Teaching young consumers in Europe: a multicentre qualitative needs assessment with educators on food hygiene and food safety.

AIM: Foodborne illnesses have a significant global burden and can be life-threatening, with higher risk in vulnerable groups such as children. SafeConsume is an EU-funded, transdisciplinary project aiming to improve consumers' food safety behaviour. Developing educational resources on food safety for use in schools has potential to improve teaching of our young consumers. The aim of this study was to explore school educators' attitudes, behaviours and knowledge towards food hygiene, safety and education. METHODS: Focus groups and interviews in England, France, Portugal and Hungary explored educator knowledge, skills, intentions and beliefs around educating young people (11-18 years) about food safety. Data were analysed using NVivo and emerging themes were applied to the Theoretical Domains Framework. RESULTS: A total of 48 educators participated. Knowledge, confidence and skills to teach food safety to young people varied depending on background and training. Educators reported they had a role to teach food safety to young people, were positive about delivering education and optimistic they could improve students' food safety behaviour. Barriers to teaching included lack of national curriculum coverage, limited time and money, and lack of facilities. Educators reported that social influences (family, celebrity chefs, public health campaigns and social media) were important opportunities to improve young peoples' awareness of food safety and consequences of foodborne illness. CONCLUSION: Educator food safety expertise varied; training could help to optimise educator knowledge, confidence and skills. Ministries of Health and Education need encouragement to get food safety incorporated further into school curricula across Europe, so schools will be motivated to prioritise these topics.

Histological examination of vascular lesions caused by stent implantation in humans and in comparative experimental animal model.

A comparative analysis of human and experimental animal (canine) tissues was performed to characterize and describe cellular and histological responses during the processes of newly forming intravascular tissues after stent implantation. Routine histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of 20 human samples and 9 samples from animal models were used one day, one week and one month after the stent implantation. After one day of implantation, there was no difference between the human and canine peripheral arteries, suggesting a similar cellular and histological response in the early phase. In contrast, after one week of implantation, during the proliferative phase the repairing human tissue showed less intensive production of inflammatory cells and more intensive increase in number of vascular cells than did the canine model. In addition, cellular changes normally restituted by the end of one month in canine peripheral arteries, but vascular cells persisted in human atherosclerotic arteries. In conclusion, results of this study suggest differences in both phases of vascular repair in the post-stented period, because both proliferative and regressive phases showed histological differences in canine and human samples. In canine, the restitution of vascular wall was completed by the end of first month but persistent vascular cell proliferation was visible in the human peripheral arteries. It can be suggested that delayed cellular response might indicate restenosis but also can be considered considered as a progression of the original arterial disease.

Effect of vitamin E on reperfusion injuries during reconstructive vascular operations on lower limbs.

INTRODUCTION: The challenge against reperfusion injury and tissue oxidative stress, especially in vascular surgical interventions has an essential importance to reach the optimal clinical result. Numerous experimental attempts have proved the positive antioxidant effect of vitamin E in both chronic and acute phase models. In our study we monitored the effect of continuous preoperative treatment with vitamin E, on oxidative stress and tissue inflammation reactions developed after reconstructive operations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 32 patients have been involved in a randomized, prospective study, all suffering from AFS occlusion proved by angiography, and all undergone supragenual reconstruction. Duration of ischemia and amount of tissues under vascular clamping were almost the same in all patients. In the group treated with E-vitamin, we administered 1 x 200 mg of vitamin E p/o from the preoperative day till the 7th post operative day. Patients of the second group did not receive vitamin E. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected immediately before operation and at the end of the second reperfusion hour (early reperfusion period). Late reperfusion period has been monitored by analyzing blood samples taken at 24th hour and 7th day next to the operative ischemia. Among oxidative stress parameters, direct measurement of reactive oxygen intermediator (ROI) and determination of antioxidant state (GSH, Total-SH group, SOD) have been performed. Malondialdehyde was chosen as marker for lipidperoxidation. Inflammation reactions were monitored up on expression of adhesion molecules (CD11a and CD18). We also controlled the oscillation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. RESULTS: Our study has proved that preoperative (from the preoperative day till the 7th post operative day) administration of 200 mg vitamin E could reduce the level of oxidative stress developed after ischemic-reperfusion insult (lipidproxidation, antioxidant enzymes). According to our results, the prooxidant-antioxidant imbalance also diminished in the group with E-vitamin treatment. We proved that elective administration of vitamin E could decrease the WBC activity (MPO activity, free radicals production, expression of adhesion molecules) and its consequential local inflammation process, during early reperfusion.

Glioblastoma multiforme with an unusual location and clinical course.

We present a unique case of a brain tumor patient with atypical location and progression. He was initially presented with mood and anxiety type symptoms together with aphasia and left-sided paraesthesias. Magnetic resonance imaging and CSF were negative and the patient was diagnosed with PTSD as he recently experienced a small motor vehicle accident. Two months after the first presentation, MRI revealed multifocal juxtacortical, leptomeningeal hyperdensities in the bilateral frontal lobes. MRI-guided frameless stereotactic biopsy defined a diagnosis of GBM 1 week prior to death which occurred within 4 months. Postmortally, formalin-fixed brain demonstrated that the main tumor mass was located in the fornix, infiltrating the ventricular system and disseminating over the cortex, cerebellum and spinal cord. The authors recommend closer scrutiny of psychiatric patients presenting CNS symptomatology, negative MRI, CT and CSF.

Pathology and diagnostic options of lower limb compartment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The indication of surgical treatment in lower limb compartment syndrome mostly depends on the clinical signs which can be often uncertain, resulting in delayed insufficient intervention. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the progression of compartment syndrome by measuring of intracompartmental pressure and monitoring of decreased tissular oxygenation, indicating an insufficient secondary microcirculation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 16 patients were examined in our study (12 males, 4 females, mean age: 62.7+/-9.5 years), who underwent acute lower limb revascularization surgery for a critical (lasting more than 4 hours) limb ischemia. The indications were: 5 iliac artery embolizations and 11 femoral artery occlusions. After revascularization, on the second postoperative day, we detected significant lower limb edema and swelling of several grade. To monitor the elevated intracompartmental pressure (ICP) and to evaluate the extremital circulation, we used KODIAG pressure meter and the tissular oxygen saturation (StO2) was measured by near-infrared-spectroscopy. RESULTS: In 12 cases the ICP exceeded the critical 40 mmHg. In these patients the average StO2 was 50-53%, in spite of complete recanalization. In these cases we made urgent, semi-open fasciotomy. In 4 cases, where the clinical aspect showed compartment syndrome, the measured parameters did not indicate a surgical intervention (ICP: 25-35 mmHg, StO2: around normal). SUMMARY: A novel approach in our examination is that, besides empirical therapeutic guidelines generally applied in clinical practice, we established an objective, parameter-based ("evidence based medicine") surgical indication strategy for the lower limb compartment syndrome. Our parameter results produced by the above pressure and saturation measurements help the clinicians to decide between conservative and operative treatment of the disease.

Reperfusion injury and inflammatory responses following acute lower limb revascularization surgery.

After revascularization of an acute arterial occlusion the development of a serious ischaemic-reperfusion injury is a menacing challenge and a hard task in peripheral vascular surgery. A whale of evidences point to oxidative stress, as an important trigger, in the complex chain of events leading to reperfusion injury. In the present study authors aimed to examine oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant-prooxidant state and leukocyte adhesion molecules (CD11a and CD18) expression following acute revascularization surgery of lower limb.10 patients were examined in the prospective randomized study. Peripheral blood sample was collected in ischaemic period, and after reperfusion in the 2nd and 24th hours, and on 7th day. Superoxide-dismutase activity, reduced glutathion concentration and leukocytes free radical production were measured. The degree of lipidperoxidation was marked with the quantity of malondialdehyde. The expressions of adhesion molecules were measured with flowcytometry.The speed and rate of free radical production significantly increased in the early reperfusion (p<0.05). The level of antioxidant enzymes decreased after revascularization. The CD11a and CD18 expression of the granulocytes significantly (p<0.05) decreased right after the revascularization, but with a gradual elevation until the 7th day they exceed the ischaemic value. Our results showed a time specific turnover of the sensitive antioxidant-prooxidant balance after revascularization operation.

Internal carotid stent implantation with angioscopic control.

Stent implantation is a method, which is being used more and more often, mainly in the field of peripheral arteries, but coronary stent implantation is also well-known. The authors apply this procedure for patients, who besides the carotid bifurcation stenosis also suffer from the internal carotid stenosis in a longer section of the artery. The indication are as follows: 1 in the case of internal carotid stenosis in a longer section we assure the flow with the help of carotid thrombendarterectomy and slove the run-off with balloon catheter dilatation and stent implantation. 2. in the case of a stenosis in a short section we use stent implantation to avoid dissection of the intima. With each intervention we perform the carotid bifurcation thrombendarterectomy. The authors made the first intervention 15 months ago, since then we have performed 17 stent implantations. One of the 17 patients developed a temporary stroke (TIA). This is a new method, further cases are needed for long-term experiences. Intervention under eye-control can be carried out with more confidence. As regards to the post-operative medicinal treatment, the administration of thrombocyte aggregation-blockers or heparinoid preparation (e.g.: PPS-SP 54) after the stent implantation has become a routine therapy. Summarized the foregoing, these cases constitute about 10-15% of all carotid operations, therefore the authors would like to make it clear, that this is not a routine method, but a possibility, strictly respecting the above-mentioned indications.

The basic and the practical way of treating of diabetic foot.

Developed atrophic ulcer and infected alterations of the foot, as a result of complications of DM, according to the available literature, 40-80% of the performed amputations are not necessary even though in practice they do occur. In our practice even the severely altered and infected extremities which look serious are considered as primarily a savable extremity if the conditions are present. The state of circulation of the extremity and the condition of the limb are evaluated carefully, and the sugar level is monitored continuously. According to our experience, every progressing process, the alteration of the host sugar level can be held as responsible. That is why after the early therapeutic period, careful monitoring of the insulin level is a priority. At our out-patient department we are daily confronted during routine wound inspections by cases of necrotizing osteomyelitis which to our experience are doomed for removal. In 1995 at the out-patient section of the vascular surgery ward we saw over 9000 patients, more than 500 of which included patients with diabetic angio/neuropathy complications. The nursing of this group of patients during that year only to 33 large vessel reconstructive operations and 26 cases of amputations. We conclude from the above statistics that not all cases of osteomyelitis cases should lead to limb amputation. Due to the nature of the condition, careful monitoring with early preventive measures, plus family support play a crucial role in the outcome of the condition. This complex process is better handled if special diabetic centres were set-up to monitor patients progress.

[Aorto-bifemoral bypass through retroperitoneal "mini"-incision (preliminary report)]. / Aorto-bifemoralis bypass mtét retroperitoneális "mini" feltárásból (Elözetes közlemény).

The large vertical midline or transverse transperitoneal approaches used to the conventional aortoiliac reconstruction are accompanied with a relatively high postoperative morbidity and mortality rate (2% to 5%) even in patients who are good risks undergoing aortic surgery. The purpose of this study was develop a new technique for aorto-bifemoral bypass operation to minimize the operative stress on these patients. The recommended left paramedian retroperitoneal approach using 5-6 cm skin-incision and a special retractor with three dimensional vision and using modified surgical instruments directly with eye control, offers the possibility to decrease the operative stress significantly and the sufficient control of the serious bleeding might occur. If it is necessary this exposure can be immediately converted to a conventional approach by simply enlargement of the incision. In our first case the functional results were very good and consequently hospitalization time and the convalescence period were short. This minimal access approach appears to diminish the catabolic response and is hopefully associated with accelerated recovery and virtual abolition of large wound-related complications. It could become the procedure of choice for selected patients with obstructive or aneurysmal aorto-iliac disease.

[A case of fatal squamous cell carcinoma, originating from the skin of the hand]. / A kézhát böréböl kiinduló, fatalis lefolyású laphámsejtes rák esete.

Case report of a 77 year old man has been shown, who had a squamous cell carcinoma of the left hand, with axillary metastases. Seven months after the recognition of disease, incision of primary tumor, skin transplantation and removal of axillary tumor mass, the patient has died.

[Use of colposcopic examinations in the determination of the birth term]. / Anwendung kolpozytologischer Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung des Geburtstermins

The authors have determined with the help of colpo-cytological examination the birth's time wich can be expected in 375 pregnancy. Their experiences: 1. With colpo-cytological examination in 76,8% of the cases they could determine the time of the expected delivery. 2. This method can offer precious facts to diagnose overcarrying. 3. This method is simple, quick, cheap, and can be performed everywhere.