PannonPharma (Hungary)

Background/Objectives: Fluvoxamine (FLU) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and one of the most potent agonists of the sigma-1 receptor. Emerging evidence shows that FLU exerts protective effects in multiple organs, making it a promising candidate for topical ocular therapy. Developing an FLU eyedrop for glaucoma can address a significant treatment gap with potentially fewer side effects compared with conventional therapies. To optimise formulation development, precise quantification of FLU in ocular compartments such as aqueous humour, as well as systemic circulation, is essential to characterise drug absorption, ocular bioavailability, and safety. Methods: We developed and validated a UHPLC-MS method for FLU detection in aqueous humour and serum using simple sample preparation steps. Results: The 11-min-long reverse phase chromatography followed by SRM-based mass spectrometry detection provides a highly selective and sensitive FLU detection method. Our method was proved to be linear in the 0.0625-1.5 µg/mL range and was validated according to the EMA guidelines. Conclusions: The simplicity of sample preparation, the tolerable matrix effects, and the favourable detection parameters provide a robust tool for preclinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of FLU's ocular protective effects.

Tortricid moths, or leafroller moths, are one of the most economically important insect families worldwide. Many tortricids are significant pest species in agriculture and forestry, yet no checklist for Croatia exists that would allow better monitoring and managing of the existing pest species. In total, more than 300 literature sources were reviewed to compile the first species list of tortricid moths for Croatia. The list includes material collected during field surveys conducted by the authors in Croatia, as well as specimens held in the Koča Microlepidoptera collection and Igalffy Microlepidoptera collection of the Croatian Natural History Museum in Zagreb. The list has 417 species of Tortricidae.Altogether 31 species are new to the Croatian fauna: three species that are held in museum collections and 28 species that were collected by the authors.For each species, an exhaustive review of literature references is provided, from the oldest historical records to the recent ones. Data from the field surveys and/or a reference to the collection where vouchers are preserved are also provided. The taxonomic categories included are subfamilies, tribes, genera, subgenera, and species. In addition, distributional information for each species is given according to its occurrence in the three biogeographical regions of Croatia (Alpine, Mediterranean, and Continental regions).

The attribute of a company of being able to cope with unpredictable negative changes and crises is called resilience. Nevertheless, it is also possible not just to adapt to and survive economic distress periods, then even make benefit out of them. This latter phenomenon is often referred in literature as “antifragility” towards crises. In the present study a classification attempt is provided based on a novel definition of resilience and antifragility using balance sheet and income statement data from almost 26,000 small and medium-sized enterprises of the Hungarian processing industry. Logistic Regression and Random Forest models are used in order to predict a company’s resilient and/or antifragile behaviour to a sudden drop in its sales growth. The outlined work is a response to those numerous calls in literature that highlight the lack of reproducible numerical investigations based on accessible data and a tangible definition of economic resilience.

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) offer a promising new solution for wastewater treatment due to their advantageous characteristics: lower energy demand and less excess sludge compared to the conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment technology. In this study, two systems of single chamber air cathode MFCs with a working volume of 14 L were investigated for the energy efficient treatment of dairy wastewater. Biomass-originated carbon cathode and noble-metal free cathode catalyst were applied to meet the demand for a lower investment cost. Influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) was in the range of 900 to 3830 mg L–1, while hydraulic retention time was ~ 2.4 days. Systems provided 156 mW m–3 and 170 mW m–3 maximum power densities and coulombic efficiencies of 11.5 % and 12.8 % in average. Organic removal efficiency of 71.1 ± 8.0 % was observed when influent COD was between 900 and 1500 mg L–1, however effluent quality and removal efficiency (67.9 ± 12.6 %) deteriorated as influent COD was increased (1500 – 3830 mg L–1). At high influent CODs (over 3000 mg L–1), an organic elimination rate of 0.82 ± 0.11 kg COD m–3 d–1 was calculated, that can be considered as the upper limit of organic removal in the systems. Based on the results, MFCs may offer a potential solution for small-scale dairy factories for the pretreatment of their effluent to meet the criteria for wastewater discharge to sewer systems. The modular MFC design also facilitates to tailor the system to actual capacity requirements.

Global electricity demand is constantly growing, making the utilization of solar and wind energy sources, which also reduces negative environmental effects, more and more important. These variable energy sources have an increasing role in the global energy mix, including generating capacity. Therefore, the need for energy storage in electricity networks is becoming increasingly important. This paper presents the challenges of European variable renewable energy integration in terms of the power capacity and energy capacity of stationary storage technologies. In this research, the sustainable transition, distributed generation, and global climate action scenarios of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for 2040 were examined. The article introduces and explains the feasibility of the European variable renewable energy electricity generation targets and the theoretical maximum related to the 2040 scenarios. It also explains the determination of the storage fractions and power capacity in a new context. The aim is to clarify whether it is possible to achieve the European variable renewable energy integration targets considering the technology-specific storage aspects. According to the results, energy storage market developments and regulations which motivate the increased use of stationary energy storage systems are of great importance for a successful European solar and wind energy integration. The paper also proves that not only the energy capacity but also the power capacity of storage systems is a key factor for the effective integration of variable renewable energy sources.

Tanulmányunkban a Pannon-Víz Zrt. működési területén 2015. január 1. - 2017. október 31. közötti időszakban követtük nyomon az ivóvízminőség változását. A környezeti hőmérséklet változása, a mikrobiológiai terheltség és az egyes kémiai paraméterek értékei között kerestünk összefüggést. Az adatok kiértékelését követően az alábbiakat állapítottuk meg. A mikrobiológiai pozitív minták szezonális változásait az Escherichia coli és Enterococcus baktériumok, illetve a Pseudomonas aeruginosa szennyezettség alapján lehetett meghatározni. A coliform baktériumcsoport és a 22°C-os, 37°C-os telepszám megjelenése nem mutatott szezonális dinamikát. Az elemzett kémiai paraméterek a vizsgált időszakban mindig határérték alatt maradtak. A kémiai és a mikrobiológiai paraméterek közötti összefüggés feltárására alkalmazott korreláció analízis alapján a vizsgált paraméterek között nem adható meg kapcsolat.

We have developed a rapid, simple and reliable, antibody-based flow cytometry assay for the quantitative determination of membrane proteins in human erythrocytes. Our method reveals significant differences between the expression levels of the wild-type ABCG2 protein and the heterozygous Q141K polymorphic variant. Moreover, we find that nonsense mutations on one allele result in a 50% reduction in the erythrocyte expression of this protein. Since ABCG2 polymorphisms are known to modify essential pharmacokinetic parameters, uric acid metabolism and cancer drug resistance, a direct determination of the erythrocyte membrane ABCG2 protein expression may provide valuable information for assessing these conditions or for devising drug treatments. Our findings suggest that erythrocyte membrane protein levels may reflect genotype-dependent tissue expression patterns. Extension of this methodology to other disease-related or pharmacologically important membrane proteins may yield new protein biomarkers for personalized diagnostics.