Outcome of group physical therapy treatment for non-specific low back pain patients can be predicted with the cross-culturally adapted and validated Hungarian version STarT back screening tool.

Purpose: The STarT Back Tool was developed to identify the specific modifiable prognostic factors for non-specific low back pain and to classify the patients into risk groups; low, medium and high risk of chronicity. Applied therapeutic approaches often involve group physical therapy. The aim of this study was the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hungarian version of the STarT Back Tool and to investigate the predictive ability for global treatment outcome.

Development of a Polymer-Based Biodegradable Neurovascular Stent Prototype: A Preliminary In Vitro and In Vivo Study.

Biodegradable stents are not established in neurovascular interventions. In this study, mechanical, radiological, and histological characteristics of a stent prototype developed for neurovascular use are presented. The elasticity and brittleness of PLA 96/4, PLDL 70/30, PCL, and PLGA 85/15 and 10/90 polymers in in vitro experiments are first analyzed.

Modelling pH-Optimized Degradation of Microgel-Functionalized Polyesters.

We establish a novel mathematical model to describe and analyze pH levels in the vicinity of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate-co-N-vinylimidazole) (VCL/AAEM/VIm) microgel-functionalized polymers during biodegradation. Biodegradable polymers, especially aliphatic polyesters (polylactide/polyglycolide/polycaprolactone homo- and copolymers), have a large range of medical applications including delivery systems, scaffolds, or stents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Most of those applications are limited by the inherent drop of pH level during the degradation process.

Modelling pH-Optimized Degradation of Microgel-Functionalized Polyesters.

We establish a novel mathematical model to describe and analyze pH levels in the vicinity of poly(-vinylcaprolactam-co-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate-co--vinylimidazole) (VCL/AAEM/VIm) microgel-functionalized polymers during biodegradation. Biodegradable polymers, especially aliphatic polyesters (polylactide/polyglycolide/polycaprolactone homo- and copolymers), have a large range of medical applications including delivery systems, scaffolds, or stents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Most of those applications are limited by the inherent drop of pH level during the degradation process.

Laser-induced drug release for local tumor control--a proof of concept.

Background: The systemic palliative chemotherapy of locally extended gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary tumors is associated with a considerable burden for the patient. The aim of this project was to develop a new drug release system to improve the local stent therapy in these patients as a proof of concept study. For this purpose, polymer filaments were modified with drug-loaded polymer microgels that allow selective release of the active substance by photochemical triggering using laser radiation.

Changes in expression of oncogenes and TP53 tumour suppressor gene as biomarkers in head and neck cancers.

Despite modern diagnostic procedures and up-to-date therapy, the survival of head and neck tumour patients is unfavourable. This can be explained by several factors, one of which is the late recognition of the tumour. This study related to the changes in expression of the c-myc and Ha-ras oncogenes and the p53 tumour suppressor gene as biomarkers in head and neck cancer cases.

Skin cancer risk factors among primary school children: investigations in Western Hungary.

Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with sunburns and with sun protection practice in Hungarian primary school children.

Method: We investigated children's (the median age: 8, range 5 to 12 years) and parents' assessment of sun sensitivity and sun protection characteristics in cities Gyor and Zalaegerszeg (Hungary) in 2004. This cross-sectional study was part of a programme intended to increase children's and parents' awareness of harmful effects of excessive sunbathing.

[Molecular epidemiology of cancers and precancerous conditions].

For many years the molecular biology has been one of the most promising fields of science and its several methods have been used in practice. These new methods of molecular biology made impression on epidemiology and developed a new discipline, called molecular epidemiology. The molecular and predictive epidemiology play more and more important roles in the prevention of cancers.