Variation In Hormone Levels Research Articles

Association of hormone profile with various respiratory disorders in sulfur mustard-chemical veterans.

Chronic respiratory complications such as asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans, and chronic bronchitis are prevalent among individuals exposed to sulfur mustard (SM). This study investigates the hormonal changes associated with SM-induced respiratory disorders. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 276 male participants exposed to SM during the Iraq-Iran war and 64 healthy controls. Serum levels of various hormones were measured. Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), luteinizing hormone (LH), DHEA-S/cortisol ratio, and DHEA-S/prolactin ratio were decreased in the SM-exposed group compared to the control group while prolactin level and prolactin/cortisol ratio were increased (P<0.05). The prolactin was increased in bronchiolitis obliterans, chronic bronchitis, and asthma compared to the control group while DHEA-S and DHEA-S/prolactin ratio were decreased in those disorders (P<0.05). The testosterone was only decreased in asthma, and DHEA-S/cortisol ratio was only decreased in bronchiolitis obliterans and chronic bronchitis compared to control and other disorders (P<0.05). The principle component analysis showed that the DHEA-S/cortisol and testosterone/cortisol ratios had the most contributing to interpatient variation in total SM-exposed patients in the principle component 1 (PC1). In patients with asthma and bronchiolitis obliterans, prolactin/cortisol and testosterone/cortisol ratios had the most contributing in PC1 while in patients with chronic bronchitis, the DHEA-S/cortisol and testosterone/cortisol ratios had the most contributing. Hormones including testosterone, prolactin, and DHEA-S or their ratios (DHEA-S/cortisol and DHEA-S/prolactin ratios) had the most alterations as delayed effects of sulfur mustard. Also, DHEA-S/cortisol, DHEA-S/prolactin, testosterone/cortisol, and prolactin/cortisol had the most contributing in changes of hormone profile for SM-induced pulmonary disorders. These data may suggest the best parameters for evaluating of hormone profile of SM-exposed people.

The relationship of coping style and social support variation to glucocorticoid metabolites in wild olive baboons (Papio anubis).

Social support, via investment in relationships of importance with others, is often emphasized as a pathway towards mediating stress. The effectiveness of social support, however, can be altered by personality differences, but the physiological consequences of such covariation are still poorly explored. How do individual differences in the functioning of the stress response system mediate access to, and use of, social support? To examine this dynamic, we investigated glucocorticoids as a biomarker of energetic activation that may also be activated by chronic psychosocial stress. For this purpose, we studied a wild anthropoid primate, i.e. the olive baboon (Papio anubis), for 17months, in Laikipia District, Kenya. We measured biomarkers of energetic activation, i.e., fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCms), to address whether individual differences in stress coping and social support were associated with variation in hormone levels across a period from 2018 to 2019. We found evidence for an association between social support and fGCm concentrations. This association had a discernable interaction between sex and social support: we found a negative association in male baboons, relative to females-who did not have a pronounced effect. Our findings emphasize the importance of social support in male baboons. The cost of not having diverse bonds, has been downplayed in male baboons.

Puberty and NeuroDevelopment in adolescents (PANDA): a study protocol

BackgroundBiopsychosocial changes during adolescence are thought to confer risk for emotion dysregulation, and in particular, anxiety disorders. However, there are substantial gaps in our knowledge about the biological mechanisms underlying anxiety during adolescence, and whether this contributes to the higher prevalence in females. The Puberty and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescents (PANDA) study aims to examine links between biological (sex hormones, cortisol) and social environmental factors and brain function during adolescence, with a focus on key processes (emotion regulation, fear learning) identified as relevant for the development of anxiety disorders.MethodsPANDA is a cross-sectional study with an observational design that aims to recruit a total of 175 adolescents aged 11-16 (majority female) and their parents/guardians, from the community. Brain function will be examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including functional MRI tasks of emotion regulation and fear learning. Hormones will be measured from hair (i.e., cortisol) and weekly saliva samples (i.e., oestradiol, progesterone, five across a month in females). Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews will be used to assess mental health and social environmental factors such as parenting and adverse childhood experiences. An online study of 113 adolescents was also incorporated during the COVID-19 pandemic as a questionnaire-only sub-study.DiscussionStrengths of this study include the collection of multiple saliva samples to assess variability in hormone levels, examination of the timing of adverse childhood experiences, inclusion of both maternal and paternal parental factors, exploration of mechanisms through the examination of brain structure and function, and multi-method, multi-informant collection of mental health symptoms. This study addresses important gaps in the literature and will enhance knowledge of the biological and environmental contributors to emotion dysregulation and anxiety in adolescents.

Fasting as an Adjuvant Therapy for Cancer: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Practice.

The fundamental biological characteristics of tumor cells are characterized by irregularities in signaling and metabolic pathways, which are evident through increased glucose uptake, altered mitochondrial function, and the ability to evade growth signals. Interventions such as fasting or fasting-mimicking diets represent a promising strategy that can elicit distinct responses in normal cells compared to tumor cells. These dietary strategies can alter the circulating levels of various hormones and metabolites, including blood glucose, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, glucocorticoids, and epinephrine, thereby potentially exerting an anticancer effect. Additionally, elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins and ketone bodies may increase tumor cells' dependence on their own metabolites, ultimately leading to their apoptosis. The combination of fasting or fasting-mimicking diets with radiotherapy or chemotherapeutic agents has demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy. This paper aims to classify fasting, elucidate the mechanisms that underlie its effects, assess its impact on various cancer types, and discuss its clinical applications. We will underscore the differential effects of fasting on normal and cancer cells, the mechanisms responsible for these effects, and the imperative for clinical implementation.

Sex differences in prelimbic cortex calcium dynamics during stress and fear learning

In recent years, research has progressively increased the importance of considering sex differences in stress and fear memory studies. Many studies have traditionally focused on male subjects, potentially overlooking critical differences with females. Emerging evidence suggests that males and females can exhibit distinct behavioral and neurophysiological responses to stress and fear conditioning. These differences may be attributable to variations in hormone levels, brain structure, and neural circuitry, particularly in regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In the present study, we explored sex differences in prelimbic cortex (PL) calcium activity in animals submitted to immobilization stress (IMO), fear conditioning (FC), and fear extinction (FE). While no significant sex differences were found in behavioral responses, we did observe differences in several PL calcium activity parameters. To determine whether these results were related to behaviors beyond stress and fear memory, we conducted correlation studies between the movement of the animals and PL activity during IMO and freezing behavior during FC and FE. Our findings revealed a clear correlation between PL calcium activity with movement during stress exposure and freezing behavior, with no sex differences observed in these correlations. These results suggest a significant role for the PL in movement and locomotion, in addition to its involvement in fear-related processes. The inclusion of both female and male subjects is crucial for studies like this to fully understand the role of the PFC and other brain areas in stress and fear responses. Recognizing sex differences enhances our comprehension of brain function and can lead to more personalized and effective approaches in the study and treatment of stress and fear-related conditions.

Estradiol and progesterone from pregnancy to postpartum: a longitudinal latent class analysis.

During the peripartum, women undergo significant hormonal changes that are crucial for fetal development and a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period for mother and infant. Although several studies have determined healthy norm ranges of estradiol and progesterone, there are discrepancies among the reports, rendering it unclear which hormone levels are linked to adverse health outcomes. To account for the impact of sex steroid patterns on health outcomes in mothers and children, a longitudinal assessment of different parameters is needed. We longitudinally assessed a cohort of 130 women over five months during pregnancy and postpartum. The women provided saliva samples and completed psychosocial questionnaires. Hormone analyses were conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Different parameters of estradiol and progesterone were analyzed and evaluated in relation to psychometric variables. To examine the presence of heterogenous hormonal trajectories in the peripartum, we applied group-based trajectory modelling as a special case of latent-class group analysis. Estradiol and progesterone levels rose towards the end of pregnancy and dropped sharply after birth, with considerable individual variation, particularly during pregnancy. However, their ratio remained stable. We identified three estradiol trajectory subgroups and two progesterone subgroups. Age influenced progesterone levels, with older pregnant women having higher levels than younger women. Anxiety and depressive symptoms had a predictive value for trajectories of specific subgroups of women. The study also revealed two distinct subgroups regarding the course of estradiol and progesterone fluctuations as well as their ratio. This study provides insights into the course and fluctuation of salivary estradiol and progesterone levels among healthy women during the peripartum period, highlighting significant variations in hormone levels but stability in their ratio during this time. The finding of distinct sex steroid courses in the peripartum is new and suggests the need for further research to explore their impact on health outcomes. Our preliminary results suggest that hormonal fluctuations at the end of pregnancy appear to be a normal occurrence and might even be a protective factor for associated psychological symptoms and sleep disturbances in women.

The Effect of the Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on the Pituitary Gonadal Axis

This study aims to investigate the levels of anabolic hormone implicated in specific clinical symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to disease severity. Sixty-four male patients with COPD for at least two years were included. COPD diagnosed was based on pulmonary function tests, with severity classified using the CAT score and mMRC breathlessness scale. Levels of various hormones including TSH T3 T4, FSH, LH, testesterone, prolactin, progesterone and CRP were measured. Arterial blood gases were also analyzed. Patients were categorized according to GOLD stages. LH, FSH levels decreased during exacerbation, with a significant positive correlation between LH and low arterial oxygen levels. lower testosterone levels were statistically significant in severe COPD patients with FEV1 &lt; 50%. A decrease in LH, testosterone FSH, TSH, progesterone and prolactin was observed with low blood oxygen levels, indicating dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. However,stastistical significance varied.In conclusion, hormonal changes occur in male COPD patients, particulary related to disease severity. Testesterone levels correlate significantly with COPD severity. LH decrease during pronounced hypoxemia period was notable. Further research is necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of testosterone supplementation in COPD patients.

Stress Response to Winter Warfare Training: Potential Impact of Location.

Winter warfare training (WWT) is a critical component of military training that trains warfighters to operate effectively in extreme environments impacted by snow and mountainous terrain. These environmental factors can exacerbate the disruption to the hormone milieu associated with operating in multi-stressor settings. To date, there is limited research on the physiological responses and adaptations that occur in elite military populations training in arduous environments. The purpose of this study was to quantify hormone responses and adaptations in operators throughout WWT. Participants engaged in baseline laboratory metrics at their home station, Fort Carson, located in Colorado (CO) prior to WWT, for one week in Montana (MT) and one week in Alaska (AK). WWT periods were separated by approximately one month. Blood was collected upon wake at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT at each location (MT and AK). Plasma was analyzed for stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones via enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Sleep quality was assessed via the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline (CO) and on the first day of training in MT and AK. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT in both MT and AK. Fourteen US Army operators in 10th Special Forces Group (SFG) Operational Detachment participated in winter warfare training (WWT; age: 31.5 years; 95%CI[28.1, 34.3]; height: 180.6 cm; 95%CI[177.3, 183.4]; weight: 87.4 kg.; 95%CI[80.6, 97.7]; body fat: 18.9%; 95%CI[13.7, 23.1]; male: n=13; female: n=1). Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels increased from baseline (19.9 pg/mL; 95%CI[8.6, 24.2]) to pre-WWT (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]; p=0.004), decreased from pre- (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]) to post-WWT in MT (22.3 pg/mL; 95% CI [8, 23.7]; p=0.004;), and increased from pre- (25 pg/mL; 95%CI[ 28.4) to post-WWT (36.6 pg/mL; 95%CI [17.9, 48.9]) in AK (p=0.005). Plasma cortisol levels decreased from pre- (174 ng/mL; 95%CI[106.2, 233.6]) to post-WWT (94.5 ng/mL; 95%CI[54.8, 101.7]) in MT (p=0.001) and, conversely, increased from pre- (123.1 ng/mL; 95%CI[97.5, 143.9]) to post-WWT (162.8 ng/mL; 95%CI[128, 216.7]) in AK (p<0.001). Alterations in growth-related hormones (insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3], and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) were observed throughout WWT (p<0.05). The Total Testosterone / Cortisol ratio (TT / CORT; molar ratio) was lower pre-WWT in MT (0.04; 95%CI[0.01,0.04) compared to baseline in CO (0.07; 95%CI[0.04, 0.07]; p=0.042). Triiodothyronine (T3) levels increased from pre- (101.7 ng/dL; 95%CI[93.7, 110.4]) to post-WWT (117.8 ng/dL; 95%CI[105.1, 129.4]) in MT (p=0.042). No differences in sleep quality were reported between locations (CO, MT, and AK). Alterations in cognitive function were exhibited between locations and during WWT in both MT and AK (p<0.05). Over the course of WWT, elite operators experienced alterations in stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones, as well as cognitive performance. The increase in stress hormones (i.e., ACTH and cortisol) and reduction in cognitive performance following training in AK are suggestive of heightened physiological strain, despite similarities in physical workload, self-reported sleep quality, and access to nutrition. The variation in hormone levels documented between MT and AK may stem from differences in environmental factors, such as lower temperatures and harsh terrain. Further research is warranted to provide more information on the combined effects of military training in extreme environments on operator health and performance.

Механизмы неонатальной адаптации новорожденных при антенатально диагностированном критическом состоянии плода

Objective. To study the hormone status in newborns and to determine the role of certain hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), somatotropic hormone (STH), cortisol, aldosterone) in neonatal adaptation of newborns with antenatal diagnosis of absent/reversed blood flow in the umbilical artery. Patients and methods. This prospective study was conducted from 2015 to 2018 and included women with singleton pregnancies at 22–40 weeks’ gestation with diagnosed absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery. All patients in the study group delivered by cesarean section. Patients in the group with normal blood flow delivered either vaginally or by cesarean section. The levels of hormones (TSH, STH, ACTH, aldosterone, and cortisol) were determined in umbilical cord blood at birth. This analysis was performed immediately after cord clamping. Women delivered between 8 am and 4 pm were included in the study, considering the diurnal variations in hormone levels. The association between hormone levels and perinatal complications was evaluated in newborns with antenatal diagnosis of absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery. Results. A total of 109 patients were included in the study. The hormone status in newborns with antenatal diagnosis of absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery was assessed. The levels of TSH, cortisol, ACTH, STH, and aldosterone have shown to be predictors of complications in the perinatal period, which causes problems of early neonatal adaptation and requires transfer to the intensive care unit. Conclusion. Absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery reflects decompensated placental insufficiency. In this case, there is a failure of neonatal adaptation, which leads to adverse perinatal outcomes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is a Challenging Problem in Women

A diverse endocrine condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome is characterised by ovarian cysts, anovulation, and endocrine variance in women. As from the World Health Organisation, PCOS affects more than 116 million women globally. Patients with irregular periods and clinical indications of hyperandrogenism, such as acne, seborrhea, hirsutism, irregular menses, infertility, and alopecia, are suspected of having polycystic ovarian syndrome, a "multispeciality" illness. It is now widely acknowledged that oxidative stress plays a crucial part in the pathogenesis of numerous illnesses, including PCOS. OS is thought to have close interactions with PCOS characteristics, including insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenemia, and chronic inflammation. Although highly complicated antioxidant enzyme and non-enzymatic systems regulate intracellular reactive oxygen species formation and propagation, knowing the mechanisms that underlie oxidative stress is crucial to the development of PCOS prevention and treatment options. Management should prioritise encouraging employees, educating the public, resolving psychological issues, and highlighting a healthy lifestyle with appropriate medical treatment. Long-term metabolic problems need to be monitored and managed as part of standard therapeutic care. To help with early diagnosis, appropriate investigation, routine screening, and treatment of this common illness, comprehensive evidence-based guidelines are required. The research suggests that phytoestrogen rich herbal extracts reduce hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and ovarian weight while increasing ovulation. As a result, these plants may have some effect on the levels of various hormones in the serum as well as ovarian weight and morphology, which presents a chance to research and find novel bioactive compounds.

Clinical spectrum and hormonal profile of patients with non-inflammatory benign breast disorders: a cross-sectional study

Background: Benign breast disorders (BBD) are one of the most common problems seen in women. Since development of the breast is under the influence of various hormones, this study was done to document the clinical spectrum of females with BBD, and to understand if any association exists between serum levels of various hormones and BBD. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 134 patients who presented to the surgical OPD with non-inflammatory BBD. These patients were evaluated for serum levels of 8 hormones-estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The levels of these hormones were correlated with the type of BBD. Results: Breast pain was the most common presenting complaint (67.16%), followed by breast lump (51.49%). Most patients were diagnosed as proliferative BBD (50%) followed by mastalgia (32.8%) and non-proliferative BBD (17.2%), 36.57% patients had fibroadenoma. The 73.88% of patients showed abnormal serum levels of at least one of the hormones. Most common abnormalities were significantly detectable levels of serum PSA (51.4%), and decreased levels of serum testosterone (20.8%). Among the rest, TSH was raised in 9.7%, estrogen was raised in 9.7%, FSH was raised in 8.9%, prolactin was raised in 8.9%, LH was raised in 6.7% and progesterone was raised in 2.9%. Conclusions: Our study suggests that abnormality in various hormones (seen in 73.88% of our patients) could be responsible for development of BBD. The interplay of these hormones on aberrations in breast development and involution is unclear and warrants further studies on larger populations.

Some blood parameters of Pacific fat sleepers, Dormitator latifrons (Richardson, 1844): a comparative study between male and female in two growth stages

Dormitator latifrons is an amphidromous fish widely distributed in the Pacific slope from California to Peru. Although this species has a high potential for aquaculture, there is little information about the blood parameters of sex and growth stage. Eighty specimens of D. latifrons (40 males and 40 females in two growth stages) were used. They were placed in 1700 L tanks, one for each group, and fed with a feed for Tilapia diet with 35% protein and 8% fat. At the end of 30 days, blood samples were collected. Some blood parameters were determined (hematocrit, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, and A/G), and hematocrit percentage, glucose, albumins, and globulins presented significant differences between stages (P &lt; 0.05). Total proteins showed differences only between males and females (P &lt; 0.05). The hematocrit registered significant differences between stage and sex (P &lt; 0.05). Differences between stages and sex may be related to a higher growth rate, differences in feed conversion, an increase in energy expenditure, and variations in hormonal levels. This study is the first to determine some blood parameters of D. latifrons under experimental aquaculture conditions concerning sex and growth stage.

Understanding Sleep Disturbances in Prostate Cancer-A Scientometric Analysis of Sleep Assessment, Aetiology, and Its Impact on Quality of Life.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United Kingdom. While androgen-deprivation therapy is the most common treatment for prostate cancer, patients undergoing this treatment typically experience side effects in terms of sleep disturbances. However, the relation between prostate cancer and sleep and the way in which sleep interventions may benefit oncological patients is underinvestigated in the literature. The current study aims to review in a data-driven approach the existing literature on the field of prostate cancer and sleep to identify impactful documents and major thematic domains. To do so, a sample of 1547 documents was downloaded from Scopus, and a document co-citation analysis was conducted on CiteSpace software. In the literature, 12 main research domains were identified as well as 26 impactful documents. Research domains were examined regarding the link between prostate cancer and sleep, by taking into account variations in hormonal levels. A major gap in the literature was identified in the lack of use of objective assessment of sleep quality in patients with prostate cancer.

Modelling timing and tempo of adrenarche in a prospective cohort study.

To better understand how health risk processes are linked to adrenarche, measures of adrenarcheal timing and tempo are needed. Our objective was to describe and classify adrenal trajectories, in terms of timing and tempo, in a population of children transitioning to adolescence with repeated measurements of salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulphate, and testosterone. We analysed data from the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS), a longitudinal study of 1239 participants, recruited at 8-9 years old and followed up annually. Saliva samples were assayed for adrenal hormones. Linear mixed-effect models with subject-specific random intercepts and slopes were used to model longitudinal hormone trajectories by sex and derive measures of adrenarcheal timing and tempo. The median values for all hormones were higher at each consecutive study wave for both sexes, and higher for females than males. For all hormones, between-individual variation in hormone levels at age 9 (timing) was moderately large and similar for females and males. Between-individual variation in hormone progression over time (tempo) was of moderate magnitude compared with the population average age-slope, which itself was small compared with overall hormone level at each age. This suggests that between-individual variation in tempo was less important for modelling hormone trajectories. Between-individual variation in timing was more important for determining relative adrenal hormonal level in childhood than tempo. This finding suggests that adrenal hormonal levels at age 8-9 years can be used to predict relative levels in early adolescence (up to 13 years).

Longitudinal evaluation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfated form and estradiol with cancer-related cognitive impairment in early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

The purpose of this study is to elucidate how patient-reported cognitive symptoms manifest from variations in hormone levels or precursors such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form [collectively termed as DHEA(S)] and to investigate their association in breast cancer survivors. Levels of estradiol and DHEA(S) were compared between early-stage breast cancer patients with and without cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) during adjuvant chemotherapy. Data were analyzed from 242 patients (mean age ± SD = 50.8 ± 9.2 years) who had completed FACT-Cog v.3.0, blood draws and questionnaires. Regression model was used to fit the magnitude of change in each respective biomarker levels against overall cognitive impairment status while adjusting for clinically important covariates. There was reduction in mean plasma levels of estradiol and DHEAS during and towards the end of chemotherapy (p-values < 0.001). Compared to non-impaired patients, smaller magnitude of decline was observed in DHEA(S) levels in patients reporting CRCI, with significant association between decline in DHEAS levels and acute onset of CRCI at 6 weeks from baseline (adjusted β of 0.40, p-value of 0.02). In contrast, patients reporting CRCI showed greater magnitude of decline in estradiol compared to non-impaired patients, although this was not found to be statistically significant. There was an association between magnitude of change in biomarker levels with self-reported CRCI which suggests that the hormonal pathway related to DHEAS may be implicated in acute CRCI for breast cancer survivors. Our findings help to improve biological understanding of the pathway from which DHEAS may correlate with cognitive dysfunction and its impact on cancer survivors.

Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Hormone Pathways and bZIP Genes Responsive to Decapitation in Sunflower.

Decapitation is an essential agricultural practice and is a typical method for analyzing shoot branching. However, it is unclear exactly how decapitation controls branching. In this study, the decapitation of sunflower plants led to the development of lateral buds, accompanied by a decrease in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) levels and an increase in cytokinin (CK) levels. Additionally, 82 members of the HabZIP family were discovered and categorized into 9 groups, using phylogenetic and conservative domain analysis. The intron/exon structure and motif compositions of HabZIP members were also investigated. Based on tissue-specific expression and expression analysis following decapitation derived from the transcriptome, several HabZIP members may be involved in controlling decapitation-induced bud outgrowth. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the dynamic variations in hormone levels, in conjunction with particular HabZIP genes, led to the development of axillary buds in sunflowers following decapitation.

EQTLs as causal instruments for the reconstruction of hormone linked gene networks.

Hormones act within in highly dynamic systems and much of the phenotypic response to variation in hormone levels is mediated by changes in gene expression. The increase in the number and power of large genetic association studies has led to the identification of hormone linked genetic variants. However, the biological mechanisms underpinning the majority of these loci are poorly understood. The advent of affordable, high throughput next generation sequencing and readily available transcriptomic databases has shown that many of these genetic variants also associate with variation in gene expression levels as expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTLs). In addition to further dissecting complex genetic variation, eQTLs have been applied as tools for causal inference. Many hormone networks are driven by transcription factors, and many of these genes can be linked to eQTLs. In this mini-review, we demonstrate how causal inference and gene networks can be used to describe the impact of hormone linked genetic variation upon the transcriptome within an endocrinology context.

Hair loss in women

Alopecia in women is capable of causing anxiety and depression. Hair loss is more common in women than is men due to variation in hormone levels seen during menarche, puberty, pregnancy, menopause and use of contraception drugs. This article approaches the clinical features, trichoscopy, treatment option and differential diagnosis of the most common causes of hair loss in women: telogen effluvium, female pattern hair loss, frontal fibrosing alopecia, fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cortisol levels vs. microbiology of the digestive system of sheep during lambing

BackgroundDuring parturition, animals exhibit variation in hormone levels, homeostasis disturbance and dysfunction of the immune system as a result of stress. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is responsible for the occurrence of oxidative stress in the cells. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, but it is also involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and metabolism processes led by adipose tissue. The aim of the this study was to determine how the levels of GST and cortisol change depending on the parity. Additionally, the influence of lambing on the microbiological composition of the digestive system and placenta in Olkuska sheep was investigated.MethodsEighteen ewes were selected for the experiment - primiparas (n = 9) and multiparas (n = 9), they were kept in the same environmental conditions, had the same diet and did not show any disease symptoms. Fecal samples were collected individually from each ewe (n = 18) and then bacterial DNA isolation was made, then qPCR analysis for Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria phyla and Lactobacillaceae family bacteria levels was performed. These samples were also used to analyze cortisol levels by ELISA test. In addition, placenta fragments were collected during delivery, and then the GST level from the tissue was tested.ResultsThe analysis of the results showed a higher level of cortisol in primiparous sheep than in multiparous ones, as in the case of glutathione transferase. There were differences between both studied groups in the microbiological composition of the digestive system. In primiparous sheep, the levels of the tested microorganisms were significantly lower than in multiparous ones. A similar relationship occurred in the study of the placental microbiome.ConclusionThe results show that sheep microbiome, cortisol and GST levels are different in primiparas and multiparas. The study conducted may constitute an introduction to further analyzes that would help positively affect the welfare and homeostasis of the female organism.

Hormonal Deficiency in Patients with Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Study

Background :Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a major public health concern in developing and developed countries as it affects productivity and economy. The incidence, prevalence, and scope of survival and recovery from acute and chronic post-traumatic pituitary dysfunction (PTPD) have not been comprehensively assessed. Post-traumatic hypopituitarism accounts for 7.2% of all hypopituitarism cases. The identification of patients with acute brain injury who are at risk of hormonal deficiency and the provision of appropriate interventions can reduce morbidity associated with TBI. Study objectives • Assess the proportion of patients with severe head injury (Glasgow coma scale [GCS] score of &lt; 9) who are at risk of reduced thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), and serum cortisol levels within the first week after trauma. • Develop the Acute TBI Hormone Assessment Score (ATBIHAS), which is a 12-point scoring system comprising clinical and radiological parameters, and evaluate its correlation with hormone reduction during the acute phase of trauma, specifically on the fourth day. • Investigate whether the ATBIHAS can be used to quantify the percentage of hormonal reduction on the fourth day after trauma. • Evaluate the correlation between GCS score and hormonal reduction on the fourth day after trauma. Methods : This prospective observational study was conducted at the Neurosurgical Department of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, India. In total, 30 patients with severe head injury who underwent brain computed tomography (CT) scan after the initial resuscitation and within the first 24 h after presentation were included in the analysis. Clinical Georg Thieme Verlag KG, P.O. Box 30 11 20, 70451 Stuttgart, Germany Manuscript submitted to Editorial Office of Central European Neurosurgery For Peer Review data were collected, and brain CT scan findings were recorded in the proforma. Moreover, information about sphenoidal hemosinus, frontal contusion, temporal contusion, edema, infarct, midline shift, and bony calvarial fracture was recorded. The ATBIHAS, a 12-point scoring system comprising clinical and radiological features and surgical procedures for the current scenario, was developed. This tool can assess pituitary stalk injury and hypothalamic pituitary axis disruption. All participants underwent the thyroid profile test, which comprised TSH, FT3, FT4, and serum cortisol levels. Samples were collected between 7:00 and 9:00 am on the day after the patient was successfully resuscitated. This time period was selected to prevent diurnal variations in hormone levels. The test was repeated between 7:00 and 9:00 am on the fourth day of admission. Data about all hormonal levels and their variations on the fourth day were assessed and compared with the ATBIHAS. This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Results: Among the participants, 27 were men and 3 women. Approximately 33.3% and 6.7% were aged 20–29 and 50–59 years, respectively. Hormonal reduction between the first and fourth days after trauma significantly differed (P &lt; 0.001). The incidence rates of hormonal reduction after the fourth day of trauma were 90% for TSH, FT4, and serum cortisol and 93% for free T3. The ATBIHAS was found to be positively correlated with reduced TSH, FT3 and FT4, and serum cortisol levels. A higher score indicated a greater percentage of hormone reduction on the fourth day after trauma. However, there was no significant correlation between the GCS score as well as the ATBIHAS and TSH, FT3, FT4, and serum cortisol reduction (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Approximately &gt; 90% of patients with severe head injury are at risk for TSH, FT3, FT4, and serum cortisol reduction within the first week after trauma. Moreover, there is a significant linear correlation between ATBIHAS and hormonal levels during the acute phase of trauma, specifically on the fourth day. Hence, the ATBIHAS ca