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The acronym ESKAPE stands for six antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens namely, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. Monitoring their resistance is an important task for clinical microbiology laboratories. Our aim was to analyze the resistance patterns of these bacteria over ten years in clinical samples of our department. We examined the sample types from which these pathogens were most frequently isolated. The incidence of tests with resistant results for each pathogen in aggregate and the most important subgroups of each was also analyzed. We have also intended to predict the local priorities amongst these pathogens. The results of 1,268,126 antibiotic susceptibility tests performed on a total of 70,099 isolates over this period were examined. Most strains were derived from urine, blood culture, trachea, vagina, wounds, and abscesses. Prevalence of ESKAPE bacteria increased between 2011 and 2020 however, the steepest intensifications were seen in the cases of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The number of antibiotic susceptibility tests with resistant results has also increased over the decade but the most notable increase was detected in E. faecium and A. baumannii. Based on the calculation of antimicrobial resistance index for each pathogen, the most serious challenges for us at present are A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and E. faecium and their multi-resistant forms. The theoretical prediction of proportion of resistant tests between 2020 and 2030 in our care area draws attention to a worrying trend in the cases of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains.

Purpose There is no early – first trimester- risk estimation available to predict later (gestational week 24-28) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) – however it would be beneficial to start an early treatment to prevent the development of complications. We aimed to identify early, first trimester prediction markers for GDM. Methods The present case-control study is based on the study cohort of a Hungarian biobank containing the biological samples and follow-up data from 2545 pregnant women. Oxidative-nitrative stress-related parameters, steroid hormone, and metabolite levels were measured in the serum/plasma samples collected at the end of the first trimester from 55-55 randomly selected control and later GDM women. Results Pregnant women, who developed GDM later during the pregnancy were older and had higher body mass indexes (BMI). The following parameters showed higher concentration in their serum/plasma samples: fructosamine, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), testosterone, cortisone, 21-deoxycortisol; while soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (SuPAR), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), cortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone levels were lower. Analyzing these variables using a forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression model we established a GDM prediction model with a specificity of 96.6% and sensitivity of 97.5% (included variables: fructosamine, cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, SuPAR). Conclusions Based on these measurements we accurately predict the development of later onset GDM (24th-28th weeks of pregnancy). Early risk estimation provides the opportunity for targeted prevention and the timely treatment of GDM. Prevention and slowing the progression of GDM result in a lower lifelong metabolic risk for both mother and offspring.

2018-tól az energiaipart megelőzve a legnagyobb szén-dioxid kibocsátási részesedéssel rendelkező szektor Magyarországon a közlekedés. A Párizsi Megállapodás célkitűzéseinek eléréséhez kiemelt fontosságú ezáltal a közlekedési ágazat dekarbonizációja. Egy lehetséges megoldás az üvegházhatású gázok kibocsátásának csökkentésére az alternatív hajtású nehézgépjárművek és a hozzájuk tartozó üzemanyagtöltő állomások infrastruktúrájának kiépítése. Jelen tanulmány a hidrogénüzemű nehézgépjárművekhez kapcsolódó hidrogéntöltő állomások potenciális helymeghatározását és elterjedését vizsgálja, több tényező adatainak összevetésével. A helyelemzés során különböző forgatókönyvek javasoltak a hidrogéntöltő állomások megjelenéseinek szempontjából. Az eltérő prioritású hidrogén-töltő állomások főként a Transz-Európai Közlekedési Hálózat magyar-országi autópályaszakaszai mentén található pihenőhelyek helyén lettek kijelölve, valamint a települési önkormányzatok hidrogénkutatás-fejlesztési projektjeinek és terveinek ismeretében telephelyek területén. Az optimális hidrogéntöltő hálózat kijelölése és modellezése ezáltal összetett feladat, mégis értékes információkkal szolgál a telepítések előtti helymeghatározásokhoz, illetve további kutatásokhoz.

Ujváry Gábor: „Hűség városa, légy hű őre önmagadnak.” Nyugat-Magyarország 1918–1921 közötti sorsa és a soproni népszavazáshoz vezető út. Sopron: MNL GyMSM Soproni Levéltára, 2021. 178 oldal

Background: Salmonella enterica is among the major burdens for public health at global level. Typing of salmonellae below the species level is fundamental for different purposes, but traditional methods are expensive, technically demanding, and time-consuming, and therefore limited to reference centers. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an alternative method for bacterial typing, successfully applied for classification at different infra-species levels.Aim: This study aimed to address the challenge of subtyping Salmonella enterica at O-serogroup level by using FTIR spectroscopy. We applied machine learning to develop a novel approach for S. enterica typing, using the FTIR-based IR Biotyper® system (IRBT; Bruker Daltonics GmbH & Co. KG, Germany). We investigated a multicentric collection of isolates, and we compared the novel approach with classical serotyping-based and molecular methods.Methods: A total of 958 well characterized Salmonella isolates (25 serogroups, 138 serovars), collected in 11 different centers (in Europe and Japan), from clinical, environmental and food samples were included in this study and analyzed by IRBT. Infrared absorption spectra were acquired from water-ethanol bacterial suspensions, from culture isolates grown on seven different agar media. In the first part of the study, the discriminatory potential of the IRBT system was evaluated by comparison with reference typing method/s. In the second part of the study, the artificial intelligence capabilities of the IRBT software were applied to develop a classifier for Salmonella isolates at serogroup level. Different machine learning algorithms were investigated (artificial neural networks and support vector machine). A subset of 88 pre-characterized isolates (corresponding to 25 serogroups and 53 serovars) were included in the training set. The remaining 870 samples were used as validation set. The classifiers were evaluated in terms of accuracy, error rate and failed classification rate.Results: The classifier that provided the highest accuracy in the cross-validation was selected to be tested with four external testing sets. Considering all the testing sites, accuracy ranged from 97.0% to 99.2% for non-selective media, and from 94.7% to 96.4% for selective media.Conclusions: The IRBT system proved to be a very promising, user-friendly, and cost-effective tool for Salmonella typing at serogroup level. The application of machine learning algorithms proved to enable a novel approach for typing, which relies on automated analysis and result interpretation, and it is therefore free of potential human biases. The system demonstrated a high robustness and adaptability to routine workflows, without the need of highly trained personnel, and proving to be suitable to be applied with isolates grown on different agar media, both selective and unselective. Further tests with currently circulating clinical, food and environmental isolates would be necessary before implementing it as a potentially stand-alone standard method for routine use.

After the last glacial, the Carpathian Basin was repopulated from either eastward or northward colonisation routes for various species; one of these was the emblematic member of the European megafauna, the red deer, Cervus elaphus. We analysed 303 red deer individuals from the middle of the region, in seven Hungarian game reserves, at ten microsatellite loci (C01, C229, T26, T108, T123, T156, T172, T193, T501, T507), to investigate the genetic diversity of these subpopulations. We discovered high levels of genetic diversity of red deer subpopulations; allelic richness values ranging 4.99–7.01, observed heterozygosity 0.729–0.800, polymorphic information content 0.722–0.806, and Shannon’s information index 1.668–2.064. Multi-locus analyses indicated population admixtures of various degrees that corresponded to geographical location, and complex genetic structures were shown by clustering. Populations in the south-western and the north-eastern parts of the region formed two highly separated groups, and the red deer from populations in between them were highly admixed (in western Pannonia/Transdanubia, where the Danube flows into the Carpathian Basin). This pattern corresponds to the distribution of mitochondrial as well as Y-chromosome lineages. Assignment tests showed that a large fraction of individuals (29.4%) are found outside of their population of origin, indicating that the dispersal of red deer is rather common, which could be expected considering the life course of the species.

The collateral capacity of the circle of Willis (CoW) may play an important role in the development of ischemic strokes. The occurrence of classical polygon shows wide geographical variations and morphological data on diameters of the Willisian collaterals are scarce. We aimed to assess CoW variations and vessel diameters in a Central European cohort.CoWs were removed during routine autopsy. The morphological pattern of the circles was recorded. The prepared circles were then put between two glass plates and tightly compressed. The length of the vessels and half of the circumference were measured under a light microscope enabling measurement with an approximation of 0.1 mm. Vessel diameters were calculated from vessel circumference.A total of 110 circles were analysed. Incomplete circles (missing one or two segments of CoW) were found in 25 cases (22.7%). Any forms of anatomical variations were detected in 14 cases (12.7%). When applying the1 mm diameter threshold for analysis, 36 anterior communicating arteries (32.7%), 53 right posterior communicating arteries (48.2%), 73 left posterior communicating arteries (66.4%) and 18 posterior communicating arteries (16.3%) on both the sides were considered hypoplastic.In patients without stroke in their history, complete CoW may be present in60% of the cases. Our diameter data may serve as reference values for the Central-European population.

Our present series of experiments was to create a value-added formulation that has the potential to exert a powerful and long-lasting antibacterial effect for use in ophthalmology. Erythromycin-loaded polymeric micelles were formulated with a micelle size of 87.14 nm in a monodisperse distribution with 86.94 % encapsulation efficiency. To decrease the polymeric micelle-like burst effect of these nanoparticles, the formulation was dispersed in a Carbopol 934P gel base to prolong the drug release and permeation profile of erythromycin. With successful incorporation, a short gelling time with proper sol to gel transition was experienced in the form of transparent gels. The optimized formulation has high mucoadhesion which is a critical factor for prolonging residence time. With the initial burst, the drug release was saturated with more than 75 % of the drug released in simulated tear fluid. Corneal permeability investigations revealed that the gel formulation provides the value-added properties of polymeric micelles, with elevated permeability through into the aqueous humour across the cornea. While retaining its antimicrobial activity, the formulation may be capable to be utilized as an innovative ophthalmic formulation for treating bacterial infections of the eye.

Preeclampsia is a syndromic disease of the mother, fetus, and placenta. The main limitation in early and accurate diagnosis of preeclampsia is rooted in the heterogeneity of this syndrome as reflected by diverse molecular pathways, symptoms and clinical outcomes. Gaps in our knowledge preclude successful early diagnosis, personalized treatment and prevention. The advent of “omics” technologies and systems biology approaches enable addressing this problem by identifying the molecular pathways associated with the underlying mechanisms and clinical phenotypes of preeclampsia. Here, we provide a brief overview on how the field has progressed, focusing on studies utilizing state-of-the-art transcriptomics and proteomics methods. Moreover, we summarize our systems biology studies involving maternal blood proteomics and placental transcriptomics, which identified early maternal and placental disease pathways, and showed that their interaction influences the clinical presentation of preeclampsia. We also present an analysis of maternal blood proteomics data which revealed distinct molecular subclasses of preeclampsia and their molecular mechanisms. Maternal and placental disease pathways behind these subclasses are similar to those recently reported in studies on the placental transcriptome. These findings may promote the development of novel diagnostic tools for the distinct subtypes of preeclampsia syndrome, enabling early detection and personalized follow-up and tailored care of patients.

Abstract: Measles is one of the most serious preventable infectious diseases, which in our country were among the rare diseases in the last 10 to 20 years. One of the reasons for this is that the Hungarian population born after 1969 was vaccinated in almost 99 percent. The other reason is that in the period prior to vaccination era, the often-occurring measles epidemics left life-long immunity in the affected persons. Thus, natural and artificial immunizations provided extensive herd immunity. However, the ongoing measles epidemics in Europe have highlighted the fact that the symptoms and differential diagnosis related to measles have been relegated to the negligible category for the last 20 years. In addition to reviewing the consequences of the European measles pandemics in Hungary, the purpose of this paper is to revise and summarize the clinical and laboratory knowledge required to establish a definitive epidemiological control of measles. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(20): 767–773.

This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Defense Responses against Viruses., RNA silencing is a sequence specific post-transcriptional mechanism regulating important biological processes including antiviral defense in plants. Argonaute (AGO) proteins, the catalytic subunits of the silencing complexes, are loaded with small RNAs to execute the sequence specific RNA cleavage or translational inhibition. Plants encode several AGO proteins and a few of them, especially AGO1 and AGO2, have been shown to be required for antiviral silencing. Previously, we have shown that the P1 protein of the sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV) suppresses the primary RNA silencing response by inhibiting AGO1. To analyze the role of AGO2 in antiviral defense against the SPMMV, we performed a comparative study using a wild type and ago2−/− mutant Nicotiana benthamiana. Here we show that the AGO2 of N. benthamiana attenuates the symptoms of SPMMV infection. Upon SPMMV infection the levels of AGO2 mRNA and protein are greatly increased. Moreover, we found that AGO2 proteins are loaded with SPMMV derived viral small RNAs as well as with miRNAs. Our results indicate that AGO2 protein takes over the place of AGO1 to confer antiviral silencing. Finally, we provide a plausible explanation for the AGO2 mediated recovery of an SPMMV-infected sweet potato., This study was supported by grants of the Hungarian Ministry of Technology and Innovation by grant numbers GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00015 and GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00032). Additional financial support at CRAG was provided by Generalitat de Catalunya CERCA institution and by the Ministry of Science and Innovation-State Research Agency (AEI, Spain) through the “Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D” SEV-2015-0533 and CEX2019-000902-S and the grant PID2019-105692RB-100 to JLM.

Microsatellites are widely applied in population and forensic genetics, wildlife studies and parentage testing in animal breeding, among others, and recently, high-throughput sequencing technologies have greatly facilitated the identification of microsatellite markers. In this study the genomic data of Cervus elaphus (CerEla1.0) was exploited, in order to identify microsatellite loci along the red deer genome and for designing the cognate primers. The bioinformatics pipeline identified 982,433 microsatellite motifs genome-wide, assorted along the chromosomes, from which 45,711 loci mapped to the X- and 1096 to the Y-chromosome. Primers were successfully designed for 170,873 loci, and validated with an independently developed autosomal tetranucleotide STR set. Ten X- and five Y-chromosome-linked microsatellites were selected and tested by two multiplex PCR setups on genomic DNA samples of 123 red deer stags. The average number of alleles per locus was 3.3, and the average gene diversity value of the markers was 0.270. The overall observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.755 and 0.832, respectively. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) ranged between 0.469 and 0.909 per locus with a mean value of 0.813. Using the X- and Y-chromosome linked markers 19 different Y-chromosome and 72 X-chromosome lines were identified. Both the X- and the Y-haplotypes split to two distinct clades each. The Y-chromosome clades correlated strongly with the geographic origin of the haplotypes of the samples. Segregation and admixture of subpopulations were demonstrated by the use of the combination of nine autosomal and 16 sex chromosomal STRs concerning southwestern and northeastern Hungary. In conclusion, the approach demonstrated here is a very efficient method for developing microsatellite markers for species with available genomic sequence data, as well as for their use in individual identifications and in population genetics studies.

We present here the de novo genome assembly CerEla1.0 for the red deer, Cervus elaphus, an emblematic member of the natural megafauna of the Northern Hemisphere. Humans spread the species in the South. Today, the red deer is also a farm-bred animal and is becoming a model animal in biomedical and population studies. Stag DNA was sequenced at 74× coverage by Illumina technology. The ALLPATHS-LG assembly of the reads resulted in 34.7 × 103 scaffolds, 26.1 × 103 of which were utilized in Cer.Ela1.0. The assembly spans 3.4 Gbp. For building the red deer pseudochromosomes, a pre-established genetic map was used for main anchor points. A nearly complete co-linearity was found between the mapmarker sequences of the deer genetic map and the order and orientation of the orthologous sequences in the syntenic bovine regions. Syntenies were also conserved at the in-scaffold level. The cM distances corresponded to 1.34 Mbp uniformly along the deer genome. Chromosomal rearrangements between deer and cattle were demonstrated. 2.8 × 106 SNPs, 365 × 103 indels and 19368 protein-coding genes were identified in CerEla1.0, along with positions for centromerons. CerEla1.0 demonstrates the utilization of dual references, i.e., when a target genome (here C. elaphus) already has a pre-established genetic map, and is combined with the well-established whole genome sequence of a closely related species (here Bos taurus). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that CerEla1.0 (NCBI, MKHE00000000) could serve for are discussed.

Changes in the distributional range of European red deer (Cervus elaphus) during the Quaternary and the recolonization of Europe from different refugia, created a clear phylogeographical pattern. In Central Europe, two distinct - Iberian and Balkan - lineages of European red deer are present; however, this suture zone has not yet been studied in detail. The sequences of the complete mitochondrial control region were used to investigate the genetic structure of the red deer in the Carpathian Basin, a region where both lineages are expected to be present. We sequenced the complete control region of 96 red deer samples, discovered 39 haplotypes, and found high levels of haplotype diversity (H = 0.806 for the southwestern and H = 0.954 for the northeastern population). We discovered a high number of haplotypes belonging to both lineages, as well as unique haplotypes, which do not fit into described haplotypes. This is in accordance with previous assumptions that the Carpathian Basin is a suture zone between the Iberian and the Balkan red deer haplogroups.

Measles is one of the most serious preventable infectious diseases, which in our country were among the rare diseases in the last 10 to 20 years. One of the reasons for this is that the Hungarian population born after 1969 was vaccinated in almost 99 percent. The other reason is that in the period prior to vaccination era, the often-occurring measles epidemics left life-long immunity in the affected persons. Thus, natural and artificial immunizations provided extensive herd immunity. However, the ongoing measles epidemics in Europe have highlighted the fact that the symptoms and differential diagnosis related to measles have been relegated to the negligible category for the last 20 years. In addition to reviewing the consequences of the European measles pandemics in Hungary, the purpose of this paper is to revise and summarize the clinical and laboratory knowledge required to establish a definitive epidemiological control of measles. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(20): 767-773.Absztrakt: A kanyaró az egyik legsúlyosabb megelőzhető fertőző megbetegedés, mely hazánkban az elmúlt 10–20 évben a ritkábban előforduló kórképek közé tartozott. Ennek egyik oka, hogy az 1969 után született magyar lakosság átoltottsága közel 99%-os. A másik ok pedig az, hogy az oltási érát megelőző időszakban a gyakran előforduló országos kanyarójárványok az érintettekben életre szóló immunitást hagytak maguk után. A természetes és a mesterséges immunizáció így összességében tehát kiterjedt nyájimmunitást biztosított a populációnak. Az Európában jelenleg is zajló kanyarójárványok azonban rávilágítottak arra, hogy a megbetegedéssel kapcsolatos tünettani és differenciáldiagnosztikai ismeretek az utóbbi 20 évben háttérbe szorultak. Az európai kanyarójárványok hazánkra vonatkozó konzekvenciájának áttekintése mellett a jelen közlemény célja a kanyaró járványügyi kontrolljához szükséges klinikai és labordiagnosztikai ismeretek felelevenítése és összefoglalása. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(20): 767–773.

Seeing the global emergence and the lack of a definitive cure for COVID-19, it is essential to find the most sensitive and specific detection method to identify infected patients in a timely manner. Our paper aims to compare the clinical sensitivity of different commercial RT-qPCR (Genesig, 1copy, DNA-Techonolgy and Charite primer-probe sets), isothermal PCR (Ustar Isothermal Amplification-Real Time Fluorescent Assay) and immunochromatographic antigen detection (BIOCREDIT COVID-19 Ag) assays developed to use in laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. A total of 119 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from symptomatic patients. A subset of samples, positive with two RT-qPCR assays were then tested with isothermal PCR and rapid antigen tests. Of the 119 specimens, 65 were positive by at least two PCR assays. All PCR assays showed substantial or perfect match, although some variations in the clinical performance was observed. Of the 37 and 32 remnant nasopharyngeal samples positive by RT-qPCR, respectively, three were positive by the BIOCREDIT COVID-19 Ag and 14 were detected by the isothermal amplification assay. In conclusion, in the clinical settings we recorded that each of the RT-qPCR assays was superior to other test formats, in particular, the routine use of the DNA-technology assay is recommended. Although alternative recommendations exist, we belive that the use of isothermal amplifiaction assays and antigen rapid tests for COVID-19 diagnosis can only serve as adjuncts while awaiting the PCR result because of their high false-negative rate.

Several explanations have been proposed for variation in geophysical properties and depths for the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) and mid-lithospheric discontinuities (MLD). Here, we investigate the proposal that the dehydration solidus of pargasitic amphibole-bearing upper mantle with very low bulk water (hundreds ppm) may be one of the main reasons for the observed geophysical anomalies. The dehydration solidus may be associated with a very small degree of partial melting in the upper mantle at temperatures and pressures in excess of 1050 °C (for geochemically more depleted) or 1100 °C (for geochemically less depleted upper mantle) and from 1 to 3 GPa (~30 to 90 km) respectively. This small amount of partial melt may be responsible for changes in geophysical properties (e.g. lower seismic velocity, higher attenuation of seismic waves, higher electrical conductivity) in association with the LAB and MLD. This simple petrologic model is tested on the abundant geophysical data of the Carpathian–Pannonian region (CPR), central Europe. The high resolution heat flow data available in the CPR allows us to estimate the depths to intersection of area specific depth-temperature curves with the dehydration solidus temperatures (1050 and 1100 °C isotherms). There is relatively small mismatch (

Recently, there has been considerable interest in genetic differentiation in the Cervidae family. A common tool used to determine genetic variation in different species, breeds and populations is mitochondrial DNA analysis, which can be used to estimate phylogenetic relationships among animal taxa and for molecular phylogenetic evolution analysis. With the development of sequencing technology, more and more mitochondrial sequences have been made available in public databases, including whole mitochondrial DNA sequences. These data have been used for phylogenetic analysis of animal species, and for studies of evolutionary processes. We determined the complete mitochondrial genome of a Central European red deer, Cervus elaphus hippelaphus, from Hungary by a next generation sequencing technology. The mitochondrial genome is 16 354 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region, all of which are arranged similar as in other vertebrates. We made phylogenetic analyses with the new sequence and 76 available mitochondrial sequences of Cervidae, using Bos taurus mitochondrial sequence as outgroup. We used 'neighbor joining' and 'maximum likelihood' methods on whole mitochondrial genome sequences; the consensus phylogenetic trees supported monophyly of the family Cervidae; it was divided into two subfamilies, Cervinae and Capreolinae, and five tribes, Cervini, Muntiacini, Alceini, Odocoileini, and Capreolini. The evolutionary structure of the family Cervidae can be reconstructed by phylogenetic analysis based on whole mitochondrial genomes; which method could be used broadly in phylogenetic evolutionary analysis of animal taxa.

The rubella virus is the causative agent of postnatal German measles and the congenital rubella syndrome. The majority of the rubella virus replication complexes originate from the endomembrane system. The rubella virus perturbs the signaling pathways regulating the formation of autophagic membranes in the infected cells, including the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. It is widely accepted that these pathways inhibit autophagy. In contrast, the class III PI3K enzymes are essential for autophagy initiation. By manipulating the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, class I PI3K/Akt and class III PI3K axes of signal transduction, the rubella virus may differentially regulate the autophagic cascade, with consequent stimulation of the initiation and strong suppression of the later phases. Dysregulation of autophagy by this virus can have a significant impact on the construction of replication compartments by regulating membrane trafficking. We hypothesize that the rubella virus perturbs the autophagic process in order to prevent the degradation of the virus progeny, and to ensure its replication by hijacking omegasomes for the construction of the replication complexes. The virus is therefore able to utilize an antiviral mechanism to its own advantage. Therapeutic modalities targeting the autophagic process may help to ameliorate the serious consequences of the congenital rubella syndrome.

We aimed to evaluate the contribution of different factors in the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithms for preeclampsia (PE) risk calculation during first-trimester screening in Hungary. We selected subjects for the nested case-control study from a prospective cohort of 2545 low-risk pregnancies. Eighty-two patients with PE and 82 gestational age-matched controls were included. Individual PE risk was calculated using two risk-assessing softwares. Using Astraia 2.3.1, considering maternal characteristics and biophysical parameters only, detection rates (DR) were 63.6% for early-PE and 67.6% for late-PE. When we added placenta associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) to the risk calculation, DRs decreased to 54.5% and 64.8% respectively. Using Astraia 2.8.2 with maternal characteristics and biophysical parameters resulted in the DRs of 63.6% (early-PE) and 56.3% (late-PE). If we added PAPP-A to the risk calculation, DRs improved to 72.7% and 54.9%. The addition of placental growth factor (PlGF) did not increase detection rates in either calculation. In conclusion, using maternal characteristics, biophysical parameters, and PAPP-A, an acceptable screening efficacy could be achieved for early-PE during first-trimester screening. Since PlGF did not improve efficacy in our study, we suggest setting new standard curves for PlGF in Eastern European pregnant women, and the evaluation of novel biochemical markers.

Although the prevalence of wild-type measles virus infection has decreased by >90% in Europe, the disease is still not eliminated and has even reemerged with recurrent outbreaks in different countries, including Romania and Italy. Minor outbreaks of Romanian origin were reported from Hungary as well. In Romania, an outbreak has been ongoing since February 2016. As of October 2017, 9,670 measles cases and 35 deaths were registered in the country. The three most affected counties are located next to the Hungarian border. In Italy, until the end of August 2017, 4,477 cases were reported to the surveillance system. The outbreak affected most of the Italian administrative regions. Until October 2017, three minor measles outbreaks were also detected in Hungary. All of these outbreaks were derived from Romanian cases. Although in these countries, there are vaccination programs running, the spread of the disease raises the possibility of secondary vaccine failure.

Autophagy is an important cellular catabolic process for the lysosomal degradation of cytoplasmic organelles, proteins and microorganisms. The autophagic process is intertwined with the immune response: autophagy regulates both innate and adaptive immunity, conversely, cytokines produced during the course of the immune response modulate various functions of the autophagic cascade. The IL-17 family member cytokines play a pivotal role in immune protection against extra- and intracellular bacterial pathogens. Since the effects of IL-17A and IL-17F on autophagy have not yet been reported, we have evaluated the autophagic activity in the RAW 264.7 cell line treated with either IL-17A or IL-17F. Both IL-17A and IL-17F proved to promote microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 B-II (LC3B-II) accumulation, enhance the autophagic flux, facilitate the intracellular redistribution of LC3B, increase both the average number and the size of autophagosomes per cell, and foster the formation of acidic vesicular organelles. IL-17F was considerably more efficient than IL-17A in promoting the autophagic process. Further experiments to determine the potential effect of IL-17-induced autophagy on the antibacterial activity of RAW macrophages revealed that IL-17F significantly decreased the intracellular counts of Mycobacterium terrae, while the colony-forming unit values remained comparable in the IL-17A-treated cells and the control cultures. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that IL-17A and IL-17F are capable of inducing autophagy in macrophages, and thereby contribute to the elimination of Mycobacterium terrae. These data may bear on the pathogenesis of infections caused by Mycobacterium terrae, as IL-17 plays a pivotal role in the immune response to mycobacteria. IL-17-mediated activation of autophagy may also be implicated in various infections and other pathological conditions.

Propionibacterium acnes is a dominant member of the cutaneous microbiota. Herein, we evaluate the effects of different P. acnes strains and propionic acid on autophagy in keratinocytes. Our results showed that P. acnes strain 889 altered the architecture of the mitochondrial network; elevated the levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B-II, Beclin-1, and phospho-5′-adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α; stimulated autophagic flux; facilitated intracellular redistribution of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B; increased average number of autophagosomes per cell; and enhanced development of acidic vesicular organelles in the HPV-KER cell line. Propionic acid increased the level of phospho-5′-adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α, enhanced lipidation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, stimulated autophagic flux, and facilitated translocation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B into autophagosomes in HPV-KER cells. P. acnes strains 889 and 6609 and heat-killed strain 889 also stimulated autophagosome formation in primary keratinocytes to varying degrees. These results indicate that cell wall components and secreted propionic acid metabolite of P. acnes evoke mitochondrial damage successively, thereby triggering 5′-adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase-associated activation of autophagy, which in turn facilitates the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria and promotes survival of keratinocytes. Thus, we suggest that low-level colonization of hair follicles with noninvasive P. acnes strains, by triggering a local increase in autophagic activity, might exert a profound effect on several physiological processes responsible for the maintenance of skin tissue homeostasis.

Objective: To determine predictors of survival in monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective fetal growth restriction type II (sFGR-II), with or without twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), treated by endoscopic placental laser coagulation. Methods: Laser surgery was performed at 20 (15-27) weeks' gestation in 405 cases of sFGR-II with and 142 without coexisting TTTS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant predictors of survival to discharge from hospital. Results: There was survival of the small twin in 216 (39.5%) and of the large twin in 379 (69.3%) cases. Significant predictors of survival of both the small and larger twin were ductus venosus Doppler findings in the small twin, gestational age at laser and cervical length, but not the presence of TTTS or Doppler findings in the large twin. Conclusions: In sFGR-II, survival after laser surgery is primarily dependent on the condition of the small twin.

Red deer is the most valuable game of the fauna in Hungary, and there is a strong need for genetic identification of individuals. For this purpose, 10 tetranucleotide STR markers were developed and amplified in two 5-plex systems. The study presented here includes the flanking region sequence analysis and the allele nomenclature of the 10 loci as well as the PCR optimization of the DeerPlex I and II. LD pairwise tests and cross-species similarity analyses showed the 10 loci to be independently inherited. Considerable levels of genetic differences between two subpopulations were recorded, and F(ST) was 0.034 using AMOVA. The average probability of identity (PI(ave)) was at the value of 2.6736 × 10(-15). This low value for PI(ave) nearly eliminates false identification. An illegal hunting case solved by DeerPlex is described herein. The calculated likelihood ratio (LR) illustrates the potential of the 10 red deer microsatellite markers for forensic investigations.

Defensins are an important family of natural antimicrobial peptides. Chlamydophila pneumoniae, a common cause of acute respiratory infection, has a tendency to cause persistent inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, which may lead to cardiovascular disease or stroke. As endothelial cells are related to the physiopathology of stroke, the effects of in vitro C. pneumoniae infection on the expression of human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2) in brain capillary endothelial cells (BB19) was investigated. A time-dependent increase in HBD-2 mRNA was observed by means of real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) in BB19 cells following C. pneumoniae infection, with a maximum increase at 24 h. A gradual induction of HBD-2 protein in the C. pneumoniae-infected endothelial cells was detected by immunoblotting. Immunofluorescence revealed the staining of HBD-2 in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells following C. pneumoniae infection. The secretion of HBD-2 (confirmed by ELISA) was significantly elevated 24 h after C. pneumoniae infection. These novel results indicate that HBD-2 is expressed and produced in the human brain capillary endothelial cells upon infection with C. pneumoniae, and provide evidence that HBD-2 plays a role in the early immune responses to C. pneumoniae and probably in the immunopathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of major and minor anomalies according to the increase of NT thickness. Methods This is a long-term retrospective study in which singleton gestations of euploid fetuses with increased NT were analyzed. NT measurement was performed in the first trimester examination according to the criteria of fetal medicine foundation (FMF) when the fetal crown-rump length (CRL) was 45 to 84 mm. The cases were followed up from 1 to 5 years postpartum to assess the presence of CHD and to point out other anomalies that could be associated with increased NT. Results The outcome of 133 cases could be analysed out of 198 pregnancies of which in 55 cases some congenital anomalies (minor or major) were revealed up to the 5 years of life (prevalence of 41.4%). The prevalence of CHDs, including the defects of the great vessels, stood out among the others. In the group with NT between 95th and 99th centiles four cases with minor heart problems were identified (11.1%, 4/36). The rate of major cardiac defects proved to be 13.3% (6/45) in the group with NT between 3.5-4.4 mm, and 17.3% (9/52) in the group with NT > 4.5 mm. Among the 35 healthy children with various minor health problems not related to the presence of increased nuchal translucency there were 7 cases with hydrocele. In 3 of them it was associated with unilateral inguinal hernia but in 3 it was isolated and one was part of a complex malformation (The rate of other organ-specific anomalies did not prove to be significant). In the whole study population only thirteen cases (9.8%) ended up in intrauterine death, or arteficial abortion. Conclusion The prevalence of major cardiac defects as well as other major anomalies increases with fetal nuchal thickness. Since the prevalence of CHD is 100 times higher in the population of fetuses with NT above 4.5 mm, specialist fetal echocardiography should be offered in the second trimester together with other follow-up investigations. Among the children without any major abnormalities, a high number of minor anomalies were revealed during the long-term follow-up. These anomalies do not have significant disadvantage to the quality of life, but some of them necessitates short or long-term medical treatment and this should also be leveled with the future parents. Despite the numerous investigations the exact etiology of increased NT remains unknown. The relatively high prevalence of hydrocele in the newborns in our material raises the question wheather it is related to the presence of NT in the fetal period because of abnormal lymphatic development or alterations in the extracellular matrix. Further long-term follow-up studies could probably contribute to find explanation on the etiology of increased NT in the first trimester. These data can be used when counseling parents of euploid fetuses with increased fetal NT.