Effects of melatonin, extremely-low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF), and their combination on AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma line were studied. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were used as markers of cells antioxidative status, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was used as a marker of lipid peroxidation. After melatonin treatment, antioxidative enzyme activities were increased and MDA level was decreased. Application of ELF-MF on treated cells caused an increase of both superoxide dismutases activity and MDA level, but influence of ELF-MF on GSH-Px activity was negligible. All enzyme activity in culture medium containing melatonin (10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5) M) after exposure to ELF-MF were significantly diminished compared to cells treated only with melatonin. Also MDA levels after combined treatment with melatonin and ELF-MF were significantly decreased. Observed changes were statistically significant (p<0.05). These results strongly suggest that ELF-MF attenuates antioxidative actions of melatonin on cellular level.

Abstract:It is suspected that the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be affected by oxidative stress (OS). In the acute phase of the disease, OS is responsible for initiating inflammation, whereas in the chronic phase it sustains neurodegenerative process. Redox processes in MS are related to dysregulation of axonal bioenergetics, cerebral iron accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired oxidant/antioxidant balance, and OS memory. This chapter gives an overview of the role of OS in MS.

Background and ObjectivesSince vaccination against COVID-19 is available for over a year and the population of immunized individuals with autoimmune disorders is higher than several months before, an evaluation of safety and registered adverse events can be made. We conducted a large study of side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with multiple (MS) sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and analyzed factors predisposing for particular adverse events.MethodsWe gathered data of individuals with MS treated with DMTs from 19 Polish MS Centers, who reported at least one adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. The information was obtained by neurologists using a questionnaire. The same questionnaire was used at all MS Centers. To assess the relevance of reported adverse events, we used Fisher's exact test, t-test, and U-Menn-Whutney test.ResultsA total of 1,668 patients with MS and reports of adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination were finally included in the study. Besides one case marked as “red flag”, all adverse events were classified as mild. Pain at the injection site was the most common adverse event, with a greater frequency after the first dose. Pain at the injection site was significantly more frequent after the first dose among individuals with a lower disability (EDSS ≤2). The reported adverse events following immunization did not differ over sex. According to age, pain at the injection site was more common among individuals between 30 and 40 years old, only after the first vaccination dose. None of the DMTs predisposed for particular side effects.ConclusionsAccording to our findings, vaccination against COVID-19 among patients with MS treated with DMTs is safe. Our study can contribute to reducing hesitancy toward vaccination among patients with MS.

Background COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV 2 has rapidly developed into pandemic. This infectious disease affecting mainly respiratory system may cause multiple systemic disorders. With increasing number of new infected patients there are more and more cases with neurological complications secondary to COVID-19. Case presentation Here we present a case of 67-years old Polish male with previously no comorbidities, who has developed bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve after SARS-CoV 2 infection. Prior to the hospitalization he presented cough and fever and weakness. RT-PCR was reported positive for COVID-19 infection. Then he developed pneumonia and respiratory failure with bilateral lung consolidations on radiological examination. Laboratory findings revealed elevated levels of D-dimer, CRP, AspAT, GGTP, PCT and serum glucose. After discharge from hospital he was diagnosed with thrombophlebitis and prediabetes on follow-up visits. Due to problems with walking, numbness of toes and involuntary muscle spasms in hands, the patient went to the Neurological Outpatient Clinic. After neurological examination bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve was revealed. Conclusions In this report we want to highlight one of the unexpected presentations of SARS-CoV 2 infection and emphasize the importance of neurological examination in COVID-19 patients.

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Scientific achievements concerning the direct relation between personality traits and positive orientation among patients with multiple sclerosis do not explain the role of potential mediators. In fact, some researchers argue that the traits–positivity association is much more complex than it seems to be. For this reason, we made an attempt to analyze the indirect relationship between the above-mentioned variables, including meaning in life as a mediator. In total, 618 patients with MS took part in the study. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Positive Orientation Scale, and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire were used. The results showed that positive orientation/the presence of meaning/searching for meaning correlated positively with extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and were negatively associated with neuroticism. Moreover, meaning in life in both its dimensions acted as a mediator in 9 of 10 models. It can be assumed that a propensity to establish interpersonal relationships (extraversion), use active imagination (openness), inspire confidence among others (agreeableness), and take responsibility (conscientiousness) can have an impact on someone’s positive attitude toward oneself and the surrounding world (positive orientation) when people have meaning in life and when they are seeking it.

Migrena i depresja często współwystępują, stanowiąc ważny problem kliniczny. Oba zaburzenia związane są z koniecznością przewlekłego leczenia, a ich wzajemne współwystępowanie sprzyja zjawisku lekooporności. Wpływając na funkcjonowanie pacjentów powodują także liczne konsekwnecje społeczne - oddziałując na jakość życia i realizację celów osobistych osób chorych. W prezentowanej pracy przeglądowej przedstawiono czynniki, które mogą wyjaśniać wspólne patomechanizmy depresji i migreny. Uwzględniono zaburzenia strukturalne i czynnościowe ośrodkowego układu nerwowego (OUN), zaburzenia w zakresie układów neuroprzekaźników, teorie zapalne, zaburzenia hormonalne, a także możliwe podłoże genetyczne. Ze względu na fakt, że zarówno depresja, jak i migrena mają etiologię wieloczynnikową i na obecnym etapie badań naukowych trudno jednoznacznie określić, który czynnik jest tym najważniejszym, zaprezentowano tak szeroki przegląd. Trudno także określić, które z wymienionych czynników, dobrze udokumentowanych w międzynarodowych badaniach, jedycznie współwystępują, a które z nich mogą mieć związek przyczynowo-skutkowy w opisywanych zaburzeniach. Podjęcie dalszych badań w zakresie współwystępowania migreny i depresji oraz przyczyn tego zjawiska wydają się warte rozważenia.

Religiosity can be both beneficial and harmful for happiness. It depends on its operationalization and the measures of religiosity and sociodemographics used, together with cultural and psychosocial factors – still not comprehensively explored. This topic is especially important for religious-affiliated chronic patients such as those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Religion can deliver a sense of meaning, direction, and purpose in life and be an additional source of support and coping with the stress and limitations connected with the disease. The aim of the present study was to verify whether religiosity, directly and indirectly, through finding meaning in life, is related to one’s level of happiness and whether gender, drinking of alcohol, financial status and age are moderators in this relationship. In sum, 600 patients from Poland who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis were included in the study. Firstly, some gender differences were noticed. In women, religiosity was both directly and indirectly, through finding significance, positively related to happiness. Secondly, it was found that in women, the direct effect of age on happiness was generally negative but affected positively by religiosity but among men age was not correlated with happiness. In the group of women, religiosity and a lower propensity to drink alcohol in an interactive way explained happiness. Thirdly, both in men and women, financial status positively correlated with happiness, but in the group of wealthy men only, religiosity was negatively related to happiness. In conclusion, religion was found to be a valuable and beneficial factor leading to the happiness of Roman Catholic Multiple Sclerosis patients from Poland. They should be encouraged to involve themselves in religion as an effective way to achieve happiness, with the one exception regarding wealthy men.