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An abstract of the conference paper "Hyperechogenic solid masses of lungs: prenatal diagnosis and outcome," by P. Hanulikova and colleagues is presented.

Ozone (O3) concentrations were monitored during the 1997/1999 growing seasons in 32 forest sites of the Carpathian Mountains. At all sites (elevation between 450 and 1320 m) concentrations of O3, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were measured with passive samplers. In addition, in two western Carpathian locations, Vychodna and Gubalowka, ozone was continuously monitored with ultraviolet (UV) absorption monitors. Highest average hourly O3 concentrations in the Vychodna and Gubalowka sites reached 160 and 200 Mug/m3 (82 and 102 ppb), respectively (except for the AOT40 values, ozone concentrations are presented as Mug/m3; and at 25 deg. C and 760 mm Hg, 1 Mug O3/m3=0.51 ppb O3). These sites showed drastically different patterns of diurnal O3 distribution, one with clearly defined peaks in the afternoon and lowest valuesin the morning, the other with flat patterns during the entire 24-h period. On two elevational transects, no effect of elevation on O3 levels was seen on the first one, while on the other a significant increase of O3 levels with elevation occurred. Concentrations of O3 determined with passive samplers were significantly different between individual monitoring years, monitoring periods, and geographic location of the monitoring sites. Results of passive sampler monitoring showed that high O3 concentrations could be expected in many parts of the Carpathian range, especially in its western part, but also in the eastern and southern ranges. More than four-fold denser network of monitoring sites is required for reliable estimates of O3 distribution in forests over the entire Carpathian range (140 points). Potential phytotoxic effects of O3 on forest trees and understory vegetation are expected on almost the entire territory of the Carpathian Mountains. This as [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated biodiesel production from jatropha seeds in a single step, i.e. by simultaneous solvent extraction and transesterification of jatropha oil, and possibility to transform the obtained cakes into binderless particleboards. n -Hexane was used as extracting solvent. The best operating conditions were identified to obtain optimal biodiesel yield and quality, and optimal physical and mechanical properties for binderless particleboards. Biodiesel yield was usually influenced by operating conditions, and the influences of both n -hexane to seed and methanol to oil ratios were most significant. An increase in n -hexane to seed ratio (from 1:1 to 3:1) combined with the decrease in methanol to oil ratio (from 13.3:1 to 8.0:1) led to an improvement in biodiesel yield. The best biodiesel yield (92% with a fatty acid methyl ester purity >98%) was obtained from 2:1 n -hexane to seed ratio, 10.6:1 methanol to oil ratio, 200–600 rpm stirring speed, 50 °C temperature and 6 h reaction time. Operating conditions had no significant effect on the biodiesel quality, except the n -hexane to seed ratio. Moreover, cohesive particleboards were produced from the obtained cakes, proteins and fibers acting respectively as binder and reinforcing fillers. An increase in the cake moisture content significantly improved the particleboard properties. The most promising binderless particleboard was manufactured from cake B under 20% cake moisture content and 160 °C pressing temperature. Its properties were 0.87 g/cm 3 density, 8.4% moisture content, 7.2 MPa modulus of rupture, 10.4 GPa modulus of elasticity, 0.14 MPa internal bonding strength, 52% water absorption and 20% thickness swelling after 24 h immersion in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a great medical challenge and its incidence rises rapidly. T lymphocytes and their cytokine production are supposed to play a major role in T1D development. So far, there is no potent tool to recognize the early signs of cellular auto-reactivity which leads to β-cell damage. The naïve immune system of the newborn (not yet influenced by external factors) can be used as an important model for T1D pathogenesis studies. Cord blood samples of 22 healthy neonates born at term to a diabetic parent (T1DR) and 15 newborns with no family history of any autoimmune disease (controls) were collected. Determination of 23 cytokines was performed before and after the stimulation with diabetogenic autoantigens using protein microarray. We observed lower basal production of all detected cytokines in the T1DR group – granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) ( P = 0.025), growth regulated protein (GRO) ( P = 0.002), GRO-α ( P = 0.027), interleukin (IL)-1-α ( P = 0.051), IL-3 ( P = 0.008), IL-7 ( P = 0.027), IL-8 ( P = 0.042), monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCP)-3 ( P = 0.022), monokine-induced by IFN-γ (MIG) ( P = 0.034) and regulated upon activation normal T-cell express sequence (RANTES) ( P = 0.004). Exclusively lower post-stimulative levels of G-CSF ( P = 0.030) and GRO-α ( P = 0.04) were observed in controls in comparison with the basal levels. A significant post-stimulative decrease in G-CSF ( P = 0.030) and MCP-2 ( P = 0.009) levels was observed in controls in comparison with T1DR neonates. We also observed the interesting impact of the risky genotype on the protein microarray results. Protein microarray seems to be a useful tool to characterize a risk pattern of the immune response for T1D also in newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rambutan oil is a promising source of fatty acids rich in saturated long‐chain fatty acids and in monounsaturated long‐chain fatty acids. The C20 fatty acid content is of 37.1%. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the triacylglycerols from the rambutan oil provides a new pathway for the use of these fatty acids. The physical separation of the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) families, at 40°C by a freeze/thaw process involving centrifugation, gives two enriched fractions. The fluid fraction at 40°C is enriched in MUFA (C18:1, 55.0%, and C20:1, 9.0%) representing 68.9% of total content. The solid fraction at 40°C is enriched in saturated fatty C20:0, C22:0, and C18:0, giving a SFA content of 46.2%. The thermal properties of these fractions, the MUFA fraction of low melting temperature, and the SFA fraction of high melting temperature, open new possibilities for using rambutan fatty acids in oleochemistry. Practical applications: Rambutan oil is of great interest to food industry and the chemical industry. The free fatty acid fractions rich in MUFA and in SFA represent a new pathway in oleochemistry to produce low melting and high melting temperature lipids. C20‐C22 acids can provide reinforcing power in the manufacture of margarine. Fluid fractions enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (C18:1 and C20:1) give opportunities to produce oils presenting a low melting temperatures to be involved in shortening oily systems with the presence of C20:1, which is enriched up to 9.0%. They are also suitable for the manufacture of cooking oils and chocolates, without having to resort to hydrogenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonization of the polyimide-based composite films containing carbon nanoparticles, namely nanofibers and nanocones/disks, in the temperature range 500–550°C was studied and the kinetics of the initial stage of carbonization and the effect of the filler on the mechanical properties of the carbonized films were evaluated. Two polyimides (PIs) characterized by different macrochains’ rigidity and different degrees of ordering of the intermolecular structure were used. The character of the nanofiller’s action on the kinetics of the carbonization process depends on the heating rate. In this work, the intensity of the destruction of the PI matrix of the composite films was shown to be slightly higher than that of films of the same polymers with no filler. The introduction of the carbon nanoparticles into both PIs provokes the increase in the ultimate deformation values of the partially carbonized films, while the carbonization of the unfilled PI films yields the brittle materials. The Young’s modulus values of the materials based on the rigid-rod PI do not increase after carbonization, while those for compositions based on the PI with semi-rigid chains increase substantially. Carbon nanocones/disks are characterized by the best compatibility with matrix PIs in comparison with carbon nanofibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to determine the phytoconstituent compositions of the leaves of four Ziziphus jujuba ecotypes (Choutrana, Mahdia, Mahres and Sfax). The chromatographic peaks of 18 compounds, including nine major fatty acids, five sterols, two triterpene alcohols and two methysterols, were quantified by the capillary gaseous chromatography method. The major fatty acids identified were linolenic (42.04%) and palmitic (23.04%). Unsaturated fatty acids ranged between 53% and 60%. The predominant sterols (mg/100 g) were β-sitosterol (40.36) and stigmasterol (24.18). Cycloartenol (68.55 mg/100 g) and citrostadienol (12.27 mg/100 g) were the major metylsterols. Methylene cycloartanol ranged between 1.2 mg/100 g (Sfax) and 1.5 mg/100 g (Mahdia). Total phenolic content measured by Folin-ciocalteux ranged from 3.97 mg GAE/g to 6.04 mg GAE/g. The predominant flavonoids identified by HPLC were apigenin (6.1 mg/g) and rutin (1.91 mg/g). The fatty acids and flavonoids in the Z. jujuba leaves were responsible for their therapeutic and pharmaceutical effects. This could explain why Tunisian people traditionally use it as medicine to treat several pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen fatty acids were identified from the pulps of four Tunisian Ziziphus jujuba ecotypes (Sfax, Choutrana, Mahres and Mahdia), using capillary gaseous chromatography method. These oils presented 8.31% to 12.35% of dry weights. Compared to the other ecotypes, Mahres and Choutrana were the richest of the oleic acid. The palmitic acid was the most important compound of the Sfax ecotype. Unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 62.63% to 72.40% of the total fatty acids of each ecotype. So a ratio of the unsaturated/saturated (U/S) varied from 1.68 to 2.37. The β-sitosterol and the Stigmasterol were identified as major sterols. The β-sitosterol was the prominent component in the all ecotypes and the highest level (10.65 mg/100g) was noted in Choutrana ecotype. Stigmasterol was more abundant in Sfax (16.12 mg/100g) and Choutrana (4.67 mg/100g) ecotypes. The campesterol sterol was identified only in Sfax and Choutrana ecotypes being more important (2.4 mg/100g) in Choutrana pulps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is suggested that limited access to appropriate care forces psychiatric patients towards forensic treatment or to the prison system. According to our data, the number of prisoners, the number of hospitalized psychiatric patients (from 1987 to 2007), the number of court ordered forensic treatments in the Czech Republic (from 1991 to 2007), and the rate of people in psychiatric and sex offender forensic treatment has remained constant. However, an increase (162%) in number of treatments imposed for abusing illicit drugs did occur during this period. This increase contributed to the correlation between both the number of sentences given for protective treatment and the number of all sentenced persons (Pearson cor. 0.647, p < 0,001) and the number of prisoners (Pearson cor. 0.798, p < 0,001). The analysis of all admissions to a forensic facility from a catchment area of 1,260,318 inhabitants shows no increase in number of admission between 2002 and 2007. The same data prove that the number of patients ordered to psychiatric and sexology treatment remained steady and did not reflect changes in the number of prisoners or number of hospitalized patients. This could be explained by a high number of psychiatric hospitalizations protecting the patients from deteriorating to criminal behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Perfect maternal diabetes compensation is crucial for the outcome of the baby. However, little is known how hyperglycaemia influences the specific immune response. Furthermore, babies of type 1 diabetes (T1D) mothers have less risk of development T1D than babies with a T1D father. This study aimed to analyze the effect of maternal hyperglycaemia on newborns with focus on the response to diabetes-associated autoantigens. Populations: (1) Newborns of T1D mothers split into groups according to maternal diabetes compensation during the 3rd trimester: perfect ( n = 15) or acceptable ( n = 25) compensation. (2) newborns with T1D father ( n = 12) (3) newborns with a mother treated for either gestational or type 2 diabetes ( n = 10) (4) control newborns ( n = 25). Spontaneous as well as diabetes-associated autoantigen-stimulated production of 23 cytokines and chemokines were tested using protein microarray. In addition, the influence of glucose on cytokine and chemokine responsiveness was analyzed in vitro. The study groups differed in their spontaneous as well as stimulated cytokine and chemokine spectra. A prominent Th1 response (high IFN-gamma) from autoantigen stimulation was observed especially in babies of T1D fathers ( P = 0.001) and also in mothers with perfect diabetes compensation during the 3rd trimester ( P = 0.016) in comparison with control newborns. By contrast, cord blood mononuclear cells cultivated in vitro in high glucose concentration decreased the diabetogenic stimulated Th1 cytokine response. Maternal ‘sweet’ as well as ‘autoimmune environment’ may both lead to lower occurrence of T1D within their offspring. Further studies will reveal the exact immunological mechanism of this observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In many European agricultural landscapes, species richness is declining considerably. Studies performed at a very large spatial scale are helpful in understanding the reasons for this decline and as a basis for guiding policy. In a unique, large-scale study of 25 agricultural landscapes in seven European countries, we investigated relationships between species richness in several taxa, and the links between biodiversity and landscape structure and management. 2. We estimated the total species richness of vascular plants, birds and five arthropod groups in each 16-km2 landscape, and recorded various measures of both landscape structure and intensity of agricultural land use. We studied correlations between taxonomic groups and the effects of landscape and land-use parameters on the number of species in different taxonomic groups. Our statistical approach also accounted for regional variation in species richness unrelated to landscape or land-use factors. 3. The results reveal strong geographical trends in species richness in all taxonomic groups. No single species group emerged as a good predictor of all other species groups. Species richness of all groups increased with the area of semi-natural habitats in the landscape. Species richness of birds and vascular plants was negatively associated with fertilizer use. 4. Synthesis and applications. We conclude that indicator taxa are unlikely to provide an effective means of predicting biodiversity at a large spatial scale, especially where there is large biogeographical variation in species richness. However, a small list of landscape and land-use parameters can be used in agricultural landscapes to infer large-scale patterns of species richness. Our results suggest that to halt the loss of biodiversity in these landscapes, it is important to preserve and, if possible, increase the area of semi-natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the development and testing of an electro-pneumatic device for wound healing therapy after surgery in the neck area. The device generates air pressure values in a miniaturized cuff using electronic circuitry to drive an electro-valve and air compressor. The device works in two distinct modes: continuous pressure mode and pulsating pressure mode. The pressure value setting can vary from 3 to 11 mmHg, and the pulsating pressure mode's operating frequency range is approximately 0.1 to 0.3 Hz. Laboratory measurements were conducted to evaluate the device's correct functioning in both continuous and pulsating pressure modes. A four-day prospective study with animals (n = 10) was also conducted to evaluate neck wound healing therapy using the electro-pneumatic device. Out of the twelve histological parameters analysed to reveal the differences between the experimental and control wounds, only one demonstrated a significant difference. Out of the ten animals treated with the device, three showed a significant difference in terms of benefit after therapy. We can therefore conclude that the device potentially improves the wound healing process in the neck area if the pre-set air pressure value does not exceed 8 mmHg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the research paper "Antenatally Diagnosed Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformations (CCAM): Accuracy of Diagnosis, Management and Outcome" by R. Vlk and colleagues is presented.