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Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process of cellular plasticity regulated by complex signaling networks. Under physiological conditions, it plays an important role in wound healing and organ repair. Its importance for human disease is given by its central role in chronic fibroproliferative diseases and cancer, which represent leading causes of death worldwide. In tumors, EMT is involved in primary tumor growth, metastasis and therapy resistance. It is therefore a major requisite to investigate and understand the role of EMT and the mechanisms leading to EMT in order to tackle these diseases therapeutically. Forward genetic screens link genome modifications to phenotypes, and have been successfully employed to identify oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and genes involved in metastasis or therapy resistance. In particular, transposon-based insertional mutagenesis screens and CRISPR-based screens are versatile and easy-to-use tools applied in recent years to discover and identify novel cancer-related mechanisms. Here, we review the contribution of forward genetic screens to our understanding of how EMT is regulated and how it is involved in various aspects of cancer. Based on the current literature, we propose these methods as additional tools to investigate EMT.

The wall, made of ferromagnetic steel, of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel is covered by an austenitic (very weakly ferromagnetic) cladding. In this work, we investigated how the base material and the cladding can be inspected separately from each other by nondestructive magnetic measurements. It was found that with the proper choice of the magnetizing yoke, these two different materials could be measured independently of each other. The effect of the yoke’s size was studied by the numerical simulation of magnetic flux, pumped into the material during magnetic measurements. Measurements were performed by two different sizes of yokes on pure base material, on base material under cladding and on cladding itself. Experiments verified the results of the simulation. Our results can help for the future practical application of magnetic methods in the regular inspection of nuclear power plants.

BACKGROUND There are limited data available on the survival and early complications of preterm infants with less than 500 g birthweight. To estimate the outcomes for these infants, it is important for caregivers to be aware of perinatal factors that may affect survival. OBJECTIVES We assessed the mortality and certain early complications of preterm infants born with less than 500 g in Hungary between 2006 and 2015. METHODS We reviewed data of 486 infants from the database of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and in parallel of 407 infants from the "NICU database." The study period was divided into two epochs: 2006-2010 and 2011-2015. RESULTS The survival was 27.1% in the first epoch and 39.1% in the second epoch, and the incidence of early complications was slightly higher in the second epoch. In the surviving group (first and second epoch combined), gestational age (25.1 vs 23.7 weeks), birthweight (458 vs 447 g) antenatal steroid treatment (66.3% vs 52.3%), surfactant therapy (95.1% vs 84.3%), median Apgar scores (6 vs 3 and 8 vs 5 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively) and proportion of caesarean delivery (89.3% versus 68.5%) were higher than in the non-surviving group (first and second epoch combined). The proportion of multiple births was lower in the surviving group (15.7% vs 33.4%). CONCLUSIONS Survival of infants with less than 500 g improved between 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 in Hungary. The slightly higher occurrence of early complications might be associated with improving survival.

Abstract: Introduction: In the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) with oral anticoagulants (OAC), medical adherence is a relevant factor for stroke prevention. Aim: To evaluate the one-year persistence of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in patients suffering from AF and already treated with OACs. Method: Information from the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary prescriptions database on pharmacy claims between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015 was analysed. Authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for OACs (VKAs or DOACs) prescribed for AF who have already received OACs therapy during one year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where ‘survival’ was the time to abandon the medication. Results: 196 016 patients met the inclusion criteria. 181 810 patients received VKA and 14 206 patients were treated with DOACs. The one-year persistence rate in patients taking VKA was 52.9% whereas it was 66.8% in those on the DOACs. The persistence rates after 360 days were 67.5% for rivaroxaban, 63.6% for apixaban and 63.4% for dabigatran. The mean duration of persistence was 311 days for rivaroxaban, 308 days for apixaban and 284 days for dabigatran. The actual rate of discontinuation was 14% (HR = 1.14 [95% CI 1.05–1.24]), p = 0.0015) for apixaban, 15% (HR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.08–1.23], p = 0.003) for dabigatran and 62% (HR = 1.62 [95% CI 1.56–1.69], p

Abstract: Introduction: The most recent European guidelines for the treatment of hypertension suggest the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists (RAAS inhibitors) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or diuretics fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) as the first therapeutic option. In antihypertensive therapy, the patient’s adherence is one of the most important factors in reducing unwanted cardiovascular events. Aim: Our aim was to assess the one-year persistence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and CCB FDCs in hypertensive patients. Method: Authors have analysed the prescription database of the National Health Insurance Fund in Hungary on pharmacy claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013. Those patients were identified who filled prescriptions for FDCs of ACEI and CCBs prescribed for the first time for hypertensive patients and who had not received similar drugs during the year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where ‘survival’ was the time to abandon the medication. Results: 124 388 patients met the inclusion criteria. One-year persistence rate and hazard ratio (HR) of discontinuation in patients with ramipril/amlodipine FDC was 54% (HR = 1.00, reference), perindopril/amlodipine 47% (HR = 1.30, p

Neutron irradiation-generated embrittlement of nuclear pressure vessel steel was inspected by a nondestructive magnetic method, called magnetic adaptive testing (MAT). This method is based on systematic measurement and evaluation of minor magnetic hysteresis loops. Result of MAT measurement was compared with the result of the traditional Charpy measurement. Good correlation was found between these parameters. One of the main findings of the present work is that the considerable part of scatter of points obtained by magnetic measurement can be attributed to local material inhomogeneity. Another important conclusion is that the embrittlement highly depends on the initial local material conditions, i.e., the initial microstructure, which are very different even within the same block of reactor steel material. By taking this into account, the magnetic descriptors obtain more precise determination of the local embrittlement than the traditionally used destructive mechanical parameters from Charpy data.

The limit of viability for premature newborns has changed in recent decades, but whether to initiate or withhold active care for periviable infants remains a subject of debate because the chances of survival and the extent of severe neurological impairment can be unclear. In our review, we analyzed large population-based studies of periviable infants from the past 2 decades. We compared survival rates and the incidence of early complications among survivors, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Moreover, we assessed the perinatal factors that may affect the survival of preterm infants. We analyzed 15 studies reporting data on preterm infants born between 22 and 28 gestational weeks. None of these studies reported survival of an infant born before 22 gestational weeks. Survival rates of infants born at 24 weeks’ gestation were above 50% in most studies. The incidence of each complication was also higher among infants born at ≤24 weeks. Of the analyzed perinatal factors, antenatal corticosteroid therapy, birth weight, female sex, cesarean delivery, singleton pregnancy, and birth in a tertiary-level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were found to be associated with improved survival in some studies. The different methodologies of the studies limited comparison of the results. Further investigations are needed to gain up-to-date information on the limit of viability, and standardized methods in future studies would enable more accurate comparisons of findings.

The influence of neutron irradiation degradation on reactor pressure vessel steel was investigated. Large blocks were irradiated by neutrons in the BR2 reactor at a low irradiation temperature. They were measured by a nondestructive magnetic method, magnetic adaptive testing, before and after the neutron irradiation. It was shown that the modification of the magnetic parameters due to the neutron irradiation was well detectable by this nondestructive method. It was also shown that the influence of neutron irradiation could be detected with a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio through the cladding. The present results are considered as a first step towards the application of magnetic adaptive testing in the nuclear industry.

Abstract: Introduction: In management of hypertension patient adherence is one of the most important factors. In hypertension the cardiovascular risk reduction can be reached only by prolonged and effective pharmacotherapy. Aim: To evaluate the persistence of one-year treatment of free and fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine in hypertension. Method: Information from the National Health Insurance of Hungary prescriptions database on pharmacy claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analysed. Authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for free and fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine, prescribed for the first time for hypertension. Patients have not received antihypertensive therapy with similar active substances during the one year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where “survival” was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied. Results: 109,248 patients met the inclusion criteria. Combination antihypertensive therapy with perindopril/amlodipine was started with a free or a fixed-dose combination of these agents in 19,365 and 89,883 patients, respectively. One year persistence rate in patients taking perindopril/amlodipine as a free combination was 27.15%, whereas it was 46.89% in those on the fixed-dose combination. Mean duration of persistence was 177.6 days in patients on the perindopril/amlodipine free, whereas 245.7 days on fixed-dose combination. Actual rate of discontinuation was approximately twice higher with the treatment of free, compared with the use of the fixed-dose combination (hazard ratio =1.94 [95% CI: 1.91–1.98], p

Recent evidence implicates the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as key mediators of the phenotypic plasticity leading to the conversion of various cell types into myofibroblasts. This review highlights the function of MRTFs during development, fibrosis and cancer, and the role of MRTFs during epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) underlying these processes. EMT is a sequentially orchestrated process where cells undergo a rearrangement of their cell contacts and activate a fibrogenic and myogenic expression program. MRTFs interact with and regulate the major signaling pathways and the expression of key markers and transcription factors involved in EMT. These functions indicate a central role for MRTFs in controlling the process of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 247:396-404, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Improved eddy current techniques and a method of magnetic hysteresis measurement were applied for nondestructive inspection of thickness of the hardened surface layer of the steel injectors of diesel engines. A monotonic correlation was found with enough sensitivity and acceptable signal/noise ratio between the electromagnetic parameters and the thickness of the layer. Both the hysteresis and the eddy current methods show very similar types of the correlation. Based on these results, practical application of these novel methods can be realized instead of the presently used destructive tests for inspection of the steel injectors of diesel engines.

In the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) with oral anticoagulants (OAC), medical adherence is a relevant factor for stroke prevention.To evaluate the one-year persistence of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in patients suffering from AF and already treated with OACs.Information from the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary prescriptions database on pharmacy claims between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015 was analysed. Authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for OACs (VKAs or DOACs) prescribed for AF who have already received OACs therapy during one year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where 'survival' was the time to abandon the medication.196 016 patients met the inclusion criteria. 181 810 patients received VKA and 14 206 patients were treated with DOACs. The one-year persistence rate in patients taking VKA was 52.9% whereas it was 66.8% in those on the DOACs. The persistence rates after 360 days were 67.5% for rivaroxaban, 63.6% for apixaban and 63.4% for dabigatran. The mean duration of persistence was 311 days for rivaroxaban, 308 days for apixaban and 284 days for dabigatran. The actual rate of discontinuation was 14% (HR = 1.14 [95% CI 1.05-1.24]), p = 0.0015) for apixaban, 15% (HR = 1.15 [95% CI 1.08-1.23], p = 0.003) for dabigatran and 62% (HR = 1.62 [95% CI 1.56-1.69], p0.0001) for VKA compared to rivaroxaban (reference).The authors have confirmed that the one-year persistence of DOAKs was significantly higher compared to KVA therapy in AF. The one-year persistence of rivaroxaban was more favoured than apixaban and dabigatran. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(13): 509-515.Absztrakt: Bevezetés: A nonvalvularis pitvarfibrilláció (PF) orális antikoagulánssal (OAK) történő kezelésekor a terápiahűség igen jelentős tényező a stroke prevenciójában. Célkitűzések: A szerzők célja a már OAK-terápiában részesülő PF-ban szenvedő betegeknél a K-vitamin-antagonista (KVA) és a direkt orális antikoagulánsok (DOAK) egyéves perzisztenciájának vizsgálata. Módszer: A Nemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelő adatbázisából a vényforgalmi adatokra támaszkodva pitvarfibrilláció indikációjában, 2015 második félévében valamely orális antikoaguláns (OAK = KVA/DOAK) receptjét kiváltó olyan betegeket választottak ki, akiknek a vizsgálati időszakot megelőzően – a vizsgálati időszakban történt kiváltási dátumhoz képest – 12 hónappal korábban volt (DOAK/KVA összes) vénykiváltásuk. A perzisztencia modellezésére a túlélés-analízis klasszikus eszköztárát alkalmazták, ahol a „túlélési” idő a gyógyszer szedésének abbahagyásáig eltelt idő volt, 60 napos ’grace’ periódussal. Eredmények: A bevonási kritériumoknak 196 016 beteg felelt meg. A betegek közül 181 810 szedett KVA-t, míg 14 206 beteg kapott DOAK-ot. A KVA-k egyéves perzisztenciája 52,9%, a DOAK-ot szedőké 66,8% volt. A DOAK-terápián belül a rivaroxaban egyéves perzisztenciája 67,5%, az apixabané 63,6%, a dabigatrané 63,4% volt. A 360 napra korlátozott átlagos gyógyszerszedési idő 311 nap volt a rivaroxaban, 308 nap az apixaban, 303 nap a dabigatran, míg 284 nap a KVA-k esetén. A gyógyszerelhagyás kockázatának pillanatnyi rátája az apixaban esetén 14%-kal (HR = 1,14 [95% CI 1,05–1,24]), p = 0,0015), a dabigatrannál 15%-kal (HR = 1,15 [95% CI 1,08–1,23], p = 0,003), a KVA-t szedőknél 62%-kal (HR = 1,62 [95% CI 1,56–1,69], p0,0001) volt magasabb a rivaroxabanhoz képest. Következtetés: A szerzők igazolták, hogy PF-ban a KVA-terápiához képest a DOAK-ok egyéves perzisztenciája szignifikánsan magasabb volt. A DOAK-ok közül a rivaroxaban egyéves perzisztenciája előnyösebbnek bizonyult az apixabanhoz és a dabigatranhoz képest. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(13): 509–515.

The embrittlement of two types of nuclear pressure vessel steel, 15Kh2NMFA and A508 Cl.2, was studied using two different methods of magnetic nondestructive testing: micromagnetic multiparameter microstructure and stress analysis (3MA-X8) and magnetic adaptive testing (MAT). The microstructure and mechanical properties of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) materials are modified due to neutron irradiation, this material degradation can be characterized using magnetic methods. For the first time, the progressive change in material properties due to neutron irradiation was investigated on the same specimens, before and after neutron irradiation. A correlation was found between magnetic characteristics and neutron-irradiation-induced damage, regardless of the type of material or the applied measurement technique. The results of the individual micromagnetic measurements proved their suitability for characterizing the degradation of RPV steel caused by simulated operating conditions. A calibration/training procedure was applied on the merged outcome of both testing methods, producing excellent results in predicting transition temperature, yield strength, and mechanical hardness for both materials.

The most recent European guidelines for the treatment of hypertension suggest the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists (RAAS inhibitors) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or diuretics fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) as the first therapeutic option. In antihypertensive therapy, the patient's adherence is one of the most important factors in reducing unwanted cardiovascular events.Our aim was to assess the one-year persistence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and CCB FDCs in hypertensive patients.Authors have analysed the prescription database of the National Health Insurance Fund in Hungary on pharmacy claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013. Those patients were identified who filled prescriptions for FDCs of ACEI and CCBs prescribed for the first time for hypertensive patients and who had not received similar drugs during the year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where 'survival' was the time to abandon the medication.124 388 patients met the inclusion criteria. One-year persistence rate and hazard ratio (HR) of discontinuation in patients with ramipril/amlodipine FDC was 54% (HR = 1.00, reference), perindopril/amlodipine 47% (HR = 1.30, p0.0001), lisinopril/amlodipine 36% (HR = 1.79, p0.0001), ramipril/felodipine 26% (HR = 2.28, p0.0001) and trandolapril/verapamil 12% (HR = 4.13, p0.0001). The average survival time of drug limited to 360 days was 270.2 days for ramipril/amlodipine FDC, 242.7 days for perindopril/amlodipine FDC, 211.2 days for lisinopril/amlodipine FDC, 186.3 days for ramipril/felodipine FDC and 125.7 days for trandolapril/verapamil FDC.The authors demonstrated that the one-year persistence of ACEI/CCB FDCs was significantly different in hypertensive patients. Ramipril/amlodipine FDC was more advantageous for patient adherence. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(9): 343-348.Absztrakt: Bevezetés: A legfrissebb európai hypertoniaajánlás a magas vérnyomás kezelésére első terápiás lehetőségnek javasolja a renin-angiotenzin-aldoszteron rendszer antagonistáknak (RAAS-gátlók) a kalciumcsatorna-blokkolókkal (CCB) vagy diuretikumokkal alkotott fix kombinációit (FDC). Az antihypertensiv terápia során a terápiahűség az egyik jelentős tényező a nemkívánatos cardiovascularis események csökkentésében. Célkitűzés: A szerzők célja a hypertonia indikációjában indított angiotenzinkonvertálóenzim-gátlók (ACE-gátlók)/CCB FDC-k egyéves perzisztenciájának összehasonlítása volt. Módszer: A retrospektív vizsgálatban a szerzők a 2012. október 1. és 2013. szeptember 30. közötti időszakban első alkalommal, bármely ACE-gátló/CCB FDC-k receptjeit kiváltó betegeket választottak ki, akik a megelőző 12 hónapban hasonló készítményekkel nem részesültek antihypertensiv terápiában. A vénykiváltási adatokat az Országos Egészségbiztosítási Pénztár vényforgalmi adatbázisa szolgáltatta. A perzisztencia modellezésére a túlélés-analízis klasszikus eszköztárát alkalmazták, ahol a ’túlélési’ idő a gyógyszer szedésének abbahagyásáig eltelt idő volt. Eredmények: A bevonási követelményeknek 124 388 beteg felelt meg. A ramipril/amlodipin FDC egyéves perzisztenciája 54% volt, amelyet a perindopril/amlodipin FDC 47%-os, a lizinopril/amlodipin 36%-os, a ramipril/felodipin 26%-os és a trandolapril/verapamil 12%-os eredménye követett. A ramipril/amlodipin FDC-hez képest (referencia) a perindopril/amlodipin FDC elhagyásának kockázata 30%-kal (HR = 1,30, p0,0001), a lizinopril/amlodipin FDC-é 79%-kal (HR = 1,79, p0,0001) volt magasabb, míg a ramipril/felodipin FDC-é (HR = 2,28, p0,0001) mintegy kétszeres, a trandolapril/verapamil FDC-é (HR = 4,13, p0,0001) pedig több mint négyszeres volt. A 360 napra korlátozott átlagos gyógyszerszedési idő 270,2 nap volt a ramipril/amlodipin FDC, 242,7 nap a perindopril/amlodipin FDC, 211,2 nap a lizinopril/amlodipin FDC, 186,3 nap a ramipril/felodipin FDC, míg 125,7 nap a trandolapril/verapamil FDC esetén. Következtetések: A szerzők igazolták, hogy a hypertonia indikációjában alkalmazott ACE-gátló/CCB FDC-k egyéves perzisztenciája jelentősen különbözött. A betegadherencia szempontjából a legelőnyösebbnek a ramipril/amlodipin FDC bizonyult. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(9): 343–348.

Back in 1995, a landmark paper was published, which shaped the fibrosis literature for many years to come. During the characterization of a fibroblast-specific marker (FSP1) in the kidneys, an observation was made, which gave rise to the hypothesis that “fibroblasts in some cases arise from the local conversion of epithelium.” In the following years, epithelial-mesenchymal transition was in the spotlight of fibrosis research, especially in the kidney. However, the hypothesis came under scrutiny following some discouraging findings from lineage tracing experiments and clinical observations. In this review, we provide a timely overview of the current position of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition hypothesis in the context of fibrosis (with a certain focus on renal fibrosis) and highlight some of the potential hurdles and pitfalls preventing therapeutic breakthroughs targeting fibrotic epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

The applicability of three different magnetic methods, Magnetic flux leakage technique (MFL), Magnetic adaptive testing and Metal memory method (MMM) was tested for detection of an artificial slot in a system of three steel plates. It was found that MAT resulted in the best signal/noise ratio, and it is capable to detect the bottom side slot even in the three layer configuration. MFL also resulted in acceptable signal/noise ratio in the two layer configuration, but it was not able to detect the slot through two other plates. MMM was not found to be suitable for unstressed and un-magnetized slot detection in the given experimental arrangement.

Markers for imaging are vital parts of surgical processes. Since radioactive compound pose considerable risk to both the recipient and the surgical staff, alternative marking techniques are of interest. In NANOMAGDYE project, magneto-optically active nano-particles were created for this reason. The detection of the magnetic interaction of low mass nano-particles in surgical environment is very challenging; so far only quasi-stationary measurements were taken. This paper shows a measurement setup for measurements with continuously moving probe at lower velocities (5–10 mm/s) and at hand movement velocity (20–30 cm/s). It was found that at the velocity of hand movement there is only probe response amplitude reduction of at most 10–15% of the original amplitude. These results indicate that the probe used for the detection of the nano-particles is sufficient to be used in practical purposes in surgery.

In management of hypertension patient adherence is one of the most important factors. In hypertension the cardiovascular risk reduction can be reached only by prolonged and effective pharmacotherapy.To evaluate the persistence of one-year treatment of free and fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine in hypertension.Information from the National Health Insurance of Hungary prescriptions database on pharmacy claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analysed. Authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for free and fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine, prescribed for the first time for hypertension. Patients have not received antihypertensive therapy with similar active substances during the one year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied.109,248 patients met the inclusion criteria. Combination antihypertensive therapy with perindopril/amlodipine was started with a free or a fixed-dose combination of these agents in 19,365 and 89,883 patients, respectively. One year persistence rate in patients taking perindopril/amlodipine as a free combination was 27.15%, whereas it was 46.89% in those on the fixed-dose combination. Mean duration of persistence was 177.6 days in patients on the perindopril/amlodipine free, whereas 245.7 days on fixed-dose combination. Actual rate of discontinuation was approximately twice higher with the treatment of free, compared with the use of the fixed-dose combination (hazard ratio =1.94 [95% CI: 1.91-1.98], p0.001). Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(36): 1421-1425.

Suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) has been originally characterized as a tumor suppressor inhibiting metastasis in different human cancer cells, and it has been suggested that SCAI expression declines in tumors. The expression patterns and role of SCAI during physiological and pathophysiological processes is still poorly understood. Earlier we demonstrated that SCAI is regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of proximal tubular epithelial cells, it is downregulated during renal fibrosis and it is overexpressed in Wilms' tumors. Here we bring further evidence for the involvement of SCAI during cell plasticity and we examine the prognostic value and expression patterns of SCAI in various tumors. SCAI prevented the activation of the SMA promoter induced by angiotensin II. SCAI expression decreased in a model of endothelial-mesenchymal transition and increased during iPS reprogramming of fibroblasts. During renal fibrosis SCAI expression declined, as evidenced in a rat model of renal transplant rejection and in TGF-β1 overexpressing transgenic mice. High expression of SCAI correlated with better survival in patients with breast and lung cancers. Intriguingly, in the case of other cancers (gastric, prostate, colorectal) high SCAI expression correlated with poor survival of patients. Finally, we bring evidence for SCAI overexpression in colorectal cancer patients, irrespective of stage or metastatic status of the disease, suggesting a diverse role of SCAI in various diseases and cancer.

Degradation of nuclear pressure vessel steel materials, 15Kh2NMFA type and A508 Cl2 type (definition is given in the text) were investigated by a novel magnetic nondestructive testing method, so-called Magnetic Adaptive Testing (MAT), which is based on systematic measurement and evaluation of minor magnetic hysteresis loops. The measured samples were thermally treated by a special step cooling procedure, which generated structural changes in the material. It was found that this type of degradation can be easily followed by magnetic measurements. Charpy impact test were also performed and the results were compared with the magnetic parameters. In case of 15Kh2NMFA steel, a good, reliable and closely linear correlation was found between magnetic descriptors and transition temperature.

In this study, we describe trends in morbidity and mortality of preterm infants with less than 500mg birth weight in the changing landscape of obstetric and neonatal care.During a ten year study period between 2006 and 2016 we assessed outcome data for all neonates with less than 500mg birth weight born at our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We divided study subjects into two groups based on whether their birth date fell in the first half (2006-2010; n=39) versus the second half (2011-2015; n=27) of the study period comparing clinical outcomes in the two groups. We also assessed several clinical parameters for association with postnatal survival by comparing relative frequencies for each clinical parameter among surviving infants versus mortality cases.Survival rate for preterm neonates with less than 500mg birth weight born between 2006 and 2010 was 30.8%. This survival rate rose to 70.4% in the second half of the study period between 2011 and 2015 (p0.05). Among surviving babies premature birth was found to be predominantly associated with maternal hypertension or intrauterine growth restriction while in those who died premature birth due to premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm labor were significantly more common. All surviving infants with less than 500mg birth weight were born via cesarean section whereas among those who died cesarean section had been performed in only 80% and vaginal delivery in 20% representing a significant difference between the groups (p0.05). The majority (90.3%) of surviving infants with less than 500mg birth weight had received surfactant therapy while the proportion of neonates receiving surfactant therapy among mortality cases was significantly lower (65.2%; p0.05).Our findings suggest that among premature neonates with less than 500mg birth weight preterm delivery due to premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine infections represents the worse mortality risk. Steroid prophylaxis and measures to prevent and treat intrauterine infections with appropriate use of antibiotics can markedly improve survival in these cases. In premature neonates with less than 500mg birth weight survival is more favorable after cesarean section compared to vaginal delivery.

Fluxset magnetic sensor based probes with single and double exciting coils have been developed for detecting weakly interacting, low mass and small size magnetic particles. Test measurements were performed on capsules containing 0.15–13.53 mg magnetic iron oxide particles. It was shown that even 0.7 mg of magnetic nanoparticle of size 30 nm could be detected from a distance of 3.5 mm with reliable signal to noise ratio.

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an important mechanism during organ development and in certain pathological conditions. For example, EndMT contributes to myofibroblast formation during organ fibrosis, and it has been identified as an important source of cancer-associated fibroblasts, facilitating tumor progression. Recently, EndMT was proposed to modulate endothelial function during intravasation and extravasation of metastatic tumor cells. Evidence suggests that endothelial cells are not passive actors during transendothelial migration (TEM) of cancer cells, as there are profound changes in endothelial junctional protein expression, signaling, permeability, and contractility. This review describes these alterations in endothelial characteristics during TEM of metastatic tumor cells and discusses them in the context of EndMT. EndMT could play an important role during metastatic intravasation and extravasation, a novel hypothesis that may lead to new therapeutic approaches to tackle metastatic disease.

The present study deals with the analgesic effect induced by static magnetic fields (SMF) in mice exposed to the field with their whole body. It discusses how the effect depends on the distribution of the magnetic field, that is, on the specification and arrangement of the applied individual permanent magnets. A critical analysis of different magnet arrangements is given. As a result the authors propose a magnet arrangement recipe that achieves an analgesic effect of over 80% in the writhing test. This is a widely accepted screening method for animal pain and predictor of human experimental results. As a non-drug, non-invasive, non-contact, non-pain, non-addictive method for analgesia with immediate and long-lasting effect based on the stimulus of the endogenous opioid network, the SMF treatment may attract the attention of medical doctors, nurses, magnet therapists, veterinarians, physiotherapists, masseurs, and fitness trainers among others. Bioelectromagnetics 28:615–627, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Nowadays, Non Destructive Testing and Evaluation (NDT/NDE) are frequently used to evaluate integrity of manufactured articles in civil or industrial applications. In this framework, Eddy Current Test (ECT) technique has a primary role for inspection of conducting materials. Solution of many related inverse problems requires an accurate comprehension of mea- sured data: it is one of the most challenging problem in this context. That's why a suitable signal pre-processing is necessary. In this paper, advanced signal processing techniques are evaluated in order to reduce the impact of lift-ofi efiect on the eddy current data. Some hybrid approaches are also depicted, with encouraging results. DOI: 10.2529/PIERS061007215011

The extension of laser beam induced transformations is fitted to the sensitivity of a Fluxset sensor described in this paper. It was found that markers, produced in 100-300 W power range with the 6 mm distance between each marker, can be successfully detected by the applied sensor even under the 0.01 mm thick phosphate layer. The thermal stability of the markers increases due to heat treatment at 150°C for 30 hours, so the that marking is stable enough to be used as barcode in production logistics.

Magnesium and Ca concentration ratios, fulvic acid content, total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and pH were determined in seepage water and drip water samples collected during one seasonal cycle between June 2000 and May 2001 above and in the Beke Cave of Aggtelek (Hungary). Seepage water samples were collected at 0.5 and 7 m below ground level from an observation point situated above the cave. Drip water was collected 40 m underground from a group of stalactites. The fulvic acid concentrations were determined by fluorescence spectrometry after pre-concentration on a XAD-8 chromatographic column. Calcium and Mg concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry. DIC was determined with a CO 2 – selective electrode. DIC values increased and the fulvic acid concentrations and Mg and Ca concentration ratios, generally, decreased with depth. The highest flux of fulvic acid was observed in spring. The fulvic acid flux increased by a factor of 2.6–3.6 and 1.4 for groundwater and drip water, respectively, compared with those registered in the winter samples. The variations in the Ca, Mg and fulvic acid concentrations of the seepage and drip water samples relate to the variable drip rate. The results revealed that there is a strong correlation between the daily average surface temperature, daily amount of precipitation and drip water rate registered in the cave.

Transient eddy current analysis of pulsed eddy current testing was performed by time-stepping method and Fourier transform method. The characteristics of two methods were evaluated by using a simple model. The accuracy was examined by the comparison of calculated and measured data. The calculated results of the two methods provided good agreement with measured data. However, it was clear that the Fourier transform method provided higher accuracy of amplitude than the time-stepping method. As a three-dimensional problem of pulsed eddy current testing, the TEAM Workshop Problem 27 was analyzed by an edge-element finite element method.

A procedure developed for the calibration of a magnetic sensor in spatially strongly inhomogeneous magnetic field is presented in this paper. Assuming that the sensor is linear and it does not significantly disturb the magnetic field to be measured, its output signal is approximated as the weighted sum of the field values calculated theoretically around the sensor. The weighting coefficients are obtained by finding the best fit of the actual experimental output and the theoretical prediction of the measured field in the least square sense. Using the presented procedure, sensors can be calibrated for the measurement of spatially strongly inhomogeneous magnetic fields, consequently such sensors can be applied to get the field distribution map of inhomogeneous fields.

A size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatographic-inductively coupled atomic emission spectrometric (SE-HPLC-ICP-AES) method was developed in order to elucidate the role of citric acid in the complexation of nickel in xylem saps of cucumber plants. The complexation of nickel by citric acid was modeled by preparing standard solutions of nickel(II) nitrate or sulfate whose Ni concentration was 2 μg/cm3 and citric acid whose concentration ranged between 100 and 500 μg/cm3. By passing these model solutions through the column, the higher the concentration of the citric acid, the greater was the shift of the Ni peak toward the retention time of the citric acid molecules detected with UV spectrometry. This may be evidence for the complexation capability of citric acid. The method was employed for xylem saps originating from nickel-contaminated cucumber plants previously grown in nitrate or urea-containing nutrient solutions. The obtained results for those real and spiked samples with citric acid showed similarity to that of the solutions containing citric acid and nickel.

Analytical methods were developed for the determination of trace elements in Antarctic krill samples applying inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were determined by ICP-AES, while Cd and Pb by GF-AAS technique. Two microwave assisted digestion procedures were elaborated for the preparation of 0.5-g krill samples using open and closed vessel systems. The efficiency of the digestion processes was checked by measurements of the total organic carbon content of the solutions obtained. The deviations of the analytical data from the certified values and the relative standard deviations of the concentration measurements were lower for all six elements investigated applying the closed vessel digestion system.

A high sensitivity sensor has been developed recently, suitable for measuring DC and/or middle frequency AC magnetic field. The device has a sensitivity better than 100 pT, it operates in a wide temperature range, it is simple and cheap. Good stability and linearity of the device have been measured. The sensor can be applied for different purposes. High sensitivity and high frequency versions of the sensor are shown in the paper with the most important technical parameters, and some application possibilities in the industry are also indicated. Results, achieved by the sensor in eddy current testing (ECT), are shown more detailed.

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an embryonic program necessary for organ development. Despite being normally dormant in adult organisms, this mechanism can be reactivated during several pathological conditions, such as cancer and fibrosis. EndMT is characterized by the downregulation of the endothelial program, activation of the mesenchymal-fibrogenic program, and finally the activation of the myogenic program. Cancer progression towards metastasis follows a defined sequence of events described as the metastatic cascade. For extravasation and transendothelial migration metastatic cells interact first with endothelial cells. Yet the role of endothelial cells during the process of metastasis formation and extravasation is still unclear, and the interaction between metastatic and endothelial cells during transendothelial migration is poorly understood. Since tumor cells are well known to express TGF-β, and the compact endothelial layer undergoes a series of changes during metastatic extravasation (cell contact disruption, cytoskeletal reorganization, contractility), we hypothesized that an EndMT may be necessary for metastatic extravasation. We show that primary rat brain endothelial cells (BECs) undergo EndMT upon TGF-β1 treatment, characterized by the loss of tight and adherent junction proteins, the expression of fibronectin, β1-integrin, calponin and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and an increase in N-cadherin levels. B16/F10 activated conditioned medium (ACM) induced claudin-5 downregulation, fibronectin and SMA expression in BECs. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling during B16/F10 ACM stimulation using SB-431542 maintained claudin-5 levels and mitigated fibronectin and SMA expression. SB-431542 prevented SMA upregulation upon stimulation of BECs with A2058, MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 ACM. Moreover, B16/F10 ACM caused a reduction in transdendothelial electrical resistance and enhanced the number of melanoma cells adhering to the endothelial layer, both in a TGF- β dependent manner. Finally, pretreatment with TGF-β1 or B16/F10 ACM enhanced transendothelial migration of B16/F10 cells. Our results indicate that an EndMT may be necessary for metastatic transendothelial migration, and may play a relevant role during the complex phenomenon known as metastatic extravasation. Citation Format: Istvan A. Krizbai, Akos Gasparics, Peter Nagyoszi, Csilla Fazakas, Imola Wilhelm, Rita Bencs, Laszlo Rosivall, Attila Sebe. An endothelial-mesenchymal transition of brain endothelial cells is required for metastatic extravasation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5179. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5179

The paper describes an efficient method to extract the B‐H nonlinear characteristic from the experimental flux‐current Φ‐I data obtained using a non‐uniform magnetic field device. Both functions are monotonically piecewise linear approximated with the same number of breakpoints. The method was successfully applied to characterize the ribbon core material of a fluxset magnetic field sector. In this case the hysteresis loop and the lumped magnetic circuit were extracted. Comparison with experimental results validates the proposed method.

During progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis, renal tubular epithelial cells transform into α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)–expressing myofibroblasts via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). SMA expression is regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and cell contact disruption, through signaling events targeting the serum response factor–myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) complex. MRTFs are important regulators of fibrosis, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Consistent with the role of MRTFs in tumor progression, suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) was recently identified as a negative regulator of MRTF. Herein, we studied the role of SCAI in a fibrotic EMT model established on LLC-PK1 cells. SCAI overexpression prevented SMA promoter activation induced by TGF-β1. When co-expressed, it inhibited the stimulatory effects of MRTF-A, MRTF-B or the constitutive active forms of RhoA, Rac1, or Cdc42 on the SMA promoter. SCAI interfered with TGF-β1–induced SMA, connective tissue growth factor, and calponin protein expression; it rescued TGF-β1–induced E-cadherin down-regulation. IHC studies on human kidneys showed that SCAI expression is reduced during fibrosis. Kidneys of diabetic rats and mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction depicted significant loss of SCAI expression. In parallel with the decrease of SCAI protein expression, diabetic rat and mouse kidneys with unilateral ureteral obstruction showed SMA expression, as evidenced by using Western blot analysis. Finally, TGF-β1 treatment of LLC-PK1 cells attenuated SCAI protein expression. These data suggest that SCAI is a novel transcriptional cofactor that regulates EMT and renal fibrosis.

Mechanical, chemical and electrochemical polishing of the sensor core material was investigated on the operation of the Fluxset magnetic field sensor. A significant improvement of the sensitivity was found after proper polishing. The phenomenon was interpreted, taking into account chemical changes in the surface region, the effect of surface roughness on domain wall motion, volume changes in the core material, and the skin effect.

The processing of the sensor core material was investigated on the operation of the Fluxset magnetic field sensor. Static and dynamic magnetic properties were measured, and the signal of the pick-up coil was investigated as a function of processing. The sensitivity and signal/noise ratio of the sensor can be improved significantly by polishing of the ribbon and heat annealing.