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Biomedical subjects

E Nagy

Publications and source records attributed to E Nagy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Frequent methylation of p16INK4A and p14ARF genes implicated in the evolution of chronic myeloid leukaemia from its chronic to accelerated phase.

The frequency and mechanism of p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) gene alterations were studied in cell samples from 30 patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), both at diagnosis and at the onset of the accelerated phase (AP) of the disease. No alterations in the p16(INK4A) or p14(ARF) genes were found in any of the chronic phase (CP) samples. DNA sequencing analyses detected p16(INK4A) or p14(ARF) mutations in 17 AP samples. All mutations were heterozygous without loss of the other allele. Aberrant methylation of the p16(INK4A) or p14(ARF) promoters was found in 14 of 30 AP samples. The most common situation was the simultaneous methylation of both promoters. Our data indicate that p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) are primary targets for inactivation by promoter methylation in the acceleration of CML. Transcriptional silencing of the p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) genes may be important in the conversion of CML from the CP to the AP.

Chromosome Disorders↗
PubMed2002

Three-phase oxygen absorption and its effect on fermentation.

The absorption rate of oxygen in the presence of a second, dispersed, organic phase can be significantly increased due to the higher solubility and diffusivity of oxygen in the organic phase. The oxygen supply of micro-organisms, which is very often a limiting factor during fermentation, can be improved, and the critical level of oxygen in the fermentation broth can be avoided by using dispersed organic phase. This paper reviews the models of the enhanced absorption rates and their integration into mass balance equations of fermentation. Several calculations were carried out to illustrate the effect of the dispersed organic phase and kinetic parameters on the absorption rates and on fermentation with double-substrate-limitation kinetics applying batch and continuous operation modes. Using software taking from the literature, the effect of the organic phase on the baker's yeast production is also presented in fed-batch mode.

Absorption↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of gastrointestinal disease caused by Clostridium difficile in a university hospital in Hungary.

A one-year survey was undertaken to investigate the frequency of diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile among patients in a 1200-bed university hospital in Hungary. The VIDAS (bioMérieux) toxin A detection kit was used for screening specimens for the presence of C. difficile toxin. For all other diarrhoeal specimens selected according to special criteria, cytotoxin testing was used to determine the presence of 'free toxin' in the faeces. During the study period, a total of 945 diarrhoeal faecal samples were tested for the presence of C. difficile toxin. Of 375 requested samples, 58 (18.3%) were toxin-A positive. Of the 570 remaining faecal samples selected by the laboratory, 120 (21%) proved to be toxin positive. The results showed that patients from the surgical (33.3%), internal (24%) and haematological (12.8%) wards had the greatest frequency of diarrhoea attributable to C. difficile.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Karyotyping of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolates from recurrent vaginal infections by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

In the present study, 16 women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) due to Candida albicans and Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata were followed for a period of 4 to 12 months, and 36 vaginal isolates were evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Eleven women were infected by C. albicans and 5 by C. glabrata. Three electrophoretic karyotypes of C. albicans and 3 of C. glabrata were identified throughout the follow-up. All patients but one was infected with the same karyotype of C. albicans or C. glabrata during the follow-up period. Two different karyotypes of C. glabrata were identified in one patient in the course of 12 months. The results confirmed the diversity of the karyotypes of C. albicans and C. glabrata causing vulvovaginitis, and demonstrated the persistence of colonization with the same strain over different periods of time despite therapy (15/16 women).

Candida↗
PubMed2001

[Surgical treatment of giant basilar artery aneurysm with induced hypothermia and circulatory arrest].

Surgical management of giant and complex posterior circulation aneurysms continues to be a technically difficult task with high operative morbidity. To minimize morbidity we have used cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest for the treatment of a giant basilar aneurysm. A 48-year-old woman presented with sudden headache. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed a giant basilar aneurysm. On the 2nd hospital day she developed right sided hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficits as a result of the second rupture of the aneurysm. The aneurysm was successfully treated and no significant neurological complications were related to this technique. This initial experience indicates that patients with giant posterior circulation aneurysm that cannot be treated using conventional techniques might benefit from a surgical approach that included the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed2001

[Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with ischemic heart disease].

In the latest years it became clear that beside traditional cardiovascular risk factors the high plasma homocysteine level increases the risk of atherosclerotic diseases too. Metaanalysis of 27 papers found that 10% of population's coronary risk is attributable to homocysteine and a 5 mumol/l increase in its plasma level elevates the coronary risk by as much as 0.5 mumol/l cholesterol increase. Recent studies have shown an inverse relation between the levels of plasma homocysteine and that of folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12. The latters are cofactors and substrates of the homocysteine and methionin metabolism. The plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein(a), Apo A1, Apo B and homocysteine concentrations were examined in 39 patients suffering from coronary artery disease treated in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department of our hospital. Twenty of them were treated by folic acid and vitamin B6 for a three week period. The mean (+/- SD) plasma homocysteine concentration was 15.60 +/- 6.14 mumol/l. In the treated subgroup the mean (+/- SD) plasma homocysteine concentration was 17.3 +/- 7.00 mumol/l, the mean (+/- SD) plasma folic acid level was 8.58 +/- 4.6 mumol/l. After the three week treatment period (folic acid and vitamin B6) the plasma homocysteine level decreased by 26.5% (p = 0.012), that of folic acid increased by 68.7% (p = 0.002). From the plasma lipids the level of total- and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly (6.7% and 10.4%, P < 0.05), caused by the strict diet during hospital treatment. As for the genetic polymorphism of the V677 gen of the metylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR) enzyme there was a significant correlation with homocysteine level (r = 0.436, p = 0.010), and a negative, but not significant correlation with the folic acid level (r = -0.354).

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Epidemiology and laboratory diagnostics of legionellae].

The severe pulmonary disease caused by the inhalation of the different Legionella species is called Legionella pneumonia, while the name of the pulmonary disease caused by the most common Legionella (L. pneumophila) is Legionnaires' disease. Another type of disease caused by legionellae is Pontiac fever with influenza-like symptoms. Legionella spp. are facultative intracellular parasites. They survive within both monocytes in the human organism and amebae in the environment. To prevent and control the occurrence of legionelloses, legionellae should be surveyed and detected in the environmental (water pipes, air-conditioning systems, cooling towers, respiratory equipments, etc.) and clinical (blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, abscess, etc.) samples. Laboratory diagnosis is complicated by the limitations of the available assays. Thus, it is proposed that the microbiological laboratory diagnosis should be based on the simultaneous application of at least three methods (culturing [on BCYE medium], followed by biochemical assays, serology, molecular biologic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction [PCR], direct demonstration [immunofluorescence microscopy], antigen determination are the most important ones) and on the simultaneous demonstration from three different samples (e.g. lower respiratory tract secretions, sputum, urine, blood culture, serum, moreover, water samples from all potential infectious sources, sediment of hot water tanks, as well as swab samples of faucets and shower heads). The advantage of PCR is that is gives reliable results in one day, in contrast to conventional culturing. However, its sensitivity can not be improved by increasing the sample volume, and neither can it give quantitative results nor can it produce strains for epidemiologic studies, contrary to the method of culturing. It is concluded that PCR and culturing do complement, but do not substitute each other.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2001

The long repeat region is dispensable for fowl adenovirus replication in vitro.

Two regions containing tandemly repeated sequences are present in the fowl adenovirus 9 (FAdV-9) genome. The longer repeat region (TR-2) is composed of 13 contiguous 135-bp-long direct repeats, the function of which is unknown. An infectious FAdV-9 genomic clone, constructed by homologous recombination in Escherichia coli, was used for engineering of recombinant viruses. The enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) coding sequence was cloned in both rightward and leftward orientations so as to replace TR-2. Replication-competent recombinant FAdVs were recovered, demonstrating that TR-2 was dispensable for FAdV-9 propagation in vitro. The expression of EGFP in infected cells was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy, immunoprecipitation, and RT-PCR.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Uterine artery embolization for the conservative management of leiomyoma].

Uterine leiomyoma, a benign, monoclonal tumor derived from a single myometrial cell, is one of the most frequent diseases in the female reproductive system. However, the factors involved in its initiation and growth remain poorly understood. Most commonly, it results in dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, urinary tract and neurological symptoms, and abdominal distension. Additionally, it may cause infertility, late miscarriage or other severe complications in pregnancy. The conventional treatment for fibroids has been hysterectomy. However, many women do not like to lose their uterus and potential fertility. Myomectomy and medical treatment with GnRH analogue are accepted as alternative organ-conserving methods with limited efficacy. Selective embolization of uterine arteries might therefore have a significant role in the management of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of uterine embolization as primary therapy in the management of myomas. Uterine arterial embolization was performed in 3 patients with symptomatic leiomyomas. The uterus and fibroids were objectively evaluated with ultrasound and MRI. The efficacy and safety convinced the authors that this promising technique is at present the only reasonable alternative method in organ-conserving therapy. It is less invasive than surgery, it can restore fertility, it is well tolerated and the recovery time is shorter than that following surgical procedures. This preliminary experience is sufficient to encourage gynecologists to introduce the method in Hungary.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Treatment of renal artery stenoses with stent implantation].

The authors report on their experience with the treatment of renovascular hypertension by stent implantation. In the past 4 years different types of stents (Palmaz [9], Palmaz-Corinthian [4], Memotherm [1] and AVE [1]) were implanted into 15 renal arteries of 11 patients. The indication was primary in 8 cases, and secondary in 3 patients, because of restenosis of a previously dilated renal artery. 14 stents were implanted into narrowed renal arteries, and in the remaining one case a stent was placed in an occluded renal artery immediately after recanalization. The technical success was 100%. In all but the recanalized case in which the renal artery was occluded, stents are still open. On the basis of this experience and the literature, the authors suggest the more extensive usage of this less invasive method.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Gender-related differences in rectal temperature in human neonates.

The aim of this study was to examine the gender-related differences in human neonates' body temperature. Rectal temperatures of 101 newborns (52 girls and 49 boys) were measured using a calibrated glass-mercury thermometer five times during their first 5 days of life. Results show that the temperature of males, averaged over 5 days, was significantly lower (37.068 degrees C) than that of females (37.168 degrees C). This result suggests that gender-dependent differences in baseline body temperature are present at birth.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2001

The detection of hepatitis C virus in South Hungary.

BACKGROUND: More than 100 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. The prevalence of HCV infection varies from country to country and the natural history of hepatitis C infection is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of anti-HCV positive blood donors in South Hungary was determined. Potential risk factors of HCV transmission were investigated and compared to anti-HCV-negative blood donors. Furthermore, the rate of anti-HCV positivity in children who had received one or more blood transfusions prior to the implementation of anti-HCV blood donor screening was evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 45719 blood donors and 120 children were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by second- and third-generation enzyme immunoassays. Positive results were confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay. Data on potential sources of HCV transmission were obtained by interviews. RESULTS: Among blood donors, the rate of confirmed HCV antibody-positives was 0.4% (195 of 45719 donors). Previous surgery, transfusion, more than three pregnancies, and tattoos were significantly correlated with confirmed anti-HCV positivity. Two of 120 children (1.7%) were confirmed anti-HCV positives. In both of them, serum HCV RNA could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anti-HCV positive blood donors in South Hungary is low. Nosocomial infections and tattooing were found to be the most important risk factors for transmission of HCV. Because of the low prevalence of anti-HCV positive blood donors, only a small number of children, who received blood transfusions prior to the implementation of anti-HCV blood donor screening, are infected with HCV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Evidence that phosphorylation of human Upfl protein varies with intracellular location and is mediated by a wortmannin-sensitive and rapamycin-sensitive PI 3-kinase-related kinase signaling pathway.

Human Upf1 protein (p), a group 1 RNA helicase, has recently been shown to function in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in mammalian cells. Here, we demonstrate that the estimated 3 x 10(6) copies of hUpf1 p per exponentially growing HeLa cell are essentially equally distributed among polysomal, subpolysomal, and ribosome-free fractions. We also demonstrate that hUpf1p binds RNA and is a phosphoprotein harboring phosphoserine and phosphothreonine. hUpf1p is phosphorylated to the highest extent when polysome-associated and to the lowest extent when ribosome free. We find that serum-induced phosphorylation of hUpf1p is inhibited by wortmannin at a concentration that selectively inhibits PI 3-kinase related kinases and, to a lesser extent, by rapamycin. These and other data suggest that phosphorylation is mediated by a wortmannin-sensitive and rapamycin-sensitive PI 3-kinase-related kinase signaling pathway. Comparisons are made of hUpf1p to Upf1p and SMG-2, which are the orthologs to hUpf1p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans, respectively.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed2001

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in asymptomatic women in Hungary. An epidemiological and cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: A multicenter survey was carried out in order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the population of asymptomatic women in Hungary. Results were used to carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for chlamydial infection in women with asymptomatic genital infections. METHODS: The non-amplified nucleic acid hybridization method (PACE 2 Gen-Probe) was used to diagnose C. trachomatis and Bayes' theorem was applied to assess the prevalence of the infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate the risk factors for chlamydial infections. RESULTS: According to the test, the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among 1300 pregnant women was 4.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the test are estimated to be 70% and 99%, respectively. After Bayes' correction, the overall estimated prevalence of chlamydial infection was 5.1%. There were significant differences in proportions of chlamydial infection in different regions, and also in different age groups and different family status groups. The highest rate was for women aged below 20 years: 16.9%. Cost-effectiveness analysis, with associated sensitivity analysis was carried out for women aged below 20 years. Three screening strategies were compared: using the ELISA method, using amplified Gen-Probe method and no screening. The amplified Gen-Probe method was best provided, the infection prevalence exceeded 16.7%, the PID rate exceeded 24% and the probability of tubal infertility in untreated women exceeded 25%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that screening with amplified Gen-Probe assays (followed by treatment of positive patients) is the preferred screening strategy for young women in Hungary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Breeding of mycoparasitic Trichoderma strains for heavy metal resistance.

AIMS: This study was designed to investigate the effects of 10 heavy metals on the in vitro activities of beta-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, beta-xylosidase and endoxylanase enzymes for six strains of Trichoderma, and to isolate and characterize heavy metal-resistant mutants. METHODS AND RESULTS: At a concentration of 1 mmol, only mercury showed significant inhibitory effects on the in vitro enzyme activities; in all other cases, the enzymes remained active. A total of 177 heavy metal-resistant mutants were isolated and tested for cross-resistance to other heavy metals. Some mutants were effective antagonists of Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia strains, even on media containing the respective heavy metals. CONCLUSION: Trichoderma strains could be developed as biocontrol agents that are effective against plant pathogenic fungi, even under heavy metal stress. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Trichoderma mutants resistant to heavy metals might be of value for use with heavy metal-containing pesticides, as part of an integrated plant protection system.

Drug Resistance, Fungal↗
PubMed2001

Breastfeeding duration and previous breastfeeding experience.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of duration of earlier breastfeeding on the duration of breastfeeding with subsequent births. Medical records of 327 women who had had at least two deliveries were analysed; 89 of these women had had three deliveries. The average duration of breastfeeding increased from 6.01 mo to 6.85 mo with the second baby, but did not increase significantly with the third. A significant negative correlation was found between duration of first breastfeeding and change of breastfeeding duration at the second breastfeeding. Mothers who breastfed their first child for 0-7 mo significantly increased the duration of breastfeeding with the second child, whereas mothers who breastfed their firstborn for 8 mo or longer significantly reduced breastfeeding with the second baby. CONCLUSION: Results support earlier studies showing that duration of breastfeeding of the second child is significantly related to previous breastfeeding experience. Results also suggest that previous breastfeeding experience may lead mothers to regulate duration of subsequent breastfeeding toward a level that is optimal for them. The results are interpreted with respect to societal changes in breastfeeding patterns, as well as the role of maternal learning in breastfeeding behaviour.

Adult↗