[Pathophysiologic mechanisms of functional disorders of the cardiorespiratory system in snoring]. / Patofizioloski mehanizam poremecaja funkcije kardiorespiratornog sistema pri fenomenu hrkanja.

Disturbances in the function of cardio-respiratory system due to nasal obstruction, accompanied by snoring, are described. Obstructions to other levels, oropharynx, pharynx and larynx, also inducing such disturbances are mentioned, with particular reference to snoring which may lead to the development of apnea during sleep. The need of a multidisciplinary approach to such patients is underlined, with a very specific role of the otorhinolaryngologist, especially when obstruction of the nose has caused such a disturbance. The act of snoring can be eliminated or diminished, and the development of obstructive apnea during sleep prevented or interrupted by accurate indications for and properly performed reconstructive surgery of the nose.

The influence of piracetam on the motor activity of rabbits with contusioned spinal cord.

Rabbits were made paraplegic by spinal cord contusion. There was a good correlation between motor function and microscopic findings. The spinal lesion significantly increased creatine kinase (CKBB) isoenzyme activity in cord tissue. Significant protection from paralysis was conveyed by piracetam (a psychoactive drug with neuroprotective activity) (2 g.kg-1 i.v.) administered once per day during 9 posttraumatic days. Piracetam significantly diminished increased activity of CKBB in the severed spinal cord. The sooner the piracetam was injected after the lesion the better protective effect was seen. No side effects of piracetam were seen.

Cytological and histological alterations in the nasal mucous membrane during experimental obstruction of nasal openings.

In an attempt to determine the respiratory nasal mucous membrane response, a complete surgical obstruction of both nasal openings was experimentally done in four dogs. The fifth animal served as a control. After a 5 month period, the mucous membrane was cytologically and histologically examined. The findings obtained pointed to the development of degenerative alterations involving all the mucous membrane layers. The authors have thus concluded that stimulation of the respiratory mucous membrane by air stream is the most important factor associated with its multiple functioning. The results obtained in the experiment have been related to the daily clinical routine.

The effect of photochemotherapy on epidermal-glycogen and on capillaries in psoriatic skin.

This study was undertaken to assess the amount of glycogen present in psoriasis vulgaris (PV), psoriasis erythrodermica (PE) and psoriasis pustulosa generalisata (PPG) lesions before and after photochemotherapy (PUVA). There were more deposits of glycogen in PPG than in PE and PV. With PUVA treatment, glycogen almost completely disappeared in PV and PE, but traces were still observed in PPG. After treatment, the epidermal layers returned to their normal structure but there was no significant improvement in the dilated and tortuous capillaries in the upper corium.