PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS AND CORRELATIONS OF NATRIURETIC PEPTIDES AND OXYTOCIN DURING LABOR AND EARLY POSTPARTUM PERIOD.

CONTEXT: Natriuretic peptides (NP) and oxytocin (OT) play an important role in cardiovascular and hydro-electrolytic homeostasis. Changes in NP levels and their roles in cardiovascular adaptations in pregnancy and labor have not been clear. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the changes and correlations in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and OT during labor and the postpartum period. STUDY DESIGN: Blood samples were collected from 29 healthy pregnant women in the active phase of spontaneous labor, 15 minutes after delivery and 3 hours postpartum. Plasma levels of OT and the stable N-terminal fragments of NPs (NT-proANP, NT-proCNP, NT-proBNP) were measured using enzyme or electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. RESULTS: The plasma levels of NT-proANP and NT-proCNP significantly decrease 3 hours postpartum compared to the active phase of labor and to 15 minutes after delivery. The plasma NT-proBNP levels significantly higher after delivery and 3 hours postpartum compared to the active phase of labor. A significant correlation exists between OT and NT-proANP levels during the active phase of labor and 15 minutes after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that during labor and postpartum, the plasma concentrations of the NPs change differently. Elevations in NT- proBNP after delivery suggest that BNP may be involved in postpartum adaptations. The correlations between OT and ANP levels indicate that OT may be partly responsible for the increased levels of ANP and may have a role in the modification of the cardiovascular system.

Temperament and character traits in patients with conversion disorder and their relations with dissociation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate temperament and character traits in patients with conversion disorder and the relation of these traits with dissociative symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients (60) diagnosed with conversion disorder according to DSM-IV-TR and 60 healthy volunteers were included in the study. All participants' temperament and character traits were determined using Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Patients with conversion disorder were divided into two subgroups using the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), dissociative (n=30, 50%) and non-dissociative (n=30, 50%). The two conversion disorder subgroups were compared with the control group in terms of temperament and character traits. Correlation analysis was also performed between TCI and DES scores in the entire conversion group. RESULTS: Novelty seeking (NS) scores were lower in both the dissociative and non-dissociative groups compared to the control group. Harm avoidance (HA) scores were higher in the dissociative group than in the control group. Reward dependence (RD) scores were lower in the dissociative group than in the non-dissociative and control group. Self-directedness (SD) scores were lower in the dissociative group than in the control group. Self-transcendence (ST) scores were higher in the dissociative group than in the non-dissociative group. DES scores were negatively correlated with RD and SD scores in the entire conversion group and positively correlated with ST scores. CONCLUSIONS: Low NS temperament traits may be associated with conversion disorder. High HA and low RD temperament traits and low SD and high ST character traits may be associated with pathological dissociation in patients with conversion disorder.