Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3)
Hormonal Receptor, Human Epidermal Growth Factor and Its Association with Breast Cancer Tumor Characteristics in Albania
Edlira Pajenga, Tefta Rexha, Silva Çeliku, Ana Ugrinska, Gazmend Bejtja
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):171-175 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4085 
Aim: This retrospective study was designed to analyze expression patterns of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu in Albanian patients with breast carcinoma to identify their relationships with tumor size, histological grade (HG), lymph node metastasis and relapse. Methods: Patients with either biopsy or metastatic relapse were identified. Demographics, tumor characteristics, ER, PR, and HER2/neu status were retrospectively obtained from the medical records of patients treated with breast cancer during 2006-2011. Hormonal receptors and HER2/neu were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Association of ER, PR and...
Cervical Viral Infections among Asymptomatic Bulgarian Women
Jeni Staykova, Tanja Belovska, Ayla Murad, Sevinch Kakid, Aneta Nacheva, Evelina Shikova
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):176-179 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4299
Aim: Although sexually transmitted viral infections are significant and increasing public health concern, little is known about their prevalence among Bulgarian women. The aim of this study was to investigate cervical viral infections in asymptomatic women. Methods: The study group included 52 randomly selected asymptomatic female volunteers from Bulgarian border town Kardzhali. Cervical specimens were tested by real-time PCR for human papillomaviruses (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Results: The investigation demonstrated...
Virological Surveillance of Influenza in Four Recent Post-Pandemic Seasons (2010/11 to 2013/14) in Bulgaria
Neli Korsun, Svetla Angelova, Ani Teodosieva
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):180-187 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4297
Aim: Influenza virological surveillance is an essential tool for studying the evolution of influenza viruses as well as for annual updating of the vaccine composition. The aim of the present study is to analyse the circulation of the influenza viruses in Bulgaria during the four recent post-pandemic seasons. Methods: A total of 3,681 respiratory samples from patients with influenza like illness (ILI) or acute respiratory illness (ARI) were tested for influenza viruses using Real Time RT-PCR. Results: Influenza viruses were detected in 1,367 (37%) samples. Of those viruses, 941 (69%) were of type A and 426 (31%) of type B. Among...
Trends in Hospitalization of Children with Bacterial Pneumonia in Poland
Małgorzata Gajewska, Katarzyna Lewtak, Jacques Scheres, Piotr Albrecht, Paweł Goryński
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):188-192 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4164
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the hospitalization trends in children aged 0-6 suffering from bacterial pneumonia in the years 2007-2011 in Poland. Methods: The data pertained to the hospitalized patients diagnosed with the diseases registered as J13-J15 according to ICD-10. Results: In the years 2007-2011, the hospitalization rate increased from 16.3/10,000 to 44.1/10,000 for boys and from 13.8/10,000 to 33.0/10,000 for girls. The most frequently hospitalized children were between 1 and 2 years of age (90.6/10,000 for boys and 58.0/10,000 for girls in 2011). The average length of stay (LOS) of the investigated children...
Investigation of Factors Affecting Frequency of Intestinal Parasites in Primary School Students in an Urban Region in Turkey
İnci Arıkan, Aynur Gülcan, Saime Ergen Dıbeklıoğlu
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):193-198 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4231
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of intestinal parasitic diseases (IPD) and associated factors in primary school students and to assess the knowledge and practices of mothers about these diseases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in January-March 2014 in 471 students aged 5-11 years, studying at 3 schools randomly selected from the city centre regions with different socioeconomic levels. Stratified sampling method was used in the present study and the data were collected in two stages. In the first stage, parents were informed about the study and pre-prepared questionnaire forms were used to...
Estimating the Baseline Incidence of a Seasonal Disease Independently of Epidemic Outbreaks
Bohumír Procházka, Jan Kynčl
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):199-205 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4800
In epidemiology, it is very important to estimate the baseline incidence of infectious diseases, but the available data are often subject to outliers due to epidemic outbreaks. Consequently, the estimate of the baseline incidence is biased and so is the predicted epidemic threshold which is a crucial reference indicator used to suspect and detect an epidemic outbreak. Another problem is that the "usual" incidence varies in a season dependent manner, i.e. it may not be constant throughout the year, is often periodic, and may also show a trend between years. To take account of these factors, more complicated models adjusted for outliers are used. If...
Risk Factors for Malnutrition in Seniors Aged 75+ Living in Home Environment in Selected Regions of the Czech Republic
Iva Brabcová, Marie Treąlová, Sylva Bártlová, Jitka Vacková, Valerie Tóthová, Lenka Motlová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):206-210 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4283
Background and Aim: Nutrition is an important social determinant of health that influences the ageing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional condition of a group of seniors and identify the bio-psycho-social factors that increase the risk of malnutrition. Methods: The research was conducted using a quantitative method. The standardised scales Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF) and the Geriatric depression scale (GDS-5) were used to evaluate the nutritional condition and tendency towards depression of the tested group. This group consisted of seniors aged 75 and above living in home environment in...
Intake of Dietary Fibre and Its Sources Related to Adolescents' Age and Gender, but Not to Their Weight
Justyna W. Wuenstel, Lidia W±dołowska, Małgorzata A. Słowińska, Ewa NiedĽwiedzka, Joanna Kowalkowska, Lidia Kurp
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):211-216 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4331
Aim: The aim of this observational study was to investigate the intake of dietary fibre and its sources among Polish adolescents according to prevalence of overweight after adjustment for age and gender. Methods: The study sample consisted of 1,565 students, including 48% boys and 52% girls aged 13-18 with normal weight, overweight and obesity. Dietary information was reported using the Block Screening Questionnaire for Fruit/Vegetable/Fibre Intake. The nutritional status was assessed on the basis of body mass and height measurements. The statistical analysis used one-factor logistic regression, multiple linear regression, trend estimation...
Child Maltreatment in Turkey: Comparison of Parent and Child Reports
Zeynep Sofuoğlu, Görkem Sarıyer, M. Gökalp Ataman
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):217-222 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4155
Background and Aim: Child maltreatment, i.e. abuse and neglect, is a significant problem worldwide and can cause impaired physical and mental health throughout life. The true extent still remains unknown in all countries, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to apply the two versions of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Child Abuse Screening Tool of ICAST-C and ICAST-P, which are used to assess child and parent feedback and to compare reports given by children and those given by parents. This is the first study of its kind conducted in Turkey. Methods: First, ICAST was translated into...
Association of EGF, IGFBP-3 and TP53 Gene Polymorphisms with Major Depressive Disorder in Slovak Population
Silvia Mahmood, Andrea Evinová, Mária ©kereňová, Igor Ondrejka, Ján Lehotský
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):223-230 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4301
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a main public health concern worldwide. Despite extensive investigations, the exact mechanisms responsible for MDD have not been identified. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are involved in brain function. Tumour suppressor protein p53 is widely involved in neuronal death in response to different forms of acute insults and neurological disorders. The present study focuses on the possible associations of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of EGF A61G (rs4444903), IGFBP-3 C32G (rs2854746) and TP53 G72C (rs1042522) genes...
Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Turkish Workers with Pneumoconiosis
Hilal Altınöz, Cengiz Çelikkalkan, Gönül Dinç Horasan, Fatih Hamşioğlu, Nalan Cengiz, Hikmet Orbay
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):231-233 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4694
Aim: Pneumoconiosis is caused by inhaling dust. The aim of the study was to analyze 208 cases of workers' pneumoconiosis. Method: Patients' files were used for the descriptive study. Results: All patients were male aged 38.82±13 years. The most important symptom was breathlessness. Patients were denim sandblasters (50.5%), dental technicians (12%), coal miners (6.7%), and others. The mean exposure time before pneumoconiosis occurred was shorter in denim sandblasters and teflon kitchenware producers compared to other occupations (5.4±4.2 and 4.5±3.3 years, respectively). Profusion (76.5%) was more than 1/2 by the...
Adverse Phototoxic Effect of Essential Plant Oils on NIH 3T3 Cell Line after UV Light Exposure
Svatopluk Binder, Adéla Hanáková, Kateřina Tománková, Klára Píľová, Robert Bajgar, Barbora Maniąová, Kristina Kejlová, Hana Bendová, Dagmar Jírová, Hana Kolářová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):234-240 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4354
Aim: Natural or artificial substances have become an inseparable part of our lives. It is questionable whether adequate testing has been performed in order to ensure these substances do not pose a serious health risk. The principal aim of our research was to clarify the potential risk of adding essential oils to food, beverages and cosmetic products.Methods: The toxicity of substances frequently employed in cosmetics, aromatherapy and food industry (bergamot oil, Litsea cubeba oil, orange oil, citral) were investigated using cell line NIH3T3 (mouse fibroblasts) with/without UV irradiation. The MTT assay was used to estimate the cell...
Estrogen Receptor Binding Affinity of Food Contact Material Components Estimated by QSAR
Jitka Sosnovcová, Marián Rucki, Hana Bendová
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):241-244 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4813
Aim: The presented work characterized components of food contact materials (FCM) with potential to bind to estrogen receptor (ER) and cause adverse effects in the human organism. Methods: The QSAR Toolbox, software application designed to identify and fill toxicological data gaps for chemical hazard assessment, was used. Estrogen receptors are much less of a lock-and-key interaction than highly specific ones. The ER is nonspecific enough to permit binding with a diverse array of chemical structures. There are three primary ER binding subpockets, each with different requirements for hydrogen bonding. Results: More than 900 compounds...
Breast Cancer and Deodorants/Antiperspirants: a Systematic Review
Mohamed Farouk Allam
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):245-247 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4475
Background: Over the last decade, the possible association between underarm deodorants/antiperspirants use and breast cancer risk has raised important interest in the scientific community. The objective of our systematic review is to estimate the pooled risk of deodorants/antiperspirants use for breast cancer.Methods: All observational studies that evaluated the association between breast cancer risk and deodorants/antiperspirants use were reviewed. We have only identified two case-control studies, carried out between 2002 and 2006.Results: The first study was conducted in the USA and investigated the possible relationship...
A Unique Opportunity to Study Short- and Long-Term Consequences in Children Prenatally Exposed to Illicit Drugs and Opioid Maintenance Treatment Using Czech and Scandinavian Registers
Roman Gabrhelík, Blanka Nechanská, Viktor Mravčík, Svetlana Skurtveit, Ingunn Olea Lund, Marte Handal
Cent Eur J Public Health 2016, 24(3):248-251 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4474
Licit and illicit drug use in pregnant women constitutes a long lasting and serious problem worldwide. Information on long-term effects of maternal drug use on the child is limited. Nationwide registers provide a great potential to study short- and long-term consequences for children exposed to licit and illicit drugs during pregnancy. We discuss this potential, with a special emphasis on exposure to methamphetamine, heroin and prescription drugs used for opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). We also discuss the advantages of analysis using register data and of merging such data from different regions. The Czech and Scandinavian registers are largely...