Effect of nutritionally complete feed with different fatty acid profile on the fatty acid composition of common carp fillet

Hungarian pond fish production is based on grains, but in the last few years, new ideas and efforts have appeared to intensify carp production technology. The basic objective was to change grain-based feeding to nutritionally complete feeds, which ensure rapid growth and more efficient feed conversion rates. This study aimed to utilise empty ponds during the summer period for carp production. Thus, there is no need for fish producers to catch fish in large ponds at the operating water level to satisfy smaller market demands appearing during the summer.

The other aim was to compare the meat quality of fish raised on traditional and nutritionally complete feed until market size in the last year of production. Fatty acid profile and the levels of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish fillets were specified, and their ratios were analysed. The result showed that nutritionally complete feed with different fatty acid composition affects the fatty acid composition of carp fillet during the rearing period. Quality of the fillet of carp fed with higher unsaturated fatty acid content became more favourable to the consumers due to health promoting effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Intrinsic volumes of inscribed random polytopes in smooth convex bodies

Let K be a d-dimensional convex body with a twice continuously differentiable boundary and everywhere positive Gauss-Kronecker curvature. Denote by Kn the convex hull of n points chosen randomly and independently from K according to the uniform distribution. Matching lower and upper bounds are obtained for the orders of magnitude of the variances of the sth intrinsic volumes Vs(Kn) of Kn for s ∈ {1,…,d}. Furthermore, strong laws of large numbers are proved for the intrinsic volumes of Kn. The essential tools are the economic cap covering theorem of Bárány and Larman, and the Efron-Stein jackknife inequality.

On Random Disc Polygons in Smooth Convex Discs

In this paper we generalize some of the classical results of Rényi and Sulanke (1963), (1964) in the context of spindle convexity. A planar convex disc S is spindle convex if it is the intersection of congruent closed circular discs. The intersection of finitely many congruent closed circular discs is called a disc polygon. We prove asymptotic formulae for the expectation of the number of vertices, missed area, and perimeter difference of uniform random disc polygons contained in a sufficiently smooth spindle convex disc.

Cd-Fe interactions: comparison of the effects of iron deficiency and cadmium on growth and photosynthetic performance in poplar

To check the importance of Cd-induced iron deficiency in Cd stress, symptoms of Cd stress were compared with those of iron deficiency or the combination of these two stresses. Poplar plants grown in hydroponics with Fe-EDTA (e) or Fe-citrate (c) up to four-leaf stage were treated for two weeks either by the withdrawal of iron (Fedef), or supplying 10 μM Cd(NO3)2 in the presence (Cad) or absence of an iron source (Fedef + Cad). Cadmium and iron content of leaves developing under the stress was in the order of cCad > eCad > cFedef + Cad and cCad ≈ eFedef ≈ cFedef + Cad < eCad < cFedef, respectively. Growth inhibition was much stronger in Cad than Fedef plants. The inhibitory effects on CO2 fixation, maximal and actual efficiency of PSII, chlorophyll synthesis, as well as the stimulation of the accumulation of violaxanthin cycle components and increase in non-photochemical quenching were the strongest in cFedef+Cad plants, otherwise these parameters changed parallel to the iron deficiency of leaves. Tendency of changes in thylakoid composition were similar under Cad treatments and strong iron deficiency: particularly PSI and LHCII decreased. Therefore, the development of the photosynthetic apparatus under Cd stress was mainly influenced by the Cd-induced strong iron deficiency, while leaf growth was affected primarily by the presence of Cd.

Effects of two iron sources on iron and cadmium allocation in poplar (Populus alba) plants exposed to cadmium

Effects of 10 microM cadmium (supplied as Cd nitrate) on the utilization and allocation of iron (Fe) were investigated in poplar (Populus alba L.) plants grown in nutrient solution with Fe(III)-EDTA or Fe(III)-citrate as the Fe source. The effects of Cd were also compared with those of Fe deprivation. The accumulation of Fe in roots was 10-fold higher in plants grown with Fe-citrate than with Fe-EDTA. Cadmium decreased leaf chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic rates, and these decreases were more marked in plants grown with Fe-citrate than with Fe-EDTA. In both Fe treatments, addition of Cd caused large increases in root and shoot apoplasmic and non-apoplasmic Cd contents and increases in root Fe content; however, Cd decreased shoot Fe content, especially in plants grown with Fe-citrate. New leaves of plants grown with Fe-citrate had small cellular (non-apoplasmic) Fe pools, whereas these pools were large in new leaves of plants grown with Fe-EDTA. Non-apoplasmic Cd pools in new leaves were smaller in plants grown with Fe-citrate than with Fe-EDTA, indicating that inactivation of non-apoplasmic Cd pools is facilitated more by Fe-EDTA than by Fe-citrate. In the presence of Cd, Fe-EDTA was also superior to Fe-citrate in maintaining an adequate Fe supply to poplar shoots. Differences in plant responses to Fe-EDTA and Fe-citrate may reflect differences in long-distance transport of Fe rather than in acquisition of Fe by roots.

[Difficulties in the treatment of secondary cataracts with the YAG-Nd laser]

The paper presents a clinical study performed about 402 patients with secondary cataract treated between 1989-1994 with YAG-Nd Laser capsulotomy in the University Eye Hospital from Tg. Mureş. We described the technique used, taking into consideration the recovery obtained, the early and belated complications and the secondary effects.

Deletion patterns of dystrophin gene in Hungarian patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophies

Deletion pattern analysis of the dystrophin gene was performed in 159 Hungarian patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy. In 116 cases (73% of total patients), exon deletions were detected by PCR amplification. In 37 patients (31.9% of patients with a deletion) one exon was deleted, while five or more exons were missing in 40 children (34.4%). With respect to the proximal-distal distribution of the deletions, 90 children (77.6%) had deletions exclusively at the 3' end of the gene, 21 deletions (18.1%) affected only the 5' end, and in five patients (4.3%) large-scale deletions were detected, which affected both regions. Analysis of the breakpoint distribution pattern in the dystrophin gene showed that, similarly to that observed in several Western European populations, intron 44 was involved most frequently (n = 35, 15.1%) as a starting breakpoint. In the Hungarian population introns 50 and 52 were the second (n = 30, 12.9%) and third (n = 29, 12.5%) most frequently observed hot spots at the 3' end; these seem to be characteristic for the Hungarian patients. At the 5' end the breakpoint peak (n = 6, 2.58%) was in intron two. As it was proposed by previous national studies, our findings also suggest that certain intronic sequences, characteristic for a population, probably determine the development of a preferential breakpoint profile in this disease.

Absence of 185delAG mutation of the BRCA1 gene and 6174delT mutation of the BRCA2 gene in Ashkenazi Jewish men with prostate cancer

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a clustering of breast and prostate cancers in some families. Moreover, there is an increase in the number of cases of prostate cancer in families with inherited mutations of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1. We assessed the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in prostate cancer. We tested for the BRCA1 185delAG frameshift mutation, found in 0.9% of Ashkenazi Jews, and the BRCA2 6174delT mutation, found in 1% of Ashkenazi Jews, in Ashkenazi Jewish men with prostate cancer. We studied 60 Ashkenazi men with prostate cancer. A family history was obtained by interview or a self-report questionnaire. Histological confirmation of diagnosis was obtained for all subjects. Ethnic background was confirmed for all subjects by self-report or interview. Mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were detected by amplification of lymphocyte DNA from peripheral blood according to standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot blot procedures. Patients' ages ranged from 55 to 80 years (mean +/- s.d. 70 +/- 5.25). There were six men with a family history of prostate cancer; three of these had a father with prostate cancer. Five of the men had a family history of breast cancer, in a mother, a sister or an aunt. None of the men had a family history of both breast and prostate cancer. None of the 60 men carried the 185delAG BRCA1 or 6174delT BRCA2 mutations. Of 268 Ashkenazi Jewish women with sporadic breast cancer, tested in an unrelated study, 16 carried either the 185delAG mutation of BRCA1 or the 6174delT mutation of BRCA2. There was a significant difference in the incidence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the breast and prostate cancer cases (P = 0.05, two-tailed Fisher's exact test). The contribution of germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations to prostate cancer incidence is probably small and could be limited to specific subgroups.

[100 years since the death of Helmholtz]

In September 1994, we celebrated 100 years since Hermann von Helmholtz died. Inventor of the ophthalmoscope, professor in physiology since he was 30 (at Königsberg), Helmholtz also contributed to the development of thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, electrodynamics, he made studies on muscular contraction, music, theory, accommodation mechanisms. He also revealed that the interpretation of sounds is done at the level of resonators--represented by perilympha and basilar lamellae which enter in vibration accordingly with the respective sound frequency.

[Fetal and neonatal endocarditis]

Two infants with endocarditis were diagnosed at our Institute within a six month period. One infant died due to severe aortic valve destruction and ruptured sinus Valsalvae aneurysm both of which developed during fetal life. The other one with tricuspid valve endocarditis was successfully treated after the early echocardiographic diagnosis. To our knowledge this patient is the only survivor with neonatal endocarditis in our country.

[Myotomia laminae globalis--a surgical method in correcting strabismus]

The authors describe the surgical technique "myotomia laminae globalis", applied during 1990 and May 1994 in the Ophthalmological Clinic of Târgu-Mureş, on 39 patients. The method was applied as singular intervention in 4 cases for completing the intervention through muscle resection. The proposed method proved to be simple, without danger and leading to good results.

[The visual prognosis in congenital cataract]

The authors focus on the evolution of visual function postoperatorial, based on 349 patients which where diagnosed and operated by congenital cataract, during 1973-1992, in Tg. Mureş Ophthalmological Clinic. All the interventions were done by discising the anterior capsula and washing the lens masses. After studying these cases, the authors conclude that visual prognosis of the operated eye depends on the presence of other congenital abnormalities, on the age of the patient and on the intervention type. In spite of all surgical progresses, congenital cataract still stands as an affection with reserved functional consequences.

[Monophthalmia and automobile driving]

The estimation of the visual abilities of monophtalmic patients must be done individually and the driving licence must be released only after careful consideration of all the anatomo-functional aspects of the eye in connection with the functional state of the nervous system. For releasing the driving licence to monophthalmic patients are proposed to be done: the determination of the kinetical visual acuity, the exam of the stereoscopic vision and the effectuation of some psychological tests by the ophthalmologist.

[The practical aspects of the monocular wearing of a contact lens]

The contact lens was prescribed to 64 cases, 38 of which having postsurgical monolateral aphakia. The lens extraction was made in 28 cases with traumatic cataract, 7 cases with complicated cataract and 3 cases with monolateral congenital cataract. The application of contact lens was made from two months to three years after the cataract operation; 6 patients wore before the surgical act usual glasses to correct the aphakia. After that the patients were called back monthly to controls; we used these opportunities to collect data about the advantages and disadvantages of contact lens wearing.

Increased density of histiocytes in uterine leiomyomas

The histiocyte content of leiomyomata and adjacent, histologically normal myometrium has been quantified morphometrically with the help of recently developed immunostaining for tissue macrophages. Histiocytes identified by immunoreaction for Factor XII subunit A and by double immunofluorescent labelings were found to be identical with tissue macrophages present in normal uteri. Histiocyte counts were significantly higher in leiomyomatous areas than in adjacent normal myometrium, and the distribution of these cells was also changed. In the normal uterine wall, histiocytes could be detected only in the connective tissue septa separating smooth muscle bundles, while in the myomatous nodules they were diffusely scattered throughout the whole area. In addition to providing new information on the cellular composition of leiomyomas, the present observations also raise several questions concerning the possible pathogenetic role of FXIII-positive histiocytes in neoplastic proliferation of uterine smooth muscle.

[The periphery of the iris in glaucoma]

The author surveys, on the basis of some personal observations, the bibliographic data referring to the role of the iris in excretion of the aqueous humor. The second part of the paper reports on the authors clinical material, with emphasis on the great number of cases of atrophy of the iris periphery in the simple glaucoma and that appearing in the advanced age. The book concludes with references on the etiopathogenic correlations between the structural modifications of the iris root and the changes of intraocular tension.

[The immunological aspects of Behçet's syndrome]

The present paper reviews the basic clinical symptoms and associated manifestations in Behçet's syndrome, emphasizing the general character of the disease due to generalized vasculitis. The nature of the disease is discussed in view of recent data referring to the immunologic aspects. It is now accepted that a viral infection plays a role in triggering the disease and that continuous changes predominate the immune system modifying the varied clinical picture of Behçet's syndrome.

Pharmacokinetics of a sustained-release trimazosin tablet formulation

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of a trimazosin sustained-release tablet (SRT) formulation (300 mg) were studied in healthy volunteers. In the first study of 12 subjects, the bioequivalence of trimazosin, 100 mg, in a standard tablet (ST) and in a capsule was demonstrated. After that, the bioavailability of one SRT (300 mg) was compared with that of the STs, (100 mg three times a day), in 19 subjects. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) after SRT (8.1 +/- 3.0 mg/L) was significantly lower than that observed after ST (13.5 +/- 2.3 mg/L), time to peak was strongly delayed by a factor 7, and the time when plasma concentrations were higher than half of Cmax (t Cmax/2) was longer (10.4 +/- 3.2 vs 2.3 +/- 0.6 hours, p less than 0.001). Bioavailability of the SRT (300 mg) as measured by the area under the curve (AUC00) was about 65% of the ST. At the seventh dose, after single daily doses of the SRT in 12 subjects, the mean Cmax values were not significantly higher than after the first dose (8.6 +/- 3.2 mg/L vs 7.7 +/- 2.2 mg/L), t Cmax/2 values were the same (10.4 hours), and the AUC0-24 hr was comparable to AUC00 calculated after the first dose. Steady-state plasma concentration of trimazosin was obtained rapidly. No accumulation of trimazosin or its metabolite occurred.

[Pharmacokinetics of theophylline and circadian rhythm]

In the purpose to evaluate the circadian changes of theophylline pharmacokinetic, 8 healthy subjects (age range 22-39 y, weight 54-91 kg) were given a single oral dose of 4,5 mg/kg theophylline solution. Administration was made randomly at 9 a.m. after 12 hours fasting and at 9 p.m. After evening administration the subjects remained awake during the night and a standardized meal was served 4 h and 9 h after theophylline intake. Plasma theophylline concentrations were measured by a high performance liquid chromatography. Absorption is significantly faster in the morning than in the evening but C max values were identical. Plasma elimination half-life is significantly different (8,01 +/- 1,95 h in the morning, 6,23 +/- 1,75 h in the evening). No significant modifications were observed of the area under the curve, the body clearance, the apparent volume of distribution. There were no differences in the total body clearance, the area under the concentration-time curve, the apparent volume of distribution.

[Study of the ocular toxicity of ethambutol]

Thirty cases were studied, of children aged between 4 and 5 years, with latent or manifest (overt) pulmonary tuberculosis under treatment with etambutol (EMB) administered intermittently (2/7) in amounts of 25 mg. per kg of body weight. Ophtalmological investigations consisted in evaluation of the visual acuity, of the visual field, of the chromatic sense, pupillary reflexes and an examination of the fundus. These were performed before the start of the treatment, then at 3 and 6 months after the treatment was begun. No cases of toxic ocular manifestations was recorded. The results are discussed on the basis of data from the literature, and care is recommended in the administration of etambutol.