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Journal Article 2001; 22(1): 53-73 PubMed PMID: 11393163 Citation  Keywords:  Adrenal Glands:physiology, Animals, Biological Clocks, Blood Pressure:physiology, Chronobiology Disorders:physiopathology, Chronobiology Phenomena, Chronotherapy, Circadian Rhythm:physiology, Drug Administration Schedule, Genomics, Homeostasis, Humans, Pi.   

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Case Reports 2012; 33(8): 769-772 PubMed PMID: 23391981 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Astrocytoma:complications, Biopsy, Diagnosis, Differential, Encephalomyelitis:complications, Fatal Outcome, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Spinal Neoplasms:complications,.   

: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that differential diagnostics of intra-medullary spinal lesions can sometimes be very difficult, even when the latest complement examinations are used, including magnetic resonance imaging. The particular case dealt with here was complicated by the presence of two different pathological processes. We present the case report, where the case history, clinical course and results of the paraclinical examinations, including the magnetic resonance imaging, suggested an intra-medullary inflammatory/demyelinating process. The post-mortem histological finding was a surprise, because besides signs of non-specific encephalomyelitis, it also displayed signs of a spinal tumor (histological character of diffuse astrocytoma grade II-III). We would like to emphasize some important facts in our discussion, especially from the perspective of the magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, we would like to ask if the presence of both pathologies (astrocytoma and nonspecific myelitis) was coincidental, or if the myelitis had an iatrogenic etiology (by therapy, by infection during the lumbar punctions)....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(8): 761-764 PubMed PMID: 23391980 Citation  Keywords:  Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anxiety Disorders:psychology, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Orchiectomy:methods, Palliative Care:psychology, Patient Satisfaction, Prostatic Neoplasms:psychology, Psychology, Quality of Life:psychology, Stress, Psychological:.   

OBJECTIVES: The study presented focuses on patients' psychosocial status after a prostate cancer diagnosis that underwent a bilateral orchiectomy.

METHODS: We evaluated the psychosocial implications of 89 patients with prostate cancer after performing castration and a bilateral orchiectomy.

RESULTS: Patients suffered significantly more from sleep disorders during hospitalisation when compared to their time prior to an orchiectomy (p<0.0005). There were some increases in the severity of sleep disorder after discharge (level of evidence p<0.05). However, no additional medications for sleep disorders were required. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in the abuse of medication (p<0.001). Ten per cent of the patients were in the care of a psychologist or a psychiatrist before their diagnosis, and 21% asked for the help of a psychologist or a psychiatrist after having a bilateral orchiectomy. The occurrence of mood disorders is also very different than the occurrence of sleep disorders. Mood disorders occurred much less often after orchiectomy and discharge (p>0.085) compared with the period before surgery. Forty per cent of the patients had mood disorders before their operation, while only 37% still had these after discharge. There was a significant decrease in abuse of medication for anxiety. Twenty-four per cent of the patients took medication during hospitalisation, and only 10% continued after orchiectomy.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that patients who were notified about their cancer diagnosis, particularly their health status, exhibited moderate stress and psychological impact....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(8): 782-786 PubMed PMID: 23391979 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Axons:drug effects, Blood-Brain Barrier:drug effects, Brain Edema:drug therapy, Female, Glucocorticoids:pharmacology, Male, Methylprednisolone:pharmacology, Myelin Sheath:drug effects, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated:drug effects, Neuroprotective Agents.   

OBJECTIVES: Our previous experiments proved that methylprednisolone (MP) can significantly reduce axonal impairment accompanying extracellular oedema induced by the osmotic challenge (load) on the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of the present work was to identify whether MP can affect myelin impairment accompanying intracellular oedema induced by water intoxication.

METHODS: For induction of cellular brain oedema, the standard model of water intoxication was chosen. Animals received distilled water in amount corresponding to 15% of the animal's body weight. The volume was divided into three parts and administered intraperitoneally in 8 hours interval. Axonal changes were recognized as signs of myelin disintegration (oedematous distensions, axonal swelling, vesicles, varicosities) at histological sections stained with Black Gold and classified into four grades of myelin degradation. Hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas and the dentate gyrus were selected for the study. Methylprednisolone was administered either intraperitoneally or intracarotically. Its effect was studied in two different time intervals: in the acute group (30 minutes after hyperhydration and MP application) and in chronic one (1 week after hyperhydration and MP application).

RESULTS: In both the acute and chronic groups, cellular oedema induced by water intoxication brought about apparent damage of myelin (compared to control animals p<0.0001). Intracarotic injection of MP was not able to influence myelin integrity changes either in the acute or in chronic group. However, intraperitoneal administration of MP increased the level of myelin deterioration in the acute group (p 0.05), but improved myelin changes in the chronic group (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION: The effect of MP on axonal impairment during cellular brain oedema induced by water intoxication differs from that during the extracellular osmotic oedema. In the extracellular oedema, cellular metabolism is not significantly affected and myelin changes can be influenced by the neuroprotective effect of MP. The primary cause of cellular oedema is a disorder of cellular metabolism and myelin impairment is one of the structural consequences of such disorder. That is why the myelin changes are not affected by MP administration in a consistent and specific manner....

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Biography 2012; 33(8): 732-735 PubMed PMID: 23391978 Citation  Keywords:  Anatomy, Artistic:history, Art:history, Coitus, Famous Persons, Female, History, 15th Century, Humans, Medicine in Art, Pregnancy, Terminology as Topic, Veins:anatomy & histology,.   

: In the drawing of coitus by Leonardo da Vinci are pictured the contemporary hypotheses regarding this act. The authors analyze the mamillaruteral connection depicted by the artist and grow up to believe that this is a hypothetical kiveris vena, female vein described by Anatomist Master Nicolai Physicus from the Salerno School. The Hebrew roots were found in the name. The connection is described also by Mondino in The Anathomia. The same connection can be found in the picture of the pregnant woman in Fasciculus Medicinæ by Johannes De Ketham....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(8): 749-756 PubMed PMID: 23391977 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Endocrine System:physiology, Endocrine System Diseases:metabolism, Energy Metabolism:physiology, Ghrelin:physiology, Humans,.   

: Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It is mainly secreted by stomach cells but has also been shown to be present in the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads and many other organs. Ghrelin is a regulator of energy homeostasis and GH secretion. Many studies have been done examining the influence of ghrelin on different organs. Ghrelin may play an important role in pathophysiology of some endocrine diseases. The relationship between ghrelin and pituitary, gonads and thyroid function appears to be specially interesting....

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Case Reports 2012; 33(8): 757-760 PubMed PMID: 23391976 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Anorexia Nervosa:complications, Avitaminosis:complications, Chronic Disease, Female, Humans, Hyperthyroidism:complications, Microscopy, Electron, Motor Neurons:physiology, Polyneuropathies:etiology, Sensory Receptor Cells:physiology, Severity of Il.   

OBJECTIVES: Hyperthyroidism is often associated with various neuromuscular disorders, most commonly proximal myopathy. Peripheral nerve involvement in hyperthyroidism is very uncommon and has rarely been reported. We describe a 29-year-old woman with untreated hyperthyroidism who presented with chronic severe axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy. Peripheral nerve involvement developed together with other symptoms of hyperthyroidism 2 years before presentation. She also had anorexia nervosa for the past 6 months, resulting in multivitamin deficiency.

RESULTS: Electrophysiological and pathological findings as well as clinical manifestations confirmed the diagnosis of severe axonal polyneuropathy. Anorexia nervosa has been considered a manifestation of untreated hyperthyroidism. We considered hyperthyroidism to be an important causal factor in the polyneuropathy in our patient, although peripheral nerve involvement in hyperthyroidism is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of chronic severe axonal polyneuropathy ascribed to both hyperthyroidism and multivitamin deficiency.

CONCLUSION: Our findings strongly suggest that not only multivitamin deficiency, but also hyperthyroidism can cause axonal polyneuropathy, thus expanding the clinical spectrum of hyperthyroidism....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(8): 736-748 PubMed PMID: 23391975 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Brain:immunology, Fatty Acids, Omega-3:metabolism, Humans, Mental Disorders:immunology, Neuroimmunomodulation:physiology, Oxidative Stress:physiology,.   

: The lipids constitute majority of dry weight of mature human brain. From lipids, 35% is comprised of PUFA with long chain (LC-PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of n-3 family and arachidonic acid (AA) of n-6 family. Humans are dependent on dietary intake of both AA and DHA. Interestingly, the dietary n-6/n-3 ratio increased considerably during last century. LC-PUFAs play numerous roles in the brain, including structural (forming the physico-chemical properties in the lipid bilayer of cellular membranes) and signaling ones. Moreover, they influence neurogenesis and neurotransmission within the nervous tissue. The metabolites of PUFA modulate immune and inflammatory processes in the brain, oxidative stress as well as its consequences. Of high importance is also their connection with several metabolic factors involved in the proper function of the brain and/or were discovered to play a role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases - melatonin, homocysteine, leptin, and adiponectin. This review gives short view of the metabolism and possible mechanisms of PUFA n-3 action in the brain, and their role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases....

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