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Copyright of Mersin University School of Medicine Lokman Hekim Journal of History of Medicine & Folk Medicine is the property of Mersin University School of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The influence of homeostatically regulated physiological processes, including cardiorespiratory fitness (V02max), on the response to physical stressors such as acclimatisation and marching, remains understudied. We aimed to investigate the effects of summer and winter acclimatisation and marching on cortisol levels and blood lactate, to gain insight into the role of these physiological processes in the stress response. Methods: Two groups of young Europeans, classified as poor (PCF; n=9) and good physical condition (GCF; n=21), based on a V02max threshold of 40 mL O2/kg/min, underwent 2-h march (6-7 km/h) in winter (5 °C) and summer (32 °C). Commercial tests, UniCel Dxl Access Cortisol assay and EKF Biosen Clinic/GP assay were used for cortisol and lactate blood measurements (morning samples and those taken immediately after marches), respectively. Results: Basal cortisol levels were significantly higher at 5 °C than at 32 °C (PCF group: P= 0.0079; cortisol dropped after the march at 5 °C in both groups, but increased at 32 °C only in PCF. Basal lactate levels were higher at 32 °C only in the GCF group (compared to PCF, P=0.0014) and post-marching (compared to basal values, P=0.0002). Conclusion: Cold exposure elicits a more significant stress response, based on higher basal cortisol levels, in individuals with worse physical fitness. Anaerobe metabolism prevails in participants with better physical fitness exposed to high ambient temperature based on increased basal and post-marching lactate levels. The study is significant for individual training/performance optimisation as it indicates the association between physiological stress responses and individual physical fitness levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Online Journal of Recreation & Sports is the property of Online Journal of Recreation & Sports and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Sports Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The prediction of disease severity in COVID- 19 could be a valuable tool for providing early treatment and reducing mortality. We aimed to evaluate the predictor value of baseline cortisol values on disease severity' and assess the correlation between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and cortisol levels. Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared the prognostic value of baseline NLR, morning cortisol, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19. The association was assessed with Spearman's correlation. Results: 37.7% of the patients (n=63) had severe disease, and their baseline cortisol levels were higher than those in the non-severe group (522 nmol/L vs 380.7 nmol/L, p= 0.011). The baseline cortisol level and NLR had area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.62 (95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.53-0.71) and 0.70 (Cl 95% 0.62-0.78) for the prediction of severe COVID-19, respectively. Severe disease was predicted in patients with a baseline cortisol cutoff 2: 522 nmol/L with a specificity of 75.0%, a sensitivity of 50.79%. The cutoff value for the NLR on day 1 was 2: 6.2, with a specificity of 93.27% and a sensitivity of 32.79%. Baseline cortisol levels showed a significant weak- moderate positive correlation with the NLR and levels of CRP and ferritin on day 1 (r=0.33, r=0.29, r=0.28, respectively, p<0.001 for all). Conclusions: The baseline cortisol level in COVID-19 patients is a good predictive marker for disease severity and non-inferior to the NLR. However, it is inferior to CRP and ferritin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Online Journal of Recreation & Sports is the property of Online Journal of Recreation & Sports and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Balikesir Health Sciences Journal / Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Balikesir Health Sciences Journal (BAUN Health Sci J) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: There are several clinical outcomes associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and death. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether serum cortisol levels affect COVID-19 prognosis. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with COVID-19 pneumonia patients hospitalized in an internal medicine clinic at the Haseki Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul from March 13 to May 31, 2020. Demographics, laboratory test results, and clinical outcomes of the patients were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were hospitalized for 1-9 days or =10 days. Both groups were classified according to their average age and duration of hospitalization/discharge, and laboratory parameters were analyzed. Results: This study was conducted on 129 COVID-19 pneumonia patients, 13 of whom died during the study period. The mean age was 68.7±10.9 years for nonsurvivors and 55.7±15.9 years for survivors (p=0.001). Serum cortisol levels were significantly elevated in patients with a long hospital stay. While there was no significant difference in the hemogram or biochemical parameters of the two groups, correlation analysis showed a close relationship between serum cortisol levels and length of hospitalization. Conclusion: Cortisol is a reliable predictor of the length of hospital stay and prognosis of COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Training received during pregnancy may alter the prenatal stress level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal education on the stress axis of the body, namely the hypothalamo- pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in different delivery types (vaginal or caesarean section). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, women who were going to have caesarean or vaginal delivery were compared in terms of whether they undertook prenatal education (PNE) in pregnancy school or not. Among those of women having PNE, twenty women had caesarean delivery and, therefore, the number of women in other groups was decided accordingly. As a result, a total of 4 groups were formed as follows: women having PNE/caesarean delivery (n=20), having PNE/vaginal delivery (n=20), not having PNE/having caesarean delivery (n=20) and not having PNE/having vaginal delivery (n=20). In these women, the prenatal HPA and ANS activities were measured non-invasively with saliva cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV), respectively. HRV was measured by 5-min electrocardiogram recording and time- and frequency-domains parameters were calculated. Results: The (PNE) did not affect the prenatal cortisol and HRV parameters in none of the delivery types (vaginal and caesarean) (p>0.05). HRV parameters were higher in women having vaginal delivery than those of caesarean delivery (P<0.05). No correlations were observed between the cortisol and HRV parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion: The prenatal education had no effect on HPA and ANS; however, the delivery type altered the HRV parameters. Saliva cortisol and HRV may be useful parameters in terms of examining the physiology of the birth process [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agriculture / Poljoprivreda is the property of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Systemic amyloidosis may affect many organs, and may cause endocrinologic problems which may result in adrenal insufficiency. However, assessment of adrenocortical reserve is challenging in amyloidosis patients with renal involvement. We aimed to evaluate adrenocortical reserve with various methods of cortisol measurement to determine any occult clinical condition. Methods: Patients with renal amyloidosis and healthy subjects were evaluated in this crosssectional study. Basal cortisol, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), and albumin levels were measured. Serum free cortisol (cFC) level was calculated. Cortisol response tests performed after ACTH stimulation test (250 µg, intravenously) were evaluated, and free cortisol index (FCI) was calculated. Results: Twenty renal amyloidosis patients, and 25 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Patients and control subjects had similar median serum baseline cortisol levels [258 (126-423) vs 350 (314-391) nmol/L, p=0.169)] whereas patients' stimulated cortisol levels at the 60th minute were lower [624 (497-685) vs 743 (674-781) nmol/L, p=0.011)]. The 60th-minute total cortisol levels of 8 of the 20 (40%) amyloidosis patients were <500 nmol/L, but only three of these 8 patients had stimulated FCI <12 nmol/mg suggesting an adrenal insufficiency (15%). Conclusion: ACTH stimulation test and cortisol measurements should be considered in renal amyloidosis patients with severe proteinuria to avoid false positive results if only ACTH stimulation test is used. It will be appropriate to evaluate this group of patients together with estimated measurements as FCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Osmangazi Journal of Medicine / Osmangazi Tip Dergisi is the property of Eskisehir Osmangazi University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Orbis Scholae is the property of Charles University Prague, Faculty of Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to define the serum levels of cortisol, epinephrine, free T4 (fT4), free T3 (fT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in term and late preterm newborns with TTN and control group; to determine the relationship between the development of TTN and these stress hormone levels. MATERIALS and METHODS: 90 newborns, including term (n: 25), late preterm (n: 20) patient diagnosed of TTN and control group (n: 45), were included in the study. Gestational week, type of delivery (elective cesarean section(C/S), activated C/S, vaginal), gender, birth weight, Apgar scores and maternal characteristics were recorded. Blood samples were obtained from the patients for serum cortisol, epinephrine, fT4, fT3 and TSH hormone levels between 18.- 24. hours postnatally. RESULTS: There was no difference in demographic characteristics between the groups (p> 0.05), and the risk of developing TTN was determined highly in the elective C/S group (p <0.05). Although serum cortisol levels there was no statistically significant difference; the sT4 and sT3 levels were similar. TSH and epinephrine levels were significantly lower in the newborn group diagnosed with TTN (p <0.05). Altough cortisol, epinephrine and TSH hormone levels were lower in the late preterm patient group compared to the control group (p <0.05); sT3 sT4 levels were found to be similar (p> 0.05). There was no significant difference between term patient group and control group hormone levels (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study; In our study; when the group diagnosed with TTN was compared with the control group, TSH and epinephrine levels were found to be low, but unlike the literature, there was no difference in the levels of cortisol, fT3 and fT4. With these results; we think that TSH and epinephrine may be effective in regulating fetal lung fluid absorption and postnatal pulmonary adaptation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Changes in sleep duration and sleep disturbance have been reported to affect hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activities. However, the effect of ANS activity on sleep parameters and HPA activity in the subsequent night and morning is not known. The aim of the current study, was, therefore, to assess the effects of heart rate varibility (HRV) on subsequent night sleep parameters and cortisol awakening response (CAR). Materials and Methods: Electrocardiographic recordings were carried out for 5 min for determination of HRV in healty medical students (n=48). They were allowed to sleep in their normal routines in following night. Sleep diaries were filled for sleep parameters (Karolinska Sleep Diary and Questionnaire). Salivary samples were taken at 0, 15, 30- and 60-min post-awakening for measurement of CAR. Cortisol concentrations were measured in the salivary samples by enzyme immunoassay. Correlations were carried out by Spearman Rho. p <0.05 values were considered significant. Results: The majority of the participants (80%) had time-domain variables within the normal range and they did not have sleep disturbances. Time- and frequency-domain parameters of HRV during the morning did not correlate with sleep parameters (time, duration, disturbed sleep, awakening problems) or CAR (mean, area under the curve) in the next day (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that, under the conditions which do not have profound effects on ANS activity, neither sleep parameters nor the next morning cortisol responses are affected by HRV. Additionally, a quality night sleep might counterbalance both the possible effects of previous days autonomic pressures and the next morning's cortisol responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Stomatologica Croatica is the property of Acta Stomatologica Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To determine the prevalence of newly developed low cortisol levels among critically ill medical patients with prolonged or recurrent vasopressor need as well as the factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study which was conducted in a university hospital's medical intensive care unit (ICU) between July 2014 - July 2015. Initial cortisol levels were measured in septic shock patients unresponsive to fluid resuscitation and vasopressors. Patients with initial cortisol levels ≥15 μg/dl were followed; testing was repeated in patients with ongoing/recurrent vasopressor dependency. Patients were grouped as higher (≥15 μg/dl ) and lower (<15 μg/dl) cortisol groups based on repeat testing. Results: Thirty-seven patients had initial cortisol levels ≥15 μg/dl and 19 patients underwent cortisol retesting for ongoing/recurrent vasopressor need. Mean (±SD) age of the patients was 70±13.5 years. APACHE II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on ICU admission were 25.3±6.5 and 10.4±5.2, respectively. Eleven (%58) were in the lower cortisol group. Age, gender, admission APACHEII and SOFA scores, serum albumin, protein, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels at time of admission and repeat sampling were similar between the groups. However, at the time of cortisol retesting, patients with lower cortisol levels had significantly longer length of ICU stay (p=0.038). When glucocorticoid therapy was begun in lower cortisol group, vasopressors were weaned within 48 hours in all. Conclusion: Prolonged or recurrent vasopressor dependency should prompt a search for low cortisol levels in patients with prolonged critical illness, even though prior results were reported to be normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible relationship between fetal nutritional status and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis in neonates. Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted on singleton term appropriate for gestational age and small for gestational age infants during a 1-year period. All of the neonates' cord-blood cortisol and adrenocroticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were measured, and those identified as suffering from fetal malnutrition (FM) were placed into the study group, while the cord-blood cortisol and ACTH levels of well-nourished term newborns comprised the control group. Results: A total of 588 term newborns were included in the study. The body weight, height and head circumference values of the study group were found to be lower in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.001). The cortisol levels were found to be increased by 22.6% in the study group and by 13.9% in the control group. No difference was found between the cord blood cortisol levels. No difference was observed between the study group and control group in terms of the cord blood ACTH levels. Conclusion: The study results were not found association between the cord blood cortisol and/or ACTH values and FM. Cord blood cortisol and ACTH values do not seem to be appropriate laboratory tests in terms of supporting the diagnosis in neonates with FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa that commonly affects the general population. The objective of this study was to conduct a research in assesing the relationship between psychological disorders including anxiety, depression and salivary cortisol levels in patients with RAS. Methods: Thirty-nine patients suffering from minor RAS were enrolled in the study after obtaining an informed consent. The control group consisted of 25 age and gender matched healthy individuals. All subjects were evaluated by using both psychological tests (Hamilton's anxiety rating scale [HARS] and Hamilton's depression rating scale [HDRS]) and physiological testing instrument (salivary cortisol level). Results: While no statistical difference was found between the patients with RAS and controls for both salivary cortisol levels and anxiety, there was statisticaly significant difference between the groups for depression. Conclusion: There was no significant increase in salivary cortisol levels in patients with active disease when compared to the healthy subjects. But we found that depression scale values were significantly higher in patients with RAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Adrenal insufficiency results from the inadequate adrenocortical conjunction. Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary and tertiary one. The most common cause of adrenal suppression is the effect of exogenous therapy with glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids. Corticosteroids are used in treatment of endocrine and non-endocrine diseases. They are applied as a substitution therapy in the patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Due to their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory characteristics, they are used to treat a wide range of diseases. They are usually divided according to the length and size of the effect i.e. how they are applied. Adrenal Insufficiency. Glucocorticoid therapy may lead to a number of adverse effects such as a disorder in glucose metabolism, osteoporosis or frequent infections. Adrenal suppression is the most common complication resulting from corticosteroid application. The function of the hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal axis may be inhibited for months after the treatment cessation. There are several predictors of potential glucocorticoid-induced adrenal suppression. Diagnosing Adrenal Insufficiency. The most frequent symptoms and signs of adrenal insufficiency are fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hyponatremia, hyperpigmentation or hypotension. Algorithm for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency must be followed in clinical practice. Reduction in Glucocorticoid Therapy. Reduction or complete cessation of the therapy is indicated when the maximum therapeutic benefit has been achieved or when considerable side effects, such as diabetes mellitus, severe hypertension, osteoporosis i.e. adrenal insufficiency, develop. Conclusion. Numerous synthetic glucocorticoids have been developed to be used in everyday clinical practice and they can be administered systemically or locally. A lot of side effects are associated with chronic administration of glucocorticoids. In order to avoid complications, it is recommended to administer intermediate-acting glucocorticoids every second day. In addition, the patients must be monitored carefully and glucocorticoid therapy should be discontinued gradually to prevent adrenal insufficiency or reactivation of the disease under therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) changes cortisol dynamics and indicates dissociation between the adrenal cortex and the hypothalamo-pituitary unit. The aim of this study was to assess the cortisol response after stimulation with ACTH1-24 in patients with SIRS at admission to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) and seven days later. Methods: Fifty-four subjects were included in the study, and SIRS was defined according to the Consensus Conference criteria from 1992. Severity of the disease was determined using the APACHE II score, and organ dysfunction using the SOFA score. Low-dose (1 µg) ACTH test (LDT) was performed in all patients, and cortisol was determined along with basal ACTH. Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests and regression analysis. The results are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were no differences in cortisol values between the two LDTs. Cortisol increment lower than 250 nmol/L during the LDT was found in 14/54 (25.9%) subjects at the onset of SIRS. Five out of 54 (9.6%) patients died within 7 days from the onset of SIRS. Female sex and maximal cortisol response (Δ max) on LDT predicted the duration of hospitalization in RICU, while APACHE II and SOFA scores best predicted the duration of hospitalization, mortality outcome as well as overall survival outcome. Conclusions: A difference was found in Δ max at the diagnosis of SIRS and seven days later. Δ max, and primarily the clinical scores APACHE II and SOFA predicted the outcomes of hospitalization and overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of sodium borate (Na2B4O7-5H2O) addition to dairy cow rations starting from prepartum period on serum Cortisol, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Clinically healthy eighty pregnant cows were randomly divided into two groups. Sodium borate (30 g/day) was added to the rations of the borax group (n=40) until day 21 postpartum. Blood samples were taken from all cows (n=40) on days 21,14 and 7 before parturition, at parturition and on days 7,14 and 21 after parturition. Serum Cortisol levels in the borax group were lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group, there was a decrease (P<0.05) in serum BHB, NEFA and TG levels before, at parturition and after parturition, serum BUN concentrations increased (P<0.05) in prepartum and postpartum samples in the borax group, except for prepartum days 21 and 14, AST concentrations were higher (P>0.05), on all other sampling days, and ALT levels were not affected (P>0.05). It was concluded that adding sodium borate to rations especially in the transition period in highly productive dairy breeds might be an alternative to protect against negative energy imbalances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, thermal stress adaptation capabilities in the event of changes resulting from hormonal mechanism, yield levels of Saanen goats and native Hair goats, were determined in humid subtropical climate conditions. The both genotypes were kept in same conditions at breeders condition. The Saanen goats were distributed within the microJprojects in the province of Adana. To find out thermal stress effects on T3, T4 hormone levels and milk production, 20 heads Saanen goats and 20 heads native Hair goats of Karaisalı district of the province of Adana were investigated in this study during July. In this study, when the mechanisms of physiological adaptation and serum T3 and T4 hormone levels taken together to consideration, the stress conditions of imported Saanen goats occurred when they were compared to indigenous Hair of goats. Thus it could be said that, Saanen goats did not show the expected performance. Therefore, as a conclusion of this study, it should be underlined that, the importance of environmental and regional conditions for this kind of improvement studies should have been taken into considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of stress induced by ACTH on cholesterol, Cortisol, progesterone, testosterone and LH concentrations in Swedish Landrace boars aged 6 to 7 months during ACTH administration and for 12 days after the cessation of treatment. ACTH treated boars (n=14) were given intravenously 10 mg/kg of ACTH for 3 days. Control group (n=14) received intramuscularly 1 mL of sterile 0.9%saline. The Cortisol concentrations were significantly elevated (p<0.0001, all) in all three days of ACTH treatment and day after the last ACTH injection (p<0.01) in treated boars. In twelve days after the cessation of treatment, Cortisol levels remained on physiological levels. During all three ACTH treatment days and also one day and five days after the last ACTH dosage, cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased (p<0.05 to p<0.0001, respectively) in comparison with control boars. Progesterone and testosterone concentrations were significantly increased (p<0.001 to p<0.0001, respectively) during all three days of ACTH treatment. After the treatment there was no significant difference in progesterone and testosterone levels between treated and control boars. ACTH administration had no influence on LH levels in treated boars. Significantly reduced cholesterol concentrations in the serum of boars exposed to three-day ACTH induced stress shows its increased biotransformation, which is confirmed by the results of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Wound healing in an extreme environment with microgravity is not well characterized, despite the likelihood that the increasing use of manned spaceflight as a research and commercial enterprise raises the probability of traumatic injury in this state. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the impact of the isolated environment of the Mars Desert Research Station on mucosal immunity and wound healing. Materials and Methods: Two punch biopsy wounds were placed on the hard palate of two crewmembers. The first wound was made during summer vacation, whereas the second was placed on the contralateral side 3 days before the Mars analog mission began. Thus, each crewmember served as his/her own control. Two independent methods were used to assess healing. A ten-item perceived stress scale, salivary cortisol, Immunoglobulin A, IgG and IgM were measured. Results: There were significant differences in the proportion of the wound size healed between vacation and the mission. Salivary IgA, IgM, IgG and cortisol levels showed significant differences between vacation and mission. Conclusion: These data suggest that stress can have significant consequences for wound healing. The effects of stress on wound repair could have important clinical implications, including for recovery from surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the serum BDNF levels in depressive disorder patients and cognitive functions along with cortisol levels. Methods: Thirty patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder were recruited for this study. Patients had not used any antidepressants. The severity of depression was assessed by the Hamilton Rating of Depression Scale (HAM-D17). Serum BDNF levels were determined by using ELISA. Neuropsychological evaluation included; Digit Span Test, Stroop Test, Verbal Memory Processing Test, and Weschler-Visual Memory. Results: HAM-D17 scores were 17.09±4.96 in patients. Serum BDNF levels were established to be 1453.42±144.51 pg/mL, and mean serum morning cortisol level was established as 11.54±4.57 μg/dL. No relationship was determined between the HAM-D17 scores and BDNF levels. The serum BDNF levels were not correlated with cortisol levels, and neuropsychological tests scores. Serum cortisol levels and Stroop test time differences were established to be positively correlated (rs=0.396 p=0.017). Serum cortisol levels were not correlated with other neuropsychogical tests. Conclusion: No relationship was determined between the BDNF levels and attention and memory performances for patients with depression. It was determined that elevated morning baseline cortisol levels affected attention negatively. There was no correlation between serum BDNF levels and morning cortisol levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical intervention provokes systemic stress response and the extent of response depends on the type of surgery, associated symptomatology, type of anaesthesia, etc. Many studies have shown that the extent and duration of stress response are proportional to the level of surgical injury and frequency of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of systemic stress response during minor surgical intervention by measuring blood serum levels of cortisol and prolactin as humoral markers of systemic stress. 40 children (patients), both genders, aged 0-14 years, were included in study. Indications for minor surgical intervention were inguinal hernia or cryptorchidism. Standard blood tests and concentrations of cortisol and prolactin in serum were measured. Blood samples were taken three times: preoperatively and 1h, 24h postoperatively. Our results showed that minor surgical intervention in children causes classical humoral stress response accompanied by increase of cortisol and prolactin serum levels. No significant differences in cortisol and prolactin levels in relation to age and type of surgery were found. Statistically significant negative correlation between levels of prolactin and children's age was found. Conclusion: Minor surgical intervention in children causes statistically significant increase in humoral markers of systemic stress response. Levels of prolactin during minor surgical interventions, as a marker of psychological stress, decrease with children's age increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Acid phosphatase locus 1 (ACP1) encodes a polymorphic enzyme and has potential implications for the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) by altering insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between ACP1 genotypes and various metabolic syndrome risk factors. Materials and methods: We employed a PCR-RFLP based genotyping of ACP1 in a cohort of 70 patients with MS and 168 healthy individuals. Results: When compared to controls, genotypes associated with low enzyme activity were observed at significantly lower frequencies in both sexes. Of note, high enzyme activity genotypes were more common in patients with MS when compared with medium and low enzyme activity genotypes. A allele frequency was not different between patients and controls even considering sex; however, there was a good correlation of the presence of the allele with body composition, serum cortisol levels and suppressibility of cortisol, particularly in women with MS. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that low enzyme activity genotypes seem to be associated with a protective effect for the development of MS. Additionally, A allele carriage affects body composition in women but not in men, and the presence of this allele might modulate serum cortisol levels as well as its suppressibility in both sexes, in an inverse manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolactin, a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland, has a well documented role in milk production and several studies have suggested its role in general adaptation syndrome. As dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) are important animals of arid region, an investigation was carried out in adult dromedaries to assess the role of serum prolactin as a measurable marker of stress. Serum levels of prolactin and cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay in the healthy and affected dromedaries (those with nasal peg wounds, saddle gall, sand in the third compartment and drought affected). The mean values of serum prolactin (pmol/L) and cortisol (nmol/L) in healthy group were 748.20± 17.82 and 25.93±0.82, respectively. Affected group showed higher levels of serum prolactin and cortisol as compared to healthy group. The mean level of prolactin was 4.94 times higher and cortisol was 4.75 times higher in affected camels as compared to healthy ones. The mean values of different subgroups of affected animals differed significantly and in comparison to healthy male mean value for both serum prolactin (p⩽0.01 ) and cortisol (p⩽0.03). The camels with sand in theirthird compartments had highest serum levels of prolactin and cortisol. Increase in serum cortisol suggested that affected camels were stressed and simultaneously many fold rise in serum prolactin clearly suggested that it can be a measurable marker of stress in different affections in dromedaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of the anesthesia on the cortisol levels and glucose in the plasm in addition to sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) levels in the serum of rainbow trout juvenil of was investigated. Cortisol, glucose, Na, Ca, K and Cl values in the blood samples of fishes which were applied anesthesia and not applied anesthesia were determined and the values were compared as statistically. It was found that the cortisol and glucose levels of the groups which were applied anesthesia significantly increased compared to control group as statistically (p<0.05) but Na and K levels significantly reduced compared to control group (p<0.05). Additionally, it was determined that the Ca and Cl values of both groups are close to each other and between them there is no significant different (p>0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Melancholic versus non-melancholic depression dichotomy is perhaps the most widely accepted distinction in categorization of depression. This research aims to compare symptom based, severity based, and biology based categorization of depression. Methods: To achieve this, the cluster analysis was performed on a sample of 78 depressed patients, first by using 14 SCID-I depressive symptoms. Patients were clustered again with regard to post dexhametasone cortisol levels (suppressed vs non-suppressed groups), and lastly according to HDRS (Hamilton Depression Rating Sacale) scores (high vs low severity groups). Biological (thyroid stimulating hormone -TSH, basal and post dexhametasone cortisol levels), clinical (age, age of onset, severity of depression, psychosocial stressors, and personality disorder) and demographic variables of these categories were compared. Results: There was a high degree of accordance between the cluster analytically derived endogenous group and the DSM-IV diagnosis of melancholia. Cluster analytically generated endogenous group were older, more severely depressed, and had higher basal cortisol levels than non-endogenous depressive subtype. Severely depressed group according to HDRS scores had lower TSH levels. Only DST (dexamethasone suppression test) non-suppressive patients had more depressive disorders in their family. Conclusions: The results of our study partly support the hypothesis that endogenous and melancholic depression have distinct clinical and biological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Serbian Dental Journal / Stomatološki Glasnik Srbije is the property of National Library of Serbia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi is the property of Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate stres hormone (cortisol) level, pain pressure threshold, state-trait anxiety and reported pain during the expansion and retention phase of rapid maxilary expansion (RME) in children. The sample of this study consists of 10-14 year old a total of 40 patients of which 20 are female and 20 are male. All patients were chosen from applicants who demonstrated either unilateral or bilateral crossbites as a result of maxillary constriction during permanent dentition period and undergone RME. In this research to determine the anxiety levels of the patients "Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children" was used. Salivary samples were collected for stress hormone (cortisol) level determination. Patients completed two scales and saliva samples were collected before and after first phase of treatment and after retention. Visual Analog Scale was used for pain determination after activation of expansion screw. Pain pressure threshold was determined by using algometer before the treatment. The results of this study showed that the differences were statistically significant within-day (p<0.001) and within-hours (p<0.001) in cortisol levels during treatment. Pain pressure threshold was statistically significant within sex differences (p<0.05) and skeletal maturity stages (p<0.05). State and trait anxiety scale scores were similar with respect to gender (P >0.05) at all times. There were statistically significant differences of state-trait anxiety levels between pre and posttreatment stages (p<0.05). Over the entire course of the expansion, 85% (34/40) of the patients reported pain. Pain was reported from the first activation of the expansion screw by the patients. The initial time for the onset of the pain was at T(2), while the number of individuals reporting pain were the mostly found at T(3) and T(4). Reduction in the number of individuals were determined beginning from T(5). Based on the findings of the presented study, it has been shown that RME treatment leads to changes in patients' state-trait anxiety levels and salivary cortisol levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]