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Journal Article 2007; 28(2): 121-130 PubMed PMID: 17435676 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Conditioning (Psychology), Dental Pulp:innervation, Electroshock, Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory:physiology, Jaw, Male, Movement, Pain Measurement, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Reflex, Tooth, Wakefulness,.   

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of pain and nociception refers to different models. Depending upon the intensity of stimulation, unmyelinated pulpal fibers or periodontal A-fibers can be stimulated producing a short or a long latency jaw opening reflex of the digastric muscle. This paper investigates the different components of the jaw opening reflex in addition to the correlation between afferent fibers involved in the cortical evoked response.r />r /> DESIGN AND SETTING: Fifteen awake male rats were implanted with tooth pulp stimulation electrodes, digastric and cortical recording electrodes. Ten rats were submitted to recordings after a single tooth pulp stimulation, while five rats were using conditioning and test stimulation. Tooth pulp evoked potentials and digastric EMG were simultaneously recorded. A multiresolution denoising method was used for signal processing.r />r /> RESULTS: Following tooth pulp stimulation, a cortical response was produced including the following peaks: P6.5 +/- 1.1, N11 +/- 1.2, P17 +/- 1.2, P27 +/- 2.9, N53 +/- 7.5, P69 +/- 5.8, P88 +/- 13, N160 +/- 9.7, P204 +/- 14.2. The distribution and amplitude of these peaks are correlated to the stimulation intensity (r=0.96, p<0.01). An interaction between the different components of the jaw opening reflex was identified on EMG, following a conditioning shock, where a cortical evoked response showed a P30 +/- 2.7 peak which was observed concurrently with the jaw opening long latency reflex.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our results identify the interaction between the different components of the jaw opening reflex and the correlation to the cortical evoked response....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(2): 131-136 PubMed PMID: 17435675 Citation  Keywords:  Alcoholism:prevention & control, Choice Behavior:physiology, Humans, Impulsive Behavior:etiology, Inpatients, Male, Middle Aged, Reward, Time Factors,.   

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol dependence has been associated with disrupted neuroendocrine systems, impulsivity in intertemporal choice (delay discounting). However, little is known regarding stability of discount rates in alcoholics. This study examined both differential stability (stability of individual differences) and absolute stability (stability of group mean) of hyperbolic discount rates for monetary gains in severe alcoholic inpatients (diagnosed with DSM-IV) over a 2-month period during abstinence.r />r /> METHODS: We estimated male alcoholics' discount rates for delayed monetary rewards on the basis of their pattern of choices between smaller immediate rewards (1,100-8,000 yen) and larger, delayed rewards (2,500-8,500 yen; at delays from 1 week to 6 months), two times at 2-month time-interval during hospitalized alcohol withdrawal.r />r /> RESULTS: It was observed that the alcoholics' mean hyperbolic discount rates for gains had both differential and absolute stability over 2 months, although a slight non-significant decrease in the group mean of the discount rates was observed.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that abstinent alcoholic's discount rates are stable over a relatively long-term period. The usefulness of assessing discount rates of addicts in psychoneuroendocrinology and neuroeconomics of addiction is discussed....

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Case Reports 2007; 28(2): 137-140 PubMed PMID: 17435674 Citation  Keywords:  Atrophy, Brain Diseases:physiopathology, Diagnosis, Differential, Disease Progression, Facial Muscles:physiopathology, Female, Frontal Lobe:pathology, Humans, Middle Aged, Movement Disorders:diagnosis, Muscle, Skeletal:physiopathology, Reflex:physiology, .   

: We describe a case of slowly developing Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome associated with distinctive bilateral cortical atrophy of frontal lobes in a 59-year old woman. The neurophysiological mechanism and differential diagnosis concerning the unusually slow progression are discussed....

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Clinical Trial 2007; 28(2): 145-148 PubMed PMID: 17435673 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Alcohol Drinking:blood, Ethanol:pharmacology, Exercise:physiology, Human Growth Hormone:blood, Humans, Hydrocortisone:blood, Male,.   

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of moderate amounts of ethanol on the GH and cortisol responses to physical exercise.r />r /> METHODS: Ten normal men underwent three bicycle ergometer tests. Test were carried out in basal conditions (control test) or after drinking 0.5 or 0.75 g/kg BW ethanol. Tests lasted 15 min in all subjects; the workload was increased at 3 min intervals from time 0 until exhaustion. Non-endocrine physiological parameters (NEPP), such as heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation, frequency of breathing, tidal volume, oxygen consumption, carbon oxide production and respiratory exchange ratio were measured from time 0 until exhaustion. Serum GH and cortisol levels were evaluated in blood samples taken at 5-10 min intervals over a 50 min period from time 0.r />r /> RESULTS: Neither basal values, nor exercise-induced changes in NEPP were altered by ethanol drinking. Both GH and cortisol levels significantly rose during the exercise control test. The hormonal responses did not change after 0.5 g/kg BW ethanol, whereas they significantly decreased after 0.75 g/kg BW ethanol.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Modification of the GH and cortisol responses to exercise represents an "endocrine window" of the effects that even moderate ethanol drinking produces in the CNS. The data show that 0.75 g/kg BW ethanol is the minimal amount producing significant inhibitory effects on the GH and cortisol responses to physical exercise. In view of the important roles played by GH and cortisol during physical activity, even moderate ethanol drinking must be avoided before sport....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 149-152 PubMed PMID: 17435672 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Fallopian Tube Diseases:diagnosis, Fallopian Tube Patency Tests, Female, Humans, Hysterosalpingography, Laparoscopy:methods, Microsurgery, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity,.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare tubal patency assessment during microlaparoscopy and laparoscopy and its compatibility with previously performed histerosalpingography (HSG).r />r /> MATERIAL & METHODS: Endoscopic evaluation of tubal patency was performed on 135 women, aged 30-39 (microlaparoscopy in 65 cases, laparoscopy in 70). In the group of 42 patients qualified for endoscopy, histerosalpingography was carried out in the past. The duration of tubal patency assessment was counted from the moment of the salpingograph placement, with trocars already introduced into the peritoneal cavity.r />r /> RESULTS: The mean duration of tubal patency evaluation during laparoscopy was 5'45"+/-39 and during microlaparoscopy - 7'30"+/-49". The results of the examination were afterwards compared with the results of previously performed HSG. Their sensitivity, specificity, compatibility and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of microlaparoscopy in tubal patency assessment were 81% and 100%, respectively; its positive predictive value -100% and negative -96%. As to laparoscopy, the values were established at 90%, 100%, 100% and 98.4%, respectively.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Tubal patency assessment during microlaparoscopy and laparoscopy is characterized by similar sensitivity and specificity. Although the mean duration of microlaparoscopy is significantly longer, the difference in time is of no practical implication....

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Case Reports 2007; 28(2): 141-144 PubMed PMID: 17435671 Citation  Keywords:  Child, Preschool, Congenital Hypothyroidism:complications, Down Syndrome:complications, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Male, Pericardial Effusion:diagnosis, Thyroid Function Tests, Thyroxine:therapeutic use,.   

: Pericardial effusion may be the first sign of congenital or acquired hypothyroidism and will completely resolve after thyroxin therapy. Hypothyroidism is more common in Down syndrome population than normal population. In this report we present four infants with Down syndrome who have pericardial effusion due to congenital hypothyroidism. All of these children with Down syndrome were admitted to our clinic with pericardial effusion. Pericardial effusion was completely resolved with thyroxin therapy without pericardiosentesis. Any child with Down syndrome who present with dyspnea and cardiomegaly should be suspected of having pericardial effusion due to hypothyroidism and echocardiography examination should be performed immediately. Pericardial effusion due to hypothyroidism will completely resolve with L-thyroxin therapy without pericardiosentesis. In conclusion, since a delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism is likely and may favor the development of massive pericardial effusion and because of the difficult diagnosis of the hypothyroidism in Down syndrome, periodic follow-up of thyroid function tests are important....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 153-158 PubMed PMID: 17435670 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Anorexia Nervosa:genetics, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor:genetics, Case-Control Studies, Child, Disease Susceptibility, Female, Genotype, Humans, Personality:genetics, Phenotype, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Risk,.   

OBJECTIVES: Polymorphisms in BDNF gene has been proposed, as susceptibility loci for stress-related psychiatric disorders. Several lines of molecular and biochemical evidence point to the role of BDNF in anorexia nervosa (AN). Personality traits may constitute the intermediate phenotypes between genes and vulnerability to AN.r />r /> METHODS: BDNF Val66Met and -270C/T polymorphisms were genotyped in 149 patients with AN and 100 healthy control females. Temperamental traits in all subjects were measured with Temperament and Character Inventory. First in case-control analysis, we assessed, if analyzed genotypes confer risk for AN. Next, the association of BDNF gene variants with personality dimensions in patients and control subjects was analyzed.r />r /> RESULTS: No significant differences between patients with anorexia nervosa and controls in frequency of genotypes and alleles were observed. AN patients with Met allele showed higher Harm avoidance (Anova F=4.70; p=0.03) than Val/Val homozygotes. AN patients, who carried the T allele of BDNF -270C/T polymorphism showed higher Persistence (Anova F=4.04; p<0.05) and Harm avoidance (Anova F=7.93; p=0.006) than C/C homozygotes, however after correction for multiple testing only the latter association remained statistically significant. No significant relationship between Val/Met 66 genotype and -270C/T genotype with personality was observed in healthy females.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: These results may suggest, that BDNF -270 C/T polymorphism may influence the personality trait associated with higher risk of AN....

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Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 159-165 PubMed PMID: 17435669 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Corticosterone:blood, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental:metabolism, Gastrointestinal Tract:metabolism, Kidney:metabolism, Male, Melatonin:blood, Pancreas:metabolism, Pineal Gland:metabolism, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Spleen:metabolism, .   

OBJECTIVE: Exogenous melatonin was found to protect target organs under conditions of diabetes mellitus, however, concentrations of the hormone in peripheral tissues have not been determined. Therefore the aim of the present study was to measure the daily profile of melatonin levels in the pineal gland, plasma, pancreas, kidney, spleen, duodenum and colon of control and diabetic rats.r />r /> MATERIAL & METHODS: Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg of body weight) and samples were collected over a 24 hr cycle on day 17 after STZ treatment. Melatonin and corticosterone levels were measured directly in plasma and after extraction in the pineal gland and peripheral organs (pancreas, kidney, spleen, duodenum and colon).r />r /> RESULTS: A significant daily rhythm of melatonin concentrations was found not only in the pineal gland and plasma but also in the pancreas, kidney, spleen and duodenum. The daily pattern of melatonin levels in the colon was arrhythmic without a characteristic night-time increase of hormone concentration. Experimentally induced diabetes resulted in lower melatonin levels in the pancreas, kidney and duodenum as compared to control. No differences between STZ-treated and control rats were found in the spleen and colon. Plasma corticosterone levels were enhanced in diabetic rats in comparison with controls and the daily profile was not rhythmic.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the lower amplitude of melatonin rhythm in target organs induced by experimental diabetes can contribute to desynchronization of daily rhythms and can lower the antioxidative capacity of tissues....

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