Social determinants of self-reported emotional and behavioral problems in Greek adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the social factors associated with self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among Greek adolescents. METHODS: At age 18, a population-based sample of 3373 Greek adolescents completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire. RESULTS: The results from the multivariate analysis indicated that both lack of intimate friendships and not having parental monitoring were independently associated with problem behavior among both male and female adolescents. Engagement in sexual activities was significantly associated with higher YSR scores among both genders. Absence of academic motivation was associated with higher YSR scores in girls only. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that social factors, including negative family functions, lack of academic motivation and not having close friends, were associated with emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents and imply the need to develop a supportive social network for adolescents.     

Parallel manifestation of Crohn’s disease and acute pericarditis: a report of two cases

Pericarditis is an uncommon extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which may occur at any time during its natural course. Moreover, it may be associated with the medications used to treat IBD, especially mesalamine. We report on two patients with acute pericarditis who were subsequently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. It is likely that mild, longstanding, virtually asymptomatic intestinal disease preceded the onset of pericarditis in both cases.     

Concurrent imperforate hymen, transverse vaginal septum, and unicornuate uterus: a case report

A 14-year-old premenarcheal adolescent girl presented with lower abdominal discomfort and urine retention. After clinical and imaging examination, an imperforate hymen and a large hematocolpos along the upper part of the vagina was diagnosed. Incision of the imperforate hymen did not lead to drainage of blood or fluid. A complete transverse vaginal septum in the middle third of the vagina was identified and when incised drained approximately 200 mL of a dense brownish fluid. Laparoscopy showed a small unicornuate uterus, confirmed by hysteroscopy. This is the first case in the literature of concurrent imperforate hymen, transverse complete vaginal septum, and unicornuate uterus, and it highlights the potential of a multifactorial embryologic genetic etiology.     

Natural resins and bioactive natural products thereof as potential antimicrobial agents

Natural products and their derivatives have historically been invaluable as a source of therapeutic agents and have contributed to the discovery of antimicrobial agents. However, today with the development of drug-resistant strains, new scaffolds and new sources of bioactive compounds are needed. To this end, plant derived natural resins are reviewed for their potential application as antimicrobial agents. Natural gums, extracts of the whole resins, as well as specific extracts, fractions, essential oils and isolated compounds from the above resins are discussed in terms of their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal activity.     

The myopathy of peripheral arterial occlusive disease: part 1. Functional and histomorphological changes and evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that a myopathy is present, contributes, and, to a certain extent, determines the pathogenesis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). These works provide evidence that a state of repetitive cycles of exercise-induced ischemia followed by reperfusion at rest operates in PAD patients and mediates a large number of structural and metabolic changes in the muscle, resulting in reduced strength and function. The key players in this process appear to be defective mitochondria that, through multilevel failure in their roles as energy, oxygen radical species, and apoptosis regulators, produce and sustain a progressive decline in muscle performance. In this 2-part review, we highlight the currently available evidence that characterizes the nature and mechanisms responsible for this myopathy. In part 1, the authors review the functional and histomorphological characteristics of the myopathy and focus on the biochemistry and bioenergetics of its mitochondriopathy. In part 2, they then review accumulating evidence that oxidative stress related to ischemia reperfusion is probably the major operating mechanism of PAD myopathy. Important new findings of a possible neuropathy and a shift in muscle fiber type are also reviewed. Learning more about these mechanisms will enhance our understanding of the degree to which they are preventable and treatable.     

Benign Cephalic Histiocytosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Benign cephalic histiocytosis (BCH) is a rare type of non‐Langerhans histiocytic disorder, usually presenting with small, yellow‐red or yellow‐brown, asymptomatic papules, located mostly on the head and neck of infants and young children. The histopathologic hallmark of BCH is a well‐circumscribed histiocytic infiltrate in the superficial to mid‐reticular dermis. BCH is a self‐healing disorder, with the eruptions regressing spontaneously in most cases; therefore no treatment is required. We present a case of BCH in a 7‐month‐old boy who was referred to our department with multiple, asymptomatic, yellow‐red papules located on his face, and we review 55 cases published in the English‐language literature in an effort to better describe and understand this unusual entity.