The KINDRA project – towards Open Science in Hydrogeology for higher impact

Groundwater knowledge and research in the European Union is often scattered and non-standardised. Therefore, KINDRA is conducting an EU-wide assessment of existing groundwater-related practical and scientific knowledge based on a new Hydrogeological Research Classification System (HRC-SYS). The classification is supported by a web service, the European Inventory of Groundwater Research (EIGR), which acts not only as a knowledge repository but also as a tool to help identify relevant research topics, existing research trends and critical research challenges. These results will be useful for producing synergies, implementing policies and optimising water management in Europe. This article presents the work of the project during the first two years in relation to a common classification system and an activity for data collection and training delivered by the EFG’s National Associations in 20 European countries

Endothelins as mediators in the modulation of cardiac performance

The role of endothelin in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology has been undeniable ever since its discovery. Endothelins in the heart are important for the development, growth and remodeling, as well as for the control of contractility and rhythm. Cardiac endothelial cells in the endocardium and myocardial capillaries represent the main source of endothelin, and cardiomyocytes are their primary targets. Endothelin-1 is one of the most potent substances with a positive inotropic effect known to man; subsequently endothelin plays a key role in the cardiac endothelial-myocardial interaction. The endothelins are a family of 21 amino acid peptidesof which there are three distinct isoforms endothelin-1, endothelin-2 and endothelin-3. Their effects are achieved by the activation of endothelin receptors, ETA and ETB, which belonging to the family of G protein-linked receptors. ETA and ETB receptors are densely distributed in cardiomyocytes, the cells of the cardiovascular system, coronary vascular and endocardial endothelial cells. Under physiological conditions, endothelin is synthesized in endothelial cells, while under pathophysiological conditions in the large number of non-endothelial cells of the heart as well. Endothelin-1 has positively inotropic and chronotropic effects. The administration of ET-1 causes coronary vasoconstriction, leads to myocardial ischemia and a lethal ventricular arrhythmia. In the acute myocardial infarction, ET-1 increases myocardial necrosis and arrhythmia but has a favorable effect on heart recovery after a myocardial infarction at an early stage of cardiac remodeling. ET-1 reverses acidosis-induced negative lusitropic and inotropic effects without the increase of intracellular calcium. Endothelin can resist the arrhythmogenic effects of catecholamines. Thus, low concentrations of endothelin have a protective effect on the heart. Primary indications for the administration of endothelin antagonists are heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and resistant arterial hypertension. Careful and well-designed clinical studies are needed to verify the therapeutic potential of new types of drugs in cardiovascular medicine

Leucoariaosis influence on cognitive status of patients with lacunar brain infarcts

Leukoaraiosis is a change in brain white matter with characteristic manifestation in MR and CT head scans. Common leukoaraiosis risk factors include aging and arterial hypertension. A quarter of symptomatic ischemic infarcts belongs to small blood vessel disease group and could be presented as lacunar infarcts. These two crucial pathophysiological mechanisms are in the root of cognitive dysfunction related to small blood vessel disease. 60 lacunar infarct patients were examined and parameters for groups with and with-out leukoaraiosis were determined. It was found that leukoaraiosis incidence was highest in the group of women older than 70. Neurological assessment was scored on NIH-NINDS scale, functional status was scored with Barthelo index, and cognitive status was determined using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale Late (ADAS-L). Correlation analysis of these parameters on significance level of *p<0.05, **p<0.01, suggests decrease in neurological status and cognitive performance

P300 event related potential application to cognitive status assessment of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

Disturbances of thyroid function are often accompanied by cognitive and affective disorders. Assessment of cognitive status in the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism represents a possibility for early diagnostics of cognitive impairment and timely introduction of necessary pharmacotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to quantify whether there are P3 event related potential (ERP) deviations as electrophysiological markers of cognitive activity in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. P300 potentials were examined in thirty patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and in 30 healthy subjects of the control group. P300 was recorded using the classic auditory oddball paradigm, with 20% of target and 80% of non-target stimuli. The results analysis showed a significantly longer latency P300 and reduced amplitude P300 in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism compared to euthyroid subjects. There is also a statistically significant negative correlation between the results of a mini mental state examination and the P300 latency at Fz electrode (r= -0.47, p <0.01) and Cz electrode (r= -0.43, p =0.017). P300 ERP is important in the evaluation of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, due to the sensitivity in the detection cognitive disorders

Obeobesity and sleep disorders

Nowadays we are all faced with the fact that obesity represents world wide epidemiologic problem, getting greater and greater In time. Unfortunately implications that obesity exhibits on respiratory system are often underlined. In that context, this article will be pointing out mechanical effects of the obesity on physiology of the lungs, as well as the impact of the fat tissue as endocrine organ in inducing systemic inflammatory reaction and its role in central breathing control. Obesity plays key control in development of the obstructive sleep apnea and obstructive hypoventilation syndrome. Obtaining better understanding of the effects that obesity exhibits on the respiratory diseases and obtaining adequate measures of health care is of the vital importance in prevention this increasingly important problem

the variability in P300 cognitive evoked potential amplitude in the auditory oddball paradigm

One of the best-studied responses of cognitive evoked potentials is a so-called 'P300', the late positive wave complex that occurs about 300-500 ms after the stimulus. It is obtained when the subject's attention is focused on a signal that is rare, especially if the signal has a motivational or emotional meaning. In the study of P300 potential, we followed the variations of potential amplitude and latency, so the objective was to examine whether there is a difference in Fz and Cz amplitudes of auditory induced cognitive evoked P300 potential depending on the performance of oddball tasks, both in male and female subjects. The study included 60 subjects (30 female respondents and 30 male respondents). P300 potential is induced by the auditory 'oddball' paradigm with 80% of non-target and 20% of target stimuli that are presented to the patient through headphones. The target tones are high tones of 2000 Hz. The standard, 1000 Hz tones the respondent should ignore but when he hears the target tones the respondent should press the button on the special handle. The value of Fz and Cz amplitudes both in male and female subjects obtained in the classical 'oddball' paradigm when the subject reacted to the signal by pressing the key with the dominant (right) arm were statistically significantly lower (p>0,05) than the values of Fz and Cz amplitudes obtained when the key was pressed by the non-dominant hand. Based on this experiment it can be concluded that both in male and female subjects the performance of oddball tasks does not affect the amplitude of P300 cognitive evoked potentials