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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) mainly afflicting young women. Various steroids can influence the onset and development of the disease or, on the contrary, mitigate its course; however, a systematic review of steroidomic changes in MS patients is lacking. Based on the gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) platform and, in the case of estradiol, also using immunoassay, this study performed a comprehensive steroidomic analysis in 25 female MS patients aged 39(32, 49) years compared to 15 female age-matched controls aged 38(31, 46) years. A significant trend towards higher ratios of conjugated steroids to their unconjugated counterparts was found in patients, which is of particular interest in terms of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory steroid modulators of ionotropic receptors. Patients showed altered metabolic pathway to cortisol with decreased conversion of pregnenolone to 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone to 17-hydroxyprogesterone and increased conversion of 17-hydroxypregnenolone to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), resulting in lower levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, as well as indications of impaired conversion of 11-deoxy-steroids to 11β-hydroxy-steroids but reduced conversion of cortisol to cortisone. Due to over-activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), however, cortisol and cortisone levels were higher in patients with indications of depleted cortisol synthesizing enzymes. Patients showed lower conversion of DHEA to androstenedione, androstenedione to testosterone, androstenedione to estradiol in the major pathway, and testosterone to estradiol in the minor pathway for estradiol synthesis at increased conversion of androstenedione to testosterone. They also showed lower conversion of immunoprotective Δ5 androstanes to their more potent 7α/β-hydroxy metabolites and had lower circulating allopregnanolone and higher ratio 3β-hydroxy-steroids to their neuroprotective 3α-hydroxy-counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Immunology Quarterly / Immunológiai Szemle is the property of Medicina Konyvkiado Zrt. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Schizophrenia is associated with numerous abnormalities, including imbalances in all hormonal axes, among which steroids play a major role. Steroidomic studies therefore represent a promising tool for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of schizophrenia. A total of 51 adult male schizophrenics aged 27 (22, 34) years (shown as median with quartiles) and 16 healthy controls (HCs) aged 28 (25, 32) years were enrolled into this study. Our results showed the effective differentiation of men with schizophrenia from controls based on steroidomic profiles. We also found an altered metabolic pathway from pregnenolone and its sulfate (PREG/S) to cortisol in schizophrenics with several metabolic bottlenecks such as lower PREG levels due to increased PREG sulfation and/or suppressed PREGS desulfation and attenuated conversion of 17-hydroxy-PREG to 17-hydroxy-progesterone, as well as the results suggestive of suppressed CYP11B1 activity. In contrast, steroid molar ratios suggested two counterregulatory steps involving increased conversion of PREG/S to 17-hydroxy-PREG/S and decreased conversion of cortisol to cortisone, which may maintain unchanged basal cortisol levels but may not ensure a sufficient cortisol response to stress. Our data also indicated a trend to higher 7α-, 7β-, and 16α-hydroxylation that may counteract the autoimmune complications and proinflammatory processes accompanying schizophrenia. Finally, a possible suppression of HSD17B3 activity was suggested, resulting in decreased circulating testosterone levels with increased androstenedione levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Urologie Pro Praxi is the property of SOLEN sro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Providing veterinary care against parasitic diseases is one of the factors that affect the possibility of effective and profitable introduction of the livestock sector. Chorioptic mange is one of the globally spread invasive diseases of cattle caused by persistent ectoparasites. The diagnosis of chorioptosis is based on the microscopic detection of mites in scrapings from the skin of the affected animal with mandatory identification of the parasites. The aim of the research was to investigate the morphological features and metric parameters of Chorioptes mites isolated from cattle. Mites isolated from cattle were morphometrically identified as Chorioptes texanus. Morphological features of male Ch. texanus mites include peculiarities in the structure of the opisthosomal lobes and of the setae located on the opisthosomal lobes, opisthosoma and tarsus of leg III. 14 morphometric parameters characterizing the general structure of the body (length, width and their ratio, length and width of the gnathosoma, length of the idiosoma, proterosoma, podosoma, propodosoma, metapodosoma, hysterosoma, opisthosoma, length and width of the propodosomal shield) were identified and suggested for use in identification of male and female Ch. texanus. In male mites of this species, 5 additional parameters were also determined, which describe the length and width of the opisthomal lobes, their ratio, the diameter of the adanal suckers and the distance between them. The morphological features, location and length of 6 setae, which are species-specific in Chorioptes mites, namely 4 setae of the opisthosomal lobe, 1 opisthosomal seta, 1 ventral seta of tarsus III, were described. The parameters of Ch. texanus eggs in the bodies of female mites and on the body of the host animal were determined. The scientific data obtained in this study expand the already existing data on the differential identification of Ch. texanus mites and proves their parasitism in cattle on the territory of Ukraine.

Copyright of Neurologie Pro Praxi is the property of SOLEN sro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Providing veterinary care against parasitic diseases is one of the factors that affect the possibility of effective and profitable introduction of the livestock sector. Chorioptic mange is one of the globally spread invasive diseases of cattle caused by persistent ectoparasites. The diagnosis of chorioptosis is based on the microscopic detection of mites in scrapings from the skin of the affected animal with mandatory identification of the parasites. The aim of the research was to investigate the morphological features and metric parameters of Chorioptes mites isolated from cattle. Mites isolated from cattle were morphometrically identified as Chorioptes texanus. Morphological features of male Ch. texanus mites include peculiarities in the structure of the opisthosomal lobes and of the setae located on the opisthosomal lobes, opisthosoma and tarsus of leg III. 14 morphometric parameters characterizing the general structure of the body (length, width and their ratio, length and width of the gnathosoma, length of the idiosoma, proterosoma, podosoma, propodosoma, metapodosoma, hysterosoma, opisthosoma, length and width of the propodosomal shield) were identified and suggested for use in identification of male and female Ch. texanus. In male mites of this species, 5 additional parameters were also determined, which describe the length and width of the opisthomal lobes, their ratio, the diameter of the adanal suckers and the distance between them. The morphological features, location and length of 6 setae, which are species-specific in Chorioptes mites, namely 4 setae of the opisthosomal lobe, 1 opisthosomal seta, 1 ventral seta of tarsus III, were described. The parameters of Ch. texanus eggs in the bodies of female mites and on the body of the host animal were determined. The scientific data obtained in this study expand the already existing data on the differential identification of Ch. texanus mites and proves their parasitism in cattle on the territory of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geriatric syndromes involving instability are associated with a higher risk of further complications in patients with trauma requiring subsequent surgery. Acute stroke symptoms require prompt recognition and initiation of reperfusion treatment. This case study describes the patient's stroke symptoms in a timeline and explores the benefit of objective assessment using screening tests and their importance in the differential diagnosis in nursing. Dysphagia is one of the stroke symptoms that can lead to aspiration pneumonia and increase the risk of mortality. This article aims to inform general nurses about the importance of early recognition of dysphagia and other stroke symptoms using adequate screening tests to ensure quality care. Geriatric syndromes encompass instability, resulting in a higher risk of complications, especially in trauma patients. This case study describes a patient with acute ischemic stroke with vague and unrecognized symptoms of dysphagia and explores the rationale for objective screening tests in nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alterations of verbalized thought occur frequently in psychotic disorders. We characterize linguistic findings in individuals with schizophrenia based on the current literature, including findings relevant for differential and early diagnosis. Methods: Review of literature published via PubMed search between January 2010 and May 2022. Results: A total of 143 articles were included. In persons with schizophrenia, language-related alterations can occur at all linguistic levels. Differentiating from findings in persons with affective disorders, typical symptoms in those with schizophrenia mainly include so-called “poverty of speech,” reduced word and sentence production, impaired processing of complex syntax, pragmatic language deficits as well as reduced semantic verbal fluency. At the at-risk state, “poverty of content,” pragmatic difficulties and reduced verbal fluency could be of predictive value. Discussion: The current results support multilevel alterations of the language system in persons with schizophrenia. Creative expressions of psychotic experiences are frequently found but are not in the focus of this review. Clinical examinations of linguistic alterations can support differential diagnostics and early detection. Computational methods (Natural Language Processing) may improve the precision of corresponding diagnostics. The relations between language related and other symptoms can improve diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: By using outcome prediction scores, it is possible to distinguish between good and poor performers with cochlear implants (CI) after CI implantation. The reasons for poor performance, despite good basic conditions, can be manifold. On the one hand, the postoperative fitting may be inadequate; on the other, neurophysiological disease processes may impair speech understanding with a CI. These disease processes are not yet fully understood. In acoustics, it is known that the auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and their latencies and amplitudes allow differential diagnosis based on reference values for normal-hearing individuals. The aim of this study was to provide reference values for electrically evoked brainstem responses (EABRs) in terms of rate-dependent latencies and amplitudes. Methods: 20 ears of 18 experienced adult CI recipients with a predicted and measured good postoperative word recognition score were recruited from the clinic's patient pool. In the same stimulation mode and intensity we measured latencies and interpeak-latencies of EABRs and electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs). With a defined supra-threshold stimulation intensity above the individual ECAP threshold, we applied stimulation at several rates between 11 and 91 stimuli per second. Results: We found rate dependences for EABR latency t3 and t5 in the order of 0.19 ms and 0.37 ms, respectively, while ECAP was not affected by rate. Correspondingly, the interpeak intervals' rate dependences for t 5 − t 1 , t 5 − t 3 and t 3 − t 1 were of the order of 0.37 ms, 0.18 ms and 0.19 ms. Comparing the EABR amplitudes between the stimulation rates 11/s and 81/s, we found that at 81/s the amplitudes were significantly reduced down: to 73% for A3 and 81% for A5. These rate dependences of latency and amplitude in EABR have characteristics comparable to those of acoustic ABR. Conclusions: These data may serve to provide reference values for EABR and ECAP latencies, interpeak intervals and amplitudes with respect to stimulation rate. Altered response patterns of ECAPs and EABRs to normalised stimulation modes could be used in the future to describe and classify neuropathological processes in a better-differentiated way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionAlterations of verbalized thought occur frequently in psychotic disorders. We characterize linguistic findings in individuals with schizophrenia based on the current literature, including findings relevant for differential and early diagnosis.MethodsReview of literature published via PubMed search between January 2010 and May 2022.ResultsA total of 143 articles were included. In persons with schizophrenia, language-related alterations can occur at all linguistic levels. Differentiating from findings in persons with affective disorders, typical symptoms in those with schizophrenia mainly include so-called “poverty of speech,” reduced word and sentence production, impaired processing of complex syntax, pragmatic language deficits as well as reduced semantic verbal fluency. At the at-risk state, “poverty of content,” pragmatic difficulties and reduced verbal fluency could be of predictive value.DiscussionThe current results support multilevel alterations of the language system in persons with schizophrenia. Creative expressions of psychotic experiences are frequently found but are not in the focus of this review. Clinical examinations of linguistic alterations can support differential diagnostics and early detection. Computational methods (Natural Language Processing) may improve the precision of corresponding diagnostics. The relations between language-related and other symptoms can improve diagnostics.

Thyroid carcinomas are growing malignancies worldwide. They encompass several diagnostic categories with varying degrees of dedifferentiation. Focal adhesion kinase is involved in cellular communication and locomotion. It is regulated on a posttranscriptional level by miR-7, miR-135a, and miR-138 and on a posttranslational level by autophosphorylation at Y397 (pY397-FAK). We related regulators of FAK with histologic dedifferentiation, clinicopathological factors, and differential diagnosis in the thyroid neoplasia spectrum. We classified 82 cases into 5 groups with increasing aggressiveness: healthy tissue, follicular and classical variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), dedifferentiated PTC, and anaplastic carcinoma. MiRs were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Protein expression of pY397-FAK was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (separately in the membrane, cytoplasm, and nuclear compartment) and Western blot. All three miRs were upregulated in healthy tissue compared to malignant, while pY397-FAK was downregulated. MiRs and pY397-FAK were not mutually correlated. MiR-135a-5p was decreasing while membranous and cytoplasmic pY397-FAK increased with dedifferentiation. Neither miR correlated with clinicopathological factors. MiR-135a-5p, miR-138-5p, and membranous and cytoplasmic pY397-FAK discriminated the follicular from the classical variant of PTC. Disturbances of FAK regulation on different levels contribute to neoplastic dedifferentiation. pY397-FAK exerts its oncogenic role in the membrane and cytoplasm. Diagnostically, miRs-135a-5p, miR-138-5p, and membranous and cytoplasmic pY397-FAK differentiated between classical and follicular PTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies suggest an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the pathophysiological markers of AD vs. T2DM for each sex separately and propose models that would distinguish control, AD, T2DM, and AD-T2DM comorbidity groups. AD and T2DM differed in levels of some circulating steroids (measured mostly by GC-MS) and in other observed characteristics, such as markers of obesity, glucose metabolism, and liver function tests. Regarding steroid metabolism, AD patients (both sexes) had significantly higher sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, and 17-hydroxy progesterone, and lower estradiol and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol, compared to T2DM patients. However, compared to healthy controls, changes in the steroid spectrum (especially increases in levels of steroids from the C21 group, including their 5α/β-reduced forms, androstenedione, etc.) were similar in patients with AD and patients with T2DM, though more expressed in diabetics. It can be assumed that many of these steroids are involved in counter-regulatory protective mechanisms that mitigate the development and progression of AD and T2DM. In conclusion, our results demonstrated the ability to effectively differentiate AD, T2DM, and controls in both men and women, distinguish the two pathologies from each other, and differentiate patients with AD and T2DM comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) should be distinguished from its wide variety of histological mimics, including reactive conditions and mature B and T cell neoplasms. Thymus and activation‐related chemokine (TARC) is produced in extremely high quantities by the Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg (HRS) tumour cells and is largely responsible for the attraction of CD4+ T cells into the cHL tumour micro‐environment. In the current study we evaluated the diagnostic potential of TARC immunohistochemistry in daily practice in a tertiary referral centre in the Netherlands. Methods and results: A total of 383 cases, approximately half of which were cHL mimics, were prospectively evaluated in the period from June 2014 to November 2020. In 190 cHL cases, 92% were TARC‐positive and the majority of cases showed strong and highly specific staining in all HRS cells (77%). In most cases, TARC could discriminate between nodular lymphocyte‐predominant and lymphocyte‐rich Hodgkin lymphoma. HRS‐like cells in mature lymphoid neoplasms were rarely positive (6.4%) and there was no TARC staining at all in 64 reactive lymphadenopathies. Conclusions: TARC immunohistochemistry has great value in differentiating between cHL and its mimics, including nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, reactive lymphadenopathies and mature lymphoid neoplasms with HRS‐like cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "complex posttraumatic stress disorder" (cPTSD) appeared in the scientific literature 30 years ago and has now been included in a diagnostic catalogue for the first time, namely in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 11 (ICD-11) which was officially published at the beginning of 2022. This usually severely debilitating disorder often poses great challenges to treating physicians and psychotherapists in everyday clinical practice. Due to the much-debated overlap of cPTSD with borderline personality disorder (BPD), which is very high in cases of comorbidity of BPD and PTSD, cPTSD became embroiled in scientific discussions about the raison d'être of BPD in the new dimensional concept of personality disorders (PD) in the ICD-11. In addition to a detailed explanation of the diagnostic criteria of cPTSD and their differentiation from other mental disorders, particularly from PTSD, BPD and dissociative disorders, this article summarizes the historical development of the concept of cPTSD to date and the currently available treatment options. The same criteria apply to cPTSD in childhood and adolescence as in adulthood, but there are some special features that are not addressed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Die Nephrologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Accurate diagnosis in psychiatry remains a significant challenge, often delaying appropriate treatment and resulting in poorer clinical outcomes. Identifying precise biomarkers for differential diagnosis is therefore crucial. This study aimed to identify distinct behavioral and psychophysiological markers of emotional reactivity in virtual reality (VR) settings among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), and healthy controls (HC). Participants (BD: n = 32, BPD: n = 21, SSD: n = 17, HC: n = 30) aged 19-60 were exposed to six immersive 360-degree social VR scenarios, ranging from neutral to highly emotional contexts (e.g., an elevator ride, a crying baby). Emotional responses were self-rated on a 1-5 scale, while galvanic skin response (GSR) was continuously recorded. Scenarios assessed feelings of unpleasantness, pleasantness, being observed, and the urge to comfort. Across diagnoses, individuals with mental health conditions reported more negative emotional responses (greater unpleasantness) across both neutral and negative scenarios (ps ≤ 0.02) despite similar GSR levels to HC. Specifically, in the elevator scenario, BPD and SSD experienced greater unpleasantness and feelings of being observed, coupled with stronger GSRs compared to BD (ps ≤ 0.03). SSD reported higher unpleasantness in the canteen scenario, less pleasantness in the happy baby scenario, and overall higher GSR than BD (ps ≤ 0.049). Negative emotional reactivity was consistent across BD, BPD, and SSD, with heightened emotional and physiological responses distinguishing SSD and BPD from BD in specific VR contexts. VR-based assessments of emotional and physiological markers show promise for improving differential diagnosis and identifying transdiagnostic treatment targets., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing Interest HLK has received honoraria from Lundbeck within the past three years. KWM has received honoraria from Lundbeck, Angelini, and Gedeon Richter in the past three years. The remaining authors have no conflicts to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Dissociative identity disorder’s origin is often traced back to early traumatization. This disorder is difficult to diagnose within a short appointment, and the patient may appear psychotic. We describe a patient case in which a threat of suicidal behaviour led to a further assessment in adolescent psychiatric services. A diagnosis of psychotic depression with traumatic experiences was suspected initially. The functioning of the patient remained relatively intact without treatment of psychosis. A thorough differential diagnostic study was performed due to unusual symptom presentation. The symptoms appearing psychotic were driven by communication between distinct personality states and by concerning memory gaps. Consequently, a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder was made. The primary treatment recommendation for dissociative disorders that cause unexpected memory gaps or amnesia by expert consensus is psychotherapy. Amnesia can be frightening, and internal dialogue is difficult to explain to others. The goal of psychotherapeutic treatment is to integrate the distinct personality states or modes, to restore continuity in sense of self without memory gaps and to maintain functioning.

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disease diagnosed when all possible causes of hypoparathyroidism are excluded.Data on the prevalence of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is limited, there are several local studies in some countries. The variety and non-specificity of the hypoparathyroidism symptoms, similarity to other diseases (eg. epilepsy), causes the misdiagnosis and delay in pathogenetic therapy.Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is rare. Therefore, the absence of neck surgery in the anamnesis practically excludes hypoparathyroidism from the diagnostic search. Moreover, it is necessary to rule out all known causes of decreased PTH hypoparathyroidism to determine the form of non-surgical hypoparathyroidism.We present a case series of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, which demonstrates the difficulty in diagnosis, and the clinical features of the disease. The article covers also the problem of modern diagnostic approaches including the determination of the interferon-omega for patients with suspected autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 as the most common cause of nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism.

Flavivirus diagnostics are complicated by substantial cross‐reactivity of antibodies between different flavivirus species. This is of particular importance in regions with multiple endemic flaviviruses in co‐circulation. Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the causative agent of tick‐borne encephalitis, the most common infection of the central nervous system in endemic regions of Europe and Asia. Since 2018, the related West Nile virus (WNV) has spread to Germany where its geographic distribution overlaps with TBEV endemic regions. Besides humans, various animal species are susceptible to TBEV and WNV infection. To compare antibody responses against these flaviviruses and test for cross‐reactivity, we developed a multi‐species luciferase immunoprecipitation system antibody detection assay for several different antigens. We performed a serosurvey of 682 dogs from five different European countries to detect antibodies against TBEV and WNV. Twelve specimens were positive for TBEV NS1 only and seven for WNV NS1 only. Two specimens were reactive to both NS1 antigens and another two were equivocal for WNV NS1. Interestingly, 89.5% of positive specimens had TBEV/WNV or WNV/TBEV signal ratios of 10 to >300 between individual NS1 antigens, allowing for a clear distinction between the two viruses. The remaining 10.5% of reactive specimens showed a five‐ to 10‐fold difference between the two viruses and included possible dual exposures to both viruses. In contrast, equivocal samples showed low signal ratios between the NS1 antigens, suggesting unspecific reactivity. Based on these data, we found the NS1 protein to be a suitable antigen to distinguish between TBEV‐ and WNV‐specific antibodies in dogs with sensitivity and specificity similar to virus neutralization tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most common anomaly of the aortic arch and its branches is the aberrant right subclavian artery – arteria lusoria. Usually, it produces dysphagia or dyspnea and chronic coughing.Our purpose is to underline that it is necessary to exclude the anomalies of the branches of the thoracic aorta, including arteria lusoria, in the patients with cardialgia of unknown origin.Clinical case. An 18-year-old female patient without a previously diagnosed chronic pathology was admitted to a hospital with chest pain after emotional stress for about an hour. The ECG revealed a sinus rhythm with a heart rate of 50 per minute, the normal direction of the electrical axis of the heart, the incomplete right bundle branch block, the negative T wave in the lead III. After excluding ischemic heart disease, acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography revealed an aortic arch anomaly – a. lusoria.Conclusion. A. lusoria may manifest by cardiac pain. In patients with chest pain of unknown origin, it is advisable to include anomalies of the aorta and its branches, including the presence of the lusoria artery, in the range of differential diagnostics.

Abstract Background Vascular dementia (VaD) and atypical parkinsonism often present with symptoms that can resemble idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and enlarged cerebral ventricles, and can be challenging differential diagnoses. The aim was to investigate frequencies of imaging features usually associated with iNPH and their radiological diagnostic accuracy in a sample containing the relevant differential diagnoses VaD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy parkinsonian type (MSA-P), and healthy controls. Methods Nine morphological imaging features usually associated with iNPH were retrospectively investigated in MR images of 55 patients with shunt-responsive iNPH, 32 patients with VaD, 30 patients with PSP, 27 patients with MSA-P, and 39 age-matched healthy controls. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for each imaging finding. Results In a logistic regression model using iNPH diagnosis as a dependent variable, the following imaging features contributed significantly to the model: callosal angle (OR = 0.95 (0.92–0.99), p = 0.012), Evans’ index * 100 (OR = 1.51 (1.23–1.86), p

The group of scleroderma diseases includes a number of clinical entities, the main symptom of which is skin tightening. Scleroderma is a prominent example of these diseases, characterized by excessive synthesis and deposition of collagen in organs and tissues. A patient with juvenile systemic scleroderma with induration of the skin and underlying tissues, and persistent contractures of large joints since childhood, is described. This clinical example illustrates disease course peculiarities and differential diagnosis of systemic and limited (focal) scleroderma and scleroderma-like conditions in pediatric patients. The feasibility of pathogenetic therapy aimed at improving patient's the quality of life with formed disease phenotype is shown.

Thyroid carcinomas are growing malignancies worldwide. They encompass several diagnostic categories with varying degrees of dedifferentiation. Focal adhesion kinase is involved in cellular communication and locomotion. It is regulated on a posttranscriptional level by miR-7, miR-135a, and miR-138 and on a posttranslational level by autophosphorylation at Y397 (pY397-FAK). We related regulators of FAK with histologic dedifferentiation, clinicopathological factors, and differential diagnosis in the thyroid neoplasia spectrum. We classified 82 cases into 5 groups with increasing aggressiveness: healthy tissue, follicular and classical variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), dedifferentiated PTC, and anaplastic carcinoma. MiRs were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Protein expression of pY397-FAK was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (separately in the membrane, cytoplasm, and nuclear compartment) and Western blot. All three miRs were upregulated in healthy tissue compared to malignant, while pY397-FAK was downregulated. MiRs and pY397-FAK were not mutually correlated. MiR-135a-5p was decreasing while membranous and cytoplasmic pY397-FAK increased with dedifferentiation. Neither miR correlated with clinicopathological factors. MiR-135a-5p, miR-138-5p, and membranous and cytoplasmic pY397-FAK discriminated the follicular from the classical variant of PTC. Disturbances of FAK regulation on different levels contribute to neoplastic dedifferentiation. pY397-FAK exerts its oncogenic role in the membrane and cytoplasm. Diagnostically, miRs-135a-5p, miR-138-5p, and membranous and cytoplasmic pY397-FAK differentiated between classical and follicular PTC.

In children and adolescents, neuroblastoma (NBL), pheochromocytoma (PCC), and adrenocortical tumors (ACT) can arise from the adrenal gland. It may be difficult to distinguish between these three entities including associated extra-adrenal tumors (paraganglioma, PGL). Precise discrimination, however, is of crucial importance for management. Biopsy in ACT or PCC is potentially harmful and should be avoided whenever possible. We herein report data on 10 children and adolescents with ACT and five with PCC/PGL, previously mistaken as NBL. Two patients with adrenocortical carcinoma died due to disease progression. Two (2/9, missing data in one patient) patients with a final diagnosis of ACT clearly presented with obvious clinical signs and symptoms of steroid hormone excess, while seven patients did not. Blood analyses indicated increased levels of steroid hormones in one additional patient; however, urinary steroid metabolome analysis was not performed in any patient. Two (2/10) patients underwent tumor biopsy, and in two others tumor rupture occurred intraoperatively. In 6/10 patients, ACT diagnosis was only established by a reference pediatric pathology laboratory. Four (4/5) patients with a final diagnosis of PCC/PGL presented with clinical signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. Urine tests indicated possible catecholamine excess in two patients, while no testing was carried out in three patients. Measurements of plasma metanephrines were not performed in any patient. None of the five patients with PCC/PGL received adrenergic blockers before surgery. In four patients, PCC/PGL diagnosis was established by a local pathologist, and in one patient diagnosis was revised to PGL by a pediatric reference pathologist. Genetic testing, performed in three out of five patients with PCC/PGL, indicated pathogenic variants of PCC/PGL susceptibility genes. The differential diagnosis of adrenal neoplasias and associated extra-adrenal tumors in children and adolescents may be challenging, necessitating interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts. In ambiguous and/or hormonally inactive cases through comprehensive biochemical testing, microscopical complete tumor resection by an experienced surgeon is vital to preventing poor outcome in children and adolescents with ACT and/or PCC/PGL. Finally, specimens need to be assessed by an experienced pediatric pathologist to establish diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strongyloidiases are caused by nematodes of the suborder Strongylida and are the most widely prevalent group of gastrointestinal helminthiases of sheep in many regions of the world. Among gastrointestinal strongylids, the helminths of the genus Nematodirus are represented by the largest number of species and highest infection rates in sheep. Nematodirosis causes significant economic losses in the sheep industry through decreased sheep productivity, delayed growth and development of young animals, and a reduced resistance to other diseases. Timely and accurate diagnosis of nematodirosis and identification of the pathogen will effectively prevent the disease and help to carry out treatment and prevention measures. Therefore, the aim of the work was to study the definitive morphometric characters of mature males and females of Nematodirus spathiger Railliet, 1896, obtained from the small intestine of domestic sheep. The results of experimental studies showed that nematodes of this species morphologically are characterized by a thin filiform body, a vesicle at the head end and a chitinous tooth in a short oral capsule. The differential morphological features of male nematodes of N. spathiger include specifics of the structure of spicules, their distal end and the shape and location of the rays of the caudal bursa; in females, those are the features of the structure of the vulva and tail end. In identification of male nematodes of N. spathiger, it is proposed to use 40 metric parameters, of which 11 characterize the overall size of the body, esophagus and vesicles, 24 refer to the size of the tail bursa, 5 to the size of the spicules and the enveloping membrane. To help identify the females of N. spathiger, 25 parameters are chosen, of which 14 also characterize the overall size of the body, esophagus and head vesicle, 6 refer to the size of the cuticular formations of the vulva and its location, and 5 to the size of the tail end, the location of the anus and the size of the tail spike.

The paper describes a clinical case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a young patient during the COVID-19 pandemic when the patient having complaints of dyspnea and interstitial lung changes as ground glass opacity was initially unambiguously diagnosed with viral COVID-related bilateral pneumonia. The chief computed tomography manifestations in the lung were infiltrative inflammatory changes as numerous areas of predominantly interstitial infiltration by the type of ground glass, with consolidation areas and reticular changes, varying in extent, peripheral localization, mainly in the lower lobes and with the 25–50% involvement of the right and left lung parenchyma. The diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was confirmed by cytological and histological examinations of the biopsy material obtained during bronchoscopy using a set of biopsies and endobronchial cryobiopsy.This clinical case demonstrates that the chest computed tomography detection of pulmonary ground glasstype changes is a reason for further patient examinations and requires morphological verification of the diagnosis, since the cost of a diagnostic error is the life of a patient.

In children and adolescents, neuroblastoma (NBL), pheochromocytoma (PCC), and adrenocortical tumors (ACT) can arise from the adrenal gland. It may be difficult to distinguish between these three entities including associated extra-adrenal tumors (paraganglioma, PGL). Precise discrimination, however, is of crucial importance for management. Biopsy in ACT or PCC is potentially harmful and should be avoided whenever possible. We herein report data on 10 children and adolescents with ACT and five with PCC/PGL, previously mistaken as NBL. Two patients with adrenocortical carcinoma died due to disease progression. Two (2/9, missing data in one patient) patients with a final diagnosis of ACT clearly presented with obvious clinical signs and symptoms of steroid hormone excess, while seven patients did not. Blood analyses indicated increased levels of steroid hormones in one additional patient; however, urinary steroid metabolome analysis was not performed in any patient. Two (2/10) patients underwent tumor biopsy, and in two others tumor rupture occurred intraoperatively. In 6/10 patients, ACT diagnosis was only established by a reference pediatric pathology laboratory. Four (4/5) patients with a final diagnosis of PCC/PGL presented with clinical signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. Urine tests indicated possible catecholamine excess in two patients, while no testing was carried out in three patients. Measurements of plasma metanephrines were not performed in any patient. None of the five patients with PCC/PGL received adrenergic blockers before surgery. In four patients, PCC/PGL diagnosis was established by a local pathologist, and in one patient diagnosis was revised to PGL by a pediatric reference pathologist. Genetic testing, performed in three out of five patients with PCC/PGL, indicated pathogenic variants of PCC/PGL susceptibility genes. The differential diagnosis of adrenal neoplasias and associated extra-adrenal tumors in children and adolescents may be challenging, necessitating interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts. In ambiguous and/or hormonally inactive cases through comprehensive biochemical testing, microscopical complete tumor resection by an experienced surgeon is vital to preventing poor outcome in children and adolescents with ACT and/or PCC/PGL. Finally, specimens need to be assessed by an experienced pediatric pathologist to establish diagnosis.

Несмотря на наличие клинических рекомендаций и пошаговых алгоритмов терапии биполярного аффективного расстройства (БАР) и шизофрении, в практике часто возникают трудности выбора правильной тактики лечения, связанные с проблемами дифференциальной диагностики этих заболеваний, особенно когда в структуре острых эпизодов биполярного расстройства присутствует психотическая симптоматика. Ошибочная диагностика и назначение классических антипсихотиков пациентам с БАР часто приводят к утяжелению течения заболевания и их социальной дезадаптации. В статье обсуждаются причины существующей диагностической неопределенности и возможности преодоления связанных с ней проблем терапии. В ситуации этой диагностической дилеммы терапевтический выбор упрощается благодаря внедрению в практику антипсихотиков второго поколения. Их доказанная эффективность при различных синдромальных проявлениях БАР и при шизофрении, лучшая по сравнению с классическими нейролептиками переносимость, в том числе низкий риск развития экстрапирамидных синдромов, не только расширяют возможности терапии БАР, но и нивелируют вред, возникающий вследствие ошибочной дифференциальной диагностики шизофрении и БАР. На основании анализа данных литературы в статье обсуждаются возможности дифференцированного использования антипсихотиков второго поколения при БАР в зависимости от спектра их клинической активности и с учетом особенностей соматотропного действия.

Background: Vascular dementia (VaD) and atypical parkinsonism often present with symptoms that can resemble idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and enlarged cerebral ventricles, and can be challenging differential diagnoses. The aim was to investigate frequencies of imaging features usually associated with iNPH and their radiological diagnostic accuracy in a sample containing the relevant differential diagnoses VaD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy parkinsonian type (MSA-P), and healthy controls. Methods: Nine morphological imaging features usually associated with iNPH were retrospectively investigated in MR images of 55 patients with shunt-responsive iNPH, 32 patients with VaD, 30 patients with PSP, 27 patients with MSA-P, and 39 age-matched healthy controls. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for each imaging finding. Results: In a logistic regression model using iNPH diagnosis as a dependent variable, the following imaging features contributed significantly to the model: callosal angle (OR = 0.95 (0.92–0.99), p = 0.012), Evans' index * 100 (OR = 1.51 (1.23–1.86), p < 0.001), enlarged Sylvian fissures (OR = 6.01 (1.42–25.40), p = 0.015), and focally enlarged sulci (OR = 10.18 (1.89–55.02), p = 0.007). Imaging features with 95% specificity for iNPH were: callosal angle ≤ 71°, temporal horns ≥ 7 mm, Evans' index ≥ 0.37, iNPH Radscale ≥ 9, and presence of DESH, bilateral ventricular roof bulgings or focally enlarged sulci. A simplified version of the iNPH Radscale with only four features resulted in equally high diagnostic accuracy as the original iNPH Radscale. Conclusions: There is a notable overlap between some of the commonly used imaging markers regarding iNPH, VaD and atypical parkinsonism, such as PSP. However, this study shows that the specificity of imaging markers usually associated with iNPH was high even when comparing with these challenging differential diagnoses. The callosal angle was the single imaging feature with highest diagnostic accuracy to discriminate iNPH from its mimics. A simplified rating scale using only a few selected features could be used with retained specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is devoted to the development of a methodological approach to mathematical analysis and data interpretation of blood serum phosphorescence intensity in cancer patients for determining the pathological states and differential diagnostics of oncological process stages. The purpose of the study is blood serum phosphorescence research in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and stomach adenocarcinoma (SAC) and determination of the ultraweak luminescence role for diagnostics of the disease, determining its stages, control of pathogenetic therapy efficiency and forecast of recovery. The values of phosphorescence intensity of blood serum films in patients with CRC and SAC are significantly higher than the corresponding values for the control group. Contrary to the absolute intensity, the relative intensity increase compared to the control group is much more informative for oncoprocess diagnostics, since it exhibits three times increase even at the first stage of tumoral process. Serum phosphorescence intensity continues to increase with progressing of the disease. As the result of our study, the relative intensity increase compared to the first stage can be recommended as an informative indicator for differential diagnostics of oncological process stages. As a conclusion, determination of blood serum phosphorescence intensity can be considered as a sensitive and specific diagnostic method in oncology. With a correct methodological approach to data processing and interpretation, this method can be used in clinical practice for determining the oncopathological states, differential diagnostics of oncoprocess stages and diagnostics of precancer changes, which precede tumoral process development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oroanthral fistula (anastomosis) is an element preventing the restoration of homeostasis in the maxillary sinus due to the constant flow of microbes from the oral cavity. It is also contributes to frequent exacerbations of maxillary sinusitis. Saprophytic grampositive cocci and fungi of the oral cavity are dominating representatives of the microbial flora in the maxillary sinus. As the result of research, we found that in the case of maxillary sinusitis with oroantral fistula fungi made up 25.0% of microbiota, gram-positive bacteria – 41.7%, gram-negative bacteria – 33.3%. Gram-positive cocci from the Staphylococcus genus (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and fungi (Candida albicans) comprised the biggest proportion of microbial flora that 33.3% and 16.7%, respectively. Slightly decreased levels of monocytes in venous blood was noted in 69.2% of patients. The average value of total serum IgE in group with oroantal fistula was 226.2 (70.4) IU/ml, the result exceeded normal limits almost in 2.26 times. Large circulating immune complexes (CICs) were normal in all patients in the group with iatrogenic maxillary sinusitis. The average lavels of small size CICs was 170.2 (4.23) ОU, which is in 1.06 times higher the upper limit of the norm (160 ОU). Elevated levels of total Ig E in serum of patients with oroanthral fistula indicates allergic sensitization. The detection of increased levels of CICs with small and medium sizes in serum may indicate a susceptibility of this category of patients to the development of immunopathological reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. One reason behind this lethality lies in the fact that often cardiovascular illnesses develop into systemic failure due to the multiple connections to organismal metabolism. This in turn is associated with co-morbidities and multimorbidity. The prevalence of coexisting diseases and the relationship between the molecular origins adds to the complexity of the management of cardiovascular diseases and thus requires a profound knowledge of the genetic interaction of diseases.Objective: In order to develop a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, we examined the patterns of comorbidity as well as their genetic interaction of the diseases (or the lack of evidence of it) in a large set of cases diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions at the national reference hospital for cardiovascular diseases in Mexico.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of the National Institute of Cardiology. Socioeconomic information, principal diagnosis that led to the hospitalization and other conditions identified by an ICD-10 code were obtained for 34,099 discharged cases. With this information a cardiovascular comorbidity networks were built both for the full database and for ten 10-years age brackets. The associated cardiovascular comorbidities modules were found. Data mining was performed in the comprehensive ClinVar database with the disease names (as extracted from ICD-10 codes) to establish (when possible) connections between the genetic associations of the genetic interaction of diseases. The rationale is that some comorbidities may have a stronger genetic origin, whereas for others, the environment and other factors may be stronger.Results: We found that comorbidity networks are highly centralized in prevalent diseases, such as cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and ischemic diseases. Said comorbidity networks are actually modular on their connectivity. Modules recapitulate physiopathological commonalities, e.g., ischemic diseases clustering together. This is also the case of chronic systemic diseases, of congenital malformations and others. The genetic and environmental commonalities behind some of the relations in these modules were also found by resorting to clinical genetics databases and functional pathway enrichment studies.Conclusions: This methodology, hence may allow the clinician to look up for non-evident comorbidities whose knowledge will lead to improve therapeutically designs. By continued and consistent analysis of these types of patterns, we envisaged that it may be possible to acquire, strong clinical and basic insights that may further our advance toward a better understanding of cardiovascular diseases as a whole. Hopefully these may in turn lead to further development of better, integrated therapeutic strategies.

Finding a focal liver lesion during screening may not uncommonly lead to a misinterpretation of the results of radiological diagnostics. Based on the consolidation of our wide experience (more than 1000 cases) of surgical treatment of patients with various focal liver diseases, we analyzed the main causes of diagnostic pitfalls and, as a consequence, errors in the treatment of these patients. The most typical objective and subjective diagnostic pitfalls that may lead to a wrong treatment strategy are discussed with clinical cases taken as examples. The objective factors are related to the rarity of disease, absence of pathognomonic semiotics, as well as limitations in the resolution power of imaging methods. In addition, a misinterpretation of results of ultrasound examination, magnetic resonance imaging and multiaxial computed tomography may be explained by identical properties of images in different tumors related to similar physical and chemical properties of a lesion. The subjective factors are related to a wrong interpretation of clinical and instrumental assessment data, or insufficient evaluation needed in an individual patient. The number of diagnostic and treatment errors could be decreased by a multidisciplinary approach taking into account the opinions of various profile experts.

n the case of a space-occupying lesion (SOL) of the ovary, it is up to the gynecologist to diagnose a possible malignancy and then decide upon further treatment strategy. The aim of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of the existing methods for detecting the tumor markers: CA-125 – cancer antigen 125 and HE4 – human epididymis protein 4. We also compared the prognostic indices (Risk Malignancy Index – RMI and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm – ROMA) currently used to make differential diagnoses of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms at the preoperative stage. Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective study in 100 patients from 18 to 79 years old scheduled for surgery for an ovarian SOL. The serum levels of the CA-125 and HE4 tumor markers, pelvic sonography, the RMI and ROMA scores, as well as post-surgery histopathology results were evaluated. Results. The sensitivities of the CA-125, HE4, RMI and ROMA indices were 85.7%, 42.9%, 85.7% and 71.4%, respectively; the values of specificity were 83.6%, 97.8%, 96.7%, 97.8%, respectively. Conclusion. The most informative parameter for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms at the preoperative stage was the RMI, and the least informative – the HE4 tumor marker. The HE4 determination was highly informative, however, in the differential diagnosis of ovarian malignant neoplasms with endometrioid cysts in patients with elevated CA-125 levels. Notably, patients with widespread external genital endometriosis showed false-positive results of the CA-125, HE4, RMI and ROMA tests. In a patient with clear-cell ovarian carcinoma, the sensitivity and specificity of the CA-125, HE4, RMI, and ROMA tests were confirmed to be low.

The differential diagnosis between lichenoid drug eruption (LDE) and lichen planus (LP) is difficult due to similar clinical and histological signs but important for treatment and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to propose the new diagnosis method for differentiate LDE from LP. During 2015‐2018, 20 patients with confirmed LDE, 13 patients with LP and 134 controls were examined and treated at the Lenoblcenter. All enrolled patients were underwent the injection of 0.5 mL of the 2% lidocaine solution by insulin syringe into the papule with following histological examination. The formation of a blister (bulla) at the site of injection was considered a positive test result. Among LDE, 18 of 20 patients were found positive for developing blister (bulla) and two results were questionable. In 12 of 13 LP patents, bulla on the site of injection was not identified and the result of one patient was nonspecific. All control patients were negative for the proposed test. The histological sections showed that the bulla has corresponded to the separation of the epidermis from the dermis. Intracutaneous injection of 0.5 mL of lidocaine into the papule is an easy highly specific and sensitive method to differentiate LDE from LP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a phenotypically heterogeneous disease. Although the life expectancy and motor capability is signifi cantly reduced in most patients, SMA types III and IV patients live to adulthood. In some cases, the association with a higher number of copies of the SMN2 gene and other protective factors are responsible for minimal motor impairment only. However, precise data on the prevalence of this disease in adult patients remain unknown. In the adult age, in addition to the classical 5q13 form of SMA, there are other rare genetic forms of late onset SMA with dominant disability in the lower limbs, which must be distinguished because of different clinical and therapeutic approaches. Since the development of SMA therapy, there has been a need for a clinical evaluation of therapeutic response and a definition of multidisciplinary care standards that have some specifics in adult SMA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. One reason behind this lethality lies in the fact that often cardiovascular illnesses develop into systemic failure due to the multiple connections to organismal metabolism. This in turn is associated with co-morbidities and multimorbidity. The prevalence of coexisting diseases and the relationship between the molecular origins adds to the complexity of the management of cardiovascular diseases and thus requires a profound knowledge of the genetic interaction of diseases. Objective: In order to develop a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, we examined the patterns of comorbidity as well as their genetic interaction of the diseases (or the lack of evidence of it) in a large set of cases diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions at the national reference hospital for cardiovascular diseases in Mexico. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of the National Institute of Cardiology. Socioeconomic information, principal diagnosis that led to the hospitalization and other conditions identified by an ICD-10 code were obtained for 34,099 discharged cases. With this information a cardiovascular comorbidity networks were built both for the full database and for ten 10-years age brackets. The associated cardiovascular comorbidities modules were found. Data mining was performed in the comprehensive ClinVar database with the disease names (as extracted from ICD-10 codes) to establish (when possible) connections between the genetic associations of the genetic interaction of diseases. The rationale is that some comorbidities may have a stronger genetic origin, whereas for others, the environment and other factors may be stronger. Results: We found that comorbidity networks are highly centralized in prevalent diseases, such as cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and ischemic diseases. Said comorbidity networks are actually modular on their connectivity. Modules recapitulate physiopathological commonalities, e.g., ischemic diseases clustering together. This is also the case of chronic systemic diseases, of congenital malformations and others. The genetic and environmental commonalities behind some of the relations in these modules were also found by resorting to clinical genetics databases and functional pathway enrichment studies. Conclusions: This methodology, hence may allow the clinician to look up for non-evident comorbidities whose knowledge will lead to improve therapeutically designs. By continued and consistent analysis of these types of patterns, we envisaged that it may be possible to acquire, strong clinical and basic insights that may further our advance toward a better understanding of cardiovascular diseases as a whole. Hopefully these may in turn lead to further development of better, integrated therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental diseases and leads to significant personal and social impairments for affected persons. The illness is characterized by frequent relapses, results in increased mortality and is associated with the highest socioeconomic costs of all diseases. Moreover, patients with schizophrenia are often stigmatized in everyday life and also in most treatment settings. In 1998 the first German schizophrenia guidelines were published, followed by the first S3 guidelines for schizophrenia in 2006. The revision process started in 2012 coordinated by the German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DGPPN) and the revised guidelines were published in 2019. The target group for the revised S3 guidelines includes all persons involved in the care of patients with schizophrenia in all sectors of the German healthcare system, including decision makers and insurance funds. Starting with an introduction of the biological, clinical and epidemiological basis of the disorder, recommendations for the diagnostics of schizophrenia, the detection of comorbidities, the use of antipsychotic medication and other somatic procedures, for psychotherapy, psychosocial interventions, handling of special treatment conditions and rehabilitation are made. Finally, recommendations for an evidence-based and optimal coordination within the healthcare system are made, followed by a discussion of the cost-effectiveness of treatment and presentation of strategies for improved quality management. The most important aspect of the revised S3 guidelines on schizophrenia is the multiprofessional cooperation in all phases of the disorder and an empathic and respectful therapeutic alliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes present-day information on the pathogenesis, clinical picture, treatment and differential diagnostics of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, an autoimmune skin disease caused by the production of anti-Type VII collagen autoantibodies and manifested mainly by subepidermal blisters and erosions. The authors present the results of a case study of a rare form of epidermolysis bullosa - epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in a male patient aged 53. A combined therapy with peroral prednisolone and subcutaneous injections of methotrexate had a positive effect in the form of epithelialization of most of the erosions.

Clinical presentation is given of eruption in the case of segmental vitiligo and nevus achromicus. Literary data was presented, issues of differential diagnostics were discussed.

Background. Difficulties of differential diagnostics of exudative pleuritis due to pleura mesothelioma and such one of tubercular etiology can take a long time that is the reason of delayed well-timed and correct treatment order. Etiological diagnostics of exudative pleuritis has to be based on an integrated approach taking into account the data of clinical inspection of a patient, a laboratory research of pleural exudate, radial, instrumental, pathomorphological and surgical methods. The aim of our study is to establish the features of diagnosis of exudative pleuritis due to pleura mesothelioma by determining of informativeness and value of applied diagnostic methods for further use for differential diagnostics with exudative pleuritis of tubercular etiology on the cases of own clinical observations. Materials and methods. Four clinical cases of diagnostics of pleura mesothelioma in the patients with exudative pleuritis at Municipal Institution “Zaporizhzhia Regional Antituberculous Clinical Dispensary” were analyzed. Results. Four cases of pleura mesothelioma were diagnosed at Municipal Institution “Zaporizhzhia Regional Antituberculous Clinical Dispensary” within differential diagnostics of exudative pleuritis of obscure origin. In all cases the following similar features of pleura mesothelioma were observed: patients were male; patients complained about dyspnoea at exercise stress, thorax pain (on the side of mesothelioma localization), general weakness, periodic cough; the patients denied tuberculosis contact; the general blood test revealed only lymphopenia against the background of the accelerated ESR; micobacteria of tuberculosis were not revealed at all; steady accumulation of an exudate, despite its systematic evacuation; cytologic research of pleural liquid was characterized by a moderate turbidity, serous (serous and hemorrhagic) character, with the specific weight of 1015–1016, rising of protein to 33–66 g/l, positive Rivalta’s test, a lymphocytosis of 93–100 %, a proliferation of mesothelium with dystrophia signs in cytoplasma, groups of cells with enlarged nucleoluses in cell cores; aspirate of epithelial lining fluid (even in the absence of pathology of a tracheobronchial tree) is presented by alveolus cells and bronchial epithelium, glandular groups of cells with hyperplasia signs; typical signs of pleura mesothelioma of pleural cavity at ultrasound examination were: identification of formations of rounded shape, various echogenicity, the sizes and quantity (depending on a form: nodular or diffusive), with accurate contours of masses which intimately adjoins to visceral pleura and the structure often contains from single to numerous small hyperechogenic inclusions against the background of liquid; in all cases video-assisted thoracoscopy data of visceral pleura was confirmed by pathohistological examination. Conclusions. All applied diagnostic methods were high-informative that allowed quickly diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment. On their basis the algorithm of differential diagnostics of specific exudative pleuritis and caused pleura mesotheliomas were roentgenography of thoracic organs (if possible computer tomography), an ultrasonic examination of thoracic organs, cytologic research of pleural liquid, video thoracoscopy with biopsy of parietal pleura, research of pleura smear and pathohistological examination of biopsy material.

Despite the current diagnostic criteria, early diagnostics of behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) has remained challenging. Patients with bvFTD often present with misleading psychiatric phenotype, and, on the other hand, impairment in memory functions have increasingly been reported. However, impaired episodic memory is currently considered as an exclusion criterion for bvFTD. Single biofluid-based or imaging biomarkers do not currently provide sufficient sensitivity or specificity for early bvFTD diagnosis at single-subject level, although studies have suggested improved accuracy with different biomarker combinations. In this mini review, we evaluate the core clinical features of early bvFTD and summarize the most potential imaging and fluid biomarkers for bvFTD diagnostics.