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In most of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) used to destroy harmful organic chemicals in water/wastewater hydroxyl radical ( • OH) reactions oxidize (increasing the oxygen/carbon ratio in the molecules) and mineralize (transforming them to inorganic molecules, H 2 O, CO 2 , etc.) these contaminants. In this paper, we used the radiolysis of water to produce • OH and characterised the rate of oxidation and mineralization by the dose dependences of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content values. Analysis of the dose dependences for 34 harmful organic compounds showed large differences in the oxidation and mineralization rates and these parameters are characteristic to the given group of chemicals. E.g., the rate of oxidation is relatively low for fluoroquinolone antibiotics; it is high for β-blocker medicines. Mineralization rates are low for both fluoroquinolones and β-blockers. The one-electron-oxidant • OH in most cases induces two - four-electron-oxidations. Most of the degradation takes place gradually, through several stable molecule intermediates. However, based on the results it is likely, that some part of the oxidation and mineralization takes place parallel. The organic radicals formed in • OH reactions react with several O 2 molecules and release several inorganic fragments during the radical life cycle., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of concomitant histological fetal inflammatory response with chorioamnionitis on neonatal outcomes through a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature., Data Sources: The primary search was conducted on October 17, 2021, and it was updated on May 26, 2023, across 4 separate databases (MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Scopus) without using any filters., Study Eligibility Criteria: Observational studies reporting obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of infant-mother dyads with histological chorioamnionitis and histological fetal inflammatory response vs infant-mother dyads with histological chorioamnionitis alone were eligible. Studies that enrolled only preterm neonates, studies on neonates born before 37 weeks of gestation, or studies on neonates with very low birthweight (birthweight <1500 g) were included. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42021283448)., Methods: The records were selected by title, abstract, and full text, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Random-effect model-based pooled odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes., Results: Overall, 50 studies were identified. A quantitative analysis of 14 outcomes was performed. Subgroup analysis using the mean gestational age of the studies was performed, and a cutoff of 28 weeks of gestation was implemented. Among neonates with lower gestational ages, early-onset sepsis (pooled odds ratio, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.76-2.84) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (pooled odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.66) were associated with histological fetal inflammatory response. Our analysis showed that preterm neonates with a concomitant histological fetal inflammatory response are more likely to develop intraventricular hemorrhage (pooled odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-2.02) and retinopathy of prematurity (pooled odds ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.82). The odds of clinical chorioamnionitis were almost 3-fold higher among infant-mother dyads with histological fetal inflammatory response than among infant-mother dyads with histological chorioamnionitis alone (pooled odds ratio, 2.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.96-4.55)., Conclusion: This study investigated multiple neonatal outcomes and found association in the case of 4 major morbidities: early-onset sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and retinopathy of prematurity., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A ten-year-long examination of macroinvertebrate community recovery was conducted following a catastrophic spill of highly alkaline red sludge (pH >13) into lowland streams. Our primary objective was to compare recovery patterns after coarse- and fine-grain disturbances, focusing on two aspects: i) trend analysis to reveal long-term changes of six community parameters, and ii) variation analyses to assess parameter changes over time. We conducted statistical analysis on long-term data series of macroinvertebrates obtained from quantitative samples collected at four sections with varying degrees of disturbance along the impacted stream sections. We developed a comprehensive theoretical framework comprising a series of sequential phases: Ramp-up, Overshoot, and Oscillation Phases. i) A trend analysis revealed that disturbances show a gradual recovery pattern, while variance analyses showed an asymptotic convergence to an equilibrium. ii) Evaluating these trends across phases unveiled that the initial recovery phase exhibited a steep trajectory, lasting 4-9 months, irrespective of disturbance severity. Coarse-grain disturbances induced a remarkable Overshoot phenomenon across all community metrics. The more severe the disturbance, the greater the height and duration of the Overshoot. Our results suggest that the presence or absence of Overshoot can serve as an indicator for coarse-grain disturbances in the context of large and infrequent disturbances (LID). The entire recovery process lasts for 2.5-3 years irrespective of the severity of the LID. In conclusion, a minimum survey duration of two and half years is deemed imperative to capture the phases of recovery, and changes associated with LID are not expected to extend beyond the three-year threshold. The theoretical framework, including Overshoot parameters, may assist future studies in comparing recovery patterns of different LID types. Furthermore, our theoretical framework is likely to be applicable to other groups of organisms given a sufficiently long monitoring of recovery, influenced also by the length of reproductive cycles., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All co-authors have seen and agree with the contents of the manuscript and there is no financial interest to report. Thus, all authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In addition to their beneficial effects on plant physiology, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are harmful to plants in elevated concentrations. This study compared the effects of two doses of MWCNT (10 and 80 mg/L) in Brassica napus and Solanum lycopersicum seedlings focusing on nitro-oxidative processes. The presence of MWCNTs was detectable in the root and hypocotyl of both species. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that MWCNTs are heavily transformed within the root cells forming large aggregates. The uptake of MWCNTs negatively affected root viability and root cell proliferation of both species, but more intense toxicity was observed in S. lycopersicum compared to B. napus. The presence of MWCNT triggered more intense protein carbonylation in the relative sensitive S. lycopersicum, where increased hydrogen peroxide levels were observed. Moreover, MWCNT exposure increased the level of physiological protein tyrosine nitration which was more intense in S. lycopersicum where notable peroxynitrite accumulation occurred. These suggest for the first time that MWCNT triggers secondary nitro-oxidative stress which contributes to its toxicity. Moreover, the results indicate that the extent of the nitro-oxidative processes is associated with the extent of MWCNT toxicity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Zsuzsanna Kolbert reports financial support was provided by National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary. Zsuzsanna Kolbert reports a relationship with National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary that includes: board membership., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although proctoclysis (enema) is a historically proven, safe and cost-effective rehydration method that needs little training for users and can effectively replace intravenous hydration in different care settings, it is an uncommon choice for hydration in children with fever and is often missing in official guidelines. To evaluate the usefulness of proctoclysis, this study provides a scoping review of the existing literature. The matched literature was labelled in 5 categories, identifying 6 indication fields that are emphasized in the literature on rectal rehydration. The analysis showed that proctoclysis is mostly used in the context of diagnostic procedures, constipation or in the treatment of a gastrointestinal disease. It is also described as a quick, safe and cost-effective intervention for fluid replacement in emergency, critical care or resource-scarce settings. There are also socio-cultural variations in its use Additionally, we performed a survey on attitudes and experience of medical doctors towards proctoclysis based on a semi-structured questionnaire. In the survey, we analysed the experience of 35 medical doctors from 8 countries. Although we found a general acceptance of enema as beneficial in both hospitalized patients and in home care, doctors expressed the need for more experience with enema and the need for more education materials in order to effectively perform the procedure. Based on our findings, we suggest that further research is necessary examining the attitude towards proctoclysis among parents, nurses and doctors. Enema can have a considerable clinical advantage during home care for gastroenteritis or other infectious diseases with fever to prevent insufficient oral fluid intake resulting in a negative fluid balance. Risks and safety issues are rare and should be considered. However, due to its low level of social acceptability in order to reduce refusal rate, more education is necessary for both medical providers and parents., (Copyright © 2022 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Microbial cells are well known to be capable of remaining viable when desiccated, and a variety of beneficial microorganisms can thus be preserved for storage. For the ubiquitous widely studied soil bacterium Azospirillum brasilense (wild-type strain Sp7), which has a significant agrobiotechnological potential owing to its plant-growth-promoting capabilities perspective for its use in biofertilisers, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (in the diffuse reflectance mode, DRIFT) was used to control the state of biomass, together with 57 Fe transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy to monitor intracellular iron speciation in live rapidly frozen cell suspension and in the lyophilised biomass (both measured at T = 80 K). It has been shown for the first time that a relatively large part of ferrous iron in live cells (22% of the whole cellular iron pool, represented by two high-spin Fe(II) forms, in the 18-h culture grown on 57 Fe(III) complex with nitrilotriacetic acid as the sole source of iron) gets largely oxidised upon lyophilisation. The remaining part of iron(II) in the resulting dry biomass was found to be ca. 3% only. The major part of ferric iron in the dry biomass was shown to be comprised of ferritin-like ferric species (giving a typical magnetically split sextet at T = 5 K), while the iron(III) formed from cellular iron(II) by oxidation in air in the course of drying remained in a paramagnetic state even at T = 5 K. The possibility of intracellular iron(II) oxidation to iron(III) upon desiccation may be a specific natural strategy to avoid cell damage caused by Fenton-type reactions in dormant (frozen, dried) cells. The results obtained may have important implications related to iron speciation and redox transformations in dried bacterial preparations intended for long-term storage., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In Hungary, N-ethyl-hexedrone (NEH) was the most frequently seized stimulant designer drug in 2017, while among synthetic cannabinoids ADB-FUBINACA and AB-FUBINACA were the most popular. Symptoms of intoxication by these substances are well known but less is known about the pathology of overdose-related death. NEH-induced fatal intoxication has not been described in the literature and knowledge surrounding the particular circumstances of death could be useful better public education of risk and more adequate treatment of overdose patients. In this report, we characterize the case of a 23-year-old male regular drug user who died a few hours after NEH and ADB-FUBINACA consumption. His medical history showed arrhythmia in childhood, and some seizures. Autopsy found he had a BMI of 42.9, a hypertrophic and dilated heart, severe atherosclerosis of the valves, coronaries and the arteries, and edema of the internal organs. Histology confirmed those findings. Postmortem blood levels of NEH were 285 ng/ml, along with 0.08 ng/ml ADB-FUBINACA and five ADB-FUBINACA metabolites. Based on the blood concentrations measured in suspected drug users (≤83.9 ng/ml) we hypothesize that NEH intoxication was the cause of death in this case, with heart disease being a co-factor and that the synthetic cannabinoid effect might have been accompaniment. This case also offered the opportunity to identify the metabolites of ADB-FUBINACA in the blood. We identified metabolites in the post-mortem blood by comparing them to human liver microsomal enzyme metabolites in vitro. Three major and two minor metabolites were found in the blood, of which two could only be derived from ADB-FUBINACA, as opposed to other cannabinoids. The case highlights the importance of the complex analysis of drug related deaths by medico-legal autopsy, histopathology and toxicology., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

SALEN- and SALAN-based complexes with catalytically active metal centers are very promising small molecules to be utilized as part of antioxidant therapies. Here we discuss a modified SALAN-type molecule armed with two phosphonate groups that significantly increase its water solubility and aid to furnish mono- or dinuclear complexes with Cu 2+ ions. The regulation of the SOD-mimicking (i.e., catalytic) disproportionation reaction of the superoxide radical anion (O 2 •- ) at pH ~7.5 could be achieved by adjusting the metal-to-ligand stoichiometry as confirmed by McCord-Fridovich and pulse radiolysis tests. The higher antioxidant activity of the dicopper complex can be explained by the better access of O 2 •- to the copper centers and their more positive Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potential. Simultaneously the analysis of in vitro effect on cells morphology indicates that cytotoxicity is also affected by the metal-to-ligand ratio, however, the active complex molecules do not show notable cytotoxicity that, together with the observed SOD-like activities, makes them potential candidates for antioxidant therapies., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Numerous studies have been published on the radiolysis of sulfonamide antibiotic solutions but little effort has been made to monitor the biological properties of degradation products. A complex approach should also clarify the changes in antibacterial activity and biodegradability, besides the usual screening of toxicity. To fill this gap, the ionizing radiation induced degradation of four sulfonamide antibiotics was investigated in dilute aqueous solutions, with emphasis on the biological assessment of decomposition products. Complete removal of sulfonamides was achieved by a low absorbed dose (1.5kGy). 2-2.5kGy dose was needed to transform the persistent initial molecules to substances biodegradable in both river water and activated sludge. The ratio of the biological and chemical oxygen demand increased from <0.21 to at least 0.59, but values as high as 0.80 were also measured. It was demonstrated that antibacterial activity is due to the initial molecules, as it disappeared when the sulfamethoxazole concentration decreased below the minimal inhibitory concentration (30 μM). This means that the products have no antibacterial activity. Toxicity testing performed on test organisms from three different trophic levels and activated sludge evidenced that the toxicity depends both on the test organism and on the sulfonamide used. The degradation of initial molecules is not always enough to eliminate the environmental risk due to the toxic products formed e.g. inhibitory effects to Vibrio fischeri increased by 34% at 2.5kGy. For this reason, complex biological assessment of treated solutions has to play an important role in development and optimization of advanced treatment techniques., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside-binding lectin that may be related to tissue sclerosis or aberrant activation of angiogenesis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of our study was to determine the associations between galectin-3 levels and patient characteristics, as well as to investigate the long term prognostic value of galectin-3 in a large cohort of SSc patients., Methods: 152 patients with SSc (55±11years, 138 female) were included in our follow-up study. Blood samples and clinical data were collected at baseline. Primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively., Resultss: Galectin-3 levels showed positive correlation with the grade of left ventricular diastolic function (r=0.193; p=0.026), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.172; p=0.036) and serum level of C-reactive protein (r=0.200; p=0.015) while negative correlation with diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (r=-0.228; p=0.006), in age, gender and BSA adjusted analyses. During the follow-up of 7.2±2.3years, 35 SSc patients (23%) died. In multivariate Cox regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, BSA, creatinine and NT-proBNP levels, galectin-3 was an independent predictor both of the all-cause mortality (HR: 2.780, 95% CI: 1.320-5.858, p=0.007) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 3.346, 95% CI: 1.118-10.012, p=0.031). Using receiver-operating characteristic analysis, galectin-3>10.25ng/ml was found to be the best predictor of the all-cause mortality., Conclusions: Our results suggest that galectin-3 is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in SSc. Validation studies are required to establish whether galectin-3 may be proposed as simple biomarker for identifying patients with high mortality risk in SSc., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In the emission ( 57 Co) variant of Mössbauer spectroscopy (EMS), the 57 Co radionuclide (with a half-life of 9months) is used that undergoes a nuclear decay 57 Co→ 57 Fe via electron capture followed by the emission of a γ-quantum, the energy of which is modified by the chemical state and the close coordination environment of the parent 57 Co atom. While EMS has been used largely in materials science and nuclear chemistry, its high sensitivity can also be of great advantage in revealing fine structural features and for speciation analysis of biological complexes, whenever the 57 Co 2+ cation can be used directly as the coordinating metal or as a substitute for native cobalt or other metal ions. As such EMS applications are yet rare, in order to reliably interpret emission spectra of sophisticated 57 Co 2+ -doped biosystems, model EMS studies of simple cobalt biocomplexes are necessary. In this work, EMS spectroscopic data are analysed and discussed for 57 Co 2+ complexes with a range of small biomolecules of different structures, including 4-n-hexylresorcinol, homoserine lactone and a few amino acids (spectra measured in rapidly frozen dilute aqueous solutions or in the dried state at T=80K). The EMS data obtained are discussed with regard to the available literature data related to the coordination modes of the biocomplexes under study., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To decrease the procedural risk of carotid revascularisation it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of procedural stroke. This study analysed the features of procedural strokes associated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) within the International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS) to identify the underlying pathophysiological mechanism., Materials and Methods: Patients with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis (1,713) were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA. Procedural strokes were classified by type (ischaemic or haemorrhagic), time of onset (intraprocedural or after the procedure), side (ipsilateral or contralateral), severity (disabling or non-disabling), and patency of the treated artery. Only patients in whom the allocated treatment was initiated were included. The most likely pathophysiological mechanism was determined using the following classification system: (1) carotid-embolic, (2) haemodynamic, (3) thrombosis or occlusion of the revascularised carotid artery, (4) hyperperfusion, (5) cardio-embolic, (6) multiple, and (7) undetermined., Results: Procedural stroke occurred within 30 days of revascularisation in 85 patients (CAS 58 out of 791 and CEA 27 out of 819). Strokes were predominately ischaemic (77; 56 CAS and 21 CEA), after the procedure (57; 37 CAS and 20 CEA), ipsilateral to the treated artery (77; 52 CAS and 25 CEA), and non-disabling (47; 36 CAS and 11 CEA). Mechanisms of stroke were carotid-embolic (14; 10 CAS and 4 CEA), haemodynamic (20; 15 CAS and 5 CEA), thrombosis or occlusion of the carotid artery (15; 11 CAS and 4 CEA), hyperperfusion (9; 3 CAS and 6 CEA), cardio-embolic (5; 2 CAS and 3 CEA) and multiple causes (3; 3 CAS). In 19 patients (14 CAS and 5 CEA) the cause of stroke remained undetermined., Conclusion: Although the mechanism of procedural stroke in both CAS and CEA is diverse, haemodynamic disturbance is an important mechanism. Careful attention to blood pressure control could lower the incidence of procedural stroke., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Since November 2009 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates have been detected in increasing numbers at the Clinical Centre University of Pécs. Molecular typing was performed for 102 clinical isolates originating from different time periods and various departments of the Clinical Centre. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the predominance of a single clone (101/102), identified as sequence type ST15. PCR and sequencing showed the presence of blaCTX-M-15 and blaVIM-4 genes. The blaVIM-4 was located on a class 1 integron designated In238b. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a blaVIM-4 gene in the predominant CTX-M-15 extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Hungarian Epidemic Clone/ST15., (© 2013 The Authors Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2013 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)

There is a growing interest towards the application of inert cores as starting materials for pharmaceutical pellet manufacturing. They serve as alternatives to develop and adapt a relatively simple manufacturing technology compared with an extrusion/spheronisation process. The major objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the compositions of core materials on the drug release profile. Pure microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), isomalt and different types of novel composite MCC-isomalt cores were layered with model drug (sodium diclofenac) and were coated with acrylic polymer. The effect of the osmolality in the gastrointestinal tract was simulated using glucose as osmotically active agent during in vitro dissolution tests. The results demonstrated the dependence of drug dissolution profile on the ratio of MCC and isomalt in the core and the influence of osmotic properties of the dissolution medium. Isomalt used in the composite core was able to decrease the vulnerability of the dissolution kinetics to the changes in the osmotic environment., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Bulky DNA adducts are widely used as biomarkers of human exposure to complex mixtures of environmental genotoxicants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The 32P-postlabelling method is highly sensitive for the detection of bulky DNA adducts, but its relatively low throughput poses limits to its use in large-scale molecular epidemiological studies. The objectives of this study were to compare the impact of DNA-sample preparation with a commercial DNA-isolation kit or with the classical phenol-extraction procedure on the measurement of bulky DNA adducts by 32P-postlabelling, and to increase the throughput of the 32P-postlabelling method--whilst maintaining radio-safety--by reducing the radioisotope requirement per sample. The test DNA samples were prepared from MCF-7 cells treated with benzo[a]pyrene and from human peripheral blood lymphocytes, buffy coat, and peripheral lung tissue. The modified 32P-postlabelling procedure involved an evaporation-to-dryness step after the enzymatic digestions of the DNA, and radio-labelling with a reduced amount of [γ-32P]ATP substrate in a reduced reaction volume compared with the regular method. Higher levels of DNA adducts were measured in the MCF-7 cells and in the lung-tissue samples after isolation with the kit than after solvent extraction. A seven-fold higher level of adducts was detected in the buffy-coat DNA samples isolated with the kit than with the phenol extraction procedure (p<0.001). Reduction of the amount of [γ-32P]ATP from 50 μCi to 25 μCi (>6000 Ci/mmol specific radioactivity) per sample in the modified 32P-postlabelling procedure was generally applicable without loss of adduct recovery for all test samples prepared with both DNA isolation methods. The difference between the bulky DNA-adduct levels resulting from the two DNA-isolation procedures requires further systematic investigation. The modified 32P-postlabelling procedure allows a 50% reduction of radioisotope requirement per sample, which facilitates increased throughput of the assay whilst maintaining radio-safety., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reaction is a form of delayed-type of hypersensitivity caused by contact allergens such as oxazolone (OXA). In previous studies it has been shown that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition reduces the extent of inflammation in CHS. We aimed to shed light on the molecular events causing the protective effect of PARP inhibitors. PARP-1 and -2 knockout mice were sensitized by abdominal delivery of OXA, and a week later CHS was induced by applying OXA on the ears of the mice. PARP-1(-/-) mice were protected against OXA-induced CHS in contrast to PARP-2(-/-) mice. In PARP-1(-/-) mice, neutrophil infiltration was reduced in line with the suppressed expression of proinflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion factors, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, which is likely because of impaired activation of NF-κB p65 and activating transcription factor-2, the two redox-sensitive transcription factors. Moreover, reduced nitrosative and oxidative stress was observed under inflammatory conditions in the PARP-1(-/-) mice when compared with PARP-1(+/+). In conclusion, PARP-1 activation is necessary for proinflammatory gene expression through which PARP-1 enhances neutrophil infiltration and hence oxidative/nitrosative stress, forming a vicious circle, and further aggravating the inflammatory process. Our data identify PARP-1 as a possible target in CHS.

Ripening is a tightly controlled and developmentally regulated process involving networks of genes, and metabolites that result in dramatic changes in fruit colour, texture and flavour. Molecular and genetic analysis in tomato has revealed a series of regulatory genes involved in fruit development and ripening, including MADS box and SPB box transcription factors and genes involved in ethylene synthesis, signalling and response. Volatile metabolites represent a significant part of the plant metabolome, playing an important role in plant signalling, defence strategies and probably in regulatory mechanisms. They also play an important role in fruit quality. In order to acquire a better insight into the biochemical and genetic control of flavour compound generation and links between these metabolites and the central regulators of ripening, five pleiotropic mutant tomato lines were subjected to volatile metabolite profiling in comparison with wild-type Ailsa Craig. One hundred and seventeen volatile compounds were identified and quantified using SPME (Solid Phase Microextraction) headspace extraction followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the data were subjected to multivariate comparative analysis. We find that the different mutants each produce distinct volatile profiles during ripening. Through principal component analysis the volatiles most dramatically affected are those derived from fatty-acids. The results are consistent with the suggestion that specific isoforms of lipoxygenase located in the plastids and the enzymes that provide precursors and downstream metabolites play a key role in determining volatile composition.

Relationships among GH genotype (AluI polymorphism), parity, metritis and interval from calving to first ovulation, milk production and body condition score (BCS) loss were determined in dairy cows (n=307) on four large-scale farms in Hungary. Cows with systemic signs of puerperal metritis or mastitis were excluded. Time of the first postpartum (PP) ovulation was obtained from milk progesterone profiles. Based on GH genotype determination, groups of leucine homozygous cows (n=246) and valine allele carriers (n=61) were formed. All animals became cyclic during the study period. The average interval to first ovulation was 27.6+/-0.69-d PP (mean+/-S.D.). Genotype had no effect on the commencement of ovarian cyclicity. First ovulation occurred sooner after calving in pluriparous than in primiparous cows. The greater BCS loss cows had during the first 30-d PP, the longer they took to resume cyclic ovarian function. The interval from calving to first ovulation was substantially affected by farm, but not by mild cases of puerperal metritis. Genotype was not related to cumulative 30-d milk yield or BCS loss after calving. Primiparous cows had lower milk yield than pluriparous ones. Cows with metritis lost more body condition than healthy individuals in the first month postpartum. We concluded that, under field conditions, AluI polymorphism of the bovine GH gene had no effect on the interval from calving to first ovulation and could not be directly related to differences in milk yield and to the extent of BCS loss during the first month after calving in Holstein-Friesian cows.

The development of cerebral cortex includes highly organized, elaborate and long-lasting series of events, which do not come to an end by the time of birth. Indeed, many developmental events continue after the 40th postconceptual week resulting in a long morphological, behavioral and cognitive development of children. Premature birth causes an untimely dramatic change in the environment of the human fetus and often results in serious threats for life. Cognitive abilities of prematurely born children vary, but a correlation between cognitive impairment and the time of birth is evident. In this study we review the morphological evidence of cortical maturation in preterm and full-term infants. Various aspects of postnatal cortical development including cell proliferation and maturation of neurons in the temporal archi- and neocortex are discussed and compared in preterm infants and age-matched full-term controls. Our results suggest that cell proliferation and maturation are not influenced by the preterm delivery. In contrast, the perinatal decrease of the number of Cajal-Retzius cells might be regulated by a mechanism that is affected by preterm birth. We demonstrate that cognitive deficiencies of the prematurely born infants cannot be explained with light microscopically observed alteration of proliferation and maturation of neurons.

Leukocyte subsets, total leukocyte isolates or full blood samples were subjected to medium-strength square-wave electric impulses (100 V/cm field force, 5 ms duration). On the surface of the leukocytes, the expressions of several markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11a, CD11b and ICAM-1) were determined in order to study the influence of pulsed ionic currents on different aspects of the cellular immune response. Large individual differences were observed among randomly chosen healthy donors, both in the initial expression rate and in the response patterns of different antigens. As a general conclusion, it can be stated that electric impulses with the above parameters activate the state of immune response alertness of human leukocytes. Changes in the activities of several enzymes in the serum in response to electric impulses were also tested in order to examine the feasibility of ex vivo electric treatment of human blood for the establishment of an antiviral and immune activated condition. Slightly elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels point to a possibility of enhanced haemolysis, while the lack of an elevation in the membrane-bound peroxidase activity indicates the absence of haemolysis. Significant rises were detected in the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Since most ex vivo blood manipulations are characterised by the appearance of superoxide radicals in the serum, a SOD activity enhancement is considered beneficial in these cases. A mild, but significant reduction in the blood clotting time indicates that electric treatment of human blood should be performed with special attention to thrombosis-prone conditions, and adequate precautions and countermeasures should be introduced. Although wider examinations are required before this method can be fully recommended, ex vivo blood treatment with medium-strength electric impulses seems to be a promising adjuvant course for the establishment of acute immune potentiation and an antiviral state in patients undergoing dialysis treatment.

This chapter summarizes the regulation of vasopressin (VP) transcription within the parvocellular neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in vivo, with special reference to stress-response and glucocorticoid feedback. VP is commonly held as the first and the most potent among the co-secretagogues that act synergistically with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF-41) to induce adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary in response to various internal and external stimuli. Cellular levels of the primary transcripts of VP and CRF genes, revealed by in situ hybridization histochemistry using probes complementary to intronic sequences, are increased after acute challenges with different time courses. In contrast to the rapid stress-induced upregulation of CRF gene expression, VP transcription shows a delayed increase suggesting different regulatory mechanisms governing the two main ACTH releasing neuropeptides in the parvocellular neurosecretory neurons. With respect of transcription factors that may mediate these effects, besides rapid phosphorylation of the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), VP activation in the parvocellular neurons requires additional newly synthesized factors such as those encoded by immediate-early genes, like c-fos. In addition, it has recently been revealed that glucocorticoid negative feedback during stress, selectively targets vasopressin transcription in the parvocellular neurons that is likely mediated by interaction of glucocorticoid receptors and immediate-early gene products. These data speak for the emerging consensus that VP is the principal factor that imparts situation-specific drive and represents the regulated variable governing hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis during stress.

The somatostatin-like (SLI), the neuropeptide Y-like (NPY-LI), and the beta-endorphin-like (BE-LI) immunoreactivities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by suboccipital puncture, or plasma from patients suffering from common migraine or other neuropsychiatric disorders were analysed. The SLI concentration was tendentiously decreased in the migraine patients during the attack-free period compared to that of a 'mixed neuropsychiatric group'. During the migraine attack the level of SLI was further decreased. Similar alteration was found in the CSF BE-LI, while the BE-LI in the plasma showed only a tendentious decrease in common migraine patients. The NPY-LI did not change during the attack period in the CSF or plasma. These findings may indicate the possible role of somatostatin in the pathogenesis of common migraine, and support earlier observations that beta-endorphin is involved in the development in this disorder.

Several doses of the C-terminal tetrapeptide fragment of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-5-8) were injected intraperitoneally (ip.) and intracerebroventricularly (icv.), and their effects on the feeding of 24-hr food-deprived rats in familiar and novel environments were studied. In the familiar environment, CCK-5-8 ip. or icv. had no effect on the food intake of the rats. In the novel environment (i.e. in an open field), CCK-5-8 showed merely slight effects on the main open-field parameters: only ip. administered CCK-5-8 enhanced the incidence of grooming. Of the feeding parameters tested in the open field, mainly the food intake/approach to food ratio was depressed by CCK-5-8 ip. or icv. The 24 mumole/kg ip. dose of CCK-5-8 decreased the food intake, while the 8 pmole icv. dose increased the number of approaches to food. After the treatments found to be the most effective, the latency to first bite was also enhanced. The results suggest that CCK-5-8 can amplify the arousal enhancement elicited by novelty through a central mechanism.

The effects of several doses of intracerebroventricularly injected cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfate ester (CCK-8-SE) and nonsulfated scholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8-NS) were studied on electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced retrograde amnesia, as measured in a one-trial step-through passive avoidance paradigm. Both CCK-8-SE and CCK-8-NS were able to attenuate amnesia slightly when they were injected into rats 10 min prior to ECS treatment, possibly by reducing the severity of the ECS-induced seizures. Of the treatments carried out immediately after ECS, only the 0.8 pmole dose of CCK-8-NS could significantly restore retrograde amnesia. After treatment 20 min prior to testing 24-hr retention, no effect of the peptides was observed. The lack of a dose-dependency and of any effect on retrieval raises the possibility that the CCK octapeptides influence memory processes by an indirect mechanism.

The effects of intraperitoneally (ip.) and intracerebroventricularly (icv.) administered sulfated and nonsulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8-SE and CCK-8-NS) and their N- and C-terminal fragments on the tail-pinch-induced feeding behavior of rats were investigated. After ip. administration, only CCK-8-SE inhibited tail-pinch-induced food intake. After icv. administration, both CCK-8-SE and CCK-8-NS, in doses of 800 pmole/rat, reduced the amount of food eaten. Of the CCK fragments tested icv., the sulfated N-terminal fragments, the middle portion of the CCK-8-sequence (the CCK-3-6 fragment), and the C-terminal tetrapeptide depressed the food intake of rats during tail-pinch, whereas the C-terminal tripeptide significantly increased it. The results suggest that CCK peptides inhibit tail-pinch-induced feeding by separate mechanisms, depending on the route of administration.

The catalepsy induced by subcutaneously (sc.) and intracerebroventricularly (icv.) administered cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfate ester (CCK-8-SE) and desulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8-NS), and the effects of CCK-8-SE and CCK-8-NS on haloperidol-induced catalepsy, were investigated in mice. The results demonstrate the bimodal effect of CCK octapeptides in a catalepsy test. With sc. administration CCK-8-SE in the doses of 0.4 or 0.8 mumole/kg, but not CCK-8-NS at any dose, induced catalepsy. Furthermore, the catalepsy induced by CCK-8-SE was of short duration. With icv. administration only 40 pmole CCK-8-NS induced significant catalepsy. When 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mumole/kg sc. doses of CCK-8-NS or 0.4 pmole icv. dose of CCK-8-SE or CCK-8-NS was given in combination with intraperitoneal (ip.) administration of 1.0 mg/kg haloperidol, the total duration of catalepsy was suppressed. Finally, CCK-8-SE sc. when given in combination with haloperidol ip., exerted a biphasic, synergistic-antagonistic effect on the haloperidol-induced catalepsy.

The effect of enzyme concentration on the H2-uptake and H2-evolving activities of the reversible hydrogenase from Thiocapsa roseopersicina was examined. In the activity range assayed by a spectrophotometric technique the apparent H2-uptake specific activity varied greatly with hydrogenase concentration. Study of H2-evolving activity measured by the H2 electrode method and compared with a gas chromatographic assay also indicated that specific activity was highly dependent on enzyme concentration. The results indicate that the widely applied hydrogenase assays give systematically erroneous specific activity values. These assays should be used only for relative measurements and the hydrogenase concentration in the reaction mixture should be kept constant. To make the data from various laboratories comparable the assay parameters should be standardized.

A new strategy was devised for the targeted immobilization of ligands on aminohexyl- and carboxyhexyl-agarose. Selectively protected neurotransmitter amino acids and neuropeptides were coupled to amino or carboxyl group-containing agarose derivatives using activated esters, mixed anhydrides or carbodiimides. After coupling, agarose beads were dehydrated and the protecting groups were cleaved in non-aqueous media with acids (trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid). Agarose beads were rehydrated and applied for affinity chromatography and cell surface recognition. The same compounds were coupled to derivatized polyacrylamide beads containing primary amino (Acrylex A), acyl hydrazide (Acrylex AH-100) or carboxyl (Acrylex C-100) groups. Protecting groups were removed by acidolytic cleavage. Oxytocin, vasopressin, tetra- and pentagastrin, cholecystokinin, leucine-enkephalin and carboxyl-bearing derivatives of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline, dopamine, histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid were immunobilized on agarose and on derivatized polyacrylamide gels.

The effects of sample geometry and enzyme concentration on the H2-evolving activity of hydrogenase from Thiocapsa roseopersicina was measured. The specific activity increased linearly with increasing interface area between the liquid and the gas phase. Enzyme concentration was varied over four orders of magnitude and within this range the apparent specific activity depended on hydrogenase concentration. The experimental findings have been interpreted by a mathematical model involving competing H2 consumption reactions. The observed phenomena interfere with the widely used hydrogenase assay so that most of the previously published specific activity values are underestimated and should be corrected. The systematic error due to these hitherto unspecified parameters can easily exceed 10 000%; therefore, a thorough standardization of the assay procedure is necessary in order to make the data from various laboratories comparable.