We reviewed the pleiotropic beneficial effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, three very recent demonstrations that may be essential in the gut-brain and brain-gut axis operation, ...and therapy application in the central nervous system disorders, in particular. Firstly, given in the reperfusion, BPC 157 counteracted bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries-induced stroke, sustained brain neuronal damages were resolved in rats as well as disturbed memory, locomotion, and coordination. This therapy effect supports particular gene expression in hippocampal tissues that appeared in BPC 157-treated rats. Secondly, there are L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)- and haloperidol-induced catalepsy as well as the rat acute and chronic models of 'positive-like' schizophrenia symptoms, that BPC 157 counteracted, and resolved the complex relationship of the nitric oxide-system with amphetamine and apomorphine (dopamine agents application), MK-801 (non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) and chronic methamphetamine administration (to induce sensitivity). Thirdly, after rat spinal cord compression, there were advanced healing and functional recovery (counteracted tail paralysis). Likewise, in BPC 157 therapy, there is specific support for each of these topics: counteracted encephalopathies; alleviated vascular occlusion disturbances (stroke); counteracted dopamine disturbances (dopamine receptors blockade, receptors super sensitivity development, or receptor activation, over-release, nigrostriatal damage, vesicles depletion), and nitric oxide-system disturbances ("L-NAME non-responsive, L-arginine responsive," and "L-NAME responsive, L-arginine responsive") (schizophrenia therapy); inflammation reduction, nerve recovery in addition to alleviated hemostasis and vessels function after compression (spinal cord injury therapy). Thus, these disturbances may be all resolved within the same agent's beneficial activity, i.e., the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157.
The article describes the historical development of treatment systems related to the use of alcohol, drugs and pathological gambling in the Republic of Croatia. The specifics of the functioning of ...each system, the common points of contact, the mutual advantages and disadvantages, as well as the challenges posed by the further development of the treatment system are outlined.
To assess the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with an H1 coil as a treatment for hopelessness in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
We conducted a ...randomised controlled trial in a tertiary psychiatric institution in Croatia, including patients diagnosed with MDD without psychotic symptoms and with clinically relevant hopelessness. High-frequency (18 Hz) rTMS with an H1 coil was administered over four weeks on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We examined changes in the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) scores.
We randomly assigned 51 participants to the intervention group (rTMS plus standard therapy) and 52 to the control group (standard therapy). The mean (
) ages were 50 (12.3) and 50 (10.4) years, and 47% and 52% of the participants were females in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Following treatment, the BHS scores decreased (unadjusted bivariate analysis,
= 0.043; false discovery rate (FDR) >5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that the BHS score was reduced by 10.8% (95% confidence interval (CI: -17.8% to -3.9%) in the rTMS group and 0.7% (95% CI: 7.5% -6.1%) in the control group (
= 0.037; FDR < 5%).
rTMS with an H1 coil improved the symptoms of hopelessness in patients with MDD.
Selye's syndrome produced by diverse nocuous agents and "response to damage as such" means Selye's stress triad in stress coping response to reestablish homeostasis. Logically, from the ...gastrointestinal tract viewpoint, such organoprotective/healing response implies the angiogenic growth factors that commonly signify the healing. Thereby, the gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157-organoprotection (huge range of beneficial effects) signifies the Selye's stress concept/stress coping response implemented in and from gastrointestinal tract, and BPC 157 as an integrative mediator that integrates the adaptive bodily response to stress. In clinical trials without side effects, LD1 not achieved, BPC 157 healing in gastrointestinal tract, and particularly the healing of the extragastrointestinal tissues (i.e., skin/tendon/ligament/muscle/bone; nerve; cornea/ brain) were referred throughout its integrative capabilities (i.e., ulcerative colitis/multiple sclerosis model equally counteracted), native in gastrointestinal tract, stability in human gastric juice (and thereby, strong efficacy and applicability), its relevance for dopamine-system function (and thereby, counteracting effects of dopamine-system dysfunction and overfunction, centrally and peripherally (mucosa maintenance); interaction with serotonin- and GABA-system)), afforded cytoprotection/adaptive cytoprotection/organoprotection (and thereby, beneficial effects on gastric and whole intestinal tract lesions and adaptation, wounds and fistulas healing, blood vessels, somatosensory neurons, NSAIDs-side effects (including also pancreas, liver, brain lesions, and blood disturbances, prolonged bleeding, thrombocytopenia, thrombosis)). Further, we combine such gut-brain axis and the NO-system where BPC 157 counteracts complications of either L-NAME application (i.e., various lesions aggravation, hypertension) or Larginine application (i.e., hypotension, prolonged bleeding, thrombocytopenia). Also, BPC 157 particularly affects genes functions (i.e., Fos, c-Jun, Egr-1), all together suggestive for an indicative generalization. Thus, we could suggest gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and BPC 157 induced-organoprotection as integrative mediator that integrates the adaptive bodily response to stress, and thereby practically applied in further therapy and in effective realization of Selye's stress response.
Social integration and its role on a population's general health is an oft-debated concept; primarily through the sub-field of social epidemiology. This research takes the concept and correlates it ...with some aspects of physical and psychological well-being of the individual. However, there is a lack of the research discussing the roll of social integration in the addiction rehabilitation, especially in regard to alcoholism treatment. With that in mind, the main goal of this article is to discuss and identify the connection between the perception of social integration and the process of alcohol addiction treatment in the Clubs of Treated Alcoholics in Republic of Croatia. A discussion about the following subject is based on the theoretical redefinition of the Parsons Theory of a Sick Role. A synthesis of the empirical and theoretical level of analysis is constructed through the research, which has been conducted on the case of Clubs of Treated Alcoholics in Republic of Croatia. Through the convenience sampling method, there were 255 participants. Results have been showing a statistically significant connection between the sense of belonging in the rehabilitation group and the perception of the treatment success. Participants of the study who were more integrated in the rehabilitation group have found their treatment more successful.
Background: Cognitive processes are important factors in the aetiology of pathological gambling and they are always important aspect of all gambling interventions. Among other things, the gamblers’ ...decision making process and persistence in gambling is under the influence of their perception of the importance of knowledge/skills versus luck in different gambling activities. In this study, we examine cognitive distortions of pathological gamblers and their perceptions on the significance of luck versus knowledge/skills in different games of chance. Effects of age and length of treatment are also examined.
Subjects and methods: A total of 65 pathological gamblers at the gambling addicts’ club in Zagreb were included in the study. Cognitive distortions were measured using a modified version of the Gambling related cognitive distortions scale (Ricijaš et al. 2011). Participant thoughts on the role of luck versus knowledge/skills in games of chance were measured with a questionnaire especially designed for this study. All instruments were self-assessment questionnaires and anonymously filled out during a group sessions.
Results: In general, results showed moderate cognitive distortions in terms of gambling beliefs, but significant perception of the importance of knowledge/skills for some games, especially sports betting and card games. Younger patients and patients in treatment for longer period have lower illusion of control. Length of treatment also seem to effect gambling-related superstition beliefs and incorrect understanding of probability, as well as importance of knowledge/skills for success in sports betting and card games.
Conclusions: The results of this study lead to the indirect conclusion that length of treatment is a positive factor, which likely influences gamblers’ cognitive distortions. This conclusion certainly requires additional examination using longitudinal studies, which would provide a better overview of whether these differences are in fact due to the length of treatment and also to confirm its value for future abstinence from gambling activities.
Ovaj istraživački rad potječe iz fenomenološke analize etiketiranja alkoholizma i njegove individualne internalizacije. Koristeći kvalitativnu metodu fokus grupa, istraženo je značenje i iskustvo ...etikete alkoholičara u Hrvatskoj. Koristeći model odgovora na liječenje, može se raspravljati o tome kako se značaj etikete ost-varuje u različitim kontekstualnim poveznicama. U modelu se raspravlja o odnosu između osobnog izbora i ohrabrujućeg okruženja, osobnog izbora i prilagodljivog okruženja i nedostatka osobnog izbora s negativnim prefiksom na okolišne čimbenike. Osnovna polazna točka ovog rada leži u hipotezama postojanja par excel-lance stvarnosti, stvarnosti svakodnevnog života i oblika stvarnosti koji su vezani uz njega. Međutim, poje-dinac situacijski procjenjuje značaj tih obrazaca i karakteristično ih internalizira. Iako ima fenomenološku analizu u svojem korijenu, ovaj rad karakterizira dualnost strukture i djelovanja u vezi s etiketom alkoholizma. Pretpostavljena realnost svakodnevnog života i njezin odnos s alkoholizmom nisu dovoljni za društvenu funk-cionalnost etikete alkoholičara. Subjektivizacija, odnosno, internalizacija etikete potrebna je kako bi se posti-gla svrha i značenje.
Various types of addictions often co-occur, particularly substance and behavioral ones, which affects the clinical course of mental health disorders as well as the efficacy of therapy and ...rehabilitation efforts. The present study aims to explore gambling activities and possible gambling addiction among alcoholics in an outpatient treatment in the city of Zagreb.
Gambling activities were assessed in 140 members of alcohol addiction clubs in the City of Zagreb (Croatia). Participants were undergoing treatment after being diagnosed by their psychiatrist with alcohol dependence syndrome based on ICD-10 criteria. Intensity of gambling-related problems was measured using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), while intensity of alcohol addiction was assessed using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder. All instruments were self-report forms and were completed using pen and paper in a group context during outpatient treatment.
Pathological gambling was more prevalent in this clinical subsample than in general populations analysed in other studies. Alcohol addicts showing problematic or pathological gambling behaviors tended to play more highly addictive games (sports betting, slot machines, roulette). However, intensity of gambling-related problems did not correlate significantly with the intensity of alcohol addiction.
These results confirm studies from other countries showing higher prevalence of problematic and pathological gambling among alcohol addicts than in the general population. Gambling behavior in our sample more often involved games with greater addictive potential. These findings suggest that alcohol addicts should be systematically screened for problematic and pathological gambling, which may improve therapeutic efficacy and rehabilitation, as well as reduce relapse in addictive behavior in general.
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