How Does Physical Activity Modulate Hormone Responses?

Physical activity highly impacts the neuroendocrine system and hormonal secretion. Numerous variables, both those related to the individual, including genetics, age, sex, biological rhythms, nutritional status, level of training, intake of drugs or supplements, and previous or current pathologies, and those related to the physical activity in terms of type, intensity, and duration of exercise, or environmental conditions can shape the hormonal response to physical exercise. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of physical exercise on hormonal levels in the human body, focusing on changes in concentrations of hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, and insulin in response to different types and intensities of physical activity.

Bifid choroid plexus: always a normal fetal brain structure variant?

Choroid plexus, a fetal organ developing approximately from the sixth week of gestation, plays a fundamental role in developing fetal brain organization. As relatively little is known about the relationship between anomalies of choroid plexuses structure and their role in brain function, we examined cases of bifid choroid plexus (BCP) and discussed their potential association with lateral ventriculomegaly, other abnormal ultrasound findings, and their potential role as markers of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. In the present study, we described 23 cases of fetal BCP found in 2145 routine second trimester ultrasounds.

Mesial side ovarian incision for laparoscopic dermoid cystectomy: a safe and ovarian tissue-preserving technique.

Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy, in terms of spillage risk and ovarian tissue preservation, of mesial incision for laparoscopic dermoid cystectomy.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University.

Ultrasound estimated fetal weight slightly below the median is associated with increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth.

Background: This study investigates the possible relationship between ultrasound estimated fetal weight (EFW) at third trimester and the risk of preterm birth following spontaneous preterm labor in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods: We performed a nested case-control study including 281 cases of spontaneous preterm labor with preterm delivery in the third trimester and 3372 matched controls within a cohort of 6207 consecutive pregnant women. Pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (birth weight <10th centile of population-based normograms) or fetal anomalies were not included.

The practicability and surgeons' subjective experiences with vaginal danazol before an operative hysteroscopy.

This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study compared the usefulness of danazol 400mg vaginally versus 600mg orally in women as a preoperative preparation for hysteroscopic surgery. Ninety-one fertile women were randomly allocated to Group A (46 patients received 400mg of danazol placed into the posterior vaginal fornix and three oral tablets of commercially available folic acid as a placebo), and Group B [45 women treated with 600mg of danazol orally (200mg three times daily) and two vaginal tablets of Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a placebo]. The patients underwent an operative hysteroscopy, transvaginal sonography, blood tests, and a histological assay.

[The active search for occupational diseases in the engineering industries. Diseases associated with exposure to welding activities in optical radiation: dry eye syndrome].

In the project of active research of occupational diseases was conducted a study on 45 welders in the engineering companies, with particular attention to the hazards of exposure to the optical radiation. The protocol used involved the execution of Breack Up test, Schirmer test, corneal staining and scraping cytology. It revealed that more than half of the welders had ocular lesions referable to their work activity as well as some permanent functional damages with the characters of dry eye syndrome.

[Personal protective equipment: directions for the application of Legislative Decree 81/08 in surveillance].

The laws on workplace safety and in particular the DLgs. 81/08, contemplate an organisation which firstly promotes collective protection measures and elimination of any type of risk. The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is therefore always secondary to the correct implementation of all possible technical and organisational procedures.

Essure transcervical tubal sterilization: a 5-year x-ray follow up.

Objective: To evaluate the x-ray appearance of Essure microinserts 5 years after their insertion.

Design: Prospective controlled study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centers for gynecologic care.

Neuroendocrine mechanisms in pregnancy and parturition.

The complex mechanisms controlling human parturition involves mother, fetus, and placenta, and stress is a key element activating a series of physiological adaptive responses. Preterm birth is a clinical syndrome that shares several characteristics with term birth. A major role for the neuroendocrine mechanisms has been proposed, and placenta/membranes are sources for neurohormones and peptides.

Hypoxia and preeclampsia: increased expression of urocortin 2 and urocortin 3.

Objective: Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) and urocortin 3 (Ucn3) are new members of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) family of peptides expressed and localized in human placenta. In the current study, we aimed to asses whether hypoxia affects placental Ucn2/Ucn3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein localization in physiological or pathological hypoxia and to evaluate whether the effect is modulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha).

Methods: Early first-trimester placental specimens from elective termination of pregnancy were used for villous explants and term placental tissue were used for primary cell cultures.

The use of nomegestrol acetate in rapid preparation of endometrium before operative hysteroscopy in pre-menopausal women.

The presence of a thin endometrium has an important role in allowing the best conditions for hysteroscopic surgery. Here, we explored the efficacy of a 14-day administration of nomegestrol acetate, a progestogen with high progestogen potency effects, in rapid endometrial preparation to operative hysteroscopy. A total of 86 fertile women selected for operative hysteroscopy received for 14 days either 5mgday(-1) of nomegestrol acetate (n=43; group A) or 4mgday(-1) of folic acid (n=43; group B), starting on day 1 of the subsequent menstrual cycle.

Urocortin increases IL-4 and IL-10 secretion and reverses LPS-induced TNF-alpha release from human trophoblast primary cells.

Problem: As urocortin (Ucn) is a placental peptide belonging to the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) family that modulates immune function in other biological models, this study evaluated Ucn effects on cytokines secretion from cultured human trophoblast cells.

Method Of Study: Placentas were collected from normal term pregnancies after elective caesarean section, and primary trophoblast culture was prepared followed by the treatment of Ucn and/or CRH selective antagonists, antalarmin and astressin 2b. The anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA.

Urocortin 2 stimulates estradiol secretion from cultured human placental cells: an effect mediated by the type 2 corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor.

Estrogens produced by the placenta are pivotal in human pregnancy and parturition. Several hormones are involved in regulating estrogen production. Recently, the corticotrophin releasing hormone family of peptides has expanded and among the new members, urocortin 2 is expressed from human placenta.

[Correlation between exhaled benzene and environmental exposure in refinery workers].

Benzene is still present in various working processes. Many methods are available for the biological monitoring of benzene exposure. The Authors present a study concerning a series of 23 workers of a refinery exposed to benzene.

Prediction of preterm delivery based on maternal plasma urocortin.

Context: Preterm birth still remains a significant management problem, and a large number of markers of the disease have been investigated.

Objective: We measured plasma levels of urocortin, a neuropeptide expressed by gestational tissues, in women with threatened preterm labor (TPTL) to evaluate whether the measurement may predict preterm delivery (PTD).

Design: We studied patients as part of an open observational study.

Labor (term and preterm) is associated with changes in the placental mRNA expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor.

Because maternal plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) levels increase during the last weeks of pregnancy and at parturition, the present study evaluated whether placental mRNA expression of CRF and CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP) are modified in preterm delivery. A group of 30 women with singleton pregnancies were enrolled in the study. A placental tissue specimen was collected from pregnant women (1) at term after cesarean delivery (39.

[Atypical jobs: current facts, health surveillance and monitoring].

Based on the analysis of data collected during scientific studies and on the knowledge gained from the investigations on flexible or new forms of jobs it can be observed that the increasing amount of industrial accidents reporting and the existence of bad frame of mind are to be charged to the lack of training, to the uncertainty related to these type of jobs, to the short duration of the employment timeframe, to the difficulty of being in line with the company security standards, to risky activities, to immigrants who hardly get socially integrated, to workers with a low level of education and to their limited work experience. Since lots of studies have demonstrated that workers are fully unsatisfied when they recognize the uncertainty of their job situation it is mandatory to intervene on the real implementation of training, health control, emergency management and monitoring, thus avoiding any kind of marginalization. Given the complexity of these new forms of jobs, it will be up to the supervising institutions to look for new and adequate models and tools to monitor and control all the different situations, always keeping in mind all the relevant rules and laws.

Urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 are expressed by the human placenta, deciduas, and fetal membranes.

Objective: Urocortin 2 (UCN2) and urocortin 3 (UCN 3) are recently identified neuropeptides showing homology to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). In the present study, we evaluated their expression and localization in gestational tissues (placenta, decidua, fetal membranes), and their effect on placental adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.

Study Design: The study was performed in a tertiary clinical care center.

Umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in pre-eclampsia with impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the umbilical cord serum activin A concentrations in complicated pregnancies and also to explore the relationship between activin A levels and blood flow velocity in fetal arteries. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained postpartum after a full term uneventful gestation (control group, n=40), and from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (n=13), preterm labour (n=18), or pre-eclampsia (n=19). Cord serum activin A levels were three-fold higher in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (1.

The measurement of maternal plasma corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein improves the early prediction of preeclampsia.

In the present study we measured maternal plasma concentrations of two placental neurohormones, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP), in 58 at-risk pregnant women consecutively enrolled between 28 and 29 wk of pregnancy to evaluate whether their evaluation may predict third trimester-onset preeclampsia (PE). The statistical significance was assessed by t test. The cut-off points for defining altered CRF and CRF-BP levels for prediction of PE were chosen by receiving operator characteristics curve analysis, and the probability of developing PE was calculated for several combinations of hormone testing results.

Cardiac effects of formoterol and salmeterol in patients suffering from COPD with preexisting cardiac arrhythmias and hypoxemia.

Objective: There are several reports of documented adverse cardiac effects during treatment with beta-agonists. Since one should be aware that this may be a problem in patients with preexisting cardiac disorders, we have conducted a randomized, single-blind, balanced, crossover, placebo-controlled study to assess the cardiac effects of two single doses of formoterol (12 microg and 24 microg) and one single dose of salmeterol (50 microg) in 12 patients suffering from COPD with preexisting cardiac arrhythmias and hypoxemia (PaO2<60 mm Hg).

Design: Each patient was evaluated at a screening visit that included spirometry, blood gas analysis, plasma potassium measurement, and 12-lead ECG.

Bioavailability of timolol and aceclidine after ocular instillation in the rabbit.

The bioavailability of timolol and aceclidine after the ocular instillation of each drug (timolol 0.5% or aceclidine 2%) or both combined (timolol 0.5% + aceclidine 2%) has been evaluated in rabbits.

[Differences in the symptomatology of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias in relation to the different sites of localization of the arrhythmic reentry circuit. Clinical picture, semiologic and genetic aspects].

Transesophageal, electrophysiologic studies were conducted in 47 patients, with clinical and ECGgraphic diagnosis of paroxysmal reciprocating supraventricular tachycardia. After admission to hospital, the patients were enrolled in the study in accordance with the criterion concerning the exclusion of patients with signs and symptoms of severe heart pump failure (ie, NYHA III and IV class were excluded). The transesophageal study was performed during paroxysmal tachycardia in each patient to measure the V-A interval and to localize the site of reentry.