An accelerator-based neutron source design with a thermal neutron port and an epithermal neutron port for boron neutron capture therapy.

This study presents a compact accelerator-driven neutron source design with a thermal neutron port and an epithermal neutron port for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), based on 10 mA 2.5 MeV protons bombarding on a 100 μm thick disc-shaped Li target with a diameter of 10 cm. The moderator consists of 2 parts, the epithermal neutron moderator and the thermal neutron moderator.

The bacterial and yeast microbiota in livestock forages in Hungary.

Background: Along bacteria, yeasts are common in forages and forage fermentations as spoilage microbes or as additives, yet few studies exist with species-level data on these fungi's occurrence in feedstuff. Active dry yeast and other yeast-based products are also common feed additives in animal husbandry. Here, we aimed to characterize both fermented and non-fermented milking cow feedstuff samples from Hungary to assess their microbial diversity in the first such study from Central Europe.

Physiological potential of different varieties depending on their bioactive characteristics and antioxidant potential as well as different extraction methods.

A comprehensive study of sorghum bran and flour was performed to explore the secondary metabolite profiles of differently coloured genotypes and to evaluate the variability in the antioxidant properties based on differences in polarity and solubility. This research included one red variety and one white variety. Among the samples, the red variety contained significantly greater amounts of secondary metabolites than did the white variety, with total polyphenol contents of 808.

Probabilistic modeling and risk characterization of the chronic aflatoxin M1 exposure of Hungarian consumers.

Aflatoxin contamination can appear in various points of the food chain. If animals are fed with contaminated feed, AFB1 is transformed-among others-to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) metabolite. AFM1 is less toxic than AFB1, but it is still genotoxic and carcinogenic and it is present in raw and processed milk and all kinds of milk products.

Physical and Chemical Methods for Reduction in Aflatoxin Content of Feed and Food.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are among the most harmful fungal secondary metabolites imposing serious health risks on both household animals and humans. The more frequent occurrence of aflatoxins in the feed and food chain is clearly foreseeable as a consequence of the extreme weather conditions recorded most recently worldwide. Furthermore, production parameters, such as unadjusted variety use and improper cultural practices, can also increase the incidence of contamination.

Biological Control and Mitigation of Aflatoxin Contamination in Commodities.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic secondary metabolites produced mostly by species. AF contamination entering the feed and food chain has been a crucial long-term issue for veterinarians, medicals, agroindustry experts, and researchers working in this field. Although different (physical, chemical, and biological) technologies have been developed, tested, and employed to mitigate the detrimental effects of mycotoxins, including AFs, universal methods are still not available to reduce AF levels in feed and food in the last decades.

[Fat rich diet-induced steatosis and changes in the gut–liver axis].

Introduction: Fatty liver can develop as a result of diseases, surgical procedures, medicaments, malnutrition or excessive alcohol consumption, however, fat and poor fiber feeding can be attributed as the primary cause. Non-alcoholic fatty liver can be found in 20-30% of the population. Generally, alimentary-induced fatty liver in early state is described as uncomplicated liver injury.

Adverse Effects, Transformation and Channeling of Aflatoxins Into Food Raw Materials in Livestock.

Aflatoxins are wide-spread harmful carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by species, which cause serious feed and food contaminations and affect farm animals deleteriously with acute or chronic manifestations of mycotoxicoses. On farm, both pre-harvest and post-harvest strategies are applied to minimize the risk of aflatoxin contaminations in feeds. The great economic losses attributable to mycotoxin contaminations have initiated a plethora of research projects to develop new, effective technologies to prevent the highly toxic effects of these secondary metabolites on domestic animals and also to block the carry-over of these mycotoxins to humans through the food chain.

Niosomes decorated with dual ligands targeting brain endothelial transporters increase cargo penetration across the blood-brain barrier.

Nanoparticles targeting transporters of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are promising candidates to increase the brain penetration of biopharmacons. Solute carriers (SLC) are expressed at high levels in brain endothelial cells and show a specific pattern at the BBB. The aim of our study was to test glutathione and ligands of SLC transporters as single or dual BBB targeting molecules for nanovesicles.

Patency of uterine wall in pregnancies following assisted and spontaneous conception with antecedent laparoscopic and abdominal myomectomies - a difficult case and systematic review.

A case of uterine rupture at 24 weeks in a pregnancy succeeding myomectomy and triple embryo transfer is described and literature is reviewed systematically to evaluate the importance of uterine rupture in pregnancies after myomectomy in general and some important sub-populations. Systematic search identified 179 papers and following a strategical selection process 45 studies were analyzed in detail, including 6 cohort and 19 observational studies, 3 case series and 17 case reports. Comparison of risk of uterine rupture after abdominal and laparoscopic myomectomy is made.

From the Cover: In Vitro and In Vivo Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration Studies with the Novel Cyanide Antidote Candidate Dimethyl Trisulfide in Mice.

Recent in vitro and in vivo studies highlight the strong potential of dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) as an antidote for cyanide (CN) intoxication. Due to its high oxygen demand, the brain is one of the main target organs of CN. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the uptake of molecules into the brain.

Mannich Curcuminoids as Potent Anticancer Agents.

A series of novel curcuminoids were synthesised for the first time via a Mannich-3CR/organocatalysed Claisen-Schmidt condensation sequence. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies were performed by applying viability assays and holographic microscopic imaging to these curcumin analogues for anti-proliferative activity against A549 and H1975 lung adenocarcinoma cells. The TNFα-induced NF-κB inhibition and autophagy induction effects correlated strongly with the cytotoxic potential of the analogues.

Effect of solubility enhancement on nasal absorption of meloxicam.

Besides the opioids the standard management of the World Health Organization suggests NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) alone or in combination to enhance analgesia in malignant and non-malignant pain therapy. The applicability of NSAIDs in a nasal formulation is a new approach in pharmaceutical technology. In order to enhance the nasal absorption of meloxicam (MX) as an NSAID, its salt form, meloxicam potassium monohydrate (MXP), registered by Egis Plc.

A Lipid Base Formulation for Intramuscular Administration of a Novel Sulfur Donor for Cyanide Antagonism.

This study represents a new formulation of the novel Cyanide (CN) antidote, Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), for intramuscular administration. This is a naturally occurring organosulfur molecule with the capability of reacting with CN more efficiently than the present sulfur donor type CN therapy of Thiosulfate (TS). Two types of micelles (PEG2000-DSPE and PEG2000-DSPE/TPGS) were prepared and tested for their ability to encapsulate the liquid, highly lipophilic and volatile drug, DMTS.

The Curcumin Analog C-150, Influencing NF-κB, UPR and Akt/Notch Pathways Has Potent Anticancer Activity In Vitro and In Vivo.

C-150 a Mannich-type curcumin derivative, exhibited pronounced cytotoxic effects against eight glioma cell lines at micromolar concentrations. Inhibition of cell proliferation by C-150 was mediated by affecting multiple targets as confirmed at transcription and protein level. C-150 effectively reduced the transcription activation of NFkB, inhibited PKC-alpha which are constitutively over-expressed in glioblastoma.

ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopic investigation of the electroporation-mediated transdermal delivery of a nanocarrier system containing an antitumour drug.

The aim of the present work was the optimization of the transdermal delivery of a lyotropic liquid crystal genistein-based formulation (LLC-GEN). LLC was chosen as medium in view of the poor solubility of GEN in water. Membrane diffusion and penetration studies were carried out with a Franz diffusion cell, through a synthetic membrane in vitro, a chick chorioallantoic membrane ex ovo, and ex vivo excised human epidermis.

Study of sodium hyaluronate-based intranasal formulations containing micro- or nanosized meloxicam particles.

This article reports on the micro- and nanonization of meloxicam (MEL) with the aim of developing pre-dispersions as intermediates for the design of intranasal formulations. As a new approach, combined wet milling technology was developed in order to reduce the particle size of the MEL. Different milling times resulted in micro- or nanosized MEL in the pre-dispersions with polyvinyl alcohol as stabilizer agent, which were directly used for preparing intranasal liquid formulations with the addition of sodium hyaluronate as mucoadhesive agent.

Ecdysteroids sensitize MDR and non-MDR cancer cell lines to doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and vincristine but tend to protect them from cisplatin.

Ecdysteroids, analogs of the insect molting hormone, are known for their various mild, nonhormonal bioactivities in mammals. Previously, we reported that less-polar ecdysteroids can modulate the doxorubicin resistance of a multidrug resistant (MDR) mouse lymphoma cell line expressing the human ABCB1 transporter. Here, we describe the ability of 20-hydroxyecdysone (1) and its mono- (2) and diacetonide (3) derivatives to sensitize various MDR and non-MDR cancer cell lines towards doxorubicin, paclitaxel, vincristine, or cisplatin.

Sprayed cells and polyelectrolyte films for biomaterial functionalization: the influence of physical PLL-PGA film treatments on dental pulp cell behavior.

Further development of biomaterials is expected as advanced therapeutic products must be compliant to good manufacturing practice regulations. A spraying method for building-up polyelectrolyte films followed by the deposition of dental pulp cells by spraying is presented. Physical treatments of UV irradiation and a drying/wetting process are applied to the system.

Sucrose esters increase drug penetration, but do not inhibit p-glycoprotein in caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells.

Sucrose fatty acid esters are increasingly used as excipients in pharmaceutical products, but few data are available on their toxicity profile, mode of action, and efficacy on intestinal epithelial models. Three water-soluble sucrose esters, palmitate (P-1695), myristate (M-1695), laurate (D-1216), and two reference absorption enhancers, Tween 80 and Cremophor RH40, were tested on Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 monolayers formed a good barrier as reflected by high transepithelial resistance and positive immunostaining for junctional proteins claudin-1, ZO-1, and β-catenin.

Cardioprotection by remote ischemic preconditioning of the rat heart is mediated by extracellular vesicles.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) of the heart is exerted by brief ischemic insults affected on a remote organ or a remote area of the heart before a sustained cardiac ischemia. To date, little is known about the inter-organ transfer mechanisms of cardioprotection by RIPC. Exosomes and microvesicles/microparticles are vesicles of 30-100 nm and 100-1000 nm in diameter, respectively (collectively termed extracellular vesicles [EVs]).

Pest management systems affect composition but not abundance of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in apple orchards.

We examined the faunal composition and abundance of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in apple orchards under different pest management systems in Hungary. A total of 30 apple orchards were surveyed, including abandoned and organic orchards and orchards where integrated pest management (IPM) or broad spectrum insecticides (conventional pest management) were applied. A total of 18 phytoseiid species were found in the canopy of apple trees.

Endothelial colony-forming cells derived from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction are fewer and have reduced vasculogenic capacity.

Context: Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are the only putative endothelial progenitor cells capable of vasculogenesis, and their dysfunction may represent a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a pregnancy-related disorder associated with long-term cardiovascular risk.

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether ECFCs derived from pregnancies complicated by IUGR exhibit altered vasculogenic potential.

Uterine vasculature remodeling in human pregnancy involves functional macrochimerism by endothelial colony forming cells of fetal origin.

The potency of adult-derived circulating progenitor endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) is drastically surpassed by their fetal counterparts. Human pregnancy is associated with robust intensification of blood flow and vascular expansion in the uterus, crucial for placental perfusion and fetal supply. Here, we investigate whether fetal ECFCs transmigrate to maternal bloodstream and home to locations of maternal vasculogenesis, primarily the pregnant uterus.