The problem of the extent of habitable zones in different kinds of galaxies is one of the outstanding challenges for contemporary astrobiology. In the present study, we investigate habitability in a ...large sample of simulated galaxies from the Illustris Project in order to at least roughly quantify the hospitality to life of different galactic types. The pioneering study of Dayal et al. (2015) is critically examined and some of its results are amended. In particular, we find a tentative evidence for a second mode of galactic habitability comprising metal-rich dwarfs similar to IC 225, LMC or M32. The role of the galactic environment and the observation selection effects is briefly discussed and prospects for further research on the topic outlined.
In a man aged 29 following thyroidectomy complicated by myxoedema an onychomycotic infection of long duration spread suddenly and fast onto the skin. A serious traffic accident coincided with the ...insidious onset of myxoedema. The patient was very irregular in taking medicines and continuously on sick pay. Myxoedema worsened and the ringworm progressed into a generalized ichthyosiform--universal mycotic--condition.
A case of pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic and micaceous balanitis (PEKMB) in a 64-year old man is presented. The patient presented with the 2-year history of a slowly enlarging, hyperkeratotic ...plaque on his glans penis that was compatible with a clinical diagnosis of PEKMB. The lesion has been treated successfully with tropical 5-fluorouracil cream, with no evidence of recurrence at 2-year follow-up. Histological examination revealed acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with no cytological atypia. This rare penile condition was considered pseudomalignant, premalignant, or as a low-grade squamous malignancy. Apart from this patient we comprehensively review previously reported cases, and discuss a possible concept on etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this entity.
Objective: To identify the surgical approaches and risk factors which influence longevity of right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV–PA) conduits following first reoperation for obstruction. Methods: ...Between January 1993 and August 2003, 114 patients underwent 141 reoperations for RV–PA conduit obstruction. Diagnoses included ‘Truncus Arteriosus’ (n=52), ‘Pulmonary atresia/Tetralogy of fallot’ (n=39), ‘Double outlet right ventricle’ (n=10), ‘Transposition of great arteries, VSD, and pulmonary atresia’ (n=9), and the ‘Ross operation’ (n=4). All patients had undergone a previous biventricular repair. The first reoperation for conduit obstruction was performed in 112 hospital survivors by: total conduit replacement (Group A, n=73) with valved (homograft=10 and xenograft=54) or non-valved (n=9) conduit, and patch enlargement of the obstructed RV outflow tract with preservation of the posterior and sides of the conduit wall after removing of the fibrocalcific peel and degenerated valve (Group B, n=39). Mean age at first reoperation was 8.8±6.7 and 7.5±5.3 years in patients of groups A and B, respectively. Seven patients in Group A and 18 in Group B required a second reoperation and two patients in Group B a third reoperation. Results: There were two hospital deaths and no late deaths. Mean follow-up was 5.8±3.2 years. Risk factors for second reoperation by univariate analysis were: homograft conduit use (P=0.004), Group B surgical approach (P=0.0001), higher RV–PA systolic pressure gradient at discharge (P=0.02), and age <5-years-old (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that inclusion in Group B and younger age (<5-years-old) at repair were independent risk factors for second reoperation. Group B surgical approaches had higher RV–PA systolic pressure gradient at discharge (P=0.02) and required more PA bifurcation repair at the time of second reoperation (P=0.05). Freedom from second reoperation for conduit obstruction was significantly higher in Group A patients at 5 and 8 years (P<0.04) and those with xenografts rather than homograft (P=0.04). Conclusions: Our results support the optimal surgical approach for RV–PA conduit obstruction is total replacement with a xenograft. RV outflow reconstruction by other techniques without complete dissection of PA bifurcation does not completely relieve the stenosis and could cause early restenosis. Higher systolic gradients at discharge and younger age at first reoperation are predictors of earlier reoperation.
The histologic, histochemical and ultrastructural changes of the leaflet tissue of all four cardiac valves obtained by biopsy and autopsy have been studied in 50 patients with acquired valvular ...defects. The anamnesis confirmed the presence of rheumatic fever in 16 patients and negated it in 34 patients. In all analysed leaflets of all four cardiac valves organic changes were found which were the cause of their dysfunction. The analysis has shown that rheumatic fever does not play a dominant role in development of acquired valvular disease as it has been thought previously. However, degenerative changes were most commonly found being of unknown etiology up to now. The morphological changes of valvular tissue in the patients suffering from rheumatic fever differ from those who did not suffer from it. Vascularization, fibrosis and hyalinization of the connective tissue with fibroelastic densities predominated in patients suffering from rheumatic fever while myxomatous degeneration of valvular tissue predominated in those who did not suffer from it. Different morphological parameters indicate the different etiopathogenesis of these diseases.
PDF
