The pineal gland has long been implicated in psychiatric disorders, but only after the discovery of melatonin has the physiology behind these theories been better researched and understood, especially its role in chronobiology. The role of melatonin in sleep is well known and the interrelatedness with mood and other disorders is also receiving increasing attention. Circadian rhythm disorders ar...

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are common in clinical practice. The disorders covered in this review are delayed sleep phase disorder, advanced sleep phase disorder, free-running, irregular sleep-wake rhythm, jet lag disorder and shift work disorder. Bright light treatment and exogenous melatonin administration are considered to be the treatments of choice for these circadian rhythm sleep dis...

Experimental data show a close relationship among melatonin, circadian rhythms, and sleep. Low-dose melatonin treatment, increasing circulating melatonin levels to those normally observed at night, promotes sleep onset and sleep maintenance without changing sleep architecture. Melatonin treatment can also advance or delay the phase of the circadian clock if administered in the evening or in the...

we report a rare case of acute right coronary artery stenosis developing in a patient undergoing aortic valve replacement. we present a case report with a brief overview of the literature relating to coronary artery occlusion associated with cardiac valve surgery – the theories and treatments are discussed. a 85 year-old female was admitted under the care of the  cardiothoracic team with signs ...

general concept and major emphasis on off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (opcab) is maintaining quality of care and patient safety while reducing cost and resource utilization. opcab probably avoids the potential complications of cardiopulmonary bypass. however its acceptance depends on clinical and economic outcome. the aim of this study is to compare clinical and economic outcome of off-...

Background and aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin administration on sleep and behavioral disorders in the elderly and the facilitation of the discontinuation of regular hypnotic drugs. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in a community-living population. Participants were 22 older adults (7 men, 15 women ...

BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic stenosis of the brachiocephalic artery sometimes occurs in patients with coronary artery disease, and can cause stroke during the perioperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting. CASE PRESENTATION We describe the case of a 77-year old male with severe stenosis of the brachiocephalic artery and severe coronary artery disease. He successfully underwent aorto-r...

Background: Anxiety and depression are the most common complications after coronary artery bypass surgery. Although patients may gain some physical and psychological benefit from cardiac rehabilitation after cardiac surgery, but some individuals and social aspects may change the cardiac rehabilitation procedure. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of short-term cardiac rehabi...