Anti-inflammatory effect on genes expression after four days of Qigong training in peripheral mononuclear blood cells in healthy women.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies have shown the influence of Qigong on gene expression in different cells, but there is little data associated with the influence of this kind of therapy on genes expression in pheripheral monocellucar blood cells. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the expression of genes associated with cellular stress response in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBC) in healthy women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment took place at the Japanese Martial Arts Centre "DOJO" in Stara Wies, Poland, conducted over the course of a 4-day qigong training session. To evaluate the genes effect of this training, blood samples were taken before and after the training period. This experiment involved 20 healthy women (aged 56.2±9.01, body height 164.8±6.5 and mass 65.5±8.2). To determine the expression of HSF-1, HSPA1A, NF-kB, IL10 and CCL2 mRNA, 3 ml of venous blood was collected. The blood samples were placed in tubes allowing for separation (BD Vacutainer CPT TM) before and after the 4 days of qigong training. Isolated PMBC were used to determine gene expression using real-time qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS: Significant decreases in NF-kB and CCL2 mRNA and increases in IL10, HSF1 and HSPA1A m-RNA were detected after 4 days of qigong training. The obtained findings suggest that qigong caused a reduction in the inflammatory and intensified anti-inflammatory gene expression, as well as a higher expression of HSF-1 and HSPA1A. CONCLUSIONS: The adaptive response to qigong training was similar to the adaptive response to physical activity and was detected through gene expression in PMBC. Furthermore, this kind of training is especially indicated for women because of their higher susceptibility to psychosocial stress when compared to men.

Differences in the expression of selected genes associated with cell stress response in a PTSD patient and in healthy individuals - a case study.

Objective. The aim of the study was determination of the level in expression genes associated with cell stress response in a patient with PTSD. Case study. A 57-year-old PTSD patient, A.P., was the subject of the study. Blood samples were taken from the ulnar vein to assess the relative expression of the tested genes in leukocytes via a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results. A considerably decreased level in the expression HSF-1, NF-kB, Hif-1 and IL6 m-RNA was observed in the patient when compared to the control group. A low expression in HSPA1A, HSPB1, IL10 and CRP m-RNA compared with the control group was also noted. Conclusion. It is possible that the lower level of transcriptional factors: HSF-1, NF-kB and Hif-1 as well as IL6 m-RNA may be associated with the effect of the PTSD patient's treatment.

Application of ERPs neuromarkers for assessment and treatment of a patient with chronic crossed aphasia after severe TBI and long-term coma - Case Report.

 Objective. The study aimed to evaluate the application of ERPs neuromarkers for the assessment and treatment of a patient with chronic crossed aphasia after severe TBI and a long-term coma. CASE REPORT: An ambidextrous female patient, aged 29, suffered from posttraumatic chronic crossed aphasia, severe TBI and a prolonged coma after a car accident. The patient took part in two differentiated rehabilitation programmes of neurotherapy included 20 sessions of relative beta training and 20 sessions of rTMS; both programmes were combined with behavioural training. The patient was tested 3 times: before the experiment, after completion of programme A, and after completion of programme B. RESULTS: In the 1st recording, the neuromarker of aphasia was found - an excess of the P2 wave over the left temporal area. There was a cognitive control deficit - an excess of omission errors and an increase of RT variability - all indexes of sporadic ADHD. In the 2nd recording, slight improvements in cognitive control, and language functions were found. In the 3rd recording, after the rTMS sessions most of her cognitive dysfunctions had been resolved, including language functions. It should be stressed that the activation (especially the increase in the ERP potential of the right side over the frontal lobe) was found. The neuromarker of aphasia did not change, only the location had slightly moved frontally. CONCLUSIONS: The application of ERP neuromarkers assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and academic success of an ambidextrous patient with chronic posttraumatic aphasia and sporadic ADHD. ERPs can be used to assess the functional brain changes induced by neurotherapeutical programmes.

Effects of sauna bathing on stress-related genes expression in athletes and non-athletes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Heat stress induces the expression of genes encoding heat-shock proteins and immune response mediators. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the expression of genes encoding heat-shock proteins 70 kDa and27 kDa, interleukin 6, interleukin 10and C-reactive protein, between athletes and non-athletes after sauna bathing. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Athletes (n=9) and non-athletes (n=9) were exposed to a Finnish sauna twice during one session at a temperature of 98.2 °C and humidity of 10% ± 2%, with a 5 min break for cooling down under a shower. The groups did not differ in terms of age, height or body mass. Blood samples were taken before and after sauna exposure in order to assess gene expression, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Differences were observed in leukocyte mRNA levels of tested genes between athletes and non-athletes. In the non-athlete group, all the tested genes were expressed at higher levels as a response to the same heat challenge. CONCLUSION: It appears that expression of stress-related genes induced by heat stress is dependent on the level of physical activity.

Usage of perioperative anxiety neuromarker for improving the quality of life of a patient operated on for critical stenosis of the internal carotid artery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to find a neuromarker of perioperative anxiety in a patient with critical carotid stenosis through the use of neuromarkers in Quantitative EEG (QEEG) and Event Related Potentials (ERPs). The indirect purpose of the research was evaluation of improvement in the patient's quality of life. CASE STUDY: A 45-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Interventions at the John Paul II Hospital in Krakow, with the diagnosis of critical internal carotid stenosis (over 80%), confirmed by Doppler Ultrasound and Angio-CT examinations. Before hospitalization, the patient had not presented any symptoms of brain ischemia. It was found that severe anxiety on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was worse before the surgery. After the operation, a reduction anxiety in occurred as well as an improvement in the majority of the dimensions of health. Therefore, her quality of life improved. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes were observed on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Modern neurotechnologies measures are necessary to capture all the changes in the symptoms of anxiety before and after the operation for a carotid stenosis. ERPs might be used to select patients with neuromarker of perioperative anxiety, and subsequently to serve in proper psychological care and minimalize the perioperative risk of complications.

Hyper-frontality in an OCD patient - evidence from event-related potentials in a cued GO/NOGO task.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the hyperactivity of the frontal lobes in a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorders. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 21-year-old female met the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 since her behaviour was characterized by a preoccupations with negative thoughts and by repetitive attempts to decrease or stop those behaviours. Two working hypotheses were tested to find neuromarkers of OCD and anxiety in the patient described. In agreement with the 'OCD hypothesis' an increase of the frontal beta activity and an increase of the parietalalpha activity pattern was found. The 'anxiety' hypothesis found confirmation in an increased left temporal P1 wave in response to the visual stimuli observed in ERPs. In all three conditions (EO, EC, GO/NOGO task), two characteristics were deviant from the normative average data in EEG spectra. First, an increase of frontal beta activity and the increase of parietal alpha activity was noted. The independent component analysis applied for 700 ms EEG fragments in GO and NOGO conditions revealed a strong activation over the central areas. CONCLUSIONS: Specific patterns of QEEG and ERPs, the increase of beta activity frontally, and the increase of parietal alpha activity pattern which produce hyper-frontality, might be useful in the diagnosis of an OCD patient. ERPs in a GO/NOGO task can be used in the assessment of functional brain changes in OCD patients.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for a patient with a nonfluent/agrammatic variant of PPA in the mutism stage.

INTRODUCTION: The paper presents an example of the successful administration of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system. Such an approach is of particular significance in cases of patients with speech and language deterioration, which is observed in a nonfluent/agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia (PPA-G). Regaining the ability to communicate with others proves to be very important for the patients' self-esteem and enables them to restore previously broken social bonds. CASE HISTORY: The patient A.G., aged 73, a right-handed woman, had been a teacher of Polish before suffering from speech disorders of the PPA-G type. As the disease progressed, her communication deteriorated and finally she developed mutism. The patient was given a clinical and imaging-supported diagnosis of an isolated nonfluent/ agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia (PPA-G). The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system specially designed for her needs was introduced to help the patient to regain the possibility to communicate. After 20 sessions of training with the use of simple equipment she was again able to communicate non-verbally with her son and with the staff of the nursing home. At the same time, a considerable improvements in her social functioning, including daily activities, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of the ability to communicate with others has a serious impact upon a patient's quality of life, and often results in withdrawal and an inability to lead an independent life. The introduction of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system proves to be a great help, not only for regaining the ability to communicate, but also for the restoration of social bonds. In consequence, the previously mute patient begins to show signs of social cooperation.