Reconstruction of Palaeo-hydrology and fluvial architecture at the Orosháza palaeo-channel of River Maros, Hungary

Several studies have addressed the impact of climate change and tectonic activity on fluvial systems. When investigating these systems palaeo-hydrological and geomorphological data on abandoned channels can yield valuable results. The main aim of our work was to reconstruct morphological conditions at the Orosháza palaeo-channel and to estimate the bankfull discharge which characterized the channel during its formation. There are several equations predicting bankfull discharge on the basis of planform parameters, but these only work for meandering rivers. In case of braided channels flow reconstruction can only be made by using cross-sectional parameters. The Orosháza palaeo-channel provided the means of a comparative analysis in this respect. By a sudden pattern change both meandering and braided reaches, supposedly having a very similar bankfull discharge, could be simultaneously studied. Planform parameters and present cross-sections were determined on the basis of a high resolution DEM, while original cross-section parameters were assessed using sedimentological and geophysical methods. Based on sedimentological data, channel pattern transition was mainly driven by intensive bedload accumulation at the edge of the Maros Alluvial Fan (MAF). Slope differences could not be evened out due to an avulsion close to the apex of the fan. Concerning discharge calculations a good agreement was found between a region-specific planform based equation and the cross-section based Grauckler-Manning equation. Values determined for the braided and meandering reach were also in a good correspondence. Consequently, the presented approach is suitable to determine the discharge of other braided palaeo-channels on the MAF and elsewhere

Polyphenolic plant compounds as P-glycoprotein inhibitors in multidrug resistance

Introducere. Multirezistența la medicamente este unul dintre principalele obstacole în chimioterapia convențională. Glicoproteina P este un transportor ABC responsabil pentru efluxul de medicamente anticanceroase din celule, ceea ce duce la ineficacitatea tratamentelor. Compușii vegetali au fost propuși ca o alternativă în combaterea rezistenței la medicamente datorită proprietăților lor inhibitorii asupra glicoproteinei P și a altor transportori ABC responsabili de reducerea concentrației intracelulare de medicamente [1, 2]. Scopul lucrării. Scopul acestei lucrări a fost de a sintetiza date din literatura științifică recentă privind metaboliții vegetali polifenolici care acționează ca inhibitori ai glicoproteinei P și rolul lor potențial în depășirea multirezistenței la medicamente. Material și metode. Articolele științifice au fost consultate folosind Pubmed și Google Scholar. Cuvintele cheie utilizate au fost „glicoproteina P”, „multirezistența la medicamente”, „compuși vegetali polifenolici”. Rezultate. Accentul a fost asupra următorilor compuși cu efecte inhibitoare asupra glicoproteinei P: epigalocatechin-3-galat, curcumină, resveratrol, quercetină și silibinină. Epigallocatechin-3-galatul inversează rezistența la mai multe medicamente anticanceroase în celule canceroase gastrice, hepatice, celule de adenocarcinom colorectal prin modularea expresiei glicoproteinei P. S-a observat o îmbunătățire a chimiosensibilității în cazul curcuminei în carcinomul de col uterin, carcinomul gastric, cancerul de sân, cancerul ovarian, cancerul de colon și liniile celulare de leucemie. Resveratrolul îmbunătățește acumularea intracelulară a medicamentelor anticanceroase în cancerul colorectal, osteosarcom, glioblastom sau celulele canceroase de sân prin suprimarea glicoproteinei P. Quercetina reduce rezistența prin modularea funcției glicoproteinei P în cancerul de sân, cancerul colorectal, cancerul gastric și cancerul de prostată. Silibinina, constituentul activ major al silimarinei, a îmbunătățit răspunsurile clinice la pacienții cu cancer pulmonar. Concluzii. Glicoproteina P este adesea supraexprimată în celulele canceroase și expulzează agenții anticancerigeni. Există tot mai multe dovezi că compușii polifenolici ce acționează ca inhibitori ai glicoproteinei P pot inversa rezistența la mai multe medicamente având și o toxicitate redusă. Efectele acestor compuși asupra transportatorilor ABC adaugă o altă piesă de puzzle mecanismului multițintă în acțiunea antitumorală, pe lângă efectele lor antioxidante și pro-apoptotice.Introduction. Multidrug resistance is one of the main obstacles in conventional chemotherapy. P-glycoprotein is an ABC transporter responsible for the efflux of anticancer drugs from cells, leading to ineffectiveness of treatments. Plant compounds have been proposed as an alternative in combating drug resistance due to their inhibitory propertiers of P-glycoprotein and other ABC transporters responsible for the reduction of intracellular drug concentration [1, 2]. Aim of the study. The aim of this work was to synthesize data from the recent scientific literature regarding polyphenolic plant metabolites that act as inhibitors of Pglycoprotein and their potential role in overcoming multidrug resistance. Material and methods. Scientific articles were consulted using Pubmed and Google Scholar. The keywords used were „P-glycoprotein”, „multidrug resistance”, „polyphenolic plant compounds”. Results. The focus was on the following polyphenolic compounds with inhibitory effects on P-glycoprotein: epigallocatechin-3-gallate, curcumine, resveratrol, quercetin and silibinin. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reverses resistance to several anticancer drugs in gastric cancer cells, liver cancer cells, colorectal adenocarcinoma cells by modulating Pglycoprotein expression. Improvement of chemosensitivity was observed for curcumine in cervical carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer and leukemia cell lines. Resveratrol improves the intracellular accumulation of anticancer drugs in colorectal cancer, osteosarcoma, glioblastoma or breast cancer cells by suppressing P-glycoprotein. Quercetin reduces resistance through modulation of Pglycoprotein function in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and prostate cancer cells. Silibinin, the major active constituent of silymarin, improved the clinical response in lung cancer patients. Conclusion. P-glycoprotein is often over-expressed in cancer cells and expels anticancer agents. There is growing evidence that polyphenolic compounds acting as P-glycoprotein inhibitors can be sources of reversers of multidrug resistance with reduced toxicity. The effects of these compounds on ABC transporters add another puzzle piece to the multitarget mechanism in the antitumor action, in addition to their antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects

Human-nature relationship and public perception of environmental hazards along the Maros/Mureş river (Hungary and Romania)

Public participation is increasingly important in flood and environmental management planning. Accordingly , understanding the attitude of local society to natural values and their relations with the environment is highly important to realize successful development projects. This study aimed to analyze the human-nature relationship, the public perceptions of environmental hazards and people's engagement with water management related and human interventions at Maros/Mureş River through a public survey. The survey was carried out in 11 Romanian and Hungarian settlements using the random walking method to interview the local public. The results show that people are a little pessimistic concerning the state of the river, and there are misbeliefs about the general problems affecting its present environmental status. Meanwhile, the perception of flood hazard is governed by the fading memory of the last high-risk flood event in 1970. The engagement of residents is mostly affected by socio-demographic parameters. However, the regularity they visit the river is also very important. Consequently, informing people on apparent environmental issues and processes can greatly help the socially inclusive implementation of water management measures along the river

New Insights Regarding the Potential Health Benefits of Isoflavones

Isoflavones are a class of plant secondary metabolites, with an estrogen‐like structure presenting a plethora of biological activities. The chapter discusses important facts about this class of phytoestrogens, from biosynthesis to the latest research about their health benefits. The following major points discussed are: biosynthesis, regulation, isolation, metabolism and bioavailability, isoflavones in diet and intake, and new insights regarding the therapeutic effect including cancer chemoprevention. The chapter ends with a mini review of own research of the anti‐inflammatory and chemopreventive activity of isoflavonoid genistein alone and incorporated in modern pharmaceutical formulations. The chapter updates the interested researchers in the field with the latest progress regarding potential health benefits of isoflavones

Lupan-Skeleton Pentacyclic Triterpenes with Activity against Skin Cancer: Preclinical Trials Evolution

Skin cancer is an increasingly frequent pathology, with a dangerous high percentage of malignant melanoma. The use of synthetic chemotherapy raises the problem of severe adverse effects and the development of resistance to treatment. Therefore, the use of natural therapies became the focus of numerous research groups due to their high efficacy and lower systemic adverse effects. Among natural products evaluated as therapeutical agents against skin cancer, betulinic acid was emphasized as a highly selective anti-melanoma agent and is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials as topical application. Several other pentacyclic triterpenes exhibit antiproliferative activities. This chapter aims to present the latest main discoveries in the class of pentacyclic triterenes with antitumor effect and the evolution of their preclinical trials. Furthermore, it includes reports on plant sources containing pentacyclic triterpenes, as well as the main possibilities of their water solubilization and cancer cell targeting. A review on recent data regarding mechanisms of action at cellular and molecular levels complements information on the outstanding medicinal potential of these compounds

Cardioprotective Effects of Cultivated Black Chokeberries (<em>Aronia</em> spp.): Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Effects

Cardiovascular diseases represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Obesity, sedentary life style, diet, smoking and stress are the principal inducers of hypertension, endothelium dysfunction and insulin resistance in the developed countries. The latest in vitro and in vivo studies on different type of extracts obtained from black-fruited Aronia highlight its excellent cardioprotective actions for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. So, this chapter aims to bring an up-to-date regarding the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, antiplatelet, blood pressure, glucose and lipid reduction properties of black-fruited Aronia, as a possible new therapeutic strategy for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular pathologies