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Letter 2001; 22(5): 330-331 PubMed PMID: 11600874 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Animals, Child, Child, Preschool, Cytokines:secretion, Epilepsy:physiopathology, Female, Humans, Infant, Interleukin-1:secretion, Male, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha:secretion,.   

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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 326-329 PubMed PMID: 11600873 Citation  Keywords:  Cell Division, Hormones:physiology, Humans, Mutation, Neoplasms:etiology,.   

: Though great advances in cancer biology have taken place through these years, some fundamental questions are still to be explained. Some observations in this regard are discussed in the present paper. In the course of experimental studies on hormonal stimulation of target cells, it was observed that goat granulosa cells showed differential proliferative response to sustained stimulation by oLH and hCG in culture. oLH caused cells to proliferate whereas hCG failed to stimulate the cells though both the gonadotropins have common receptors on the target cell. Further studies might throw some light on the mechanism of signal transduction in cell biology and neoplasia. A question is also posed as to how to interpret thermodynamically the sustained growth of cancer vis-a-vis the host....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(4): 295-304 PubMed PMID: 11524636 Citation  Keywords:  Affect, Ethics, Medical, Fetus, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Nervous System Physiological Phenomena, Object Attachment, Parent-Child Relations, Perinatology:methods, Terminology as Topic, Touch:physiology, Ultrasonography, Prenatal:adverse effects,.   

: This article gives a short introduction to the science of Haptonomy and more specially to the application of its specific phenomenality of psychotactile affective contact and interaction during prenatal and postnatal life and during childbirth. The neurophysiological implications and the influence of this approach on the pain threshold are briefly mentioned, as well as psychological influences on the postnatal development of the child. Finally, there is a critical commentary on the use of the ultra-sound scan....

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Case Reports 2001; 22(4): 263-269 PubMed PMID: 11524634 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Child, Choristoma:diagnostic imaging, Female, Hormones:therapeutic use, Humans, Hyoid Bone, Mandibular Diseases:drug therapy, Middle Aged, Thyroid Gland, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Tongue Diseases:diagnostic imaging,.   

OBJECTIVES: The authors describe the classification of heterotopic thyroid tissue. A survey of more than 600 literature cases is provided. Different therapy approaches for these anomalies are discussed. Data from seven subsequent cases have been added to the existing literature data. The authors present an alternative approach to the therapy of heterotopic thyroid tissue.r />r /> MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of seven patients treated for a heterotopy of the thyroid tissue as the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery of First Medical school of the Charles University of Prague since 1.1.1991 to 1.1.2001 have been analyzed.r />r /> RESULTS: The first group: No surgery. This approach was used for children. In these patients the heterotopic thyroid tissue is the only thyroid tissue they have, but its function is not damaged and there are no mechanical symptoms (no airway obstruction and dysphagia). TSH substitution-suppression therapy is necessary for this group. Cooperation and follow up by the endocrinology, otolaryngology and pediatric departments is necessary. At a later age these patients can be treated as in the second group. The second group: Surgery. All patients in this group had heterotopic thyroid tissue. The total removal of thyroid tissue has been preferred. Carcinomatous change or the development of mechanical syndrome, dysphagia or airway obstruction is possible. Total removal is the best surgical approach. Various surgical methods are described in the literature (CO2 laser, intraoral, mandibulotomy, middle hyotomy etc.). These patients are treated as after total thyroidectomy and substitution therapy with synthetic thyroid hormones is necessary. The authors describe and add seven cases to the literature data. The authors describe radical removal of aberrant and accessory tissue [corrected]....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(4): 255-262 PubMed PMID: 11524633 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Circadian Rhythm:drug effects, Drug Administration Schedule, Growth Hormone:blood, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I:metabolism, Male, Melatonin:administration & dosage, Oscillometry, Osmolar Concentration, Pineal Gland:physiology, Rats, Rats, Wistar,.   

BACKGROUND: A relationship between circadian GH-IGF-I axis activity and pineal gland function in rats is not sufficiently elucidated, particularly in the aspect of melatonin (MEL) participation with relation to a possible mechanism of these dependencies.r />r /> OBJECTIVE: Influence of pinealectomy and long-term MEL administration on circadian GH-IGF-I axis function in male rats was evaluated. An attempt was also made to determine whether the effect of exogenous MEL is dependent on the pineal gland presence.r />r /> METHODS: Studies were performed in 192 sexually mature male Wistar rats, which were subjected to pinealectomy or sham operation. In half of the animals from each group MEL (Sigma, USA) in dose of 50 microg/ 100g b.m. was administrated intraperitoneally (daily between 5 and 6 pm during a 4-week period). Blood for RIA assays of MEL, GH and IGF-I concentrations was collected every 3 hours during a day-beginning at 8 am (rats killed by decapitation).r />r /> RESULTS: Significant influence of pinealectomy and exogenous MEL on a daily profile of endogenous MEL in rats was confirmed. Distinct, dependent on the time of the day anomalies in circadian oscillations of GH and IGF-I showing positive correlation with changes in endogenous MEL concentrations were also shown. GH rhythm was suppressed in a group of rats with removed pineal gland; after pinealectomy distinct decrease and after MEL use - distinct increase of GH and IGF-I concentrations during the day were observed. It had influenced mean daily concentrations and values of amplitude of circadian GH and IGF-I oscillations in all studied groups of animals. In rats with preserved pineal gland the effect of exogenous MEL action was more intensified.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Pineal gland can influence circadian function of GH-IGF-I axis, and in mechanism of this dependence, changes in endogenous MEL concentrations seem to play an important role. Administration of MEL in rats after pinealectomy only partly prevents changes of GH-IGF-I axis function caused by gland removal, which can indicate participation of other pineal gland substances in generating disturbances. Influence of exogenous MEL on GH-IGF-I axis function during the day is dependent on the presence of pineal gland, which can be connected with indirect and/or direct influence of administrated hormone on this gland....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(4): 251-254 PubMed PMID: 11524632 Citation  Keywords:  Aging:physiology, Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Endocrine System Diseases:drug therapy, Female, Macaca mulatta, Melatonin:blood, Nervous System Diseases:drug therapy, Oligopeptides:therapeutic use, Osmolar Concentration,.   

UNLABELLED: The OBJECTIVE of this research was to investigate the regulatory effect of Epitalon on the production of melatonin and cortisol in senescent monkeys.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated the character of melatonin and cortisol secretion by immunoferment assay in Epitalon-administered female Macaca mulatta in different age periods.r />r /> RESULTS: Epitalon was proven to significantly stimulate melatonin synthesis in senescent monkeys in the evening, thereby normalising the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(4): 248-250 PubMed PMID: 11524631 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Contraceptives, Oral:pharmacology, Female, Humans, Hyperandrogenism:complications, Incidence, Italy, Menstruation Disturbances:complications, Multiple Sclerosis:complications, Reference Values,.   

: A mild prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is present in females (2:1). To elucidate the pathogenetic role of sex steroids on the disease, we studied 76 women affected by MS, compared to 50 healthy women (mean age +/- SD, 34.9 +/- 0.9 vs. 33.4 +/- 1.7 years). The menarche was at mean age of 12.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 12.4 +/- 0.2. Interval between menses was 28.0 +/- 0.3 vs 27.8 +/- 0.3 days, with duration of menstrual flow of 5.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 5.0 +/- 0.2 days. Oligo- or amenorrhea was present in 20% of patients and in 16% of controls. Oral contraceptives were assumed by 21% of patients and 34% of controls (n.s.). Premenstrual symptoms were found in 43% of patients and in 46% of controls (n.s.). The incidence of hyperandrogenism (greasy skin, acne and hirsutism), evaluated by a specific questionnaire, was higher and statistically significant in MS patients than in controls (28% vs. 10%, p<0.05). Further studies, including a complete clinical and laboratory evaluation of gonadal function, are necessary in order to clarify whether hyperandrogenism may influence MS disease activity....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(4): 243-247 PubMed PMID: 11524630 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Anti-Anxiety Agents:therapeutic use, Anxiety Disorders:drug therapy, Genitalia, Male:drug effects, Gonadotropins:blood, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System:drug effects, Isoindoles, Male, Middle Aged, Piperazines:therapeutic use, Prolactin:blood.   

BACKGROUND: Serotonin (5-HT) agonists are reported to affect prolactin (PRL) and gonadotropin secretion. A small study was conducted on male patients with generalized anxiety disorders to investigate the clinical and neuroendocrinological effects of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist tandospirone (TDS) on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.r />r /> METHODS: The subjects for the present study included 11 male outpatients. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in this study. The endocrine studies were done before and during TDS administration. Psychiatric ratings were done using the Japanese version of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.r />r /> RESULTS: We found that both state- and trait-anxiety scores were significantly reduced by TDS treatment; there was no significant difference in PRL, gonadotropins or testosterone (T) between the patients and normal controls; TDS administration showed significant stimulatory effects on PRL and T; and PRL change between baseline and TDS steady state (DeltaPRL) did not show a significant correlation with improvement in state or trait-anxiety scores.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PRL response may not provide a clinical predictor; (2) PRL level may not reflect the level of anxiety, and 5-HT(1A) may have stimulatory effects on PRL. However, further, double-blind evaluation with a larger sample would be needed for clarification of effects of 5-HT(1A) on the HPG axis....

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