Traumatic stress severity

Since 1980, a new outlook on stress was applied in connection with the changes in psychiatric concepts and the notion that a traumatic experience may cause specific psychological symptoms varying from the content and source of other psychiatric disorders. The understanding of the trauma, defined by the objective traits of the stressor, separated it from stress as defined by the subjective individual's decision. This was against the current theory of Selye in which the stress reaction is a homogenous entity as a whole, defined by a subjective evaluation of the event, independently of the objective traits. The paper examines new directions in the studies on the meaning of trauma for the person who survived it. According to these studies, the trauma and its consequences cannot be viewed solely in a narrow pathogenic and symptomatic frame. Modern directions of studies on stress led to a model integration of physiological, behavioural and psychological reactions and the trauma itself was to be seen in a cultural and historical context. Today's biopsychocultural model of understanding trauma consists in a complex of common actions from various systems and backgrounds. They comprise the following factors: physical (biological), intrapsychic, interpersonal (familial, social, religious, cultural), educational-professional, economical, political. These systems coexist in a time frame, in common relations and connections. They all affect the capability to evaluate danger, which gives different strategies of coping with oneself. Studies on PTSD give arguments for understanding of the full influence that a trauma can have on a person, and allow for an unlimited outlook on the traumatic situation--its biological, social and existential aspects.     

Use of a modified microplate bioassay method to investigate antibacterial activity in the Peruvian medicinal plant Peperomia galioides

A versatile microplate bioassay for quick and sensitive determination of antibacterial activity was developed for use in screening medicinal plants and identification of their active principles. This assay can be used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations for small quantities of organic or water-soluble plant extracts. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the stem and leaves of Peperomia galioides using this method found fractions containing grifolin and grifolic acid, which inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.     

False forensic expertise--analysis of occurrences

Main problems that await the modern Polish forensic psychiatry are presented. The most common mistakes made in forensic expertise are discussed and their causes are shown. The need for a change in the manner of teaching forensic psychiatry at an academic, as well as post graduate level to medical students/doctors as well as law officials, has been stressed. The criteria for calling on experts, system of control and evaluation of the expertise formulated and rules of payment to the experts--all need changing. The altered criminal structure and possibilities of putting pressure on experts through corruption, threatening or blackmail were noted. The clearly defined status of the forensic psychiatric expert gives him a guarantee of legal defence and through this an unbiased position. Giving forensic expertise is not only part of the diagnostics in forensic psychiatry. An even layout of protection, treatment and rehabilitation of psychiatrically ill criminals has to be present in this system.     

Scleritis resembling choroidal melanoma: a case report]

The clinical manifestations of the disease, its course and response to the therapy were typical of the inflammatory state in the eye. However, magnetic resonance imaging suggested the presence of an intraocular tumour. Immunoscintigraphic studies using technetium-labelled antimelanoma antibodies initially and 9 months later yielded positive results with the increasing antibody titer. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy did not reveal the presence of neoplastic cells. The eyeball was removed due to a chronic inflammatory process and loss of vision. Histopathological examination demonstrated a tumour-like lesion with the signs of inflammatory infiltration without mitotic activity.     

Bacterial lung abscess: a review of the radiographic and clinical features of 50 cases

The radiographic and clinical features of 50 patients with documented bacterial lung abscess are presented. Neither clinical nor radiographic features permit a specific diagnosis of lung abscess to be made; microbiologic or histopathologic material is needed to establish the diagnosis. A surprising percentage of patients (18%) had radiographically occult lung abscesses that were diagnosed only at the time of surgery or autopsy. Possible causes for and means of avoiding this diagnostic pitfall are presented.