[Prevalence of selected congenital anomalies in the Czech Republic: congenital anomalies of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract]. / Prevalence vybraných vrozených vad v Ceské republice - vývojové vady centrálního nervového systému a zazívacího traktu.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the prevalence of selected congenital anomalies in the Czech Republic in 1994-2009. DESIGN: Retrospective epidemiological analysis of the postnatal and overall (including prenatally diagnosed cases) prevalence of congenital anomalies from the database of the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies of the Czech Republic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies (NRCA) maintained by the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic (IHIS CR) were used. The analysis was carried out for the entire Czech Republic, based on the data from 1994 to 2009. Additional data on prenatally diagnosed anomalies were obtained from medical genetics centres and laboratories in the Czech Republic. This study analyzed the postnatal and overall (including prenatally diagnosed cases) prevalence of congenital anomalies. More detailed analysis was carried out for the following diagnoses: anencephaly, spina bifida, encephalocoele, congenital hydrocephalus, omphalocoele, gastroschisis, oesophageal atresia and stenosis, anorectal anomalies, and diaphragmatic hernia. Prevalence trends were analysed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: In 2009, a total of 118 348 live births were recorded in the Czech Republic, 60 368 boys and 57 980 girls. Of this total, 4 653, i.e. 2 745 boys and 1 908 girls, were diagnosed with congenital anomalies. In 2007-2009, the total of life births with congenital anomalies ranged between 4.6 and 4.8 thousand per year. The respective ranges in this three-year period were in the order of 2.7 and 2.8 thousand per year for boys and 1.9 thousand per year for girls. The prevalence of postnatally diagnosed anencephaly was minimal, as most cases were diagnosed prenatally, and the data did not vary significantly. The prevalence of postnatally diagnosed cases remained at the same level. The effectiveness of the prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida increased and thus the prevalence of postnatally diagnosed cases decreased. The prevalence of prenatally diagnosed encephalocoele increased and that of postnatally diagnosed cases varied between years, with no clear trend. The prevalence of omphalocoele varied for both prenatally and postnatally diagnosed cases; nevertheless, the effectiveness of prenatal diagnosis of this defect increases. The prevalence of gastroschisis remained unchanged, but the number of live births with this diagnosis showed a non-significant upward trend. If the trend reflects the real situation, it could be a result of a changed approach to prenatal diagnosis due to advances in corrective surgery of this defect. The prevalence of live births with congenital hydrocephalus showed a downward trend in the second half of the period 1994-2009 thanks to the improved diagnosis. The prevalence rates of live births with congenital esophageal and anorectal anomalies were slightly increasing. The prevalence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia varied between years but the overall prevalence appeared to be slightly increasing. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of some congenital anomalies (spina bifida, omphalocoele, and congenital hydrocephalus) showed a downward trend over the study period 1994-2009, mainly as a result of effective prenatal diagnosis. The prevalence of other congenital anomalies such as anencephaly or encephalocoele remained unchanged in live births. As for anencephaly, postnatally diagnosed cases were rare as the prenatal diagnosis was close to 100 %. The trend in encephalocoele is explained by the low incidence of this diagnosis in the population. The third group of postnatally diagnosed congenital anomalies such as gastroschisis or esophageal and anorectal anomalies were on the rise. As for gastroschisis, the reason was the changed approach to prenatal diagnosis due to good prognosis of this operable defect. The prevalence of congenital esophageal and anorectal anomalies varied between years, with a slowly increasing trend, similarly to diaphragmatic hernia.

Does impedance measure a functional state of the body fat?

The aim was to compare methods of body fat measurement in different BMI groups. An additional aim was to discuss differences reflecting the structural and functional changes of fat tissue. The study group included 130 adult Caucasian women stratified by body mass index (BMI): 18-24.99 (n=30), 25-29.99 (n=26), 30-34.99 (n=33), 35-39.99 (n=30), and BMI>/=40 (n=11). Bioelectrical impedance was performed using Tanita TBF 410 GS, Bodystat 1500, and Omron BF 300. A caliper type Best was also applied. Correspondence of four methods with DEXA was assessed using the Bland-Altman and ANOVA analyses. Measurements by BIA were not significantly different from DEXA up to BMI of 30, but DEXA significantly overestimated in the higher BMI subgroup by all three methods. Caliper measurement significantly underestimated DEXA in all BMI subgroups. BIA methods overestimated DEXA for the obese subjects. Tanita did statistically the best. The Caliper test appeared less preferable than the BIA methods, especially in the higher BMI subgroup. DEXA and Caliper measurements seem to be the best estimate of structural (anatomical) fat quantity. We hypothesize that BIA methods could also measure some other physiopathological conditions like inflammation, hydration or cell infiltration of fat.

[Incidence of congenital heart defects in the Czech Republic--current data]. / Incidence vrozených srdecních vad v Ceské republice--aktuální data.

AIM OF STUDY: An analysis of incidence of congenital heart defects (CHD) in the Czech Republic in the 1994 - 2008 period. An assessment of absolute numbers, frequencies and incidences for particular selected diagnoses according to 10th decennial revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). An analysis of pre- and postnatal incidences of selected diagnoses and of a secondary prevention measures efficiency in the Czech Republic. TYPE OF STUDY: A retrospective epidemiological analysis of congenital anomalies from the database of the National Register of Birth Defects (NRBD) of the Czech Republic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the NRBD from the 1994 - 2008 period were used. In our study, CHD incidences (ICD-10 Q20-Q28 Congenital malformations of the circulatory system group) in the Czech Republic were analyzed. First, CHD incidences in births were assessed - absolute numbers, frequencies and incidences for particular selected diagnoses. Second, absolute numbers, frequencies and incidences of particular selected diagnoses in prenatally diagnosed fetuses and a secondary prevention measures efficiency in selected CHD were evaluated. In a third part, survival of babies with CHD during the first year of their life was analyzed. RESULTS: In the period under the study, there were a total of 1 472 610 life births in the Czech Republic. Congenital malformations of the circulatory system (Q20-Q28) present more than 40% of all registered congenital anomalies and are themselves the most frequent birth defect group in births in the Czech Republic. As a whole, 29 133 CHD were diagnosed (197.83 per 10 000 live births) in 18 811 children (127.53 per 10 000 live births) in this period, which presents more than 36% of children born with a congenital anomaly in the Czech Republic during 1994 - 2008. CHD most frequently diagnosed in births were congenital malformations of cardiac septa (total 16 428, 145.05 per 10 000 live births, more than 55% of all CHD) and congenital malformations of great arteries (total 5389, 47.58 per 10 000 live births, more than 18% of all CHD). Further, prenatally diagnosed CHD were analyzed. Incidences for particular diagnoses as well as percentage of pregnancy termination were assessed. A rate of prenatally diagnosed was 11.35% in discordant ventriculoarterial connection (Q20.3), 8.35% in discordant atrioventricular connection (Q20.5), 49.41% in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (Q23.4), 7.64% in coarctation of aorta (Q25.1) and 9.71% in tetralogy of Fallot (Q21.3). These anomalies were parts of chromosomal syndromes in 42.58% and non-chromosomal syndromes in 9.33%. There were also associated malformations (from other systems than circulatory one). The most frequent were congenital malformations of the nervous system (Q00-Q07) - 14.59%, congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79) - 12.44%, cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37) - 7.42% and congenital malformations of the urinary system (Q60-Q64) - 6.70%. In children born with a CHD, 84.53% were associated with other anomaly, out of which more than 70% were CHD only. Only about 14% were associated with anomalies from other (non-circulatory system) groups. Perinatal mortality was highest in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (Q23.4) - 327.103 per thousand and in tetralogy of Fallot (Q21.3) - 6.565 per thousand. CONCLUSIONS: The study presents current results of analysis of CHD incidences in the Czech Republic in the 1994 - 2008 period. Children born with a CHD make more than 36% out of all children born with a congenital anomaly. CHD themselves represents an important part (more than 40%) of all diagnosed congenital anomalies in the Czech Republic. Over the period of the study there was a slight increase of diagnosed CHD during 1994 - 1999 followed by a slight decrease from 2000 with an exception of 2007 year. The most frequent of diagnosed CHD were ventricular septal defect (Q21.0) and atrial septal defect (Q21.1). Both defects incidences changes influence not only a total CHD but also a total congenital anomalies incidence. An influence of prenatal diagnostics among the five selected CHD was most important in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (Q23.4), less so in others. In prenatal diagnostics group, it is necessary to distinguish between those anomalies, which led to pregnancy termination (parts of both chromosomal and non-chromosomal syndromes and/or association with other severe anomalies) and those in which pregnancy leads to a delivery (late diagnostics, operabile defects, parental decision). CHD can be a part of chromosomal syndromes. In our study, in prenatally diagnosed CHD it was more than 42%. A presence of other associated diagnoses of congenital anomalies in births will significantly influence infant mortality and morbidity.

[Birth defects in the Czech Republic in 1994--2007]. / Vrozené vady v Ceské republice v období 1994-2007.

AIM OF STUDY: An analysis of occurrence of birth defects in the Czech Republic in 1994-2007. An assessment of total numbers and relative incidences of birth defects in births according to Tenth Revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective epidemiological analysis of birth defects incidences from the Czech National Birth Defects Register database. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the National Birth Defects Register (Institute for Health Information and Statistics) in the Czech Republic in the 1994-2007 period were used. In this study, particular diagnoses--as they were registered in the National Register--were analyzed. The diagnoses in study were divided into following eleven birth defects groups according to ICD-10 classification: (Q00-Q07) nervous system, (Q10-Q18) eye, ear, face and neck, (Q20-Q28) circulatory system, (Q30-Q34) respiratory system, (Q35-Q37) cleft lip and cleft palate, (Q38-Q45) digestive system, (Q50-Q56) genital organs, (Q60-Q64) urinary system, (Q65-Q79) musculoskeletal system, (Q80-Q89) other defects and (Q90-Q99) chromosomal abnormalities, not elsewhere classified. Prenataly diagnosed cases are not included. RESULTS: During 1994-2007 period, totally 1,353,040 children were born on the area of the Czech Republic, out of which 44,343 with a birth defect. The diagoses in study were divided into eleven groups according to ICD-10 classification. Further, particular diagnoses according to ICD-10 and their verbal descriptions are presented in tables. Each group is accompanied by data on its total number and a relative incidence (per 10,000 live births) with a 95% C.I.. A relative frequency of the birth defects groups in study (in % from the total number of birth defects) is as follows: (Q00-Q07) nervous system 2.10, (Q10-Q18) eye, ear, face and neck 4.76, (Q20-Q28) circulatory system 39.63, (Q30-Q34) respiratory system 1.03, (Q35-Q37) cleft lip and cleft palate 3.67, (Q38-Q45) digestive system 4.05, (Q50-Q56) genital organs 10.93, (Q60-Q64) urinary system 7.08, (Q65-Q79) musculoskeletal system 18.90, (Q80-Q89) other defects 5.55 and (Q90-Q99) chromosomal abnormalities 2.28. CONCLUSIONS: The study gives updated results of incidences analysis of postnatally diagnosed birth defects (available on the date of August 31, 2008) in the Czech Republic in the 1994-2007 period. Data on birth defects were collected in the National Birth Defects Register (Institute for Health Information and Statistics). Birth defects registration is a compulsory process and is a part of the National Health Information System. The diagnoses in study were divided into eleven groups according to ICD-10 classification. Total numbers, relative incidences (per 10 000 live births, with a 95% C.I.) and relative frequencies of the birth defects groups are presented.

[Birth defects incidence in children from single and twin pregnancies in the Czech Republic--current data]. / Incidence vrozených vad u detí z jednocetných a dvojcetných gravidit v Ceské republice--aktuální data.

AIM OF STUDY: An analysis of occurrence of birth defects in children from single and twin pregnancies in the Czech Republic in 1994-2007. An assessment of total numbers and relative incidences of birth defects in births according to Tenth Revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective epidemiological analysis of birth defects incidences from the Czech National Birth Defects Register database. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the National Birth Defects Register (Institute for Health Information and Statistics) in the Czech Republic in the 1994-2007 period were used. In this study, particular diagnoses--as they were registered in the National Register--were analyzed. Birth defects were analyzed separetely for children from single and twin pregnancies. The diagoses in study were divided into following eleven birth defects groups according to ICD-10 classification: (Q00-Q07) nervous system, (Q10-Q18) eye, ear, face and neck, (Q20-Q28) circulatory system, (Q30-Q34) respiratory system, (Q35-Q37) cleft lip and cleft palate, (Q38-Q45) digestive system, (Q50-Q56) genital organs, (Q60-Q64) urinary system, (Q65-Q79) musculoskeletal system, (Q80-Q89) other defects and (Q90-Q99) chromosomal abnormalities, not elsewhere classified. Total numbers and mean incidences of birth defects separetely for children from single and twin pregnancies were assessed for all these 11 groups. RESULTS: In the Czech Republic during 1994-2007 period, totally 1,312,930 children were born (live births and stillbirts) from single pregnancies, whereas 42,448 from twin pregnancies. A twin rate (out of a total number of births) increased from 2.33% in 1997 to 4.17% in 2004. An overall incidence of diagnosed birth defects was 436.03 per 10,000 live births in singletons and 598.38 in twins. Birth defects incidence (per 10,000 livebirths)in singletons and twins in each of 11 birth defects groups under the study was during the 1994-2007 period as follows: (Q00-Q07) nervous system 9.45 in sigletons and 17.20 in twins, (Q10-Q18) eye, ear, face and neck 21.69 in singletons, and 18.38 in twins, (Q20-Q28) circulatory system 154.16 in singletons and 272.57 in twins, (Q30-Q34) respiratory system 4.92 in singletons and 5.65 in twins, (Q35-Q37) cleft lip and cleft palate 16.79 in singletons and 20.02 in twins, (Q38-Q45) digestive system 18.97 in singletons and 28.74 in twins, (Q50-Q56) genital organs 52.07 in singletons and 56.30 in twins, (Q60-Q64) urinary system 34.21 in singletons and 56.78 in twins, (Q65-Q79) musculoskeletal system 87.49 in singletons and 90.93 in twins, (Q80-Q89) other defects 26.06 in singletons and 22.14 in twins and (Q90-Q99) chromosomal abnormalities 10.20 in singletons and 9.66 in twins. CONCLUSIONS: The study gives differentiated results of incidences of selected types of birth defects in births according to pregnancy multiplicity. A statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in total birth defects incidence in twins compared to singletons was confirmed. Same statistical significance (p<0.001) was also found (twins compared to singletons) in following birth defects or their groups: (Q00-Q07) nervous system, Q20-Q28) circulatory system, (Q38-Q45) digestive system, (Q60-Q64) urinary system, congenital hydrocephalus, some congenital heart defects, cleft lip and/or palateoesophageal atresia, anorectal malformation, hypospadia, congenital hydronefrosis, polydactyly and syndactyly. A statistically significant difference (p<0.01) was found in spina bifida, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, duodenal atresia/stenosis, diaphragmatic hernia and Down syndrome.

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular joint disorders: a placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment for pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) was investigated in a controlled study comparing applied energy density, subgroups of TMD, and duration of disorders. BACKGROUND DATA: Although LLLT is a physical therapy used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, there is little evidence for its effectiveness in the treatment of TMD. METHODS: The study group of 61 patients was treated with 10 J/cm(2) or 15 J/cm(2), and the control group of 19 patients was treated with 0.1 J/cm(2). LLLT was performed by a GaAlAs diode laser with output of 400 mW emitting radiation wavelength of 830 nm in 10 sessions. The probe with aperture 0.2 cm(2) was placed over the painful muscle spots in the patients with myofascial pain. In patients with TMD arthralgia the probe was placed behind, in front of, and above the mandibular condyle, and into the meatus acusticus externus. Changes in pain were evaluated by self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Application of 10 J/cm(2) or 15 J/cm(2) was significantly more effective in reducing pain compared to placebo, but there were no significant differences between the energy densities used in the study group and between patients with myofascial pain and temporomandibular joint arthralgia. Results were marked in those with chronic pain. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that LLLT (application of 10 J/cm(2) and 15 J/cm(2)) can be considered as a useful method for the treatment of TMD-related pain, especially long lasting pain.

Does neonatal brain ischemia induce schizophrenia-like behavior in young adult rats?

Perinatal cerebral hypoxia represents a major cause of obstetric complications and the resulting transient oxygen deficiency might belong to early risk factors for schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible long-term behavioral changes induced by one hour of continuous bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in 12-day-old male rats. Post-ischemic behavioral disturbances were evaluated in social (play) behavior on postnatal day 22 (PND 22), open field test (PND 35 and 50) and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (PND 50). Transient ischemia in neonatal rats was not significantly altered in social dyadic interactions evaluated in pre-weaning pups, but resulted in enhanced locomotor activity in pubertal rats (PND 35) and impaired prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in post-pubertal males (PND 50). These behavioral alterations suggest that perinatal hypoxic/ischemic insults may represent a risk factor for later manifestation of specific features relevant to schizophrenia in predisposed individuals.

Sex-dependent actions of amyloid beta peptides on hippocampal choline carriers of postnatal rats.

It is suggested that amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease but their physiological function is still unknown. However, low pM-nM concentrations mediate a hypofunction of a basal forebrain cholinergic system without marked signs of neurotoxicity. In this study, we compared in vitro effects of soluble nonaggregated human Abeta 1-40 and 1-42 either on synaptosomal hemicholinium-3 sensitive choline carriers or on membrane fluidity in hippocampi of male and female Wistar rats aged 7 and 14 days or 2-3 months. The results indicate age- and sex-dependent effects mediated by peptides at nM concentrations but no significant differences between both fragments. Namely, opposite actions were observed in 14-day (the increase in the choline uptake and membrane fluidity) when compared to 7-day old and adult males (the mild drops). Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis revealed that the enhancement of the high-affinity choline transport in 14-day old males occurs via alterations in K (M )and the change was accompanied by a mild increase in the specific binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3. On the other hand, no age-dependent differences were found in females. Rat Abeta 1-40 mediated similar effects on 14-day old rats as the corresponding human fragment. Moreover, higher levels of soluble peptides were detected in immature when compared to mature male brains by means of competitive ELISA. Our study indicates that Abeta could play a role in postnatal sexual differentiation of hippocampal cholinergic system.

Exposure of postnatal rats to a static magnetic field of 0.14 T influences functional laterality of the hippocampal high-affinity choline uptake system in adulthood; in vitro test with magnetic nanoparticles.

Our previous experiments indicated an age- and sex-dependent functional lateralization of a high-affinity choline uptake system in hippocampi of Wistar rats. The system is connected with acetylcholine synthesis and also plays a role in spatial navigation. The current study demonstrates that a single in vivo exposure of 7- or 14-day-old males to a static magnetic field of 0.14 T for 60-120 min evokes asymmetric alterations in the activity of carriers in adulthood. Namely, the negative field (antiparallel orientation with a vertical component of the geomagnetic field) mediated a more marked decrease in the right hippocampus. The positive field (parallel orientation) was ineffective. Moreover, differences between the carriers from the right and the left hippocampi were observed on synaptosomes pretreated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles and exposed for 30 min in vitro. The positive field enhanced more markedly the activity of carriers from the right hippocampus, the negative that from the left hippocampus, on the contrary. Our results demonstrate functionally teratogenic risks of the alterations in the orientation of the strong static magnetic field for postnatal brain development and suggest functional specialization of both hippocampi in rats. Choline carriers could be involved as secondary receptors in magnetoreception through direct effects of geomagnetic field on intracellular magnetite crystals and nanoparticles applied in vivo should be a useful tool to evaluate magnetoreception in future research.

Amyloid beta peptide 1-40 and the function of rat hippocampal hemicholinium-3 sensitive choline carriers: effects of a proteolytic degradation in vitro.

Effects of amyloid beta peptide 1-40 (Abeta) and of plant cysteine proteases bromelain and papain on the high-affinity uptake of choline (HACU) and the specific binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HC-3) have been investigated on hippocampal synaptosomes from young adult male Wistar rats under basal and stimulated conditions (55 mM KCl). Depolarization increased significantly the HACU levels (the changes were predominantly in Vmax) and mildly the [3H]HC-3 binding (the changes especially in K(D)). Nonaggregated Abeta at low nM concentrations suppressed the depolarization effects but was ineffective under basal conditions during a short-term incubation. Higher microM concentrations decreased the HACU and binding under basal conditions in a time-dependent manner. The binding changes were firstly associated with alterations in K(D) and secondarily were accompanied also by a drop in Bmax. The results suggest that Abeta directly influences high-affinity carriers, inhibits their transport activity and enhances their sensitivity to proteoLytic cleavage. Stimulation increases the sensitivity of carriers to the interaction with Abeta.

Effects of K+-depolarization, arachidonic acid, ethanol, and aging on the high-affinity choline transport in rat hippocampus.

The Na+-dependent high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) transport and the [3H]hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HC-3) specific binding were measured on hippocampal synaptosomes of young (3-6 months) and old (22 months) Wistar rats. In vitro effects of 100-300 microM arachidonic acid (AA) and of 5% ethanol were tested under basal as well as stimulated (55 mM KCl) conditions. The influence of AA (an irreversible decrease of HACU and a reversible increase of [3H]HC-3 binding) was more marked under stimulated rather than basal conditions in brain tissue of young rats. The increased K+-depolarization effect on HACU and the decreased influence of AA on [3H]HC-3 binding were estimated in brain tissue of old compared to young rats. Results suggest the involvement of different pools of the high-affinity choline carrier and marked changes due to aging in the regulation of the HACU transport.

Effects of aging and dementia on the levels of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive products stimulated by L-glutamic acid in human autopsy and biopsy brain tissue.

Basal and stimulated (by L-glutamic acid, GA) levels of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive products were estimated in the brain tissue (hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum) from autopsy samples of people with Alzheimer disease (AD), multi-infarct dementia (MID) and from nondemented control patients. The experiment was also performed on biopsy brain tissue (cortex) of nondemented controls. The biopsy brain tissue influenced by normal aging in vivo showed a limited susceptibility to undergo lipid peroxidation stimulated by GA in vitro in comparison with the younger tissue. A significant decrease in the ratio of stimulated to basal levels was found in the cerebellum of MID patients in comparison with nondemented controls and AD patients.

In vitro effects of arachidonic and L-glutamic acids on the high-affinity choline transport in rat hippocampus.

A second messenger role for arachidonic acid (AA) in the regulation of the high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) was suggested. It was reported that micromolar concentrations of AA applied in vitro decreased the HACU values and increased the specific binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HCh-3). It was published that L-glutamic acid (GA) applied in vivo produced a fall in the HACU values. In addition, GA liberates free AA. In this study, an ability of GA to influence in vitro the activity of presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals via its effect on the release of AA is investigated in hippocampal synaptosomes of young Wistar rats. Millimolar concentrations of GA decrease both the high- and low-affinity choline uptake, the specific as well as nonspecific binding of [3H]HCh-3 and the activity of Na+, K(+)-ATPase. Kinetic analysis (Lineweaver-Burk and Scatchard plots) reveals a change in Vmax and Bmax, but not in KM and KD. It appears very likely that under normal conditions GA applied in vitro is not able to change markedly the choline transport via its effect on the release of AA. Results confirm the hypothesis about an indirect inhibitory role for glutamatergic receptors on cholinergic cells.

In vitro effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the activity of presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals in rat hippocampus.

The effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) applied in vitro to hippocampal synaptosomes from young Wistar rats on the specific binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HCh-3), high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) and activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase were examined. EGb at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml markedly elevated the specific binding of [3H]HCh-3 (to 306%) and moderately elevated HACU values (to 115%). Scatchard analysis revealed an increase in the Bmax for [3H]HCh-3 binding. Lineweaver-Burk analysis an increase in the Vmax for choline uptake. No marked changes in the activity of the sodium pump were discovered. EGb was not able to influence the specific 'second messenger' effect of arachidonic acid.

Effect of aging on lipid peroxide levels induced by L-glutamic acid and estimated by means of a thiobarbituric acid test in rat brain tissue.

Studies of age-related changes based on the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test appear to be inconsistent and contradictory. In our work, real basal (hypothetical, corrected to the zero concentration of atmospheric oxygen), basal (atmospheric oxygen-stimulated) and stimulated (L-glutamic and hydrochloric acids) levels of TBA-reactive products (TBARP) were estimated in the brain (hippocampus--HPC, cortex--COR, cerebellum--CRB) from young (3 months) and old (28 months) male and female Wistar rats. The values of basal levels of TBARP were different in young (HPC > COR > CRB) as well as in old animals (COR > CRB > HPC). Thus, the process of aging caused a significant decrease in the HPC (to 72%) and no change in the COR and CRB. Levels stimulated by L-glutamic acid were significantly decreased (COR, CRB) and unchanged (HPC) in old compared to young animals. The real basal levels estimated by regression analysis seem to be higher in the brain tissue damaged by aging. We discuss the usefulness of the TBA test applied to aged tissue, the effect of acidosis, the effectivity of L-glutamic acid to generate free radicals and the differences between individual brain areas.

(3H)hemicholinium-3 binding sites in postmortem brains of human patients with Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia.

(3H)Hemicholinium-3 ((3H)HCh-3), a potent, selective, and competitive inhibitor of the high-affinity choline uptake process was used for the detection of high-affinity choline carriers in the hippocampus (gyrus parahippocampalis), neocortex (gyrus frontalis medius), and cerebellum (lobulus semilunaris inferior) in autopsy samples of people with Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia and from other psychiatric and nonpsychiatric patients. The effect of postmortem delay was eliminated by means of the cerebellum used as an individual standard. The density of (3H)HCh-3 binding sites was decreased in the hippocampus and neocortex from individuals with multi-infarct dementia and unchanged in the brain tissue from people with Alzheimer's disease in comparison with control patients. No changes in dissociation constants were found. In Alzheimer's disease, high-affinity choline transport appears to be reduced by a dysfunction of cholinergic neuronal membrane rather than by a significant decrease in the number of presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals. Results provide evidence of a decrease in the number of nerve endings in people with multi-infarct dementia and suggest different vulnerability of particular brain areas to vascular disorders.

Early postnatal diazepam treatment of rats and neuroimmunocompetence in adulthood and senescence.

Functional teratogenic risk of perinatal diazepam (D) treatment was studied in animal model experiments using early postnatal D administration in rats (single dose of 10 mg/kg sc in 7-day-old pups) and long-term follow-up till the age of 18 months with monitoring of behavior, reproductive functions, brain biochemical variables, and immune system reactivity. Behavioral tests carried out at the age of 6, 12, and 18 months indicated higher emotionality and deviations of novelty reaction in D rats in comparison with controls, and these differences decreased with aging. However, no deficits were found in memory testing. D rats revealed some transitional alterations of monoamine neurotransmission in the hypothalamus (5-HT) and striatum (DA) and minor defects in reproductive functions (irregular estrous cycles in females). Significant depression of immune response in D rats persisting for the whole life may be considered as a serious risk of neonatal D treatment.

Effect of postmortem storage on the [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding site in the rat brain. Preliminary study for investigations of human patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The effect of postmortem storage at room temperature (24-26 degrees C, 0-4 h) and cold-room temperature (4 degrees C, (0-24 h) on the [(3)H]hemicholinium-3 binding sites in the brain hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum of 3-month-old Wistar rats was studied. A slow decrease in the density of the binding sites was observed at both temperatures, which was best fit by a linear model common for all three brain regions. No systematic alterations of the affinity of the binding sites for hemicholinium-3 were found. The values obtained from experiments with animals were compared with the values measured in the frontal cortex of old men. Approaches to the evaluation of data obtained from postmortem samples of human brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease are proposed.