Exacerbated responses to oxidative stress by an Na+ load in isolated nerve terminals: the role of ATP depletion and rise of [Ca2+](i)

We have explored the consequences of a [Na 1 ] i load and oxidative stress in isolated nerve terminals. The Na 1 load was achieved by veratridine (5–40 m M ), which allows Na 1 entry via a voltage-operated Na 1 channel, and oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide (0.1–0.5 m M ). Remarkably, nei- ther the [Na 1 ] i load nor exposure to H 2 O 2 had any major effect on [Ca 2 1 ] i , mitochondrial membrane potential ( D c m), or ATP level. However, the combination of an Na 1 load and oxidative stress caused ATP depletion, a collapse of D c m, and a pro- gressive deregulation of [Ca 2 1 ] i and [Na 1 ] i homeostasis. The decrease in the ATP level was unrelated to an increase in [Ca 2 1 ] i and paralleled the rise in [Na 1 ] i . The loss of D c m was prevented in the absence of Ca 2 1 but unaltered in the presence of cyclosporin A. We conclude that the increased ATP con- sumption by the Na,K–ATPase that results from a modest [Na 1 ] i load places an additional demand on mitochondria met- abolically compromised by an oxidative stress, which are un- able to produce a sufficient amount of ATP to fuel the ATP- driven ion pumps. This results in a deregulation of [Na 1 ] i and [Ca 2 1 ] i , and as a result of the latter, collapse of D c m. The vicious cycle generated in the combined presence of Na 1 load and oxidative stress could be an important factor in the neuro- nal injury produced by ischemia or excitotoxicity, in which the oxidative insult is superimposed on a disturbed Na 1 homeostasis

A kognitív funkciók változásai cukorbetegségben = Changes in Cognitive Function in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with diabetes are approximately 1.5 times more likely to experience cognitive decline than individuals without diabetes mellitus. Most of the data suggest that patients with diabetes have reduced performance in numerous domains of cognitive function. In patients with type 1 diabetes, specific and global deficits involving speed of psychomotor efficiency, information processing, mental flexibility, attention, and visual perception seem to be present, while in patients with type 2 diabetes an increase in memory deficits, a reduction in psychomotor speed, and reduced frontal lobe (executive) functions have been found. The complex pathophysiology of changes in the central nervous system in diabetes has not yet been fully elucidated. It is important to consider the patient’s age at the onset of diabetes, the glycemic control status, and the presence of diabetic complications. Neurological consequences of diabetes appear parallel to those observed in the aging brain. Neuroimaging studies highlight several structural cerebral changes, cortical and subcortical atrophy, beside increased leukoaraiosis that occurs in association with diabetes. There is supporting evidence from many hypotheses to explain the pathophysiology of cognitive decline associated with diabetes. The main hypotheses pointing to the potential, implied mechanisms involve hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, microvascular disease, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and amyloid-β deposition. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 323–329.</jats:p

HUNCHEST-II contributes to a shift to earlier-stage lung cancer detection: final results of a nationwide screening program

The introduction of low-dose CT (LDCT) altered the landscape of lung cancer (LC) screening and contributed to the reduction of mortality rates worldwide. Here we report the final results of HUNCHEST-II, the largest population-based LDCT screening program in Hungary, including the screening and diagnostic outcomes, and the characteristics of the LC cases.A total of 4215 high-risk individuals aged between 50 and 75 years with a smoking history of at least 25 pack-years were assigned to undergo LDCT screening. Screening outcomes were determined based on the volume, growth, and volume doubling time of pulmonary nodules or masses. The clinical stage distribution of screen-detected cancers was compared with two independent practice-based databases consisting of unscreened LC patients.The percentage of negative and indeterminate tests at baseline were 74.2% and 21.7%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of positive LDCT results was 4.1%. Overall, 76 LC patients were diagnosed throughout the screening rounds (1.8% of total participants), out of which 62 (1.5%) patients were already identified in the first screening round. The overall positive predictive value of a positive test was 58%. Most screen-detected malignancies were stage I LCs (60.7%), and only 16.4% of all cases could be classified as stage IV disease. The percentage of early-stage malignancies was significantly higher among HUNCHEST-II screen-detected individuals than among the LC patients in the National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology's archive or the Hungarian Cancer Registry (p < 0.001).HUNCHEST-II demonstrates that LDCT screening for LC facilitates early diagnosis, thus arguing in favor of introducing systematic LC screening in Hungary.HUNCHEST-II is the so-far largest population-based low-dose CT screening program in Hungary. A positive test's overall positive predictive value was 58%, and most screen-detected malignancies were early-stage lesions. These results pave the way for expansive systematic screening in the region.• Conducted in 18 medical facilities, HUNCHEST-II is the so far largest population-based low-dose CT screening program in Hungary. • The vast majority of screen-detected malignancies were early-stage lung cancers, and the overall positive predictive value of a positive test was 58%. • HUNCHEST-II facilitates early diagnosis, thus arguing in favor of introducing systematic lung cancer screening in Hungary

Biológiailag lebomló hulladékok és kezelésük Nyíregyházán

Napjainkban környezetünk szennyezése mellett korunk egyik legnagyobb problémáját a hulladékok mennyiségének növekedése jelenti. A meglévő anyagok újrafelhasználása, a keletkező hulladékok megfelelő feldolgozása és hasznosítása, valamint a gazdasági körforgásba való újra bevitele Magyarországon is egyre inkább előtérbe kerül. A megvalósítás egyik lehetősége a biológiailag lebomló hulladékok megfelelő kezelésében, illetve a lerakott hulladék mennyiségének fokozatos csökkentésében rejlik. A biológiailag lebomló hulladékok kezelése azon túl, hogy enyhíti a növekvő mennyiségű hulladékok elhelyezési problémáit, „még” hasznos nyersanyagot is szolgáltat. Dolgozatomban először áttekintem a biológiailag lebomló hulladékokat, illetve kezelésük módjait, majd részletesen bemutatom és jellemzem a Nyíregyháza-Oros Hulladékkezelő Telepen üzemeltetett GORE komposztálási technológiát, valamint a telepen képződő depónigáz kinyerésének és hasznosításának technológiáját, a keletkező végtermékek minőségi és mennyiségi jellemzőit.MscKörnyezetvédelmi- és fejlesztési szakértőg

Gondolatok a 2024. év küszöbén

Az írás az Agrárminisztérium Földügyi és Térinformatikai Főosztálya, a Közigazgatási és Területfejlesztési Minisztérium Ingatlan-nyilvántartási és Térképészeti Főosztálya, valamint a Magyar Földmérési, Térképészeti és Távérzékelési Társaság (MFTTT) vezetőinek évértékelő és az új év tekintetében feladatismertető összefoglalója. A földügyi szakigazgatás ágazati irányításában az egyik legfontosabb feladat 2023-ban is az ágazat működését meghatározó jogszabályok módosításának előkészítése volt, különös tekintettel a földeken fennálló osztatlan közös tulajdon megszüntetésére, a termőföldvédelemre és az e-ingatlan-nyilvántartás bevezetésére. Az új esztendőben elvégzendő feladatok közül a minisztériumok életében továbbra is kiemelt jelentőséggel bírnak ezek a területek. Az MFTTT célja változatlanul a magyar földmérés és térképészet szakmai-társadalmi eseményeinek szervezése, koordinálása, az elért eredmények közreadása hazai és nemzetközi szinten egyaránt, valamint az ehhez szükséges szervezeti keretek fenntartása

Photoplethysmograph Based Biofeedback for Stress Reduction under Real-Life Conditions in Healthcare Frontline

Biofeedback (BF) therapy methods have evolved considerably in recent years. The best known is biofeedback training based on heart rate variability (HRV), which is used to treat asthma, depression, stress, and anxiety, among other conditions, by synchronizing the rhythm of breathing and heartbeat. The aim of our research was to develop a methodology and test its applicability using photoplethysmographs and smartphones to conduct biofeedback sessions for frontline healthcare workers under their everyday stressful conditions. Our hypothesis is that such a methodology is not only comparable to traditional training itself, but can make regular sessions increasingly effective in reducing real-life stress by providing appropriate feedback to the subject. The sample consisted 28 participants. Our proprietary method based on HRV biofeedback is able to determine the resonance frequency of the subjects, i.e., the number at which the pulse and respiration are in sync. Our research app then uses visual feedback to help the subject reach this frequency, which, if maintained, can significantly reduce stress. By comparing BF with Free relaxation, we conclude that BF does not lose effectiveness over time and repetitions, but increases it. This paper is our pilot study in which we discuss the method used to select participants, the development and operation of the protocol and algorithm, and present and analyze the results obtained. The showcased results demonstrate our hypothesis that purely IT-based relaxation techniques can effectively compete with spontaneous relaxation through biofeedback. This provides a basis for further investigation and development of the methodology and its widespread use to effectively reduce workplace stress

Photoplethysmograph Based Biofeedback for Stress Reduction under Real-Life Conditions in Healthcare Frontline

Biofeedback (BF) therapy methods have evolved considerably in recent years. The best known is biofeedback training based on heart rate variability (HRV), which is used to treat asthma, depression, stress, and anxiety, among other conditions, by synchronizing the rhythm of breathing and heartbeat. The aim of our research was to develop a methodology and test its applicability using photoplethysmographs and smartphones to conduct biofeedback sessions for frontline healthcare workers under their everyday stressful conditions. Our hypothesis is that such a methodology is not only comparable to traditional training itself, but can make regular sessions increasingly effective in reducing real-life stress by providing appropriate feedback to the subject. The sample consisted 28 participants. Our proprietary method based on HRV biofeedback is able to determine the resonance frequency of the subjects, i.e., the number at which the pulse and respiration are in sync. Our research app then uses visual feedback to help the subject reach this frequency, which, if maintained, can significantly reduce stress. By comparing BF with Free relaxation, we conclude that BF does not lose effectiveness over time and repetitions, but increases it. This paper is our pilot study in which we discuss the method used to select participants, the development and operation of the protocol and algorithm, and present and analyze the results obtained. The showcased results demonstrate our hypothesis that purely IT-based relaxation techniques can effectively compete with spontaneous relaxation through biofeedback. This provides a basis for further investigation and development of the methodology and its widespread use to effectively reduce workplace stress