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2.
Acta Psychiatr Scand ; 141(5): 465-475, 2020 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32027017

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To test whether polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-S) interacts with childhood adversity and daily-life stressors to influence momentary mental state domains (negative affect, positive affect, and subtle psychosis expression) and stress-sensitivity measures. METHODS: The data were retrieved from a general population twin cohort including 593 adolescents and young adults. Childhood adversity was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Daily-life stressors and momentary mental state domains were measured using ecological momentary assessment. PRS-S was trained on the latest Psychiatric Genetics Consortium schizophrenia meta-analysis. The analyses were conducted using multilevel mixed-effects tobit regression models. RESULTS: Both childhood adversity and daily-life stressors were associated with increased negative affect, decreased positive affect, and increased subtle psychosis expression, while PRS-S was only associated with increased positive affect. No gene-environment correlation was detected. There is novel evidence for interaction effects between PRS-S and childhood adversity to influence momentary mental states [negative affect (b = 0.07, P = 0.013), positive affect (b = -0.05, P = 0.043), and subtle psychosis expression (b = 0.11, P = 0.007)] and stress-sensitivity measures. CONCLUSION: Exposure to childhood adversities, particularly in individuals with high PRS-S, is pleiotropically associated with emotion dysregulation and psychosis proneness.


Subject(s)
Adverse Childhood Experiences/psychology , Emotional Regulation , Multifactorial Inheritance/genetics , Psychotic Disorders/genetics , Schizophrenia/genetics , Adolescent , Affect , Child , Ecological Momentary Assessment , Female , Gene-Environment Interaction , Humans , Male , Risk Factors , Stress, Psychological/genetics , Twins , Young Adult
3.
Andrologia ; 2018 Jan 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29369372

ABSTRACT

Various factors are involved in the aetiology of premature ejaculation (PE). Hyperthyroidism is one of the causes of acquired PE, but the exact mechanism by which it causes the disorder is not yet understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the dopaminergic system in hyperthyroidism-induced PE by the intracerebroventricular microinjection of the preferentially active dopamine receptor agonist 7-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) tetralin (7-OH-DPAT) in a rat model of this disorder. Wistar rats were randomly divided into hyperthyroid and control groups, and ejaculation was induced by the ICV administration of 7-OH-DPAT. To evaluate the emission and expulsion phases of ejaculation, measurements of seminal vesicle pressure (SVP) and electromyographic recordings of the bulbospongiosus muscle were taken. The interval between the 7-OH-DPAT administration and the first ejaculation was significantly less in the hyperthyroid group (p < .01) than in the control group, and the maximum amplitude of the SVP values revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < .01). The intervals between contractions of the seminal vesicle and bulbospongiosus muscles were also significantly less in the hyperthyroid group (p = .0187) than in the control group. No other results differed significantly between the groups. This study determined that hyperthyroidism altered only the emission phase of ejaculation.

4.
Urologe A ; 56(4): 497-499, 2017 Apr.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27411999

ABSTRACT

PNET of the kidney are rare, aggressive tumors that occur mainly in adolescents. The diagnosis of PNET is difficult, but is possible with pathognomonic radiological findings. Since a radical nephrectomy is generally not sufficient for PNET of the kidney, early diagnosis and treatment is essential for successful recovery.


Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/diagnostic imaging , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/pathology , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods , Adolescent , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Kidney Neoplasms , Rare Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Rare Diseases/pathology
5.
Andrologia ; 49(9)2017 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27882592

ABSTRACT

Seventy-two male patients, who were included in this study, underwent ureteroscopic stone surgery (study group). Forty-two healthy males were enrolled as control group. Changes in sexual function were evaluated using International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire in pre-operative, first and third postoperative terms. Overall satisfaction in relation to the age, operation time, presence of stents, body mass index, educational status, previous operations, International Index of Erectile Function score, International Prostate Symptom Score, Quality of Life, income status, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, stone-free rates and Beck's depression scale were evaluated. Erectile and ejaculatory functions, quality of life and lower urinary tract symptoms were negatively affected due to ureteroscopic stone surgery, while educational status, psychogenic aspect and income status remained stable. In conclusion, ureteroscopic stone surgery with JJ catheterisation seems to have a progressively decreasing negative effect on male sexual function and whenever possible, stenting should be avoided. If JJ stenting is necessary, patients should be informed that they may experience sexual dysfunction at least for 3 months and if stenting proves necessary the indwelling should be kept as short as possible.


Subject(s)
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology , Ureteroscopy/adverse effects , Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Stents/adverse effects
6.
Transl Psychiatry ; 6: e749, 2016 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26926885

ABSTRACT

Impairments in fear extinction are thought to be central to the psychopathology of posttraumatic stress disorder, and endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling has been strongly implicated in extinction learning. Here we utilized the monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184 to selectively augment brain 2-AG levels combined with an auditory cue fear-conditioning paradigm to test the hypothesis that 2-AG-mediated eCB signaling modulates short-term fear extinction learning in mice. We show that systemic JZL184 impairs short-term extinction learning in a CB1 receptor-dependent manner without affecting non-specific freezing behavior or the acquisition of conditioned fear. This effect was also observed in over-conditioned mice environmentally manipulated to re-acquire fear extinction. Cumulatively, the effects of JZL184 appear to be partly due to augmentation of 2-AG signaling in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), as direct microinfusion of JZL184 into the BLA produced similar results. Moreover, we elucidate a short ~3-day temporal window during which 2-AG augmentation impairs extinction behavior, suggesting a preferential role for 2-AG-mediated eCB signaling in the modulation of short-term behavioral sequelae to acute traumatic stress exposure.


Subject(s)
Arachidonic Acids/pharmacology , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/pharmacology , Endocannabinoids/pharmacology , Extinction, Psychological/drug effects , Fear/drug effects , Glycerides/pharmacology , Signal Transduction , Animals , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL
7.
Mol Psychiatry ; 18(7): 813-23, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22688188

ABSTRACT

Endocannabinoids are released 'on-demand' on the basis of physiological need, and can be pharmacologically augmented by inhibiting their catabolic degradation. The endocannabinoid anandamide is degraded by the catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Anandamide is implicated in the mediation of fear behaviors, including fear extinction, suggesting that selectively elevating brain anandamide could modulate plastic changes in fear. Here we first tested this hypothesis with preclinical experiments employing a novel, potent and selective FAAH inhibitor, AM3506 (5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pentanesulfonyl fluoride). Systemic AM3506 administration before extinction decreased fear during a retrieval test in a mouse model of impaired extinction. AM3506 had no effects on fear in the absence of extinction training, or on various non-fear-related measures. Anandamide levels in the basolateral amygdala were increased by extinction training and augmented by systemic AM3506, whereas application of AM3506 to amygdala slices promoted long-term depression of inhibitory transmission, a form of synaptic plasticity linked to extinction. Further supporting the amygdala as effect-locus, the fear-reducing effects of systemic AM3506 were blocked by intra-amygdala infusion of a CB1 receptor antagonist and were fully recapitulated by intra-amygdala infusion of AM3506. On the basis of these preclinical findings, we hypothesized that variation in the human FAAH gene would predict individual differences in amygdala threat-processing and stress-coping traits. Consistent with this, carriers of a low-expressing FAAH variant (385A allele; rs324420) exhibited quicker habituation of amygdala reactivity to threat, and had lower scores on the personality trait of stress-reactivity. Our findings show that augmenting amygdala anandamide enables extinction-driven reductions in fear in mouse and may promote stress-coping in humans.


Subject(s)
Amygdala/metabolism , Amygdala/physiology , Arachidonic Acids/physiology , Endocannabinoids/physiology , Extinction, Psychological/physiology , Fear/physiology , Adaptation, Psychological/physiology , Adult , Alkanesulfonates/administration & dosage , Alkanesulfonates/pharmacology , Amidohydrolases/antagonists & inhibitors , Amidohydrolases/genetics , Amygdala/drug effects , Animals , Arachidonic Acids/metabolism , Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists/administration & dosage , Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology , Conditioning, Psychological/drug effects , Conditioning, Psychological/physiology , Endocannabinoids/metabolism , Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Fear/drug effects , Fear/psychology , Female , Functional Neuroimaging , Genetic Association Studies , Habituation, Psychophysiologic/drug effects , Habituation, Psychophysiologic/physiology , Humans , Male , Mice , Microinjections , Middle Aged , Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects , Neuronal Plasticity/physiology , Personality/genetics , Personality/physiology , Phenols/administration & dosage , Phenols/pharmacology , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Piperidines/pharmacology , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Polyunsaturated Alkamides/metabolism , Pyrazoles/administration & dosage , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Rimonabant
8.
Urol Res ; 40(1): 61-5, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21792674

ABSTRACT

Urinary stone disease (USD) alone can cause much morbidity, but when present in conjunction with urinary tract infection, complications and morbidity increase even more. This study investigated the clinical and laboratory findings in patients who had USD with and without infection and evaluated the most suitable diagnostic value for urinary tract infection parameters before urine culture results were available. In a prospective fashion, patients who presented to the emergency department with a complaint of colicky flank pain (with or without hematuria) and who were diagnosed as having urolithiasis with ultrasound were evaluated for 1 year. The gold standard for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection was urine culture. The most suitable diagnostic value for urinary tract infection parameters was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Logistic regression was used to identify independent variables that predicted a positive urine culture. Of the 192 eligible patients, 177 agreed to participate in the study. Of the clinical and laboratory characteristics analyzed, urine WBC, blood WBC, and fever were significantly different between culture positive and negative patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.04 p = 0.012, respectively). Using ROC curve analysis, pyuria (over 10 WBCs per HPF), fever over 37.9°C, and leucocytosis over 11,300 were the best predictors of a positive culture result. The logistic regression model for leukocytosis >11,300 (OR 2.1), pyuria (OR 2.8), and temperature >37.9°C (OR 3.1) showed a significantly increased risk of having a positive urine culture (correct class 87.9%). While a single physical examination or laboratory finding cannot predict urinary tract infection in USD patients with complete reliability, the presence of pyruria, fever, and leukocytosis significantly increases the odds of a positive urine culture.


Subject(s)
Urinary Tract Infections/diagnosis , Urolithiasis/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Hydronephrosis/complications , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , ROC Curve
9.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 31(5): 420-3, 2011 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21627427

ABSTRACT

The aim of the presented study is to determine the effect of different sperm parameters on the pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles in women with favourable fertility characteristics treated for infertility. Medical records of 212 infertile couples who had undergone a total of 253 cycles were reviewed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria for women were age <35 years, antral follicle count >5, FSH <15 IU/ml, and at least one patent tube documented by HSG or laparoscopy. Clinical pregnancy rates were achieved as 15.8% per cycle, and 18.8% per couple. Woman's age, partner's age, total number of motile sperm (TMS) and motility, significantly influenced pregnancy rate. Pregnancy rate was the highest when women were aged <25 and TMS >10 × 10(6). Partner's age significantly affected the pregnancy rate per cycle in women aged <30 years and TMS >10 × 10(6). Woman's age (OR: 5.4 95% CI: 1.2-24.3) and TMS (OR: 0.06 95% CI: 0.003-0.89) were predictor variables as regards to pregnancy. Pregnancy rate was the highest in IUI cycles when woman was <25 years old, TMS was >10 × 10(6), and morphology was >4%. Male age was found to be another determining factor for IUI success, even if they had a normal spermiogram.


Subject(s)
Infertility, Female/therapy , Insemination, Artificial, Homologous/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy Rate , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Female , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Retrospective Studies , Sperm Count , Turkey , Young Adult
10.
Biol Reprod ; 83(1): 36-41, 2010 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20237332

ABSTRACT

The actions of the endogenous peptide nociceptin (PNOC; previously abbreviated as N/OFQ) on the myometrium have not been investigated previously. Our aim was to study the presence and functional role of PNOC in the modulation of uterine contractility in pregnant rats at term. The presence of PNOC and its receptors (OPRL1; previously called NOP) in the uterus were detected by radioimmunoassay and radioligand-binding experiments. The PNOC-stimulated G protein activation was assessed by a [(35)S]GTPgammaS-binding technique. The effects of PNOC in uterine rings precontracted with KCl or oxytocin were also tested in vitro. Uterine levels of cAMP were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The K(+) channel blockers tetraethylammonium and paxilline were used to study the role of K(+) channels in mediating the uterine effects of PNOC. Both PNOC and OPRL1 were present in the uterus. PNOC revealed a maximum contraction inhibition of approximately 30%, which was increased to 40% by naloxone. Naloxone and pertussis toxin significantly attenuated the G protein-stimulating effect of PNOC. The uterine cAMP levels were elevated by PNOC and naloxone and after preincubation with pertussis toxin. Tetraethylammonium and paxilline reduced the contraction-inhibiting effect of PNOC and naloxone to approximately 10% and 15%, respectively. We presume that PNOC plays a role in regulating uterine contractility at term. Its effect is mediated partly by stimulatory heterotrimeric G (G(s)) proteins coupled to OPRL1 receptors and elevated cAMP levels, and also by Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels. Our results demonstrate a novel action and signaling pathway for PNOC that might be a potential drug target.


Subject(s)
GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/metabolism , Opioid Peptides/metabolism , Pregnancy/metabolism , Receptors, Opioid/metabolism , Uterine Contraction/metabolism , Uterus/metabolism , Animals , Cyclic AMP/metabolism , Female , Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/metabolism , In Vitro Techniques , Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits/metabolism , Radioligand Assay , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Signal Transduction , Sulfur Radioisotopes/metabolism , Nociceptin Receptor , Nociceptin
11.
Anaesthesia ; 63(10): 1131-4, 2008 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18647291

ABSTRACT

We investigated whether insertion of the disposable Soft Seal laryngeal mask airway (SSLM) was successful without intra-oral digital manipulation. One hundred patients undergoing anaesthesia using the SSLM were randomly assigned into two groups. Insertion was performed by either a direct or a rotational technique, both without intra-oral digital manipulation. The primary outcome measure was successful insertion at first attempt. Other outcomes included insertion time, fibreoptic assessment of the airway view and airway morbidity. The first attempt success rate was higher (98%) with the direct technique than with the rotational technique (75%; p = 0.002) but insertion time was faster with the latter method (mean [range] 15 [8-50] s) than with the direct method (20 [8-56] s; p = 0.035). Fibreoptic assessment and airway morbidity were similar in both groups. We conclude that the SSLM can be successfully inserted without intra-oral digital manipulation.


Subject(s)
Laryngeal Masks , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Disposable Equipment , Female , Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Intubation, Intratracheal/adverse effects , Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation , Intubation, Intratracheal/methods , Laryngeal Masks/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Pharyngitis/etiology , Rotation , Time Factors , Trachea/injuries
12.
Transplant Proc ; 40(1): 53-6, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18261546

ABSTRACT

Because of the shortage of cadaveric donor organs, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has become an established therapy modality for end-stage liver disease. Based on recipient size, both right and left liver lobe grafts have been used successfully in LDLT. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of intraoperative complications and transfusion requirements between right and left lobe donors. We reviewed the charts of 54 right lobe (Group RL), 29 left lobe (Group LL), and 31 left lateral segment (Group LLS) donors who underwent lobectomy from January 2003 through January 2007. We recorded patient demographics, perioperative laboratory values, intraoperative fluid and transfusion requirements, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, and complications. Demographic features and preoperative laboratory values were similar for the 3 groups, except for age (Group RL, 37.3 +/- 8.7; Group LL, 36.0 +/- 9.3; Group LLS, 31.7 +/- 9.4; P = .02). There were no significant differences in mean liver volumes among the groups (P > .05). Respective graft volumes were 803.1 +/- 139.2 mL, 438.0 +/- 122.7 mL, and 308.2 +/- 76.6 mL for Groups RL, LL, and LLS, respectively (P < .001). More patients in Group LLS required heterologous blood transfusion than did those in the other groups (P = .01). The incidence of intraoperative hypotension was similar for all groups (P > .05). Group RL had a significantly higher rate of intraoperative hypothermia than the other groups (P = .01). There were no intraoperative respiratory complications or cardiac events. These results indicated that both right and left donor lobectomies for LDLT were safe procedures with acceptable rates of minor intraoperative complications.


Subject(s)
Hepatectomy/methods , Liver Transplantation/physiology , Living Donors , Tissue and Organ Harvesting/methods , Adult , Anesthesiology/methods , Blood Group Antigens/analysis , Diuresis , Female , Functional Laterality , Humans , Living Donors/psychology , Living Donors/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Organ Preservation/methods , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
13.
Transplant Proc ; 40(1): 224-7, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18261592

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a restrictive fluid management strategy and acute normovolemic intraoperative hemodilution (ANIH) to decrease transfusion requirements among living-donors for liver transplantation (LDLT). We retrospectively reviewed the data of 114 consecutive LDLT donors. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether (Group I; n = 73) or not (Group II; n = 41) a restrictive fluid management strategy with ANIH was used during the procedure. For each group we recorded demographic features, intraoperative and postoperative transfusions, amount of administered intraoperative crystalloid and colloids, intraoperative hemodynamics, preoperative and postoperative laboratory values (renal and liver functions), intraoperative and postoperative urine output, and length of hospital stay. Demographic features and preoperative laboratory values were similar for the 2 groups, except for age (Group I, 36 +/- 9 vs Group II, 33 +/- 8; P = .04). Intraoperatively, 7 patients (10%) in Group 1 and 9 (22%) in Group II required blood transfusions (P = .06). The respective amount of heterologous blood transfusion for Groups I and II was 96 +/- 321 mL vs 295 +/- 678 mL (P = .06). Postoperative renal and liver functions were not different between the 2 groups (P > .05). Patients in Group I had a shorter hospital stay than those in Group II (8.2 +/- 4.6 days vs 10.1 +/- 4.9 days; P = .03). In conclusion, a restrictive fluid management strategy with ANIH was a safe blood-salvage technique for LDLT. This approach was also associated with decreased length of hospital stay and a trend toward decreased transfusion requirements.


Subject(s)
Blood Transfusion/statistics & numerical data , Fluid Therapy , Hemodilution/methods , Hepatectomy/methods , Living Donors , Tissue and Organ Harvesting/methods , Adult , Blood Loss, Surgical , Body Size , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Intraoperative , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Retrospective Studies
14.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand ; 86(9): 1079-86, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17712648

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnant endometrial stroma, an immunologically privileged site in the female reproductive system, is enriched by decidual and natural killer (NK) cells. Since the cellular microenvironment in early pregnancy from the decidual tissues of normal and miscarriage cases has gained importance, with special emphasis on cell-to-cell contacts, we aimed to document the plastic structure of the cellular milieu in normal and miscarriage decidua. METHODS: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from women after legal curettage or women who had been treated by curettage after miscarriage. Samples were analysed in a light microscope (LM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: Decidual cells possess several polyploidic protrusions on cell membranes. NK cells were distributed among decidual cells. Decidual cells were found to develop gap junctions in the interfaces between each other. Their cytoplasms were also found to possess well-developed protein synthesising organelles. Decidual cells obtained from miscarriages showed a moderate degree of degeneration and, in between, a decreased number of junctional complexes. Mononuclear cell infiltration was found to be significantly low. CONCLUSION: We conclude that decidual cells during early pregnancy build a series of miniature cell-cell contacts to assemble a proper endometrial milieu. In contrast, in miscarriage samples, those intercellular communications seem lacking, associated with an increased number of NK cells, a phenomenon which obviously alters proper implantation and leads to the induction of embryonic disgenesis and miscarriage.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous , Decidua/cytology , Decidua/ultrastructure , Intercellular Junctions/physiology , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Abortion, Spontaneous/immunology , Abortion, Spontaneous/pathology , Adult , Embryo Implantation/immunology , Embryo Implantation/physiology , Female , Humans , Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism , Membrane Glycoproteins/ultrastructure , Microscopy , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Pregnancy
15.
Anaesthesia ; 60(6): 602-4, 2005 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15918832

ABSTRACT

A 43-year-old female patient underwent pyelolithotomy in the left lateral decubitus position. Her upper right arm was placed on a padded armboard. Surgery lasted for 240 min. Postoperatively, she complained of numbness of the dorsal part of her right hand and wrist drop. Neurological examination revealed hypoaesthesia of the dermatome of the right forearm and hand innervated by the radial nerve. Electromyography revealed advanced axonal degeneration of the radial nerve below the level of the elbow. Treatment with diclofenac, vitamin B and physiotherapy was started. Her symptoms improved gradually and at the 60th postoperative day, motor weakness had completely resolved. In order to prevent peri-operative nerve injury, careful positioning of every patient on the operating table with proper padding is essential, with attention paid to time-dependent risks. If an injury occurs, diagnosis and treatment should be started as rapidly as possible.


Subject(s)
Anesthesia, General , Kidney Calculi/surgery , Postoperative Complications , Posture , Radial Nerve/injuries , Adult , Female , Humans , Hypesthesia/etiology , Intraoperative Care/adverse effects , Nerve Compression Syndromes/etiology
16.
Mol Hum Reprod ; 11(6): 389-96, 2005 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15879462

ABSTRACT

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a widely used environmental estrogen-like chemical that has a weak estrogenic activity. This study aimed to test the potential inhibitory effects of BPA on meiotic cell cycle progression, centrosomes and spindle integrity in mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). They were exposed to BPA (10-30 microM; 2.3-6.8 ppm) during meiosis-I and the formation of metaphase-II (M-II) spindle. Exposure to BPA during meiosis-I caused a dose-dependent retardation/inhibition of cell cycle progression; 74 and 61% of cells reached metaphase-I (M-I) in the presence of 10 and 30 microM BPA, respectively, (81% in controls, P<0.001). A more striking delay was noted when oocytes were exposed to BPA during the formation of M-II spindle, i.e. 61 and 41% of cells (94% in controls, P<0.001) reached M-II while the remaining cells remained at M-I. Depending on dose, both (i) loosening and elongation of meiotic spindles and (ii) compaction and dispersion of pericentriolar material (PCM) were noted in all samples, all of which resulted in a series of spindle abnormalities. Interestingly, no chromosome was detected in the first polar body after the 10 and 30 microM BPA treatments. When the cells were freed from BPA exposure at 10 and 30 microM, 70 and 61%, of the cells succeeded in reaching M-II (93% in controls, P<0.001), respectively. In conclusion, one mode of action of BPA is a moderately severe yet reversible delay in the meiotic cell cycle, possibly by a mechanism that degrades centrosomal proteins and thus perturbs the spindle microtubule organization and chromosome segregation.


Subject(s)
Centrosome/drug effects , Estrogens, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Meiosis/drug effects , Microtubules/drug effects , Phenols/pharmacology , Spindle Apparatus/drug effects , Animals , Benzhydryl Compounds , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Centrosome/metabolism , Female , Mice , Microtubules/metabolism , Oocytes/drug effects , Oocytes/metabolism , Spindle Apparatus/ultrastructure
17.
Water Sci Technol ; 48(8): 247-54, 2003.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14682593

ABSTRACT

Anoxic zones in biological nitrogen removal systems are typically open to the atmosphere and receive oxygen from the atmosphere and the recirculation flow from the aerobic zone. This raises the question of how such oxygen input might influence the stability and inducibility of the enzyme systems involved in biodegradation of aromatic compounds. To investigate this, various amounts of oxygen were added to mixed culture denitrifying chemostats receiving benzoate at 667 mg/h as chemical oxygen demand (COD), and the stability and inducibility of the culture's benzoate biodegradative capability (BBC) were tested in aerobic and anoxic fed-batch reactors (FBRs). Cultures from chemostats receiving oxygen at 0, 33, 133, 266, and 466 mg O2/h lost almost all of their anoxic BBC within one hour after being transferred to an aerobic FBR and the first three cultures did not recover it upon being returned to anoxic conditions. The last two cultures recovered their anoxic BBC between 9 and 16 h during the 16 h aerobic exposure period that preceded their return to anoxic conditions and continued to increase their anoxic BBC as they were retained under anoxic conditions. In contrast, the culture from a chemostat receiving oxygen at 67 mg O2/h retained its anoxic BBC longer, recovered it within 3 h after its return to anoxic conditions, and increased it linearly thereafter. None of the cultures developed any aerobic BBC during the 16 h aerobic exposure period in FBRs. The results suggest that higher oxygen inputs into anoxic reactors helped the mixed microbial cultures recover and/or induced anoxic BBC more easily when they were exposed to alternating aerobic/anoxic environments. The exceptional behavior of the culture from the chemostat receiving oxygen at a rate of 67 mg O2/h may have been caused by the presence of a protective mechanism against the toxic forms of oxygen.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/metabolism , Benzoates/metabolism , Oxygen/chemistry , Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods , Biodegradation, Environmental , Bioreactors
18.
Mol Hum Reprod ; 9(12): 749-56, 2003 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14614036

ABSTRACT

Centrosomes, major regulatory sites for the microtubule (MT) nucleation, are regulated in a dynamic manner throughout the process of meiotic maturation. Recently, centrosome orientation in mouse oocytes has been demonstrated in metaphase I through metaphase II. However, centrosomal protein expression in concordance with MT polymerization in earlier stages of oocyte maturation from germinal vesicle stage (GV) to prometaphase I still remains unclear. The present study aims to assess the centrosome-microtubule remodelling during the onset of meiosis based on strict criteria of nuclear maturation. Six consecutive stages were determined for scoring the oocytes as unrimmed nucleolus (UR), partially rimmed nucleolus (PR), fully rimmed nucleolus (FR), nuclear lamina dissolution (NLD), disappearance of nucleolus (DON), and chromatin condensation (CC). A centrosomal protein, pericentrin, was found tightly localized adjacent to nuclear lamina in UR, lacking any MT nucleation activity. In concordance with the competency to resume meiosis, an increase in the amount and nucleation capacity of pericentrin is noted. In FR, cytoplasmic MT almost disappeared while de-novo microtubule polymerization was found in small aggregates of pericentrin localized around the nucleus. Towards the end of DON and CC, a sudden burst of pericentrin was noted with an extreme MT nucleation activity in an organized fashion that is essential for the rapid formation of first meiotic spindle. The results show that centrosomes display precisely controlled spatio-temporal changes during the onset of meiotic maturation. Accumulation of centrosomal proteins to a single locus followed by a sequestration to several spots might be evidence of a mechanism by which the proper distribution of centrosomal material during nuclear breakdown and subsequently formation of spindle are regulated in concordance with the nuclear maturation.


Subject(s)
Centrosome/ultrastructure , Microtubules/ultrastructure , Oocytes/ultrastructure , Animals , Antigens/analysis , Cell Division , Centrosome/physiology , Female , Meiosis , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Microtubules/physiology , Oocytes/cytology
19.
Water Res ; 35(4): 1015-21, 2001 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11235866

ABSTRACT

Aromatic organic compounds are degraded by different enzyme systems under aerobic and anoxic conditions. This raises the question of how bacteria in biological nitrogen removal processes, which cycle bacteria between aerobic and anoxic environments, regulate their enzyme systems for degrading aromatic compounds. As a first step in answering that question, mixed microbial communities were grown on benzoate as sole carbon source in chemostats under fully aerobic and fully anoxic (nitrate as the electron acceptor) conditions and tested for their ability to degrade benzoate in batch reactors after exposure to aerobic or anoxic conditions in the absence of substrate. Aerobically grown biomass retained its ability to degrade benzoate without loss of activity after endogenous exposure to aerobic conditions for up to 8 h. However, when exposed to anoxic conditions, the biomass rapidly lost its aerobic benzoate degrading activity, retaining less than 20% of the initial activity after 8 h. Similarly, anoxically grown biomass retained its ability to degrade benzoate without loss of activity after endogenous exposure to anoxic conditions for up to 8 h. However, when anoxically grown biomass was exposed to aerobic conditions, only 20% of its initial activity was lost in the first 2 h, after which the remaining activity was retained for up to 8 h. Similar experiments with pyruvate showed that the 20% loss of activity was not due to loss of denitrifying enzymes, suggesting that it was due to loss of catabolic enzymes.


Subject(s)
Benzoates/metabolism , Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism , Aerobiosis , Anaerobiosis , Bacteria/metabolism , Biodegradation, Environmental , Biomass , Bioreactors , Enzyme Stability , Pyruvic Acid/metabolism , Water Microbiology
20.
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol ; 37(3): 362-4, 1997 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9325530

ABSTRACT

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy in which the gestational sac is implanted within the ovary. The incidence is 0.5 to 3% of all ectopic gestations. In contrast to patients with tubal pregnancies, traditional risk factors, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and prior surgical procedure upon the pelvis, may not play a role in the aetiology. In the 2 cases reported here, it seems that using an intrauterine contraceptive device was an important factor.


PIP: The etiology of primary ovarian pregnancy is unknown, although an IUD is frequently implicated. This paper presents two cases of primary ovarian pregnancy diagnosed at Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey, in 1995 and discusses the pathogenesis in relation to the IUD. In the first case, the woman had used a copper-releasing IUD for 3 years and had had it removed 1 month before presentation. The second woman had been using a Lippes Loop device for 16 years. Ovarian pregnancy was diagnosed only after pathologic examination of the specimen. Both pregnancies were located within the corpus luteum, suggesting that fertilization and nidation occurred at the ovulation site. Although the IUD protects against ectopic pregnancy in the first 24 months of use, the risk increases over time as the reversible foreign-body histologic changes associated with IUD use become established in the Fallopian tube. The preoperative diagnosis of primary ovarian pregnancy is very difficult. It should be kept in mind, however, that ovarian pregnancy is more frequent in ectopic pregnancies associated with IUD use.


Subject(s)
Intrauterine Devices , Pregnancy, Ectopic/pathology , Adult , Chorionic Villi/pathology , Corpus Luteum/pathology , Fallopian Tubes/pathology , Female , Hemoperitoneum/pathology , Humans , Ovary/pathology , Pregnancy , Risk Factors , Rupture, Spontaneous
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