UNLABELLED:The human papillomavirus-infection is one of the most frequent sexually transmitted disease; it is detectable in nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Nowadays, the incidence of cervical cancer is unacceptable high.AIM:Our aim was to evaluate women's knowledge about the human papillomaviruses and cervical cancer. We tried to determine the possible connection between the higher mortality rates, the low participation rate of screenings and the knowledge about cervical cancer.METHODS:The related questionnaire contained 18 questions and was filled in by 422 women in certain cities and villages. The completed questionnaires were classified by age, place of residence, qualification, children in family, and human papillomavirus vaccination in anamnesis.RESULTS:The results showed that almost half of the women had a basic knowledge, but the number of correct answers to functional questions (e.g. "How can one decrease the risk of infection?") were less than it was expected according to the international literature. 56% of the women knew that the cervical cancer mainly caused by viruses, but only 17% of them named the right combination of the risk factors. The rate of correct answers was much lower in high school circles and 42% of the women knew that males can be infected by human papillomaviruses. Only 44% of them participate on cervical cancer screening once a year and 43% of them thought that cervical cancer and precancerous lesions do not mean serious risk and danger. 80% of the women knew that screening involves smear taking. The significance of knowledge level differences between groups was estimated by chi 2 -probe.CONCLUSIONS:On the basis of the results, half of the women said to be familiar with the basic questions. In our opinion, it can be a beneficial consequence of educational campaigns. Although there were several issues, which were implemented by not more than 20% of correct answers.
Background: Although liver biopsy (LB) is the gold standard for the morphological diagnosis of diseases of the liver, recent noninvasive tests may also help in the evaluation of liver fibrosis. We have studied blood fibrosis markers and liver stiffness (LS) measurement to assess fibrosis in different forms of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Patients and methods: Out of 119 HCV-infected patients, 75 had biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C, 24 had HCV cirrhosis, 20 individuals were symptom-free HCV carriers with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNA), and 30 healthy blood donors served as controls. Wai's aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) was calculated from serum AST and blood platelet number. Serum HCV-RNA (hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid), procollagen-III-peptide (P-III-P) and hyaluronic acid (HA), plasma transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1), Knodell's histological activity index (HAI), and METAVIR fibrosis score were determined, and for LS measurement transient elastography (TE) (FibroScan) was applied. Results: In chronic hepatitis C patients, all fibrosis markers were significantly elevated compared to normal controls. HA, APRI, and LS values were highest in HCV cirrhosis and nonresponders to PEG-IFN + ribavirin (P/R) therapy. High P-III-P values occurred only in advanced fibrosis. Serum HA correlated with the fibrosis stage. Plasma TGFβ-1 was significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C than in symptom-free HCV carriers, and it correlated with HAI. After 3–6 months of P/R therapy, both HA and TGFβ-1 levels significantly decreased even in virological nonresponders. APRI was 0.21 ± 0.05 in normal controls, 0.20 ± 0.08 in symptom-free HCV carriers, 0.70 ± 0.40 in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and 3.21 ± 2.3 in HCV cirrhosis cases. LS values were 5.10 ± 1.19 kPa in controls, 5.38 ± 1.37 kPa in HCV carriers with PNA, 9.67 ± 4.11 kPa in chronic hepatitis C patients, 6.56 ± 2.61 kPa in patients with sustained virological response, 18.55 ± 11.65 kPa in nonresponders to P/R, and 37.40 ± 16.85 kPa in HCV cirrhosis cases. On the basis of a novel sequential algorithm that comprises APRI and LS for assessment of fibrosis, 47% of our HCV patients did not need biopsy for diagnosing significant (F ≥ 2) fibrosis. Conclusion: Both blood fibrosis markers and LS, particularly in combination, represent an advance in the noninvasive assessment of fibrosis in HCV infection. P/R treatment may inhibit fibrosis progression even independently of virological response.
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease characterized by progressive depletion of motor neurons in brain, brain stem, and spinal cord, whereas Hirayama disease (HD) results from anterior horn cell loss in the lower cervical cord. On the other hand, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to digest components of the extracellular matrix. Of these, MMP-9 is considered as a marker of neuroinflammation. Materials and methods: We have measured MMP-9 levels in the serum of 30 patients with ALS, 10 patients of HD, and 25 healthy controls using ELISA method. Results: MMP-9 levels were significantly elevated in the patients suffering from ALS (P < 0.01) and HD (P < 0.05). Furthermore, MMP-9 levels in ALS have a significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.9) with the duration of the disease. Conclusions: These results suggest that neuroinflammation is an underlying component in ALS pathology and further opens up the search for suitable biomarkers.
Objective: To determine whether broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy administered after a failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle will improve the chance of achieving a successful pregnancy in the subsequent IVF cycle and to determine whether further antibiotic therapy administered immediately after conception, during the course of pregnancy, and at the time of delivery will reduce the incidence of maternal and fetal complications. Design: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 63 couples who had previously failed one or more IVF cycles and were subsequently treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. All women were treated with intravenous Clindamycin and daily intrauterine lavages using a broad-spectrum antibiotic combination. All men received intravenous Clindamycin and simultaneously underwent five direct transrectal injections of an antibiotic cocktail into the prostate gland if clinical or sonographic evidence of chronic prostatitis was documented. For both men and women...
Tubal infertility and particularly, proximal tubal occlusion (15-25%) is gaining increasing attention among experts of reproductive medicine. In case of bilateral tubal occlusion in vitro fertilization is indicated, since the expected pregnancy rate is the same as can be expected from macrosurgical procedures. Despite the fact that better and better results are being obtained by sophisticated assisted reproduction techniques, in vitro fertilization procedures that are performed unnecessarily or not indicated objectively can result in serious consequences for the patients as well as for health insurance. Therefore, there is no question that refining procedures used for evaluating the tubal patency is extremely important in order to reduce physical and psychological burden on the patients, as well as from the viewpoint of cost-effectiveness. We demonstrate an optional protocol which can be performed as a one-step evaluation and recommend a diagnostic method to assure tubal patency. The procedure is easy to perform by diagnostic hysteroscopy, and according to our experience, the examination is highly accurate.
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, slowly progressive, cholestatic autoimmune disease of the liver, characterized by fatigue, pruritis, and presence of anti-mitochondrial antibody and affecting middle aged women [1]. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rarely associated with PBC and occurs in the late stage in the majority of cases [2]. We describe here a case of PBC with HCC.
An early event in the pathogenesis of vitiligo may be the chronic oxidative stress via elevated hydrogen peroxide due to decreased blood catalase. There are controversial reports on association of vitiligo and +22348C→T polymorphism. We examined this polymorphism and blood catalase in Hungarian vitiligo patients (n: 78) and controls (n: 201). Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes and a PCR/SSCP method was used for genetic examination. Blood catalase activity, genotype and allele frequencies did not change in Hungarian vitiligo patients. The mutant CT and TT genotypes yielded decreased (p < 0.05) blood catalase activities in females. The association of the +22348C→T polymorphism and vitiligo in Hungary is non-significant (p > 0.0813), contrary to the significant (p < 0.05) increase of mutant CT genotype and T allele frequencies in US/Canada and in UK. Our results based on blood catalase determinations and genetic examination of +22348C→T polymorphism suggest that they may provide a weak contribution to the vitiligo pathology in female vitiligo patients by the increased oxidative stress. It may be caused by the increased hydrogen peroxide due to the decreased blood catalase.
Introduction Morbidity and mortality data of acute myocardial infarction highlight the significance of this patient population worldwide. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and timely initiation of an appropriate therapy are of crucial importance in this group of patients. Invasive cardiology, i.e. primary percutaneous coronary intervention is already a basic requirement of up-to-date medical care for acute myocardial infarction. However, American and European guidelines of 1999 positioned primary percutaneous coronary intervention as Class I recommendation, only as an alternative to thrombolysis and for the treatment of patients with a complicated cardiogenic shock. In Hungary, we organized a 24 h intervention service for acute myocardial infarction at the Department of Cardiology in the Zala County Hospital, Zalaegerszeg for the first time in 1998. Objectives Our study was aimed at demonstrating that the timely intervention therapy of acute myocardial infarction reduced the mortality rate of the disease in our region to a more significant extent as compared to the national average, and the effects of this can be experienced even now. Methods The Western Transdanubian Regional Institute of the Hungarian National Public Health and Medical Officer Service (ÁNTSZ) processed the mortality data of the period between 1997 and 2005 in the Western Transdanubian Region and in the Zalaegerszeg area, and compared them with each other and with the national average published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. With the help of our own computerised data base, we studied the changes in the number of invasive interventions during this period, and correlated them with mortality statistics. Results During the first “complete” year, in 1998, we performed 82 primary and 283 “elective” primary percutaneous coronary interventions; by 2005 these numbers increased to 318 and 1,265, respectively. In parallel with this, early and total mortality rate due to myocardial infarction among male patients decreased in the Zalaegerszeg area to a significantly (p < 0.001) greater extent than the national average. Conclusion Our 24-h intervention care for acute infarction, launched as the first of its kind in Hungary, improved mortality statistics in the area to a significant degree as compared to the national average. The results of these experiments by the team, which has gained considerable experience, represent an advantage for the patients of the Zalaegerszeg area.
Background Since the clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection depends on the cytokines which are under genetic control, we have studied genetic polymorphisms of two pro-inflammatory interleukin-28B (IL-28B) (also named as interferon λ-3) and lymphotoxin-A (LT-A) as well as of one anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) genes in patients with HCV infection. We examined the allele frequencies of these genes in HCV patients as compared with healthy controls, and determined their association with sustained virological response (SVR) on PEG-IFN α-2a + ribavirin (RBV) (P/R) treatment, to assess the predictive value of these genetic variants. A total of 292 chronic HCV genotype 1 infected patients and 104 healthy controls have been studied. The samples were genotyped using PCR-RFLP and ABI Taqman genotyping assay. Results IL-28B — The C/C genotype in HCV patients occurred with lower frequency than in healthy controls (28.11% vs. 51.92%, p = 0.0001, OD 2.76), suggesting a protective role of this variant. At the same time, P/R treated patients with this C/C genotype achieved SVR at a higher rate, than those who have TT genotype (54.34% vs. 29.16%, p = 0.0447, OD 2.86). LT-A A252G — The frequency of A/A genotype did not differ between HCV patients and controls, but G/G homozygosity was found at a reduced rate in non-treated subgroup of HCV patients as compared to controls (2.91% vs. 9.90%, p = 0.041, OR 3.66). The G/G genotype seemed to be a predictor of SVR versus A/A genotype: SVR occurred in G/G pts 54.54% versus 44.94% in AA cases (not significant, NS). IL-10R 1087 — The G/G genotype in HCV patients occurred with lower frequency than in controls (37.15% vs. 52.74%, p = 0.00957, OD 1.89). G/G harboring patients showed higher SVR than patients with A/A genotypes (41.26% vs. 28.57%) (NS). Conclusion We have found that IL-28B C/C genotype was a protective genetic variant and a predictor of SVR in chronic HCV infection. Furthermore, our data suggest that presumable predictors may also be both IL-10 and LT-A gene polymorphisms; however, that needs to be confirmed by studies with a larger number of HCV patients.
Mammographic breast cancer screening is one of the most popular cancer death preventive programs worldwide, as well as in Hungary. Breast cancer mortality and incidence started to decrease some years after international introduction of the screening program. The role played by mammography in the advantageous turn is not known. Potential points in evaluating the benefits of a screening program are reviewed. We focus on the average lifetime gain, which is 1 to 3 weeks in case of mammography, according to age groups.
Pregnancy in a rudimentary horn is a rare entity with the most signifi cant risk of life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding caused by rupture. With the use of vaginal ultrasonography, an early diagnosis can be made before symptoms occur. Management consists of laparoscopic resection of the rudimentary horn with the pregnancy and the ipsilateral tube. Authors present a case of a 9-week pregnancy successfully treated with laparoscopic resection.
In this study, it was aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of an ethanolic extract of Basella alba L. on gentamycin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. In the toxic group, rats were administered GM only (100 mg/kg, i.p.) for 8 days. In drug treated groups, rats were pretreated with B. alba (250 and 500 mg/kg per day orally) for 14 days and co-treated with GM for 8 days. After 24 h of the last dose, blood, urine, and tissue samples were collected from the animals. GM when administered induced a marked renal failure, characterized by a significant increase in serum and urine creatinine, urea, uric acid, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and protein levels. Besides, there were elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decrease in the concentration of total proteins (TPs) and free -SH in kidney tissue, which are indicators of oxidative stress of kidney. The extract also significantly reduced the GM-induced elevated serum and urine levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, protein, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and GGT. The tissue MDA level was also significantly diminished; the decreased free -SH and TP levels were significantly replenished by an ethanolic extract of B. alba treatment. The experimental results suggest that B. alba extract protected GM-induced nephrotoxicity, possibly by enhancing renal antioxidant system. The findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of B. alba as a novel nephroprotective agent.
Permanent inability of achieving and/or maintaining an erection firm enough to have satisfactory intercourse is an erectile dysfunction (ED). Only permanent problems are thus considered, not the temporary or occasional ones. In medicine, the use of the Latin and Anglo Saxon erectile dysfunction, or shortly ED, term is recommended. ED is a significant problem, as it occurs quite frequently and has grave effects on the patient's both private and social life.
There is probably nobody in Hungary who does not know the name of József Béres; however, only a few will be aware what powerful commitment and perseverance lay behind his results. József Béres has acquired ever lasting merit in Hungarian trace element research and his fair and decent life that always radiated deep humanity is an example not only for those involved in scientifi c research or in the healing professions but also for those who “simply” would like to draw strength for the struggles of everyday life. The unwavering perseverance of the modestly dressed man who gained his knowledge by hard diligence as well as the honest desire to help those in need is a quality József Béres had; thus, his life is exemplary for all of us. When researching this brief essay, I relied primarily on biographical and other data associated with his research that had been generously provided by his family.
This thesis tries to discover the most important factors related to the feeding and nutrition of those living in longterm care institutions, to assess the nutritional status of elderly living in social homes and to make recommendations concerning nutritional rehabilitation based on the results. Aims: To assess the nutritional status of people older than 60 years (elderly) living in long-term care institutions and changes in the body mass index (BMI) of elderly persons living in long-term care institutions; to evaluate the changes in the nutritional status of elderly living in long-term care institutions during the last half decade; to establish the relations and correlations between acute and chronic diseases and nutritional status; to evaluate the sip-feed provision for elderly living in long-term care institutions; and to map the relationship between the discovered potential influencing factors and nutritional status screened by the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST). Methods: We screened the nutritional status of 4774 elderly residents (men: 28.9–30.9%, women: 69.1–71.2%; mean age: 77.8 ± 8.9 years) in long-term care institutions, who volunteered to participate. In 2004 and 2006, the MUST and our questionnaire were used, and in 2008 the nutrition day questionnaire was used. Results: According to our results, risk of malnutrition is high (26.8–77.0%) in elderly residents of social homes. Assessment of nutritional status was done four times a year or even more rarely in 29.5% of the residents. Nutritional status is multifactorial; it is influenced by several factors (e.g. immobility, fever, etc.). Loss of appetite and swallowing difficulties are 2.5-fold and limited mobility, dementia, and missing teeth are almost 2-fold (1.6–1.7) more frequent in the group of high-risk elderly than in the elderly living in social homes. Neurological diseases were found to have a significant correlation with nutritional status. Incidence of neurological diseases has increased significantly in the last years. Conclusion: Nutritional rehabilitation does not end with screening the nutritional status; on the contrary, it begins with that. On the basis of the results of the screening, the determination of nutritional guidelines and individual diet, if necessary, is crucial.
Objective The present study was conducted to assess the effects of the GnRH agonist (alarelin) on the expression of GnRHR, FSHR and LHR mRNAs in the pituitary gland and uterine development in female mice. Methods Sixty pre-estrus female mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 15). The mice in experiment group 1 (EG-1), experiment group 2 (EG-2), and experiment group 3 (EG-3) were subcutaneously injected with 0.375 μg/kg, 0.75 μg/kg and 1.5 μg/kg alarelin antigen emulsion, respectively, once a day during 7 consecutive days to enhance immune response. Mice in the control group (CG) were injected with 0.l ml solvent once a day on 7 consecutive days. The samples of blood, pituitary and uterine horns were collected aseptically at day 21 from each mouse. Fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR was implemented to detect gene expression of GnRHR, FSHR and LHR in the pituitary glands. ELISA was used to measure the serum LH and FSH concentrations. The uterine slices were observed under an optical microscope;...
The involvement of skin by metastatic tumor is rare. Breast carcinoma and pulmonary carcinoma are the most common carcinomas metastasizing to the skin. Skin metastases from gastric malignancy of signet ring cell are rare [1]. We report such a case in a young patient.
Gastrointestinal complications of solid organ transplant patients are frequent; they may be even life-threatening. Less serious complaints mean considerable deterioration in quality of life of patients indeed. The reasons of these complications are generally complex related to the original disease, organ transplant operation, graft function, and immunosuppression. Gastrointestinal complications of immunosuppression are the result of the side effects of immunosuppressive therapy or consequences of different infections. Cytomegalovirus is a major pathogen for transplant patients even in the gastrointestinal tract. Considerable number of transplanted patients is followed up in our clinic. The basic diagnostic method of gastrointestinal complications is endoscopy with endoscopic biopsy. In this study our experiences of upper endoscopies on symptomatic solid organ transplant patients were reviewed. Symptoms, complaints, endoscopical and histological findings of patients were analyzed. Findings on kidney and liver transplant patients were compared: gastric ulcers, Helicobacter pylori and candida infections were more frequent on kidney transplanted patients. Conventional histology proved less suitable for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection from biopsy samples, qualitative polymerase chain reaction method was used for detection of viral DNA. With this method in 48 % of investigated transplant patients CMV infection was proved; in about half of these patients gastrointestinal CMV disease was supposed. Criteria of antiviral treatment were determined. The proportion of urgent endoscopies for upper gastrointestinal bleeding proved significantly higher in liver transplant patients, the most frequent source of bleeding were esophageal varices. However, in kidney transplant patients bleeding gastro-duodenal ulcers were found more frequently. Diagnostic and therapeutic urgent upper endoscopies on organ transplant patients are suggested to perform by the same way as by endoscopies on non-transplanted patients. Further investigations could be performed to analyze the immunosuppressive drug induced mucosal lesions, and to evaluate the detection of CMV replication in the gastrointestinal tract.
Introduction Our study reviews published assessments of smoking prevalence rates on Hungarian adult representative samples. Aim To report the results of a national representative survey on the prevalence of smoking carried out in 2007 and to compare the results of the present survey with those of former studies. Methods The target population was the entire Hungarian population aged between 18 and 64. Net size of the sample was 2,710 persons. Data collection partly used face-to-face interviews and more sensitive issues were assessed by self-rating questionnaires. Results The 36.1% of the Hungarian adult population smoke cigarettes (29.9% on a daily basis), 40.6% of males and 31.7% of females smoke regularly (rates of daily smokers are 34.6% and 25.3%, respectively). Male gender, lower age, lower education, lower socio-economic status, and parental smoking were identified as risk factors for smoking. Conclusions Present results show higher prevalence rates among the heterogeneous results of previous years, while suggesting a slight increase of smoking at the same time. This tendency is unequivocally owing to the increase in smoking among women; in men, stagnating prevalence rates can be observed.
Event Abstract Back to Event Expectations evoked by perceptual characteristics of tablets and their personality background Ferenc Köteles1*, Adrienn Tóth1 and György Bárdos2 1 Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Personality and Health Psychology, Hungary 2 Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology and Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, Hungary The possible role of perceptual characteristics (colour, shape, size) of tablets and of some personality characteristics in the generation of expectations of adverse drug side effects were investigated in this questionnaire study. 213 hospitalized patients (mean age 48,9±18,84 ys) completed questionnaires (trait anxiety - STAI-T, dispositional optimism - LOT-R, subjective somatic symptoms - PHQ-15, somatosensory amplification - SSAS, previous personal and family-level experiences with side effects) and estimated the probability of the occurance of nine side effects in the case of six differently looking tablets. As for personality traits, SSAS and family-level experiences proved to be significant predictors of the expectations of side effects in the regression analysis. Red tablets evoked significantly more stimulating expectations (agitation, palpitation, hypertension) than did white tablets. Expectations of gastrointestinal side effects (diarrhea, nausea, heartburn) were associated with oblong shaped tablets. Regarding headache, medium size round tablets were expected to evoke less side effects than the small round or the oblong tablets. We conclude that expectations of adverse drug effects are quantitatively associated with some personality characteristics whereas perceptual characteristics of drugs influence the direction of expectations. Although expectations might or might not manifest themselves as actual symptoms, they can reduce the overall effectiveness of a therapy by influencing patient's adherence. Conference: IBRO International Workshop 2010, Pécs, Hungary, 21 Jan - 23 Jan, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Cognition and behavior Citation: Köteles F, Tóth A and Bárdos G (2010). Expectations evoked by perceptual characteristics of tablets and their personality background. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: IBRO International Workshop 2010. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.10.00164 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 Apr 2010; Published Online: 30 Apr 2010. * Correspondence: Ferenc Köteles, Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Personality and Health Psychology, Budapest, Hungary, fecuska@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Ferenc Köteles Adrienn Tóth György Bárdos Google Ferenc Köteles Adrienn Tóth György Bárdos Google Scholar Ferenc Köteles Adrienn Tóth György Bárdos PubMed Ferenc Köteles Adrienn Tóth György Bárdos Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.
