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Case Reports 2005; 26(1): 67-68 PubMed PMID: 15726023 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents:therapeutic use, Brain:pathology, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Methylprednisolone:therapeutic use, Multiple Sclerosis:complications, Thyroiditis, Autoimmune:complications,.   

: Our patient developed Riedel's thyroiditis soon after having an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS has been associated with other autoimmune diseases, including thyroiditis, and both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis have been described in connection with MS. Yet, we are not aware of any other patient reported to have concomitant MS and Riedel's thyroiditis. The association between MS and Riedel's thyroiditis remains obscure but may reflect an autoimmune disorder common to both diseases....

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Journal Article 2005; 26(1): 13-18 PubMed PMID: 15726013 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Altitude, Environment, Hormones:blood, Humans, Infertility, Male:epidemiology, Jordan:epidemiology, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Middle Aged, Oligospermia:blood, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin:metabolism, Testosterone:blood,.   

: A correlation between serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (T), free T and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in normospermic and in oligospermic male people was done. This study was designed to measure serum levels of these hormones and of SHBG in people living at different altitude environments relative to sea level: at 209-408 meters below (the Jordan Valley, JV) and at 620 meters above (Irbid city, IC). In addition, a clinical awareness study of oligospermia was done in the North of Jordan (IC). Seminal analysis in 287 male people (age range, 18 to 40 years old) during the period between 12/6/1999 and 12/2/2002 showed an oligospermia of 31.4%. Serum levels of LH, total T, free T and SHBG in normospermic subjects in IC were similar to those in normospermic of the JV (3.4 +/- 1.2 vs. 4.0 +/- 1.7 MIU/ml, 19.9 +/- 4.0 vs. 20.4 +/- 5.6 ng/ml, 53.9 +/- 15.6 vs. 47.9 +/- 10.7 pg/ml, 19.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 18.6 +/- 2.16 nmol/l, respectively). Oligospermia was associated with increase in total T at both IC (27.5 +/- 4.6 vs. 19.9 +/- 4.0 ng/ml) and the JV (30.7 +/- 3.4 vs. 20.5 +/- 5.6). The higher serum level of total T in oligospermic people in both IC and the JV was associated with higher levels of SHBG compared to those levels in normospermic subjects. On the other hand, oligospermic subjects have lower serum level of free T than in normospermic males (41.5 +/- 10.0 vs. 53.9 +/- 15.6) only in IC, while in the JV, serum free T level was similar (46.5 +/- 6.1 vs. 47.9 +/- 10.7). Taken together data for both locations, IC and the JV, suggest a clear correlation between total T and SHBG levels in both groups' normospermic and oligospermic subjects....

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Case Reports 2005; 26(1): 7-12 PubMed PMID: 15726012 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Anticonvulsants:therapeutic use, Brain:pathology, Child, Electroencephalography, Epilepsies, Myoclonic:complications, Female, Heme:therapeutic use, Humans, Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase:genetics, Male, Porphyria, Acute Intermittent:compl.   

OBJECTIVES: Myoclonic epilepsy (ME) syndrome is not rare in north-eastern Europe; it is also seen in various forms. Familial occurrence of ME syndrome and acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) was observed in three siblings. The following report was aimed the differentiation between co-morbidity of two different disorders or presence the epileptic seizures within the clinical picture of latent AIP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case report of three siblings who suffered from seizures, myoclonias, ataxia and minor psychological changes since the age of 8 and 9 years is described in the following report.

RESULTS: The clinical picture most resembled that of "Baltic myoclonus" (dentate-rubral degeneration or dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica -- Ramsay-Hunt syndrome) with epilepsy and/or a benign form of progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME). The possibility of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and other aetiological factors, as less probable causes of ME syndrome, were considered. After 15 years of the treatment by anti-epileptic drugs in all three siblings, AIP was discovered.

CONCLUSION: Our interest lies in the differentiation of co-morbidity of two different disorders or presence of epileptic seizures as the clinical picture of latent AIP. We propose that the AIP attacks were caused by long-term administration of anti-epileptic drugs. At the same time we suggest it is a coincidence that the two independent genetic abnormalities coexist in the subjects (benign form of degenerative cerebral disease and AIP)....

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Journal Article 2004; 25(Suppl 1): 141-155 PubMed PMID: 15735598 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Baths:instrumentation, Crying, Equipment Design, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Infant Behavior, Infant Care, Infant, Newborn:physiology, Male, Rooming-in Care,.   

: The new scientific knowledge about the behaviour of the newborn and their interactions as a developing factor, as well as the new neurosciences findings about the initial brain formation, gave us several elements for a new vision and reflection about the perinatal routines in hospitals. This study raises questions about the first experiences of the rooming in newborns during the specific act of bath, as the only determining factor in altering both behaviour and physiology. Through the monitoring of the heart rate frequency and observing the changes in the states of consciousness level, this article shows how the type of bath that the newborn is subjected to influences his/her organisation. The study showed significant results in the parameters observed during the electric shower bath, leading to unbalance of the subsystems where the individuals organise themselves; such findings made us classify this procedure as very stressing to the baby. To the contrary the bath in the "Tummy Tub" presented insignificant changes, showing a relaxed baby with normal bath behaviours and physiological status; thus this procedure appears to contribute to an energetic and interactive balance of the baby's various systems. The aggressive approach (electric shower) does not allow the newborn auto-regulation to occur and to get proper stimulation and learn basic interactive responses which would facilitate his /her healthy early infancy development....

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Case Reports 2004; 25(Suppl 1): 133-136 PubMed PMID: 15735596 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Cost of Illness, Humans, Infant Care, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Intensive Care, Neonatal, Mothers:psychology, Narration, Time Factors,.   

: In this Letter, the author walks through 'Memory Lane'. She reflects upon the birth, growth and developmental trajectory of her third child who was born too soon, in a major Hospital in London. Her aim is to share her knowledge and experiences with other parents and professionals. The author acknowledges the feelings which is so common amongst mothers of preterm babies i.e. that the baby does not belong to them. Moreover, she reflects upon her participation in caring for her daughter, how overwhelming it all was and her joy when her child left hospital and is a healthy teenager....

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Case Reports 2004; 25(Suppl 1): 117-125 PubMed PMID: 15735594 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Birth Weight, Brain:physiology, Case-Control Studies, Disease:psychology, Female, Fetus:physiology, Hormones:physiology, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Medical Records, Models, Biological, Models, Psychologica.   

: The long term impact of being born premature has received limited scientific investigation. Studies that have been carried out, focus on outcomes in childhood, with very few considering the impact on adult physical health. Three case studies are presented here, investigating differences in adult minor illness and psychological variables between adult participants born preterm, fullterm but small and fullterm with normal birthweight. This is a retrospective design using questionnaires and checklist to gather relevant information. Minor illness symptoms, daily hassles, anxiety, depression and general self-efficacy were measured. The participant born preterm scored higher on all measures. Data were applied to the Equilibrium Model for Minor Illness. Being born early appears to have a greater impact on later adult outcomes measured than being born fullterm but small or fullterm but of normal weight. In this article the authors reflect upon possible explanations for the different outcomes of each of the participants within the foetal origins of disease theory....

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Case Reports 2004; 25(Suppl 1): 111-116 PubMed PMID: 15735593 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Communication, Female, Gestational Age, Hospitalization, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Mother-Child Relations, Patient Care Team,.   

: The purpose of this study is to consider the intervention possibilities within a multidisciplinary medical team during the hospitalization of extremely preterm infants. In this work, the interventions were carried out with the objective of establishing communication among the various parties involved, mother, infant and multidisciplinary team, by approaching and trying to understand the mother in the diverse moments of hospitalization of preterm infants....

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Clinical Trial 2004; 25(6): 438-442 PubMed PMID: 15665807 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Estradiol:blood, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:blood, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System:drug effects, Klinefelter Syndrome:blood, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Naloxone:administration & dosage, Narcotic Antagonists:administration & dosage, P.   

UNLABELLED: AIM TO THE STUDY: The investigation of the influence of anti-opioid drug on hypophyseal and gonadal hormones secretion in case of Klinefelter syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The naloxone test (0,4 mg iv) was performed in 14 patients with Klinefelter syndrome aged from 19 to 32 and in 12 age matched control subjects with azoospermia and normal spermatogenesis in testicular histology. The plasma levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol were established before and after 30, 60, 60 and 120 minutes respectively, following the drug administration.

RESULTS: Basal FSH, prolactin and estradiol levels were significantly higher whereas basal testosterone was significantly lower in patients with Klinefelter syndrome than in the control group. After the naloxone administration the mean plasma prolactin level decreased significantly (p=0.01) in Klinefelter subjects. The respective diminution in control group was not significant. The levels of FSH and LH as well as testosterone and estradiol did not change during the naloxone test in both Klinefelter and control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: The naloxone administration in Klinefelter syndrome caused the decrease in plasma prolactin levels but did not affect the plasma level of another hypophyseal and gonadal hormones. The opioid controlled gonadotropin secretion is altered in case of Klinefelter syndrome....

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