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While there is support for the rationale behind adequate risk perception as a goal of preventive interventions, the possibility of risk reappraisal should not be neglected, especially regarding illicit substances.

Different visceral fat compartments have several systemic effects and may play a role in the development of both insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. In the last couple of years special attention has been paid to the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), which can be quantified by non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques. The epicardial fat is a unique fat compartment between the myocardium and the visceral pericardium sharing a common embryologic origin with the visceral fat depot. Epicardial adipose tissue has several specific roles, and its local effects on cardiac function are incorporated in the complex pathomechanism of coronary artery disease. Importantly, EAT may produce several adipocytokines and chemokines that may influence – through paracrine and vasocrine effects – the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Epicardial adipose tissue volume has a relatively strong genetic dependence, similarly to other visceral fat depots. In this article, the anatomical and physiological as well as pathophysiological characteristics of the epicardial fat compartment are reviewed.

Background: Pleural effusion is not pathognomic and distinguishing between transudates and exudates often presents a diagnostic dilemma. The purpose of our study was to examine whether the inclusion of pleural fluid brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement into the analysis improves the diagnostic accuracy of pleural effusion. Methods: The pleural effusion of 14 patients with CHF (group A) and 14 subjects with different pleural pathology (group B) were analyzed. Samples of pleural fluid and serum were obtained from all patients on admission and biochemical analysis, bacterial and fungal culture, acid-fast bacilli smear and culture and cytology were performed on the pleural fluid. In vitro quantitative determination of N-terminal pro-Brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) in serum and pleural fluid were performed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay proBNP method on an Elecsys 2010 (Roche) analyzer. Results: The median NT-proBNP levels in groups A and B were 6295 pg/ml and 276 pg/ml, respectively: ( P=0.0001). There was no overlap between the two groups. While the Light's criteria had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 43% for transudates, the pleural fluid NT-proBNP level accurately differentiated between the two groups. Conclusions: The pleural NT-proBNP levels were elevated in all patients who had transudate. Therefore if the NT-proBNP levels of pleural effusion are within the normal range, transudate resulting from congestive heart failure can be ruled out. Our results suggest that the inclusion of pleural fluid NT-proBNP measurement in the routine diagnostic panel would enhance discrimination among the different causes of pleural effusions.

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Aims: Water activity (a w ) and pH are probably the most important environmental parameters affecting the activities of mycoparasitic Trichoderma strains. Therefore it is important to collect information on the effects of these factors on mycelial growth and on the in vitro activities of extracellular enzymes involved in nutrient competition (e.g. b-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase and b-xylosidase) and mycoparasitism (e.g. N-acetyl-b-glucosaminidase, trypsin-like protease and chymotrypsin-like protease) of Trichoderma strains with biocontrol potential. Methods and Results: Water activity and pH dependence of the linear mycelial growth of five examined Trichoderma strains belonging to three different species groups was examined on yeast extract and soil extract media. Maximal growth rates were observed at a w 0AE997 and pH 4AE0 in the case of all strains. The activities of the examined extracellular enzymes at different a w and pH values were determined spectrophotometrically after incubation with chromogenic p-nitrophenyl and p-nitroaniline substrates. Maximal enzyme activities were measured at a w 0AE950 for b-glucosidase, trypsin-like protease and chymotrypsin-like protease, at 0AE910 for cellobiohydrolase and at 0AE993 for b-xylosidase and N-acetyl-b-glucosaminidase enzymes. Optimal pH values are suggested to be at 5AE0 for b-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase and N-acetyl-b-glucosaminidase, at 3AE0 for b-xylosidase, at 6AE0 for trypsin-like protease and between 6AE0 and 7AE0 for chymotrypsin-like protease activities, respectively. Conclusions: Extracellular enzymes of the examined mycoparasitic Trichoderma strains are able to display activities under a wider range of a w and pH values than those allowing mycelial growth. Significance and Impact of the Study: Data about the effects of a w and pH on mycelial growth and extracellular enzyme activities of Trichoderma reveal useful information about the applicability of biocontrol strains in agricultural soils with specific water and pH relations.

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Aims To study regional differences and identify determinants of antibiotic consumption in ambulatory care in Hungary. Methods Regional distribution‐based antibiotic sales data were converted into a number of defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitant‐days. Correlations were assessed with the Spearman rank test. Results There were large and stable interregional differences in antibiotic consumption. They were associated with socio‐economic determinants, e.g. the population receiving free access to medicines and receiving regular social assistance. Conclusions More detailed studies are needed to better understand the determinants of antibiotic use in these specific patient populations and to identify additional determinants at regional level.