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Postpartum Depression: Prevention And Multimodal Therapy, Anca Daniela Stanescu, Denisa Oana Balalau, Liana Ples, Stana Paunica, Cristian Balalau

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

A woman goes through many biological (hormonal, physical), psychological (emotional), and socio-cultural changes during pregnancy. Furthermore, changes also occur in the mother's familial and interpersonal world after childbirth. While some mothers have positive emotions at birth, such as joy and pleasure, others complain of negative experiences varying from sadness and depression to psychosis. Thus, the risk of depression is higher for women during the postpartum period, having a tendency to decrease in most cases over the first 2 weeks after delivery. Unfortunately, this favorable evolution does not happen in about 1 in 4-7 women, who develops postpartum depression. Postpartum depression …

Abdominal-Pelvic Pain In Female Patients With Endometriosis - A Review Of The Literature, Cristinel Dumitru Badiu, Marina Romina Sima, Claudia Mehedintu, Bogdan Mastalier, Mihaela Mandu, Liliana Florina Andronache, Dan Nicolae Paduraru, Anca Mihaela Pantea Stoian, Valentin Titus Grigorean

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Abdominal-pelvic pain is the dominant symptom in endometriosis, one of the most common pathologies that affect women, being also a multifactorial disorder. Exploratory laparoscopy allows the correct assessment of the location as well as severity and extent of the lesions, thus representing the current gold standard in diagnosis. The correlation of pain intensity with the evolutionary stage of endometriosis is inconstant. Surgical treatment, preferably performed laparoscopically, includes the excision of the ectopic endometrium, having as a primary objective the control of persistent pain and the removal of all endometriotic foci. This procedure helps to improve the life quality of the …

Table Of Contents 2018; 5(2): 151-304

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Publication Citations (Calendar Year 2017), Valparaiso University

Valparaiso Scholarship and Creative Works Reception

No abstract provided.

Depression And Breast Cancer; Postoperative Short-Term Implications, Razvan V. Scaunasu, Ștefan Voiculescu, Bogdan Popescu, Roxana Popa, Denisa Bălălău, Laura Răducu, Cristina N. Cozma, Cristian R. Jecan

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Introduction. Pre and postoperative psychological status is an important aspect in patients diagnosed with breast cancer, having a great impact on their quality of life. Considering the high incidence, mortality rate, and the added effect on self-image, breast cancer is considered a major stressor for women worldwide, almost 50% of these experiencing psychological distress. Methods. Our study retrospectively analysed the relationship between preoperative diagnosed depression and the number of medical care days, on patients diagnosed with breast cancer and admitted for surgical treatment in Colțea Clinical Hospital between 2017 and 2018. Results. We had 62 patients scheduled for breast cancer …

The Mind-Body Problem; Three Equations And One Solution Represented By Immaterial-Material Data, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Human life occurs within a complex bio-psycho-social milieu, a heterogeneous system that is integrated by multiple bidirectional interrelations existing between the abstract-intangible ideas and physical-chemical support of environment. The mind is thus placed between the abstract ideas/ concepts and neurobiological brain that is further connected to environment. In other words, the mind acts as an interface between the immaterial (abstract/ intangible) data and material (biological) support. The science is unable to conceives and explains an interaction between the immaterial and material domains (to understand nature of the mind), this question generating in literature the mind-body problem. We have published in …

Androgenic Alopecia; The Risk–Benefit Ratio Of Finasteride, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei, Ioana Păunică, Petrișor Banu, Mihaela F. Nistor, Stana Păunică, Vlad D. Constantin

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Finasteride is currently approved and largely used as a therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia. Apparently a safe drug and effective at the onset of its application, several concerns have since appeared over the years regarding the frequency and magnitude of finasteride adverse effects, which in some cases appear irreversible even after drug termination.

This paper discusses the use of finasteride for androgenic alopecia from two distinct perspectives. On the one hand, androgenic alopecia is a condition that especially affects a person’s self-image and esteem, aspects that are subjectively-constructed and thus relative and changeable. On the other hand, this condition involves …

Table Of Contents 2018; 5(1): 1-150

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Psychological Influence Of The Diagnosis Of Breast Cancer On Therapeutic Options Selection, Razvan V. Scaunasu, Stefan Voiculescu, Bogdan Popescu, Cristina Cozma, Radu Jecan, Cristian Balalau

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The therapeutic management decision-making process for breast cancer is complex, and is influenced by multiple factors including patient age, comorbidities, ethnicity, education, and availability of immediate or delayed reconstruction options. Our study analysed 276 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the “Colțea” Clinical Hospital between 2014 and 2015. Mean patients age was 61.24, median 62, with a range of 31 to 89 years. Younger age was associated with a less advanced local disease and younger patients were more likely to choose and benefit from conservative surgery. Most patients (61.76%) came from rural areas. Place of origin had a significant influence …

Finasteride As A Model For Personalized Medicine, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland, Ioana Păunică, Octavian C. Tănăsescu, Petrişor Banu, Stana Păunică

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The side effects of Finasteride are currently a subject of controversy. Some studies report minor or acceptable adverse effects, which decrease after a variable period of time so that they do not necessitate terminating Finasteride administration. However, several clinical and neuro-endocrine studies show that some adverse effects persist indefinitely in the form of post-Finasteride syndrome, even after the drug cessation. This paper presents a possible explanation for these inconsistent findings. First, the study design of either informing or not informing patients prior therapy about possible adverse effects can influence the incidence and magnitude of reported adverse effects. Second, structural and …

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring And Methods Of Quantitation For Carbamazepine, Cristian Tuchila, Daniela Luiza Baconi, Cristina Dinu Pirvu, Denisa O. Balalau, Ana Maria Vlasceanu, Miriana Stan, Cristian Balalau

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Carbamazepine is an early anticonvulsant still used today in the treatment of several forms of epilepsy. An active metabolite in the human body contributes to its pharmacological effect. Carbamazepine metabolism has high inter-individual variability, such that it is relatively difficult to establish a direct link between dose and concentration, or between concentration and pharmacological effect. Carbamazepine is thus a good candidate for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Good UV specific absorbance and high plasmatic concentrations allow for the use of UV detection, which is often more accessible than other methods of detection. This paper presents several methods used for the detection …

Psycho-Physiologic Emergentism; Four Minds In A Body, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The mind-body problem represents one of the most debated topics in the neurosciences. From a psychological standpoint, abstract/non-material data are an intrinsic part of the mind, intervening to a large extent in reasoning and decision making processes. Imaging studies also show a strong correlation between higher cognitive functions (such as working memory) and specific cerebral brain regions (a fronto-parietal network of interacting left and right brain areas). In contrast, the physical/material brain would be unable to interact with abstract-immaterial data, such that the psychological processing of abstract data (processes such as thinking, reasoning, and judgment) is attributed to the mind, …

Table Of Contents

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Prevalence Of High Dysplastic Colonic Adenomatous Polyps In A 3 Year Endoscopic Retrospective Study From A Single Clinical Center, Alexandru C. Septimiu, Cosmin A. Moldovan, Florin D. Ungureanu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Introduction: Many colon neoplastic tumors come from the malignancy of adenomatous polyps (70%-90%) that were not timely diagnosed in order to be resected. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study regarding the incidence of adenomatous polyps during 1.000 consecutive colonoscopies performed in our Upper and Lower Digestive Endoscopy Laboratory during a three-year period. Results: During these colonoscopies, some targeted polyps were biopsied or completely removed and the samples had been sent to a complete anatomopathological examination. Taking into consideration the results, the polyps were classified after the histological type and the form of dysplasia, in order …

Natural Killer (Nk) Cells And Their Involvement In Different Types Of Cancer. Current Status Of Clinical Research, Isadora Zaharescu, Adina D. Moldovan, Cristiana Tanase

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Natural killer cells are the main agents of innate immunity. Since 1970, various studies have repeatedly confirmed their involvement in decreasing local tumor growth and also decreasing the risk of metastasis, due to their cytotoxic effects and also through the release of immunostimulatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma. In the 1990s, several studies demonstrated the existence of certain inhibiting and stimulating receptors of these cells, leading to the concept of “induced self”, thus explaining why tumors with MHC-1 are destroyed and autologous cells without it are saved out. Recognition and destruction of tumor cells by the NK cells are the result …

Informational Dichotomy Of The Mind; The Role Of Sexual Neuromodulators, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Many basic physiological mechanisms of sexuality were initially studied on animal subjects and conclusions regarding human subjects extrapolated afterward. These ancestral reflexes are assumed to have ascended during human evolution to the cerebral level, where cognition would intermediate (being an environmental operator) both sexual and mental processes. Accordingly, the study of human sexuality suggests an additional/ particular documentation regarding mental existence and its implication, phenomena that are not characteristic of animals.

In a previously published paper we presented ideas regarding the structural dichotomy of the mind and its subsequent implications to sexuality. In this paper we present a general perspective …

Journal Of Mind And Medical Sciences: Translational And Integrative Mission, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Initiated four years ago, Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences (J Mind Med Sci.) established the mission to publish papers on mental and medical topics in distinct but closely interrelated domains. The editorial policy especially encourages interdisciplinary and integrative perspectives, being equally focused on basic research and clinical investigations and short reports.

The journal adheres to the philosophy that high quality, original ideas and information should be readily accessible and freely shared within and amongst the scientific community. Accordingly, J Mind Med Sci. is an online, open access, non-for-profit journal which, because of individual/ private support, has levied no charges …

Table Of Contents

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Therapeutic Considerations Related To Finasteride Administration In Male Androgenic Alopecia And Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland, Daniela L. Baconi, Simona R. Georgescu, Stana Paunica, Vlad D. Constantin, Denisa Balalau, Ioana Paunica, Cristian Balalau, Catalin Baston, Ioanel Sinescu

Psychology Faculty Publications

Finasteride has been used extensively until now as a relative efficient therapeutic option for male androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Unfortunately, over time several concerns appeared regarding the frequency and magnitude of adverse effects, which in some cases have been even irreversible. Herein we review the recent literature on this topic, trying to clarify the current safety profile of Finasteride for these two therapeutic indications. We concluded that Finasteride could be retained as a therapeutic approach for male androgenic alopecia, based on two important reasons. First, a synergistic action between a partial inhibitor of 5α-reductase (Finasteride) and another compound …

Structural Dichotomy Of The Mind; The Role Of Sexual Neuromodulators, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The mind (mental function) and sexuality represent two distinct environmental functions, but which are supported within the brain by a common (somatic-autonomic) neurobiological substrate. As a consequence, mental function takes on autonomic characteristics from the sexual-autonomic system (like autonomy, duality), while sexual function takes on features from mental functioning (such as lateralization). In this paper we discuss the lateralized action of two classes of sexual neuromodulators: hormones and pheromones. This process of lateralization is assimilated with the structural dichotomy of the mind.

A relatively similar process but related to informational dichotomy of the mind will be presented in a forthcoming …

The Postfinasteride Syndrome; An Overview, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei, Florian Popa, Vlad D. Constantin, Adriana Vasilache, Ioana Păunică, Cristian Bălălău, Georgeta P. Păunică, Petrisor Banu, Stana Păunică

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

As a 5-α reductase inhibitor, Finasteride has proven effective in ameliorating two conditions documented to be androgen dependent, namely male androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therapeutic results are maintained as long as the drug is administered, with treatment cessation generally leading to the return of symptomatology for each condition. In addition, during the therapeutic phase, several adverse effects have been reported, some of which persist long or indefinitely after treatment cessation, known as “post-finasteride syndrome.”

Herein we present and discuss the most common finasteride side effects, along with a psycho-neuroendocrine rationale that could explain the persistence of many adverse …

Table Of Contents, . .

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Are Hand Preference And Sexual Orientation Possible Predicting Factors For Finasteride Adverse Effects In Male Androgenic Alopecia?, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland, Simona Georgescu, Mircea Tampa, Bogdan C. Baleanu, Stana Paunica

Psychology Faculty Publications

Sexual side effects of finasteride seem to be redoubtable, being encountered not only during therapy but also after treatment cessation. Consequently, any possible clinical/paraclinical elements that might predict these adverse effects would be useful in the selection of a therapeutic strategy for male androgenic alopecia. Previous published studies show that some compounds that interfere with sexual hormones can decrease sexual activation and response, according to hand preference (as reported for finasteride and tamoxifen) and according to sexual orientation (as noted for bicalutamide). Our preliminary published data and the arguments presented here suggest that these two individual parameters might be used …

Finasteride Adverse Effects And Post-Finasteride Syndrome; Implications For Dentists, Stana Paunica, Marina Giurgiu, Andrei Vasilache, Ioana Paunica, Ion Motofei, Adriana Vasilache, Horia Traian Dumitriu, Anca Silvia Dumitriu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Finasteride is a 5α-reductase inhibitor widely used in present in the therapeutic approach of androgenic alopecia. Adverse effects consist in variable sign and symptoms, the most common being represented by mental troubles (reduced feeling of life pleasure or emotions, depression), physical impairments (loss of muscle tone and/or mass) and sexual complains (loss of libido and sexual potency). An increasing number of studies identify and describe even a post-finasteride syndrome (persistent adverse affects three months or more after finasteride cessation) or new adverse effects including but not limited at the skin level or oral cavity (marginal periodontium).

We intend to present …

Conservative Surgery Of Breast Cancer In Women; Psychological Benefits, Razvan V. Scaunasu Md, Traean Burcoș, Ștefan Voiculescu, Bogdan A. Popescu, Șerban V. Bertesteanu, Oana-Denisa Bălălău, Nicolae Bacalbasa, Cristian Bălălău

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Breast surgery was one of the most dynamic fields of medicine which benefited from significant progress during the last decades. The transition from aggressive and mutilating amputations to conservative, oncoplastic and reconstructive techniques has been constant, offering improved and rewarding results, viewed from both, oncological and aesthetical perspectives.

Conservative techniques, especially those which preserve the nipple areola complex, are followed by improved patient’s perception of their body image, confidence and sexuality, with the only drawback of increased anxiety linked to recurrence risk.

The Mind Body Problem, Part Three: Ascension Of Sexual Function To Cerebral Level, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Physiologically, the somatic nervous system intervenes in external interaction between the body and environment, while autonomic nervous system ensures the functioning of internal organs. We present in this paper a psycho-physiological perspective suggesting that mental function (somatic in nature, because coordinates environmental interaction) is closer to and more aligned with the physiologic functioning of autonomic nervous system (due to autonomy, duality, etc.). At opposite end, sexual function (autonomic in nature, erection for example being a parasympathetic vasodilatory reflex) seems to be compatible and even dependent by a somatic participation (erectile response is rather induced by environmental stimuli than internal visceral …

Finasteride Side Effects And Post-Finasteride Syndrome In Male Androgenic Alopecia, Manea Mirela, Paunica Ioana, Puiu Gabriela Maria, Manea Costin Mihnea

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Finasteride is in present a relatively frequent prescribed drug for male androgenic alopecia. The adverse effects reported by some patients seem to be notable, consisting of various (physical, mental/ neurological, sexual, etc.) manifestations which are encountered both during Finasteride administration and after treatment cessation (in the form of `post-Finasteride syndrome`).

The pharmacological action and the corresponding adverse effects related to Finasteride administration were investigated and published in literature through several and successive studies. In respect to psychiatric disorders, the most notable concern is related to depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among former users of finasteride with persistent adverse effects. Regarding …

Solving The Mind-Body Problem Through Two Distinct Concepts: Internal-Mental Existence And Internal Mental Reality, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

In a previous published paper, we initiated in this journal discussion about new perspectives regarding the organization and functioning of the mind, as a premise for addressing the mind-body problem. In this article, we continue focussing discussion on two distinct but interrelated concepts, internal-mental existence/ entity and internal-mental reality.

These two psycho-physiological subunits of the mind interact each other in the form of an internal-mental interaction, having no sense if one is isolated/ studied separately from the other. In other words, the mind (as a dynamic psycho-physiological construction) has no sense in the absence of this internal mental interaction that …

The Mind And Sexuality: Introduction To A Psychophysiological Perspective, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Cognition and sexuality are two distinct relational functions that are partially interconnected through our mind. Even though medical sciences have progressed substantially over the past decades, the current understanding of the mind psycho-physiology is yet at an early stage. As an example, the “mind-body problem” draws attention to the fact that fundamental aspects related to the understanding of the mind are still unresolved. Thus, it continues to be unclear how abstract ideas and thoughts (which are immaterial in nature, unfolding in an intangible realm) interface (and in some cases, interfere) with the more concrete brain and body (which are physical …

Mental And Medical Sciences Today, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences is designed as a free online, open access, interdisciplinary and peer-reviewed journal. The JMMS mission is to address ideas and issues related to mind and medicine, publishing scientific review and empirical papers regarding mental and medical health and disease. Our goal is to stimulate constructive debates among scholars, researchers, physicians, scientists and health professionals with respect to the latest discoveries and trends in the field. The journal pays special attention to interdisciplinary and integrative perspectives, focusing primarily on papers approaching mind and body as a unitary domain of study.

Our supposition is that the …