Therapeutic suggestion helps to cut back on drug intake for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care unit

Research was conducted on ventilated patients treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) under identical circumstances; patients were divided into two groups (subsequently proved statistically identical as to age and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II [SAPS II]). One group was treated with positive suggestions for 15-20 min a day based on a predetermined scheme, but tailored to the individual patient, while the control group received no auxiliary psychological treatment. Our goal was to test the effects of positive communication in this special clinical situation. In this section of the research, the subsequent data collection was aimed to reveal whether any change in drug need could be demonstrated upon the influence of suggestions as compared to the control group. Owing to the strict recruitment criteria, a relatively small sample (suggestion group n = 15, control group n = 10) was available during the approximately nine-month period of research. As an outcome of suggestions, there was a significant drop in benzodiazepine (p < 0.005), opioid (p < 0.001), and the α2-agonist (p < 0.05) intake. All this justifies the presence of therapeutic suggestions among the therapies used in ICUs. However, repeating the trial on a larger sample of patients would be recommended. © 2013 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest

The Replicase Gene of Avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus Is a Determinant of Pathogenicity

We have previously demonstrated that the replacement of the S gene from an avirulent strain (Beaudette) of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) with an S gene from a virulent strain (M41) resulted in a recombinant virus (BeauR-M41(S)) with the in vitro cell tropism of the virulent virus but that was still avirulent. In order to investigate whether any of the other structural or accessory genes played a role in pathogenicity we have now replaced these from the Beaudette strain with those from M41. The recombinant IBV was in effect a chimaeric virus with the replicase gene derived from Beaudette and the rest of the genome from M41. This demonstrated that it is possible to exchange a large region of the IBV genome, approximately 8.4 kb, using our transient dominant selection method. Recovery of a viable recombinant IBV also demonstrated that it is possible to interchange a complete replicase gene as we had in effect replaced the M41 replicase gene with the Beaudette derived gene. Analysis of the chimaeric virus showed that it was avirulent indicating that none of the structural or accessory genes derived from a virulent isolate of IBV were able to restore virulence and that therefore, the loss of virulence associated with the Beaudette strain resides in the replicase gene

Factors influencing the population of the onion thrips on onion

The onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman) has been known for a long time as a pest of onion. The damage hinders the development of the onion, causing the plant to end its development earlier than usual, so there may be a decrease in crop yield, too. Control of the onion crop against the onion thrips is the basis of its protection. The chemical protection is difficult owing to the hidden lifestyle of the pest and the wax cover on the leaf of the onion. The natural enemies of the onion thrips can reduce the population only to a small degree. One of the efficient and environmentally friendly protection methods could be the production of thrips resistant onion varieties. The thrips susceptibility of onion varieties (dry onion, leek, green bunch onion and chive) produced in Hungary is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the thrips susceptibility of commercially produced onion varieties and to work out the methods of a large-scale investigation

First Record of Neozygites parvispora Remaudière and Keller (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) from Hungary

Neozygites parvispora Remaudière and Keller (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) is a pathogen of thrips species. It is widespread and probably occurs throughout Central and Southern Europe. This is the first report on the occurrence of Neozygites parvispora Remaudière and Keller in Hungary

Study on the time of emergence of the first generation of raspberry cane midge (Resseliella theobaldi BARNES)

The raspberry cane midge (Resseliella rheohaldi BARNES) is a major pest of raspberry in Europe. The accurate prediction of adult midge emergence is an important part of integrated raspberry protection. Calculation of the accumulated effective temperature may be used in prediction. The values of the critical accumulated effective temperature needed for the first flight of the midge differ in the European regions. In our experiments we investigated the first generation of the midge in Hungary. Our results show that the critical accumulated effective temperature for the first flight was the lowest compared with results received in other European countries. The emergence of males of the first generation was found at 145-194 day °C, and females started laying eggs a few days later