Maksymos z Tyru. Pierwsza mowa o erotyce Sokratesa, XVIII (Trapp)

Maksymos z Tyru, wędrowny grecki retor żył w II wieku i był przedstawicielem Drugiej Sofistyki. Występował z deklamacjami popisowymi (konferencjami) w Atenach oraz za czasów cezara Kommodusa (180–192) w Rzymie. Zachowało się po nim ich czterdzieści i jedna na różne tematy. Jednym z nich jest miłość, której poświęcił aż cztery wystąpienia. Nie są one głębokie. Retor wynagradza to słuchaczom popisem krasomówczym, sięgając popisowo po wiele aluzji literackich i cytatów poetyckich głównie z Homera i Platona. W prezentowanej tu porównuje jej przedstawienie przez Sokratesa z obrazem miłości u Safony. Przekładu tej dialeksy dokonałem na podstawie wydania: Maximus Tyrius: Dissertationes, ed. M.B. Trapp, Stutgardiae et Lipsiae 1994

Maksymos z Tyru, „O istocie boga według Platona” (XI)

The paper contains a Polish translation of Maximus of Tyre’s Eleventh Discourse entitled Who is God according to Plato?, with a short introduction and notes.The paper contains a Polish translation of Maximus of Tyre’s Eleventh Discourse entitled Who is God according to Plato?, with a short introduction and notes

Radiologic features of all-trans-retinoic acid syndrome (ATRAS) : case report

Background: ATRA Syndrome appears as a side effect of acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment with ATRA, vitamin A derivative. The etiopathogenesis of the syndrome remains unclear. Fever, generalized edema, pleural or pericardial effusion, respiratory distress, coagulation disorders and sometimes renal failure are the most common clinical symptoms of ATRAS. Radiological features of the syndrome are very diverse. Early diagnosis followed by introduction of appropriate treatment (corticosteroids) prevents worsening of the patients' condition and significantly reduces the risk of death. Although clinical symptomatology of ATRAS has been widely described, there are still few descriptions of its radiological manifestation. Case report: A 53-year-old female was referred to the Hematology Department for further detailed diagnostics and appropriate therapy from the district hospital, where she had been primarily admitted due to weakness, easy fatigue, loss of appetite and blood extravasations on the skin of the extremities. The patient's general condition on admission was assessed as quite good. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML M3 according to FAB classification) was diagnosed. The introduced treatment included ATRA. On the second day of treatment, the patient developed fever, dyspnea, generalized edema, and coagulation disorders increased. Chest X-ray findings reminded ARDS. The diagnosis of ATRAS was established, which resulted in ATRA withdrawal. After administration of corticosteroids, the patient's condition improved gradually within a few days. ATRA was reintroduced then, since the signs of leukemia had intensified. The patient remains in charge of the Hematology Department. Conclusions: Changes of chest X-ray pictures in AML patients treated with ATRA should be interpreted in clinical context due to lack of radiological features specific for ATRAS

Caspase-3 as an important factor in the early cytotoxic effect of nickel on oral mucosa cells in patients treated orthodontically

Introduction. The effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on biochemical changes in saliva and pathophysiological status of the oral cavity is not clear. Recent data showed that nickel (Ni) released from orthodontic appliances can decrease cellular viability, induce DNA damage and apoptosis in oral mucosa cells. Since the mechanism of these Ni effects is unknown, the aim of our study was to analyze the expression of caspase-3 in epithelial cells of oral mucosa in healthy individuals treated orthodontically. Material and methods. Twenty-eight volunteers participated in the study. Epithelial cells were collected from oral mucosa directly before appliance insertion, one week after the insertion, and 24 four weeks after the insertion of fixed appliances. Cellular identification and measurements were conducted by light microscopy. Caspase-3 expression was evaluated immunochemically. Nickel concentration in saliva was also determined. Results. A significantly higher number of oral epithelial cells with caspase-3 immunoreactivity in was found one week, but not 24 weeks, after orthodontic treatment. The enhanced expression of caspase-3 was accompanied by increased nickel concentration in saliva. Conclusions. Our data suggests that nickel released from orthodontic appliances can activate caspase-3 and this mechanism may be partially responsible for the cytotoxic action of nickel in the oral cavity of orthodontically-treated individuals

Plutarch’s Advice about Keeping Well

Plutarch's diegematic dialogue Plutarch’s Advice about Keeping Well is not one of his best writings. It lacks the ending and is marked by moralistic loquacity. However, it deserves attention due to the author's recommendations which are full of reason. It is the first translation of this text into Polish

SHORT-TERM KETAMINE ADMINISTRATION IN TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION: FOCUS ON CARDIOVASCULAR SAFETY

Ketamine is an anaesthetic and analgesic agent that demonstrates the antidepressive effect in major depression. Several administrations routes, dosing schemas and esketamine are investigated in basic and clinical research with particular focus on treatment-resistant depression (TRD) where drug demonstrates its efficacy where very limited alternatives are available. The majority of ketamine studies in TRD treatment reported no serious adverse events regardless the administration route or regimen. However, the most commonly observed adverse events following ketamine administration in antidepressive doses include general, psychotomimetic, dissociative and hemodynamic ones. The side effects are mild or moderate, well-tolerated and transient. This paper discusses the risks regarding cardiovascular safety in MDD patients in short-term ketamine administration with particular focus on the effect on blood pressure and adverse drug reactions mitigation measures. The increase in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure is dose-dependent and begins shortly after administration peaking at around 30 to 50 minutes with SBP and DBP rise from 10% to 50% above predose values and resolving at approximately 2 to 4 hours after the dose administration. These changes generally are primarily asymptomatic. The elevations in SBP and DBP are observed on each dosing day with multiple administration schema. The treatment with ketamine and esketamine is contradicted in subjects at risk of an increase in blood pressure or intracranial pressure. The current evidence indicates the blood pressure should be assessed prior to dosing with ketamine and hypertensive individuals shall receive effective lifestyle/pharmacologic management prior to treatment. Blood pressure should be monitored after dose administration until blood pressure returns to acceptable levels. If blood pressure remains elevated acute blood pressure management shall be delivered. In patients experiencing symptoms of hypertensive crisis immediate emergency care must be provided. The unmet need for improved pharmacotherapies for TRD means the use of ketamine and esketamine is warranted therapeutic option in patients who fail to achieve a sustained remission of depressive symptoms with drugs with monoamine-based mechanisms of action. Adequate safety measures must be applied when using ketamine/esketamine in TRD subjects with particular focus on somatic comorbidities as the transient drug effect on cardiovascular system is demonstrated and of clinical significance

Gallstone ileus : a rare complication of cholecystolithiasis : a case report

Background: Gallstone ileus is a rare, serious and usually specific to elderly age complication of cholecystolithiasis associated with very high mortality. It occurs when a concrement from the gallbladder becomes incarcerated in the lumen of the digestive tract. In this report, a case of gallstone ileus is presented, where a concrement moved through a cholecystoduodenal fistula to the lumen of the small intestine. Case report: A 80-year-old woman who suffered from cholecystolithiasis and diabetes mellitus was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain, flatulence and loss of appetite which lasted a few days. In ultrasonography of the abdomen, a gallbladder hydrops was found and the patient was qualified to cholecystectomy. The night before the planned surgery, the patient reported her abdominal complaints to more intense, and vomiting occurred. Abdominal ultrasonography was repeated, revealing wide intestinal loops with the gallbladder poorly visible; the examiner also noticed a hyperechogenic shadow in the stomach and in conclusions suggested the possibility of perforation. In CT imaging, one concrement in the jejunum and several ones in the colon were found to confirm the diagnosis. During the surgery, perforations of the gallbladder and pylorus were found and a gallstone wedged in the lumen of the jejunum blocking the passage. Conclusions: Cholecystolithiasis, as a disorder common in our population, should be considered in differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. Gallstone ileus as a rare but highly dangerous complication of cholecystolithiasis is more often seen in elderly patients with rich medical past. None of radiological methods used separately is able to give a full diagnosis - only their combination leads to an accurate diagnosis. That is why only rapid and well selected path of imaging diagnostics (ultrasonography, plain abdominal radiogram, CT imaging), good anamnesis and cooperation with a clinician is the way to obtain a therapeutic success