Investigation of effects of two environmental heavy metals in a combined exposure model on the nervous system in rats

In the present study, the interaction of inhalational and oral exposure to manganese and lead was investigated. Young adult male Wistar rats (2 x 10 per group) were treated orally with MnCl2 (15 and 60 mg/kg b.w.) or Pb acetate (80 and 320 mg/kg) for 3 or 6 weeks. Then, one half of the groups was further treated by intratracheal instillation of nanoparticulate MnO2 (2.63 mg/kg) or PbO (2 mg/kg) for an equal period of time. Body weight gain and signs of general toxicity were regularly checked. Finally, the rats’ motor behavior was tested in an open field box, and their spontaneous and evoked cortical electrical activity was recorded in urethane anesthesia. MnO2 nanoparticles caused disproportionately strong reduction of body weight gain but with Pb the weight effect was more dependent on dose. In the open field test, Mn caused hypomotility, more strongly after 6 weeks oral plus 6 weeks intratracheal than after 6 weeks oral treatment. Pb-treated rats showed increased ambulation but less rearing and somewhat longer local activity. Spontaneous cortical activity was shifted to higher frequencies after oral Mn application, but this change was not intensified by subsequent nanoparticle application. Oral Pb had an opposite effect. Cortical evoked potentials showed latency lengthening. In several cases, the effect of Mn and Pb was about as strong after 3 weeks oral plus 3 weeks intratracheal as after 6 weeks oral administration, although the summed dose was ca. two times lower in the former case. There can be a more-than-additive interaction between the amounts of heavy metals entering the organism in different routes and chemical forms

Video Gaming and mental health

Introduction: 61% of the total adult Hungarian population (3.8 million) played video games in 2020. Video Gaming is the most popular among the 18-25 age group (66%). Due to the increasing public health importance of game addictions, internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been included into Section III of DSM-5, moreover gaming disorder (GD) also appears in the ICD-11 list

Tőkeáttétel-ciklusok

A különböző gazdasági szektorok – háztartások, vállalatok, állam, bankrendszer stb. – tőkeáttételét sokféle mutatóval jellemezhetjük. Ha megvizsgáljuk ezen mutatók időbeli alakulását, azt tapasztaljuk, hogy konjunktúrában számos szereplő megnöveli a tőkeáttételét, válságban azonban tudatosan vagy ösztönösen elkezdik lebontani a tőkeáttételes pozíciókat. Ha jól megy a gazdaság, a magas tőkeáttétel nyereséges stratégia, hiszen megtöbbszöröződik a hozam. A nagyobb hozammal azonban együtt jár a nagyobb kockázat is, hiszen a tőkeáttétel a negatív sokkokat is felnagyítja. A cikkben először bemutatjuk az alapfogalmakat, aztán összefoglaljuk a tőkeáttétel-ciklusokkal kapcsolatos empirikus bizonyítékokat, majd megvizsgáljuk, hogy milyen racionális és kevésbé racionális okok állhatnak a jelenség hátterében. Végül kitérünk a következményekre és elemezzük, hogy mit tehet a szabályozó

Subacute exposure of rats by metal oxide nanoparticles through the airways: general toxicity and neuro-functional effects

In order to create an animal model of human inhalational exposure by industrial trAct metal fumes, nanoparticulate metal oxides (MnO2 , CdO2 , PbO) were synthesized and instilled into the trachea of rats 5 times a week for 6 weeks (metal doses per kg b.w.: 2.63 and 5.26 mg Mn; 0.04 and 0.4 mg Cd; 2 and 4 mg Pb). At the end, the rats’ body weight gain during the treatment was determined, the animals had an open field session to investigate their spontaneous motility, and finally spontaneous and stimulus-evoked cortical activity was recorded in urethane anaesthesia. Mn caused decrease of open field ambulation and rearing, Cd had no effect, whereas Pb caused decreased rearing and increased ambulation. Spontaneous cortical activity was shifted to higher frequencies with each metal. Cortical evoked potentials had lengthened latency, mainly with Mn and Cd; and increased frequency dependence with Cd and Pb but hardly with Mn. The effects proved indirectly that the metal content of the nanoparticles had access form the airways to the CNS. Our method seems suitable for modelling human nervous system damage due to inhaled nanoparticles

Consequences of subacute intratracheal exposure of rats to cadmium oxide nanoparticles: Electrophysiological and toxicological effects

Cadmium is a metal used in various industrial applications, whereby exposure to Cd-containing fumes is likely. The submicron sized particles in the fumes represent an extra risk due to their high mobility within the organism and high surface area. Toxicity of Cd on the liver, kidney and bones is well known, but there are less data on its neurotoxicity. Here, male Wistar rats were treated for 3 and 6 weeks by intratracheal instillation of CdO2 nanosuspension. The treated rats’ body weight gain was significantly decreased, and in the high dose rats (0.4 mg/kg Cd daily) the weight of lungs and thymus was significantly increased. In this group, the spectrum of spontaneous cortical electrical activity was shifted to higher frequencies, the latency of sensory evoked potentials was lengthened, and the frequency following ability of the somatosensory evoked potential was impaired – even without detectable Cd deposition in the brain. The data support the role of the nano-sized Cd in the causation of nervous system damage and show the possibility of modeling human neurotoxic damage in rats

Nonproductive thoughts, somatic symptoms and well-being in adolescence: testing the moderator role of age and gender in a representative study

BACKGROUND: Previous findings suggest a female preponderance in nonproductive thoughts -rumination and worry-, but studies on gender differences in the strength of the relationship between nonproductive thoughts, somatic symptoms and subjective well-being are scarce. Our aim was to test whether gender and age would moderate these associations. METHODS: 1572 adolescents were involved in this representative cross-sectional study (770 boys; mean age = 15.39; SD = 2.26 years). Nonproductive thoughts were measured by Nonproductive Thoughts Questionnaire for Children (NPTQ-C), somatic symptoms were assessed by Somatic Complaint List (SCL), while Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) was used to measure subjective well-being. To assess the moderation effects of age and gender on the relationship between nonproductive thoughts, somatic symptoms and well-being, four multiple indicator multiple causes (MIMIC) models were defined. RESULTS: Our results suggested that higher rates of nonproductive thoughts predicted a higher level of somatic symptoms and a lower level of subjective well-being. The analyses revealed that although nonproductive thoughts were strongly and equally associated with somatic symptoms among boys and girls, age was a significant moderator. Gender also moderated the relationship between nonproductive thoughts and subjective well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the importance of nonproductive thoughts in somatic symptoms and highlight that the strength of the relationship is similar across both genders but could be dependent upon age. The findings also shed light on the decreased well-being of girls, especially with elevated level of nonproductive thoughts

Landscape heritage and sustainable development in a border region of Hungary

Landscape functions reflect the goods and services provided by regions, highlighting the cultural, economic and environmental factors.As a complex assessment method, a landscape function analysis can reveal the state of the pillars of sustainability, analyse the potentials, resources and limits of landscapes and land use systems and thus provide a basis for reaching balanced and effective rural development. As study area we chose a peripheric, rural micro-region located along the Hungarian-Slovakian border including settlements of Ipolyvece, Patak, Nagyoroszi, Horpács, Hont, Drégelypalánk. The region is rich in natural and cultural values, large part of the area belongs to Börzsöny, from North as the Hungarian-Slovakian border we find the Ipoly river as one of the most natural rivers in Hungary. The successful rural areas are able to preserve the ecological value of the landscape and at the same time, provide appropriate income for the population. To highlight the connection of landscape functions, landscape heritage and rural development, we have chosen a peripheric micro-region rich in cultural and natural values. Using wide range of indicators we analysed ecological value, agriculture, forestry, tourism, aesthetics, accessibility, and economic value. The landscape function analysis revealed the conflicts, limits of landscape resources and where certain landscape functions can be considered lower than the appropriate level. Natural and cultural assets are unevenly distributed in the area, tourism and the traditional but shrinking high added value fruit production can contribute to increase the income level of the population which is crucial for maintain the population retention capacity of the region

Female Sexual Dysfunction in Association with Sexual History, Sexual Abuse and Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hungary

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has a negative impact on women’s quality of life, self-esteem, and physical health. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and the factors associated with FSD using an online questionnaire. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young adults (18−35 years old) in Hungary using the DSM-5 criteria. The participants (n = 5942) were divided into three major groups: FSD (20.3%), an intermediate group (43.9%), and a control group (35.6%). Most of the women showing FSD were affected with female orgasmic disorder (9.2%) and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (4.6%), while female sexual interest/arousal disorder was found in altogether 100 women (1.7%); 4.8% of women were affected by more than one definite disorder. The occurrence of female sexual dysfunction was related to the women’s previous sexual history (first sexual experience, sexual education, early encounter with pornographic content, and sexual abuse), their self-satisfaction (with their own body, genitalia, and sexual attraction), and their sexual orientation. Sexual dysfunction showed a strong association with abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and self-esteem. The present study identified the relationship between sexual dysfunctions and other health conditions, which can be the basis for some form of screening and early assistance programs for FSD