János F. László

In Vitro Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Inhomogeneous Static Magnetic Field-Exposure on Human Macrophages and Lymphocytes

The effect of inhomogeneous static magnetic field (SMF)-exposure on the production of different cytokines from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC), i.e., lymphocytes and macrophages, was tested in vitro. Some cultures were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at time point −3 h and were either left alone (positive control) or exposed to SMF continuously from 0 until 6, 18, or 24 h. The secretion of interleukin IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor TNF-α, and IL-10 was tested by ELISA. SMF-exposure caused visible morphological changes on macrophages as well as on lymphocytes, and also seemed to be toxic to lymphocytes ([36.58; 41.52]%, 0.308≤p≤0.444), but not to macrophages (<1.43%, p≥0.987). Analysis of concentrations showed a significantly reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α from macrophages compared to negative control ([56.78; 87.52]%, p = 0.031) and IL-6 compared to positive control ([45.15; 56.03]%, p = 0.035). The production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 from macrophages and from lymphocytes was enhanced compared to negative control, significantly from lymphocytes ([−183.62; −28.75]%, p = 0.042). The secretion of IL-6 from lymphocytes was significantly decreased compared to positive control ([−115.15; −26.84]%, p = 0.039). This massive in vitro evidence supports the hypotheses that SMF-exposure (i) is harmful to lymphocytes in itself, (ii) suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and (iii) assists the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; thus providing a background mechanism of the earlier in vivo demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SMF-exposure.

Lymph vessel defects in patients with ovarian dysgenesis.

Lymphangiography of the lower extremities was performed in 21 patients with ovarian dysgenesis. Seventeen subjects turned out to have hypoplastic superficial lymph vessels of the lower limbs. Aplasia of the lymphatics of the legs occurred in four instances. Hypoplastic lymph pathways were also observed in the pelvis and in the retroperitoneal space. Although the impairment of the lymphatic channels occurred in all cases of ovarian dysgenesis, it appears that it is more severe in patients with streak gonads. There was no correlation between the lymphatic defect and the karyotype. Patients with and without lymphedema had similar lymphatic defects. Our findings suggest that hypoplasia of the superficial lymph vessels of the lower limbs is a common abnormality in patients with ovarian dysgenesis irrespective of their chromosomal complements. The hypothesis that lymphedema in ovarian dysgenesis is mainly attributable to hypoplasia of the lymphatic channels is supported by this study. However, it appears that other factor(s) may also play a role in the pathogenesis of the lymphedema, since, despite lymphatic hypoplasia, lymphedema does not develop in all instances.

Lateral gradients significantly enhance static magnetic field-induced inhibition of pain responses in mice--a double blind experimental study.

Recent research demonstrated that exposure of mice to both inhomogeneous (3-477 mT) and homogeneous (145 mT) static magnetic fields (SMF) generated an analgesic effect toward visceral pain elicited by the intraperitoneal injection of 0.6% acetic acid. In the present work, we investigated behavioral responses such as writhing, entry avoidance, and site preference with the help of a specially designed cage that partially protruded into either the homogeneous (ho) or inhomogeneous (inh) SMF. Aversive effects, cognitive recognition of analgesia, and social behavior governed mice in their free locomotion between SMF and sham sides. The inhibition of pain response (I) for the 0-5, 6-20, and 21-30 min periods following the challenge was calculated by the formula I = 100 (1 - x/y) in %, where x and y represent the number of writhings in the SMF and sham sides, respectively. In accordance with previous measurements, an analgesic effect was induced in exposed mice (Iho  = 64%, P < 0.0002 and Iinh  = 62%, P < 0.002). No significant difference was found in the site preference (SMFho, inh vs. sham) indicating that SMF is neither aversive nor favorable. Comparison of writhings observed in the sham versus SMF side of the cage revealed that SMF exposure resulted in significantly fewer writhings than sham (Iho  = 64%, P < 0.004 and Iinh  = 81%, P < 0.03). Deeper statistical analysis clarified that the lateral SMF gradient between SMF and sham sides could be responsible for most of the analgesic effect (Iho  = 91%, P < 0.02 and Iinh  = 54%, P < 0.02).

Effect of local exposure to inhomogeneous static magnetic field on stomatological pain sensation – a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Purpose: Static magnetic field (SMF) exposure was shown experimentally to beneficially affect the healing process. The aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to evaluate the pain-inhibitory effect of local exposure to SMF on temporomandibular disorders, on alveolitis and on aphta in the oral mucosa. Materials and methods: Pain perception was evaluated on the basis of ordinary visual analogue scale (VAS) testing before and after exposure. SMF (0–192 mT peak-to-peak magnetic induction and 19 T/m lateral gradient at 3 mm from the magnets) and sham exposure was executed in a double-blind manner. A single intervention took 5 min. Altogether 79 adult patients (22 males and 57 females) with a mean (± standard error of the mean) age of 37.4 ± 1.8 years (70.9% between 20 and 50 years) participated in the study. Results: SMF exposure significantly reduced pain perception (reduction from baseline to post-treatment VAS score) in the group with temporomandibular disorders from 2.0 ± 0.3 to 0.5 ± 0.1 (n = 29, p = 0.0003), but not in case of the alveolitis, or the aphta group. Conclusions: SMF exposure as a drug-free, fast and easy to use method could potentially help stomatologists, who seek for alternative methods of local anesthesia, especially when systemic anesthesia is contraindicated.

Calcitonin secretion in streak gonad syndrome (Turner's syndrome)

SummaryOsteoporosis in one of the most common complications of streak gonad syndrome (SGS), however, its pathogenesis is still unclear. To test whether SGS is associated with calcitonin (CT) deficiency, 11 affected individuals and 8 age-matched healthy women were studied. Calcium, 3.6 mg/kg b.w. as a 10% solution of calcium chloride, was given intravenously for 3 minutes. Serum levels of CT and calcium were measured before and at 5, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after the injection. There was a statistically significant rise in serum calcium levels both in the control subjects and patients with SGS, with significantly lower levels prior to and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes following calcium load in the control group. The CT rise following calcium load was also significant at 5, 30, and 60 minutes in the controls and at 5 and 30 minutes in patients with SGS, with a significantly lower baseline and 30, 60, and 120 minutes levels in the latter group. Maximum levels of calcium and CT occurred 5 minutes after the calcium load and were statistically indistinguishable. There were no significant differences in either the calcium or the CT incremental changes between the two groups. These findings are consistent with decreased basal (and 30–120 minute) CT levels in SGS and suggest that CT deficiency may be involved in the development of osteoporosis in patients with SGS. The possible causal relationship of estrogen deficiency to the reduced CT levels in SGS is discussed.

Endometriosis and streak gonad syndrome

SummaryThe occurrence of endometriosis in streak gonad syndrome is extremely rare and to our knowledge, our patient is only the 4th case reported so far. Since hormonal replacement is important for patients with ovarian failure, the surgical approach is suggested as the treatment of choice for endometriosis in streak gonad syndrome.

Nonmosaic 46,X,r(Y) karyotype with female phenotype

SummaryA nonmosaic case of ring Y chromosome is described. The patient is phenotypically female and has streak gonads. The histologic examination revealed dysgenetic seminiferous tubules in the streaks and epididymislike tubules besides them. The possibilities of the development of the phenotype and the streaks are discussed.

Influence of inhomogeneous static magnetic field-exposure on patients with erosive gastritis: a randomized, self- and placebo-controlled, double-blind, single centre, pilot study

This pilot study was devoted to the effect of static magnetic field (SMF)-exposure on erosive gastritis. The randomized, self- and placebo-controlled, double-blind, pilot study included 16 patients of the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University diagnosed with erosive gastritis. The instrumental analysis followed a qualitative (pre-intervention) assessment of the symptoms by the patient: lower heartburn (in the ventricle), upper heartburn (in the oesophagus), epigastric pain, regurgitation, bloating and dry cough. Medical diagnosis included a double-line upper panendoscopy followed by 30 min local inhomogeneous SMF-exposure intervention at the lower sternal region over the stomach with peak-to-peak magnetic induction of 3 mT and 30 mT m−1 gradient at the target site. A qualitative (post-intervention) assessment of the same symptoms closed the examination. Sham- or SMF-exposure was used in a double-blind manner. The authors succeeded in justifying the clinically and statistically significant beneficial effect of the SMF- over sham-exposure on the symptoms of erosive gastritis, the average effect of inhibition was 56% by p = 0.001, n = 42 + 96. This pilot study was aimed to encourage gastroenterologists to test local, inhomogeneous SMF-exposure on erosive gastritis patients, so this intervention may become an evidence-based alternative or complementary method in the clinical use especially in cases when conventional therapy options are contraindicated.

Pharmacological analysis of response latency in the hot plate test following whole-body static magnetic field-exposure in the snail Helix pomatia.

Abstract Purpose: To study the effect of single, 30-min long, whole-body, homogeneous static magnetic field (SMF)-exposure of magnetic induction 147±3 mT on the response latency of the snail Helix pomatia. Materials and methods: The response was investigated using the hot plate test. Results: The effect caused by exposure to SMF was compared to sham-exposure and resulted in significant differences (up to 47.1%, p < 0.001). The response latency depended on the day-night cycle; response latency was higher by 51.2% (p < 0.001) during the night. This trend also held for SMF- exposure (28.6%, p < 0.001). Serotonin alone increased response latency (55.7%, p < 0.001), whereas serotonin antagonist tryptamine decreased it (− 97.8%, p < 0.001). Using naloxone, response latency decreased (− 52.5%, p < 0.001); however both SMF-exposure and serotonin in combination with naloxone rose it back to above the control level (116.9%, p < 0.001 or 150.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that SMF-exposure mediates peripheral thermal nociceptive threshold by affecting the serotonerg as well as the opioiderg system.

46, X, i(Xq)/45, X mosaicism with gonadal dysgenesis associated with 21p‐

This paper presents a female patient with a clinical picture of gonadal dysgenesis and the chromosome constitution with a monocentric isochromosome of one X and a marker chromosome 21 with deleted short arm. The probands father and other members of the family suffered from Huntingtons chorea and each of them possessed the deleted chromosome 21. Our case supports the idea that minor chromosome aberrations may increase the inclination for the development of unbalanced recombinant offsprings.