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Journal Article 2006; 27(3): 327-332 PubMed PMID: 16816829 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation:therapeutic use, Combined Modality Therapy, Double-Blind Method, Drug Resistance, Electric Stimulation Therapy:methods, Female, Humans, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:therapy, .   

BACKGROUND: The goal of our study is to assess whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) would facilitate the effect of antidepressant in OCD patients.r />r /> METHOD: The aim of the randomized, double-blind, sham controlled study was to compare the 2 and 4 week efficacy of the 10 sessions rTMS with sham rTMS in serotonin reuptake inhibitor resistant OCD patient. Thirty three right-handed patients were randomly assigned to either active rTMS or to sham rTMS. Active rTMS with the frequency of 1 Hz at 110% of motor threshold (MT) was administered over the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. The same time schedule was used for sham administration. Thirty patients finished the study, three patients' dropped out at the beginning. Psychopathology was assessed by CGI, HAMA, Y-BOCS and BAI before the treatment, immediately after the experimental treatment, and 2 weeks after the experimental treatment by an independent reviewer.r />r /> RESULTS: Both groups improved during the study period but the treatment effect did not differ between them in any of the instruments.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Low frequency rTMS administered over the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex during 10 daily sessions did not differ from sham rTMS in facilitating the effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in OCD patients....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(3): 369-372 PubMed PMID: 16816828 Citation  Keywords:  Adaptation, Physiological:drug effects, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Cholesterol:metabolism, Cold Temperature, Female, Hot Temperature, Kidney:metabolism, Lipid Metabolism:drug effects, Lipids:blood, Liver:metabolism, Male, Mice, Muscarinic Antagonists:.   

OBJECTIVES: The effect of scopolamine administration at dose 0,5 g/kg b.w. and high (+40 degrees C) and low (+4 degrees C) temperature on the level of triacyloglycerides, total lipids and cholesterol in the mouse liver, kidney and muscle of males and females.r />r /> METHODS: The homogenates of the liver, kidney and muscle were taken for examination. The concentrations of triacyloglycerides, total lipids and cholesterol was estimated according to the Bio-La-Tests (Poland).r />r /> RESULTS: The concentration of triacyloglycerides and total lipids in the liver, kidney and muscle increased of males and females after scopolamine injections and after exposure to high and low temperatures.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Scopolamine may effect an increase in the rate of the lipid metabolism....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(3): 381-386 PubMed PMID: 16816827 Citation  Keywords:  Carcinoma:genetics, CpG Islands:physiology, DNA Methylation, Exons:physiology, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic:physiology, Humans, Neoplasm Proteins:genetics, Ovarian Neoplasms:genetics, RNA, Messenger:analysis, gamma-Synuclein:genetics,.   

BACKGROUND: The synucleins are a family of small cytoplasmic proteins that are expressed predominantly in neurons. Recently, their expression has been found also in many human cancers.r />r /> AIM: To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the abnormal expression of SNCG in malignant ovarian tumors, in this study, we examined the methylation status of a CpG island located in exon 1 of SNCG gene in a panel of ovarian malignant tumors to determine if DNA methylation is related to clinical and histological tumor characteristics.r />r /> METHODS: SNCG mRNA expression in tumor samples was assessed by RT-PCR. Methylation status of SNCG gene was studied using methylation specific PCR (MSP).r />r /> RESULTS: Study group included 43 ovarian carcinoma samples (40 primary and 3 metastatic). The expression of SNCG mRNA was detectable in 33 of 43 ovarian cancer cases (76.7%). There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression between serous or nonserous tumors. The presence of SNCG mRNA in tumor samples was not correlated with age and menopausal status of patients, also no correlation was found with clinical stage or histological grading of malignant tumors. In 29 of 43 (67.4%) cases of tumors unmethylated product of MSP amplification was present. In a group of SNCG mRNA-positive tumors there were 75.7% (25 of 33) cases with demethylated or hypomethylated exon 1 of SNCG. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (chi2 =4.46; p=0.034). Demethylation of SNCG was not related to clinical tumor stage (p>0.05), but it was strongly associated with tumor grading (chi2=6.66; p=0.035). Aberrant methylation of SNCG was more often seen in tumors of women after menopause (78.2% vs 55%). In postmenopausal women 18 of 33 (62.1%) tumor samples synuclein-gamma mRNA expression was found, however the differences were not statistically significant. No correlations between SNCG hypomethylation and patient age, clinical stage and tumor grading were found. In 9 of 43 samples (21%) both products of amplification with methylated or unmethylated primer sets were found. In all of these cases SNCG mRNA was present.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: SNCG mRNA is expressed in a substantial proportion of malignant ovarian tumors and demethylation is an important event in abnormal synuclein-gamma expression in most of these cases....

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Clinical Trial 2006; 27(3): 387-391 PubMed PMID: 16816826 Citation  Keywords:  Administration, Cutaneous, Administration, Oral, Adult, Drug Combinations, Drug Therapy, Combination, Estradiol:administration & dosage, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Hormone Replacement Therapy:methods, Hormones:administration & dosage, Humans, Kidney Trans.   

OBJECTIVES: The assessment of efficacy and safety of two regimens of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in women after kidney transplantation with climacteric symptoms.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: Combined transdermal or transdermal-oral hormonal replacement therapy was administered to 86 kidney-transplanted women, aged 31-52 years, with moderate to severe climacteric symptoms in years 1995-2005. The patients underwent follow-up examinations one, three and six months after onset of the therapy and every four months subsequently. Blood pressure, body weight, sex hormone profile, serum parameters of both kidney and liver function, endometrial image in transvaginal sonography and reduction of climacteric symptoms were assessed.r />r /> RESULTS: The mean time of the therapy was 5.6 years for transdermal-oral regimen (54 patients) and 4.7 years for transdermal regimen (32 patients). Most patients reported reduction of climacteric symptoms and improved life quality after 6 months of HRT. 28% of women discontinued therapy for medical indications, most often due to significant deterioration of liver function. One case of profound vein thrombosis was noted. 21% of women decided to discontinue therapy after the results of the WHI trial had been published.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal replacement therapy is effective in climacteric symptoms relief and improvement of life quality in kidney transplanted women. Higher rate of side effects observed in that group of patients contributes to the need for frequent, attentive surveillance. Further studies should be conducted to establish the optimal doses and routes of administration of HRT as well as to assess the range of necessary follow-up examinations....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(3): 297-305 PubMed PMID: 16807525 Citation  Keywords:  Alzheimer Disease:cerebrospinal fluid, Amyloid beta-Peptides:cerebrospinal fluid, Biomarkers:cerebrospinal fluid, Brain:metabolism, Cerebrospinal Fluid:chemistry, Depressive Disorder, Major:cerebrospinal fluid, Female, Humans, Male, Neurotransmitter Agent.   

: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear and colourless fluid that surrounds the brain and spine. Due to the close proximity of CSF to the brain, pathological brain-processes are likely to be reflected in CSF. CSF can be obtained through lumbar puncture and is frequently performed in the differential diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Beyond clinical applications, CSF has been studied as part of different research-protocols. In this review, we will focus on CSF-analysis in Alzheimer Disease, major depression and schizophrenia. We will review both clinical applications as well as research applications in all three disorders. We will also assess new technological advances that have made it possible to study large numbers of proteins in CSF and how these advances may change CSF-analysis in the years to come....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(3): 315-320 PubMed PMID: 16807524 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Empathy, Exploratory Behavior:physiology, Female, Humans, Leadership, Male, Personality:physiology, Psychology, Adolescent, Reference Values, Saliva:physiology, Sex Factors, Social Dominance, Testosterone:physiology,.   

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that gender - dependent differences in novelty seeking, leadership, and sympathy might correlate with testosterone titre. Since several studies report that the impact of testosterone on personality traits is more visible under emotional challenging situations, we harvested saliva testosterone upon an anticipated stressor (academic examination) and under basal conditions.r />r /> SETTING AND DESIGN: 19 female and 23 male adolescents (17 to 19 years of age) completed standardized questionnaires on sensation seeking, anxiety, and social interaction. Two weeks later, they had to write an anticipated, rigorous examination in mathematics in their school. Before and after the examination, saliva had been harvested from each subject and testosterone titre has been estimated.r />r /> METHODS: Saliva testosterone was quantified using a luminescence immunoassay (LIA). Each subject completed questionnaires on sensations seeking according to Zuckerman (SSS - V), anxiety (STAI), and social interactions.r />r /> RESULTS: Both genders showed an increase in their testosterone titre shortly after examination or announcement of test scores. A Spearman correlation coefficient indicated a significant correlation between testosterone titre and sensation seeking subscales in female but not in male subjects. Analysis of social interactions revealed that peers regarded male subjects, who had high testosterone titres, as leaders but not as likeable individuals, whereas they regarded female subjects, who had high testosterone titres, not as leaders but as highly likeable individuals.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Theses findings strongly suggest that testosterone has gender specific effects on novelty seeking, dominance, and sympathy....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(3): 339-343 PubMed PMID: 16807523 Citation  Keywords:  Acetylcholine:metabolism, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone:blood, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Behavior, Animal:drug effects, Blood Glucose:metabolism, Cholinesterase Inhibitors:administration & dosage, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Excitatory Amino Acid.   

OBJECTIVE: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis controls glucocorticoid secretion and is in turn controlled by a diverse set of afferents in the brain. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these actions remain to be elucidated. In our previous study, a lesion in the entorhinal cortex, which is the major provider of glutamatergic innervation to the hippocampus, significantly attenuated the elevation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in plasma during immobilization stress. In the present study, we examined the effects of microinjections of glutamatergic agonists into the hippocampus on plasma ACTH and glucose concentrations. We also studied the interactions between glutamate and acetylcholine in this response in the hippocampus.r />r /> MATERIALS AND METHODS: NMDA and AMPA subtypes of glutamate agonists were microinjected into the rat hippocampus, and ACTH and glucose levels in plasma were measured. The interaction between cholinergic and glutamatergic systems was investigated pharmacologically.r />r /> RESULTS: Both the NMDA and AMPA subtypes of glutamate agonists induced elevations of plasma ACTH and glucose levels in a dose-dependent fashion. These responses were independent of those induced by activation of the hippocampal cholinergic system.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Stimulation by the NMDA and AMPA subtypes of glutamate receptors in the hippocampus induced elevations of plasma ACTH and glucose, and these responses were independent of the cholinergic system....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(3): 333-337 PubMed PMID: 16807522 Citation  Keywords:  Female, Humans, Male, Monoamine Oxidase:genetics, Pain Measurement, Pain, Postoperative:genetics, Perception:physiology, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Reference Values, Sex Factors, Tonsillectomy,.   

OBJECTIVES: The monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is an enzyme involved in metabolism of dopamine, benzylamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine and tryptamine. The A/G polymorphism in intron 13 of the MAO-B gene has been previously found to be associated with variability of the MAO-B enzyme activity. The aim of the present association study has been to examine the relationship between the A/G polymorphism in intron 13 and postoperative pain intensity.r />r /> METHODS: 284 subjects (105 males and 179 females) undergoing planned tonsillectomy were examined. The intensity of pain was evaluated using 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). A PCR method with allele specific primers for detection of A/G polymorphism was used.r />r /> RESULTS: We found a relationship between the A/G polymorphism in intron 13 of the MAO-B gene and average intensity of postoperative pain in male subjects. Higher average intensity of postoperative pain was detected in males with the G allele (3.96) in comparison with males with the A allele (3.45) and the difference was statistically significant (p<0,03).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate the relationship between the MAO-B polymorphism and postoperative pain intensity in the Czech male population. A potential role of MAO-B in the perception of pain intensity is discussed....

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