The aim of the present study was to examine the association between psychological factors and salivary cortisol secretion (baseline level, reactivity to laboratory stressors) in a sample of 59 long-term unemployed men and women (mean age 42+/-10 years). Subjects were divided into four groups according to their basal levels of salivary cortisol as well as their reactivity to experimental stress (stress level minus baseline): (1) low base/ low reactivity; (2) high base/low reactivity; (3) low base/high reactivity; and (4) high base/ high reactivity. The low base/low reactivity group was characterized by significantly higher somatic anxiety, muscular tension, irritability, and depression (Beck's Depression Inventory) and lower perceived control (mastery) than the other groups. The low base/high reactivity group was also characterized by depression and low perceived control. The high base/low reactivity group was higher in terms of monotony avoidance, Type-A behavior (JAS) and mastery, but lower in depression. The results indicate that (1) individuals with personality traits reflecting emotional distress are more vulnerable to exhaustion of the HPA-axis following long-term unemployment and (2) monotony avoidance and Type-A behavior, at least temporarily, seem to exert a beneficial influence on mental well-being among long-term unemployed individuals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Psychophysiological correlates of organizational change and threat of unemployment among police inspectors.

The study examined psychosocial work-conditions and physiological reactions among thirty-six police inspectors (median age 45 years, 81% males) who participated in a reorganization. At this time, subjects were threatened by unemployment and had to re-apply for their positions in a new police district. Data were collected during the reorganization and at three years follow-up, by means of questionnaires (Stress Profile) and blood samples. The blood samples were used to determine serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), glucose, lipids, prolactin, testosterone and cortisol. The results show a positive association between worry about employment and symptoms of burnout during the reorganization. Mean scores for the Stress Profile sub-scales worry about employment (p<.01) and work-load (p<.05) decreased between measurements, but an impairment in relationships with management was noticed (p<.05). No significant changes were observed in terms of self-rated health complaints. Significant decreases in total cholesterol (p<.0001), LDL-cholesterol (p<.0001), LDL/HDL-ratio (p<.01), prolactin (p<.0001), as well as increases in testosterone (p<.01) and cortisol (p<.001) were observed for the whole sample. Glucose decreased with marginal significance (<.07). Controlling for age and gender, multivariate regression analyses showed that subjects who reported deteriorations in satisfaction with work manifested the most modest decreases in prolactin (p<.05). Also, the decrease in glucose was larger for subjects who experienced impairments in satisfaction with work (p<.05), information (p<.05), task-oriented leadership, (p<.05), and respect and dignity (p<.05). Subjects who perceived deteriorations in the ethical and moral standards of the organization increased their cortisol level to a lower degree than their counterparts (p<.05). Favorable changes in employment status and psychosocial work environment seem to be related to improved physiological functioning.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Associations between financial strain and the diurnal salivary cortisol secretion of long-term unemployed individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the associations between self-rated financial strain and overall diurnal salivary cortisol levels, as well as secretory patterns among long-term unemployed individuals. METHODS: Psychosocial and life-style variables were assessed by means of questionnaires among 85 participants (mean age 42+/-9 years; 56% females). Salivary cortisol was sampled on four occasions during a 24-hour period and data was analysed separately for men and women. RESULTS: Among females, high financial strain was related to higher overall cortisol levels, and to elevated levels in the evening. These associations did not reach significance among men. Multivariate analyses showed that evening levels of cortisol were positively associated with financial strain, but largely unrelated to life-style variables and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that high financial strain influences the diurnal cortisol secretion of unemployed individuals in terms of elevated cortisol levels in the evening. The mediating mechanisms are in need of further investigation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neonatal screening for 21-hydroxylase deficiency: a microfilter paper method for 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone assay.

A micromethod for measuring 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in blood collected on filter paper has been developed. Our method is rapid, easy and has the specificity, accuracy and precision of the radioimmunoassay in whole blood. The method has been applied for screening patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Fifty samples collected on filter paper were assayed by our method, using 125I as tracer, and results were compared with those obtained for the same samples using a tritium tracer. The agreement between the two methods was particularly good in the area ranging from 15 to 100 pg/disc. In one neonate the diagnosis of CAH was made utilizing the microfilter paper method. Our method is a promising screening test for CAH. An indication of the advantages or disadvantages of this type of screening will become available when an adequate number of infants has been examined.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

PubMedDate not supplied

PCDD/F, PCB and PAH content of Brazilian compost.

The level of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polycondensated aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in compost of different degree of maturation from 21 Brazilian municipal solid waste (MSW) compositing plants has been evaluated. The study shows that most PCDD/F concentrations are above the levels acceptable in Baden-Württemberg (FRG), being 17 ng I-TE/kg, especially for compost from metropolitan areas. These results are similar to those found for Germany. For PCB, the average of the sum of the concentrations of the six congeners PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180 is about 3 times lower in relation to German samples being less than the value indicated by the Baden-Württemberg legislation (0.2 mg/kg).

Brazil↗

PubMedDate not supplied

1,5-Benzodiazepines. Part XII. Synthesis and biological evaluation of tricyclic and tetracyclic 1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives as nevirapine analogues.

A number of properly substituted 5H-pyrimido[4,5-b][1,5]benzodiazepines (2) and pyrazolo[3,4-b][1,5]benzodiazepines (3 and 4), as well as compounds 5-7, which are derivatives of new tetracyclic systems, were prepared as nevirapine analogues through multistep synthetic routes. The cytotoxic and anti-HIV-1 properties of compounds 2-7 were evaluated in cell-based assays, together with their inhibitory activity against the HIV-1 recombinant reverse transcriptase (rRT) in enzyme assays. The modifications introduced into nevirapine heterocyclic skeleton proved to have a negative effect for the anti-HIV-1 activity. It is worth noting that some of the new derivatives proved to be cytotoxic in the low micromolar range.

Benzodiazepines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Homocysteinemia, serum folate and vitamin B12 in very young patients with diabetes mellitus type 1.

BACKGROUND: Recently a link between hyperhomocysteinemia [HH(e)] and diabetic micro- and macrovascular complications has been reported. However, it is far from clear whether HH(e) is an epiphenomenon or a cause of angiopathic complications. OBJECTIVE: To try to clarify this question we studied adolescents and young diabetic patients without or with only initial complications. SUBJECTS: Plasma levels of basal homocysteinemia [H(e)], folate and vitamin B12 were measured in 76 young diabetic patients (age range 13.6-32.2 yr) and 70 normal volunteers matched for sex and age. In 68 diabetic patients and 53 controls we evaluated the levels of homocysteinemia 2 h after a methionine-loading test. METHODS: Total (free + protein bound) plasma H(e) level was measured by HPLC. RESULTS: Basal or post-load HH(e) occurred in 4.1% of diabetic patients and 12.4% of controls (frequencies not statistically different). In diabetic patients plasma homocysteine values were statistically lower than in controls, but this difference was present only in females. The females showed lower homocysteine values and higher folate levels than males only in the diabetic group. We did not find significant differences in H(e) levels between patients with early complications, late complications or without complications of any type. CONCLUSIONS: Considering very young diabetic patients, the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia does not appear to be greater than in normal controls. Furthermore, our data seem to demonstrate that HH(e) is not a preexisting condition in diabetic patients, even in those predisposed to early complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitory effects of metformin on insulin and glucagon action in rat hepatocytes involve post-receptor alterations.

The effect of the hypoglycaemic biguanide, metformin, on insulin binding and insulin action was investigated in rat hepatocyte monolayers. The binding of insulin was not modified in cultured cells exposed for 24 or 48 h to metformin at concentrations ranging from 1 mumol/l to 1 mmol/l, and no effect could be detected on insulin-induced down regulation. Metformin did not alter insulin stimulation of amino acid transport but the stimulatory effect of insulin on glycogen synthesis was reduced by 20%, 30% and 63% for metformin at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mmol/l, respectively. Both responsiveness and sensitivity were altered by the biguanide. Metformin also inhibited basal glycogen synthesis and cellular glycogen contents were markedly decreased after exposure of cells to metformin (0.01-1 mmol/l). We also investigated the effect of metformin on glucagon action and metformin (0.1-1 mmol/l) was found to decrease the stimulatory effect of glucagon on amino acid uptake and on gluconeogenesis from alanine. These inhibitory effects of the biguanide were still observed when glucagon was replaced by dibutyryl cAMP. These in vitro studies demonstrate that: 1) metformin has no direct effect on insulin binding in hepatocytes, indicating that alteration of insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis is due to modifications at the post receptor level. 2) metformin alters the action of glucagon in hepatocytes at a post AMP cyclase step. They also suggest that one of the mechanism of action of metformin may be to antagonize the effect of glucagon rather than to potentiate the action of insulin.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Characteristics and definition of stress in subjects exposed to video display terminals: evaluation of urinary excretion of catecholamines and euglobulin lysis time in a group of VDT operators].

Occupational stress is defined and the main problems involved in the study of stress in VDT operators are pointed out and discussed. A preliminary research is presented, in which urinary catecholamines and fibrinolysis are tested in a group of VDT telephone operators. Basal values are compared with data obtained after a work shift. No evident difference appears from this evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Culture in vitro in the diagnosis of gliosarcoma].

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Adult↗