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Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 3): 84-89 PubMed PMID: 23353849 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cadmium:metabolism, Copper:metabolism, Cyprinidae:metabolism, Environmental Monitoring, Food Contamination, Humans, Iron:metabolism, Lead:metabolism, Manganese:metabolism, Metals:metabolism, Muscle, Skeletal:metabolism, Nickel:metabolism, Rivers:.   

OBJECTIVES: This study presents a rate of bioaccumulation of some metal concentrations in the muscle of five common cyprinid fish species (gudgeon - Gobio gobio, Europen chub - Leuciscus cephalus, barbel - Barbus barbus, roach - Rutilus rutilus, and nase - Chondrostoma nasus).

DESIGN: Besides, correlations among selected metals as well as standard length and total weight and order of metal accumulation in the fish muscle were determined.

RESULTS: Recorded metal concentrations (mg/kg wet weight basis) ranged as follows: Fe 4.23-22.95, Mn 0.10-0.72, Zn 16.26-166.90, Cu 15.39-25.97, Ni 0.00-3.72, Pb 0.00-1.81, and Cd 0.00-0.11.

CONCLUSIONS: The Slovak permissible limit for Cu (10.0 mg/kg), Ni (0.5 mg/kg), Pb (0.2 mg/kg) and Cd (0.05 mg/kg) defined in the Codex Alimentarius for safe human consumption exceeded in 100%, 12%, 6% and 10% of analyzed samples for Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd respectively. On an average, the order of metal concentrations in the fish muscle was: Zn>Cu>Fe>Mn>Ni>Pb>Cd....

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Journal Article 2012; 33(2): 196-200 PubMed PMID: 22592201 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Anorexia Nervosa:physiopathology, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory:methods, Case-Control Studies, Female, Heart Rate:physiology, Humans, Posture:physiology, Sleep:physiology, Supine Position:physiology, Wakefulness:physiology,.   

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of heart rate variability (HRV) examined in supine and standing position with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

METHODS: HRV in supine and standing position and ABPM were examined in 30 AN patients and 30 control subjects. The correlations between HRV and ABPM were evaluated.

RESULTS: The average age was 25±5 in AN patients and 25±4 years in controls (NS). LF (low frequency) power in AN patients and controls was comparable in supine position. LF power significantly increased during standing in controls, but no increment was detected in AN patients. The HF (high frequency) power was significantly increased in AN patients in supine position, but after standing was comparable with controls. The ratio LF/HF was lower both in supine and standing position in AN patients but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Blood pressure values in AN patients were comparable with controls in supine position but were significantly lower in standing position. Ambulatory blood pressure values were significantly lower in AN patients during active but not sleeping period. In standing position HF and LF powers positively and LF/HF negatively correlated with ABPM blood pressure values during active period in controls while in AN patients only LF power correlated with diastolic and mean blood pressures.

CONCLUSION: The lower ABPM values in AN patients during active period in comparison with control subjects may be explained by HRV changes, mainly by its impaired relations with blood pressure in standing position....

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Journal Article 2011; 32(Suppl 1): 15-24 PubMed PMID: 22167222 Citation  Keywords:  Alanine Transaminase:blood, Albumins:analysis, Animals, Antioxidants:metabolism, Carps:blood, Ceruloplasmin:metabolism, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Environmental Monitoring, Herbicides:pharmacology, Metabolome, Oxidatio.   

OBJECTIVES: Effects of the herbicide formulation Click 500 SC (terbuthylazine 500 g/l) on common carp Cyprinus carpio were assessed through biometric, biochemical, haematological and antioxidant indices, induction of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and histological examination of selected tissues.

DESIGN: The fish were exposed to the formulation with terbuthylazine concentrations of 380 ng/l (environmental concentration); 60 µg/l and 550 µg/l for up to 91 days. Haematological indices were assessed using unified methods of haematological examination in fish. Biochemical indices in plasma were measured by biochemical analyzer, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and ceruloplasmin activity were determined spectrophotometrically. Concentration of total cytochrome P450, glutathione-S-transferase activity and glutathione content were assessed spectrophotometrically in liver. Activity of liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was measured spectrofluorimetrically. Histopathological examination of liver, skin, gills, spleen, cranial and caudal kidney was performed by light microscopy.

RESULTS: An increase (p<0.05) was observed in hepatosomatic index and condition factor in fish from the environmental concentration. A decrease (p<0.05) in haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was found in fish treated with terbuthylazine of 550 µg/l. There was a decline in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) (p<0.05) in terbuthylazine of 60 µg/l and 550 µg/l. Triglycerides (TAG) (p<0.01) were elevated in all pesticide-treated groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p<0.01) and phosphorus (p<0.05) decreased in fish exposed to terbuthylazine of 60 µg/l and 550 µg/l, while albumin (p<0.01) rised in the same groups. An elevation in natrium (p<0.05) in terbuthylazine of 550 µg/l and a rise in protein (p<0.01) in the concentrations of 380 ng/l and 550 µg/l were observed. Correlations between several indices were significant. Ceruloplasmin activity and FRAP were augmented (p<0.01) in the highest concentration tested. Examined xenobiotic detoxification systems were not significantly affected by the exposure. Non-specific histopathological changes were found in the gills and skin of the test fish.

CONCLUSION: The fish treated with terbuthylazine developed a disorder in several haematological and plasma biochemical indices. The levels of markers of oxidative stress increased in response to the exposure. Examined systems involved in detoxification of xenobiotics did not reflect long-term contact with the herbicide. Detected histological lesions were non-specific. The environmental concentration of terbuthylazin affected biometric indices of the test fish....

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Clinical Trial 2010; 31(2): 203-207 PubMed PMID: 20424588 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Anticonvulsants:administration & dosage, Antipsychotic Agents:administration & dosage, Carbamazepine:administration & dosage, Dibenzothiazepines:administration & dosage, Drug Interactions, Drug Monitoring:methods, Drug Therapy, Combination:methods,.   

OBJECTIVE: Quetiapine is one of the most frequent prescribed antipsychotics. Based on the consensus guidelines of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in clinical practice, TDM of Quetiapine is "useful". In this pilot study, using a natural sample, we investigated the influence of co-medication, age and gender on the serum concentrations and clearance of Quetiapine. Also we compared the individual clearance in our sample with the expected clearance for healthy subjects, obtained in controlled studies.

METHODS: 150 blood samples were collected anonymously under clinical conditions, Quetiapine trough serum levels were determined using HPLC. Additional information about gender, age, co-medication and dosage was obtained.

RESULTS: There was a significant, positive, but weak correlation between daily dose and serum levels of Quetiapine (r=0.44; p=0.01). When Carbamazepine was co-administered, the clearance was significantly higher (p=0.01). 83% of the serum levels were outside the therapeutic range, only 28% were within the expected clearance.

CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the therapeutic range the individual clearance related to the expected clearance may help to optimize individual pharmacotherapy, especially for combination therapy or in case of incompliance or abnormal metabolism....

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Journal Article 2008; 29(5): 663-668 PubMed PMID: 18987610 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Bile:metabolism, Biomarkers, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Cyprinidae:physiology, Czech Republic, Environmental Monitoring, Fishes:metabolism, Fresh Water, Mutagens:metabolism, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons:analysis, Proteins:metabolis.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the assessment of the Svitava and Svratka rivers contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations in fish bile as a biomarker.

DESIGN: Levels of 1-OHP were determined by reverse phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. For valid assessment of bile accumulation levels, the 1-OHP concentration was normalized to the biliary protein content. The content of 1-OHP was correlated with the PAH content of river bottom sediments.

RESULTS: The highest level of 1-OHP in fish bile (136.1 ng.mg-1 protein) was found at the locality Rajhradice, which is situated downstream of Brno. Also the greatest level of sum of PAHs was found at this locality (17.1 microg.g-1 dry mass). Significant positive correlation (p< or =0.05) between the level of 1-OHP and sum of PAHs in sediment was found only in case of sediments collected in the same month as fish samples (in June).

CONCLUSION: Our results document that 1-OHP in fish bile is a suitable biochemical marker for the assessment of aquatic ecosystem contamination by PAHs....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(4): 410-416 PubMed PMID: 17693988 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adolescent Development:physiology, Anorexia Nervosa:complications, Blood Pressure:physiology, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory, Bradycardia:etiology, Case-Control Studies, Child, Circadian Rhythm:physiology, Estradiol:blood, Female, Folli.   

OBJECTIVES: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by marked neuroendocrine and autonomic dysfunctions. In the recent studies using automatic blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), lower BP values and lack of circardian variation of BP in anorectic patients were demonstrated. Unfortunately effects of hormonal changes, that may explain BP abnormalities were not analysed together.

DESIGN: The aim of our study was the assessment of ABPM and hormonal status in anorectic girls.

SETTINGS: The study was performed on hospitalized 25 female anorectic adolescents aged 12-18 years. Control group was 17 age and height matched girls with normal weight and negative history for hypertension. ABPM was performed between 5 and 7 day of hospitalization, every 30 minutes during active period and every 60 minutes during sleep. Hormones (FSH, LH, estradiol, cortisol and fT4) serum concentrations were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Mean systolic BP values were significantly lower in patients with AN in comparison to controls. Maximal diastolic and mean arterial pressure values for the whole day and active period but not for sleep were lower in AN than in controls. Anorectic girls showed tendency to night-time bradycardia. Moreover, there were no physiological circadian variations of BP in AN.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hormonal regulation of blood pressure and heart rate in anorectic patients is at least partially preserved. Lower blood pressure values, bradycardia and lack of physiological night fall of BP in anorectic patients may result from altered autonomic system function resulting from hormonal disturbances and other centrally mediated mechanisms....

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Journal Article 2004; 25(Suppl 1): 67-77 PubMed PMID: 15735588 Citation  Keywords:  Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous, Child Development, Conditioning (Psychology), Extremities:physiology, Female, Gastrointestinal Contents:chemistry, Handling (Psychology), Heart:physiology, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Infant Behavior, Infant C.   

: This article provides a synopsis of a series of studies exploring the effects of TAC-TIC (Touching And Caressing-Tender In Caring) therapy with premature infants. Study 1 looked at the short and long-term effects and found enhanced mental development in the stroked infants at 15 months. In study 2 the physiological effects of an abbreviated version of TAC-TIC with high-risk ventilated infants were examined and it was concluded that TAC-TIC exerted no harm to these vulnerable infants. The behavioural reactions of a sample of premature and low birthweight infants to TAC-TIC and parental responses to administering it were explored in study 3. The infants were found to respond predominantly with arm and leg movements to TAC-TIC while fathers and mothers reported enjoying performing TAC-TIC and elicited a similar pattern and frequency of behavioural reactions. In study 4 the question of whether TAC-TIC benefits preterm infant learning and/or sucking behaviour was investigated. The conclusion reached was that TAC-TIC may potentially benefit cognitive performance within the neonatal period and that this may be an early indicator of long-term cognitive gains reported by previous studies. Using a matched subjects design, study 5 explored the impact of TAC-TIC upon the digestive system by analysing gastric aspirates before and after TAC-TIC and a control period of time. It was concluded that TAC-TIC appeared to induce a more suitable stomach environment for digestion....

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Journal Article 2003; 24(5): 339-340 PubMed PMID: 14647008 Citation  Keywords:  Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory:standards, Circadian Rhythm, Heart Rate, Humans, Hypertension:diagnosis, Seasons,.   

: The diagnoses of summer or winter hypertension in one and the same person can depend upon the clock hour of measurement....

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