Transcendent and Transcendental Time Perspective Inventory.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a tool to examine the transcendent and transcendental time perspective (TTTP). The inspiration to develop the scale were Philip G. Zimbardo and John N. Boyd studies, as well as by Lars Tornstam's gerotranscendence theory and own research. The analysis of life from death to eternity is an interesting, heterogeneous and difficult subject of study. The proposed TTTP inventory can be utilized to investigate the future that extends beyond the frames of a personal time perspective, beyond the individual's death as well as beyond the recognized, standard ways of understanding oneself, other people and the world. The inventory refers to changes of quantitative and qualitative nature relating to what is going to happen. It is composed of two sub-scales: the transcendental future and the transcendent future. The paper outlines the psychometric values of the qualities of the inventory, its validity and accuracy based on such indicators as the discriminative of items, the Cronbach alpha index for each of the sub-inventories and the exploratory factor analysis. The study findings come from analyses conducted on a group of 211 elderly subjects (the average age of 65; 70% women, 30% men). A confirmatory factor analysis was also conducted on a group of 238 elderly subjects (the average age of 66; 69% women, 28% men, 3% no gender data available). Additionally, the paper presents data on the accuracy of the external scale. The data are interpreted in the light of the time perspective theory as well as the existing studies.

Occurrence of phaeochromocytoma tumours in RET mutation carriers - a single-centre study.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is an autosomal dominant genetic syndrome caused by germline mutation in RET proto-oncogene. The most common mutations are in a cysteine rich domain. Phaeochromocytoma will develop in approximately 50% of RET proto-oncogene carriers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studied population consisted of 228 RET proto-oncogene mutation carriers. Monitoring for the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma was carried out in all patients with established genetic status. Mean time of follow up was 138 months. Surveillance consisted of periodically performed clinical evaluation, 24-hour urinary determinations of total metanephrines complementary with imaging (CT, MR, MIBG scintigraphy). RESULTS: Phaeochromocytoma developed in 41 patients (18% of all RET proto-oncogene mutations carriers). The mean age of diagnosis for the whole cohort was 43 years. In eight cases phaeochromocytoma was the first manifestation of the MEN 2 syndrome. Only eight (20%) patients were symptomatic at diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma. The mean size of the tumour was 4.3 cm. There was no extra-adrenal localisation. We observed one case of malignant phaeochromocytoma. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MEN 2 syndrome phaeochromocytomas are usually benign adrenal tumours with high risk of bilateral development. Taking to account the latter risk and non-specific clinical manifestation of the neoplasm it is mandatory to screen all RET proto-oncogene mutations carriers for phaeochromocytoma.