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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 47-55 PubMed PMID: 20150885 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity:blood, Blood Chemical Analysis, Cell Size, Chorionic Villi:pathology, Female, Fetal Blood:cytology, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Lead Poisoning:diagnosis, Models, Biological, Organ Size, .   

OBJECTIVES: This work follows up with our already published results concerning consequences of lead on prenatal and postnatal development of child in connection with the rise of hyperkinetic syndrome (ADHD). This disease has in children increasing tendency all over the world.r />r /> METHODS: In our work we used a set of histological and histochemical methods, method of scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and statistical evaluation.r />r /> RESULTS: Our new method for proof of lead in placenta enabled us to show how lead is cumulated in syncytiotrophoblast. We have found release of lead from mother's erythrocytes in the intervillous space and receipt of lead by erythrocytes of fetus in the vessels of the villi of placenta. This finding enriches knowledge about relation between mother's erythrocytes, lead, calcium that is lead carrier, syncytiotrophoblast, and erythrocytes of fetus in the vessels of placental villi. We have proved that syncytiotrophoblast is the most frequent place for cumulation of lead deposits. We verified our ecomorphologic results by means of infrared spectroscopy in cooperation with physicists and statistically evaluated occurrence of ADHD in particular age categories what helps to fill gaps in knowledge of ADHD etiology.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of lead in umbilical cord blood immediately after the child birth is forewarning against the possible rise of the ADHD. This finding facilitates early diagnostics and means preventing step against the rise, development and consequences of this disease. The obtained results give evidence about the serious influence of mother's dwelling in environment polluted with neurotoxic metal - lead on the prenatal and postnatal development of child....

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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 122-125 PubMed PMID: 20150884 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Autistic Disorder:blood, Case-Control Studies, Emotions:physiology, Female, Humans, Lymphocytes:metabolism, Male, Music, RNA, Messenger:metabolism, Receptors, Dopamine D3:genetics, Receptors, Dopamine D4:genetics, Reward, Up-Regulation:.   

BACKGROUND: People with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are affected by a long-life disabling condition, characterized by communication deficits, severe impairments in social functioning, and stereotyped behaviors. Although ASD individuals display several problems in interactions, it has been reported that they may show a peculiar interest in music. Previous studies have suggested a pivotal role for the dopaminergic system in the psychobiology of reward, including the pleasure of music.r />r /> DESIGN: In the present study, we sought to investigate dopamine DRD3 and DRD4 receptor expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of adult healthy musicians and age- and gender-matched patients with ASD against the background hypothesis that the dopaminergic system may contribute a biological cause to the reward dimensions of the musical experience in both healthy and autistic individuals.r />r /> RESULTS: ANOVA showed significant differences in DRD4 mRNA expression between the groups (P = 0.008). Post-hoc analysis showed significant differences between the control group and both musicians (P < 0.05) and ASD individuals (P < 0.05). No differences were found for DRD3 mRNA expression between the groups.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our current results provide intriguing preliminary evidence for a possible molecular link between dopamine DRD4 receptor, music and autism, possibly via mechanisms involving the reward system and the appraisal of emotions....

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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 73-86 PubMed PMID: 20150883 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Brain Mapping, Cerebral Cortex:physiopathology, Dystonic Disorders:therapy, Female, Handwriting, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Biological, Pilot Projects, Placebos, Radiation, Somatosensory Cortex:physiopathology, T.   

: Since the somatosensory system is believed to be affected in focal dystonia, we focused on the modulation of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in order to improve symptoms of writer's cramp. Patients with writer's cramp (N=9 in the pilot study and N=11 in the advanced study) were treated with 30-minute 1 Hz real- or sham-rTMS of the SI cortex every day for 5 days. Before and after rTMS, 1.5 T fMRI was examined during simple hand movements. While in the pilot study the rTMS coil was navigated over the SI cortex with a maximum of blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal induced by passive movement, patients in the advanced study had the coil above the postcentral sulcus. After real-rTMS, 4 pilot study patients and 10 advanced study patients experienced subjective and objective improvement in writing, while only minimal changes were observed after sham-rTMS. Patients involved in the active movement task exhibited a rTMS-induced BOLD signal increase bilaterally in the SI cortex, posterior parietal cortex and in the supplementary motor area (P<0.001 corrected). After sham-rTMS, no BOLD signal changes were observed. In conclusion, 1 Hz rTMS of the SI cortex can improve writer's cramp while increasing the cortical activity in both hemispheres. Handwriting improved in most patients, as well as the subjective benefit, and lasted for 2-3 weeks. The beneficial effects of rTMS paralleled the functional reorganization in the SI cortex and connected areas, reflecting the impact of somatosensory system on active motion control....

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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 131-136 PubMed PMID: 20150882 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity:epidemiology, Child, Czech Republic:epidemiology, Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific:metabolism, Gene Frequency, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genotype, Humans, Male, Polymorphism, Rest.   

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was the correlation of the combined type of ADHD in children and Taq IA polymorphism DRD2 gene. We hypothesized a positive correlation of DRD2 polymorphisms in the combined type of ADHD patients without co-morbidity.r />r /> PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our research sample included 586 unrelated boys of the Czech origin aged between 6 and 13 years. The ADHD group consisted of 269 boys and the control group consisted of 317 boys. PCR detection of the DRD2 polymorphism was carried out by using primers, described by Grandy (Grandy et al. 1989).r />r /> RESULTS: The comparison of genotype frequencies showed statistically highly significant difference between the studied groups (p<0.0001). A statistically significant difference was also found when the allelic frequencies between the two groups were compared (p<0.0001), with the A1 allele having a 4.359 fold higher risk of ADHD (Risk Ratio=4.359, 95% CI of RR=3.5753 to 5.3144, Odds Ratio= 7.7824; 95% CI of OR=10.315 to 13.6719).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our results presented a highly positive correlation between the combined type of ADHD without co-morbidity and ANKK l (DRD2) polymorphism ....

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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 103-112 PubMed PMID: 20150881 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Female, GABA Antagonists:pharmacology, Ganglia, Sympathetic:drug effects, Gonadal Hormones:secretion, Nerve Growth Factor:metabolism, Neuropeptides:pharmacology, Nitric Oxide:metabolism, Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II:metabolism, Norepinephrine:ph.   

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian steroids are modulated by neural influences. In this work we investigate whether norepinephrine (NE) modifies the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or neuropeptide Y (NPY) actions in coeliac ganglion (CG) on the ovarian hormone release, and evaluate the participation of nitric oxide (NO), measured as nitrite, and of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) protein, nerve growth factor (NGF) and its trkA receptor gene expression in the ovarian response.r />r /> METHODS: The study was performed in the ex vivo CG-superior ovarian nerve (SON)-ovary system of rats on diestrus day 2 (D2). CG and ovary were placed in separate compartments connected by the SON and incubated with Krebs-Ringer buffer. After addition of 50 ng/ml VIP, 50 ng/ml NPY, 10-6 M NE, or a mix of VIP+NE or NPY+NE in ganglion, samples from the ovarian compartment were taken at different times throughout 180 minutes to measure progesterone, androstenedione and nitrite levels.r />r /> RESULTS: VIP and NPY in ganglion induced an increase of progesterone release that was associated for VIP, but not NPY, with a decrease of ovarian nitrite levels, iNOS protein, and NGF/trkA receptor mRNA expression. By contrast, NE in ganglion decreased progesterone, an effect that was suppressed by addition of propranolol in ganglion, and increased nitrites/iNOS and NGF/trkA receptor expression in ovary. GABA A receptor antagonist bicuculline (20 muM) added in ovarian compartment prevented the inhibitory effect on progesterone caused by NE in CG. Androstenedione was not modified under neuropeptides or NE ganglionic stimulation.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Finally, results from VIP+NE or NPY+NE in ganglion showed that ovarian response on D2 induced by VIP or NPY alone is moderated by the opposite action of NE, and occurs only on progesterone, the most sensitive steroid to neural action....

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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 126-130 PubMed PMID: 20150880 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Ear, Inner:metabolism, Gene Dosage, Gene Expression, Mice, Mice, Inbred Strains, RNA, Messenger:metabolism, Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor:genetics, Stria Vascularis:metabolism, Vestibule, Labyrinth:metabolism, Water-Electrolyte Balance:gen.   

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative expression levels of NPR-A mRNA in the stria vascularis (StV), nonstrial tissue of the cochlear lateral wall (NSt) and vestibula in the mouse inner ear to determine the potential contribution of ANP signaling in different parts to inner ear fluid homeostasis.r />r /> SETTING: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone known to be involved in the regulation of body fluid homeostasis. It is assumed that ANP might also participate in the regulation of inner ear fluid dynamics. ANP selectively binds with atrial natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A) to exert its physiological function. We have previously shown the presence of NPR-A transcripts in the mouse stria vascularis as well as in the nonstrial tissue of the cochlear lateral wall and vestibular organ by polymerase-chain reaction.r />r /> METHODS: Total RNA of samples of stria vascularis, nonstrial tissue of the cochlear lateral wall and vestibular organ tissue from ears of 10 adult mice was isolated, amplified by the real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using consensus primers flanking a region of 127 bp at the target sequences. The brain of mice known to contain NPR-A was used as a positive control. The one-way analysis of variance, ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls method were performed to analyze the data.r />r /> RESULTS: NPR-A mRNA expression was found in tissue samples of all the three areas. The mRNA expression level of NPR-A in the StV was higher than that in the NSt and vestibula (p<0.05). The difference of NPR-A mRNA expression level in the NSt and vestibula was not statistically significant (p>0.05).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the StV may be the most important place for ANP to regulate endolymph fluid balance via NPR-A....

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Journal Article 2010; 31(1): 97-102 PubMed PMID: 20150879 Citation  Keywords:  Age of Onset, Case-Control Studies, Depressive Disorder:epidemiology, Female, Gene Frequency, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genotype, Humans, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Male, Memory Disorders:genetics, Phosphoproteins, Polymorphis.   

OBJECTIVE: Depression is a disease of multifactor background. Episodic memory dysfunction is one of depression characterising disturbances, which may lead to its onset and development. Memory processes are controlled by a number of extra- and intracellular mechanisms. KIBRA, a newly discovered protein, belonging to signal transduction proteins, participates in the control of episodic memory. The presented study was designed to assess correlation between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T/C (rs17070145) of the KIBRA gene and the risk of recurrent depressive disorder (DD).r />r /> METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 181 patients with recurrent DD and 149 healthy control subjects. Genotyping was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/restriction fragment length polymorphism (RLFP) method.r />r /> RESULTS: TThe obtained results have revealed no significant correlation between the studied polymorphism and recurrent DD. Obtained value of the disease odds ratio (ORdis) suggests that presence of T/T homozygote decreases risk of development of recurrent DD, but the result was not statistically significant.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Following the results, it may be concluded that the studied polymorphism does not influence either the onset mechanism or the course of recurrent DD. Even if T/C polymorphism of the KIBRA gene induces memory disturbances, they may be unspecific and unselective for recurrent DD. Further studies on the genes, which control characteristic processes of DD and influence their course, are demanded and mostly justified....

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Case Reports 2010; 31(1): 40-42 PubMed PMID: 20150878 Citation  Keywords:  Abnormalities, Multiple:diagnostic imaging, Aborted Fetus:diagnostic imaging, Acrocallosal Syndrome:diagnostic imaging, Adult, Autopsy, Blastodisc:diagnostic imaging, Cerebral Hemorrhage:diagnostic imaging, Diagnosis, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Im.   

: Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging is demonstrated as a supplementary method to classic pathological-anatomical autopsy in determining anomalies of the foetus. Frequently it plays a key role; primarily where the possibilities of performing autopsy are somehow limited (autolysis, ventricular dilatation). Specification of the final diagnosis subsequently enables us to improve prenatal diagnostics, both by means of magnetic resonance imaging and primarily by correlation with the prenatal ultrasound scan; this feedback improves the later method. This case report demonstrated that post mortem magnetic resonance imaging, in contrast with prenatal ultrasound examination, showed extensive haemorrhage in the germinal matrix, and also illustrated indirect symptoms testifying to agenesis of the corpus callosum. Prenatal ultrasound examination showed only hydrocephalus and absence of septum pellucidum. Pathological-anatomical autopsy of the brain was insufficient with regard to advanced autolysis and brain haemorrhage....

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