Validity and reliability of the Polish version of myasthenia gravis – Quality of life questionnaire – 15 item

Aim The myasthenia gravis-quality of life questionnaire 15 item (MG-QOL15) is a short, and easy to use disease-specific quality of life (QOL) tool in myasthenia gravis. The aim of this study was to validate and adapt the Polish version of the MG-QOL15. Materials and methods The total number of 50 patients with MG were qualified for the examination. Each patient underwent neurological examination and completed the quality of life evaluation questionnaire MQ-QOL 15 after translation and back-translation. Additionally, each patient was asked to evaluate the quality of his/her life by means of questionnaire SF-36 in Polish language version. Results The MG-QOL15 was found to have high internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity. Conclusion The MG-QOL15 is accepted to be a valid, reliable, valuable tool for measuring disease-specific QOL in Polish patients with MG

Perspectives on Endogenous Opioids in Birds

The present review summarizes the state of knowledge of endogenous opioids in birds. Endogenous opioid peptides acts in a neuromodulatory, hormonal and paracrine manner to mediate analgesic and other physiological functions. These peptides act through specific G-protein coupled receptors. Opioid receptors consist of a family of four closely-related proteins. The three types of opioid receptors are the mu (MOR or μ), delta (DOR or δ), and kappa (KOR or κ) opioid receptor proteins. The role of the fourth member of the opioid receptor family, the nociceptin or orphanin FQ receptor (ORL), is not clear. The ligands for opioid receptors are: β –endorphin (MOR), Met- enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin (DOR) and dynorphin (KOR), together with probably endomorphins 1 and 2. In spite of long history of research on endogenous opioid peptides, there are no studies of endogenous opioids per se in wild birds and few in poultry species. β-endorphin is present in all birds investigated and there is close agreement between the structures of β-endorphin in different birds. Plasma concentrations of β-endorphin are increased by ether stress in geese. There is evidence that β-endorphin plays a role in the control of luteinizing hormone release in chickens. Met-enkephalin is present in tissues such as the retina, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenals together with circulation of birds. Stresses such as crowding and withholding water increase circulating concentrations of Met-enkephalin in chickens. The structures of chicken dynorphin A and B have been deduced from cDNA. What is missing are comprehensive studies of plasma concentrations and expression of the full array of endogenous opioids in multiple avian species under different situations. Also, what is not known is the extent to which circulating or locally released or intra-cellular Met-enkephalin influence physiological process in birds. Thus, there is considerable scope for investigation of the physiology of endogenous opioids in birds

Improvement of quality of life after therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with myasthenic crisis

Introduction We sought to evaluate quality of life patients with myasthenic crisis before and after therapeutic plasma exchange. Materials and methods In our study we conducted an assessment of the quality of life with the use of the questionnaire SF-36, when executed eleven therapeutic plasma exchange. The assessment was made on baseline and after 4 weeks. We also did neurological clinical evaluation before and after TPE. Results Patients in the study showed significant improvement in quality of life after performed therapeutic plasma exchange. The changes were observed in physical functioning, which confirmed the results of the statistical significance of p<0.05. In the analysis, the assessment of mental functioning not obtained the results of statistical significance, but the results also showed improvement in self-assessment. We observed high correlation between general health and physical mental functioning, between the role limitations due to physical health problems and role limitations due to emotional problems, and general health perception and bodily pain. Conclusions Therapeutic plasma exchange significantly improves the quality of life of patients with myasthenia gravis during the crisis

Met-Enkephalin Involvement in Morphine-Modulated Peritonitis in Swiss Mice

Morphine coinjection with zymosan inhibits pain and leukocyte accumulation during peritonitis in several strains of mice, and affects systems of endogenous opioids. Present investigations focus on Met-enkephalin (Met-ENK) in the inflamed peritoneal cavity and brain centers of Swiss mice. Males of Swiss mice were IP injected with zymosan or zymosan supplemented with morphine. At the selected time points the peritoneal leukocytes were counted and the Met-ENK level was measured in exudatory fluid and leukocytes, striatum, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. The Met-ENK content in peritoneal fluid rised sharply after zymosan injection, which corresponded with its decline in exudatory leukocytes, hypothalamus, and striatum. Morphine coinjection enhanced intraperitoneal accumulation of Met-ENK and its release from exudatory leukocytes, but inhibited its early fluctuations in hypothalamus and striatum. Effects of morphine-modulated inflammation on the Met-ENK system lasted longer than 7 days

Sexual Satisfaction in Fully Ambulatory People with Multiple Sclerosis: Does Disability Matter?

Primary sexual dysfunctions (SD) are a direct result of neurological changes that affect the sexual response. Secondary SD result from the symptoms that do not directly involve nervous pathways to the genital system, such as bladder and bowel problems, fatigue, spasticity, or muscle weakness. Tertiary SD are the result of disability-related psychosocial and cultural issues that can interfere with sexual feelings and experiences. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual satisfaction (SS) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) without significant mobility impairment and to estimate the influence of SD, the score on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), lowered mood, and stress coping strategies on SS. Methods. 76 PwMS with the EDSS score<5.0 points were enrolled in the study. The subjects completed the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-19), and the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ). Results. The level of SS in PwMS was not significantly lower compared to that of the general population. It correlated with the primary, secondary, and tertiary SD and lowered mood. However, it did not correlate with disability measured by the EDSS. Conclusions. The level of SS in PwMS with the EDSS score below 5.0 points was not significantly lower. SS depended on SD, lowered mood, and stress coping style, and it was not significantly related to the level of disability in patients with the EDDS score below 5.0

Oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs used in prevention of cardiovascular events in elderly people in Poland

Abstract Background In Poland, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing. This might be associated with the constantly growing proportion of elderly people and inappropriate cardiovascular prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of use of oral antiplatelet (OAP) and oral anticoagulant (OAC) drugs among older people in Poland and to assess their association with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods The study was based on data collected during the implementation of a multicentre, publicly funded research project called PolSenior. Results The study group consisted of 4,979 people with the average age of 79.35 ± 8.69 years. Among them, 1,787 people (35.9%) used at least one drug in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. OAPs were used regularly by 1,648 (33.1%) elderly people and OACs were used by 165 elderly people (3.3%). Acetylsalicylic acid was used by 32.2% of elderly people. Use of drugs significantly depended on age (p  Conclusions Our study is the first to determine the frequency of use of OAP and OAC drugs among elderly people in Poland in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. The most commonly used drug for cardiovascular prevention is acetylsalicylic acid, but it appears that it is used too rarely in high-risk patients. Educational programs should be developed among general practitioners concerning current recommendations for pharmacological cardiovascular prevention.</p