[en] Abstract only

[en] A brief synopsis of catastrophe theory is given for the family therapist, with a view to its possible use in modelling disorders of the family system. (author)

[en] To evaluate the use of unbiased computer-assisted lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) by z-score parametric PET imaging (ZPET). 38 patients with histologically proven unilateral TLE due to pure hippocampal sclerosis, referred for pre-surgical PET evaluation of intractable seizure over a 5-year period, were included. The F-18 FDG images were oriented along temporal long axis and then transformed into ZPET images on a voxel by voxel basis. Multiple regions of interests (21 in total) were placed on cortical, subcortical and cerebellar structures on twenty-eight out of 38 patients with totally seizure-free (class I) outcome. Paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction were used to determine the location of the most asymmetric regions as variables for subsequent discriminant analysis of the entire group of the patients. The computer program identified the anterior half of the temporal lobe (p < 0.0005) and thalami (p = 0.021) as the most asymmetric regions in TLE patients with Class I outcome. Discriminant analysis using z-scores from a total of 8 ROIs (in 4 pairs) on these structures correctly lateralized thirty-seven out of 38 (97%) patients (sensitivity = 94%; specificity = 100%). The only false localization came from a patient with equivocal z-scores on the temporal lobes and this patient turned out to have poor outcome. The computer-assisted lateralization of TLE using ZPET provides an accurate, fast and objective way of seizure evaluation

[en] Technological disasters bring about psychological effects in exposed populations of various durability and intensity. This article reviews the epidemiological studies which assess psychological and psychiatric consequences of the Three Mile Island, Goieanna and Chernobyl accidents. It shows, in different accidental and cultural contexts, a statistically significant and durable increase of psychological symptoms in various exposed population groups, which points out an actual psychological distress. Diagnosed psychiatric effects are less constant, but much less studied. Most affected groups are mothers of young children, relocated persons, persons with less social support or in financial trouble. The psychological distress can further psychiatric disorders and give rise to behavioural changes towards health. More research is necessary to delineate the nature and the determinants of the observed symptoms and disorders. It implies to design better tools for the assessment of individual exposure and the diagnosis of mental health effects. (authors)

[en] Correlation of body mass index (BMI) with clinical outcome in patients with glioblastoma is not well documented. Hence, we studied the association between survival and pretreatment BMI in glioblastoma patients.

[en] EEG is essential for diagnosis of non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Two compatible diagnostic systems have been developed for this purpose during last 15 years. The Salzburg Consensus Criteria for Non convulsive Status Epilepticus define unequivocal EEG patterns that confirm NCSE but also patterns that may or may not represent NCSE (i. e. „possible NCSE“). The Salzburg Criteria adopt the rigorous definitions of the American Clinical Neuro physiology Society’s Standardized Critical Care EEG Terminology (ACNS-SCCET), which, in turn, became the main tool for description of EEG in all patients suspected to suffer from NCSE. Its latest 2021 version contains new propositions for the definitions of epileptic seizures and status epilepticus that are compatible with Salzburg Criteria, as well as a proposition for the definition of „ictal-interictal continuum“, which is synonymous with „possible NCSE“. (author)

[en] The purpose of the study was to evaluate the extent of intratumoral heterogeneity of radiation sensitivity in malignant gliomas, by comparing the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of different glioma sublines derived from the same tumor. The study was performed on five early established malignant gliomas (passage 3-10). Each specimen was quickly cut into three equal pieces (except for one specimen, where only two pieces were obtained). Each piece was processed independently, disintegrated into single cell suspension using a cocktail of enzymes. Survival curve assays, using colony formation as an end-point, were performed for each subline. Comparison between the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of sublines was calculated using the surviving fraction at 2 Gy and the mean inactivation dose as the measured parameters. The DNA content of the cell lines as well as their cell cycle analysis was determined using flow cytometry. The mean calculated surviving fraction at 2 Gy of all the sublines was 0.37, the mean mean inactivation dose was 1.98. The intertumoral coefficient of variation for the calculated surviving fraction at a statistically significant difference in the surviving fraction at 2 Gy and mean inactivation dose values of their sublines. This difference in radiation sensitivity between sublines of the same tumor was not attributed to a difference either in the ploidy status or in the distribution of cells in the cell cycle. There is a significant intratumoral heterogeneity of radiation sensitivity in some malignant gliomas. This heterogeneity may limit the predictive power of surviving fraction at 2 Gy or mean inactivation dose, especially when their values are based upon a single measurement/single biopsy. In the meantime, this heterogeneity may be a factor in the discrepancy between unexpectedly sensitive tumor cell lines in vitro and their high clinical radiation resistance. 20 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs

[en] Glioblastomas are highly diffuse, malignant tumors that have so far evaded clinical treatment. The strongly invasive behavior of cells in these tumors makes them very resistant to treatment, and for this reason both experimental and theoretical efforts have been directed toward understanding the spatiotemporal pattern of tumor spreading. Although usual models assume a standard diffusion behavior, recent experiments with cell cultures indicate that cells tend to move in directions close to that of glioblastoma invasion, thus indicating that a biased random walk model may be much more appropriate. Here we show analytically that, for realistic parameter values, the speeds predicted by biased dispersal are consistent with experimentally measured data. We also find that models beyond reaction–diffusion–advection equations are necessary to capture this substantial effect of biased dispersal on glioblastoma spread. (paper)

[en] The studies realized in the 30-km zone give an opportunity to reveal changes in the system including hypothalamus, hypothesis and adrenal cortex for persons working at the Pripyat' research and production joint enterprise for a long time. Stable stress in cortisol secretion at absence of expected synchronous increase in secretion of ACTG especially for persons with irradiation doses more than 0.25 Gy is noted. Connection between irradiation dose and adrenal gland secretion decreasing degree is revealed. Hypothetical model of disadaptosis radiation-induced variant is suggested. the conclusion on existance of common pathogenetic basis of many endocrine and psychosomatic diseases is made. 2 refs.; 10 tabs

[en] This paper addresses the subject 'stress' and its effects on the personality. Specific types of behavior, which the human develops in a fearful situation are demonstrated by means of the psychoanalytical personality model. In the conclusion possible methods of alleviating fear, shock and panic reactions are described. 7 figs., 2 tabs., 9 refs