Finasteride Side Effects and Post-Finasteride Syndrome in Male Androgenic Alopecia

Finasteride is in present a relatively frequent prescribed drug for male androgenic alopecia. The adverse effects reported by some patients seem to be notable, consisting of various (physical, mental/ neurological, sexual, etc.) manifestations which are encountered both during Finasteride administration and after treatment cessation (in the form of `post-Finasteride syndrome`). The pharmacological action and the corresponding adverse effects related to Finasteride administration were investigated and published in literature through several and successive studies. In respect to psychiatric disorders, the most notable concern is related to depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among former users of finasteride with persistent adverse effects. Regarding genito-urinary symptoms, these are usually represented by gynecomastia, decreased interest in sexual intercourse/ low level of sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. Finally, we viewed Finasteride side effects and post-Finasteride syndrome as distinct physio-pathologic entities, thus requiring possible distinct therapeutic approaches. Additional studies will be necessary, in order to further investigate the cerebral neuromodulation of the two relational (cognitive and sexual) functions, both of which may be interfered by administration of hormones or by the corresponding compounds such as Finasteride

Metabolic alterations in experimental models of depression

Introduction: Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and is associated with a severe impact on the personal functioning, thus with incurring significant direct and indirect costs. The presence of depression in patients with medical comorbidities increases the risks of myocardial infarction and decreases diabetes control, and adherence to treatment. The mechanism through which these effects are produced is still uncertain. Objectives of this study were to evaluate the metabolic alterations in female Wistar rats with induced depression, with and without administration of Agomelatine. The methods included two experiments. All data were analyzed by comparison with group I (control), and with each other. In the first experiment we induced depression by: exposure to chronic mild stress-group II; olfactory bulbectomy-group III; and exposure to chronic mild stress and hyperlipidic/ hyper caloric diet-group IV. The second experiment was similar with the first but the rats received Agomelatine (0.16mg/ animal): group V (depression induced through exposure to chronic mild stress), VI (depression induced through olfactory bulbectomy) and VII (depression induced through exposure to chronic mild stressing hyperlipidic/ hypercaloric diet). Weight, cholesterol, triglycerides and glycaemia were measured at day 0 and 28, and leptin value was measured at day 28. The results in the 1st experiment revealed significant differences (pconclusion, significant correlations were found between high level of triglycerides and depression induced by chronic stress and olfactory bulbectomy. Agomelatine groups had a lower increase of triglycerides levels

Neuromarketing for a better understanding of consumer needs and emotions

In this paper we are talking about the fact that marketing and publicity specialists have become aware of the limitations of traditional market research methods for decades, but only in recent years science has allowed the development of a more effective mechanism by which consumers' thoughts can be deciphered: neuromarketing. This term refers to the use of techniques developed by cognitive neuroscience and psychology specialists to analyze and understand people's reactions to products and promotions, which allows refining marketing efforts to make them more effective. In the article we are talking about the tools used for this purpose, which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain scanners that identify brain parts that react to different stimuli, and electroencephalography (EEG), devices that measure electrical activity in the brain. By tracking brain reactions to different stimuli, researchers can discover the marketing mechanisms that are most likely to lead to the desired outcome: selling the product. For this, in parallel with the EEG measurements, an eye-tracking device is used, which allows the exact identification of the stimulus that produces the reaction from that moment. Also, some neuromarketing companies also use GSR (galvanic skin response) sensors to measure the electrical conductivity of the skin, which is another element that provides information about the consumer's response to various commercial messages. The purpose of our article is to show the role played by neuromarketing in the correct understanding of consumer needs, words and emotions

IR SPECTRAL STUDY ON THE NATURE OF 2-PYRIDINE ALDOXIME METHYL CHLORIDE INTERACTION WITH SOME STEROLS. I. CHOLESTEROL

abstract: The aim of this spectral study was to investigate the character of the molecular interaction of cholesterol (Ch) with 2-pyridine aldoxime methyl chloride (2-PAM). For this purpose it was made a comparative analysis of the FTIR and conventional IR spectra carried for Ch, 2-PAM and the remnant obtained after solvent (CHCl3) removal from an equimolecular mixture of 2-PAM:Ch. The analyses of the spectra, obtained using KBr pellets technique, indicates that the investigated molecular interaction is hydrogen bonding mediated

A pedo-transfer function for predicting the physical quality of agricultural soils

Pedo-transfer functions are mathematical equations that use basic features describing the soil (e.g. particle size distribution, bulk density, organic matter content) in order to predict other properties the values of which are not otherwise available. To predict the physical quality of agricultural soils a pedo-transfer function that uses basic soil properties (e.g. particle size distribution, dry bulk density, organic matter content) was produced. Evaluation of the soil physical quality was done by using the S index values. S is a measure of soil structure which controls many of the physical properties of soils. S index was calculated after using the Arya-Paris model in order to obtain the parameters from van Genuchten equation that describe the water retention properties of soils. Data analysis from 1923 soil horizons showed that the S index can be predicted by a single equation from basic soil features, such as clay contents and dry bulk density values that were taken as independent data variables. A statistically significant multiple linear regression equation was found and proposed as pedo-transfer function for prediction of the soil physical quality index, S (r2 = 0.41; p < 0.0001). Pedo-transfer functions are useful solutions for investigation of different aspects of the physical quality of agricultural soils that do not have readily-available measured data

Imaging documentation in the on-site investigation of explosion/fire events

Explosion/fire investigation is a procedure that involves significant resources of time and activities. The most important of the basic activities performed by the investigator/investigation team is the on-site research, which, if properly performed, allows the elaboration, foundation, and verification of hypotheses, while playing a defining role in establishing the final conclusions regarding the place of initiation and cause of the event. For these types of phenomena, the on-site investigation is hampered by the damage caused by the event, making it difficult to identify footprints or traces, or by the disruptive effects of the extinguishing products used. The investigation is carried out in the area of the outbreak as well as in all the areas where the fire spread and aims to examine the fire footprint, the set of traces, objects, and materials present in the burnt area, seen in interaction, both with each other and with the surrounding space and environment. Traditional verbal or written methods of presenting evidence or traces collected at the crime scene are no longer sufficient today, as technological advances are also evident in these areas. Important benefits include the coverage of the entire crime scene, which allows for complete and efficient documentation, using spherical or panoramic photography, or the use of spatial, three-dimensional scans. This paper aims to present the important contribution made by on-site documentation activities using SceneCam Forensic imaging scanning equipment, based on a high-resolution (HDR) image capture device capable of capturing spherical, 360° x 180° images at a resolution of up to 50 Megapixels in a single scanning operation (Spheron Cam VR)