A telemedicina előnyei és hátrányai

Telemedicine is used more and more frequently worldwide. It is increasingly popular in North America, Australia, South Africa, as well as the Scandinavian countries. However, it is not commonly used in Hungary despite various attempts, which is presumably due to earlier dismissive governmental attitude. In this paper the authors analyze ethical, legal and financial aspects of telemedicine from the viewpoints of physicians and patients, too. The results indicate that it cannot be clearly decided whether telemedicine is worth to apply at present. Further, introduction of telemedicine should be based on experience gained in local application

Tumour necrosis factor-α and adenosine in endotoxin shockleading related cardiovascular symptoms

We have observed uncontrollable cardiogenic shock as a cardiovascular manifestation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) leading to death in a 62-year-old woman. The diagnosis of SIRS was based on the demonstration of endotoxinaemia, and highly elevated plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-10. We suggest that these cytokines may contribute to the terminal SIRS-related arrythmias, impaired myocardial contractility, as well as increased vascular permeability. In addition, the increased production of adenosine, a counter-regulatory mediator of inflammation, may also play a role in cardiodepression. We suggest a relationship between the action of TNF-α , IL-10 and adenosine in the pathogenesis of circulatory symptoms described above

Novel breads fortified through oilseed and nut cakes

The nutritive value, the microbiological safety of oilseed cake (OSC) obtained from naked pumpkin seed (PuC), sunflower seed (SC), yellow linseed (LC), and walnut (WnC), and their impact on wheat flour (WF) dough and bread sensory characteristics at 5% and 10% addition ratio were investigated. The OSCs had high protein (34–50%), fat (8–15%), total dietary fibre (23–36%) content and high energy value (383–444 kcal/100 g)). The OSC samples with a minimal exception fulfilled the requirements of feed legislation in force. An increased water absorption, dough development time, and reduced elasticity were observed probably due to the enhanced fiber and protein content. Dough stability increased with WnC, and decreased with PuC or SC addition. Enrichment provided the appearance of a brown bread for WnC, of a half-brown bread for LC. PuC gave an unusual look. The appearance of OSC fortified bread similar to daily bread, was an advantage resulting the 1st rank for 10% WnC bread and the 2nd one for 10% LC bread (P=0.05). The studied OSCs are suitable for food enrichment, however, in case of PuC and SC fortified flour blends, hydrocolloid application is recommended. Our data suggest that the newly developed fortified breads could be a valuable source for healthy nutrition

The effect of indomethacin, myeloperoxidase, and certain steroid hormones on bactericidal activity: an ex vivo and in vivo experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) is essential in the killing of phagocytosed bacteria. Certain steroid hormones increase MPO plasma concentration. Our aim was to test the effect of MPO, its inhibitor indomethacin, and certain steroid hormones on bactericidal activity. METHODS: Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were incubated with opsonised Escherichia coli and either MPO, indomethacin, estradiol, or hydrocortisone. Intracellular killing capacity was evaluated with UV microscopy after treatment with fluorescent dye. Next, an in vivo experiment was performed with nine groups of rats: in the first phase of the study indomethacin treatment and Pasteurella multocida infection (Ii), indomethacin treatment without infection (I0), untreated control with infection (Mi) and untreated control without infection (M0); in the second phase of the study rats with infection and testosterone treatment (NT), castration, infection and testosterone treatment (CT), castration, infection and estradiol treatment (CE), non-castrated infected control (N0), and castrated infected control (C0). After treatment bacteria were reisolated from the liver and heart blood on agar plates, and laboratory parameters were analyzed. For the comparison of laboratory results ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test and LSD post hoc test was used. RESULTS: Indomethacin did not have a remarkable effect on the bacterial killing of PMNs, while the other compounds increased bacterial killing to various degrees. In the animal model indomethacin and infection caused a poor clinical state, a great number of reisolated bacteria, elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum albumin levels. Testosterone treatment resulted in less bacterial colony numbers in group NT, but not in group CT compared to respective controls (N0, C0). Estradiol treatment (CE) decreased colony numbers compared to control (C0). Hormone administration resulted in lower WBC counts, and in group CE, a decreased CRP. CONCLUSIONS: MPO, estradiol, and hydrocortisone improve bacterial killing activity of PMNs. Indomethacin treatment and castration weaken immune responses and clinical state of infected rats, while testosterone and estradiol have a beneficial effect

Antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of Carex hirta L. and Faba bona Medic. (Vicia faba L.) plants under oil contamination

The influence of oil contamination on the amounts of polyphenols and total antioxidant activity in Carex hirta L. and Faba bona Medic. (Vicia faba L.) plants were explored in model experiments. Bean and sedge plants that grew in soil with crude oil (50 g/kg) contained more polyphenols, than plants which grew in clean (control) soil. Under oil contamination, general antioxidant activity increased in sedge plants, and decreased in bean plants

Release of adenosine from human neutrophils stimulated by platelet activating factor, leukotriene B4 and opsonized zymosan

Isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) stimulated by platelet activating factor (PAF), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) or opsonized zymosan (OZ) released adenosine measured by thermospray high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in the cell-free supernatants. Stimulation by PAF or LTB4 resulted in a bellshaped concentration-effect curve; 5 × 10−7 M PAF, 10−8 M LTB4 and 500 μg ml−1 OZ induced peak adenosine release, thus cytotoxic concentrations did not elevate adenosine level in the supernatants. Therefore adenosine release was characteristic of viable cells. As calculated from concentration-effect curves, the rank order of potency for adenosine release was PAF > LTB > OZ. These resuits suggest that adenosine, when bound specifically to membrane receptor sites, may initiate signal transduction, and, in co-operation with other inflammatory mediators, may modulate phagocyte function, e.g. production of chemoluminescence (CL)

Asymmetric induction by amino acid ligands in chromium(II)-assisted reduction of ketones

Asymmetric reduction of acetophenone by Cr(II)/amino acid/water/DMF system is reported. Chemical yields up to 94%, enantiomeric excesses up to 74% were observed. The relevance to the Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved

Вибір пробіотика у пацієнтів з діабетичною ентероколопатією

Objective — to evaluate the comparative efficacy of the use of the coloprotector-synbiotic the probiotic in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with functional bowel disorders and intestinal dysbiosis. Materials and methods. 78 patients with T2DM and bloating, abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort, and stool disturbance were examined. The study included patients in the age group of 39 to 68 years (mean 49.3 ± 12.0 years). In all patients, organic intestinal pathology was excluded during colonoscopy. Among the examined patients, patients with diabetic enterocolopathy (DECP) with IBS-like course of the disease prevailed — 41 (52.6 %), the second highest in number were patients with DECP with constipation 20 (25.6 %); in 11 (14.1 %) patients, DECD with diarrhea was diagnosed and in 6 (7.7 %) patients, DECD with flatulence was detected. All patients were randomized to the main (39 patients) and control (39) groups. In the control group, in addition to standard therapy, patients received a probiotic containing combination of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains of at least 1,0 ∙ 109 CFU. In the main group, patients on the background of standard therapy additionally received coloprotector-synbiotic (1 tablet BID for 4 weeks). Results and discussion. In the complex therapy, the use of coloprotector-synbiotic was more effective compared with the use of a probiotic with an adequate dose of obligate bacteria. The use of coloprotector-synbiotic was especially effective in patients with IBS-like DECP and DECP with diarrhea. Conclusions. The study shows the use coloprotector-synbiotic in the complex therapy of patients with T2DM with DECD is beneficial for correction of gut microbiome.Цель работы — сравнить эффективность колопротектора синбиотика и пробиотика у пациентов с сахарным диабетом 2-го типа (СД2) с функцио­­нальными поражениями кишечника и ки­­шечным дисбиозом. Материалы и методы. Обследованы 78 больных с СД2 и жалобами на вздутие, боль или дискомфорт в животе, нарушение стула. Возраст пациентов составил от 39 до 68 лет (средний возраст — (49,3 ± 12,0) лет)). По данным колоноскопии у всех больных была исключена органическая кишечная патология. У 41 (52,6 %) пациента диагностирована диабетическая энтероколопатия (ДЭКП) с СРК-подобным течением заболевания, у 20 (25,6 %) — ДЭКП с запором, у 11 (14,1 %) — ДЭКП с диареей и у 6 (7,7 %) — ДЭКП с метеоризмом. Всех обследованных разделили на основную (39 больных) и контрольную (39) группы. Лицам контрольной группы назначили базисную терапию, а также пробиотик, содержащий комбинации штаммов Bifidobacterium и Lactobacillus не менее 1,0 ∙ 109 КОЕ. Пациенты основной группы на фоне базисной терапии дополнительно получали колопротектор (по 1 таблетке 2 раза в день в течение 4 нед). Результаты и обсуждение. В комплексе терапии применение колопротектора синбиотика было более эффективным по сравнению с использованием пробиотика с адекватной дозой облигатных бактерий. Применение колопротектора является эф­­фек­тивным, особенно у пациентов с СРК-подобным течением ДЭКП и ДЭКП с диареей. Поэтому у больных с СД2 и ДЭКП в комплекс лечения необходимо включать препараты для коррекции кишечного микробиома. Выводы. Проведенное исследование показало, что колопротектор синбиотика следует рассматривать как препарат выбора для терапии больных СД2 с ДЭКП. Применение колопротектора синбиотика является эффективным, особенно у пациентов с СРК-подобным течением ДЭКП и ДЭКП с диареей.Мета роботи — порівняти ефективність колопротектора синбіотика і пробіотика у пацієнтів з цукровим діабетом 2-го типу (ЦД2) з функціональними ураженнями кишечнику і кишковим дисбіозом. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 78 хворих на ЦД2 і скаргами на здуття, біль або дискомфорт у животі, порушення випорожнення. Вік пацієнтів становив від 39 до 68 років (середній вік — (49,3 ± 12,0) років)). За даними колоноскопії у всіх хворих було виключено органічну кишкову патологію. У 41 (52,6 %) пацієнта діагностовано діабетичну ентероколопатію (ДЕКП) із СПК-подібним перебігом захворювання, у 20 (25,6 %) — ДЕКП із закрепом, в 11 (14,1 %) — ДЕКП з діареєю і у 6 (7,7 %) — ДЕКП з метеоризмом. Пацієнтів розділили на основну (39 хворих) і контрольну (39) групи. Особам кон­трольної групи призначали базисну терапію, а також пробіотик, що містить комбінації штамів Bifidobacterium і Lactobacillus не менше 1,0 ∙ 109 КУО. Пацієнти основної групи на фоні базисної терапії додатково отримували колопротектор (по 1 таблетці двічі на день упродовж 4 тиж). Результати та обговорення. У комплексі терапії застосування колопротектора синбіотика було більш ефективним порівняно з використанням пробіотика з адекватною дозою облігатних бактерій. Тому у хворих на ЦД2 і ДЕКП в комплекс лікування необхідно включати препарати для корекції кишкового мікробіому. Застосування колопротектора є ефективним, особливо у пацієнтів із СПК-подібним перебігом ДЕКП і ДЕКП з діареєю. Висновки. Проведене дослідження показало, що колопротектор синбіотика слід розглядати як препарат вибору для терапії хворих на ЦД2 із ДЕКП