Ahyahuasca is a term commonly used to describe a decoction prepared by cooking the bark or crushed stems of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi (contains β-carbolines) alone or in combination with other plants, most commonly leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis (contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine-DMT). More than 100 different plants can serve as sources of β-carbolines and DMT, which are the active alkaloids of this decoction, and therefore it is important to know the most accurate composition of the decoction, especially when studying the pharmacology of this plant. The aim was to summarize the latest sensitive methods used in the analysis of the composition of the beverage itself and the analysis of various biological matrices. We compared pharmacokinetic parameters in all of the studies where decoction of ayahuasca was administered and where its composition was known, whereby minimal adverse effects were observed. The therapeutic benefit of this plant is still unclear in the scientific literature, and side effects occur probably on the basis of pre-existing psychiatric disorder. We also described toxicological risks and clinical benefits of ayahuasca intake, which meant that the concentrations of active alkaloids in the decoction or in the organism, often not determined in publications, were required for sufficient evaluation of its effect on the organism. We did not find any post-mortem study, in which the toxicological examination of biological materials together with the autopsy findings would suggest potential lethality of this plant.

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This study allowed us to identify and describe unpublished intraspinal intradural anatomical variations of nerve roots, and their interrelationships throughout the spinal canal with their potential influence on the clinical picture. Anatomical preparations revealed a higher incidence of intraspinal intradural variations, particularly between sacral roots. Reliance of their incidence of the plexus type was observed.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to point out the intradural cranial nerve roots variations in their localization and number to establish the incidence and clinical importance of the cranial nerve root variations. METHODS: The anatomical study was performed on 120 sides in 60 cadavers. There were 51 male cadavers with the mean age 43.3 and 9 female cadavers with the mean age of 39.5 years. RESULTS: Abducens nerve variations were observed in 48 cases (80 %). They were more frequently on the left side, in 25 cases (41.66 %). Duplicated abducens nerve was observed in 25 cases (41.66 %). Double and triple abducens nerve variations were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cranial nerve variations are rare, but variations of abducens nerve and atypical exit of the hypoglossal nerve from the fossa cranium posterior is not a rare variation. Knowledge of this variation may be important to various fi elds of medicine (Tab.

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Background and Study Aims A great number of unsuccessful intervertebral herniated disk surgeries in the lumbosacral region have highlighted the importance of a comprehensive knowledge of the different types of nerve root anomalies. That knowledge gained by anatomical studies (and intraoperative findings) might contribute to better results. In our study we focused on intraspinal extradural lumbosacral nerve root anomalies and their possible role in radiculopathy. Material and Methods The study was performed on 43 cadavers within 24 hours after death (32 men and 11 women). Bodies were dissected in the prone position, and a laminectomy exposed the entire spinal canal for the bilateral examination of each spinal nerve root from its origin to its exit through the intervertebral foramen or sacral hiatus. Uncommon extradural features in the lumbosacral region were pursued and documented. The spinal dural sac was also opened, aimed at recognizing the normotyped, prefixed, or postfixed type of plexus. Results A total of 20.93% of anomalies of extradural lumbosacral nerve root origins were observed, with the normotyped plexus prevailing. We observed atypical spacing of exits of lumbosacral roots (four cases), two roots leaving one intervertebral foramen (one case), extradural anastomoses (two cases), and missing extradural nerve root courses (two cases). The results were differentiated according to the normotyped, prefixed, or postfixed plexus type. Conclusion Results of similar studies dealing with anomalies of lumbosacral nerve roots were aimed at improving the results of herniated disk surgeries because ∼ 10% of misdiagnoses are related to ignorance of anatomical variability. Our observations may help explain the differences between the clinical picture and generally accepted anatomical standards.

WprowadzenieZbrodnia i przestępczość mają długą historię w różnych kulturach na całym świecie. Agresja i przemoc to złożone, wciąż występujące formy ludzkiej ekspresji. Przemoc może przyjmować postać jednostkową albo kolektywną. Może powodować ból i cierpienie, ale także przynosić ulgę oraz subiektywne uczucie satysfakcji i wyswobodzenia. Podstawową, charakterystyczną cechą przemocy jest jej intencjonalność. Przemoc to rezultat zamierzonego ludzkiego zachowania, a osobnik dopuszczający się może ją postrzegać jako cel sam w sobie albo metodę osiągnięcia zamierzonego celu [1]. StreszczeniePomimo istnienia zorganizowanej przestępczości na Słowacji nie zaobserwowano żadnego przypadku, w którym jedna osoba użyłaby broni palnej przeciwko grupie ludzi, jak zdarza się w Stanach Zjednoczonych lub Europie Zachodniej. Celem niniejszej pracy jest przedstawienie "wyjątkowego" przypadku w historii słowackiej przestępczości, w którym jeden sprawca uzbrojony w broń palną zabił 6 członków rodziny, a także ranił lub zabił kilka przypadkowych osób.Słowa kluczowe: przestępczość, przemoc, zabójstwo, rany postrzałowe, sekcja zwłok. AbstractDespite the existence of organised crime in Slovakia, no case has ever been monitored in which one individual used a firearm against several people, as happens in the U.S. or in Western Europe. The aim of this work is to demonstrate a "unique" case in the history of Slovak criminality, when six members of one family were killed and some other accidental victims were wounded or even killed by one perpetrator using a firearm.

WprowadzenieSamobójstwa rozszerzone mają wielkie znaczenie z punktu widzenia medycyny sądowej i psychiatrii. W samobójstwach tego rodzaju na pierwszym pla- IntroductionExtended suicide is of great importance from forensic-psychological and psychiatric viewpoints. In such suicides the initiator is at the fore- StreszczenieBadanie motywacji zachowań samobójczych w przypadkach tzw. rozszerzonych samobójstw ma ogromne znaczenie z punktu widzenia medycyny sądowej oraz psychologii. Inicjatorem tego typu zachowań jest często osoba cierpiąca na endogenną depresję. Powody udanych samobójstw nie są powszechnie znane. Niniejsza praca ma na celu wykazanie motywu udanego rozszerzonego samobójstwa, które rzadko występuje w naszych warunkach, dwóch członków rodziny -ojca i syna. Przypadek ten został dokładnie przeanalizowany z zastosowaniem metod morfologicznych oraz za pomocą dodatkowych badań laboratoryjnych. List samobójczy pozostawiony przez ofiarę i ukryty w nietypowy sposób udało się znaleźć wyłącznie dzięki sekcji zwłok obu osób. Sposób popełnienia samobójstwa -powieszenie się -był jednym z najczęściej występujących zarówno w regionie, jak i kraju. Mężczyźni nie byli pod wpływem toksycznych substancji. Motywem samobójstwa była ucieczka od trudnych warunków życiowych.Słowa kluczowe: udane rozszerzone samobójstwo, motywacja samobójstwa, sekcja zwłok. AbstractThe investigation of motivation of suicidal behaviour in cases of so-called extended suicide is of great importance from a forensic-psychological viewpoint. The initiator of such action is often a person suffering from endogenous depression. The motives behind successful suicide are generally not known. This paper aims to demonstrate the motives behind the successful suicide, less frequent in our conditions, of two family members -a father and a son. The case has been thoroughly analysed by morphological methods with the help of additional laboratory tests. At the centre was a suicide letter which was hidden in a very unusual way and which was elucidated only thanks to autopsy of both persons. The manner of realisation -hanging -was among the most frequent in the region and in the state too. The men were not under the influence of any toxic substances. The motivation behind the suicide was an escape from hard living conditions.