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The molecular geometry, electronic structure and electronic spectra and the energy levels of the molecular orbitals responsible for the photophysical characteristics of a series of solvent tunable [Ru(x,x′-dmb)(CN)4]2−complexes (where x,x′-dmb = x,x′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) were calculated by density-functional theory-based quantum chemical methods, with the purpose of proposing for experimental study the best candidate for sensitizing electron- and energy transfer processes or for light induced structural changes in the molecule. The methods applied include geometry optimization using the B3LYP functional combination and various basis sets, time-dependent density functional theory with the B3LYP and PBE0 functionals, with and without explicit inclusion of coordinated solvent H2O molecules and the conductor-like polarizable continuum model for solvation. The accuracy of the theoretical predictions was tested by experiments: the model compounds have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods, such as 1H-NMR, UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy and by cyclic voltammetry. Excellent correlation was found between the theoretically calculated and the experimentally determined photophysical and photochemical characteristics. The electronic transition energies measured in water are superbly reproduced by TD-PBE0 and well by TD-B3LYP, but the performance of both functionals is worse if the solvent is acetonitrile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the terra-cotta sculpture "Fishermen's Wives," by Margit Kovács, 1968.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between PPAR-gamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism and laboratory characteristics of carbohydrate metabolism in children and adolescents with obesity. In addition, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and soluble form of its receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) were assessed., Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 79 obese children and adolescents of Caucasian origin were investigated. PPAR-gamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction--restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were measured by enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay., Results: The minor Ala allele frequency was found to be 14.56% in our cohort. No significant differences in age, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum lipid, uric acid, TNF-alpha, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 values were found between carriers of the Ala allele (Pro/Ala and Ala/Ala; n=21) vs. homozygous carriers of the Pro allele (Pro/Pro; n=58). However, post-challenge (120 min) plasma glucose and insulin values were significantly lower in Ala allele carriers vs. homozygous Pro allele carriers (6.56 +/- 0.26 vs. 7.36 +/- 0.25 mmol/L and 65.9 +/- 13.8 vs. 111.8 +/- 20.7 microU/mL, respectively; p < 0.05); while no significant differences were found at fasting state., Conclusions: The association between PPAR-gamma2 Prol2Ala polymorphism and glucose metabolism is already present in children and adolescents with obesity who might be at the very beginning of the natural course of type 2 diabetes. At this stage, higher insulin sensitivity can be detected in Ala allele carriers compared to homozygous Pro subjects at post-challenge but not in fasting state; however, the TNF-system seems not to be involved in the alteration of glucose homeostasis due to PPAR-gamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism.

Three adducts have been prepared from Hg(CN)(2) and square planar M(II)(CN)(4)(2)(-) transition metal cyanides (M = Pt, Pd, or Ni, with d(8) electron shell) as solids. The structure of the compounds K(2)PtHg(CN)(6).2H(2)O (1), Na(2)PdHg(CN)(6).2H(2)O (2), and K(2)NiHg(CN)(6).2H(2)O (3) have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy in the solid state. The structure of K(2)PtHg(CN)(6).2H(2)O consists of one-dimensional wires. No CN(-) bridges occur between the heterometallic centers. The wires are strictly linear, and the Pt(II) and Hg(II) centers alternate. The distance d(Hg)(-)(Pt) is relatively short, 3.460 A. Time-resolved luminescence spectra indicate that Hg(CN)(2) units incorporated into the structure act as electron traps and shorten the lifetime of both the short-lived and longer-lived exited states in 1 compared to K(2)[Pt(CN)(4)].2H(2)O. The structures of Na(2)PdHg(CN)(6).2H(2)O and K(2)NiHg(CN)(6).2H(2)O can be considered as double salts; the lack of heterometallophilic interaction between the remote Hg(II) and Pd(II) atoms, d(Hg)(-)(Pd) = 4.92 A, and Hg(II) and Ni(II) atoms, d(Hg)(-)(Ni) = 4.61 A, is apparent. Electron binding energy values of the metallic centers measured by XPS show that there is no electron transfer between the metal ions in the three adducts. In solution, experimental findings clearly indicate the lack of metal-metal bond formation in all studied Hg(II)-CN(-)-M(II)(CN)(4)(2)(-) systems (M = Pt, Pd, or Ni).

Multiple immune mediators have been mentioned as playing a role in the pathomechanism of type1 DM. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha play a central role in the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, whereas IL-6 inhibits TNF-alpha secretion, and may have some protecting effects. In our study, we aimed to investigate the association between these three cytokines' single nucleotide polymorphisms (IL-6 gene G(-174)C, TNF-alpha gene G(-308)A and IL-1beta gene C(3954)T polymorphisms) and age-at-onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in 165 diabetic children (median age: 17 years). Polymorphisms were determined using the PCR-RFLP method. We found that the age-at-onset of T1DM was significantly different in patients with a different IL-6 genotype (median age-at-onset of T1DM was: 8, 6 and 4.5 years in children with the (-174)GG, GC and CC genotypes, respectively; p < 0.01). Adjusted for TNF-alpha and IL-1beta polymorphisms, patients with a IL-6 (-174)CC genotype have a 3.0-fold (95% CI: 1.2-7.1) increased risk of developing diabetes before the age of 6 years than (-174)G allele carrier patients. However, we found this association to be present only in patients who carried the TNF-alpha (-308)A or IL-1beta (3954)T allele, i.e. in patients with high TNF-alpha and high IL-1beta producer genotypes. We suppose that in the case of high TNF-alpha and IL-1beta producer genotypes, elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels result in a higher production of IL-6 in (-174)G allele carrier patients. This elevated IL-6 level may have a protective effect against the development of T1DM and may delay the destruction of pancreatic beta-cells.

The authors review a case of a 24-year-old male patient hospitalised for repeated acute abdominal symptoms. His medical history included no diseases worth of mentioning. By imaging techniques (abdominal US and CT scan) a cystic lesion, measuring 40 x 35 x 30 mm in diameter was found, and was diagnosed as pseudocyst in the region of the tail of the pancreas. Jejunal feeding was introduced. The lesion did not improve and the second CT scan suggested a suspicion of pancreatic cystadenoma. Three months after first presentation the surgical resection was performed. The tumour, however, was found independent of the pancreas (90 x 80 x 50 mm). Both histologically and immunohistochemically the lesion proved to be the metastasis of a germ cell (yolk-sac) tumour. Following the morphological diagnosis, detailed urological and medical check up was performed. A previously nonpalpable small tumour was found in the left testis which was radically resected. The testicular tumour measuring 9 x 9 x 5 mm in diameter was diagnosed as embryonal carcinoma. Later on the patient underwent chemotherapy. He has been undergoing close oncological followup. Clinically, he is disease free. Authors emphasize the importance of imaging techniques and fine needle aspiration cytology in the case of retroperitoneal masses in young males. The possibility of a metastasis, especially of germ cell origin, should be excluded (not only by physical examination, but by ultrasound of testis also) in case of retroperitoneal cystic tumours even with unusual morphology.

The authors describe the case of a 6-months-old child with liver tumour. The newborn was healthy until 6 months of age. Prior to hospitalization meteorism and remarkably enlarged liver were observed. A tumour occupying the right lobe of the liver was found with ultrasound and computer tomography, which proved to be inoperable. Intraoperative liver biopsy and few days later the autopsy histology showed a malignant rhabdoid tumour. Authors describe the clinical and morphological features of a rare case of primary hepatic rhabdoid tumour.

Among the genes and proteins of the human immune system, complement component C4 is extraordinary in its frequent germline variation in the size and number of genes. Definitive genotypic and phenotypic analyses were performed on a central European population to determine the C4 polygenic and gene size variations and their relationships with serum C4A and C4B protein concentrations and hemolytic activities. In a study population of 128 healthy subjects, the number of C4 genes present in a diploid genome varied between two to five, and 77.4% of the C4 genes belonged to the long form that contains the endogenous retrovirus HERV-K(C4). Intriguingly, higher C4 serum protein levels and higher C4 hemolytic activities were often detected in subjects with short C4 genes than those with long genes only, suggesting a negative epistatic effect of HERV-K(C4) on the expression of C4 proteins. Also, the body mass index appeared to affect the C4 serum levels, particularly in the individuals with medium or high C4 gene dosages, a phenomenon that was dissimilar in several aspects from the established correlation between body mass index and serum C3. As expected, there were strong, positive correlations between total C4 gene dosage and serum C4 protein concentrations, and between serum C4 protein concentrations and C4 hemolytic activities. There were also good correlations between the number of long genes with serum levels of C4A, and the number of short genes with serum levels of C4B. Thus, the polygenic and gene size variations of C4A and C4B contribute to the quantitative traits of C4 with a wide range of serum protein levels and hemolytic activities, and consequently the power of the innate defense system.