A novel vertebrate system for the examination and direct comparison of the relative biological effectiveness for different radiation qualities and sources.

PURPOSE: The recent rapid increase of hadron therapy applications requires the development of high performance, reliable in vivo models for preclinical research on the biological effects of high linear energy transfer (LET) particle radiation. AIM: The aim of this paper was to test the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the zebrafish embryo system at two neutron facilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Series of viable zebrafish embryos at 24-hour post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to single fraction, whole-body, photon and neutron (reactor fission neutrons () and (p (18 MeV)+Be, = 3.5 MeV) fast neutron) irradiation. The survival and morphologic abnormalities of each embryo were assessed at 24-hour intervals from the point of fertilization up to 192 hpf and then compared to conventional 6 MV photon beam irradiation results. RESULTS: The higher energy of the fast neutron beams represents lower RBE (ref. source LINAC 6 MV photon). The lethality rate in the zebrafish embryo model was 10 times higher for 1 MeV fission neutrons and 2.5 times greater for p (18 MeV)+Be cyclotron generated fast neutron beam when compared to photon irradiation results. Dose-dependent organ perturbations (shortening of the body length, spine curvature, microcephaly, micro-ophthalmia, pericardial edema and inhibition of yolk sac resorption) and microscopic (marked cellular changes in eyes, brain, liver, muscle and the gastrointestinal system) changes scale together with the dose response. CONCLUSION: The zebrafish embryo system is a powerful and versatile model for assessing the effect of ionizing radiation with different LET values on viability, organ and tissue development.

Seasonal and diurnal variability in sap flow intensity of mature sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) trees in relation to microclimatic conditions.

In this study sap flow dynamics of mature sessile oak trees (Quercus petraea) in a marginal sessile oak-turkey oak forest was investigated in 2009. That year spring was dry without significant rain in April and May and the driest month was August. Due to the extreme weather conditions the volumetric soil water content (SWC) of upper 30 cm was low on experimental days in May (0.13-0.14 cm3 cm-3) but it reached the lowest value in August (0.08 cm3 cm-3). Sap flow was measured in a dominant and a co-dominant tree by heat dissipation method from 26 March till 30 October. In the present paper several three-day long periods of the continuous seasonal recordings were chosen to represent the effects of typical weather conditions and different stages of canopy development on sap flow dynamics. The daily maximum sap flow density values of dominant and co-dominant trees were similar (0.30-0.32 cm3 cm-2 min-1) in moist period (July). Rains and transient increase of SWC after proceeding drought resulted in change of diurnal course of sap flow in experimental days of July. In this period dominant trees also showed considerable sap flow (0.19 cm3 cm-2 min-1) during night hours and short sap flow peaks in early morning (6:00 to 8:00 a.m.) indicating the refilling of desiccated tissues. After the progressive drought in August the daily maximum sap flow density decreased to 0.07 cm3 cm-2 min-1 in dominant tree and to 0.12 cm3 cm-2 min-1 in the co-dominant. Both trees exhibited gradual stomatal closure from morning hours.

Seasonal variation of leaf ecophysiological traits within the canopy of Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. trees.

Facing contrasting light regimes during a vegetation season and depending on canopy position, physiological plasticity of leaves is vital for tree species to sustain the optimal ratio between the benefit of carbon assimilation and the costs of photoprotection in a given leaf. We tested the seasonal adjustment of sun and shade leaf photochemistry of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) to changing light environments by parallel investigation of the meteorological conditions, photosynthetic pigment content, PSII quantum efficiency and excitation energy quenching. Sun and shade leaves got adapted to their prevailing light regimes till mid of May. High LMA was a favourable trait in avoiding water loss and decreasing photoinhibition in both flushing and sun leaves, while low LMA optimized the light absorbing leaf surface in the lower canopy layer. Partitioning of excitation energy dissipation pathyways that is PSII photochemistry-Y(II), regulated-Y(NPQ) and non-regulated-Y(NO) quenching changed significantly during leaf ontogeny and with the position of leaves in the canopy. At 800 µmol m(-2) s(-1)Y(II) < Y (NO) < Y (NPQ) was characteristic to early developmental stage of leaves from both canopy layers and to mature shade leaves, and Y(NO) < Y (II) < Y (NPQ) to mature sun leaves but the magnitude of Y(NPQ) and violaxanthin cycle activity differed in different canopy positions.

New cross-sections for production of 103Pd; review of charged particle production routes.

Production cross-sections of (103)Ag obtained by irradiating (nat)Pd and (nat)Cd with 70 MeV protons are presented and compared with ALICE-IPPE model calculations. Production of (103)Ag is of interest for the generation of (103)Pd widely used in brachytherapy. The investigated energy range of the (103)Rh(d,2n)(103)Pd reaction was extended up to 40 MeV and the results were compared with the curves of ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE-II and GNASH theoretical codes. Thick target yields were calculated. An overview and analysis of the most important charged particle induced production routes of (103)Pd is presented. An explanation of the apparent discrepancy in the activity measurements for (103)Rh based on X- or gamma-ray is given.

Measurements and calculations of neutron spectra modified by iron slabs bombarded by neutrons with energies up to 14 MeV.

Neutron spectra behind iron slabs of different thicknesses have been measured in the energy range from 1.6 to 14 MeV using a proton recoil spectrometer and 2H(d, n)3He and 9Be(d, n)10B neutron sources. The measured results have been compared with the predicted ones using the three dimensional Monte Carlo code MCNP 4A and pointwise cross sections from the ENDF/B-IV and ENDF/B-VI data files. The results show that the ENDF/B-IV calculations are in better agreement with the experiment than those obtained by using the ENDF/B-VI cross section data.

[Thrombophilia in ulcerative colitis]. / Thrombophilia jelensége colitis ulcerosában.

The authors report a combined occurrence of thrombophilia and colitis ulcerosa and provide an analysis of relevant references in earlier works. It is likely intertwinning of the two disease's symptoms, the chronic cause of the condition and the underlying molecular biology variations cannot be traced back to a single cause. Further research is required to establish whether the protein-C anomaly exhibited in the presented case is general in this condition or an individual occurrence. The publication emphasises that in future cases it will be advisable to perform tests capable of proving or refuting the abnormality of protein-C.

Increased interleukin-6 levels, interleukin-6 receptor and gp130 expression in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Interleukin-6 is one of the most well-characterized cytokines with pleiotropic properties. Besides its B-lymphocyte activation role in hematopoiesis, interleukin-6 plays a central role in regulation of systemic inflammation. Interleukin-6 binds to receptors on target cells (such as hepatocytes and lymphocytes), consisting of an 80 kDa binding chain and gp130, a polypeptide responsible for signal transduction. In addition to the detection of elevated amounts of interleukin-6 in the blood, gene expression (mRNA) of subunits of the interleukin-6 receptor complex have also been studied by examining the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on peripheral lymphocytes from patients with characteristic radiological symptoms suffering from Crohn's disease. Our data show significantly elevated gene expression both of the 80 kDa interleukin-6 binding chain and gp130. These results suggest that enhancement of the expression of the constituents of interleukin-6 and the interleukin-6 receptor system plays a relevant role in systemic inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease.

Fumonisin B1 contamination of maize and experimental acute fumonisin toxicosis in pigs.

The fumonisin B1 content of 69 visibly mouldy and 23 mould-free maize samples grown in Hungary in 1993-1995 was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fumonisin B1 was found to occur in 70-73% of the mouldy samples. The mycotoxin level increased from year to year: the highest fumonisin B1 concentration was 75.1 mg/kg. The samples that were mould-free on visual inspection showed a much lower prevalence of fumonisin B1 contamination (30%) and contained fumonisin B1 in markedly lower concentrations (average, 1.52 mg/kg; maximum concentration, 5.1 mg/kg). Using the Fusarium moniliforme strain designated 14/A, isolated from the sample that had the highest mycotoxin concentrations, fumonisin B1 toxin was produced on maize by an internationally accepted procedure. Subsequently, two weaned piglets were fed a diet containing 330 mg fumonisin B1 per kg of feed. The experimental animals developed hydrothorax and pulmonary oedema, and died in 5-6 days. The clinical symptoms and pathological lesions were consistent with those of porcine pulmonary oedema (PPE) diagnosed in the USA in 1989-1990, as well as with those of a disease entity that had already been described in Hungary in the 1950s as the so-called fattening or unique pulmonary oedema of pigs but considered to be of unknown aetiology. The results of the feeding trial confirm that this pig disease, which has occurred in Hungary for a long time, is caused by the mycotoxin fumonisin B1.

[Diagnostic problems of Wilson disease]. / A Wilson-kór diagnosztikájának problémái.

A family (three siblings) of Wilson's-disease is described. The authors review the pathogenesis, diagnostics, pathology and treatment of Wilson's-disease. The diagnostic difficulties are emphasised. The variety of liver lesions are demonstrated in the different grades of the disease. The importance of the early diagnosis is stressed.

Erythrocyte cation transport systems in insulin-dependent diabetics: correlation with prorenin and albuminuria.

The relationship between erythrocyte cation transport systems, plasma prorenin and albuminuria was examined in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Different measurements of erythrocyte transport systems were obtained in patients with IDDM: Na+/Li+ countertransport; Na+/K+ cotransport and Na+/K+ ATPase pump activity. In single regression analysis the erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport was positively related to the plasma prorenin level. In multiple regression analysis the erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was independently related to plasma prorenin, albuminuria and age. Our data in patients with IDDM show that an elevated erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport is accompanied by a higher plasma prorenin level and albuminuria.

Transmembrane cationic fluxes in erythrocytes of diabetics and normal men.

The relationship between erythrocyte cation transport systems, membrane and plasma lipids, plasma prorenin and microalbuminuria was examined in normal men and patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Different measurements of erythrocyte transport systems were obtained in patients with IDDM and in age- and weight-matched healthy men: Na+/Li(+)-countertransport activity, Na+/K(+)-cotransport activity, Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump activity and the ground membrane permeability for Na+ and K+ as well as the intraerythrocyte Na+, K+ and Mg2+ concentration. Plasma prorenin, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol and erythrocyte membrane cholesterol and phospholipids content were also obtained from the fasting subjects. The patients with IDDM had an elevated (p < 0.05 or less) erythrocyte Na+/Li(+)-countertransport activity, ground membrane leak for K+, intraerythrocyte K+ concentration, erythrocyte membrane cholesterol content, but a lower red blood cell phospholipids content. In single regression analysis the erythrocyte Na+/Li(+)-countertransport, Na+/K(+)-cotransport and Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump activity and ground membrane leak for Na+ and K+ were inversely related to the red cell membrane lipid content. The erythrocyte Na+/Li(+)-countertransport activity and K+ leak were also positively related to the plasma prorenin level and urinary microalbumin excretion. Our data in patients with IDDM show that an elevated erythrocyte membrane lipid content was accompanied by a lower erythrocyte Na+/Li(+)-countertransport, Na+/K(+)-cotransport or Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump activity. The elevated Na+/Li(+)-countertransport activity was also accompanied by a higher plasma prorenin level and microalbuminuria.

Erythrocyte cation transport systems and membrane lipids in insulin-dependent diabetes.

The relationship between erythrocyte cation transport systems and membrane and plasma lipids was examined in normal men and patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Different measurements of erythrocyte transport systems were obtained in patients with IDDM and in age- and weight-matched healthy men: Na+:Li+ countertransport activity or Li(+)-stimulated Na+ efflux, Na+:K+ cotransport activity or bumetanide-sensitive Na+ efflux, Na+:K+ pump activity or ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux, and the ouabain- and bumetanide-resistant Na+ and K+ fluxes or the ground membrane permeability for Na+ and K+ as well as the intraerythrocyte Na+, K+, and Mg2+ concentrations. Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, low- and high- density lipoprotein cholesterol, and erythrocyte membrane cholesterol and phospholipid content were obtained from the fasting subjects. The patients with IDDM had an elevated (P < .05 or less) erythrocyte Na+:Li+ countertransport activity, ground membrane leak for K+, intraerythrocyte K+ concentration, and erythrocyte membrane cholesterol content, but a lower red blood cell phospholipid content. In single regression analysis, the erythrocyte Na+:Li+ countertransport, Na+:K+ cotransport, and Na+:K+ pump activity and ground membrane leak for Na+ and K+ were inversely related to the red blood cell membrane lipid content. Our data in patients with IDDM show that a decreased erythrocyte membrane lipid content was accompanied by a higher erythrocyte Na+:Li+ countertransport, Na+:K+ cotransport, and Na+:K+ pump activity.

Experimental enteritis produced by high environmental temperature.

The authors exposed groups of Wistar rats of different average body weight to elevated environmental temperature. Necrotizing enteritis-like changes developed in the majority (up to 85%) of the animals. The best results were found in the group treated for 20 minutes at 45 degrees C, 20 minutes at rest, and 20 minutes at 56 degrees C. Subnuclear vacuolization of the enterocytes on the top of the villi intestinalis seems to be the initial event followed by subepithelial cleft formation, lifting and shedding of the epithelial cells, infiltration of the stroma by active phagocytes, and autolysis. Changes of the mesenteric blood flow can play a crucial role in the development of these lesions.

The effects of local hyperthermia on the morphology of the small bowel.

Intestinal lesions were produced experimentally by heating the eventrated loop of the small intestine of Wistar rats in 44 degrees C 0.9% saline 20 minutes. Luminal haemorrhage and elevation of the potassium concentration in the wash-out fluid were registered from the fifth minute of the experiment. In the sediment of the wash-out fluid erythrocytes, degenerated and necrotic epithelial cell clusters were found. Histologically the mildest lesions were subnuclear vacuolization of the epithelial cells and stromal oedema of the villi. In the medium-degree lesion subepithelial cleft formation, desquamation of the epithelial cells and denudation of the villi occurred. The fully developed lesion was characterized by the destruction of the villi intestinalis and haemorrhage. This lesion produced by local heating differs from the intestinal lesions of the rats exposed to high environmental temperature basically in the haemorrhagical nature of the former lesion.

[The combined occurrence of pubertal gynecomastia and varicocele]. / Das gemeinsame Vorkommen der Pubertätsgynäkomastie und der Varikozele.

Examinations of 39 men between 14 and 18 years of age revealed that half of the cases of pubertal gynaecomastia are false gynaecomasties. In reality, the patients are suffering from fibrous mastosis. It is shown that gynaecomastia is mostly accompanied by left-sided varicocele, whereas in varicocele complaints there are only few cases of gynaecomastia. It is concluded that in pubertal gynaecomastia it is necessary to determine whether the disease is merely a temporary fibrosis that will heal by itself, or whether it is a sign of some other, graver disease. On the other hand, the state of the testicles and the scrotum should be considered in every case. Surgery of pubertal gynaecomastia is considered unnecessary; however, invasive treatment of the varicocele is very important. The importance of psychological care of the patients is stressed.

Electroretinographic examination and definition of serum zinc levels in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

The authors have verified that retina dysfunction in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis could be demonstrated by the help of electroretinography and eliminated or significantly corrected by administration of pancreas enzyme preparations. The retinograph may be applied successfully in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and also in evaluation of the efficacy of the substitution treatment. The insufficiency of zinc absorption may play a definite role in the development of these functional disturbances. It has also been established that lower zinc values parallel with the decrease of the stool fat contents in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis and can be significantly improved by enzyme preparations.