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By featuring news articles highlighting certain aspects of obesity and backgrounding others, the media can frame these aspects as especially applicable to how obesity should be understood and addressed. Despite the highest rates in Europe, news reports from Britain and Germany have come under little scholarly scrutiny. In this article, we explore frames and their frequency of use in British and German online newspapers. Our findings reveal a dominant cross-national framing of obesity in terms of 'self-control', which places a more pronounced emphasis on individual responsibility than demonstrated by earlier studies and may contribute to a culture of weight bias and stigma. The results also reveal evidence for cross-national efforts to challenge this individualising framing with counter-frames of 'acceptance' and 'coming out'. We argue that this is a positive development, which demonstrates the potential of media frames to function not only as possible contributors to weight bias and stigma but also as mechanisms for countering entrenched social conceptions of obesity.

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) are adult-source cells that have been extensively evaluated for cell-based therapies. hMSCs delivered by intravascular injection have been reported to accumulate at the sites of injury to promote tissue repair and can also be employed as vectors for the delivery of therapeutic genes. However, the full potential of hMSCs remains limited as the cells are lost after injection due to anoikis and the adverse pathologic environment. Encapsulation of cells has been proposed as a means of increasing cell viability. However, controlling the release of therapeutic cells over time to target tissue still remains a challenge today. Here, we report the design and development of thermo-rheological responsive hydrogels that allow for precise, time dependent controlled-release of hMSCs. The encapsulated hMSCs retained good viability from 76% to 87% dependent upon the hydrogel compositions. We demonstrated the design of different blended hydrogel composites with modulated strength (S parameter) and looseness of hydrogel networks (N parameter) to control the release of hMSCs from thermo-responsive hydrogel capsules. We further showed the feasibility for controlled-release of encapsulated hMSCs within 3D matrix scaffolds. We reported for the first time by a systematic analysis that there is a direct correlation between the thermo-rheological properties associated with the degradation of the hydrogel composite and the cell release kinetics. This work therefore provides new insights into the further development of smart carrier systems for stem cell therapy.

Recent studies about the novel antidepressant agomelatine, which is a mixed MT 1 and MT 2 melatonin receptor agonist and 5HT 2C serotonin receptor antagonist possessing an anticonvulsant and neuroprotective action, suggest that it may have potential to contribute against epileptogenesis and epilepsy-induced memory impairment. In order to ascertain whether protection of some brain structures could suppress epileptogenesis, in the present study, we evaluated the effect of chronic post-status treatment with agomelatine on epileptogenesis, behavioral and neuronal damage induced by kainate acid (KA) status epilepticus (SE). Agomelatine/vehicle treatment (40mg/kg, i.p.) started one hour after SE and continued up to 10weeks in Wistar rats. Latency for onset of spontaneous motor seizures (SMS) and their frequency was detected by a 24-h video-recording. Locomotor activity, anxiety and hippocampus-dependent spatial memory in open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), light-dark test (LDT) and radial arm maze (RAM) test, respectively, were evaluated during the last two weeks after SE. Agomelatine significantly decreased the latency for onset of SMS and increased the seizure frequency during the 2nd and the 3rd week of treatment. The MT 1 and MT 2 receptor agonist and serotonin 5HT 2C receptor antagonist exacerbated the KA-induced hyperlocomotion and impulsive behavior and it was unable to prevent spatial memory impairment of epileptic rats. However, agomelatine induced a neuroprotection in the dorsal hippocampus, specifically in the CA1, septal CA2 and partially in the CA3c region, the hilus of the dentate gyrus, piriform cortex and septo-temporal and temporal basolateral amygdala. Our findings suggest that the beneficial impact against SE-induced neuronal loss exerted by agomelatine is not crucial for the suppression of epileptogenesis and its deleterious consequences in KA model of temporal lobe epilepsy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article presents a study of the content, use of sources and information sharing about climate change analysing over 60,000 tweets collected using a random week sample. We discuss the potential for studying Twitter as a communicative space that is rich in different types of information and presents both new challenges and opportunities. Our analysis combines automatic thematic analysis, semantic network analysis and text classification according to psychological process categories. We also consider the media ecology of tweets and the external web links that users shared. In terms of content, the network of topics uncovered presents a multidimensional discourse that accounts for complex causal links between climate change and its consequences. The media ecology analysis revealed a narrow set of sources with a major role played by traditional media and that emotionally arousing text was more likely to be shared.

Mast cells (MCs) are important object in experimental acupuncture due to their putative involvement in local reactions to needling. In the rat, they are shown to contain in their granules, among other tissue mediators, serotonin, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The aim of this study is to examine the normal distribution of 5-HT-containing MCs in soft tissues of Zusanli (ST36) acupuncture point (acupoint) and their morphological changes caused by experimental acupuncture. We observed 5-HT-immunopositive MCs in the tissues and in the vicinity of the needle tract formed after acupuncture. As a result of acupuncture needling, the tissue integrity is disrupted and certain folds are formed in the direction of the needle tract. Connective tissue in the vicinity of the needle tract gets compressed and displaced, together with the 5-HT-immunoreactive MCs seen there. Some of those 5-HT-immunopositive MCs showed signs of degranulation with numerous discharged granules, some of them found at a considerable distance form the cell. Furthermore, 5-HT-immunopositive MCs are unevenly distributed in soft tissues of ST36 acupoint. Larger numbers of 5-HT-containing MCs were visualized in subcutis and dermis, compared to the observed in striated muscles. Placing the acupuncture needle into the rat skin caused a formation of an apparent needle tract, tissue displacement and degranulation of 5-HT-immunopositive MCs. The demonstrated serotonin release by means of MC degranulation might be involved in the local tissue response to acupuncture.

Over the last 10 years, accumulated experimental and clinical evidence has supported the idea that AT1 receptor subtype is involved in epilepsy. Recently, we have shown that the selective AT1 receptor antagonist losartan attenuates epileptogenesis and exerts neuroprotection in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in epileptic Wistar rats. This study aimed to verify the efficacy of long-term treatment with losartan (10 mg/kg) after kainate-induced status epilepticus (SE) on seizure activity, behavioral and biochemical changes, and neuronal damage in a model of co-morbid hypertension and epilepsy. Spontaneous seizures were video- and EEG-monitored in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) for a 16-week period after SE. The behavior was analyzed by open field, elevated plus maze, sugar preference test, and forced swim test. The levels of serotonin in the hippocampus and neuronal loss were estimated by HPLC and hematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. The AT1 receptor antagonism delayed the onset of seizures and alleviated their frequency and duration during and after discontinuation of treatment. Losartan showed neuroprotection mostly in the CA3 area of the hippocampus and the septo-temporal hilus of the dentate gyrus in SHRs. However, the AT1 receptor antagonist did not exert a substantial influence on concomitant with epilepsy behavioral changes and decreased 5-HT levels in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that the antihypertensive therapy with an AT1 receptor blocker might be effective against seizure activity and neuronal damage in a co-morbid hypertension and epilepsy.

Previous data have shown that the rat model of melatonin deficit can cause a number of neurobiological aberrations. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the antidepressant drug agomelatine, a MT1/MT2 melatoninergic receptor agonist/5-HT2C receptor antagonist is able to prevent some of the behavioral, biochemical and cellular abnormalities induced by pinealectomy. The injection of agomelatine (40 mg/kg, i.p. for 5 weeks)/vehicle started after pinealectomy/sham procedure in Wistar rats. Animals were tested in different behavioral tests for anxiety and depression during the period of agomelatine treatment (chronic effect) and two months later (plastic effect). The effect of agomelatine on KCl-evoked serotonin (5-HT) release from the hippocampus, the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and neuronal loss in pinealectomized rats were assessed. Our results showed that agomelatine not only did not prevent the disturbed emotional arousal/anxiety behavior in pinealectomized rats during the treatment but the enhanced motor activity and decreased anxiety state was still observed two months after the discontinuation of treatment. However, the drug corrected a depressive-like behavior (chronic and plastic effect), alleviated the enhanced KCl-evoked 5-HT release in the hippocampus, recovered the suppressed negative feedback inhibition of HPA axis and exerted a neuroprotection in pinealectomized rats. Our findings suggest that pinealectomy can model melancholic depression disorder while the antidepressant action of agomelatine is associated with a correction of 5-HT release in the hippocampus, dysregulated HPA system and neuroprotection in limbic structures., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of some virulence genes among 510 clinical Enterococcus spp. isolates and to assess the association of those genes with the species, infection site, and patient group (inpatients/outpatients)., Methods: Adhesins genes (aggregation substances agg and asa1 of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, respectively), enterococcal surface protein (esp), endocarditis-specific antigen A (efaA), collagen-binding proteins (ace/acm)); invasins (hyaluronidase (hyl) and gelatinase (gelE)); cytotoxines (activation of cytolysin (cylA) in E. faecalis); and modulators of the host immunity and inflammation (enhanced expression pheromone (eep) in E. faecalis) were detected by polymerase chain reaction., Results: The overall prevalence was: esp - 44.3%, agg/asa1 - 38.4%, ace/acm - 64.3%, efaA - 85.9%, eep - 69.4%, gelE - 64.3%, hyl - 25.1%, and cylA - 47.1%. E. faecalis isolates had significantly higher frequency of adhesin genes (esp and agg/asa1) and gelatinase in comparison to E. faecium. Multiple virulence genes in E. faecalis were significantly more prevalent than in E. faecium isolates. Domination of E. faecium with or without only one gene compared to the isolates of E. faecalis were found. Enterococcus spp. isolates obtained from outpatients compared to inpatients isolates had significantly higher frequency of agg/asa1, eep, gelE and cylA. Some adhesins genes (esp, agg/asa1 and efaA) had higher prevalence among the non-invasive Enterococcus spp. isolates compared to those causing invasive bacteremia, while ace/acm revealed higher dissemination in isolates causing invasive infections compared to non-invasive isolates., Conclusion: Most E. faecalis attaches to abiotic surfaces in hospital environment, which correlates with higher prevalence of gene encoding for virulence factors involved in biofilm formation, such as enterococcal surface protein, aggregation substance, and gelatinase. The intestinal tract is an important reservoir for opportunistic enterococcal pathogens and allows them to access infectious sites through different virulence factors, demonstrated in outpatient isolates in this study., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

The therapeutic efficacy of regular physical exercises in an animal model of epilepsy and depression comorbidity has been confirmed previously. In the present study, we examined the effects of endurance training on susceptibility to kainate (KA)-induced status epilepticus (SE), behavioral changes and neuronal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Male SHRs were randomly divided into two groups. One group was exercised on a treadmill with submaximal loading for four weeks and the other group was sedentary. Immediately after the training period, SE was evoked in half of the sedentary and trained rats by KA, while the other half of the two groups received saline. Basal systolic (SP), diastolic (DP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of all rats were measured at the beginning and at the end of the training period. Anxiety, memory and depression-like behaviour were evaluated a month after SE. The release of 5-HT in the hippocampus was measured using a liquid scintillation method and neuronal damage was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. SP and MAP of exercised SHRs decreased in comparison with the initial values. The increased resistance of SHRs to KA-induced SE was accompanied by an elongated latent seizure-free period, improved object recognition memory and antidepressant effect after the training program. While the anticonvulsant and positive behavioral effects of endurance training were accompanied by an increase of 5-HT release in the hippocampus, it did not exert neuroprotective activity. Our results indicate that prior exercise is an effective means to attenuate KA-induced seizures and comorbid behavioral changes in a model of hypertension and epilepsy suggesting a potential influence of hippocampal 5-HT on a comorbid depression. However, this beneficial impact does not prevent the development of epilepsy and concomitant brain damage., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Our previous studies revealed that Angiotensin (Ang) II has anticonvulsant effects in acute seizure models. However, data on its role in experimental models of epilepsy are missing. In the present study, we tested whether posttreatment with Ang II after kainate (KA)-induced status epilepticus (SE) can affect epileptogenesis, concomitant behavioral changes, and brain damage. The Wistar rats were intracerebroventricularly infused via osmotic mini-pumps with Ang II (1.52μg/μl/day for 28days) after SE. Spontaneous motor seizures (SMS) were video-recorded for up to three months. Locomotor activity, anxiety, and depression-like behavior were evaluated during the last week of drug infusion, while spatial memory was assessed during the 3rd month after SE. Angiotensin II decreased the latency for onset of the first SMS and increased the frequency of SMS two months after SE. The continuous peptide infusion exacerbated the KA-induced hyperactivity and caused depression-like behavior. The reduced anxiety of KA-treated rats was alleviated by Ang II exposure. The KA-induced deficit in the hippocampal-dependent spatial memory was not influenced by Ang II. However, Ang II partially prevented the neuronal damage in the hippocampus, specifically in the CA1 area. The role of AT1 and AT2 receptor activation in the effects of the octapeptide is discussed., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tripeptidyl aminopeptidase I (TPP I) is a lysosomal exopeptidase that is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and internal organs in many mammalian species. The enzyme is involved in the breakdown of collagen and different peptides. The carotid body (CB) is the main peripheral arterial chemoreceptor playing an important role in the control of breathing and the autonomic control of cardiovascular function. In response to hypoxia its neuron-like glomus cells release a variety of peptide transmitters that trigger an action potential through the afferent fibers, thus conveying the chemosensory information to the CNS. In the present study we investigated the histochemical localization of TPP I in the CB of rats. Enzyme histochemistry showed high activity of TPP I in CB glomeruli. In particular, the glomus cells contained many TPP I-positive granules, while the glial-like sustentacular cells displayed a slightly fainter reaction. The interglomerular connective tissue was also weakly stained. The results show that both the parenchymal cells of the rat CB express, albeit with different intensity, TPP I. Taken together with our previous enzyme histochemical investigations on the rat CB, it seems likely that the glomus cells possess enzymatic equipment necessary for the neuropeptide intracellular and collagen extracellular initial degradation. These findings also suggest that TPP I is involved in the general turnover of chemotransmitters between glomus cells and sensory nerve endings which emphasizes its importance for chemoreception under hypoxic conditions., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Cervical cancer is a serious medical and social issue as it affects women at active age and it is diagnosed too late. In Bulgaria morbidity and mortality show continuous increasing trend. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical performance of cytology and other alternative methods for cervical screening that could be used to assess the the cervix., Material and Methods: This is a prospective study which included 317 patients aged between 18 and 65 years. Women were divided into four groups: I-st--cytology, Il-nd--visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), III-th--visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) and IV-th--spectrophotometric analysis with TruScreen®. The results showed that the most appropriate screening method for cervical cancer remains cytology. In the absence of cytological laboratory or cytopathologist spectrophotometric analysis with TruScreen® can be used for primary cervical screening. Its main advantages are that it is a real time technique, user easy and it is well accepted by women. If TruScreen is not available in the gynecologist's practice it is possible to perform visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).

Unlabelled: The development of the fetal aorta ends with the formation of the aortic arch which normally branches into three blood vessels: 1) a. brachiocephalica (a. innominata), which divides into the right subclavian artery (RSA) and the right carotid artery; 2) the left carotid artery; and 3) the left subclavian artery. Occasionally, RSA originates as a separate fourth branch of the aortic arch, passing behind the trachea with an oblique course to the right shoulder. This rare variant is called an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and is observed in approximately 2% of normal individuals. On the other hand, the reported incidence of ARSA varies between 25 and 37% in cases with Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities., Objective: To evaluate the success rate of ultrasound visualization of the fetal RSA between 18 and 23 weeks of gestation and to establish the importance of the prenatal diagnosis of ARSA in the risk assessment for fetal chromosomal abnormalities in the second trimester., Results: Three experienced sonographers scanned 992 fetuses in MC "Markovs", Sofia between 01.09.2013-01.06.2014 with Voluson 730 Expert (GE Healthcare) ultrasound equipment. Visualization of RSA was successful in 92.7% of cases. Overall, 17 cases with ARSA were diagnosed in the study period. ARSA was an isolated sonographic finding in 13 of them. The remaining 4 cases had additional pathology. In the first case ARSA was associated with a short femurand humerus, short nasal bone and borderline nuchal thickness without any other soft markers or structural abnormalities. Trisomy 21 was diagnosed after amniocentesis and the pregnancy was terminated at patient's request. In the second case ARSA was associated with severe polymalformation syndrome. Trisomy 18 was diagnosed by DNA analysis post abortem. In the third case ARSA was associated with an unilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. Abnormalities of the fetal karyotype and Di George syndrome were excluded by amniocentesis. The fourth case was associated with a single umbilical artery without any structural and chromosomal abnormalities. The pregnancy had a favourable perinatal outcome at term., Conclusion: Visualization of RSA and prenatal diagnosis of ARSA in the second trimester is relatively easy in experienced hands. The examination slightly prolongs the fetal morphology scan. Since there is an obvious association between ARSA and chromosomal fetal abnormalities, implementation of its sonographic evaluation in the protocol of fetal echocardiography in the second trimester is strongly recommended.

Recently, we have shown that the blockade of AT1 receptor might be useful as an adjuvant treatment strategy for the prevention of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity caused by status epilepticus (SE) in rats. The purpose of the present study was to further assess the efficacy of long-term treatment with losartan (10mg/kg), the selective AT1 receptor antagonist, during kainate (KA)-induced epileptogenesis in Wistar rats. Losartan treatment started after onset of SE and continued for 4weeks. The rats were video- and EEG-recorded for 3months. Locomotor activity, anxiety and depressive-like behavior were evaluated 9weeks after SE, when all rats had developed chronic epileptic state. Neuronal damage in hippocampus was analyzed by hematoxylin while serotonin (5-HT) levels in hippocampus by HPLC. AT1 receptor antagonism increased the latent seizure-free period and decreased the frequency of spontaneous motor seizures. Losartan positively affected epilepsy-provoked behavioral changes, including impulsivity, low anxiety level and depression in a phase-dependent manner and restored the changes in diurnal fluctuation of motor activity. Losartan exerted neuroprotection selectively in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in the KA-treated rats and lowered the 5-HT levels both in normal and abnormal conditions. Our findings suggest that the AT1 receptor antagonist exerts disease-modifying effects during KA-induced epileptogenesis and neuronal damage in CA1 hippocampal area, attenuated some of the behavioral changes and restored diurnal variability in locomotor activity., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Melatonin is involved in the control of circadian and seasonal rhythmicity, possesses potent antioxidant activity, and exerts a neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effect. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) are widely accepted as an experimental model of essential hypertension with hyperactivity, deficient sustained attention, and alterations in circadian autonomic profiles. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether melatonin treatment during epileptogenesis can prevent the deleterious consequences of status epilepticus (SE) in SHRs in the kainate (KA) model of temporal lobe of epilepsy (TLE). Spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) were EEG- and video-recorded during and after the treatment protocol. Melatonin (10mg/kg diluted in drinking water, 8weeks) increased the seizure-latent period, decreased the frequency of SRSs, and attenuated the circadian rhythm of seizure activity in SHRs. However, melatonin was unable to affect the disturbed diurnal rhythms and behavioral changes associated with epilepsy, including the decreased anxiety level, depression, and impaired spatial memory. Melatonin reduced neuronal damage specifically in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and piriform cortex and decreased hippocampal serotonin (5-HT) levels both in control and epileptic SHRs. Although long-term melatonin treatment after SE shows a potential to attenuate seizure activity and neuronal loss, it is unable to restore epilepsy-associated behavioral abnormalities in SHRs., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Melatonin is a potent antioxidant which showed anticonvulsant activities both in experimental and clinical studies. In the present study, we examined the effect of melatonin treatment (10mg/kg/day, diluted in drinking water, 8 weeks) during epileptogenesis on the consequences of a kainate (KA)-induced status epilepticus (SE) in rats. Melatonin increased the latency in the appearance of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) and decreased their frequency only during the treatment period. The behavioral alterations associated with hyperactivity, depression-like behavior during the light phase, and deficits in hippocampus-dependent working memory were positively affected by melatonin treatment in rats with epilepsy. Melatonin reduced the neuronal damage in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and piriform cortex and recovered the decrease of hippocampal serotonin (5-HT) level in rats with epilepsy. Taken together, long-term melatonin treatment after SE was unable to suppress the development of epileptogenesis. However, it showed a potential in reducing some of the deleterious alterations that develop during the chronic epileptic state in a diurnal phase-dependent mode., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity attracts large volumes of news coverage. This in turn has spawned academic studies investigating how news framing may affect views about causes of and solutions to obesity. We use key studies to demonstrate that although existing research has made valuable discoveries about how obesity is defined in various media outlets, some methodological and theoretical questions remain unaddressed. We argue that extant research has focused on one dimension of analysis--the problematization of obesity in news stories--precluding insights into the entire process of obesity communication. Drawing on framing and media studies research, we propose a multidimensional approach to shed more light on factors affecting the production of obesity news stories by journalists and how they may be received by audience members. Ways of moving research into this multidimensional direction are proposed, including analysis of journalistic news values, political leaning and style of media outlets, emotion-eliciting language, readers' comments and obesity-related news visuals. Knowledge resulting from the exploration of these dimensions of the issue of obesity can be used to improve strategies to inform and engage audience members., (© 2012 The Authors. obesity reviews © 2012 International Association for the Study of Obesity.)

Objective: To describe the normal development of the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) using three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal (TV) ultrasound (US) between 7 and 10 w.g. and to compare the embryonic development visualized by 3D TV US with that of the classical embryology., Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted over a period of 10 months with high-end ultrasound equipment (Voluson 730 Expert, GE Healthcare, U.S.). Thirty six pregnant women between 7 and 10 weeks of gestation (w.g.) were examined. In all cases a high-frequency 30 TV probe was used to acquire a 3D volume of the embryo, including the cranial pole. Subsequently, the acquired volume information was post-processed and analyzed with specialized software 4D View ver. 9.1 (GE Healthcare, U.S.). The duration of the examinations was about 15 minutes., Results: Three-dimensional TV US allows adequate visualization of the embryonic CNS in accordance with the Carnegie stages from the classical embryology. In 7 w.g. it is possible to identify the diencephalon (future third ventricle), mesencephalon (future aqueductus Sylvii), rhombencephalon (future fourth ventricle), and the two hemispheres. In 8 w.g. the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles, the fourth ventricle and the cerebellum can also be recognized. The developmental changes in the size, shape and relationship of the described structures can be progressively assessed in 9 and 10 w.g., Conclusions: Implementation of high-frequency 3D TV probes allows good visualization of the developing embryo, detailed anatomical description of all main cerebral structures, as well as adequate reconstruction of the brain ventricular system between 7 and 10 w.g. There is a good correlation between the embryonic development visualized by 3D TV U.S. and that of the classical embryology.

Spina bifida is the most common abnormality of the fetal central nervous system. Prenatal diagnosis is usually made by ultrasound in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. However, first trimester detection of spina bifida is still a challenge. A new indirect ultrasound sign of open spina bifida between 11-13 6 weeks of gestation (w.g.) has been recently described. The marker is associated with an absence of intracranial translucency (IT) in the mid-sagittal plane. We present a case report of an open spina bifida detected at 13+2 weeks of gestation with an absent IT. The main ultrasound characteristics of normal and absent IT are described. In addition, the diagnostic role of three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasound is also discussed.

Aim: To define the major sonographic findings used in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal abdominal cysts in the first trimester and to establish their clinical relevance to the perinatal outcome., Methods: A prospective longitudinal study of 5 antenatally detected cases of fetal abdominal cysts between 11-14 w.g. was performed in the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Maichin dom" and MC "Markovs", Sofia between Jan 2007 and Aug 2009. In all cases color flow mapping was used to differentiate the cystic structure from the fetal bladder by identifying the two umbilical arteries. All continuing pregnancies were carefully followed up sonographically at 14-16 w.g, 18-22 w.g. and 28-32 w.g., including with fetal echocardiography. Genetic amniocentesis was offered in all cases to exclude associated chromosomal abnormality. Termination of pregnancy was an option in all affected cases. Information about the perinatal outcome was ascertained by the hospital records, the referring physicians and/or the patients themselves., Results: There were 5 cases of fetal abdominal cysts diagnosed between 11-14 w.g. during the study period (2--megacystis, 3--cystic structures from the gastro-intestinal tract). In one case of megacystis the patients opted for termination of pregnancy at 15 w.g. The second affected case was a male fetus from a twin pregnancy. The patient delivered at term by Cesarean section with a subsequent surgical treatment of the newborn. In one of the remaining three cases of fetal abdominal cysts the patients opted for termination of pregnancy at 12 w.g. The other two were followed up sonographically. Eventually, a complete resolution of the cystic structure was demonstrated. Both newborns had an uneventful perinatal outcome and were delivered at term with no complications in the early neonatal period., Conclusion: Megacystis is a common fetal abdominal cyst in early pregnancy. Abdominal cysts with other origin often resolve spontaneously or remain small in the second and third trimester. Thus, they usually have a good perinatal outcome. Nevertheless, some first trimester fetal abdominal cysts can be associated with structural abnormalities or other complications from the gastrointestinal tract.

Research has shown that external stimuli presented during sleep can affect dream content, thus reflecting information processing of the sleeping brain. Olfactory stimuli should have a stronger effect on dream emotions because their processing is linked directly to the limbic system. Because selective olfactory stimulation does not increase arousal activity, intense olfactory stimulation is therefore a prime paradigm for studying information processing during sleep. Fifteen healthy, normosmic volunteers were studied by intranasal chemosensory stimulation during rapid eye movement sleep based on air-dilution olfactometry. For olfactory stimulation, hydrogen sulphide (smell of rotten eggs) and phenyl ethyl alcohol (smell of roses) was used and compared with a control condition without stimulation. The olfactory stimuli affected significantly the emotional content of dreams: the positively toned stimulus yielded more positively toned dreams, whereas the negative stimulus was followed by more negatively toned dreams. Direct incorporations, i.e. the dreamer is smelling something, were not found. The findings indicate that information processing of olfactory stimuli is present in sleep and that the emotional tone of dreams can be influenced significantly depending upon the hedonic characteristic of the stimulus used. It would be interesting to conduct learning experiments (associating specific odours with declarative material) to study whether this declarative material is incorporated into subsequent dreams if the corresponding odour cue is presented during sleep. It would also be interesting to study the effect of positively toned olfactory stimuli on nightmares.

A retrospective study with 79 pregnant women was conducted. All of them were diagnosed as spontaneous abortion. The patients were separated in two group and the women have been treated in two schemes--51%--Utrogestan and 49%--Utrogestan and Profasi. The medication was applied only into the first trimester of the pregnancy. The duration of the therapy was 15.0 +/- 12.34 days. The mean gestational age in this study was 7.6 +/- 3.0 gestational weeks. Women with a first pregnancy and spontaneous abortion were excluded from the study. The number of this hormonal treated pregnancy was 2.84 +/- 1.13. 10.2% of the followed women had 3 and more than 3 miscarriages. The followed group of women was historically and clinically heterogenic. For that reason we think that many other factors could play a role in the optimum outcome of this pregnancy. The criteria for positive result we accepted the vital embryo/fetus on the time of dehospitalization. From these pregnancy only 3 terminated with miscarriage--3.79%. The rest of 96.2% went at home with intact pregnancy. The authors try to find a theoretical support for use of micronized progesterone Utrogestan--there could be some changes in the cellular and humoral immunity at repeated abortions, related to the change of the cytokine production. It could be find an ability to realize a readjustment of the endocrine system of the mother and to control the immune reaction in the fetoplacental unit.

Immune-mediated segmental demyelination is the basic pathomorphological substrate of the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). The aim of the study is to determine the diagnostic value of the conduction block in the early stage of GBS, as well as its changes during of the development of the disease. Sixteen patients with GBS were examined. Electroneurography (motor nerve conduction studies) was performed at interval from the third day of the onset till the first year. Partial CB in the early stage of the disease (range 0-15 days) was registered in 81,2% of the patients. In demyelinating forms of GBS partial CB was determined in 61% of the investigated nerves. It is the most often observed in peroneal nerves, followed by tibial, ulnar and median nerves in the same order. The maximal reduction of the amplitude of the CMAP (maximal CB) was registered before the 30th day from the onset of the disease with following recovery on the sixth month and first year. Partial CB is more often observed in the early phase of GBS, when it could be the only sign of demyelination. When patients reached a clinical plateau, progressive slowing of motor nerve conduction and increasing CB were registered. Proximal CB was revealed more often than distal CB, because of the typical initial localization of the process. In the early phase of GBS, proximal CB is most often found in lower limbs (in peroneal nerve, followed by tibial nerve). In patients with axonal damage, CB was more severe than in demyelinating group. Partial CB is an important diagnostic criterion for segmental demyelination, which helps for confirming the diagnosis of early GBS, when conduction velocity and other electrodiagnostic criteria for demyelination are normal.

A procedure is developed for determination of As, Co, Se, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Sb, and Sn in water by ICP-AES analysis of alcohol eluates after pre-concentration of the samples. The pre-concentration is performed on a sodium diethyldithiocarbamate supported soft polyurethane foam. The sorbed elements are subsequently eluted with 1-propanol and the alcohol eluates are analysed by ICP-AES. A eight-fold concentration is achieved. An increased sensitivity in the analysis of propanol-water (30:70, v/v) solution is established as compared with aqueous solutions. The strongest effect is observed for As, Se, Pb, Cr, Sn, and Cd-increasing is more than twice. For other elements the matrix influence is by a factor of 1.45 (Cu), 1.36 (Sb), 2.08 (Zn). The method is applied to the analysis of natural water samples.

The authors have suggested a hypothesis according to which the alimentary canal consists of the separate autonomous S-shaped functional structures possessing the antireflux and sphincter-like properties. The principle mentioned was used in 9 patients who had a "siphon" one-story invagination small-to-large intestinal anastomosis been created.

The authors subscribe to the standpoint that a "bile path" passes in biliodigestive anastomoses along the latero-posterior surface of the right hemi-circumference of the hepato-choledochus in the area where the choledocho-digestive anastomoses are constructed. A declivage (to this "bile path" in the hepato-choledochus) supraduodenal latero-lateral choledocho-duodeno-anastomosis is suggested. It is realized through latero-posterior choledochotomy and by oblique section of the duodenum in close proximity to its external edge. The stitches of the common bile duct needle are 2-2.5 mm apart from each other and from the end of the choledochotomy orifice and those of the--3-3.5 mm apart from each other and 6-7 mm from the end of the duodenotomy orifice. The sutures pass totally through the wall of the common bile duct and serous-muscular-submucosally (mucose-muscular-seriously) thorough the duodenal wall.

After a brief review of available data in the literature on the sections for surgical approach to the cervical segment of the thoracic duct, the authors made a comparative analysis, using time-honoured objective criteria on surgery, between the universal transverse cervical section (20 operated patients) for approach to the cervical segment of the thoracic duct and the oblique cervical section which they suggest (28 operated patients) it passes along the bisector of the angle formed between the thoracic pedicle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper edge of the left clavicle. It is concluded that the oblique cervical section for approach to the cervical segment of the thoracic duct is superior, with respect to accessibility and inflicted trauma.

"Declive" latero-terminal and latero-lateral hepaticocholedocho-jejunoanastomosis with a loop of the small intestine isolated by the Roux method was carried out in 6 patients (5 females and 1 male) according to absolute indications. In this type of anastomosis, the longitudinal incision in the hepaticocholedochus is made not on the midline but latero-dorsally on its right supraduodenal circumference. The anastomosis is formed by means of a modified suture or a suture commonly used for bilio-digestive anastomoses; the needle is inserted through the wall of the bile duct 2-2.5 mm from the border of its opening and the sutures are placed at a similar distance from one another, the seromusculo-submucous sutures are applied 6-7 mm from the edge of the opening and at a distance of 3-3.5 mm from one another. Comparison with patients in whom heapticocholedochojejunoanastomosis was established by the routine method showed the results to be better in the modified method.

A method is described for operative treatment of idiopathic hydrocele, which consists of tunnelling at 01 o'clock by the clock-dial to the right (11 o'clock to the left) with Payr's probe and from cupula to bottom of the space between the hydrocele sac and fascia spermatica interna and trans section of the thus created tunnel pass in the sac. Through the approach created in this way and at 180 degrees from the first incision (at 07 and respectively at 05 o'clock) from within outward a second incision of the sac is performed. The serous surface of the edges of the fenestrated openings is everted with three catgut sutures as a lapel. The method was applied on 7 patients 10 to 86 years of age. In the early postoperative period within an observation period from 3 to 19 months the characteristic and rather common complications in patients operated for hydrocele did not occur (hematocele, chylomas, which are mostly of ex vacuo type because of impaired blood supply and lymph system of the scrotum, abscesses, indurations of the scrotal and testicular tissues, relapses of the hydrocele, etc).

A rare case of drug induced potassiumpenic nephropathy is reported with a secondarily originated accompanying pyelonephritis in a female patient, aged 36 who has taken frequently, of her own accord, high doses salidiuretics in the course of two years, aiming at body weight reduction and against persistent headache. The clinical characteristic features of the disease are discussed as well as the results from the treatment carried out.