Publications

A Favorable Metabolic and Antiatherogenic Profile in Carriers of <i>CYP21A2</i> Gene Mutations Supports the Theory of a Survival Advantage in This Population

The very high carrier frequency of 21-hydroxylase deficiency worldwide has been postulated as indicating a survival advantage. The 'mediators' of such an effect remain speculative.To look for possible differences in the metabolic and atherogenic risk profile of carriers and noncarriers of CYP21A2 gene mutations at puberty in order to identify possible mediators of the presumed survival advantage for the carriers. It is anticipated that by studying atherogenic risk factors at such an early developmental stage, age-related alterations in these factors may be minimized.The study group included 45 adolescent girls diagnosed in our center with premature pubarche, 29 of whom were noncarriers and 16 carriers of CYP21A2 mutations. The two groups did not differ in chronological age, age at pubarche or menarche, pubertal stage, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Biochemical and hormonal profile markers as well as markers of endothelial dysfunction were determined by appropriate methodology. Additionally, in each subject, an oral glucose tolerance test and a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone GnRH analogue stimulation test were carried out.Endothelin-1 values were lower in the carriers compared to the noncarriers (p = 0.031). Higher tissue plasminogen activator and lower plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 values were found in carriers compared to noncarriers (p = 0.02 and <0.001, respectively). The ratio of the insulinogenic index/homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, which reflects beta-cell function, was higher in carriers (p = 0.048), indicating a more favorable beta-cell function in the carriers.Our findings that carriers of CYP21A2 gene mutations have a more favorable internal milieu with regard to the metabolic syndrome and atherogenesis support the theory that heterozygous CYP21A2 mutations provide a survival advantage. The mechanisms involved may be related to the insulin secretion-action pathway, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsiveness or other still unrecognized factors.

Differences in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis of Black and White Men

We previously found that, following intravenous administration of ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the plasma ACTH concentrations of Black women were approximately twice as high as those of White women; however, there were no corresponding differences in cortisol response. To determine whether this difference in ACTH secretion is also present in men, we studied the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of 10 Black and 10 White weight-, age-, and education-matched men. Waist-to-hip ratio, 24-hour urine free cortisol excretion, and ACTH and cortisol responses to 1 μg/kg ovine CRH were determined. There were no racial differences in waist-to-hip ratio, 24-hour urine free cortisol excretion, baseline free or total plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations, or plasma cortisol response to CRH. However, CRH-stimulated plasma ACTH concentrations, measured in an extraction polyclonal radioimmunoassay, were significantly greater in Blacks than in Whites at all time points between 30 and 180 min after administration of CRH (area under curve (AUC) 1,796 ± 245 pmol/l·min in Blacks vs. 1,278 ± 121 pmol/ l·min in Whites, p < 0.001). Neither cortisol nor ACTH AUCs were significantly correlated with Body Mass Index in Black or White men. We conclude that there are differences in the HPA axis of Black and White men similar to those found previously in women. The physiology underlying these differences remains to be understood.

The HIV-1 virion-associated protein Vpr is a coactivator of the human glucocorticoid receptor: Clinical implications

Probabilistic Assessment of Rocking Response for Simply-Supported Rigid Blocks

No abstract is provided for this article.

The Young Woman at the Rise of the 21st Century: Gynecological and Reproductive Issues in Health and Disease

Molecular mechanisms of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and potential anti-COVID19 pharmacological targets since the outbreak of the pandemic

Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response to exogenous corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) is attenuated in men with chronic insomnia

Although insomnia is by far the most common sleep disorder, our understanding of its neurobiology is limited. Insomnia, particularly when associated with objective sleep disturbance, has been associated with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The objective of this experimental study was to compare the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone, a stress test, in men with insomnia versus controls. Circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels were assayed before (-30 min, -15 min), at (0 min) and after (+5 min, +15 min, +30 min, +60 min, +90 min, +120 min) exogenous ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone administration in 23 men (11 insomnia, 12 controls), who underwent four consecutive nights of in-lab polysomnography. Men with insomnia compared with controls demonstrated markedly and significantly shorter total sleep time (368.4 ± 8.99 min versus 411.61 ± 8.61 min; p < 0.01) and lower sleep efficiency (76.77 ± 1.80% versus 86.04 ± 1.72%; p < 0.01) on polysomnography, and showed decreased adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels after ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone administration. Adrenocorticotropic hormone levels at 15 min and 30 min were significantly lower in men with insomnia than in controls (p < 0.05). Similarly, the peak levels of cortisol at +60 min, and the total and net area under the curve levels of this hormone were significantly lower in men with insomnia than controls (all p < 0.01). Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol response to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone administration was attenuated in men with insomnia associated with objective sleep disturbance, suggesting that objectively defined insomnia subtypes have a disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and highlight the need to develop treatments targeting the underlying hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation.

DIRECT ESTIMATION OF THE SEISMIC DEMAND AND CAPACITY OF MDOF SYSTEMS THROUGH INCREMENTAL DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF AN SDOF APPROXIMATION

Introducing a fast and accurate method to estimate the seismic demand and capacity of first-mode-dominated multi-degree-of-freedom systems in regions ranging from nearelastic to global collapse. This is made possible by exploiting the connection between the Static Pushover (SPO) and the Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA). While the computer-intensive IDA would require several nonlinear dynamic analyses under multiple suitably-scaled ground motion records, the simpler SPO helps approximate the multi-degree-of-freedom system with a single-degree-of-freedom oscillator whose backbone matches the structure’s SPO curve far beyond its peak. Similar methodologies exist but they usually employ oscillators with a bilinear backbone. In contrast, the empirical equations implemented in the SPO2IDA software allow the use of a complex quadrilinear backbone shape. Thus, the entire summarized IDA curves of the resulting system are effortlessly generated, enabling an engineer-user to obtain accurate estimates of seismic demands and capacities for limit-states such as immediate occupancy or global dynamic instability. Using three multistory buildings as case studies, the methodology is favorably compared to the full IDA. CE Database keywords: Nonlinear analysis; Static analysis; Dynamic analysis; Seismic response; Earthquakes; Performance evaluation; Buildings, multistory; Approximation methods.

SEISMIC FRAGILITY AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT USING SIMPLIFIED METHODS FOR THE GLOBAL EARTHQUAKE MODEL

The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) has commissioned the preparation of analytical vulnerability guidelines for general use.Within this framework, a distinct modeling and analysis method hierarchy has been proposed, whereby both detailed and reduced-order models can be analyzed using nonlinear static or dynamic methods.Each subsequent reduction in complexity increases the speed of application, yet generates additional error that needs to be considered in the form of epistemic uncertainty.The available choices represent different levels of compromise between the accuracy achieved and the associated effort needed, meant to suit users having different levels of expertise and resource availability.Our particular focus will be on the middle path that is expected to become the most popular choice, combining (a) a simplified stick model of the structure with (b) a static pushover analysis with accurate record-to-record dispersion information.The entire procedure is cast within an appropriate probabilistic framework that can effortlessly incorporate all the epistemic and aleatory uncertainty sources to become a viable path for evaluating structural fragility for a building class.

Index of Abstract Authors

Incremental Dynamic Analysis

No abstract is provided for this article.

Familial pituitary apoplexy as the only presentation of a novel AIP mutation

A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study

Abstract Background Acne vulgaris ( AV ) is one of the most common disorders treated by dermatologists and other healthcare providers. Stress is a well‐attested contributor to AV pathogenesis. However, to our knowledge, stress management has not yet been performed in AV patients. In this 8‐week experimental study, we primarily examined the effectiveness of a novel method, dubbed Pythagorean Self‐Awareness Intervention ( PSAI ) in AV . Methods This is a two‐armed 1 : 1 randomized non‐blind experimental study. The total sample was comprised of 15 female patients in the intervention group (mean age 27.2 ± 6.6) and 15 female patients in the control group (mean age 29.1 ± 6.9), all women. Measurements included clinical stage of AV , acne‐related quality of life, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect assessed by validated self‐administered tools. Results Fourteen (93.3%) patients in the intervention group and four (26.7%) patients in the control group showed improvement of the acne stage (relative risk: 3.5, 95% CI 1.5–8.2, P = 0.001). Significant improvements remained after adjusting for age and baseline acne stage. Large to moderate significant effects were observed for perceived stress and negative affect. There were no dropouts and side effects in the PSAI group, whereas compliance reached 100%. Conclusions Pythagorean Self‐Awareness Intervention is a feasible and possibly effective stress management method for AV . Future larger and longer randomized controlled studies are strongly encouraged.

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptors in tonsillar B- and T-lymphocytes from children with obstructive sleep apnea

NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY OF STRESS

Impact of Steel Fibers and Carbon Nanotubes on the Strength and Quality of Cementitious Composites

This study examines the effects of steel fibers (SF) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the performance of cementitious composites. Three types of mixes were analyzed: a reference mix (REF), a steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC), and a hybrid mix containing both CNTs and SFs. The investigation included physicomechanical property evaluations, microstructural analysis, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. Results indicate significant improvements in performance across the mixes, with the hybrid mix achieving the highest flexural and compressive strengths, highlighting a synergistic interaction between CNTs and SF to enhance load-bearing capacity. Additionally, the mixtures displayed reduced porosity and water absorption, signifying improved density and lower permeability. SEM analysis further confirmed a denser microstructure with enhanced crack-bridging capabilities due to the presence of CNTs and SF. UPV measurements supported these findings, demonstrating superior internal integrity and stiffness in the hybrid mix. These experimental results underscore the potential of hybrid reinforcement strategies for producing high-performance fiber concrete with enhanced durability, making it suitable for demanding construction applications.

Educational Stress among Greek Adolescents: Associations between Individual, Study and School-Related Factors

Greek adolescent students experience high levels of educational stress during the school period. In this cross-sectional study, we examined various factors associated with educational stress in Greece. The study was conducted using a self-report questionnaire survey in Athens, Greece, between November 2021 and April 2022. We studied a sample of 399 students (61.9% females; 38.1% males, with a mean age of 16.3 years). We found that several factors, such as age, sex, study hours, and health status of the adolescents, were associated with the subscales of the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA), Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Older age, female sex, family status, parental profession, and the number of study hours were positively associated with the amount of stress, anxiety and dysphoria-related symptoms reported by the students, including pressure from studying, worry about grades, and despondency. Future research studies are needed to aid specialized interventions for adolescent students to effectively deal with their academic challenges.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type‐1 Accessory Protein Vpr: A Causative Agent of the AIDS‐Related Insulin Resistance/Lipodystrophy Syndrome?

A bstract : Recent advances in the development of three different types of antiviral drugs, the nucleotide and non‐nucleotide analogues acting as reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and the nonpeptidic viral protease inhibitors (PI), and their introduction in the management of patients with AIDS, either alone or in combination, have dramatically improved the clinical course of the disease and prolonged life expectancy in patients with AIDS. The increase in life expectancy in association with the long‐term use of the above antiviral agents, however, have generated novel morbidities and complications. Central among them is the quite common AIDS‐related insulin resistance and lipodystrophy syndrome, which is characterized by a striking phenotype and marked metabolic disturbances. To look for the pathologic causes of this particular syndrome, we focused on one of the HIV‐1 accessory proteins, Vpr, which has multiple functions, such as virion incorporation, nuclear translocation of the HIV‐1 preintegration complex, nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling, transcriptional activation, and induction of apoptosis. Vpr may also act like a hormone, which is secreted into the extracellular space and affects the function of distant organs. Vpr functions as a coactivator of the glucocorticoid receptor and potentiates the action of glucocorticoid hormones, thereby inducing tissue glucocorticoid hypersensitivity. Vpr also arrests host cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle by interacting with novel 14‐3‐3 proteins. Vpr facilitates the interaction of 14‐3‐3 and its partner protein Cdc25C, which is critical for the transition of G2/M checkpoint in the cell cycle, and suppresses its activity by segregating it into the cytoplasm. The same Vpr protein also suppresses the association of 14‐3‐3 with other partner molecules, the Foxo transcription factors. Since the Foxo proteins function as negative transcription factors for insulin, Vpr may cause resistance of tissues to insulin. Through these two newly identified functions of Vpr, namely, coactivation of glucocorticoid receptor activity and inhibition of insulin effects on Foxo proteins, Vpr may participate in the development of AIDS‐related insulin resistance/lipodystrophy syndrome.