Distribution of nitric oxide synthase and neuropeptide Y neurones during the development of the hippocampal formation in the rat

Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived radical, which modulates synaptic plasticity, neuronal oscillations and cerebral blood flow. NOS-containing neurones can be detected anatomically by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry or by NOS immunohistochemistry. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is the most abundant peptide in the brain. NPY is connected with several vital functions, such as a feeding behaviour, sexual maturation, regulation of circadian rhythms, body temperature, blood pressure and neuroendocrine secretions. Neuropeptide Y also modulates anxiety-related disorders, limbic epileptic seizures as well as learning and memory processes. The study was performed on 45 Wistar rats of various ages (P0, P4, P7, P10, P14, P21, P30, P60, and P120; P - postnatal day). The free-floating sections were stained with standard immunohistochemistry methods. Thereafter the histological sections were studied using the confocal laser microscope equipped. For 3D reconstruction the image analysis program LaserSharp 2000v. 2.0 (Bio-Rad, UK) was used. We found that in the newborn rat both NOS- and NPY-immunoreactivity was weak. It had been increasing gradually until the 7th day of postnatal life, after that until P14 it was maintained on the similar level, and then the number of immunolabelled cells deceased. The developmental changes concerned cell morphology as well - until the 10th day of life the immunoreactive cells were immature, with round or oval bodies and had only a few fibres. From P14 the cells’ morphology became similar to that in adult

Co-localisation of NOS with calcium-binding proteins during the postnatal development of the rat claustrum

An immunocytochemical double-staining method was applied in order to study the co-localisation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with three calcium-binding proteins, calbindin D28k (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) in the claustrum of the rat during the first 4 months of life (postnatal days: P0–P120). The co-localisation of NOS/PV and NOS/CB is reported. These neurons fall into the category of non-pyramidal cells. Double-labelled NOS/CB neurons are observed in the claustrum starting from P4, whereas double-labelled NOS/PV neurons are observed from P14 onwards. The percentages of double-labelled neurons increase in relation to the age. Double-labelled NOS/CB and NOS/PV neurons, although they do not constitute a numerous population, play an important role in the process of maturation of the claustrum. This is confirmed by the occurrence of these types of neurons at definite stages of maturation and by the increase in their number

Postnatal development of NOS-ir neurons in the rat claustrum

The morphological features of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons in the rat claustrum (Cl) were studied during the period of four months after birth. Forty-five animals divided into nine groups, according to survival period (P0, P4, P7, P10, P14, P21, P28, P60, P120) were used in the study. The immunocytochemical staining to neuronal NOS was performed and the material was studied both qualitatively and quantitatively using unbiased stereological methods. Our observations indicate that the process of maturation of NOS-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in Cl takes place during the early postnatal period. We report the increase of numerical density of immunoreactive neurons, changes in neuronal size, expressed by the decrease of the percentage of small neurons with simultaneous increase of the participation of medium-sized neurons and large neurons. In the whole studied period the prevalence of oval and fusiform neurons is observed. However, the increase of the proportion of multipolar neurons takes place. Round neurons are most characteristic in the youngest groups of animals and later become dominated by the developing subpopulations of irneurons of other shapes. In the anterior, central and posterior parts of Cl, a similar pattern of maturation of NOS-ir neurons is observed. No prevalence of characteristically shaped neurons is observed in any part of Cl. The adult-like pattern of morphological features in the NOS-ir neuronal population in Cl is reached in the third postnatal week. The maturation of NOS-ir neurons in the claustrum is a dynamic process which is not stabilised at the moment of birth. It may be assumed that characteristic changes of the NOS-ir population of neurons may be influential on the physiological processes observed in Cl. These may in particular have some importance for the processes of synaptogenesis and establishing as well as refining of numerous claustral connections with the other structures of the central nervous system

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of some tropical diseases

Some tropical diseases are the direct cause of severe disturbances of cerebral function while others affect only finer cerebral systems controlling fears, anxiety and personality traits. The mechanisms by which psychiatric symptoms are produced in tropical disorders are not any different from the mechanisms that relate to any physical disorders. Neuropsychiatric symptoms may be caused by a number of different mechanisms including bacterial toxins, release of cytokines, hyperthermia, shock (poor perfusion), acute renal insufficiency, pulmonary failure (shock lung), coagulopathy, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and/or the nest of pathogens into the central nervous system. The following tropical illnesses can be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms: neurocysticercosis, malaria, trypanosomiasis, dengue, and schistosomiasis. Neurological and psychiatric impairments induced by tropical diseases both represent a major category of invalidating disorders, which cause profound changes in the nervous system functions, often associated with severe sequels or late-onset disturbances. It is therefore important to disseminate knowledge of the neuropsychiatric symptoms accompanying tropical diseases in order to increase the awareness of these problems and challenges

Do the asymmetry and the size of the structures of the temporal lobe persist in early stages of schizophrenia?

A total of 14 patients of various ages diagnosed with schizophrenia and, as an age-matched control group, 12 healthy subjects were examined using the MRI method of neuro-imaging. The volume of the following structures was evaluated in the right and left hemispheres: the superior temporal gyrus, the basolateral temporal area (the region including the middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and fusiform gyrus), the parahippocampal gyrus, the hippocampal head, the amygdaloid body and the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. In schizophrenia a significant increase in the volume of the amygdaloid body on both the left and right sides was observed. In the patients, as in the control group, we noticed significant asymmetry between the left and right sides in the volume of the structures studied. The left amygdaloid body was significantly larger than the right, whereas the left hippocampal head and the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle were smaller than the right. Our findings suggest that in the early stages of schizophrenia, despite the increased volume of the amygdaloid body, the asymmetry between the structures of the temporal lobe is still present. However, the changes observed in the temporal lobe could be related to the functional disturbances observed in this disease

Quality of life at sea in Polish seafarer’s evaluation

Background: Work at sea is highly burdening, hazardous and stressful. Environmental, physical, and psychosociological factors have a great impact on the seafarer’s quality of life and work. The research is a part of a broader psychological project performed on people working at sea in Poland during a period of 2011–2014. Materials and methods: This report presents the self-evaluation of life quality conducted by a total of 1,700 Polish seafarers who took part in the study. The average age of the group was 45. Following methods were used: WHOQOL-BREF and the “Survey for people working at sea”. Results: Polish seafarers gave the highest rates to their social relationships (16.27), then the psychological functioning (15.62), and environment (15.51). The physical domain gave the lowest rates (14.63). Conclusions: The results have shown that quality of life of Polish seafarers is quite high

A magnetic resonance volumetric study of the temporal lobe structures in depression

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and is associated with considerable morbidity. In recent years structural-imaging technology has provided an opportunity to examine the brain anatomy in patients with the psychiatric illness. 10 patients of various ages and, as the control group, 16 healthy subjects were examined using the MRI method of neuroimaging. The volumes of the following structures were evaluated in the right and left hemispheres: the superior temporal gyrus, the basolateral temporal area (the region including middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and fusiform gyrus), the parahippocampal gyrus, the hippocampal head, the amygdaloid body and the lateral ventricle. The significant difference between the control group and the group with depression concerned the volume of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle of both hemispheres. In depressed patients the left temporal horn was 49.8% and the right 38.4% larger in comparison with the control group. In the control group there were significant differences between the left and right hemispheres in the volume of all the structures studied, whereas in the group with depression these difference in volume between the hemispheres concerned only the amygdaloid body and the lateral ventricle

Slow breathing improves cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress and health-related quality of life in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of slow breathing (SLOWB) in chronic heart failure (HF) but its impact on cardiovascular reactivity in response to laboratory stressors remains unknown.Methods: Using device-guided breathing this study explored the acute and long-term effects of SLOWB on hemodynamic responses to handgrip, mental and cold pressor tests, and health-related quality of life (QoL) in stable HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who had received all available optimal drug and device therapies. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured in 21 patients with HFrEF (23.9 ± 5.9%) at rest, during laboratory stressors, before and after acute SLOWB, and 12 weeks after SLOWB home training (30 min daily). Health-related QoL (MacNew questionaries) was assessed before and 12 weeks after SLOWB home training.Results: Resting BP significantly increased in response to three laboratory stressors. Pressor and cardiac changes during mental stress were greater than responses to the handgrip test (p < 0.05). Mental stress also produced a greater HR change than cold pressor test (p < 0.05). Both acute and long-term SLOWB significantly reduced BP and HR responses to mental stress (p < 0.05), but not to isometric and cold pressor tests. SLOWB improved scores of all domains of QoL (p < 0.05) at 12 weeks follow-up.Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that SLOWB reduces acute and chronic effects of cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress and improves various aspects of health-related QoL in patients with severe HFrEF. Whether stress reduction and psychological changes achieved with SLOWB may translate to improved outcomes in HFrEF warrants further exploration

The role of the stress in the pathogenesis of the hypertension. Part II

Stres jest nieuniknioną częścią współczesnego życia. Jest reakcją adaptacyjną i odpowiedzią organizmu na przeżywane sytuacje. Stres odgrywa także dużą rolę w rozwoju nadciśnienia tętniczego. Zostało to udowodnione poprzez wykazanie podwyższonej aktywności układu nerwowego odpowiedzialnego za reakcję na stres u ludzi z wysokim ciśnieniem tętniczym krwi. Kolejnym dowodem jest obserwowana u nich zwiększona aktywność określonych struktur mózgowia odpowiedzialnych za reakcję na stres. U ludzi z wysokim ciśnieniem tętniczym krwi obserwuje się także zwiększone wydzielanie hormonów związanych ze stresem.Stress is an inescapable part of the modern life. It is an adaptive response and the body’s reaction to events. But also the stress plays a great role in the development of hypertension. The evidence is based on the indicators that people with high blood pressure have a general increase in the activity of nervous system involved in stress responses. The second is that people with hypertension have increased activity of particular structures in the brain that respond to stress. And finally people with high blood pressure release higher amount of the stress hormones than people with normal blood pressure

The Polish MacNew heart disease heath-related quality of life questionnaire: A validation study

Background: The MacNew health-related quality of life questionnaire was designed to assess feelings about how heart disease affects their daily physical, emotional and social functioning in patients with 1 of the 3 major coronary artery diagnoses, stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with angina, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and ischemic heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Polish version of the MacNew in patients with CAD. Methods: Patients with CAD completed a self-report sociodemographic and clinical ques­tionnaire: the MacNew, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey, and HADS at baseline; 10% of the patients completed each questionnaire 2 weeks later. Results: We studied patients with stable CAD with angina (n = 115), with STEMI (n = 112), and with ischemic HF (n = 105). Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated with Cronbach’s a from 0.86 to 0.95 for the MacNew global scale and subscales. The original 3-factor structure was confirmed for the Polish version of the MacNew explaining 53.5% of the variance. Convergent validity of similar MacNew and SF-36 subscales was confirmed in the total group and in each diagnosis. Discriminant validity with the SF-36 health transition was fully confirmed in the total group and in patients with HF and partially confirmed in patients with stable CAD with angina or myocardial infarction. Conclusions: The Polish MacNew health-related quality of life questionnaire can be recommended in patients with stable CAD with angina, myocardial infarction and HF