Expression patterns of CRH, CRH receptors, and CRH binding protein in human gestational tissue at term.

Recent research suggests a significant role for placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in controlling human parturition. This paper describes the expression of CRH, CRH receptors 1 and 2, and CRH binding protein (CRH-BP) in gestational tissue in late pregnancy. Placenta, myometrium, decidua, and fetal membranes were collected after uncomplicated pregnancies at term caesarian section before the onset of labour. The localisation and mRNA expression of CRH, CRH receptors, and CRH-BP were studied by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. CRH receptors were detected in placenta, myometrium, decidua, and fetal membranes. We demonstrated for the first time the presence of CRH receptors on resident macrophages and on endothelial cells. CRH receptor 1 mRNA was detected in all tissues investigated by RT-PCR, whereas CRH receptor 2 mRNA was restricted to myometrium and decidua. CRH mRNA was widely expressed in all tissue under study. Novel findings are also presented on the expression of CRH-BP in the myometrium. This widespread expression of the CRH system in gestational tissue suggests a paracrine role for CRH in the birth process (e.g. effects on macrophages and endothelial cells).

Formation of proinflammatory cytokines in human term myometrium is stimulated by lipopolysaccharide but not by corticotropin-releasing hormone.

Human term myometrium is poorly characterized as a source of proinflammatory mediators involved in parturition. We have investigated the basal expression of cytokines in myometrium, as well as the effects of CRH and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on cytokine release. Explants from term myometrium were challenged with CRH or LPS (1 microg/mL each) in short-term tissue culture. Interleukin (IL)-1beta++, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha concentrations in the medium were quantified by enzyme immunoassay. The major cytokines released after 24 h were IL-6 and IL-8. All cytokines investigated were stimulated significantly by LPS (P: < 0. 05) but not by CRH. Messenger RNA levels of these cytokines were investigated by RT-PCR. IL-1beta+ and IL-6 messenger RNA were present in preterm and term myometrium before and during labor, whereas IL-8 and TNFalpha were expressed only by myometrium in active labor. Furthermore, myometrial CRH receptors and macrophages were characterized immunohistochemically. We conclude that human term myometrium is a site of production of proinflammatory cytokines and is involved in the inflammation-like reactions mediating the birth process. Cytokine release in term myometrium seems not to be under control of CRH.

No excuses: televised pornography harms children.

All youngsters are at some risk from exposure to televised pornography, as described above. At particular risk for harm, however, are the most vulnerable children in our society--children in single-parent homes, children with mental and emotional disturbances, mentally challenged children, children who have been physically and/or sexually abused, and children in dysfunctional families. Youngsters for whom television serves as a babysitter or parental surrogate unfortunately are exposed to few competing influences to television viewing. In addition, parents in such homes are least likely to know what their children are viewing and to be able to pass on their own values about sex and sexual behavior. The main possible effects of televised pornography that must concern us as clinicians, educators, and parents are modeling and imitation of language heard and behaviors observed in televised pornography; negative interference with children's normal sexual development; emotional reactions such as nightmares and feelings of anxiety, guilt, confusion, and/or shame; stimulation of premature sexual activity; development of unrealistic, misleading, and/or harmful attitudes toward sex and adult male-female relationships; and undermining of family values with resultant conflict between parents and children. Much more research is clearly needed on this topic. Because of the ethical and procedural problems surrounding research on children exposed to pornography, ideal research designs may never be possible. Nonetheless, we hope that this article will stimulate further discussion and work. To devise public policy that protects children from potentially harmful material while at the same time respecting the media's First Amendment rights, such public discourse and responsible research are essential.

[Clinical experience with the treatment of gingival hyperplasia induced by calcium channel blocking agents]. / A kalcium-csatorna-blokkoló szerek okozta ínyhyperplasia kezelésének klinikai tapasztalatai.

The prevalence of the nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia is ranging from 0.5-83% in the dental literature. The pathomechanism of the nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia is not clearly understood. Evaluating the dental history and the course of disease of 34 patients treated and followed up at the Department of Periodontology the following answers were raised: What sort of local and systemic factors are enhancing the recurrence of the gingival overgrowth and how this can be anticipated in patients on continuous Ca channel blocking medication. Eight out of the 34 patients participating in the clinical trial did not remember the onset of their gingival overgrowth. 10 cases developed three years and three cases after less then one year of the onset of the drug administrations. 27 out of the 34 cases required gingival surgery and seven showed good clinical improvement after the hygienic phase of the comprehensive periodontal treatment. 70% of the gingival hyperplasia cases presented no clinical sign of recurrence one year after the completion of the active phase of the treatment. A positive correlation was found between the oral hygiene and the recurrence rate of gingival overgrowth. Oral hygiene seems to play a decisive role in the development of gingival enlargement. The present findings and substantial evidences from the dental literature indicate that the gingival enlargement can be successfully controlled even under the continuous nifedipine administration by meticulous professional and individual oral hygiene.

Factors associated with weapon use in maternal filicide.

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with weapon use in a group of filicidal women. Clinical data were gathered from the charts of sixty filicidal women evaluated at Michigan's Center for Forensic Psychiatry or through Connecticut's Psychiatric Security Review Board from 1970 to 1996. Factors associated with weapon use were determined using chi squares, ANCOVAS, and a logistic regression. Results were compared to national statistics for child homicide from the Department of Justice Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). Weapon was defined as knife or gun for the study. Weapons were used by one of four women in our study. Guns were used by 13% of filicidal women and knives by 12%. Odds ratio showed that psychotic women were eleven times more likely to kill their child with a weapon than their non-psychotic counterparts (11.2; p = .008). Psychosis was present in every mother who killed her child with a knife and in seven of eight women who killed their children with a gun. Younger children were less likely to be killed with weapons (ANCOVA; F = 8.28; p = .006). This finding was independent of presence or absence of maternal psychosis. These results show that psychotic women are more likely than non-psychotic women to kill their children with weapons. They also show that mothers are more likely to use weapons to kill older children than younger children.

[The role of sensitivity of oral hygiene indices in the selection of proper methodology of plaque-control clinical studies]. / A szájhigiéniás indexek érzékenységének szerepe a plakk-kontroll klinikai vizsgáló módszereinek kiválasztásában.

UNLABELLED: A double blind split-pilot study was carried out to test the potential increase in sensitivity of the Quigley and Hein (Turesky modification) plaque index using a six site recording technique against the two site technique in assessing the antiplaque effects of dentifrices. The study also evaluated the impact of asking the subjects not to brush their teeth the morning of the evaluations versus those who where hot given these instruction. The results indicated that the triclosan containing dentifrice had a significant anti-plaque effect over the placebo at 3 weeks when using both two (p = 0.003) and six (p = 0.002) sited plaque assessment methods. However the six-sited index demonstrated the greater efficacy for the active dentifrice. At six weeks no statistically significant difference between the two dentifrices was seen. The instruction of subjects not to brush before the plaque evaluation increased the mean plaque scores as well as the treatment effect at any time. IN CONCLUSION: The six-sited plaque index increased the sensitivity of the index in determining the anti-plaque efficacy of dentifrices, as well as indicating that instructing subjects not to brush preceding their plaque evaluations also increases sensitivity for determining anti-plaque efficacy of dentifrices.

Criminal responsibility and solvent exposure.

This case report contains the history of a man's exposure to benzene, trichloroethylene, and toluene. J suffered acutely from classic symptoms of toxic exposure to these compounds, such as fatigue, clumsiness, staggering, and hematopoietic depression. During his medical hospitalization, he was exposed to further organic insults, such as being treated with medications like Cytoxan and medications to treat an abscess in his right parietal lobe. After the acute exposure and after the abscess had resolved, his functioning on neuropsychological testing was still depressed, as he had a Full Scale IQ of 105, whereas at the time of the forensic evaluation he had a Full Scale IQ of 114. It would therefore appear that he did have some mild deficits when originally discharged from the hospital. While he reported having continual mental status changes at the time of the offense and even at the time of the forensic evaluation, it was not felt that these played a significant role in the commission of the offense. Comprehensive forensic evaluation suggested that psychological reactions to his illness and an underlying personality disorder were more direct contributors to the criminal acts. J was therefore recommended and ultimately found to be responsible for his behavior, according to the law.

Cognitive dysfunction in a patient with long-term occupational exposure to ethylene oxide. Role of ethylene oxide as a causal factor.

This case illustrates a comprehensive approach to assessing causality in a woman with apparent cognitive dysfunction, as measured by neuropsychological testing, and a 10-year history of occupational exposure to ethylene oxide. The analysis included a multidisciplinary examination of the patient, which took place several years after the termination of her exposure. In addition, all of the patient's prior medical and psychiatric records were reviewed, as were the records of her employer to ascertain her exposure history. Our evaluation revealed a pattern of neuropsychological findings not consistent with nervous system damage secondary to an organic effect of ethylene oxide. A more likely causal hypothesis is adopted: the patient's apparent cognitive dysfunction had a psychiatric etiology. This case also illustrates the potential impact of a patient's involvement in legal proceedings related to claims of neurocognitive dysfunction.

The sexual abuse victim in the courts.

This article explores the impact of court procedures on victims of sexual abuse and on the process of psychotherapy. Differences between civil and criminal litigation are described as is the psychiatrist's role in these cases. Recommendations are made as to how to render the experience of testifying in court less traumatic for the victim.

Premenstrual syndrome: a view from the bench.

The author reviews the use of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as a complete or partial legal defense in the United States. The basic arguments supporting and opposing the use of PMS in the insanity defense, in the diminished capacity defense, and as a mitigating factor in sentencing are briefly explained. The PMS defense has been unsuccessful in the United States, and its future success is unlikely. More likelihood exists that PMS will cease to be a continuing subject of law review articles and a basis for judicial determinations and instead will continue to be studied in the proper arena, the psychological/psychiatric community.