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INTRODUCTION: This study analysed the causative factors and clinical characteristics of acute and chronic ocular sequelae of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) treated at a large third-referral centre in a developed country (Hungary) over a 15-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with acute and/or chronic SJS/TEN who were managed between 2006 and 2020 at the Department of Ophthalmology of Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. For each subject, clinical data, including patient demographics, clinical history, causative agents of SJS/TEN, and conservative and surgical treatment details, were reviewed. RESULTS: Ninety-six eyes of 48 patients were included (28 female; 58.3%); the age at disease onset was 32.1 ± 22.4 years. The most common causative factors were medicines (n = 36; 75.0%). Among these drugs, 29.2% were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (n = 14), 20.8% were antibiotics (n = 10) and 14.6% were antiepileptic drugs (n = 7). In patients with chronic SJS/TEN, the most commonly found ocular sequelae were conjunctival hyperaemia in 45 (56.3%) eyes, symblepharon in 38 (47.5%) eyes, trichiasis/distichiasis in 37 (46.3%) eyes, corneal neovascularization in 31 (38.8%) eyes and corneal scarring in 29 (36.3%) eyes. In patients with chronic SJS/TEN, the most frequently used topical conservative treatment included antibiotics in 53 (66.3%) eyes, preservative-free artificial tears in 50 (62.5%) eyes and topical corticosteroids in 42 (52.5%) eyes of 40 patients. The most frequently performed ocular surgeries for managing chronic ocular sequelae in patients with SJS/TEN were epilation for trichiasis (n = 27; 33.8%), cataract surgery (n = 14; 17.5%), entropion surgery (n = 12; 15.0%), penetrating keratoplasty (PK) (n = 11; 13.8%) and amniotic membrane transplantation (n = 4; 5.0%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NSAIDs, antibiotics and antiepileptic drugs are the most common causative factors for SJS/TEN in Hungary. Like in other countries, in Hungary, the ocular management of patients with acute and chronic SJS/TEN is heterogeneous, and most cases do not follow modern therapeutic guidelines.
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The aim of our review article was to summarize the current literature on Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and its severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS/TEN is a serious, rare multi-system, immune-mediated, mucocutaneous disease with a significant mortality rate that can lead to severe ocular surface sequelae and even to bilateral blindness. Restoration of the ocular surface in acute and chronic SJS/TEN is challenging. There are only limited local or systemic treatment options for SJS/TEN. Early diagnosis, timely amniotic membrane transplantation and aggressive topical management in acute SJS/TEN are necessary to prevent long-term, chronic ocular complications. Although the primary aim of acute care is to save the life of the patient, ophthalmologists should regularly examine patients already in the acute phase, which should also be followed by systematic ophthalmic examination in the chronic phase. Herein, we summarize actual knowledge on the epidemiology, aetiology, pathology, clinical appearance and treatment of SJS/TEN.
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Many studies have been published in recent years regarding the fact that moderate wine consumption, as a part of a balanced diet can have a beneficial effect on human health. The biologically active components of wine continue to be the subject of intense research today. In this study, the bioactive molecules of Hungarian aszú from the Tokaj wine region were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and investigated in an in vitro model system of endothelial cells induced by bacterial-derived lipopolysaccharide. The HPLC measurements were performed on a reversed phased column with gradient elution. The non-cytotoxic concentration of the active substance was determined based on 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-, apoptosis, and necrosis assays. The antioxidant effect of the extract was determined by evaluating its ability to eliminate ROS. The expressions of the interleukin-(IL)1α, IL1-ß, IL-6, and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at the mRNA level were evaluated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We found that the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced increases in the expressions of the investigated cytokines were significantly suppressed by Hungarian aszú extract, excluding IL-6. In our experimental setup, our treatment had a positive effect on the eNOS expression, which was impaired as a result of the inflammatory manipulation. In our experimental model, the Hungarian aszú extract decreased the LPS-induced increases in the expression of the investigated cytokines and eNOS at the mRNA level, which presumably had a positive effect on the endothelial dysfunction caused by inflammation due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, this research contributes to a more thorough understanding of the bioactive molecules of aszú from the Tokaj wine region.
Subject(s)
Polyphenols , Wine , Humans , Polyphenols/pharmacology , Polyphenols/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Interleukin-6/analysis , Wine/analysis , Endothelial Cells , Hungary , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Inflammation/drug therapy , Cytokines/analysis , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , RNA, Messenger/analysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The study distinguishes the effect of type 2 diabetes and hypertension on cognitive functions when the two diseases are alone or when they occur together, compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: A total of 143 middle-aged adults were screened using the Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised psychometric test (verbal memory, visual memory, attention/concentration and delayed memory). Participants were divided into four groups based on their diseases: patients with type 2 diabetes (36), patients with hypertension (30), patients having both diseases (33), and healthy controls (44). RESULTS: This study found no differences among investigated groups in verbal and visual memory, however, hypertension and both-disease group performed unfavorably compared to patients with diabetes and to healthy individuals in attention/concentration and delayed memory. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that there is a relationship between hypertension and cognitive dysfunction, whereas type 2 diabetes without consequences was not proved to have an association with cognitive decline in middle-aged people.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Dysfunction , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Hypertension , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Memory , Cognition , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology , Hypertension/etiologyABSTRACT
Background and aim: A continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) helps the user stay continuously informed about blood glucose levels and reach the right target range. This study aimed to compare glycemic control and mental health of adults with type 1 diabetes with or without CGM and to examine their experiences using it. Methods: Patients were included in the survey, whether or not they had used a CGM. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess mental health, problems with disease management, hypoglycemia attitudes and behavior, as well as glucose monitoring satisfaction. Results: 277 people participated in the study. CGM users (61.3%) had a more favorable glycemic control than those who were not. No differences were observed between the 2 groups in mental health and in response to hypoglycemic events; however, users reported more disease-related problems. CGM users reported they felt more open and free about diabetes, however, the pain and skin irritation caused by the device was disturbing and it was difficult to cope emotionally with the constant thought and worrying about diabetes. Conclusions: CGM did not show clear satisfaction among users, however, less fear of hypoglycemia, fewer depression symptomology and improved glycemic control indicate better clinical status, which is one of the most important goals of disease management.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Hypoglycemia , Adult , Humans , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/diagnosis , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/drug therapy , Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring/psychology , Blood Glucose , Glycemic Control , Mental Health , Insulin , Hypoglycemia/chemically induced , Hypoglycemia/prevention & control , Personal SatisfactionABSTRACT
Paraneoplastic mucous membrane pemphigoid, a rare pemphigoid variant is associated with primary malignancy, and characterised by fulminant progression and frequent ineffectivity of classical systemic immunosuppression. In this paper, the clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutical challenges are presented through three cases. Detailed history and analysis of the immunofluorescent samples help the diagnosis. The therapeutic goal is to prevent the progression with systemic immunosuppressive treatment, which can be contraindicated during the ongoing oncological therapy. In absence of consent in the exact diagnostic criteria and management protocol of this rare condition, consultation with other specialists (ophthalmologist, dermatologist, dentist, ear-nose-throat specialist, immunologist) has high importance in early diagnosis and treatment.
Subject(s)
Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane , Pemphigoid, Bullous , Autoantibodies , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/diagnosis , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/drug therapy , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/pathology , Pemphigoid, Bullous/complications , Pemphigoid, Bullous/diagnosis , Pemphigoid, Bullous/drug therapyABSTRACT
In this study, generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) was compared to healthy peers taken in consideration of family functioning and psychological well-being of mothers. A total of 113 mothers provided data (28 mothers had a preschool-aged child with T1D). There were no significant differences in background parameters of two investigated groups. No significant differences between children with and without T1D were detected either in HRQoL or in family functioning. Moreover, mothers of children with diabetes reported lower levels of resilience and more depressive symptoms than mothers of healthy peers. In the regression analysis, mothers' depressive symptoms and the family functioning significantly affected children's HRQoL regardless of the presence of diabetes. These results suggest that parents of children with T1D handle the burden of diabetes well and integrate into the daily activities of the families. Mothers experience distress, presumably because diabetes management is burdensome; however, the family can function well and the young children can live in a similar way to their healthy peers.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Quality of Life , Child , Child, Preschool , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Female , Humans , Mothers/psychology , Parents , Quality of Life/psychologyABSTRACT
Postzygotic isolation by genomic conflict is a major cause for the formation of species. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms that result in the lethality of interspecies hybrids are still largely unclear. The genus Drosophila, which contains over 1600 different species, is one of the best characterized model systems to study these questions. We showed in the past that the expression levels of the two hybrid incompatibility factors Hmr and Lhr diverged in the two closely related Drosophila species, D. melanogaster and D. simulans, resulting in an increased level of both proteins in interspecies hybrids. The overexpression of the two proteins also leads to mitotic defects, a misregulation in the expression of transposable elements and decreased fertility in pure species. In this work, we describe a distinct six subunit protein complex containing HMR and LHR and analyse the effect of Hmr mutations on complex integrity and function. Our experiments suggest that HMR needs to bring together components of centromeric and pericentromeric chromatin to fulfil its physiological function and to cause hybrid male lethality.
Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Reproductive Isolation , Animals , Centromere/metabolism , DNA Transposable Elements/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism , Drosophila simulans/genetics , Drosophila simulans/metabolism , Genes, Lethal/genetics , Genetic Speciation , Hybridization, Genetic/genetics , Reproduction/geneticsABSTRACT
Hikers performing long distances (1000-5500 kms a year) were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate their mental well-being and to find their motivation as well as to analyze the excessive physical activity. 112 hikers completed a questionnaire (M(age) = 40.28, SD = 8.77, 57.1% male) and 25 individuals were interviewed. Distance had association only with perceived health status. There were no differences between males and females, as well as between age groups and educational attainments regarding distance. 33.3% of hikers indicated symptoms of loneliness and 4.5% were involved excessively in hiking that was significantly regressed by distress. Hikers had mainly intrinsic motivations to complete long distances including overcoming new challenges, finding the physical boundaries, experiencing a state outside the comfort zone, belonging to a special group with similar interest and attracted by the beauty of nature. Overcoming all these embodied in a flow experience that took them further to perform the new long-distance trails.
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Bed bug infestation rate has gone through an unforeseen increase in the past decades worldwide. Their resurgence is a consequence of numerous factors, including growing population density, increased international travel and the spread of insecticide resistance. Bed bug infestation is often revealed by skin symptoms appearing after their bite in sensitive patients. Medical professionals encountering patients with bed bug bites have responsibility for recognizing the condition and for instructing patients about the necessary measures for eradication. Setting the correct diagnosis, however, is not unequivocal as several skin diseases with autoimmune, immune-mediated aetiology or other arthropod stings and bites may present with similar symptoms. In this review we provide a differential diagnostic guide and an atlas of clinical pictures assigned to the diagnoses. We highlight those dermatological findings where the possibility of bed bug bite arises and identify key elements that help in the differentiation so as to avoid unnecessary diagnostic tests and force early start of extermination.
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Objectives: To investigate changes in moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA), and find correlation with psychological well-being and perceived health status in university students prior to versus 4-6 weeks following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. Methods: Registered students to the 2020/2021 academic year participated in an online survey representing four Hungarian universities in the framework of "COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study" project. Moderate and vigorous PA were measured with a single question, psychological well-being was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D) short form and perceived health status on the 11-point Cantril ladder respectively. Statistical analyses were calculated using SPSS 26.0 software. Results: A total of 2779 Hungarian citizen students completed the questionnaire and 2162 (27.7% males) provided full information on PA. Mean age was 24.52 (SD = 7.15) years. A significant decrease was observed in moderate PA prior to and during social isolation (Z = -14.956; p < .001). Students mean well-being was 10.23, SD = 5.28)/32. After analyzing changes (decreased, unchanged, increased) of PA in the context of well-being, it was found students with reduced PA had significantly less favorable scores on well-being scale than students who unchanged or increased their PA level, both in moderate (F = 32.35; p < .001) and vigorous (F = 21.44; p < .001) PA. Regarding the perceived health status there was significant reduction during the pandemic (M = 7.58, SD = 2.19) compared to the preceding period (M = 7.94, SD = 1.85; p < .001). This reduction was most notable in the group that reduced PA. Conclusions: The closure of universities and sport facilities unfavorably influenced the students' previous PA level. Based on the result, there is a negative relationship between PA and psychological wellbeing also between PA and perceived health status. Universities may pay more attention to keep their students physically active even during a pandemic as it may be far from being over yet.
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OBJECTIVE: In this international study, the prevalence of Eating disorders (EDs) was determined among university students and identified associated demographic and behavioral factors predicting disorders using data from three European countries. METHODS: The survey was conducted in Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine in 2018. Registered full-time students completed an online anonymous questionnaire. Students provided data about socioeconomic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), EDs, physical fitness and sport practice, psychological distress (stress, anxiety, depression), life orientation, alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 software. RESULTS: From the 1965 returned questionnaires 1950 were analyzed, because of the missing data (67.3% female, mean age of the total participant's 21.40 ± 3.83 years old). EDs were observed in 26.3% of students. In logistic regression, EDs were predicted by female sex, higher BMI, single marital status, elevated psychological distress and limited access to health care. CONCLUSION: EDs are relatively common in university students especially in females. Students with higher distress and BMI, limited access to health care and living without partner are at risk for EDs. This result highlights the need for a public health approach. Universities are the last chance where students can be screened in an organized setting and offer interventions early when treatment is likely to be most effective.
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During interphase centromeres often coalesce into a small number of chromocenters, which can be visualized as distinct, DAPI dense nuclear domains. Intact chromocenters play a major role in maintaining genome stability as they stabilize the transcriptionally silent state of repetitive DNA while ensuring centromere function. Despite its biological importance, relatively little is known about the molecular composition of the chromocenter or the processes that mediate chromocenter formation and maintenance. To provide a deeper molecular insight into the composition of the chromocenter and to demonstrate the usefulness of proximity-based biotinylation as a tool to investigate those questions, we performed super resolution microscopy and proximity-based biotinylation experiments of three distinct proteins associated with the chromocenter in Drosophila. Our work revealed an intricate internal architecture of the chromocenter suggesting a complex multilayered structure of this intranuclear domain.
Subject(s)
Centromere Protein A/metabolism , Centromere/metabolism , Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Interphase/genetics , Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism , Animals , Biotinylation , Cell Cycle Proteins/analysis , Cell Line , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Centromere Protein A/genetics , Chromatin/metabolism , Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing , Chromobox Protein Homolog 5 , Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/analysis , Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Drosophila/genetics , Drosophila/metabolism , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism , Proteomics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/analysis , CohesinsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The execution of many genetic programs, influenced by environmental conditions, is epigenetically controlled. Thus, small molecules of the intermediate metabolism being precursors of most of nutrition-deriving epigenetic modifications, sense the cell surrounding environment. METHODS: Here we describe histone H4K16 acetylation distribution in S. cerevisiae nhp6ab mutant, using ChIP-seq analysis; its transcription profile by RNA-seq and its metabolic features by studying the metabolome. We then intersected these three -omic approaches to unveil common crosspoints (if any). RESULTS: In the nhp6ab mutant, the glucose metabolism is switched to pathways leading to Acetyl-CoA synthesis. These enhanced pathways could lead to histone hyperacetylation altering RNA transcription, particularly of those metabolic genes that maintain high Acetyl-CoA availability. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the absence of chromatin regulators like Nhp6 A and B, interferes with a regulative circular mechanism where histone modification, transcription and metabolism influence each other and contribute to clarify the more general phenomenon in which gene regulation feeds metabolic alterations on epigenetic basis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study allowed us to identify, in these two factors, a common element of regulation in metabolism and chromatin acetylation state that could represent a powerful tool to find out relationships existing between metabolism and gene expression in more complex systems.
Subject(s)
Chromatin/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , HMGN Proteins/genetics , Metabolome/genetics , Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics , Acetyl Coenzyme A/genetics , Acetylation , Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics , Glucose/metabolism , Histones/genetics , Protein Processing, Post-Translational/genetics , RNA-Seq , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study examines exercise addiction (EA) in amateur runners from a multidimensional approach, including demographics (age, sex, educational attainment, and financial situation), training factors (duration of running activity, weekly time spent running, mean workout distance per session, other sports activities, and childhood physical activity), psychological features (perceived health, life satisfaction, loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression, body shape, and eating disorders), and anthropometrics (body mass index) that might predict EA. METHODS: The well-validated Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS) was applied to evaluate the prevalence of EA in amateur runners. A multinomial logistic regression was performed to find explanatory variables of risk of EA using the SPSS 24.0 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 257 runners (48.9% females, Mage = 40.49, SD = 8.99 years) with at least 2 years running activity participated in an anonymous questionnaire survey. About 53.6% of respondents were characterized as non-dependent symptomatic and 37.8% as non-dependent asymptomatic. About 8.6% had prevalence of being at risk of EA. The logistic regression model displayed five variables that significantly predicted the risk of EA: (a) anxiety, (b) loneliness, (c) weekly time spent running, (d) childhood physical activity, and (e) education level. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that loneliness and anxiety may lead to withdrawal and uncontrolled behavior that in turn leads to increased amount of exercise in amateur runners. Lower level of education attainment is also a likely risk of EA development, and childhood sports activity is a predictor.
Subject(s)
Athletes/psychology , Behavior, Addictive/diagnosis , Behavior, Addictive/psychology , Running/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Athletes/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Hungary , Male , Running/statistics & numerical data , TimeABSTRACT
Understanding the molecular basis of hybrid incompatibilities is a fundamental pursuit in evolutionary genetics. In crosses between Drosophila melanogaster females and Drosophila simulans males, an interaction between at least three genes is necessary for hybrid male lethality: Hmrâmel, Lhrâsim, and gfzfâsim. Although HMR and LHR physically bind each other and function together in a single complex, the connection between gfzf and either of these proteins remains mysterious. Here, we show that GFZF localizes to many regions of the genome in both D. melanogaster and D. simulans, including at telomeric retrotransposon repeats. We find that GFZF localization at telomeres is significantly different between these two species, reflecting the rapid evolution of telomeric retrotransposon copy number composition between the two species. Next, we show that GFZF and HMR normally do not colocalize in D. melanogaster. In interspecies hybrids, however, HMR shows extensive mis-localization to GFZF sites, thus uncovering a new molecular interaction between these hybrid incompatibility factors. We find that spreading of HMR to GFZF sites requires gfzfâsim but not Lhrâsim, suggesting distinct roles for these factors in the hybrid incompatibility. Finally, we find that overexpression of HMR and LHR within species is sufficient to mis-localize HMR to GFZF binding sites, indicating that HMR has a natural low affinity for GFZF sites. Together, these studies provide the first insights into the different properties of gfzf between D. melanogaster and D. simulans, and uncover a molecular interaction between gfzf and Hmr in the form of altered protein localization.
Subject(s)
Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Drosophila/metabolism , Hybridization, Genetic , Reproductive Isolation , Animals , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Drosophila/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Female , MaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be faced with deterioration in glycemic control (GC), reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and other psychosocial problems. It is important to understand how the disease and its clinical conditions influence HRQoL and how adolescents are able to overcome the life adjustment difficulties. OBJECTIVE: To assess HRQoL of adolescents with T1D from demographic, clinical, personal, and behavioral point of view. SUBJECTS: A total of 229 adolescents with T1D (51.2% males) with a mean age of 15.35 (2.29) years old were recruited from three diabetes centers. The mean diabetes duration was 7.48 (3.87), the mean hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) level was 10.3 (1.76) mmol/L. METHODS: A multicenter quantitative correlational design study was applied to investigate the influence of sex, age, diabetes duration, GC expressed by HbA1c, intensive insulin regimen, physical activity (PA), resilience (RS), and socioeconomic background on HRQoL. RESULTS: Presence of the diabetes symptoms and worry about the disease has negative impact on the patients' HRQoL. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that insulin pump therapy, male sex, and higher level of RS were significantly related to an increase in HRQoL, whereas the higher level of PA, male sex, and better HRQoL was significantly related to positive change in RS. Patients treated with insulin pump therapy had significantly better HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Significant association can be observed between HRQoL and RS. Supposedly, higher level of PA promotes higher level of RS that in turn helps increase HRQoL in adolescents with T1D. Treatment with insulin pump therapy also promotes better HRQoL.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Health Status , Insulin/administration & dosage , Quality of Life , Resilience, Psychological , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior/physiology , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/epidemiology , Exercise , Female , Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism , Humans , Insulin Infusion Systems , Male , Psychology, Adolescent , Resilience, Psychological/drug effects , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This quantitative correlational design study aimed to examine the variation in adolescent health and lifestyle characteristics across self-reported physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) levels. METHODS: Data were collected from 422 students (50.2% males) (16.33 SD = 1.66 y/o) attending a high school. An online questionnaire was used to gather data on the following characteristics: self-reported well-being, overall life satisfaction, depression (including self-harm and suicidal ideation), perceived health status, eating disorders, sleepiness, substance use (alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use), body mass index, PA participation and PF levels. RESULTS: Of the participants, 42.4% reported at least 5 days of PA a week for 60 min per day. These high active individuals had significantly better well-being, health status, life satisfaction, PF and consumed fewer alcohol beverages. High PA and better PF inversely correlated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that high PA and better PF have a positive impact on adolescent perceived health, health-risk behaviors and mental health. Increased levels of PA can play a vital role in the primary care, prevention of health risks and in adolescent health promotion. Accordingly, educational institutions are an excellent setting to promote and provide sport facilities and encourage students to be more physically active.
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BACKGROUND: Many studies indicate that a substantial part of the student population drinks excessively, yet most European universities do not have an alcohol policy. In the absence of an alcohol guideline at universities and the easy access to alcohol sold at the student cafeteria, for instance, this has the potential to place students at risk of overconsumption, which has adverse health consequences. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, our study objectives were to explore and compare university students' experiences and attitudes toward alcohol policy on their campus using a qualitative approach. METHODS: 29 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among students from universities in five European countries: Belgium (4 FGDs), Denmark (6 FGDs), France (5 FGDs), Hungary (6 FGDs), and the Slovak Republic (8 FGDs), with a total number of 189 participants. RESULTS: Across the five European countries, students recognized that alcohol was a big problem on their campuses yet they knew very little, if any, about the rules concerning alcohol on their campus. CONCLUSIONS: Students will not support an on campus alcohol restriction and a policy should therefore focus on prevention initiatives.
Subject(s)
Attitude , Policy , Students , Alcohol Drinking in College , Europe , Female , Humans , Male , Qualitative Research , UniversitiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Within the frame of National Epidemiological Surveillance System, family physicians have an obligation to report infections and suspicions cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, daily practice and the reporting activities of Hungarian family physicians regarding to infectious diseases. METHODS: A self-administered survey was developed, validated and used. The survey was completed by family physicians who had taken part in continuous medical educational programmes of all Hungarian medical faculties. The questionnaire, consisting demographic questions and 10 statements about their reporting habits were completed by 347 doctors, 8% of the total number of family physicians. The data were processed in a cross-sectional design with general linear model. RESULTS: According to the majority of responders, the current reporting system works efficiently. Rural physicians were mainly agreed, that reporting is not a simply obligation, it is a professional task as well. They were less hindered in daily work by reporting activities, waited less for laboratory confirmation before reporting, reported suspicious cases more frequently. Practitioner's based in urban settlements preferred to await laboratory tests before reporting and were hindered less by failures of the electronic reporting system. Older physicians trusted more in the recent system and they wished to increase the number of reports. Female physicians have higher consciousness in epidemiology. They were mostly in agreement that even severe infectious diseases can be diagnosed at primary care level and their daily practices were less burdened by reporting duties. CONCLUSIONS: Both the epidemiological knowledge of general practitioners' and the electronic surveillance systems should be improved. There is a need to develope the electronic infrastructure of primary care. More and regular control is also expected by the health care authorities, beside the synthesis of professional and governmental expectations and regulations.