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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 511-514 PubMed PMID: 26707053 Citation  Keywords:  ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma:genetics, Adenoma:genetics, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers, Tumor:genetics, Cohort Studies, Electrophoresis, Capillary, Female, Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma:genetics, Humans, Male, Microsatellite .   

OBJECTIVE: Mutator phenotypes with microsatellite instability (MSI) are observed in a subset of solid tumors including those localized in the brain. MSI arises from impaired DNA mismatch repair. It can be a potential marker of resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, as demonstrated for several cancer types. Our study aims are to investigate MSI incidence in pituitary adenomas (PA) with a currently recommended methodology.r />r /> METHODS: DNA was obtained from 107 patients with PA of which 83 adenomas were nonfunctioning, 13 somatotrophic, 9 lactotrophic and 2 corticotrophic. These were examined for MSI status by PCR and capillary electrophoresis using five quasimonomorphic microsatellite markers: BAT25, BAT26, NR21, NR24 and NR27; in accordance to current Bethesda guidelines.r />r /> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No microsatellite instability was detected in the tumor samples thus implying the lack of any clinical usefulness of MSI testing in PA cases....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 504-510 PubMed PMID: 26707052 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Birth Weight, Blood Glucose:metabolism, Body Mass Index, C-Peptide:metabolism, Case-Control Studies, Child, Diabetes, Gestational:epidemiology, Female, Glucose Intolerance:epidemiology, Glucose Tolerance Test, Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated:metabo.   

OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to assess the selected carbohydrate parameters in children exposed to gestational diabetes in utero.r />r /> METHODS: 50 children exposed to gestational diabetes were compared with 46 control subjects. Anthropometric parameters of a newborn were obtained from the medical records. In all participants height, body mass, waist and hip circumferences were measured; BMI, WHR and WHtR were calculated. Values of fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide and HbA1c were measured and HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-S, HOMA2-B were calculated. In obese children (BMI ≥95th percentile) OGTT was performed.r />r /> RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight/obesity in the study group was 38%, in the control group 41% (p=0.19). Higher fasting glucose level (p=0.02) and HbA1c (p=0.00004) were found in the study group comparing to the control. In children exposed to GDM in utero a positive correlation of fasting insulin and WHR (Rs=0.31, p=0.028) as well as significantly lower HOMA2-B (p=0.03) were observed. In the study group higher HOMA2-IR (p=0.0002) and HOMA2-B (p=0.0000039) and also lower HOMA2-S (p=0.0002) were observed among participants with overweight/obesity comparing to children with normal body weight. In the study group a correlation of HOMA2-IR and SD of the birth weight was found (Rs=0.28, p=0.049).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Children exposed to gestational diabetes in utero, in spite of similar prevalence of overweight/obesity comparing to their non-exposed peers, could have higher risk of glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus in future. Towards observed decreased insulin sensitivity and compensatory increase in insulin secretion, prevention of overweight and obesity in this group seems to be essential....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 498-503 PubMed PMID: 26707051 Citation  Keywords:  APACHE, Adult, Calcitonin:metabolism, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, Cohort Studies, Critical Illness, Euthyroid Sick Syndromes:etiology, Female, Human Growth Hormone:metabolism, Humans, Intensive Care Units, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Trauma:complicat.   

OBJECTIVE: Acute multiple-trauma induces activation of neuroendocrine system. Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is considered to be associated with adverse outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study was aimed to assess dynamic changes of neuroendocrine hormones in patients with polytrauma and their association with the polytrauma score (PTS).r />r /> METHODS: Blood samples from 24 critically ill patients with polytrauma were obtained on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th day after admission to ICU for analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3); free triiodothyronine (fT3), total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and procalcitonin levels.r />r /> RESULTS: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 16±5 points on average at the admission to ICU. All patients had normal baseline TSH, T4, fT4, but low T3, and fT3 levels were found in 20% and 33% ICU patients, respectively. On the 7th day after admission to ICU TSH had tendency to increase (p=0.07) and fT4 significantly decreased (p=0.03). The PRL level significantly increased on the 3rd day after admission as compared to 1st day (p=0.04). PTS positively correlated with fT3 (r=0.582, p=0.004) and negatively with fT4 (r=-0.422, p=0.04) at the 1st day in ICU.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Critical illness in patients with polytrauma leaded to trauma severity-dependent alterations of the thyroid axis response early after injury. Our findings suggest that detection of dynamic hormonal response is more appropriate than single measurement. However supplemental therapy for NTIS should be used after more detailed studies are completed....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 490-497 PubMed PMID: 26707050 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Anxiety, Behavior, Animal, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor:genetics, Estradiol:metabolism, Hippocampus:metabolism, Male, Maze Learning, Memory, Mice, Social Environment,.   

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported that environmental enrichment might induce various beneficial effects in the central nervous system. However, the effect of environmental factors on endogenous estrogen level was not investigated. The present study was designed to examine the effect of enriched environment on endogenous estrogen in hippocampus and behavioral outcomes.r />r /> METHODS: Behavioural measurements, including open field, elevated plus maze and Morris water maze, were used to evaluate anxiety and learning and memory of the male C57BL/6J mice that were housed in enriched environment for five months. In addition, the estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus were measured.r />r /> RESULTS: We found that environmental enrichment decreased anxiety-like behaviors and facilitated spatial learning and memory in male C57BL/6J mice. In addition, the mice raised in enriched environment showed decreased endogenous estrogen levels both in the hippocampus and plasma compared to controls. Furthermore, our results indicated that environmental enrichment up-regulated BDNF mRNA expression level in the hippocampus.r />r /> CONCLUSION: In conclusion, environmental enrichment decreased anxiety-like behaviors and facilitated spatial learning and memory in male C57BL/6J mice. Lastly, environmental enrichment up-regulated BDNF mRNA expression level in the hippocampus and decreased plasma estrogen level. The possible mechanism remained to be determined....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 481-489 PubMed PMID: 26707049 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Biomechanical Phenomena, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Female, Humans, Movement:physiology, Spine:physiology, Torso, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rider's movement during walking the horse in repeated therapeutic horse riding sessions and to determine the relationship between movements of the horse's back and the rider's trunk.r />r /> METHOD: A total of 12 healthy females (age: 23.3±2.8 years; height: 167.3±4.2 cm; weight: 59.2±5.3 kg) participated in 10 therapeutic horse riding sessions. Two English Thoroughbreds with similar body constitution (aged 19 and 14 years) were used in the experiment. Nine markers were placed on the rider's body and the horse's back, and four video cameras with a 25 Hz frequency were used. Collected data were processed with APAS software.r />r /> RESULTS: The mediolateral displacements of C7, Th12, and L5 were gradually decreasing in each of the first three sessions. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between individual sessions in the displacement of C7, Th12 and L5 in the mediolateral and vertical directions as well as in the shoulder and pelvic lateral tilt and rotation. These differences did not show any general tendencies regarding the riders' increasing experiences with riding. The relationships between the displacement of C7, Th12, and L5 and the sacral tuber on the horse's back in the vertical direction were statistically significant (p<0.01) during all sessions.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The displacement of C7, Th12 and L5 in the mediolateral direction decreased during riding sessions. A significant relationship was found between the vertical movement of the horse's back and the rider's trunk. These relationships differed between the horses....

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Comparative Study 2015; 36(5): 465-480 PubMed PMID: 26707048 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Amino Acids:blood, Antipsychotic Agents:therapeutic use, Chromatography, Ion Exchange, Clopenthixol:therapeutic use, Clozapine:therapeutic use, Cohort Studies, Female, Glutamic Acid:blood, Haloperidol:therapeutic use, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Ma.   

RATIONALE: The effect of long-term treatment with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine on the serum amino acid profile in schizophrenia patients has not previously been studied.r />r /> OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare serum amino acid patterns in patients on long-term clozapine treatment with long-term conventional antipsychotic treatment, and their relationships to insulin resistance and antipsychotic serum concentrations.r />r /> METHODS: Thirty-three patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder on long-term treatment (mean 8.3 years) with clozapine (n=20) or conventional antipsychotics (n=13) were studied. Amino acids were quantified in fasting serum samples by ion exchange chromatography and markers of insulin resistance and antipsychotic drug concentrations were determined by standard methods.r />r /> RESULTS: Several amino acids, most notably tyrosine and glutamic acid, were elevated above the reference range in several patients receiving clozapine. Additionally, significantly higher mean values of tyrosine (1.5-fold, p=0.001), glutamic acid (2-fold, p=0.0005) and six other amino acids were observed in the clozapine group than in the conventional antipsychotic group. Several amino acids were related to insulin resistance in both treatment groups.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show that serum tyrosine and glutamic acid concentrations are markedly elevated in patients on long-term clozapine treatment, compared to patients on long-term conventional antipsychotic treatment. These findings are of importance since these two amino acids have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 458-464 PubMed PMID: 26707047 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Autoantibodies:immunology, Candida albicans, Candidiasis:immunology, Carrier State:immunology, Child, Child, Preschool, Cross Reactions, Female, Ghrelin:immunology, Growth Disorders:immunology, Helicobacter Infections:immunology, Helicobacter .   

OBJECTIVES: Many of peptides synthesized in gastrointestinal tract (GI) and adipose tissues, regulate growth and food intake. The GI microflora is an antigenic source. Based on the molecular mimicry hypothesis, intestinal microbe-derived antigens may trigger the production of autoantibodies cross-reacting with some neuropeptides.r />r /> DESIGN: The aim of the study was to assess whether in idiopathic short stature (ISS) children with Candida albicans (C.albicans) colonisation and/or Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection the autoantibodies (in positive levels) against selected neuropeptides [anti-NP Abs(+)]: ghrelin, leptin, orexin A, αMSH are more prevalent than in Controls.r />r /> SETTING: The study group comprised 64 children with ISS and 36 children with normal height (Controls). In each child, IgG antibodies against H.pylori, ghrelin, leptin, orexin A and αMSH were assessed in serum, while presence of C.albicans - in stool samples.r />r /> RESULTS: The higher prevalence of anti-NP Abs(+) in ISS children with C.albicans and/or H.pylori than in normal height children with the colonization in question (34.4% vs 21.1%, p<0.01) was found. The prevalence of anti-NP Abs(+) in groups of children without C.albicans and H.pylori were low, anti-NP Abs(+) were detected in 9.4% of ISS children only, while in Controls they were not found.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: In short children with C.albicans and/or H.pylori the incidence of autoantibodies against selected neuropeptides is high. It probably is connected with molecular mimicry between antigens of these microbiota and the mentioned peptides. It is tempting to speculate that presence of cross-reacting autoantibodies against regulatory neuropeptides may results in worse growth velocity. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate this issue....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 452-457 PubMed PMID: 26707046 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anodontia:genetics, Case-Control Studies, Child, Czech Republic, European Continental Ancestry Group, Female, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mutation, PAX9 Transcription Factor:genetics, Polymorphism.   

OBJECTIVES: Tooth agenesis is one of the most common developmental anomalies in humans. Genetic and environmental factors may be of etiological importance in this condition. Among genes involved in tooth morphogenesis, mutations in PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, WNT10a, and EDA genes have been associated with tooth agenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the PAX9 gene variants and tooth agenesis in the Czech population.r />r /> METHODS: The selected regions of the PAX9 gene were analysed by direct sequencing and compared with the reference sequence from the GenBank online database (NCBI).r />r /> RESULTS: We found several novel variants in the PAX9 gene, e.g. insertion g.5100_5101insC (rs11373281) with simultaneous substitution g.5272C>G (rs4904155) in exon 1, and mutation g.10934C>T (Gly203Gly, rs61754301) in exon 3. In subjects with full dentition we observed polymorphisms g.10276A>G (rs12882923) and g.10289A>G (rs12883049) in IVS2 (intervening sequence 2) previously related to tooth agenesis in Polish study.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: In our study we excluded a direct effect of rs12882923 and rs12883049 polymorphisms on the dental agenesis in the Czech population. All described PAX9 genetic variants were present both in patients with tooth agenesis and controls. We expect that tooth agenesis in our cohort of patients is caused by mutations in regions different from PAX9 exons analyzed in our study....

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