Review on flower-visiting behaviour of orthopterans and setting priorities for further studies

The importance of pollination and pollinators is easy to underestimate and impossible to overstate, since its importance goes far beyond the crop production and even the maintenance of plant populations. Most terrestrial ecosystems ultimately depend on the plant-pollinator interactions formed by million years coevolution. This is essential for both the daily functioning of the ecosystems and the long-term development of biodiversity. At the same time, the loss of biodiversity caused by climate change and human activities will soon lead to an ecological crisis, a catastrophe, which could endanger our life: For example, through the decline and loss of various ecosystem services. Such may be the pollination crisis, resulted from a significant loss of pollinating insects' diversity and abundance. The discovery of a pollinator Orthoptera species has encouraged researchers in the densely populated region of Indo-Malaysia to explore the potential role of orthopterans as pollinators. Although the flower visitation of some species has been already known, the role of orthopterans in pollination is scarcely revealed. Here, we collected and reviewed the available data in order to point out some factors of their importance and set priorities that may serve as a basis for further investigations regarding ecological, evolutionary and practical points of view.

Setting priorities and evaluation of habitats for the conservation of orthopterans: case study in the Aggtelek National Park (N Hungary)

The biodiversity conservation needs recent high-quality data and efficient methods for prioritizing species and sites for conservation. Here we prioritized Orthoptera habitats of the Aggtelek National Park, based on revised and actualized distribution data of 69 Orthoptera species living at 98 sites. The simple ranking and complementary areas methods were used with species richness (S), rarity weighted species richness (SR), and number of rare species (SQ). Additionally, the Grasshopper Conservation Indexes (GCI" and GCIn") combining European and local rarity and dispersal capacity of the species were also tested. Contrary to simple ranking the complementary areas method represented the whole fauna and significant part of the species-site data records. All the used indices performed similar except the standardized GCIn" which is highly affected by the differences in study intensity of sites. High-priority areas of the Aggtelek National Park were designated in the plateau above Jósvafő and Aggtelek villages and in the small, isolated hill near Jósvafő (Szőlő-hegy) covered with remained mosaic of former vineyards, orchards and hayfields. The combined use of the efficient indices provides additional ranking that allows the best selection of hotspots to support efficient use of limited resources in nature conservation.

Multidisciplinary management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic had a major impact on most medical services. Our aim was to assess the outcome of acute cholecystitis during the nationwide lockdown period. All patients admitted to our emergency department for AC were analysed. Patient characteristics, performance status, AC severity, treatment modality and outcome of AC were assessed during the lockdown period (Period II: 1 April 2020-30 November 2021) and compared to a historical control period (Period I: 1 May 2017-31 December 2018). AC admissions increased by 72.8% in Period II. Patients were younger (70 vs. 74 years, p = 0.017) and greater in number in the CCI 1 group (20.4% vs. 11.2%, p = 0.043) in Period II. The unplanned readmission rate (6.3 vs. 0%, p = 0.004) and the gallbladder perforation (GP) rate was higher (18.0 vs. 7.3%, p = 0.006) in Period II. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was more frequent (24.1 vs. 12.8%, p = 0.012) in Period II. In addition to a drop in patient age and CCI, a significant rise in the prevalence of acute cholecystitis, GP and unplanned readmissions was observed during the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PTGBD was more frequent during this period, whereas successful conservative treatment was less frequent.

Size distribution and relationship of airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA to indoor aerosol in hospital ward environments

Aerosol particles proved to play a key role in airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Therefore, their size-fractionated collection and analysis is invaluable. However, aerosol sampling in COVID departments is not straightforward, especially in the sub-500-nm size range. In this study, particle number concentrations were measured with high temporal resolution using an optical particle counter, and several 8 h daytime sample sets were collected simultaneously on gelatin filters with cascade impactors in two different hospital wards during both alpha and delta variants of concern periods. Due to the large number (152) of size-fractionated samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies could be statistically analyzed over a wide range of aerosol particle diameters (70-10 µm). Our results revealed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is most likely to exist in particles with 0.5-4 µm aerodynamic diameter, but also in ultrafine particles. Correlation analysis of particulate matter (PM) and RNA copies highlighted the importance of indoor medical activity. It was found that the daily maximum increment of PM mass concentration correlated the most with the number concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the corresponding size fractions. Our results suggest that particle resuspension from surrounding surfaces is an important source of SARS-CoV-2 RNA present in the air of hospital rooms.

Clinical determinants of non-invasive global myocardial work index before and after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a prospective study

 

The estimation of non-invasive global myocardial work indices is a novel method of the left ventricular (LV) functional assessment, which may overcome the load-sensitvity of the traditional functional measures. The diagnostic and prognostic role of this approach may gain particular importance in pressure overload states, such as in patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, the longitudinal changes of this recently introduced measure are scarcely investigated, and data are also lacking about the main determinants of these measures.

Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the clinical determinants of preoperative and also postoperative GMWI in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Fifty patients (62% male, age: 78±5 years) were enrolled. Prior to the procedure, subjects underwent echocardiographic investigation and the detailed medical history was also recorded. Speckle-tracking analysis was performed and global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured. LV pressure curve was estimated by adding the mean aortic valve gradient to the systolic blood pressure. Using these measures, global myocardial work index (GMWI) and global constructive work index (CMWI) was quantified by commercially available software. A 6 months follow-up examination was also performed and at that time point we determined the aforementioned parameters.

At follow-up, GLS has significantly increased (−13.0±4.1 vs. −14.8±3.8%; p<0.001), while GMWI was significantly lower compared to baseline (1789±748 vs. 1506±561 mmHg%, p<0.01). CMWI did not differ between the two time points (2309±782 vs. 2086±609 mmHg%, p=0.11). Using multivariable analysis, age (β=0.30; p<0.05) preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (β=−0.48; p<0.001) and having a pacemaker (β=−0.44; p<0.01) were found to be independent predictors of the preoperative GMWI (R2=0.39; overall p<0.001). On the other hand, postoperative GMWI was determined (R2=0.48; overall p<0.001) by gender (β=−0.25; p<0.05), the presence of diabetes mellitus (β=−0.37; p<0.01) and also by having a pacemaker (β=−0.38; p<0.01).

TAVR significantly alters LV functional measures. Different clinical factors influence GMWI before and after the procedure: age, NYHA class-based symptom severity and having a pacemaker were found to be independently associated with preoperative GMWI, while gender, the presence of diabetes mellitus and pacemaker device are the most important clinical determinants of the postoperative GMWI value.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Internet Use Related to Suicidal Thoughts and Help-Seeking – Preliminary Results of a Study with Depressive Patients

Introduction

Suicide-related Internet use is becoming more common, and many research study its potential risks and benefits.

Objectives

Data on suicidal thoughts and Internet use of patients with depressive disorders were collected to assess their suicide-related Internet use and its relation to help-seeking preferences.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were completed to assess Internet use patterns and suicidal thoughts among patients treated with depressive disorders, and preferred forms of help-seeking were also examined.

Results

113 patients completed the interviews, most of them spend more hours a day using the Internet. More than 80% came across suicide-related contents while browsing, a quarter reported specific search for suicidal contents. In case of suicidal thoughts, three-quarters of depressed patients would seek help from a mental health professional, two-thirds from their partners, half from friends, and nearly one-third from parents, other relatives or from GPs. Most patients would prefer offline (personal) help for their psychological problems and suicidal thoughts, online methods were less preferred, with only one-fifth choosing these options. However, a third of them also considered it probable that they would not ask anyone for help.

Conclusions

Despite of the frequent use of the Internet, online help-seeking is less common in depressive patients. However, in the times of pandemic, online help facilities may provide an opportunity to prevent suicidal behavior for those, who have suicidal thoughts and use the Internet regularly, especially searching for suicide-related contents. In the future, further research is needed to develop more effective online suicide prevention programs and applications.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Changes of the non-invasive myocardial work in patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: the influence of left bundle branch block

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) are known to have substantially increased afterload sensitivity. It gains particular importance in subjects with aortic stenosis: patients with pre-existing LBBB may benefit more from interventions such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) by an effective and rapid reduction of the left ventricular (LV) pressures.

Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the changes of LV myocardial work indices in patients undergoing TAVR by the presence of preoperative LBBB. Non-invasive myocardial work indices are novel echocardiographic parameters which adjust LV deformation to the instantaneous LV pressure, overcoming the the load-sensitivity of the traditional LV functional measures.

Thirty patients undergoing TAVR were enrolled (37% female; age: 78±6 years; aortic valve area [AVA]: 0.7±0.3 cm2). Fourteen patients (47%; LBBB group) showed LBBB pattern on ECG, by demonstrating native LBBB (n=6; 20%) or having ventricular pacing dependency (n=8; 27%), while 16 patients had narrow QRS (53%; non-LBBB group). Prior to the procedure, subjects underwent a detailed echocardiographic investigation. Speckle-tracking analysis was performed and global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured. LV pressure curve was estimated by adding the mean aortic valve gradient to the aortic systolic pressure. Using these measures, LV global constructive work index (CMWI) and global work efficiency (GWE). were quantified by commercially available software. A 6 months follow-up examination was also performed and at that time point we determined the aforementioned parameters.

As expected, AVA significantly improved after the procedure in the pooled study group (1.8±0.4 cm2; p<0.001). GLS also significantly increased (-13.2±4.2 vs. -15.2±3.9 %; p<0.01), while CMWI only showed a tendential decrease (2422±788 vs. 2166±640 mmHg%; p=NS) at the follow-up. GLS (-10.6±3.7 vs. -15.5±3.4%; p<0.001), CMWI (1877±679 vs. 2898±529 mmHg%; p<0.001), and also GWE (82±9 vs. 91±4%; p<0.01) was significantly lower in the LBBB-group compared to the non-LBBB patients. At the follow-up, GLS was still significantly lower in the LBBB patients (-13.2±4.6 vs. -16.9±2.1%; p<0.01), however, CMWI was comparable between the two groups (1956±776 vs. 2350±439 mmHg%, p=NS).

Pressure overload of the LV may affect patients with LBBB substantially more than subjects without it. TAVR causes an immediate and significant decrease in the LV afterload, which results in a more pronounced improvement in the LBBB group compared to those with no LBBB.

Using metabolic markers to identify insulin resistance in premenopausal women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Quantifying IR is invasive and time-consuming, and thus not routinely used in clinical practice. Simple metabolic markers to predict IR exist, but have not been validated in premenopausal women or women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of metabolic markers to identify premenopausal women with/without PCOS who are insulin resistant.

DESIGN/SETTING

Cross-sectional analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and seventy-one non-diabetic premenopausal overweight/obese women without PCOS and 71 women with PCOS.

METHODS

IR was quantified by the steady-state plasma glucose during the modified insulin-suppression test. Metabolic markers (BMI, lipid/lipoprotein concentrations, and fasting glucose) were evaluated for their discriminative ability to identify IR, using area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis. Optimal cut-points were evaluated for predictive power.

RESULTS

In the non-PCOS group, the triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) was the best marker (AUROC 0.73). Optimal diagnostic cut-point was 1.9. In the PCOS group, the TG/HDL-C ratio, cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (TC/HDL-C), and HDL-C performed well (AUROC > 0.80), with optimal cut-points for TG/HDL-C 1.3, TC/HDL-C 3.4, and HDL-C 52 mg/dL: TG/HDL-C was more sensitive, but HDL-C had a higher PPV for IR.

CONCLUSION

TG/HDL-C can identify IR in premenopausal women with and/without PCOS; diagnostic cut-points differ from those of men and postmenopausal women. HDL-C is an alternative predictor in women with PCOS. These simple metabolic markers, which are standardized between labs, inexpensive, and routinely measured, can be used to tailor lifestyle and medical interventions to improve health outcomes in insulin-resistant premenopausal women.

Real-life measurement of size-fractionated aerosol concentration in a plethysmography box during the COVID-19 pandemic and estimation of the associated viral load

Introduction

There are concerns about pulmonary function tests (PFTs) being associated with aerosol generation and enhanced virus transmission. As a consequence, the number of PFTs was reduced significantly during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, there are no robust data supporting this fear.

Objectives

To perform real-life measurement of aerosol concentrations in a PFT laboratory to monitor the concentration of particles near the patient, and to model the associated potential viral load.

Methods

Two optical particle counters were used to sample the background concentration and the concentration of particles near the patient's mouth in a whole-body plethysmography box. Statistical evaluation of the measured particle concentration time series was completed. The particle exhalation rate was assessed based on the measured particle concentration data by applying the near-field/far-field theory. The number of exhaled viruses by an infected patient during the test was compared with the emission of viruses during quiet breathing and speaking.

Results

Twenty-five patients were included in the study. Eighteen patients showed a significant increase in aerosol concentration [mean 1910 (standard deviation 593) particles/L]. Submicron particles dominated the number size distribution of the generated particles, but large particles represented a higher volume fraction in the generated particles compared with background. An average gene exhalation rate of 0.2/min was estimated from this data. This is one order of magnitude higher than the release rate for the same infected person during quiet breathing, and of the same order of magnitude as the release rate during normal speaking.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that PFTs are aerosol-generating procedures. Based on these results, the moderate increase in viral load does not underpin stopping such examinations.

Mechanically deboned turkey meat with improved digestibility and biological value

Enzymatic hydrolysates of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) for a long time have been used as flavouring and functional food ingredients in the food industry and also as the bases of formula foods for special dietary uses.

The aim of the present study was to produce MDM hypo-antigenic products with improved digestibility and high biological value to be used as a milk protein alternative. turkey MDM was treated with digestive enzymes (trypsin and/or α-chymotrypsin, or pancreatin), followed by freeze drying. The optimised reaction conditions of hydrolysis were at 6% (w/v) of meat protein in 0.1% NaHCO3 buffer, pH 7.5; pancreatin enzyme with 50 TAME units/g meat protein substrate, 37 °C and 60 min). Hydrolysates (MDMH) were assessed for degree of hydrolyses (DH, %) by using trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid method and MW distribution by SDS-PAGE. Modification of immune reactive binding sites in MDMHs was monitored by immunoblot with cow’s milk, chicken egg or meat allergic human patients’ sera. Biological value indices (True Digestibility (TD), Net Protein Utilisation (NPU), Biological Value (BV)) were determined using rat feeding trials. Among the MDMH products, the pancreatic hydrolysate proved to be the most favourable in terms of biological value and digestibility as well as hypoallergenic property.

A 1D Lyman-alpha profile camera for plasma edge neutral studies on the DIII-D tokamak

A one dimensional, absolutely calibrated pinhole camera system was installed on the DIII-D tokamak to measure edge Lyman-alpha (Ly-α) emission from hydrogen isotopes, which can be used to infer neutral density and ionization rate profiles. The system is composed of two cameras, each providing a toroidal fan of 20 lines of sight, viewing the plasma edge on the inboard and outboard side of DIII-D. The cameras' views lie in a horizontal plane 77 cm below the midplane. At its tangency radius, each channel provides a radial resolution of ∼2 cm full width at half maximum (FWHM) with a total coverage of 22 cm. Each camera consists of a rectangular pinhole, Ly-α reflective mirror, narrow-band Ly-α transmission filter, and a 20 channel AXUV photodetector. The combined mirror and transmission filter have a FWHM of 5 nm, centered near the Ly-α wavelength of 121.6 nm and is capable of rejecting significant, parasitic carbon-III (C-III) emission from intrinsic plasma impurities. To provide a high spatial resolution measurement in a compact footprint, the camera utilizes advanced engineering and manufacturing techniques including 3D printing, high stability mirror mounts, and a novel alignment procedure. Absolutely calibrated, spatially resolved Ly-α brightness measurements utilize a bright, isolated line with low parasitic surface reflections and enable quantitative comparison to modeling to study divertor neutral leakage, main chamber fueling, and radial particle transport.

Absolute calibration of the Lyman-α measurement apparatus at DIII-D

The LLAMA (Lyman-Alpha Measurement Apparatus) diagnostic was recently installed on the DIII-D tokamak [Rosenthal et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. (submitted) (2020)]. LLAMA is a pinhole camera system with a narrow band Bragg mirror, a bandpass interference filter, and an absolute extreme ultraviolet photodiode detector array, which measures the Ly-α brightness in the toroidal direction on the inboard, high field side (HFS) and outboard, low field side (LFS). This contribution presents a setup and a procedure for an absolute calibration near the Ly-α line at 121.6 nm. The LLAMA in-vacuum components are designed as a compact, transferable setup that can be mounted in an ex situ vacuum enclosure that is equipped with an absolutely calibrated Ly-α source. The spectral purity and stability of the Ly-α source are characterized using a vacuum ultraviolet spectrometer, while the Ly-α source brightness is measured by a NIST-calibrated photodiode. The non-uniform nature of the Ly-α source emission was overcome by performing a calibration procedure that scans the Ly-α source position and employs a numerical optimization to determine the emission pattern. Nominal and measured calibration factors are determined and compared, showing agreement within their uncertainties. A first conversion of the measured signal obtained from DIII-D indicates that the Ly-α brightness on the HFS and LFS is on the order of 10²⁰ Ph sr^-1 m^-2 s^-1. The established calibration setup and procedure will be regularly used to re-calibrate the LLAMA during DIII-D vents to monitor possible degradation of optical components and detectors.

Impact assessment of the TFA regulation on fatty acid composition of foods in Hungary

Trans fatty acids are formed during the industrial processing of food, and are proven to be harmful for the human body. They have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, abdominal obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Decree 71/2013. (XI. 20.) of the Ministry of Human Capacities, which has been in force since 2014, defines the highest permitted amount of trans fats in food products placed on the market in Hungary. The impact of the decree on the industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) availability and population intake was assessed in 2017. Results demonstrated that iTFA were replaced by other fatty acids due to the legislation. In 2019, we investigated food groups which had high measured TFA content before the regulation entered into force and compared the total fat and fatty acid profiles to the same brand or similar products being on the market afterwards. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, this was the first assessment to determine to which extent manufacturers increased saturated fat (SFA) content of foodstuffs to reduce iTFA content. In those product groups, which were identified as significant food sources of iTFA before introducing the regulation (biscuits, coffee creamers and flavorings, sweets, bakery products, confectionary, wafers, margarines) we found no significant changes in the total fat content, while in most foodstuffs the average proportion of SFA was higher after reformulation, as iTFA were mainly substituted with SFA in 61% of the products, with cis-MUFA in 25% and cis-PUFA in 14% of the products, respectively. Evidence from this analysis supports concerns that eliminating iTFA in certain foodstuffs leads to unwanted substitution with saturated fat, hence reducing the possible health benefits. Given the high SFA intake and the unfavourable cardiovascular statistics in Hungary, the consumption frequency and portion size control of these products are advised.

Key messages

Monitoring the changes of food composition is important in order to evaluate the effect of the regulation. Manufacturers should be encouraged to reduce the SFA content to a technologically feasible level.

STUDY OF CHITINASE AND CHITINOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF LACTOBACILLUS STRAINS

The increasing consumer demand for less processed and more natural food products – while improving those products’ quality, safety, and shelf-life – has raised the necessity of chemical preservative replacement. Biopreservation refers to extended storage life and enhanced safety of foods using the natural microflora and (or) their antibacterial products. Chitinolytic enzymes are of biotechnological interest, since their substrate, chitin, is a major structural component of the cell wall of fungi, which are the main cause of the spoilage of food and raw plant material. Among the several organisms, many bacteria produce chitinolytic enzymes, however, this behaviour is not general. The chitinase activity of the lactic acid bacteria is scarcely known and studied.

The aim of the present study was to select Lactobacillus strains that have genes encoding chitinase, furthermore, to detect expressed enzymes and to characterise their chitinase activity. Taking into consideration the importance of chitin-bindig proteins (CBPs) in the chitinase activity, CBPs were also examined. Five Lactobacillus strains out of 43 strains from 12 different species were selected by their chitinase coding gene. The presence of the chitinase and chitin-biding protein production were confirmed, however, no chitinolytic activity has been identified.

1642 Mitral annulus disjunction, a rare form of focal arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Funding Acknowledgements

Project no. NVKP_16-1-2016-0017 has been implemented with the support provided from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary

The rate of sudden cardiac death in mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients is roughly twice that observed in the general population. Arrhythmogenic bileaflet MVP syndrome has been recently described and mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) has been found associated with papillary muscle fibrosis and ventricular arrhythmias even without severe mitral regurgitation. An underlying primary structural myocardial disease might be expected and the non-invasive imaging techniques are playing an increasingly important role in the detection of myocardial fibrosis as a focal arrhythmogenic substrate. Standard 2D-, 3D- and speckle tracking echocardiography and cardiac MRI can help to differentiate between the benign and malignant forms of MVP.

A 52-year-old man with a history of hypertension was referred for evaluation of frequent palpitations and presyncope. Ambulatory Holter monitoring showed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and non-sustained ventricular tachycardias. Dilated left ventricle (LVEDD: 65mm, LVESD: 45 mm) and left atrium (LAVi: 52mL/m2), moderately reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function (LVEF: 42%), and reduced LV global longitudinal strain (GLS: -13.5%) with severely decreased segmental longitudinal strain in the basal inferolateral segment were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. The diastolic function was preserved, however Pickelhaube sign was noticed in the lateral mitral annulus TDI curves. MAD (17 mm) and curling motion of the inferolateral basal segment of the left ventricle was observed. Transesophageal echocardiography showed bileaflet mitral valve prolapse with the involvement of all the six scallops (mitral valve prolapse volume: 10.2 mL). Severe mitral regurgitation (3D vena contracta area: 1cm2) and extremely dilated and dyskinetic mitral annulus (diameters: 55x72x12 mm, area: 34 cm2) was measured by 3D echocardiography. MRI showed transmural late gadolinium enhancement in the underlying myocardium of both papillary muscles and midmyocardial enhancement in the basal inferior, inferolateral and anteroseptal LV segments. During electrophysiology study ventricular fibrillation was easily induced and ICD was placed for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. The patient was referred to the heart surgeon for mitral valve replacement.

This case highlights the importance of early recognition of MAD and arrhythmogenic MVP syndrome using novel non-invasive imaging techniques. The presence of MAD, the curling motion of the inferolateral basal LV segment, the Pickelhaube sign, the decreased LVEF and GLS, the characteristic segmental longitudinal strain pattern and the presence of late enhancement in the papillary muscles and the surrounding myocardium could be warning signs of the malignant form of MVP.

Abstract 1642 Figure. CMR images of arrhythmogenic MAD

Beliefs About Medicines: Differences in cholesterol treatment adherence among the Visegrad countries

Background

Raised cholesterol is a risk factor for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. New cholesterol guidelines highlight more personalized risk assessments and new cholesterol-lowering drugs for people at the highest risk for cardiovascular disease.

Methods

The aim of our study was to investigate the possible differences in the beliefs about the necessity and concerns regarding lipid-lowering drugs among the Visegrad Group countries. For this the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ-Specific) was used. The statistical analyses included 235 Czech, 205 Hungarian, 200 Polish, and 200 Slovak respondents, all of who were taking cholesterol lowering drugs.

Results

After comparing the answers of the citizens of the Visegrad Group countries, no statistically significant difference could be found regarding the concerns about the lipid-lowering drugs. However, related to the beliefs in necessity, a significant difference was shown between Poland and Hungary for the benefit of Polish participants. These results suggest, that the citizens of Visegrad Group countries do not differ regarding their beliefs about the fear of the treatment, while the beliefs about benefits are the most emphasized among the Polish citizens and less among the Hungarian citizens.

Conclusions

While policy makers in the Visegrad Group countries can use the same strategy to address the concerns regarding cholesterol lowering medication, the reasons behind the difference in the beliefs in necessity should be further investigated in order to implement country specific interventions.

The research was funded by the GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00005 project which is co-financed by

the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.

Key messages

No differences exist regarding the concerns for cholesterol lowering medication among the Visegrad Group countries. Concerning necessity significant differences were observed among the same countries, which prompts further research questions.

A multimodal pathway including the basal ganglia in the feline brain

The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of our present knowledge about the feline tecto-thalamo-basal ganglia cortical sensory pathway. We reviewed morphological and electrophysiological studies of the cortical areas, located in ventral bank of the anterior ectosylvian sulcus as well as the region of the insular cortex, the suprageniculate nucleus of the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and the substantia nigra. Microelectrode studies revealed common receptive field properties in all these structures. The receptive fields were extremely large and multisensory, with pronounced sensitivity to motion of visual stimuli. They often demonstrated directional and velocity selectivity. Preference for small visual stimuli was also a frequent finding. However, orientation sensitivity was absent. It became obvious that the structures of the investigated sensory loop exhibit a unique kind of information processing, not found anywhere else in the feline visual system.

Skin wound regeneration with bioactive glass-gold nanoparticles ointment

The bioactive glasses can lead to the promotion of growth of granulation tissue, while the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can induce the acceleration of wound healing including tissue regeneration, connective tissue formation, and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of using the bioactive glass (BG) and BG-AuNPs composites on skin wound healing in experimental rat models for 14 days. Sol-gel derived BGs and BG-AuNPs composites mixed with Vaseline at 6, 12 and 18 wt% were used to evaluate the repair response of the skin. During the process of healing, granulomatous reaction was observed in the wound treated with 12 and 18 wt% BG-Vaseline ointments. Furthermore, a strong vascular proliferation and complete wound regeneration were found in 18%BG-AuNPs-Vaseline treated groups. The results derived from the performed investigations revealed that the 18% BG-AuNPs-Vaseline ointment is a promising candidate for wound healing applications.

Chemical interactions between Saturn’s atmosphere and its rings

The Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft made close-up measurements of Saturn’s ionosphere and upper atmosphere in the 1970s and 1980s that suggested a chemical interaction between the rings and atmosphere. Exploring this interaction provides information on ring composition and the influence on Saturn’s atmosphere from infalling material. The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer sampled in situ the region between the D ring and Saturn during the spacecraft’s Grand Finale phase. We used these measurements to characterize the atmospheric structure and material influx from the rings. The atmospheric He/H2 ratio is 10 to 16%. Volatile compounds from the rings (methane; carbon monoxide and/or molecular nitrogen), as well as larger organic-bearing grains, are flowing inward at a rate of 4800 to 45,000 kilograms per second.

A multi-species powder dropper for magnetic fusion applications

We present a device for controlled injection of a variety of materials in powder form. The system implements four independent feeder units, arranged to share a single vertical drop tube. Each unit consists of a 80 ml reservoir, coupled to a horizontal linear trough, where a layer of powder is advanced by piezo-electric agitation at a speed proportional to the applied voltage, until it falls into a drop tube. The dropper has been tested with a number of impurities of low (B, BN, C), intermediate (Si, SiC), and high Z (Sn) and a variety of microscopic structures (flakes, spheres, rocks) and sizes (5-200 μm). For low Z materials, drop rates ∼2-200 mg/s have been obtained showing good repeatability and uniformity. A calibrated light-emitting diode (LED)-based flowmeter allows measuring and monitoring the drop rate during operation. The fast time-response of the four feeders allows combination of steady and pulsed injections, providing a flexible tool for controlled-dose, real-time impurity injection in fusion plasmas.

Variation in the TEK gene is not associated with asthma but with allergic conjunctivitis

The Tie2 receptor is an important player in angiogenesis. The Tie2 mRNA and protein are abundantly expressed in the lungs and the associated pathway also has an important role in the development and function of the eye. Tie2 is encoded by the TEK gene in humans. Recently, variations in the TEK gene have been found associated with asthma. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether variations in the TEK gene influenced the susceptibility to pediatric asthma and/or associated phenotypes like GINA status, viral- or exercise-induced asthma, allergic asthma, indoor, outdoor, inhalative allergies, IgE and eosonophil levels, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs3780315, rs581724 and rs7876024) in the TEK gene were genotyped in 1189 unrelated individuals, out of which 435 were asthmatic children and 754 healthy controls. Different types of asthma, allergies and co-morbidities were defined in 320 patients. Among the fully phenotyped 320 asthmatic patients 178 (55.6%) also had allergic rhinitis and 100 (31.3%) had conjunctivitis. Among the rhinitis patients 98 (55.1%) also had conjunctivitis. Two patients had conjunctivitis without rhinitis. The genotyped SNPs showed no association with asthma. However, SNP rs581724 was significantly associated with allergic conjunctivitis in a recessive way (p=0.007; OR=2.3 (1.3-4.4)) within the asthmatic population. The risk remained significant when the whole population (asthmatics and healthy controls) was included in the calculation (p = 0.003; OR = 2.1 (1.3-3.6)). The minor allele of the rs581724 SNP which is associated with the increased risk to conjunctivitis is also associated with reduced Tie2 expression. There was a significant association between SNP rs581724 and the occurrence of allergic conjunctivitis in asthmatic children. If additional studies can confirm the role of the Tie2 pathway in allergic conjunctivitis, it can be a potential novel therapeutic target in the disease.