Alienability of Pension Benefits - Employee Retirement Income Security Act

The United States Supreme Court held that a court may not imply an exception to ERISA\u27s anti-alienability provision in cases where an employee has committed criminal acts against his employer. Guidry v Sheet Metal Workers National Pension Fund, ___ US ___ , 110 S Ct 680 (1990)

Evaluating Market Conditions: A simplified Approach for Analyzing Stock Price Activity

To simplify the process of determining which actions an investor should take, all application that provides a list of trade to be placed each morning was designed. Because the application gives signals on the long and the short side, users can make money in both rising and Falling markets and can minimize market risk by keepingmoney in both sides of the market. This application works by prompting the user for the stocks to be traded. Users can also tailor settings based on their personal investment style. Given these inputs, and using publicly available stock data, a comparison of current price levels relative to recent performance is made and the strength and the direction of market trends are measured. Based on these results, and using a methodology that the researchers developed, concrete buy, sell, and short commands are given to the user. While most trading theories fail in their inability to perform in different market conditions, the methodology that drives thic application has been shown to outperform market indices. Additionally, this theory provides evidence against the popularly accepted Random Walk theory. which states that it is impossible to accurately predict the direction in which the market will move

Features of the organization of medical and psychological assistance in the situation of perinatal losses (literature review)

The article reveals the organizational features of medical and psychological assistance in cases of perinatal losses in modern conditions. The paper presents the peculiarities of perinatal loss, psychological condition of women’s health during the onset of subsequent pregnancy as well as experiences of the women who have lost a child at different stages of pregnancy. The article notes that the majority of pregnant women with a history of perinatal loss are in a state of chronic stress, which can lead to the emergence and development of various medical and psychological complications. The peculiarities of the experience of grief in the situation of perinatal loss, as a serious mental trauma for the woman's psyche were analyzed. It has been substantiated that the experience of perinatal loss is a non-normative crisis in marital relations, and the process of providing psychological assistance should be directed not only to the woman, but also to the married couple as a whole, which will reduce the risk of rupture of relations, promote their harmonization, which can be considered as an effective resource for a constructive experience of the situation of loss. The main tasks of psychologists and medical staff during the organization of medical and psychological assistance for women and married couples experiencing perinatal loss are also revealed. It is crucial to comprehend the feelings women experience in such cases, which makes medical and psychological care more effective in the process of working with those who are through child loss or have had such an experience previously. The conclusion notes the priority of organizing and providing comprehensive medical and psychological assistance not only to women, but also to married couples in a situation of perinatal loss; the need for special training both for medical psychologists, obstetricians and gynecologists to provide complex assistance to women experiencing perinatal losses

Assessment of cerebral embolism and vascular reserve parameters in patients with carotid artery stenosis

Aim Carotid artery stenosis can result in the brain tissue injury related to the intracranial aterial flow disturbances as well as microembolic complications. The choice of the proper therapy in patients with carotid artery stenosis, especially asymptomatic, remains still a significant clinical problem. The study aim was an assessment of the cerebral embolism and brain vascular reserve parameters in patients with carotid artery stenosis regarding the occurrence of the clinical symptoms, the degree of stenosis as well as plaque morphology. Methods The study included 60 patients, with internal carotid artery stenosis. The degree of stenosis, the atherosclerotic plaque surface and morphology were assessed by the means of Duplex Doppler ultrasound. Cerebrovascular reactivity (vasomotor reactivity reserve test and Breath Holding Index) and monitoring of the microembolic signals (MES) were assessed with transcranial Doppler ultrasound examination (TCD). Results The vasoreactivity parameters were significantly lower in the group of patients with stenosis ≥70% and in patients with ulcerations on the plaque surface. Microembolic signals were recorded significantly more often in symptomatic patients; in patients with stenosis ≥70%; in patients with ulcerations on the plaque surface and those with hypoechogenic plaque structure. Conclusions Microembolic signals in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis are one of the ultrasound features of unstable carotid stenosis. Worse reactivity parameters of the cerebral arteries are associated with the presence of a large degree of carotid artery stenosis

Analysis of echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function in patients with acute stroke

Introduction. Cardiologic diagnostics in stroke patients is designed to identify heart disease as a potential cause of stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular systolic/diastolic dysfunction (LVSD, LVDD) on the neurological state on the 1st day of stroke, as well as post-stroke functional status at 30 days after stroke. Patients and methods. For a prospective study, 162 stroke patients (mean age 74 years) were qualified. They were analysed according to neurological state on the 1st day of stroke, the results of transthoracic echocardiography, and functional status at 30 days after stroke. Results. The neurological state on the 1st day after stroke was significantly worse in patients with LVSD. In patients with reduced EF, functional status was significantly worse at 30 days after stroke. Patients with E/A 0.8–2 had a significantly worse functional status compared to patients with E/A < 0.8. Individuals with E/A 0.8–2 and segmental LVSD or EF < 50% had significantly worse functional status compared to patients without LVSD. An independent factor for moderate/severe status was identified: E/A > 0.8 (RR 3.28 [95% CI 1.15-9.37]); independent factors for poor functional status were lower EF (RR 4.68 [95% CI 1.22–18.00]) and age (RR 4.68 [95% CI 1.22–11.00]). Conclusions. One quarter of patients in the acute phase of stroke have LVSD and/or LVDD. LVSD adversely affects both neurological status in acute stroke as well as functional status in the short-term follow-up. Age at first-in-life stroke incidence and lower EF are predictors of poor functional status one month after a stroke

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СТАВЛЕННЯ ДО ЗДОРОВ’Я МОЛОДІ З РІЗНИМ РІВНЕМ ПСИХОЕМОЦІЙНОГО НАПРУЖЕННЯ

Стаття присвячена висвітленню однієї із актуальних проблем психології здоров’я – проблеми ставлення молоді до здоров’я. Розкрито поняття ставлення до здоров’я та проаналізовано чинники, що визначають процес його формування, а також розглянуто поняття стану психоемоційного напруження, що характеризується різним ступенем мобілізації нервово-психологічних функцій організму та на високому рівні може обумовлювати негативні зміни у когнітивному, емоційному, поведінковому чи ціннісно-мотиваційному компонентах ставлення до здоров’я. Здійснено порівняльний аналіз результатів констатуючого експерименту про те, що у молоді з різним рівнем психоемоційного напруження є певні відмінності у ставленні до власного здоров’я, зокрема молодь з високим рівнем психоемоційного напруження характеризується неадекватним ставленням до здоров’я

Ocena stężenia wybranych cytokin zapalnych w surowicy krwi u pacjentów ze zwężeniem tętnicy szyjnej

Background: The inflammatory process plays an important role in the formation, growth and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque narrowing the internal carotid artery. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in the serum of patients with internal carotid artery stenosis. Another aim was to compare the concentrations of these inflammatory markers in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis. Material and methods: The study included 65 patients (F/M 20/45; aged 66.29 ± 7.77; 55–80) with symptomatic (39 individuals) or asymptomatic (26 individuals) atherosclerotic internal carotid artery stenosis above 50% on one or both sides. The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers (F/M 20/10; aged 61.03 ± 9.08; 50–78). Results: The mean serum concentration of interleukin-6 was significantly higher both in the group of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic ICA stenosis, as compared with the control group (p = 0.0002; p = 0.0208, respectively) There were no significant differences in serum concentration of THF-alpha and interleukin-10 between patients and control group. Conclusions: Patients with atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery have shown significantly elevated levels of interleukin-6 in the serum, which suggests that it is involved in the disease process. Cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in patients with carotid artery stenosis require further studies which would allow for a better understanding of the effect on the formation and activity of atherosclerotic lesions.Wstęp: W powstawaniu i aktywacji blaszek miażdżycowych zwężających tętnicę szyjną istotną rolę pełni proces zapalny. Celem badania było określenie stężenia TNF-alfa, interleukiny-6 i interleukiny-10 w surowicy krwi pacjentów ze zwężeniem tętnicy szyjnej wewnętrznej (ICA). Drugim celem badania było porównanie stężeń wymienionych markerów zapalnych u pacjentów z objawowym i nieobjawowym zwężeniem tętnicy szyjnej. Materiał i metody: W badaniu uczestniczyło 65 pacjentów (K/M 20/45; w śr. wieku 66,29 ± 7,77 roku) z objawowym (39 osób) lub bezobjawowym (26 osób) miażdżycowym zwężeniem ICA (≥ 50% po jednej lub obu stronach). Grupę kontrolną tworzyło 30 zdrowych osób (K/M 20/10; w śr. wieku 61,03 ± 9,08 roku). Wyniki: U chorych ze zwężeniem ICA (zarówno objawowym, jak i nieobjawowym) średnie stężenie interleukiny-6 w surowicy było znamiennie wyższe w porównaniu ze średnim stężeniem interleukiny-6 w surowicy osób z grupy kontrolnej (odpowiednio: p = 0,0002, p = 0,0208). Nie obserwowano znamiennych statystycznie różnic w średnim stężeniu TNF-alfa oraz interleukiny-10 między grupą pacjentów a grupą kontrolną oraz między pacjentami z objawowym zwężeniem tętnicy a pacjentami z nieobjawowym zwężeniem tętnicy. Wnioski: U chorych z miażdżycowym zwężeniem ICA stwierdza się znamienne podwyższenie stężenia interleukiny-6 w surowicy, co sugeruje jej udział w tym procesie chorobowym. Cytokiny i inne mediatory zapalne u pacjentów ze zwężeniem ICA wymagają dalszych badań w celu lepszego rozumienia mechanizmu ich wpływu na kształtowanie i aktywność zmian miażdżycowych

Severe degenerative aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction does not change adipokines serum levels

Background: The role of the adipokines in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis (AS) is not well established. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between adipokines and clinical characteristics as well as echocardiographic indices and noninvasive markers of vascular remodeling in patients with severe AS with preserved ejection fraction (EF). Methods: Sixty-five patients (F/M: 38/27; age: 68.3 ± 9.0 years; body mass index [BMI]: 29.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2) with severe AS with preserved EF: 33 patients with paradoxical low-flow low-gradient AS (PLFLG AS) and 32 patients with normal flow high-gradient AS (NFHG AS) were prospectively enrolled into the study. Twenty-four subjects (F/M: 14/10; age: 65.4 ± 8.7 years; BMI: 29.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2) who matched as to age, sex, BMI and coronary artery disease (CAD) constituted the control group (CG). Clinical data and markers of vascular remodeling were related to the serum adipokines. Results: There were no differences in the adipokines concentrations in the AS/CG. Patients with AS and coexisting CAD were characterized by decreased serum adiponectin (9.9 ± 5.5 vs. 12.7 ± 5.8 μg/mL, p = 0.040) and leptin (8.3 ± 7.8 vs. 21.6 ± 17.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001) levels compared to subjects without CAD. There were no differences in the serum adipokines concentrations between patients with PLFLG AS and NFHG AS. Systemic hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia or markers of vascular remodeling did not discriminate adipokines concentrations. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age (F = 3.02; p = 0.015) and E/E’ index (F = 0.87, p = 0.032) were independent predictors of the adiponectin level in the AS group. Conclusions: The presence of AS with preserved EF did not change the adipokine serum profile. Adipokines levels were modified by coexisting atherosclerosis but not the typical cardiovascular risk factors or the hemodynamic type of AS