Search NEL Online

Journal Article 2013; 34(5): 366-371 PubMed PMID: 23922045 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications:diagnosis, Pregnancy Trimester, Third, Prevalence, Restless Legs Syndrome:diagnosis, Surveys and Questionnaires,.   

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a frequent neurological disorder which predominantly affects women. Pregnancy is one of the most common conditions leading to secondary RLS. Severe symptoms of RLS may lead to complications of pregnancy and/or labor. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of RLS in pregnant women.r />r /> METHODS: Women in the third trimester of gravidity filled out a simple questionnaire based on the official diagnostic criteria for RLS. Positive responders were interviewed in order to further characterize their symptoms. Afterwards information on changes in frequency and/or intensity of the symptoms after delivery was obtained by a telephone follow-up. All data were statistically analysed.r />r /> RESULTS: A total of 300 questionnaires were completed. All 94 RLS-positives met the four diagnostic criteria (31.33%). There was no difference in age, body mass index, or the number of previous pregnancies between RLS-positives and RLS-negatives, but weight gain during pregnancy was significantly higher in RLS-positives. More than 30% of positives had clinically significant symptoms, and 50% reported sleep disturbances. Almost 75% of the cases of RLS were secondary, i.e., symptoms occurred only during pregnancy (with a peak in the third trimester). More complications of pregnancy or labor occurred in women with RLS, but this was only marginally significant.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the relatively high prevalence of RLS in pregnant women compared with the general population. Although almost three-fourths of the symptoms were only transient throughout pregnancy, the impact of the severe symptoms and sleep deprivation on the course of pregnancy and delivery was not negligible. Early detection and adequate treatment of severe RLS are necessary to prevent maternal discomfort and possible health risks. The questionnaire method is a simple, reliable diagnostic tool....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2013; 34(5): 372-382 PubMed PMID: 23922044 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation:drug effects, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Glucose:administration & dosage, Neurilemmoma:metabolism, Neurons:drug effects, Nitrosation:drug effects, Oxidative Stress:drug effects, Rats, Schwann Cells:drug.   

OBJECTIVE: One of the major complications during prolonged hyperglycemic condition is the onset of the so-called diabetic neuropathy, that can affect the peripheral nervous system. Evidence has reported that glucose-induced oxidative stress could be a key mediator in this process, impairing the cytoskeletal structures, such as microtubules. In general, much attention is paid to the possible nitrosative-induced changes of neurons during hyperglycemic conditions, while little is known of the Schwann cells.r />r /> METHODS: Using morphological examination, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis, the possible hyperglycemic oxidative-induced microtubular changes in the RT4 Schwannoma cell line was investigated.r />r /> RESULTS: After 72 hrs of 180 mM d-glucose exposure, a decrease of total, tyrosinated and detyrosinated α-tubulins was found, whereas a significant increase of the acetylated α-tubulin isotype and 3-nitro-l-tyrosine was present, both through western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Moreover a downregulation of catalase and deacetylase Sirt2 enzymes was detected.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Our data underline the importance of nitrosative-induced microtubular alterations in the PNS, during hyperglycemic conditions, highlighting that Schwann cells may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, through the impairment of their microtubular network....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2013; 34(5): 402-408 PubMed PMID: 23922043 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Alleles, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte:genetics, Asian Continental Ancestry Group:genetics, Female, Gene Frequency, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genotype, Humans, Linkage Disequilibrium, Male, Middle Age.   

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to find the possible association between CD226 polymorphisms and inflammatory demyelinating diseases in Korean population.r />r /> METHODS: A total of 14 CD226 SNPs were selected based on their linkage disequilibrium, minor allele frequency, and location. Then, the SNPs were genotyped in 178 IDD patients and 237 healthy controls. Subsequently, we conducted logistic analysis to find possible associationsr />r /> RESULTS: Statistical analyses revealed only a marginal signal for a common SNP rs1788229 with inflammatory demyelinating disease (p=0.05), while other SNPs failed to show associations with any diseases. However, the significance of rs1788229 disappeared after a multiple testing correction of the data (p>0.05). Interestingly, rs763361, which showed significant associations with multiple sclerosis in several previous studies, did not show any association at all.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: While prior studies have found CD226 polymorphisms to be significantly associated with inflammatory demyelinating diseases, our results indicate the CD226 polymorphisms to be not associated with the diseases in Korean population. However, our results suggest that the causal genes for inflammatory demyelinating diseases may vary depending on the population....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Case Reports 2013; 34(5): 331-338 PubMed PMID: 23922042 Citation  Keywords:  Female, Granular Cell Tumor:pathology, Humans, Hypopituitarism:pathology, Middle Aged, Pituitary Gland, Posterior:pathology, Pituitary Neoplasms:pathology,.   

: A 54-year-old woman presented with a stalk mass that was discovered incidentally with mild visual fields defect. The mass was operated surgically by the fronto-temporal approach, and histology met the diagnosis of neurohypophesial granular cell tumor (GCT). After surgery, the patient suffered from an irreversible severe bi-temporal visual deficit and an irreversible hypopituitarism. We review the literature and discuss the clinical nature of GCTs, treatment options and outcome. In an effort to avoid the severe complications that may result from surgical removal of neurohypophesial GCT, we discuss also the possibility of choosing the conservative approach with close follow-up. The tumor's firm consistency, tendency to hemorrhage, involving the pituitary stalk and lack of dissection plane from basal brain structure render surgery difficult, and maximal resection often requires sacrificing the stalk. Moreover, small asymptomatic neurohypophysial GCTs are common findings, most probably benign tumors with slow growing nature. Hence, for a neurohypophesial tumor which is suspected to be a GCT, we offer to consider the alternative approach, with close clinical, visual field and radiological study follow up....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2013; 34(5): 418-425 PubMed PMID: 23922041 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Glutathione Peroxidase:metabolism, Hippocampus:drug effects, Male, Malondialdehyde:metabolism, Melatonin:pharmacology, Oxidative Stress:drug effects, Pineal Gland:surgery, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Reactive Oxygen Species:metabolism, Superoxide Dismuta.   

rong>OBJECTIVE:rong> The effects of melatonin on antioxidant status were examined in pinealectomized rats using enzymatic, histological and immunohistochemical techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of melatonin on hippocampal apoptosis.r />r /> rong>MATERIALS AND METHODS:rong> Male Wistar rats (n=21) were divided into 3 groups: Group I and group II were designated as control (sham-pinealectomy) and pinealectomized rats, respectively. Rats in group III were pinealectomized and injected daily with melatonin (1 mg/kg) for 3 months beginning at day 7 after surgery. At the end of experimental period, all rats were killed by decapitation. The brains of the rats were removed and the hippocampus tissue was obtained from all brain specimens. The right hippocampal specimens of all rats were used for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The left hippocampus tissue specimens of all animals were used for immunohistochemical and histological evaluation.r />r /> rong>RESULTS:rong> The levels of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased, and MDA levels were significantly increased in pinealectomized rats compared to the controls. In the histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of this group, increase of pyknotic cells, vacuolar degeneration and apoptosis were observed. However, increased SOD and GSH-Px enzyme activities, and decreased MDA levels were detected in the rats administered melatonin after pinealectomy. Furthermore, histological and apoptotic changes in hippocampus caused by pinealectomy were lost in the rats treated with melatonin.r />r /> rong>CONCLUSIONS:rong> The results of our study revealed that pinealectomy-induced oxidative damage and morphological changes in the hippocampal tissue were suppressed by melatonin.

...

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2013; 34(5): 426-435 PubMed PMID: 23922040 Citation  Keywords:  Bipolar Disorder:psychology, Humans, Internet, Patient Education as Topic, Recurrence, Treatment Outcome,.   

OBJECTIVE: Despite pharmacological treatment of bipolar affective disorder has many advantages; only drug treatment remains insufficiently beneficial to many patients. The combination of pharmacotherapy and internet psychoeducation seems to be the effective way how to improve remission. Internet-based therapy programs offer an exclusive chance for large underserved parts of the population to make evidence-based treatment without the need of full-time therapist. Our goal was to create a psychoeducational program for patients suffering from bipolar disorder that can be used in Czech Republic.r />r /> METHODS: There were identified studies through Web of Science, PUBMED, and Scopus databases as well as existing reviews were used in development of comprehensive internet psychoeducational program for patients with bipolar disorder. The search terms included "bipolar disorder", "psychoeducation", and "internet psychoeducation". The search was performed with no language or time restrictions.r />r /> RESULTS: The internet psychoeducational program was developed in accordance to the data from the literature review. The aim of the Internet psychoeducational program of the Department of Psychiatry University Hospital in Olomouc is to familiarize patients with the fundamental nature of bipolar affective disorder, the character and principles of pharmacotherapy, the recognition of the warning signs of relapse, inappropriate and stressful stereotypes in communication within families, and finally the practice of social skills.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Information from studies can help to prepare comprehensive psychoeducational program for bipolar patients....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Case Reports 2013; 34(5): 343-346 PubMed PMID: 23922039 Citation  Keywords:  Aged, Anticoagulants:adverse effects, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy:complications, Cerebral Hemorrhage:chemically induced, Hematoma:complications, Humans, Male,.   

: The incidence of anticoagulant treatment (AT)-related intracerebral hemorrhage (AT-ICH) is increasing in consequence of the increased incidence of ischemic stroke due to an aging population. AT-ICH is associated with a risk of ongoing bleeding, death, or disability. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a common pathological finding among the elderly that is associated with macro- and microscopic hematoma development, might increase the risk of ICH. We report a rare case of contralateral delayed hematoma in the context of CAA secondary to acute ICH after AT for intracerebral ischemic stroke....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2013; 34(5): 347-358 PubMed PMID: 23922038 Citation  Keywords:  Amygdala:drug effects, Animals, Association Learning:drug effects, Behavior, Animal:drug effects, Conditioning (Psychology):drug effects, Estrogen Receptor alpha:metabolism, Fear:drug effects, MAP Kinase Signaling System:drug effects, Male, Methyl-CpG-Bin.   

OBJECTIVES: Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP) is an industrial plasticizer that has an unknown action in the central nervous system. Phthalates have recently been associated with behavioral actions that are linked to their endocrine disrupting properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavioral and molecular effects of BBP treatment in male rats.r />r /> DESIGN: Male rats were chronically exposed to BBP in the drinking water (5.0 ppm and 10.0 ppm) throughout adolescence and into the adult phase of life. Their behavior was then assessed in a learning and memory task (fear conditioning), open field exploration and a test of sociability.r />r /> RESULTS: BBP treated rats showed decreased freezing in fear conditioning, no changes in open field exploration, and increased aberrant social behavior. Rats were sacrificed at post natal day 140 and blood and brains were harvested and processed. We found increased hormonally active estrogen, 17-β estradiol, in the serum of BBP treated rats. BBP treatment also induced changes in amygdalar proteins related to synaptic plasticity including decreased MeCP2 levels that correlated with tests of sociability with no changes in stress related proteins such as nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB). We also found alterations in physiological responses as measured by body weight without changes in food consumption suggesting disruption of metabolism and body homeostasis.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that BBP administration disrupts normal learning and social behavior, and that these effects could be related to alterations of amygdala function....

Read abstract  Full text PDF