UniTmp: unified resources for transmembrane proteins.

The UNIfied database of TransMembrane Proteins (UniTmp) is a comprehensive and freely accessible resource of transmembrane protein structural information at different levels, from localization of protein segments, through the topology of the protein to the membrane-embedded 3D structure. We not only annotated tens of thousands of new structures and experiments, but we also developed a new system that can serve these resources in parallel. UniTmp is a unified platform that merges TOPDB (Topology Data Bank of Transmembrane Proteins), TOPDOM (database of conservatively located domains and motifs in proteins), PDBTM (Protein Data Bank of Transmembrane Proteins) and HTP (Human Transmembrane Proteome) databases and provides interoperability between the incorporated resources and an easy way to keep them regularly updated.

Tristhiolato Pseudopeptides Bind Arsenic(III) in an AsS Coordination Environment Imitating Metalloid Binding Sites in Proteins.

The As binding of two NTA-based tripodal pseudopeptides, possessing three cysteine (ligand ) or d-penicillamine residues (ligand ) as potential coordinating groups for soft semimetals or metal ions, was studied by experimental (UV, CD, NMR, and ESI-MS) and theoretical (DFT) methods. All of the experimental data, obtained with the variation of the As:ligand concentration ratios or pH values in some instances, evidence the exclusive formation of species with an AsS-type coordination mode. The UV-monitored titration of the ligands with arsenous acid at pH = 7.

TmAlphaFold database: membrane localization and evaluation of AlphaFold2 predicted alpha-helical transmembrane protein structures.

AI-driven protein structure prediction, most notably AlphaFold2 (AF2) opens new frontiers for almost all fields of structural biology. As traditional structure prediction methods for transmembrane proteins were both complicated and error prone, AF2 is a great help to the community. Complementing the relatively meager number of experimental structures, AF2 provides 3D predictions for thousands of new alpha-helical membrane proteins.

PolarProtDb: A Database of Transmembrane and Secreted Proteins showing Apical-Basal Polarity.

Most cells in multicellular organisms are somehow asymmetric, polarized: maintaining separate membrane domains. Typical examples are the epithelial cells (apical-basal polarization), neurons (dendritic-axonal domains), or migratory cells (with a leading and a trailing edge). Here we present the most comprehensive database containing experimentally verified mammalian proteins that display polarized sorting or secretion, focusing on epithelial polarity.

Hg and Cd binding of a bioinspired hexapeptide with two cysteine units constructed as a minimalistic metal ion sensing fluorescent probe.

Hg and Cd complexation of a short hexapeptide, Ac-DCSSCY-NH (DY), was studied by pH-potentiometry, UV and NMR spectroscopy and fluorimetry in aqueous solutions and the Hg-binding ability of the ligand was also described in an immobilized form, where the peptides were anchored to a hydrophilic resin. Hg was demonstrated to form a 1 : 1 complex with the ligand even at pH = 2.0 while Cd coordination by the peptide takes place only above pH ∼ 3.

Interaction of Arsenous Acid with the Dithiol-Type Chelator British Anti-Lewisite (BAL): Structure and Stability of Species Formed in an Unexpectedly Complex System.

British anti-Lewisite (2,3-dimerkaptopropan-1-ol, dimercaprol, BAL) is one of the best-known chelator-type therapeutic agents against toxic metal ions and metalloids, especially arsenicals. Surprisingly, the mechanisms of action at the molecular level, as well as the coordination features of this traditional drug toward various arsenicals, are still poorly revealed. The present study on the interaction of arsenous acid (HAsO) with BAL, involving UV and NMR titrations, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and 2D NMR experiments combined with MP2 calculations, demonstrates that the reaction of HAsO with BAL at pH = 7.

Randomized clinical trial to comparing efficacy of daily, weekly and monthly administration of vitamin D.

The comparative efficacy and safety profiles of selected daily 1000 IU, weekly 7000 IU and monthly 30,000 IU vitamin D -not previously investigated-will be evaluated. Here, a prospective, randomized clinical trial, comparing efficacy and safety of a daily single dose of 1000 IU (group A) to a once-weekly 7000 IU dose (group B), or monthly 30,000 IU dose (group C) of vitamin D. The present study is a controlled, randomized, open-label, multicenter clinical trial, 3  months in duration.

The role of serum total and free 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH values in defining vitamin D status at the end of winter: a representative survey.

We sought the lowest serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (t-25OHD) values in geographic areas with four seasons and investigated whether the calculation of serum free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (f-25OHD) could provide additional information on vitamin D status. This is a representative, cross-sectional study restricted to a sampling period at the end of winter, using a non-probability, stratified sample of the adult community-dwelling Hungarian population (n = 882). We measured t-25OHD, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and albumin levels.

Comparative statistical analysis of osteoporosis treatment based on Hungarian claims data and interpretation of the results in respect to cost-effectiveness.

Unlabelled: The efficacy of interventions used in real life for the treatment of osteoporosis has not been evaluated on a national basis. We analysed the database of the single Hungarian health care provider between 2004 and 2010. A marked reduction in fracture incidence and hospitalization was seen, which also proved to be cost-effective.

The direct effect of specific training and walking on bone metabolic markers in young adults with peak bone mass.

As a prevention, a physically active lifestyle including the performance of weight-bearing exercises is important to enhance and maintain bone mineral content. Fifty young women were selected for the study. Twenty-five women carried out a specific training directed by a physiotherapist in the training group (TG), while 25 women were walking for 60 minutes in the control group (CG).

Evaluation of the effect of Lake Hévíz thermal mineral water in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, single-blind, follow-up study.

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most frequent joint disease and is a leading cause of pain and locomotor disability in elderly people. The treatment of osteoarthritis includes non-pharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical therapies. Silver level evidence has been found concerning balneotherapy in osteoarthritis.

[Survey of quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients admitted to rehabilitation centres in Hungary].

Introduction: There are limited data about the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients admitted to rehabilitation centres in Hungary.

Aim: The aim of the authors was to assess demographic data, social status, health related quality of life, and needs for assistance and disease-related information of 239 rheumatoid arthritis patients (169 women and 7 men) admitted to four rehabilitation centres in Hungary.

Method: For the assessment of demographic, social and other data the authors developed questionnaires.

Polyphenolic profile and biological activity of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida BUNGE) fruits.

Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.) fruits are rich in polyphenols (e.g.

[Quality of life of osteoporotic patients treated in rheumatology rehabilitation in-patient units].

Unlabelled: There has been no report on demographic, social and quality of life data of osteoporotic patients attending rheumatology rehabilitation in-patient units in Hungary.

Aim: The authors analyzed the data of osteoporotic patients treated in rheumatology rehabilitation departments as in-patients in four hospitals in Hungary.

Methods: Demographic and social data were obtained by using a questionnaire developed by the authors, and quality of life was assessed with the use of the SF-36 questionnaire.

Evaluation of polyphenolic profile and nutritional value of non-traditional fruit species in the Czech Republic--a comparative study.

Dry matter, organic acids, ascorbic acid, minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium) and polyphenolic profile of a number of non-traditional fruit species and their genotypes, namely blue honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), black mulberry (Morus nigra), Tomentosa cherry (Prunus tomentosa Thunb.) and jostaberry (Ribes nigrum x Grossularia uva-crispa) were investigated.

Phenolic profile of edible honeysuckle berries (genus lonicera) and their biological effects.

The current status of research on polyphenolic compounds in the berries of edible honeysuckle and their biological effects, including recommended utilization, are reviewed. The major classes of phenolic compounds in the blue berried honeysuckle are flavonols (quercetin, rutin, quercitrin) and flavanes (proanthocyanidins, catechins) and anthocyanins. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside are considered as major anthocyanidins in edible honeysuckle berries.

Effect of thermal water and adjunctive electrotherapy on chronic low back pain: a double-blind, randomized, follow-up study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thermal mineral water, compared with tap water in the treatment of low back pain.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled, follow-up study included 71 patients who underwent 20-minute daily treatment sessions with medicinal water or with tap water, both at a temperature of 34 degrees C, on 21 occasions. Both groups underwent additional adjunctive electrotherapy.

Drug-induced delayed cardiac protection against the effects of myocardial ischemia.

Drug-induced delayed cardiac protection (DCP) against the effects of acute myocardial ischemia was first described 22 years ago by the author and his coworkers. It can be initiated by noninjurious pharmacological doses of prostacyclin (PGI2), its stable analogues, and by catecholamines. DCP protects against many consequences of ischemia, attenuating early morphological changes, limiting infarct size and suppressing arrhythmias, and can also protect against ouabain intoxication.

Pharmacological induction of delayed and prolonged cardiac protection: The role of prostanoids.

In 1983, a delayed and prolonged cardioprotection induced by drugs was described. This pharmacologically induced adaptation to stress represents a new trend in cardioprotection as opposed to the classical drug treatment that was based on the presence of drug-receptor binding. Such a long-lasting, delayed adaptation can be induced by non-injurious pharmacological stimuli (eg, prostacyclin and its stable analogues, catecholamines and other substances) and manifests as a marked protection against the severe consequences of ischemia; attenuation of early morphological changes (limitation in infarct size) and reduction in ventricular arrhythmias as results of coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion or ouabain toxication.

[Doppler sonography in the fetal pulmonary artery].

Introduction: One of the main causes of early neonatal death is underdevelopment of the respiratory system. Apart from the time factor the pulmonary circulation is the most important component of lung maturation. It can be anticipated, therefore, that the investigation of the pulmonary circulation offers a key to the assessment of the functional capacity of the fetal lungs.

Interactions of stress and reproduction - a personal view.

In the first part of this article, the authors discuss the effect of stress upon reproduction. The paper begins with a discussion of the various stressful factors that influence the functions of reproductive organs under various circumstances, including menarche, gestation and lactation. In general, physical and emotional stress has a negative impact upon reproductive function.

[Term pregnancy with fetus papyraceus].

The authors describe a case of dichorionic-diamniotic twin gestation diagnosed in the first trimester. One of the twins perished during the 2nd trimester and became compressed against the uterine wall (stuck twin phenomenon). The surviving sibling weighing 3400 g was delivered by cesarean section at term in good condition along with the placenta.

[Recent recurrence of a Biblical case of complicated twin birth].

The authors present a case which appears to resemble the child-birth of Thamar described in the Bible. The arm of one of the sons of Thamar prolapsed during the process of delivery. The same complication occurred in a patient of the authors, involving laid a head the arm of a male fetus.