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ABSTRACT Using data from the Hungarian-made Automated Telescope Network (HATNet) survey for transiting exoplanets, we measure photometric rotation periods for 368 Pleiades stars with 0.4 ≲ M≲ 1.3 M⊙. We detect periodic variability for 74 per cent of the cluster members in this mass range that are within our field-of-view, and 93 per cent of the members with 0.7 ≲ M≲ 1.0 M⊙. This increases, by a factor of 5, the number of Pleiades members with measured periods. We compare these data to the rich sample of spectroscopically determined projected equatorial rotation velocities ( v sin i) available in the literature for this cluster. Included in our sample are 14 newly identified probable cluster members which have proper motions, photometry and rotation periods consistent with membership. For stars with M≳ 0.85 M⊙ the rotation periods, v sin i and radius estimates are consistent with the stars having an isotropic distribution of rotation axes, if a moderate differential rotation law is assumed. For stars with M≲ 0.85 M⊙, the inferred sin i values are systematically larger than 1.0. These observations imply that the combination of measured parameters P( v sin i)/ R is too large by ∼ 24 per cent for low-mass stars in this cluster. By comparing our new mass-period relation for the Pleiades to the slightly older cluster M35, we confirm previous indications that the spin-down stalls at ∼ 100 Myr for the slowest rotating stars with 0.7 ≲ M≲ 1.1 M⊙- a fact which may indicate that the internal transport of angular momentum is inefficient in slowly rotating solar-mass stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous works indicated a considerable variation in the pathogenicity, virulence, and host range of Oidium neolycopersici isolates causing tomato powdery mildew epidemics in many parts of the world. In this study, rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) patterns were analyzed in 17 O. neolycopersici samples collected in Europe, North America, and Japan, including those which overcame some of the tomato major resistance genes. The ITS sequences were identical in all 10 samples tested and were also identical to ITS sequences of eight previously studied O. neolycopersici specimens. The AFLP analysis revealed a high genetic diversity in O. neolycopersici and indicated that all 17 samples represented different genotypes. This might suggest the existence of either a yet unrevealed sexual reproduction or other genetic mechanisms that maintain a high genetic variability in O. neolycopersici. No clear correlation was found between the virulence and the AFLP patterns of the O. neolycopersici isolates studied. The relationship between O. neolycopersici and powdery mildew anamorphs infecting Aquilegia vulgaris, Chelidonium majus, Passiflora caerulea, and Sedum alboroseum was also investigated. These anamorphs are morphologically indistinguishable from and phylogenetically closely related to O. neolycopersici. The cross-inoculation tests and the analyses of ITS sequences and AFLP patterns jointly indicated that the powdery mildew anamorpbs collected from the above mentioned plant species all represent distinct, but closely related species according to the phylogenetic species recognition. All these species were pathogenic only to their original host plant species, except O. neolycopersici which infected S. alboroseum, tobacco, petunia, and Arabidopsis thaliana, in addition to tomato, in cross-inoculation tests. This is the first genome-wide study that investigates the relationships among powdery mildews that are closely related based on ITS sequences and morphology. The results indicate that morphologically indistinguishable powdery mildews that differed in only one to five single nucleotide positions in their ITS region are to be considered as different taxa with distinct host ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three common European 'anthrophilic' ticks, Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Dermacentor reticulatus, were collected in Hungary and tested, in assays based on nested PCR, for rickettsiae of the spotted-fever group. Low percentages of I. ricinus (2.7%) and H. concinna (1.0%) and a high percentage of D. reticulatus (26.8%) were found to be infected. The rickettsiae in the ticks were then identified, by sequencing of the genes coding for 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rDNA), citrate synthase (gltA) and the rOmpA outer-membrane protein (ompA), as Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia sp. RpA4, or what is probably a newly recognized Rickettsia species ('Candidatus Rickettsia kotlanii'). These results raise the possibility that rickettsiae other than Rickettsia slovaca are involved in human disease in Hungary. Current knowledge on the distributions of the rickettsiae of the spotted-fever group that are emerging in Europe is also summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is the major myiasis-causing fly species in the whole of Eurasia for most important domestic animals. The aim of the present work was to obtain data on the culturable bacteria isolated under aerobic conditions from this fly: bacteria were isolated from all developmental stages (larvae, pupa, and imago) of Wohlfahrtia magnifica, and the third-stage larval organs were also sampled. To determine the possible antagonistic effects between the dominant bacterial groups, an antibiosis assay was carried out. Plating and isolation of bacteria was performed by classical microbiological methods. Characterization of the isolated strains was carried out via a polyphasic approach; classical phenotypic tests, chemotaxonomical examinations, and 16S rDNA sequence analyses were also applied. In the case of maggot macerate samples, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were characteristic. Members of a new genus ( Schineria) belonging to the γ subdivision of proteobacteria were also isolated. According to our data, the shifts in the Schineria and Proteus populations within the larvae are strongly influenced by their interactions with each other and among the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The pupa and imago samples contained several other Gram-negative bacteria ( Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, etc.). Among Gram-positive bacteria, in all maggot macerate samples, members of the genus Bacillus and the Arthrobacter– Micrococcus group of actinobacteria were dominant (neither of them was a producer or sensitive to the compounds of other microorganisms), and bacteria related to the genus Corynebacterium were also found. From the larvae Aureobacterium liquefaciens and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated, and from the pupae Dietzia maris and Enterococcus faecalis. In the samples of third-stage larval organs, the dominant groups were the same as in the third-stage larval macerate sample; however, several additional genera/species were observed ( Rhodococcus fascians, Streptomyces sp., Rathayibacter sp., Bacillus thuringiensis/cereus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE To present the clinical features and facts on prognosis, therapy and diagnostics of orbital metastases treated in the Orbital Center Kiel. METHODS We reviewed the records of 20 patients with orbital metastases (ca. 24570360f all orbital patients seen in a 10-year period). RESULTS The mean age at first manifestation of orbital symptoms was 64 years. On average, 64 months was the period of time between the onset of the primary disease and orbital manifestation. The sites of the primary tumors were breast (8), choroid (2), prostate (2), gastrointestinal tract (3), lung (2), urinary bladder (1), Schmincke tumor of the throat (1) and unknown origin (1). Eleven patients were female, 9 male. The main primary symptoms consisted of lid swelling (11), red eye (9), diplopia (10), and proptosis (7). Although the majority (16/20) were treated by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, 19 patients died after a mean survival time of 14.7 months. CONCLUSION Orbital metastases remain an unfavourable prognostic factor, but the diagnosis and treatment are still important in order to prevent loss of vision and improve the patient's quality of life. As previous studies have shown, the overall survival rate is still as limited as nearly half a century ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retained biliary stones is a common clinical problem in patients after surgery for complicated gallstone disease. When postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy are unsuccessful, several percutaneous procedures for stone removal can be applied as alternatives to relaparotomy. These procedures are performed either under fluoroscopic control or with the use of choledochoscopy, but it is also possible to combine these methods.Methods: Since 1994, we have used the percutaneous video choledochoscopic technique for the removal of difficult retained biliary stones via dilated T-tube tract in 17 patients, applying the technique of percutaneous stone extraction used in urology. While waiting for the T-tube tract to mature and after the removal of the T-tube, the dilatation of its tract was 26-30 Fr. Stone removal was carried out using a flexible video choledochoscope and a rigid renoscope under fluoroscopic control, with the aid of Dormia baskets, rigid forceps, and high-pressure irrigation.Results: We performed 23 operative procedures, and the clearance of the biliary ducts was successful in all cases. There were no major complications or deaths.Conclusion: Percutaneous video choledochoscopic-assisted removal of large retained biliary stones via the T-tube tract is a highly effective and safe procedure. Its advantages over other procedures include the ability to visualize the stones and noncalculous filling defects; it also guarantees that the stones can be removed under visual video endoscopic control. It has no problems related to tract or stone size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty maize hybrids grown in Hungary representing groups FAO 200–299, FAO 400–499 and FAO 500-were studied in order to obtain information about genotypic resistance to Fusarium moulds. The plants were grown on an experimental farm and were inoculated using the toothpick method with Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum. In addition maize grain meals were also inoculated with isolates of moulds. Measurements were made of the mould-covered surface area of the ears 9 weeks after inoculation and of the zearalenone and T2-toxin content of the inoculated maize meals. Large differences among hybrids were observed for the mould-covered area of the ear surface (2.00–38.88%), the zearalenone content (4.20–71.20 mg/kg) and the T2-toxin content (1.60–122.50 mg/kg). Relatively poor correlation (r=0.489) was found between the area of mould covering the ear surface and mycotoxin content of maize. Bearing in mind that the user of feed grain is interested in obtaining a feed with the lowest mycotoxin content, a new method of evaluation of hybrids which uses a toxin–mould index (TMI) was introduced. This index is calculated on the basis of both growth rate of moulds and their toxin-producing activity. Although a decreasing tendency in resistance of hybrids with a longer growing vegetation period could be observed, resistant genotypes were found in every FAO group, confirming the views that in addition to the influence of duration of the vegetation period on the resistance, genetic factors may also play a significant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Among diabetic patients eating disorders are not uncommon, one of the most frequent is night eating. [Extracted from the article]

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prediction potential of a computer tomography (CT) data collection protocol for determining total body composition used for analysis of tibiotarsal bone quality features. 2. The CT image acquisition was performed on 54 healthy TETRA SL genotype laying hens at 90 weeks of age as well as in the 69th week of the egg production period in vivo and their tibiotarsal bones, ex vivo. 3. Breaking strengths and ash content of the tibiotarsal bones were estimated based on the calculated mineral density of skeletal and tibiotarsal bones by means of CT with an estimation accuracy R2 0.963 and 0.975, respectively. 4. In conclusion, the current investigation demonstrated that the acquisition protocol of CT for total-body composition analysis has a good potential for measuring the mineral status and breaking strength of the reference bone in laying hen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During various surveys of Phytophthora diversity in Europe, Chile and Vietnam slow growing oomycete isolates were obtained from rhizosphere soil samples and small streams in natural and planted forest stands. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences from the nuclear ITS, LSU, ß-tubulin and HSP90 loci and the mitochondrial cox1 and NADH1 genes revealed they belong to six new species of a new genus, officially described here as Nothophytophthora gen. nov., which clustered as sister group to Phytophthora. Nothophytophthora species share numerous morphological characters with Phytophthora: persistent (all Nothophytophthora spp.) and caducous (N. caduca, N. chlamydospora, N. valdiviana, N. vietnamensis) sporangia with variable shapes, internal differentiation of zoospores and internal, nested and extended (N. caduca, N. chlamydospora) and external (all Nothophytophthora spp.) sporangial proliferation; smooth-walled oogonia with amphigynous (N. amphigynosa) and paragynous (N. amphigynosa, N. intricata, N. vietnamensis) attachment of the antheridia; chlamydospores (N. chlamydospora) and hyphal swellings. Main differing features of the new genus are the presence of a conspicuous, opaque plug inside the sporangiophore close to the base of most mature sporangia in all known Nothophytophthora species and intraspecific co-occurrence of caducity and non-papillate sporangia with internal nested and extended proliferation in several Nothophytophthora species. Comparisons of morphological structures of both genera allow hypotheses about the morphology and ecology of their common ancestor which are discussed. Production of caducous sporangia by N. caduca, N. chlamydospora and N. valdiviana from Valdivian rainforests and N. vietnamensis from a mountain forest in Vietnam suggests a partially aerial lifestyle as adaptation to these humid habitats. Presence of tree dieback in all forests from which Nothophytophthora spp. were recovered and partial sporangial caducity of several Nothophytophthora species indicate a pathogenic rather than a saprophytic lifestyle. Isolation tests from symptomatic plant tissues in these forests and pathogenicity tests are urgently required to clarify the lifestyle of the six Nothophytophthora species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey of Phytophthora diversity in natural ecosystems in Taiwan six new species were detected. Multigene phylogeny based on the nuclear ITS, ß-tubulin and HSP90 and the mitochondrial cox1 and NADH1 gene sequences demonstrated that they belong to ITS Clade 7a with P. europaea, P. uniformis, P. rubi and P. cambivora being their closest relatives. All six new species differed from each other and from related species by a unique combination of morphological characters, the breeding system, cardinal temperatures and growth rates. Four homothallic species, P. attenuata, P. flexuosa, P. formosa and P. intricata, were isolated from rhizosphere soil of healthy forests of Fagus hayatae, Quercus glandulifera, Q. tarokoensis, Castanopsis carlesii, Chamaecyparis formosensis and Araucaria cunninghamii. Two heterothallic species, P. xheterohybrida and P. xincrassata, were exclusively detected in three forest streams. All P. xincrassata isolates belonged to the A2 mating type while isolates of P. xheterohybrida represented both mating types with oospore abortion rates according to Mendelian ratios (4-33 %). Multiple heterozygous positions in their ITS, ß-tubulin and HSP90 gene sequences indicate that P. xheterohybrida, P. xincrassata and P. cambivora are interspecific hybrids. Consequently, P. cambivora is redescribed as P. xcambivora without nomenclatural act. Pathogenicity trials on seedlings of Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica and Q. suber indicate that all six new species might pose a potential threat to European forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 photocatalysts depends mainly on its crystal phase composition, primary particle size and specific surface area. Shape manipulation is an interesting way to increase the photocatalytic efficiency. The shape-tuning can be carried out at different levels, both at single crystal and polycrystalline agglomeration levels. The aim of our present study was to compare the structural and photocatalytic performances of two type/level of crystal organization of TiO 2 , namely single crystal shaping vs. polycrystalline/shape tailored agglomeration. The morphological analysis was achieved by XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, DRS. The photocatalytic performance of the materials was evaluated by the degradation of a model pollutant (phenol). It was found, that both shape manipulating approaches bear the necessary potential which can be exploited in future development of efficient photocatalysts’ synthesis procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: After the failure of first-line treatment, the clinical prognosis in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) deteriorates. Effective therapeutic strategies are limited due to the toxicity of previous treatments and the diminished tolerance of surrounding normal tissue. This study demonstrates a promising second-line regimen, with function preserving surgical tumor debulking, followed by a combination of postoperative interstitial brachytherapy and a simultaneous protocol of cetuximab and taxol.Patients and Methods: From January 2006 to May 2013, 197 patients with HNSCC were treated with brachytherapy at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, including 94 patients due to recurrent cancer. Within these, 18 patients were referred to our clinic because of early progressive disease following first- or second-line treatment failure. They received the new palliative regimen. A matched-pair analysis including recurrent tumor stage, status of resection margins, tissue invasion and previous therapy was performed to evaluate this treatment retrospectively. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), functional outcome and treatment toxicity was analyzed on the basis of medical records and follow-up data.Results: DFS and OS of the study group were 8.7 and 14.8 months. Whereas, DFS and OS of the control group, treated only by function preserving tumor debulking and brachytherapy, was 3.9 and 6.1 months respectively. This demonstrates a positive trend through the additional use of the cetuximab-taxane protocol. Furthermore, no increase of therapy induced toxicities was displayed.Conclusion: Pre-treated patients with a further relapse benefit from the 'cetuximab-taxane recurrency scheme'. It seems to be a valuable complement to interdisciplinary and multimodal tumor therapy, which improves OS and results in acceptable toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of a new transiting extrasolar planet, HAT-P-55b . The planet orbits a V = 13:207 ± 0:039 sun-like star with a mass of 1:013 ± 0:037 M☉, a radius of 1:011 ± 0:036 R☉, and a metallicity of -0:03 ± 0:08. The planet itself is a typical hot Jupiter with a period of 3:5852467 ± 0:0000064 days, a mass of 0:582 ± 0:056 MJ and a radius of 1:182 ± 0:055 RJ. This discovery adds to the increasing sample of transiting planets with measured bulk densities, which is needed to put constraints on models of planetary structure and formation theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CYP3A4 has an important role in the metabolisms of many drugs used in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy; still, there are practically no publications about the role of CYP3A4 polymorphisms in ALL pharmacogenomics. We genotyped eight common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes in 511 children with ALL and investigated whether they influenced the survival of the patients. We involved additional 127 SNPs in 34 candidate genes and searched for interactions with respect to the survival rates. Significant association between the survival rates and the common rs2246709 SNP in the CYP3A4 gene was observed. The gender of the patients and the rs1076991 in the MTHFD1 gene strongly influenced this effect. We calculated new risk assessments involving the gender-rs2246709 interaction and showed that they significantly outperformed the earlier risk-group assessments at every time point. If this finding is confirmed in other populations, it can have a considerable prognostic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here a novel c.137 + 5G > A intronic mutation in the SH2D1A gene of the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP) in association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced fatal infectious mononucleosis (FIM) in an 8-year-old male patient and his 3-year-old step brother. The mother and the maternal grandmother of the boys are healthy and heterozygous for this sequence variant. Genetic sequencing of blood-cell-derived cDNA in the younger patient revealed a 22 bp deletion in the SH2D1A cDNA. Immunoblot and flow cytometry analysis performed in this younger patient showed the lack of SAP protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes. These data suggest that the novel c.137 + 5G > A mutation results in loss of function of SAP protein and leads to typical X-linked lymphoproliferative disease phenotype. We propose that intron 1 and the c.137 + 5G may be the most frequent intronic hot spot for SH2D1A splicing mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the impact of natural enemies of plant and animal pathogens on their host's population dynamics is needed to determine the role of hyperparasites in affecting disease dynamics, and their potential for use in efficient control strategies of pathogens. Here, we focus on the long-term study describing metapopulation dynamics of an obligate pathogen, the powdery mildew ( Podosphaera plantaginis) naturally infecting its wild host plant ( Plantago lanceolata) in the fragmented landscape of the Åland archipelago (southwest Finland). Regionally, the pathogen persists through a balance of extinctions and colonizations, yet factors affecting extinction rates remain poorly understood. Mycoparasites of the genus Ampelomyces appear as good candidates for testing the role of a hyperparasite, i.e. a parasite of other parasites, in the regulation of their fungal hosts' population dynamics. For this purpose, we first designed a quantitative PCR assay for detection of Ampelomyces spp. in field-collected samples. This newly developed molecular test was then applied to a large-scale sampling within the Åland archipelago, revealing that Ampelomyces is a widespread hyperparasite in this system, with high variability in prevalence among populations. We found that the hyperparasite was more common on leaves where multiple powdery mildew strains coexist, a pattern that may be attributed to differential exposure. Moreover, the prevalence of Ampelomyces at the plant level negatively affected the overwinter survival of its fungal host. We conclude that this hyperparasite may likely impact on its host population dynamics and argue for increased focus on the role of hyperparasites in disease dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract infections are considered among the most common infectious disorders in humans. Various infections may have a role in inducing HAE attacks. Our study intended to evaluate bacteriuria in the urinalysis of patients with C1- INH- HAE. Urine specimens contributed by 139 patients with C1- INH- HAE at the annual control visits were studied retrospectively for microorganisms. We analyzed the presence of bacteriuria in relation to the clinical symptoms. Taking into account three randomly selected urine specimens, we found that the cumulative number of edematous attacks was higher in patients with bacteriuria than in those without ( P = 0.019, P = 0.022, P = 0.014). Considering the same patients, attack number was significantly higher (14.51 vs 8.63) in patients with bacteriuria than in those without ( P < 0.0001). In patients with bacteriuria, we found a higher incidence of edema formation during the year before evaluation, which may suggest the triggering role of bacteriuria in the occurrence of edematous episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The intermediates’ formation is dependent from the synthesis pathway. [•] Bulk-structural aspects influenced the intermediates: crystallinity grade, doping. [•] Surface-structural aspects governed the intermediates: W and Ti species. [•] The gold's deposition wavelength had a major impact on the WO3 structure. [•] The intermediates’ formation can be manipulated by the ratio of different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wide Field Camera Transit Survey is a pioneer program aiming at for searching extra-solar planets in the near-infrared. The images from the survey are processed by a data reduction pipeline, which uses aperture photometry to construct the light curves. We produce an alternative set of light curves using the difference-imaging method for the most complete field in the survey and carry out a quantitative comparison between the photometric precision achieved with both methods. The results show that differencephotometry light curves present an important improvement for stars with J > 16. We report an implementation on the box-fitting transit detection algorithm, which performs a trapezoid-fit to the folded light curve, providing more accurate results than the boxfitting model. We describe and optimize a set of selection criteria to search for transit candidates, including the V-shape parameter calculated by our detection algorithm. The optimized selection criteria are applied to the aperture photometry and difference-imaging light curves, resulting in the automatic detection of the best 200 transit candidates from a sample of ~475 000 sources. We carry out a detailed analysis in the 18 best detections and classify them as transiting planet and eclipsing binary candidates. We present one planet candidate orbiting a late G-type star. No planet candidate around M-stars has been found, confirming the null detection hypothesis and upper limits on the occurrence rate of short-period giant planets around M-dwarfs presented in a prior study. We extend the search for transiting planets to stars with J ⩽ 18, which enables us to set a stricter upper limit of 1.1%. Furthermore, we present the detection of five faint extremely-short period eclipsing binaries and three M-dwarf/M-dwarf binary candidates. The detections demonstrate the benefits of using the difference-imaging light curves, especially when going to fainter magnitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We announce the discovery of two new transiting planets, and provide their accurate initial characterization. Methods. First identified from the HATNet wide-field photometric survey, these candidate transiting planets were then followed-up with a variety of photometric observations. Determining the planetary nature of the objects and characterizing the parameters of the systems were mainly done with the SOPHIE spectrograph at the 1.93m telescope at OHP and the TRES spectrograph at the 1.5m telescope at FLWO. Results. HAT-P-42b and HAT-P-43b are typical hot Jupiters on circular orbits around early-G/late-F main sequence host stars, with periods of 4.641878 ± 0.000032 and 3.332687 ± 0.000015 days, masses of 1.044 ± 0.083 and 0.662 ± 0.060 MJ, and radii of 1.280 ± 0.153 and 1.281+0.062 -0.033 RJ, respectively. These discoveries increase the sample of planets with measured mean densities, which are needed to constrain theories of planetary interiors and atmospheres. Moreover, their hosts are relatively bright (V < 13.5), which facilitates further follow-up studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Titania/tungsten (VI) oxide/noble metal (gold and platinum) composites were obtained by the means of selective noble metal photodeposition on the desired oxide's surface (either on TiO2 or on WO3). The noble metal particles’ localization was proved by SEM-EDX, while their size with DRS and TEM. The influence of the noble metal nanoparticles’ position was investigated successfully on the light absorption properties, photocatalytic activity toward oxalic acid and photocatalytic hydrogen production. Major differences were observed in the photocatalytic performance of the catalysts in which only the position of the noble metal was changed. Consequently, highly active composites were obtained, that surpassed the reference catalysts’ (TiO2(Au), TiO2(Pt), WO3(Au), WO3(Pt)) oxalic acid degradation yield and were also quite active for photocatalytic hydrogen production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Star formation theory predicts that short-period M-dwarf binaries with highly unequal-mass components are rare. First, the mass ratio of close binary systems is driven to unity due to the secondary preferentially accreting gas with high angular momentum. Secondly, both dynamical decay of multiple systems and interactions with tertiary stars that tighten the binary orbit will eject the lowest mass member. Generally, only the two most massive stars are paired after such interactions, and the frequency of tight unequal-mass binaries is expected to decrease steeply with primary mass. In this paper, we present the discovery of a highly unequal-mass eclipsing M-dwarf binary, providing a unique constraint on binary star formation theory and on evolutionary models for low-mass binary stars. The binary is discovered using high-precision infrared light curves from the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) Wide Field Camera (WFCAM) Transit Survey and has an orbital period of 2.44 d. We find stellar masses of M1 = 0.53(±0.02) M⊙ and M2 = 0.143(±0.006) M⊙ (mass ratio 0.27), and radii of R1 = 0.51(±0.01) R⊙ and R2 = 0.174(±0.006) R⊙. This puts the companion in a very sparsely sampled and important late M-dwarf mass regime. Since both stars will share the same age and metallicity and straddle the theoretical boundary between fully and partially convective stellar interiors, a comparison can be made to model predictions over a large range of M-dwarf masses using the same model isochrone. Both stars appear to have a slightly inflated radius compared to 1 Gyr` model predictions for their masses, but future work is needed to properly account for the effects of star spots on the light-curve solution. A significant, subsynchronous, ∼2.56 d signal with ∼2 per cent peak-to-peak amplitude is detected in the WFCAM light curve, which we attribute to rotational modulation of cool star spots. We propose that the subsynchronous rotation is either due to a stable star-spot complex at high latitude on the (magnetically active) primary (i.e. differential rotation), or additional magnetic braking, or interaction of the binary with a third body or circumbinary disc during its pre-main-sequence phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The insufficient response of patients to antidepressant medications may result from several factors, including altered drug metabolism. CYP2D6 genotyping may help assess the possible factors that contribute to difficultto- treat depression. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of CYP2D6 allelic variants and the prevalence of predicted CYP2D6 phenotypes in patients who were suffering from difficult-to-treat depression and compare the data with those for the healthy population of Hungary. Methods: 55 patients who failed to respond to 2 or more adequate trials of different CYP2D6- dependent antidepressants were selected for genotyping. Results: The prevalence of the predicted CYP2D6 phenotypes in the patient population was 1.8 % for the UMs, 80.0 % for EMs, 3.6 % for IMs and 14.5 % for PMs compared with 1.9 % for UMs, 83.3 % for EMs, 6.5 % for IMs and 8.3 % for PMs in the Hungarian population. Discussion: The CYP2D6 allele frequencies and the predicted phenotype distributions in patients with difficult-to-treat depression were not significantly different to those found in the healthy population of Hungary. The cumulative frequency of the CYP2D6"1XN, "2XN and "35XN alleles was 0.9 % in the patient population suggesting that CYP2D6 duplication or multiplication does not play a significant role in antidepressant pharmacotherapy failure in this patient sample. The cumulative frequency of the nonfunctional alleles (33.5 %) and the prevalence of the genetically determined PM phenotype (14.5 %) were relatively high in the patient group. These figures draw attention to the possibility of unrecognised and non-reported side effects and non-adherence to drug treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present an analysis of the photometric variability of M dwarfs in the Wide Field Camera (WFCAM) Transit Survey. Although periodic light-curve variability in low mass stars is generally dominated by photospheric star spot activity, M dwarf variability in the J band has not been as thoroughly investigated as at visible wavelengths. Spectral type estimates for a sample of over 200 000 objects are made using spectral type-colour relations, and over 9600 dwarfs ( J < 17) with spectral types later than K7 were found. The light curves of the late-type sample are searched for periodicity using a Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis. A total of 68 periodic variable M dwarfs are found in the sample with periods ranging from 0.16 to 90.33 d, with amplitudes in the range of ∼0.009 to ∼0.115 in the J band. We simulate active M dwarfs with a range of latitude-independent spot coverages and estimate a periodically variable fraction of 1-3 per cent for stars where spots cover more than 10 per cent of the star's surface. Our simulated spot distributions indicate that operating in the J band, where spot contrast ratios are minimized, enables variability in only the most active of stars to be detected. These findings affirm the benefits of using the J band for planetary transit searches compared to visible bands. We also serendipitously find a Δ J > 0.2 mag flaring event from an M4V star in our sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We report the discovery of WTS-1b, the first extrasolar planet found by the WFCAM Transit Survey, which began observations at the 3.8-m United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) in 2007 August. Light curves comprising almost 1200 epochs with a photometric precision of better than 1 per cent to J ∼ 16 were constructed for ∼60 000 stars and searched for periodic transit signals. For one of the most promising transiting candidates, high-resolution spectra taken at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) allowed us to estimate the spectroscopic parameters of the host star, a late-F main-sequence dwarf ( V = 16.13) with possibly slightly subsolar metallicity, and to measure its radial velocity variations. The combined analysis of the light curves and spectroscopic data resulted in an orbital period of the substellar companion of 3.35 d, a planetary mass of 4.01 ± 0.35 MJ and a planetary radius of [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pannonian region is situated in the Carpathian basin where forests have been used intensively for centuries. The article shows a map and a tabular overview of the forest reserves featured as forests “left for free development” of the region, and presents the most important stand structural characteristics of beech, mesophytic and thermophilous deciduous forests surveyed recently. The sampling points of six sites were selected to provide preliminary descriptive statistics according to the main types and abandonment status groups (recently managed, long abandoned and old-growth or primary stands) of these forests. In old-growth and primary stands the composition (list and mixture ratio of tree species) and stand structure characteristics [gap class distribution, stem density, distribution of relative crown classes and broad diameter at breast height (at 130 cm) classes, density of thick snags, and the amount of lying dead wood] proved to be similar to other European deciduous natural forests, while the abandoned and recently managed stands indicate that these forests are in a transitional stage towards natural ones. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We have carried out a search for late-type T dwarfs in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey Galactic Plane Survey 6th Data Release. The search yielded two persuasive candidates, both of which have been confirmed as T dwarfs. The brightest, UGPS J0521+3640, has been assigned the spectral type T8.5 and appears to lie at a distance of 7-9 pc. The fainter of the two, UGPS J0652+0324, is classified as a T5.5 dwarf and lies at an estimated distance of 28-37 pc. Warm- Spitzer observations in IRAC channels 1 and 2, taken as part of the GLIMPSE360 Legacy Survey, are available for UGPS J0521+3640 and we used these data with the near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate its properties. We find best-fitting solar metallicity BT-Settl models for and 650 K and and 5.0. These parameters suggest a mass between 14 and for an age between 1 and 5 Gyr. The proximity of this very cool T dwarf, and its location in the Galactic plane, makes it an ideal candidate for high-resolution adaptive optics imaging to search for cool companions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery of two transiting exoplanets. HAT-P-28b orbits a V = 13.03 G3 dwarf star with a period P = 3.2572 days and has a mass of 0.63 ± 0.04 MJ and a radius of 1.21+0.11 RJ yielding a mean density of 0.44 ± 0.09 g cm-3. HAT-P-29b orbits a V = 11.90 F8 dwarf star with a period P = 5.7232 days and has a mass of 0.78+0.08-0.04 MJ and a radius of 1.1+0.14-0.08 RJ yielding a mean density of 0.71 ± 0.18 g cm-3. We discuss the properties of these planets in the context of other known transiting planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphisms of the ABCB1 (MDR1) and ABCG2 (BCRP) genes were reported to alter the expression and function of these drug transporters. Both proteins are present at the main pharmacokinetic barriers including the blood–brain barrier. Data from 291 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were analysed in this retrospective study. ABCB1 3435T>C, 2677G>T/A, 1236C>T and ABCG2 421C>A, 34G>A genotypes were determined. Encephalopathy episodes were more frequent among those with ABCB1 3435TT genotype than in the 3435CC/CT group (odds ratio (OR) 3.5; P=0.03). Patients with the ABCG2 421A allele tended to have more complications than wild type homozygotes (OR=2.0; P=0.25). The rate of the adverse effect was similar in those harbouring no or only one of the predisposing genotypes, that is, either ABCB1 3435TT or ABCG2 421AA/AC. However, significantly more children suffered encephalopathy in the group with both predisposing genotypes (OR=12.3; P=0.005). In conclusion, these variations exert synergistic effect in predisposing patients to toxic neurological complications of chemotherapy.The Pharmacogenomics Journal (2008) 8, 321–327; doi:10.1038/sj.tpj.6500480; published online 16 October 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection with the hepatitis B virus can occur perinatally, parenterally, or sexually, and it can cause acute or chronic liver diseases. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus has led to its classification into eight genotypes (A–H), which show a characteristic worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to reveal the HBV genotypes present in Hungary and to investigate a nosocomial and an intrafamilial outbreak. The collected samples were tested by nested PCR, and a 650-nucleotide-long segment of the preS1/preS2/S region was sequenced. As no previous genotype data were available from Hungary, sera of 24 HBsAg-positive patients were collected from different regions of the country. They also served as control samples for the molecular epidemiologic study. Nineteen of them carried genotype D of hepatitis B virus, and five of them carried genotype A. Twenty-nine patients from a haemato-oncology unit were affected in a nosocomial outbreak. The patients had haematological and/or oncological diseases, most of them were immunosuppressed. In twenty-eight cases, based on phylogenetic analysis of the viruses, there was presumably a common source of infection, and an epidemiological investigation showed that the infections seemed to be hospital-acquired. In the intrafamilial outbreak, two asymptomatic carrier children infected their foster mother. The three sequences were totally identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The experiment “Phage and uracil response” (PUR) will be accommodated in the EXPOSE facility of the ISS. Bacteriophage T7/isolated T7 DNA will be exposed to different subsets of extreme environmental parameters in space, in order to study the Responses of Organisms to the Space Environment (ROSE). Launch into orbit is preceded by EXPOSE Experiment Verification Tests (EVT) to optimize the methods and the evaluation. Bacteriophage T7/isolated T7 DNA thin layers were exposed to vacuum (), to monochromatic (254nm) and polychromatic (200–400nm) UV radiation in air as well as in simulated space vacuum. Using neutral density (ND) filters dose-effect curves were performed in order to define the maximum doses tolerated. The effect of temperature fluctuation in vacuum was also studied. The structural/chemical effects on bacteriophage T7/isolated T7 DNA were analyzed by spectroscopic and microscopical methods. Characteristic changes in the absorption spectrum and in the electrophoretic pattern of phage/DNA have been detected indicating the damage of isolated and intraphage DNA. DNA damage was also determined by quantitative PCR (QPCR) using 555 and 3826bp fragments of T7 DNA. We obtained substantial evidence that DNA lesions (e.g. strand breaks, DNA-protein cross-links, cyclobutane pirimidine dimers (CPDs) etc.) accumulate throughout exposure. Preliminary results suggest a synergistic action of space vacuum and UV radiation with DNA being the critical target. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The experiment “Phage and Uracil response” will be accommodated in the EXPOSE facility of the International Space Station. Its objective is to examine and quantify the effect of specific space conditions on nucleic acid models, especially on bacteriophage T7 and isolated T7 DNA thin films. In order to define the environmental and technical requirements of the EXPOSE, the samples were subjected to the experiment verification test (EVT). During EVT, the samples were exposed to vacuum (10−4–10−6 Pa) and polychromatic UV-radiation (200–400 nm) in air, in inert atmosphere, as well as in simulated space vacuum. The effect of extreme temperature in vacuum and the influence of temperature fluctuations around 0°C were also studied. The total intraphage/isolated DNA damage was determined by quantitative PCR using 555 and 3826bp fragments of T7 DNA. The type of the damage was resolved using a combination of enzymatic probes and neutral and alkaline agarose gel electrophoresis; the structural/chemical effects were analyzed by spectroscopic and microscopical methods. We obtained substantial evidence that DNA lesions accumulate throughout exposure, but the amount of damage depends on the thickness of the layers. According to our preliminary results, the damages by exposure to conditions of dehydration and UV-irradiation are larger than the sum of vacuum alone, or radiation alone case, suggesting a synergistic action of space vacuum and UV radiation with DNA being the critical target. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bacterial communities associated with decomposing rhizomes of Phragmites australis were investigated in Lake Fertő (Neusiedlersee, Hungary). Alkaliphilic and alkalitolerant strains were isolated on cellulose-containing alkaline medium spread with dilutions of scrapings taken from the surface of the decaying plant material. Fifty-one strains were grouped by numerical analysis based on physiological tests and BIOLOG sole carbon source utilization data. The strains identified by 16S rDNA sequence comparisons included members of low G+C Gram positives ( Marinibacillus marinus, Bacillus cereus, and Exiguobacterium aurantiacum), high G+C Gram positives ( Nesterenkonia halobia and Dietzia natronolimnea), α-proteobacteria ( Pannonibacter phragmitetus), and γ-proteobacteria ( Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Halomonas venusta). Most of the strains were characterized by aerobic chemoorganotrophic respiratory metabolism and utilized several different carbon sources, although no direct cellulolytic activity was observed. Results of the pH and salt tolerance tests revealed optimuma in most cases at pH 11 and at the presence of 2.5–5% NaCl. These bacteria probably occupy niches in the aerobic, alkaline, water-influenced environments on the decomposing reed surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from the United States and from several European countries show that patients with major mood disorders, schizophrenia and social phobia smoke at significantly higher rates than the general population. However, there are no published results on this field from Central Europe, including Hungary. In the present study, the rate of current and lifetime smoking of the consecutively screened outpatients with DSM-IV unipolar major depression ( n =92), bipolar disorder ( n =60), schizophrenia ( n =80), schizoaffective disorder ( n =42) and panic disorder without major depression ( n =60) were assessed and the data were compared to the controls ( n =5503), representative for the general population of Hungary. The results showed that, compared to controls, the rates of current and lifetime smoking were significantly higher among patients with unipolar major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, but not among patients with panic disorder without major depression. The findings support previous findings from other countries on the strong relationship between cigarette smoking and major mood and schizophrenic spectrum disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of PUR experiment (phage and uracil response) is to examine and quantify the effect of specific space conditions on nucleic acid models. To achieve this an improved method was elaborated for the preparation of DNA and bacteriophage thin films. The homogeneity of the films was controlled by UV spectroscopy and microscopy. To provide experimental evidence for the hypothesis that interplanetary transfer of the genetic material is possible, phage T7 and isolated T7 DNA thin films have been exposed to selected space conditions: intense UVC radiation (λ=254 nm) and high vacuum (10-4 Pa). The effects of DNA hydration, conformation and packing on UV radiation damage were examined. Characteristic changes in the absorption spectrum, in the electrophoretic pattern of DNA and the decrease of the amount of PCR products have been detected indicating the photodamage of isolated and intraphage DNA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polycrystalline uracil thin layers participate in the phage and uracil response (PUR) experiment, assigned to the biological dosimetry of the extraterrestrial solar radiation on the International Space Station (ISS). In ground based experiments (experiment verification tests), the following space parameters were simulated and studied: temperature, vacuum and short wavelength UV (UV-C, down to 200 nm) radiation. The closed uracil samples proved to be vacuum-tight for 7 days. In the tested temperature range (from -20 to +40 °C) the uracil samples are stable. The kinetic of dimer formation (dimerization) and reversion (monomerization) of uracil dimers due to short wavelength UV radiation was detected, the monomerization efficiency of the polychromatic deuterium lamp is higher than that of the germicidal lamp. A mathematical model describing the kinetic of monomerization–dimerization was constructed. Under the influence of UV radiation the dimerization–monomerization reactions occur simultaneously, thus the additivity law of the effect of the various wavelengths is not applicable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Increase of serum thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) resulting from estrogen action may lead to problems in thyroid diagnostics. The aim of the present study was to define the most diagnostically reliable thyroid parameters in women exposed to differentially elevated estrogens. Sera of three groups of healthy women were analyzed: women taking no medicine (controls), those taking oral contraceptives and pregnant women (in weeks 16 or 32 of gestation). All women involved in the study lived in a moderately iodine-deficient geographical area. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), TBG, total thyroxine (T4,), total triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 were determined and free T4 indices (total T4 × T3 uptake; total T4/thyroxine binding capacity (TBC); total T4/TBG) were calculated. Free T4 was measured simultaneously with a one-step T4-analog enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a labeled T4 antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA), and a two-step microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). Estrogen-dependent differences were found in all investigated parameters; however, they remained in the reference interval for TSH, total T4 × T3 uptake, total T4/TBC,free T3 and free T4 MEIA. It was concluded that simultaneous estimations of free T4 and free T3 should follow a primary TSH measurement. The necessity of a distinct reference range has emerged for free thyroid hormones in midterm and late pregnancy as well as in the use of oral contraceptives, especially in iodine-deficient areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]