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Journal Article 2014; 35(3): 236-241 PubMed PMID: 24977975 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor:metabolism, Estradiol:metabolism, Female, Follicular Phase:metabolism, Humans, Luteal Phase:metabolism, Monitoring, Physiologic, Progesterone:metabolism, Saliva:metabolism, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and sex hormones (estradiol [E2] and progesterone), using saliva samples obtained from healthy women.r />r /> METHODS: Forty female dental hygienist students were divided into groups according to being in the follicular phase or luteal phase. Saliva BDNF, E2, and progesterone levels were measured using a sandwich ELISA system. The correlation between these factors was analyzed using Spearman's index, and fluctuations of these levels in the whole menstrual cycle were investigated classifying the subjects by every 4 days according to the phase of their menstrual cycle.r />r /> RESULTS: Saliva BDNF variations strongly correlated with saliva E2 levels in the follicular phase (r = 0.721, p = 0.000) and luteal phase (r = 0.770, p = 0.000). The correlation coefficient showing the relationship between progesterone and BDNF levels in the luteal phase (r = 0.371, p = 0.157) was lower than that in the follicular phase (r = 0.631, p = 0.001). Moreover, the fluctuation of BDNF levels in the menstrual cycle followed a similar pattern to that of E2.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: We found that saliva BDNF and E2 levels were closely related in healthy young women. In particular, for first time, that correlation was investigated throughout the menstrual cycle. Monitoring of saliva BDNF may yield insight into women's reproductive and mental health....

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Controlled Clinical Trial 2014; 35(3): 230-235 PubMed PMID: 24977974 Citation  Keywords:  Accelerometry, Adult, Biosensing Techniques, Circadian Rhythm:drug effects, Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal:administration & dosage, Female, Humans, Monitoring, Ambulatory:methods, Postural Balance:drug effects, Posture:physiology, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate diurnal changes of the postural control in young women without and with hormonal contraceptive treatment.r />r /> METHODS: The postural activity was assessed during stance from two accelerometers positioned at the level of the lumbar (L5) and thoracic (Th4) vertebra in twenty healthy young women non-using (13) and using (7) hormonal contraception.r />r /> RESULTS: We observed a significant increase of trunk tilts in the morning in the group of women with hormonal contraception compared to control. Women with hormonal contraception showed the significant decrease of trunk tilts and their velocity in the evening in relation to increased morning data at the L5 in anterior-posterior direction during stance on foam. Measurements at Th4 showed higher variability of lateral trunk tilts in conditions with altered somatosensory inputs. Distinct reduction of velocity of lateral trunk tilts in the evening related to morning measurements were present in the control group at the L5 in conditions with altered somatosensory inputs and at the Th4 in all experimental conditions in both groups.r />r /> CONCLUSION: We demonstrated diurnal changes of the postural control in young women. Women using hormonal contraceptives showed a weakened postural stability compared with the control group in the morning and the normalization of postural stability in the evening to the values of the control group. These findings suggest that the time of day and the use of hormonal contraception affect postural stability of women....

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Journal Article 2014; 35(3): 224-229 PubMed PMID: 24977973 Citation  Keywords:  Alzheimer Disease:genetics, Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases:genetics, Amyloid beta-Peptides:antagonists & inhibitors, Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor:metabolism, Cells, Cultured, Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic:drug effects, Humans, Insulin:ph.   

OBJECTIVE: Amyloid-beta (Abeta) is a 36-43 amino acid peptide that is derived by processing of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Abeta plays a central role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although growing evidence suggests that insulin has important functions in Abeta metabolism, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown.r />r /> METHODS: Using an SH-SY5Y cell line overexpressing human APP Swedish mutant (APPsw), we evaluated the effect of insulin on APP processing and Abeta production by using western blot analysist.r />r /> RESULTS: Our data showed that administration of insulin reduced the Abeta generation in culture media with a concomitant decreases in the levels of beta-secretase BACE1, secreted extracellular domain (sAPPbeta) and a fragment of 99 amino acids (C99) in APPsw cells. We further showed that insulin increased the levels of alpha-secretase ADAM10, a secreted extracellular domain secreted (sAPPa) and a fragment of 83 amino acids (C83) in APPsw cells.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our present data suggest that insulin could inhibit Abeta production through modulation of APP processing by increasing cleavage at the a-secretase site and decreased cleavage at the beta-secretase sites....

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Journal Article 2014; 35(3): 218-223 PubMed PMID: 24977972 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Case-Control Studies, Chemokines:blood, Female, Humans, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis:blood, Obesity:blood, Overweight:blood, Thinness:blood, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVES: Chemerin, a novel adipokine produced by adipose tissue and liver, is associated with markers of metabolic syndrome, and additionally, acting as chemoattractant for cells of immune system it may regulate immune cell properties.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to evaluate plasma chemerin concentration in multiple sclerosis (MS) individuals we investigated 39 MS patients (among them 23 subjects were lean and 16 were overweight or obese) and 42 controls with tension headaches (29 of them were lean and 13 were overweight or obese). All patients had a brain MRI scan with gadolinium contrast as well as an assessment of the presence of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and estimation of the CSF IgG index. The neurologic status was evaluated with use of the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Chemerin levels in plasma were measured using ELISA kit. Lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels, CRP and selected cytokine concentrations were also determined.r />r /> RESULTS: Plasma chemerin concentrations in overweight/obese MS subjects were higher when comparing to lean MS individuals and the controls, both from lean and overweight/obese subgroups. Significant difference was found between the results of overweight/obese MS and lean controls.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: An increase of chemerin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with overweight and obesity....

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Journal Article 2014; 35(3): 213-217 PubMed PMID: 24977971 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Child, Crime Victims:psychology, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Oxytocin:blood, Stress, Psychological:blood, Suicide, Attempted:psychology, Violence:psychology, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVE: Some studies have reported an inverse relationship between childhood adversity and oxytocin levels. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between CSF and plasma oxytocin levels and lifetime trauma history in suicide attempters. We hypothesised lower CSF and plasma oxytocin levels in suicide attempters with high exposure to interpersonal violence and negative childhood emotional climate.r />r /> METHODS: 28 medication free suicide attempters participated in the study. CSF and plasma morning basal levels of oxytocin were assessed with specific radioimmunoassays. The Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS) was used to elicit lifetime trauma history and revictimization status and the childhood emotional climate factor was derived from the socialization subscale of the Karolinska Scales of Personality.r />r /> RESULTS: Correlations between exposure to interpersonal violence as a child and as an adult and CSF and plasma oxytocin levels were not significant. Revictimized suicide attempters had significantly lower plasma oxytocin levels and more negative childhood emotional climate compared to non-revictimized suicide attempters.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a complex relationship between life time trauma and the oxytocin system....

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Journal Article 2014; 35(3): 206-212 PubMed PMID: 24977970 Citation  Keywords:  Attitude to Health, Bipolar Disorder:epidemiology, Communication, Community Networks:organization & administration, Humans, Internet, Interpersonal Relations, Self-Help Groups:organization & administration, Social Behavior,.   

OBJECTIVE: The main therapeutic approach in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder is the administration of drugs. The effectiveness of this approach can be increased by specific psychotherapeutic interventions. There is not much knowledge about self-help initiatives in this field. Anonymous internet communication may be beneficial, regardless of the fact that it is non-professional. It offers a chance to confide and share symptoms with other patients, to open up for persons with feelings of shame, and to obtain relevant information without having a direct contact with an expert.r />r /> METHODS: Qualitative analysis of web discussions used by patients with bipolar disorder in Czech language was performed. Using key words "diskuze" (discussion), "maniodeprese" (manic depression) and "bipolární porucha" (bipolar disorder), 8 discussions were found, but only 3 of them were anonymous and non-professional. Individual discussion entries were analyzed for basic categories or subcategories, and these were subsequently assessed so that their relationships could be better understood.r />r /> RESULTS: A total of 436 entries from 3 discussion web pages were analyzed. Subsequently, six categories were identified (participant, diagnosis, relationships, communication, topic and treatment), each having 5-12 subcategories. These were analyzed in terms of relationships and patterns.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Czech discussion web pages for people suffering from bipolar disorder are a lively community of users supporting each other, that may be characterized as a compact body open to newcomers. They seem to fulfill patients' needs that are not fully met by health care services. It also has a "self-cleaning" ability, effectively dealing with posts that are inappropriate, provocative, criticizing, aggressive or meaningless....

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Comment 2014; 35(3): 204-205 PubMed PMID: 24977969 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Dogs, Female, Hair:chemistry, Male, Mercury:analysis, Preservatives, Pharmaceutical:adverse effects, Thimerosal:adverse effects, Vaccines:administration & dosage,.   

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Comment 2014; 35(3): 202-203 PubMed PMID: 24977968 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Dogs, Female, Hair:chemistry, Male, Mercury:analysis, Preservatives, Pharmaceutical:adverse effects, Thimerosal:adverse effects, Vaccines:administration & dosage,.   

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