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A bio-economic model was used to estimate economic values of 15 milk production, functional, growth and carcass traits for Hungarian Holstein-Friesian cattle. The calculations were carried out for the situation in Hungary from 2000 to 2007, assuming no production quotas. The marginal economic values were defined as partial derivatives of the profit function with respect to each trait in a production system with dairy cow herds and with sales of surplus male calves. The economic weights for maternal and direct components of traits were calculated multiplying the marginal economic values by the number of discounted expression summed over a 25-year investment period for 2-year-old bulls (candidates for selection). The standardized economic weight (economic weight × genetic standard deviation) of the trait or trait component expressed as percentage of the sum of the standardized economic weights for all traits and trait components represented the relative economic importance of this trait or trait component. The highest relative economic importance was obtained for milk yield (25%), followed by productive lifetime of cows (23%), protein yield and the direct component of a cow’s total conception rate (9% each), the maternal effect of the total conception rate of cows and the somatic cell score (approximately 7% each), fat yield (5%) and mature weight of cows and daily gain in rearing of calves (approximately 4% each). Other functional traits (clinical mastitis incidence, calving difficulty score, total conception rate of heifers and calf mortality) reached a relative economic importance between 0.5% and 2%. Birth weight and dressing percentage were least important (<0.5%). Based on these results, the inclusion of productive lifetime and cow fertility in the breeding programme for Holstein-Friesian cattle in Hungary is advisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heat and mass transfer model of continuous drying of farmer stock (in-shell, uncured) peanuts (Arachis hypogaeaL.) in a planar microwave applicator was developed and investigated. Transport phenomena equations previously developed for batch-type microwave drying were successfully adapted to account for the spatial variation of the electric field inside the applicator. The theoretical equations developed, together with experimental methods, were used to determine the effect of microwave power level and dielectric properties on the temperature profiles and reduction in peanuts’ moisture content (mc). The temperature profiles from the solution of these equations matched the experimental ones determined using fiber optic temperature probes inserted into drying peanut pods. An exact theoretical determination of mc reduction during microwave drying was not possible due to the dependence of dielectric properties on mc. The surface temperature distribution of the peanut bed measured using infrared pyrometry was well correlated with internal temperature profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Becker B, Multhoff G, Farkas B, Wild P-J, Landthaler M, Stolz W, Vogt T. Induction of Hsp90 protein expression in malignant melanomas and melanoma metastases. The heat-shock protein Hsp90 has been shown to be essential for the functional integrity of the telomerase complex. The telomerase activity is enhanced in melanoma and stabilizes the chromosomal integrity in proliferating cells. Furthermore, overexpression of Hsp90 induces silencing of point mutations in transcription factors which, otherwise, would result in a loss-of-function phenotype. In melanocytic lesions there is a higher risk of mutations caused by the enhanced proliferation in melanocytic cells. By analyzing microdissected melanocytic tumors by semiquantitative PCR, we demonstrate an overexpression of Hsp90 mRNA in malignant melanomas (10/14) and in melanoma metastases (6/6) as well as in melanoma cell lines (9/9) when compared with melanocytic nevi (2/9). These results could be confirmed on protein level by immunohistochemistry. While melanocytic nevi show discrete Hsp90 expression only in a minor fraction (2/9), malignant melanomas and metastases show a positive Hsp90 immunohistochemistry in the majority of cases; (7/9) and (13/14), respectively. In addition, by analyzing melanoma metastases by flow cytometry we show that Hsp90 is expressed on the surface of tumor cells (7/8). From these data we conclude that Hsp90 is present in advanced malignant melanomas and may have a stabilizing effect on the cellular functions in proliferating cells of melanocytic lesions and could thereby be a prerequisite for the tumor progression. As Hsp90 is expressed on the cell surface, it might also be a potential immunorelevant target structure for immunotherapy of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moisture and mass loss were determined during atmospheric steam cooking of skipjack tuna by measurement of muscle moisture content in whole fish and on-line measurement of mass and temperature in fillets. Thermal denaturation temperatures of muscle proteins were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Muscle moisture content and mass loss were dependent on muscle temperature. Temperature distribution was predicted and mass loss rates were calculated in fillets. A decreasing rate of mass loss was followed by a steady rate period and a resumption of a decreasing rate period. The increased loss of mass during the steady period corresponded to thermal denaturation temperatures of muscle proteins. Changes in mass loss rates resulted from a gradient of muscle changes produced by the temperature gradient created during cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the conference paper "In-vivo validation of the XI VOCAL™ three-dimensional sonographic volumetry with the assessment of urinary retention after radical hysterectomy," by M. G. Vizer, and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "The reproducibility of the XI VOCAL™ three-dimensional sonographic volumetry in the measurement of irregular-shape objects," by L. Farkas, and colleagues is presented.

BSTRACT: Chunks of freshwater trout muscle were immersed in sorbitol solutions (0% to 60%), under different vacuum conditions, for up to 30 min at 5 °C. Moisture loss, weight change, and sorbitol uptake were measured or calculated by mass balance, and cryoprotection during subsequent freezing and thawing was monitored as change in myosin Ca2+ ATPase activity. Vacuum treatment had no effect on measured parameters. Initial sorbitol uptake and weight loss were greater at higher sorbitol concentrations, but adequate cryoprotection was achieved by all treatments when diffusion time following immersion was extended sufficiently. Injection of 60% sorbitol was faster in achieving desired levels of sorbitol in fish meat and induced excellent cryoprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Terbinafine-Treatment of Onychomycosis in Patients Taking Oral Antidiabetic Drugs: A Multicentre Trial," by B. Farkas and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Onychomycosis - Reasons of Unsuccessful Treatment: Host Factors and Diagnosis," by B. Farkas is presented.

Aim: Cariprazine, a dopamine D 3 -preferring D 3 /D 2 receptor partial agonist, is FDA approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder. This study used in vivo electrophysiological techniques in anesthetized rats to determine cariprazine's effect on dopaminergic cell activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc)., Methods: Extracellular recordings of individual dopaminergic neurons were performed after oral or intravenous administration of cariprazine, the D 3 receptor antagonist SB 277011A, the D 2 receptor antagonist L741,626, and/or the D 3 receptor agonist PD 128,907., Results: Acute oral treatment with cariprazine significantly increased and chronic cariprazine significantly decreased the number of spontaneously firing dopaminergic neurons in the VTA, but not in the SNc. Intravenous administration of cariprazine partially but significantly inhibited dopaminergic neuronal firing in both regions, which was prevented by L741,626 but not SB 277011A. In both VTA and SNc, cariprazine, SB 277011A, and L741,626 significantly antagonized the suppression of dopamine cell firing elicited by PD 128,907., Conclusions: Cariprazine significantly modulates the number of spontaneously active VTA dopamine neurons and moderately suppresses midbrain dopamine neuronal activity. The contribution of dopamine D 2 receptors to cariprazine's in vivo effects is prevalent and that of D 3 receptors is less apparent., (© 2018 The Authors. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Problem: The objective of this study was to compare the expressions of different immune-checkpoint molecules by MAIT and MAIT-like cells in healthy pregnancy and in early-onset pre-eclampsia., Method of Study: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stained with monoclonal antibodies to characterize MAIT and MAIT-like cells. Flow cytometric analyses were used to measure PD-1, TIM-3, activation markers, and intracellular perforin expression., Results: We identified CD3+/CD8+/Vα7.2+/CD161++ MAIT cells and a minor cell population characterized by CD3+/CD8+/Vα7.2+/CD161 lo surface markers. In measuring the expression of PD-1 receptor, we found a significantly lower expression by MAIT cells in women with early-onset pre-eclampsia. CD69 expression by MAIT cells was significantly elevated in early-onset pre-eclamptic patients. Intracellular perforin content by MAIT and PD-1+ MAIT cells was significantly increased in pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy individuals., Conclusion: Altered frequency and reduced PD-1 expression combined together with the elevated perforin content of MAIT cells insinuate their potential roles in the pathogenesis of early-onset pre-eclampsia., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

PROBLEM  The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotype and commitment of decidual haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in healthy pregnant women and in women with early miscarriage. METHOD OF STUDY  Peripheral blood and decidual tissue from healthy and pathological pregnant women were examined for HPCs and lymphoid progenitors using flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS  Compared with peripheral blood, we found a significant increase in decidual HPCs in both healthy pregnant women and women with spontaneous abortion. T/NK, natural killer (NK), gamma-delta and NKT cell progenitors were identified in all peripheral blood and decidual samples. In pathologic pregnant women, the ratios of decidual T/NK and NK cell progenitors were significantly increased compared with healthy pregnant controls. CONCLUSION  We demonstrated decidual cells with haematopoietic progenitor cell phenotype in human decidua. Increased levels of NK progenitors in the decidua of women with early spontaneous abortion suggest a dysregulation of this pathway that may contribute to pregnancy failure., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Objective: To determine whether proinflammatory cytokine treatment or the complete absence of select cytokines modulates the expression of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in synovial fibroblasts., Methods: Fibroblasts were isolated from normal and rheumatoid human synovium and from normal or arthritic joints of wild-type and cytokine gene-deficient (interleukin-4-knockout [IL-4 (-/-)] and interferon-gamma-knockout [IFNgamma (-/-)]) mice. Fibroblasts were stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha], IL-1beta, and IL-17) or antiosteoclastogenic cytokines (IL-4 and IFNgamma), alone or in combination, and the expression of RANKL and OPG was measured., Results: Proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated fibroblasts from rheumatoid and arthritic mouse joints expressed higher levels of RANKL and OPG than those from normal joints. IL-4 suppressed RANKL expression and increased OPG expression, IFNgamma reduced the production of both RANKL and OPG, and IL-17 had only a modest effect on the expression of RANKL or OPG. Additive effects of combination treatment (TNFalpha/IL-17 or IL-1beta/IL-17) were observed only in the human system. Extensive destruction was observed in the arthritic joints of IL-4 (-/-) mice, with a corresponding upward shift of the RANKL:OPG ratios. However, an IL-17 deficiency did not attenuate arthritis or reduce bone resorption., Conclusion: Proinflammatory cytokines induce the expression of RANKL and OPG in both human and murine synovial fibroblasts. The RANKL:OPG ratios are shifted in favor of bone protection by IL-4 treatment, and, to a lesser extent, by IFNgamma treatment. Unexpectedly, an IL-17 deficiency alone does not induce reduced inflammatory bone destruction. Our results suggest that synovial fibroblasts may significantly contribute to bone resorption through modulation of RANKL and OPG production in a cytokine-rich milieu of inflamed joints.

Calpains, the Ca(2+)-dependent thiol proteases, are abundant in the nervous tissue. The ubiquitous enzyme forms in mammals are heterodimers consisting of a specific, micro or m, large (catalytic) subunit and, apparently, a common small (regulatory) subunit (CSS1). Recently, however, we described a second form of small subunit (CSS2), which is of restricted occurrence [Schád, E., Farkas, A., Jékely, G., Tompa, P. & Friedrich, P. (2002) Biochem. J., 362, 383-388]. Here we analysed the distribution of immunoreactivity in various parts of rat brain against two anti-CSS1 and two anti-CSS2 antibodies by correlated light and electron microscopy. Remarkably, the antibodies showed differential distribution in various parts of rat cortex: anti-CSS1 reacted mainly with perikarya and dendrites, whereas anti-CSS2 was more prominent in axons. In serial sections CSS2 and synaptophysin gave very similar patterns, i.e. these epitopes seem to colocalize. Electron microscopy confirmed that CSS1 was mainly localized postsynaptically in dendrites and somata, whereas CSS2 was found presynaptically. The hypothesis is advanced that these distinct distributions of calpain subunits may be related to the transport of these enzymes in nerve cells.