PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Papp

Publications and source records attributed to M Papp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Antimicrobial susceptibility of enterococci strains isolated from slaughter animals on the data of Hungarian resistance monitoring system from 2001 to 2004.

Isolates of Enterococcus spp. were collected from January 2001 to December 2004 from caecal samples of slaughtered poultry, swine and cattle in Hungary. The isolates were identified by their growth and biochemical properties and with PCR. The antibiotic susceptibility of a total number of 1272 isolates was tested with disk diffusion test to ampicillin, gentamicin, streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin and vancomycin. It was established that although ampicillin and amoxicillin are often used in veterinary practice its resistance rate was relatively low. In the case of tetracyclines and macrolides, a high incidence of resistance was found. Susceptibility of strains to tetracyclines and/or macrolides reduced in both 2003 and 2004 in all animal species, which may be due to the more frequent usage of these drugs in the veterinary practice following the ban of growth promoters. The annual data of vancomycin resistance point to an association between the recovery of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolates and the use of avoparcin. This study indicates that reducing antimicrobial resistance in food animals could be possible with lower usage of antibiotics, although variations can occur with different strains.

Abattoirs↗

Antidepressant-like activity of CGP 36742 and CGP 51176, selective GABAB receptor antagonists, in rodents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A crucial role for the GABAB receptor in depression was proposed several years ago, but there are limited data to support this proposition. Therefore we decided to investigate the antidepressant-like activity of the selective GABAB receptor antagonists CGP 36742 and CGP 51176, and a selective agonist CGP 44532 in models of depression in rats and mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Effects of CGP 36742 and CGP 51176 as well as the agonist CGP 44532 were assessed in the forced swim test in mice. Both antagonists were also investigated in an olfactory bulbectomy (OB) model of depression in rats, while CGP 51176 was also investigated in the chronic mild stress (CMS) rat model of depression. The density of GABAB receptors in the mouse hippocampus after chronic administration of CGP 51176 was also investigated. KEY RESULTS: The GABAB receptor antagonists CGP 36742 and CGP 51176 exhibited antidepressant-like activity in the forced swim test in mice. The GABAB receptor agonist CGP 44532 was not effective in this test, however, it counteracted the antidepressant-like effects of CGP 51176. The antagonists CGP 36742 and CGP 51176 were effective in an OB model of depression in rats. CGP 51176 was also effective in the CMS rat model of depression. Administration of CGP 51176 increased the density of GABAB receptors in the mouse hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These data suggest that selective GABAB receptor antagonists may be useful in treatment of depression, and support an important role for GABA-ergic transmission in this disorder.

Animals↗

[Results of limited macular translocation in subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the major cause of legal blindness in industrialized countries. The exudative form could be responsible for severe visual loss. Recent therapeutic approaches are now available for treating subfoveal neovascularization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the visual results obtained with macular translocation (MT) in subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to AMD. METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized review of 29 consecutive patients with subfoveal neovascularization attributable to AMD. Limited macular translocation with chorioscleral infolding based on the De Juan technique was performed. The mean follow-up was 14 months. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients studied was 75 years. The mean initial visual acuity was 20/200, with of 59% of patients having worse than 20/200. The mean displacement of the fovea after translocation was 1,274 microm, and at 1 year, vision was grossly unchanged in comparison to baseline (mean final gain of 0.7 line). Postoperative complications observed were retinal detachment (17.2%), macular hole (13%) and macular fold (14%). No complication was seen in 55.2% of the operated eyes, which had a mean final gain of 3.25 ETDRS lines at 14 months of follow-up. In comparison to the photodynamic therapy (PDT) group of the TAP study, 48% of the MT group had a gain of 1 line or more versus 16% of the PDT group. CONCLUSION: MT may lead to a significant improvement in visual acuity. Further larger and controlled studies are required to evaluate MT in the treatment of subfoveal neovascularization.

Aged↗

R-citalopram counteracts the antidepressant-like effect of escitalopram in a rat chronic mild stress model.

The selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, is a racemic mixture of the stereoisomers, S-(+)-citalopram (escitalopram) and R-(-)-citalopram (R-citalopram). R-citalopram has been shown to counteract the 5-HT enhancing properties of escitalopram in acute studies in animals. In the present study we report, for the first time, on an interaction between R-citalopram and escitalopram after repeated dosing in a rat chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression. The effect of escitalopram (2.0, 3.9 and 7.8 mg/kg per day), R-citalopram (7.8 mg/kg per day) and escitalopram 3.9 mg/kg per day plus R-citalopram 7.8 mg/kg per day were studied and compared to the effect of citalopram (8.0 mg/kg per day), imipramine and R-fluoxetine (8.9 mg/kg per day). Significant effects relative to a vehicle-treated group were achieved from week 1 for escitalopram (3.9 and 7.8 mg/kg per day), from week 2 for citalopram (8.0 mg/kg per day), from week 3 for R-fluoxetine (8.9 mg/kg per day) and from week 4 for escitalopram (2.0 mg/kg per day) and imipramine (8.9 mg/kg per day). R-citalopram (7.8 mg/kg per day) and escitalopram (3.9 mg/kg per day) plus R-citalopram (7.8 mg/kg per day) did not differ significantly from vehicle. There were no drug-induced effects in non-stressed control groups. In conclusion, escitalopram showed a shorter time to response in the rat CMS model of depression than citalopram, which was faster acting than R-fluoxetine and imipramine. R-citalopram counteracted the effect of escitalopram. The mechanism of action of R-citalopram is, at the moment unclear, but may be relevant to the improved clinical antidepressant activity seen with escitalopram in comparison with citalopram, and may also indicate an earlier response to escitalopram compared to other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Animals↗

[Cataract and refractive surgery in Hungary at the turn of the Millennium].

A survey of cataract-, and refractive surgery carried out around the Millennium presents the habits, styles and results of the Hungarian surgeons. There is a significant trend for transition to phacoemulsification procedure, 38 per cent of all cataract surgeries have been carried out with this most modern procedure, and 4/5 of the operating institutes possesses the equipment needed for this operation. The refractive surgeries in Hungary have been carried out in 11 private institutes. The number of these procedures are in close relation with the level of living standards.

Cataract Extraction↗

Antidepressant-like action of AGN 2979, a tryptophan hydroxylase activation inhibitor, in a chronic mild stress model of depression in rats.

Chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure was used to study an antidepressant-like activity of AGN 2979, a selective inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase (TH) activation. At the dose of 4 mg/kg, AGN 2979 fully reversed the CMS-induced reduction in the consumption of 1% sucrose solution. This effect was maintained for at least 1 week after cessation of treatment and no signs of withdrawal were observed in either stressed or control animals receiving AGN 2979. The lower (1 mg/kg) and higher (16 mg/kg) doses were ineffective. The magnitude of action of AGN 2979 in the CMS model was comparable to that of imipramine (10 mg/kg) but its onset of action appears to be faster since the inhibition of sucrose intake in stressed animals was already reversed after the 1st week of AGN 2979 administration while imipramine required 3 weeks of treatment to cause similar effect. These results provide support for the hypothesis that inhibition of TH activation may result in a potent antidepressant activity.

Animals↗

Escitalopram (S-enantiomer of citalopram): clinical efficacy and onset of action predicted from a rat model.

Escitalopram is the active S-enantiomer of citalopram. In a chronic mild stress model of depression in rats, treatments with both escitalopram and citalopram were effective; however, a faster time to onset of efficacy compared to vehicle treatment was observed for escitalopram-treated (5 mg/kg/day) than for citalopram-treated (10 mg/kg/day) rats at Week 1. To study the predictability of this observation in the clinic, we analysed 4-week data from an 8-week, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose study that compared escitalopram and citalopram to placebo in primary care patients with major depressive disorder (baseline Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores > or =22 and < or =40). Since the flexible dosing started after Week 4, analysis of 4-week data ensured that the patients received fixed doses of 10 mg/day escitalopram (155 patients), 20 mg/day citalopram (160 patients), or placebo (154 patients). The efficacy analysis showed a significantly superior therapeutic effect for escitalopram versus placebo from Week 1 onwards (observed cases) with an adjusted mean change in MADRS at Week 4 (last observation carried forward) of 2.7 points (P=0.002). By comparison, 20 mg/day citalopram did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect compared to placebo. Escitalopram was well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of citalopram. The preclinical observation that escitalopram possesses a faster time to onset of efficacy than citalopram was also seen in primary care patients with major depressive disorder. Thus, escitalopram is efficacious in depression and the effect occurs earlier than for citalopram.

Animals↗

Comparison of two strip test methods of whole blood glucose measurement in the neonatal period.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to compare the performance and accuracy of the BM Strip test used in conjunction with Reflectance photometry, and the new non-wipe strip test (Advantage) against a reference plasma glucose method. In total, 114 newborns consecutively admitted to the Neonatal Unit over a 6 mo period were enrolled into the study. Each newborn had their venous blood glucose measured by the BM Strip test and Advantage glucometer and the venous haematocrit was also determined. Plasma glucose was measured in the laboratory by the hexokinase method. The mean difference between the BM Strip test and plasma glucose was significantly less than the corresponding value for the Advantage glucometer (0.312, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.51 vs 0.766, 95% CI 0.57-0.95], although the limits of agreement between both methods and plasma glucose were wide. Haematocrit did not influence significantly the accuracy of either test. CONCLUSION: The new Advantage glucose meter does not offer any advantage over the BM Strip test. Owing to the wide limits of agreement of both methods compared with plasma glucose, their clinical value is limited in the neonatal period.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗

S33005, a novel ligand at both serotonin and norepinephrine transporters: II. Behavioral profile in comparison with venlafaxine, reboxetine, citalopram, and clomipramine.

Reflecting its potent inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) reuptake (accompanying paper), S33005 blocked spontaneous tail-flicks induced by parachloroamphetamine in rats. This action was mimicked by the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, and the 5-HT/norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, whereas the preferential NE reuptake inhibitor, reboxetine, was inactive. Consistent with its less potent interaction with NE transporters, higher doses of S33005 attenuated induction of hypothermia by reserpine, an action mimicked by reboxetine and venlafaxine, whereas citalopram was ineffective. In mice, S33005 reduced immobility in forced-swim and tail-suspension procedures. It also inhibited marble-burying behavior and suppressed aggressive behavior between resident and intruder animals. In rats, S33005 generalized to a discriminative stimulus elicited by citalopram and attenuated hypnotic-sedative actions of the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, S18616. For these parameters, S33005 was a more potent agent (median, 1.2 mg/kg, s.c.) than venlafaxine, citalopram, reboxetine, or the tricyclic agent, clomipramine. Even at markedly higher doses (40.0-80.0 mg/kg, s.c.), S33005 little affected motor behavior. S33005 (10.0 mg/kg, s.c.) also increased responses in a learned helplessness paradigm in rats, whereas venlafaxine was ineffective. Finally, in a rat chronic mild-stress model, S33005 dose- (2.5-40.0 mg/kg) and time- (2-5 weeks) dependently enhanced sucrose consumption. Venlafaxine was likewise active in this procedure. In conclusion, in line with its inhibition of 5-HT and (less potently) NE reuptake, S33005 is active in a broad range of models suggestive of antidepressant activity. It exerts its actions more potently than venlafaxine and clomipramine, and its overall profile is distinct from those of citalopram and reboxetine.

Animals↗

Lack of effects of glycineB receptor ligands on the psychostimulant-induced discriminative stimuli in rats.

To examine the role of glycineB receptors in the stimulus effects induced by psychostimulants, separate groups of rats were trained to discriminate amphetamine (AMPH; 1 mg/kg) from saline (SAL), or cocaine (COC; 10 mg/kg) from SAL, using a two-lever operant procedure. Substitution studies showed that neither 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACPC; 200 mg/kg) nor 7-chloro-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenoxy)phenyl-(H)quinolone (L-701,324; 3 mg/kg), being a partial agonist or an antagonist at glycineB receptors, respectively, generalized for the training drugs. Combination tests of glycineB ligands demonstrated that injection of a fixed dose of ACPC (200 mg/kg) or L-701,324 (3 mg/kg) together with different doses of AMPH or COC practically did not modify dose-response curves of the psychostimulants, nor did it affect their ED50 values. Our results indicate that glycineB receptors do not play a role in the discriminative effects of AMPH and COC.

Amino Acids↗

The NK1-receptor antagonist NKP608 has an antidepressant-like effect in the chronic mild stress model of depression in rats.

The chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression was used to study the potential antidepressant-like activity of NKP608, a non-peptidic, specific, potent and orally active NK1 receptor antagonist. In this model, a substantial decrease in consumption of a 1% sucrose solution is observed in rats continously subjected to a variety of mild stressors. This effect can be reversed by chronic administration of various classes of antidepressant drugs. Chronic, oral treatment with NKP608 (once daily for 5 weeks) gradually reversed CMS-induced reductions in sucrose consumption and, the magnitude of this effect was comparable to that observed following administration of imipramine (10 mg/kg). The time-course of action of NKP608 in the CMS model was dose-dependent. At the dose of 0.03 mg/kg, NKP608 caused a full reversal of the CMS-induced deficit in sucrose consumption after 4 weeks of treatment (comparable to 5 weeks required for imipramine), while only 1 week of treatment was required in the group receiving the dose of 0.1 mg/kg NKP608. Lower (0.003 mg/kg) and higher (1.0 mg/kg) doses of the compound were ineffective. These results suggest that NKP608 has antidepressant-like properties in the CMS model in rats; the effect was comparable to conventional drugs, but the onset of action was faster than with the representative tricyclic antidepressant imipramine.

Animals↗

The selective sigma2 ligand Lu 28-179 has an antidepressant-like profile in the rat chronic mild stress model of depression.

The selective sigma2 (sigma2) ligand Lu 28-179, or 1'-[4[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-l-butyl]spiro[isobenzofuran++ +-1(3H),4'-piperidine], was studied in the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression. The CMS test procedure consists of sequential exposures to a variety of mild stressors for a prolonged period of time and results in behavioural hedonic deficits, which can be measured as decreased consumption of a palatable sucrose solution. In rats, exposure to CMS treatment with citalopram or imipramine for 2 or 4 weeks, respectively, normalized the sucrose intake. Similarly, Lu 28-179 (1.0 mg/kg subcutaneously per day) normalized sucrose intake in rats exposed to CMS. This effect was found in two separate experiments and was achieved after 3 and 4 weeks of treatment, respectively. This suggests an antidepressant potential for Lu 28-179. Doses of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg were inactive. Groups exposed to CMS and treated with 0.5, 2.0 or 3.0 mg/kg showed a significantly increased sucrose intake compared with vehicle-treated stressed animals at week 5. However, this effect was confounded by decreased intake in the vehicle controls. Lu 28-179 did not affect sucrose intake in non-stressed rats at any of the doses tested.

Animals↗

Antidepressant-like activity of amisulpride in two animal models of depression.

Clinical reports suggest that amisulpride, in addition to its antipsychotic efficacy, may also have antidepressant properties. The present study was designed to evaluate potential antidepressant-like activity of amisulpride in two behavioural procedures: the forced swim test (FST) and the chronic mild stress (CMS) model. The duration of immobility time in FST was reduced by subchronic (three injections over a 24 h period) administration of imipramine (10 mg/kg) and amisulpride (1 and 3 mg/kg), although the effect of imipramine was more potent. The 5 mg/kg dose of amisulpride was marginally effective and higher doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg were inactive. In CMS, the stress-induced decrease in the consumption of 1% sucrose solution was gradually reversed by chronic treatment with imipramine (10 mg/kg) and amisulpride (5 and 10 mg/kg). Lower (1 or 3 mg/kg) or higher (30 mg/kg) doses of amisulpride were inactive. The magnitude of the effect of active doses of amisulpride in the CMS model was comparable to that of imipramine but its onset of action was faster; at the most active dose of 10 mg/kg, amisulpride significantly increased the sucrose intake in stressed animals within 2 weeks of treatment while imipramine required 4 weeks before first effects on the stress-induced deficit in sucrose consumption could be observed. These results provide further support for clinical observations that amisulpride may possess potent and rapid antidepressant activity.

Amisulpride↗

Alnespirone (S 20499), an agonist of 5-HT1A receptors, and imipramine have similar activity in a chronic mild stress model of depression.

A chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression was used to study an antidepressant-like activity of alnespirone (S 20499), a selective agonist of 5-HT1A receptors. In this model, a substantial decrease in consumption of a palatable sucrose solution over time is observed in rats subjected to a variety of mild stressors. This effect can be reversed by chronic administration of various classes of antidepressant drugs. Chronic (5 weeks) treatment with alnespirone, in a dose range between 1-5 mg/kg/day, gradually and dose dependently reversed the CMS-induced reductions in sucrose consumption without any significant effects in the non-stressed control animals. The onset of action of the most active doses (2.5 and 5 mg/kg/day) and the overall efficacy of alnespirone in the CMS model were comparable to those observed following similar administration of imipramine (10 mg/kg/ day). At the lower (0.5 mg/kg/day) and higher (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) doses, alnespirone was ineffective against the CMS-induced deficit in sucrose consumption. These data provide further support for previous suggestions, based on both the clinical observations and animal data, that agonism at 5-HT1A receptors may result in antidepressant action.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Cholera toxin stimulates type II pneumocyte proliferation by a cyclic AMP-independent mechanism.

Cholera toxin (CT) stimulated DNA synthesis by low-density primary cultures of adult rat type II pneumocytes (T2P) in a dose-dependent manner, either in the presence or the absence of serum. In the presence of 1% rat serum, 1 microgram/ml CT also stimulated a 50% increase in cell number over 8 days of incubation (P<0.01); this was in addition to a 2-fold increase in cell number induced by the serum alone (P<0.05). The same dose of CT also elevated intracellular cAMP and the total activity of protein kinase A (both P<0.01), suggesting toxin stimulation of T2P proliferation by a cAMP-dependent mechanism. However, the effect of CT on DNA synthesis could not be mimicked by 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo-cAMP), nor by N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl-cAMP), each tested over a wide range of concentrations. l-Isoproterenol stimulated surfactant secretion by over 5-fold (P<0. 01), but neither the beta-agonist, forskolin nor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine had any significant effect on DNA synthesis. The purified B-subunit of CT stimulated DNA synthesis to the same degree as did the holotoxin, either in the presence or the absence of rat serum. In contrast, the purified A-subunit had no significant effect. These data suggest that cholera toxin stimulates type II pneumocyte proliferation through a mechanism that is independent of cAMP, protein kinase A and toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Agonists and antagonists of regulatory peptides as tools to study regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion, cell proliferation and gene expression.

For more than two decades, our research group has been studying the pancreatic actions of three groups of regulatory peptides: members of the cholecystokinin/gastrin family, bombesin-like peptides and somatostatin. Investigating these peptides, our work has focused on three particularly interesting aspects: peptidergic regulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion and growth in adult rats, peptidergic control of pancreatic enzyme secretion and growth during postnatal development in rats, and peptidergic regulation of proliferation and differential gene expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Our data confirmed that the control of the exocrine function of the pancreas is complex, and that it involves peptides such as the cholecystokinin/gastrin-like peptides, bombesin-like peptides and somatostatin. In these investigations, it became evident that selective peptide receptor agonists, antagonists and monoclonal antibodies raised against peptides are useful tools to identify the role of these bioactive peptides in pancreatic exocrine secretion and cell proliferation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Captopril inhibits apoptosis in human lung epithelial cells: a potential antifibrotic mechanism.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril has been shown to inhibit fibrogenesis in the lung, but the mechanisms underlying this action are unclear. Apoptosis of lung epithelial cells is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. For these reasons, we studied the effect of captopril on Fas-induced apoptosis in a human lung epithelial cell line. Monoclonal antibodies that activate the Fas receptor induced epithelial cell apoptosis as detected by chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, DNA fragmentation, and increased activities of caspase-1 and -3. Apoptosis was not induced by isotype-matched nonimmune mouse immunoglobulins or nonactivating anti-Fas monoclonal antibodies. When applied simultaneously with anti-Fas antibodies, 50 ng/ml of captopril completely abrogated apoptotic indexes based on morphology, DNA fragmentation, and inducible caspase-1 activity and significantly decreased the inducible activity of caspase-3. Inhibition of apoptosis by captopril was concentration dependent, with an IC50 of 70 pg/ml. These data suggest that the inhibitory actions of captopril on pulmonary fibrosis may be related to prevention of lung epithelial cell apoptosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Changes in dopamine receptor mRNA expression following chronic mild stress and chronic antidepressant treatment.

This study used in-situ hybridization to examine D1 and D2 receptor mRNA expression in the brains of rats subjected to chronic mild stress and/or chronic treatment (5 weeks) with the antidepressant drugs imipramine and fluoxetine. As in previous studies using the chronic mild stress procedure, stress decreased the consumption of a palatable sucrose solution, and both antidepressants reversed this effect. In-situ hybridization to D1 and D2 receptor probes was studied in midbrain and forebrain sections. In the midbrain sections, stress decreased the D2 receptor message in the substantia nigra and in the lateral part of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), but not in the medial part of the VTA. Imipramine, but not fluoxetine, increased the D2 receptor message in the VTA, but only in the non-stressed group. In the basal ganglia, stress decreased the D2 receptor message in the nucleus accumbens (core and shell) and in the lateral, but not the medial, part of the caudate nucleus, in both control and stressed groups. Both imipramine and fluoxetine increased the D2 receptor message in the lateral, but not the medial, part of the caudate nucleus and in the shell, but not the core, of the nucleus accumbens. There were no significant changes in D1 receptor message. The results, which are consistent in some respects, and inconsistent in others, with predictions from earlier work, support the hypothesis that forebrain dopamine systems are involved in mediating the behavioural effects of chronic mild stress and their reversal by antidepressants.

Animals↗