Abstract-The Zak≥odzie meteorite was found in September 1998, about 40 km west of ZamoúÊ, in southeast Poland. Macroscopic and microscopic observations (in transmitted and reflected light), microprobe analyses, cathodoluminescence images, and X-ray diffraction data show that the meteorite is composed of clino-and orthoenstatite, two generations of feldspars, relict olivine (forsterite), a polymorph of SiO 2 (apparently cristobalite), and opaque minerals: Fe-Ni alloy (kamacite and taenite), troilite, schreibersite, graphite, and sulfide (Mg, Mn, Fe)S, which is probably keilite. The texture is fine-to inequigranular of cumulate type, locally intergranular. The MgS-FeS thermometer indicates that the sulfides crystallized at ∼580-600 ºC. Thus, the Zak≥odzie meteorite formed by the nearly complete melting of an enstatite chondrite protolith, probably at ∼4.4 Ga; the process was likely caused by the decay of the 26 Al nuclide in the planetesimal interior. The second stage of its evolution, which could have happened at ∼2.1 Ga, involved partial re-melting of most fusible components, probably due to collision with another body. The structure, composition, and origin of the meteorite and its relation to the parent rock indicate that Zak≥odzie may represent a primitive enstatite achondrite.

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(1) Single-site BB and both MSA pacing modes restored atrial synchrony. (2) Single-site RAA and CS ostium pacing retained interatrial dyssynchrony; moreover, CS pacing created RA dyssynchrony. (3) Single-site BB pacing provided physiological atrial contraction sequence.

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The patterns of major cardiovascular risk factors differed between unemployed and employed individuals in Poland. Our observations suggest employment status is a predictor of specific disease risk profiles; consequently, specific preventive measures are needed in unemployed individuals.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) is a well established metabolic marker of cardiovascular risk, however, its role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has not been determined. Therefore we assessed whether LDL-C levels are altered in PAH patients, if they are associated with survival in this group and whether pulmonary hypertension (PH) reversal can influence LDL-C levels. Consecutive 46 PAH males and 94 females were age matched with a representative sample of 1168 males and 1245 females, respectively. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between LDL-C and mortality. The effect of PH reversal on LDL-C levels was assessed in 34 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) undergoing invasive treatment. LDL-C was lower in both PAH (2.6 ± 0.8 mmol/l) and CTEPH (2.7 ± 0.7 mmol/l) patients when compared to controls (3.2 ± 1.1 mmol/l, p < 0.001). In PAH patients lower LDL-C significantly predicted death (HR:0.44/1 mmol/l, 95%CI:0.26–0.74, p = 0.002) after a median follow-up time of 33(21–36) months. In the CTEPH group, LDL-C increased (from 2.6[2.1–3.2] to 4.0[2.8–4.9]mmol/l, p = 0.01) in patients with PH reversal but remained unchanged in other patients (2.4[2.2–2.7] vs 2.3[2.1–2.5]mmol/l, p = 0.51). We concluded that LDL-C level is low in patients with PAH and is associated with an increased risk of death. Reversal of PH increases LDL-C levels.

IntroductionIschemic stroke (IS) still constitutes a serious problem for public health worldwide. The data on its burden in Poland before 2009 is limited and came only from a few metropolitan areas.The aims of the study wereTo assess temporal trends in the hospital admissions, treatment, and outcomes of IS in Poland in 2009–2013, to identify risk factors for IS mortality and to compare the results with other countries.MethodsThe data from the Polish Stroke Registry were analyzed. The data concerned all subjects hospitalized due to IS (classified according to the ICD10 classification as I63.0-I63.9) as primary diagnosis in Poland in 2009–2013. Temporal trends in treatment and outcome were analyzed. Hospital admissions rates as well as case fatality and 12-month mortality rates were calculated.ResultsAltogether, 360,556 patients (47.5% of males) were hospitalized due to IS in Poland in 2009–2013. The median of age was 75 years, IQR 18 (Women 78, IQR 14 vs. Men 70, IQR 17; p < 0.001). The hospital admissions age-standardized annual rate for IS in Poland in 2013 was 8% lower than in 2009 (169 vs. 157/100,000; p for trend < 0.001). In-hospital case fatality has slightly decreased (from 13.6% in 2009 to 12.9% in 2013; p for trend < 0.001). One-year posthospital mortality rate has not changed (19.3% in 2009 and 2013). The percentage of IS subjects treated with intravenous thrombolysis was low but increased from 1.7% in 2009 to 6.3% in 2013 (p for trend <0.001).ConclusionSince 2009, Poland has had national epidemiological data on the hospital admissions, treatment, and outcomes in IS. The data indicate a slow improvement of in-hospital survival and suggest the need for better stroke prevention and further dissemination of reperfusion therapy.

he traditional site for ventricular lead placement-the right ventricular apex (RVA), produces an abnormal pattern of ventricular depolarization, and there is growing evidence that pacing from this site is associated with detrimental functional and structural changes in the heart which might lead to an adverse clinical outcome. [1][2][3] These observations have increased interest in pacing at sites alternative to the RVA, mainly in the area of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). It has been hypothesized that pacing in the RVOT, owing to its proximity to the His-bundle, results in a more physiological depolarization pattern and better hemodynamics and might reduce detrimental effects of long-term ventricular pacing. Results of a meta-analysis comparing RVA to RVOT pacing have suggested acute benefit from pacing at the RVOT. 4 However, poor definition of the outflow tract area and the non-randomized character of most trials confound the data. Longterm evaluation of the effects of chronic pacing are limited, although some mid-term observations show equivalency between apical and outflow tract pacing. 5,6 Other studies indicate that, in contrast to RVA, RVOT pacing preserves left ventricular (LV) function. 7 However, it is still not clear whether RVOT pacing provides better long-term outcome than RVA pacing.In this study we investigated RVOT pacing in comparison to RVA pacing in patients with standard indications for permanent ventricular pacing and preserved LV systolic function to determine whether RVOT pacing would provide better all-cause and cardiovascular survival. MethodsThe present study was a single-center randomized study performed in a tertiary care university hospital. The first patient was enrolled on 7 th September 1995 and the last patient on 24 th November 1997. After the 10-year follow-up visit the long-term survival in the studied population was evaluated. PatientsPatients were eligible for the study if they were at least 21 years old, had preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) There were no differences in the all-cause or cardiovascular mortality between the pacing sites after adjustment for age, gender, arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, New York Heart Association class and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Conclusions:The RVOT provides no additional benefit in terms of long-term survival over RVA pacing. (Circ J