High-frequency occurrence of virus-like particles with double-stranded RNA genome in Fusarium poae.

Fifty-five geographically different strains of Fusarium poae were assayed for the presence of extrachromosomal nucleic acid elements. All strains were found to harbour double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) elements and encapsidated virus-like particles (VLP). There were great individual differences in dsRNA patterns of the various strains, but numbers and sizes characteristic for a given isolate remained unchanged after repeated subculturing of the fungi. Morphological alterations or signs of degeneration were not observed in dsRNA-containing isolates. This is the first report on the ubiquitous occurrence of dsRNAs in a hyphomycete fungus species.

Herbal remedies of Solidago--correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties.

In this study the correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties of classical herbal tea extracts-Infusum solidaginis, Decoctum solidaginis, Maceratum solidaginis-and tinctures prepared by various concentration of ethanol (40, 70, 96% v/v) have been examined for the release of flavonoids and their antioxidant activity. Quantitative and composition determination of flavonoids were carried out by spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Hydrogen-donating ability and reducing power properties were used to define in vitro radical scavenging activity of Solidago extracts, but integral antioxidative capacity was determined by luminometry (Photochem), calculating the ascorbic acid equivalents. Chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside and quercetin were confirmed by retention times and UV spectra. Based on the dissolution rate, variance of flavonoid release and ascorbic acid equivalents it was concluded, that Tinctura solidaginis (70% v/v ethanol) and Infusum solidaginis are the most appropriate preparations.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the esophagus. Report of a case with cytologic, immunohistologic and ultrastructural studies.

A 65-year-old man presented with an esophageal polyp that proved to be malignant pleomorphic fibrous histiocytoma, extremely rare at that location. Diagnosis of the abrasion cytology specimen was confirmed by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic methods. Differential diagnostic problems of pleomorphic soft tissue tumors and epithelial tumors mimicking them are discussed.

Detection of Lawsonia intracellularis in Hungarian swine herds by polymerase chain reaction.

Pooled faecal samples and/or intestinal contents from pig carcasses were collected from 11 Hungarian swine farms and subjected to DNA extraction/ purification and subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to detect Lawsonia intracellularis, the aetiological agent of the porcine proliferative enteropathy complex. Specific PCR positivity was detected in 6 individual and 22 pooled samples out of 46, originating from eight herds. The PCR products of collected faecal samples hybridised in Southern blot hybridisation with the DNA of the type strain L. intracellularis NCTC 12657. This is the first confirmed detection of L. intracellularis by PCR in Hungary.

Treatment of calf pneumonia with tilmicosin.

The therapeutic effect of a single injection of tilmicosin (10 mg/kg body mass) against natural cases of pneumonia of calves, compared to other conventionally used antibiotics, was examined under field conditions. The trials were conducted in three cattle herds and included the treatment of 135 calves with 82 controls. The animals' age ranged from 1 week to 4 months. Prior to the treatment and in case of death bacteriological examinations from nasal swabs and from the lungs were carried out. Clinical signs were recorded in all groups and in one group body mass gains were also recorded. After tilmicosin treatment, the body temperature returned to the normal level within 24 h and the animals recovered within 1 to 2 days. Ten calves (7.41%) showed relapse during the 3rd and 4th week after treatment in contrast to 9 (10.98%) in the control group. Three calves (2.22%) died in the groups treated with tilmicosin and 6 calves (7.32%) among the controls. In one of the treated groups the body mass gain was 6.2% higher compared to the controls at the age of 3 months. These results suggest that treatment with a single dose of tilmicosin is effective in most cases of calf pneumonia caused by bacteria.

[Esophageal and gastric candidiasis]. / Nyelöcsö és gyomor candidiasis.

The authors examined the morbidity rate of mycotic diseases of stomach and esophagus. There were 746 biopsian and abrasian cytologic samplings carried out in a year and 12.3% of the cases turned out to be positive. Comparing the two sampling patterns the abrasian cytology has proved to be more effective. The prevalence of candidiasis was found to be higher in case of malignant diseases. In states accompanied by low acid values (as in case of patients under H2-receptor blocking--treatment) mycotic infection proved to be more frequent, too.

[Diagnostic possibilities of endoscopic ultrasonography in the detection of gastric cancer]. / A gyomorrák diagnosztikus lehetöségei endoscopos ultrahangvizsgálattal.

After conventional gastroscopy and biopsy the endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was performed in 115 patients with gastric ulcer and carcinoma. The markers of benignity and malignity were analyzed by EUS, and the criteria of benign and malign excavated lesions were described. On the base of endoscopic pictures 3 groups of gastric excavations were distinguished, and the recorded images of this excavations were reevaluated. Benign ultrasonic markers were detected in one case of excavated tumors, in 54% in group of ulcers with suspicion of malignity and in 82% in cases of benign ulcers. Authors evaluate the cause of overestimate. Ten cases of early gastric cancers are reported. Authors believe that the endosonographic examinations of the stomach are valuable in detecting and stating of gastric carcinoma.

[Determination of the type and subtype of the hepatitis C virus in chronic viral hepatitis patients in Hungary]. / A magyarországi krónikus "C" vírushepatitises betegek vírustípus- és szubtípus-meghatározása.

The huge variability of hepatitis virus C is well-established. The geographical differences in its nucleotide sequence have important clinical significance by causing variant pathogenicities and affecting sensitivity to therapy. The authors pioneered the determination of the viral type and subtype in patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis in Hungary. In this present work they report the applied methods and the results. In their virus serological laboratory was introduced the test "HCV Serotyping 1-6 Assay", which is based on the analysis of antibodies, in 1996. By this method they examined the samples of 127 patients and they found type 1 in 75.5%, type 4 in 25%, mixed types (type 1 + 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) in 9% and non-classifiable, non-reacting antibodies in 13% of the cases. Since 1999 they have used the combination of direct reverse-PCR of the viral antigen and reverse hybridization to type-specific specimens. These results, from 211 patients show that 6% belong to 1a, 85.5% to 1b, 3% to 1a + 1b, 1% to 1b + 2, 0.5% to 3 and 4% to mixed subtypes. Genotype 1b was associated with higher viremia. On the basis of the above they can conclude that 90% of the Hungarian population are infected by the most resistant 1b subtype of hepatitis virus C. It could explain the fact that only 20% of their patients with interferon monotherapy have become permanently virus-free. In view of these results they recommend combined, higher dose, long-lasting treatment in therapeutic protocols.

[Clinical pathology of gastric mucosal dysplasia]. / A gyomornyálkahártya dysplasiájának klinikai patológiája.

The stomach cancer develops on dysplastic lesions of gastric mucosa. It can be found in every precancerous condition, as chronic gastritis, gastric adenoma, giant rugal hypertrophy, chronic peptic ulcer, gastric stump after partial resection, pernicious anaemia. So, this dysplastic change is not a specific lesion. Different classifications are known for grading of gastric dysplasia. Authors evaluated them compared with each other. The signs of dysplasia were studied in 306 gastric aimed biopsy specimens from 233 patients between 1979-1990. In this material severe dysplasia occurred in 20.6%. It means a frequency of 0.84% regarding all gastric endoscopies in the same period of time. The endoscopic investigation revealed a protruded lesion in 18.5% and excavated one in 45.9%. What is very important, local change could not be detected in 35.6%. Follow-up study could be performed in 49 patients in a period of 1-7 years. In this group cancer developed in five patients. By the other hand, 22 gastric carcinomas were proved amongst 233 patients. The authors' recommendation is to follow-up the patients bearing gastric dysplasia at least during 10 years after the diagnosis.

New phenotypes of the drought-tolerant cbp20 Arabidopsis thaliana mutant have changed epidermal morphology.

This paper provides a detailed phenotypic analysis of the abscisic acid (ABA) hypersensitive Cap Binding Protein 20 (cbp20) mutant. Some hitherto undescribed changes were found in the tissue structure and epidermal morphology of this mutant. These include more and smaller cells in the epidermis, a thicker cuticle and more frequent occurrence of trichomes on leaf surfaces. Some of these traits may contribute to the physiological processes responsible for the water-saving behaviour of the mutant. Abnormal spatial patterns between stomatal pore complexes were also found on various organs of the mutant. All these observations indicate profoundly disturbed development of epidermal tissue in the cbp20 mutant, which has not previously been reported for this class of mutants. A potential connection between the new phenotypes and disturbed miRNA metabolism and mRNA splicing of the mutant is discussed.