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Biomedical subjects

I Kiss

Publications and source records attributed to I Kiss.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

New pig disease in Hungary: postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome caused by circovirus (short communication).

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a new disease in Hungary, was recognized in a swine herd located in Southeast Hungary, during the early winter of 1999. The first clinical signs of paleness, anaemia, and leanness appeared immediately after weaning, at the age of 40-50 days. Pustules were frequently observed on the skin of the trunk, and signs of necrotic dermatitis were also visible. A syndrome of poor growth and wasting was characteristic of the affected pigs. A porcine circovirus (PCV), the suspected causative agent, was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequencing data and restriction endonuclease (RE) analysis of the PCR products suggested that the virus belonged to the PCV-II group where all the causative agents of PMWS are also grouped.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Disease caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides LC in Hungarian goat herds.

The occurrence of a goat disease caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC in Hungary is reported. The disease occurred in two goat herds in the spring of 1999. In one herd 25% of the 4-12 weeks old kids (10 animals) while in the other herd 33% of the 6-12 weeks old kids (20 animals) became affected. The goat kids developed polyarthritis. The most severe lesions developed in the carpal joints. All animals died after 3-8 days of disease. Four dead kids were necropsied. All of them had serofibrinous and purulent polyarthritis, and in two animals bronchopneumonia, fibrinous pleuritis and meningitis were also found. In the articular exudates the presence of mycoplasmas was detected by PCR using a general mycoplasma primer. Mycoplasmas were cultured from the joints of all animals, from the abdominal parenchymal organs of two kids and from the lungs of one animal. The cultured mycoplasmas grew in strikingly large colonies, proved to be glucose positive, arginine negative and phosphatase positive, and liquefied the coagulated serum. They survived incubation at 45 degrees C for more than 24 h. Based upon their biochemical properties, the results of the immunofluorescence (IF) and growth inhibition tests and the sequence analysis of the PCR product, the cultured strains were identified as M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC. Animals purchased in the previous autumn had been introduced to both farms. The disease may have been introduced with asymptomatic carrier animals, as earlier no similar disease had been observed at either farm.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Health risk factors and mortality in Pécs City, Hungary in the 1990s.

In the period of 1990-1994 an increase of all causes mortality for 35-74 years old males was observed both in Pécs and in all Hungary. From 1994 to 1997 the mortality decreased. Similar changes, but of smaller dimension, were observed in the female population. The increasing mortality of the early 1990s is attributed primarily to the extra psycho-social stress of this period. The data of the population survey at Pécs in 1995-96 were compared to the data of earlier surveys. The mean blood total cholesterol levels and the prevalence of smoking decreased from 1990 to 1996. The prevalence of hypertension and male obesity increased. Physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and lack of improvement of diet still represent significant health problems. High prevalence of increased gamma-glutamyl transferase indicate high prevalence of excess alcohol consumption. The risk factor profile of 18-25 year old males is very unfavourable. Smoking prevalence in females aged 26-35 years exceeds that of males of the same age group. Preventive efforts should be focused to young males and females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Cardiotoxicity of antineoplastic therapy].

Cardiotoxicity is a serious complication of anti-tumorous treatment. Cytostatics can cause a number of undesirable side-effects such as arrhythmias, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, sudden death, cardiac failure. The probably most serious cardiotoxicity is chronic cardiac failure after treatment with anthracyclines. Interest in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of cardiotoxicity revealed new findings of cardiac complications after various cytostatics, high-dosage chemotherapy and transplantation of haematopoietic cells. Prospective paediatric studies provided evidence of the serious character of late cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines. The authors review the most frequent cardiac complications of anti-tumorous treatment. They emphasize in particular the toxicity of anthracyclines and its possible prevention.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2000

[Damage of left ventricular function after treatment with doxorubicin in patients with malignant lymphomas].

The authors evaluated using clinical and echocardiographic examination the effect of chemotherapy involving bolus administration of doxorubicin on the heart muscle in 90 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and with Hodgkin lymphoma. In 18% of patients they found an asymptomatic decrease of the left ventricular ejection fraction during chemotherapy, chronic cardiotoxicity was recorded in 5% patients, in 2% of the patients one year after termination of chemotherapy a clinically latent myocardial infarction was found. The diastolic function was impaired (impaired relaxation) in 44% patients after terminated chemotherapy and in 50% after one year. Echocardiographic examination provided evidence that the impaired systolic and diastolic function persists even after one year following termination of chemotherapy. High-dose chemotherapy with administration of peripheral stem cells did not lead to marked deterioration of left ventricular function as compared with patients who did not undergo this treatment. The main clinical complications--death, cardiotoxicity, relapse of the malignant disease, cardiovascular complications--were present in the course of a 18.5-month follow up after establishment of the diagnosis in 32% of the patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Prognostic value of the presence of the mutation of the codons 12, 13 and 61 in K-ras oncogene in colorectal cancer].

Despite of extensive and intensive investigations, the predictive and prognostic value of c-K-ras mutation is not unequivocal. There has been reported about investigation the occurrence of mutations in the 88 colorectal cancer patient's specimen using polymerase chain reaction. Age: 61.9 years (27-80), gender 8 male, 42 female. Dukes' stages: 43 at the B, 35 at C, 10 at D. Primary of tumour: 52 colon, 36 rectal adenocarcinoma. Mutation out of one of the three ras-codons was detectable in the 54 cases, more frequently at the stage Dukes' C (p < 0.05). The ras-mutation concerned to more elevated death-rate in the stages Dukes' B and C (p < 0.01). Mean survival time to progression was significantly longer at the stage Dukes' B if mutation had not been detected (p < 0.01). The occurrence of the rate of genetic alteration was significantly more frequent at tumours of right-side colon, than left side (p < 0.02) or rectum (p < 0.05) one's. However, at the age of 41-50 years it was significantly more presented at the cases of rectal cancer (p < 0.01). At the age of 51-60 years mutations were detected among men at higher rate (p < 0.05). The cases of local recurrences concerned by mutation at the codon of 13 (p < 0.05). Occurrence of ras-oncogene is the sign of extremely malignant potential of tumour. This fact manifested itself in the time to progression and mean survival time of patients at same clinical or pathological stage. The higher frequency of genetic alterations at the proximal colon may be the reason of more unfavourable prognosis of the disease localised to this site. Reconstructing the molecular events, the presence of ras mutation can serve as a basis for prognosis of the disease and permit of potentially individualised therapeutic intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Matrilin-2, a large, oligomeric matrix protein, is expressed by a great variety of cells and forms fibrillar networks.

Matrilin-2 is a member of the protein superfamily with von Willebrand factor type A-like modules. Mouse matrilin-2 cDNA fragments were expressed in 293-EBNA cells, and the protein was purified, characterized, and used to immunize rabbits. The affinity-purified antiserum detects matrilin-2 in dense and loose connective tissue structures, subepithelial connective tissue of the skin and digestive tract, specialized cartilages, and blood vessel walls. In situ hybridization of 35S-labeled riboprobes localizes the matrilin-2 mRNA to fibroblasts of dermis, tendon, ligaments, perichondrium, and periosteum; connective tissue elements in the heart; smooth muscle cells; and epithelia and loose connective tissue cells of the alimentary canal and respiratory tract. RNA blot hybridization and immunoblotting revealed both matrilin-2 mRNA and protein in cultures of a variety of cell types, confirming the tissue distribution. Alternative splicing affects a module unique for matrilin-2 in all of the above RNA sources. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy reveals matrilin-2 from tissue extracts and cell line cultures as a mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetramers. Matrilin-2 is substituted with N-linked oligosaccharides but not with glycosaminoglycans. Because of other, yet unidentified, cell-type dependent posttranslational modifications, the monomer is heterogeneous in size. Immunofluorescence showed that matrilin-2 functions by forming an extracellular, filamentous network.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Structural and functional characterization of the Drosophila glycogen phosphorylase gene.

We identified a P element insertional mutant of the Drosophila glycogen phosphorylase (DGPH) gene. Glycogen phosphorylase protein concentration and enzyme activity are decreased while glycogen content is increased in flies homozygous for the mutant allele. The DGPH gene has been cloned and sequenced; its open reading frame codes for a protein of 844 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 97 kDa. Comparison of the conceptual amino acid sequence of the Drosophila glycogen phosphorylase with glycogen phosphorylase sequences from other organisms shows a high degree of homology to mammalian enzymes. All the residues of the allosteric effector binding sites, the active site, and the site of phosphorylation are exactly conserved, but some of the residues of the glycogen storage site are not.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiologic study of regional inequalities].

The technological achievements of the recent years and the need for more advanced control of the processes within the health sector have supported the geographical epidemiology to become a distinct branch of epidemiology. The combined application of the simple standardized rates, statistical tests and different corrected risk parameters is able to describe the health status for geographically defined, small populations. Several statistical processes have been elaborated to estimate the number of the false positive results and to evaluate the role of chance in predicting the observed geographical pattern. These data completed with the usual risk measures quantify the risk difference within a broader region and determine the actual risk levels for the investigated small areas. The routine data processing system operating as a part of the public health surveillance identifies the high risk areas (the clusters) and without leaving the framework of routine data handling investigates the association between basic exposure data and health risks producing additional data about the nature of the aggregation of health related events. All the spetially varying etiological factors (environmental effects, social status, traditions, regional features of the health sector etc.) are ready to elicit regional alterations in the health status. The aim of the geographical information system is to cover the consequences of the uneven distribution of these factors. Since these kind of etiological factors play significant role in the generation of the most important public health problems in Hungary, and it is known that the small area inequalities are profound for these health impairments, the more extensive application of geographical information systems is expected to improve the efficiency of the control for public health problems and the performance of preventive medicine.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed1999

The matrilins: a novel family of oligomeric extracellular matrix proteins.

The matrilin family at present has four members that all share a structure made up of von Willebrand factor A domains, epidermal growth factor-like domains and a coiled coil alpha-helical module. The first member of the family, matrilin-1 (previously called cartilage matrix protein or CMP), is expressed mainly in cartilage. Matrilin-3 has a similar tissue distribution, while matrilin-2 and -4 occur in a wide variety of extracellular matrices. Matrilin-1 is associated with cartilage proteoglycans as well as being a component of both collagen-dependent and collagen-independent fibrils and on the basis of the related structures other matrilins may play similar roles. The matrilin genes are strictly and differently regulated and their expression may serve as markers for cellular differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Identification of genes controlling malpighian tubule and other epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

The Drosophila Malpighian tubule is a model system for studying genetic mechanisms that control epithelial morphogenesis. From a screen of 1800 second chromosome lethal lines, by observing uric acid deposits in unfixed inviable embryos, we identified five previously described genes (barr, fas, flb, raw, and thr) and one novel gene, walrus (wal), that affect Malpighian tubule morphogenesis. Phenotypic analysis of these mutant embryos allows us to place these genes, along with other previously described genes, into a genetic pathway that controls Malpighian tubule development. Specifically, wal affects evagination of the Malpighian tubule buds, fas and thr affect bud extension, and barr, flb, raw, and thr affect tubule elongation. In addition, these genes were found to have different effects on development of other epithelial structures, such as foregut and hindgut morphogenesis. Finally, from the same screen, we identified a second novel gene, drumstick, that affects only foregut and hindgut morphogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The usefulness of in vivo gene expression investigations from peripheral white blood cells: a preliminary study.

Alterations of onco/tumour suppressor genes are involved in the formation of human hematological malignancies. Previously, in animal models, we demonstrated the applicability of in vivo gene expression investigations to monitor the effects of certain carcinogenic chemicals. In our present study we determined the expression of onco/suppressor genes from isolated peripheral white blood cells of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Gene expressions were determined by isolation of total RNA and slot blot hybridization with chemiluminescently labeled gene probes (Ha-ras, c-myc and p53) Expression levels were compared before and after treatment with a combined cytostatic protocol, containing cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP). Both the CLL and NHL group of patients exhibited significantly higher expression of the investigated genes than healthy controls. One month after the cytostatic treatment, we found considerably fewer individuals with overexpressed oncogenes than before the treatment. Our study proved that onco/tumour suppressor gene expressions could be used as biomarkers of certain hematological malignancies, and to monitor the therapeutical effect of cytostatic drugs.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1999

Down-regulation of RpS21, a putative translation initiation factor interacting with P40, produces viable minute imagos and larval lethality with overgrown hematopoietic organs and imaginal discs.

Down-regulation of the Drosophila ribosomal protein S21 gene (rpS21) causes a dominant weak Minute phenotype and recessively produces massive hyperplasia of the hematopoietic organs and moderate overgrowth of the imaginal discs during larval development. Here, we show that the S21 protein (RpS21) is bound to native 40S ribosomal subunits in a salt-labile association and is absent from polysomes, indicating that it acts as a translation initiation factor rather than as a core ribosomal protein. RpS21 can interact strongly with P40, a ribosomal peripheral protein encoded by the stubarista (sta) gene. Genetic studies reveal that P40 underexpression drastically enhances imaginal disc overgrowth in rpS21-deficient larvae, whereas viable combinations between rpS21 and sta affect the morphology of bristles, antennae, and aristae. These data demonstrate a strong interaction between components of the translation machinery and showed that their underexpression impairs the control of cell proliferation in both hematopoietic organs and imaginal discs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Characterization and chromosome location of the mouse link protein gene (Crtl1).

Link protein (LP) plays an essential role in endochondral bone formation by stabilizing the supramolecular assemblies of aggrecan and hyaluronan. We have isolated and characterized the mouse link protein gene (Crtl1). It is longer than 40 kb and transcribed from two alternative promoters, leading to heterogenous mRNAs between 5.3 and 1.3 kb in size. Apart from the coding sequence, the 5' flanking region is also highly conserved in mammals. Immunostaining revealed high levels of LP expression in the cartilaginous primordia of skeletal elements and low levels in other tissues. Using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, Crtl1 was assigned to mouse chromosome 13, tightly linked to Dhfr.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Observations on the quasispecies composition of three animal pathogenic RNA viruses.

The quasispecies nature of three animal pathogenic RNA viruses of field origin was examined by testing variants of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) originating from geographically different areas, feline coronavirus (FCoV) detected from the same animal by successive sampling, and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) originating from successive outbreaks in the same geographic area. Clinical samples were investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ensuing single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) assay. By the combination of these methods even subtle differences could be detected among the amplified fragments of the same virus species of different origin. FCoV proved to comprise the most and CSFV the less heterogeneous virus quasispecies. The results show that the combination of RT-PCR and SSCP provides novel and highly sensitive means for the characterisation of RNA viruses, with special regard to genome composition, evolution, features of pathogenicity and molecular epizootiology.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The contribution of a pyrethroid insecticide to the massive eel (Anguilla anguilla) devastation, in Lake Balaton, in 1995.

In the summer of 1995, 30 tonnes of eel (Anguilla anguilla) died in Lake Balaton, Hungary. An investigation was carried out to find the causes of this ecocatastrophe. During this investigation, certain biochemical parameters, i.e. the blood sugar level, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.2.3), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT, EC 2.6.1.1), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT, EC 2.6.1.2) activities in the blood serum of the collected surviving and dying eels were examined. Deltamethrin, the active ingredient of the insecticide K-OTHRIN 1 ULV, used against mosquitoes was detected in different animal species, i.e. eel, bream (Abramis brama), pike perch (Stizostedion lucioperca), and the common gull (Larus canus) and in sediment samples from the lake. Additionally, laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effects of deltamethrin on eels. During the investigation in the field it appeared that the AChE activity was significantly lower in the blood serum of the dying eels as compared to that in living animals (P<0.05, Student's t-test). The blood glucose content exhibited a difference, too: it was 2.5 times higher in the dying eels than in the surviving ones. A huge increase in the LDH level was measured in the dying eels. The GOT activities of the serum were twice as high in the dying eels as in the living fish, while the GPT was not significantly changed. Deltamethrin was detected in different tissue samples of the dying eels: 2.70-18.1 microg/kg in the liver, 9.0-31.1 microg/kg in the gill and 3.0 microg/kg wet tissue in the muscle. Deltamethrin residues were found in tissue samples from other animals, in the following concentrations: 0.44 microg/kg in bream, 2.14 microg/kg in pike perch and 1.06 microg/kg wet tissue in dead gulls. The sediment samples collected from the sites of the devastation contained deltamethrin in a concentration of 5.50-30.00 microg/kg wet sediment at the time of the eel deaths, and in a concentration 7.00-8.75 microg/kg wet sediment a month later. Laboratory experiments with the insecticide K-OTHRIN 1 ULV revealed that 1.00 microg/l of its active ingredient, deltamethrin, caused the death of 50% of the eels after an exposure time of 96 h. During this experiments similar trends could be observed in changes of enzyme activities of the treated eels to those that were detected in filed study during the eel devastation in Lake Balaton. At the end of a one-week treatment with the insecticide at the concentration of 0.5 microg/l of its active ingredient the gills of the treated eels contained deltamethrin at 12.6-44.8 microg/kg wet tissue concentration, while at the 24th hour after the treatment (11.2-42.7 microg/kg wet tissue) deltamethrin concentration in the liver of treated eels could be detected. All the above-mentioned changes and the detected deltamethrin residue in the eels appear to demonstrate the contribution of deltamethrin to the severe eel devastation. This information on the ecological risk of pyrethroid insecticides might be useful in their further application.

Animals↗