Background Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is associated with high case fatality rates, and risk of rupture increases with the AAA diameter. Heme oxygenase‐1 (gene HMOX1 , protein HO‐1) is a stress‐induced protein and induction has protective effects in the vessel wall. HMOX1 −/− mice are more susceptible to angiotensin II‐induced AAA formation, but the regulation in human nonruptured and ruptured AAA is only poorly understood. Our hypothesis proposed that HO‐1 is reduced in AAA and lowering is inversely associated with the AAA diameter. Methods and Results AAA walls from patients undergoing elective open repair (eAAA) or surgery because of rupture (rAAA) were analyzed for aortic HMOX1 /HO‐1 expression by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Aortas from patients with aortic occlusive disease served as controls. HMOX1 /HO‐1 expression was 1.1‐ to 7.6‐fold upregulated in eAAA and rAAA. HO‐1 expression was 3‐fold higher in eAAA specimen with a diameter >84.4 mm, whereas HO‐1 was not different in rAAA. Other variables that are known for associations with AAA and HO‐1 induction were tested. In eAAA, HO‐1 expression was negatively correlated with aortic collagen content and oxidative stress parameters H 2 O 2 release, oxidized proteins, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Serum HO‐1 concentrations were analyzed in patients with eAAA, and maximum values were found in an aortic diameter of 55 to 70 mm with no further increase >70 mm, compared with <55 mm. Conclusions Aortic HO‐1 expression was increased in eAAA and rAAA. HO‐1 increased with the severity of disease but was additionally connected to less oxidative stress and vasoprotective mechanisms.

Aim Analyzing a 5-year experience of surgical treatment of cardiosurgical patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Material and methods The study analyzed results of surgical treatment with extracorporeal circulation in 132 patients with AF who underwent the Maze-IV procedure using a radiofrequency ablator with transmurality feedback from 2013 through 2018.Results Two fatal outcomes were observed in the study group. These outcomes took place in the early postoperative period and were associated with progressive acute heart failure in patients with repeated surgery for mitral valve restenosis. 61.2% of the patients had no AF. Recurrent AF was observed during the first three years after surgery in association with withdrawal of the antiarrhythmic medication, which confirmed a need for long-term antiarrhythmic therapy. Analysis of risk factors for AF relapse identified significant predictors, including left ventricular dilatation larger than 5.5 cm at baseline and more than two-year duration of a history of arrhythmias.Conclusion The Maze-IV procedure proved an effective and safe method of surgical treatment in AF patients with acquired heart defects and ischemic heart disease, which allowed maintaining sinus rhythm in 61.2% of patients for 5 years. Preventive amiodarone saturation reduced the risk of AF relapse by 24.2 % (p=0.038) and incidence of postoperative arrhythmic complications by 34.9 % (p=0.008) in cardiosurgical patients.

The new approach for production prediction was developed and is described in the article which involves the clustering analysis aimed to well logs such that the reservoir and non-reservoir rocks are obtained (presented by various clusters) and the subsequent linkage among clusters' types, their thicknesses and production characteristics is found. It may be implemented for the prediction of the production for planned wells' ranking further. Such approach may provide the solution to various tasks. It may be used for the geological features' estimation. For example, clustering may be adjusted such that sedimentological interpretation becomes simpler, geological models may become more accurate since the machine interpretation was confirmed to be able to find the errors in human interpretation. Moreover, the necessity of implementation of the method was proved for production prediction by regression analysis when clustering results and dynamic characteristics are used simultaneously.

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