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Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 149-152 PubMed PMID: 17435672 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Fallopian Tube Diseases:diagnosis, Fallopian Tube Patency Tests, Female, Humans, Hysterosalpingography, Laparoscopy:methods, Microsurgery, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity,.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare tubal patency assessment during microlaparoscopy and laparoscopy and its compatibility with previously performed histerosalpingography (HSG).

MATERIAL & METHODS: Endoscopic evaluation of tubal patency was performed on 135 women, aged 30-39 (microlaparoscopy in 65 cases, laparoscopy in 70). In the group of 42 patients qualified for endoscopy, histerosalpingography was carried out in the past. The duration of tubal patency assessment was counted from the moment of the salpingograph placement, with trocars already introduced into the peritoneal cavity.

RESULTS: The mean duration of tubal patency evaluation during laparoscopy was 5'45"+/-39 and during microlaparoscopy - 7'30"+/-49". The results of the examination were afterwards compared with the results of previously performed HSG. Their sensitivity, specificity, compatibility and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of microlaparoscopy in tubal patency assessment were 81% and 100%, respectively; its positive predictive value -100% and negative -96%. As to laparoscopy, the values were established at 90%, 100%, 100% and 98.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Tubal patency assessment during microlaparoscopy and laparoscopy is characterized by similar sensitivity and specificity. Although the mean duration of microlaparoscopy is significantly longer, the difference in time is of no practical implication....

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Case Reports 2007; 28(2): 141-144 PubMed PMID: 17435671 Citation  Keywords:  Child, Preschool, Congenital Hypothyroidism:complications, Down Syndrome:complications, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Male, Pericardial Effusion:diagnosis, Thyroid Function Tests, Thyroxine:therapeutic use,.   

: Pericardial effusion may be the first sign of congenital or acquired hypothyroidism and will completely resolve after thyroxin therapy. Hypothyroidism is more common in Down syndrome population than normal population. In this report we present four infants with Down syndrome who have pericardial effusion due to congenital hypothyroidism. All of these children with Down syndrome were admitted to our clinic with pericardial effusion. Pericardial effusion was completely resolved with thyroxin therapy without pericardiosentesis. Any child with Down syndrome who present with dyspnea and cardiomegaly should be suspected of having pericardial effusion due to hypothyroidism and echocardiography examination should be performed immediately. Pericardial effusion due to hypothyroidism will completely resolve with L-thyroxin therapy without pericardiosentesis. In conclusion, since a delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism is likely and may favor the development of massive pericardial effusion and because of the difficult diagnosis of the hypothyroidism in Down syndrome, periodic follow-up of thyroid function tests are important....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 159-165 PubMed PMID: 17435669 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Corticosterone:blood, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental:metabolism, Gastrointestinal Tract:metabolism, Kidney:metabolism, Male, Melatonin:blood, Pancreas:metabolism, Pineal Gland:metabolism, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Spleen:metabolism, .   

OBJECTIVE: Exogenous melatonin was found to protect target organs under conditions of diabetes mellitus, however, concentrations of the hormone in peripheral tissues have not been determined. Therefore the aim of the present study was to measure the daily profile of melatonin levels in the pineal gland, plasma, pancreas, kidney, spleen, duodenum and colon of control and diabetic rats.

MATERIAL & METHODS: Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg of body weight) and samples were collected over a 24 hr cycle on day 17 after STZ treatment. Melatonin and corticosterone levels were measured directly in plasma and after extraction in the pineal gland and peripheral organs (pancreas, kidney, spleen, duodenum and colon).

RESULTS: A significant daily rhythm of melatonin concentrations was found not only in the pineal gland and plasma but also in the pancreas, kidney, spleen and duodenum. The daily pattern of melatonin levels in the colon was arrhythmic without a characteristic night-time increase of hormone concentration. Experimentally induced diabetes resulted in lower melatonin levels in the pancreas, kidney and duodenum as compared to control. No differences between STZ-treated and control rats were found in the spleen and colon. Plasma corticosterone levels were enhanced in diabetic rats in comparison with controls and the daily profile was not rhythmic.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the lower amplitude of melatonin rhythm in target organs induced by experimental diabetes can contribute to desynchronization of daily rhythms and can lower the antioxidative capacity of tissues....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 175-181 PubMed PMID: 17435666 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Female, Genetic Diseases, Inborn:diagnosis, Gestational Age, Humans, Maternal Age, Nuchal Translucency Measurement:methods, Poland, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors,.   

UNLABELLED: THE AIMS OF THE STUDY WERE: To evaluate range and median values of NT in a large, unselected Polish population; to determine the value of the 95th percentile and the median values for NT for given weeks of late 1st trimester pregnancy and to determine the level of chromosomal aberration risk corresponding to the values of the 95th percentile in the examined groups; to examine the possible correlation between CRL, NT width as well as the mother's age with the risk of the most frequent chromosomal aberrations.

MATERIAL & METHODS: We have retrospective analyzed 7,866 pregnant women. All fetuses of this women had NT measurement performed, as well as CRL and assessed of the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities. The group of pregnant women was divided into 2 subgroups: until and above 35 years old. All population group was divided into 3 subgroups depending on gestational age (11, 12 and above 13th weeks of gestation).

RESULTS: The median of NT in all population group was 1.5 mm and 95th percentile was 2.4 mm, whilst in group with low risk median of NT and 95th percentile were the same and in group with high risk of chromosomal abnormalities respectively 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. There were strong correlations between maternal age and the risk of most frequent chromosomal abnormalities from NT.

CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results of median values and the 95th percentiles of NT in the examined group and the age groups under 35 and 35 plus are similar to these quoted by FMF. The risk levels of trisomy of 21st chromosome were similar to the reference values used by FMF. With gestational age, NT value increases in a non-linear way, therefore it is incorrect to use the term "a normal value" for NT, therefore, only the risk level calculated with the dedicated software using NT and CRL measurements with maternal age should be stated....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(2): 204-212 PubMed PMID: 17435663 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Survival:drug effects, Curcumin:pharmacology, DNA, Neoplasm:analysis, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Gap Junctions:chemistry, Glycoproteins:analysis, Metalloproteases:analysis, Mice, Neurobl.   

OBJECTIVE: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a well-known malignant disease in infants, which comprises 10% of childhood malignancies. Despite recent advances in understanding the neuro-oncology, NB still accounts for more death in childhood than any other cancer. Research in childhood tumors should not only be focused on the malignant signatures of cancer cells but also novel drug prototypes using phytochemicals. The present study was aimed to determine the role of curcumin against murine neuroblastoma cell line (N2a).

METHODS: The in vitro assessment of curcumin against was made in N2a cell line in a dose-dependent manner (group I (control) and group II - IX (10 microM-80 microM). The efficacy of the drug was evaluated by estimating the levels of protein bound carbohydrates, glycoprotein, genomic DNA, total RNA levels, and inhibition of MMP-9 were studied. The gap junctional communication in the cells was also assessed.

RESULTS: The levels of protein bound carbohydrates, DNA, RNA levels, glycoprotein were found to be altered on drug supplementation in NB cells. Inhibition of MMP-9 in curcumin-supplemented N2a cells was revealed by zymographic analysis. Assessment of Lucifer yellow dye uptake in curcumin-supplemented N2a cells showed the up-regulation of GJIC.

CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the curcumin, the active principle of curcuma longa, could be developed into an effective chemo preventive and chemotherapeutic agent. This selected concentration range needs further studies at molecular level, for conforming its role and its action against uncontrolled proliferation of NB....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(1): 33-38 PubMed PMID: 17277734 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antidepressive Agents:therapeutic use, Anxiety:physiopathology, Combined Modality Therapy, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Panic Disorder:physiopathology, Prefrontal Cortex:physiopathology, Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors:therap.   

BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can modulate cortical activity. The goal of our study was to assess whether rTMS would facilitate effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with panic disorder.

METHOD: Fifteen patients suffering from panic disorder resistant to serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) therapy were randomly assigned to either active or to sham rTMS. The aim of the study was to compare the 2 and 4 weeks efficacy of the 10 sessions 1 Hz rTMS with sham rTMS add on SRI therapy. We use 1 Hz, 30 minutes rTMS, 110% of motor threshold administered over the right dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The same time schedule was used for sham administration. Fifteen patients finished the study,. Psychopathology was assessed using the rating scales CGI, HAMA, PDSS and BAI before the treatment, immediately after the experimental treatment and 2 weeks after the experimental treatment by an independent reviewer.

RESULTS: Both groups improved during the study period but the treatment effect did not differ between groups in any of the instruments.

CONCLUSION: Low frequency rTMS administered over the right dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex after 10 sessions did not differ from sham rTMS add on serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with panic disorder....

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Case Reports 2007; 28(1): 7-10 PubMed PMID: 17277733 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17:genetics, Craniofacial Abnormalities:genetics, Female, Gene Deletion, Humans, Intellectual Disability:genetics, Melatonin:physiology, Mood Disorders:diagnosis, Muscle Hypotonia:genetics, Syndrome,.   

: Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a microdeletion syndrome characterized by physical and neurobehavioural features. This report describes the case of a 27 year old female affected by SMS associated with a diagnosis, according to DSMIV criteria, of Mood Disorder N.O.S. and Intermittent Explosive Disorder. To our knowledge, the association of SMS with mood shifts has never been reported. Considering the genetic alterations that characterizes the SMS, further investigations on the region of the chromosome 17p11.2 could help produce more information on the role of melatonin in the genesis of mood disorder....

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Clinical Trial 2007; 28(1): 17-20 PubMed PMID: 17277731 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adrenal Medulla:physiology, Adult, Choice Behavior:physiology, Humans, Impulsive Behavior:metabolism, Male, Saliva:chemistry, Sympathetic Nervous System:physiology, Testosterone:metabolism, alpha-Amylases:analysis,.   

OBJECTIVE: Little is known regarding the role of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system in self-control and impulsivity in intertemporal choice (delay discounting), although the roles of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems have been extensively examined. This study was aimed to examine the relationships between salivary alpha-amylase (sAA, a non-invasive biological marker of adrenergic/SAM activities) levels and hyperbolic discounting, which is of interest in psychoneuroendocrinology and neuroeconomics.

METHODS: We assessed degrees to which delayed monetary gains were discounted (hyperbolic discount rates) in healthy male students. Participants' sAA were also assessed.

RESULTS: We observed negative relationships between sAA and hyperbolic discounting of small, medium, and large monetary gains.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that subjects with low sAA are impulsive in intertemporal choice. Implications for the roles of adrenergic and SAM systems in self-control in intertemporal choice are discussed....

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