ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AFFECTIVE DISORDERS AND THE USAGE OF LOW AND MEDIUM DOSES OF CORTICOSTEROIDS

It is well known that high doses of corticosteroids can induce psychiatric disorders, especially the maniacal states. However there are only a few studies that investigate the effects of low and medium doses of such drugs used for a long period of time on the patient’s mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of affective disorders among the patients using up to 40 mg of corticosteroids (prednisone or equivalent). 54 patients during the corticosteroid therapy and 51 healthy controls were assessed with the use of the following questionnaires: Hypomania Checklist 16 (HCL-16), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and authors’ questionnaire. The results were analysed using SPSS Statistics version 12.5. The results indicated statistically significant differences in the prevalence of hypomania and depression between controls and study group. There were no evident correlations between either the dose or the length of the therapy and the severity of affective disorders. The study has shown that the usage of corticosteroids doses below 40 mg does have an effect on the prevalence of affective disorders. The occurrence of hypomania and depression was more common among the study group. To assess correlations further studies are needed

THE PREVALENCE OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AMONG THE BLIND AND PATIENTS WITH SERIOUS VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is an interesting disorder in which depression should occur at a particular time of a year, each year and it should disappear at a specific time of the year. While the prevalence of SAD among generally healthy individuals is well known, the information about the prevalence of this disorder among the blind and visually impaired patients is very limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of SAD among the blind and people with serious visual impairment in polish population. Subjects and methods: 250 blind or seriously visually impaired individuals and 258 healthy controls were assessed with the usage of Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). In research group survey was conducted with the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) technique. In control group the questionnaire was distributed via Internet. The results were analysed with the usage statistical package - Statistica 13.1. Results: The results revealed that among people suffering from SAD there is statistically significant difference in SPAQ scores between completely blind and seriously visually impaired people. The study shows that is the control group age is negatively correlated with score in SPAQ score, while in the study group age is positively correlated with SPAQ score. The data show that there is a difference in occurrence of SAD between men and women. Conclusion: The study has shown a significant difference in occurrence of SAD between study and control groups. What is more the analysis has indicated major difference in the occurrence of SAD between men and women from the study group. Taking into consideration the fact that this is the second analysis of this type in Europe further investigations are needed

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND HEMODIALYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Depression is the most common and serious psychiatric disorder that affects patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, and, has a significant impact on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare prevalence rates of depression among hemodialyzed patients, and non-dialyzed patients with a glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min/1.73m2 receiving conservative treatment or following kidney transplantation. A total of 50 hemodialyzed and 50 non-dialyzed patients with stage 4/5 of CKD was assessed using the following questionnaires: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and The Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). The use of steroids and immunosuppressant drugs was also investigated. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were present in both groups, however the proportion of persons with mild or severe depression was higher among dialyzed patients. The AIS, LOT-R and SWLS scores were very similar in both the groups. The patients using steroids and/or immunosuppressant drugs were more prone to develop mild or severe depression according to the HAM-D scores. The results indicated a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with CKD. Furthermore, the fraction of patients with depression is greater among hemodialyzed patients. This indicates the importance of monitoring the mental state of the patients as well as the necessity of providing timely psychological care for patients with CKD

THE PREVALENCE OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AMONG THE BLIND AND PATIENTS WITH SERIOUS VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is an interesting disorder in which depression should occur at a particular time of a year, each year and it should disappear at a specific time of the year. While the prevalence of SAD among generally healthy individuals is well known, the information about the prevalence of this disorder among the blind and visually impaired patients is very limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of SAD among the blind and people with serious visual impairment in polish population. Subjects and methods: 250 blind or seriously visually impaired individuals and 258 healthy controls were assessed with the usage of Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). In research group survey was conducted with the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) technique. In control group the questionnaire was distributed via Internet. The results were analysed with the usage statistical package - Statistica 13.1. Results: The results revealed that among people suffering from SAD there is statistically significant difference in SPAQ scores between completely blind and seriously visually impaired people. The study shows that is the control group age is negatively correlated with score in SPAQ score, while in the study group age is positively correlated with SPAQ score. The data show that there is a difference in occurrence of SAD between men and women. Conclusion: The study has shown a significant difference in occurrence of SAD between study and control groups. What is more the analysis has indicated major difference in the occurrence of SAD between men and women from the study group. Taking into consideration the fact that this is the second analysis of this type in Europe further investigations are needed

Ternary eutectic ezetimibe-simvastatin-fenofibrate system and the physical stability of Its amorphous form

In this study, the phase diagram of the ternary system of ezetimibe−simvastatin−fenofibrate was established. It has been proven that the ternary composition recommended for the treatment of mixed hyperlipidemia forms a eutectic system. Since eutectic mixtures are characterized by greater solubility and dissolution rate, the obtained result can explain the marvelous medical effectiveness of combined therapy. Considering that another well-known method for improving the aqueous solubility is amorphization, the ternary system with eutectic concentration was converted into an amorphous form. Thermal properties, molecular dynamics, and physical stability of the obtained amorphous system were thoroughly investigated through various experimental techniques compared to both: neat amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredients (considered separately) and other representative concentrations of ternary mixture. The obtained results open up a new way of selecting the therapeutic concentrations for combined therapies, a path that considers one additional variable: eutecticity

Operations and Development of Public Transport – Transportation in Cities of the Dolnośląskie Region

Od 1990 r. liczba zarejestrowanych pojazdów samochodowych w Polsce zwiększyła się ponadczterokrotnie, tj. z 5,3 mln do 23,4 mln, co spowodowało znaczny spadek przewozów komunikacją miejską. W efekcie sieć drogowa w miastach jest przeciążona. Zatory uliczne, wydłużający się czas dojazdów, a także hałas i zwiększona emisja spalin są tam stałym zjawiskiem. Planowanie zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu publicznego staje się istotnym elementem projektowania przyszłości miast. Sprostanie temu wyzwaniu wymaga nie tylko odpowiedzialnego tworzenia polityki transportowej, ale również konsekwentnego i efektywnego jej wdrażania. Zagadnienie to stało się przedmiotem kontroli NIK. Jej wyniki wykazały, że działania podejmowane we Wrocławiu były niewystarczająco skuteczne do osiągnięcia zamierzonych celów, a ich efekty w Jeleniej Górze i Wałbrzychu nierzetelnie monitorowane. Znaczące różnice wystąpiły też w organizacji i sposobie finansowania komunikacji miejskiej w różnych miastach.The quality of living in a city depends, to a large extent, on the transportation pro vided, road movement management and transport policies adopted. Over the last thirty years, the use of public transportation in Poland has decreased significantly. In 1990, the number of persons transported by municipal means of transport stood at 7,264,100,000, while in 2018 – at only 3,774,100,000, which makes a decrease by 48 percent. Simultaneously, since 1990 the number of registered cars has increased by more than four times, i.e. from 5.3 million to 23.4 million. As a result, municipal roads are overloaded. Together with an increase of private cars, traffic jams have been growing, too. Time of driving has also been increasing, as well as noise and emission of exhaust fumes pollution. Planning of sustainable development of public transport has become a significant element of future cities designing, calling for considering the identified needs of their inhabitants, with an optimal use and development of the in frastructure, and provision of necessary resources. In order to meet these challenges, not only responsible development of transport policy is required, but its consistent and effective implementation as well. That is why this area was subject to an audit carried out in the cities of the Dolnośląskie Region

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AFFECTIVE DISORDERS AND THE USAGE OF LOW AND MEDIUM DOSES OF CORTICOSTEROIDS

It is well known that high doses of corticosteroids can induce psychiatric disorders, especially the maniacal states. However there are only a few studies that investigate the effects of low and medium doses of such drugs used for a long period of time on the patient’s mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of affective disorders among the patients using up to 40 mg of corticosteroids (prednisone or equivalent). 54 patients during the corticosteroid therapy and 51 healthy controls were assessed with the use of the following questionnaires: Hypomania Checklist 16 (HCL-16), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and authors’ questionnaire. The results were analysed using SPSS Statistics version 12.5. The results indicated statistically significant differences in the prevalence of hypomania and depression between controls and study group. There were no evident correlations between either the dose or the length of the therapy and the severity of affective disorders. The study has shown that the usage of corticosteroids doses below 40 mg does have an effect on the prevalence of affective disorders. The occurrence of hypomania and depression was more common among the study group. To assess correlations further studies are needed

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND HEMODIALYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Depression is the most common and serious psychiatric disorder that affects patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, and, has a significant impact on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare prevalence rates of depression among hemodialyzed patients, and non-dialyzed patients with a glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min/1.73m2 receiving conservative treatment or following kidney transplantation. A total of 50 hemodialyzed and 50 non-dialyzed patients with stage 4/5 of CKD was assessed using the following questionnaires: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and The Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). The use of steroids and immunosuppressant drugs was also investigated. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were present in both groups, however the proportion of persons with mild or severe depression was higher among dialyzed patients. The AIS, LOT-R and SWLS scores were very similar in both the groups. The patients using steroids and/or immunosuppressant drugs were more prone to develop mild or severe depression according to the HAM-D scores. The results indicated a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with CKD. Furthermore, the fraction of patients with depression is greater among hemodialyzed patients. This indicates the importance of monitoring the mental state of the patients as well as the necessity of providing timely psychological care for patients with CKD

Důležitost velikosti částic mezoporézní siliky pro stabilizaci amorfních léčiv - Případ Simvastatin

In this paper, the role of mesoporous silica (MS) particle size in the stabilization of amorphous simvastatin (SVT) is revealed. For inhibiting recrystallization of the supercooled drug, the two MS materials (Syloid((R)) XDP 3050 and Syloid((R)) 244 FP) were employed. The crystallization tendency of SVT alone and in mixture with the MS materials was investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS). Neither confinement of the SVT molecules inside the MS pores nor molecular interactions between functional groups of the SVT molecules and the surface of the stabilizing excipient could explain the observed stabilization effect. The stabilization effect might be correlated with diffusion length of the SVT molecules in the MS materials that depended on the particle size. Moreover, MS materials possessing different particle sizes could offer free spaces with different sizes, which might influence crystal growth of SVT. All of these factors must be considered when mesoporous materials are used for stabilizing pharmaceutical glasses.Práce studuje roli mezoporézní siliky pro stabilizaci amorfního léčiva Simvastatin. Inhibice rekrystalizace je sledována metodami DSC a BDS