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Journal Article 2001; 22(1): 53-73 PubMed PMID: 11393163 Citation  Keywords:  Adrenal Glands:physiology, Animals, Biological Clocks, Blood Pressure:physiology, Chronobiology Disorders:physiopathology, Chronobiology Phenomena, Chronotherapy, Circadian Rhythm:physiology, Drug Administration Schedule, Genomics, Homeostasis, Humans, Pi.   

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Journal Article 2012; 33(8): 761-764 PubMed PMID: 23391980 Citation  Keywords:  Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anxiety Disorders:psychology, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Orchiectomy:methods, Palliative Care:psychology, Patient Satisfaction, Prostatic Neoplasms:psychology, Psychology, Quality of Life:psychology, Stress, Psychological:.   

OBJECTIVES: The study presented focuses on patients' psychosocial status after a prostate cancer diagnosis that underwent a bilateral orchiectomy.

METHODS: We evaluated the psychosocial implications of 89 patients with prostate cancer after performing castration and a bilateral orchiectomy.

RESULTS: Patients suffered significantly more from sleep disorders during hospitalisation when compared to their time prior to an orchiectomy (p<0.0005). There were some increases in the severity of sleep disorder after discharge (level of evidence p<0.05). However, no additional medications for sleep disorders were required. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in the abuse of medication (p<0.001). Ten per cent of the patients were in the care of a psychologist or a psychiatrist before their diagnosis, and 21% asked for the help of a psychologist or a psychiatrist after having a bilateral orchiectomy. The occurrence of mood disorders is also very different than the occurrence of sleep disorders. Mood disorders occurred much less often after orchiectomy and discharge (p>0.085) compared with the period before surgery. Forty per cent of the patients had mood disorders before their operation, while only 37% still had these after discharge. There was a significant decrease in abuse of medication for anxiety. Twenty-four per cent of the patients took medication during hospitalisation, and only 10% continued after orchiectomy.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that patients who were notified about their cancer diagnosis, particularly their health status, exhibited moderate stress and psychological impact....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 3): 113-119 PubMed PMID: 23353853 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury:metabolism, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Gills:drug effects, Hepatocytes:drug effects, Herbicides:pharmacokinetics, Kidney:drug effects, Models, Biological, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances:metab.   

OBJECTIVES: Terbuthylazine belongs to the group of symmetrical triazine herbicides used extensively in agriculture and non-agricultural sites, primarily to control broadleaf and some grassy weeds that have become ubiquitous contaminants of the environment. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of terbuthylazine in surface waters on fish under experimental conditions. The effects of subchronic exposure to terbuthylazine on fish growth and the development of histopathological changes in selected organs (gill, kidney, liver), and on the activity of some biochemical parameters - glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and on the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in Danio rerio were investigated during a 28 day toxicity test.

METHODS: Juvenile growth tests were performed on Danio rerio according to OECD guideline No. 215. Fish at the age of 30 days were exposed for 28 days to a range of sublethal concentrations of terbuthylazine (0.55 - environmental concentration, 150, 400, 700 and 1000 μg/L).

RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p<0.05) between the specific growth rates (r) of the test groups and control group. Histopathological examination revealed pathological changes only in the liver in fish exposed to terbuthylazine at concentrations of 700 and 1000 μg/L. Significant differences (p<0.05) in activities of biochemical markers were found in GST (400, 700 and 1000 μg/L), GR (700 and 1000 μg/L), significant differences (p<0.05) of TBARS concentration were found at 1000 μg/L.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of growth rate, the histopathological examination of selected organs, and the results of biochemical parameters, it was found that the environmental concentration of terbuthylazine did not have any effects on juvenile D. rerio. The values of NOEC and LOEC for terbuthylazine for juvenile D. rerio were 150 μg/L and 400 μg/L....

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Comparative Study 2012; 33(Suppl 3): 107-112 PubMed PMID: 23353852 Citation  Keywords:  Biological Assay, Biomass, Chlorophyta:drug effects, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Ecosystem, Platinum:toxicity, Platinum Compounds:toxicity, Toxicity Tests, Water Pollutants, Chemical:toxicity,.   

OBJECTIVES: An enhanced worldwide application of platinum group elements (PGE), in particular platinum, has been observed during recent decades. An increased concentration of PGE was determined in collected samples of great amount of aqueous ecosystems.The aim was to compare phytotoxic effect of platinum (PtCl4) by performing two different bioassays on green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and macrophyte duckweed, Lemna minor. MEDTHODS: The algal experiment (Pseudokichneriella subcapitata) followed OECD 201, the concentration row for PtCl4 was: 0.05; 0.01; 0.25; 0.5; 1 µM. The duckweed (Lemna minor) experiment was conducted according to OECD 221, employed PtCl4 concentrations were: 5; 10; 25; 50; 100 µM. Plants were cultivated as a microbiotest, using micro-volumes.

RESULTS: The results of the algal test showed significant growth inhibition of the final biomass. The values of 72hEC5(µ), 72hEC10(µ), 72hEC20(µ) counted on a basis of average specific growth rate (µ) were 0.31 µM, 0.58 µM and 1.12 µM of PtCl4, respectively. The values, obtained on a basis of the area under the growth curves (A), were 0.04 µM (72hEC5(A)), 0.24 µM (72hEC10(A)) and 0.64 µM (72hEC20(A)). The experiment with duckweed showed 50% of growth inhibition and the values of 168hEC50(µ) were 19.55 µM and 168hEC50(A) 13.63 µM of PtCl4.

CONCLUSION: The fronds of duckweed showed strong adverse effect of platinum influence (chlorosis, necrosis). The algal test and the estimation of 72hEC5(A) appears to be the most sensitive....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 3): 96-106 PubMed PMID: 23353851 Citation  Keywords:  Adjuvants, Immunologic:pharmacology, Animal Feed, Animals, Blood Proteins:metabolism, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Fisheries:methods, Immune System:drug effects, Oncorhynchus mykiss:blood, Pleurotus:chemistry, beta-Glucans:pharmacology,.   

OBJECTIVES: Effect of long-term oral administration of three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%) of micronized β-1.3/1.6-D-glucan derived from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus, Hiratake) on biometrical, haematological, biochemical, and immunological indices of half-year-old rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was assessed in the study.

DESIGN: Rainbow trout were feed commercial feed pellets containing β-1.3/1.6-D-glucan in the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% for 85 days. Biometrical indices consisted in total and standard length, body and liver weight, from which derived somatic parameters such as Fulton´s condition factor and hepatosomatic index were calculated. Haematological parameters were evaluated according to unified methods for haematological examination in fish. Plasma biochemical profile was analysed using biochemical analyser Konelab 20i and Easy Lyte Analyzer. A phagocyte cells metabolic activity (induced chemiluminescence of phagocytes) was determined as an immunological parameter by a microplate luminometric method on Immunotech LM-01T.

RESULTS: No clinical signs of behavioral, respiratory, or neurologic distress were observed in rainbow trout. Fish showed normal feeding behavior. As for biometric parameters, no significant changes in total and standard length, body weight, liver weight, as well as in condition factor and hepatosomatic index of experimental and control fish were found. In the course of the study, weight gains in rainbow trout were similar and continuous. Shifts in PCV (p<0.05), haemoglobin (p<0.05), and MCHC (p<0.01) were found within haematological indices. Plasma concentration of glucose, lactate, total protein, cholesterol, calcium, natrium, potassium (all p<0.05), albumins and chlorides (both p<0.01), as well as catalytic activities of ALT and AST (both p<0.05) were changed in the course of the study. A phagocyte cells metabolic activity (luminol-induced chemiluminescence) in rainbow trout was not altered by oyster mushroom β-1.3/1.6-D-glucan administration.

CONCLUSION: After long-term oral administration of three concentrations of micronized β-1.3/1.6-D-glucan derived from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus, Hiratake) shifts in haematological and biochemical profiling were found in half-year-old rainbow trout (O. mykiss) in environmental conditions of a commercial rainbow trout fishery. Biometrical indices were not found significantly altered. No specific effect of β-glucan on immune system response of rainbow trout was found in the study. The use of β-glucan in prosperous, clinically healthy aquaculture is still an issue, nevertheless, its use in breedings endangered by stress stimuli, infectious diseases or adverse environmental factors is indisputable....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 3): 90-95 PubMed PMID: 23353850 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Carps:embryology, Czech Republic, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Embryo, Nonmammalian:drug effects, Female, Herbicides:toxicity, Kidney:drug effects, Male, Models, Biological, Ovum:drug effects, Rivers:chemistry, Simazine:toxicity, Toxicity Te.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the toxicity of simazine in different developmental stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on the basis of mortality, early ontogeny, occurrence of morphological anomalies, growth rate, and Fulton's condition factor during and at the conclusion of the test.

DESIGN: The toxicity tests were performed on carp according to OECD 210 methodologies. The developmental stages of carp were exposed to simazine at four concentrations, 0.06, (reported concentration in Czech rivers), 60, 600, and 3000 µg/l for 36 days and compared to carp in a non-treated control group.

RESULTS: Simazine in concentration 0.06 µg/l had no effect on early life stages of carp. Simazine in concentration 600 and 3000 µg/l caused decrease of mass and total length of carp. Fish exposed to three highest levels of simazine showed alteration of tubular system of caudal kidney. On the basis of histopatological changes the values of LOEC = 60 µg/l, NOEC = 0.06 µg/l for simazine were estimated.

CONCLUSIONS: Chronic simazine exposure of early-life stages of common carp affected their growth rate, and histology. Some of the changes were observed only at higher exposures (600, 3000 µg/l), but change founded in caudal kidney was affected in fish exposed to the second lowest concentration tested (i.e., 60 µg/l), which is about 10 µg/l higher than reported in Colorado rivers in recent years. Concentrations of simazine in World rivers have been reported to generally vary in the range 0.0003-49.20 µg/l....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 3): 48-52 PubMed PMID: 23353843 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases:antagonists & inhibitors, Cholesterol, Dietary:pharmacology, Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9, Cytochrome P450 Family 2, Fluorobenzenes:pharmacology, Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic:drug effects, Humans, Hydroxymethyl.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether rosuvastatin affects expression and activity of rat CYP2C6. This cytochrome P450 is considered to be a counterpart of human CYP2C9, which metabolizes many drugs, including diclofenac, ibuprofen or warfarin.

DESIGN: Male hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HHTg) rats were fed standard laboratory diet (STD) or high cholesterol diet (HCD: STD + 1% of cholesterol w/w + 10% of lard fat w/w) for 21 days. A third group of rats were fed high a cholesterol diet with rosuvastatin added (0.03% w/w). Expression of CYP2C6 was measured in liver samples using real-time PCR (mRNA level) and Western blotting (protein level). Formation of diclofenac metabolites (typical enzyme activity of CYP2C6) was analyzed using HPLC with UV detection.

RESULTS: Administration of rosuvastatin to HHTg rats resulted in significantly increased mRNA expression and enzyme activity in HCD-fed animals; changes of CYP2C6 protein were non-significant. These results suggest that CYP2C6 expression and activity are positively affected by rosuvastatin in hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats after intake of HCD.

CONCLUSION: The results presented open the possibility that in humans, rosuvastatin may affect the metabolism of many drugs by influencing expression and activity of CYP2C6 (counterpart of human CYP2C9). Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of this statin on CYP2C9 in humans....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(6): 636-642 PubMed PMID: 23160222 Citation  Keywords:  Adaptation, Psychological:physiology, Adolescent, Biological Evolution, Dominance-Subordination, Female, Hierarchy, Social, Humans, Male, Masochism:physiopathology, Sadism:physiopathology, Sexual Behavior:physiology, Social Behavior, Surveys and Questionn.   

OBJECTIVES: We theorize that sexual arousal by dominance and submission may be connected to a reproduction strategy respecting a reached social dominance rank (a common reproduction strategy in socially living mammals), while the preference for "bondage" may be derived from an opportunistic strategy when being unable to compete for hierarchic rank (an alternative reproductive strategy that co-occurs frequently with the above-named main strategy). The answers to questions dealing with hierarchy in character should correlate exclusively with sexual arousal connected to any kind of expression of a hierarchy, but not with bondage.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS: The data were obtained from young adults (157 males and 183 females aged 18-20, with mean 18.4 years) via questionnaires.

RESULTS: Seven out of eight questions dealing with hierarchy correlated with sexual arousal by dominance and submission in men (Spearman's r=0.169-0.313; p<0.05 - p<0.001), two questions correlated with sexual arousal by dominance and submission in women (Spearman's r=0.32-0.166, p<0.001, p<0.05). THE MAIN FINDINGS: The questions dealing with hierarchy correlated with sexual arousal by dominance and submission while no answers correlated with bondage, neither in men nor in women.

CONCLUSION: The preference for sexual arousal by dominance and submission may be connected to strategy respecting rank, while the preference for "bondage" may be derived from an opportunistic strategy that may be essential for possible partner problems solution. From the evolutionary biology point of view, these patterns of sadomasochistic sex appear as adaptive rather than as pathology....

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