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Comparative Study 2007; 28(4): 496-501 PubMed PMID: 17693976 Citation  Keywords:  Administration, Oral, Administration, Topical, Adult, Capillaries:drug effects, Cholesterol, HDL:blood, Cholesterol, LDL:blood, Cross-Over Studies, Estradiol:administration & dosage, Estrogen Replacement Therapy:methods, Estrogens:administration & dosage,.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate skin microvascular reactivity (MVR) measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in women early after bilateral ovarectomy treated with oral and transdermal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).r />r /> DESIGN: Interventional, randomized study with a cross-over design.r />r /> PATIENTS AND METHODS: 41 patients (49+/-6 years, 6-12 weeks after surgical castration) were treated with 17-beta-estradiol transdermally (0.05 mg/day) or orally (2 mg/day) for three months and 20 healthy female subjects (47+/-5 years) served as controls.r />r /> RESULTS: Records of laser Doppler flowmetry were blinded prior to the evaluation. Maximal perfusion and velocity of perfusion increase during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) were lower before ERT comparing to controls at baseline (36+/-16 vs. 48+/-18 PU, p<0.05, and 2.8+/-1.9 vs. 4.2+/-2.3 PU, p<0.05, respectively). Velocity of perfusion increase in PORH decreased after oral ERT compared to baseline and also to transdermal ERT (2.1+/-1.2 vs. 2.8+/-1.9 PU.s-1, p<0.05, and vs. 3.5+/-3.2 PU.s-1, p<0.01, respectively), nonsignificant increase of this parameter after transdermal ERT led to normalization when comparing to control group (3.6+/-3.2 vs. 4.2+/-2.3 PU.s-1, NS). Increase of HDL-cholesterol and decrease of LDL-cholesterol (2.1+/-0.4 vs. 1.8+/-0.4 mmol.l-1, p<0.01, and 2.5+/-0.7 vs. 3.1+/-1.0 mmol.l-1, p<0.01) was observed after oral ERT while HDL-cholesterol increase after transdermal ERT was less pronounced (1.96+/-0.42 mmol.l-1, p<0.05). LDL-cholesterol levels did not change. A correlation between HDL-cholesterol and maximal post-occlusive flow expressed in % of basal perfusion was observed in patients before treatment (r=0.47, p=0.002).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular reactivity is impaired in women early after bilateral ovarectomy. No statistically significant improvement of MVR was observed after oral estrogen replacement therapy, normalization of MVR after transdermal ERT was only partial. Changes of MVR and lipid profile differed between oral and transdermal routes of estrogen replacement therapy....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(4): 386-394 PubMed PMID: 17693975 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Aldosterone:blood, Altitude, Atrial Natriuretic Factor:blood, Cross-Sectional Studies, Health Surveys, Humans, Hypertension:blood, Jordan, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Renin:blood,.   

: A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the association of the levels of plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (ALDO) and atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) with the rates of hypertension prevalence in people living at 340 meters below sea level, the Jordan Valley (JV) and those residing at 620 meters above sea level, Irbid City. 1072 natives from the JV and 1402 natives from Irbid City were covered by a questionnaire to estimate hypertension prevalence in the JV and Irbid city (population age: 35-65 years). Male subjects were selected from the JV (24 hypertensives, 46+/-15 years old, and 93 normotensives, 33+/-13 years old) and from Irbid City (31 hypertensives, 47+/-12 years old, and 89 normotensives, 40+/-13 years old) to evaluate the levels of PRA, ALDO and ANH. Hypertension was less common in the JV than in Irbid City (9.9% vs. 13.6%). The levels of PRA in the hypertensive subjects compared to the normotensive subjects were lower in the JV (1.7+/-1.0 vs. 2.6+/-1.4 ng/ml/hr) but were similar in Irbid City (2.9+/-2.7 vs. 3.2+/-2.7). The levels of ALDO in the hypertensive subjects compared to the normotensive subjects were similar in the JV (119+/-58 vs. 139+/-66 pg/ml) but were higher in Irbid City (199+/-112 vs. 146+/-84). The levels of ANH in the hypertensive subjects compared to the normotensive subjects were lower in the JV (13.9+/-9.3 vs. 28.0+/-12.7 ng/ml) and were also lower in Irbid City (21.0+/-12.2 vs. 26.7+/-11.6)....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(4): 422-426 PubMed PMID: 17693974 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Anorexia Nervosa:immunology, Antibodies:immunology, Antigens, CD28:immunology, Antigens, CD3:immunology, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes:metabolism, Calcium:metabolism, Case-Control Studies, Child, Female, Humans, Interleukin-2:metabolism, Lymphocy.   

OBJECTIVES: Anorexia nervosa (AN), a disease of chronic human starvation has a deep impact on the function of several organ systems. We hypothesized that disturbed cellular activation may contribute to complications in AN. We tested our assumption on short-term activation kinetics of lymphocytes.r />r /> PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood was taken from 11 AN and 10 healthy adolescents. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and CD4+ lymphocytes were then activated with phythohemagglutinin for the determination of calcium-influx and membrane potential. Moreover, cells were also activated by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 coated beads and three days after the prevalence of interleukin-2 positive CD4+ cells were determined.r />r /> RESULTS: After activation, more time was required to reach maximal calcium content in CD4+ cells of AN patients than in those of controls (control vs. AN (median, range): 86 [45-232] vs. 215 [59-235] second, p<0.05), but the rate of membrane potential alteration was similar. The number of interleukin 2 positive CD4+ cells was lower in AN (11.50 [7.60-15.30] vs. 13.50 [12.00-22.00] %, p<0.05). No association was detected between cell activation and any of clinical or anthropometric data of AN patients.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AN may have an impact on calcium handling of the cells and, hence, cell activation characteristics. We assume that altered calcium flux kinetics may contribute to complications present in AN....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(4): 427-432 PubMed PMID: 17693973 Citation  Keywords:  Adipokines:blood, Adipose Tissue:metabolism, Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary, Blood Glucose:metabolism, C-Reactive Protein:metabolism, Cholesterol, HDL:blood, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction:blood, Obesity:blood, Regression Analysis, Risk .   

UNLABELLED: Adipose tissue appears to be a key regulator of CRP levels. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, predicts the occurrence of diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic diseases. Adipokines, the proteins produced by adipocytes are additional factors thought to be involved in the chronic, subclinical inflammatory state of adiposity.r />r /> AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of obesity on the blood CRP levels and the relation of CRP to coronary risk factors and adipokines in men with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).r />r /> METHODS: The study was performed in 37 obese (BMI> or =30) and 33 lean patients (BMI<25) with first AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention within the initial 6 hours of AMI. Clinical data, anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and blood adipokines concentration were analyzed.r />r /> RESULTS: Values of the following parameters were significantly higher in obese than in lean patients: CRP, fasting glucose, glucose at admission, leptin and resistin, whereas HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels were lower. In univariate regression analysis CRP was related to obesity, HDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, glucose at admission and adipokines but only glucose at admission and resistin were the independent positive factors and adiponectin an independent negative factor associated with CRP levels (R2= 51.1%).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: In the early stage of AMI inflammation is more pronounced in obese than in lean patients. The pleiotropic association between CRP and obesity, adipokines and cardiovascular risk factors might prove it to be an important link between inflammatory reaction and atherogenesis in which adipose tissue hormones are involved....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(4): 438-444 PubMed PMID: 17693972 Citation  Keywords:  ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma:pathology, Adenoma:pathology, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Child, Endoscopy:adverse effects, Female, Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma:pathology, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Minimally Invasi.   

AIM OF THE STUDY: The paper presents endoscopic surgical technique used in the treatment of hormonally active pituitary adenomas and assessment of the method in terms of its effectiveness and safety.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 217 cases the surgery was performed due to pituitary adenomas applying the technique developed by Jho and Carrau, with our own modifications. 70 patients were treated for hormonally active adenomas. The group consisted of 36 somatotrophic adenomas, 21 prolactinomas and 13 corticotrophic adenomas. There were 51 females and 19 males with mean age of 42.6 years (range 11-77 years). The follow-up period was between 7 and 56 months (mean - 34 months). The effectiveness and occurrence of complications were confirmed on the basis of neurosurgical, laryngological, endocrinological, ophthalmological examinations and neuroimaging.r />r /> RESULTS: Biochemical and neurosurgical criteria for complete resection were obtained in 21 (58.3%) of 36 patients with all somatotrophic adenomas. In the group of prolactinomas complete resection was achieved in 17 (80.9%) of 21 patients. Of the 13 patients with Cushing's disease 11 (84.6%) were cured. In the studied group there were no deaths. In the postoperative course only 2 (2.8%) patients suffered liquorrhoeas and new anterior lobe pituitary insufficiency was noted in 8 (11.4%) cases. Meningitis was noted in 1 (1.4%) case and another 1 (1.4%) patient had epistaxis which required repeated endoscopic surgery.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic technique is an effective method of treatment of hormonally active pituitary adenomas. It is characterised as being minimal invasive and has a low severe complication rate....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(4): 445-448 PubMed PMID: 17693971 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Autistic Disorder:physiopathology, Circadian Rhythm:physiology, Cognition:physiology, Empathy, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone:metabolism, Logic, Male, Psychopathology, Saliva:metabolism, Sex Characteristics, Social Adjustment,.   

OBJECTIVE: Little is known regarding the relationship between cortisol (a stress hormone) levels and psychological cognitive styles. Baron-Cohen proposed two fundamental cognitive styles, which are measured by the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and the Systemizng Quotient (SQ). Previous studies have examined the influences of prenatal testosterone exposure on EQ and SQ scores. This study aimed to examine the relationships between morning cortisol levels and EQ and SQ scores, and the 'brain types' which were determined by two quotients in both sexes. These relationships are potentially important in the developmental psychopathology of autism and neuroeconomics of empathy.r />r /> METHODS: We assessed morning cortisol levels with LC/MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and ESQ in healthy male and female university students.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate clear sex differences between brain types: i.e. E-type males and S-type females (participants with atypical cognitive styles) have significantly higher cortisol levels than S-type males and E-type females (participants with typical cognitive styles). Implications for the role of sex in social adaptation of autistic patients are discussed....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(4): 395-400 PubMed PMID: 17693970 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Case-Control Studies, Circadian Rhythm:physiology, Depressive Disorder, Major:drug therapy, Female, Fluoxetine:therapeutic use, Humans, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Saliva:metabolism, Serotonin:metabolism, Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors:the.   

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to explore the circadian rhythm of salivary serotonin in patients with major depressive disorder before and after treatment with fluoxetine and its relationship with clinical therapeutic effect.r />r /> METHODS: This study investigated salivary serotonin in 13 outpatients with major depressive disorder and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Depressed patients received six weeks fluoxetine treatment (20 mg/day), saliva was collected before and four weeks after treatment. A total of 8 time-point salivary serotonin was measured across the whole day. Multi-oscillator cosinor model was used to fit the rhythms.r />r /> RESULTS: Serotonin concentration in saliva ranged from 0.32 ng/ml to 9.62 ng/ml. Salivary serotonin showed prominent circadian rhythm in 91% depressed patients and 92% healthy subjects. Circadian amplitude tend to be higher after fluoxetine treatment in depressed patients, so as the ultradian cycle amplitude. The serotonin circadian amplitude (After minus Before) was positively correlated with the decrease of Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS) scores at day 42 whereas there was no such correlation at day 28. There was no significant difference in the parameters of mesor, acrophase, harmonic and area under curve among three groups.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Salivary serotonin in patients with major depressive disorder showed clear circadian rhythm. The relationship between the increase of salivary serotonin amplitude and clinical response deserve further study....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(4): 406-409 PubMed PMID: 17693969 Citation  Keywords:  Aneuploidy, Asian Continental Ancestry Group:genetics, China, Congenital Abnormalities:ethnology, DNA:genetics, Female, Fetus:abnormalities, Fluorescent Dyes, Genomic Instability:genetics, Humans, Male, Nucleic Acid Hybridization:methods, Reproducibility .   

AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in the detection of genomic imbalances in Chinese malformed fetuses.r />r /> METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from umbilical cord blood or fresh amniotic fluid of 9 malformed fetuses and labeled with SpectrumGreen dUTP or SpectrumRed dUTP. A pair of CGH analyses in which the fluorochromes were exchanged was carried out for each sample.r />r /> RESULTS: Samples from 9 malformed fetuses were analyzed successfully by CGH. Numerical chromosome aberrations were detected in samples from cases 4, 8 and 9, and were verified by fluorochrome-exchanged CGH. Trisomy 21q was detected in case 4, del 2p24-pter and dup 12p13 was detected in case 8, and del 1p33-pter and del 22q11-12 were detected in case 9.r />r /> CONCLUSION: CGH is a reliable technique for the detection of genomic imbalances. Fluorochrome-exchanged CGH can reduce inconsistencies in the results caused by deviations in the process of DNA labeling and hybridization, and increase the accuracy and reliability in cases when conventional cytogenetic analysis is unavailable....

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