The effect of mortality salience and early-life maternal care on neuroendocrine, autonomic, and psychological stress responses.

Adverse early-life experiences alter the regulation of major stress systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Low early-life maternal care (MC) has repeatedly been related to blunted cortisol stress responses. Likewise, an acutely increased awareness of mortality (mortality salience [MS]) also has been shown to blunt cortisol responses.

Early life adversity blunts the subjective and physiological relaxation response in healthy adults.

While Early Live Adversity (ELA) is a known risk factor for mental and physical diseases, the investigation into the mechanisms behind this connection is ongoing. In the present study, we investigated whether ELA blunts the relaxation response in healthy adults. Using a within-subjects design, we employed a paced breathing exercise (four seconds inhale, six seconds exhale) and a 360° nature video as relaxation interventions while measuring physiological relaxation using heart rate variability and subjective relaxation using the Relaxation State Questionnaire.

The effect of cognitive reappraisal and early-life maternal care on neuroendocrine stress responses.

Early-life adversity (ELA) is related to profound dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reflected in both, blunted or exaggerated cortisol stress responses in adulthood. Emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal might contribute to this inconsistent finding. Here, we investigate an interaction of early-life maternal care (MC), where low MC represents a form of ELA, and instructed emotion regulation on cortisol responses to acute stress.

Complete genome sequences of five that infect hosts.

This announcement contains the whole genome sequences of five that infect members of the family of bacteria. Four of the five phages were isolated using serovar Typhimurium as a bacterial host: AR2819, Sajous1, SilasIsHot, and FrontPhageNews. ChubbyThor was isolated using .

Iodine Deficiency, Maternal Hypothyroxinemia and Endocrine Disrupters Affecting Fetal Brain Development: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review critically discusses the publications of the last 30 years on the impact of mild to moderate iodine deficiency and the additional impact of endocrine disrupters during pregnancy on embryonal/fetal brain development. An asymptomatic mild to moderate iodine deficiency and/or isolated maternal hypothyroxinemia might affect the development of the embryonal/fetal brain. There is sufficient evidence underlining the importance of an adequate iodine supply for all women of childbearing age in order to prevent negative mental and social consequences for their children.

Increased empathic distress in adults is associated with higher levels of childhood maltreatment.

While many studies investigated basic facets of empathy, less is known about the association with early life adversity (ELA). To investigate a possible association of empathy with ELA, we assessed self-reported ELA, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) for mother and father, and empathy, using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), in a sample of N = 228 (83% female, age = 30.51 ± 9.

Nature-Based Relaxation Videos and Their Effect on Heart Rate Variability.

Growing evidence suggests that natural environments - whether in outdoor or indoor settings - foster psychological health and physiological relaxation, indicated by increased wellbeing, reduced stress levels, and increased parasympathetic activity. Greater insight into differential psychological aspects modulating psychophysiological responses to nature-based relaxation videos could help understand modes of action and develop personalized relaxation interventions. We investigated heart rate variability (HRV) as an indicator of autonomic regulation, specifically parasympathetic activity, in response to a 10-min video intervention in two consecutive studies as well as heart rate (HR).

Genome Sequences of 22 T1-like Bacteriophages That Infect .

Here, the full genome sequences of 22 T1-like bacteriophages isolated from wastewater are reported. Eight (BlueShadow, Brooksby, Devorator, ElisaCorrea, Reinasaurus, SorkZaugg, Supreme284, ZeroToHero) were isolated on , six on Klebsiella (Chell, FairDinkum, HazelMika, Opt-817, P528, PeteCarol), and eight on Escherichia (Fulano1, Mishu, Opt-719, PhleaSolo, Punny, Poky, Phunderstruck, Sadiya).

Nox4 mediates the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 via p38 MAPK pathway in cultured human endothelial cells.

Introduction: Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the most potent endogenous inhibitor of fibrinolysis which is implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction and metabolic syndrome. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathology of vascular disorders and has been shown to increase PAI-1 expression by endothelial cells. Growing evidence indicates that NADPH oxidase and in particular the constitutively active Nox4-p22(phox) complexes are major sources of ROS in endothelial cells.

S35225 is a direct inhibitor of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor type-1 activity in the blood.

The increased risk of thrombotic events associated with disease states such as diabetes and hypertension has been correlated with elevated circulating levels of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1). In the present study we evaluate the benzothiophene derivative S35225 in comparison with two recently described inhibitors of PAI-1 activity Tiplaxtinin and WAY140312 on a panel of PAI-1 activity assays in vitro and in vivo. In a direct chromogenic assay, S35225 has an IC50 value of 44+/-0.

Modulation of monocytic lipopolysaccharide-induced tissue factor expression and tumor necrosis factor alpha release by estrogen and calcitriol.

Objective: Modulatory effects of estrogens on both the immune and the coagulation system are only partially understood. In severe infections high estrogen levels have been observed both in men and postmenopausal women and are associated with increased mortality. Monocyte-derived tissue factor (TF) expression can activate the coagulation system and worsen the course of severe infection.

Practicalities of selenium supplementation in critically ill patients.

Purpose Of Review: To review the reason for and clinical effects of selenium supplementation in critically ill patients.

Recent Findings: Selenium-dependent enzymes and selenoprotein P regulate immune and endothelial cell function. Obviously not the anorganic compounds of selenium but the activity of selenium-dependent enzymes is the most important factor modulating the immune system and the clinical outcome of patients.

Outcome in elderly patients with severe infection is influenced by sex hormones but not gender.

Objective: The influence of gender as a prognostic variable in patients with severe infections is still controversial. Sex steroid hormones have an important impact on the immune system and vice versa, and prospective studies on the hormonal changes during severe infection are lacking. The objective was to compare the influences of gender and adrenal sex steroid hormone levels on hospital mortality rate in patients with infections.

Reduced brain tissue perfusion in TGF-beta 1 transgenic mice showing Alzheimer's disease-like cerebrovascular abnormalities.

We have studied the functional repercussions of cerebrovascular abnormalities in transgenic mice overexpressing TGF-beta1. These mice develop Alzheimer's disease-like vascular and meningeal alterations without parenchymal degeneration. Autoradiographic cerebral blood flow measurements in 9-month-old TGF-beta1 mice compared to non-transgenic littermates provided evidence of reduced tissue perfusion, most prominent in limbic regions.

A case-control study of occupational risk factors for bladder cancer in Canada.

Objective: To investigate occupational risk factors for bladder cancer in seven Canadian provinces.

Methods: We analysed a population-based case-control dataset of 887 individuals with incident, histologically confirmed bladder cancer between 1994 and 1997. Controls (2847) frequency matched for age and gender were surveyed in 1996.

The plasminogen-MMP system is more activated in the scar than in viable myocardium 3 months post-MI in the rat.

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) is a complex process involving extracellular matrix degradation and fibrosis. While early remodeling is beneficial, chronic remodeling leads to decompensated heart failure (HF). We assessed the hypothesis that activation of the plasminogen-MMP system is involved in the remodeling of the infarct scar and compared it to the remaining viable myocardium.

[Early left ventricular remodelling following acute coronary accident].

Ventricular remodelling following acute coronary syndromes is both complex and multiform. It is due to the response of the myocardium to the different agressions associated with these syndromes, in particular the ischemia and necrosis downstream of the occluded artery. We must not however neglect the role of the remodelling of the lesions resulting from spontaneous reperfusion or provoked by the cells and tissues associated with coronary microcirculation embolisms and the no-reflow phenomenon.

Selenium substitution has no direct effect on thyroid hormone metabolism in critically ill patients.

Background: In severe illness, plasma selenium levels are decreased; a decreased activity of the selenoenzyme 5'-deiodinase has been hypothesized to contribute to low tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels in non-thyroidal illness (NTI) syndrome in these patients.

Objective: To analyse the influence of selenium substitution on thyroid hormone metabolism in patients with severe sepsis.

Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled study at the medical internal intensive care unit of the University of Munich.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 production is correlated with genetically determined ACE expression in congenic rats: a possible link between ACE genotype and diabetic nephropathy.

Genetic background appears to modulate the development of diabetic vascular complications. In particular, polymorphisms in the ACE gene have been associated with diabetic nephropathy and, in some studies, macrovascular complications. However, the links between ACE gene polymorphism and factors implicated in diabetes complications remain unknown.

Pulmonary endothelium as a site of synthesis and storage of interleukin-6 in experimental congestive heart failure.

Background: Pulmonary endothelium is an early upstream hemodynamic target of left ventricular dysfunction. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine reported to increase in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients.

Aims: We sought to determine the origin of IL-6, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and gp130 in experimental CHF.

Molecular and functional dissection of TGF-beta1-induced cerebrovascular abnormalities in transgenic mice.

Cerebrovascular abnormalities, such as reduced blood flow, microvascular fibrosis, and cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy, are prominent in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their etiology is poorly understood and it is unclear whether cerebrovascular changes contribute to functional impairments in the absence of neurodegeneration. In humans with AD, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA levels in the midfrontal gyrus correlate positively with the relative degree of cerebrovascular amyloid deposition in that brain region, suggesting a possible role for TGF-beta1 in human cerebrovascular abnormalities.

Risk of bladder cancer in foundry workers: a meta-analysis.

To clarify the inconsistent reports of bladder cancer risk in foundry workers, a meta-analytic review of epidemiological studies was undertaken. Summary risk estimates (SRE) were calculated from 40 systematically extracted results. Weakly increased risks were observed overall, with an SRE of 1.

Doppler echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure after MI in rats.

The spectral Doppler mitral flow pattern, alone or combined with tissue Doppler mitral annulus velocity, can be used to predict left ventricular (LV) filling pressure in humans, whereas invasive hemodynamic measurements are still required in the rat. This study was undertaken to assess whether LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be estimated using Doppler echocardiography in the rat after myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty-seven rats (23 rats with MI after left coronary artery ligation and 14 sham-operated rats) were evaluated 3 mo after surgery with echo-Doppler and invasive hemodynamic measurements.

Scar and pulmonary expression and shedding of ACE in rat myocardial infarction.

We examined the topology of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) mRNA expression, activity, and shedding in myocardial infarction-induced heart failure and sought to elucidate the source of the increased plasma ACE activity in this model. Three months after coronary ligature, lung, scar, and remaining viable left ventricular tissues were analyzed for ACE mRNA expression as well as tissue and solubilized ACE activity. ACE mRNA expression increased in the scar with respect to infarct severity, decreased in the lung, and remained unchanged in the left ventricle.

Selenium replacement in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome improves clinical outcome.

Objective: To determine the effect of selenium replacement on morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Design: Controlled, randomized prospective open-label pilot study comparing patients with and without selenium replacement.

Setting: Intensive care unit of a university hospital for internal medicine.