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Biomedical subjects

A Dessypris

Publications and source records attributed to A Dessypris.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sex steroids in cervical mucus of spontaneous or induced ovulatory cycles.

Evaluation of sex steroids in cervical mucus was performed at different phases of spontaneous or clomiphene-citrate-induced ovulatory cycles. To this end, 11 women with normal ovulatory cycles and 9 subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome of comparable age and body mass index were investigated. Serum and cervical mucus samplings were assessed for 17beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin levels at the pre-, peri-ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the cycle. The cervical mucus maturation index also was estimated in all women. Measurable amounts of E2 were found in most mucus samples with a cyclic variation in all cases. The highest E2 and mucus maturation index values coincided, but both lagged by 24 h behind the serum mid-cycle peak of this steroid. Detectable amounts of progesterone were found in the luteal phase, testosterone was present at low levels throughout the cycle, but sex hormone binding globulin was undetectable in all cervical mucus samples. Differences between spontaneous or drug-induced ovulatory cycles were not found. It is concluded that sex steroids are present in human cervical mucus, showing variations similar to those in peripheral blood. The significance of these findings is not clear at present, but it is probably related to the cyclic changes of cervical epithelium and gland secretion. An important implication of the absence of measurable sex hormone binding globulin amounts in cervical mucus is that the free fraction of sex steroids present in that fluid are presumably higher, and therefore, expected to exert greater biologic activity than in peripheral blood.

Adult↗

Marathon run: effects on plasma renin activity, renin substrate, angiotensin converting enzyme, and cortisol.

Altogether 33 Finnish amateur runners were studied before and after a non-competitive Marathon run over the classical itinerary in Athens in 1976 (n = 8), 1977 (n = 14) and 1978 (n = 11). Plasma renin activity (PRA) rose 3-fold in all runs, whereas plasma renin substrate (RS) concentration did not change significantly. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was not changed. Serum cortisol concentration was increased 2-3 fold. The unchanged plasma RS concentration, in spite of increasing PRA, indicates that plasma RS is kept within normal limits during prolonged strenuous physical exercise. One contributing mechanism may be stimulation of RS biosynthesis by cortisol. Low PRA levels in two old runners, 65 and 83 years old, may indicate a decreased ability to respond with renin release to the stimuli of physical exercise.

Adult↗

Gastrin secretion in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Gastrin (1--17) concentration was estimated under basal conditions in 12 menstruating women, and 42 women with normal pregnancy. In 10 women with normal pregnancy this hormone was also measured 10 days after delivery. In addition, gastrin was determined after stimulation with a standard protein meal in 7 menstruating women, 12 women with normal pregnancy and 14 women with complicated pregnancies. Umbilical vein blood levels of gastrin were also determined in 5 cases while, in 3 women serial hormone estimations were carried out for 24 hours after normal delivery. The mean (+/- SEM) basal gastrin concentration was 36.1 +/- 2.9 pg/ml in the productive and 45.4 +/- 2.0 in the secretory phase of the cycle (p less than 0.02). The mean basal concentration in normal pregnancy (60.4 +/- 5.4) was higher than that of the normal cycle as a whole (p less than 0.001), showed no significant variations related to the progress of pregnancy, and fell to normal cycle levels after delivery (42.1 +/- 2.9). In complicated pregnancies the mean hormone concentration (47.0 +/- 2.3) was lower than that of normal pregnancies (p less than 0.05) and similar to that of the secretory phase of the cycle. Gastrin responses to protein meal were similar in all 3 groups studied, with maximal concentration at 30 min, and a gradual decline thereafter. Umbilical vein blood levels of gastrin were generally higher than in maternal circulation but not significantly so. Serial estimations of gastrin after delivery failed to show any uniform pattern of changes. It is concluded that variations of gastrin secretion related to the phase of the menstrual cycle or the reproductive state may occur in women.

Adolescent↗

The incidence of positive oestrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer of Greek women.

Oestrogen and progesterone receptors were determined in breast tumours of 80 Greek women. Oestrogen-positive receptors were found in 84.6% of the pre (n = 39) and 85.4% of the postmenopausal (n = 41) patients while progesterone-positive receptors were found in 71.8% of these women respectively. In combination, 69.2% of the pre-menopausal had both receptors detectable, 15.4% had oestrogen-positive and progesterone-negative and 2.6% had oestrogen negative and progesterone-positive while 12.8 had no detectable receptors. This incidence in postmenopausal women was 51.2, 34.2, 0.0, 14.6% respectively. The ratio of progesterone to oestradiol receptor concentration was 7.6 in the pre- and 1.7 in the postmenopausal group (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, the incidence of positive receptors in Greek women with breast cancer is similar to that of other Western populations.

Adult↗

Marathon Run III: effects on coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet aggregation and serum cortisol levels. A 3-year study.

Blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet count-aggregation and cortisol were assessed in 35 Finnish amateur runners aged 27 to 56 years (mean 40) and three aged 65, 67, and 82 who had run a non-competitive Marathon in 1975, 1976 and 1977 over the classical itinerary. After the run, in all 3 years, APTT showed shortening (p < 0.001); prothrombin time and plasma fibrinogen were not significantly altered; euglobulin lysis time was shorter (p < 0.001) and FDP increased (p < 0.001); PSPT became positive in all subjects, whereas the ehtanol gelation test remained negative; no cryofibrinogen was detected. Platelet count and aggregation showed increase (p < 0.001) in 1975 (extreme heat, 25 degrees C) but remained unaltered in 1976, 1977 (15-18 degrees C). Cortisol levels were always significantly increased -- more markedly in 1975. Women's responses were similar to those of men. A possible correlation between physical fitness and the responses of haemostatic balance is suggested and the influence of weather is discussed.

Adult↗

The effect of galanthamine hydrobromide on plasma ACTH in patients undergoing anaesthesia and surgery.

The effects of two anticholinesterases, galanthamine and neostigmine, on ACTH and, in some cases, cortisol were compared in 16 patients undergoing relaxant anaesthesia and surgery for varicose veins. The procedures produced increases both in ACTH and cortisol. Following administration of the study drugs to reverse the non-depolarising neuromuscular block, a statistically significant elevation of ACTH occurred in those patients who received galanthamine. It was concluded, therefore, that the rise in plasma cortisol is ACTH-dependent and not due to a peripheral cholinergic mechanism.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Marathon run: effects on blood cortisol -- ACTH, iodothyronines -- TSH and vasopressin.

Blood cortisol, ACTH, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and vasopressin concentrations were determined in 9 runners (29-56 years old) and one 80 year old man taking part in a non-competitive Marathon in Athens, Greece on October 1976. After the run the mean concentrations of cortisol, ACTH and vasopressin showed a significant rise. The thyroid function variables and TSH did not differ from the control values. There was a significant correlation between the cortisol and ACTH levels after the race and also between their increments from the corresponding base values. A significant correlation was found between the physical fitness (as measured by indirect determination of VO2max) and the post-race cortisol levels. One of the well trained runners with a fairly good running time had the highest post-race values for 6 of 7 hormones studied.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Marathon run I: effects on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were assessed in 13 Finnish amateur runners aged 31 to 48, and one 65-year old taking part in a non-competitive marathon (42.2 km). After the run the mean values of partial thromboplastin time showed a very significant shortening, whereas the mean values of the prothrombin time and of plasma fibrinogen were not significantly altered. The mean values of euglobulin lysis time were significantly shorter and the mean values of fibrin degradation products increased highly significantly. After the run, protamine sulphate was positive or strongly positive in all subjects, whereas the ethanol gelation test was negative in all runners; no cryofibrinogen was detected in any participant. Thus, running a marathon race affects the haemostatic balance and activates the fibrinolytic mechanism. The effects of training and physical fitness on the above parameters are discussed.

Adult↗

Marathon run II: Effects on platelet aggregation.

Platelet count and aggregation were assessed in 9 Finnish amateur runners aged 34 to 48, and one 65-year old taking part in a non-competitive marathon race (42.2 km). After the run the mean value of platelet count showed a very significant rise (p less than 0.001). The platelets were markedly more sensitive to both ADP and collagen-induced aggregation. A highly significant increase (p less than 0.001) was noted for both the intensity and velocity of platelet aggregation. The finding of platelet by hyperaggregability after prolonged strenous exercise even in trained subjects is discussed. It is concluded that a through medical examination of the haemostatic balance is recommended before a marathon race.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗