation, nasal dermoplasty and pharmacological treatment. Authors indicate that treating patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for a physician and surgeon that require special approach to a patient due to difficult to manage symptoms. Patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome should be treated in a hospital setting due to access to diagnostic imaging techniques that can be helpful in revealing possible life threatening conditions.