First Report of Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema Feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) from Croatia.

A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted in Croatia between 2016 and 2017. The steinernematids were recovered in two out of 100 soil samples from agricultural land characterized as loamy soils with acidic reaction. Molecular and morphological identification was used to distinguish the nematodes. The isolates were identified as two different strains conspecific with Steinernema feltiae. The variations in morphometrical characteristics of infective juveniles (IJs) and males were observed among Croatian strains and with the original description. The analysis of ITS region revealed the greatest similarity of Croatian strains with Slovenian B30 and English A2 strains, which together comprised a monophyletic group in evolutionary analysis. This is the first record of steinernematids, namely S. feltiae in Croatia.

[The role of gastrointestinal ulcer in the differential diagnosis of low back pain]. / Gastrointestinalis fekély a lumboischialgia differenciáldiagnosztikájában.

The authors call on attention for the differential diagnostical problems of low back pain and the importance of the Head zones by describing one case. A patient was admitted to hospital with severe symptoms of low back pain. In her previous medical history there were musculo-skeletal problems for many years in addition to continuous medical investigation and treatment for low back pain for three months. Careful examination revealed a five-centimetre large gastric ulcer in the background of her symptoms.

[Knee arthroplasty with total condylar endoprosthesis]. / Térdízületi arthroplastica Total Condylar endoprothesissel.

Authors report on experiences gained with the Total Condylar knee prosthesis, representing the third generation in the development of the knee endoprosthesis. Based on results of 17 operations it is stressed that after the implantation in the severely degenerated or destroyed knee joint they succeeded to reach a significant decrease of pain and increase of the range of movement. After the implantation of the prosthesis adequate stability can be gained in knee joints without cruciate ligaments.

[Osteoblastoma in the iliac crest]. / Osteoblastoma a csípölapátban.

An 18 year old male patient is reported with a five year history of mild pain in his right hip. Radiological investigation showed a typical feature for osteoblastoma of iliac bone, with two niduses. En bloc excision was performed. The histological examination's result was also osteoblastoma.

Dissimilar biosynthesis of interleukin-6 by different areas of synovial membrane of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

In this study the IL-6 production was studied by synovial cells isolated from patients with either rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). The kinetics of spontaneous IL-6 production differs in both groups. Furthermore, the induction of IL-6 by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in synovial cell cultures of RA is much more rapid than in those of OA patients. On the other hand, more PGE2 was detected in culture supernatants from synovial adherent cells of OA than in those of RA patients. We also compared the IL-6 production and the amount of IL-6 mRNA in fragments derived from the areas of synovial tissue showing macroscopic signs of intensive inflammation (area A), with those from relatively intact (area B) synovial sites. In synovial fragments, but not in isolated adherent cells at area A the in vitro IL-6 production starts earlier in RA than in OA. In the area A, significantly more CD14+, CD43+ and HLA-DR+ cells were detected than in the other compartment less involved in local inflammatory events.

[Delayed results of Wiltse's operation in the management of spondylolisthesis]. / A Wiltse-mütét késöi eredményei a spondylolisthesis kezelésében.

Wiltse's spondylodesis was performed in 111 patients in the Department of Orthopaedics, National Institute for Rhelvmatology and Physiotherapy between 1978-1982. 58 of them were reexamined by the authorsclinically and radiologically more than 5 years after the operation. In 47 of the 58 patients good or adequate clinical results were found whereas in 43 cases the development of bone bridge could be observed. Attention is called to the good operative indication and the exact operative technique.

[Transplantation of a bone with muscle pedicle in a case of pathological fracture of the femur neck]. / Izomnyeles csonttranszplantáció patológiás combnyaktörés esetén.

Authors performed an operation for danger of fracture in case of extensive cystic fibrous dysplasia, localized in the femoral neck. The cyst was filled after refreshing its walls, with cancellous bone. To increase ossification a cortico-spongious bone cube, gained from the trochanter major and with retained connection with the insertion of the anterior third of the medial gluteus muscle was inserted in the area filled. The transplanted bone was fixed with an autologous fibular graft. Half a year after the operation bony transformation and good functional result could be observed.

[First experiences with neodymium-YAG laser treatment of tracheal and bronchial diseases]. / Elsö tapasztalatok a légcsö és a nagyhörgök neodymium-Yag laser kezelésével.

The authors describe their first three years experiences with the Neodymium-Yag Laser in tracheobronchial diseases. The treatments were performed with the MEDI-YAG equipment constructed in Hungary. According to the indication, local and/or general anaesthesia and generally the rigid bronchoscope was used. 38 tracheal, 34 main bronchial, 5 lobar and 2 distal alterations were treated. In case of tracheobronchial malignancy 3 complete and 20 partial recoveries were registered out of 45 patients; among benign tumours 7 complete and 4 partial recoveries out of 14 patients. In tracheal stenosis cases 12 complete and 4 partial recoveries came out of 18 patients. It can be stated that the Yag Laser treatment completes the bronchologist's instrumentation. The treatment may be curative in tracheal stenosis and benign tumours and palliative in malignancy by setting free the tracheobronchial system for ventilation. It may also prepare the patient for surgery and complete the complex treatment.

Unequal expression of complement C4A and C4B genes in rheumatoid synovial cells, human monocytoid and hepatoma-derived cell lines.

C4A and C4B are closely related homologous complement proteins encoded in the class III region of major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The regulation of their expression is under genetic and hormonal control. In this study we investigated the synovial fluid plasma ratio of C4A and C4B of rheumatoid (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and a predominance of the C4B gene expression by the synovial macrophages of RA patients was demonstrated. To clarify the tissue specificity of the expression of C4A and C4B genes, human monocytoid cell line U937 and hepatoma-derived HepG2 cells were studied. The gene expression of C4A and C4B were markedly different in these cells since a relative predominance of C4B mRNA in U937 cells and excess of that of C4A in HepG2 cells were detected. Recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) up-regulated the expression of C4A gene in both cells, but had apparently no effect on the C4B gene. Our results demonstrate dissimilar expression patterns for the two human C4 genes, suggesting different tissue specific regulation of human C4A and C4B.

Investigation of hydration of macromolecules. III. Study of polyethylene glycol homologues by microwave measurements.

The microwave conductivity and permittivity of various homologues of polyethylene glycol (PEG), as well as those of dioxane, all dissolved in either water or electrolyte solutions containing 0.01 M MnSO4, were measured over the frequency range of 1.5 to 4.2 GHz, at a temperature of 30 degrees C. The conductivity was also determined at the frequency of 20 kHz, at the same temperature. We found that: The wavelength of the dielectric relaxation of water increased with the increase of the concentration of nonelectrolytes. The orientation polarization of PEG molecules with a degree of polymerization of n less than or equal to 12.5 can be detected over the microwave range studied. In solution of PEG macromolecules at a degree of polymerization n greater than 12.5 the microviscosity and the wavelength of dielectric relaxation of water significantly increase because of the cooperative action of regularly ordered hydrophilic groups. The ionic conductivity is inversely proportional to the microviscosity of the water. There is a constant conductivity over the microwave range studied, presumably due to the orientational polarization of water molecules interacting with the macromolecules (relaxation frequency f congruent to 0.25 to 0.5 GHz). The effect of PEG of a high polimerization degree on the structure of water is similar to the effect of a decreasing temperature.

Temperature dependence of conduction velocity in myelinated frog nerve.

The temperature dependence of the conduction velocity of excitation was investigated in frog sciatic nerve trunk. A specific electronic circuitry was used to measure the time of conduction between two electrodes with an accuracy of +/- microseconds in the temperature range of 5--30 degrees C. Our experiments have proved that the conduction velocity depended linearly on temperature. The slope of the curve was similar at both increasing and decreasing temperature, and "hysteresis" occurred only if irreversible changes occurred in the preparation during the experimental procedure.

Electronic processes in generation of nerve excitation.

In a frog sciatic nerve stained by very dilute solution of eosin (0.1 mumol/1 minus to 100 mumol/1) and illuminated with a rather intensive light (10,000--100,000 lux), a single electric stimulus elicited not a single response, but a train of spikes. Latency time and reversibility of the effect, threshold concentration, threshold illumination, frequency and full length of train of spikes were investigated in detail. The results of the experiments are in agreement with the theory according to which the generation of action potentials involves electronic processes.