Correlations Between Trace Elements in Selected Locations of the Human Brain in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Trace element distribution varies in different locations of the human brain. Several elements were found to cause various negative effects, such as neurodegeneration. In this paper, we analyzed the interactions between seven trace elements: zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and individuals without (control group). Brain tissue samples from 31 individuals with AUD and 31 control subjects were harvested. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used for trace element determination. In the control group, there were several positive correlations between Cr, Cu, Fe and Mn. In the AUD group, positive correlations between Co and Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn were found. The majority of correlations between Zn and other elements are positive. In the studied group, Mn had strong positive correlations with Co, Cr, Cu and Fe. The strongest positive correlation found between average element concentration was between Cu and Cr. The knowledge of kinetics and metabolism of trace elements as well as the impact of alcohol on these processes is essential for understanding the pathological processes and functioning of human brain tissue.

Assessment of the correlation between gender, age, body mass index and the severity of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Obesity has become one of the leading epidemic diseases in the world. Obesity is acknowledged as a risk factor for postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting (PONV), especially in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between gender, age, BMI values and the severity of postoperative pain and PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study enrolled 244 patients with cholelithiasis who underwent scheduled laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were assigned to 3 groups according to BMI values. Patients were assessed for the presence of PONV and severity of pain in the 6(th) and 24(th) hour after surgery.

RESULTS

BPONV was reported more frequently in female than in male patients in the 1(st) time period. In the first time point the postoperative pain was significantly higher in group O in comparison to group H and N. Postoperative pain significantly decreased in the 24(th) postoperative hour in comparison to its level assessed in the 6th postoperative hour in all three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender is a risk factor of PONV, so women should receive antiemetic prophylactic. There is a positive relationship between BMI and postoperative pain, so obese patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures should receive prophylactic application of analgesic drugs.

[Medical simulation as a professional tool which affect the safety of the patient used in the learning process]

Simulation is the methodology of teaching, learning process using educational equipment from simple simulators, designed to study individual tasks, through advanced mannequins called human patient stimulators faithfully mimic the human and its parameters. The medical simulation's main task is education and improvement patients' safety. Advanced human simulators can realistically cough, vomit with artificial chyme and bleed with artificial blood causing a real stress of medical personnel and the need for immediate action. Medical simulation gives the opportunity to prepare medical personnel to the profession more effectively, in less time than traditional education and also clearly affects the patients' safety.

Anatomical variations of the coeliac trunk in the homogeneous Polish population

BACKGROUND

The abdominal vessels show a number of abnormalities and pathologies knowledge of which is important during open as well as laparoscopic surgeries. One of the most common vessels which pattern has many variations is the coeliac trunk. The present study was undertaken on homogeneous population to assess morphology of the coeliac trunk and to evaluate the possible variability of its branches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Standard abdominal multidetector computed tomography examinations were performed on a total of 1569 patients diagnosed by 2 radiologists independently; in case of doubts common assessment was performed.

RESULTS

The coeliac trunk followed the classic pattern in 92.7% of the cases (1455/1569 of patients). The gastrosplenic trunk was detected in 4.1% of cases (64/1569); the hepatosplenic trunk in 2.2% of cases (34/1569); the coeliac-mesenteric trunk was observed in 0.5% of cases (8/1569); the hepatogastric trunk in 0.2% of cases (4/1569); the splenomesenteric trunk was detected in 0.1% of cases (2/1569). In the next 0.1% the coeliac trunk was absent. The hepatosplenomesenteric and the coeliac-colic trunk were not observed in the study population.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular anatomical abnormality is usually asymptomatic hovewer, its preoperative knowledge is helpful to reduce complications like vascular bleeding when dissecting the hapato-pancreatic region. The coeliac trunk and its branches can be fast and easy evaluated in computed tomography exams performed due to various symptoms from abdominal cavity.