It is still necessary to change the public attitude to patients with psoriasis. It is also very important to provide the patients with psychotherapeutic support aimed at enhancing their self-acceptance in order to overcome any feelings of stigmatization and to prevent them from depression.

The category of large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung, proposed to expand the traditional scheme of typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid (AC), and small‐cell carcinoma (SCC), based on histologic features, has not been defined in cytology. We attempt to describe LCNEC cytologically. Cytologic features in 16 histologically confirmed LCNECs in fine‐needle aspiration biopsies, cell blocks, bronchial brushes, washes, and sputum specimens stained with Diff‐Quik, Papanicolaou, hematoxylin‐eosin, chromogranin, and synaptophysin were analyzed. Three poorly differentiated nonsmall‐cell carcinomas, 4 SCCs, and 2 atypical carcinoids were studied similarly. Twenty specimens from 16 histologically confirmed cases of LCNEC with original cytologic diagnoses including high‐grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, large‐cell carcinoma, nonsmall‐cell carcinoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and SCC, were examined. Features included flattened three‐dimensional clusters with peripheral palisading, moderate to large single cells with scant (alcohol‐fixed) or moderate (air‐dried) cytoplasm; and large, oval, or polygonal nuclei with irregular contours, thickened nuclear membranes, and finely or coarsely granular chromatin, showing some molding and crush artifact. Nucleoli were generally present, and occasionally prominent. Mitosis and necrosis were apparent. Neuroendocrine stains were applied to all specimens, with at least one marker, commonly synaptophysin, positive in 18/20 specimens. LCNEC can be diagnosed in cytologic material, using morphology confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Treatment can be offered on the basis of cytologic examination. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2001;24:58–64. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common, primary neurogenic cause of disability among young adults. We investigated demographic and clinical factors associated with unemployment on the example of 150 MS patients receiving immunomodulatory treatment in Poland. This study was based on clinical evaluation and collection of self-reported questionnaires, with an attention to self-motivation, severe fatigue and moderate disability. Patients who were unemployed (40% of all patients) had a mean disease duration of almost 5 years. Older (p<0.001), less educated (p = 0.007) and more severely disabled patients (p<0,001) were most likely to be unemployed. Moderate disability (OR = 11.089 95% CI: 4.11–34.201, p<0,001), severe fatigue (OR = 2.625 95% CI: 1.02–6.901, p = 0,046) and lower level of self-motivation (KNS) (OR = 0.947, 95% CI: 0.896–0.006, p = 0.042) were independently associated with unemployment.

Avoiding contemplation of negative past and concentrating on hedonistic future constitute significant predictors of illness acceptance. These results may be of importance in terms of holistic approach to treatment of RR-MS patients. In the initial stage of the disease progression, patients might benefit from psychological support due to change in temporal orientation.

The levels of urinary hydrogen peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances have been compared during the menstrual cycle of 12 regularly menstruating women. Higher level of both indices of oxidative stress (normalized with respect to creatinine content) were found in the luteal phase of the cycle. These results give further evidence for the usefulness of urinary hydrogen peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as potential biomarkers of oxidative stress and for the antioxidant action of estrogens.