An Update of Ketamine Illicit Use

Ketamine is a derivative of phencyclidine with unique anesthetic, analgesic, as well as antidepressant pharmacological properties. Despite its clinical use, ketamine is classified on the list with new psychoactive substances having psychedelic properties. The abuse trend of ketamine increasing globally, and it became a common club drug over the past few decades. Of note, recreational use of ketamine may pose a threat to public health, leading to numerous physical, as well as psychiatric negative effects. In addition, simultaneously or sequentially ketamine use with other drugs, resulting in serious health consequences. Currently, there are no specific treatment options for managing compulsive drug-seeking behavior in patients with ketamine use disorder, while the pharmacotherapy of side effects is limited and mostly symptomatic. In this chapter, we discuss ketamine abuse history. Further, we proposed the mechanisms of neural disinhibition underlying addiction development in ketamine-dependent patients. We have also included details of possible negative consequences focusing on long-term and recreational ketamine use for both, central and peripheral systems. Finally, we provide an overview of ketamine concomitant use and corresponding adverse interactions

ASSOCIATION OF THE GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS IN POLISH ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Background: Disturbances in stress response mechanisms and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) functioning are considered important factors involved in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). Thus, genetic variations in the end effector of HPA - glucocorticoid receptor gene and relationships to stressful life events (SLE) may be connected to a higher risk of illness. The aim of the study was examining the association between glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) polymorphisms and risk factors among stressful life events in AN patients. Subjects and methods: This study comprised 256 patients with AN and 167 control subjects. The questionnaires examining brief history of the mother’s pregnancy and long-acting stress factors, as well as life events checklist to assess stressful life events during the 6 months prior to hospitalization were used. The eight common SNPs (rs6198, rs6191, rs6196, rs258813, rs33388, rs41423247, rs56149945 and rs10052957) of NR3C1 gene were genotyped. Results: The association of five polymorphisms (rs6191, rs258813, rs33388, rs41423247 and rs10052957) and one complex allele (TCAGT) of NR3C1 gene with increased risk of AN were found. However, no significant correlations between early, longacting and predicting hospitalization SLE and any of the analyzed polymorphisms were observed. Conclusions: The results confirm that the NR3C1 gene is associated with AN risk regardless of the type of stressful triggering factors

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

Sommittelu ja kuvakoot kuvakäsikirjoituksessa : - näkökulmana Crosslight-lyhytelokuva

Olen valinnut opinnäytetyössäni lähestymisnäkökulmaksi kuvakäsikirjoittamisen teorian ja käytännön. Tarkastelen Crosslight-lyhytelokuvaani elokuvantekemisen teoriaa vasten. Pohdin miltä osin elokuvallinen kerronta oli onnistunutta ja millä tavalla olisin voinut parantaa sitä palvelemaan paremmin elokuvani sisältöä. Aluksi kerron lyhyesti mitä kuvakäsikirjoittaminen tarkoittaa ja miksi se on oleellinen osa elokuvallisen teoksen toteutusta. Tämän jälkeen siirryn esittelemään kuvakäsikirjoittamisen erilaisia tapoja ja niiden hyödyntämistä yksilöllisessä ilmaisussa. Pyrin ottamaan huomioon eri tekniikoiden niin hyvät, kuin huonotkin puolet. Seuraavassa kappaleessa käyn läpi, mitä kuvasommittelu tarkoittaa ja mitkä ovat yleisimpiä sommittelutapoja. Otan esille muutamia esimerkkejä ohjaajista, kuten Wes Andersonista, joka on luonut tavaramerkin omalaatuisesta sommittelutavastaan. Puhun myös siitä, kuinka värit ovat osa sommittelua ja kontrastin luomista. Sommittelun jälkeen käsittelen kuvakokoja ja niiden käyttötarkoituksia. Kuvakokojen ja niiden merkityksen havainnollistamiseen käytän esimerkkeinä tunnettujen elokuvien kohtauksia. Samalla tuon esille kuvakoon sisäistä sommittelua, sillä nämä kaksi asiaa liittyvät väistämättä toisiinsa. Koska kuvakäsikirjoitukseen merkitään kameran liikkeet, kuvan tarkennuspiste ja valittu rajaus, kerron myös erilaisista näihin seikkoihin liittyvistä kuvaustekniikoista. Puhun lyhyesti siitä, miten tietyt kameraliikkeet toimivat ja minkälaisen tunteen välittämistä niillä tavoitellaan ja saadaan aikaiseksi. Tämän jälkeen analysoin Crosslightin kuvavalintoja ja sitä kuinka hyvin ne ovat onnistuneet. Lähestyn ja analysoin lopputulosta käyttämäni teoriaan tukeutuen. Otan huomioon elokuvani tarinan ja sen päähenkilön tehtävää miettiessäni tekemiäni valintoja ja ratkaisuja. Sitä seuraavassa kappaleessa tutkin omaa kuvakäsikirjoitustani ja siihen liittyviä elementtejä. Pohdin lopuksi kaikkea kokemaani ja miten se tulee vaikuttamaan tuleviin kuvakäsikirjoituksiini. Avaan elokuvan tekemiseen liittyviä prosesseja sekä kohtaan sen missä vaiheessa tunsin epäonnistumisen tunnetta ja milloin koin onnistuvani tavoitteissani.My thesis dealt with storyboarding and the elements included in it. The thesis handled my short movie Crosslight on a theoretical basis and speculated about improving the narration in the storyboard or the success of it. First, the concept storyboard was explained, and the importance of it discussed. Then the various ways of creating storyboards in a suitable technique were introduced. The pros and cons of different techniques were also discussed. The following section explained what image composition means and what the most common ways of composing are. A few examples of directors were mentioned, e.g. Wes Anderson, who created his own trademark of composing. The thesis explained how colors are part of composition and of creating contrast. Image sizes and the purpose of them were also covered. Examples of films demonstrated the function of image sizes together with composition, because they are inevitably linked together. Since the storyboard includes notes on camera or lens movements the various filming techniques were also handled. Certain movements of camera were explained to describe what kind of emotion they can create. The shot choices of Crosslight were analyzed to see how well they had worked out. The approach to the analysis was created through the theory. The story and its main characters were taken into consideration when pondering my choices. The next section explored my storyboard and the elements related to it. Finally, I discuss all my experiences and how they affect when I will work on a storyboard next time. I also point out where I felt a sense of failure and when I felt successful. Finally, I discuss all my experiences and how they will affect the next time I work on a storyboard. I'll also point out where I felt a sense of failure and when I felt successful

Motinos ir vaiko santykių bei tėvystės nuostatų tyrimas

The aim of the paper is to present the course of relations between mother and child, and adopted parental attitudes presented by mothers. The literature indicates that the correctness of relations depends on many factors, which lie both in the family and the whole social system. Therefore, the educational and professional activity of women has a significant impact on shaping relations between mothers and children. The paper presents results from the research that was conducted among women-mothers, who are educationally and professionally active. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used in the research. The survey was conducted using the M. Braun-Gałkowska Scale of Parental Attitudes, and also open in-depth interviews with elements of narrations, parts of which were quoted in the paper, were conducted with chosen women-participants. The analysis of the results proved that despite adopting and performing numerous roles by women (role of a pupil/student and a worker) their relations with children are correct. Women, who suffer from lack of time connected with performing roles of a pupil/student and also a worker, are always able to find time with their children. Their attitude towards children is always open, sincere and friendly and the other way round (children towards their mothers adopt the same attitude). The analysis of parental attitudes also points to those attitudes, which are adopted by women and which are in the category of moderation, so they are characterized by the “mature, parental love”. The results induce to draw the following conclusion: women, despite adopting and performing numerous social roles, know which one is the most important to them – that is namely: being the mother.Straipsnio tikslas yra pristatyti motinos ir vaiko santykių dinamiką bei patekti motinų prisiimtas tėvystės nuostatas. Literatūroje apibrėžiama, kad teigiami šeiminiai santykiai priklauso nuo daugelio veiksnių, tiek nuo pačios šeimos, tiek nuo visos socialinės sistemos. Tad moters edukacinės ir profesinės veiklos aktyvumas turi reikšmingą poveikį vystant santykius tarp motinos ir vaiko. Straipsnyje pateikiami tyrimo rezultatai, apklausiant moteris motinas, kurios yra aktyvios edukacinėje ir profesinėje veikloje. Tyrime dalyvavo 727 moterų iš dviejų ‒ Varmijos Mozūrų vaivadijos ir Kujavijos Pamario vaivadijos, kurios yra šiaurės rytinėje Lenkijos dalyje. Tyrimo imtis buvo sudaryta tikslingai. Tyrimui atlikti buvo taikyta kiekybinio ir kokybinio tyrimų metodologija. Buvo atlikta anketinė apklausa, naudojant „Tėvystės nuostatų skalę“ pagal M. Braun-Gałkowska (1985), taip pat su pasirinktomis moterimis buvo atlikti giluminiai interviu su naratyvų elementais, kurių fragmentai yra pateikiami tekste. Rezultatų analizė parodė, kad, nepaisant to, kokius vaidmenis moteris atlieka (pvz.: mokinės / studentės; darbuotojos), jos santykiai su vaikais išlieka teigiami. Šie santykiai remiasi abipusiu pasitikėjimu ir parama bei pokalbiais su vaikais. Šilumos, meilės ir pasitikėjimo rodymas formuoja brandžius tarpusavio santykius. Moterys, kurios yra labai užimtos dėl aktyvios edukacinės ir profesinės veiklos, visada atranda laiko ir skiria dėmesį savo vaikams. Bendraudamos su vaikais jos yra atviros, nuoširdžios ir draugiškos, vaikai su jomis elgiasi taip pat. Be to, tėvystės nuostatų analizė parodė, kad moterų prisiimtos nuostatos patenka į nuosaikumo kategoriją, todėl jas galima apibūdinti kaip „brandi tėviškoji meilė“. Tiriamųjų vienu metu atliekamų vaidmenų gausa ir įvairovė, netrukdo joms realizuoti motinos vaidmens. Tą patį patvirtina ir kiti straipsnio autorės tyrimai, kurių rezultatai yra minėti straipsnio pabaigoje. Apibendrinti tyrimų rezultatai leidžia daryti išvadą, kad moterys, nepaisant atliekamų skirtingų socialinių vaidmenų, motinos vaidmeniui teikia prioritetą

Antipsychotic Drugs Efficacy in Dextromethorphan-Induced Psychosis

Psychosis is known as a broad term of symptoms that cause serious disorganization of behavior, thinking, and perception of reality. One of the medicines that recently gained much attention in terms of its psychotic potential is dextromethorphan (DXM). DXM, a widely used antitussive drug, is a commonly abused drug because of its euphoric, hallucinogenic, and dissociative properties. To date, DXM is a legally marketed cough suppressant that is neither a controlled substance nor a regulated chemical under the Controlled Substances Act. The management of DXM-related psychosis is dependent on the type of psychotic symptoms. Atypical neuroleptics (i.e., olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine) and typical haloperidol have been used in symptomatic treatment due to their efficacy, especially in positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions). These agents are also recognized as the preferred option in the symptomatic treatment of DXM-related psychosis due to their better efficacy and safety profile than typical haloperidol in the short-term course. The focus of the present review concerns the current stage of knowledge about DXM psychotic potency as well as the management of DXM-related psychoses with a special emphasis on atypical antipsychotic drugs (i.e., olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, and haloperidol)

Conventional and molecular methods in the diagnosis of community-acquired diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age from the north-eastern region of Poland

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the main causative agents of community-acquired acute diarrhoea in children using conventional methods and PCR. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 100 children under 5 years of age with acute diarrhoea during the autumn–winter period of 2010–2011. Rotaviruses and adenoviruses were detected by the stool antigen immunoassay, and Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Shigella spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Clostridium difficile, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), and diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli were detected by culture methods and PCR. Results: Overall, enteropathogens were identified in 73% of the children. Bacteria, viruses, and mixed infections were noted in 37%, 24%, and 12% of diarrhoeal cases, respectively. The most common enteric pathogens were rotaviruses (31%), followed by C. difficile (17%), Campylobacter jejuni (13%), Salmonella spp (11%), and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains (10%). Compared with culture methods, PCR increased the overall detection frequency of the bacterial enteropathogens by 4%. Conclusions: The high prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni suggests that the number of campylobacteriosis cases in Poland may be underestimated; this pathogen should be investigated routinely in children with diarrhoea. Moreover, C. difficile might be considered a causative or contributing agent of diarrhoea in 14.8% of children aged >1 year