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Biomedical subjects

E Nagy

Publications and source records attributed to E Nagy.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis in Hungary.

Bacteroides fragilis, which constitutes about 1% of the colonic microflora in humans, is the most frequent anaerobic species involved in abscesses, soft-tissue infections and bacteraemias. Additionally, enterotoxigenic strains of B. fragilis have been demonstrated to be associated with diarrhoea in domestic animals and humans. Enterotoxigenic strains of B. fragilis derived from stool specimens and from infectious processes produce a toxin which induces a cytotoxic response in HT-29 colon carcinoma cells. These findings prompted us to investigate the prevalence of enterotoxigenic strains of B. fragilis isolated from various clinical specimens in Hungary. A total of 134 strains were collected from different clinical settings: 74 from infectious processes, 20 from stools of healthy subjects and 40 from the faeces of patients with diarrhoea where no other enteric pathogen could be isolated. Cell culture assays with HT-29 cells were performed on the filtered culture supernatants of the isolated strains. Of the 134 strains, 34 (25.3%) proved toxin-positive. The presence of free toxin was also observed in 20 of 50 (40%) of the faeces of adults with diarrhoea.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Binding of extracellular matrix proteins to the surface of Bacteroides spp.

The binding of fibronectin an vitronectin to 207 Bacteroides strains and the binding of collagen and sialoproteins to 55 Bacteroides strains were investigated by means of latex agglutination tests. The binding of fibronectin, collagen and lactoferrin to the same 55 strains was also tested by using 125I-labelled proteins. The 207 strains, belonging to ten Bacteroides species, were isolated from different infections (51%) and from faeces of healthy subjects (49%). Most of the strains displaying fibronectin binding belonged in the species B. fragilis or B. vulgatus. The binding could be inhibited by preincubation of the cells with an excess amount of fibronectin. No inhibition of the binding was observed with carbohydrates. The vitronectin binding of the strains was less common, but was always observed to accompany fibronectin binding. None of the examined 55 strains exhibited any binding to fetuin or asialofetuin. The radiolabelling method indicated a low binding to 125I-fibronectin. The binding of 125I-collagen-I and 125I-lactoferrin in the Bacteroides strains tested was higher than that of 125I-fibronectin.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The diagnosis and treatment of intratesticular varicocele.

A case of varicocele is reported. The dilated veins were situated in the left testis. The diagnosis required color Doppler sonography. Successful treatment was performed by transcatheter embolization of the left spermatic vein. The control sonogram revealed complete regression. A literature search yielded only three previous cases of intratesticular varicocele. No data were found on the treatment of this entity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Amino acid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid in presenile and senile dementia of Alzheimer type and multi-infarct dementia.

Free amino acid levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from demented patients (D, n = 30) suffering from presenile and senile dementia of Alzheimer type (PDAT, n = 7; SDAT, n = 9), multi-infarct dementia (MID, n = 14) and a reference sample group consisting of young neurotic patients (R, n = 16). Comparing the amino acid levels in the dementia subgroups, significantly higher alanine, methionine, phenylalanine and tyrosine levels were found both in MID and SDAT vs. PDAT. No difference was seen between SDAT and MID. Compared to the reference sample group, higher glycine levels were found in each dementia subgroup; higher alanine, methionine and ornithine levels in MID, and SDAT; and higher phenylalanine levels in MID. In PDAT the level of tyrosine was lower. Coefficients of correlation were calculated between amino acid levels and age, and the findings in the reference sample groups were divergent from those observed in dementia. The differences observed are discussed in terms of amino acid, carbohydrate and neurotransmitter metabolism.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ascorbic acid in cerebrospinal fluid - a possible protection against free radicals in the brain.

The function of ascorbic acid in living organisms is complex. Previous studies emphasize its protective role against harmful effect of free radicals, and its presence is necessary for the function of numerous enzymes. Ascorbic acid is a powerful reducing agent due to its dienol molecular structure, which is not present in the oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid. The ratio of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid might be a marker of oxidative-reductive processes. We measured and compared the level of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in the plasma of healthy persons and those of senile dementia patients, who represent pathological aging of the brain. In senile dementia patients, ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid levels were also measured in the cerebrospinal fluid. Concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In the plasma of senile dementia patients, very low ascorbic acid levels were found (ca. 30% of the healthy control). In lumbar cerebrospinal fluid, the concentration of ascorbic acid is 2.7 times higher compared to that of the plasma level. After intravenous infusion of ascorbic acid, a slow but marked increase of the concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was measured. Our results support an active transport process for ascorbic acid through the blood-CSF barrier. Ascorbic acid level might be an important factor representing the protection of the central nervous system against free radicals.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efferent connections of the vestibular nuclei in the rat: a neuromorphological study using PHA-L.

The efferent connections of the superior, medial, lateral, and descending vestibular nuclei were studied with anterograde tracing methods in rats. The following areas of termination could be discerned: (1) In the diencephalon, labeled terminals were detected in the thalamus. (2) In the mesencephalon, the red nucleus and motor nuclei involved in eye movements were richly supplied by the vestibular nuclei. (3) In the rhombencephalon, extensive intrinsic connections of all vestibular nuclei were demonstrated. Strong commissural connections were found among the medial, superior, and descending vestibular nuclei. The inferior olive received labeled fibers exclusively from the lateral vestibular nuclei. Individual differences were demonstrated in the termination areas in the reticular formation. (4) In the spinal cord, most of the descending vestibular fibers were found in the ipsilateral anterior funiculus.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunoregulatory effects of glandular kallikrein from the salivary submandibular gland of rats.

A protein of 40 kD molecular weight was isolated from the salivary submandibular glands of male rats. The protein catalyzed the hydrolysis of alpha-N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester. This esterase activity was inhibitable with the protease inhibitor aprotinin. The sequence of the first 25 amino acids of this protein was identical to that of rat glandular kallikrein (rGK). When added to cultures of murine lymph node cells suboptimally stimulated with the T cell mitogen concanavalin A, rGK markedly stimulated the proliferative activity of these cells. When injected into mice, rGK suppressed the contact sensitivity response to picryl chloride, a form of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Similar in vitro and in vivo effects were induced with GK from porcine pancreas (pGK). Moreover, the aforementioned in vitro and in vivo effects were abolished by aprotinin either added to the tissue culture medium or injected into the animals immediately before rGK or pGK. This demonstrates that the enzymatic activity of rGK and pGK is important for the induction of immunoregulatory effects. These results suggest that rGK is a systemic immunoregulatory enzyme with immunosuppressive potential. GK is the first example for systemic immunoregulation by an enzyme, the secretion of which is under neuroendocrine control.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antiestrogens affect both pathways of killer cell-mediated oncolysis.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies indicate that antiestrogenic drugs tamoxifen (TX) and toremifene (TO) augment immune oncolysis induced by various killer cells. The underlying mechanism(s), however, have not been fully elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovarian carcinoma cells freshly isolated from cancer patients and the human erythroleukemia cell line, K562 were used as targets for killer cells and/or the anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, CH-11 in 51Cr release assays. In a number of experiments, extracellular Ca++ was chelated by EGTA/MgCl2 to distinguish Ca(++)-dependent perforin/granzyme pathway from Fas/FasL pathway. Fas expression was studied by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Ovarian carcinoma cells were sensitized by antiestrogens towards enhanced cytolysis mediated by autologous cytotoxic lymphocytes. Antiestrogens also significantly augmented the killing of ovarian carcinoma cells triggered by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody. Flow cytometry analyses showed an upregulation of Fas (CD 95/Apo-1) upon TX or TO treatment in a number of cases. By contrast, antiestrogen treatment did not induce Fas expression in the Fas-negative K562 cells; yet, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity against K562 was augmented by antiestrogens and maximal lysis was achieved when both target and effector cells were treated. The presence of Ca++ chelator (EGTA/MgCl2) in the assay abrogated killing of K562 and its antiestrogen--mediated augmentation. This indicates the involvement of the perforin/granzyme pathway. CONCLUSION: Antiestrogens can influence both Fas/FasL and perforin/granzyme pathways of killer cell--mediated oncolysis.

Endopeptidases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antiestrogens sensitize human ovarian and lung carcinomas for lysis by autologous killer cells.

BACKGROUND: The antiestrogens tamoxifen (TX) and toremifene (TO) were shown previously to enhance the lysis of target cells by natural killer cells (NK), lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, and by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CTL were cultured from lung cancer tissue and from ascites fluid of ovarian carcinoma patients with the aid of human recombinant interleukin-2 (hrIL-2). The target, effector or both cell populations were pretreated by TX, TO and/or with human recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). RESULTS: Significant enhancement of cytotoxicity occurred when the tumor targets or both the target and effector cells were treated with TX, TO or when these drugs were used in combination with IFN-alpha. The lytic activity of CTL cultured from draining lymph nodes of lung cancer patients, was also observed after similar treatment. The lytic effect of autologous LAK cells derived from peripheral blood was increased to a lesser extent, which could be amplified by additional treatment with IFN-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: The antiestrogens TX and TO and IFN-alpha enhance the lysis of autologous tumor cells by CTL and LAK effectors.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High levels of antibodies against Clq are associated with disease activity and nephritis but not with other organ manifestations in SLE patients.

OBJECTIVE: Serum concentration of antibodies to C1q (C1qAb) has been reported to be elevated in a high percentage of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The associations of high C1qAb levels with different clinical manifestations and the activity of the disease, however, are not definitely understood. METHODS: We measured the levels of IgG type C1qAb in the sera of 137 patients with SLE using an ELISA method. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of C1qAb were found to be higher (p < 0.0001) in SLE patients than in healthy controls. High titer (> 66 AU/ml) C1qAb was found in 40/137 (29.2%) SLE patients, and 4/192 (2.1%) healthy controls (p < 0.0001). A strong negative correlation (R = -0.4, p < 0.0001) between the age of the patients and the C1qAb titers could be detected. C1qAb levels in clinically active SLE patients significantly (p < 0.0001) exceeded those measured in the sera of patients in the inactive stage of the disease. A significant positive correlation was detected between C1qAb levels and the laboratory activity markers (anti-DNA, low C3 level) of the disease. We found a significant negative correlation between levels of C1qAb and a negative acute phase protein, alpha2-HS-glycoprotein. Renal involvement was present in 11/40 (27.5%) and 11/97 (11%) of the patients with high and low titers of C1qAb, respectively (p = 0.038). The prevalence of other organ manifestations was, however, the same in the patients with or without high titer C1qAb. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that C1qAb measurement is a useful method for detecting the activity of SLE and predicting renal manifestations, but not other organ involvement in the disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gastrointestinal disorders caused by non-agglutinable (NAG) vibrios].

In August-October 1973 several NAG vibrio strains were isolated for the first time in our country from clinical cases of acute intestinal disturbances. The patients were admitted to hospital being clinically suspect of dysenteric syndrome or alimentary toxiinfection (nausea, vomiting, abdominal colics, tenesms, mucosanguinolent stools, aqeous stools from 4-5 up to 20 in 24 hours, with signs of dehydration). NAG vibrios were isolated from all the cultures in, practically, pure cultures. Epidemiologic survey in the village of B resulted in isolation of the same NAG vibrio strains from the samples collected from the direct contacts and drinking water sources. Therefore, NAG vibrios can unquestionably cause a diarrheic disease and it will be necessary to extend the bacteriologic diangosis also in this direction in all cases of diarrhea of "unknown etiology".

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vaccination against Newcastle disease with a recombinant baculovirus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase subunit vaccine.

Vaccination of chickens with an oil-emulsion vaccine containing a recombinant baculovirus that expressed the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-induced hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and virus-neutralizing antibodies against NDV. HI antibody titers obtained in response to vaccination with the live recombinant virus were higher than those obtained when the recombinant was inactivated with beta-propiolactone, and the titers were lower than those obtained in response to the same HN concentrations in live or beta-propiolactone-inactivated NDV strain B1. The serological response to the recombinant baculovirus was differentiated from the response to NDV by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in which purified NDV nucleoprotein was used as antigen. Chickens vaccinated with the live recombinant or with inactivated NDV resisted an oculonasal challenge with the neurotropic velogenic Texas GB strain of NDV, which was lethal in unvaccinated controls. It was concluded that the HN protein of NDV expressed as a subunit by a recombinant baculovirus was protective against Newcastle disease.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vaccination of 1-day-old chicks with fowlpox virus by the aerosol, drinking water, or cutaneous routes.

Administration of 10(4) mean cell-culture infectious dose (CCID50) per ml of a plaque-purified derivative of a commercial fowlpox virus (FPV) vaccine to 1-day-old chicks by aerosol or drinking water gave inconsistent serological responses and little evidence of protective immunity. In contrast, cutaneous vaccination with the same preparation protected against challenge with virulent FPV at 4 weeks of age. Administration of the vaccine at a concentration of 10(6) CCID50 per ml by the drinking-water route was as effective as conventional cutaneous vaccination in terms of the serological response in an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay and in terms of protection against challenge. Drinking-water vaccination at 2 days of age was no more effective than vaccination on day 1, and oral dosing with the vaccine was less effective than incorporation of the vaccine in the drinking water. It was concluded that 1-day-old chicks may be vaccinated against fowlpox by the drinking-water route if the vaccine contains a sufficiently high concentration of virus.

Administration, Cutaneous↗