De novo malignant melanoma occurred in renal allograft: DNA typing to determine the origin of the tumour

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Penetratin and Derivatives Acting as Antibacterial Agents

The synthesis, in vitro evaluation and conformational study of penetratin and structurally related derivatives acting as antibacterial agents are reported. Among the compounds evaluated here, two methionine sulphoxide derivatives (RQIKIWFQNRRM[O]KWKK-NH2 and RQIKIFFQNRRM[O]KFKK-NH2) exhibited the strongest antibacterial effect in this series. In order to better understand the antimicrobial activity obtained for these peptides, we performed an exhaustive conformational analysis using different approaches. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using two different media (water and trifluoroethanol/water). The results of these theoretical calculations were corroborated using experimental CD measurements. The electronic study for these peptides was carried out using molecular electrostatic potentials obtained from RHF/6-31G(d) calculations. In addition, the non-apeptide RQIRRWWQR-NH2 showed strong inhibitory action against the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria tested in this study

Mobilisation of arsenic from bauxite residue (red mud) affected soils: effect of pH and redox conditions

The tailings dam breach at the Ajka alumina plant, western Hungary in 2010 introduced ~1 million m3 of red mud suspension into the surrounding area. Red mud (fine fraction bauxite residue) has a characteristically alkaline pH and contains several potentially toxic elements, including arsenic. Aerobic and anaerobic batch experiments were prepared using soils from near Ajka in order to investigate the effects of red mud addition on soil biogeochemistry and arsenic mobility in soil–water experiments representative of land affected by the red mud spill. XAS analysis showed that As was present in the red mud as As(V) in the form of arsenate. The remobilisation of red mud associated arsenate was highly pH dependent and the addition of phosphate to red mud suspensions greatly enhanced As release to solution. In aerobic batch experiments, where red mud was mixed with soils, As release to solution was highly dependent on pH. Carbonation of these alkaline solutions by dissolution of atmospheric CO2 reduced pH, which resulted in a decrease of aqueous As concentrations over time. However, this did not result in complete removal of aqueous As in any of the experiments. Carbonation did not occur in anaerobic experiments and pH remained high. Aqueous As concentrations initially increased in all the anaerobic red mud amended experiments, and then remained relatively constant as the systems became more reducing, both XANES and HPLC–ICP-MS showed that no As reduction processes occurred and that only As(V) species were present. These experiments show that there is the potential for increased As mobility in soil–water systems affected by red mud addition under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions

A várandósság alatti emlőrák kezelése = Treatment of pregnancy associated breast cancer

Terhességi emlőráknak a várandósság ideje alatt, illetve a szülést követő egy éven belül kialakuló rosszindulatú emlődaganatot nevezzük. Háromezer várandós nőből körülbelül 1-ben alakul ki. A tumor incidenciája növekedő tendenciát mutat, amelyben elsősorban a gyermekvállalás egyre későbbi életkorra való kitolódása játszhat szerepet. A várandós állapot késlekedést okozhat mind a diagnózis felállításában, mind a megfelelő kezelés elindításában. Közleményünkben egy 30 éves nőbeteg esetét ismertetjük, aki első terhességének 21. hetében önvizsgálat során észlelte a jobb emlő bőrének gyulladásos elváltozását, és a hónaljárokban levő megnagyobbodott nyirokcsomókat. Az antibiotikus kezelésre a páciens panaszai nem javultak, ezért az axillaris képlet vékonytű-aspirációs citológiai vizsgálatát végezték el, amelynek során metasztatikus emlőrák igazolódott. A klinikánkon végzett vizsgálat során cT4 cN3 lokoregionális kiterjedésű daganatot véleményeztünk. Az emlő bőrének elváltozása gyulladásos emlőrákra utalt, emellett axillaris, valamint supraclavicularis nyirokcsomó-konglomerátumot is tapintottunk. A core-bioptátum értékelése során hormonreceptor-negatív, Her-2-pozitív, grade III differenciáltságú invazív carcinoma igazolódott. Neonatológiai és onkológiai konzíliumot követően a beteg úgy döntött, hogy a várandósság alatt elzárkózik a kemoterápiás kezeléstől, ezért a 30. gesztációs héten elektív császármetszést végeztünk. A további vizsgálatok távoli áttétet nem igazoltak, így primer szisztémás kemoterápiát kezdtünk, majd ezt követően mastectomia és axillaris blokkdisszekció történt. Az eltávolított emlőállományban visszamaradt tumort a kórszövettani vizsgálat során már nem azonosítottunk, a szöveti kép alapján komplett patológiai remissziót véleményeztünk. A sugárkezelés befejezése után trastuzumabkezelést indítottunk. Az ellenőrző vizsgálatok a páciensnél eddig sem helyi kiújulást, sem távoli áttétet nem igazoltak. Az újszülött generalizált izomtónus-eloszlási zavarok miatt jelenleg is fejlődésneurológiai gondozás alatt áll. | Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is defined as cancer of the breast diagnosed during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum. The crude incidence is 1/3000 pregnant women. As women delay childbearing the incidence of PABC increases with age. Young patients with PABC do not have worse prognosis compared with those with non-PABC; however, pregnancy can contribute to a delay in breast cancer diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. Primary care physicians and gynecologists should be careful in the thorough workup of breast symptoms in the pregnant population to expedite diagnosis and allow multidisciplinary treatment as early as possible following the established diagnosis. Authors report a case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman, who detected inflammatory signs of her right breast and a palpable axillary mass at the 21st week of gestation. Her symptoms did not improve with administration of antibiotics. Therefore fine needle aspiration biopsy of the axillary lump was performed, with the result of unequivocal diagnosis of metastatic invasive carcinoma. The patient was referred to the multidisciplinary tumor board of our Department at the 27st week of gestation with the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, palpable right axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Core biopsy showed an ER and PR negative, Her-2 positive, grade 3, infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast. After multidisciplinary team consultation the patient declined any kind of therapy during her pregnancy. On the 30th week of gestation caesarean section was performed. The premature baby girl was treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Imaging modalities revealed no evidence of distant metastases short after the delivery. After 6 cycles of chemotherapy (docetaxel-doxorubicin-cycclophosphamid) the patient underwent right mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. Complete pathological response was diagnosed, since no residual tumor was found in the surgical resection specimen. After radiotherapy, trastuzumab medication was initiated. To date, there is no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastases during her 24 months follow-up. The newborn is on close neurohabilitation folow-up due to the evidence of generalized muscle dystonia. Had the patient accepted chemotherapy, the damage of the newborn baby would have been avoidable

Advances in Understanding Environmental Risks of Red Mud After the Ajka Spill, Hungary

In the 5 years since the 2010 Ajka red mud spill (Hungary), there have been 46 scientific studies assessing the key risks and impacts associated with the largest single release of bauxite-processing residue (red mud) to the environment. These studies have provided insight into the main environmental concerns, as well as the effectiveness of remedial efforts that can inform future management of red mud elsewhere. The key immediate risks after the spill were associated with the highly caustic nature of the red mud slurry and fine particle size, which once desiccated, could generate fugitive dust. Studies on affected populations showed no major hazards identified beyond caustic exposure, while red mud dust risks were considered equal to or lesser than those provided by urban dusts of similar particle size distribution. The longer-term environmental risks were related to the saline nature of the spill material (salinization of inundated soils) and the release and the potential cycling of oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids (e.g., Al, As, Cr, Mo, and V) in the soil–water environment. Of these, those that are soluble at high pH, inefficiently removed from solution during dilution and likely to be exchangeable at ambient pH are of chief concern (e.g., Mo and V). Various ecotoxicological studies have identified negative impacts of red mud-amended soils and sediments at high volumes (typically [5 %) on different test organisms, with some evidence of molecularlevel impacts at high dose (e.g., genotoxic effects on plants and mice). These data provide a valuable database to inform future toxicological studies for red mud. However, extensive management efforts in the aftermath of the spill greatly limited these exposure risks through leachate neutralization and red mud recovery from the affected land. Monitoring of affected soils, stream sediments, waters and aquatic biota (fungi, invertebrates and fish) have all shown a very rapid recovery toward prespill conditions. The accident also prompted research that has also highlighted potential benefits of red mud use for critical raw material recovery (e.g., Ga, Co, V, rare earths, inform), carbon sequestration, biofuel crop production, and use as a soil ameliorant

HIV risk behaviors among female IDUs in developing and transitional countries

Abstract Background A number of studies suggest females may be more likely to engage in injection and sex risk behavior than males. Most data on gender differences come from industrialized countries, so data are needed in developing countries to determine how well gender differences generalize to these understudied regions. Methods Between 1999 and 2003, 2512 male and 672 female current injection drug users (IDUs) were surveyed in ten sites in developing countries around the world (Nairobi, Beijing, Hanoi, Kharkiv, Minsk, St. Petersburg, Bogotá, Gran Rosario, Rio, and Santos). The survey included a variety of questions about demographics, injecting practices and sexual behavior. Results Females were more likely to engage in risk behaviors in the context of a sexual relationship with a primary partner while males were more likely to engage in risk behaviors in the context of close friendships and casual sexual relationships. After controlling for injection frequency, and years injecting, these gender differences were fairly consistent across sites. Conclusion Gender differences in risk depend on the relational contexts in which risk behaviors occur. The fact that female and male risk behavior often occurs in different relational contexts suggests that different kinds of prevention interventions which are sensitive to these contexts may be necessary.</p

Longitudinal Determinants of Consistent Condom Use by Partner Type Among Young Injection Drug Users: The Role of Personal and Partner Characteristics

We investigated the longitudinal influence of individual-, relationship- and social-level factors on condom use by partner type among young injections drug users (IDUs) enrolled in the Collaborative Injection Drug Users Study-III/Drug Users Intervention Trial (CIDUS-III/DUIT) from 2002 to 2004. Based on longitudinal analysis using generalized estimating equations (GEE), consistent condom use with main partners was more commonly reported among males and those with greater self-efficacy for condom use; main partner’s desire for pregnancy and needle sharing were negatively associated with consistent condom use. Among those with casual partners, having fewer sex partners was associated with consistent condom use. Positive attitudes toward condom use and partner norms supporting condom use were associated with greater consistent condom use with both partner types. These findings suggest that intervention strategies targeting individual- and partner-level factors may provide avenues for intervening upon sexual risks among young IDUs