Neuroendocrinol Lett
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Central diabetes insipidus is not a common and prognostically worse type of hypernatremia in neurointensive care.
Hypernatremia is a common sodium dysbalance in neurointensive care which is associated with worse outcome. It can be caused by central diabetes insipidus (cDI) or by other mechanisms, more often from osmotherapy and furosemide. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of cDI and to analyse outcome as compared with other causes of hypernatremias found in neurointesive care. ⋯ Central diabetes insipidus is not a frequent type of hypernatremia in neurointensive care. Prognosis is connected with serum sodium level, not with type of hypernatremia.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Awakening responses and diurnal fluctuations of salivary cortisol, DHEA-S and α-amylase in healthy male subjects.
Because the cortisol awakening response (CAR) has received increasing attention as a useful index of adrenocortical activity, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the presence of an awakening response for various salivary biomarkers of adrenocortical activity, including dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), which acts as a cortisol antagonist, and α-amylase, which is a predictor of circulating catecholamine activity. Salivary biological indicators are considered to be valuable markers of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis diurnal activity. ⋯ This correlation confirmed the distinctiveness of the two regulatory systems: salivary cortisol and DHEA-S concentrations reflect the activity of the HPA axis, whereas α-amylase activity is more closely related to sympathetic activity. In addition, the present study emphasizes the potential value of saliva collection (which is both easy and stress-free) in monitoring changes of adrenal function, confirming that multiple sampling (especially within 1 h after awakening) is necessary to reliably characterise biomarker activity when investigating neuroendocrine changes under various conditions.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in primary and recurrent gonadotropinomas: are somatostatin receptors involved in pituitary adenoma recurrence?
Surgical treatment of pituitary macroadenomas often fails because of tumor recurrence after the operation. The causes of tumor recurrence are complex, but one of them may be the high growth potential of the adenoma. As somatostatin receptors mediate antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic actions, it seemed reasonable to investigate their expression in dependence on the adenoma recurrence. ⋯ It is hypothesized that SSTR may, at least in part, counteract adenoma recurrence. On the other hand, it can be also presumed that the recurrent gonadotropinomas may be more sensitive to somatostatin analog treatment than primary ones. These hypotheses need to be confirmed in further studies.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Huperzine induces alteration in oxidative balance and antioxidants in a guinea pig model.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Symptomatic treatment is available by inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) such as rivastigmine, galantamine and donepezil. As huperzine is a promising compound for AD treatment, our study was aimed at evaluating its pertinent implications in oxidative stress. ⋯ We discuss the potency of huperzine in enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the central nervous system. Huperzine is probably implicated in more processes than cholinesterase inhibition only.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Young advisors to the Ombudsman as co-operators of child psychiatry.
In Slovakia, Legislation regulates the rights of individuals with mental disorders. Observance of these regulations is monitored by a designated Ombudsman or Public Defender of Rights which was created with the adoption of the Constitutional Act No. 90/2001. The Public Defender of Rights pays special attention toward the young generation including mentally handicapped children which since 2002 serves as the basis for collaboration with Child Ombudsmen who also act in prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Syndrome (CAN). Problematic children receive little attention not only in Slovakia. ⋯ An international network of Child Ombudspersons aimed at preventing development of mental and physical damage has been developed. Functioning in 22 European countries within The European Network of Ombudspersons for Children was implemented on a greater scale in April 2010. The Child Ombudspersons should be included in all public healthcare system.