New Techniques in Iatrogenic Coronary Artery Perforation Management Including Umbrella Technique, Case Report.

This case report presents a patient with iatrogenic coronary artery perforation during coronary angioplasty, complicated with a life-threatening cardiac tamponade. Tamponade decompression was achieved via timely pericardiocentesis with direct autotransfusion. The coronary artery perforation itself was initially closed by using the umbrella technique, which involves distal vessel occlusion with angioplasty balloon fragments. To control further blood extravasation into the pericardial sac, the perforation site was injected with thrombin, ensuring the leak closure. If performed with caution, these relatively rarely used, management techniques are effective in dealing with percutaneous coronary intervention complications.

A Comparative Study of Eu3+-Doped Sillenites: Bi12SiO20 (BSO) and Bi12GeO20 (BGO).

The spectroscopic properties of Eu3+-doped Bi12SiO20 (BSO) were investigated and compared with that of Eu3+-doped Bi12GeO20 (BGO). The emission properties and the absorption spectra have been measured at 10 K as well as at 300 K (room temperature). Luminescence was detected due to the direct excitation of the 5D0 level of Eu3+, as well as through the excitation of the 5D1 level. The Judd-Ofelt theoretical framework was used to compute the radiative lifetimes (τ) and the omega parameters (Ωλ). The electric dipole transition probabilities, asymmetry ratios (R), along with the branching ratios (ß) were also determined based on the obtained experimental data. The strongest detected luminescence belongs to the 5D0 → 7F0 transition observed at 578 nm, similar to the BGO sillenite. Reasons for the major presence of the 5D0 → 7F0 emission, theoretically forbidden by the Judd-Ofelt Theory, were investigated and compared with that of the BGO sillenite. Obtained results showed that the strong 5D0 → 7F0 line is also present in Eu:BSO, indicating that this is a feature of the entire sillenite family and not just Eu:BGO.

Long-lived Paleoproterozoic eclogitic lower crust.

The nature of the lower crust and the crust-mantle transition is fundamental to Earth sciences. Transformation of lower crustal rocks into eclogite facies is usually expected to result in lower crustal delamination. Here we provide compelling evidence for long-lasting presence of lower crustal eclogite below the seismic Moho. Our new wide-angle seismic data from the Paleoproterozoic Fennoscandian Shield identify a 6-8 km thick body with extremely high velocity (Vp ~ 8.5-8.6 km/s) and high density (>3.4 g/cm3) immediately beneath equally thinned high-velocity (Vp ~ 7.3-7.4 km/s) lowermost crust, which extends over >350 km distance. We relate this observed structure to partial (50-70%) transformation of part of the mafic lowermost crustal layer into eclogite facies during Paleoproterozoic orogeny without later delamination. Our findings challenge conventional models for the role of lower crustal eclogitization and delamination in lithosphere evolution and for the long-term stability of cratonic crust.

Optical Transitions and Excited State Absorption Cross Sections of SrLaGaO4 Doped with Ho3+ Ions.

The spectroscopic properties of SrLaGaO4 (SLO) crystal doped with Ho3+ ions were studied in this work. Absorption, emission spectra and decay dynamics of excited states have been measured and discussed using the Judd-Ofelt model. Photoluminescence emissions were attributed to transitions from the excited 3D3, 5S2, 5F5, 5I6 and 5I7 multiplet manifolds. The experimental lifetimes for five excited states have been compared to the theoretical values, calculated using Judd-Ofelt theory, allowing for the determination of the multiphonon relaxation rates (WnR) of the respective states. The experimental data were approximately on a line expressed by WnR = W0 exp(-αΔE) with W0 = 0.5 × 107 s-1 and α = 2.6 × 10-3 cm. To discuss the excited state absorption (ESA) pathways, that originated from several excited levels, we used the Judd-Ofelt formalism allowing determination of the integrated cross section for ESA transitions.

Down-Shifting in the YAM: Ce3+ + Yb3+ System for Solar Cells.

In this work, we investigate Ce3+ to Yb3+ energy transfer in Y4Al2O9 (YAM) for potential application in solar spectrum down-converting layers for photovoltaic devices. Photoluminescence properties set, of 10 samples, of the YAM host activated with Ce3+ and Yb3+ with varying concentrations are presented, and the Ce3+ to Yb3+ energy transfer is proven. Measurement of highly non-exponential luminescence decays of Ce3+ 5d band allowed for the calculation of maximal theoretical quantum efficiency, of the expected down-conversion process, equal to 123%. Measurements of Yb3+ emission intensity, in the function of excitation power, confirmed the predominantly single-photon downshifting character of Ce3+ to Yb3+ energy transfer. Favorable location of the Ce3+ 5d bands in YAM makes this system a great candidate for down-converting, and down-shifting, luminescent layers for photovoltaics.

Emplacement and 3D geometry of crustal-scale saucer-shaped intrusions in the Fennoscandian Shield.

Saucer-shaped intrusions of tens of meters to tens of kilometres across have been observed both from surface geological mapping and geophysical observations. However, there is only one location where they have been reported to extend c. 100 km laterally, and emplaced both in a sedimentary basin and the crystalline basement down to 12 km depth. The legacy BABEL offshore seismic data, acquired over the central Fennoscandian Shield in 1989, have been recovered and reprocessed with the main goal of focusing on this series of globally unique crustal-scale saucer-shaped intrusions present onshore and offshore below the Bothnian Sea. The intrusions (c. 1.25 Ga), emplaced in an extensional setting, are observed within both sedimentary rocks (<1.5 Ga) and in the crystalline basement (>1.5 Ga). They have oval shapes with diameters ranging 30-100 km. The reprocessed seismic data provide evidence of up-doming of the lower crust (representing the melt reservoir) below the intrusions that, in turn, are observed at different depths in addition to a steep seismically transparent zone interpreted to be a discordant feeder dyke system. Relative age constraints and correlation with onshore saucer-shaped intrusions of different size suggest that they are internally connected and fed by each other from deeper to shallower levels. We argue for a nested emplacement mechanism and against a controlling role by the overlying sedimentary basin as the saucer-shaped intrusions are emplaced in both the sedimentary rocks as well as in the underlying crystalline basement. The interplay between magma pressure and overburden pressure, as well as the, at the time, ambient stress regime, are responsible for their extensive extent and rather constant thicknesses (c. 100-300 m). Saucer-shaped intrusions may therefore be present elsewhere in the crystalline basement to the same extent as observed in this study some of which are a significant source of raw materials.

Prognostic Significance of NT-proBNP Levels in Patients over 65 Presenting Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated Invasively or Conservatively.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of prognostic significance of NT-proBNP level and the effects of invasive (I) and conservative (C) treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients over 65. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-year survival was assessed in 286 consecutive patients with AMI aged 65-100 (79 ± 8) subjected to I or C treatment (136 and 150 individuals), respectively. RESULTS: 245 (85%) patients survived in-hospital stay: 124 (91.1%) received I treatment and 121 (80.6%) received C treatment. Heart failure (HF) was diagnosed in 30 patients receiving I treatment (22.6%) and in 71 subjected to C treatment (47.3%), p < 0,0001. NT-proBNP levels in the latter group were significantly higher than in the 185 patients without HF (12311 ± 13560 pg/mL versus 4773 ± 8807 pg/mL, p < 0.0001). NT-proBNP levels after coronary angioplasty were lower than in patients receiving C treatment (5922 ± 10250 pg/mL versus 8718 ± 12024 pg/mL, p = 0.0002). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in I patients than in C patients (47 ± 13% versus 42 ± 11.6%, p = 0.004). During the one-year follow-up, 82.3% of I patients and 61.2% of the C patients survived (p < 0.0003). There was a significantly lower probability of death at NT-proBNP below 8548.5 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The NT-proBNP level in the first day of AMI is a good prognosticator. One-year follow-up prognosis for patients who received I treatment in the AMI is better than that for C patients. I patients exhibit superior left ventricular function after angioplasty and in the follow-up.

Temperature dependence of Er³âº ionoluminescence and photoluminescence in Gd2O3:Bi nanopowder.

Ionoluminescence (IL) and photoluminescence (PL) of trivalent erbium ions (Er(3+)) in Gd2O3 nanopowder host activated with Bi(3+) ions has been studied in order to establish the link between changes in luminescent spectra and temperature of the sample material. IL measurements have been performed with H2 (+) 100 keV ion beam bombarding the target material for a few seconds, while PL spectra have been collected for temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 700 °C. The PL data was used as a reference in determining the temperature corresponding to IL spectra. The collected data enabled the definition of empirical formula based on the Boltzmann distribution, which allows the temperature to be determined with a maximum sensitivity of 9.7 × 10(-3) °C(-1). The analysis of the Er(3+) energy level structure in terms of tendency of the system to stay in thermal equilibrium, explained different behaviors of the line intensities. This work led to the conclusion that temperature changes during ion excitation can be easily defined with separately collected PL spectra. The final result, which is empirical formula describing dependence of fluorescence intensity ratio on temperature, raises the idea of an application of method in temperature control, during processes like ion implantation and some nuclear applications.

Blue emissions in Dy3+ doped Y4Al2O9 crystals for temperature sensing.

Temperature dependent emission spectra and decay times of trivalent dysprosium (Dy3) activated Y4Al2O9 (YAM) crystals have been studied for the first time (to our knowledge). The ratio of emission lines intensity can be used in temperature measurements, as it is not dependent on the variability of absolute intensity. The Boltzmann model was applied for modeling the temperature variation of the 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 states emissions relative intensities 455 and 481 nm, respectively. The calculated approximation gives highest sensor sensitivity of about 3×10(-3)°C-1 for the 600°C-800°C range, which allows for an expectation of usefulness of Dy3+:YAM in high-temperature luminescence thermometry. Also, the measured decay times are suitable for temperature sensing.

[Aspiration thrombectomy during percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with cardiogenic shock caused by left main occlusion]. / Zastosowanie trombektomii aspiracyjneju pacjenta we wstrzasie kardiogennym z niedroznoscia pnia lewej tetnicy wiencowej.

CASE STUDY: 56-year-old male patient in cardiogenic shock with a large thrombus in LM, succesfully treated by PTCA with aspiration thrombectomy. FOLLOW-UP: 9 months control angiography.