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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 501-505 PubMed PMID: 16891994 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cerebral Decortication, Corpus Callosum:cytology, Denervation, Frontal Lobe:cytology, Functional Laterality, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Neural Pathways, Occipital Lobe:cytology, Pituitary Gland, Anterior:metabolism, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Test.   

OBJECTIVES: In addition to being regulated by the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, testosterone (T) secretion is influenced by a number of less understood mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to examine whether defined areas of the right cerebral cortex could modulate T production.r />r /> METHODS: In adult male Wistar rats right frontal or occipital decortication, anterior or posterior callosotomy and corresponding sham-operations were performed. After 7-day survival time, T secretion in vitro, serum T and LH concentrations were measured by RIA.r />r /> RESULTS: Right occipital decortication and posterior callosotomy resulted in an increase in T secretion in vitro when compared to the corresponding sham-operated controls. In contrast, right frontal decortication or anterior callosotomy did not interfere with steroidogenesis. Serum LH concentration was not altered by any interventions.r />r /> CONCLUSION: The right occipital but not the right frontal cortex is involved in the control of T secretion. The caudal part of the corpus callosum accommodating the fibers originating from the occipital cortex might have a similar function. The fact that LH remained unchanged in all experimental groups suggests that the right occipital cortex and the caudal part of the corpus callosum influence testicular steroidogenesis by a pituitary-independent mechanism....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 507-512 PubMed PMID: 16891993 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Anthropometry, C-Peptide:blood, Cerebral Palsy:complications, Child, Child Nutrition Disorders:etiology, Child, Preschool, Energy Metabolism, Female, Growth Disorders:etiology, Human Growth Hormone:blood, Humans, Hydrocortisone:blood, Leptin:b.   

AIM: Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are generally undernourished and growth retarded than normal children. The reasons of malnutrition are not only due to poor nutritional status but also nonnutritional factors including negative neurotrophic effects and indirect factor such as immobility, endocrinological abnormalities or spasticity that energy requirements might be contributing factors. Several studies indicated that leptin which is produced by adipocytes, might regulate energy intake and expenditure. The aim of this study is to determine serum leptin levels in children with CP and to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and anthropometric measurements.r />r /> METHODS: Forty children with CP and 18 healthy controls were included in this study. The weight, height, body mass index (BMI), upper arm length (UAL) and triceps skinfold thickness (TST) was measured in all children. Serum leptin, growth hormone, C-peptide and cortisol levels were studied. Based on TST measurement CP patients were divided as DSF group (decreased subcutaneous fat) and non-DSF group (nondecreased subcutaneous fat).r />r /> RESULTS: UAL were shorter and TST measurements were thinner than control group (p<0.05, p<0.01). Group DSF had lower leptin concentrations compared to Group non-DSF and controls (p<0.001, p<0.001). On the other hand non DSF group had higher leptin levels than controls (p<0.05). There was a positive and significant correlation between leptin and anthropometric measurements, especially TST in children with CP. Serum leptin levels were also lower in non-ambulatory children than ambulatory children with CP (p<0.05).r />r /> CONCLUSION: This study has shown that triceps skinfold thickness is better index for the evaluation of nutritional status in children with CP. Serum leptin levels were lower in CP, especially in DSF group. The possible explanation of this finding may not only related with malnutrition, but also immobility related other factors such as bone metabolism and spasticity. We concluded that leptin which regulates energy intake might have a role of nutritional disorders in cerebral palsy. To better understand this relationship further studies are needed....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 439-444 PubMed PMID: 16891992 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Choice Behavior:physiology, Decision Making:physiology, Economics, Humans, Impulsive Behavior:metabolism, Male, Nonlinear Dynamics, Risk-Taking, Saliva:metabolism, Surveys and Questionnaires, Testosterone:metabolism, Time Factors,.   

OBJECTIVES: Although impulsivity has been associated with androgens (e.g., testosterone), little is known regarding the relationship between testosterone levels and impulsivity in intertemporal choice (delay discounting). This study was aimed to examine the relationship between delay discounting of gains and losses and testosterone levels, which is of interest in neuroendocrinology and neuroeconomics.r />r /> METHODS: We assessed degrees to which delayed monetary gains and losses were discounted (hyperbolic discounting rate) in healty male students (age: 22.4+/-2.67). Participants' salivary testosterone levels were also assessed by utilizing liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) method.r />r /> RESULTS: Non-linear curve fitting analysis showed an inverted-U relationship between delay discounting of gains and salivary testosterone levels; while no relationship between salivary testosterone levels and delay discounting of losses was observed.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that (i) testosterone may enhance delay discounting rate of gains in non-impulsive subjects, (ii) testosterone may have an opposite (reducing) effect on delay discounting rate of gains in impulsive subjects, and (iii) testosterone is unrelated to subject's sensitivity to future bad outcomes. Implications for evaluating the effects of testosterone treatment and anti-androgenic therapy on impulsive behavior often observed in psychiatrics (e.g., pathological gambling, credit card debt, substance misuse, and needle-sharing) are discussed....

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Controlled Clinical Trial 2006; 27(4): 513-515 PubMed PMID: 16891991 Citation  Keywords:  Aged, Analgesics:administration & dosage, Bone Density Conservation Agents:administration & dosage, Diphosphonates:administration & dosage, Female, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Male, Middle Aged, Osteitis Deformans:complications, Pain:drug therapy, Pai.   

INTRODUCTION: Although an analgesic effect is an essential component of the mode of action of bisphosphonates, its physiological mechanisms are still unclear. Beta-endorphin release plays an important role in the analgesic effect of both calcitonin and raloxifene. As patients with Paget's disease receive large doses of bisphosphonates within relatively short time periods, we examined whether repeated pamidronate infusion therapy would cause measurable change in beta-endorphin levelsr />r /> MATERIALS & METHODS: Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of pain intensity, beta-endorphin levels, and alkaline phosphatase activity of 11 patients with Paget's disease (7 with the mono- and 4 with the polyostotic form) were determined at baseline, as well as after 3 and 6 infusions (on Days 6 and 12 of treatment, respectively). Eleven untreated patients with Paget's disease (7 with the mono- and 4 with the polyostotic form) served as controls.r />r /> RESULTS: It was established that in the course of pamidronate infusion therapy BE levels remained constant, whereas the values in serum alkaline phosphatase and pain intensity scores were significantly reduced.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Although high-dose pamidronate therapy does mitigate pain substantially (as demonstrated by the reduction of VAS scores), its analgesic action is probably unrelated to the enhancement of beta-endorphin release....

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Clinical Trial 2006; 27(4): 523-528 PubMed PMID: 16891990 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Female, Humans, Hysteroscopy:methods, Infertility, Female:diagnostic imaging, Leiomyoma:diagnostic imaging, Polyps:diagnostic imaging, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity, Sodium Chloride, Ultrasonography:methods, Uterine Neoplas.   

OBJECTIVES: The preliminary study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) in the detection of intrauterine pathologies in infertile women The SIS findings were compared to the results of two widely used procedures: transvaginal sonography (TVS) and hysteroscopy (HS).r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: 68 infertile women, aged 27-42 were enrolled in the study. TVS, SIS and diagnostic HS were consecutively performed in every patient. The results of each method were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values for TVS and SIS were obtained.r />r /> RESULTS: Intrauterine pathologies were diagnosed in 25% of patients. TVS detected 6 (37.5%) and SIS revealed 11 (87.5%) of 13 intrauterine pathologies finally visualized at diagnostic hysteroscopy. TVS failed to visualize three submucous myomas, one endometrial polyp and two cases of septate uteri. All three cases of intrauterine synechiae were not detected with this method One submucous myoma and one endometrial polyp were not identified with SIS. The study group was, however, too limited to show statistically significant differences in diagnostic accuracy among TVS, SIS and HS.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Saline infusion sonohysterography is simple, sensitive and inexpensive diagnostic method. The procedure is not time-consuming, causes minimal discomfort to the patient and may be performed without anesthesia in office settings. The method may be recommended for the diagnosis of intrauterine pathologies in infertile women....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 529-534 PubMed PMID: 16891989 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Condylomata Acuminata:epidemiology, Female, Human papillomavirus 11, Human papillomavirus 16, Human papillomavirus 6, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical, Kidney Failure, Chronic:epidemiology, Kidney Transplantation:s.   

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate: 1) The prevalence of human papillomavirus (types 6 and 11 carrying a low risk of neoplasia, and type 16 implicated as cause of cervical neoplasia and cancer) in normal pregnant women and pregnant renal transplant recipients. 2) The correlation between maternal HPV infection and HPV presence in the cord blood and the oral cavity of the neonate. Evaluation of a likely, additional route of HPV transmission to the fetus, apart from the infected birth canal during vaginal delivery. The correlation between the mode of delivery in HPV-infected patients and the presence of HPV in their offspring.r />r /> DESIGN: Thirty-nine pregnant patients were included in the study. The study group consisted of nine pregnant renal transplant recipients. The control group consisted of 30 patients with normal pregnancy. The DNA of HPV types 6, 11 and 16 was studied in the discharge from the cervical canal, the maternal venous blood, the cord blood and the buccal smear obtained from the neonates.r />r /> SETTING: A university teaching hospital delivering approximately 2000 women annually.r />r /> RESULTS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in 10 (26%) of 39 subjects. HPV types 6 and 11 was found in 7 (18%) of 39 subjects while HPV type 16 was present in 5 (13%) of the subjects. The co-occurrence of HPV types 6, 11 and 16 was detected in 2 patients from the control group. Transmission of HPV was established in 70% of study patients and their offspring.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: 1) The HPV was found with 26% pregnant women. 2) The occurrence of HPV infections with pregnant renal transplant recipients in comparison with normal pregnancy was on similar level. High percentage of HPV transmission from mother to neonate was obtained. 3) The cesarean section probably doesn't protect from HPV infection. 4) There's a suggestion, the HPV infection of fetus may occur in utero....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 539-546 PubMed PMID: 16891988 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Astrocytes:physiology, Brain Injuries:pathology, Capillaries:metabolism, Cell Differentiation:physiology, Cerebral Cortex:blood supply, Endoplasmic Reticulum:metabolism, Endothelium, Vascular:cytology, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Microscopy, Elec.   

OBJECTIVES: We investigated neovasculatization in the cerebral cortex of the adult rat after surgical brain injury by ultrastructural, immunocytochemical and immunochemical means. Previously we described endothelial-like cell that participates in new vessel formation on plasma proteins that served as a provisional matrix in the region immediately adjacent to the traumatic injury. In the present study we describe new vessel formation in the multistep process with the alterations in endothelial-like cell immunophenotype.r />r /> METHOD: The observations were conducted from 2 to 7 days after induction of cortical trauma. Traumatic injury was induced in the frontotemporal region of cerebral cortex.r />r /> RESULTS: We show that endothelial-like cell could not successfully terminate its development without the presence of pericyte and astrocyte. New formed blood vessels were accompanied by fibroblast and lipofibroblast cells differentiated probably from common progenitor.r />r /> MAIN FINDINGS: Our result suggests that endothelial-like cell is committed endothelial cell between progenitor endothelial cell and terminally differentiated endothelium stage. Therefore, we propose that our of endothelial stem cells present in blood at different stages of morphogenetic differentiation and specifically arrested in "check points" of development trauma mobilize the group of the most differentiated progenitors. These may contribute to new vessel formation.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our model should be useful for the characterization of endothelial commitment and endothelial cell differentiation after brain injury....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(4): 493-500 PubMed PMID: 16891987 Citation  Keywords:  Adiponectin:blood, Adipose Tissue:metabolism, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging:metabolism, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Cholesterol, HDL:blood, Cholesterol, LDL:blood, Energy Metabolism:physiology, Female, Humans, Insulin:metabolism, Insulin Resi.   

OBJECTIVES: Adipose tissue secretes proteins which regulate energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin possesses anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic and insulin-sensitizing properties. To assess the prognostic factors in prolonged survival and the potential protective role of adiponectin in aging, we examined the release of adiponectin in relation to the metabolic status of centenarians, compared with young, early elderly and obese subjects.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 122 women: 22 centenarians aged 100-102 yrs, 45 younger women aged 20-43 yrs, 19 early elderly women aged 64-67 yrs, and 36 obese women aged 26-54 yrs. Anthropometric data, clinical features and blood samples were obtained. Plasma adiponectin and insulin concentrations were measured by RIA methods. Fasting plasma glucose levels, lipid profile and creatinine concentrations were determined using routine laboratory procedures.r />r /> RESULTS: In centenarians we found that adiponectin concentrations were significantly increased, compared with young, early elderly and obese women. Insulin concentrations were lower than those in young and obese subjects. HOMA-IR was significantly lower than in obese women. Positive correlations were found between adiponectin and HDL, and negative correlations between adiponectin and HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, blood pressure and BMI.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that adiponectin may play a protective role that contributes to longevity....

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