Neuro Endocrinology Letters

When studying the literature on current public health policy challenges, a number of rankings can be found, created from data collected and processed by different methods and from different sources, ordering the challenges by their significance. Inevitably, in global studies, there are errors caused by averaging data across populations that differ significantly in population size and the causes of the decline in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), potentially in combination with years of life lost (YLL) and years of life lived with disability (YLD), that may serve as indicators of the health status of a given population (Lopez 2005)...

BACKGROUND: Obesity has long been regarded as a risk factor for abnormal liver function, although the quantitative relationship between them is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in different gender populations. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 221,934 people aged over 18 years and under 90 years who underwent physical examinations at Yijishan Hospital in Wuhu City from 2011 to 2016...

This review discusses the topic of synthetic neuroactive steroids. A brief introduction to the mode of action of neuroactive steroids is followed by a short overview of the best-known synthetic neuroactive steroids used in clinical practice and the reasons for their withdrawal from the market. The paper examines various aspects of 6 specific synthetic neuroactive steroids which either have been approved for treatment or are currently in advanced phases of clinical trials, and lists their indications, current experience, and undesirable adverse effects...

OBJECTIVES: There is a complex, reciprocal link between epilepsy and the hypothalami pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the HPA axis in individuals with focal epilepsy, including those with right- or left-hemispheric lateralized epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 60 individuals with focal epilepsy, ages 18 to 85, with seizures coming from a single hemisphere, no destructive lesions on cranial magnetic resonance imaging, and 32 healthy persons...

INTRODUCTION: The parallel process is a psychosocial phenomenon where the relationship dynamics between the therapist and the client are repeated in the supervisory relationship between the therapist and the supervisor. The concept of the parallel process can be a useful tool for understanding and solving problems in therapy. However, it can induce supervision drift or block the supervision process. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to familiarize the reader with parallel processes in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and schema therapy supervision and discuss how to manage this phenomenon in supervision...

OBJECTIVES: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious public health problem with high mortality and morbidity. The current study aims to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on the microglial distribution and the expression of PPARγ and CD36 in the ICH rat model. METHODS NEW: Sprague-Dawley male rats (n=116) were randomly divided into four groups: control, ICH, rosiglitazone, and PPARγ antagonist (GW9662). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the brain edema in the ICH rat model...

OBJECTIVES: Physical restraint in the prone position is still utilized in healthcare facilities to immobilize violent patients. It is associated with the sudden death of violent patients. The aim of this study is to objectify the impact of physical restraint in the prone position on spirometric and ventilatory parameters. DESIGN: A pilot simulation study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten university students were included in the study. They underwent two types of physical restraint: in the prone position with "chest kneeling" and in the lateral position...

OBJECTIVES: This preliminary study aims to examine the effects of tomato juice, which can be easily consumed regularly, on the physical and psychological states of healthy adults in the Coronavirus era. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy adults (mean age, 39.7±4.2 years) who consumed 180 mL of tomato juice twice daily for 4 weeks were enrolled. Measurements were taken before and after 4 weeks of consumption for the items below...

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent Cushing's disease (recurrent CD) is an uncommon and intricate clinical form of Cushing's syndrome. However, the connection between the pathological types of ACTH-secreting PitNETs and the clinical signs of recurrent CD remains uncertain. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 64-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with renal carcinoma, was admitted to our hospital due to recent weight gain. Previous endocrine tests indicated fluctuating hypercortisolemia and a recurrent pituitary tumor over the past six years...

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic spinal epidural lipomatosis (iSEL) is frequently associated with the utilization of steroids, endocrine disorders, obesity, and surgical interventions. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of iSEL remains inadequately understood. The study aimed to investigate the contribution of inflammatory factors to idiopathic epidural lipomatosis. METHODS: Thirteen patients with iSEL (Grade III, iSEL group) and 12 patients with lumbar disc herniation (control group) who underwent unilateral biportal endoscopy from March 2020 to April 2023 were enrolled...

Schema therapy is an integrative approach to treat patients with personality disorders and other complex psychological problems. Group schema therapy has been developed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of schema therapy by providing a supportive and stimulating environment for change. This article introduces the River of Life Method, a novel technique for facilitating group schema therapy, based on the metaphor of a river of life. The method helps patients to identify and modify their maladaptive schemas and modes in a nurturing process in the group...

BACKGROUNDS: Dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel for minor strokes or TIAs has been demonstrated in several RCTs. Whether drug selection for mono-antiplatelet therapy (MAPT) following DAPT may influence stroke recurrence has not been clarified, especially for patients with intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ICAS). The Thrombelastography Platelet Mapping (TEG-PM) assay claimed to be capable of monitoring platelet function secondary to antiplatelet therapy...

OBJECTIVES: Tactile stimulation (TS) can promote neurogenesis and motor function recovery in rats with hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. This study aimed to assess the effects of TS on neurological function in rats after cerebral ischaemia and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Adult SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation (SHAM) group, middle cerebral artery occlusion with tactile stimulation (TS-MCAO) group and middle cerebral artery occlusion with sedentary intervention (SED-MCAO) group...

BACKGROUND: Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted mainly by the adrenal cortex and is associated with chronic stress levels in the body. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a reliable index to assess human stress levels. So far, no study has reported whether COVID-19 vaccination is associated with the changes of HCC. METHODS: Hair samples were collected from 114 college students at Hangzhou City University and Zhejiang University. Among them, 57 cases completed COVID-19 vaccination and others did not...

This article emphasizes the critical role of self-care in the professional lives of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapists and supervisors. It delves into the importance of self-care, elucidating its significance in maintaining therapists' mental health and effectiveness. The article presents a range of practical strategies that promote self-care, providing therapists and supervisors with specific steps to incorporate self-care into their daily routines. Moreover, the article explores common challenges and barriers to self-care, such as a lack of time, feelings of guilt associated with prioritizing one's needs, and a lack of available resources for self-care...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and treatment outcome of C-arm CT percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of cervical 1 (C1) vertebral metastases. METHODS: This report recruited a male patient diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and C1 vertebral metastases, who had suffered from severe neck pain symptoms and the analgesic showed little soothing effect. Under the guidance of C-arm CT, an 18G coaxial needle was used to puncture the left lateral mass of C1 vertebral metastases from lateral space between thyroid cartilage and the left carotid sheath, with 2 ml bone cement injected...

BACKGROUND: Deeper studies on the pathological mechanism associated with invasiveness of non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) is imperative to find better treatments. This research was preliminarily conducted to investigate the correlation between the expression of Claudin-9 (CLDN9), Tyrosine kinase-2 (TYK2), Signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) and invasiveness in NFPA to illustrate the pathological mechanism. METHODS: Clinical data and surgical specimens of 12 patients with NFPA were collected and divided into invasive and non-invasive NFPA groups, comprising six patients for each group...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and the occurrence and severity of leukoaraiosis. METHODS: A total of 323 patients were retrospectively recruited. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at the time of admission, and the UACR was calculated based on the levels of urinary microalbumin and creatinine. All patients showed improvement in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination...

OBJECTIVE: The paper deals with the possibilities of the development and the support of individuals with developmental dysphasia with regard to the legislative framework of the Czech Republic in the field of education and presents the results of a systematic case study of a child patient diagnosed with developmental dysphasia (according to ICD-10; F80.1 and F80.2). CASE REPORT: The study aimed to determine the effect of combined therapy using long-term special educational, rehabilitation and psychological intervention, speech therapy and music therapy on the development of the patient's communication skills...

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have indicated that good human relationships contribute significantly to subjective well-being. We recently focused on two important ways of developing good interpersonal relationships: positive empathy, which focuses on the happiness of other people, and trait forgivingness, a tendency to forgive others. We novelly conducted an exploratory genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify candidate gene polymorphisms associated with positive empathy and trait forgivingness among the Japanese...