Efficacy of high dose systemic versus combined (systemic and intratympanic) corticosteroid therapy in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A prospective randomized trial and risk factor analysis.

The pathophysiology and the proper treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) are an ongoing subject of debate. Locally or systemic administered corticosteroids are the most accepted drugs of treatment in reference to ISSNHL (idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss), however, no strong evidence nor guidelines regarding their effectiveness yet exists. In our prospective, randomized, controlled trial 78 participants were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned based on the day of admission to two groups according to treatment: group SS (n = 43) received intravenous systemic methylprednisolone alone, and group CT (n = 35) received intratympanic dexamethasone + systemic methylprednisolone. The primary outcome was to compare the hearing outcomes between the treatment groups based on different, widely accepted categories (Siegel, Kanzaki, modified Siegel and PTA4 gain). In consideration of the secondary outcome, we examined the effect of the various risk factors on the hearing improvement. No differences were detected regarding hearing improvement between the two groups, based on any criteria [Siegel's criteria (p = 0.604); Kanzaki's criteria (p = 0.720); modified Siegel's criteria (p = 0.524) and PTA 4 gain (p = 0.569)]. However, several clinical factors such as vertigo (p = 0.039), or cardiovascular comorbidity (p = 0.02) and the severity of initial hearing loss (p = 0.033) were found to bear a significant impact upon the hearing outcome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial comparing high dose systemic and combination corticosteroid therapy in ISSNHL patients. Our findings suggest coexisting cardiovascular comorbidity, vertigo and severity of the initial hearing loss may bear a significantly higher impact upon hearing improvement, than the additional intratympanic steroid administration. The presented trial was registered in the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (name: Combinated systemic and intratympanic steroid therapy in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, No.: 2017-000658-20) and with the ethical approval of The National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYÉI) (protocol No.: 7621, on 2017.02.16.).

Influence of risk-taking health behaviours of adolescents on cervical cancer prevention: a Hungarian survey.

An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among the Hungarian adolescents to establish their use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in relation to sexual behaviours, knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and beliefs and attitudes towards screening and vaccination. Results indicated that adolescent risk-taking health behaviours correlate with risky sexual behaviours. As risk-taking behaviours do not correlate with a better awareness of the risk associated with HPV infection, it is of crucial importance that HPV/cervical cancer preventing educational programmes shall be sensitive to this 'vulnerable' population and draw the attention of these adolescents to their increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and undesired pregnancies. Well-designed behavioural change interventions may be effective when in addition to providing adolescents (both men and women) with clear information about the implications of an HPV infection, they also aim to improve safer sex behaviours: consistent condom usage, limiting the number of sex partners, as well as encouraging regular participation in gynaecological screenings and uptake of the HPV vaccine. As this study population demonstrated positive attitudes towards the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, the free HPV vaccination for the 12-13-year-old girls in Autumn 2014 will hopefully increase the currently low uptake of the vaccine in Hungary.

Human papillomavirus infections among Hungarian female sex workers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in cervical, oropharyngeal and anal samples of the high-risk population of Hungarian female sex workers (FSWs). HPV testing of swab specimens from FSWs (n = 34) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology was performed. Results were compared with control group (n = 52) matched for age. Questionnaires were used to obtain data regarding participants' sexual behaviour. Data were analysed using SPSS. HPV DNA was detected in at least one location in a great majority of FSWs (82.4%), compared with 46.2% of the general female population (P < 0.05). Both the cervical and the anal samples of sex workers showed higher infection rates than those of controls (64.7% vs. 34.6% and 50.0% vs. 15.4%, respectively, P < 0.05). High-risk HPV prevalence was also significantly higher in sex workers (55.9% vs. 25.0%, P < 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of FSWs had a history of genital warts (26.5% vs. 3.8%, P < 0.05). The results suggest that condom use may not result in adequate protection from HPV infection. The high infection rates among FSWs should be viewed as a priority group for HPV and cervical cancer prevention programmes since they are sources of HPV infection for the general population.

Knowledge and management of traumatic dental injuries among schoolteachers in Hungary: a cross-sectional study with educational intervention.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Hungarian schoolteachers in the management of dental trauma injuries (TDI) of children between the ages of 3 and 18 and to illustrate a brief educational intervention on TDI management. METHODS: A 15-item questionnaire on dental injuries was distributed in our observational cross-sectional study to 2720 Hungarian educational institutions to explore and evaluate teachers' knowledge in January 2019. Two years later, targeted information material was made accessible regarding TDI management. In the second post-intervention phase of the study, educator knowledge was re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. Statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests) was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28. RESULTS: A total of 1426 answers were collected in the initial survey. Although more than half (51.9%) of the respondents previously witnessed TDIs, 86.5% still did not perceive themselves as adequately informed regarding TDI management. Most teachers submitted appropriate responses to the indicator questions relating to the urgency of referral to dental professionals (71.8%), immediate contact with parents (79.0%) or dentists (13.0%), and the solution for avulsed teeth (81.3%). However, only every second (56.2%) educator responded correctly regarding the proper cleaning method. Following accessibility to our educational material, 622 respondents completed the post-intervention questionnaire in the second phase of the study. The percentage of appropriate responses to the five indicator questions significantly increased by 5-20.6%. CONCLUSION: Teachers' knowledge of TDI was inadequate yet can improve with online education. Efforts among dental professionals, the media, and targeted interventions will ensure adequate knowledge while also improving children's dental health.

Incomplete knowledge--unclarified roles in sex education: results of a national survey about human papillomavirus infections.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections both in male and female adults in Hungary. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was completed by 785 college students and parents between January and May, 2009. The results were analysed by gender and age. Participants' knowledge about HPV and HPV-associated conditions was relatively incomplete. One-third of the respondents had never heard about HPV prior to the survey. Almost half of the respondents (42%) thought that the only sexual way of spreading HPV was vaginal intercourse, while the role of skin-to-skin contact was disregarded (6%). More than one-third of the participants (38%) believed that condoms give full protection from HPV infection. Encouragingly, the majority of respondents (64%) were open to further information about sexually transmitted diseases. The most trusted sources of information were health professionals. When talking about children, parents attributed the major role in delivering information about sexually transmitted diseases to schools. Primary prevention through carefully planned educational programmes may further raise the awareness about HPV-associated conditions, thus reducing the comparatively high mortality of cervical carcinoma in Hungary.

Effect of polar and non-polar carotenoids on Xanthophylomyces dendrorhous membranes by EPR.

The red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous is one of the microbiological production systems for natural carotenoids. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) experiments were performed on X. dendrorhous membranes in order to study the effect of incorporation rates of different type of carotenoids. In the case of fluid-phase membranes, it was found that polar carotenoids, such as astaxanthin and cis-astaxanthin, increased the EPR order parameter and decreased the motional freedom and phase-transition temperature. In contrast the non-polar carotenoids beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene decreased the EPR order parameter and increased motional freedom and phase-transition temperature. A noteworthy coherence was observed between the polarities of the strains and the phase-transition temperatures.