Search

The research objectives were to highlight the importance and the role of hydrotherapy and physical therapy exercises on patients with traumatic shoulder pathologies. The research was conducted on twenty subjects, aged between 34 and 71. The initial and final evaluation included active and passive spectrum of movement assessment, muscle strength assessment, visual analogy scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). The research showed that both groups managed to regain their active range of motion during a three-week rehabilitation program. The conclusions of our research demonstrate the effectiveness of both physiotherapy and hydrotherapy exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on two groups of children with scoliosis deficiency, first group, the experimental group, with whom we worked with kinesiotherapy programs and the second group, the control group, that work only with physiotherapy programs. The method used for assessing the scoliosis deficiency was the medical examination of specialists and the VAS questionnaire regarding pain level. The results showed statistically significant difference between the initial and final evaluation of scoliosis deficiency at the experimental group. Conclusions of the research proved that using specific kinesiotherapy programs can reduce pain level and correct scoliosis deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nóra Igaz,1 Péter Bélteky,2 Dávid Kovács,1,3 Csaba Papp,4 Andrea Rónavári,2 Diána Szabó,5 Attila Gácser,4 Zoltán Kónya,2,6 Mónika Kiricsi1 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; 2Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; 3Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, CNRS, Valbonne, France; 4HCEMM-USZ Fungal Pathogens Research Group, Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; 5Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Szeged, Hungary; 6Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Reaction Kinetics and Surface Chemistry Research Group, Szeged, HungaryCorrespondence: Mónika Kiricsi, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged, H-6726, Hungary, Tel +36 (62) 544-887, Email kiricsim@bio.u-szeged.hu Zoltán Kónya, Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich square 1, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary, Tel +36 (62) 544620, Email konya@chem.u-szeged.huBackground: Multidrug resistance is a common reason behind the failure of chemotherapy. Even if the therapy is effective, serious adverse effects might develop due to the low specificity and selectivity of antineoplastic agents. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising materials for tumor-targeting and drug-delivery due to their small size, relatively inert nature, and extremely large specific surfaces that can be functionalized by therapeutic and targeting entities. We aimed to create a fluorescently labeled MSN-based drug-delivery system and investigate their internalization and drug-releasing capability in drug-sensitive MCF-7 and P-glycoprotein-overexpressing multidrug-resistant MCF-7 KCR cancer cells.Methods and Results: To track the uptake and subcellular distribution of MSNs, particles with covalently coupled red fluorescent Rhodamine B (RhoB) were produced (RhoB@MSNs). Both MCF-7 and MCF-7 KCR cells accumulated a significant amount of RhoB@MSNs. The intracellular RhoB@MSN concentrations did not differ between sensitive and multidrug-resistant cells and were kept at the same level even after cessation of RhoB@MSN exposure. Although most RhoB@MSNs resided in the cytoplasm, significantly more RhoB@MSNs co-localized with lysosomes in multidrug-resistant cells compared to sensitive counterparts. To examine the drug-delivery capability of these particles, RhoB@Rho123@MSNs were established, where RhoB-functionalized nanoparticles carried green fluorescent Rhodamine 123 (Rho123) - a P-glycoprotein substrate – as cargo within mesopores. Significantly higher Rho123 fluorescence intensity was detected in RhoB@Rho123@MSN-treated multidrug-resistant cells than in free Rho123-exposed counterparts. The exceptional drug-delivery potential of MSNs was further verified using Mitomycin C (MMC)-loaded RhoB@MSNs (RhoB@MMC@MSNs). Exposures to RhoB@MMC@MSNs significantly decreased the viability not only of drug-sensitive but of multidrug-resistant cells and the elimination of MDR cells was significantly more robust than upon free MMC treatments.Conclusion: The efficient delivery of Rho123 and MMC to multidrug-resistant cells via MSNs, the amplified and presumably prolonged intracellular drug concentration, and the consequently enhanced cytotoxic effects envision the enormous potential of MSNs to defeat multidrug-resistant cancer.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: mesoporous silica nanoparticles, drug-delivery, fluorescently labeled MSNs, functionalized MSNs, multidrug resistance

Focuses on the unidirectional elongation of magnetic field sensitive polymer gels called ferrogels. Incorporation of finely distributed colloidal particles with superparamagnetic behavior into a swollen network; Occurrence of shape distortion and its disappearance when the external field is removed.

The article deals with the issue of double skin transparent facades as a new technological-operational system of transparent exterior walls. Especially of high-rise buildings, which with its operating modes ingeniously uses a renewable source of solar energy to reduce the energy needs of the building. The basic precondition for the correct function of the double skin facade is its functional aerodynamics in any climatic conditions of the outdoor climate. In the critical state of windlessness, the aerodynamic quantification of a double skin facade is the total aerodynamic resistance of the cavity, which consists of the aerodynamic frictional resistances along the length of the air flow line and local aerodynamic resistances of the cavity. The article analyses the functional aerodynamics on two frequented types of double skin facades with a narrow type and corridor type cavity. At the end it confronts functional aerodynamics with the results of their temperature, aerodynamic and energy regime obtained from in-situ experiments.

Seyyed Askhan Senobar Tahaei,1 Anette Stájer,2 Ibrahim Barrak,2 Eszter Ostorházi,3 Dóra Szabó,3 Márió Gajdács1,3 1Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary; 2Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary; 3Institute of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1089, HungaryCorrespondence: Márió Gajdács Tel +36 62-341-330Email gajdacs.mario@szte.huIntroduction: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important causative pathogen in human infections. The production of biofilms by bacteria is an important factor, leading to treatment failures. There has been significant interest in assessing the possible relationship between the multidrug-resistant (MDR) status and the biofilm-producer phenotype in bacteria. The aim of our present study was to assess the biofilm-production rates in clinical methicillin-susceptible S. aureus [MSSA] and methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA] isolates from Hungarian hospitals and the correlation between resistance characteristics and their biofilm-forming capacity.Methods: A total of three hundred (n=300) S. aureus isolates (corresponding to MSSA and MRSA isolates in equal measure) were included in this study. Identification of the isolates was carried out using the VITEK 2 ID/AST system and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and E-tests, confirmation of MRSA status was carried out using PBP2a agglutination assay. Biofilm-production was assessed using the crystal violet (CV) tube-adherence method and the Congo red agar (CRA) plate method.Results: There were significant differences among MSSA and MRSA isolates regarding susceptibility-levels to commonly used antibiotics (in case of erythromycin, clindamycin and ciprofloxacin: p< 0.001, gentamicin: p=0.023, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim: p=0.027, rifampin: p=0.037). In the CV tube adherence-assay, 37% (n=56) of MSSA and 39% (n=58) of MRSA isolates were positive for biofilm-production, while during the use of CRA plates, 41% (n=61) of MSSA and 44% (n=66) of MRSA were positive; no associations were found between methicillin-resistance and biofilm-production. On the other hand, erythromycin, clindamycin and rifampin resistance was associated with biofilm-positivity (p=0.004, p< 0.001 and p< 0.001, respectively). Biofilm-positive isolates were most common from catheter-associated infections.Discussion: Our study emphasizes the need for additional experiments to assess the role biofilms have in the pathogenesis of implant-associated and chronic S. aureus infections.Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, MSSA, MRSA, biofilm, antibiotic resistance, crystal violet, Congo red agar, phenotypic assay

The presented paper deals with an analysis of the reliability of a diagnostic method of air permeability through building openings (windows, doors, glass walls) by the application of infrared thermography. A test sample of a plastic double casement window was experimentally tested for air permeability and watertightness in a large pressure chamber. Different levels of the tightness were adjusted between the casement and frame part of the window. Additionally, the window test sample was measured in the large climate chamber with variant air pressure differences. Moreover, the surface temperatures were measured on the window by thermocouples and subsequently compared with images directly taken by infrared thermography. The effect of the increased air infiltration can be detected by infrared thermography but cannot quantify the overall air permeability of the window. The distribution of the exterior window surface temperature is influenced by several factors which should be taken into consideration in the final assessment of the window.