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Clinical Trial 2013; 34(6): 566-572 PubMed PMID: 24378447 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Animals, Contraceptives, Oral:administration & dosage, Dogs, Facial Pain:drug therapy, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Menstrual Cycle, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Temporomandibular Joint:pathology, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders:d.   

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is the highest among women of reproductive age. Estrogens are the major contributor to the regulation of bone growth and development. They also influence peripheral and central mechanism of pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangements in regular cycling women with and without use of oral contraceptives (OCs).r />r /> MATERIAL & METHODS: The study included 229 women with TMJ disk displacement with and without reduction (DDwR and DDw/oR). The study group consisted of 191 normally cycling women and 38 women using combined OCs (COCs). The conservative TMD treatment was applied and its efficacy was rated during check-up visits.r />r /> RESULTS: The decreased odds of obtaining any or sufficient improvement during control visits were observed in women treated for DDwR and taking COCs for less than 3 years (p=0.01). There was a 2.7-fold higher risk for the failure of treatment in women taking COCs for less than 3 years during control visits in both diagnoses, DDwR or DDw/oR (p=0.082). There was investigated an increase in the risk for the lack of sufficient post-treatment improvement in diagnosed DDwR or DDw/oR in women with co-occurrence general osteoarticular lesions (p=0.07, p=0.04).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: A worse TMJ internal derangements treatment efficacy was observed in women taking COCs for rather short time (less than 3 years) and in women with disorders in the osteoarticular system, what indicates modification of therapeutic procedures in that groups of patients....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(6): 447-463 PubMed PMID: 24378446 Citation  Keywords:  Brain:embryology, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Humans, Models, Psychological, Neuroendocrinology, Psychophysiology,.   

: The article introduces an integrative psychoneurodevelopmental model of complex human brain and mind development based on the latest findings in prenatal and perinatal medicine in terms of integrative neuroscience. The human brain development is extraordinarily complex set of events and could be influenced by a lot of factors. It is supported by new insights into the early neuro-ontogenic processes with the help of structural 3D magnetic resonance imaging or diffusion tensor imaging of fetal human brain. Various factors and targets for neural development including birth weight variability, fetal and early-life programming, fetal neurobehavioral states and fetal behavioral responses to various stimuli and others are discussed. Molecular biology reveals increasing sets of genes families as well as transcription and neurotropic factors together with critical epigenetic mechanisms to be deeply employed in the crucial neurodevelopmental events. Another field of critical importance is psychoimmuno-neuroendocrinology. Various effects of glucocorticoids as well as other hormones, prenatal stress and fetal HPA axis modulation are thought to be of special importance for brain development. The early postnatal period is characterized by the next intense shaping of complex competences, induced mainly by the very unique mother - newborn´s interactions and bonding. All these mechanisms serve to shape individual human mind with complex abilities and neurobehavioral strategies. Continuous research elucidating these special competences of human fetus and newborn/child supports integrative neuroscientific approach to involve various scientific disciplines for the next progress in human brain and mind research, and opens new scientific challenges and philosophic attitudes. New findings and approaches in this field could establish new methods in science, in primary prevention and treatment strategies, and markedly contribute to the development of modern integrative and personalized medicine....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(6): 543-548 PubMed PMID: 24378445 Citation  Keywords:  Age Factors, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Body Weight:physiology, Energy Metabolism:physiology, Estrogen Receptor alpha:blood, Female, Food Deprivation:physiology, Hypothalamus:growth & development, Leptin:blood, Pregnancy, RNA, Messenger:metabolism, Rats,.   

OBJECTIVE: Estrogen plays an important role in feeding and energy balance, and the critical role of estrogen in the control of appetite and energy balance is mediated by hypothalamic estrogen receptor (ER) alpha. In undernourished rodents, hypothalamic ER alpha mRNA expression are decreased. Responses of some hypothalamic factors to negative energy balance develop during the early neonatal period.r />r /> DESIGN: In this study, we examined the developmental changes of fasting-induced alterations in hypothalamic ER alpha mRNA expression in female rats.r />r /> RESULTS: ER alpha mRNA expression was reduced after a 12-h or 24-h fast at postnatal days 15 and 25, but not at day 5. Serum estradiol levels in postnatal day 25 rats were not changed by fasting. Although serum leptin levels were suppressed by fasting at all ages, hypothalamic ER alpha mRNA expression at postnatal day 25 was not changed by leptin administration after a 24-h fast.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the sensitivity of hypothalamic ER alpha to negative energy balance may not be established in the early neonatal period, and that it develops by postnatal day 15. Decreased leptin levels might not be involved in the alterations of hypothalamic ER alpha mRNA expression in the undernourished condition....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(6): 464-481 PubMed PMID: 24378444 Citation  Keywords:  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Humans, International Classification of Diseases, Models, Psychological, Prevalence, Psychotherapy, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic:diagnosis,.   

: The diagnostic category of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has its place in the newest American diagnostic system DSM-V. The authors compare its definition with the former manual DSM-IV and the international classification ICD-10. They reflect difficulties in defining the concept of traumatic event. They summarize epidemiological findings, highlight the possible significant role of traumatogenesis in other psychiatric disorders without PTSD symptoms. The biopsychosocial model seems to be the most adequate for the study of trauma-related disorders, while in therapy the specific shaping of psychotherapy seems to be crucial. Good experiences in relationships before the trauma increase resilience and the availability of supportive empathetic relationships may favourably influence the development of the disorder and its therapy....

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Clinical Trial 2013; 34(6): 553-558 PubMed PMID: 24378443 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Female, Fenoterol:administration & dosage, Fetus:blood supply, Heart Rate:drug effects, Heart Rate, Fetal:drug effects, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Obstetric Labor, Premature:diagnostic imaging, Placenta:blood supply, Pregnancy, Tocolytic Agent.   

OBJECTIVES: The aims were to investigate whether any changes in placental and fetal circulation were observed during fenoterol tocolysis within the first 48 hours of therapy.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: Doppler evaluation of placental and fetal circulation was performed prior to fenoterol administration and then after 24 and 48 hours. Maternal heart rate and pulsatility index (PI) in uterine arteries were assessed. FHR, RI and PI of umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery were measured. E/A ratio for A-V valves, the myocardial performance index (MPI) and shortening fraction (SF) were calculated for both ventricles independently. The blood flow pattern in DV was assessed using PI, S/a ratio and peak velocity index for the vein. To determine changes over time in all study variable analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements followed by Tukey-Kramer's multiple comparison test was used. The effects of additional clinical covariates were checked.r />r /> RESULTS: Uterine and fetal arterial blood flow patterns were not altered significantly during 48 hours of tocolysis. No significant changes were observed in fetal cardiac function parameters as well. The evaluation of Doppler parameters in the DV revealed a significant increase in PVIV after 48 hours. Additionally after 48 hours of successful tocolysis S/a ratio values were significantly lower.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Short term intravenous administration of fenoterol seems not to alter uterine and fetal arterial blood flow pattern. Direct fetal cardiac function remained unaffected. However significant changes of selected Doppler parameters in DV may suggest further studies should be performed to assess more precisely fetal venous blood flow....

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Clinical Trial 2013; 34(6): 549-552 PubMed PMID: 24378442 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Female, Fenoterol:administration & dosage, Fetus:blood supply, Heart Rate:drug effects, Heart Rate, Fetal:drug effects, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Obstetric Labor, Premature:diagnostic imaging, Pregnancy, Tocolytic Agents:administration & dosa.   

OBJECTIVE: to investigate whether any changes in the preload index (PLI) occur within the first 48 hours of fenoterol intravenous tocolysis.r />r /> MATERIAL AND METHODS: Doppler evaluation of placental and fetal circulation was performed in 36 pregnant women prior to fenoterol administration and after 24/48 hours. Measurements were obtained from a longitudinal section of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and preload index was calculated. To determine changes over time, an all study variable analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements, followed by Tukey-Kramer's multiple comparison test was used. The effects of additional clinical covariates were checked.r />r /> RESULTS: The maternal heart rate values were significantly increased after 24 hours and 48 hours in comparison to pre-treatment values. No significant changes in fetal heart rate were observed during treatment. The fetal IVC PLI values were significantly reduced after 24 hours and 48 hours of treatment. The increase in PLI values when comparing 24 and 48 hours results were not statistically significant. These observations were consistent with ANOVA post-hoc analysis.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: 48 hours intravenous administration of fenoterol appears not to alter inferior vena cava blood flow by itself. The reduction in PLI values may reflect lower fetal preload conditions during the course of successful tocolytic treatment. Therefore, Doppler IVC PLI measurement should be considered as a possible additional assessment method of effectiveness of treatment. However, other Doppler venous blood flow parameters should be assessed to confirm the results and clarify whether maternal corticosteroids administration may be interfering with the results....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(Suppl 2): 134-137 PubMed PMID: 24362106 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Antibodies, Bacterial:blood, Antibody Formation:drug effects, Cholinesterase Inhibitors:pharmacology, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Francisella tularensis:drug effects, Immunity, Innate:drug effects, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Tacrine.   

OBJECTIVES: Tacrine is an inhibitor of acetylcholinestrase (AChE) formerly used to treat cognitive impairment of Alzheimer disease. In previous works, we have shown that inhibitors of AChE can modulate innate immunity responses. In the present study we focused on modulation of adaptive immunity represented by production of antibodies. It is hypothesized that the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a common mechanism how inhibitors of AChE can influence immunity. Here, tularemia is used as a model disease for experimental purposes.r />r /> DESIGN: A total of 64 BALB/c mice were divided into eight groups. The animals received a dose of tacrine 0.1-0.5 mg/kg with combination of saline or inoculum of Francisella tularensis. The doses of tacrine were derived from clinical trials. The animals were sacrificed after three days and total antibodies in plasma and bacterial burden in the liver were measured.r />r /> RESULTS: Tacrine did not alter the antibodies level in non-infected animals. Antibodies levels of infected animals administered tacrine were reduced in a dose response manner. Tacrine also caused an increase in total bacteria numbers in the liver.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Tacrine significantly suppressed adaptive immunity represented by the ability of the organism to produce antibodies. We infer that tacrine can modulate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway by a mechanism based on inhibition of blood AChE followed by higher availability of acetylcholine. The anti-inflammatory pathway is then stimulated and the body is not able to simply resolve antigen. Application of an AChE inhibitor during infectious diseases can have detrimental consequences for the immune system....

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Case Reports 2013; 34(Suppl 2): 130-133 PubMed PMID: 24362105 Citation  Keywords:  Alkaloids:analysis, Animals, Animals, Zoo, Bile:chemistry, Blood Chemical Analysis:veterinary, Clinical Laboratory Techniques, Fatal Outcome, Female, Foodborne Diseases:diagnosis, Male, Monkey Diseases:diagnosis, Papio anubis:blood, Taxoids:analysis, Taxu.   

OBJECTIVES: Toxic effects of the yew have been known since ancient times. Yew toxicity is due to the content of cyanogenic glycosides and a mixture of alkaloids known as taxines. Taxine B is probably responsible for the most part of adverse effects in poisoned organisms. This particular taxoid is common in body fluids of the yew-poisoned. The present study is engaged with laboratory examination to confirm substances that lead to fatality of a pair of olive baboons (Papio anubis) following ingestion of yew seeds. When both cage mates (male and female) died suddenly, poisoning was suspected because many berries had fallen into the cage from a nearby fruiting yew tree (Taxus baccata) during the windy night before.r />r /> METHODS: The analysis was performed using electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A flow injection analysis/mass spectrometry setting was prepared for this purpose.r />r /> RESULTS: The above mentioned mass spectrometry analysis of taxoids confirmed poisoning by taxanes. The presence of taxin B/isotaxin B was confirmed in all investigated samples. Apparently in urine and bile there were concentrations ranging 150-220 ng.mL-1 and in blood serum concentrations 25-30 ng.mL-1.r />r /> CONCLUSION: It follows from the results obtained that we confirmed that baboons were deadly intoxicated by yew fruits....

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