Sex differences in radioulnar contrasts of the finger ridge counts across 21 human population samples.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the existence of uniform sexual dimorphism in some radioulnar contrasts between different finger ridge counts within the same hand in a large set of populations, thus confirming the universal nature of this dimorphism in humans.Subjects and methods: We analysed individual finger ridge counts (10 values on each hand) of both hands from archival sources (mainly the Brehme-Jantz database). In total, these included 4412 adults from 21 population samples covering all permanently inhabited continents and encompassing very different and geographically distant human populations. We calculated the contrasts (differences) of all pairs of ridge counts (45 per hand) and used diverse methods to assess the direction and degree of dimorphism of them across all population samples.Results: The highest sexual dimorphism was observed for nine contrasts involving the ridge count of the dermatoglyphic pattern on the radial side of the second finger of the right hand (R2r). Among these contrasts, we then found four that had the same direction of dimorphism in all 21 populations. The most dimorphic was the contrast R1rR2r - the difference between the ridge count of the radial side of the thumb and the radial side of the index finger.Discussion: Thus, these dermatoglyphic traits can be further investigated as potential markers of prenatal sex differentiation from ca. 10th week of intrauterine development. However, it will be useful to address the detailed factors and mechanisms for differences in the degree of dimorphism of these traits in different populations.

CHANGES IN THE VISION OF ADULT AMBLYOPIC PATIENTS FOLLOWING CLEAR LENS EXTRACTION.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate changes in vision after the implantation of trifocal (tIOL) or rotationally asymmetric multifocal artificial intraocular lenses (mIOL) in patients undergoing clear lens extraction. The main goal was to determine whether changes to central visual acuity occur after the implantation of an IOL at a follow-up examination after one year. Other objectives were to determine the difference between the groups with implanted diffractive and rotationally asymmetric artificial intraocular lenses, as well as to evaluate the risk of accurate correction in patients who had lived most of their lives "undercorrected". MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our study, we present a retrospective longitudinal evaluation of results in patients after the implantation of an artificial intraocular lens. In the period from 2013 to 2020, we evaluated changes in the vision of 22 patients aged 39-59 years, of whom 18 were women and 5 were men. The average preoperative refraction of myopic eyes was +5.7 ±2.13 Dsf and +1.24 ±0.86 Dcyl. In amblyopic eyes, 7 diffractive lenses and 15 rotationally asymmetric lenses were used. RESULTS: Uncorrected distance visual acuity before surgery and one year (1Y) after was 0.13 ±0.09 vs. 0.57 ±0.28 (p < 0.001); the best corrected distance visual acuity before and 1Y after was 0.53 ±0.22 vs. 0.62 ±0.29 (p = 0.024); uncorrected near visual acuity before and 1Y after was 0.06 ±0.06 vs. 0.48 ±0.32 (p < 0.001); the best corrected near visual acuity before and afér the surgical procedure was 0.45 ±0.27vs. 0.55 ±0.35 (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Implantation of tIOL and mIOL lenses was effective in our group of patients with amblyopia, thus improving uncorrected distance and near visual acuity and without serious adverse effects. At the same time, we evaluate that the change in refraction and the removal of anisometropia lead to a significant change in the best corrected visual acuity for distance or near vision at the one-year follow-up examination.

USE OF A FEMTOSECOND LASER IN CATARACT SURGERY.

AIMS: Cataracts continue to be the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Phacoemulsification is the gold standard in the treatment of cataracts. The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative results of the phacoemulsification technique in comparison with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our work retrospectively evaluates the results of patients after implantation of an artificial intraocular lens for cataract from May 2017 to March 2019. The study evaluated a total of 80 implanted lenses in 47 patients operated on by two surgeons. Of the 47 patients, 28 were women. The mean age in the group at the time of surgery was 63.7 years, ranging from 34-79 years. Patients could choose FLACS (n = 45) surgery or standard phacoemulsification procedure (n = 35). RESULTS: Upon a comparison of the group regarding uncorrected distal visual acuity (UCDVA) up to 12 months after surgery, the group FAKO CATARACTS recorded 0.85 ±0.18 vs. 0.93 ±0.12 in the FEMTO CATARACTS group (p = 0.021), comparably uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA) was 0.77 ±0.18 vs. 0.84 ±0.17 (p = 0.034) respectively. A difference in the use of phacoemulsification energy (OZIL) was measured in patients with phacoemulsification 3.5 ±3.1 and in the use of femtosecond laser 2.2 ±3.1, (p = 0.005). In all cases, an AT LISA 839 trifocal lens (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany) was implanted. CONCLUSION: The femtosecond platform assists the surgeon in cataract surgery with capsulorhexis and pre-fragmentation of the lens nucleus, which can be advantageous especially for complicated cataracts. We recorded significantly higher uncorrected distance and near visual acuity in the FLACS group, and also a significantly lower value of the phacoemulsification energy used.

PRACTICAL METROLOGICAL ASPECTS OF NEUTRON PERSONAL DOSIMETRY.

This article addresses practical issues as being faced in the process of testing, verification and calibration of passive and active personal neutron dosemeters. Namely, a limited choice of neutron sources and geometric limitations occurring when ISO water phantom is used. The requirements of international standards for personal neutron dosemeters and the possibilities to fulfil them are discussed briefly.

MEASUREMENT OF SECONDARY NEUTRONS GENERATED DURING PROTON THERAPY.

Measurements described in this article were carried out with the aim of evaluating risks of the patient exposure to secondary neutrons during treatment at the Proton Therapy Centre Prague. The neutron spectral fluence was measured by means of the extended Bonner sphere spectrometer (EBS). The article presents secondary neutron spectral fluences obtained by the EBS with passive thermoluminescent detectors, i.e. pairs of 6LiF and 7LiF chips. Measurements were performed in two positions: the first one behind the Nylon 6 phantom, and the second one close to the range shifter to evaluate their contribution to the generation of neutrons. Both the Nylon 6 phantom and the range shifter were irradiated with a pencil beam of protons 4 mm in diameter and the energy of 200 MeV. The results are supplemented with the values of effective dose derived from neutron spectral fluences.

Microtron MT 25 as a source of neutrons.

The objective was to describe Microtron MT25 as a source of neutrons generated by bremsstrahlung induced photonuclear reactions in U and Pb targets. Bremsstrahlung photons were produced by electrons accelerated at energy 21.6 MeV. Spectral fluence of the generated neutrons was calculated with MCNPX code and then experimentally determined at two positions by means of a Bonner spheres spectrometer in which the detector of thermal neutrons was replaced by activation Mn tablets or track detectors CR-39 with a (10)B radiator. The measured neutron spectral fluence and the calculated anisotropy served for the estimation of neutron yield from the targets and for the determination of ambient dose equivalent rate at the place of measurement. Microtron MT25 is intended as one of the sources for testing neutron sensitive devices which will be sent into the space.

Application of a Bonner sphere spectrometer for determination of the energy spectra of neutrons generated by ≈1 MJ plasma focus.

The spectra of neutrons outside the plasma focus device PF-1000 with an upper energy limit of ≈1 MJ was measured using a Bonner spheres spectrometer in which the active detector of thermal neutrons was replaced by nine thermoluminescent chips. As an a priori spectrum for the unfolding procedure, the spectrum calculated by means of the Monte Carlo method with a simplified model of the discharge chamber was selected. Differences between unfolded and calculated spectra are discussed with respect to properties of the discharge vessel and the laboratory layout.

Spectra of photoneutrons produced by high-energy X-ray radiotherapy linacs.

Spectral fluence of photoneutrons generated in the head of the radiotherapeutic linac Varian 2100 C/D was measured by means of the Bonner spheres spectrometer whose active detector of thermal neutrons was replaced by a track detector, i.e. a sandwich of four CR-39s with the boron radiator inserted between them. Measurements with different collimator settings showed that the fluence of photoneutrons was higher for the more open collimator.

Retrospective study of juvenile spondylarthropathies in Croatia over the last 11 years.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of juvenile spondylarthropathies (JSpA) among other rheumatic diseases in a pediatric clinic population in an 11-year period in Croatia and to review their clinical, epidemiological, radiographic and laboratory. METHODS: Of the 1264 patients with rheumatic diseases seen at a pediatric rheumatology center, 103 (8.2%) were diagnosed as having JSpA (56 boys, mean age 13.1 years, range 4.4-17.8 years), following the strict criteria of the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group. Medical history, clinical laboratory and imaging data of the 103 patients with JSpA were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-two (79.6%) patients had undifferentiated spondylarthropathy, 6 (5.8%) patients had reactive arthritis/Reiter's disease, 6 (5.8%) had arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, 5 (4.9%) had psoriatic arthritis, and only 4 (3.9%) patients had ankylosing spondylitis. The most common symptoms at the disease onset in patients with JSpA were peripheral and axial arthritis, followed by enthesitis. A significant increase in the number of patients with axial arthritis, peripheral arthritis, ocular symptoms and enthesitis was found during mean period of follow-up of 6.45 years. HLA-B27 was present in 78 (75.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: In our hospital population the frequency of JSpA among other rheumatic disease was 8.2%. The disease was equally distributed among male and female patients, with onset around the age of 13 years. Most of the patients were diagnosed with undifferentiated spondylarthropathy.

Dosimetry at an interim storage for spent nuclear fuel.

The Czech nuclear power plant Dukovany started its operation in 1985. All fuel spent from 1985 up to the end of 2005 is stored at a dry interim storage, which was designed for 60 CASTOR-440/84 casks. Each of these casks can accommodate 84 fuel assemblies from VVER 440 reactors. Neutron-photon mixed fields around the casks were characterized in terms of ambient dose equivalent measured by standard area dosemeters. Except this, neutron spectra were measured by means of a Bonner sphere spectrometer, and the measured spectra were used to derive the corresponding ambient dose equivalent due to neutrons.

Postoperative analgesia with intravenous fentanyl PCA vs epidural block after thoracoscopic pectus excavatum repair in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, randomized trial was to compare analgesia, sedation, and cardiorespiratory function in children after thoracoscopic surgery for pectus excavatum repair, using two types of analgesia--epidural block with bupivacaine plus fentanyl vs patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients scheduled for thoracoscopic pectus excavatum surgery were randomly assigned to receive either thoracic epidural block or i.v. PCA for postoperative analgesia. Pain was assessed using a visual-analogue scale (VAS). The Ramsay sedation score, arterial pressure, ventilatory frequency, and heart rate were also measured, and blood gas analysis was performed regularly during the first 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the VAS pain score, Ramsay sedation score, heart rate ventilatory frequency, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and PaCO2, and a significant increase in PaO2 and oxygen saturation were found over time. Patients in the PCA group had significantly higher PaCO2 values. In addition, a significantly slower decline of systolic blood pressure and heart rate, and faster recovery of PaCO2 were found in PCA patients than in patients with epidural block. CONCLUSIONS: I.V. fentanyl PCA is as effective as thoracic epidural for postoperative analgesia in children after thoracoscopic pectus excavatum repair. Bearing in mind the possible complications of epidural catheterization in children, the use of fentanyl PCA is recommended.

[Purulent osteomyelitis with epidural abcess in an adult over a decade after cervical spine injury]. / Eiternde Osteomyelitis mit Epiduralabszess bei einem Erwachsenen mehr als ein Jahrzehnt nach zervikaler Wirbelsäulenverletzung.

Cervical osteomyelitis and epidural abscess are rare and potentially fatal conditions with severe neurological manifestations. Changes on plain radiography and computed tomography are non-specific, while contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging shows high sensitivity and specificity in establishing early diagnosis.

Characterisation of neutron fields around high-energy x-ray radiotherapy machines.

Photoneutron spectra around the treatment bed of a Varian Clinac 2100C machine were measured using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. To overcome problems with pulse pile-up and detection of non-neutron-induced events, the active detector of thermal neutrons normally used at the centre of the spheres was replaced by a sandwich of four CR-39 track detectors interleaved with 10B radiators. Track densities measured for the CR-39 detectors in Bonner spheres were used for the unfolding of neutron spectra. Neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent for the whole energy range and partial energy intervals were derived from the neutron spectra.

Intercomparison of efficiency transfer software for gamma-ray spectrometry.

The EUROMET project 428 examines efficiency transfer results for Ge gamma-ray spectrometers when the efficiency is known for a reference point source geometry. For this, different methods are used, such as Monte Carlo simulation or semi-empirical computation. The exercise compares the application of these methods to the same selected experimental cases to determine the usage limitations versus the requested accuracy. For carefully examining these results and trying to derive information for improving the computation codes, this study was limited to a few simple cases. The first part concerns the simplest case of geometry transfer, i.e., using point sources for 3 source-to-detector distances: 2, 5 and 20 cm; the second part deals with transfer from point source geometry to cylindrical geometry with three different matrices. The general conclusion is that the deviations between the computed results and the measured efficiencies are mostly within 10%. The quality of the results is rather inhomogeneous and shows that these codes cannot be used directly for metrological purposes. However, most of them are operational for routine measurements when efficiency uncertainties of 5-10% can be sufficient.

Apoptosis and bcl-2 expression in irradiated lungs and the effect of pentoxifylline.

We measured number of bcl-2, apoptotic, neutrophil, and surfactant apoprotein D (SP-D) positive cells in irradiated rat lungs during different time points after the sublethal whole-thorax irradiation of rats. We also investigated the influence of pentoxifylline (PTX) therapy on these markers. Wistar rats were given 15 Gy thoracic irradiation and PTX (35 mg/kg) twice a week. Animals were examined histologically and imunohistochemically at intervals from 1-12 weeks. In non-treated rats compared with treated rats, bcl-2 expression was significantly inhibited from 4 weeks after irradiation. A higher apoptosis presence in non-treated rats from 4 weeks was found and apoptosis development in PTX-treated animals was delayed and started 8 weeks after irradiation. Similar differences were measured during neutrophil granulocytes examination. Neutrophil penetration in non-treated rats was found 5 weeks after irradiation in contrast to the RP onset of PTX-treated animals 8 weeks after irradiation. The number of SP-D positive cells in non-treated rats observed until 5 weeks after irradiation was higher than in the control group. PTX-treated animals expressed higher number of SP-D positive cells during the whole experiment than the control group. We suggest that apoptosis is linked to neutrophil granulocyte actions during the RP onset and that PTX-therapy causes diminished inflammation development.

Activity enhancement by the support in the hydrogenation of C=C bonds over polymer-supported palladium catalysts

Four synthetic ion-exchange resins (AH, BH, CH, DH) of different hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties were used as supports for heterogeneous palladium catalysts (A, B, C, D). The resins contained styrene (STY) and 2-(methacryloxy)ethylsulfonic acid (MESA) as the comonomers. Either divinylbenzene (DVB: CH, DH resins) or N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA: AH, BH resins) were used as the cross-linker. AH contained also N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) as the third comonomer. The catalysts (Pd 0.25-0.45% w/w) were obtained by ion-exchanging the acidic forms of the resins with [Pd(OAc)2] and reducing palladium(II) with excess sodium borohydride. The use of NaBH4 also ensured the neutralization of the acidic sites of the supports. No effect of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the supports was observed in the hydrogenation of cyclohexene and 2-cyclohexen-1-one in methanol, at 25 degrees C and 0.5, 1, and 1.5 MPa, respectively. However, catalysts A and B, containing amido groups provided by either DMAA or MBAA, proved to be more active than C and D. The observed activity enhancement was directly proportional to the nitrogen/ palladium molar ratio in the catalysts. This finding suggests that amido groups promote palladium through a direct interaction with the metal surface.

Application of the Technicon Chem 1+ chemistry analyzer to the Syva Emit ethyl alcohol assay in plasma and urine.

The performance of the Technicon Chem 1+ chemistry analyzer with the Syva Emit ethyl alcohol assay in plasma and urine was evaluated. Spiked specimens from 0 to 600 mg/dL were tested, and expected versus measured concentrations were monitored. Linear regression line equations of y = 0.9314x + 5.4 and y = 0.9005x + 4.6, and correlation coefficients (r) of 0.9997 and 0.9995, were obtained for plasma and urine, respectively. A limit of detection of 5 mg/dL for plasma and urine, and a limit of quantitation of 20 mg/dL for plasma and 15 mg/dL for urine were obtained. Recovery was within 10% of expected concentration from 20 to 600 mg/dL. Precision was evaluated, giving the following coefficients of variation: within-run precision: plasma, 1.31-2.20; urine, 1.16-1.21; total precision: plasma, 2.72-3.38; urine, 2.98-4.64. No carry-over was detected when alternating 600 mg/dL and negative specimens. No interference from acetone, isopropanol, or methanol was detected. No significant differences in evaporation of alcohol at two concentrations, or from the two matrices were observed. Evaporation from a small cup (200 microL) was more than twice as great as from a large cup (2 mL). The Chem 1+ was compared to a gas chromatographic method. Plasma specimens of 0-352 mg/dL produced a linear regression line of y = 1.0112x + 6.0, r = 0.9859; urine specimens of 0-313 mg/dL produced a line of y = 1.0493x - 0.3, r = 0.9910. The capability to separate positive and negative specimens at 20% around a cutoff concentration of 20 mg/dL was examined. Four hundred specimens were analyzed, with only one specimen incorrectly classified (a false positive). The Chem 1+ chemistry analyzer demonstrated reliable performance of the Emit ethyl alcohol assay of plasma and urine specimens.

Direct-current injury from external pacemaker results in tissue electrolysis.

In two patients undergoing open heart operations, electrochemical burns developed at the sites of connection to an external pacing system. Investigation revealed that failure of the pacing generator caused a small, continuous, direct current to pass through the patients, resulting in electrolysis at the sites of contact with the pacing and grounding wires. This electrolytic reaction was recreated in a mock pacing system and resulted in tissue injury and disintegration of the pacing wire. Guidelines to help recognize and prevent this complication are presented.

Misplaced Greenfield filter: diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography.

A case of accidental placement of a Greenfield filter in the right atrium is described. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated the filter but was unable to provide details regarding the exact location of the filter. Transesophageal echocardiography showed the filter to be fixed to the tricuspid anulus. This finding, which was confirmed during surgery, was used to guide the subsequent surgical management.

[Results of treatment of infantile hydrocephalus (a group of 64 children)]. / Výsledky liecby kojeneckých hydrocefalov (súbor 64 detí).

The authors present a report on 64 children operated between January 1, 1982 and December 31, 1986 on account of infantile hydrocephalus. As the primary operation in the great majority of children ventriculo-atrial drainage with a valve according to Spitz- Holter (60 times) was indicated, in exceptional cases ventriculo-mastoidostomy according to Nosik without a valve (four times). Thirty-eight patients (59%) had to be re-operated, some repeatedly on account of different disorders of the system. Most frequently the valve failed (22 times). Forty-four children (62.6%) of the group survive. Twenty-four (37.6%) thrive, sixteen are retarded as regards psychomotor development (25%), thirteen died (20.3%), eleven did not attend examination (17.1%).