The effect of aging on mast cell density in human skin: a comparative analysis of photoexposed and photoprotected regions.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are mononuclear cells originating from bone marrow. They produce various biologically active substances, which allow them to actively participate in immune and inflammatory processes associated with intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging. This research focused on distribution and density of mast cells in healthy skin in different stages of skin aging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This project included samples of photoexposed and photoprotected skin, obtained from 90 cadavers aged 0-82 years. The samples were classified into five age groups: newborns, young age, middle age, senior age and the oldest age. In order to visualize the mast cells, we have employed several histochemical staining protocols. RESULTS: The number of mast cells of the photoexposed skin significantly correlated to the individual's age. The number of mast cells of the photoprotected skin was in general statistically significantly lower in younger compared to older groups; however, the correlation of the mast cell density in photoprotected skin and the age did not reach statistical significance. In middle age, senior age and the oldest age groups, a significantly higher number of mast cells was recorded in the skin of the photoexposed compared to photoprotected region. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in mast cell density correlated with age only in photoexposed skin. Age-related higher accumulation of dermal mast cells in photoexposed skin can be an important factor in the photoaging process, as well as the contributing factor in the occurrence of skin cancer.

Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Drug-Dietary Supplement and Drug-Herbal Product Interactions.

Given the widespread use of dietary supplements (DS) and herbal products (HP), healthcare professionals (HCPs) will increasingly encounter patients who use these preparations with conventional drugs and who need their services to reduce the consequences of adverse therapeutic outcomes. The aim of our survey was to assess the knowledge and behaviors of HCPs regarding the risk of potential drug−dietary supplement (DDSIs) and drug−herbal product (DHPIs) interactions. This cross-sectional survey collected data via on paper-based questionnaire among general practitioners (GPs) (n = 105), specialty doctors (n = 87) and nurses (n = 154). The HCPs were mostly familiar with the interaction of doxycycline with magnesium (83%) and were least familiar with interaction of warfarin with glucosamine (14%). The results on DDSIs and DHPIs knowledge showed that GPs scored significantly higher than nurses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), while specialty doctors scored significantly higher than nurses only on DDSIs knowledge (p < 0.001). Only 28% of respondents reported that they often or always ask patients on drug therapy about the use of DS or HP, and 25% of respondents record such data in the medical documentation of patients. Our results showed that HCPs have sufficient knowledge about most major DDSIs and DHPIs, but insufficient knowledge about most moderate interactions. However, their overall knowledge and behavior regarding the risk of these interactions indicate the need for further continuing education and training.

The value of P300 event related potentials in the assessment of cognitive function in subclinical hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Mild hypothyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] less than 10 mIU/L) induces reversible cognitive dysfunction, which can be evaluated by event related potentials (ERP). So far, only little is known about the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on ERP as electrophysiological markers of cognitive activity. The aim of this study was to follow-up P300 latencies and amplitudes in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and to evaluate the influence of thyroxine treatment which led to the normalization of TSH level in serum. METHODS: We recorded the P300 wave using an auditory oddball paradigm in 60 patients (mean age 51.1±6.2 years, range 40-62 years), with subclinical hypothyroidism (normal mean value of FT4, with elevated TSH levels) at baseline, after 3 months, after 6 months and in 30 healthy control subjects. 30 patients treated six months with L-thyroxine until the normalization of TSH and 30 patients received placebo. RESULTS: The P300 latencies in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were significantly longer, and the P300 amplitudes were significantly smaller than those of the control group. In the thyroxine treated patients P300 latency continuously decreased over the observation period with a significant difference after 6 months compared to baseline (P<0.01). The amplitude P300 showed no significant changes over time. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the importance of P300 event related potentials in the detection of cognitive changes in patients with hypothyroidism. The P300 latency stands out as a marker for cognitive function recovery during treatment with thyroxine.

The role of P300 event-related potentials in the cognitive recovery after the stroke.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of an ischemic stroke on the amplitude and latency of the P300 wave and evaluate their changes over a prospective 1-year follow-up period. We recorded the P300 wave using an auditory oddball paradigm in 60 consecutive brain infarct patients at baseline (i.e., within 4 weeks after the stroke), after 3 months, after 12 months and in 30 healthy control subjects. The P300 latencies in stroke patients were significantly longer and the P300 amplitudes were significantly smaller than those of the control group. The latency of P300 showed a highly significant average improvement 12 months after the stroke compared to the baseline. There was no significant change observed for the P300 amplitude during the same period. The P3 latency is initially more increased in the patients with hemispheric brain infarction but shows a better recovery compared to the patients with brainstem infarction. Also, the results of the P300 latency of patients with the left-sided lesions was significantly longer compared to the patients with right-sided lesions on the beginning of the study but not 3 and 12 months after the stroke. The results of our study show the importance of P300 event-related potentials in the detection and follow-up of cognitive changes after ischemic stroke.

Prevalence of the palmaris longus and its impact on grip strength in elite gymnasts and non-athletes / Prevalencia del músculo palmar largo y el impacto en la fuerza de agarre en gimnastas de elite y no atletas

In elite athletes, the palmaris longus (PL) presence has a potential contribution to hand strength, smaller reaction time, better shooting speed and power. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PL in elite competitive artistic gymnasts and its impact on grip strength compared to a control group of moderately active non-athletes. This prospective study included 370 subjects divided in two groups (170 elite artistic gymnasts and 200 moderately active non-athletes, students of medicine). The study consisted of two clinical sets of examination: a search for the clinical presence of PL was initially conducted followed by the assessment of maximal grip strength. Standard and six additional tests were performed to confirm PL tendon absence. Maximal grip strength was measured bilaterally with an electronic hand dynamometer. Bilateral absence was more common than unilateral, predominately noted on left side in both study groups. Unilateral PL absence was correlated to decreased grip strength in students, while the opposite was found in gymnasts. The mean value of grip strength in some age groups was higher on the side where the PL was absent. The results of our study show that the presence of the PL doesn`t affect the hand grip strength in gymnasts. Due to the low incidence of unilateral PL absence, further large-sampled research is warranted to assess PL contribution to hand grip strength and to other hand functions that could be of significant importance for athletes and non-athletes.

La presencia del músculo palmar largo (MPL) en atletas de élite tiene el potencial de aportar mayor fuerza a la mano, un tiempo de reacción menor, mejor velocidad de tiro y potencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de MPL en las gimnastas artísticas competitivas de élite y su impacto en la fuerza de agarre en comparación con un grupo control de no atletas moderadamente activos. El estudio incluyó 370 sujetos divididos en dos grupos (170 gimnastas artísticas de élite y 200 no atletas moderadamente activos, estudiantes de medicina). El estudio consistió en dos series clínicas de examen: inicialmente se realizó una búsqueda de la presencia clínica de MPL, seguido de la evaluación de la fuerza máxima de agarre. Se realizaron pruebas estándar y seis pruebas adicionales para confirmar la ausencia del tendón del MPL. La máxima fuerza de agarre se midió bilateralmente con un dinamómetro de mano electrónico. La ausencia bilateral fue más común que unilateral, predominantemente observada en el lado izquierdo en ambos grupos de estudio. La ausencia unilateral de MPL se correlacionó con una menor fuerza de agarre en los estudiantes, mientras que en gimnastas se encontró lo contrario. El valor medio de la fuerza de agarre en algunos grupos de edad fue mayor en el lado donde el MPL estaba ausente. Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran que la presencia de MPL no afecta la fuerza de agarre de la mano en gimnastas. Debido a la baja incidencia de ausencia unilateral de MPL, se justifica una investigación adicional de gran tamaño para evaluar la contribución de MPL a la fuerza de agarre de la mano y otras funciones de la mano que podrían ser de gran importancia para los atletas y no atletas.