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Journal Article 2007; 28(Suppl 2): 15-16 PubMed PMID: 17558367 Citation  Keywords:  Acinetobacter Infections:drug therapy, Acinetobacter baumannii:immunology, Anti-Bacterial Agents:therapeutic use, Central Nervous System:abnormalities, Child, Child, Preschool, Cross Infection:drug therapy, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Very Low Birth .   

: Twenty five (25) cases of nosocomial postsurgical meningitis due to Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis were compared to other 146 cases of meningitis after surgery caused by other pathogens. Prior neurosurgical ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion and CNS abnormality as well as very low birth weight were significant risk factors for acquisition of Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis. Mortality - 40% among children with nosocomial meningitis was unacceptably high and significantly higher than among meningitis caused by microorganisms other than Acinetobacter baumannii....

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Editorial 2007; 28(Suppl 2): 5-6 PubMed PMID: 17558364 Citation  Keywords:  Central Nervous System Infections:epidemiology, Developing Countries, Humans, Prognosis, Public Health, Risk Factors,.   

: In recent supplement of neuroendocrinology letters, first time the authors from West and East, North and South of EU and the "Third World" present data on neuroinfections in high technology society - on nosocomial meningitis and vice versa in low technology and income countries of sub-Saharan Africa. 14 years survey of 171 cases of nosocomial paediatric meningitis is presented by Rudinsky et al. [1] and subpopulations of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [1,2] within last 20 years are briefly analyzed by Huttova et al. [2] and Ondrusova et al. [3]. All cases were complicating high technology procedures, such as neurosurgery, very low birth weight neonates after shunt implants etc. Current problems of management of nosocomial meningitis are reviewed by Bauer et al. [4] and consequence of inappropriate therapy by Huttova et al. [5]. Another high technology associated infection is septic embolisation followed by brain abscess and meningitis in patients with endocarditis after cardiac surgery (Kovac et al.) [6]. Experience from more than 600 cases is discussed in the article by Karvaj et al. [7] who outlines extremely high mortality in patients with endocarditis embolizing to central nervous system - up to 60%. The rest of papers are in contrary to problems of neuroinfections in EU and US focused on meningitis and cerebral malaria as commonest neuroinfections in the third world: 261 cases of cerebral malaria are discussed in a brief research note by Sudanese team of tropical programme in area of famine and civil war in southern Sudan (Bartkovjak and Ianetti et al.) [8]. Fungal neuroinfections complicating AIDS are of decreasing trend as reported by Njambi et al. from Kenya [9] and data from 497 cases from Uganda, Ethiopia and Burundi are presented by Benca et al. [10]. Finally an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis is reported by Benca et al. [11] from meningitis belt in Darfur and southern Sudan. We hope that the supplement may show difference in etiology, risk factors, therapy and outcome of neuroinfections (which is a burning public health and social problem in tropics) in other third world countries versus developed high-tech medical settings of US, EU and other high income countries, as presented by Benca et al. [12]....

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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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Journal Article 2006; 27(6): 703-710 PubMed PMID: 17187025 Citation  Keywords:  Agonistic Behavior:drug effects, Animals, Arachidonic Acids:pharmacology, Behavior, Animal:drug effects, Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists, Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists, Central Nervous System Stimulants:administration & dosage, Drug Administration Schedu.   

OBJECTIVES: Psychostimulants and cannabinoids can elicit so called behavioural sensitization after repeated administration, a gradually increased behavioural response to a drug. This phenomenon if conditioned by previous pre-treatment with different drug is termed cross-sensitization. The present study was focused on a possible sensitisation to antiaggressive effect of methamphetamine and cross-sensitization to this effect after repeated pre-treatment with cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands with different intrinsic activity (CB1 agonist methanandamide, CB2 agonist JWH 015, and CB1 antagonist AM 251).

METHODS: Behavioural interactions of singly-housed mice with non-aggressive group-housed partners were video-taped and behavioural elements of agonistic behaviour of isolates were recorded in four categories: sociable, timid, aggressive and locomotor.

RESULTS: Repeated administration of methamphetamine elicited a significant sensitization to its antiaggressive effects. Methanandamide pre-treatment provoked cross-sensitization to this methamphetamine effect, whereas pre-treatment with JWH 015 did not. Combined pre-treatment with methamphetamine+AM 251 suppressed the sensitization to antiaggressive effects of methamphetamine.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have shown that it is possible to provoke sensitization not only to the stimulatory effects as stated widespread in the literature but also to inhibitory antiaggressive effects of methamphetamine. Furthermore, we confirmed our working hypothesis that it is possible to elicit either cross-sensitization to inhibitory effects of methamphetamine conditioned by repeated pre-treatment with cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist methanandamide, or suppression of methamphetamine sensitizing influence by co-administration of CB1 receptor antagonist....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 425-432 PubMed PMID: 16892002 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Blood Platelets:physiology, Central Nervous System:physiology, Hormones:physiology, Humans, Melatonin:physiology, Neoplasms:physiopathology,.   

: Numerous studies of melatonin, by now widely acknowledged as a circadian rhythm-affecting neurohormone, also describe its anti-oxidant, anti-cytotoxic or immune-modulating activity. While emphasizing the multifunctional aspect of melatonin action, this review presents the results of our thirty years of research, which point to the following conclusions: melatonin is capable of promoting platelet production by megakaryocytes, of acting on the latter's ion channels by way of the outward currents, and of performing a physiological anti-aggregation function thus lengthening platelet life span. Melatonin can be transported everywhere by platelets and, thanks to its lipophilicity, can cross cellular membranes easily, thus regulating blood-tissue exchanges and ensuring an improved haematic crisis. It interacts with endothelial cells by regulating their release of both relaxing-factor and contracting-factor, and with platelets by affecting their discharge of dense-body components. Finally, platelets could behave as mobile and itinerant serotonergic and/or melatonergic elements, a function comparable to the release of neurotransmitters by neurons of the central nervous system. This dynamism in melatonin physiology could prove to be a key in approaching tumour aetiopathogenesis....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 401-413 PubMed PMID: 16807526 Citation  Keywords:  Child, Preschool, Developmental Disabilities:chemically induced, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine:adverse effects, Haemophilus Vaccines:adverse effects, Humans, Nervous System Diseases:chemically induced, Thimerosal:adverse effects, United States:epid.   

BACKGROUND: Thimerosal is an ethylmercury-containing compound (49.6% mercury by weight) used as at the preservative level in vaccines (0.005% to 0.01%).

METHODS: Statistical modeling in a meta-analysis epidemiological assessment of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) for neurodevelopment disorders (NDs) reported following Diphtheria-Tetanus-whole-cell-Pertussis (DTP) vaccines in comparison to Diphtheria-Tetanus-whole-cell-Pertussis-Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (DTPH) vaccines (administered: 1994-1997) and following Thimerosal-containing Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis (DTaP), vaccines in comparison to Thimerosal-free DTaP vaccines (administered: 1997-2000), was undertaken.

RESULTS: Significantly increased adjusted (sex, age, vaccine type, vaccine manufacturer) risks of autism, speech disorders, mental retardation, personality disorders, thinking abnormalities, ataxia, and NDs in general, with minimal systematic error or confounding, were associated with TCV exposure.

CONCLUSION: It is clear from the results of the present epidemiological study and other recently published data associating mercury exposure with childhood NDs, additional ND research should be undertaken in the context of evaluating mercury-associated exposures, especially from Thimerosal-containing vaccines....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 63-69 PubMed PMID: 16648795 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Arachidonic Acids:pharmacology, Behavior, Animal:drug effects, Central Nervous System Stimulants:pharmacology, Indoles:pharmacology, Male, Methamphetamine:pharmacology, Mice, Mice, Inbred ICR, Motor Activity:drug effects, Piperidines:pharmacology.   

OBJECTIVES: An increased behavioural response ("behavioural sensitization") to drugs of abuse occurs after repeated treatment. In the present study the possibility of cross-sensitization existence between various cannabinoid receptor ligands--CB1 agonist methanandamide, CB2 agonist JWH 015, and CB1 antagonist AM 251 with methamphetamine was explored.

METHODS: Locomotion in the open field was measured in naive mice and in those pre-treated acutely and repeatedly (for 8 days), respectively, with either vehicle or tested drugs.

RESULTS: Methamphetamine produced significant sensitization to its stimulatory effect on locomotion. Methanandamide pre-treatment elicited cross-sensitization to methamphetamine effect, whereas pre-treatment with JWH 015 did not. Combined pre-treatment with methamphetamine+AM 251 suppressed sensitization to methamphetamine.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the activity of the endocannabinoid system is involved in the neuronal circuitry underlying the development of sensitization to methamphetamine....

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Controlled Clinical Trial 2005; 26(6): 713-718 PubMed PMID: 16380702 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Anthropometry, Anxiety:physiopathology, Autonomic Nervous System:physiology, Combined Modality Therapy, Electrocardiography, Exercise:physiology, Exercise Therapy, Female, Heart Rate:physiology, Humans, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psych.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the status of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in anxiety disorder patients and to evaluate possible exercise intervention in order to improve the ANS and overall psychiatric status of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The ANS function was monitored via means of heart rate variability (HRV) changes during a 6-week hospitalization at the Psychiatric Clinic of University Hospital in Olomouc. The status of ANS was monitored by the new evaluation method of spectral analysis (SA) of HRV. The research involved 43 anxiety patients (29 women and 14 men) who underwent six weeks of intensive psychotherapy; part of the test group also participated in regular aerobic exercise.

RESULTS: In the sense of autonomic dysfunction we can not give clear-cut answers to the question whether the autonomic dysfunction could be one of the predictors of anxiety disorder, although our results suggest lower vagal representation in the spectra. Unlike in the healthy population the exercise had a positive impact only on a limited number of patients. Regular endurance exercise on a stationary bicycle had a positive impact on the ANS efficiency only in patients with primary ANS activity reduction. In patients with normal ANS efficiency the exercise intervention had no effect; in some cases we even found activity reduction during the hospitalization period. However, the exercise had a positive effect on the course and outcome of the applied therapy in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS: ANS disturbances have not been exhibited in some patients suffering from anxiety disorder. Due to the positive impact of regular physical activity on cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, and psychological changes in organism, monitored exercise should be implemented into therapeutic programs for patients with anxiety disorders....

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