Electrical and optical properties of TiO2:Pd thin films deposited from Ti-Pd mosaic targets sputtered in reactive oxygen plasma have been studied. The properties were investigated for thin films with the Pd amount of 5.5 at. %, 8.4 at. % and 23 at. %. Based on resistivity measurements a drop from 103 down to almost 10−3Ωcm has been recorded when the Pd amount was varied from 5.5 at. % to 23 at. %, respectively. Moreover, it was shown that doping with different amounts of Pd results in the possibility of obtaining both types of electrical conduction: n-type for the TiO2 with 5.5 at. % and 8.4 at. % of Pd and p-type for the TiO2 with 23 at. % of Pd thin films. From optical measurements it has been found that as the Pd amount was increased the transmission through the thin films was reduced and position of the fundamental absorption edge was shifted toward a longer wavelength range of up to 600 nm. The optical band gap was calculated for direct and indirect transitions from optical absorption spectra. Structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The XRD patterns displayed occurrence of the crystalline, TiO2-rutile for lower Pd amounts (5.5 at. %, 8.4 at. %), while the TiO2:Pd (23 at. %) thin films displayed XRD-amorphous behaviour. Images obtained from AFM displayed dense, nanocrystalline structure with homogenous distribution of crystallites. Additionally performed secondary ion mass spectroscopy investigation confirmed homogenous distribution of Pd in the whole thickness of the prepared thin films.
The exact prevalence and results of treatment of the carcinoma of esophagogastric junction (gastric cardia) are difficult to assess, and the data concerning thereof, presented in different series of patients, are frequently inconsistent. This phenomenon may result from terminological mess, resulting in different comprehension of the sole term "esophagogastric junction". That can be why the results of treatment of patients with this type of cancer are dispersed in the literature and may be as well found under "esophageal", as well as "gastric cancer" headings.The aim of the study was to present the current view of the pathogenesis, pathology and terminological issues concerning this tumor, interesting at least for its localization at the border of two viscera and two body cavities. On the basis of our own material, we also tried to delineate the implications of such a localization to surgical tactics.Material and methods. The patients with esophagogastric junction and more peripherally located gastric cancer were analysed in two groups, according to the date of resectional surgery performed: From 1989 to 1998 (group I), and from 1999 to 2005 (group II). In each group the patients with esophagogastric junction and peripheral gastric cancer were investigated separately. The influence of more aggressive approach to cardial cancer (additional thoracotomy approach) in group II patients on the cancer free tissue margin, number of metastatic lymph nodes excised, as well as on survival rate during a 5-years follow-up was assessed.Results. The results show, that the additional thoracotomy, despite the increase in postoperative complications rate (mainly affecting the respiratory system- 19 vs 4.3% at laparotomy alone), did not influence the perioperative motality in our patients (approximately 5% in all subgroups). Despite the additional thoracotomy approach, facilitating the safe lower esophageal resection, the cancer free margins of the excised specimens remained unsatisfactory (the target safe margin value of 7 cm), although some improvement can be noted as compared with group I patients. The interesting finding was, that the survival rates following gastrectomy for ‘peripheral’ gastric carcinoma has been remaining practically unchanged during the 20 years of this study. Survival rates following gastric cardia resection improved in group II patients, but the differences did not reach the statistically significant level. The difference in survival rate was increasing with time in favor of group II patients, its value being triple at 5 years from surgery (18 vs 6%) as compared with group I.Conclusions. We see the need for the development of a method allowing to select the patients with good prognosis, in whom further radicalization of resectional procedures (and subsequent treatment) would be justified by long-term disease-free survival.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) became referential in the treatment of adrenal pathology. However in the majority of tumors biochemical markers and imaging examinations aren't reliable to evaluate existences of the malignant process before the operation. Therefore complete resection of the adrenal gland, without damaging the capsule of the tumor remains as a significant problem.The aim of the study was to introduce the problem involving the qualification of the patients for laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and concerning the post-operative histopathologic evaluation, as well as technical aspects of the conducted laparoscopy.Material and methods. These problems are being discussed based on our experience in laparoscopic adrenalectomy. In the period 29.10.1997 - 31.01.2009 472 laparoscopic adrenalectromies were carried out via lateral transperitoneal approach. Among 457 operated patients in 13 (2.8%) conversion was necessary.Results. The malignant lesions were in 22 (4.8%) patients. 11 (2.4%) had metastases from other origin, 1 (0.2%) had Cushing's syndrome and 3 (0.6%) had pheochromocytomas. In the incidentaloma group 6 (13.1%) primary ardenocortical carcinoma and 1 (0.2%) angiosarcoma were identified.Conclusions. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy via lateral transperitoneal approach is a sufficient and safe surgical treatment of adrenal pathology.
Liver transplantation is a well-established treatment of patients with end-stage liver disease and selected liver tumors. Remarkable progress has been made over the last years concerning nearly all of its aspects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of long-term outcomes after liver transplantations performed in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery (Medical University of Warsaw). Material and methods. Data of 1500 liver transplantations performed between 1989 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Transplantations were divided into 3 groups: group 1 including first 500 operations, group 2 including subsequent 500, and group 3 comprising the most recent 500. Five year overall and graft survival were set as outcome measures. Results. Increased number of transplantations performed at the site was associated with increased age of the recipients (p<0.001) and donors (p<0.001), increased rate of male recipients (p<0.001), and increased rate of piggyback operations (p<0.001), and decreased MELD (p<0.001), as well as decreased blood (p=0.006) and plasma (p<0.001) transfusions. Overall survival was 71.6% at 5 years in group 1, 74.5% at 5 years in group 2, and 85% at 2.9 years in group 3 (p=0.008). Improvement of overall survival was particularly observed for primary transplantations (p=0.004). Increased graft survival rates did not reach the level of significance (p=0.136). Conclusions. Long-term outcomes after liver transplantations performed in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery are comparable to those achieved in the largest transplant centers worldwide and are continuously improving despite increasing recipient age and wider utilization of organs procured from older donors.
The aim of the study was to analyze indications and results of the first one thousand liver transplantations at Chair and Clinic of General, Transplantation and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw.Material and methods. Data from 1000 transplantations (944 patients) performed at Chair and Clinic of General, Transplantation and Liver Surgery between 1994 and 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. These included 943 first transplantations and 55 retransplantations and 2 re-retransplantations. Frequency of particular indications for first transplantation and retransplantations was established. Perioperative mortality was defined as death within 30 days after the transplantation. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate 5-year patient and graft survival.Results. The most common indications for first transplantation included: liver failure caused by hepatitis C infection (27.8%) and hepatitis B infection (18%) and alcoholic liver disease (17.7%). Early (< 6 months) and late (> 6 months) retransplantations were dominated by hepatic artery thrombosis (54.3%) and recurrence of the underlying disease (45%). Perioperative mortality rate was 8.9% for first transplantations and 34.5% for retransplantations. Five-year patient and graft survival rate was 74.3% and 71%, respectively, after first transplantations and 54.7% and 52.9%, respectively, after retransplantations.Conclusions. Development of liver transplantation program provided more than 1000 transplantations and excellent long-term results. Liver failure caused by hepatitis C and B infections remains the most common cause of liver transplantation and structure of other indications is consistent with European data.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.