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The article discusses a study on the vivo tracking of maturation of male eel through computed tomography (CT) which was found to be a useful noninvasive tool to get information about some specific internal features of intact or live fish. Ten males eels were transported to the fish laboratory of Kaposvar University, Hungary and kept in circulated freshwater. The study concludes that CT is a suitable technique for in vivo investigation of changes during sexual maturation in male eel.

Abstract: Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease with relapses. Many patients need systemic corticosteroids to induce clinical remission. Aim: Efficacy and safety of Budesonide-MMX® 9mg tablets, a new oral, extended-release formulation, were evaluated in patients suffering from active, left-sided UC with colitis activity index (CAI) <14. Methods: 36 patients were treated once daily for 4weeks with Budesonide-MMX® 9mg tablets or placebo. In an additional 4-week period, all patients received Budesonide-MMX®. CAI, endoscopic index and histology were assessed after 4 and 8weeks. Primary end-point was remission, and/or CAI reduction by 50% after 4weeks. Morning cortisol was assayed after 4 and 8weeks, and a short ACTH-test was performed at week 8. Results: 32 patients were analysed. After 4weeks, 47.1% of the patients in the Budesonide-MMX® 9mg tablets group achieved the primary end-point vs. 33.3% of patients on placebo. In addition, 47.1% of budesonide patients and another 33.3% of placebo recipients improved without remission by 4weeks. The CAI reduction was significant with Budesonide (p <0.0001) tablets and not with placebo (p =0.1). Neither morning cortisol nor pituitary–adrenal axis was more frequently suppressed with Budesonide tablets than with placebo. Conclusions: Budesonide-MMX® 9mg tablets induced a fast and significant clinical improvement of active left-sided UC without suppression of adrenocortical functions and without important toxicity EudraCT number 2004-000896-33. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The high cost of infliximab inhibits the regular retreatment of all patients in Hungary with Crohn''s disease (CD) after beneficial induction therapy. This study is set out to evaluate the medium-term efficacy of induction therapy with infliximab without retreatment in CD patients with chronic activity and/or fistulae refractory to conventional therapy. Methods: A retrospective 1-year review was undertaken of all CD patients with successfully induced remission or fistula closure with 3 infusions of infliximab. Infliximab was administered in a dose of 5 mg/kg 3 times, in weeks 0, 2 and 6. Clinical remission was defined as symptom resolution and an estimated Crohn''s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) <150 and complete fistula closure. We evaluated the clinical response, the estimated CDAI, the number of draining fistulae, the dosages of steroid and immunosuppressive drugs at 6 and 12 months after the last infusion, and the needs for hospitalization and surgical intervention during this period. Breslow (Generalized Wilcoxon) test was used as the statistical method. Results: The data of the 50 patients (19 luminal, 31 fistulizing disease; average age 29. 3 [13–59] years, disease localization: 23 colon, 13 ileum, 13 ileocolon, 1 duodenum) were suitable for analysis. Infliximab induction therapy without retreatment resulted in a beneficial effect lasting for at least 1 year in 22 of the 50 patients (44%). 11 of the 19 patients (57.9%) with luminal disease remained in steroid-free complete remission, while the fistulae persisted closed in only 11 of the 31 patients (35.5%) (p <0.05). Conclusion: Infliximab induction therapy alone may result in sustained remission mainly in patients with luminal disease. These results suggest the need for maintenance therapy with infliximab after successful therapy induction in patients with fistulae, while luminal CD patients could possibly participate in regular retreatment only if needed. If these data are confirmed, this modification of the therapeutic procedure could well increase the cost-effectiveness of infliximab. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]