The effect of a community-based e-health program to promote the role of physical activity among healthy adults in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: Physically active lifestyle can prolong the years spent without chronic diseases and is strongly associated with good mental and physical health. The goal of the study was to examine the physical activity patterns of the healthy adults and the effectiveness of a community-based e-health program. METHODS: The study sample comprised of 633 participants. Analyses were based on the E-Harmony health program that was conducted in Hungary in 2014-2015. The longitudinal study measured the physical activity patterns of the healthy adult population, and a 12-month community-based internet and media program was evaluated for the target group to improve the physical activity level and related knowledge. We examined the effectiveness of the program by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Hungarian validated long version adjusting for socio-demographic parameters, also across multivariate linear regression analysis using SPSS 24.0 software. Confidence interval of 95% was used and the level of significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: The total physical activity of the study sample was 5129.9 (SD = 4488.1) MET min/week. Male participants scored higher in total activity but the results showed no statistical significance. Our participants were sitting 2211.6 (SD = 1592.8) min /week on average (daily average was 315.9 (SD = 227.6) minutes); the results showed no statistically significant difference by gender. We found weak but significant relationship between the active lifestyle and anthropometric data, especially according to leisure time activities and sedentary behaviour (p < 0.001). Based on the multivariate linear regression models the socio-demographic parameters significantly affected the physical activity level of participants. After the 12-month community-based e-health program, 10.34% changes occurred in the total physical activity level (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, ours was the first community-based e-health program in Hungary to improve the physical activity level of the healthy adult population. Based on our results this web-based e-health program can be an adequate tool to promote healthy lifestyle. The study could provide appropriate information for the further health interventions and policy making. Further research is necessary to determine the special risk groups and to develop an applicable e-health program for such specific subgroups.

[Plant-based diets: a review]. / A növényi alapú étrendrol.

Plant-based diet is an old-new trend in nutrition. In this review based on a historical context, we wish to introduce this popular nutritional trend. Our aim is to present plant-based diet as a primary measure for prevention. We intend to critically analyse some past stereotypes related to plant-based diet - whose main components include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds - according to the literature (e.g. protein, vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron intake) by doing so we wish to create an adequate conceptual basis for its interpretation. We discuss positive physiological effects of plant-based diet and its possible role in diseases risk reduction. Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases developing due to obesity could be prevented by a properly compiled plant-based diet. For patients with cancer minimizing the intake of foods of animal origin - as opposed to plant-based ones - has proved to have positive effects. Our review suggests this diet can be used in a number of diseases and it also provides long-term sustainable solutions for the health care challenges of the newest era. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(47), 1859-1865.

Stability of CART peptide expression in the nucleus accumbens in aging.

Aging is accompanied by changes of several anorexigenic and orexigenic neuropeptides expressed in various brain areas that control food intake and these changes correlate with senescent anorexia. During aging expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide was reported to be reduced in the hypothalamic nuclei related to food intake. Although CART peptide is abundant in the nucleus accumbens that also plays a crucial role in the food intake regulation, no data is available about the CART peptide expression in this region through aging. In the present study, CART peptide immunoreactivity was compared in the nucleus accumbens of young adult (4- and 7-month-old) middle-aged (15-month-old) and aging (25-32-month-old) Long-Evans rats. The density of CART-immunoreactive cells and axon terminals in the nucleus accumbens was measured with computer-aided densitometry. CART-immunodensity was similar in the old rats and in the younger animals without significant difference between age groups. In addition, no gender-difference was observed when CART-immunoreactivities in the nucleus accumbens of male and female animals were compared. Our results indicate that CART peptide expression in the nucleus accumbens is stable in adults and does not change with age.

Difference of interleukin-23 receptor gene haplotype variants in ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn's disease and psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: Polymorphisms of the interleukin-23 receptor (IL23R) gene have been found to play a role in the development of several autoimmune diseases. Our aim was to examine the possible effect of not only simple individual variants, but of haplotypes composed of them. SUBJECTS: We analysed 263 patients with psoriasis, 199 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 282 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 253 controls for rs1884444, rs11805303, rs7517847, rs2201841, rs10889677 and rs11209032 variants. METHODS: The genotypes were determined by using PCR/RFLP assay. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the genotype distribution of the polymorphisms and haplotypes between the examined autoimmune diseases and healthy controls. RESULTS: Rs1884444 was found to confer risk for UC and psoriasis, rs10889677 for CD and psoriasis, while rs2201841 and rs7517847 had effect only in CD. Using these SNPs we could study the susceptibility haplotype profiles in these diseases with special attention to UC. Eight different haplotypes could be differentiated. We found that the SNPs exert their susceptibility character in specific haplotype blocks, and the frequency of one haplotype differed significantly in UC compared with both other diseases and also with healthy controls. This haplotype conferred risk for UC, even while it had a somewhat lower frequency in the other diseases than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here serve as evidence for the need of haplotype analysis instead of just single standing SNP analysis when susceptibility is interpreted.

Marked diversity of IL23R gene haplotype variants in rheumatoid arthritis comparing with Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis.

Haplotype tagging SNPs of interleukin-23 receptor gene rs1004819, rs7517847, rs7530511, rs2201841, rs1343151 and rs10889677 were determined in 396 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 190 patients with Crohn's disease, 206 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 182 controls. Using regression analysis models the rs1004819, rs2201841, and rs10889677 SNPs were found to confer risk for Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, while rs1343151 had a protective effect in both of these diseases, and the rs2201841 and rs10889677 SNPs showed susceptibility nature for rheumatoid arthritis. Using these SNPs we could study the susceptibility haplotype profiles in these diseases with special attention to the rheumatoid arthritis, first in the literature. Seven different haplotypes could be differentiated. We found that the SNPs exert their susceptibility character in specific haplotype blocks: thus, for rheumatoid arthritis the rs1343151 SNP was risk factor only in a specific haplotype surrounding; this can explain the controversial results published so far about this variant. More importantly, we observed, that while a specific haplotype can confer risk for rheumatoid arthritis, the same haplotype tended to protect against the development of the other two diseases. The data presented here serve evidence for the need of haplotype analysis instead of just single standing SNP analysis when susceptibility to or protection against a certain disease are interpreted.

[The role of dietary factors and nutrients in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Étrendi tényezok és tápanyagok szerepe rheumatoid arthritisben.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune inflammatory joint disease. Internal and external factors may play a role in its development. In recent years, an increasing number of studies highlighted that diet has a central role in the risk and progression of the disease. Several foods and nutrients present anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have protective effects on the development and outcome of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this review is to summarize and describe the results of randomized clinical trials or cohorts that have investigated the effects of diet and nutrition in relation to rheumatoid arthritis and the potential role of dietary therapy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Certain dietary patterns and components can be used as adjunctive therapies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and may contribute to the effective reduction of disease activity, the induction of remission and its long-term maintenance. At present, there is no nutrition guideline on the dietary management of rheumatoid arthritis and it is therefore important to objectively assess the potential effects and risks of dietary factors and dietary habits. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(27): 1052-1061.

Comparison of blood and saliva lactate level after maximum intensity exercise.

Several studies have described high correlation of salivary and blood lactate level during exercise. Measuring the effectiveness and intensity of training, lactate concentration in blood, and lately in saliva are used.The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between the concentration and timing of salivary and blood lactate level in endurance athletes and non-athletes after a maximal treadmill test, and to identify physiological and biochemical factors affecting these lactate levels.Sixteen volunteers (8 athletes and 8 non-athletes) performed maximal intensity (Astrand) treadmill test. Anthropometric characteristics, body composition and physiological parameters (heart rate, RR-variability) were measured in both studied groups. Blood and whole saliva samples were collected before and 1, 4, 8, 12, 15, 20 min after the exercise test. Lactate level changes were monitored in the two groups and two lactate peaks were registered at different timeperiods in athletes. We found significant correlation between several measured parameters (salivary lactate - total body water, salivary lactate - RR-variability, maximal salivary lactate - maximal heart rate during exercise, salivary- and blood lactate -1 min after exercise test). Stronger correlation was noted between salivary lactate and blood lactate in athletes, than in controls.

Effects of Repeated Heating on Fatty Acid Composition of Plant-Based Cooking Oils.

Several polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered to have beneficial health effects, while saturated fatty acids and industrial trans fatty acids (TFAs) are linked to negative health consequences. Given the increased formation of TFAs during heating, many studies already investigated compositional changes in oils after prolonged heating or at extremely high temperatures. In contrast, our aim was to measure changes in fatty acid composition and in some health-related indices in edible oils after short-time heating that resembles the conventional household use. Potatoes were fried in palm, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower and extra virgin olive oils at 180 °C for 5 min, and samples were collected from fresh oils and after 1, 5 and 10 consecutive heating sequences. Regardless of the type of oil, the highest linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid values were measured in the fresh samples, whereas significantly lower values were detected in almost all samples following the heating sequences. In contrast, the lowest levels of TFAs were detected in the fresh oils, while their values significantly increased in almost all samples during heating. Indices of atherogenicity and thrombogenicity were also significantly higher in these oils after heating. The present data indicate that prolonged or repeated heating of vegetable oils should be avoided; however, the type of oil has a greater effect on the changes of health-related indices than the number of heating sequences.

Possible Biochemical Processes Underlying the Positive Health Effects of Plant-Based Diets-A Narrative Review.

Plant-based diets are becoming more popular for many reasons, and epidemiological as well as clinical data also suggest that a well-balanced vegan diet can be adopted for the prevention, and in some cases, in the treatment of many diseases. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the relationships between these diets and various conditions and their potential biochemical background. As whole plant foods are very rich in food-derived antioxidants and other phytochemicals, they have many positive physiological effects on different aspects of health. In the background of the beneficial health effects, several biochemical processes could stand, including the reduced formation of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) or decreased serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and altered signaling pathways such as mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). In addition, the composition of plant-based diets may play a role in preventing lipotoxicity, avoiding N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and reducing foodborne endotoxin intake. In this article, we attempt to draw attention to the growing knowledge about these diets and provide starting points for further research.

Fatty acid composition of plasma lipid classes in chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Supplementation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) is considered as adjuvant therapy in acute pancreatitis. We investigated plasma fatty acid status in chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS: Patients with alcoholic CP (n = 56, gender: 33/23 male/female, age: 60.0 [14.0] years (median [IQR]), who reported giving up alcohol consumption several years ago and 51 control subjects were included into the study. The fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids (PL), triacylglycerols (TG) and sterol esters (STE) was analyzed. RESULTS: The sum of monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in patients with CP than in controls (PL: 12.83 [3.35] vs. 12.20 [1.95], TG: 40.51 [6.02] vs. 37.52 [5.80], STE: 20.58 [7.22] vs. 17.54 [3.48], CP vs. control, % weight/weight, median [IQR], p < 0.05). Values of arachidonic acid were significantly lower in patients with CP than in controls (PL: 10.57 [3.56] vs. 11.66 [3.25], STE: 8.14 [2.63] vs. 9.24 [2.86], p < 0.05). Values of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid did not differ and there was no difference in the ratio of n-3 to n-6 LCPUFA. CONCLUSION: Our present data do not furnish evidence for the supplementation of n-3 LCPUFA to the diet of CP patients in relatively good clinical condition.

[The effect of low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids in patients with chronic renal failure]. / Ketosavakkal kiegészített fehérjeszegény diéta hatásának vizsgálata krónikus veseelégtelenségben szenvedo betegeken.

It is known that dietary protein restriction slows the progression of chronic renal disease. If daily protein intake is less than 0.5-0.6 g/kgbw, the diet has to be supplemented with essential aminoacids/ketoacids. In this study the authors evaluate the long-term effect of low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids on the progression of chronic renal failure, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, nutritional status, the compliance of patients and the permanent dietary education for the compliance. 51 predialysis patients have been treated with ketoacids supplemented low-protein diet during 12-57 months (mean treatment period: 26 months). Serum creatinine raised from 349.72+/-78.04 micromol/l to 460.66+/-206.66 micromol/l (27 micromol/l/year or 2.3 micromol/l/month), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased from 21.52+/-7.84 ml/min to 18.22+/-7.76 ml/min (0.83 ml/min/year or 0.07 ml/min/month). The slope of 1/serum creatinine versus time was 0.0018 by linear regression analysis. Serum parathormon decreased significantly, but serum calcium and phosphorus did not change. Nutritional status of patients did not change significantly during the follow-up period. Protein intake decreased significantly and remained at this lower level during the treatment period. According to results: low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids was effective in slowing progression of chronic renal failure, decreased PTH, did not change nutritional status. With permanently and good education it was possible to keep patients on low-protein diet for a long period.

No association of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated gene CTLA4 +49A/G polymorphisms with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in Hungarian population samples.

AIM: The goal of the current work was to analyse the prevalence of the +49A/G variant of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 gene (CTLA4) in Hungarian patients with Crohnos disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: A total of 130 unrelated subjects with CD and 150 with UC, and 170 matched controls were genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The genotypes were determined by using PCR/RFLP test. RESULTS: The G allele frequency and the prevalence of the GG genotype were 38.1% and 12.3% in the CD group, 40.6% and 18.6% in the UC patients, and 37.4% and 15.9% in the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study show that carriage of the +49G SNP in heterozygous or in homozygous form does not confer risk either for CD or for UC in the Hungarian population.

Effect of special Hungarian probiotic kefir on faecal microflora.

AIM: To investigate the effect of a four-week consumption of a special Hungarian probiotic agent (Biofir) on the faecal microflora in human healthy subjects. METHODS: The effect of Biofir with 10(6)/cm3 initial germs on the faecal microflora was studied in 120 healthy volunteers (71 females, 49 males). The traditional Russian type kefir was used as control. The various germ groups and pH values were determined in wk 2, 4 and 6. RESULTS: The number of all microbes increased during the 4-week probiotic treatment. The number of microbes increased 4.3-fold in the control group and 6.8-fold in Biofir-treated group. The probiotic kefir caused multiplication of the probiotic flora, meanwhile the undesired bacteria multiplied in the control group. No significant change of pH values of the faeces was found in both groups. CONCLUSION: The Hungarian probiotic kefir (Biofir) is capable of promoting multiplication of probiotic bacterial flora in the large bowel.

Changes of plasma fasting carnitine ester profile in patients with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To determine the plasma carnitine ester profile in adult patients with ulcerative culitis (UC) and compared with healthy control subjects. METHOD: Using ESI triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, the carnitine ester profile was measured in 44 patients with UC and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the fasting free carnitine level between the patients with UC and the healthy controls. The fasting propionyl- (0.331 +/- 0.019 vs 0.392 +/- 0.017 micromol/L), butyryl- (0.219 +/- 0.014 vs 0.265 +/- 0.012), and isovalerylcarnitine (0.111 +/- 0.008 vs 0.134 +/- 0.008) levels were decreased in the UC patients. By contrast, the level of octanoyl-(0.147 +/- 0.009 vs 0.114 +/- 0.008), decanoyl- (0.180 +/- 0.012 vs 0.137 +/- 0.008), myristoyl- (0.048 +/- 0.003 vs 0.039 +/- 0.003), palmitoyl- (0.128 +/- 0.006 vs 0.109 +/- 0.004), palmitoleyl- (0.042 +/- 0.003 vs 0.031 +/- 0.002) and oleylcarnitine (0.183 +/- 0.007 vs 0.163 +/- 0.007; P < 0.05 in all comparisons) were increased in the patients with UC. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest selective involvement of the carnitine esters in UC patients, probably due to their altered metabolism.

Involvement of serum retinoids and Leiden mutation in patients with esophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers in Hungary.

AIM: To analyze the serum levels of retinoids and Leiden mutation in patients with esophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. METHODS: The changes in serum levels of retinoids (vitamin A, alpha- and beta-carotene, alpha- and beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein) and Leiden mutation were measured by high liquid performance chromatography (HPLC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 107 patients (70 males/37 females) with esophageal (0/8), gastric (16/5), liver (8/7), pancreatic (6/4), and colorectal (30/21 including 9 patients suffering from in situ colon cancer) cancer. Fifty-seven healthy subjects (in matched groups) for controls of serum retinoids and 600 healthy blood donors for Leiden mutation were used. RESULTS: The serum levels of vitamin A and zeaxanthin were decreased significantly in all groups of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tumors except for vitamin A in patients with pancreatic cancer. No changes were obtained in the serum levels of alpha- and beta-carotene, alpha- and beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein in patients with GI cancer. The prevalence of Leiden mutation significantly increased in all groups of patients with GI cancer. CONCLUSION: Retinoids (as environmental factors) are decreased significantly with increased prevalence of Leiden mutation (as a genetic factor) in patients before the clinical manifestation of histologically different (planocellular and hepatocellular carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma) GI cancer.

[Prevalence of Leiden mutation in various gastrointestinal disorders]. / A Leiden-mutáció prevalenciája a különbözó gastrointestinalis kórképekben.

Molecular biological examinations have been carried out by the authors from 1995 in patients with different haemostasis, very recently these types of the studies were done in patients with different gastrointestinal (Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis, hepatitis C infection, ileitis terminalis, ulcerative colitis, colon polyposis and adenocarcinoma in polyps) disorders. AIM, PATIENTS, METHOD: The Leiden mutation was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1354 healthy persons and patients with different GI disorders. RESULTS: The results of Leiden prevalence in patients with different gastrointestinal disorders were compared to those obtained in patients with venous thrombosis and familiar thrombophilia. The authors indicated that the prevalence of heterozygous Leiden positive persons was 5.9% in healthy (n = 87) and blood donors (n = 600). The prevalence of heterozygous Leiden mutation was 27% in patents who under went venous thrombosis (n = 300; P < 0.001), 38% in patients with familial thrombophilia (n = 116; P < 0.001). The prevalence of Leiden mutation was 0 in patients with Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis (n = 24), 8% in hepatitis C infections (n = 75), 14.28% in Crohn's disease, (n = 49; P < 0.01), 27.5% in ulcerative colitis (n = 35; P < 0.001), 44% in colon polyposis (n = 59; P < 0.001) and 55% in situ adenocarcinomas (in polyposis) (n = 9; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The presented results suggest that the Leiden mutation is involved in patients with different inflammatory bowel disease, colon polyposis, as one of the suggested genetic factors.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide immunoreactivity in feeding- and reward-related brain areas of young OLETF rats.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is expressed in brain areas involved in the control of appetite, drug reward and homeostatic regulation and it has an overall anorexigenic effect. Recently, we have shown that CART peptide immunoreactivity was significantly reduced in the rostral part of the nucleus accumbens and in the rostro-medial part of the nucleus of the solitary tract in adult CCK-1 receptor deficient obese diabetic Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats compared to Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) lean controls. It is not clear, however, whether altered CART expression is caused primarily by the deficiency in CCK-1 signaling or whether is related to the obese and diabetic phenotype of the OLETF strain which develops at a later age. Therefore, in the present study, CART-immunoreaction in feeding-related areas of the brain was compared in young, age-matched (6-7 weeks old) non-obese, non-diabetic OLETF rats and in LETO controls. We found that, young, non-diabetic OLETF rats revealed unaltered distribution of CART-peptide expressing neurons and axons throughout the brain when compared to age-matched LETO rats. In contrast to previous results observed in the obese diabetic adult rats, intensity of CART immunoreaction did not differ in the areas related to control of food-intake and reward in the young OLETFs compared to young LETO rats. Our findings suggest that factors secondary to obesity and/or diabetes rather than impaired CCK-1 receptor signaling may contribute to altered CART expression in the OLETF strain.

Results of nutritional screening in institutionalized elderly in Hungary.

Dietetics contributes to life-long, sustainable health and optimal life quality of people. The knowledge of the nutritional state can be informative and normative in order to optimize personal care. The aims of this study were to summarize the relevant legislative considerations of nourishing the elderly in different long-term residential social institutions and to screen the nutritional state of those living there. No investigation of this type has ever been carried out in Hungary or in central eastern Europe before. We used the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) screening program for the evaluation of nutritional status. Our survey was done in 20 Hungarian nursing homes in 2006. The sample (n=1381) was representative of regional distribution and number of residents. In our study population 38.2% of the patients were endangered in point of malnutrition. The results of our survey call attention to the elevated number of elderly people at risk of malnutrition in nursing homes. As malnutrition has serious consequences regarding also quality of life, nutritional screening of nursing home residents is not only a basic economical interest, but is also in full harmony with the idea "not only to feed, but to nourish" and it is a basic moral duty.