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We present a catalog of 1,143 periodic variables, compiled from our image-subtracted photometric analysis of the K2 Campaign-0 super stamp. This super stamp is centered on the open clusters M35 and NGC 2158. Approximately 46% of our periodic variables were previously unreported. Of the catalog variables, we find that 331 are members of M35 and 56 are members of NGC 2158 (${P_{\mathrm{m}}~>~0.5}$). Our catalog contains two new transiting exoplanet candidates, both of which orbit field stars. The smaller planet candidate has a radius of $0.35~\pm~0.04 \ \rm R_{J}$ and orbits a K dwarf ($K_{\mathrm{p}}=15.4$ mag) with a transit depth of 2.9 millimag. The larger planet candidate has a radius of $0.72~\pm~0.02 \ \rm R_{J}$ and orbits a late G type star ($K_{\mathrm{p}}=15.7$ mag) with a transit depth of 2.2 millimag. The larger planet candidate maybe an unresolved binary or a false alarm. Our catalog includes 44 eclipsing binaries, including ten new detections. Of the eclipsing binaries, one is an M35 member and five are NGC 2158 members. Our catalog contains a total of 1,097 non-transiting variable stars, including a field $\delta$ Cepheid exhibiting double mode pulsations, 561 rotational variables, and 251 pulsating variables (primarily $\gamma$ Doradus and $\delta$ Scuti types). The periods of our catalog sources range between 43 minutes to 24 days. The known ages of our reported cluster variables will facilitate investigations of a variety of stellar evolutionary processes., Comment: 34 pages, 24 figures

Classical swine fever (CSF) marker vaccine candidate CP7_E2alf produced under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) conditions by Pfizer was tested on 40 six-week-old MDA-piglets according to the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.) requirements. Single doses of CP7_E2alf were given to 15 piglets orally, while 15 other piglets were intramuscularly vaccinated. Ten additional animals were included as unvaccinated controls. All piglets were oronasally challenged with the highly virulent CSF virus (CSFV) strain "Koslov" 14 days after vaccination. CP7_E2alf administered i.m. provided a complete protection, while p.o. administratrion triggered only partial protection. The level of protection was determined by the development of clinical signs, viraemia and rate of mortality. The vaccine candidate met the criteria of Ph. Eur Monograph 0065, "Swine-fever vaccine (live, prepared in cell cultures), classical" 7th Edition, which claims the efficacy test is invalid if fewer than 50 per cent of the control piglets display typical signs of serious infection of CSF or die, and if fewer than 100 per cent of the control piglets show clinical signs of disease within 21 days following challenge. Fulfilling these validity criteria is a key step in the registration procedure for a vaccine candidate to become openly available.

Serbia is one of the countries with the continuous import of breeding sows and boars. Boars are usually imported at the age of 4 to 6 months, in the period when the quality of the breeding males cannot be determined due to sexual immaturity (prepubertal and pubertal age). In this paper, the method and results of semen quality control in 40 imported young boars are described, and also the method of documenting the cause for action claim. In the case of suspicious semen quality it is necesseary to perform at least 3 consecutive controls in one month intervals in order to establish a final estimation of quality and usability of semen. Of 40 imported boars, 4 boars (10%) were subject of complaint due to: azoospermia (1 boar), absence or reduction of total and progressive motility, present sperm agglutination (2 boars), and increased number of pathological forms of spermatozoa (78%, 1 boar). Increased proportion of sperm with unstable chromatin structure (SCSA test - 33.2% and 37.1%) was established in two boars. To initiate the complaint it is necessary to have a sales contract that provides possibility for the reclamation, recognized methods of semen quality control and trustful business relationship between all interested parties. Srbija se svrstava u red zemalja sa kontinuiranim uvozom priplodnih nazimica i nerastova. Nerastovi se uglavnom uvoze u dobi od 4 do 6 meseci, u periodu kada se kvalitet priplodnjaka ne može pouzdano utvrditi usled polne nezrelosti (prepubertetsko ili pubertetska dob nerastića). U ovom radu opisan je postupak i rezultati kontrole kvaliteta semena kod 40 mladih nerastova iz uvoza, kao i način dokumentovanja razloga za pokretanje postupka reklamacije. Kod sumnjivog kvaliteta semena potrebno je izvršiti najmanje 3 uzastopne kontrole u razmaku od po mesec dana, kako bi se donela konačna ocena o kvalitetu semena i upotrebljivosti nerasta za priplod. Od 40 uvezenih nerastova, 4 su reklamirana (10%) usled: azoospermije (1 nerast), odsustva ili smanjenje ukupne ili progresivne pokretljivosti, uz prisustvo aglutinacija spermatozoida (2 nerasta), i povećanog broja patoloških formi spermatozoida (78%; 1 nerast). Kod dva nerasta zabeležen je povećan udeo spermatozoida sa nestabilnom strukturom hromatina (SCSA test - 33,2% i 37,1%). Za pokretanje reklamacije neophodno je imati kupoprodajni ugovor koji predviđa mogućnost reklamacije, priznate metode kontrole semena kao i izgrađen poslovni odnos poverenja zainteresovanih strana.

Effective oronasal vaccination against classical swine fever (CSF) is essential to achieve protection in wild boar. However the currently available live CSF vaccines, e.g. C-strain, do not allow serological differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). A modified live marker vaccine candidate (CP7E2alf) has been recently developed (Reimann et al., 2004). This communication reports the comparison of CP7E2alf and C-strain virus vaccines during 98 days following oronasal immunisation in domestic pigs. C-strain vaccine virus was consistently detected in tonsils of all (n=30) animals from 3 to 77 days post vaccination (dpv) and in blood (n=36) between 3 and 13dpv by CSFV-specific rRT-PCR. CP7E2alf virus RNA was detected in 6 animals slaughtered between 4 and 63dpv by a BVDV-specific rRT-PCR. The chimeric virus was not detected in blood samples. As detected by CSFV E2-specific antibody ELISA and virus neutralisation tests, seroconversion first occurred at 11dpv in the C-strain vaccinated group and between 11 and 15dpv in the CP7E2alf vaccinated group. The serological response was still present at 98dpv. The CP7E2alf serological response remained negative using the CSFV E(rns) ELISA whereas seroconversion occurred in the C-strain vaccinated group. In conclusion, the primary replication site of CP7E2alf vaccine virus was found to be the tonsils as in the C-strain and virulent field strains. Persistence of CP7E2alf in the tonsils was also demonstrated up to 63dpv. Both vaccines showed immunogenicity after oronasal administration in domestic pigs. In contrast to the C-strain, CP7E2alf vaccine allowed the use of DIVA approaches in serological tests. This study confirms CP7E2alf as a promising marker vaccine candidate for oronasal vaccination programmes to control CSF in domestic pigs and wild boar.

Absztrakt A gyomor primer lymphomáinak kezelési stratégiája napjainkban a hatékony kemoterápiának és immunoterápiának köszönhetően változás alatt áll. Míg korábban az elsődleges gyógymód a sebészi reszekció volt és a kemoterápia csak mint ennek kiegészítése jöhetett szóba kuratív célból, addig ma ez a trend megfordulni látszik. A korai stádiumú kis malignitású MALT lymphoma – ha a beteg Helicobacter pozitív – 60%-ban meggyógyítható eradikációs kezeléssel. Totalis gastrectomiát vagy szubtotalis reszekciót D2 lymphadenectomiával II.1. stádiumig javaslunk, R1 esetben adjuváns kemoterápiával. Nagy malignitású gyomor lymphoma esetén a stratégia hasonló, azzal a kiegészítéssel, hogy II.1. stádiumban csak akkor van értelme a reszekciónak, ha biztosan R0 status érhető el. Ezeken kívül kemorezisztens betegeknél is indokolt a reszekció. Az előrehaladott esetekben a műtétnek nincs értelme, csak a szövődmények elhárítása lehet a cél. Sajnos a diagnosztikai nehézségek miatt gyakran csak posztoperatíve derül ki, hogy lymphomát operáltunk. Jelen munkánkban 2000. január 1. és 2005. december 31. közötti 6 éves periódusban kezelt 38 primer gyomorlymphomás betegünk adatait dolgoztuk fel. Összesen 9 beteg került műtétre, reszekciós műtét 6 esetben történt. Műtét előtt csak 1 betegnél tudtuk, hogy lymphomát operálunk. A tendencia az, hogy a kemoterápia, immuno-kemoterápia egyre nagyobb teret nyer a gyomor lymphomák gyógyításában. Saját anyagunk is ezt a változást tükrözi.

Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA) can have a negative effect on the efficacy of live attenuated vaccines against classical swine fever (CSF). For this reason, a marker vaccine candidate CP7_E2alf was tested for its efficacy in the presence of MDA. Pregnant sows were vaccinated four weeks before farrowing with CSF virus (CSFV) strain "Thiverval". A total of 40 piglets with MDAs were included in this study. At six weeks of age the piglets were allocated into three treatment groups using generalized randomized block design (GRBD) blocking on serological status and pen location. Of the 40 piglets with MDAs, 30 piglets were vaccinated either orally (n = 15) or intramuscularly (n = 15) with a single dose of vaccine candidate produced under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) conditions. The ten remaining piglets were allocated into the untreated control group. All 40 piglets were oronasally challenged with 2 ml of the highly virulent CSFV strain "Koslov" 14 days after vaccination. It was revealed that presence of MDAs negatively influences the efficacy of the live marker vaccine candidate, however, the extent of this negative impact depends on the route of vaccine administration. Based on our observations, intramuscular vaccination is recommended during CSF control programs in order to develop superior immune protection.

SUMMARY The basis of telescopic anastomosis is old, only the practical details of it have changed and improved. The telescopic anastomosis technique is successfully applied in our practice for reconstruction of gastrectomy and esophageal resection. The reason for this study was that data about the healing process of telescopic anastomosis had not been found in the literature. We used four groups of mongrel dogs for our experiments: Group A (n = 3) received 20 mm-long invaginations with a survival time of 7 days; Group B (n = 3) received 10 mm-long invaginations with a survival time of 21 days; Group C (n = 3) received 20 mm-long invaginations with a survival time of 21 days; Group D (n = 3) received 30 mm-long invaginations with a survival time of 21 days. At the end of the above survival times we removed the anastomosing area, measured the bursting pressures and performed morphological and histological examinations. In each case we also performed an anastomosis exactly the same as a completely healed anastomosis and its pressure tolerance was measured (0 day). The pressure tolerance within the anastomosis rises gradually and independently of the length of the invaginated esophageal part. Anastomosis leakage did not occur. The invaginated esophageal part did not suffer any damage. The muscular wall of the intragastric part of the esophagus became covered by the mucosa of the stomach during the healing process and it joined with the esophageal mucosa at the edge of the free end of the esophagus.

An outbreak of the atypical form of myxomatosis struck a rabbit farm in Hungary. The animals had previously been vaccinated with a vaccine containing Shope rabbit fibroma virus strain. The disease appeared in winter when the presence of mosquitoes and fleas is not common. The virus was isolated from an eyelid specimen of a naturally infected rabbit. The surviving animals were observed for four weeks, blood samples were collected and, after euthanasia, organ specimens were also examined by morphological methods including pathology and electron microscopy. Serum samples were examined by virus neutralisation for antibodies. Genetic analysis of the isolated virus was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. The primers were designed on the basis of the major envelope gene (Env) of the Lausanne reference strain in the GenBank. The viral proteins were examined by SDS-PAGE. The isolated virus (ref. no.: BP04/2001) was able to infect the susceptible animals directly, by contact. The disease was characterised by respiratory symptoms of the upper tracheal tract, conjunctivitis and high mortality by the 11th-14th day. Aerogenic infection with strain BP04/2001 resulted in 100% morbidity among the susceptible animals. Sequencing of the amplified 400-bp-long DNA revealed 97% homology with the Env gene of the Lausanne strain, which proves that strain BP04/2001 is a variant of the Lausanne strain having been enzootic throughout Europe. The live vaccine strain used in Hungary against myxomatosis, which is also a Lausanne-derived strain, protected the animals. According to the protein analysis a protein of 200 kDa in size is not expressed in strain BP04/2001. This is the first report on atypical myxomatosis in Central Europe. The virus spreads by airborne transmission and may cause severe losses in the rabbit population.

Tests were made on a magnesium-alloy frame, as well as on bicycles made using such a frame. Strain gauges, a linear amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a microprocessor, a surface simulator and a personal computer were used to perform the measurements. It was found that the frame tested met the set of requirements laid down in the relevant standard concerning the static loads. The frame did not suffer permanent deformation. Making use of a field simulator; the elastic deformations obtained with different loads were compared on a bicycle assembled on an Mg (type: YBM-R-MTB, mass: 1245 gr., size: 19.5"/26") alloy frame. The low mass proved to be an added benefit. As far as the vibration tests are concerned, Mg frames performed well. The test results may make bicycle manufacturers reconsider constructional features and provide information for users in both competitive and mass sports.

Formaldehyde (as its dimedone adduct, formaldemethone) has been identified in the extracts of parts of European Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) by high performance liquid chromatography and from matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric data. It has been established that the level of measurable formaldehyde is increased in the acorns by soaking. In the early developmental stages of European Turkey oak, the level of formaldehyde is particularly high throughout in the endosperm tissue and is increased gradually in the root tissues. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of our study was to investigate changes in psycho-physiological parameters evoked by short duration, intensive physical stress on university students practicing judo at different intensities and timely manner. Stability of posture, muscle strength (hand force exertions), attention concentration (choice reaction time), cardiac parameters, (ECG, heart rate, heart rate variability), and oxygen saturation were measured, cardiac state and stress index were computed before and after the physical stress. The actual psychic state of the subjects was evaluated using the Spielberger's STPI-H Y-1 test which determined anxiety, curiosity, anger and depression level. Analysis of psychometric and physiologic parameters indicated significant correlations, among others, between force and cardiac stress (-), force and depression (-), anxiety and errors in actions (+), cardiac state and errors in action (-), cardiac state and depression (-). Paired samples tests showed the influence of intensive physical stress within groups of students, and independent samples tests made it possible to evaluate the power of medical and sport students, performing physical training at a significantly higher level than it is usual among the medical students. Our results proved that higher level physical training influences the psychic state advantageously, limits increases in cardiac stress level, and decreases susceptibility to anxiety and depression.

Bernath S., K. Fabian, I. Kadar, G. Szita, T. Barna : Optimum Time Interval between the First Vaccination and the Booster of Sheep for Clostridium perfringens Type D. Acta Vet. Brno 2004, 73: 473-475. The goal of the present study was the determination of optimum time interval between the first and second vaccination of sheep against Clostridium perfringens type D with aluminium hydroxide-adjuvanted monovalent vaccine. Eight weeks after the first vaccination of 13 sheep aged 6 months, 12 animals had developed a higher and 1 animal a lower antibody titre than 0.1 IU/ml, which is protective under natural conditions. No correlation was found between the extent of the immune response and the length of the period between the immunizations in 24 sheep vaccinated twice at an interval of 2, 4 or 8 weeks. In spite of this, revaccination is suggested 8 weeks after the first immunization: because in this case most of the animals are protected continuously up to the time of the second vaccination, and the second antibody peak develops later. This vaccination schedule provides protective immune response for the longest period of time.

This paper describes a procedure of laparoscopic insemination (LAI) performed in 42 Ile de France ewes with deep-frozen rams' semen. Frozen semen doses was imported from France, originating from two rams (A and B), and used intermittently in three LAI cycles on different females. The ewes were examined ultrasonographically for pregnancy, two months following insemination and data of lambing were recorded at the end. Total achieved lambing rate was 61.90% (26/42) and total number of lambs was 49 (prolificacy 1.88; 1.16 lambs per sheep included in LAI protocol). Three labs from 2 ewes were stillborn and one dyed at 10th day after lambing. Lambing rates for rams A and B were 53.85% (14/26) and 75.00% (12/16), respectively. Introduction of laparoscopic insemination of sheep with imported deep-frozen semen of top quality rams, gaining technical experience and achieving conception rate over 65% could make this technique acceptable in improving genetic potential of top quality sheep flocks. U radu je opisan postupak laparoskopskog osemenjavanja (LAO) primenjen kod 42 ovce rase Ile de France duboko zamrznutim semenom. Tokom tri ciklusa osemenjavanja naizmenično je korišćeno seme dva ovna (A i B), uvezeno iz Francuske. Nakon dva meseca od osemenjavanja ovce su pregledane na sjagnjenost ultrasonografskom metodom i analizirani su podaci o jagnjenju. Ostvarena je koncepcija od 61,90% (26/42) i dobijeno je ukupno 49 jaganjaca (indeks jagnjena 1,88 po ojagnjenoj ovci, odnosno, 1,16 jagnjeta po ovci uključenoj u protokol LAO). Tri jagnjeta od dve ovce bila su mrtvorođena i jedno jagnje je uginulo 10. dana nakon jagnjenja. Sjagnjenost od semena ovna A iznosila je 58,85% (14/26) a od ovna B 75,00% (12/16). Uvođenje laparoskopskog osemenjavanja ovaca, uvoz duboko-zamrznutog semena vrhunskih ovnova, sticanje iskustva i ostvarenje koncepcije od preko 65% može ovu tehniku učiniti prihvatljivom u popravljanju genetskog potencijala kvalitetnih stada ovaca.

Homogeneous catalytic oxidation of o-substituted aniline derivatives by dioxygen under ambient conditions has been studied. Systems exemplifying two fundamental mechanisms are described. Molecular oxygen may enter the catalytic cycle via either dioxygen complex formation, or the generation of RO' radicals via oxidation by metal salts. 2-Aminophenol is 2catalytically converted to 2-amino- phenoxazin-3-one (APX) via a series of H-abstraction and addition steps in the presence of triphenylphosphine- cobaloxime(II), which readily forms dioxygen complexes. A methyl-substituted 1,5-benzodiazepine (13) derived from o-phenylenediamine undergoes a methyl to formyl group oxidation catalyzed by manganese(II1) salts via a free-radical process of remarkable selectivity.

Homogeneous catalytic oxidation of o-substituted aniline derivatives by dioxygen under ambient conditions has been studied. Systems exemplifying two fundamental mechanisms are described. Molecular oxygen may enter the catalytic cycle via either dioxygen complex formation, or the generation of RO' radicals via oxidation by metal salts. 2-Aminophenol is 2catalytically converted to 2-amino- phenoxazin-3-one (APX) via a series of H-abstraction and addition steps in the presence of triphenylphosphine- cobaloxime(II), which readily forms dioxygen complexes. A methyl-substituted 1,5-benzodiazepine (13) derived from o-phenylenediamine undergoes a methyl to formyl group oxidation catalyzed by manganese(II1) salts via a free-radical process of remarkable selectivity.

The process of maternal-fetal attachment, considered vital for normal infant development, begins during pregnancy and can be affected by a number of external factors. In this study the impact of prenatal testing on maternal-fetal bonding was evaluated in 253 women undergoing either first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (n = 101) or second-trimester genetic amniocentesis (n = 152). The women were evaluated by means of a modification of the Cranley Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale, administered before and after the results of the prenatal diagnostic testing were made known to them (mean gestational ages of 10.6 and 15.7 weeks for the chorionic villus sampling group and 16.5 and 21.1 weeks for the amniocentesis group). The results showed: (1) that maternal-fetal attachment begins as early as 10 weeks' gestation and increases significantly as the pregnancy progresses, (2) that maternal-fetal attachment increases significantly, once the results are known to be normal, for both groups (p less than 0.001), (3) that this increase occurs about 5 weeks earlier for patients with chorionic villus sampling in comparison to those undergoing amniocentesis (p less than 0.001). Thus, with regard to the process of maternal-fetal attachment, first-trimester chorionic villus sampling appears to be preferable to second-trimester amniocentesis.

The healing process of telescopic anastomoses was found in an animal experiment with 12 mongrel dogs. After the division of vessels an ileal segment of different length was invaginated into the lumen of the colon using single-layer interrupted sutures. The following four groups were used: Group A (n = 3): end-to-side ileocolostomy, single-layer interrupted suture (invagination length: 0 mm), survival time: 21 days. Group B (n = 3): invagination length: 20 mm, survival time: 7 days. Group C (n = 3): invagination length: 10 mm, survival time: 21 days. Group D (n = 3): invagination length: 20 mm, survival time: 21 days. At the end of the above survival times the anastomosis area was removed. The bursting pressure was measured and morphological as well as histological examinations were performed. In each case the 0-day look-alikes of anastomoses were performed using the remnant bowels, and bursting pressure measurements were done on these models as well. Anastomosis leakage did not occur. The serosal layer of the intracolonic part of the ileum disappeared during the healing process. The free surface of the intracolonic ileal segment became covered by the sliding mucosa of the colon and the prolapsing mucosa of the ileum. The following could be concluded after the experiments: The inner pressure tolerance of a telescopic ileocolostomy promptly after preparation is better than in case of another single-layer anastomosis. This fact results in increased safety against leakage on the first postoperative days. The inner pressure tolerance of the telescopic ileocolostomy increases during the healing process and it does not depend on the length of the invaginated part (0 day-20 mm: 56 mmHg ± 6, Group A: 252 ± 39, Group B: 154 ± 19, Group C: 249 ± 20, Group D: 298 ± 2). There is no difference in pressure tolerance between the telescopic and the end-to-side single-layer interrupted anastomoses after the healing process. The invaginated section within the lumen of the large intestine does not suffer ischaemic or any other kind of damage. This inexpensive and simple anastomosis technique could be useful in the veterinary surgical practice as well.

Hungary is facing to perform intensive afforestation. New forests will be planted on dry, poorly fertile soils nonprofitable for agricultural use. Applying artificially mycorrhized seedlings may considerably increase the effectivity of afforestation and decrease costs.

Results of the production of Ξ- and Ξ+ hyperons are presented for the 10% most central Pb + Pb interactions at 158 GeV/c per nucleon where the average number of participants Npart is about 335. This analysis utilises a global reconstruction procedure, which allows a measurement of 4π integrated yields to be made for the first time. Inverse slope parameters, which are determined from an exponential fit to the transverse mass spectra, are found to be 267 ± 9 MeV and 296 ± 17 MeV for Ξ- and Ξ+ hyperons, respectively. Mid-]rapidity densities (dN/dy) are found to be 1.49 ± 0.08 and 0.33 ± 0.04 particles per event per unit rapidity for Ξ- and Ξ+, respectively. The ratio R(Ξ+/Ξ-) at mid-rapidity, R(y = Ycm), is found to be 0.22 ± 0.03. Yields integrated to full phase space are found to be 4.12 ± 0.20 and 0.77 ± 0.04 particles per event for Ξ- and Ξ+ hyperons, respectively. ©2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Experiment NA49 at the Cern SPS has performed large acceptance measurements of hadron production in pp, pPb, CC, SiSi and PbPb collisions at 40 and 158 A · GeV beam energies. These data allowed a study of particle yields, spectra and correlations as well as event-by-event fluctuations of average event properties of the created hadron system. Results from central PbPb collisions are consistent with the onset of deconfinement during the early stage of the reaction in the lower SPS energy range. A new scaling property of particle production ratios was found which relates collision systems of different size and centrality. Systematics of the evolution of particle production from pp via pPb to PbPb collisions were investigated.

In this paper we present recent results from the NA49 experiment for Λ and Λ̄ hyperons produced in central Pb + Pb collisions at 40, 80 and 158 A GeV. Transverse mass spectra and rapidity distributions for Λ are shown for all three energies. The shape of the rapidity distribution becomes flatter with increasing beam energy. The multiplicities at mid-rapidity as well as the total yields are studied as a function of collision energy including AGS measurements. The ratio Λ/π at mid-rapidity and in 4π has a maximum around 40 A GeV, In addition, Λ̄ rapidity distributions have been measured at 40 and 80 A GeV, which allows us to study the Λ̄/Λ ratio.

Measurements of charged pion and kaon production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 40, 80, and 158 A GeV are presented. These are compared with data at lower and higher energies as well as with results from p+p interactions. The mean pion multiplicity per wounded nucleon increases approximately linearly with sNN1/4 with a change of slope starting in the region 15-40 A GeV. The change from pion suppression with respect to p+p interactions, as observed at low collision energies, to pion enhancement at high energies occurs at about 40A GeV. A nonmonotonic energy dependence of the ratio of K+ to π+ yields is observed, with a maximum close to 40A GeV and an indication of a nearly constant value at higher energies. The measured dependences may be related to an increase of the entropy production and a decrease of the strangeness to entropy ratio in central Pb+Pb collisions in the low SPS energy range, which is consistent with the hypothesis that a transient state of deconfined matter is created above these energies. Other interpretations of the data are also discussed.

The side chain of residue Arg(238) in morphinone reductase (MR) is located close to the N-1/C-2 carbonyl region of the flavin isoalloxazine ring. During enzyme reduction negative charge develops in this region of the flavin. The positioning of a positively charged side chain in the N-1/C-2 carbonyl region of protein-bound flavin is common to many flavoprotein enzymes. To assess the contribution made by Arg(238) in stabilizing the reduced flavin in MR we isolated three mutant forms of the enzyme in which the position of the positively charged side chain was retracted from the N-1/C-2 carbonyl region (Arg(238)-->Lys), the positive charge was removed (Arg(238)-->Met) or the charge was reversed (Arg(238)-->Glu). Each mutant enzyme retains flavin in its active site. Potentiometric studies of the flavin in the wild-type and mutant forms of MR indicate that the flavin semiquinone is not populated to any appreciable extent. Reduction of the flavin in each enzyme is best described by a single Nernst function, and the values of the midpoint reduction potentials (E(12)) for each enzyme fall within the region of -247+/-10 mV. Stopped-flow studies of NADH binding to wild-type and mutant MR enzymes reveal differences in the kinetics of formation and decay of an enzyme-NADH charge-transfer complex, reflecting small perturbations in active-site geometry. Reduced rates of hydride transfer in the mutant enzymes are attributed to altered geometrical alignment of the nicotinamide coenzyme with FMN rather than major perturbations in reduction potential, and this is supported by an observed entropy-enthalpy compensation effect on the hydride transfer reaction throughout the series of enzymes. The data indicate, in contrast with dogma, that the presence of a positively charged side chain close to the N-1/C-2 carbonyl region of the flavin in MR is not required to stabilize the reduced flavin. This finding may have general implications for flavoenzyme catalysis, since it has generally been assumed that positive charge in this region has a stabilizing effect on the reduced form of flavin.

During ten years 580 patients have been treated for gastric tumour in our department, 510 of them were operated on. Resection could be performed in 296 cases. 17 resections, 5.7 per cent of all were performed because of primary non-Hodgkin gastric lymphoma. No gastric lymphoma was found among the non-resected patients. The preoperative histological diagnosis was correct only in 8 cases. MALT origin could be proved in 5 patients. Synchronous adenocarcinoma and lymphoma was diagnosed in 2 patients. Staging was decided according to Lugano classification. There were six stage I, four stage II, and seven stage IV patients. 8 subtotal and 9 total gastrectomy was performed, 5 were extended and 2 were combined. R0 resection could be carried out in five stage I, two stage II and in one stage IV patient. We lost 2 patients in the postoperative period. Patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (VEP, CHOP) except for 2 patients with low grade MALT lymphoma. The likelihood of one-year survival is 73 per cent, average two-year survival is 63 per cent. When the tumour is operable by total gastrectomy we suggest to perform splenectomy as well, despite of the fact that some postoperative complications can be related to it. We think it is reasonable to perform palliative resection in cases of locally extended stage IV tumours, which affect the patient's quality of life: to cease the pain, passage troubles, bleeding and to improve the conditions for adjuvant treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three extenders on ram sperm quality after short-term liquid storage (24 hours’ holding time). The study included 20 crossbred rams (Pirot Pramenka x Wurttemberg x Ile de France), 12 months old. Animals were housed at the experimental sheep farm of the Institute for Animal Husbandry in Belgrade, Serbia. Semen was collected through electro ejaculation. The ejaculates were obtained from single services and routine field analysis of the semen was performed immediately after the collection. The semen was split and diluted with three extenders, namely Optidyl®, Andromed® and ultrahigh temperature processed (UHT) milk, in ratios of 1 : 50 or 1 : 100. The ejaculates were examined for sperm motility variables (sperm cell motility percentage, the progressive motility percentage, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), sperm linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), amplitude of lateral sperm head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF) and circular tracks), and sperm morphology (live sperm percentage, percentage of normal sperm forms with intact acrosome, percentage of abnormal sperm forms and total damaged acrosome) by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and classic sperm cytology after supravital eosin/nigrosine/trypan blue staining, respectively. It was observed that the type of extender used in diluting ram semen is an important factor in the successful short-term liquid preservation (at 4 °C) of ram spermatozoa. In conclusion, this study showed that egg yolk (Optidyl) and soybean (Andromed)-based extenders gave better results of both sperm morphology and sperm motility parameters compared with UHT milk.Keywords: Diluents, morphology, motility, sperm

Of malignancies occurring in bones, metastatic tumours are the most frequent. Due to the increase of mean life span and to other factors the incidence of tumours is growing. Nevertheless, survival chances of patients suffering from tumours are also improving due to advance in diagnostics and to the application of complex therapy. These trends have substantially increased the number of recognized and manageable bone metastases. In general, life expectations of a tumour-patient are determined by the metastases therefore, the question of diagnostics and management of bone metastases is worth of special attention. Authors have performed a clinicopathological survey of patients of the past eight years who have suffered fracture due to bone metastases and were treated surgically. In one-third of the patients the primary tumour was unknown at the time of the fracture. On the basis of the histological pattern the detection of the parent-organ, particularly in adenocarcinomas, was not possible. Independently from the radiological appearance of the metastasis simultaneous osteogenesis and osteolysis were histologically observed.

The volume reports on the third phase of the United Nations International Comparison Project (ICP). The main results provide comparisons of real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for thirty-four countries in 1975. Quantity and price comparisons are given also for personal consumption, capital formation, and public consumption and further subdivisions of final expenditures on GDP are estimated.