Human behaviour: Sex ratio and the city

SummaryThe ratio of males to females in a population is known to influence the behaviour, life histories and demography of animals. A recent experimental study finds that sex ratio also affects human economic behaviour, and in a manner consistent with evolutionary theory

Az aspirációs citológia szerepe a daganatdiagnosztikában.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of focal lesions is a quick, relatively simple and cost-effective diagnostic method. However, performing aspirations and interpreting smears require skill and experience. Before initiating an aspiration the doctor needs to be aware of the limits of cytology as it is vital to know what kind of diagnostic issues can be answered upon a smear and what kind of questions cannot. Traditionally FNAB was performed without radiologic guidance, and therefore almost only palpable lesions were aspirated. Since ultrasound (US) has become widely used in medicine, it is axiomatical that FNAB is ideally performed with US guidance not only for the protection of the patients but also for targeting the lesion more safely. Several cytologists find US guidance unnecessary as a routinely used examination, which may lead to unsatisfactory smears and false negative results. This means not only a loss for the patient, but leads to a negative judgement of this diagnostic method. Our interventional cytology diagnostic team developed a working method resulting in excellent statistical results. In the followings we would like to share our experience refined the past two decades to restore the reputation of this diagnostic method

Countering Protection Rackets Using Legal and Social Approaches: An Agent-Based Test

Protection rackets cause economic and social damage across the world. States typically combat protection rackets using legal strategies that target the racketeers with legislation, strong sentencing, and increasing the presence and involvement of police officers. Nongovernmental organizations, conversely, focus on the rest of the population and counter protection rackets using a social approach. These organisations attempt to change the actions and social norms of community members with education, promotional campaigns, and discussions. We use an agent-based model, which draws on established theories of protection rackets and combines features of sociological and economic perspectives to modelling social interactions, to test the effects of legal and social approaches. We find that a legal approach is a necessary component of a policy approach, that social only approaches should not be used because they lead to large increases in violence, and that a combination of the two works best, although even this must be used carefully

Identification of novel cell-impermeant fluorescent substrates for testing the function and drug interaction of Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides, OATP1B1/1B3 and 2B1.

Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides are multispecific membrane proteins that regulate the passage of crucial endobiotics and drugs across pharmacological barriers. OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 have been described to play a major role in the hepatic uptake of statins, antivirals and various chemotherapeutics; whereas the pharmacological role of the ubiquitously expressed OATP2B1 is less well characterized. According to current industry standards, in vitro testing for susceptibility to OATP1B1 and 1B3 mediated transport is recommended for drug candidates that are eliminated in part via the liver. Here we show that human OATP1B1, 1B3 and 2B1 transport a series of commercially available viability dyes that are generally believed to be impermeable to intact cells. We demonstrate that the intracellular accumulation of Zombie Violet, Live/Dead Green, Cascade Blue and Alexa Fluor 405 is specifically increased by OATPs. Inhibition of Cascade Blue or Alexa Fluor 405 uptake by known OATP substrates/inhibitors yielded IC50 values in agreement with gold-standard radioligand assays. The fluorescence-based assays described in this study provide a new tool for testing OATP1B/2B1 drug interactions

Identification of novel cell-impermeant fluorescent substrates for testing the function and drug interaction of Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides, OATP1B1/1B3 and 2B1.

Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides are multispecific membrane proteins that regulate the passage of crucial endobiotics and drugs across pharmacological barriers. OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 have been described to play a major role in the hepatic uptake of statins, antivirals and various chemotherapeutics; whereas the pharmacological role of the ubiquitously expressed OATP2B1 is less well characterized. According to current industry standards, in vitro testing for susceptibility to OATP1B1 and 1B3 mediated transport is recommended for drug candidates that are eliminated in part via the liver. Here we show that human OATP1B1, 1B3 and 2B1 transport a series of commercially available viability dyes that are generally believed to be impermeable to intact cells. We demonstrate that the intracellular accumulation of Zombie Violet, Live/Dead Green, Cascade Blue and Alexa Fluor 405 is specifically increased by OATPs. Inhibition of Cascade Blue or Alexa Fluor 405 uptake by known OATP substrates/inhibitors yielded IC50 values in agreement with gold-standard radioligand assays. The fluorescence-based assays described in this study provide a new tool for testing OATP1B/2B1 drug interactions

Növényevő nagyvadak rágáspreferenciái, mint a táplálkozási igények indikátorai.

Traditional clearcutting system homogenise forest habitats (one tree species, one age class, understory destroyed), which will be more sensitive to other human and natural impacts, such as the effect of large herbivores. Since forest game damage is a very important problem in Hungary, we hypothesised that the main target tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. and Robinia pseudoacacia ) are strongly preferred as browsed forage. Therefore, our study question was which woody species are selected by game browsing: 1. native (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp.) or non-native target tree species (Robinia pseudoacacia ) 2. other economically non or less relevant woody species. We have collected data on the species composition of the understory and the browsing impact on it in five different Hungarian even-aged forests between 2003 and 2005. Based on these investigations the non-native Robinia pseudoacacia was generally preferred (Jacobs’ selectivity index: D=0,04±0,77), meanwhile the native Fagus sylvatica and Quercus spp. (Q. cerris, Q. petraea, Q. robur) were avoided (D= -0,37±0,11; -0,33±0,85; -0,79±0,56; -0,9±0,16; respectively) among target tree species. However, economically less or not relevant species, e.g. elderberry (Sambucus spp.), blackberry (Rubus spp.) or common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) were the most preferred ones (D=0,01±0,71; -0,12±0,58; -0,2±0,78, respectively). Our results clearly show that biodiversity conservation i.e. maintaining or establishing a multi-species understory layer can be a good solution to diminish the negative game impact on native target tree species. Due to its preference selective browsing can mitigate the penetration of Robinia pseudoacacia into native forest habitats. The herbivorous selection pattern revealed will help us in forest biodiversity conservation by facilitating positive and mitigating negative impacts of selective browsing by ungulates

PARK7 diminishes oxidative stress-induced mucosal damage in celiac disease

Coeliac disease (CD) is a chronic, immune-mediated small intestinal enteropathy, accompanied with gluten-triggered oxidative damage of duodenal mucosa. Previously, our research group reported an increased mucosal level of the antioxidant protein Parkinson’s disease 7 (PARK7) in children with CD. In the present study, we investigated the role of increased PARK7 level on the epithelial cell and mucosal integrity of the small intestine. The presence of PARK7 was investigated using immunofluorescent staining on duodenal mucosa of children with CD and on FHs74Int duodenal epithelial cells. To investigate the role of oxidative stress, FHs74Int cells were treated with H2O2 in the absence or presence of Comp23, a PARK7-binding compound. Intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by DCFDA-based assay. Cell viability was measured by MTT, LDH, and Annexin V apoptosis assays. Disruption of cytoskeleton and cell adhesion was investigated by immunofluorescence staining and by real-time RT PCR. Effect of PARK7 on mucosal permeability was investigated ex vivo using intestinal sacs derived from control and Comp-23-pretreated mice. Comp23 treatment reduced the H2O2-induced intracellular accumulation of ROS, thus preserving the integrity of the cytoskeleton and also the viability of the FHs74Int cells. Accordingly, Comp23 treatment increased the expression of antioxidants (NRF2, TRX1, GCLC, HMOX1, NQO1), cell-cycle regulators (TP53, CDKN1A, PCNA, BCL2, BAX), and cell adhesion molecules (ZO1, CDH1, VCL, ITGB5) of H2O2-treated cells. Pretreatment with Comp23 considerably decreased the small intestinal permeability. In this study, we demonstrate that PARK7-binding Comp23 reduces the oxidative damage of duodenal epithelial cells, via increased expression of NRF2- and P53-regulated genes. Our results suggest that PARK7 plays a significant role in the maintenance of mucosal integrity in CD

The role of interleukin-24 in the pathomechanism of IBD-associated tissue remodeling

Abstract: Introduction: Intestinal fibrosis is a serious complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Interleukin(IL)-24 is a member of IL-20 cytokine subfamily, which regulatory effect is suspected in connection with inflammation, apoptosis or tissue remodeling in other organs. Increased level of IL-24 was described in the colon of patients with active IBD, however its biological role is still poorly understood. Methods: Colonic presence of IL-24 and its receptor IL-20RB was investigated in the dextran-sodium sulfate (DSS) induced mice model of IBD (n=8; C57BL/6J). Impact of IL-24 on colonic extracellular matrix (ECM) production was investigated in the DSS treated wild type and IL-20RB knockout (KO) mice. Effect of intracolonic injection of IL-24 was also investigated. The role of IL-24 treatment on the expression of fibrosis related genes was investigated in colonic epithelial (HT-29) and fibroblast (CCD-18Co) cells. Results: Expression of IL-24 increased in colonic tissue of DSS-treated mice compared to controls. Lack of IL-24 receptor resulted in reduced ECM deposition in IL-20RB KO mice compared to wild type group. Local administration of IL-24 increased the expression of the fibrosis associated genes in the colon. IL-24 treatment increased the expression of TGF-ß1 and PDGF-B in HT-29, and that of COL1, COL3, FN1, MMP2, -9, TIMP1, -2 in CCD-18Co cells. Discussion: IL-24 may promote tissue remodeling shifted toward an excessive deposition of ECM components directly by acting on fibroblast and indirectly via induction of pro-fibrotic factors on epithelial cells. Our data suggest that inhibition of IL-24 may have a significant anti-fibrotic effect. Support: OTKA-K116928, VKE-2017-00006,EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00009,MTA-SE Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Science