Search

Fibrin cross-linking by coagulation factor (F)XIII leads to clot stabilization. Reduced plasma FXIII levels have been reported in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients. We investigated the impact of anticoagulant therapy on clot-bound amounts of FXIII and α2-antiplasmin and their associations with fibrin clot properties in patients with PE. Clots generated from plasma of 18 acute symptomatic patients on admission and after a 3-month treatment with rivaroxaban were assessed off anticoagulation using mass spectrometry. Plasma FXIII and α2-antiplasmin activity were determined at the 2 time points along with thrombin generation markers, plasma fibrin clot permeability (K

Background: Congenital factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder associated with significant bleeding manifestations. The European Network of Rare Bleeding Disorders (EN-RBD) study, performed from 2007 to 2010, showed a strong association between bleeding severity and FXIII activity in plasma of patients with FXIII deficiency. Among these patients variable levels of FXIII activity, from undetectable to 30%, were associated with a wide range of bleeding severity. Objectives and patients: The present cross-sectional study, in the frame of the PRO-RBDD project, a prospective cohort study, analyzed data of 64 patients with FXIII deficiency and different types of clinical and laboratory severity. Results: The results of this analysis confirmed that FXIII coagulant activity in plasma is well associated with clinical severity of patients. In addition, 15 IU/dl of FXIII activity was identified to be the level under which the probability of spontaneous major bleeding sharply increases (from 50% for levels of 15 IU/dL to more than 90% for levels of 5 IU/dL or lower). Conclusion: the PRO-RBDD study suggests a FXIII coagulant activity level of 15 IU/dL as a target to start prophylaxis in order to prevent major bleedings, such as central nervous system or gastrointestinal tract hemorrhages. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Although its incidence is not high, adolescent hypertension may predict hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess whether cerebrovascular reactivity is altered in adolescent white coat and sustained hypertensive patients compared to healthy teenagers.Fifty-nine normotensive, 47 white coat hypertensive (WCH), and 73 sustained hypertensive (SH) adolescents were studied. WCH and SH were differentiated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Cerebrovascular reactivity was assessed by transcranial Doppler breath-holding test and was expressed in percent (%) change to the resting cerebral blood flow velocity value.The percent increase in middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocity after 30 s of breath holding was lower in both WCH (5.3 ± 3.1%) and SH (9.5 ± 2.6%) groups indicating lower vasodilatory reactivity compared to healthy adolescents (12.1 ± 2.2%). Additionally, serum nitric oxide (NOx) concentrations were lower in both WCH (30.6 ± 11 μM) and SH (30.7 ± 22.4 μM) groups compared to controls (38.8 ± 7.6 μM). Both white coat and sustained hypertension result in decreased vasodilatory reaction to CO(2) in adolescents, suggesting involvement of the cerebral arterioles. The present study underlines the importance of early recognition and proper treatment of adolescent hypertension in order to prevent long-term cardiovascular complications.

Binary matrixes (matrixes having only 0 and 1 elements) occur in many theoretical and practical areas (e.g. in the theory of graphs and relations, grammars, coding, etc.) therefore the binary matrix operations have high importance in these topics. It is an obvious idea to use cellular processor consisting of micro-cells for the execution of these operations. The present paper gives a powerful cellular algorithm for the multiplication of two binary matrixes, taking into account the cellprocessor architecture developed by T. Legendi. Moreover, on the basis of this solution cellular algorithms are given for coding and for the computation of the m-th power of a binary matrix.

This article is a brief review of current knowledge concerning some basic concepts about the redox and addition chemistry of quinones, followd by a survey of current information regarding the biochemistry of quinones in mammalian cells and their pro- and antioxidant functions. In recent years it has been recognized that ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q), in addition to its involvement as an electron and proton carrier in mitochondrial and bacterial respiration, acts in its reduced form (ubiquinol) as an antioxidant. The antioxidant activity, together with its high degree of hydrophobicity and its widespread occurrence in biological membranes and in low-density lipoprotein, suggest un important role of ubiquinol in cellular defense against oxidative damage. Degenerative diseases and aging may be manifestations of a decreased capacity to maintain adequate ubiquinol levels.

To create a spatial database for some GIS applications, it is a challenge to recognize automatically all the simple and complex map objects on scanned maps. This paper presents a robust map interpretation system developed to process Hungarian land register maps (cadastral maps). Processing starts with a raster-to-vector conversion generating a raw vector image from the scanned map. All recognition steps are performed on this raw vector image: segmentation, recognition of separated and not separated symbols, recognition of more complex objects (buildings and parcels). Finally, drawing quality is enhanced utilizing the recognition results. Interpretation is supported by a special data structure, called DG, ensuring dynamic description of hierarchical structures of drawing objects. This data structure is an essential part of our concept, therefore it is discussed in the paper.

The purpose of this work was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors and its association with sociodemographic, behavioural and lifestyle characteristics among the adult population of the city of Debrecen, Hungary.A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1996. Amongst 21 800 inhabitants aged 30-65 y risk screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) was estimated by a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, lifestyle characteristics, family history of CVD and results of self-reported data of body weight, height and blood pressure. Of the total of 19 961 surveyed sample, 37.02% were considered to be hypertensive, 53.73% were overweight, 32.18% were current smokers and 58.85% were physically inactive. Hypertensives were older than normotensives (50.81+/-9.01 vs 44.78+/-8.97 y, P0.001). The prevalence of various risk factors amongst hypertensives as compared to normotensives were overweight (68.49 vs 45.06%, P0.0001), current smoking (28.38 vs 34.41%, P0.0001), physical inactivity (64.78 vs 55.36%, P0.001), and high alcohol consumption (1.91 vs 1.06%, P0.01). Of the hypertensives 37.11% were on drug therapy. Of those on therapy, only 17.03% had normal blood pressure. Being overweight and having low physical activity was positively associated with hypertension (OR=2.25, CI=2.11-2.40) and (OR=1.26, CI=1.15-1.38). Manual work, a family history of CVD, low education, and the male gender were also associated with hypertension and more CVD risk factors. These findings illustrate a very high prevalence of hypertension and CVD risk factors in Debrecen, indicating the importance of the need for more effective prevention programmes and control of hypertension in Hungary.

257 patients from 33 centres were involved in a six-month study, the aim of which was to assess the effect of orlistat together with a diet. The authors examined how the treatment effected the anthropometrical and lipid parameters, extending the study to the aspect of paraoxonase activity in case of 25 patients. 44 patients dropped out during the study period due to the lack of sufficient diet compliance, whereas 3 patients had to stop the therapy because of the adverse event of flatus with discharge. On the average, the body mass of the patients decreased from 100.8 +/- 18.9 to 91.3 +/- 18.6 kg, i.e. by 9.5 kgs, while their BMI was reduced from 36.1 +/- 5.6 to 32.5 +/- 5.2 kg/m2 and the circumference of the waist changing from 119.1 +/- 20 to 108.3 +/- 15.1 cm, i.e. by 10.8 cms. The blood sugar level significantly decreased from 5.7 to 5.4, while the cholesterol concentration significantly dropped from 5.9 to 5.5, the triglyceride level being reduced from 2.4 to 2.1 mmol/l and blood pressure falling significantly from 136.6/86.9 to 129.9/81.6. All the above changes showed a significant decrease. However, the HDL-cholesterol level did not change. The serum paraoxonase activity significantly increased (143 +/- 49 vs 166 +/- 43 UL) along with the standardised values for HDL (PON/HDL), even compared to the control diet group. From the above results it may be concluded that orlistat tends to have an antioxidant effect.

A recent paper by Lewis (1991) found authorship of a publication to be the only variable that significantly predicted whether applicants for a senior registrar (SR) rotation in psychiatry at a London teaching hospital were shortlisted. We have re-examined curriculum vitae (CV) predictors of shortlisting at SR level within a comparable London teaching hospital rotation (University College and Middlesex Medical School, UCMSM), and extended the study to examine applicants for the corresponding SHO/registrar (REG) rotation. We have also compared the two groups in terms of demographic data and academic achievements. Our intention was to replicate Lewis' findings, and to examine in more detail the possible predictive effects of academic achievement and ethnicity.

The authors summarize the determining and influencing factors of adolescent hypertension. An overview of the definition and prevalence of hypertension in adolescence is given and the predictive role of the adolescent hypertension on the incidence of adult cardiovascular diseases is pointed out. According to the previous literature data, adult hypertension is more frequent in those people who have had hypertension in their adolescence. There are no widely used, population-based nomograms of adolescent hypertensives available. According to the opinion of the authors, a population-based hypertension screening program would help in delineating the factors influencing adolescent blood pressure, and the most frequent risk factors for hypertension in Hungary. With the follow-up and appropriate treatment of the hypertensives the reduction of target-organ damages may be possible.

The pharmacological treatment of affective disorders has revolutionised the course of the illness with marked beneficial effects on the patient’s social role and a reduction of the costs to society at large. The use of pharmacotherapy significantly improves the chance that a depressed patient will recover over a period of 3–6 weeks. However, pharmacotherapy itself cannot be seen outside the context of a therapeutic relationship and shared understanding of the illness. A therapeutic alliance is not only useful in minimising non-compliance, but also facilitates a thorough explanation of likely adverse effects of any drug treatment given and the anticipated time taken to respond to treatment, as well as the relevance and likely duration of drug treatment within an overall treatment plan.

The aim of our study was to compare the major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors of smokers and non-smokers. Risk screening of CVD was estimated by a questionnaire, via interview. Random samples of 20 000 inhabitants of Debrecen, Hungary, aged 30-65 y, took part in the study. 19 922 questionnaires were considered appropriate for further evaluation. 32.2% of the participants (n=6410) were smokers, whose data were compared to those of the 68.8% of non-smokers (n=13 512). There were more male smokers than female (39.3% vs 27.7%), (P0.001). 36.5% of males and 58.9% of females had not previously smoked regularly (P0.001). 24.2% of males and only 13.3% of females were able to stop smoking (P0.001). 8.7% of the participants smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day (14.8% of males, 5.0% of females), (P0.001). Smokers were younger, with a mean age of 43.4 y vs 47.1 y for non-smokers (P0.01). The ex-smokers and non-smokers had a higher body mass index than light, moderate and heavy smokers (26. 75+/-4.1 kg/m2 and 26.09+/-4.3 kg/m2 vs 24.87+/-3.9 kg/m2 and 24. 89+/-4.2 kg/m2 and 25.32+/-4.3 kg/m2, respectively), (P0.001). The results of the last measured blood pressures did not differ between the two groups. 94.8% of smokers and 93.6% of non-smokers did not perform any regular leisure time exercises (P0.01). 39.8% of smokers regularly ate fatty food, in comparison to 28.0% of non-smokers (P0.001). 30.6% of smokers vs 28.6% of non-smokers were factory workers while 69.4% of smokers vs 71.4% of non-smokers did sedentary jobs (P0.001). 2.3% of smokers vs 0.9% of non-smokers admitted regular consumption of alcohol (P0.001). Amongst the parents and brothers/sisters of smokers the prevalence of heart attack was higher 19.7% vs 18.7%, than for those of non-smokers (P0. 05). We observed an accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors in the case of smokers, which indicates the higher susceptibility of smokers to CVD.

Die Pharmakotherapie affektiver Storungen hat zu umwalzenden Veranderungen im Krankheitsverlauf dieser Storungsbilder gefuhrt und hat ganz entscheidende Verbesserungen hinsichtlich der sozialen Rolle betroffener Patienten wie auch der gesundheitsokonomischen Belastung der Gesellschaft mit sich gebracht. Der Einsatz einer medikamentosen Behandlung erhoht signifikant die Chance, das sich ein depressiver Patient innerhalb von 3–6 Wochen wieder erholen wird. Die Pharmakotherapie kann aber nicht unabhangig von einer tragfahigen Arzt-Patient-Beziehung und dem gemeinsamen Verstehen der Erkrankung gesehen werden. Eine therapeutische Allianz dient nicht nur der Veminderung einer unzureichenden Compliance von Patienten, sondern erleichtert es auch, die moglicherweise auftretenden medikamentosen Nebenwirkungen und die zu erwartende Latenzzeit bis zum Ansprechen auf die Behandlung ausfuhrlich zu besprechen sowie den Stellenwert der medikamentosen Behandlung und ihre voraussichtliche Dauer im Kontext eines Gesamt-behandlungsplanes klarzumachen.

Colchicine administration is able to reduce collagen production and the fibrogenetic process in alcoholic liver diseases in the same time. The decrease of the serum lipid peroxidation capacity along with type III procollagen propeptide level was associated with the simultaneous reduction of plasmatic von Willebrand factor, fibronectin and beta-thromboglobulin levels. This observation suggest a connection between the regulation of primary haemostasis and liver fibrogenesis.

In 28 (3 normal, 11 TIA, 14 completed stroke) patients 99mTc-HMPAO rCBF SPECT studies were performed at rest and after acetazolamide administration. For the investigations, a one-day protocol (the stress study directly followed the rest investigation) was used. The reconstructed and normalized slices were evaluated visually and semiquantitatively with a side difference analysis method. In the group of TIA patients, the abnormal results of the rCBF investigations increased from 55% to 82% after acetazolamide provocation. The corresponding results in the completed stroke group were 80% and 87%. After acetazolamide stimulation, hypoperfusion appeared or become more pronounced in the majority of the TIA group patients in contrast with the completed stroke patients with an unchanged or decreased perfusion abnormality. The semiquantitative evaluation method was mostly effective in the TIA group, where predominantly a one-sided cerebrovascular disorder was suspected. It was concluded that the 99mTc-HMPAO studies allow demonstration of the acetazolamide-induced cerebral perfusion alterations, and this method can be useful in the diagnosis and management of cerebrovascular disorders.

rCBF SPECT investigations with 99mTc-HMPAO were performed in 22 completed ischemic stroke patients on average 2.5, 16.8 and 38.0 days after stroke onset. As control group, 12 neurologically healthy volunteers were examined with the same method. The overall sensitivity of the rCBF SPECT method in the detection of cerebral blood flow abnormalities was 91%, with a specificity of 83% and an accuracy of 88%. The rCBF study was highly effective, particularly in the acute phase of the disease. Regional increased tracer uptake or a false normal 99mTc-HMPAO distribution due to the developing hyperemia mostly complicated the rCBF image interpretations in the subacute period. In the chronic phase, the spatial resolution of the SPECT system limited the detection of the continuously retracted stroke lesions.

Aims:To see the demographic characteristics, co morbidities, past family, psychiatric and forensic history, types of substances misused and treatment provided for patients attending outpatient substance misuse service.Methods:50 case notes were looked into, of patients attending from May-July 2008. A detailed tool was designed which looked at; age, gender, ethnic distribution and living conditions. Presence of medical, psychiatric, family, forensic history was noted. The number of substances, psychotherapeutic intervention and treatment was recorded.Results:Out of the 50 patients, 35 were males while 15 were females. 9 were between 21-30 years, 27 between 31-50years, 14 over 51. 33 were White British, 7 Black Caribbean, 3 Asians and 2 mixed race.33 out of 50 were single and 25 had stable accommodation. 26 had a family history, 32 had a forensic history and 75% had physical problems. Out of the 50 patients, 18 did not have psychiatric history. 33 used 2 substances, 17 used 3 and 6 out of 50 used 4 substances.14 were given Methadone, 7 Buprenorphine, 13 were on Chlordiazepoxide and 1 switched between opiates.Conclusions:There was a preponderance of male users, with majority of patients presenting to services with co-morbid physical conditions. Almost two thirds had a forensic history. About 66% of patients used more than one substance. Apart from one, none had psychotherapeutic intervention, which needs to be considered for the future. The study showed the complex cases that are seen in the Specialist service, and preponderance of poly substance users.

The sensitivity vs. dose characteristics of two TL readers (Harshaw 2000 A + B and NHZ-203C) was compared both in the range of small doses (10 microGy to 100 mGy) as well as in the radiation therapy level by using individually calibrated LiF:Mg, Ti detectors manufactured in Poland. The performance of both systems can be predicted by a three parameter theoretical model. The very good reproducibility of the NHZ-203C reader (sigma/D = 0.6%) is important in radiation therapy while the high sensitivity (the lowest detectable dose limit = 3 S.D. of the background = 27 microGy) is useful for radiation protection measurements.

In this paper a lattice model (here ‘lattice’ means a net of points) is introduced for homogeneous cellular algorithms. On the basis of this model a transformation methodology is developed, which makes it possible to produce many different versions of a given cellular algorithm. These versions may have quite different structural properties, but they perform the same computation as the original algorithm. In this way a great variety of cellular algorithms can be offered to choose the best version in practice and, on the other hand, cellular algorithms can be classified according to their inherent structures.

The authors measured the radiation exposure of the digits of hospital staff during manual manipulations required for intracavitary therapy. Exposure of the thumbs and fingers of both hands was measured by means of individually calibrated LiF T1 pellets placed into Harshaw rings. The data were evaluated by the UCLA BMDP 1979. The correlation between the exposure of pairs of fingers is high for the same hand0.90 and it is lower for that of different hands (0.31–0.60). The correlation coefficients referring of any one radiotherapist are higher in the case of exposure of the same hands. For any one type of treatment the correlation is high for both hands, too (0.95).

Summary Activity changes of enzymes in isolated rat liver Golgi preparations at different times (1–48 h) after a short ether anesthesia are reported. Activity of galactosyl-transferase showed a slight gradual increase but thiamine pyrophosphatase decreased sharply, and after 24 h increased to above control level. Arylsulphatase-A remained largely unchanged, and B was significantly decreased. Acid phosphatase activity did remain at the control level, but alkali phosphatase showed a gradual and highly significant increase. Five other enzymes representing probable contaminations from other subcellular organelles, have also been assayed. Correlation is sought between the enzyme activity changes and some other metabolic effects of anesthesia.

The surface behavior of aqueous solutions of fibrinogen, transferrin, gamma-globulin and albumin at the liquid-gas interface has been investigated by a modified Wilhelmy technique. The temperature dependence of the surface tension was studied over a temperature range of 20--80 degrees C and a pH range of 2--12. Most pronounced conformational changes of fibrinogen with this technique were found in physiological conditions: 35--45 degrees C and pH 7--8. A conformational change was found for gamma-globulin and transferrin solutions, but at a higher temperature and less pronounced than fibrinogen. Albumin did not undergo conformational transitions to a significant extent.

The ultrastructural arrangement of membranes of the Golgi complex has been characterized in Golgi fractions isolated from rat liver. Procedures for isolation of these fractions have been modified to provide a good yield of Golgi membranes (60 to 70%) with greater than 50-fold purification of sialyl transferase, an enzyme specific for the Golgi complex. The isolated membranes appear well preserved and both the dimensions and appearance of the Golgi complex observed by negative staining and in sections of the isolated membranes correlate well with that in liver sections.

It might at first sight appear that old age psychiatrists and geriatricians are relatively well protected from having to deal with the problems of patients suffering from the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is therefore perhaps surprising that the major article in the newsletter of the American Geriatric Society is devoted to AIDS and concludes that “there is no question that the AIDS epidemic is the most important world wide public health issue of this century”.

The authors have investigated the effect of annealing on the reproducibility of CaSO4: Dy dosimeters. The dosimeters cannot be used without external thermal treatment in high precision therapy level dosimetry while a 600 degrees C-1 h external regeneration resulted in a better reproducibility than a 400 degrees C-1 h treatment (which may be used if the absorbed dose in water does not exceed a few Gy). The background of the dosimeters increased considerably even in a 10 X 1 mGy exposure as a result of irradiation history if no external regeneration was used.

Aus Rattenleber isolierte Golgi Apparate wurden unter milden Bedingungen homogenisiert und auf diskontinuierlichen Sucrose-Gradienten aufgetragen. Beim Zentrifugieren wurden 3 Banden mit jeweils Anreicherungen mehrerer Enzyme erhalten, welche einer partiellen Verteilung der Enzymaktivitaten entsprechen.

Biological membranes, the basic architectural units of all cells, constituting in some cases as much as 80% of the total dry cell weight, are involved in most of the fundamental physiological functions. Their major constituents are known to be lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, and water, but their detailed structure and the structure of water therein, the nature of interactions between membrane constituents, and effects of water and metal ions on the conformation of membrane macromolecules are still unknowns.

Depressive symptoms are very common in the elderly. There are, however, considerable methodological problems in estimating the prevalence of depressive symptoms in an elderly population and in deciding on the circumstances in which they may be said to constitute a full blown depressive illness. This chapter concentrates on British and North American studies and is intended to be representative rather than comprehensive. Available data on the age-related prevalence of depression is reviewed, with particular reference to the problems of diagnosis; the epidemiology of suicide and attempted suicide in old age; and the prognosis of, including the impact of treatment on, depression in the elderly.

Rats were injected with a single intravenous dose of aminonucleoside (AMN) and sacrificed 1–48 h later. The activity of several enzymes was assayed in the Golgi apparatus isolated from the liver. Galactosyltransferase activity showed little changes after the AMN, but both acid (EC 3.1.3.2) and alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activities increased within the first hour and reached control levels only 5–24 h later. Thiamine pyrophosphatase and arylsulfatase A (EC 3.1.6.1) activities also increased and stayed at higher levels for the duration of the experiment. Arylsulfatase B (EC 3.1.6.1) activity decreased shortly after the AMN but later increased to above control levels. These findings support earlier results in which liver ultrastructural and biochemical changes were observed early before renal lesions and proteinuria.

Data concerning the state and role of water (H2O) in the nerve, muscle and retina, obtained by the deuteriation technique, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry and freeze-drying are reported. The existence of at least three distinct tissue water compartments is disclosed, whose sizes depend on the nature and state of the tissue. Some of these water populations appear to be indispensable to keeping up both the (supra) molecular architecture and the function of the system, while others have only a role in securing normal functioning. The mechanisms of the anesthetic action are also discussed and water involvement in this process is pointed out. Heavy water (D2O) effects on the cellular energy mechanisms are critically analysed. A change in the hydration degree of various species and the stabilization of the native conformation of biopolymers, as possible causes of heavy water effects, are remarked.

Repeated antidepressant drug and electroshock administration to animals alters several classes of cortical neurotransmitter receptors.1 The role of these adaptive receptor changes in the therapeutic action of antidepressants and the possibility that altered receptors underlie the biological basis of depressive illness can be studied meaningfully only in depressed subjects.

Fibronectin is normally present in the lower respiratory tract. Significantly increased levels of it were detected in the lavage fluid in patients with interstitial lung diseases. Because this molecule appears to mediate a number of components of the inflammatory process, we evaluated the status of fibronectin in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with recurrent obstructive bronchitis when signs of severe chronic mucosal inflammation were observed bronchoscopically. There was no considerable difference in plasma concentrations of fibronectin obtained from healthy children and patients. A comparison of lavage fibronectin/albumin ratios with plasma fibronectin/albumin ratios suggested significant local production, especially when the lavage and plasma ratios were measured in the same patients. Phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages and blood granulocytes from the same patients was enhanced at both concentrations of fibronectin used. This concentrations referred to values quantified in the lavage fluid. The metabolism of fibronectin seems to be an important factor in tracing the inflammation process not only in adults with chronic interstitial lung diseases, but also in children with recurrent obstructive bronchitis.

Investigation performed by nuclear magnetic resonance and by deuteration on the dynamics of water molecules in mammalian blood cells and in amphibian oocytes, muscles and nerves allowed to reveal several populations of cell water molecules. Following up relaxation and exchange processes in cell suspensions, packed cell pellets and in isolated tissues, characteristics of water dynamics and compartmentation in various biosystems are compared.