Mapping of the spatial distribution of silver nanoparticles in root tissues of Vicia faba by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

The manuscript presents a procedure for optimal sample preparation and the mapping of the spatial distribution of metal ions and nanoparticles in plant roots using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in a double-pulse configuration (DP LIBS) in orthogonal reheating mode. Two Nd:YAG lasers were used; the first one was an ablation laser (UP-266 MACRO, New Wave, USA) with a wavelength of 266nm, and the second one (Brilliant, Quantel, France), with a fundamental wavelength of 1064nm, was used to reheat the microplasma. Seedlings of Vicia faba were cultivated for 7 days in CuSO4 or AgNO3 solutions with a concentration of 10µmoll-1 or in a solution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a concentration of 10µmoll-1 of total Ag, and in distilled water as a control. The total contents of the examined metals in the roots after sample mineralization as well as changes in the concentrations of the metals in the cultivation solutions were monitored by ICP-OES. Root samples embedded in the TissueTek medium and cut into 40µm thick cross sections using the Cryo-Cut Microtome proved to be best suited for an accurate LIBS analysis with a 50µm spatial resolution. 2D raster maps of elemental distribution were created for the emission lines of Cu(I) at 324.754nm and Ag(I) at 328.068nm. The limits of detection of DP LIBS for the root cross sections were estimated to be 4pg for Cu, 18pg for Ag, and 3pg for AgNPs. The results of Ag spatial distribution mapping indicated that unlike Ag+ ions, AgNPs do not penetrate into the inner tissues of Vicia faba roots but stay in their outermost layers. The content of Ag in roots cultivated in the AgNP solution was one order of magnitude lower compared to roots cultivated in the metal ion solutions. The significantly smaller concentration of Ag in root tissues cultivated in the AgNP solution also supports the conclusion that the absorption and uptake of AgNPs by roots of Vicia faba is very slow. LIBS mapping of root sections represents a fast analytical method with sufficient precision and spatial resolution that can provide very important information for researchers, particularly in the fields of plant science and ecotoxicology.

[Vascular injuries in joint replacement surgery]. / Problematika cévních poranení u operací kycelního kloubu.

Iatrogenic injuries to blood vessels in joint replacement surgery are rare events that occur as few per thousand. However, their sequelae are serious. The patient may either bleed to death, because vascular injury is not obvious and therefore difficult to diagnose, or lose the limb due to ischaemia. The highest risk of vascular injury is associated with repeat surgery and loosening of the acetabular component. We distinguish sharp and blunt force injuries. The former are caused by implants, sharp instruments, bone fragments or bone cement debris. The latter arise from stretching over a part of implanted material. Bleeding can be inapparent or apparent. Inapparent bleeding is difficult to diagnose and is recognized from the dynamics of blood losses. Haemodynamic instability or, in a worse case, even hypovolaemic shock may be the only signs of bleeding. Occlusion of an artery is manifested by limb ischaemia. The seriousness and progression of ischaemia depends on the rate of arterial occlusion, potential pathways for collateral circulation and the degree of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The patient with conduction anaesthesia does not feel pain and therefore the diagnosis must primarily be based on arterial pulsation in the limb and its skin colour. A pseudoaneurysm can develop due to a partially weakened vascular wall and its rupture is a life-threatening complication. Its presence is recognized as a pulsating mass in the groin. An arterio- venous fistula which arises from traumatic communication between the two vessels may lead to cardiac failure. The diagnosis is based on examination by sonography and digital subtraction angiography. The results of CT angiography and MR angiography are difficult to evaluate because of the presence of metal implants. In apparent bleeding it is sometimes difficult to locate the source. It is recommended to perform digital compression and gain access to the vessels from the extraperitoneal approach. When an expanding haematoma or ischaemia is present, the artery can be treated by surgical exploration or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. A possibility of vascular injury should be taken into account particularly in revision arthroplasty. To check blood flow in the limb before surgery is advisable. If the procedure entails a significant risk of post-operative complications, a vascular surgeon should be available. In the case of acute intra-operative bleeding, the source should be localised as soon as possible, the site compressed and an expert assistance called in. When the source is not obvious, it should not be attempted to apply vascular clamps or clips at random; this may do even more damage to the vessel.

Investigation of the osteitis deformans phases in snake vertebrae by double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (DP-LIBS) was optimized for microspatial analyses of fossil and recent snake vertebrae. As complimentary techniques, solution analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography was utilized in order to determine the overall concentration of the selected elements in the samples and to visualize nondestructively the fossil sample microstructure, respectively. Elemental mapping of pathological bony tissue by DP-LIBS has been proven as a powerful tool for considering the osteitis deformans phases in fossil vertebrae.

[Heterotopic excessive wear granuloma mistaken for an aneurysm of the external iliac artery]. / Zámena masivního heterotopického oterového granulomu s aneuryzmatem arteria iliaca externa.

Reimplantation of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) with excessive heterotopic polyethylene granuloma is reported. An 84- year-old woman, who had undergone THA reimplantation on the right side 4.5 years previously, was indicated for revision surgery due to aseptic failure of the acetabular component. Pre-operative examination revealed a pulsating mass below the right inguinal ligament that raised the suspicion of a pseudoaneurysm of the external iliac artery. Because of this suspected late complication of the first revision arthroplasty, surgical exploration was indicated by the vascular surgeon prior the second reimplantation. A CT-scan showed a large mass attached to a preserved lumen of the external iliac artery, and this was diagnosed by the vascular surgeon as a pseudoaneurysm. However, no pseudoaneurysm was found by a vascular surgery procedure, and the large mass ventrally extending the external iliac artery appeared to be a large polyethylene granuloma well enveloped in a fibrous pseudocapsula. The granuloma was removed and the wound sutured. Twelve days later, revision total hip arthroplasty and acetabular reconstruction were successfully carried out.

Vertical distribution of heavy metals in grain size fractions in sedimentary rocks: Mosina-Krajkowo water well field, Poland.

The paper presents the results of heavy metals determination in samples of sedimentary rocks from the Mosina-Krajkowo water well field (Poland). The concentration of heavy metals was analysed by type of rock (sand, gravel, warp, silt, till, and clay). Variation of heavy metal concentrations with depth was studied taking into account the age series of the rocks (fluvial sediments of the modern Warta River valley, sediments of the Baltic Glaciation, tills of the Middle-Polish Glaciation, sediments of the Masovian Interglacial (Holstein), tills of the Poznan series) and granulometric fractions. The grain sizes considered included: >2.0, 2.0-1.0, 1.0-0.5, 0.5-0.25, 0.25-0.1, 0.1-0.063, and <0.063 mm. The concentrations of the heavy metals studied were found to change with the type of rock, age series, and granulometric fraction. The levels of the metals were determined by the technique of atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomisation (F-AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

[Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Results of surgical therapy during 1992-2003]. / Výdute b risní aorty--výsledky chirurgické lécby v letech 1992-2003.

BACKGROUND: Total of 142 procedures for abdominal aortic aneurysm were performed over the 1992-2003 period. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among this group, 106 patients (74%) underwent elective surgical procedure and 36 patients (26%) required urgent surgical treatment for acute ruptured aneurysm. The surgical mortality of the first group decreased from 19.5% to 4.7% over the past 40 years. On the other hand, in the same period, there is no significant change in surgical mortality rate for bleeding aneurysm (50% over the 1960-1980 and 41.6 over the 1992-2003). CONCLUSIONS: The average time between the first sign of rupture and the onset surgery is approaching 22 hours. The delay results form the time for necessary examination and for the complicated determinations of the diagnosis. Patients with the ruptured aortic abdominal aneurysm should be immediately transferred to the specialised vascular surgical clinics.

[Popliteal artery aneurysms--acute ischemic complications]. / Výdut' podkolenní tepny--akutní ischemické komplikace.

The authors present a group of 10 patients with the diagnosis of acute ischaemia of an extremity caused by an aneurysm of the popliteal artery, during the period from 1997 till October 2002, who within a short time interval were treated by a combination of endovascular and surgical therapy. The group comprised 8 men and 2 women. The mean age was 58 years, the range 48-78 years. A bilateral aneurysm was present in 3 patients, coincidence with an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was found in one patient. In all ten patients combined treatment was used involving local thrombolysis rtPA (Actilyse Boehringer Ingelheim) for 24-48 hours followed within 24 hours by exclusion of the aneurysm with vascular reconstruction. No death, amputation nor closure of the reconstruction was recorded during hospitalization. The medium term results suggest a 100% patency when an autologous vein was used, much poorer results are obtained when prostheses were used in particular in patients with femoropopliteal bypasses. In our opinion in acute ischaemia of the extremities as a result thrombosis of an aneurysm of the popliteal artery the application of a combination of local thrombolysis rtPA followed within a short time interval by vascular reconstruction increases the probability of saving the affected extremity and markedly reduces the necessity of amputation as compared with primary surgical treatment.

Infrared laser ablation study of pressed soil pellets with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Potential of infrared laser ablation (LA) coupled with ICP-AES as a technique suitable for the determination of trace elements (Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and V) in agricultural soils was studied. Operating parameters such as laser beam energy, laser beam focusing with respect to the sample surface, and velocity of the sample translation in the plane perpendicular to the laser beam were optimized. Soil samples were mixed with powdered Ag as a binder, and an internal standard (GeO(2)), and pressed into pellets. Calibration samples were prepared by adding known amounts of oxides of elements of interest into soils of known elemental composition and then processed in the same way as the analyzed samples. Calibration curves were found to be linear at least up to several hundreds of mg kg(-1) for the elements of interest. The elemental contents obtained by using LA-ICP-AES were compared with those obtained by analysis using wet chemistry followed by ICP-AES with pneumatic nebulization (PN). The results were in good agreement. Accuracy was also tested using certified reference soils with a bias not exceeding 10% relative.

[Myocardial revascularization via a median sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass in 250 patients--midterm results and study of graft patency]. / Revaskularizace myokardu ze strední sternotomie bez pouzití mimotelního obehu u 250 nemocných--strednedobé výsledky a studie pruchodnosti stepu.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate mid-term results and one-year graft patency of less invasive coronary artery bypass grafting through a median sternotomy. METHODS: From January 1, 1998, to December 31, 1999, 250 patients had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) through a median sternotomy. The patient base of 188 men and 62 women averaged 61.7 years, mean ejection fraction (EF) was 55.1%. An average of 2.7 (range 1 to 5) distal anastomoses per patient was achieved. Results are compared with a CPB subgroup of patients operated on through a median sternotomy in the same time (N = 1126). In a random subgroup of 100 patients (50 per group) an angiographic control of graft patency was done. RESULTS: A non-CPB group showed lesser occurrence of postoperative acute myocardial infarction (p = 0.038), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.029) and lower incidence of renal (p = 0.033) complications. We observed lower operative mortality (p = 0.019), as well as the occurrence of low cardiac output syndrome (p < 0.001) in the off pump group. The follow-up is 36 +/- 12 months and the number of patients with recurrent angina (5.4%), late AMI (0%) and late death (0.4%) is acceptable. We did not find an inordinate number of vein grafts occlusions (2.2%) and stenoses (7.8%) at anastomotic sites. None of the arterial grafts in both groups were occluded. CONCLUSIONS: We detected lower incidence of postoperative complications and decreased operative mortality in a non-CPB group. Angiographic assessment displayed an excellent run-off in both groups of patients. Off-pump coronary bypass grafting is associated with sufficient short-term graft patency and mid-term clinical outcomes.

[The in situ saphenous vein--more possibilities for vascular reconstruction?]. / Saféna in situ--rozsírení mozností zilních rekonstrukcí?

A clinical study of 47 patients with reconstruction of the large saphenous vein by the in situ technique indicates a statistically insignificant difference in the patency for venous grafts from 3 to 4 mm as compared with those above 4 mm. This confirms that the in situ technique extends the possibilities of venous reconstructions. In the author's group it extended the possibility to use a venous graft by 12.8%. The study confirms also the fundamental importance of patency of the pedal arch for long-term patency. Secondary patency of reconstructions in situ and reverse reconstructions in our department is comparable during the five-year period: 82 and 84%.

Calibration graphs for steels by IR laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Infrared laser ablation (IRLA) was studied as a sample-introduction technique for the analysis of steels by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). A comparison of two IRLA-ICP-AES systems based on Q-switched nanosecond Nd: YAG lasers was performed. The beam of the LINA-Spark atomizer (LSA Sarl, Cully, Switzerland) based on the Surelite 1-20 laser (Continuum, USA) was moved along a circle. A Perkin-Elmer Optima 3000 DV ICP system was used both with lateral and axial viewing modes. A laboratory-made ablation system based on the Brilliant laser (Quantel) was coupled to a Jobin-Yvon 170 Ultrace ICP (lateral viewing, polychromator part employed). A sample was rotated along a circle during ablation. Linearity of calibration plots was verified at least up to 19% Cr and 12% Ni without internal standardization for both LA-ICP-AES systems. Other elements examined were Mo up to 3%, Mn up 1.5%, Si up to 1.7%, and Cu up to 0.15%. The reproducibility was in the range 5-1 %RSD for a mass percentage 0.5-20% of steel constituents. The relative uncertainty of the centroids of the calibration lines was in the range from +/- 4% to +/- 12% for Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo, and Si, and from +/- 8% to +/- 19% for Cu. The lowest determinable quantities were calculated for calibration dependencies. Performances of both the IR-LA-ICP-AES were comparable.

[Thrombectomy and embolectomy using the adherent clot catheter]. / Trombektomie a embolektomie Adherent Cloth katetrem.

The efficacy of the Adherent Cloth Catheter is demonstrated on the three above described cases. The different mechanism of function on contrary to the classic Fogarty Catheter enables us to remove the older, strongly adherent thrombus from prothesis, artery or vein. The catheter is a functional instrument not only for vascular surgery, but also for invasive angiology.

Speciation of copper, lead and cadmium in aquatic systems by circulating dialysis combined with flame AAS.

The assessment of free Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions in the presence of complexed species was realised by a circulating dialysis with Cuprophan planar membranes and subsequent quantification by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of the flow rate, the time of equilibration, pH and the presence of various complexing agents in the donor solutions were studied. The determination of free Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions in the presence of soil humic substances resulted from the above studies.

[Comprehensive treatment of ileofemoral thrombosis at the end of pregnancy with cesarean section in combination with thrombectomy]. / Komplexní resení ileofemorální trombózy na konci tehotenství provedením císarského rezu v kombinaci s trombektomií.

Acute deep ileofemoral thrombosis was treated at the end of pregnancy in four pregnant women. A multidisciplinary approach was selected. During a single anaesthesia the team of obstetricians and neonatologists made a Caesarean section followed by thrombectomy with a Fogarty catheter. This operation was performed by a team of specialists in cardiovascular surgery. Two women developed rethrombosis: one woman on the following day, the second one two weeks after surgery. In both instances repeated thrombectomy was performed. In one woman the cause of ileofemoral thrombosis was malignant disease of the uterine cervix II and this woman is, after oncological treatment, in a serious condition due to the basis disease. The remaining three women were repeatedly subjected to phlebographic examinations and complete patency of the deep vascular system was found. These women are free from subjective and objective complaints and can look after their children. Pregnant women where a serious ileofemoral thrombosis was diagnosed had high fibrinogen and thrombocyte levels. In two women an AT III deficiency was found. There was also a high cholesterol level and positive antiphospholipid antibodies. Thrombectomy has according to the authors' experience very good results when the operation is implemented within 72 hours after initial symptoms. This procedure reduces the risk of chronic venous insufficiency.