Bucket wheel boom represents the most loaded and the most responsible part of the excavator structure, participating only with 6 to 13 % in the entire excavator weight. Its length is selected ...depending on the technological requirements of mining deposit, and it has to be adjusted with the designed possibilities of the excavator. At the request of mining technology that is in compliance with the soil-mechanical properties of deposit, conditions for the selection of excavator optimal parameters are created, and therefore for determining the required length of the boom. In this paper, analysis of dynamic and static behaviour of boom extended from 1 to 10m with a step 1m was done. The maximum possible extension is defined as the aspect of the structural performance, dynamic behaviour and stress field. Finite Element Method (FEM) is used to obtain natural frequencies, displacements and stresses.
NT-proBNP has been shown to be a reliable biochemical marker for left ventricular wall stress. The relationship between NT-proBNP and coronary flow reserve (CFR) was evaluated in patients with ...significant asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS).
A total of 74 patients with moderate or severe AS, mean age 66.68 ± 10.02 years (56.75% males), were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent coronary angiography and had no obstructive coronary disease (defined as having no stenosis >50% in diameter). They had all undergone standard transthoracic Doppler-echo study and adenosine stress transthoracic-echo for CFR measurement and laboratory analysis for NT-proBNP measurement.
The median NT-proBNP value was significantly increased (417.0 pg/ml; interquartile range IQR: 176.8-962.2 pg/ml). NT-proBNP was significantly higher in the group with CFR ≤2.5 (median: 549.0 pg/ml; IQR: 311.5-1131.0 pg/ml; as opposed to median: 291.5 pg/ml; IQR: 123.0-636.2 pg/ml; W = 452; p = 0.012). NT-proBNP showed significant negative correlation with CFR (ρ = -0.377, p = 0.001). There was also significant correlation between NT-proBNP and E/E´, S´ and aortic valve resistance. The NT-proBNP value of 334.00 pg/ml was determined as the best cut-off value for the diagnosis of CFR ≤2.5 (area under the curve: 0.67; 95%CI: 0.54-0.79; p < 0.01) and the sensitivity and specificity were 74 and 64%, respectively.
Elevated NT-proBNP can indicate patients with impaired CFR in asymptomatic moderate or severe AS patients with preserved ejection fraction and nonobstructive coronary arteries.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of concurrent training on oxidative stress biomarkers in judokas, as well as to compare the effects of such training on performance ...characteristics in relation to usual training programs. A total number of 14 male judokas were divided into two groups: experimental (E) and control (C). Over 12 weeks, subjects from E group were included into specially designed training composed of concurrent strength and endurance training and perfecting of specific judo techniques. Subjects from C group were included into the same strength training and perfecting of specific judo techniques, but did not have any endurance training. The investigation protocol consisted of Wingate test for the upper extremities, estimation of maximum oxygen uptake, the assessment of body composition, special judo fitness test and determination of selected markers of oxidative stress. The results obtained suggest that usual training program pattern had no effects on oxidative stress levels in C group subjects, while concurrently performed training for strength and endurance induces the increases in anaerobic power and maximal oxygen uptake, but also affects oxidative stress biomarkers. A significant increase in erythrocyte malondialdehyde and plasma catalase can be considered negative effects of this training program.
Cardiorespiratory or aerobic endurance is the ability of the whole body to sustain physical activity for an extended period of time, involving relatively large groups of muscles. The attitudes on the ...possible impact of training on cardiorespiratory endurance in preadolescents are contradictory. Our study enrolled 195 boys aged 11 to 12 years. Experimental group (n=92) consisted of the children who had been involved with planned and programmed water polo training for at least two years. Control group (n=103) consisted of schoolchildren who only had had regular physical education in schools. Our investigation protocol included standardized anthropometric measurements and tests, performed respecting the appropriate protocols. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that there were no significant differences in age and relative values of oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Body height and mass, as well as the skinfold thickness, were significantly higher in experimental group subjects. The values of absolute VO2peak, FVC and FEV1.0 were also significantly higher in the examinees involved with water polo training. These findings stress the importance of a systematic training process even in this early period of growth and development in order for the trainees to acquire important functional advantages. We believe that a properly planned and programmed physical training can significantly contribute to the development of cardiorespiratory endurance even as early as preadolescent age.
BACKGROUNDIsolated splenic metastases from endometrial cancer, which is a relatively common malignancy, are extremely rare findings; to date, only 14 cases have been reported in the literature. CASE ...SUMMARYWe report a patient with isolated splenic metastases of endometrial cancer 3 years after radical surgery of the primary tumor. The patient was successfully treated by splenectomy and six cycles of paclitaxel. Fifty months after splenectomy, she was alive and well, and with no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONIsolated spleen metastasis of endometrial cancer is very rare. Radical surgery and adjuvant therapy may offer excellent long-term survival.
BACKGROUNDLow grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare and benign mesenchymal tumor with indolent course, most commonly found in young or middle-aged men. The majority of the LGFMSs are located in ...the trunk and deep soft tissue of the lower extremities. They appear as well circumscribed, although not encapsulated, which often leads to incomplete surgical resection. Despite their seemingly benign appearance, these tumors have aggressive behavior with high metastatic and recurrence rates. Accurate histopathologic examination of the specimen and its immunohistochemical analysis are mandatory for a precise diagnosis. CASE SUMMARYWe report a case of a 38 year-old-man who presented with jaundice and upper abdominal discomfort. Multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large left liver tumor mass, extending to the hepatoduodenal ligament. Left hepatectomy was performed with resection and reconstruction of hepatic artery and preservation of middle hepatic vein. Histopathologic examination confirmed the tumor being a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Three and a half years after surgery, the patient died after being diagnosed with spine metastasis. CONCLUSIONDue to poor response to all modalities of adjuvant treatment, we consider that the focus of treatment should be on surgery as the only option for curing the disease.
Objectives: Despite considerable knowledge regarding the importance of stress in coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis, its underestimation persists in routine clinical practice, in part ...attributable to lack of a standardized, objective assessment. The current study examined the ability of stress hormones to predict CAD severity and prognosis at basal conditions as well as during and following an exertional stimulus.
Materials and methods: Forty Caucasian subjects with significant coronary artery lesions (≥50%) were included. Within 2 months of coronary angiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a recumbent ergometer was performed in conjunction with stress echocardiography (SE). At rest, peak and after 3 min of recovery following CPET, plasma levels of cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) were measured by immunoassay sandwich technique, radioimmunoassay, and radioimmunometric technique, respectively. Subjects were subsequently followed a mean of 32 ± 10 months.
Results and discussion: Mean ejection fraction was 56.7 ± 9.6%. Subjects with 1-2 stenotic coronary arteries (SCA) demonstrated a significantly lower plasma cortisol levels during CPET compared to those with 3-SCA (p < .05), whereas ACTH and NT-pro-BNP were not significantly different (p > .05). Among CPET, SE, and hormonal parameters, cortisol at rest and during CPET recovery demonstrated the best predictive value in distinguishing between 1-, 2-, and 3-SCA area under ROC curve 0.75 and 0.77 (SE = 0.11, 0.10; p = .043, .04) for rest and recovery, respectively. ΔCortisol peak/rest predicted cumulative cardiac events (area under ROC curve 0.75, SE = 0.10, p = .049).
Conclusions: Cortisol at rest and following an exercise test holds predictive value for CAD severity and prognosis, further demonstrating a link between stress and unwanted cardiac events.
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