Reactive spinal glia convert 2-AG to prostaglandins to drive aberrant astroglial calcium signaling.

The endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) influences neurotransmission in the central nervous system mainly by activating type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). Following its release, 2-AG is broken down by hydrolases to yield arachidonic acid, which may subsequently be metabolized by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 converts arachidonic acid and also 2-AG into prostanoids, well-known inflammatory and pro-nociceptive mediators. Here, using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods and pharmacological manipulations, we found that reactive spinal astrocytes and microglia increase the expression of COX-2 and the production of prostaglandin E2 when exposed to 2-AG. Both 2-AG and PGE2 evoke calcium transients in spinal astrocytes, but PGE2 showed 30% more efficacy and 55 times more potency than 2-AG. Unstimulated spinal dorsal horn astrocytes responded to 2-AG with calcium transients mainly through the activation of CB1. 2-AG induced exaggerated calcium transients in reactive astrocytes, but this increase in the frequency and area under the curve of calcium signals was only partially dependent on CB1. Instead, aberrant calcium transients were almost completely abolished by COX-2 inhibition. Our results suggest that both reactive spinal astrocytes and microglia perform an endocannabinoid-prostanoid switch to produce PGE2 at the expense of 2-AG. PGE2 in turn is responsible for the induction of aberrant astroglial calcium signals which, together with PGE2 production may play role in the development and maintenance of spinal neuroinflammation-associated disturbances such as central sensitization.

Evaluation of Incidence and Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome Attending Physical Training.

INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity is recommended to patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). However, vigorous physical exercise occurs as a risk factor of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The effect of short-term and irregular exercise is controversial. The aim of this research is to assess the role of regular training in the incidence of SCD and to identify risk factors among patients with CCS participating in a long-term training program. METHODS: Data of risk factors, therapy, and participation were collected retrospectively for a 10-year period, assessing the length and regularity of participation. The incidence of SCD and related mortality was registered. ANOVA, χ2 test, and multinominal logistic regression and stepwise analysis were performed. RESULTS: The Incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was higher (p < 0.01) and taking beta-blockers (BBs) was lower (p = 0.04) in the SCD group. Irregular training, lack of BBs, smoking, and CKD increased the risk of SCD, while female sex, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs), and BBs decreased the risk of SCD. CONCLUSIONS: Taking ACEI/ARBs and BBs proved to be a protective factor, emphasizing the use of optimal medical therapy. Assessment of cardiac risk factors and control of comorbidities also proved to be important. The occurrence of SCD was connected to irregular physical activity, probably relating to the adverse effects of ad hoc exercising.

[The role of dietitians in the care of patients with eating disorder].

Dietitians play an important role in the care of patients with eating disorders. However, the precise conditions are not yet defined. This limits the clarity of the role of the dietitian within the dietetic profession as well as in a broader sense among the health care providers. In Hungary, there is no comprehensive guideline on it yet, so the aim of the present paper is to clarify the role, tasks, and competence boundaries of the dietitians. First, we provide guidance for the recognition of eating disorders by overviewing the symptoms, the diagnostic criteria, and the most important aspects of biopsychosocial assessment. Second, we take stock of the tasks of the dietitian, as a member of the therapeutic team in the treatment of eating disorders in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Effect of HEAT therapy in patiEnts with type 2 Diabetes mellitus (HEATED): protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide. Heat therapy has been found effective in improving glycaemic control. However, to date, there is a lack of randomised controlled studies investigating the efficacy of heat therapy in T2DM. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether heat therapy with natural thermal mineral water can improve glycaemic control in patients with T2DM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The HEAT therapy in patiEnts with type 2 Diabetes mellitus (HEATED) Study is a single-centre, two-arm randomised controlled trial being conducted at Harkány Thermal Rehabilitation Centre in Hungary. Patients with T2DM will be randomly assigned to group A (bath sessions in 38°C natural thermal mineral water) and group B (baths in thermoneutral water (30°C-32°C)). Both groups will complete a maximum of 5 weekly visits, averaging 50-60 visits over the 12-week study. Each session will last 30 min, with a physical check-up before the bath. At baseline, patients' T2DM status will be investigated thoroughly. Possible microvascular and macrovascular complications of T2DM will be assessed with physical and laboratory examinations. The short form-36 questionnaire will assess the quality of life. Patients will also be evaluated at weeks 4, 8 and 12. The primary endpoint will be the change of glycated haemoglobin from baseline to week 12. An estimated 65 patients will be enrolled per group, with a sample size re-estimation at the enrolment of 50% of the calculated sample size. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Hungarian Medical Research Council (818-2/2022/EÜIG). Written informed consent is required from all participants. We will disseminate our results to the medical community and will publish our results in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05237219.

Designed Peptide Inhibitors of STEP Phosphatase-GluA2 AMPA Receptor Interaction Enhance the Cognitive Performance in Rats.

Cognitive impairment and learning ability of the brain are directly linked to synaptic plasticity as measured in changes of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in animal models of brain diseases. LTD reflects a sustained reduction of the synaptic AMPA receptor content based on targeted clathrin-mediated endocytosis. AMPA receptor endocytosis is initiated by dephosphorylation of Tyr876 on the C-terminus of the AMPAR subunit GluA2. The brain-specific striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) is responsible for this process. To identify new, highly effective inhibitors of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) internalization, we performed structure-based design of peptides able to inhibit STEP-GluA2-CT complex formation. Two short peptide derivatives were found as efficient in vitro inhibitors. Our in vivo experiments evidenced that both peptides restore the memory deficits and display anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in a scopolamine-treated rat model. The interference peptides identified and characterized here represent promising lead compounds for novel cognitive enhancers and/or behavioral modulators.

Manufacturing and Examination of Vaginal Drug Delivery System by FDM 3D Printing.

Vaginal drug delivery systems can provide a long-term and constant liberation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient even for months. For our experiment, FDM 3D printing was used to manufacture the vaginal ring samples from thermoplastic polyurethane filament, which enables fast manufacturing of complex, personalized medications. 3D printing can be an excellent alternative instead of industrial manufacturing, which is complicated and time-consuming. In our work, the 3D printed vaginal rings were filled manually with jellified metronidazole or chloramphenicol for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. The need for manual filling was certified by the thermogravimetric and heatflow assay results. The manufactured samples were analyzed by an Erweka USP type II Dissolution Apparatus, and the dissolution profile can be distinguished based on the applied jellifying agents and the API's. All samples were considered non-similar based on the pairwise comparison. The biocompatibility properties were determined by prolonged MTT assay on HeLa cells, and the polymer could be considered non-toxic. Based on the microbiological assay on E. coli metronidazole and chitosan containing samples had bactericidal effects while just metronidazole or just chitosan containing samples bacteriostatic effect. None of these samples showed a fungistatic or fungicide effect against C. albicans. Based on our results, we successfully manufactured 3D printed vaginal rings filled with jellified metronidazole.

The motivational role of realistic and unrealistic weight targets in body-weight loss: Experiences with a cognitive behavioral body-weight loss program / A reális és irreális testsúlycélok motivációs szerepe a fogyásban: A kognitív viselkedésterápiás testsúlycsökkento programok tapasztalatai

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az elhízás korunk egyik legnagyobb kihívása, hiszen a többletsúly számos krónikus betegség kockázati tényezoje, és fontos pszichés és szociális következményei vannak. A kezelésben bizonyítottan hatékony a kognitív viselkedésterápiás testsúlycsökkento program, amelynek során alapveto fontosságú a reális célsúly meghatározása, ugyanis az irreális elvárások megakadályozhatják a hosszú távú sikeres testsúlykontrollt. Célkituzés: Prospektív kutatásunk kérdése, hogy az elérheto fogyást milyen mértékben befolyásolják a testsúlycélok a kognitív viselkedésterápiás testsúlycsökkento program során. Feltételeztük, hogy a testsúlycsökkento csoport résztvevoi irreális fogyási elvárásokkal érkeznek, melyek azonban reálisabbá válnak a program végére, és megmaradnak az utánkövetés idejére. Emellett feltételeztük, hogy a testsúlycsökkento program során az evési magatartás pozitív irányban fog változni. Módszer: A 24 hetes testsúlycsökkento programban 63, az egyéves utánkövetésben pedig 49 felnott vett részt. A résztvevok antropometriai mutatói mellett (testtömeg, testmagasság) az evési magatartást és a testsúlycélokat a Háromfaktoros Evési Kérdoívvel, illetve a Célok és Relatív Testsúlyok Kérdoívvel mértük fel. Eredmények: A résztvevok közel 90%-a elérte a professzionális testsúlycsökkento módszerek esetében elvárható legalább 5-10%-os fogyást, az evési magatartás pozitív irányban változott, testsúlycéljaik reálisabbak lettek. A fogyás szignifikáns, fordított kapcsolatban volt az aktuális és az álomsúly, az aktuális és a vágyott, valamint az aktuális és az elfogadható testsúly közötti eltéréssel. Következtetés: A kognitív viselkedésterápia széles körben alkalmazható, hatékony testsúlycsökkento módszer, amelynek sikerében fontos szerepet játszanak a reálisan kituzött testsúlycélok. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(28): 1119-1128. INTRODUCTION: Obesity has become one of the most challenging issues, as the excess body-weight is a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases and has serious psychological and social consequences. The cognitive behavioral approach to weight loss had been shown an effective treatment, in which realistic weight target setting is essential, because unrealistic expectations can hinder the effort for a successful long-term weight management. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our prospective study was to investigate as to how weight loss is influenced by realistic and unrealistic weight targets in a cognitive behavioral weight loss program. We hypothesized that the participants come with unrealistic weight loss expectations, which become more realistic by the end of the program and remain realistic for the follow-up. In addition, a positive change was expected in the eating behavior of the participants during the program. METHOD: The program was completed by 63 people, 49 subjects participated in the 1-year follow-up. Anthropometric data were obtained and the participants were asked to fill in the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire - Revised 21 items and the Goals and Relative Weights Questionnaire. RESULTS: According to the results, the program is effective, since nearly 90% of the participants reached at least 5-10% weight loss as expected by professional weight loss methods. Besides weight loss there were positive changes in the participants' eating behavior; weight targets became more realistic. Weight loss was inversely related to the difference between actual and dream, actual and desired as well as between actual and acceptable weight. CONCLUSION: Our results in accordance with previous studies show that cognitive behavioral weight loss programs can be effective; however, setting up realistic weight targets can be crucial in successful weight loss. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(28): 1119-1128.

Whole-Face Approach with Hyaluronic Acid Fillers.

The use of hyaluronic acid fillers in aesthetic medicine has changed over the years and the procedure became one of the most common in the world. Understanding the ageing process of the face and the anatomical interrelationships in the face have dramatically influenced the use of the hyaluronic acid fillers and the assessment of the patient. It was supported by a new technology of products and by the delivery of tools (eg, blunt cannulas), face imaging, and innovative injection techniques. The whole-face approach challenges the practitioner to look at the face as a whole, and the patient to trust and rely on the treatment plan. Over the years, we have understood, that the most important outcome of aesthetic procedures is what does the whole face look like not static but in motion, and how do people read emotions from it. Nowadays, the result changes "the face information" and makes aesthetic procedures more satisfactory. In this manuscript, we reviewed essentials of the current treatment approach including patient's consultations, product selection and injection techniques used in different parts of the face. One size fits none; thus, we provided a general overview of hyaluronic acid fillers used in different indications and presented several treatment approaches to each region of the face.

In Vitro Tests of FDM 3D-Printed Diclofenac Sodium-Containing Implants.

One of the most promising emerging innovations in personalized medication is based on 3D printing technology. For use as authorized medications, 3D-printed products require different in vitro tests, including dissolution and biocompatibility investigations. Our objective was to manufacture implantable drug delivery systems using fused deposition modeling, and in vitro tests were performed for the assessment of these products. Polylactic acid, antibacterial polylactic acid, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, and poly(methyl methacrylate) filaments were selected, and samples with 16, 19, or 22 mm diameters and 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% infill percentages were produced. The dissolution test was performed by a USP dissolution apparatus 1. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide dye (MTT)-based prolonged cytotoxicity test was performed on Caco-2 cells to certify the cytocompatibility properties. The implantable drug delivery systems were characterized by thermogravimetric and heatflow assay, contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscopy, microcomputed tomography, and Raman spectroscopy. Based on our results, it can be stated that the samples are considered nontoxic. The dissolution profiles are influenced by the material properties of the polymers, the diameter, and the infill percentage. Our results confirm the potential of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing for the manufacturing of different implantable drug delivery systems in personalized medicine and may be applied during surgical interventions.

Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 is overexpressed in neurons but not in glial cells within the rat superficial spinal dorsal horn in complete Freund adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain.

BACKGROUND: All known biological functions of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) are mediated by type 1 interleukin receptor (IL-1R1). IL-1ß-IL-1R1 signaling modulates various neuronal functions including spinal pain processing. Although the role of IL-1ß in pain processing is generally accepted, there is a discussion in the literature whether IL-1ß exerts its effect on spinal pain processing by activating neuronal or glial IL-1R1. To contribute to this debate, here we investigated the expression and cellular distribution of IL-1R1 in the superficial spinal dorsal horn in control animals and also in inflammatory pain. METHODS: Experiments were performed on rats and wild type as well as IL-1R1-deficient mice. Inflammatory pain was evoked by unilateral intraplantar injection of complete Freund adjuvant (CFA). The nociceptive responsiveness of control and CFA-treated animals were tested daily for withdrawal responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli before and after CFA injection. Changes in the expression of 48 selected genes/mRNAs and in the quantity of IL-1R1 protein during the first 3 days after CFA injection were measured with the TaqMan low-density array method and Western blot analysis, respectively. The cellular localization of IL-1R1 protein was investigated with single and double staining immunocytochemical methods. RESULTS: We found a six times and two times increase in IL-1R1 mRNA and protein levels, respectively, in the dorsal horn of CFA-injected animals 3 days after CFA injection, at the time of the summit of mechanical and thermal allodynia. Studying the cellular distribution of IL-1R1, we found an abundant expression of IL-1R1 on the somatodendritic compartment of neurons and an enrichment of the receptor in the postsynaptic membranes of some excitatory synapses. In contrast to the robust neuronal localization, we observed only a moderate expression of IL-1R1 on astrocytes and a negligible one on microglial cells. CFA injection into the hind paw caused a remarkable increase in the expression of IL-1R1 in neurons, but did not alter the glial expression of the receptor. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that IL-1ß exerts its effect on spinal pain processing primarily through neuronal IL-1R1, but it can also interact in some extent with IL-1R1 expressed by astrocytes.

Widespread alterations in the synaptic proteome of the adolescent cerebral cortex following prenatal immune activation in rats.

An increasing number of studies have revealed associations between pre- and perinatal immune activation and the development of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Accordingly, neuroimmune crosstalk has a considerably large impact on brain development during early ontogenesis. While a plethora of heterogeneous abnormalities have already been described in established maternal immune activation (MIA) rodent and primate animal models, which highly correlate to those found in human diseases, the underlying molecular background remains obscure. In the current study, we describe the long-term effects of MIA on the neocortical pre- and postsynaptic proteome of adolescent rat offspring in detail. Molecular differences were revealed in sub-synaptic fractions, which were first thoroughly characterized using independent methods. The widespread proteomic examination of cortical samples from offspring exposed to maternal lipopolysaccharide administration at embryonic day 13.5 was conducted via combinations of different gel-based proteomic techniques and tandem mass spectrometry. Our experimentally validated proteomic data revealed more pre- than postsynaptic protein level changes in the offspring. The results propose the relevance of altered synaptic vesicle recycling, cytoskeletal structure and energy metabolism in the presynaptic region in addition to alterations in vesicle trafficking, the cytoskeleton and signal transduction in the postsynaptic compartment in MIA offspring. Differing levels of the prominent signaling regulator molecule calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the postsynapse was validated and identified specifically in the prefrontal cortex. Finally, several potential common molecular regulators of these altered proteins, which are already known to be implicated in schizophrenia and ASD, were identified and assessed. In summary, unexpectedly widespread changes in the synaptic molecular machinery in MIA rats were demonstrated which might underlie the pathological cortical functions that are characteristic of schizophrenia and ASD.

[The treatment of binge eating disorder - a review]. / A falászavar (binge eating disorder) kezelése.

The binge eating disorder is a relatively new type of eating disorders, which was first described in 1992, and became a distinct nosological entity in the system of DSM-5 in 2013. Its central symptom is the binge, which is not followed by compensatory behaviours as in bulimia nervosa. Therefore, the patients are generally obese. The prevalence of the disorder is 1-3% in the general population, but much higher in help-seeking obese subjects. The two main goals of the therapy is body weight reduction, and the cessation of binges. In the pharmacotherapy of binge eating disorder the antidepressants are recommended mainly in the case of unsuccessful psychotherapy, and in treating comorbid depression. In the field of psychotherapy data are available mainly on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectic behaviour therapy, behavioural weight loss, and interpersonal therapy. Effectivity studies on new therapeutic methods and treatment combinations are needed as well as long term follow-up studies.

Draft genome sequence of Methylibium sp. strain T29, a novel fuel oxygenate-degrading bacterial isolate from Hungary.

Methylibium sp. strain T29 was isolated from a gasoline-contaminated aquifer and proved to have excellent capabilities in degrading some common fuel oxygenates like methyl tert-butyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether and tert-butyl alcohol along with other organic compounds. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of M. sp. strain T29 together with the description of the genome properties and its annotation. The draft genome consists of 608 contigs with a total size of 4,449,424 bp and an average coverage of 150×. The genome exhibits an average G + C content of 68.7 %, and contains 4754 protein coding and 52 RNA genes, including 48 tRNA genes. 71 % of the protein coding genes could be assigned to COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups) categories. A formerly unknown circular plasmid designated as pT29A was isolated and sequenced separately and found to be 86,856 bp long.

[Psychosocial approach in polycystic ovary syndrome]. / A policisztásovárium-szindróma pszichoszociális megközelítése.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most frequent endocrine disease among women of reproductive age. It is associated with increased risks of various metabolic disorders and complications. most recent data suggest that women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome are most exposed to several psychological problems. It has been shown that polycystic ovary syndrome exerts a negative impact on female identity and it contributes to the deterioration of quality of life and, eventually, to development of psychiatric problems. The mental consequences of the disease can be as depressing as physiological symptoms. This draws attention on the importance of the disease from the aspect of therapy as well and, therefore, it may be justified to involve a psychologist or psychiatrist in the process for a more effective treatment. The aim of the paper is to summarize the most frequent psychological symptoms associated with the disease.

[Outcome of a one-year behavior therapy weight loss program]. / A viselkedésterápia eredményeinek vizsgálata az elhízás kezelésében egy év távlatában.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of obesity has become one of the most challenging issues. AIM: The aims of the authors were to present the results of standard behavior therapy weight loss program combined with self-help and the results of one-year follow-up. METHOD: The 24-week program involved 41 participants of which 33 subjects participated in the follow-up. Anthropometric data were obtained and the participants were asked to fill questionnaires (the 21 items Three Factor Eating Questionnair Revised 21 items; Physical Exercise: Steps of change [Short Form]. RESULTS: 87.8% of participants achieved a minimum weight loss of 5% which is the rate expected in professional therapies for obesity. Significant changes in maladaptive eating pattern and an increase in the rate of regular exercise were observed. Significant association was found between the increase of cognitive restraint and the rate of weight loss during treatment. At one-year follow-up the majority of participants (75.8%) did keep their minimum weight loss of 5% and they showed significant change in eating pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that standard behavior therapy extended with self-help elements may be a cost-effective treatment of obesity.

The stigmatization of obesity among Gypsy and Hungarian children.

Prejudice against obese people has been widely confirmed in scientific papers. Therefore, recent studies have increasingly focused on investigating the individual and cultural factors related to attitudes towards obesity. Since there have been no comparative studies involving Gypsy people, our present research aimed at exploring the possible discrepancies in children's attitudes towards obese children between Gypsy and Hungarian cultures. Our survey included 247 children aged 9-16 (108 boys and 139 girls), of which 136 considered themselves Hungarian (55.1 %), while 111 children (44.9 %) claimed themselves as Gypsy. The subjects were asked to rank six male and six female figure drawings according to their preference. Each sequence of figure drawings included a healthy child, an obese child, and four drawings depicted children with disabilities. According to our results, the drawings portraying the healthy child figure were rated most preferable and those portraying the obese child figure the least preferable amongst the subjects regardless of gender and origin. However, the obese girl figures and boy figures were rated significantly more positively by Gypsy children than Hungarian children. Our results suggest that there is a difference in attitude towards obesity among Gypsy and Hungarian children. Therefore, it is worthwhile to further explore this phenomenon.

[Quality of life in diabetes mellitus assessed on the basis of Hungarostudy Health Panel survey]. / Cukorbetegek életminosége a Hungarostudy Egészség Panel vizsgálat alapján.

INTRODUCTION: Examining the quality of life has a great importance in the treatment of chronic patients. AIM: The aim of the authors was to assess the national status on the basis of the database of the Hungarostudy Health Panel using statistical evaluation. METHODS: Three validated questionnaries in the test-battery served as instruments: the shortened version of the WHO Well-being Questionnaire, the Shortened Beck's Depression Scale Rating and the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale. RESULTS: It was found that in accordance with international data, the quality of life index of Hungarian diabetic patients was significantly worse than that of the non-diabetic population. CONCLUSIONS: International data also show that the decline in quality of life is correlated with a decline of cooperation and life expectancy of diabetic patients. This explains why methods of behavioral medicine focusing on improving life quality are of great importance, that have not yet been considered currently in psychoeducation. Referring to international examples the authors make a proposal on an extensive survey among Hungarian diabetic patients with the help of validated disease-specific questionnaires and using Transtheoretical Model in order to make education more efficient.

Testing the Tripartite Influence Model of body image and eating disturbance among Hungarian adolescents.

We tested the Tripartite Influence Model of body image and eating disturbance on two separate samples of Hungarian boys (n=145) and girls (n=225), aged 10-16 years. Our results supported the model among Hungarian adolescents; however we found notable gender differences. The associations were stronger in girls compared to boys; moreover, internalization and body dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between appearance-related sociocultural influences and self-esteem only in girls. BMI and weight perception were also involved in the model, and we could present evidence that the sociocultural influence and the weight perception predict independently body dissatisfaction. Our data are in line with previous results; however, further exploration of gender, age, and culture-related differences in the pattern of associations may contribute to the refinement of intervention programs.

PCR-DGGE analysis of the bacterial composition of a kaolin slurry showing altered rheology.

Kaolin is an important industrial raw material and a basis of a range of different products. Microbial spoilage is a detrimental process observed especially in kaolin slurries, leading to low quality products and economic loss. Although the alteration of kaolin slurries in ceramic industry was observed, the process and the microbial background have not been analyzed in details. This study provides the first data using a cultivation independent molecular biological approach (PCR-DGGE) regarding the bacterial composition of an altered kaolin slurry. The results show that potential exopolymer (EPS) producer bacteria (e.g. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas) appear in the altered kaolin slurry, which may have an important role in the modification of kaolin slurries.

[Possibilities of behavior modification in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and obesity]. / Magatartás-orvoslási lehetoségek a cukorbetegség és az elhízás kezelésében.

Being aware of the worldwide spread of diabetes and obesity as well as its economic effects, the authors discuss the complex, behavior remediational methods of the treatment and its current questions. They emphasize the role of chronic stress in the etiopatogenesis of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. All these require a shift of paradigm in the field of treatment too. Based on literature data and on their own practical experience, the authors consider that behavior remediational can integrate two, sometimes still opposing medical philosophical views in order to foster the efficiency of medical work. They review elements of behavior remediation of diabetes, underlining self-management, acceptance of the illness, and motivation which can be followed by teaching theoretical and practical knowledge, the ongoing diabetes education. Comorbid psychological disorders impede these processes; their early recognition and complex treatment are essential. The authors present a cognitive, behavior remediational programme of weight loss, that can be used in practise, both in prevention and treatment of diabetes.