Subspecies differentiation and genotyping of Francisella tularensis strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples.

Molecular epidemiology is one of the most rapidly developing research area. In the light of past and modern technologies it has gained number of typing methods based on molecular biology techniques. In this report, the subspecies differentiation of Francisella tularensis and genotyping of strains isolated in Poland and other geographic locations were investigated using real-time PCR and multispacer typing (MST) methods respectively. In total, 49 strains of F. tularensis included 15 strains from Poland, for subspecies differentiation the real-time PCR method was applied. For molecular typing using MST method four intergenic spacers (IS) were sequenced and compared with those previously described and deposited in GenBank (NCBI). Phylogenetic testing was performed using with the UPGMA model using MEGA6 software. The real-time PCR enables to distinguish five strains belonged to type A and 44 to type B among deposited F. tularensis strains. The MST revealed previously described genotypes, as well as 23 new genotypes were detected. The use of real-time PCR and MST method are valuable in the analysis of F. tularensis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrate convenient molecular tools (real-time PCR and multispacer typing) for Francisella tularensis detection, differentiation and genotyping which can be applied for molecular epidemiological studies and providing useful information for scientific research and during natural tularaemia outbreaks.

Advancing a distributed multi-scale computing framework for large-scale high-throughput discovery in materials science.

We describe the development of a large-scale high-throughput application for discovery in materials science. Our point of departure is a computational framework for distributed multi-scale computation. We augment the original framework with a specialized module whose role is to route evaluation requests needed by the high-throughput application to a collection of available computational resources. We evaluate the feasibility and performance of the resulting high-throughput computational framework by carrying out a high-throughput study of battery solvents. Our results indicate that distributed multi-scale computing, by virtue of its adaptive nature, is particularly well-suited for building high-throughput applications.

Real-Time PCR Identification of Unique Bacillus anthracis Sequences.

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, Gram-positive microorganism. It is a causative agent of anthrax, a highly infectious disease. It belongs to the "Bacillus cereus group", which contains other closely related species, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, and Bacillus pseudomycoides. B. anthracis naturally occurs in soil environments. The BA5345 genetic marker was used for highly specific detection of B. anthracis with TaqMan probes. The detection limit of a real-time PCR assay was estimated at the level of 16.9 copies (CI95% - 37.4 to 37.86, SD = 0.2; SE = 0.118). Oligonucleotides designed for the targeted sequences (within the tested locus) revealed 100 % homology to B. anthracis strain reference sequences deposited in the database (NCBI) and high specificity to all tested B. anthracis strains. Additional in silico analysis of plasmid markers pag and cap genes with B. anthracis strains included in the database was carried out. Our study clearly indicates that the BA5345 marker can be used with success as a chromosomal marker in routine identification of B. anthracis; moreover, detection of plasmid markers indicates virulence of the examined strains.

A Multi-Scale Approach for Phase Field Modeling of Ultra-Hard Ceramic Composites.

Diamond-silicon carbide (SiC) polycrystalline composite blends are studied using a computational approach combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for obtaining grain boundary (GB) fracture properties and phase field mechanics for capturing polycrystalline deformation and failure. An authentic microstructure, reconstructed from experimental lattice diffraction data with locally refined discretization in GB regions, is used to probe effects of local heterogeneities on material response in phase field simulations. The nominal microstructure consists of larger diamond and SiC (cubic polytype) grains, a matrix of smaller diamond grains and nanocrystalline SiC, and GB layers encasing the larger grains. These layers may consist of nanocrystalline SiC, diamond, or graphite, where volume fractions of each phase are varied within physically reasonable limits in parametric studies. Distributions of fracture energies from MD tension simulations are used in the phase field energy functional for SiC-SiC and SiC-diamond interfaces, where grain boundary geometries are obtained from statistical analysis of lattice orientation data on the real microstructure. An elastic homogenization method is used to account for distributions of second-phase graphitic inclusions as well as initial voids too small to be resolved individually in the continuum field discretization. In phase field simulations, SiC single crystals may twin, and all phases may fracture. The results of MD calculations show mean strengths of diamond-SiC interfaces are much lower than those of SiC-SiC GBs. In phase field simulations, effects on peak aggregate stress and ductility from different GB fracture energy realizations with the same mean fracture energy and from different random microstructure orientations are modest. Results of phase field simulations show unconfined compressive strength is compromised by diamond-SiC GBs, graphitic layers, graphitic inclusions, and initial porosity. Explored ranges of porosity and graphite fraction are informed by physical observations and constrained by accuracy limits of elastic homogenization. Modest reductions in strength and energy absorption are witnessed for microstructures with 4% porosity or 4% graphite distributed uniformly among intergranular matrix regions. Further reductions are much more severe when porosity is increased to 8% relative to when graphite is increased to 8%.

Medium-term results of coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and preoperatively documented hibernating myocardium.

In patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), severe left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and hibernating myocardium (HM) demonstrated on preoperative assessment, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery can be performed safely with low operative morbidity and mortality rates. Surgical revascularization of reversibly dysfunctional myocardium improves significantly both patient's clinical status and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Diagnosis of HM prior to CABG surgery seems to be crucial because it does not leave the patient with multivessel CAD and LVD a candidate only for heart transplantation (HTX). In the presence of HM, more aggressive surgical approach could be recommended to salvage chronically jeopardized but viable myocardium using not only routine CABG procedures in extracorporeal circulation (ECC) but also alternative approach of coronary endarterectomy (EAE) or minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) procedures on beating heart, without any adverse impact on operative mortality.

Hibernating myocardium--mechanisms and clinical implications.

Hibernating myocardium is defined as persistently impaired myocardial and left ventricular function at rest resulting from reduced myocardial blood flow. It is postulated that despite the reduced coronary blood flow, metabolic activity is sufficient to prevent tissue necrosis. Recovery of the hibernating myocardium has clearly been shown to occur with the establishment of successful revascularization either by coronary bypass surgery or by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The differentiation of viable, hibernating myocardium from non-viable myocardium in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction is a key issue in the current era of myocardial revascularization.

Hemothorax--a complication of subclavian vein cannulation.

Massive bleeding into pleural cavity after subclavian vein cannulation is a rather rare but very serious complication. Usually laceration of the venous wall is the cause. In patients where conservative treatment, i.e. pleural drainage, maintaining the circulatory volume, treatment of possible coagulopathy, etc. is ineffective, surgery has to be performed. Bleeding can be surgically managed either from posterolateral thoracotomy or direct subclavian vessel revision is possible after partial resection of the clavicle. Brachiocephalic vein bleeding can be approached and managed through median sternotomy. We present a case report of 22-year old man with hemothorax after subclavian vein cannulation. In our patient only complex surgical procedure enabled proper management of bleeding complication.

Contribution to technique of endarterectomy of the right coronary artery.

We present our technique of performing endarterectomy of coronary arteries by means of injecting cardioplegic solution into the plane of dissection of the endarterium. This simple and gentle technique in combination with manual endarterectomy helps in separation of the core far into the periphery of the diseased vessel and thus helps to perform revascularization in patients with diffuse atherosclerotic changes. During the last 6 years (1991-1996) endarterectomy in coronary revascularization was used in 116 cases (it was 5.7 % (116/2031) of all myocardial revascularization procedures). On right coronary artery endarterectomy was used in 82 patients. Mortality rate in our group of patients was 4.88 % (4/82) and perioperative myocardial infarction developed in 4.88 % (4/82). According to our own experience with this technique of endarterectomy on right coronary artery we are convinced that in desperate patients with diffuse coronary artery disease our method can bring better and wider application of surgical treatment.

[The hibernating myocardium--its use in clinical practice]. / Hibernovaný myokard--vyuzití v klinické praxi.

Hibernated myocardium is a term used to describe a state of myocardial hypocontractility which is due to chronic hypoperfusion of the heart muscle. The myocardium remains, however, viable and therefore revascularization can significantly improve the reduced mechanical function of the left ventricle. Differentiation between hibernated myocardium and a myocardium which was irreversibly damaged and replaced by scar tissue is particularly important in patients with ischemic dysfunction of the left ventricle. Information on the viability of dysfunctional areas of the myocardium helps in reflections on the indication and strategy of the revascularization operation.

[A case of diphtheria in a young man]. / Przypadek blonicy gardla u mlodego mezczyzny.

A case of pharyngeal diphtheria with mild course was observed in a man aged 21 years who had had received four vaccinations. This was the first case of this disease in Poland since 1983, and the possibility is discussed of diphtheria spread in a country with widespread Di-Per-Te vaccinations, as pointed out in the present literature.

[Respiratory rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases in the subjective and objective evaluation]. / Rehabilitacja oddechowa u chorych z przewlekla obturacyjna choroba pluc w ocenie subiektywnej i obiektywnej.

An intensive 14 day respiratory rehabilitation program was carried out in 24 COPD patients of mean age 66.0 +/- 10.0 yrs (FVC 1.56 +/- 0.52 L, FEV1 0.94 +/- 0.4 L/s). A statistically objective improvement was seen measured by the 100 meter tread mill test (p = 0.001) which was not seen in spirometric analysis. Seventeen patients reported a subjective improvement in their clinical state. The authors have demonstrated usefulness of the 100 meter walk test in analysis of rehabilitation processes.

[Prophylactic use of counterpulsation in patients with severe myocardial dysfunction]. / Profylaktické zavedení kontrapulzace u pacientu s tezkou dysfunkcí myokardu.

During the period between 2/2000 and 11/2000 21 patients with severe ventricular dysfunction were investigated (EF less than 30%) where in a planned manner intraaortic balloon counterpulsation was introduced before cardiac surgery. The low mortality (5%), zero incidence of complications caused by the method and the improvement of the contractility of the heart muscle, evaluated from a rise of the ejection fraction (EF) make so-called prophylactic use of contrapulsation possible as a method of first choice in severe myocardial dysfunction.

[Coronary revascularization in diffuse atherosclerosis of the anterior descending coronary artery]. / Chirurgické moznosti revaskularizace srdce pri difuzním aterosklerotickém postizení prední mezikomorové vetve (RIVA).

The authors present surgical possibilities of treatment of diffuse atherosclerotic changes of the left anterior descending coronary artery. In such serious disease they choose the procedure of endarterectomy performed from long arteriotomy under direct eye control followed by reconstruction by long bypass anastomosis. Endarterectomy of the left anterior descending artery was performed in 32 patients during the period between 1988-1996. This represents 1.38% of patients operated for ischemic heart disease during that period (32/2324). Two patients died in consequence with the operation (6.25%), also there was one myocardial infarction as a perioperative complication (3.1%). Endarterectomy of the diffusely diseased left anterior descending coronary artery can, when carefully indicated and using proper technique, contribute to complete revascularization in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease.

[Neoplastic variant of acute erythroblastotis--proerythroblastoma]. / Nowotwór (?) wychodz, acy z wczesnych prekursorów erytronu--proerythroblastoma

In two case of aorthochromatic anaemia refractory to treatment with granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia without significant enlargement of abdominal viscera a hypothesis of uncontrolled proliferation involving proerythroblasts is put forward on the basis of bone marrow findings. This proliferation seems to be confined to a single focus-bone marrow, without evidence of peripheral dissemination. Profound dysplastic changes of proerythroblasts are suggestive of neoplastic growth.