Small and medium-sized firms and the role of private industry in Hungary

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Az idült májbetegségek progressziójához vezető folyamatok

As the result of various effects (viruses, metabolic diseases, nutritional factors, toxic agents, autoimmune processes) abnormal liver function, liver steatosis and connective tissue remodeling may develop. Progression of this process is complex including various pathways and a number of factors. The authors summarize the factors involved in the progression of chronic liver disease. They describe the role of cells and the produced inflammatory mediators and cytokines, as well as the relationship between the disease and the intestinal flora. They emphasize the role of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in disease progression. Insulin resistance and micro-elements (iron, copper) in relation to liver damage are also discussed, and genetic and epigenetic aspects underlying disease progression are summarized. Discovery of novel treatment options, assessment of the effectiveness of treatment, as well as the success and proper timing of liver transplantation may depend on a better understanding of the process of disease progression

Effect of Different Chlorine Sources on the Formation of 3-Monochloro-1,2-Propanediol and 2-Monochloro-1,3-Propanediol Fatty Acid Esters during Frying

Several studies indicated that chlorine salts provoke 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol fatty acid esters (3-MCPD-FE) and 2-monochloro-1,3- propanediol fatty acid esters (2-MCPD-FE) formation in oils during frying. The amount of MCPD strongly depends on the type and the amount of chlorine salt. Food raw materials, additives themselves may contain several chlorine compounds, providing precursors for 2- and 3-MCPD-FE formation during frying. Then, the fat uptake can cause measurable concentrations in the fried food as well. This paper aims at screening chlorine compounds occurring in food industry. Influence of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) on the formation of MCPD-FE was investigated, mimicking frying conditions (175-180 °C, atmospheric pressure), applying high oleic sunflower oil as frying medium. 2-MCPD-FE and 3-MCPD-FE were determined by using an indirect method based on alkaline-catalyzed transesterification and GC-MS analysis. As expected, the reference sample without using any chlorine salt resulted only slight increase in 3-MCPD-FE concentration, and no increase in 2-MCPD-FE concentration. In case of the stable salts minor formation was observed. At as high as 3 % dosage of NaCl and KCl 1.6 and 2.4 mg/kg 3-MCPD-FE generated, respectively. Adding CaCl2, NH4Cl and FeCl3 resulted in very strong MCPD-FE formation by both isomers (2- and 3-MCPD-FE) in this increasing order. 0.1 % FeCl3 generated 70 mg/kg 2-MCPD-FE and 238 mg/kg 3-MCPD-FE by the end of 8-hour heating

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired disease control in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome patients

INTRODUCTION: The association between vitamin D and clinical parameters in obstructive lung diseases (OLDs), including COPD and bronchial asthma, was previously investigated. As asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) is a new clinical entity, the prevalence of vitamin D levels in ACOS is unknown. AIM: Our aim was to assess the levels of circulating vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) in different OLDs, including ACOS patients, and its correlation with clinical parameters. METHODS: A total of 106 men and women (control, n=21; asthma, n=44; COPD, n=21; and ACOS, n=20) were involved in the study. All patients underwent detailed clinical examinations; disease control and severity was assessed by disease-specific questionnaires (COPD assessment test, asthma control test, and modified Medical Research Council); furthermore, 25(OH)D levels were measured in all patients. RESULTS: The 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in ACOS and COPD groups compared to asthma group (16.86+/-1.79 ng/mL and 14.27+/-1.88 ng/mL vs 25.66+/-1.91 ng/mL). A positive correlation was found between 25(OH)D level and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (r=0.4433; P<0.0001), forced vital capacity (FVC) (r=0.3741; P=0.0004), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (r=0.4179; P<0.0001), and peak expiratory flow (r=0.4846; P<0.0001) in OLD patient groups. Asthma control test total scores and the 25(OH)D level showed a positive correlation in the ACOS (r=0.4761; P=0.0339) but not in the asthma group. Higher COPD assessment test total scores correlated with decreased 25(OH)D in ACOS (r=-0.4446; P=0.0495); however, this was not observed in the COPD group. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is present in ACOS patients and circulating 25(OH)D level may affect disease control and severity