Biomedicine

The Skeptik 2013;2:43-45.

Kukan M

Slovak Medical University, emeritus, Bratislava, Slovakia

Hepatic grafts can be preserved in University of Wisconsin solution by the static preservation for less than 12 hours for good outcome of liver transplantation surgery (1). For prolongation hepatic graft presevartion, implementation of ex vivo extraportoreal graft perfusion into clinical practice was suggested (2).

published by Slovak Society of Skeptics

The Skeptik 2013;2:46-62.

Nábělek L

Department of Psychiatry, F.D.Roosevelt Hospital, emeritus, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Summary
Although both main diagnostic and statistical classification systems (ICD-10 and DSM-IV) define pathological gambling as a disorder of impulse control, diagnostic criteria, characteristics of course and outcome and methods of treatment are more similar to psychoactive substance dependencies. Neurobiological studies postulate the dysregulation of dopamin, serotonin and noradreneline systems in this disorder. The neurobehavioral model of pathological gambling supports the opinion of a close similarity of pathological gambling (and other so-called non-substance addictions) and psychoactive substance dependence with all theoretical and therapeutic consequ-ences. The gambling behavior can be viewed as an addictive disorder – without the confounding variables usually involved in addictions to exogenous substance. The dopaminergic system has been associated with reward and is involved in drug and alcohol addiction. Dopaminergic function is changed in pathological gamblers. Noradrenaline may play a role in the arousal and novelty-seeking behavior associated with pathological gambling. It has long been reported that pathological gamblers have a higher rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than the general population. The relationship between disorders of the central seroto¬nergic function and impulsive and aggressive behavior draw attention to a mutual relationship between reduced serotonin metabolism and suicidal behavior among pathological gamblers. Indeed, pathological gamblers are treated in programs modeled on addictive disorders or in the same programs as addicts. The forensic assessment of criminal offenders with diagnosis pathological gambling could not be difficult. Neither the ability to recognize the common danger nor the ability to control the patient`s behavior is not significantly diminished in pathological gamblers without another comorbid diagnosis. A logical conclusion of the ongoing conceptualization of pathological gambling can be the suggested concept of the common category of addiction disorders including both substance and non-substance addictions, which should be implemented in the upcoming revisions of psychiatric classification systems.

published by Slovak Society of Skeptics

The Skeptik 2013;3:117-122

Ginter E

Slovak Medical University, emeritus, Bratislava, Slovakia

Summary
According to the American Heart Association, obesity is associated with numerous comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as reduced life expectancy. On the other hand, there is a place for skepticism. How is it possible that in USA, beside rapid increase in obesity prevalence, cardiovascular mortality has decreased, and the life expectancy has increased by almost 5 years during the period of the past 20 years? Obese patient are more likely to survive a heart attack at year one than are patients with a normal body weight. The aim of this paper is to solve these paradoxes.

published by Slovak Society of Skeptics

The Skeptik 2013;3:97-116

Ginter E¹, Simko V², Sedláková D³

¹ Slovak Medical University, emeritus, Slovakia
² State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center at Brooklyn, USA
³ The WHO Head of Country Office, Slovakia

Summary
Life expectancy and cause-specific mortality are the most fundamental metrics of population health. From 1970 to 2010, the global life expectancy at birth increased in males from 56·4 years to 67·5 years and in females from 61·2 years to 73·3 years. Population growth resulted in an increase in the average age of the world’s population. Decreasing age-specific, sex-specific and cause-specific death rates have combined to drive a broad shift from communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional causes towards non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular disorders and cancer. In Europe specifically, there has been a very significant decrease of premature (age 0-64 years) cardiovascular mortality, but only a small decrease of premature cancer mortality. Consequently, in most European countries, with exception of the post-Soviet region, cancer is the most prominent premature killer. The mortality trends in the Slovak and Czech Republic balance between values of democratic countries with good indicators and the postcommunist regions with poorer values.

Key words: life expectancy at birth, premature mortality, global world health, Europe, Slovakia, Czech Republic, communicable and non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality

published by Slovak Society of Skeptics