The Lymphatic System In The Brain Clearance Mechanisms - New Therapeutic Perspectives For Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Pathological deposits of neurotoxic proteins within the brain, such as amyloid-ß and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles, are the prominent features in AD. According to recent studies, the newly discovered brain lymphatic system was demonstrated to be crucial in the clearance of metabolic macromolecules from the brain. Meningeal lymphatic vessels located in the dura mater drain the fluid, macromolecules, and immune cells from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and transport them, as lymph, to the deep cervical lymph nodes. The lymphatic system provides the perivascular exchange of CSF with interstitial fluid (ISF) and ensures the homeostasis of neuronal interstitial space. In this review, we aim to summarize recent findings on the role of the lymphatic system in AD pathophysiology and discuss possible therapeutic perspectives, targeting the lymphatic clearance mechanisms within the brain.

The effects of short-term group psychodynamic psychotherapy on the personality traits of patients treated in a day ward. / Wplyw krótkoterminowej grupowej psychoterapii psychodynamicznej na cechy osobowosci pacjentów leczonych na oddziale dziennym.

OBJECTIVES: In the literature, there is no research that would indicate how a change in specific personality elements may affect the therapeutic effect of short-term group psychodynamic psychotherapy (STGP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of short-term group psychodynamic psychotherapy on personality traits in apopulation of patients with neurotic and personality disorders in a day ward of neurosis treatment. METHODS: The study involved 139 people with anxiety and personality disorders, including 110 who participated in the control measurements. The dimensions of personality (neuroticism, extraversion, psychoticism, lie) were assessed on the basis of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) adapted to the Polish conditions. The measurements were made at two time points: (1) before treatment, (2) after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: During therapy the level of neuroticism, extraversion, psychoticism and lie did not change significantly in the group of neurotic patients. In the group of people with personality disorders, the level of neuroticism significantly decreased (p = 0.0008), whereas the level of extraversion increased (p = 0.037). The values for psychoticism and lie did not change significantly in the course of psychotherapy in any group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamics of changes in neuroticism and extraversion under the influence of short-term group psychodynamic psychotherapy (STGP) in a day ward of neurosis treatment seems to be an important marker for assessing the effectiveness of the treatment in people suffering from personality disorders. There is a need to develop more precise parameters for the assessment of recovery in the group of people with anxiety disorders.

Exploiting the Bis-Nucleophilicity of α-Aminoboronates: Copper-Catalyzed, Intramolecular Aminoalkylations of Bromobenzoyl Chlorides.

α-Aminoboronate salts are interesting examples of heteroatomic species containing adjacent nucleophilic centers. We have developed an acylation/arylation reaction using 2-bromobenzoyl chlorides as bis-electrophiles that harnesses the nucleophilicity of both positions, leading to isoindolinones. The reactions proceed under mild conditions via an intramolecular, Cu-catalyzed sp(3)-sp(2) coupling, giving products in up to 95% yield. These conditions enable arylation of α,α-disubstituted aminoboronates, which are difficult to accomplish using methods based on less abundant and more expensive transition metals.

Implication of oncogenic signaling pathways as a treatment strategy for neurodegenerative disorders - contemporary approaches.

Recent evidence has associated the aberrant, proximal re-expression of various cell cycle control elements with neuronal cell vulnerability in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as a common chronic neurodegeneration. This phenomenon associated with oncogenic transduction pathway activation has attracted the interest of scientists all over the world for a few years now. The purpose of this paper is to outline areas of research related to oncogenic factors or medicines in the context of potential applications for future treatment of the above mentioned chronic and, largely, incurable diseases.

[Polish version of the Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule II (GSDS II)--assessment of validity]. / Ocena przydatnosci polskiej wersji kwestionariusza niesprawnosci spolecznej Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule II (GSDS II).

INTRODUCTION: Precise and adequate assessment of social functioning and disability is a subject of major interest and concern of the researchers. Until now, no instrument with confirmed psychometric properties was established as a supportive measure of disability in the framework of the rehabilitation process with the participation of the National Insurance Agency. A potentially useful instrument for this purpose is the Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule II (GSDSII). AIM: Aim of the study was the evaluation of usefulness of the Polish version of GSDSII as a social disabilities measure in the population of psychiatric inpatients. METHOD: 130 persons with a broad range of diagnoses (schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders) were interviewed. For estimation of convergent validity, the following reference tools were selected: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Social Assessment of Functioning scale (SOFAS), Global Assessment of Relational Functioning (GARF), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DASII). For criterion validity the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) 24-item version was applied. RESULTS. The sufficient and good validity indices were obtained for concurrent validity of GSDSII. There was also a significant interrelation between psychopathology assessed with BPRS and disability measured by GSDSII. CONCLUSIONS: Results allow for the supplication of the GSDSII in the research on psychosocial disability in Poland.

[Experimental studies in Polish psychiatric journals]. / Badania eksperymentalne w polskich czasopismach psychiatrycznych.

AIM: Scientific studies in psychiatry from a methodological point of view could be divided into correlational and experimental. Experimental studies are based on active selection of independent and dependent variables, attributing values of the independent variable to persons under study and measuring values of dependent variables. An example of the experimental study is a comparison of two therapeutic methods. Experiments are feeble to selection, informational and confounding bias. METHOD: This review comprises experimental papers published in journals: "Psychiatria Polska", "Postepy Psychiatrii i Neurologii", "Farmakoterapia w Psychiatrii i Neurologii", "Rocznik Psychogeriatryczny", "Wiadomosci Psychiatryczne" oraz "Alkoholizm i Narkomania" from January 1998 to December 2002. RESULTS: 11 experimental publications, 6 randomised, 2 probably randomised and 3 case-control studies were found. The smallest study included 14 persons, the largest 180 persons. The number of experimental groups varied from 2 to 4. 9 studies evaluated features of specific methods of therapy and rehabilitation, among them 6 evaluated efficacy of medications. 2 studies evaluated relations between psychopathological and physiological variables. Experiments were based on groups of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (3), alcohol and drug dependence (2), depression (3), insomnia (1), bronchial asthma (1), and hypertension (1). CONCLUSION: The review showed that experimental studies do not form a main-stream in Polish psychiatric journals.

[The impact of lead and cadmium on the immune system]. / Wplyw olowiu i kadmu na funkcje ukladu immunologicznego.

A long-lasting exposure to lead and cadmium may cause changes in the immune response. Until now only a few reports have addressed this problem. At present, the direct immunotoxicity of heavy metals is the subject of extensive studies, especially on in vitro models. Heavy metals may regulate the immune response of the body at its different stages, modifying early and late inflammatory reactions, among others through changing the number of circulating B and T lymphocytes, NK cells and immunological memory cells. Some authors show that lead and cadmium stimulate the production of cytokines and IgE antibodies, which can be the reason for the increased number of atopic diseases in populations exposed to these two metals. Clinical tests in patients occupationally exposed to lead revealed the diminished number of B and T lymphocytes, and a considerable decrease in the number of NK cells. Other authors noted the increased number of CD8+ lymphocytes, which play a pivotal role in cytotoxic response, and the decreased number of B lymphocytes together with the increased IgA levels in policemen of road services. In copper smelters some changes in humoral response can be detected, e.g. a lower production of IgA and IgG, predisposing them to infections and cancers. To elucidate the exact impact of heavy metals on the immunological response further investigations are required. The growing pollution of the environment by heavy metals probably contributes to the enhanced incidence of allergic diseases and cancers in urban populations. Our goal should be to identify the mechanisms responsible for the changes in the immunological response induced by lead and cadmium, so that it could be possible to reduce or minimize serious pathologies resulting from the exposure to these metals.

[Berylliosis in the work environment: etiology and medical treatment]. / Beryloza w srodowisku pracy--etiologia i postepowanie lekarskie.

Beryllium is a metal responsible for the incidence of chronic beryllium disease--an illness affecting from 2 to 5% of workers exposed to this metal and its compounds. There is a growing evidence provided by epidemiological and toxicological studies that exposure limits for workers dealing with beryllium should be revised. This paper gathers epidemiological and pathological data particularly on chronic beryllium toxicity and carcinogenesis. It also reviews the most important aspects of beryllium toxicology and explains the mechanisms of its effect on humans. In addition, the paper presents suggestions on the diagnosis and treatment of berylliosis. The content of the paper is based on medical data, as well as on reference materials of national and international organizations and governmental agencies.