Genetic factors and fetal growth sex constitution and birthweight in twins

Fetal growth is considered a multifactorially-influenced characteristic. Genetic factors were found to play the main role in fetal growth determination, and it is the polygenic inheritance. The paper reviews the birthweights of 360 unlike-sexed two-egg twins, born at the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine in Beograd, from January 1, 1970 through June 30, 1984. The mean birthweight differences between the male (2954.94 +/- 704.28 g) and female (2313.19 +/- 651.32 g) fetuses, amounted to 141.75 g. The difference is highly significant (P less than 0.01); variation coefficient shows that the examined groups were homogenous (VC was below 30%). The results were discussed from the genetic point of view, and particularly from the point of view of sex constitution, with special respect to the effect of Y chromosome on fetal growth. It has been known that human somatic development, body weight, bone maturation and teeth development are influenced by variety of factors. In addition to nutritional and other factors of the external environment, genetic and humoral factors are leading. The fact that fetuses with XY male constitution are heavier at birth than female fetuses with XX constitution, made us consider the correlation between genotype-phenotype, and the mentioned characteristics. This study was aimed at finding out the role of genetic factors in fetal growth, with respect to sex constitution, particularly to chromosome effect on fetal growth in unlike-sexed two-egg twins.     

Correlation between age-related changes in open field behavior and plaque forming cell response in DA female rats

We investigated the relationship between immunological and behavioral changes during ageing in Dark Agouti female rats. Results showed that ageing was associated with decreased exploratory behavior and increased emotionality (open field test) and decreased pain perception (writhing assay), but not with altered depression-like behavior (forced swim test). The observed behavioral changes were paralleled with decreased innate immunity in middle-aged and old rats, as revealed by reduced peroxide production of peritoneal macrophages; and decreased specific immunity, measured by the plaque-forming cell response, in old rats in comparison with young rats. Correlation analyses between behavioral and immune parameters demonstrated a significant correlation between the lines crossed in the open field test and the plaque-forming cell response. Taken together, the demonstrated age-dependent association between exploratory behavior and specific immune response suggests a senescent decline of a common neuroimmune regulatory mechanism.     

Neurosteroid secretion in panic disorder

Evidence that neurosteroids have anxiolytic effects in animal models of anxiety has suggested that alterations of neurosteroid secretion might be implicated in the pathogenetic mechanisms of anxiety disorders in humans. In 25 female patients with panic disorder (PD) and 11 healthy female controls, we measured plasma concentrations of progesterone (PROG), pregnenolone (PREG), allopregnanolone (3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone=3alpha,5alpha-THPROG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (3alpha,5alpha-THDOC) during a drug-free month and during the following month of paroxetine therapy. The neurosteroids were measured during the early follicular phase, the mid-luteal phase and the premenstrual phase of both months (days 7, 22 and 27 from the beginning of the cycle). Significantly higher levels in patients than controls were found in PROG during the mid-luteal phase of both months, PREG in the premenstrual phase in the drug-free month, 3alpha,5alpha-THPROG during the follicular phase of the drug-free month and during the premenstrual phase of the therapy month, and 3alpha,5alpha-THDOC during the premenstrual phases of both months. DHEA levels did not differ in patients and controls. These results suggest that neurosteroids in PD are hypersecreted, possibly as an attempt to counteract the anxiogenic underlying hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and to improve a reduced GABA(A) receptor sensitivity.     

Plasma from patients undergoing major open surgery stimulates in vitro tumor growth: Lower insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 levels may,in part,account for this change

BACKGROUND: Plasma from laparotomized mice has been shown to stimulate in vitro tumor growth when compared to results with preoperative plasma. This study assessed the effect of plasma from patients who underwent major open (OS) or laparoscopic surgery (LS) on in vitro tumor cell growth. METHODS: Eighty-four patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were studied (45 OS, 39 LS). Peripheral blood was collected preoperatively (PreOP) and on days 1 (POD1) and 3 (POD3) after operation. HT29 human colon cancer cells were plated with samples of the plasma. Proliferation was assessed by cell counts and the bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 was detected in plasma by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Increased mitogenic activity was noted in POD1 OS plasma when compared to PreOP OS plasma results (P <.005). This increase correlated with the length of incision (r = 0.58, P <.01). No differences were noted when the PreOP LS and POD1 LS results were compared or for any of the POD3 versus PreOP comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Major OS is associated with alterations in plasma composition that promote HT29 tumor cell proliferation in vitro. As shown, this effect was due, at least in part, to surgery-related depletion of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 in peripheral blood.     

Effect of neuropeptide Y on inflammatory paw edema in the rat: involvement of peripheral NPY Y1 and Y5 receptors and interaction with dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (CD26)

Several lines of evidence suggest that neuropeptide Y (NPY) may exert regulatory effects in local inflammatory responses. Here, we show that intraplantarly (i.pl.) applied NPY, peptide YY (PYY), and an NPY Y5 receptor-selective agonist dose-dependently potentiate concanavalin A (Con A)-induced paw edema in the rat. The NPY Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO 3304 abolishes the pro-inflammatory action of both NPY and PYY while the dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (CD26) inhibitor Ile-thiazolidide exerted synergistic and potentiating effects in vivo. Taken together, the present data reveal an NPY Y1/Y5 receptor interplay and an involvement of CD26 in the NPY-induced potentiation of paw edema in the rat.     

PET study of the effects of valproate on dopamine D(2) receptors in neuroleptic- and mood-stabilizer-naive patients with nonpsychotic mania

OBJECTIVE: A previous study reported a higher than normal density of dopamine D(2) receptors in psychotic mania but not in nonpsychotic mania. The purpose of this study was to further examine D(2) receptor density in a larger sample of nonpsychotic manic patients by using positron emission tomography (PET) and [(11)C]raclopride. METHOD: Thirteen neuroleptic- and mood- stabilizer-naive patients with DSM-IV mania without psychotic features and 14 healthy comparison subjects underwent [(11)C]raclopride PET scans. Of the 13 patients, 10 were treated with divalproex sodium monotherapy. PET scans were repeated 2-6 weeks after commencement of divalproex sodium. D(2) receptor binding potential was calculated by using a ratio method with the cerebellum as the reference region. RESULTS: The [(11)C]raclopride D(2) binding potential was not significantly different in manic patients than in the comparison subjects in the striatum. Treatment with divalproex sodium had no significant effect on the [(11)C]raclopride D(2) binding potential in manic patients. There was no correlation between the D(2) binding potential and manic symptoms before or after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that D(2) receptor density is not altered in nonpsychotic mania and that divalproex sodium treatment does not affect D(2) receptor availability.     

Dopamine release in human ventral striatum and expectation of reward

Using the ability of [11C]raclopride to compete with dopamine for D(2)/D(3) receptors, we investigated by positron emission tomography the effect of placebo (saline) injection on dopamine release in the ventral striatum of patients with Parkinson's disease. We found evidence for placebo-induced dopamine release of similar magnitude to that reported in healthy volunteers after amphetamine administration. However, in contrast to the dorsal striatum, there were no differences in [11C]raclopride binding potential changes between patients who experienced the reward (those who reported placebo-induced clinical benefit) and those who did not. We conclude that the release of dopamine in the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens) is related to the expectation of reward and not to the reward itself. These observations have potential implications for the treatment of drug addiction.     

Necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A streptococcus

The first case of the confirmed necrotizing fasciitis caused by Group A Streptococcus in Yugoslavia was presented. Male patient, aged 28, in good health, suddenly developed symptoms and signs of severe infective syndrome and intensive pain in the axillary region. Parenteral antibiotic, substitutional and supportive therapy was conducted along with the radical surgical excision of the necrotizing tissue. The patient did not develop streptococcal toxic shock syndrome thanks to the early established diagnosis and timely applied aggressive treatment. He was released from the hospital as completely cured two months after the admission.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the female population of the County of Split Dalmatia, Croatia

The prevalence of IgG antibodies reactive with Toxoplasma gondii in the female population of the County of Split Dalmatia was investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Of a total of 1109 serum samples collected from female subjects, 423 (38.1%) reacted with T. gondii. The frequency of positive sera increased with age. Theoretical incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was calculated from the annual increase in cumulative prevalence of antibodies between different age groups among the women of childbearing age. The estimated theoretical incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was 1.4 per 100 pregnancies of adolescents (16–20 years) and decreased to 0.1% in seronegative pregnant women aged 41–45.