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Biomedical subjects

I Magyar

Publications and source records attributed to I Magyar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sensitivity of ecotoxicological tests in analysis of superfund sites.

During the analysis of environmental risk posed by hazardous waste disposal sites, ecological impact on whole ecosystems should be assessed. It requires a complex testing scheme where surrogate species represent key elements of the ecosystem. However, different organisms are exposed to a differing degree, also, their sensitivity to the same contaminant may vary. A possible way to determine which test reflects most the actual toxic conditions, correlation can be calculated between the measured ecological parameter (such as growth inhibition, mortality, etc.) and a contaminant gradient. The basic aim of this study was to determine which ecotoxicological test shows the best correlation with the measured analytical parameters. The selected tests were Lemna minor (representing primary producers), Thamnocephalus platyurus (a primary consumer organism) and Vibrio fischeri (decomposer). When testing soil samples, the Thamnocephalus test showed excellent consistency with most contaminants but was oversensitive in the case of groundwater samples. The Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition test (ToxAlert) behaved in a different way, reflecting well the distribution of most contaminants in groundwater samples. Finally, Lemna test proved to be completely inadequate.

Aliivibrio fischeri↗

Multidrug resistance as a dominant molecular marker in transformation of wine yeast.

Pure wine yeast cultures are increasingly used in winemaking to perform controlled fermentations and produce wine of reproducible quality. For the genetic manipulation of natural wine yeast strains dominant selective markers are obviously useful. Here we demonstrate the successful use of the mutated PDR3 gene as a dominant molecular marker for the selection of transformants of prototrophic wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The selected transformants displayed a multidrug resistance phenotype that was resistant to strobilurin derivatives and azoles used to control pathogenic fungi in agriculture and medicine, respectively. Random amplification of DNA sequences and electrophoretic karyotyping of the host and transformed strains after microvinification experiments resulted in the same gel electrophoresis patterns. The chemical and sensory analysis of experimental wines proved that the used transformants preserved all their useful winemaking properties indicating that the pdr3-9 allele does not deteriorate the technological properties of the transformed wine yeast strain.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

[Peripartum cardiomyopathy with fatal outcome].

The authors reported the case of a 26 year-old primipara who had unexplained congestive cardiac failure on the 9th week after delivery. There was no previous disease in her history however her pregnancy endangered because of imminent abortion was preceded by 1 artificial and 2 spontaneous abortions. In the acute phase she had to be resuscitated because of ventricular fibrillation and then she had a pulmonary embolism followed by pneumonia and therefore she was in septic state for 4 weeks. After a 4 month clinical remission she died unexpectedly at home. At autopsy the histological appearance of myocarditis, thymic hyperplasia and hypoplastic vascular system were observed.

Abortion, Induced↗

Brofaromine in treatment-resistant depressed patients--a comparative trial versus tranylcypromine.

In a controlled clinical inpatient trial (n = 93) comparing the efficacy and safety of brofaromine versus tranylcypromine for 6 weeks in treatment-resistant major depressed patients, the two drugs were found to be of comparable afficacy and tolerability. The response rate (a 50% reduction) on the Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAMD) in both groups was about 73%. The most common side effects in the brofaromine group were sleep disorders, hypotension, tremor and dryness of mouth; and in the tranylcypromine group sleep disorders, fatigue, hypotension, tremor and vertigo. Methodological and practical clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Adult↗

Double-blind multicenter study of paroxetine and amitriptyline in depressed inpatients.

Paroxetine is a new compound in the group of the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. The results of several open and double-blind control-group studies demonstrate clear antidepressive efficacy of paroxetine. However, most data were collected in samples of outpatients. To overcome this restriction, a six-week double-blind control-group study, comparing 30 mg paroxetine with 150 mg amitriptyline per day, was performed in a sample of inpatients suffering from major depression. Generally speaking, the efficacy analysis of 160 patients was not able to demonstrate statistically significant differences in the antidepressive activity of paroxetine or amitriptyline, either with respect to the total score on the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and the Clinical Global Impressions or with respect to the subscores of the HAMD. One exception was the retardation subscore, in which amitriptyline showed a greater degree of reduction. Both drugs had a characteristic side-effect profile. Paroxetine was characterized by a lack of anticholinergic side-effects and a higher rate of nausea.

Amitriptyline↗

Use of benzodiazepines in psychiatry.

Benzodiazepines are generally well tolerated (compared to barbiturates or antidepressants, their side-effects are milder). They may be used safely, their toxicity is low. Benzodiazepine overdosage may be lethal only if the drug is taken simultaneously with other drugs or alcohol. They act primarily through inhibiting the GABA system, their anxiolytic and sedative effects are of primary importance from the psychiatric aspect. Their classification is based on the difference in their receptor affinity (potency) and kinetics. Derivatives of low, medium and high potency are known. The introduction of high potency benzodiazepines in psychiatry has increased the therapeutic means. The major field of indication of benzodiazepine therapy is DSM-III anxiety disorders and insomnias but they may be successfully used in the treatment of manic conditions, schizophrenia, delirium tremens, clinical conditions accompanied by anxiety-depression, acute restlessness, neuroleptic-induced acute distonias, and akathisias. Even if therapeutic doses are used, tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop after some weeks of therapy. The general withdrawal symptoms are not severe, but the rebound symptoms often hinder the discontinuance of the drug or the reduction of doses. When prescribing benzodiazepines the risk of long-term therapy and the prevention of the development of drug addiction have to be considered.

Benzodiazepines↗

Basal adrenocortical activity and DST in electrodermally differentiated subgroups of panic patients.

Twenty nine patients with panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks were studied. The relationship between pre- and postdexamethasone serum cortisol level and electrodermal lability as reflected in electrodermal habituation rate and resting non-specific electrodermal activity was investigated. The frequency of non-suppression of cortisol following dexamethasone (DST non-suppressors) (at 5 micrograms/dl cut-off level) was 29.6% for the total group of patients. The basal plasma cortisol concentration showed positive correlation with the electrodermal habituation rate. The basal plasma cortisol level of slow habituator panic patients was significantly higher compared to rapid habituator patients, and it was above the normal range. On the contrary in rapid habituator panic patients the pre- and postdexamethasone cortisol difference was significantly less than in slow habituator patients, due to the normal basal plasma cortisol level and the relatively reduced rate of feedback suppression of cortisol following dexamethasone. Of the rapid habituator panic patients, 50% were non-suppressors following dexamethasone (at 5 micrograms/dl cut-off level). The above results might reflect two relatively different patterns of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation in connection with two extremes of electrodermal habituation rate in panic patients.

Adult↗

Heterogeneity, distribution and endogenous phosphate content of KCl-myosins prepared from different parts of human brain.

Myosin concentrations and their endogenous phosphate (P) content as well as some of their properties were investigated in different parts of the central nervous system (CNS). Myosin concentration in hemispherial part is in the average 40 mg/100 g fresh mince, but it varies between 5 mg and 30 mg myosin depending on the mental activity or accidental brain diseases. This refers to the other parts of CNS, too. A myosin may be isolated with a single and sharp peak as far as the gel filtration profile is concerned in spite of the high lipid content of the brain. Working with minimal lipid and RNA content requires a careful procedure by an experienced person. In spite of any careful isolation procedure, purified KCl-myosin preparations are composed of at least two isomyosins each formed from different heavy chains. Myosins are localized in different parts of the cell, mitochondrial, synaptosomal and neuroplasmic, respectively. Brain myosins have higher endogeneous P concentrations than other cell-myosins. In hemispherial myosins the P-concentrations are high. Subjects trained in mental activities have the highest myosin and P concentration. We suggest that the role of myosin may directly be connected with cytokinetic motions even in case of the higher functions of brain cells like thinking, paying attention and memory, respectively.

Animals↗

Dexamethasone suppression test and coping behavior in psychosocial stress.

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were administered to 144 healthy inductees on day 2 of military service. One hundred and four of them completed a 120-item questionnaire describing their coping responses to this particular challenge. Thirty-six subjects (25%) failed to suppress plasma cortisol adequately. Their mean scores on the MMPI clinical standard scales were within the normal range. High postdexamethasone cortisol levels were associated with denial and passivity, and with low demand for social support. These results suggest that the DST might be more related to coping with a stressor than to a specific diagnosis. The authors speculate that high hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity may have a primary role in psychological defense promoting inattention to the aversive aspects of stressful situations.

Adolescent↗

High-dose infusion therapy for severe depressions.

The present paper reports the results of high-dose intravenous antidepressive treatment performed at the Psychiatric Department of the Hungarian Central Hospital in Budapest. Based on the differences in the comparative dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs), prolactin (PRL) responses and Fischer Symptom Check List (FSCL) scores, it is hypothesized that a high parenterally administered dose of dibenzepine acts differently in comparison to oral drugs, which are extensively metabolized in the hepatic microsomal system. The results obtained so far suggest that the effect of high-dose intravenous dibenzepine in endogenous depressive states is comparable to that of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as far as the regression of symptoms and biochemical changes are concerned.

Adult↗

Neurotics at risk and suicidal behaviour in the Hungarian population.

On the basis of a study of 5,871 persons representative of the Hungarian population over the age of 20 by age, sex, place of residence and occupation, an analysis was made of the relationships between neurosis risk, suicidal behaviour, drinking habits and social and lifestyle characteristics. Measured by the Juhász Neurosis Rating Scale, the proportion of those at neurosis risk in the population was 23.6%, but considerable regional differences were found. Suicide attempts and the suicide rate by county proved relatively independent of each other. In the counties with higher suicides rates (South-East Hungary) and in the counties around the capital which have high rates of suicide attempts the proportion of those at neurosis risk was very high. The closest correlation with suicide attempts was found in the case of suicide in the family. Where there had been a suicide in the family, 26% of the subjects attempted suicide in the course of their life and where there had been no suicide, the proportion of persons making attempts was only 1%.

Adult↗