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Introduction: The premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a new distinct diagnostic entity in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, the severe premenstrual (PM) symptoms associated with PMDD result in functional impairment, globally, it remains highly underdiagnosed, underscoring the need for enhanced clinical recognition. Objectives: This ongoing study aims to assess the prevalence and symptom profile of PMDD in a sample of Hungarian women. It is part of a comprehensive research process aiming to validate a prospective PMDD diagnostic questionnaire (Daily Record of Severity of Problems, DRSP) in order to facilitate the diagnosis of the disorder. Methods: The study was performed in three steps. Firstly, retrospective data were collected from 112 women. Probable PMDD was assessed using the DSM-5 Based Screening Tool, while anxio-depressive symptoms and well-being were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory, the state subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the WHO Well-Being Scale. Subsequently, prospective data were obtained from 9 women who completed the DRSP along with the aforementioned mood questionnaires during both their PM and follicular phases. Results: In the first research phase, the sample was divided into women with probable PMDD diagnosis (PMDD group, n=68) and women without probable PMDD diagnosis (nonPMDD group, n=45) based on the DSM-5-Based Screening Tool. The PMDD group reported significantly more severe depressive (F(1; 56.2) = 19.394, p ≤0.001) and anxiety (F(1; 35.6)=17.714, p ≤0.001) symptoms and lower well-being (F(1; 44.3)=4.288, p =0.04) compared to the non-PMDD group, irrespective of the menstrual phase they experienced. In the second and third research phases based on the DRSP, the sample was divided into women with probable PMDD diagnosis (PMDD group, n= 3) and those without probable PMDD diagnosis (nonPMDD group, n=6). A statistically significant association was observed between the classifications according to the DSM-5 Based Screening Tool and the DRSP (p =0.048; Cramer's V=0.79). The PMDD group showed a tendency of lower well-being and more severe anxio-depressive symptoms than the nonPMDD group (Well-being: between phases p =0.93, between groups p =0.06; BDI-II: between phases p =0.79, between groups p =0.07; STAI-S: between phases p =0.87, between groups p =0.17). Conclusions: The prevalence of PMDD was high in our sample. Women with probable PMDD retrospectively reported substantial affective difficulties and a decline in subjective well-being, regardless of their menstrual cycle. Prospective preliminary findings suggest a trend toward differentiation associated with probable PMDD. These results highlight the need for prospective clinical studies addressing the psychological symptoms of women with PM issues and the importance of appropriate treatment of the clinical appearance of PMDD. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present single-shot electron velocity-map images of nanoplasmas generated from doped helium nanodroplets and neon clusters by intense near-infrared and mid-infrared laser pulses. We report a large variety of signal types, most crucially depending on the cluster size. The common feature is a two-component distribution for each single-cluster event: a bright inner part with nearly circular shape corresponding to electron energies up to a few eV, surrounded by an extended background of more energetic electrons. The total counts and energy of the electrons in the inner part are strongly correlated and follow a simple power-law dependence. Deviations from the circular shape of the inner electrons observed for neon clusters and large helium nanodroplets indicate non-spherical shapes of the neutral clusters. The dependence of the measured electron energies on the extraction voltage of the spectrometer indicates that the evolution of the nanoplasma is significantly affected by the presence of an external electric field. This conjecture is confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations, which reproduce the salient features of the experimental electron spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The advent of digital innovations in psychiatry has ushered in a new era in mental healthcare. These innovations offer the potential for enhanced diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. Establishing scientifically backed, dynamic, and adaptive business models is necessary to launch sustainable innovations onto the healthcare market. Objectives: This poster aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex business-related challenges posed by digital innovations in psychiatry and to offer insights into potential strategies to address these challenges. The objectives include illuminating the dynamic landscape of digital psychiatric care from a business perspective. Methods: A systematic review of the current literature was conducted, encompassing scholarly articles, industry reports, and expert perspectives. This method enabled the synthesis of insights regarding how digital innovations are reshaping the business models of psychiatric medical markets and the unique challenges. Results: Digital innovations in psychiatry are catalyzing a transformation of business models in the field. Telepsychiatry, Digital platforms, VR technologies, and AI-driven diagnostic tools have expanded the reach of psychiatric services, potentially attracting new patient populations and offering innovative payment models. The opportunities presented by these technologies are promising. However, substantial challenges exist in parallel. Safeguarding data privacy and security is paramount, given the sensitive nature of patient information. Navigating the evolving regulatory, managing the costs associated with the adoption and maintenance of these technologies pose significant hurdles. Complex pricing structures and reimbursement models further add to the complexity of the challenges, necessitating adaptability and innovative strategies. Conclusions: This poster underscores the dynamic and multifaceted nature of business models in the market of psychiatric innovations. While these innovations offer expanded service reach, improved patient engagement, potential for innovative payment models, addressing the business-related challenges is of utmost importance. Compliance with data privacy regulations, cost management, adaptability in pricing and reimbursement strategies are fundamental for psychiatric innovators. Proactive measures are pivotal as the mental healthcare field continues to embrace digital innovations. By addressing these challenges, the mental health industry can fully harness the transformative potential of these innovations to enhance patient care, improve access to services, and ensure the sustainability of high-quality psychiatric care. The evolving business models in psychiatry require astute management and innovation to thrive in this digital era. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of algae includes both macroalgae for human consumption dating back to thousands of years, as well as the application of microalgae in health promoting dietary supplements. The autotrophic growth of microalgae is slow, but can be accelerated by optimizing their cultivation conditions. Efficiency optimizations for time and economy should be performed in many parallel experiments. A new high-throughput microalgae cultivation method is presented here, applying 24-low-well microplate with varying illumination, in which the cell growth is followed via evaluation of scanned images. A strain of the genus Nannochloropsis and two Chlorella vulgaris species have been chosen as well described and frequently applied model organisms in order to test the recently developed cultivation system. In these scaled down experiments, the custom design lighting panel was tested by studying the effect of the colour of illumination on cell growth kinetics. RGB LEDs (i.e. light emitting diodes, red: 622 nm, green: 528 nm, and blue: 467 nm) were used individually or together providing red, green, blue, and white colours. While the effect of light's colour on algae growth was evaluated, also the new system was proven to be suitable for comparing maximal growth rates for different microalgae strains. While the tested two Chlorella isolates reached 1.2–1.4 g l–1 concentrations, the Nannochloropsis strain reached 1.4 g l–1 final cell dry weight, and specific growth rates were observed between 0.58–0.62 day–1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building life cycle assessment is getting more and more attention within the topic of environmental impact caused by the built environment. Although more and more research focus on the embodied impact of buildings, the investigation of the operational energy use still needs attention. The majority of the building stock still does not comply with the nearly zero energy requirements. Also, in case of retrofitting, when most of the embodied impact is already spent on the existing structures (and so immutable), the importance of the operational energy rises. There are several methods to calculate the energy performance of buildings covering the range from simplified seasonal methods to detailed hourly energy simulations. Not only the accuracy of the calculations, but the computational time can be significantly different within the methods. The latter is especially important in case of optimization, when there is limited time to perform one calculation. Our research shows that the use of different calculation techniques can lead to different optima for environmental impacts in case of retrofitting. In this paper we compare these calculation methods with focus on computational time, accuracy and applicability to environmental optimization of buildings. We present the results in a case study of the retrofitting of a middle-sized apartment house in Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mesostigmatid mite family Phytoseiidae was surveyed in rest areas of Hungarian highways by examination of leaves collected from arboreal plants. All together 15 species, ca. 20 % of the Hungarian Phytoseiid fauna were recorded. Seven species were collected from the ring highway around Budapest (M0), ten species were found alongside the northwestern highway (M1), six-six species were recorded from the north-eastern and south-eastern highways (M3 and M5), and five species from the area of south-western highway (M7), finally two species were found on the newly built southern highway (M6). Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans, 1915) was present in most of the sampling sites, while other common species were Phytoseius macropilis (Banks, 1909); Kampimodromus aberrans (Oudemans, 1930); Neoseiulella aceri (Collyer, 1957) and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) tiliae Oudemans, 1929. Typhloseiulus peculiaris (Kolodochka, 1980) was shown at the first time from Hungary in the framework of our study, thus a short description and new illustrations are given to this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Project was supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary Background Helium inhalation induces cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury, of which cellular mechanism is not fully elucidated. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived, nano-sized membrane vesicles which play role in cardioprotective mechanisms, but their function in helium-conditioning (HeC) is not elucidated. Purpose To investigate, how HeC affects cardiac fibroblasts and if their HeC-induced EVs or other secreted factors mediates remodeling of the cardiac tissue. Methods Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCF) were exposed to glucose deprivation and HeC rendered by four cycles of 95% helium + 5% CO2 for one hour, followed by one hour of normal culturing conditions. 40 hours later, NRCF migration was analyzed and Western Blot and quantitative PCR were used to analyze the expression of fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation markers. From the cell supernatant, medium-sized extracellular vesicles (mEVs) were isolated with differential centrifugation and analyzed with WB, transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Supernatant of HeC-treated NRCF was transferred to naïve NRCF or immortalized human umbilical vein endothelia cells (HUVEC/TERT2) and migration and in vitro angiogenesis assay was performed. Results HeC accelerated the migration of NRCF. Meanwhile, HeC did not increase the expression of myofibroblast markers. HeC tended to decrease mEV secretion of NRCFs, but supernatant of HeC-NRCF neither accelerate the migration of naïve NRCF, nor affect the angiogenic potential of HUVEC/TERT2. Conclusion Since HeC increased the migration of NRCF but HeC-NRCF mEVs did not affect the function of remote cells, HeC may exert its cardioprotective effect via NRCFs, but not affect cardiac remodeling remotely, via NRCF mEVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary (NKFIA; NVKP-16-1-2016-0017 National Heart Program and OTKA-FK 134751) MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary Introduction Changes in the expression profile of microRNAs contribute to cardioprotective signaling. We have previously identified cardioprotective microRNAs, termed protectomiRs, by a systematic analysis of microRNA expression pattern in myocardial infarction and cardioprotection induced by ischemic conditioning in rats. ProtectomiRs may be important therapeutics for cardioprotection. Purpose We aimed to identify protectomiRs in a translational porcine model of reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardioprotection, and validate their cardiocytoprotective effect. Methods We used cardiac tissue samples from our previous study in closed-chest AMI model in domestic pigs. Pigs were subjected to sham operation (Sham), ischemia/reperfusion to induce AMI (AMI) or preconditioning (IPreC), postconditioning (IPostC), and remote perconditioning (RIPerC). Tissue samples were collected from the infarcted region of the left ventricles. MiRNA expression pattern was detected by high-throughput qRT-PCR. Potential protectomiRs were selected by systematic comparison of significant expression changes due to different conditioning stimuli vs. AMI. To validate the cardiocytoprotective effect of potential protectomiRs, isolated rat cardiomyocytes were transfected with specific miRNA mimics or inhibitors (antagomiRs) of the selected protectomiRs, and the survival of cells was measured after simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury. Results Expression of 221 miRNAs was assessed. Expression of 57 microRNAs were changed by IPreC, 54 by IPostC and 68 by RIPerC  as compared to AMI (min. 1,5×log2 fold-change, -log10p>1,31 vs. AMI). Expression of 14 microRNAs changed significantly due to all three conditionings vs. AMI (10 miRNAs were downregulated and 4 upregulated). Rat homologs of these 14 protectomiR candidates were identified and 13 showed 100% sequence homology with the original pig miRNAs. The selected miRNAs (9 antagomiRs and 4 miRNA mimics) were transfected in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. Modulation of 2 mimics of these miRNAs significantly improved the survival of cells after ischemia/reperfusion injury (due to intellectual property protection, we do not disclose the protectomiRs here). Conclusion Here we identified 2 miRNAs in a clinically relevant porcine model of AMI that can be potential therapeutic protectomiRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary (NKFIA; NVKP-16-1-2016-0017 National Heart Program and OTKA-FK 134751) MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide; therefore, the development of cardioprotective therapies is currently a main focus of research. Cultured cell lines and primary cell cultures play an integral role in cardiovascular research. However, there are many limitations when using these models, including variations in proliferation capacity, uncontrolled stress during cell isolation, poor reproducibility and low translational value. The aim of our study was to test the responsiveness of the most widely used cardiomyocyte platforms to simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury (SI/R) considering the effect of differentiation protocols. Human, rat and mouse cell lines as well as primary cell cultures were used for in vitro viability assay with or without widely used differentiation protocols. The cells were exposed to normoxic or simulated ischemia/reperfusion protocols: a simulated ischemic period of 6 hours was used for the primary and the differentiated cell cultures, while for the non-differentiated cells 16 hours of simulated ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion was applied. The duration of simulated ischemia was determined from preliminary experiments. Viability of the cells was measured by calcein assay. In non-differentiated human AC16 and rat H9C2 cardiac cell lines, cell viability was significantly reduced (50%) by 16h SI / 2h R in contrast, the viability of the mouse HL-1 cell line was not reduced by 16 h SI. In primary rat neonatal cardiac myocytes 6h SI / 2h R caused significant cell death (25%). In primary human iPSC-derived cardiac myocytes 6h SI / 2h R did not result significant injury (10%) whereas 16h did (37%). Responsiveness of different cell types to SI/R ranged between 40-100%. We have shown that the responsiveness of primary cardiac cells and non-differentiated cardiac cell lines is significantly different to simulated ischemia / reperfusion. Differentiation protocols in cell lines markedly affects their response to simulated ischemia / reperfusion. Comparative analyses of different types of cardiomyocytes can provide a good basis for accurate design of in vitro cardioprotective test systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary Background Cardiac cell lines and primary cell cultures are widely used to model various cardiovascular diseases in vitro. Despite the increasing number of publications using these models, limitations of these cell lines are still undetermined. Purpose The aim of our study was to compare the most commonly used cardiac cell lines to primary cultures and to mature cardiac tissues by transcriptomic analysis and morphological characterization. Methods H9C2 (rat), AC16 (human) and HL-1 (mouse) cardiac cell lines were differentiated towards a phenotype more resembling cardiomyocytes, by methods most widely used in the literature, and cells were harvested at stages of proliferation and differentiation. Whole left ventricular tissue, neonatal primary cardiac myocytes isolated from mice and rats, or human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) were applied as references. Transcriptome analysis and immunocytochemical detection of cardiac structural proteins were performed on all cell models. Results RNA expression of cardiac markers (e.g. Tnnt2, Ryr2, Tnni3) was markedly lower in cell lines compared to primary cells or hiPSC-CM and adult tissue controls. Differentiation procedures induced a significant increase in cardiac- and decrease in embryonic markers in AC16 and H9C2 lines; however, the overall expression pattern of investigated genes in all cell lines showed significant differences in comparison to corresponding myocardium or primary cultures. Immunocytochemistry confirmed low expressions of structural protein alpha-actinin and troponin I in cell lines. Conclusion Expression patterns of cardiomyocyte markers and mRNA profile indicates low-to-moderate similarity of cell lines to primary cells/cardiac tissues regardless the differentiation protocol used. These limitations should be taken into account while choosing cells as in vitro platforms to model cardiomyocytes and cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repair mortars with different B/Ag (binder/aggregate) ratios and natural stone were studied in order to understand the influence of limestone aggregate on the properties of mortar and to check the compatibility of repair mortar with a porous limestone. Three different types of mortars with three different aggregate contents were evaluated by using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and water saturation method (WSM). Changes in density and uniaxial compressive strength as a function of aggregate content were also recorded. For comparison the properties of the porous limestone were also tested, since it is used in monuments and also as aggregate in the mortar. Tested mortars had average porosities of 27.0 % (±2.0), while oolitic limestone has higher average porosity of 32.2 % (±1.9). The limestone has mainly medium and large pore radii (1-100 μm) while the repair mortars even with high aggregate content has predominantly smaller pores. All but one pure repair mortars have higher uniaxial compressive strength than that of the oolitic limestone. The strength decreases while porosity increases with increasing aggregate content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Cariprazine (RGH-188) is a D-preferring dopamine D/D receptor partial agonist antipsychotic candidate for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar mania. Substance abuse is a frequent comorbidity of both disorders and is associated with serious health issues. Based on preclinical efficacy, dopamine D and D receptor partial agonists and antagonists are assumed to have relapse-preventing potential in human cocaine addiction. Objectives: We investigated the anti-abuse potential of cariprazine in cocaine self-administration paradigms. Aripiprazole and bifeprunox were used as comparators because of their pharmacological similarity to cariprazine. Methods: The effects of compounds on cocaine's rewarding effect were investigated in a continuous self-administration regimen. The relapse-preventing potential of drugs was studied in rats with a history of cocaine self-administration after a period of complete abstinence in a relapse to cocaine-seeking paradigm. Results: Cariprazine, as well as aripiprazole and bifeprunox, were able to reduce the rewarding effect of cocaine (minimum effective doses were 0.17, 1, and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively) and attenuated relapse to cocaine seeking with half maximal effective dose [ED] values of 0.2, 4.2, and 0.17 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions: These results may predict a relapse-preventing action for cariprazine in humans in addition to its already established antipsychotic and antimanic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repair mortar and mixture of repair mortar with porous limestone sand aggregate were tested under laboratory conditions. Water absorption properties and micro-fabric analyses with a combination of strength tests were applied to assess the durability and compatibility of repair mortar with porous limestone. Uniaxial compressive strength and flexural strength were measured after 3, 7, 14, 28 and 90 days of casting. Durability was tested by comparing strength test results of samples kept air dry, water saturated, dried in drying chamber, freeze-thaw and non-standardized freeze-thaw cycles. The results indicate that with time various trends in strength were observed. In general, limestone aggregate content decreases more the compressive strength more than the flexural strength of the mortar. Standardized freeze-thaw tests of saturated samples caused a rapid material loss after 25 cycles, while freeze-thaw tests of undersaturated samples demonstrated that even after 100 cycles the test specimens still have a significant strength. Water-saturated samples that contain 50% of limestone aggregate have a 50% loss of strength in comparison with saturated repair mortar, while air-dry and water-saturated repair mortar has a minor strength difference after 90 days. The use of smaller amounts of porous limestone aggregate in repair mortar allow the preparation of repairs that are compatible with the monuments of Central Europe that were constructed from porous limestone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in the regulation of ocular blood flow and may be an interesting therapeutic target in ocular ischemic disease. In the present study, we hypothesized that NO-releasing drugs may increase blood flow to the head of the optic nerve and also in the choroid. The study employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, four-way crossover design. On separate study days, 12 healthy subjects received infusions of nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, sodium nitroprusside, or placebo. All three study drugs reduced the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) (P < 0.001). None of the administered drugs increased the ocular hemodynamic variables. By contrast, vascular resistance decreased dose dependently during administration of the study drugs (P < 0.001). These results indicate that systemic administration of NO-donor drugs is associated with a decrease in vascular resistance in the ocular vasculature. However, because these drugs also reduce blood pressure, they do not improve perfusion to the posterior eye pole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full-thickness burn and other types of deep skin loss will result in scar formation. For at least partial replacement of the lost dermal layer, there are several options to use biotechnologically derived extracellular matrix components or tissue scaffolds of cadaver skin origin. In a survey, we have collected data on 18 pts who have previously received acellular dermal implant Alloderm. The age of these patients at the injury varied between 16 months and 84 years. The average area of the implants was 185 cm2. Among those, 15 implant sites of 14 patients were assessed at an average of 50 months after surgery. The scar function was assessed by using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale. We have found that the overall scar quality and function was significantly better over the implanted areas than over the surrounding skin. Also these areas received a better score for scar height and pliability. Our findings suggest that acellular dermal implants are especially useful tools in the treatment of full-thickness burns as well as postburn scar contractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about a study on Scrophularia nodosa and Scrophularia scopolii. It is stated that the study helped in the characterization and quantification of phenolic compounds of the plants, as a part of a phytochemical study of these species. It is mentioned that the plant material was analyzed with, and without acid hydrolysis for broader perspective.

The classification according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) includes numerous challenges in contrast with the previously applied water qualification standards. The most important element of the ecological status, the biological one, is based on five groups of living organisms: phytoplankton, phytobenthon, macrophytes, macro-invertebrates and fish. The results of a three-year research project financed by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS) are reported in this work. The objective of the project was the elaboration of a proposal for biological classification according to the WFD for the related groups of living organisms. In the course of the project the biological characteristics to be measured were selected for each of the above listed groups which served as the basic data for Biological Quality Elements (BQEs). In the BQEs we estimated the type-specific reference values for most of the Hungarian surface water types. Then we created the structure of the qualification system for these groups, including specification of class boundaries between the five classes for the Environmental Quality Ratio (EQR) values on the basis of expert estimation. A Non-Taxonomic Periphyton Index (NTPI, not included in the WFD) was also developed and tested for qualification. The elaborated classification systems were tested on the basis of existing scarce data for numerous Hungarian water types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Current evidence suggests that vascular insufficiencies in the optic nerve head play an important part in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Trabeculectomy is the most common operative procedure for the treatment of medically uncontrolled glaucoma. This study was conducted to investigate whether trabeculectomy may improve ocular haemodynamics. Methods: 30 patients with primary open angle glaucoma about to undergo trabeculectomy were included in the study. Patients were evaluated before surgery and at 2 and 10 weeks after trabeculectomy. Optic nerve head blood flow (OnhBF) was assessed with scanning laser Doppler flowmetry. Fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA) measurements were obtained with laser interferometry. Results: Because of the decrease in intraocular pressure there was a significant increase in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) following trabeculectomy (18.5% (SD 12.0%) and 19.0% (17.1%) at 2 and 10 weeks postoperatively; p < 0.001). A significant increase in OnhBF was observed after trabeculectomy (11.6% (16.4%) and 16.2% (20.2%) for each postoperative visit, respectively; p < 0.001). FPA was also significantly higher compared with baseline values (17.2% (17.3%) and 17.4% (16.3%), respectively; p < 0.001). A significant association between the increase in OPP and the increase in OnhBF and FPA was observed 10 weeks after surgery (r = 0.47; p = 0.009, and r = 0.50; p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that trabeculectomy improves ocular blood flow in patients with chronic open angle glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sensitive HPLC-FLD method has been developed and validated for the determination of cisapride in human plasma for a bioequivalence study. A gradient method was used to remove late-eluting plasma components of no interest. The separation was performed on a Li-ChroCART 250-4 Purospher RP-18 (5 μm particle) analytical column fitted with a LiChroCART 4-4 Purospher RP-18 endcapped (5 μm particle) guard column. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 295 and 350 nm during fluorescence detection. The calibration plot was linear in the range of 5–200 ng mL−1. A demethoxy analogue of cisapride was used as internal standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gulyás B, Halldin C, Sandell J, Karlsson P, Sóvágó J, Kárpáti E, Kiss B, Vas Á, Cselényi Z, Farde L. PET studies on the brain uptake and regional distribution of [11 C]vinpocetine in human subjects. Acta Neurol Scand 2002: 106: 325–332. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2002. Objectives – Vinpocetine is a compound widely used in the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. It is still not clear whether the drug has a direct and specific effect on neurotransmission or its effects are due to extracerebral actions, such as changes in cerebral blood flow. The main objective of the present investigation was to determine the global uptake and regional distribution of radiolabelled vinpocetine in the human brain in order to explore whether it may have direct central nervous system effects. Material and methods – Three healthy subjects were examined with positron emission tomography and [11 C]vinpocetine. The regional uptake was determined in anatomically defined volumes-of-interest. The fractions of [11 C]vinpocetine and labelled metabolites in plasma were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography. Results – The uptake of [11 C]vinpocetine in brain was rapid and 3.7% (mean; n =4) of the total radioactivity injected was in brain 2 min after radioligand administration. The uptake was heterogeneously distributed among brain regions. When compared with the cerebellum, an a priori reference region, the highest regional uptake was in the thalamus, upper brain stem, striatum and cortex. Following an initial peak, the total concentration of radioactivity in blood was relatively stable with time, whereas the concentration of the unchanged compound decreased with time in an exponential manner. Conclusion – Vinpocetine, administered intravenously in humans, readily passes the blood–brain barrier and enters the brain. Its regional uptake... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis. It has been reported that improvement of metabolic control by intensified insulin therapy in patients with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is associated with alterations in ocular blood flow. We hypothesized that these changes in ocular blood flow could be associated with alterations of plasma insulin, glucose or endothelin concentration. Methods. In 16 patients with Type I diabetes ocular haemodynamic parameters were assessed daily during the first 5 days of institution of intensified insulin therapy and plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and endothelin-1 plasma were measured. Retinal white blood cell flux was estimated with the blue field entoptic technique. Pulsatile choroidal blood flow was assessed by laser interferometric measurement of fundus pulsation amplitude. Results. Retinal white blood cell flux (p=0.0015) and ocular fundus pulsation amplitude (p<0.001) increased during institution of strict metabolic control. Changes in ocular haemodynamic variables were inversely correlated with concentrations of plasma ET-1, but not with that of insulin or glucose. Conclusions/interpretation. These data indicate that institution of improved metabolic status is paralleled by rapid changes in the production of ET-1, which could in turn affect ocular perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Emedastine is a novel H1-receptor antagonist with pre-clinically well-documented anti-allergic effects. Here, we set out to study the relationship between emedastine pharmacokinetics and the suppressive effect on histamine-induced wheals and flares, and to compare these effects to placebo and cetirizine. Methods: Emedastine (4 mg q.d.), emedastine (2 mg b.i.d.), cetirizine (10 mg q.d.) and placebo were administered to healthy volunteers in a double-blind, cross-over fashion. On day 1 and day 5 (steady state) following drug administration, wheals and flares were induced by skin-prick testing with 1 mg ml-1 or 10 mg ml-1 histamine. Results: Following the administration of 4 mg emeda- stine q.d., mean area under the concentration–time curve (AUC)0–24 values of 34.49 ± 24.07 ng h ml-1 and 47.05 ± 36.12 ng h ml-1 were attained on day 1 and day 5, respectively. Following the administration of emedastine (2 mg b.i.d.) mean AUC0–24 values were 29.75 ± 19.92 ng h ml-1 and 46.13 ± 38.50 ng h ml-1 on day 1 and day 5, respectively. Histamine-induced wheals and flares were significantly more effectively suppressed by emedastine and cetirizine than placebo. At pharmacokinetic steady-state levels, no significant difference could be found in the potency between cetirizine and emedastine (2 mg b.i.d.). Conclusion: Emedastine displays pharmacodynamic properties comparable with cetirizine and therefore qualifies as a safe and alternative compound with H1-receptor antagonist properties. Additional larger studies may be needed to substantiate potential benefits of cetirizine over emedastine after single-dose administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraneoplastic nephropathy is rarely associated with human tumors. Little is known about the pathogenetic background of this relationship. To our knowledge, no conclusive study of the association of potentially ‘immunogenic’ renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and paraneoplastic nephropathy has been published. For this reason, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis of native resected kidneys of 60 patients with RCC, paying special attention to their pre- and postoperative records. Sixteen (27%) of the 60 tumor patients had immune complex nephropathy (11 IgA nephropathy [IgA NP] and 5 focal segmental glomerulosclerosis [FSGS]). Preoperative proteinuria and/or hematuria observed in 11 of 16 cases disappeared in 6 IgA NP patients within a 2- to 3-month follow-up after nephrectomy. Eleven of 16 tumors stained with the anti human immunoglobulin (IgA or IgM) of the same isotype as that present in glomerular immune complexes. In 3 IgA NP patients RCC-associated von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein and IgA staining were found simultaneously in the tumor and glomeruli, with the clinical and laboratory findings disappearing after nephrectomy. Immune injury of the glomeruli due to a tumor-induced antigen-antibody response was demonstrated in these 3 IgA NP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents research that finds defective acidification in cystic fibrosis cells of the `trans'-Golgi/`trans'-Golgi network, and of prelysosomes and of endosomes as a result of diminished C1-conductance. Sialylation of proteins and lipids is reducedand ligand traffic altered.

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