Forest biomass is an essential resource in relation to the green transition and its assessment is key for the sustainable management of forest resources. Here, we present a forest biomass dataset for Europe based on the best available inventory and satellite data, with a higher level of harmonisation and spatial resolution than other existing data. This database provides statistics and maps of the forest area, biomass stock and their share available for wood supply in the year 2020, and statistics on gross and net volume increment in 2010-2020, for 38 European countries. The statistics of most countries are available at a sub-national scale and are derived from National Forest Inventory data, harmonised using common reference definitions and estimation methodology, and updated to a common year using a modelling approach. For those counties without harmonised statistics, data were derived from the State of Europe's Forest 2020 Report at the national scale. The maps are coherent with the statistics and depict the spatial distribution of the forest variables at 100 m resolution.
Forests , Wood , Biomass , Databases, Factual , Europe
Aim: To summarize our experience in echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies in pediatric patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective assessment of echocardiographic findings in Echo-Lab patients of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, who were diagnosed with an anomalous aortic arch between 2003 and 2018. Results: The diagnosis of an abnormal course of the aortic arch and/or its branches was established in 115 children aged between 4 days and 17 years. The following types of anomalies were detected: left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery in 42 patients; right aortic arch with left brachiocephalic trunk in 14 patients; right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery in 36 patients; double aortic arch in 14 patients; and other, more complex types in 9 patients. The main elements of defects were correctly identified by echo in all cases. We decided to additionally perform computed tomography angiography in 32 patients to clarify all details necessary to qualify patients for surgery and establish the surgical plan. Conclusions: 1. Echocardiography strictly following the pre-determined protocol has 100% sensitivity in the detection of basic elements of aortic arch anomaly and is a perfect tool for diagnostic process initiation. 2. Since it is not possible to visualize all anatomic details, the qualification for surgery should by based on computed tomography angiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which precisely visualize both abnormal vessels and compressed structures.Aim: To summarize our experience in echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies in pediatric patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective assessment of echocardiographic findings in Echo-Lab patients of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, who were diagnosed with an anomalous aortic arch between 2003 and 2018. Results: The diagnosis of an abnormal course of the aortic arch and/or its branches was established in 115 children aged between 4 days and 17 years. The following types of anomalies were detected: left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery in 42 patients; right aortic arch with left brachiocephalic trunk in 14 patients; right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery in 36 patients; double aortic arch in 14 patients; and other, more complex types in 9 patients. The main elements of defects were correctly identified by echo in all cases. We decided to additionally perform computed tomography angiography in 32 patients to clarify all details necessary to qualify patients for surgery and establish the surgical plan. Conclusions: 1. Echocardiography strictly following the pre-determined protocol has 100% sensitivity in the detection of basic elements of aortic arch anomaly and is a perfect tool for diagnostic process initiation. 2. Since it is not possible to visualize all anatomic details, the qualification for surgery should by based on computed tomography angiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which precisely visualize both abnormal vessels and compressed structures.
Introduction: In this study, we assessed the adequacy of the two echocardiographic parameters representing the longitudinal systolic function of the ventricles, MAPSE & TAPSE, in perioperative monitoring. Aims: 1. The assessment of MAPSE and TAPSE during the early (4 weeks) postoperative period after surgical correction of congenital heart defects in infants, performed with CPB. 2. The verification of the hypothesis, that the significant decline of TAPSE observed in this period is not related to the global RV systolic dysfunction. For this reason, systolic function of the RV was additionally assessed with another echocardiographic parameter: RVFAC. Material and methods: Prospective study with 51 infants operated due to ASDII, VSD, AVSD and TOF. Four measurements of MAPSE,TAPSE and RVFAC were performed in the apical four-chamber projection. TAPSE and MAPSE were expressed as metric values and z-score; RV FAC values were expressed in percentages. Results: TAPSE uniformly declined in the first postoperative day down to 34.5% of the initial value (p <0.00001), then gradually increased: up to 42.9% and 52% respectively, remaining significantly lower than preoperatively (p <0.001). RV FAC: increased by 21% (p <0.01), then remained stable in consecutive examinations. MAPSE declined by 21% during the first postoperative day, but with promptly normalized completely. Conclusions: The movement of both AV valve annuli is subjected to different, not fully understood influences. The relatively slight decline of MAPSE makes this parameter suitable for the assessment of the postoperative LV systolic function. Deep, long-lasting decline of TAPSE, uniform in the whole group, does not permit to use this parameter and suggests the choice of another one, e.g. RVFAC.Introduction: In this study, we assessed the adequacy of the two echocardiographic parameters representing the longitudinal systolic function of the ventricles, MAPSE & TAPSE, in perioperative monitoring. Aims: 1. The assessment of MAPSE and TAPSE during the early (4 weeks) postoperative period after surgical correction of congenital heart defects in infants, performed with CPB. 2. The verification of the hypothesis, that the significant decline of TAPSE observed in this period is not related to the global RV systolic dysfunction. For this reason, systolic function of the RV was additionally assessed with another echocardiographic parameter: RVFAC. Material and methods: Prospective study with 51 infants operated due to ASDII, VSD, AVSD and TOF. Four measurements of MAPSE,TAPSE and RVFAC were performed in the apical four-chamber projection. TAPSE and MAPSE were expressed as metric values and z-score; RV FAC values were expressed in percentages. Results: TAPSE uniformly declined in the first postoperative day down to 34.5% of the initial value (p <0.00001), then gradually increased: up to 42.9% and 52% respectively, remaining significantly lower than preoperatively (p <0.001). RV FAC: increased by 21% (p <0.01), then remained stable in consecutive examinations. MAPSE declined by 21% during the first postoperative day, but with promptly normalized completely. Conclusions: The movement of both AV valve annuli is subjected to different, not fully understood influences. The relatively slight decline of MAPSE makes this parameter suitable for the assessment of the postoperative LV systolic function. Deep, long-lasting decline of TAPSE, uniform in the whole group, does not permit to use this parameter and suggests the choice of another one, e.g. RVFAC.
Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and the possible use of diagnostic transthoracic ultrasound of the respiratory tract to qualify patients for therapy and to monitor the effectiveness of physiotherapy in children after cardiac surgeries. Materials and methods: A total of 103 patients aged between 1 and 12 months who underwent a series of congenital heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass were qualified for the prospective analysis. Point-of-care respiratory ultrasound imaging was performed according to a tailored protocol during the patient's stay in the intensive care unit. In order to evaluate the method, the obtained findings were subject to comparative analysis against the available radiographic findings with a division into sectors. Results: The comparative analysis of ultrasonographic and radiographic findings with a division into sectors showed the highest concordance rate (89.6%) for S1L (the apex of the left lung) and the lowest concordance rate (57.0%) for S2L (pericardial region). The highest discordance rate, i.e. when a lesion was detected in radiography (X-ray = 1), but was not confirmed by ultrasound (US = 0), was reported for sectors S1P (right lung apex) - 26.1%, and S2L - 40.0%, whereas the lowest discordance rate was reported for S1L - 7.0%. The highest discordance rate, i.e. when a lesion was shown in ultrasound (US = 1), but was not confirmed by radiography (X-ray = 0) was reported for S3P (the base of the right lung) and S3L (base of the right lung) - 28.3% and 26.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The author's protocol for ultrasonographic assessment of the respiratory tract is an optimal tool for determining therapeutic goals, as well as for the assessment of the efficacy of pulmonary physiotherapy. The diagnostic value of ultrasonographic assessment of the respiratory tract and standard radiography in the study group depends on the location of the investigated lung segment.Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and the possible use of diagnostic transthoracic ultrasound of the respiratory tract to qualify patients for therapy and to monitor the effectiveness of physiotherapy in children after cardiac surgeries. Materials and methods: A total of 103 patients aged between 1 and 12 months who underwent a series of congenital heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass were qualified for the prospective analysis. Point-of-care respiratory ultrasound imaging was performed according to a tailored protocol during the patient's stay in the intensive care unit. In order to evaluate the method, the obtained findings were subject to comparative analysis against the available radiographic findings with a division into sectors. Results: The comparative analysis of ultrasonographic and radiographic findings with a division into sectors showed the highest concordance rate (89.6%) for S1L (the apex of the left lung) and the lowest concordance rate (57.0%) for S2L (pericardial region). The highest discordance rate, i.e. when a lesion was detected in radiography (X-ray = 1), but was not confirmed by ultrasound (US = 0), was reported for sectors S1P (right lung apex) 26.1%, and S2L 40.0%, whereas the lowest discordance rate was reported for S1L 7.0%. The highest discordance rate, i.e. when a lesion was shown in ultrasound (US = 1), but was not confirmed by radiography (X-ray = 0) was reported for S3P (the base of the right lung) and S3L (base of the right lung) 28.3% and 26.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The author's protocol for ultrasonographic assessment of the respiratory tract is an optimal tool for determining therapeutic goals, as well as for the assessment of the efficacy of pulmonary physiotherapy. The diagnostic value of ultrasonographic assessment of the respiratory tract and standard radiography in the study group depends on the location of the investigated lung segment.
