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The Mediterranean coastlines are densely populated zones which host key socio‐economic and commercial activities. For this reason, coastal areas are vulnerable sites in case of natural disasters as tsunamis that can strike coasts causing widespread damage to the population and facilities. For these reasons, several studies were performed over the last decade to study the impact of tsunami waves on the coasts. This research assessed the inundation risk due to a tsunami wave which can hit the southeastern coast of Lampedusa Island. The coastal low‐lying geomorphological setting of the southeastern part of the island led to significant socio‐economic growth, but Lampedusa falls within the Mediterranean Sea, a high‐tsunamigenic area, therefore, the need to investigate tsunami propagation and coastal flooding of this sensitive site emerged. For this scope, a calculation chain model was implemented incorporating three steps: the DELFT‐3D software for earthquake effects modelling, MIKE 21 Flow Model FM for nearshore propagation and HEC‐RAS for onshore tsunami inundation modelling. The simulations illustrate the impact of three tsunami scenarios with different magnitudes (Mw 8.5, 7.5, 6.5) generated by hypothetical earthquakes in the Hellenic Arc. In the Mw 8.5 magnitude scenario, significant flooding occurs in the harbour region, with maximum water depths reaching approximately 3.5 m. The maximum water velocity in this scenario reaches about 15 m/s in the eastern portion, adjacent to cliffs impacted by the tsunami wave. In contrast, the Mw 7.5 magnitude scenario demonstrates reduced flooded areas, with the cliffs containing the waves and preventing further flooding. Water depths and velocities in the Mw 7.5 scenario remain minimal. Changes in both propagation and flooding are not significant between scenarios Mw 7.5 and Mw 6.5. This methodology can be employed for more accurate tsunami wave simulations not only in the Mediterranean region but also in various case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waluyo G, Laksono FXAT, Zaenurrohman JA, Mishra M, Piranti AS, Kovács J. 2024. Sediment dredging assessment of the Mrica Banjarnegara hydroelectric reservoir based on technical and economic aspects. Lake Reserv Manage. 40:145–158. The Mrica Dam, built in Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia, in 1988, was designed to have a usable life of 50 yr. However, the current life span is estimated to be less than 50 yr due to a decrease in the dam's capacity. This dam is facing a significant challenge in the form of intensive sedimentation, resulting in siltation issues. Active measures such as dredging efforts and catchment area management have been initiated to address this problem and prolong the dam's durability. Consequently, a comprehensive technical and economic analysis is imperative to gauge the efficacy of the dredging program. The engineering aspect of the study focused on sedimentation dispersal patterns and the identification of suitable dredging methods to combat the sedimentation problem effectively. Meanwhile, the economic review factored in both the cost of dredging operations and the profits derived from the sale of sedimentation materials. The findings from our assessment reveal the existence of 17 lucrative spoil banks, yielding an average annual gain of USD 118,575. However, it is crucial to note that dredging the foreset slope costs USD 1.65 million per year. Optimally, the most effective and efficient dredging initiatives should commence at the foreset slope and extend upstream of the dam. A strategically positioned disposal area has been designated south of the dredging location to facilitate the mobilization of dredged products. In conclusion, our analysis indicates that the cost incurred by the company for dredging the dam exceeds the profit generated from the sale of sedimentation materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Mediterranean Sea is a region characterized by high seismic activity, with at least 200 tsunami events recorded from the fourth century to the present twenty-first century. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand past tsunami events, earthquake–tsunami generation, tsunami recurrence periods, tsunami vulnerability zones, and tsunami hazard mitigation strategies. Therefore, gaining insights into future trends and opportunities in Mediterranean Sea tsunami research is crucial for significantly contributing to all relevant aspects. This study aims to assess such trends and opportunities through a scientometric analysis of publications indexed by Web of Science from 2000 to 2023. Results: Based on a selection of 329 publications, including research articles, review articles, book chapters, and conference papers, published between 2000 and 2023, Italy has the highest number of publications and citations in this field. The number of publications has increased significantly, especially after the 2004 Indian Ocean, 2011 Tohoku, and 2018 Palu tsunamis. According to the keyword analysis, the terms "tsunami", "earthquake", "hazard", "wave", "Mediterranean", "coast", and "tectonic" were the most frequently used in these publications. Research themes consist of four classifications: motor themes, such as seismic hazard; specific but well-developed themes, like tsunamiite; emerging or disappearing themes, for example, climate change; and general or basic themes, such as equations and megaturbidite. The number of publications related to the motor theme classification continued to grow throughout 2000–2023. Topics from 2011–2023 are more complex compared to 2000–2010, characterized by the emergence of new keywords such as evacuation planning, risk reduction, risk mitigation, building vulnerability, coastal vulnerability, climate change, probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment (PTVA-3 and PTVA-4). However, topics that were popular in the 2000–2010 period (e.g., paleotsunami deposits, earthquake, and tsunami propagation analysis) also increased in 2011–2023. Conclusions: Research topics with high centrality and density such as seismic hazard will continue to develop and prospect. The cluster network of this topic includes seismoturbidites, sedimentary features, tsunami modeling, active faults, catalog, and historical earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rivers flowing through sedimentary basins are subjected to a variety of controls. The main goal of our study was to identify the effect of external (e.g. climate changes, tectonics) and internal controls (e.g. sediment transport, deposition, vegetation cover) on the evolution of meandering rivers flowing through sedimentary basins using the example of the lower Drava River (Europe, Hungary/Croatia). Field research was conducted along a 50‐km‐long section of the valley. Sedimentary data from boreholes and corings, 35 km of ground‐penetrating radar surveys and analyses of digital maps were conducted to reconstruct channel planform changes. Traces of four meander belts were identified, and 39 AMS radiocarbon dates were used to distinguish the chronology of the fluvial events. The evolution of the lower Drava River comprised alternating periods of deposition (formation of aggrading meander belt) and avulsions. The channel belts were formed owing to upstream sediment delivery and floodplain storage. Changes in climate humidity and the occurrence of high flows influenced the planform of the meanders within particular channel belts. The oldest channel was active at least ~40 000 cal. BP before being reworked by subsequent meanders active between the Late Pleniglacial (30 000–14 700 cal. BP) and Late Glacial (~11 000 cal. BP) periods. The channel belts shifted to the south in the Holocene, between ~11 000 and 250 cal. BP due to the presence of a thrust fault situated diagonally to the Drava Valley. Results show channel width, channel belt width and the surface area of point bar deposits increased in the succeeding generations of meanders and that the style and sedimentary architecture of the channel belts were dominantly dependent on autogenic controls, that is, sediment delivery, aggradation and erosional events (e.g. formation of chute cut‐offs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal region of Augusta, eastern Sicily, Italy, is a densely populated zone, where human pressures profoundly shaped the coastal and land dynamics. So far, understanding the interaction between natural and human processes in modelling coastal geomorphology is still quite challenging. However, coastal and environmental monitoring poses the bases for managing coastal areas properly. Therefore, the aim of this research was first to understand the medium‐term shoreline changes along Augusta Bay between 1972 and 2021, and then assess the main local coastal modifications determined by the increasing coastal armouring. To do so, the shorelines dataset was extracted from Landsat and Sentinel‐2 satellite imageries using the NDWI and mNDWI methods and then statistical parameters were computed using Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Results show that this coastal fringe experienced significant shoreline recession over the studied time interval. Negative shoreline shifts are higher in correspondence with torrent deltas, as a result of the increasing human and natural forces insisting on the land and coastal environments. Since 1970s, Augusta Bay registered a significant increase in artificial coastal length and a coastal armouring index of Maximal level was reached today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pannonian Basin was located in the southernmost, disputed limit of permafrost during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In the western part of the basin, over an area of 1,200 km2, more than 150 sites with polygonal patterned ground were surveyed, and 72 sediment samples from forms identified as relict sand wedges were collected. Ten optically stimulated luminescence ages were obtained from the infills, while morphometric analyses were also carried out on satellite images. Our study revealed that the polygonal networks developed in several phases, from 15.01 ± 1.68 to 23.0 ± 1.7 ka. The polygons have an average diameter of 13–23 m and are mainly present on flat surfaces, intruding into the gravelly, alluvial host of the paleo‐Rába. Statistical analyses highlighted the short transportation period of the sandy infill and multiple sediment provenances. This study adds further data to assess the presence of permafrost or deep seasonal frost and to the interpretation of the LGM in the central European periglacial domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal dynamic is the complex result of multiple natural and human processes, and past and future coastal behavior studies become fundamental to support coastal zone management. However, the reliability of coastal evolution studies is strongly dependent on the analyzed time interval. The longer the period is, the more reliable the past shoreline change analysis and the forecast of shoreline position will be. The present study showed the 50-years shoreline evolution of the Catania coastal plain (Southern Italy), a densely populated area where human-induced processes profoundly changed natural dynamics. Landsat and Sentinel imageries were used to extract shorelines' position over the time between 1972 and 2022 and the DSAS tool was used to calculate the shoreline change rates. The shoreline evolution in 2032 and 2042 was performed by the Kalman filter method, a tool largely applied to forecast short-term shoreline future position. Most of the Catania coastal plain was mainly retreating over the last decades. However, the most significant changes were registered in correspondence with the coastal structures and the river deltas. The reliability of the forecasting model was highly related to the coastal morphology. As such, the lower RMSE values were calculated in correspondence with the uniform coastal subsectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently light pollution has been one of the most dynamically increasing form of environmental pollution. Light, if it arrives at the wrong place, time, quantity and quality, is harmful to human health and the physical environment – not to mention that it is a mere waste of energy. The brightness of the sky above Pécs was measured by SQM-L instruments in 2011 and 2019. Maps of the different neighbourhoods with different levels of light pollution have been prepared. In addition, special VIIRS day/night band satellite images were also analysed using QGIS software. Our investigations coincided with the modernization of street lighting in the city. The impact of LED illuminators installed along main roads in Pécs was observed locally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Upper Pannonian (UP) sandstone formation has been utilised for thermal water production in Hungary for several decades. Although sustainable utilisation requires the reinjection of cooled geothermal brine into the host rock, only a fraction of the used water is reinjected in the country. UP sandstone formation is reported to exhibit low injectivity, making reinjection challenging, and its petrophysical properties are poorly known, which increases uncertainty in designing operational parameters. The goal of the study is to provide experimental data and to gain a better understanding of formation characteristics that control injectivity and productivity issues in Upper Pannonian sandstone layers. Petrographical characterisation and petrophysical laboratory experiments are conducted on cores retrieved from two wells drilled in the framework of an R&D project at the depth of between 1750 m and 2000 m. The experiments, such as grain density, porosity, permeability, and ultrasonic velocity, as well as thin section, grain size distribution, XRD, and SEM analyses, are used to determine Petrophysical Rock Types (PRT) that share distinct hydraulic (flow zone indicator, FZI) and petrophysical characteristics. These are used to identify well intervals with lower potential for injectivity issues. The results imply that fines migration due to formation erosion is one of the key processes that must be better understood and controlled in order to mitigate injectivity issues at the study area. Future investigation should include numerical and experimental characterisation of formation damage, including water–rock interaction tests, critical flow velocity measurements, and fines migration analysis under reservoir conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested several sample pre-treatment protocols for the study of oxygen isotope ratios in the phosphate phase of mammalian enamel of ten different fossil samples. We investigated the effect of different pre-treatment methods and the duration of the hydrogen fluoride treatment on enamel samples from skeletal phosphate with known δ18O values. The samples had been measured previously, so we could compare the ratios measured in our laboratory with the previous values to choose the best chemical preparation procedure. Four pre-soaking methods and two different time intervals of 2 mol dm−3 hydrogen fluoride treatment were compared during our experiments. In our experimental conditions, the distilled water wash and the 6 h of soaking in hydrogen fluoride gave the closest results to the expected δ-values. The steps of the tested preparation processes were repeated at least three times on each sample, so the reproducibility of the process could be also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to identify conditions that influence the preservation of a complete record of channel planforms in the topmost layer of floodplains, prior to the maintenance in the rock record. We have tested a hypothesis that a successive decrease of stream power and channel belt width are necessary to preserve the record of channel planforms in the topmost floodplain layer over 10−3 to 10−4‐year time scales. A literature review was conducted for rivers of the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Stream power, valley, and channel belt widths, paleodischarges, sediment grain‐size, and age of paleochannels were used to identify four groups of rivers with preservation potential ranging from tens of thousands years to annual time scales. The decrease in stream power followed by sustained low stream power, and successive decrease of channel belt width were identified in rivers preserving a 10−3 to 10−4‐year record of channel planforms. River valleys with the record of at least two generations of paleochannels, and valley width/channel belt width ratios between 6 and 12, potentially preserve fluvial records over 10−3 to 10−4‐year time scales. We analyzed unusually well‐preserved records of channel planforms from the Obra and Sió Rivers (central Europe). A determination of trends in changes of stream power and channel belt widths based on an extensive set of geophysical, geological data, and sediment dating from earlier studies, confirmed the tested hypothesis. The proposed framework can be extended by fluvial records preserved by large, and coastal rivers, with the potential to include ancient fluvial records. Plain Language Summary: Sediments deposited by rivers are archives preserving memory of past events, such as floods or changes in the type of channel (e.g., from braided to meandering). The memory of some rivers reaches back to thousands of years whereas others contain the record of channel changes from the last few years. We aim to define what conditions influence these differences. We analyzed changes in past discharges, flow energy, and widths and age of channel belts preserved in valley floors, in rivers situated in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. We found that a decrease in flow energy followed by sustained low energy of the flow, and successive decrease of channel belt width, favor the preservation of past fluvial events over 10−3 to 10−4‐year time scales. Rivers containing annual records are shaped by high flow energy, often eroding the record of past events. We analyzed unusually well‐preserved sedimentary records from the middle Obra and Sió Rivers (central Europe). They contain traces of former river channels from the last 13,000 and 18,000 years, respectively. In both cases, the flow energy and channel belt width decreased in particular generations of former channels, and this confirms the findings from the other analyzed rivers. Key Points: We aim to identify conditions influencing the preservation of complete record of channel planforms in the topmost layer of floodplainsA successive decrease of stream power and channel belt width favor the preservation of channel planforms over 10−3 to 10−4‐year time scalesRiver valleys with valley width/channel belt width ratios from 6 to 12, potentially contain fluvial record over 10−3 to 10−4 ky time scales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: When studying the evolution of landscape, it is difficult to discriminate the influence of anthropogenic from natural causes, or recognise changes caused by different sources of human action. This is especially challenging when the influence of certain sources is overprinted. For instance, although dam closure is the most common method of altering river courses, dam construction is often preceded by hydro‐technical works such as channel straightening, embankment construction or sediment mining. Both dam construction and the hydro‐technical works that precede dam closure can result in changes in the balance between sediment supply and transport capacity, and often, changes in river planform. The main objective of this study was to verify whether the works preceding dam closure are an important driver of river planform changes on the lower Drava River (Hungary). The case study is based on geological and geophysical surveys, as well as the analysis of historical maps covering an anabranching, 23 km long valley section. We show that channel straightening conducted prior to dam closure resulted in a transition from a meandering to sinuous planform with channel bars. Dam construction itself then caused enhanced incision, exposure of bar surfaces, vegetation encroachment and the formation of an anabranching planform. Based on this study, we developed models of alluvial island and channel planform evolution downstream of dams. Dam construction enhances channel incision, narrowing, and the reduction of flow caused by earlier hydro‐technical works. Many rivers downstream of dams experience episodes of anabranching or wandering, with a multi‐thread pattern replacing sinuous, braided and meandering courses. When incision continues, river patterns evolve from anabranching to sinuous via the attachment of alluvial islands to floodplains. However, the timing and sequence of these changes depend on hydrological and sediment supply regimes, geomorphic settings and anthropogenic actions accompanying dam construction. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centennial-scale mineral dust peaks in last glacial Greenland ice cores match the timing of lowest Greenland temperatures, yet little is known of equivalent changes in dust-emitting regions, limiting our understanding of dust-climate interaction. Here, we present the most detailed and precise age model for European loess dust deposits to date, based on 125 accelerator mass spectrometry 14C ages from Dunaszekcső, Hungary. The record shows that variations in glacial dust deposition variability on centennial- millennial timescales in east central Europe and Greenland were synchronous within uncertainty. We suggest that precipitation and atmospheric circulation changes were likely the major influences on European glacial dust activity and propose that European dust emissions were modulated by dominant phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation, which had a major influence on vegetation and local climate of European dust source regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochre is the common archaeological term for prehistoric pigments. It is applied to a range of uses, from ritual burials to cave art to medications. While a substantial number of Palaeolithic paint mining pits have been identified across Europe, the link between ochre use and provenance, and their antiquity, has never yet been identified. Here we characterise the mineralogical signature of core-shell processed ochre from the Palaeolithic paint mining pits near Lovas in Hungary, using a novel integration of petrographic and mineralogical techniques. We present the first evidence for core-shell processed, natural pigment that was prepared by prehistoric people from hematitic red ochre. This involved combining the darker red outer shell with the less intensely coloured core to efficiently produce an economical, yet still strongly coloured, paint. We demonstrate the antiquity of the site as having operated between 14–13 kcal BP, during the Epigravettian period. This is based on new radiocarbon dating of bone artefacts associated with the quarry site. The dating results indicate the site to be the oldest known evidence for core-shell pigment processing. We show that the ochre mined at Lovas was exported from the site based on its characteristic signature at other archaeological sites in the region. Our discovery not only provides a methodological framework for future characterisation of ochre pigments, but also provides the earliest known evidence for “value-adding” of products for trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wedge structures and involutions suggest that Late Pleistocene frozen ground, either permafrost or deep seasonal frost, extended at least as far south as latitude 47° N in central Europe (the Pannonian Basin). Optically stimulated luminescence dating of the sand infill from a number of wedges indicates that emplacement of the sand infill occurred during the Late Pleistocene (22.2-15.7 ka). This suggests that during this time the mean annual air temperature was depressed by at least ∼15° C relative to the present. Either continuous or discontinuous permafrost was probably present in the north and NW of the Pannonian Basin. The subsequent thaw of frozen ground is indicated by the widespread occurrence of deformed sediments. The presence of soil (ground) wedges suggests conditions of deep seasonal frost probably existed during the period when climate ameliorated following the Last Permafrost Maximum ( LPM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During muscle development, myosin and actin containing filaments assemble into the highly organized sarcomeric structure critical for muscle function. Although sarcomerogenesis clearly involves the de novo formation of actin filaments, this process remained poorly understood. Here we show that mouse and Drosophila members of the DAAM formin family are sarcomere-associated actin assembly factors enriched at the Z-disc and M-band. Analysis of dDAAM mutants revealed a pivotal role in myofibrillogenesis of larval somatic muscles, indirect flight muscles and the heart. We found that loss of dDAAM function results in multiple defects in sarcomere development including thin and thick filament disorganization, Z-disc and M-band formation, and a near complete absence of the myofibrillar lattice. Collectively, our data suggest that dDAAM is required for the initial assembly of thin filaments, and subsequently it promotes filament elongation by assembling short actin polymers that anneal to the pointed end of the growing filaments, and by antagonizing the capping protein Tropomodulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotransmitter enhancement therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) is a clinically proven approach for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Donepezil is one of the three currently approved AChEIs for treating AD symptoms delaying the decline in cognitive function. In addition to cholinergic hypofunction, there are several factors in AD pathogenesis. For example, adipocytokines released from adipose tissue are also thought to play a role in the progress of dementia. Adipokines, i.e., leptin and adiponectin, are involved in the modulation of certain cognitive functions in the brain. The goal of our study was to elucidate effects of donepezil therapy on the serum levels of certain adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin in AD patients. Clinically diagnosed mild-to-moderate AD patients (n = 26) were involved in this open-labeled, single-center, prospective self-control study. ApoE polymorphism, serum adiponectin, leptin, LDL, HDL, triglyceride levels, and BMI were determined before and at 12 and 24 weeks intervals of donepezil treatment, respectively. Twenty-four weeks of donepezil treatment induced a linear decrease of serum leptin levels (p = 0.013) and a linear elevation of serum adiponectin levels (p = 0.007). BMI (p < 0.001) and abdominal circumference (p = 0.017) were significantly lower at 24 weeks as compared to control values. None of the other examined metabolic parameters were changed during the treatment period. This previously unrecognized serum adipokine regulating potential of donepezil may be relevant in its therapeutic, disease modifying effect in AD by transferring protective (by increasing serum adiponectin levels) and detrimental (by decreasing serum leptin levels) effects onto the neurodegenerative process at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemical and mineralogical studies of palaeosols provide essential information for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of continental deposits and can present a proxy for palaeoclimate. Red clays in the central Carpathian Basin (Hungary) (Tengelic Red Clay Formation; Kerecsend Red Clay Formation), overlain by loess-palaeosol sequences, were studied. Results from geochemical climofunctions applied to Upper Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene red clays and palaeosols located in the Carpathian Basin, and clay mineralogy, indicate that the palaeoclimate was considerably more humid and warmer during the Late Pliocene-Early Pleistocene in comparison to modern values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochronological data from the mammal fauna of the Pannonian basin during the Late Pleistocene are compiled. Thirty-four megafaunal samples (including both fossil bone and associated materials such as charcoal), previously radiocarbon dated by accelerator mass spectrometry and conventional methods, range from 43 to 10.3 14C ka BP (47-13 ka cal BP). Thus,most samples date within Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and 2 of the Late Pleistocene, and indicate that the mammoth steppe fauna was able to colonize this region during a period of rapid environmental change. The radiocarbon evidence fits well into the known colonization pattern of the mammoth steppe and shows a continuous distribution in the Late Weichselian grassland areas of East Central Europe, climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem or multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) have been implicated in tissue maintenance and repair and regulating immune effector cells through different mechanisms. These functions in mouse were primarily described for bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. To learn more about MSCs of different tissue origin, we compared the immunophenotype, differentiation ability to adipocyte and bone and immunomodulatory activity of MSCs isolated from BM, spleen, thymus and aorta wall of 14-day-old C57Bl/6 mice. The established cell lines fulfilled the requirements described for MSCs in terms of morphology, surface marker expression and differentiation potential although they were distinguishable regarding the expression pattern of the MSC markers and ability generating other cell types. Most importantly, a remarkable diversity was shown in the capacity of inhibition of mitogen- and alloantigen-induced T-cell proliferation, since BM- and spleen-derived MSCs were the most powerful aorta-derived MSCs were less effective, whereas thymus-derived mesenchymal cells were unable to block T-cell growth in vitro. Accordingly, BM, spleen and aorta, but not thymus-derived MSCs, in combination with BM hematopoietic cells were equally efficient to prevent streptozotocin-induced diabetes in vivo. These findings suggested that MSCs residing in different organs might stem from common ancestor; however, once populating into a given tissue microenvironment, they acquire specific properties mainly in the term of the immunoregulatory function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to differentiate into distinct mesenchymal tissues; including cartilage and bone, they can be an attractive cell source for cartilage tissue engineering approaches. Our objective here was to compare the in vitro chondrogenic potential of MSCs isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) with cells from normal donors. Methods: Marrow samples were removed during bone surgery and adherent cell cultures were established. The cells were then passed into a newly developed microaggregate culture system in a medium containing transforming growth factor β3, insulin, dexamethasone and/or demineralized bone matrix. In vitro chondrogenic activity was measured as metabolic sulfate incorporation and type II collagen expression in pellet cultures. Results: Culture-expanded MSCs from RA and OA patients did not differ significantly from the normal population with respect to their chondrogenic potential in vitro. Capability of total protein and proteoglycan synthesis as well as collagen II mRNA expression by cell aggregates was similar for all cell preparations in the presence of the appropriate growth and differentiation factors. Chondroprotective drugs such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine enhanced, whereas chloroquine inhibited chondrogenesis in normal donor-derived or patient-derived MSC cultures. Galectin-1, a β-galactoside-binding protein with marked anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells in low (<2 μg/ml) concentration. Discussion: These findings show that MSCs from RA and OA patients possess similar chondrogenic potential as MSCs isolated from healthy donors, therefore these cells may serve as a potential new prospect in cartilage replacement therapy. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2006 tsunami, throughout the Pangandaran to Cilacap Coast, resulted in 802 deaths and 1623 houses being destroyed. At Jetis beach, Cilacap Regency, 12 people died, and hundreds of houses were damaged. This area is a tourism destination, visited by hundreds of people per week. Therefore, this study aims to determine a tsunami hazard zone and the most effective evacuation route based on multiple factors and scenarios. The method of this study includes scoring, weighting, and overlaying the distance of the Jetis beach from the shoreline and the river, including the elevation and topography. The study results depict five levels of tsunami hazard zone at the Jetis beach: an area of high potential impact, moderately high, moderate, moderately low, and low. The southern Jetis beach is the most vulnerable area with regard to tsunamis, characterized by low elevation, proximity to the beach and rivers, and gentle slopes. The simulation results show the four fastest evacuation routes with the distance from the high-risk zone to the safe zone of around 683–1683 m. This study infers that the southern part of the Jetis beach, in the moderate to high impact zone, needs greater attention as it would suffer worst impact from a tsunami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper begins with the unease one feels witnessing the pride taken by the former agents in serving the communist secret police in Hungary. In retrospect, many of them refuse to regard themselves as perpetrators or, at least, accomplices, and prefer the role of the victim or even that of the hero. In analysing the roots of moral relativism, first the phenomenon of 'fast forgiving' will be discussed. Then, turning to the profession of economists, it will be shown how profoundly this metier, normally disregarded in studying transitional justice, contributed to making collaboration with the old regime a legitimate mode of behaviour. Finally, after introducing the term 'academic remembering', the paper will ask whether that contribution has reached its end by now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent studies have suggested that the adult bone marrow harbors cells that can influence β-cell regeneration in diabetic animals. Other reports, however, have contradicted these findings. To address this issue, we used an animal model of type 1 diabetes in which the disease was induced with streptozotocin in mice. Freshly prepared sex-mismatched bone marrow cells (BMCs) and syngeneic or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were concomitantly administrated into sublethally irradiated diabetic mice. Blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations rapidly returned to normal levels, accompanied by efficient tissue regeneration after a single injection of a mixture of 106 BMCs per 105 MSCs. Neither BMC nor MSC transplantation was effective alone. Successful treatment of diabetic animals was not due to the reconstitution of the damaged islet cells from the transplant, since no donor-derived β-cells were found in the recovered animals, indicating a graft-initiated endogenous repair process. Moreover, MSC injection caused the disappearance of β-cell-specific T lymphocytes from diabetic pancreas. Therefore, we suggest that two aspects of this successful treatment regimen operate in parallel and synergistically in our model. First, BMCs and MSCs induce the regeneration of recipient-derived pancreatic insulin-secreting cells. Second, MSCs inhibit T-cell-mediated immune responses against newly formed β-cells, which, in turn, are able to survive in this altered immunological milieu. Thus, the application of this therapy in human patients suffering from diabetes and/or other tissue destructive autoimmune diseases may be feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photolysis of aryl‐substituted 2,5‐dihydrophosphole oxides (5a–e and 8) in the presence of methanol afforded methyl aryl‐H‐phosphinates (2a–e) in good yields. In the case of 1‐ethyl‐, cyclohexyl‐, or ethoxy‐2,5‐dihydrophosphole oxides, the reaction was much slower (5f and 5h) or did not take place at all (5g). In such instances, the presence of an additional skeletal methyl group (7) or the use of the more strained 7‐phosphanorbornene derivatives (6) promoted the fragmentation‐related phosphorylations. Furthermore, the effect of the ring saturation in 8 and the possible extensions to 2‐phosphabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes (10a and 10f), a 1,2‐dihydrophosphinine oxide (11), and a 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexahydrophosphinine oxide (12) were also investigated. Model compounds with P‐phenyl substituent that are of sufficient ring strain (8, 10a, and 11) could be utilized well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently we identified TPPP/p25 (tubulin polymerization promoting protein/p25) as a brain-specific unstructured protein that induced aberrant microtubule assemblies and ultrastructure in vitro and as a new marker for Parkinson's disease and other synucleopathies. In this paper the structural and functional consequences of TPPP/p25 are characterized to elucidate the relationship between the in vitro and the pathological phenomena. We show that at low expression levels EGFP-TPPP/p25 specifically colocalizes with the microtubule network of HeLa and NRK cells. We found that the colocalization was dynamic (t1/2;=5 seconds by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) and changed during the phases of mitosis. Time-lapse and immunofluorescence experiments revealed that high levels of EGFP-TPPP/p25 inhibited cell division and promoted cell death. At high expression levels or in the presence of proteosome inhibitor, green fusion protein accumulated around centrosomes forming an aggresome-like structure protruding into the nucleus or a filamentous cage of microtubules surrounding the nucleus. These structures showed high resistance to vinblastin. We propose that a potential function of TPPP/p25 is the stabilization of physiological microtubular ultrastructures, however, its upregulation may directly or indirectly initiate the formation of aberrant protein aggregates such as pathological inclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of 1,2-dihydrophosphnine oxides (3a–3d) with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) did not follow the Diels–Alder protocol, rather the corresponding diphosphatricyclododecatrienes (4a–4d) were formed in good yields. Interaction of the mesityl-dihydrophosphinine oxide (3f) with TCNE resulted in the formation of an α-dicyanomethylene derivative (5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the transformation of welfare state regimes in Eastern and Central Europe. Performance indicators and characteristics of welfare regime; Analysis on the result of post-1989 economic recession; Representations on the drop of social performance.

The spontaneous autophagic activity in epithelial cells of isolated tissue slices of murine seminal vesicle is strongly enhanced by short (5 min) pretreatment in a medium containing 0.03% Triton X-100. In addition to the significant increase in the cytoplasmic volume fraction and the mean size of autophagic vacuoles, the appearance of shorter or longer smooth membrane pairs located between cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and in the vicinity of nucleus is also greatly stimulated. Their morphological features observed after application of various fixation methods, freeze-substitution and freeze-fracture techniques show that they are unclosed nascent isolation membranes, representing a unique class of intracellular membranes. They may grow around the nucleus, leading to its complete autophagic sequestration and degradation, which is observed here for the first time. Treatment with 3-methyladenine or wortmannin inhibits the formation of autophagosomes, leading to their regression with a halving time of 7 min. In contrast, these inhibitors cause extremely fast shrinking of nascent isolating membranes, leading to their complete disappearance within 7 min. We propose that the early events of autophagy involve three main steps: initiation, growth and closure, and suggest that the growth of nascent isolation membranes is reversible i.e. the membranes may be subject to disassembly before their closure is completed. Bending and closure of the isolation membrane and the stability of neighbouring cellular structures appear as important determinants of size regulation. These early steps of autophagy are good candidates for very fast accommodation to changing conditions and subtle regulation by phosphoinositide kinases as indicated by wortmannin sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of bivalent ions on tubulin dynamics and the upper phase of glycolysis were investigated at different organization levels in vitro. Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and CrO2–4 inhibit the tubulin polymerization at an IC50 of 14–24 µm with high cooperativity and also induce microtubule disassembly. The apparent binding constants of the ions to tubulin, estimated by fluorescence quenching, vary between 6 and 28 µm. BIAcore measurements for tubulin–tubulin interaction suggest that the presence of Cu2+ affects neither koff nor kon, but the amount of the bound tubulin. While the inhibitory effect of Cu2+ on tubulin polymerization is partially abolished by cross-linking of microtubules with substoichiometric amounts of phosphofructokinase or decoration of tubules with cytosolic proteins, in the presence of kinase but not with cytosolic proteins the tubules are resistant to CrO42–. No inhibitory effect of Cu2+ or CrO2–4 on microtubule assembly was detected in the MAP-containing cytosolic fraction. Electron microscopy revealed that tubules assembled in the presence of Cu2+ or CrO2–4 ions contain aggregates of thread-like oligomers that are less conspicuous in the presence of cytosolic proteins. Cu2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ inhibit the glycolytic flux in the cytosolic fraction characterized at equilibrium by an IC50 of 10–14 µm with high cooperativity. Tubulin diminishes the inhibitory effect of the cations. These data indicate that the responses elicited by the bivalent ions are highly dependent on the supramolecular organization of the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of the transient expansion of the autophagic-lysosomal (ALC) and secretory granule (SGC) compartments in mouse liver cells were monitored by electron microscopic morphometry after a single injection of 10 mg/kg b.w. vinblastine sulfate (VBL). Initially ( first phase) the cytoplasmic volume fractions of the total ALC and its subcompartments, as well as of the SGC increased by an order of magnitude and peaked at the second h. In the second phase, all the aformentioned compartments regressed gradually, approaching their normal size between 12 and 36 h after VBL injection. Analysis of the dynamic changes in fractional volumes of subcompartments of the ALC showed that early autophagic vacuoles (AV) were the first to enlarge. Advanced AVs (AV) reacted 30 min later and a further 30 min time lag was required before late autolysosomes, appearing as dense bodies (DB), started to expand. We regard these data as kinetic proof that the bodies of the later reacting subcompartments developed from the earlier reacting ones. The time lag between the expansion of AV and AV subcompartments may be explained by a period of retardation of conversion of nascent autophagosomes (AV) to autolysosomes (AV) which is known to occur normally by fusion of AV with enzymecarrying lysosomes. However, transformation of AV to AV and later to DB resumed after the respective time lags. Moreover, our quantitative data lend support to the view that segregation of cytoplasmic portions into newly-formed autophagosomes was stimulated by VBL, at least in the first 2 h of treatment. The expansion of ALC accelerated during this period and led to an obvious overload of the lysosomal apparatus. DNA-based specific activity of the lysosomal marker enzyme acid phosphatase did not alter significantly during the 36 h period. The volume fraction of the SGC reacted to VBL in essentially the same way as the ALC. The possible mechanisms underlying the time course of the volume changes of ALC and SGC are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large numbers of autophagic vacuoles were found in murine pancreatic acinar and seminal vesicle epithelial cells following the administration of Triton X-100 or vinblastine for 4 h. The autophagic vacuoles disappeared rapidly from the cells after the administration of cycloheximide to animals pretreated with Triton X-100. The decay in seminal vesicle cells appeared to follow firstorder kinetics with an estimated t of 8.7 min. The regression in pancreatic cells was equally rapid and less than half the initial volume of autophagic vacuoles was found at the 12th min after cycloheximide injection. This time, the decay curve appeared to be linear rather than exponential. Our data, together with the work of others, support the view that the average half-life of autophagic vacuoles is a fairly constant parameter kept within the range of 6-9 min in various types of mouse and rat cell when the late steps of autophagocytosis (i.e. the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes and the degradation within lysosomes) are not affected. The regression of autophagic vacuoles was slow in mice pretreated with vinblastine t of about 27-30 min) suggesting that this drug slows down the turnover of autophagic vacuoles. Morphometric evaluation of the regression of the autophagic vacuole compartment after cycloheximide treatment can be used as a tool to distinguish between treatments which elevate the amount of autophagic vacuoles within the cells by increasing the rate of sequestration from those which expand the autophagic vacuole compartment by causing accumulation of autophagic vacuoles as a result of blockade of the late steps of the autophagic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the cytoplasmic volume fractions of autophagic vacuoles and lysosomes in mouse seminal vesicle cells were evaluated by morphometric analysis following administration of either one of the drugs estrone acetate, vinblastine sulphate, leupeptin, cycloheximide, or their different combinations. The treatments lasted for 2 h. Leupeptin caused a significant increase in the cytoplasmic volume fractions of lysosomes (defined as dense bodies limited by a single membrane) and autophagic vacuoles (defined as membrane-limited bodies containing recognizable fragments of cytoplasm) which became about 6 and 40 times larger, respectively, than controls. This was accompanied by a decrease in the ratio of surface to volume of lysosomes. An increase in the sizes of autophagic vacuole and lysosomal compartments (by about 3 and 10 times, respectively, as compared with controls) was observed in the estrone acetate - treated group. The shape of lysosomes became highly irregular in these animals and their surface densities did not differ significantly from those of controls. The cytoplasmic volume fraction of autophagic vacuoles was largest in the vinblastine treated animals (an increase by about 80 times, as compared with controls) in which the autophagic vacuole compartment became almost two times larger than the lysosomal one. The size of the latter did not differ significantly from that of controls. Cycloheximide did not exert any influence on the fractional volumes of autophagic vacuoles and lysosomes as compared with controls when applied alone and prevented all the mentioned changes when administered together with either of the three compounds. Based on the known or suggested effects of the compounds used here on protein degradation, we conclude that cycloheximide, vinblastine and leupeptin impair the autophagic process in the seminal vesicle cells at three different levels. Cycloheximide blocks the formation of autophagic vacuoles, thereby preventing the influx of material into the lytic system. Vinblastine impaires the fusion between the lysosomes and autophagosomes which results in an accumulation of the latter. Leupeptin slows down the intralysosomal degradation, thereby causing an expansion of the lysosomal compartment. Estrone acetate enlarges the size of autophagic vacuole and lysosomal compartments by enhancing the activity of the lysosomal system as a whole. However, when administered simultaneously in different combinations the drugs exerted some effects which could not be fully explained on this basis and need further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous autophagocytosis was observed in mouse seminal vesicle cells during incubation for 2 h in vitro. The number of autophagic vacuoles formed was greatest at 37° C and decreased when the temperature was lowered. At 22° C it reached the near-zero value characteristic of nonincubated control cells. Incubation of the cells at 37° C in the presence of 0.1 mg/ml vinblastine sulfate resulted in a marked increase in the number of autophagic vacuoles, but the drug was ineffective at 22° C. Puromycin (10 M) exerted no influence on spontaneous autophagocytosis, but cycloheximide in concentrations from 10M to 10M inhibited both spontaneous and vinblastine-induced autophagocytosis. The formation of tubulin paracrystals in vinblastine treated cells was not prevented either by low (22° C) temperature or in the presence of cycloheximide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the translational inhibitor emetine on neutral red-induced autophagocytosis has been investigated in exocrine cells of mouse pancreas and seminal vesicle. Sublethal doses (0.005-00.1 mg/g body weight) of the drug given 30 minutes prior to neutral red prevent dye-induced autophagocytosis. This is a transient protection, since autophagocytosis can be induced by neutral red when it is given 24 hours after the administration of the drug. Emetine given alone causes few morphological alterations in the cytoplasm. Analysis of experimental data and information in the literature shows that protein synthesis inhibitors causing polyribosome breakdown and degranulation of the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum induce autophagocytosis, while those stabilizing polyribosomes prevent this reaction. It is concluded that the preventive effect of cycloheximide and emetine may be related to their stabilizing effect on polyribosomes and on the structure of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observed three types of cells in the epithelial layer of the midgut of last instars of Pieris brassicae. The columnar and goblet cells degenerate during the second part of the last larval stage while the undifferentiated basal cells proliferate during this period and create the epithelium of the pupal midgut. The first morphological sign of involution is the formation of autophagic vacuoles and dense bodies in the cytoplasm of columnar and goblet cells which begins on day 4 of the stage. The number and size of autophagic vacuoles and dense bodies increase during the spinning period (85-96 h). Finally, at the end of the stage, the columnar and goblet cells become displaced by the growing pupal epithelium and reach the lumen where they disintegrate. Autophagocytosis was not seen in the cells during the feeding period (0-72 h). However, we observed many autophagic vacuoles in the columnar and goblet cells of 50-h-old instars 3 h after the administration of 30 μg/g body weight of 20-hydroxyecdysone. The hormone treatment elevated by 100% the incorporation of H-leucine into the proteins of the midgut. Inhibitors of protein synthesis, cycloheximide and puromycin, in doses that supressed the incorporation of the amino acid by 60-70% either in hormone treated or untreated larvae, exerted diverse effects on the autophagic process. Puromycin did not block the hormone-induced formation of autophagic vacuoles while cycloheximide prevented it. Possible explanations for this diversity are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]