External barrel temperature of a small bore olympic rifle and shooting precision.

Investigations on changes in a rifle's barrel temperature during shooting in a rhythm typical for practitioners of Olympic shooting sports are presented. Walther KK300 (cal. 5.6 mm), a typical rifle often used in Olympic competitions, R50 RWS ammunition and a high speed thermographic camera were used in the study. Altair version 5 software was used to process thermal images and a stationary wavelet transform was applied to denoise signals for all the studied points. It was found that the temperature of the rifle barrel does not exceed 0.3°C after one shot whereas the total temperature increase does not exceed 5°C after taking 40 shots and does not affect the position of the hitting point on a target. In fact, contrary to popular belief, the so-called "warming shots" are not done for barrel heating but for cleaning of remnants in the barrel.

Determination of tricresyl phosphate air contamination in aircraft.

Monitoring of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) contamination of cockpit air was undertaken in three types of military aircraft [fighter trainer (FT), fighter bomber (FB), and cargo transport (CT) aircraft]. The aircraft had a previous history of pilot complaints about cockpit air contamination suspected to originate from the engine bleed air supply through the entry of aircraft turbine engine oil (ATO) into the engine compressor. Air samples were collected in flight and on the ground during engine runs using sorbent tubes packed with Porapak Q and cellulose filters. A total of 78 air samples were analysed, from 46 different aircraft, and 48 samples were found to be below the limit of detection. Nine incidents of smoke/odour were identified during the study. The concentrations of toxic o-cresyl phosphate isomers were below the level of detection in all samples. The highest total TCP concentration was 51.3 µg m(-3), while most were generally found to be <5 µg m(-3) compared with the 8-h time-weighted average exposure limit of 100 µg m(-3) for tri-o-cresyl phosphate. The highest concentrations were found at high engine power. Although TCP contamination of cabin/cockpit air has been the subject of much concern in aviation, quantitative data are sparse.

Determination of ortho-cresyl phosphate isomers of tricresyl phosphate used in aircraft turbine engine oils by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Tricresyl phosphate (TCP) is used as an anti-wear additive in aircraft turbine engine oil. Concerns about its toxicity are largely based on the tri-o-cresyl phosphate isomer content. However, the presence of other and more toxic isomers has been previously suggested. In this work, the structural isomers of TCP have been determined by two methods (experimental and semi-theoretical). First, the TCP isomers were separated by gas chromatography (GC) and identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Second, after base cleavage of TCP, GC was used to quantify the cresol precursors. These results were used to calculate the TCP isomer distribution based on the assumption of a statistical distribution of the TCP isomers. The results from the two determinations showed reasonable agreement for three of the four oils studied. The o-cresyl isomers were found to be present almost exclusively as the more toxic mono-o-cresyl isomers in the concentration range 13-150 mg/L. The ability to analyse for the mono-o-cresyl isomers allows the toxicity of TCP to be based on the latter isomers rather than on the less toxic tri-o-cresyl phosphate isomer.

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and their tissue inhibitors 1 and 2 in premenopausal obese women: relationship to cardiac function.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis is one of the mechanisms underlying left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in obese patients and may result from dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) represent a regulatory system playing a crucial role in ECM metabolism. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in obese young women and to evaluate the association between MMP/TIMP system components and LV function in this population. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy-one women aged < 35 years with body mass index > 30 kg m(-2) and 30 healthy slim female controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 measurements and echocardiographic studies, including LV strain/strain rate evaluation. RESULTS: We demonstrated increased levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and decreased MMP-2 in the obese population. LV dysfunction shown in patients with obesity was characterized by significantly lower values of strain/strain rate parameters. Plasma MMP-2 correlated positively and TIMP-1 negatively with systolic strain (r = 0.39, P < 0.001 and r = -0.40, P < 0.001, respectively), peak systolic strain rate (r = 0.38, P < 0.001 and r = -0.27, P < 0.03, respectively) and peak early diastolic strain rate (r = 0.40, P < 0.001 and r = -0.24, P < 0.05, respectively). Plasma MMP-2, fasting insulin and body mass index proved the only independent determinants of strain/strain rate parameters of LV systolic and diastolic performance in obese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In premenopausal obese women (1) plasma MMP/TIMP profile is altered, (2) abnormalities of LV function are related to the changes in the MMP/TIMP system that might promote attenuated ECM degradation, mainly to the downregulation of MMP-2.

Subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in diabetes mellitus--an ultrasonic strain/strain rate study.

AIMS: While left ventricular dysfunction has been recognized to be a common complication of diabetes mellitus, data regarding right ventricular (RV) performance in patients with diabetes are incomplete. The aim of the study was to determine the preclinical effects of diabetes on regional RV systolic and diastolic function in asymptomatic persons with diabetes using the echocardiographic strain/strain rate technique. METHODS: Groups studied consisted of 33 subjects with diabetes only (DM; aged 57.3 +/- 12.9 years) and 40 subjects with coexisting diabetes and hypertension (DMHT; aged 57.5 +/- 10.5 years). In all patients with diabetes, coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Thirty-six healthy age-matched persons served as control subjects. In each patient an echocardiographic study with strain/strain rate imaging was performed. Analysis of RV deformation data included assessment of systolic strain, peak systolic strain rate (SRs) and peak early diastolic strain rate (SRe) obtained from the basal and apical segments of the RV free wall. RESULTS: Significantly lower values of systolic strain and SRs in the basal and apical segment of the RV free wall in the DM and DMHT groups as compared with control subjects indicated impairment of RV systolic function. Similarly, decreased SRe in patients with diabetes in both RV segments examined reflected abnormalities of RV diastolic performance. The systolic defects were more pronounced in the apical than in the basal segment. All measured parameters were similar in the two groups with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is associated with subclinical RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, regardless of coexisting hypertension.

Behavior of silica particles introduced into an isolated rat heart as potential drug carriers.

Silica powders consisting of small spherical particles (50-200 nm) have been obtained by the sol-gel method. A suspension of such particles in the Krebs-Hanseleit solution has been introduced into the coronary circulation of a beating perfused rat heart. The influence of the suspension on the heart muscle and the coronary vessels in the rat body has been histopathologically examined. The particles have not left the lumen of the vessels and have not caused any side effects. These observations suggest the possibility of using such silica particles as a carrier for selected drugs.

Left ventricular circumferential function in patients with essential hypertension.

The aim of the study was to investigate left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic circumferential myocardial function using tissue Doppler imaging in patients with essential hypertension. One hundred and two patients and 33 healthy age-matched controls were studied. Each patient underwent echocardiographic study with analysis of tissue velocity curves, which included mean peak systolic (Sm), early (Em) and late diastolic velocity (Am) and isovolumic relaxation time (IRTm). These parameters were expressed as means from the six basal segments of left ventricle reflecting its longitudinal function (L). The same indices estimated in mid-anteroseptal (C-AS) and mid-posterior (C-P) segments in parasternal short-axis view served as a measure of LV circumferential function. Higher value of C-AS-Sm and a similar trend in C-P-Sm suggest increased LV circumferential systolic function in hypertensive patients, whereas lower values of C-AS-Em, C-P-Em, C-AS-Em/Am and C-P-Em/Am indicate impaired LV circumferential diastolic function. Decreased L-Sm as well as decreased L-Em and L-Em/Am reflects LV longitudinal systolic and diastolic dysfunction, respectively. By univariate analysis, positive correlations were demonstrated between C-AS-Sm and LV mass index (LVMI) (r=0.61, P<0.001), interventricular septum thickness (IVS) (r=0.55, P<0.001) and LV posterior wall thickness (PW) (r=0.43, P<0.01) and negative ones between L-Sm and LVMI (r=-0.51, P<0.001) and PW (r=-0.36, P<0.04). By stepwise multivariate regression analysis, LVMI, IVS and age independently predicted C-AS-Sm and LVMI predicted L-Sm. Our study demonstrated in hypertensive patients increased LV circumferential systolic and decreased diastolic function. The former may be a compensatory response to the impairment in LV longitudinal systolic performance.

[Do cytokines have any value in the patients with chronic blood circulation insufficiency?]. / Czy cytokiny maja znaczenie u chorych na przewlekla zastoinowa niewydolnosc krazenia?

Heart failure is a common and increasing public problem. Neurohormonal activation plays a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure, but is probably also affected by cytokines. We studied 75 patients with heart failure NYHA functional class II and III-IV, who were treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (enarenal), diuretics (furosemide) and digoxine. Their mean age was 63.9 years/range 65-86/, left ventricular ejection fraction in the patients NYHA functional class II and III-IV classes was 68.9% and 47.3% respectively; 12 were females. Significant improvements in NYHA classification were shown. The levels plasma TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analysed before and after therapy. The authors showed increased plasma levels TNF-alpha and IL-6 in patients with chronic heart failure. After the treatment the plasma IL-6 levels decreased only in the patients III-IV NYHA functional classes, whereas the treatment had no effect on the plasma TNF-alpha levels.

[Effect of coffee on blood pressure and activity renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system and catecholamines concentration in patients with essential hypertension]. / Wplyw kawy na cisnienie tetnicze i aktywnosc ukladu renina-angiotensyna-aldosteron oraz stezenie amin katecholowych w surowicy chorych na pierwotne nadcisnienie tetnicze.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity RAAA or plasma catecholamines concentrations and blood pressure are related to distinct patterns of drinking one cup of coffee in hypertensive patients with low or normal plasma renin activity. Plasma renin activity and enzyme converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II activity and serum concentration of aldosterone and catecholamines were measured by radioimmunoassay. Blood pressure was measured by ambulatory monitoring. Our data suggest that drinking one cup of coffee caused after 60 min, to 2 hours elevated systolic and after 60 min diastolic pressure, only in hypertensive patients, with low RAAA habitually drinking coffee. Hypertensive patients with normal RAAA, habitually drinking coffee, after drinking one cup of coffee had elevation only of diastolic blood pressure from 60 min to 120 min after drinking, but systolic blood pressure did not elevate. Plasma catecholamines and aldosterone concentrations, blood renin activity and enzyme converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II activity were not elevated in hypertensive patients with low or normal RAAA after drinking one cup of coffee.

[Levels of adrenomedullin in plasma of patients with chronic congestive heart failure]. / Stezenie adrenomedulliny w surowicy chorych na przewlekla zastoinowa niewydolnosc krazenia.

Adrenomedullin is a potent vasodilator and natriuretic peptide that may an important role in cardiovascular disease. To investigate the role of adrenomedullin in the pathophysiology of congestive heart disease, plasma levels of adrenomedullin were measured in patients with congestive heart failure. Venous blood samples at rest were obtained before and after treatment from patients with congestive heart failure in New York Heart Association functional class II (n-23), III (n-26) and IV (n-14) and from normal subjects (n-30). Plasma adrenomedullin, endothelin-1,2, and atrial natriuretic peptide were determined by radioimmunoassay, plasma noradrenaline by radioenzymatic assay. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured by echocardiography. The mean plasma level of adrenomedullin in normal subjects was 8.2 pmol/l, tended to be increased in patients with congestive heart failure those in class II (12.9 pmol/l) and were significantly increased in classes III and IV (21.3 and 29.9 respectively). Plasma adrenomedullin was correlated strongly with endothelin-1,2, atrial natriuretic peptide, and noradrenaline, and relatively weakly with left ventricular ejection fraction. Plasma adrenomedullin levels significantly decreased after treatment. These findings indicate that plasma levels of adrenomedullin are elevated in congestive heart failure and may be involved in the defense mechanism against further peripheral vascular resistance elevation in congestive heart failure.

Current submarine atmosphere control technology.

Air purification in submarines was introduced towards the end of World War II and was limited to the use of soda lime for the removal of carbon dioxide and oxygen candles for the regeneration of oxygen. The next major advances came with the advent of nuclear-powered submarines. These included the development of regenerative and, sometimes, energy-intensive processes for comprehensive atmosphere revitalization. With the present development of conventional submarines using air-independent propulsion there is a requirement for air purification similar to that of the nuclear-powered submarines but it is constrained by limited power and space. Some progress has been made in the development of new technology and the adoption of air purification equipment used in the nuclear-powered submarines for this application.

[Circadian urinary excretion of catecholamine, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, endothelin and neuropeptide Y in obese patients with hypertension]. / Dobowe wydalanie katecholamin z moczem oraz stezenia w surowicy przedsionkowego peptydu natriuretycznego, endoteliny i neuropeptydu y u osób otylych chorych na nadcisnienie tetnicze.

UNLABELLED: Obesity increases the risk of developing hypertension by two-to fourfold, with more that one third of all cases of hypertension attributable to obesity. The present study tested the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), endothelin-1,2 (ET-1,2) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in pathogenesis of obesity hypertension. The plasma concentrations of ANP, ET-1,2 and NPY were determined in the peripheral venous blood by radioimmunoassay in 27 obese hypertensive patients (group I), in 24 obese normotensive patients (group II), and in 35 normal subjects (group III). RESULTS: Mean plasma ANP was significantly higher in obese than in normal subjects. ANP levels were higher in patients group I than in those group II and I. In patients of group I plasma ANP concentrations correlated with III BMI and mean blood pressure. Plasma levels of ET-1,2 and NPY were similar in patients group I, II and III.

[Does captopril decrease endothelial production of endothelin?]. / Czy kaptopryl hamuje sródblonkowa synteze endoteliny?

Serum levels endothelin-1,2 aldosterone, renin activity were performed in 52 patients with chronic congestive heart failure during captopril therapy. The investigations were done before therapy, after 10-15 days therapy and after disappearance symptoms of heart failure. The levels endotelin-1,2,aldosterone and renin activity were determined using radioimmunologic methods. Fraction ejection and peripheral vascular resistance were determined by echocardiography technics. It was found that serum endothelin levels in patients with chronic congestive heart failure were increased proportionally to functional class of heart failure and decreased after disappearance symptoms of heart failure. An increase in plasma endothelin concentration has not correlated with ejection fraction, aldosterone concentration and renin activity. These studies have demonstrated that in patients with congestive heart failure on captopril therapy endothelin serum levels positively correlates with peripheral vascular resistance. No correlation was found between ejection fraction and activity renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. These findings indicated that captopril therapy decreases endothelin production.

[Levels of B-endorphin in patients with silent myocardial ischemia]. / Stezenie beta-endorfiny u chorych z bezbólowa postacia choroby niedokrwiennej serca.

Plasma beta-endorphin levels were estimated in patients with painless myocardial ischaemia. The survey was made in 90 patients with coronary artery disease: 55 of them after myocardial infarction and 35 with chronic stable angina pectoris. The control group comprised 22 healthy persons. Plasma beta-endorphin level was determined in all examined patients immediately before the exercise test, just after finishing exercise test, and 6 minutes after the termination of the exercise test. Beta-endorphin plasma levels has been determined with a radioimmunologic method by the means of "beta-endorphins [125J]RIA Kit" manufactured in NEN Research Products. Study showed that in the patients with silent myocardial ischaemia plasma beta-endorphin level was higher than in patients with painful myocardial ischaemia both at rest during exercise test. Increase of plasma beta-endorphin in examined patients can be one of etiopathogenetic factors of silent myocardial ischaemia.

[Interaction of captopril and digoxin]. / Interakcja kaptoprilu i digoksyny.

Interaction of digoxin and captopril was studied in 28 men with congestive heart failure of II class NYHA. Blood serum digoxin level was about 30% higher following the administration of captopril.

[Sodium outflow rate through lymphocyte cell membranes, serum levels of sodium, potassium, aldosterone, total catecholamines, 6-keto- PGF2alpha and plasma renin activity in patients with primary arterial hypertension treated with captopril]. / Szybkosc wyplywu sodu przez blony komórkowe limfocytów, stezenie w surowicy sodu, potasu, aldosteronu, calkowitych amin katecholowych 6-keto-PGF2 alpha oraz aktywnosc reninowa osocza u chorych na nadcisnienie tetnicze pierwotne leczonych kaptoprylem.

Sodium ions outflow rate through lymphocyte membranes, serum sodium, potassium, aldosterone, total catecholamines and 6-keto-PGE alpha levels, and plasma renin activity were studied in patients with mild hypertension associated with low and hugh plasma renin activity treated with captopril in a single dose of 12.3 mg and after the treatment with daily doses of 12.5 mg and 25 mg for 3 days. It was found, that captopril in hypertensive patients with high plasma renin activity decreases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decelerates heart rate, and decreases serum total catecholamines and plasma renin activity. Sodium ions outflow rate and serum sodium, potassium, aldosterone, and 6-keto-PGE alpha remain unchanged. Captopril in hypertensive patients with low plasma renin activity. The remaining parameters are unchanged. Moreover, it was noted that serum 6-keto-PGE alpha levels are lower in hypertensive patients with low plasma renin activity.

[Sodium outflow rate through lymphocyte cellular membranes in women with arterial hypertension caused by pregnancy and in health pregnant women]. / Szybkosc wyplywu sodu przez blony komórkowe limfocytów u kobiet z nadcisnieniem tetniczym wywolanym ciaza i u zdrowych kobiet ciezarnych.

Ouabain- and furosemide-dependent rate of sodium outflow through lymphocytes cellular membranes was measured in both healthy pregnant women and those with arterial blood hypertension caused by pregnancy. It was shown, that ouabain-dependent sodium outflow rate is decreased in healthy women in the I, II, and III trimester of pregnancy, while in women with arterial hypertension in the III trimester. No difference in sodium outflow rate both total and furosemide-dependent in healthy pregnant women during the I, II and III trimester, and in pregnant women with arterial hypertension due to pregnancy in the III trimester was noted. No difference in sodium outflow rate was noted in pregnant women with the arterial hypertension due to pregnancy with familial history of the hypertension.

[Effect of normal and high sodium diet on the sodium outflow rate through lymphocyte cell membrane and lymphocyte sodium level in patients with mild primary hypertension]. / Wplyw diety normalnosodowej i bogatosodowej na szybkosc wyplywu sodu przez blony komórkowe limfocytów i stezenie sodu w limfocytach u chorych na nadcisnienie tetnicze pierwotne lagodne.

An effect of normal and high sodium diet on the rate of sodium outflow rate through lymphocyte cell membranes was evaluated in patients with mild primary hypertension with normal value of Na+ outflow rate index. It was found that high sodium value does not increase the value of this index in patients with mild primary hypertension but it does increase Na+ levels in lymphocytes. However, high sodium diet increases the value of this parameter in patients with mild primary hypertension with normal value of Na+ outflow rate through lymphocyte cell membranes and does not effect sodium level in the lymphocytes. According to the authors, high sodium diet in patients with normal renal function does not affect serum sodium levels.