Pharmacologic aspects of thrombophilia

Thrombophilic conditions are due to a failure of antithrombotic mechanisms. Starting from this fact, the possibilities of influencing pharmacologically disturbances of biosynthesis and function of prostacyclin and plasminogen activator of the vessel wall as well as of plasmatic inhibitors of clotting factors were discussed. The results of experimental and clinical studies were reported.     

Genetics of sleep and sleep disorders

Sleep remains one of the least understood phenomena in biology--even its role in synaptic plasticity remains debatable. Since sleep was recognized to be regulated genetically, intense research has launched on two fronts: the development of model organisms for deciphering the molecular mechanisms of sleep and attempts to identify genetic underpinnings of human sleep disorders. In this Review, we describe how unbiased, high-throughput screens in model organisms are uncovering sleep regulatory mechanisms and how pathways, such as the circadian clock network and specific neurotransmitter signals, have conserved effects on sleep from Drosophila to humans. At the same time, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered ～14 loci increasing susceptibility to sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome. To conclude, we discuss how these different strategies will be critical to unambiguously defining the function of sleep.     

Neurophysiologic aspects of sleep deprivation in depression

Study of EEG in 45 patients, suffering from endogenic and psychogenic depression, in the state of rest, in mental and emotional loads, SGR, orienting reaction and night sleep before and after a course of sleep deprivation has shown that neurophysiological shifts in the cycle alertness-sleep have one direction. The weakening of depression was accompanied by rather unidirected alterations of neurophysiological relations, which testified to the normalization of biological periods of the organism.     

Melatonin in sleep disorders and jet-lag

In elderly insomniacs, melatonin treatment decreased sleep latency and increased sleep efficiency. This is particularly marked in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Melatonin is effective to reduce significantly benzodiazepine use. In addition, melatonin administration synchronizes the sleep-wake cycle in blind people and in individuals suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome or jet lag. Urinary levels of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin decrease with age and in chronic diseases like AD or coronary heart disease. The effect of melatonin on sleep is probably the consequence of increasing sleep propensity (by inducing a fall in body temperature) and of a synchronizing effect on the circadian clock (chronobiotic effect).     

Sociocultural aspects of disorders of sex development

Disorders of sex development (DSD) is a congenital condition in which the development of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, and reproductive structures are atypical. DSD brings with it a psychological impact on the affected individual and their families. The consensus statement on management of DSD strongly advised an integrated and multidisciplinary approach in providing care to the affected individuals. Studies have been conducted focusing on medical intervention, and more recently, there is increasing attention paid to psychological aspects of DSD. However, studies reporting cultural aspects of DSD are lacking. This review provides an overview on how culture impacts the affected individuals in coping with DSD and making decisions with regard to gender assignment or reassignment, help‐seeking behavior for medical treatments, attitudes toward medical treatment, religious beliefs, and values concerning marriage and fertility. The involvement of social scientists is needed to study sociocultural aspects of DSD from more diverse cultures, to help affected individuals and their families in gaining better social acceptance. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 108:380–383, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prevalence of sleep disorders in the Turkish adult population epidemiology of sleep study

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - Sleep disorders constitute an important public health problem. Prevalence of sleep disorders in Turkish adult population was investigated in a nationwide...     

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders: An update

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - The primary symptom of circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs) is the inability to sleep during the desired sleep time. CRSDs are divided into two broad classes: (i)...