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Tb[sup 3+]-doped Lu[sub 2]O[sub 3] sintered ceramics were prepared in vacuum and in air. It was shown that the vacuum-sintered disks are able to store energy when irradiated with 300-nm or shorter photons. A small part of the stored energy could be recovered with 980-nm light. A much more significant amount of the stored energy could be released with red 647-nm photons. However, recovering the total stored energy could be accomplished only upon heating up to about 300 °C. Changes in absorption of the raw materials upon ultraviolet irradiation and subsequent IR (980 and 647 nm) treatments or upon heating at 300 °C are presented and discussed. A model for energy storing and recovering through the various IR irradiations or through heating is presented. At least two distinct ways of hole trapping as Tb[sup 4+] or V[sub k]-center as well as creation off and F[sup +] is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storage properties of vacuum-sintered Lu2O3: Tb 0.1% disks are reported. The experiment aimed at showing that the disks are able to store energy when irradiated 300-nm or shorter photons.

Introduction: Smoking is a well‑established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, in patients with ST‑segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), smoking has been associated with better clinical outcomes; this phenomenon became known as the "smoker's paradox.", Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between smoking and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), using 3 large national registries., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 82 235 hospitalized STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. Among the analyzed population, 30 966 patients (37.96%) were smokers, and 51 269 (62.36%) were nonsmokers. We evaluated the baseline characteristics, pharmacotherapy, clinical outcomes, and readmission causes in a 36‑month follow‑up., Results: The smokers were significantly younger (median [interquartile range] age, 58 [52-64] vs 68 [59-77] years; P <0.001) than the nonsmokers, and there were more men in this group. The patients who smoked were less likely to have traditional risk factors, as compared with the nonsmokers. In the unadjusted analysis, in‑hospital and 36‑month mortality and rehospitalization rates were lower in the smokers group. However, after adjustment for baseline characteristics that differed between the 2 groups, the multivariable analysis showed that tobacco use was one of the independent risk factors for 36‑month mortality (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.18; P <0.001)., Conclusions: In the present large‑scale, registry‑based analysis, the observed lower 36‑month crude rates of adverse events among the smokers, as compared with the nonsmokers, might be partially explained by a significantly lower burden of traditional risk factors and younger age of the smokers. After accounting for age and other baseline differences, smoking was found to be one of the independent risk factors for 36‑month mortality.

Background: There is scarcely any data in the available literature on the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and cognitive functioning, and no information on the relationship between SOC and cognitive parameters in patients with carotid atherosclerosis., Aim: The aim of this paper was to determine the relationship of SOC measured prior to carotid artery stenting (CAS) with neurocognitive functioning in patients with carotid atherosclerosis 12 months after CAS., Methods: A total of 35 patients with carotid atherosclerosis completed the SOC-29 Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29) and completed a cognitive test battery twice, i.e., before (baseline-T1) and 12 months after stent implantation (follow-up-T2). Selected cognitive functions such as memory, attention, perception, visuospatial and executive functions and non-verbal fluency were assessed., Results: One year after the procedure, patients with a higher SOC and sense of manageability present better performance in visual memory. Higher SOC and sense of meaningfulness are positively related to the speed of understanding the changing rules of card sorting (WCST)., Conclusion: Higher overall SOC and a component of sense of meaningfulness and manageability may be related to better cognitive functioning 1 year after the procedure., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Piegza, Dębski, Bujak, Jaworska, Gorczyca, Pudlo, Żerdziński and Piegza.)

Background: The sense of coherence is lower in patients with somatic diseases and psychiatric disorders., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with the sense of coherence and to try to determine the relationship between the strength of sense of coherence and symptoms of depression and anxiety with the presence of symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis in a group of patients undergoing carotid artery stenting., Methods: 35 patients, including 13 with symptomatic atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, completed self-report tests: Hospital Scale of Depression and Anxiety (HADS) and the SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), 22 of whom also rated their subjective feelings of anxiety and depression on a scale included in the author's questionnaire., Results: Both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients did not differ significantly in the severity of depression, but they differed in anxiety levels as assessed by the HADS scale. There were no differences in the overall strength of sense of coherence and its individual components. Nearly 12% of those undergoing carotid artery stenting have pronounced anxiety symptoms, and just over 14% have pronounced depression symptoms. A higher overall sense of coherence and its components are associated with lower severity of depression symptoms. Lower severity of anxiety correlates negatively with a higher sense of understanding, meaningfulness, and holistic Sense of Coherence (SOC). Manageability appeared higher in men., Conclusions: SOC is an important health-promoting factor that is preferably related to mental health parameters of patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: The revascularization of carotid arteries minimizes the risk of future cerebral stroke and usually improves cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to assess changes in cognitive function and verify the hypothesis assuming an improvement of selected cognitive functions-psychomotor speed, visuospatial episodic memory, executive function and verbal fluency-in patients after carotid artery stenting during a 12-month follow-up., Methods: 47 persons subject to CAS, including 13 symptomatic persons, were examined before and 12 months after a procedure with a psychological test battery (digit symbol test-DS, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test-ROCF, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-WCST, letter verbal fluency-LVF). Sociodemographic data and clinical parameters were acquired from an author questionnaire., Results: The one-year follow-up, after the performed CAS procedure, demonstrated a significant improvement of psychomotor speed, visuospatial episodic memory, and executive function. No changes in the area of verbal fluency or decline in any of cognitive functions under analysis were observed., Conclusions: Carotid artery stenting improves cognitive functioning, both in the area of basic and more complex cognitive functions in persons with carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: The benefits of oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy are undeniable. However, such treatment is contraindicated in 2%-10% of patients. According to the latest guidelines, percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) may be considered in stroke prevention., Aims: We analyzed the data of patients from the Polish population, who had undergone LAAO procedures in the Silesian Province based on limited reports., Methods: The data from the SILCARD database of all patients who underwent LAAO between 2006 and 2019, and the data from the databases of the centers performing the procedures in the Silesian Province were included in the LAAO SILESIA registry. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of the procedure and its relationship with the occurrence of stroke and bleeding in the post-hospital follow-up., Results: We analyzed 649 patients with the mean values of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores of 4.1 and 3.2, respectively. The predominant indication for LAAO was a history of bleeding during OAC. The most frequent in-hospital major adverse cardiac events were anemia, which required blood transfusion (5.5%), and pericardial effusion, which was treated either conservatively (0.9%) or interventionally (1.2%). During hospitalization, stroke was detected in 4 patients and three patients died of any cause. LAAO reduced the annual risk of stroke by 84% and the annual risk of bleeding by 27%., Conclusions: Based on a "real-life" cohort of patients from the Silesian Province, we concluded that LAAO is related to low in-hospital major cardiovascular adverse events. In the long-term follow-up, LAAO reduced the rates of stroke and bleeding.

Introduction: Left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (LV-EMB) is the only procedure that allows a direct assessment of the left ventricular myocardium, thus enabling the diagnosis of myocarditis or other myocardial diseases., Aim: To describe the characteristics of a population that underwent LV-EMB, as well as to address the periprocedural and technical aspects of the LV-EMB., Material and Methods: Since its initiation in our center in 2016, a total of 43 patients have undergone LV-EMB. In the manuscript, the indications for LV-EMB and the detailed technical aspects of its safe performance, including the equipment used, are described. A large part of the text is also devoted to the possible complications of LV-EMB., Results: The results of the initial population that underwent LV-EMB in our center are presented. The patients who were qualified for LV-EMB were predominantly male (85.7%), with a mean age of 38.8 years. Of those, 38 (88.3%) had acute heart failure. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 19.6%. The primary indications for LV-EMB were unexplained heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% and (1) hemodynamic abnormalities or electrical instability of the heart and/or (2) recent worsening of heart failure (NYHA class II, III, or IV) with no response to standard therapy for 2 weeks. The mean fluoroscopy time was 5.4 min, and the mean radiation dose was 87 mGy. No periprocedural complications were found., Conclusions: The results of the analysis indicate that LV-EMB can be performed safely by skilled physicians in an experienced center., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Carotid revascularization may lead to improved cognitive function beyond stroke prevention. This article summarizes the conclusions from available studies on the effects of carotid reperfusion procedures on cognitive function. The papers cited used different neuropsychological tests for cognitive assessment, resulting in different methodologies and the results obtained were not always convergent. However, most studies reported an improvement in neurocognitive abilities after both vascular interventions, but a more precise assessment of the specific benefits is still awaited. Clinical determinants to predict the effects of these treatments on cognitive function are still being sought, but results are not yet satisfactory. In view of these studies, carotid stenosis seems to be an independent risk factor for cognitive deterioration, and the main mechanisms responsible are embolism and cerebral hypoperfusion. The aim of this study is to order the knowledge about the effects of carotid artery stenting (CAS) and endarterectomy (CEA) on neurocognitive functions and to verify the usefulness of using these treatments.

The aim of this work was to define the notion of cardiac syndrome X based on latest research, determine its connection with mental disturbances and present the current therapeutic directions. Cardiac syndrome X was distinguished in 1973 to describe a group of patients with coronary syndrome symptoms despite normalcoronary vessels in coronarography. Many years have passed since then, but the syndrome definition and the diagnostic criteria still arouse controversy. It is estimated that 10 to 20% of persons who undergo coronarography suffer from cardiac syndrome X, a vast majority of them being perimenopausal women. That patient population suffers from anxiety disorders, depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances much more frequently than does general population. Treatment includes a range of medicines with various mechanisms of action, but their effectiveness is limited; non-pharmacological actions are a significant part of the therapy. The patient group with cardiac syndrome X requires periodic follow-ups because prospective observation has shown that it is a risk group concerning development of atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome.

Biosurfactants represent a structurally diverse group of secondary metabolites produced by bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. Their character is often associated with numerous additional properties. The observation of Trichoderma fungi of various species used as a source of bioinhibitors against pathogenic plants fungi focuses attention to the often quite specific behavior of preparations in contact with, among others, plant leaves, dependent on strain. Thus, an evaluation of the selected strains belonging to the species: T. atroviride , T. citrinoviride, T. reesei and T. harzianum was conducted towards their capability of the extracellular secretion of surfactants, with a simultaneous attempt to pre-determine their chemical nature. Two mineral-organic media were used for this purpose, and the culture fluid was extensively tested using a variety of methods. A decrease in surface tension was observed in culture fluid of each tested strain, especially T. citrinoviride HL and C1. The results strongly depended on medium composition, of which Saunders 1 and MGP 1 were most beneficial. The secreted compounds were further analyzed to pre-determine their chemical nature using IR, GC, and NMR. In the case of most efficient biosurfactant producers, a lipopeptide structure of the surfactants was concluded.

Introduction: There is a paucity of real‑world registries concerning patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS)., Objectives: We aimed to assess the long‑term outcomes of patients with CCS and after coronary angiography performed in accordance with the treatment strategy., Patients and Methods: The analysis involved 11 021 patients treated in a single center between 2006 and 2016 who were enrolled into the ongoing PRESAGE registry. Based on the results of coronary angiography and the treatment strategy adopted, patients were classified into 4 groups: with nonsignificant lesions (n = 3637), undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 4678), undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; n = 997), and receiving conservative treatment (notwithstanding significant lesions on an angiogram; n = 1709). All‑cause death, assessed in every study group at 1-, 3-, and 5‑year follow‑up, was regarded as the primary outcome measure., Results: The mean (SD) age of the study patients was 64.6 (9.5) years, and women constituted 35% of the cohort. Patients treated conservatively were the oldest (mean [SD] age, 64.9 [9.3] years) in the group and showed the highest prevalence of previous myocardial infarction (50.5%), CABG (31.8%), diabetes (40.3%), chronic total occlusion (65.5%), and left ventricular ejection fraction below 35% (24.4%). Death from any cause in patients with nonsignificant lesions, undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, undergoing CABG, and receiving conservative treatment occurred 5 years following the index hospitalization in 11.2%, 16.2%, 9.7%, and 21% of those patients, respectively., Conclusions: The PRESAGE registry provides valuable information about the clinical characteristics and long‑term outcomes of patients with CCS. The population of CCS patients is heterogeneous, and long‑term prognosis is also varied. The poorest characteristics and outcomes were reported in patients with significant lesions and ineligible for revascularization procedures.

Background: There are no data regarding the mortality rate, risks and benefits of particular reperfusion methods and pharmacological treatment complications in patients aged over 100 years with acute coronary syndromes. We sought to assess the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients older than 100 years and to determine prognostic factors for this group., Methods: Among the 716,566 patients recorded between 2003 and 2018 in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes, 104 patients aged ≥100 with MI were included. The patients were categorized into two groups: group 1 received conservative treatment (64 patients), and group 2 received invasive strategy (40 patients)., Results: The frequencies of in-hospital mortality, MI and stroke were similar in both arms. No difference in the frequency of the combined endpoint (death, reinfarction, stroke) was noted. Invasive treatment was more advantageous for 12-month outcomes; 50 patients in group 1 (79%) and 23 patients in group 2 (57.50%) died ( p = 0.017). The multivariate analysis identified the lower left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.96; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.94-0.99; p = 0.012), lack of coronary angiography (HR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.24-0.99; p = 0.048) and cardiac arrest (HR = 4.61; 95% CI: 1.64-12.99; p = 0.0038) as predictors of 12-month mortality in this group., Conclusions: Invasive MI treatment may be beneficial for selected very old patients.