Sympathetic skin response in scleroderma.

Examination of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) was performed in 32 patients with systemic sclerosis, morphea and mixed connective tissue disease displaying scleroderma-like features. The control group consisted of 26 healthy subjects and 12 patients with other skin diseases and asymmetrical cutaneous changes. Right and left median and tibial nerves were stimulated successively and the responses were recorded from the palms and soles simultaneously. SSR abnormalities (delayed latency, decrease and/or asymmetry of amplitude, absent response) were observed in 68.8% of the patients, most frequently in linear scleroderma. An amplitude asymmetry of the responses from upper extremities was the most characteristic pattern of abnormalities. There was no correlation between the SSR and the localization, degree and character (inclurated oedema, atrophy, sclerosis) of skin changes, the duration of the disease, symptoms of the disorder of the autonomic nervous system symptoms (vasomotor and/or sudomotor) and the changes in capillaroscopy. All patients with slow motor conduction and sensor conduction velocities (MCV and SCV) had lower SSR amplitude and the patients with prolonged skin sensory chronaxy had more often delayed latency. The results revealed presence of disturbances of the autonomic nervous system in all varieties of scleroderma, both systemic and localized forms, even without any other signs of autonomic dysfunction.     

Pentobarbital in tobacco.

The spectrometric analysis of extracts from tobacco and tobacco smoke revealed the presence of pentobarbital in the analyzed substances. Tobacco samples and tobacco smoke were extracted with chloroform, determinations were performed with the Perkin-Elmer Autosystem XL system, on a Turbo Mass spectrometer. Subject to analysis were 4 cigarette brands manufactured in Poland and raw, unprocessed tobacco. The presence of pentobarbital in the analyzed samples was confirmed by the analysis of the mass spectrum of the substance, as well as by comparison of retention time with standard of pentobarbital. The determined pentobarbital concentrations in tobacco amounted to 3-6 microg/cigarette, and in tobacco smoke they were approximately 45% lower. In case of tobacco extracts it can with high probability be excluded that pentobarbital is synthesized during chromatographical analysis. The presence of pentobarbital in tobacco is thus beyond question.     

Brain uptake of radiolabeled N‐oleoyl‐dopamine in the rat

N‐acyl‐dopamines are a novel class of biologically active lipids that have recently been identified in the brain and have the potential to interact with neural signaling pathways. This study seeks to determine the ability of N‐oleoyl‐dopamine, a synthetic amide of oleic acid and dopamine, to cross the blood brain barrier. We determined the tissue content of radioactivity in selected brain regions, in a short‐run study design, following injections of [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine (0.4 µCi) into the internal carotid artery in the rat. These results were compared with intracarotid injections of [³H]dopamine and with intravenous injections of both radiolabeled compounds. The level of radioactivity was determined using liquid scintillation and was expressed as the percentage of its total dose injected per gram of tissue. We found that the 15‐min brain uptake of radioactivity, with no distinct regional variations, amounted to about 6% following the intracarotid [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine, which was a significant 3–4‐fold increase over that following similar administration of [³H]dopamine. Intravenous injections of [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine gave a much smaller yield of radioactivity in brain tissue samples which was still severalfold greater than that for intravenous [³H]dopamine. Qualitative thin‐layered chromatography screening showed the presence of unchanged N‐oleoyl‐dopamine in the brain following injections. We conclude that N‐oleoyl‐dopamine has an appreciable ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier, which contrasts the limited transfer of dopamine alone. N‐oleoyl‐dopamine might exert physiological effects due to its known affinity for the central vanilloid receptors or to better satisfying the brain tissue demand for dopamine. The study suggests a potential pharmacological role for N‐oleoyl‐dopamine delivered exogenously in helping regulate the brain function. Drug Dev. Res. 60:217–224, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Retinal detachment in pseudophakia

Retinal detachment in an aphakic eye is a grave therapeutical problem. There exists some fears that cataract extraction with implantation of an artificial lens may increase the number of these complications. Three hundred and seventy cases of cataract extraction with implantation of an artificial lens performed in our department were analysed from the point of view of the incidence of retinal detachment. The cataract was extracted extra- and intracapsularly and the artificial lens was implanted in the anterior as well as in the posterior chamber. During the period of observation--4 months to 3 years--it was established that the number of the retinal detachment in pseudophakia was not larger than in aphakic eyes without implant.     

Memory for object and object-location after lesions to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in humans

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of small unilateral lesions to the ventromedial portion of the prefrontal cortex on two memory functions: memory for objects and memory for object locations. Patients, who had undergone surgery of the anterior communicating artery aneurysm, and normal control subjects, participated in the study. The patients were subdivided into two groups: with and without unilateral resection of the gyrus rectus. Subjects were presented with two memory tests, that required remembering either simultaneously presented visual stimuli (object memory test; OMT) or locations of the stimuli (location memory test; LMT). In the OMT, patients with resection of the gyrus rectus were impaired in comparison to patients without resection and normal control subjects. In the LMT, the three groups did not differ from each other. Our results suggest that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is specifically involved in memory for objects.     

Dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline changes in the striatum of C57BL mice following myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 and complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) administration.

Many data suggest involvement of inflammation in neurodegeneration. However, the exact mechanisms of this cooperation are poorly understood. We have previously shown that induction of inflammatory reaction, both before and after injury of the striatum, affects regeneration of dopaminergic neurons. In the present research we studied the role of inflammatory reaction in non-injured striatum. We used myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to elicit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model. As determined by HPLC, striatal dopamine (DA) and serotonin levels in mice treated with either MOG 35-55 in CFA or CFA alone were significantly higher compared to vehicle-treated controls on 13th day after induction. The ratio of homovanilic acid/dopamine (HVA/DA) and 3, 4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/dopamine (DOPAC/DA) were significantly lower in the MOG and CFA groups on 13th day, indicating decreased DA metabolism. Noradrenaline (NA) concentration did not differ between groups. Moreover, the striatal mRNA IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were elevated during induction phase of EAE in both groups, as determined by RT-PCR. Our data indicate regulatory connection between dopaminergic and immune systems.     

Does Drinking Coffee and Tea Affect Bone Metabolism in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are at higher risk of osteoporosis due to lower bone mineral density. Risk factors of osteoporosis are divided into unmodifiable, namely, age, gender, genetic factors, as well as modifiable, including diet, level of physical activity, and the use of stimulants. Coffee and tea contain numerous compounds affecting bone metabolism. Certain substances such as antioxidants may protect bones; other substances may increase bone resorption. Nevertheless, the influence of coffee and tea on the development and course of inflammatory bowel diseases is contradictory.     

Sexual Functioning in Female Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Colorectal Cancer—A Single-Center,Prospective Triple Timepoint Yearly Follow-Up

The study was aimed at assessing the quality of sexual functioning in female patients having undergone surgical treatment for cancer depending on the type of surgery. The prospective cohort consisted of 48 female patients (23 patients with stoma [A2] and 25 patients with maintained continuity of the GI tract [A1]). Study methods included a diagnostic survey and the analysis of medical records of patients. Research tools consisted of a standardized FSFI questionnaire and a proprietary form for evaluation of sociodemographic data. Measurements were performed at threetimepoints: On the day before the surgery (Measurement I) as well as six and 12 months after the surgery (Measurements II and III, respectively). Statistically significant differences in results were observed in Measurements II and III in the subscales of arousal (II:p = 0.0068, III:p = 0.0018), lubrication (II:p = 0.0221, III:p = 0.0134), orgasm (II:p = 0.0044, III:p = 0.0021), satisfaction (II:p = 0.0021, III:p = 0.0433), and pain/discomfort (II:p = 0.0343, III:p = 0.0473). In all cases, lower scores corresponding to lower quality of sexual functioning were observed in patients in whom stoma had been performed. Statistically significant differences in sexual functioning were observed at Measurements II and III in each group, with the results being significantly (p > 0.05) worse in patients having undergone Hartmann’s procedure or abdominoperineal resection). Variables significantly affecting self-assessed sexual satisfaction included marital status, age, and modality of neoadjuvant treatment. Restoration of the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract is a chance for better self-assessment of the patient’s quality of life as regards sexual functioning.     

Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Demodex</Emphasis> species in patients with blepharitis and in healthy individuals: a 10-year observational study

Purpose

Two Demodex species (eyelash mites)—D. folliculorum and D brevis—are believed to be associated with human skin and eye diseases. However, the clinical significance of infection with Demodex species remains controversial.

Study design

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ocular demodicosis in patients with blepharitis as compared with the prevalence in the healthy population in Poland.

Methods

This case-control prospective study was carried out from 2007 to 2016. The enrolled patients (668) were divided into 2 groups: the study group, comprising 553 patients with blepharitis (349 women and 204 men, aged 17–88 years), and the control group, comprising 115 healthy volunteers without a history of ocular pathologies (78 women and 37 men, aged 17–88 years). A sample of 10 eyelashes was taken aseptically from each eye of the examined person and later studied under a light microscope.

Results

Demodex species were found in 62.4% (345/544) of the patients in the study group and in 24.3% (28/100) of the controls (P = .001, OR = 0.006). The overall prevalence was 55.8% (373/668) in all the examined participants. The presence of Demodex infection increased with age in both groups. No association of Demodex infection with gender was found (119/204 vs 226/349; P > .05, OR 1.086). A high mean number of mites was present more frequently in patients aged older than 50 years and in those who complained especially about itching (P < .05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of ocular demodicosis is significantly correlated with blepharitis and increases with age.