Quality of Life and Optimism in Patients with Morphea

Despite extensive knowledge about quality of life of people suffering from dermatological diseases, data on patients with morphea are scarce. The aim of our study was to compare the quality of life of healthy controls and morphea patients, as well as to determine the correlation of this variable with the level of dispositional optimism. The study included 47 patients with morphea and 47 healthy controls, matched for gender and age. Cantril’s Ladder and Life Orientation Test-Revised were used to assess the levels of life satisfaction and dispositional optimism, respectively. LoSSI was used for the objective assessment. The anticipated level of life quality and the level of dispositional optimism were statistically significantly lower in morphea patients (p = 0.032 and p = 0.014, respectively) when compared to controls. There were no differences in the assessment of current (p = 0.168) and past (p = 0.318) levels of life quality. Also, we proved that type of morphea did not differentiate the current (p = 0.175), past (p = 0.620) and future (p = 0.356) assessment of the quality of life. In the group of morphea patients there was a statistically significant correlation between the level of dispositional optimism and current (p = 0.002, r = 0.43), as well as anticipated (p < 0.001, r = 0.57) levels of life quality. Current level of life quality of healthy controls and morphea patients is comparable, whereas the latter anticipate their future life situation to be significantly worse than the former. Higher level of life satisfaction correlates with higher level of optimism

Central retinal vein occlusion in hypertensive patient — a case report

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is, beside diabetic retinopathy, the most common retinal vascular disease. RVO is associatedwith many risk factors, both systemic and ocular. Among the systemic risk factors is hypertension. A 36-year-old man came to the hospital because of impaired vision. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was diagnosed. The main reason for developing RVO was the untreated hypertension, which was diagnosed in the form of hypertensive crisis. The patient presented numerous additional CRVO risk factors that contributed to the development of the described pathology like: obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, renal cancer. The authors suggested active examination for CRVO risk factors regardless of the age of patients

Immune-cell BDNF expression in treatment-naïve relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and following one year of immunomodulation therapy

Although neurons are the main source of neurotrophins in the healthy brain, neurotrophins can also be expressed in the immune system. We have previously shown that in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) lower immune-cell neurotrophin levels are associated with brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to assess if immune-cell neurotrophin expression is impaired in MS as compared with the healthy controls, and to describe if these levels change in treatment-naïve RRMS patients, following one year of immunomodulation. Fifty treatment-naïve RRMS patients were assessed at baseline and after one year of immunomodulation (beta-interferons/glatiramer acetate). The control group included 39 healthy subjects matched according to age and gender. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from heparinized blood using Ficoll-Histopaque gradient. The levels of brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF), beta-nerve-growth-factor (beta-NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5) were measured in PBMC lysates with ELISA. BDNF levels were significantly lower in MS than in the healthy controls (median 613 vs. 1657pg/mg protein, p&lt;0.001). After one year of immunomodulation, BDNF expression did not change significantly (p=0.06) on the group level. In 70% of patients there was no increase in BDNF level, and in 30% it increased. We observed no differences between treatment groups. Other neurotrophins were detected in a minority of MS samples (as opposed to the controls). To conclude, we have shown that immune-cell production of neurotrophins is impaired in MS patients. In our MS cohort standard immunomodulation failed to restore normal BDNF levels in PBMCs within one year of therapy

Nowe możliwości w leczeniu chorych z niewydolnością serca

Heart failure (HF) is the escalating problem, especially in the aging society. Because of increased morbidity, there is still need to search new therapeutic methods. One of the newest medicines included to HF therapy is Entresto (LCZ696) — medicinal product, which comprises angiotensyn II blocker (walsartan) and neprylizyn inhibitor (sakubitryl). Entresto affects vessels dilatation and reduction of the blood pressure, increased excretion of sodium with urine and increased diuresis, inhibition of the RAA system and sympathetic nervous system and prevention of the remodeling of myocardium. Effectiveness and safety have been evaluated in the PARADIGM- HF and TITRATION study. The influence of Entresto was compared in patients with diabetes, CKD and SBP. The risk of hyperkaliemia, changes of concentration AB in CSF, possible signs and symptoms of dementia and prediction of lifespan were also evaluated. According to new guidelines, Entresto is recommended for adult patients with chronic, symptomatic (II–IV in NYHA scale) HF with reduced ejection fraction. It is an alternative therapy to ACEI used to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.Niewydolność serca (NS) stanowi istotny problem kliniczny, społeczny i ekonomiczny. Duża zapadalność na NS stymuluje do poszukiwania nowych metod terapeutycznych. W ostatnich miesiącach arsenał terapeutyczny niewydolności serca został zwiększony o bardzo interesującą propozycję, jaką stanowi cząsteczka LCZ 696 (Entresto). Produkt leczniczy łączący w sobie działanie inhibitora receptora angiotensyny II (walsartan) oraz inhibitora neprylizyny (sakubitryl). Klinicznie działanie kombinacji tych substancji polega na rozszerzeniu naczyń i obniżeniu ciśnienia krwi, zwiększeniu wydalania sodu z moczem i diurezy, zahamowaniu układu RAA i aktywności układu współczulnego oraz zapobieganiu niekorzystnemu remodelingowi mięśnia sercowego. Skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo Entresto oceniono u chorych ze skurczową NS w badaniach PARADIGM-HF i TITRATION. Działanie produktu porównano również w grupach chorych z cukrzycą, przewlekłą chorobą nerek i skurczowym nadciśnieniem tętniczym. Oceniono ryzyko wystąpienia epizodu hiperkaliemii, zmiany poziomu amyloidu beta w płynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym, wystąpienia objawów otępienia oraz wpływ na przewidywaną długość życia. Produkt leczniczy Entresto według najnowszych wytycznych NS jest zalecany u pacjentów dorosłych, w leczeniu przewlekłej, objawowej (klasa II–IV w skali NYHA) NS z obniżoną frakcją wyrzutową lewej komory jako alternatywa dla inhibitora enzymu konwertującego angiotensyny w celu zmniejszenia ryzyka hospitalizacji i zgonu

Effect of the SARS COV-2 virus on diabetes symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment

Because COVID-19 has been recognised as one of the most important pandemics in the history of humankind, in recent years many scientists have investigated the effect of the disease on various aspects of mental and physical human health. This article presents a literature review regarding the effect of SARS CoV-2 infection on the symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment of diabetes. It discusses the effect of infection with virus SARS-CoV-2 on the course of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as the frequency of occurrence of the disease in patients affected by COVID-19. Moreover, it presents information on the pharmacotherapy and way of providing services by doctors during the pandemic. According to the literature, infection with virus SARS CoV-2 causes a general inflammation of the organisms and numerous metabolic and hormonal disturbances, and therefore affects the course of diabetes. It may lead not only to serious metabolic complications in the course of early diabetes, but also to the development of the disease. It was determined that infection with COVID-19 in diabetes patients (mainly type 2) increases the risk of complications (such as acute respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death).&nbsp; &nbsp

Psilocybin's Emerging Role in Combating Depressive Disorder

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; In this review paper, we delve into the potential applicability of psilocybin - a naturally synthesized psychedelic substance found within select species of fungi, as a prospective avenue for depression treatment. Depression, a widespread psychological malady affecting countless individuals across the globe, often proves stubborn against existing treatment modalities, necessitating exploration into new options. The spotlight has increasingly been cast on psilocybin, thanks to its promising therapeutic capacities for a spectrum of mental health disorders, notably including depression. This article dissects the operational mechanisms of psilocybin, referencing germane clinical trials, and weighing the prospective risks and rewards related to its usage. Pooled findings from an array of clinical studies hint at the possibility of psilocybin furnishing swift and lasting advantages for managing depression and similar disorders. Trial participants who underwent a combined regimen of psilocybin and psychotherapy recorded enduring alleviation in their anxiety and depressive symptoms. Psilocybin has been observed to trigger modifications in neural activity, predominantly in the brain's default mode network (DMN) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These alterations have been correlated with a decrease in self-oriented cognitive processes, an uptick in positive emotional states, and the facilitation of neuroplasticity. When compared with standard antidepressant medications, the symptomatic improvements seen with psilocybin were largely equivalent. Preclinical investigations have also underlined psilocybin's potential in augmenting neural plasticity and neurogenesis, thus hinting at its possible utility in the fields of neurosurgery and neurooncology

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia – a new perspective on prevention and treatment

Introduction&nbsp;&nbsp; Premature birth is one of the most common problems in neonatal care and affects from 6 to 14% of pregnancies (frequency depends on geographical factors) [1].&nbsp; Prematurity is the cause of almost half of deaths of children younger than 5 years old [3].&nbsp; The most frequent and one of the most severe risks of preterm births is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (also called a chronic lung disease in some sources).&nbsp;&nbsp; Aim of the study&nbsp; &nbsp;The aim of this study is to collect data on both new and traditional ways of prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease in a population of infants born preterm (&lt;37 weeks of gestational age).&nbsp; Materials and methods&nbsp; The work was created based on the articles available in PubMed and Google Scholar databases and available scientific literature. Publications were searched in English and Polish&nbsp; using the following keywords: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung disease of the newborns, pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, stem cells in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.&nbsp; Results &nbsp;Although bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a common problem among children born preterm, there is still a limited amount of possibilities of prevention and treatment of this condition. Despite efforts of scientists, many children with this condition suffer from both short-term and long-term consequences, such as frequent infections, asthma and impaired growth and neurodevelopment.&nbsp; &nbsp; Summary&nbsp; In the last twenty years the survival rate of children born preterm rapidly increased thank to the development of neonatal care. Up to 20% of children born with body weight less than 1500g will develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia. That is why there is a need for further research on the topic of bronchopulmonary dysplasia management, especially when it comes to biomarkers, use of mesenchymal stem cells and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.&nbsp; &nbsp

The Jerusalem Balsam–a case study of a 150-year-old sample

The Jerusalem Balsam (JB) was formulated in the pharmacy of the Saint Savior monastery in the old city of Jerusalem in 1719. According to traditional sources, JB was based on an ethanolic extract of an herbal mixture. Several variations of the formulation could be found in European Pharmacopoeias, mostly recommended as an antiseptic product [1]. During the current study, an original sample of JB prepared approximately in the year 1870, as well as four contemporary samples of different variations in composition, were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with the aid of solid phase microextraction, as well as by the liquid injection approach. About sixty different compounds have been identified in the materials–mostly essential-oil constituents. Additionally, the LC-MS and NMR (1H, HSQC, and TOCSY) profiles have been measured for the analyzed samples. Several fingerprint compounds, specific for the herbal material were found in this way. Furthermore, JB samples were tested for cytotoxicity. Two normal (J774E.1 and NIH/3T3) and two cancer cell lines (CLBL-1 [2] and CLBL70 [3]) were used in this experiment. All tested JB samples showed no cytotoxic or were very slightly toxic to normal cell lines. Only one JB sample, the almost 150-year-old one, showed a strong cytotoxic activity but only towards cancer cell lines, with the efficiency of 80-90%

Knee Joint Position Sense in Physically Active Patients after ACL Reconstruction

The term &ldquo;proprioception&rdquo; is defined as the conduction of sensory information deriving from proprioceptors that have an impact on conscious sensations, posture and trans-segmental sense. An ACL injury may lead to functional knee joint instability. According to research, this may result in impaired movement sensation and joint position. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the joint position sense (JPS) in patients before arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and 5 months after the surgery. The examinations were conducted in a group of twelve specifically selected male patients. The examination procedure consisted of JPS measurement in both lower limbs (the operated and the healthy one) during active extension in a range of angles: 30, 45, 60&deg;. The level of significance was: p &amp;lt; 0.05. The analysis of variance performed for repeated measurements (ANOVA) did not indicate any statistically significant differences of JPS in comparisons made between the operated and the healthy limb. Statistical values for the absolute, relative, and variable errors were p = 0.7684, p = 0.1546, p = 0.5694 respectively. The obtained results do not indicate any limitation of proprioception in patients with ACL injury before the intervention or half a year later

The Use of Botulinum Toxin in Medicine: Safety and Efficacy Based on the Latest Research

Introduction and aim of the study: Botulinum toxin, produced by anaerobic bacteria of the Clostridium botulinum family, is one of the most potent organic compounds known to man. Despite its toxicity, it has found widespread use in medicine. From applications in aesthetic medicine, through the treatment of various disease entities, botulinum toxin has become an extremely valuable tool in the hands of doctors. The aim of this study is to review the latest research on the use of botulinum in medicine, with an emphasis on its safety and effectiveness.   Methodology: The review work is mainly based on articles searched in the Pubmed and Google Scholar databases in the years 2016-2023. The study was conducted by reviewing keywords such as "botulin", "botulin toxin", "botulin treatment", "botulin aesthetic". Current state of knowledge: Botulinum is used in the treatment of such disease entities as hyperhidrosis, cervical dystonia, migraines, neurogenic bladder, as well as in the treatment of scars and wrinkles. The use of botulinum in medicine is safe, provided that it is used by qualified specialists and in appropriate doses. An area that requires further research is the impact of long-term botulinum therapy on the antibodies produced against the toxin. Additionally, an important area for further research is patient monitoring, appropriate dose adjustment and frequency of administration, which in turn can increase the effectiveness of treatment. Summary: Botulinum toxin is an effective tool in medicine, which has many applications. However, as with any drug, it requires appropriate use and understanding of potential side effects. Further research and education are key to fully exploiting its potential and assessing the risk associated with long-term use