Serum Prolactin, Cortisol and Growth Hormone Concentrations after Various Epileptic Seizures

Abstract: The serial serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL), Cortisol and growth hormone (GH) were measured after clinical fits of seizures in 49 epileptic patients, aged 13-77. In generalized tonic-clonic seizures, both the serum PRL and Cortisol levels transiently rose and reached their maximum 30 min after the onset of clinical fits. Serum GHs were elevated in some of the patients. After complex partial seizures, significant rises were found only in serum Cortisol, but no demonstrable change was observed in PRL and GH. In the other minor seizure group, no remarkable change was observed in any of the hormones. These results suggest that the postictal hormonal change is different in each type of seizure, respectively.     

Effect of monomer diffusion in the polymerization of olefins over Ziegler-Natta catalysts

By using an extremely high stereospecific catalyst, three kinds of copolymerizations were carried out with combinations of monomers which differ in the crystallinity of the homopolymers. Addition of a small quantity of comonomer to the homopolymerization systems producing very high crystalline polymers was found to cause a remarkable increase in the apparent polymerization rate as well as a marked decrease in the polymer crystallinity. Such an irregular increase in the polymerization activity was, however, not observed when a small amount of comonomer was added to the homopolymerization systems producing low-crystalline or amorphous polymers. These observations have led to the conclusion that resistance of monomer diffusion through the polymer film should be one of the significant parameters for the apparent polymerization rate when very high crystalline polymers, like high density polyethylene, isotactic polypropylene etc., are produced.     

Cytosol Estradiol Receptor Content in the Adult Rat Brain after Neonatal Treatment with Estradiol Benzoate or Testosterone Propionate

Abstract: The effects of neonatal treatment with estrogen or androgen on the development of cytosol estradiol (E₂) receptors were examined in the rat pituitary, hypothalamus and amygdala. The treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB, 100 μg) significantly reduced the E₂ receptor content in all of these regions in both sexes. But the treatment with testosterone propionate (TP, 1 mg) to the female rats significantly decreased the E₂ receptor content in the pituitary and hypothalamus but not in the amygdala. The TP treatment to the male rats decreased the E₂ receptor content in the hypothalamus and amygdala but not in the pituitary. The decreased cytosol E₂ receptors in the hypothalamus and amygdala seem to be implicated in preventing the normal sexual development.     

Post-flood--infectious diseases in Mozambique

INTRODUCTION: The types of medical care required during a disaster are determined by variables such as the cycle and nature of the disaster. Following a flood, there exists the potential for transmission of water-borne diseases and for increased levels of endemic illnesses such as vector-borne diseases. Therefore, consideration of the situation of infectious diseases must be addressed when providing relief. The Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team was sent to Mozambique where a flood disaster occurred during January to March 2000. The team operated in the Hokwe area of the State of Gaza, in the mid-south of Mozambique where damage was the greatest. METHODS: An epidemiological study was conducted. Information was collected from medical records by abstracting data at local medical facilities, interviewing in habitants and evacuees, and conducting analyses of water. RESULTS: A total of 2,611 patients received medical care during the nine days. Infectious diseases were detected in 85% of all of patients, predominantly malaria, respiratory infectious diseases, and diarrhea. There was no outbreak of cholera or dysentery. Self-reports of the level of health decreased among the flood victims after the event. The incidence of malaria increased by four to five times over non-disaster periods, and the quality of drinking water deteriorated after the event. CONCLUSIONS: Both the number of patients and the incidence of endemic infectious diseases, such as malaria and diarrhea, increased following the flood. Also, there was a heightening of risk factors for infectious diseases such as an increase in population, deterioration of physical strength due to the shortage of food and the temporary living conditions for safety purposes, and turbid degeneration of drinking water. These findings support the hypotheses that there exists the potential for the increased transmission of water borne diseases and that there occurs increased levels of endemic illnesses during the post-flood period.     

Changes in salivary cortisol levels as a prognostic predictor in children with anorexia nervosa

This study investigated the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in children with anorexia nervosa (AN) before and after inpatient treatment. Salivary cortisol levels were measured to ascertain whether changes in the HPA axis activity following therapeutic intervention could be applicable as a prognostic predictor. This study comprised 21 females with AN and 22 control subjects. Saliva was collected at 2-hour intervals from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. before and after inpatient treatment. The concentrations for areas under the curve (AUC) were compared with physical parameters, eating attitude score, profile of mood states (POMS), and prognostic factors. Mean salivary cortisol levels at all points and mean AUC cortisol levels in subjects with AN before therapy were significantly higher than those in controls, but returned to control levels after inpatient treatment. Higher AUC cortisol levels were associated with lower standard deviation for weight in AN. A significant positive correlation between the AUC cortisol level and POMS subscale of “Fatigue” was apparent in the control group, but not in the AN group. The increased change values of AUC cortisol level before and after inpatient treatment correlated with increased body weight gain ratio just after treatment, but not with the ratio after one year. The present study indicated that HPA axis activity could reflect severity of illness, but did not show an accurate neuroendocrine response for mood states. Changes in HPA axis activity following treatment could therefore be used to predict prognosis and particularly in the short term.     

Synergistic effects of psychological and immune stressors on inflammatory cytokine and sickness responses in humans

Activation of the innate immune system is commonly accompanied by a set of behavioural, psychological and physiological changes known as 'sickness behaviour'. In animals, infection-related sickness symptoms are significantly increased by exposure to psychosocial stress, suggesting that psychological and immune stressors may operate through similar pathways to induce sickness. We used a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled design to examine the effect of acute psychological stress on immune and subjective mood responses to typhoid vaccination in 59 men. Volunteers were assigned to one of four experimental conditions in which they were either injected with typhoid vaccine or saline placebo, and then either rested or completed two challenging behavioural tasks. Typhoid vaccine induced a significant rise in participants' serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and this response was significantly larger in the stress versus rest conditions. Negative mood increased immediately post-tasks, an effect also more pronounced in the vaccine/stress condition. In the vaccine/stress group, participants with larger IL-6 responses had heightened systolic blood pressure responses to tasks and elevated post-stress salivary levels of the noradrenaline metabolite 3-methoxy-phenyl glycol (MHPG) and cortisol. Our findings suggest that, as seen in animals, psychological and immune stressors may act synergistically to promote inflammation and sickness behaviour in humans.     

Molecular signaling mediated by angiotensin II type 1A receptor blockade leading to attenuation of renal dysfunction-associated heart failure

BackgroundIn patients with end-stage renal disease, angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT1) blockade attenuates the associated cardiac dysfunction. We investigated the molecular signaling mediating that effect.Methods and ResultsWe used 5/6 nephrectomy to induce significant renal dysfunction in AT1 knockout (AT1KO) and wild-type mice (WT). Twelve weeks after nephrectomy, WT showed significant left ventricular dilation and dysfunction that were accompanied by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and reduced capillary density. All of these effects were significantly mitigated in AT1KO. Nephrectomy led to upregulation of myocardial expression of AT1, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and also led to increased oxidative damage in cardiomyocytes. In AT1KO, TGF-β1, TIMP-1, oxidative damage levels were lower, whereas MMPs and p-Akt levels were higher. Treating nephrectomized WT mice with valsartan (an AT1 blocker), but not hydralazine, improved cardiac function and altered molecular signaling in a manner similar to that seen in AT1KO mice. Notably, AT1 expression was downregulated in valsartan-treated but not hydralazine-treated hearts.ConclusionsThese findings provide novel insight into the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of AT1 blockade on cardiac function in a model of renal dysfunction–associated heart failure.     

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE: We estimated the extent and pattern of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) as compared with that in Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: We performed meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) scintigraphy of the heart and hemodynamic autonomic function testing using the Valsalva maneuver in 27 patients with DLB, 46 with PD, and 20 controls. RESULTS: (123)I-MIBG uptakes in DLB were reduced as compared with those in control and PD. Hemodynamic studies revealed that DLB had decreased baroreceptor reflex and reduced responses of SBP in phases II and IV as compared with PD and control. SBP responses on standing and the difference in plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations between supine and standing positions were reduced in PD as compared with those in control. Furthermore, SBP responses on standing, plasma NE concentrations in supine and standing positions, and the difference in plasma NE concentrations between these positions were significantly lower in DLB than in PD and control. Plasma NE concentrations in DLB with orthostatic hypotension (OH) were lower than that in DLB without OH, although some patients who had DLB with orthostatic hypotension had relatively normal plasma NE levels. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is more severe in DLB than in PD and is usually caused by the loss of postganglionic sympathetic nervous function, although dysautonomia in some patients with DLB may result from preganglionic dysfunction.     

Cardiac sympathetic denervation in bradykinesia-dominant Parkinson's disease

Cardiac iodine-123-labeled-metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake is reduced in early-stage Parkinson's disease, suggesting sympathetic nerve degeneration. The scintigraphic findings in patients with Parkinson's disease with different clinical features have, however, not been established. Iodine-123-labeled-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 143 patients with Parkinson's disease. The early and delayed heart to mediastinum ratios were analyzed according to the dominant motor deficit (tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability), age, sex, age at onset, disease duration, and Hoehn and Yahr stage. Both ratios correlated with bradykinesia, age at disease onset, and disease duration; but not with sex, Hoehn and Yahr stage, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Our results suggest a close link between myocardial sympathetic degeneration and bradykinesia, age at onset and disease duration.     

Infusion therapy at outpatient clinic in chronic end-stage heart failure

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether drug infusions at ambulatory clinic in patients with end stage congestive heart failure are safe and reduce the period of hospitalization. METHODS: Between May 2000 and November 2006, 21 ambulatory patients with end stage congestive heart failure were treated with infusions of the natriuretic peptide, carperitide (6 patients, 43 infusions of mean 0.033 microg/kg/min for mean 3.7 hr), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, olprinone (19 patients, 75 infusions of mean 0.11 microg/kg/min for mean 3.8 hr), or the catecholamines, dopamine or dobutamine(5 patients, 89 infusions of mean 3.3 microg/kg/min for mean 3.2 hr). RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was lower after infusion of carperitide, whereas catecholamines increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate (all differences from baseline p < 0.0001). Olprinone changed neither blood pressure nor heart rate. No adverse effect was observed, including arrhythmias or change in blood pressure requiring cessation of drug infusion. Mean urinary output per infusion was 979 ml for carperitide, 720ml for olprinone, and 594ml for catecholamines. There was no correlation between mean urinary output and dose of furosemide administered during intermittent infusion therapy. There was a close correlation between pre-infusion blood pressure and urinary output(systolic: p < 0.05; diastolic: p < 0.0001). Infusion therapy reduced the length of hospitalization (p < 0.05) in 7 patients from April 2005. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory, low-dose infusion therapy may not decrease the mortality of patients in end-stage congestive heart failure, but was safe and might represent an acceptable end-of-life therapeutic option.