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Reflections of Wilhelm Wundt’s lectures in Vytautas Civinskis’ diary: application of introspection to comprehend emotional phenomena
No full textThe beginning of the 20th century is well known as a time of formation of psychology as an independent scientific discipline. One of the students interested in it was Vytautas Civinskis (1887–1910), who attended Wilhelm Wundt’s Psychology lectures during his agriculture (Landwirtschaft) studies at Leipzig University, in 1904–1906, and led a Diary at that time. This article presents analysis of fragments of Civinskis’ Diary related to psychology. Several artefacts found in it, preliminarily interpreted as the diarist’s introspection data related to emotional phenomena, are being discussed. The analysis verified the initial assumption and helped to understand the essence of the diarist’s research design. It was also deduced that Civinskis proceeded with the introspection at least two years after Wundt’s Psychology lectures, trying to elaborate the method. It was found that some other researchers, e. g. Flügel (1925), Viliūnas, Pacevičius and Stončius (1997) applied similar methods much later. The Civinskis’ research on his own emotional states was amateurish but performed consistently and diligently. It can be considered as one of the earliest cases of empirical research in the history of Lithuanian psychology and adds to our still incomplete knowledge of the latter
Literature review of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: risk factors, diagnostic features, and complications (Part I)
No full textRuptured cerebral aneurysm-induced subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a common cause of disability and death in middle-aged people. SAH is more common in females than males, among non-white ethnicity, and is most commonly diagnosed in Finland and Japan. Familial predisposition to SAH and/or aneurysms significantly increases the risk of the disease. Among the adjustable risk factors, smoking, arterial hypertension, and alcohol abuse have the most significant effects. PHASES and other scales covering the most important influencing factors have been introduced into clinical practice to assess the risk of aneurysm rupture. The most significant clinical sign of SAH is a sudden and severe headache, also known as a thunderclap headache. Impaired consciousness, convulsions, cranial nerve damage, paresis/plegia, and meningeal symptoms may also be observed. Computed tomography (CT) and/or lumbar puncture are the main instrumental studies supporting the diagnosis of SAH, while digital subtraction angiography is considered the gold standard in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms. More and more diagnostic tools are being introduced into clinical practice to rule out SAH, such as magnetic resonance imaging with GRE, SWI, FLAIR sequences, which exceed the sensitivity and specificity of CT, especially in the first days of bleeding. Mortality is significantly increased by common local and systemic complications: recurrent bleeding, hydrocephalus, acute convulsions, cardiovascular complications, and cerebral ischemia, the most common cause of which is vasospasm
Safety and efficacy of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for anticoagulation reversal in patients undergoing urgent neurosurgical procedures: a systematic review and metaanalysis
No full textAnticoagulant therapy poses a significant risk for patients undergoing emergency neurosurgery procedures, necessitating reversal with prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) or fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Data on PCC efficacy lack consistency in this setting. This systematic review and metaanalysis aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of PCC for anticoagulation reversal in the context of urgent neurosurgery. Articles from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were screened according to the PRISMA checklist. Adult patients receiving anticoagulation reversal with PCC for emergency neurosurgical procedures were included. When available, patients who received FFP were included as a comparison group. Pooled estimates of observational studies were calculated for efficacy and safety outcomes via random-effects modeling. Initial search returned 4505 articles, of which 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Anticoagulants used included warfarin (83%), rivaroxaban (6.8%), phenprocoumon (6.1%), apixaban (2.2%), and dabigatran (1.5%). The mean International Normalized Ratio (INR) prePCC administration ranged from 2.3 to 11.7, while postPCC administration from 1.1 to 1.4. All-cause mortality at 30 days was 27% (95%CI 21, 34%; I2 = 44.6%; p-heterogeneity = 0.03) and incidence of thromboembolic events was 6.00% among patients treated with PCC (95%CI 4.00, 10.0%; I2 = 0%; p-heterogeneity = 0.83). Results comparing PCC and FFP demonstrated no statistically significant differences in INR reversal, mortality, or incidence of thromboembolic events. This metaanalysis demonstrated adequate safety and efficacy for PCC in the reversal of anticoagulation for urgent neurosurgical procedures. There was no significant difference between PCC and FFP, though further trials would be useful in demonstrating the safety and efficacy of PCC in this setting
Combination of extrusion and fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum and L. uvarum strains for improving the safety characteristics of wheat bran
No full textProcessed wheat bran (W) is of great importance for food and feed. Consequently, the biosafety of W should be evaluated and improved with valorisation strategies. This study tested a design combining extrusion (at temperature of 115 and 130 °C; screw speeds of 16, 20, and 25 rpm) and fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum and L. uvarum strains for the valorisation of W to provide safer food and feed stock. The influence of different treatments on biogenic amine formation, mycotoxin content, and free amino acids, as well as acidity, microbiological parameters, and sugar concentration, were analysed. This research showed that a combination of extrusion and fermentation with selected strains can change several aspects of W characteristics. There was a significant effect of applied treatments on acidity and the microbiological parameters of W, as well as biogenic amines content. The lowest total mycotoxin concentration (29.8 µg/kg) was found in extruded (130 °C; 25 rpm) and fermented with L. uvarum sample. Finally, the combination of the abovementioned treatments can be confirmed as a prospective innovative pre-treatment for W, capable of potentially enhancing their safety characteristics and composition
Islet autoantibody profiles associated with higher diabetes risk in Lithuanian compared with English schoolchildren
No full textOver a 15 year period, the incidence of type 1 diabetes has doubled in Lithuania, whilst increasing by a third in England, however England still has the higher incidence. Analysis of sera collected from non-diabetic schoolchildren from Lithuania and England more than 20 years ago showed a similar number of multiple autoantibody positive schoolchildren between the populations, but a higher prevalence of islet antigen-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A) in English schoolchildren. We aimed to use recently developed, more specific islet autoantibody tests, to characterise differences in humoral autoimmunity between these two general population cohorts in greater detail. Samples from 88 Lithuanian and 133 English schoolchildren previously found islet autoantibody positive were selected for measurement of additional islet autoantibodies by radioimmunoassay. Samples were tested for autoantibodies to zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A), GAD(96-585), the protein tyrosine phosphatase region of islet antigen-2 (PTPA), and the related IA-2βA while autoantibodies to IA-2A were re-assayed using the current harmonized method. IA-2 related autoantibodies PTPA (0.13% vs. 0.45%, p=0.027) and IA-2βA (0% vs. 0.35%, p<0.001), but not IA-2A measured using the harmonized method, were less common in Lithuanian compared to English schoolchildren. Lithuanian schoolchildren who were islet autoantibody positive, were positive for fewer biochemical autoantibodies compared with English schoolchildren (p=0.043). Background rates of islet autoimmunity in childhood differ subtly between countries which have different incidences of type 1 diabetes. The optimal screening strategy (age and combination of markers) for detection of islet autoimmunity may vary between countries dependent on the pattern of autoantibodies found in the general population
High recurrence rate of children's inguinal hernia after percutaneous internal ring suturing: a single-center study
No full textAim: To evaluate and compare the differences in recurrence rates of post inguinal hernia repair in children using Laparoscopic Intracorporeal Closure of the Processus Vaginalis (LICPV) and Percutaneous Internal Ring Closure (PIRS) operating techniques and compare them to published data. Methods: A retrospective data analysis of children who underwent LICPV or PIRS techniques between 2005 and 2018 in the tertiary paediatric surgery department of university hospital was done. We analyzed demographic data, operating time, the influence of surgeon, recurrence rate, and the time until recurrence within an observed period of time post-operatively. Results: A total of 240 patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair procedures between 2005 and 2018. Of them 138 (57.5%) were male and 102 (42.5%) were female, with mean age of 6.48 (SD ± 4.7). LICPV method accounted for 170 (70.8%) inguinal hernia repairs, whilst 70 (29.2%) underwent the PIRS procedure. The overall recurrence rate was 8.3%; it was significantly higher in the PIRS group (18.6% versus 4.11%, p 0.05). Conclusion: In our hands, a significantly higher recurrence rate exists for children undergoing the PIRS method over LICPV techniques when treating inguinal hernias
Validation of the lithuanian version of the self-evaluation of negative symptoms scale (SNS)
No full textPurpose: To validate the Lithuanian version of the Self-Evaluation Negative Symptoms Scale (Lith-SNS). Materials and methods: A double translation from French to Lithuanian and back was performed. We included patients from in-patient and out-patient settings that had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria and were screened as free from acute psychotic symptoms using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Participants were evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BRPS) and completed the Lith-SNS scale. We measured internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of Lith - SNS comparing its scores with BPRS negative and positive symptom subscores. Results: A total of 67 participants were evaluated. Cronbach's alpha (α) for all 20 items of Lith-SNS (α = 0.82), and for the five subscores (α = 0.76) showed good internal consistency. Factor analysis showed a 2-factor solution which accounted for 70.12% of the variance with the first factor accounting for 53.3% and the second factor accounting for 16.8% of the variance. Lith-SNS total scores and all five subscores significantly correlated with BPRS negative symptoms subscores showing good convergent validity. There was a correlation between the Positive subscore of BPRS and the alogia subscore of Lith-SNS (r = 0.39, p = 0.001), but no correlations with other subscores or the total Lith-SNS score showing adequate discriminant validity. Conclusions: Lithuanian version of SNS is a valuable tool to evaluate negative symptoms of schizophrenia with good internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity
Depressive Symptoms, Help-Seeking, and Barriers to Mental Healthcare Among Healthcare Professionals in Lithuania
No full textBackground: Previous research suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience high levels of work-related psychological distress, including depressive symptoms. Due to the stigma of mental health problems and other barriers, HCPs are likely to be hesitant to seek appropriate mental healthcare. We aimed to explore these phenomena among HCPs in Lithuania. Methods: A web survey inquiring about depressive symptoms, help-seeking, and barriers to mental healthcare was conducted. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). 601 complete questionnaires were included in the analyses. The barriers to help-seeking were identified using the inductive content analysis approach. Descriptive, non-parametric, and robust statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Most of the respondents have reported depression-like symptoms over the lifetime, although only about a third of them sought professional help. Of those, roughly half preferred a private specialist. The stigma and neglect of mental health problems were the most common barriers to help-seeking. Around half of the HCPs believed that seeking mental healthcare can imperil their occupational license. About a quarter of the HCPs screened positive for clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Statistically significant differences in the PHQ-9 score were found between categories of healthcare specialty, marital status, religious beliefs, workplace, and years of work as a HCP. Fewer years of work and younger age were associated with the higher PHQ-9 score. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HCPs in Lithuania may be inclined not to seek appropriate mental healthcare and experience poor mental health, although stronger evidence is needed to verify these findings.
Epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, classification, clinical features and diagnostics of ischemic stroke
No full textIschemic stroke is a condition that occurs due to brain hypoperfusion and it is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than 24 hours. Its occurrence is affected by adjusted and unadjusted risks factors. Symptoms in the classical case manifest as focal symptoms depending on the location of the lesion. Classification and diagnostics have changed dramatically in recent years so this allows for more accurate grouping, faster diagnosis of cerebral ischemic stroke. Aim: To select and analyze expert presented causes, classification, clinical features, diagnostics of ischemic stroke. Methods: the review of literature was conducted using the „PubMed“medical database, selecting publications, investigating the burden of ischemic stroke. Conclusions: After analysis of the literature main causes, classification, clinical features, diagnostics methods of ischemic stroke are presented
Wheat germ agglutinin—from toxicity to biomedical applications
No full textWheat germ agglutinin is a hevein class N-Acetylglucosamine–binding protein with specific toxicity and biomedical potential. It is extractable from wheat germ—a low-value byproduct of the wheat industry—using well–established extraction methods based on salt precipitation and affinity chromatography. Due to its N-Acetylglucosamine affinity, wheat germ agglutinin exhibits antifungal properties as well as cytotoxic properties. Its anticancer properties have been demonstrated for various cancer cells, and toxicity mechanisms are well described. Wheat germ agglutinin has been demonstrated as a viable solution for various biomedical and therapeutic applications, such as chemotherapy, targeted drug delivery, antibiotic-resistant bacteria monitoring and elimination. This is performed mostly in conjunction with nanoparticles, liposomes, and other carrier mechanisms via surface functionalization. Combined with abundant wheat byproduct sources, wheat germ agglutinin has the potential to improve the biomedical field considerabl