[en] Palliative care has its roots in hospice movement arising in the 1970s in Europe and later also in America. From its beginning it has had connection with patients in terminal phase of cancer disease who suffered from many serious symptoms. Nowadays palliative care is also being provided to patients in terminal phase of certain neurological disorders, AIDS, exceptionally for patients with heart, lung or kidney failure. It has become part of modern medicine and of good clinical practice. (author)

[en] Myotonic dystrophy type1 (DM1) is the most common inherited adult muscular disease. Clinical features of DM1 include myotonia, progressive muscle weakness and wasting, cataract, endocrine abnormalities, heart conduction defects, and reduced cognitive ability. DM1 is caused by the expansion of an unstable of CTG repeat in the 3'-UTR of the DMPK gene. The SIX5 gene is located downstream of DMPK. Expansions of the CTG repeat eliminate an enhancer element of SIX5.There may be several mechanisms by which the repeat expansion causes the DM1 phenotype and the SIX5 transcript has been shown in several studies to be reduced in DM1 patients in a repeat dependent manner. In the work described here the SIX5 consensus sequence was identified as CCGGTGTCTG using random oligonucleotide selection. Gel shift assays were performed using this consensus binding site labeled with [α- ³²P] dCTP and expressed GST fusion protein of the SIX- and homeodomains (GST-SIX+HD). Bioinformatic screens of the human genome identified gene sequences containing the SIX5 binding site that indicate likely candidate genes for regulation by SIX5. Gel shift assays showed that (GST-SIX+HD) binds to the dopamine D5 receptor gene, calcium-activated potassium channel gene, Myogenin, DOCK180, the insulin receptor gene, tissue plasminogen activator etc.

[en] Many outdoor fungal spores are ubiquitous, respirable and possibly allergenic. They may contribute to asthma symptoms; however, little is known about their effects on respiratory function.

[en] We report a case of a woman presenting with right severe buttock claudication and normal neurological and osteoarticular examination, in whom a guidewire recanalization and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of an occluded right superior gluteal artery (SGA) has provided relief of her symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of percutaneous recanalization of the SGA. PTA can be considered the treatment of choice for buttock claudication caused by SGA stenosis or occlusion.

[en] The styloid process is a cylindrical, long cartilaginous bone located on the temporal bone. The calcified stylohyoid ligament and elongated styloid process can be identified radiographically, and they are associated with a number of syndromes and symptoms. The exact cause of the styloid process elongation due to calcification and subsequent ossification of ligament is unclear. This report presents a case of severely calcified stylohyoid ligament complex occurred in twins who have the same pattern of calcification.

[en] This is the case of a patient presenting with right temporoparietal subacute hematoma secondary to a physical act of aggression. In clinical picture at 24 hours there was predominance of headache of moderate intensity with drowsiness and slight psychomotor restlessness. The skull single radiographies didn't show alterations. Symptoms remained despite the medical treatment, thus a single skull axial tomography was carried out showing the presence of a right temporoparietal subacute epidural hematoma with displacement from the middle line structures. A right temporoparietal craniotomy was carried out to evacuation of the posterior hematoma. Patient evolved satisfactorily with a total recovery as much clinical as imaging. (author)

[en] Golfer's fracture is stress fracture of the posterior portion of left 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7th ribs of golfer's, usually beginners,and it is considered due to exposure to unaccustomed severe exercise of this fascinating sport. Healing is usually uneventful, but possible complication may occur, because symptom is mild and golfers continue the exercise with physical therapy such as massage. Author report 4 cases of golfer's fracture, including 1 case complicated by platelike at electasis of lung.

[en] Some phthalates are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). They are widely present in the environment thus their impact on children’s health is of particular scientific interest. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between phthalate exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes, in particular behavioral, cognitive and psychomotor development, in 250 early school age children from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort (REPRO_PL). Urine samples were collected at the time of children’s neurodevelopmental assessment and were analysed for 21 metabolites of 11 parent phthalates. Behavioral and emotional problems were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) filled in by the mothers. To assess children’s cognitive and psychomotor development, Polish adaptation of the Intelligence and Development Scales (IDS) was administered. The examination was performed by trained psychologists. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) were the two phthalates showing the highest statistically significant associations, with higher total difficulties scores (β = 1.5, 95% CI 0.17; 2.7; β = 1.5, 95% CI 0.25; 2.8, respectively) as well as emotional symptoms and hyperactivity/inattention problems for DnBP (β = 0.46, 95% CI -0.024; 0.94; β = 0.72, 95% CI 0.065; 1.4, respectively), and peer relationships problems for DMP (β = 0.37, 95% CI -0.013; 0.76). In addition, DnBP and DMP have been found to be negatively associated with fluid IQ (β = −0.14, 95% CI -0.29; 0.0041) and crystallized IQ (β = −0.16, 95% CI -0.29; −0.025), respectively. In the case of mathematical skills, three phthalates, namely DMP (β = −0.17, 95% CI -0.31; −0.033), DEP (β = −0.16, 95% CI -0.29; −0.018) and DnBP (β = −0.14, 95% CI -0.28; 0.0012), have also shown statistically significant associations. This study indicates that exposure to some phthalates seems to be associated with adverse effects on behavioral and cognitive development of early school age children. Further action including legislation, educational and interventional activities to protect this vulnerable population is still needed.

[en] 1. A study on chest radiographic findings of 54 cases with pneumonia like symptoms was performed. Of 54 cases, 8 cases were confirmed to be leptospirosis and 7 cases were leptospirosis combined with Korean hemorrhagic fever. 2. Of 8 cases of leptospirosis, 4 cases showed abnormal chest radiographic findings: acinar nodular type 2, massive confluent consolidation type 2. Of 7 cases of leptospirosis combined with Korean hemorrhagic fever: acinar nodular type 3, massive confluent consolidation type 1, and increased interstitial markings type 1 respectively. 3. It was considered to be difficult to diagnose the leptospirosis on chest radiographic findings alone, especially the case combined with Korean hemorrhagic fever.

[en] Radiographic features of maxillary sinusitis, type of mucosal thickening, types of bony wall change, and relationship between the radiographic features and symptoms of patients were observed and classified in the Waters' view of 360 patients with 441 maxillary sinuses demonstrating radiologic change was observed in the 154 periapical films. Finally, the value of orthopantomography in the diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis was evaluated in the 138 cases, The obtained results were as followings. 1. Among 441 maxillary sinuses examine by Waters' projection, mucosal thickening was seen in 56.7% and generalized opacification was seen in 36.3%. 2. Among 270 mucosal thickenings classified 8 types, overall regularly thickened type cortical plates was the highest in incidence (36.3%). 3. Bony wall change was seen in 35.6% of all cases and the indistinct while line of the cortical plates was the highest in incidence (78.2%) among the 6 types. 4. Pain (419%) and pus discharge (21.0%) were the most frequent symptoms. And pus discharge, foul odor, and headache was more prevalent in type of generalized opacification than any other types. 5. Regular pneumatization involving all roots of premolars and molars was the highest in incidence (55.0%). The first molar presented the most frequent involvement (61.0%). 6. In orthopantomography, 46.4% showed apparent increased radiopacity and 23.9% showed suspicious increased radiopacity in comparison to Water's projection.