Neuroglia are a diverse non-neuronal population of cells in the central and peripheral nervous system. These cells have a variety of functions that can all be summed up as the maintenance of homeostasis of the nervous system. It is the loss of homeostasis that represents the culprit of all disorders. Thus, neuroglia can be envisioned as the pivotal element in all neural disorders, be that neurological or psychiatric. In this review, we discuss the role of glia in homeostasis and defence of the nervous system as well as changes in the morpho-functional characteristics of these cells in various disorders.

Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing (OSDB) is an under-recognized risk factor for stroke. OSDB is associated with traditional vascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and can influence the risk for stroke through direct and indirect mechanisms. Untreated OSDB may also influence rehabilitation efforts and functional outcome following a stroke, as well as the risk for stroke recurrence. Stroke risk is greatly reduced if the OSDB is adequately treated. Conversely, OSDB may be exacerbated or caused by stroke. Increasing awareness and improving screening for OSDB is paramount in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke, and in improving stroke outcomes. The following review article is intended to highlight the current basics of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of OSDB in relation to stroke.

Differences and similarities between the mutagenicity of microwave radiation and VCM were studied on the lymphocytes of persons occupationally exposed to either of these two clastogens. The results of the micronucleus test and the chromosome aberration assay were compared. Our findings provided evidence that the mutagenicity of both VCM and microwave radiation can be detected with both of these tests. However, we detected both quantitative and qualitative differences between VCM and microwave radiation in the induction of aberrations and micronuclei. VCM causes quantitatively more chromosome damage but less dicentric and ring chromosomes than microwave radiation. Anaphase bridges are constantly present in the cultured lymphocytes of VCM-exposed persons but they are rarely seen in the lymphocytes of persons exposed to microwave radiation. The number of micronuclei per a certain number of aberrations is much higher in persons exposed to VCM than in those exposed to microwave radiation. An attempt was made here to point out the main differences in the clastogenic action of a physical and a chemical agent. Such data can be fundamental for better understanding of the genetic effects which derive from mutal action of chemical and physical clastogens.