Physiological Course Research Articles

Cytokines are Markers of Immune Responsiveness in Premature Neonates

The present paper gives information on cytokines during pregnancy, their role in its physiological course and development of adaptation in premature neonates in the postnatal period. Key words: cytokines, preterm labor, innate immunity, premature neonate, respiratory distress syndrome.

Maturitas ex vivo: the case for oocyte in vitro maturation in human ARTs

Maturitas ex vivo: the case for oocyte in vitro maturation in human ARTs

Teaching cardiovascular physiology with equivalent electronic circuits in a practically oriented teaching module

Here, we report on a new tool for teaching cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology that promotes qualitative as well as quantitative thinking about time-dependent physiological phenomena. Quantification of steady and presteady-state (transient) cardiovascular phenomena is traditionally done by differential equations, but this is time consuming and unsuitable for most undergraduate medical students. As a result, quantitative thinking about time-dependent physiological phenomena is often not extensively dealt with in an undergraduate physiological course. However, basic concepts of steady and presteady state can be explained with relative simplicity, without the introduction of differential equation, with equivalent electronic circuits (EECs). We introduced undergraduate medical students to the concept of simulating cardiovascular phenomena with EECs. EEC simulations facilitate the understanding of simple or complex time-dependent cardiovascular physiological phenomena by stressing the analogies between EECs and physiological processes. Student perceptions on using EEC to simulate, study, and understand cardiovascular phenomena were documented over a 9-yr period, and the impact of the course on the students' knowledge of selected basic facts and concepts in cardiovascular physiology was evaluated over a 3-yr period. We conclude that EECs are a valuable tool for teaching cardiovascular physiology concepts and that EECs promote active learning.

Usefulness of marking alkaline phosphatase and C-reactive protein in monitoring the risk of preterm delivery

SummaryBackgroundThe purpose of this paper is to compare the effectiveness of use of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in marking and monitoring the risk of preterm delivery due to infection.Material/MethodsThe study involved 83 patients assigned to groups: Group I (n=43) consisted of patients hospitalized for symptoms of preterm delivery, and Group II (control group n=40) consisted of patients controlled or hospitalized delivering on time without complications, whose pregnancy had a physiological course. All patients had a single marking of ALP and CRP levels in serum performed.ResultsCRP levels were within the range 7 mg/l to 94 mg/l in the study group, and 4.83 mg/l to 90 mg/l in the control group. The level of ALP in the study group ranged from 139 u/l to 368 u/l and from 218 u/l to 321 u/l in the control group. In more than half of women (72.1%) from study group, CRP level exceeded 7 mg/l; in the control group, the CRP level exceeded 7 mg/l in 35% of cases. Significantly higher levels of CRP (above 20 mg/l) and ALP (above 300 u/l) were found in the 18 patients from the study group compared to the control group.ConclusionsAlthough an increase in the level of ALP in serum cannot be an absolute and sole marker of the risk of preterm delivery, it can be used in conjunction with a significantly elevated CRP level.

Expression of TRAF6 mRNA on the Resorbed Surface of Deciduous Teeth Root

The replacement of deciduous teeth by permanent teeth was an in vivo controlled physiological course. Odontoclast is the main functional cell involved the physiological root resorption of human primary teeth. TRAF6 is the key molecule in the signals regulation during the procedure of differentiation and maturity of osteolasts/odontoclasts. This experiment was to study the expression of TRAF6 in physiological root resorption of deciduous and permanent teeth. In addition, the effect of TRAF6 during the physiological root resorption of human deciduous teeth was also discussed. Permanent and deciduous teeth in physiological resorption period were decalcified, embedded and sliced. TRAF6 antibody and TRAF6 in situ hybridization agent were used to detect samples’ expression of TRAF6 protein and mRNA. Im-pro-plas 6.0 analytical system was used to measure the photodensity of odontoclasts, odontoblasts and dental pulp fibroblasts respectively between study and control group. It was observed that TRAF6 protein and mRNA of odontoclasts, odontoblasts and dental pulp fibroblasts existed in deciduous teeth with physiological resorption showing positive stained results. However, in permanent tooth, odontoclast was not observed and TRAF6 in odontoblast and dental pulp fibroblasts displayed negative. For the same cells of the two groups, t-test showed that p‹0.01. The optical density of the deciduous teeth odontoclasts was higher than that of the odontoblasts and dental pulp fibroblasts, P‹0.01; the odontoblasts and dental pulp fibroblasts showed no difference. TRAF6 activated the root resorption of deciduous teeth by participating in cellular differentiation and function.

The Autonomic Nervous System in Neonatal Infants at Surgery

Objective: to evaluate the neonatal autonomic nervous system, by analyzing cardiac rhythm variability (CRV). Subjects and methods: Examinations were made in 7 full-term neonates with the physiological course of the early adaptation period on days 2 and 5 after birth (a control group) and in 11 neonatal babies with various surgical pathology during surgical interventions (a study group). Results. Just in the preoperative period, the neonatal infants with surgical pathology showed a comparatively higher activity of the sympathetic nervous system than did the healthy infants, which determines the intensive performance of most systems of the body. The anesthesia introduction period and tracheal intubation were accompanied by a predominance of very low frequency (VLF) fluctuations associated with energy metabolic regulation. A drastic increase in stress index by almost 2 times and a reduction in spectrum power are indicative of the considerable tension of regulatory systems. The basic stage is characterized by a preponderance of high-frequency (HF) fluctuations and an increase in VLF ones by the end of surgery with lower low-frequency (LF) power fluctuations and by the maximum SI values, which indicates the enhanced activity of the subcortical autonomic centers in the hypothalamo-pituitary system and cerebral cortex. Conclusion. The CRV indicators recorded at all surgical stages in neonatal babies with surgical pathology reflect a critical increase in the activity of autonomic cardiovascular system regulation, which are undetectable by conventional anesthesiological monitoring techniques, in which the changes in hemodynamics (blood pressure and heart rate) were characterized by the relative stability of the indicators. The studies supported the informative value of – using the methods for statistical and spectral analyses of CRV in neonates at surgery to optimize anesthesiological defense and to make a timely correction of impaired homeostasis.

Synchronous acquisition of hyperpolarised 3He and 1H MR images of the lungs – maximising mutual anatomical and functional information

The development of hybrid medical imaging scanners has allowed imaging with different detection modalities at the same time, providing different anatomical and functional information within the same physiological time course with the patient in the same position. Until now, the acquisition of proton MRI of lung anatomy and hyperpolarised gas MRI of lung function required separate breath-hold examinations, meaning that the images were not spatially registered or temporally synchronised. We demonstrate the spatially registered concurrent acquisition of lung images from two different nuclei in vivo. The temporal and spatial registration of these images is demonstrated by a high degree of mutual consistency that is impossible to achieve in separate scans and breath holds.

Short Communication: Subcellular Motion Compensation for Minimally Invasive Microscopy, In Vivo

Rationale : In vivo microscopy seeks to observe dynamic subcellular processes in a physiologically relevant context. A primary limitation of optical microscopy in vivo is tissue motion, which prevents physiological time course observations or image averaging. Objective : To develop and demonstrate motion compensation methods that can automatically track image planes within biological tissues, including the tissue displacements associated with large changes in blood flow, and to evaluate the effect of global hypoxia on the regional kinetics and steady state levels of mitochondrial NAD(P)H. Methods and Results : A dynamic optical microscope, with real-time prospective tracking and retrospective image processing, was used collect high-resolution images through cellular responses to various perturbations. The subcellular metabolic response to hypoxia was examined in vivo. Mitochondria closest to the capillaries were significantly more oxidized at rest (67±3%) than the intrafibrillar mitochondria (83±3%; P <0.0001) in the same cell. Conclusions : These data are consistent with the hypothesis that a significant oxygen gradient from capillary to muscle core exists at rest, thereby reducing the oxidative load on the muscle cell.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in valvular heart disease

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has rapidly gained acceptance as an accurate, reproducible and non-invasive imaging method for assessment of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. However, CMR has not been used widely for diagnostic purposes in valvular heart disease (VHD). Unlike echocardiography it has no body habitus-related limitations and can thus be used to complement echocardiography. It is an especially good alternative for clinical follow-up in patients with VHD, as it allows accurate measurement of valvular dysfunction and related ventricular burden. Additionally, CMR is an ideal method for evaluating complex congenital heart disease and determining the significance of its components. It can also be used to study the physiological course of valvular dysfunction and response to therapeutic interventions. In this review, we present a basic introduction to CMR methodology, including its advantages and potential problems, and the physiology and quantification in VHD. We also discuss clinical applications of CMR in VHD. Furthermore, we describe how a CMR study statement should be structured in order to increase clinical use of this valuable methodology in cardiology.

The Effect of an Art Psychotherapy Intervention on Levels of Depression and Health Locus of Control Orientations Experienced by Black Women Living with HIV

In response to a call for HIV treatment agendas to incorporate mental health programmes, we investigated a model of art psychotherapy intervention for the treatment of HIV-related depression. Black women living with HIV are at risk of developing major depression, which negatively affects the physiological course of HIV infection. Since literature indicates a relationship between positive mood and an internal health locus of control (HLOC) orientation and supports the notion that creative expression contributes to positive mood, it was hypothesised that an art psychotherapy intervention would decrease levels of depression and external HLOC orientation in black women living with HIV and that this decrease would be maintained for two weeks after the intervention. To test this hypothesis, an experimental research design was implemented (pre-test, intervention, post-test and post-post-test) where the intervention variable was manipulated for an experimental group and a control group. The Beck Depression Inventory– II (BDI-II) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLCS)were used as measurement instruments. The sample consisted of 18 black women who attended the same HIV support group in Soshanguve. The experimental group ( n = 9) participated in an art psychotherapy intervention, and the control group ( n = 9) participated in an entertainment video viewing activity. The two groups were compared with respect to the difference between their pre-test and post-test, as well as the difference between their post-test and post-post-test depression scores and HLOC orientations. Following the intervention, the levels of depression among the participants in the experimental group had decreased significantly. The findings also showed that the decreased Chance HLOC orientation among participants in the experimental group became significant two weeks after the art psychotherapy intervention.

Nitric oxide synthase in muscular dystrophies: a re-evaluation

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD and BMD) are associated with decreased total nitric oxide (NO). However, mechanisms leading to NO deficiency with consequent muscle-cell degeneration remain unknown. To address this issue, we examined skeletal muscles of DMD and BMD patients for co-expression of NO synthase (NOS) with nitrotyrosine and transcription factor CREB, as well as with enzymes engaged in NO signaling. Employing immunocytochemical labeling, Western blotting and RT-PCR, we found that, in contrast to the most commonly accepted view, neuronal NOS was not restricted to the sarcolemma and that muscles of DMD and BMD patients retained all three NOS isoforms with an up-regulation of the inducible NOS isoform, CREB and nitrotyrosine. We suggest that enhanced nitrotyrosine immunostaining in muscle fibers as well as in the vasculature of DMD and BMD specimens reflects massive oxidative stress, resulting in withdrawal of NO from its regular physiological course via the scavenging actions of superoxides.

Dendritic Enlightenment: Using Patterned Two-Photon Uncaging to Reveal the Secrets of the Brain's Smallest Dendrites

It has been a longstanding challenge for experimentalists to manipulate precisely the spatial and temporal patterns of synaptic input to the dendritic tree in order to mimic activity occurring in the intact brain and determine their importance for synaptic integration. In this issue of Neuron, Losonczy and Magee have used rapid multisite two-photon uncaging of glutamate to define patterns of synaptic input on a submillisecond and micron scale to investigate the rules for summation of synaptic inputs in the fine oblique dendrites of pyramidal neurons.

Ratio between the number of Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in lochia of women with postpartum endometritis

We estimated the percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes synthesizing IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the peripheral blood and measured the concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in lochia of patients with postpartum endometritis. T lymphocytes with intracellular IFN-gamma prevailed in women with physiological course of the postpartum period. The number of cells containing IL-4 increased in patients with postpartum endometritis. On days 5-7 after childbirth the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in lochia of these patients were higher than in healthy postpartum women (by 1.4 and 2.7 times, respectively). The concentrations of cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 increased most significantly in patients with postpartum endometritis and active viral infection (by 3.4, 4.2, and 1.6 times, respectively).

INDICES OF HEMODYNAMICS IN FETAL MEDIAL CEREBRAL ARTERY – MARKER OF THE OPTIMAL TIME OF DELIVERY

Purpose: To study the dynamics of indices in fetal arteria cerebri media (ACM) during the physiological and complicated course of pregnancy.

Leptin, GH, PRL, Insulin and Metabolic Parameters Throughout the Dry Period and Lactation in Dairy Cows

Leptin may play a role in the endocrine-metabolic processes that guarantee the physiological course of lactation in dairy cattle. This study was aimed at determining the changes in plasma concentrations of leptin and some of the main hormones and metabolites involved in the lactogenetic process in high-yielding dairy cows throughout lactation; we also wanted to assess whether leptin secretion is subjected to seasonal influences. Blood samples were collected from 23 Italian Friesian dairy cows from the end of a lactation to the ninth month of the subsequent one; in addition, blood was sampled from 47 dairy cows in different phases of lactation during February and July. Plasma concentrations of leptin, growth hormone (GH), insulin, prolactin (PRL), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea were quantified by either validated radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzymatic colorimetric methods. At the beginning of lactation, GH concentrations significantly increased, while a significant reduction occurred in leptin and insulin. This endocrine condition, such as the significant increase in NEFA plasma concentrations, is indicative of a marked lipid mobilization. In the more advanced stages of lactation, when both energy and protein balances become positive, leptin plasma concentrations increased, whereas GH and NEFA concentrations declined. During the summer months, a significant increase in leptin plasma concentrations, irrespective of the phase of lactation, was observed. Collectively, our findings suggest that, in dairy cows, leptin may represent a 'metabolic signal' of animal's status of fattening and nutritional level; in addition, leptin seems to be influenced by photoperiod and environmental temperature.

Development of daily rhythmicity in heart rate and locomotor activity in the human fetus.

BackgroundVery little is known about the perinatal genesis of circadian rhythmicity in the human fetus. Some researchers have found evidence of rhythmicity early on in fetal development, whereas others have observed a slow development of rhythmicity during several years after birth.MethodRhythms of fetal heartbeat and locomotor activity were studied in women with physiological course of pregnancy at 16 to 40 gestational weeks. Observations were conducted continuously for 24 h using the method of external electrocardiography, which provided simultaneous detection of the changes in maternal and fetal heartbeat as well as assessment of daily locomotor activity of the fetus. During the night-time, electroencephalogram, myogram, oculogram and respiration of the mother were registered in parallel with fetal external electrocardiography.ResultsAlthough we found no significant daily rhythmicity in heart rate per se in the human fetus, we developed a new method for the assessment of 24-h fetal cardiotachogram that allowed us to identify daily rhythmicity in the short-term pattern of heart beating. We found that daily rhythmicity of fetal electrocardiogram resembles that of the mother; however, the phase of the rhythm is opposite to that of the mother. "Active" (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and "quiet" (from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) periods of activity were identified.ConclusionA healthy fetus at gestational age of 16 to 20 weeks reveals pronounced rhythms of activity and locomotion. Absence of distinct rhythmicity within the term of 20 to 24 weeks points to developmental retardation. The "Z"-type fetal reaction, recorded during the "quiet" hours, does not indicate unsatisfactory state, but rather is suggestive of definite reduction of functional levels of the fetal physiological systems necessary for vital activity.

Multidetector CT enteroclysis: comparison of the reading performance for axial and coronal views

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of axial and coronal views in multidetector CT enteroclysis (MDCTE). We retrospectively evaluated 48 patients with pathological correlation investigated by MDCTE for small bowel disorders. After nasojejunal administration of 2 l of 5% methylcellulose axial arterial and venous acquisition of MDCTE was followed by coronal reconstructions using equal slice thicknesses of 2.5 mm with 2 mm increments. Spatial resolution of both planes was evaluated by phantom. Three radiologists independently read axial and coronal images concerning 12 pathological features. The interobserver agreement and time of reading was calculated. Sensitivity and specificity resulted from comparison with histopathology (n=39) or follow-up (n=9). Phantom study revealed higher spatial resolution for axial than coronal views, whatever reconstruction interval was used. However, spatial frequency always remained high. Most pathological signs, such as bowel wall thickening (BWT), bowel wall enhancement (BWE) and intraperitoneal fluid (IPF), showed better interobserver agreement on axial than coronal views (BWT: 0.61 vs. 0.44; BWE: 0.56 vs. 0.5; IPF:0.53 vs. 0.43). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed significantly higher sensitivity for axial than coronal views (P=0.0453); the time of reading was significantly shorter for the latter (P=0.0146). The diagnostic value of axial slices is superior to coronal reconstructions despite the reduced data volume and display of the physiological course of bowel loops on the coronal plane.

Experimental rat model for therapeutic retinal pigment epithelium transplantation--unequivocal microscopic identification of human donor cells by in situ hybridisation of human-specific Alu sequences.

Transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is discussed as a possible therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration. Xenogeneic transplantation of human RPE cells in animal models has been studied extensively. Various methods have been used to identify the graft cells, but these methods interfere with cell behaviour so that the monitored physiological post-transplantation course may be influenced. In the present study, we applied a method for an unequivocal identification of the graft cells without interfering cell metabolism or behaviour using in situ hybridisation (ISH) of human specific Alu sequences. Visualisation of the strong extended nuclear signal of Alu sequences was much easier than that of the small nuclear signals of donor-specific sex chromosome probes. With Alu probe, even single graft cells can be identified and their development can be observed in short-term and long-term studies. With this procedure, we could prove that donor cells were injected correctly into the subretinal space by a special injection technique that we developed previously. In combination with immunohistochemistry, donor cells could be clearly discriminated from macrophages, which contained phagocytosed donor cell fragments. Application of these ISH methods for species-specific identification was valuable for follow-up-studies of RPE transplantation.

СОСТОЯНИЕ ПОЧЕЧНОГО ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОГО РЕЗЕРВА У БЕЛЫХ КРЫС ПРИ ФИЗИОЛОГИЧЕСКОМ ТЕЧЕНИИ БЕРЕМЕННОСТИ

THEAIM of the investigation was to study the state of renal functional reserve in rats during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The investigation was performed in 4 groups of white laboratory rats: groups 1 and 2 - non-pregnant rats with body mass 215-250 g, groups 3 and 4 - pregnant rats (second half of pregnancy, mass of the fetuses 3-5 g) with body mass 240-270 g. The value of renal functional reserve was determined by increased creatinine clearance between groups of animals under conditions of water loading (basal CFR values) and acute osmotic loading with 3% solution of sodium chloride (stimulated CFR values). The state of the tubular portion of the nephron was analyzed on the basis of investigating renal excretion of calcium, phosphates, osmotically active substances and protein. RESULTS. Itwas found that in rats with physiological course of pregnancy the value of renal functional reserve was increased which was followed by increased excretion of endogenous nitrates and nitrites. It was also shown that during physiological course of pregnancy the renal regulation of osmotic homeostasis was more exact. CONCLUSION. 1. The value of the renal functional reserve in rats increases during pregnancy. 2. Renal excretion of inorganic nitrogen oxides increases in rats during physiological development of pregnancy. 3. Renal mechanisms of regulation of osmotic homeostasis work more exactly in pregnant rats.

Decreasing peripheral resistance during pregnancy monitored at the cubital artery.

During the physiological course of pregnancy maternal peripheral vascular resistance decreases. Using the Doppler technique, the decreasing resistance and disappearance of the early diastolic notch in the arterial uterine perfusion can be observed. These changes in the Doppler flow velocity wave form are caused by the trophoblast invasion in which the spiral arteries loose their musculoelastic structure of the arterial wall. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal systemic alteration in the Doppler flow velocity waveform and Pulsatility Index (PI) could be monitored at the cubital artery during normal pregnancy. Forty-five patients were investigated in a prospective study in 4-6-week intervals for Dopplersonographic evaluation of the two uterine arteries and the right cubital artery; 20 of the patients were also investigated after delivery. The presence or absence of the early diastolic reverse flow of the cubital artery was analyzed. Furthermore, the PI was calculated for all vessels. With increasing duration of gestation, the reverse flow of the cubital artery disappeared. During the course of gestation a significant decrease in the PI of the cubital artery was observed in addition to a significantly decreased PI of the uterine arteries. The PI of the placental and nonplacental uterine arteries showed a significant correlation to the PI of the cubital artery. This study demonstrates systemical changes in arterial resistance correlating to those of the uterine arteries during the course of physiological pregnancy.