Cyclodextrin (CD) complexes of cholesterol--their potential use in reducing dietary cholesterol intake.

The main objective of this investigation was to test and see if cyclodextrins, a type of molecule which form inclusion complexes, could effectively prevent the absorption of food derived cholesterol. Cyclodextrins are nontoxic and easily tolerated, having only a slight sweet taste. alpha,beta,gamma-Cyclodextrins, 2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (2-HPCD), and heptakis-O,O-dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DMCD) were tested in solutions of different concentrations.

The role of forensic experts in civil and criminal procedures in Hungary.

This short paper examines developments in expert evidentiary procedures in forensic cases in Hungary. The basis of current practice is described and certain problems arising from this are discussed.

[The role of D2 lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of gastric carcinoma].

The authors examine 145 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent curative resection with additional D2 lymphadenectomy at the 2nd Surgical Department of DUMHSC between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2000. Subtotal resection was performed in 103 patients, and total, gastrectomy was performed in 42 patients. Postoperative mortality was 5.

[Medical judgement on driving capability].

Driving is an activity which puts forward the question of whether the driver is able to competently fulfill the task or not. Driving is affected or altered by age and various illnesses and the driver may not always concede that his/her driving ability is affected by these. The examination of driver capability is an important target.

Distribution of inorganic elements in human autopsy tissue.

In the practice of forensic medicine, we find many of cases of death where the actual cause is not determinable with autopsy, histological or toxicological examinations. In these cases of death, we can consider cardiac dysfunction of unknown origin, in the background of which such a physiologic cardiac insufficiency occurs that cannot be detected with the previously mentioned methods. The dysfunction is possibly associated with a significant change in certain inorganic elements, primarily in the conduction system of the heart.

The appraisal of narcotic drugs in Hungary.

Hungary has a serious problem, historically significant and currently of increasing size, partly due to changes in trafficking routes. This paper outlines the development of measures to counter the situation, emphasising the provision of forensic laboratory services with the aid of the United Nations Drug Control program. An attempt is made to quantify more precisely permitted amounts of a drug for personal use.

Loteprednol etabonate, a new soft steroid is effective in a rabbit acute experimental model for arthritis.

Unlabelled: Loteprednol etabonate, a new soft steroid designed for use as a local therapeutic, was compared to dexamethasone in rabbit experimental model for arthritis.

Methods: Joint inflammation was induced by local injection of antigen into the patellofemoral articulation in sensitized rabbits. Co-administration of either dexamethasone or loteprednol etabonate directly into the joint effectively blocked the inflammatory response.

[Granulocyte function and lipid peroxidation in untreated patients with hyperlipoproteinemia].

The fatty acid composition in free fatty acid and phospholipid fraction of plasma in untreated mildly hyperlipidemic patients were determined. The general trend was an increase in saturation in both free and phospholipid fractions of plasma in patients compared with that of healthy controls. Furthermore, arachidonic acid, precursor of formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes was detected in significantly lower amount in plasma of mildly and untreated hyperlipidemic patients.

[Measuring breath alcohol levels].

The authors review the breath alcohol measurement method based on infrared absorptiometry and its literature. In a comparative study a person's breath alcohol content was measured by either Siemens Alcomat or Seres Ethylometer instrument in routine road-blocks controls and in experiments and was compared to his/her blood alcohol level. Using the conversion factor of 2100:1 there was a high correlation between the breath and blood alcohol levels using either instrument.

Relative abundance of some free fatty acids in plasma of uremic patients: relationship between fatty acids, lipid parameters, and diseases.

The unesterified fatty acid patterns in plasma of predialytic (PHD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients were determined. The HD patients were divided into three groups: (1) HD without cardiovascular disease (HD-norm); (2) HD with cardiomyopathy (HD-CAD), and (3) HD with hyperlipidemia (HD-hyp). The relative abundance of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) was greater in the plasma of HD-norm and HD-CAD patients (73.

Drinking habits of medical students call for better integration of teaching about alcohol into the medical curriculum.

A study was conducted with medical students to observe their drinking habits and alcohol misuse. The students completed questionnaires composed of AUDIT and SMAST questions. A significant proportion (33%) of students drank more than the recommended safe limit and screened positive at the AUDIT cut-off score of 11.

Effect of different columns and internal standards on the quality assurance of the gas chromatographic determination of blood ethanol.

Quality assurance is an essential requirement of clinical and forensic laboratories, especially in the determination of ethanol. Opinions differ as to whether normal gas chromatographic methods should be used with modified procedures, or whether different chromatographic strategies should be adopted, the choice being based entirely on practical considerations. We have evaluated the influence on the blood ethanol determination of the frequently used glass and steel columns, as well as the use of isopropanol and tert-butanol as internal standards.

[Importance of evaluating clinical symptoms of alcoholic intoxication].

The authors studied the relationship between the blood alcohol concentration and the categories of alcohol intoxication established by means of examining the clinical signs of intoxication in a drinking test, and by analyzing the reports on driving while intoxicated (DWI). In the drinking test the relative increase of viso-motor reaction time was an accurate indicator of the blood alcohol levels. In almost half of the cases there was no correlation between the clinical signs and the blood alcohol concentration.

Change of alcohol dehydrogenase activity in sera after alcoholism treatment.

Increased metabolic alcohol tolerance was found in chronic non-cirrhotic alcoholics after alcoholism treatment with disulfiram. This increased metabolic alcohol tolerance is connected with an increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase due to the healing of hepatic tissue damage. This increase in alcohol dehydrogenase activity can help in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for alcoholic liver disease.

Ethanol elimination in man under influence of hepatoprotective silibinin.

The effect of a single dose of hepatoprotective silibinin on blood alcohol elimination was investigated. Neither influence on the blood alcohol curve, nor detectable increase in the beta 60 value was found, although biochemical considerations suggest such an effect. Though silibinin has a protective effect on chronic alcohol liver injury, it does not influence acute alcohol elimination, and is therefore not suitable for use as a "sobering-up" agent.

Novel soft steroids: effects on cell growth in vitro and on wound healing in the mouse.

Evaluation of three "soft" steroids is described. The test compounds were compared with the standard anti-inflammatory steroids betamethasone and prednicarbate in two studies. Soft steroids are designed based on the "inactive metabolite approach" to be rapidly inactivated by predictable metabolism after performing their therapeutic function.

Quantitative ultrastructural analysis of hepatoprotective effects of (+)-cyanidanol-3 on alcoholic liver damage.

Biochemical considerations suggest that bioflavonoids may be effective antihepatotoxic and hepatoprotective agents. We, therefore, designed a morphometric study to examine the effect of (+)-cyanidanol-3 on ethanol-induced hepatocellular alterations. Using a stereologic point and intersection counting method we determined the volume fraction of cytoplasmic components, the surface area of cytoplasmic membranes, some parameters of mitochondria, and numerical densities of some organelles, after chronic ethanol intoxication and hepato-protective treatment of rats.

[Variabilities of kinetics of alcohol catabolism].

The resorption, distribution and elimination of ethanol vary individually. The differences in the resorption deficit and elimination coefficient can be of great extent. Though the generally accepted average of resorption deficit is 20%, which is calculated with in forensic practice, this value can occasionally be a lot higher.

Some morphometric evidence of hepatoprotective effects of (+)-cyanidanol-3.

The (+)-cyanidanol-3 is used as an antihepatotoxic and hepatoprotective drug in both men and animals against alcoholic and experimental liver injury. Histologic staining techniques give mostly qualitative or semiquantitative description of liver damages. Experiments have been carried out to determine the hepatoprotective effects of (+)-cyanidanol-3 on alcoholic liver damage (i.

Sudden death caused by hydatid embolism.

An 18-year-old man died on the spot during a foot race. Previously, he had been in a healthy condition. Since the cause of his sudden death was unknown, a forensic autopsy was carried out.

A caliber-persistent artery of the gastric wall resulting in fatal haemorrhage.

A 12-year-old girl was admitted to hospital with haematemesis. Her family suffered from histidinaemia. Due to her numerous injuries the police suspected a crime.

Vena occlusive disease simulated by a metastasis of gastric cancer during pregnancy.

A 20-year-old woman was treated because of her complaint and symptoms which were thought to be the results or complication of her pregnancy. Based on the cardinal symptom inferior cavography was carried out, and the diagnosis of occlusion of inferior vena cava was established. The woman was treated accordingly but died after a short period.