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Abstract Exposure to contagious pathogens can result in behavioural changes, which can alter the spread of infectious diseases. Healthy individuals can express generalized social distancing or avoid the sources of infection, while infected individuals can show passive or active self-isolation. Amphibians are globally threatened by contagious diseases, yet their behavioural responses to infections are scarcely known. We studied behavioural changes in agile frog (Rana dalmatina) juveniles upon exposure to a Ranavirus (Rv) using classic choice tests. We found that both non-infected and Rv-infected focal individuals spatially avoided infected conspecifics, while there were no signs of generalized social distancing, nor self-isolation. Avoidance of infected conspecifics may effectively hinder disease transmission, protecting non-infected individuals as well as preventing secondary infections in already infected individuals. On the other hand, the absence of self-isolation by infected individuals may facilitate it. Since infection status did not affect the time spent near conspecifics, it is unlikely that the pathogen manipulated host behaviour. More research is urgently needed to understand under what circumstances behavioural responses can help amphibians cope with infections, and how that affects disease dynamics in natural populations.

Abstract Background In order to investigate microvascular complications in metabolic diseases, we aimed to investigate cerebral and peripheral microcirculation in relation to peripheral neuropathy and laboratory biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Methods Based on the degree of neuropathy (NP), study participants (40 T2DM and 30 obese individuals) were classified into no-NP, mild-NP and severe-NP subgroups. After the injection of Technetium-99 m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime, both T2DM and obese participants underwent single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography ([99mTc]Tc-HMPAO SPECT/CT) and SPECT-only examinations to assess lower limb and brain perfusion; respectively. Peripheral nerve function was evaluated with a neurometer and glycaemic markers were measured from plasma in both groups. Results Compared to the obese individuals, lower extremity perfusion was significantly reduced in the diabetic subjects (p

The study aims to assess the severity of udder oedema around the calving using a traditional scoring (0-3 point scale) and the firstly applied fingerprint test to measure skin firmness. Furthermore, it was investigated how the degree of udder oedema is influenced by the effects taken into account in the processing. The study was carried out on 62 animals diagnosed with udder oedema before calving at a typical large-scale dairy operation in Hungary. It was found that with more severe udder oedema, the first udder teats are thicker (P = 0.038) and the udder skin surface is cooler (P = 0.007), and the duration of the fingerprint is significantly longer (P < 0.001). There is a strong positive correlation between oedema severity and fingerprint persistence (r = 0.66, P < 0.05). This suggests that the persistence of finger imprint is a reliable indicator of the severity of udder oedema.

Background: Combining antegrade stenting (AGS) and hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) is an increasingly used endoscopic ultrasound-guided intervention when stenting by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is impossible. Objectives: We comprehensively assessed the benefits and downsides of combined AGS and HGS (HGS procedure with AGS, HGAS). Data sources and methods: From 788 HGS and 295 HGAS cases, a random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. Five electronic databases were searched for studies on HGS with or without AGS from inception until May 2024. The odds ratio (OR) and pooled rates were used for single and two-arm comparisons with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: From 26 eligible studies. The pooled technical and clinical success was 94% (CI: 92%–96%) and 88% (CI: 84%–91%) for HGS and 89% (CI: 83%–93%) and 94% (CI: 89%–97%) for HGAS, respectively. Pooled OR of HGAS and HGS showed an OR = 0.38 (CI: 0.07–2.00) for technical success and an OR = 1.02 (CI: 0.50–2.06) for clinical success. The pooled adverse event rates were 20% (CI: 16%–25%) for HGS and 14% (CI: 9%–20%) for HGAS, whereas pooled OR showed an OR = 1.09 (CI: 0.30–3.94). For re-intervention, an OR = 0.37 (CI: 0.27–0.52) was found. Time to stent dysfunction increased, HGAS 333 (CI: 280–Not reached) and HGS 209 (CI: 120–325) with no change in overall survival HGS 117 (CI: 94–147) and 140 (CI: 105–170). Conclusion: The use of HGAS appears to increase clinical success and reduce the need for re-intervention. Overall adverse event rates were similar but bile leakage prevalence was decreased. Time to stent dysfunction seems to increase with no change in overall survival. Trial registration: Our protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024509412).

Abstract One of the major factors driving the currently ongoing biodiversity crisis is the anthropogenic spread of infectious diseases. Diseases can have conspicuous consequences, such as mass mortality events, but may also exert covert but similarly severe effects, such as sex ratio distortion via sex‐biased mortality. Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is among the most important threats to amphibian biodiversity. Yet, whether Bd infection can skew sex ratios in amphibians is currently unknown, although such a hidden effect may cause the already dwindling amphibian populations to collapse. To investigate this possibility, we collected common toad (Bufo bufo) tadpoles from a natural habitat in Hungary and continuously treated them until metamorphosis with sterile Bd culture medium (control), or a liquid culture of a Hungarian or a Spanish Bd isolate. Bd prevalence was high in animals that died during the experiment but was almost zero in individuals that survived until the end of the experiment. Both Bd treatments significantly reduced survival after metamorphosis, but we did not observe sex‐dependent mortality in either treatment. However, a small number of genotypically female individuals developed male phenotype (testes) in the Spanish Bd isolate treatment. Therefore, future research is needed to ascertain if larval Bd infection can affect sex ratio in common toads through female‐to‐male sex reversal.

Despite numerous recent technological developments, conventional powder metallurgy (CPM) remains the most commonly applied technique for fabricating stainless-steel products. However, the compressibility of stainless-steel powders is still a critical issue. Martensitic stainless-steel powders (i.e., 17-4 PH) are significantly harder than austenitic stainless-steel powders (i.e., 316L and 1.4551). Herein, three different stainless-steel (DSS) powders (i.e., 17-4 PH, 316L, and 1.4551) were investigated using a high cold pressing pressure (i.e., 1.6 GPa) and a relatively low sintering temperature of 1200 °C during CPM. Dimensional and Archimedes density measurements, volume and radial shrinkage calculations, optical and scanning electron microscopy analyses, and compressive strength measurements were conducted to investigate the physical and mechanical properties. Using 1.6 GPa resulted in a 10 % and 6 % increase in the relative green density of the 17-4 PH and 316L samples, compared with the reported literature. For the first time, relative sintering densities of approximately 97 % and 99 % were obtained for 316L and 1.4551 at a sintering temperature of 1200 °C, respectively. Despite the insufficient sintering process, the relative density of the 17-4 PH sample increased by 2 % compared with the literature values reported for higher sintering temperatures. The shrinkage ratios were much lower than those reported in the literature. Furthermore, the present 316L samples achieved 90 % of the compressive yield strength observed in cast 316L, a 25 % increase compared with that previously reported in the literature. This study extends the CPM procedure for enhancing green densities, employing low sintering temperatures, and reducing the shrinkage values of stainless-steel powders with differing hardness.

Abstract Lithocholic acid (LCA) is a secondary bile acid. LCA enters the circulation after bacterial synthesis in the gastrointestinal tract, reaches distantly located cancer cells, and influences their behavior. LCA was considered carcinogenic, but recent studies demonstrated that LCA has antitumor effects. We assessed the possible role of LCA in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. At the serum reference concentration, LCA induced a multi-pronged antineoplastic program in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. LCA inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced mesenchymal-to-epithelial (MET) transition that reduced cell invasion capacity. LCA induced oxidative/nitrosative stress by decreasing the expression of nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) and inducing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The oxidative/nitrosative stress increased protein nitration and lipid peroxidation. Suppression of oxidative stress by glutathione (GSH) or pegylated catalase (pegCAT) blunted LCA-induced MET. Antioxidant genes were overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and decreased antioxidant levels correlated with better survival of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. Furthermore, LCA treatment decreased the proportions of cancer stem cells. Finally, LCA induced total and ATP-linked mitochondrial oxidation and fatty acid oxidation. LCA exerted effects through the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), vitamin D receptor (VDR), and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). LCA did not interfere with cytostatic agents used in the chemotherapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Taken together, LCA is a non-toxic compound and has antineoplastic effects in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

This paper introduces an innovative approach for generating three-axis CNC tool paths for machining free-form surfaces. The method is designed to minimize variations in the effective tool diameter, addressing a common challenge encountered when using ball-end tools for machining free-form surfaces. These surfaces exhibit varying inclinations, leading to fluctuations in the tool’s working diameter from one point to another, resulting in inconsistent cutting speeds and milling parameters despite a constant spindle speed. Consequently, the machined surface tends to lack uniformity. In contrast to conventional tool path planning techniques, the proposed method calculates the working diameter at each adjacent point and guides the tool’s movement towards the point where the smallest change in working diameter is anticipated. This approach reduces fluctuations in cutting speed and promotes the generation of a more homogeneous surface.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is a well-known genetic condition, inherited mainly in an autosomal dominant way, which elevates the risk of developing malignancies at a young age in heterozygous carriers. Advances in new generation sequencing have enabled medical professionals to determine whether a patient is harbouring mutations in moderate- or high penetrance susceptibility genes. We conducted a retrospective analysis among 275 patients who underwent genetic counselling and multigene panel testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome in our department. From these patients 74.5% (205/275) were affected by some type of malignancy, while the remaining 25.5% (70/275) had a positive family history of different cancers, suggesting a genetic predisposition. These tests confirmed a genetic variant in 29.8% and 28.6% of these patient groups respectively. The results also mirrored our general knowledge concerning the genetic background of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, as variants in either one of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes proved to be the most common cause among our patients with 41.5%. Our test also detected a novel mutation in the CDH1 gene and three patients with double heterozygosity in two different susceptibility genes. This study demonstrates the relevance of genetic counselling and non-BRCA gene sequencing among cancer patients and patients who fulfil the criteria for genetic testing, while also providing important details about the genetic profile of Hungarian patients.

Abstract Reconstructing ancestral states for discrete characters is essential for understanding trait evolution in organisms. However, most existing methods are limited to individual characters and often overlook the hierarchical and interactive nature of traits. Recent advances in phylogenetics now offer the possibility of integrating knowledge from anatomy ontologies to reconstruct multiple discrete character histories. Nonetheless, practical applications that fully harness the potential of these new approaches are still lacking. This paper introduces ontophylo, an R package that extends the PARAMO pipeline to address these limitations. Ontophylo enables the reconstruction of phenotypic entities composed of amalgamated characters, such as anatomical regions or entire phenomes. It offers three new applications: (1) reconstruction of evolutionary rates of amalgamated characters using phylogenetic non‐homogeneous Poisson process (pNHPP) that allows modelling rate variation across tree branches and time; (2) reconstruction of morphospace dynamics; and (3) visualization of evolutionary rates on vector images of organisms. Ontophylo incorporates ontological knowledge to facilitate these applications. Benchmarking confirms the accuracy of pNHPP in estimating character rates under different evolutionary scenarios, and example applications demonstrate the utility of ontophylo in studying morphological evolution in Hymenoptera using simulated data. Ontophylo can be easily integrated with other ontology‐oriented and general‐purpose R packages and offers new opportunities to examine morphological evolution on a phenomic scale using new and legacy data.

This investigation scrutinized the yield, starch, and protein content of five distinct potato genotypes (Desiree, Borostyán, Piroska, Rubinka, and Rózsa) over 5 years of repetitive replanting. The experiment aimed to compare different potato genotypes and examine the yield reduction resulting from possible genetic deterioration over the years. The research took place in Zirc, Hungary’s temperate deciduous forest zone, at 450 m elevation from 2017 to 2021, on a 100 m2 plot. Potato dry matter was measured according to MSZ 6369-4:1987, and starch content followed MSZ 6830-18:1988 standards. Tubers’ total nitrogen was gauged using the Kjeldahl method, while crude protein analysis employed the Dumas method. Pure protein evaluation adhered to the trichloroacetic acid precipitation technique, all consistent with WBSE-131:2018. Observed variations in starch content revealed Borostyán as the genotype with the highest mean starch content (75.41%) and Desiree with the least (74.98%). Protein content also varied among the genotypes; Borostyán exhibited the highest average level (10.99%), while Desiree had the least (5.52%). The remaining genotypes, Piroska, Rubinka, and Rózsa, exhibited comparable mean protein levels between 8.15 and 8.82%. Findings also noted a positive correlation between yield and starch and protein content. However, certain genotypes demonstrated a negative correlation, highlighting the impact of genetic factors and management practices such as nitrogenous fertilization and crop rotation on these associations. Additionally, the findings suggest that not only the standard Desiree variety but also the Borostyán variety can be reliably recommended for use in potato research and breeding initiatives. Conclusively, this study provides insights valuable for potato breeding and selection programs and the potential development of high-protein potato products. Further investigation is recommended to elucidate the mechanisms and genetic determinants that impact these observed relationships.

Abstract There are several overlapping clinical practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis (AP), however, none of them contains suggestions on patient discharge. The Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group (HPSG) has recently developed a laboratory data and symptom-based discharge protocol which needs to be validated. (1) A survey was conducted involving all members of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) to understand the characteristics of international discharge protocols. (2) We investigated the safety and effectiveness of the HPSG-discharge protocol. According to our international survey, 87.5% (49/56) of the centres had no discharge protocol. Patients discharged based on protocols have a significantly shorter median length of hospitalization (LOH) (7 (5;10) days vs. 8 (5;12) days) p

During pregnancy, the maternal immune system must allow and support the growth of the developing placenta while maintaining the integrity of the mother’s body. The trophoblast’s unique HLA signature is a key factor in this physiological process. This study focuses on decidual γδT cell populations and examines their expression of receptors that bind to non-classical HLA molecules, HLA-E and HLA-G. We demonstrate that decidual γδT cell subsets, including Vδ1, Vδ2, and double-negative (DN) Vδ1-/Vδ2- cells express HLA-specific regulatory receptors, such as NKG2C, NKG2A, ILT2, and KIR2DL4, each with varying dominance. Furthermore, decidual γδT cells produce cytokines (G-CSF, FGF2) and cytotoxic mediators (Granulysin, IFN-γ), suggesting functions in placental growth and pathogen defense. However, these processes seem to be controlled by factors other than trophoblast-derived non-classical HLA molecules. These findings indicate that decidual γδT cells have the potential to actively contribute to the maintenance of healthy human pregnancy.

Abstract The annual goatgrass, Aegilops biuncialis is a rich source of genes with considerable agronomic value. This genetic potential can be exploited for wheat improvement through interspecific hybridization to increase stress resistance, grain quality and adaptability. However, the low throughput of cytogenetic selection hampers the development of alien introgressions. Using the sequence of flow-sorted chromosomes of diploid progenitors, the present study enabled the development of chromosome-specific markers. In total, 482 PCR markers were validated on wheat (Mv9kr1) and Ae. biuncialis (MvGB642) crossing partners, and 126 on wheat-Aegilops additions. Thirty-two markers specific for U- or M-chromosomes were used in combination with GISH and FISH for the screening of 44 Mv9kr1 × Ae. biuncialis BC3F3 genotypes. The predominance of chromosomes 4M and 5M, as well as the presence of chromosomal aberrations, may indicate that these chromosomes have a gametocidal effect. A new wheat-Ae. biuncialis disomic 4U addition, 4M(4D) and 5M(5D) substitutions, as well as several introgression lines were selected. Spike morphology and fertility indicated that the Aegilops 4M or 5M compensated well for the loss of 4D and 5D, respectively. The new cytogenetic stocks represent valuable genetic resources for the introgression of key genes alleles into wheat.

Abstract Background Mayflies are basal winged insects of crucial importance for the understanding of the early evolution of Pterygota. Unlike all other insects, they have two successive winged stages, the subimago and the imago. Their forewings feature so-called bullae, which are desclerotized spots in the anterior main veins. Up to now, they have been considered to play a major role in wing bending during flight. Results We investigated bullae by multiple methods to reveal their structure and arrangement and to gain new information on the evolution of insect flight. Bullae are mostly present in the anterior negative wing veins, disrupting the otherwise rigid veins. High-speed videography reveals that mayfly wings do not bend during flight. Likewise, different arrangements of bullae in different species do not correlate with different modes of flying. Observations on the moulting of subimagines unravel that they are essential for wing bending during the extraction of the imaginal wing from the subimaginal cuticle. Bullae define predetermined bending lines, which, together with a highly flexible wing membrane enriched with resilin, permit wing bending during subimaginal moulting. Bullae are only absent in those species that remain in the subimaginal stage or that use modified modes of moulting. Bullae are also visible in fossil mayflies and can be traced back to stemgroup mayflies of the Early Permian, the 270 million years old Protereismatidae, which most probably had bullae in both fore- and hind wings. Conclusions Bullae in mayfly wings do not play a role in flight as previously thought, but are crucial for wing bending during subimaginal moulting. Thus, the presence of bullae is a reliable morphological marker for a subimaginal life stage, confirming the existence of the subimago already in Permian Protereismatidae. A thorough search for bullae in fossils of other pterygote lineages may reveal wheather they also had subimagines and at what point in evolution this life stage was lost. In mayflies, however, the subimago may have been retained due to selective advantages in connection with the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life or due to morphological requirements for a specialized mating flight.