Female Identification in a Case of Paranoid Psychosis: Rethinking a Practice in the Light of Lacanian Theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-471
Author(s):  
Riccardo Galiani ◽  
Stefania Napolitano

The authors present a clinical case of paranoid psychosis in which the issue of female identification plays a prevalent role. After a brief introduction on the clinical approach to psychosis in Lacan's teaching, the clinical case is exposed and commented on, highlighting in particular (1) the analyst's position; (2) the role of pousse à la femme (“push-towards-woman”) in psychosis; and (3) the therapeutic effects of psychoanalytic treatment for the psychotic patient.

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 151-168
Author(s):  
M.A. Gulina ◽  
N.L. Vasilyeva

We analyze the father’s role in child development and present psychodynamic view on the stages of child development. A clinical case and history of psychoanalytic treatment are presented. A number of modern theoretical views on a father’s role in child development are integrated into clinical material. We consider the functions and features of the father’s role in the symbiotic, practicing and rapproachment phases of child development. The phenomenon of the alienated (forced) identification is outlined, and its potential consequences are analyzed. We emphasize the role of parents as a couple at the Oedipal stage and draw out the prerequisites of psychologically healthy fatherhood stemming both from the father’s personality and from the couple’s dynamics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-442
Author(s):  
Clark Chen ◽  
Ian Lee ◽  
Claudio Tatsui ◽  
Theresa Elder ◽  
Andrew E. Sloan

Abstract Introduction Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy (LITT; also known as Stereotactic Laser Ablation or SLA), is a minimally invasive treatment modality that has recently gained prominence in the treatment of malignant primary and metastatic brain tumors and radiation necrosis and studies for treatment of spinal metastasis has recently been reported. Methods Here we provide a brief literature review of the various contemporary uses for LITT and their reported outcomes. Results Historically, the primary indication for LITT has been for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). However, indications have continued to expand and now include gliomas of different grades, brain metastasis (BM), radiation necrosis (RN), other types of brain tumors as well as spine metastasis. LITT is emerging as a safe, reliable, minimally invasive clinical approach, particularly for deep seated, focal malignant brain tumors and radiation necrosis. The role of LITT for treatment of other types of tumors of the brain and for spine tumors appears to be evolving at a small number of centers. While the technology appears to be safe and increasingly utilized, there have been few prospective clinical trials and most published studies combine different pathologies in the same report. Conclusion Well-designed prospective trials will be required to firmly establish the role of LITT in the treatment of lesions of the brain and spine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5575
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Markiewicz ◽  
Dawid Sigorski ◽  
Mateusz Markiewicz ◽  
Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek ◽  
Waldemar Placek

Caspase-14 is a unique member of the caspase family—a family of molecules participating in apoptosis. However, it does not affect this process but regulates another form of programmed cell death—cornification, which is characteristic of the epidermis. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in the formation of the skin barrier. The cell death cycle has been a subject of interest for researchers for decades, so a lot of research has been done to expand the understanding of caspase-14, its role in cell homeostasis and processes affecting its expression and activation. Conversely, it is also an interesting target for clinical researchers searching for its role in the physiology of healthy individuals and its pathophysiology in particular diseases. A summary was done in 2008 by Denecker et al., concentrating mostly on the biotechnological aspects of the molecule and its physiological role. However, a lot of new data have been reported, and some more practical and clinical research has been conducted since then. The majority of studies tackled the issue of clinical data presenting the role of caspase in the etiopathology of many diseases such as retinal dysfunctions, multiple malignancies, and skin conditions. This review summarizes the available knowledge on the molecular and, more interestingly, the clinical aspects of caspase-14. It also presents how theoretical science may pave the way for medical research. Methods: The authors analyzed publications available on PubMed until 21 March 2021, using the search term “caspase 14”.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3059
Author(s):  
Corrado Pelaia ◽  
Cecilia Calabrese ◽  
Eugenio Garofalo ◽  
Andrea Bruni ◽  
Alessandro Vatrella ◽  
...  

Among patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome, one of the worst possible scenarios is represented by the critical lung damage caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced cytokine storm, responsible for a potentially very dangerous hyperinflammatory condition. Within such a context, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a key pathogenic role, thus being a suitable therapeutic target. Indeed, the IL-6-receptor antagonist tocilizumab, already approved for treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis, is often used to treat patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms and lung involvement. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to focus on the rationale of tocilizumab utilization in the SARS-CoV-2-triggered cytokine storm, as well as to discuss current evidence and future perspectives, especially with regard to ongoing trials referring to the evaluation of tocilizumab’s therapeutic effects in patients with life-threatening SARS-CoV-2 infection.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Courtney Davis ◽  
Sean I. Savitz ◽  
Nikunj Satani

Ischemic stroke is a debilitating disease and one of the leading causes of long-term disability. During the early phase after ischemic stroke, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) exhibits increased permeability and disruption, leading to an influx of immune cells and inflammatory molecules that exacerbate the damage to the brain tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells have been investigated as a promising therapy to improve the recovery after ischemic stroke. The therapeutic effects imparted by MSCs are mostly paracrine. Recently, the role of extracellular vesicles released by these MSCs have been studied as possible carriers of information to the brain. This review focuses on the potential of MSC derived EVs to repair the components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) controlling the BBB, in order to promote overall recovery from stroke. Here, we review the techniques for increasing the effectiveness of MSC-based therapeutics, such as improved homing capabilities, bioengineering protein expression, modified culture conditions, and customizing the contents of EVs. Combining multiple techniques targeting NVU repair may provide the basis for improved future stroke treatment paradigms.


Children ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Kathryn E Speer ◽  
Nenad Naumovski ◽  
Stuart Semple ◽  
Andrew J McKune

Decreased physical activity (PA) is a global concern contributing to the rise in cardiometabolic diseases. One potential mechanism linking insufficient PA and poor health is dysregulated autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. This relationship is established in adults and PA recommendations, with specific exercise prescription guidelines, have been proposed to overcome this societal health burden. However, research on the benefits and underlying mechanisms of exercise on ANS activity in children <18 years old is limited. This review aimed to describe the optimal exercise “dose” and potential mechanisms of action that exercise may pose on enhancing child ANS activity, represented by heart rate variability (HRV). PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for articles examining the influence of exercise on child HRV. Various exercise duration and frequency combinations appear to improve HRV indices, primarily those representing parasympathetic influence. Furthermore, both aerobic and resistance training benefit HRV through potentially different mechanisms with intensity proposed to be important for exercise prescription. Findings indicate that exercise is a crucial lifestyle modification with protective and therapeutic effects on cardiometabolic health associated with improvements in child ANS activity. Exercise programming must consider the various components including mode, intensity and population characteristics to optimize ANS health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7844
Author(s):  
Jason S. Holsapple ◽  
Ben Cooper ◽  
Susan H. Berry ◽  
Aleksandra Staniszewska ◽  
Bruce M. Dickson ◽  
...  

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used clinically in various disorders including chronic wounds for its pro-angiogenic, proliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms driving therapeutic effects are not well characterized. Macrophages play a key role in all aspects of healing and their dysfunction results in failure to resolve chronic wounds. We investigated the role of ESWT on macrophage activity in chronic wound punch biopsies from patients with non-healing venous ulcers prior to, and two weeks post-ESWT, and in macrophage cultures treated with clinical shockwave intensities (150–500 impulses, 5 Hz, 0.1 mJ/mm2). Using wound area measurements and histological/immunohistochemical analysis of wound biopsies, we show ESWT enhanced healing of chronic ulcers associated with improved wound angiogenesis (CD31 staining), significantly decreased CD68-positive macrophages per biopsy area and generally increased macrophage activation. Shockwave treatment of macrophages in culture significantly boosted uptake of apoptotic cells, healing-associated cytokine and growth factor gene expressions and modulated macrophage morphology suggestive of macrophage activation, all of which contribute to wound resolution. Macrophage ERK activity was enhanced, suggesting one mechanotransduction pathway driving events. Collectively, these in vitro and in vivo findings reveal shockwaves as important regulators of macrophage functions linked with wound healing. This immunomodulation represents an underappreciated role of clinically applied shockwaves, which could be exploited for other macrophage-mediated disorders.


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