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Biomedical subjects

J Herczeg

Publications and source records attributed to J Herczeg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Plan-do-study-act cycles as an instrument for improvement of compliance with infection control measures in care of patients after cardiothoracic surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine whether compliance with infection control measures for the care of patients during and after cardiothoracic surgery could be improved by using 'plan-do-study-act' (PDSA) improvement cycles in a 715-bed university hospital. The endpoints of these cycles were indices of correct procedure based on infection control standards. The intervention consisted of instruction and training of nursing and medical staff on the use of PDSA cycles, feedback of the baseline measurements, and the use of posters in the proximity of the operating room (OR). At follow-up, overall compliance only improved in the room used by the perfusionists and the OR. After the follow-up period, monitoring revealed a drop in compliance in the OR, but improved compliance during vascular catheter care of patients with prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and during wound care of patients on the nursing ward. The last series of monitoring showed that compliance with general infection control measures in the OR had improved again, and that compliance had remained satisfactory on the ward and in the ICU, with the exception of patients recently transferred to the ICU from the OR. The results show that by using PDSA cycles, compliance with infection control measures can improve significantly. However, repeated monitoring is necessary to ensure continued compliance.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2002

The occurrence of five major Newcastle disease virus genotypes (II, IV, V, VI and VIIb) in Bulgaria between 1959 and 1996.

Partial sequence and restriction enzyme cleavage site analyses of the fusion protein gene were used to genotype 47 Newcastle disease virus strains isolated between 1959 and 1996 in Bulgaria. Viruses belonged to five major genotypes that appeared to be associated with epizootics characterized by temporal and/or geographical restrictions. Genotype IV viruses (responsible for the European branch of the first panzootic) dominated the scene up to the early 1980s, interspersed with sporadic outbreaks caused by genotype II (US strains causing pneumoencephalitis) viruses. Genotype V viruses (transmitted by psittacines from South America) were first shown in 1973 and persisted until the late 1980s. Genotype VI (earliest members from the Middle-East 1968/70 outbreaks) was represented by scattered isolations between 1974 and 1996. A genotype VIIb (recent Middle East epizootic) virus was isolated as early as in 1984. Newcastle disease epizootics in Bulgaria were highlighted by multiple infection with more than one genotype at any one time.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Two novel genetic groups (VIIb and VIII) responsible for recent Newcastle disease outbreaks in Southern Africa, one (VIIb) of which reached Southern Europe.

34 strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolated during epizootics in the Republic of South Africa and in Mozambique between 1990 and 1995, and in Bulgaria and Turkey in 1995-1997 were identified by restriction enzyme and partial sequence analysis of the fusion (F) protein gene. The majority of isolates in southern Africa and those from Bulgaria and Turkey were placed into a novel group which has been termed VIIb. Group VIIb is part of a larger genetic cluster (VII) that also includes NDV strains from the Far East and some western European countries (VIIa). The genetic distance of 7-8, 5% between genotype VIIa and VIIb viruses excludes the existence of a direct epidemiological link between recent southern African epizootics and outbreaks in either western Europe in the 1990's or those of the Far East. Another hitherto unrecorded genotype (VIII) was also found in South Africa with descendants of putative ancestral members isolated in the 1960's. The genetic distance of recent group VIII strains from the major epizootic genotype (VIIb) is over 11%, therefore outbreaks caused by them were epidemiologically unrelated. Genotype VIII viruses must have been maintained in South Africa by endemic infections during the past decades while group VIIb appears to be introduced more recently.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Lentogenic field isolates of Newcastle disease virus isolated in Canada and Hungary are identical with the vaccine type used in the region.

Lentogenic field isolates of Newcastle disease virus were examined by restriction enzyme analysis of RT-PCR products generated from the matrix protein gene that discriminates between strains LaSota and B-1, the two most widely used lentogenic vaccine viruses. Isolates were derived from regions where, exclusively or predominantly, only one type of vaccine was employed. Viruses collected in Hungary for two decades were exclusively of LaSota-type while the Canadian collection predominantly included B-1, which corresponded to the vaccine types used in the regions. Isolation of vaccine type lentogenic viruses from unvaccinated flocks supports the occurrence of area spread of these lentogenic viruses.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Newcastle disease outbreaks in recent years in western Europe were caused by an old (VI) and a novel genotype (VII).

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains, isolated from outbreaks during epizootics between 1992 and 1996 in Western European countries, were compared by restriction enzyme cleavage site mapping of the fusion (F) protein gene between nucleotides 334 and 1682 and by sequence analysis between nucleotides 47 and 435. Both methods revealed that NDV strains responsible for these epizootics belong to two distinct genotypes. Strains derived from sporadic cases in Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria were classified into genotype VI [6], the same group which caused outbreaks in the Middle East and Greece in the late 1960's and in Hungary in the early 1980's. In contrast, viruses that caused epizootics in Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy could be classified into a novel genotype (provisionally termed VII), hitherto undetected in Europe. It is possible that the genotype VII viruses originated in the Far East because they showed a high genetic similarity (97%) to NDV strains isolated from Indonesia in the late 1980's.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

High-risk obstetrics, medicolegal problems.

The perinatal period is one of the most dangerous time of life. The responsibilities of the obstetricians are multifold. It is very difficult to draw a line between good and substandard care, therefore in perinatology and especially in high-risk obstetrical cases there are no absolute rules of management. The lay public is convinced through media channels, that modern reproductive research eliminated all the risks and hazards associated with childbirths, therefore only 100% healthy babies are accepted. Pregnancy is regarded as a 'success story' and if the baby is born with neurological defects (cerebral palsy) the parents and their advisors feel, that someone responsible for the defect should be found in the chain of management. This attitude starts a legal battle focusing on the events of labor and delivery. But in most cases it is very difficult to determine if a peripartal neonatal encephalopathy originated from the time period of labor and delivery, or started weeks earlier during pregnancy as an unnoticed event. Perinatal morbidity indicators are best based on neonatal clinical signs, which are predictive of later morbidity of the child. Neonatal seizures within 48 h of delivery of the baby could be a good index of later morbidity.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗
PubMed1996

Identification and grouping of Newcastle disease virus strains by restriction site analysis of a region from the F gene.

A 75% region of the F gene (between nucleotides 334 and 1682) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) RNA was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PCR products were cleaved by three restriction endonucleases and the positions of thirty cleavage sites were mapped in more than 200 NDV strains. Restrictions site analysis established six major groups of NDV isolates and unique fingerprints of vaccine strains. Group I comprised lentogenic strains isolated mainly from waterfowl with some from chickens. "Old" (prior to 1960s) North American isolates of varying virulence including lentogenic and mesogenic vaccine strains belonged to group II. Group III included two early isolates from the Far East. Early European strains (Herts 33 and Italien) of the first panzootic (starting in the late 1920s) and their descendants with some modifications were placed into group IV. NDV strains isolated during the second panzootic of chickens (starting in the early 1960s) were classified into two groups. Group V included strains originating in imported psittacines and in epizootics of chickens in the early 1970s. Group V1 comprised strains from the Middle East in the late 1960s and later isolates from Asia and Europe. Pigeon paramyxovirus-1 strains that were responsible for the third panzootic formed a distinct subgroup in group V1. Our grouping of NDV strains has confirmed group differences established by monoclonal antibodies. It is concluded that restriction site analysis of F gene PCR amplicons is a relatively fast, simple and reliable method for the differentiation and identification of NDV strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Premedication and pain relief with Nubain during second trimester therapeutic pregnancy terminations.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the analgesic efficacy of the opioid agonist-antagonist Nubain during midtrimester therapeutic terminations with intra-amniotic PGF2 alpha or i.m. administration of the PGE2 derivative sulprostone. METHOD: Following osmotic predilatation with laminaria tents patients were given as a premedication 10 mg Valium, 10 mg Nubain and 0.5 mg atropine i.m. prior to prostaglandin treatment, and sequential doses of Nubain during the uterine contractility period. Patients indicated their own perception of uterine pain on a differential graphic rating scale, and the attending physician also evaluated patients' discomfort on a 5-grade scale. RESULT: In 55% of the cases patients experienced only 'mild' or 'moderate' pain. The mean induction-to-abortion interval was short (11.6 +/- 1.3 h). The well known gastrointestinal side-effects of the prostaglandins were avoided. CONCLUSION: Nubain proved effective in stabilizing patients' condition during intra-amniotic instillation of prostaglandin, effectively relieved uterine pain during the myometrial contractility period, prevented the occurrence of prostaglandin-related side-effects, and provided simple and good anesthesia during instrumental removal of the already detached but retained placenta.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗
PubMed1990

[Weather front sensitivity as an influencing factor in the onset of labor].

The connection between meteorological stimuli and the onset of labor was examined on the basis of the patients' front-sensitivity. Front-sensitivity was tested by a questionary containing 60 questions. Converse relation was observed between the degree of sensitivity and the gestational age. A sudden rise of onsets of labors could be shown during frontal changes, occurred after meteorologically quiet periods. During frontal changes the ratio of onsets of labors rose significantly among those patients who were sensitive tho the given front. This effect could be observed during a longer period of frontal influence. By the authors opinion also meteorological stimuli can be regarded as one of the factors, determining the actual date of onset of labor among front-sensitive women.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Physiological and biochemical implications of prostaglandins from the perspective of developing safer first and second-trimester obstetrics.

Hungary has experienced one of the highest prematurity rate of the world due to the large number of induced abortions carried out by rapid mechanical dilation of the cervix during the last three decades. With the pioneering work of Professor Sune Bergström in the identification and isolation of the primary, naturally occurring prostaglandins and in elucidating their chemical structure, it became possible also in Hungary to start research with the help of the Swedish investigators and WHO assistance on the clinical application of PGs. Recently growing understanding of cervical physiology promotes their use for cervical dilatation and for pharmacological uterine stimulation which is especially important in Hungary from the perspective of changing the recent situation, i.e. preventing cervical incompetence and subsequent "short-gestations" in future pregnancies. The physiologic importance of the development of the PG-analogues with slowed-down metabolic degradation is outlined here. The implications of the PGs in cervical ripening is reviewed, and the role of the cervix,--as an endocrine gland, playing a biochemically preprogrammed role in controlling a wide array of physiological processes throughout human gestation--, is discussed.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1986

Randomized comparison of different prostaglandin analogues and laminaria tent for preoperative cervical dilatation. World Health Organization Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction: Task Force on Prostaglandins for Fertility Regulation.

In an eleven-centre study, 627 nulliparous subjects in the 8th to 12th week of gestation admitted for termination of pregnancy were allocated to one of five treatments to induce pre-operative cervical dilatation. The treatments were: 0.5 mg PGE2 methyl sulphonylamide; 1.0 mg PGE1 methyl ester; 30 mg 9-methylene PGE2 free acid, 0.5 mg 15-methyl PGF2 alpha; a single medium-sized laminaria tent. The results indicate that the three PGE analogues are at least equally effective as one medium sized laminaria tent and more effective than 0.5 mg 15-methyl PGF2 alpha in producing adequate pre-operative cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration. It is concluded that both pre-treatment with prostaglandin analogues and laminaria tent are effective methods for preoperative cervical dilatation and both types of treatment are associated with a low incidence of side effects. Prostaglandin analogue treatment can be administered by paramedical personnel but laminaria tent insertion has to be performed by medical staff.

16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2↗
PubMed1986

Pre-evacuation dilatation of the pregnant uterine cervix by Laminaria japonica.

Laminaria japonica was used as pre-dilator of the pregnant uterine cervix prior to termination of pregnancy in the first and second trimester. In the first trimester (6-11 weeks, n=26) no other method was used, while in the second trimester pharmacological stimulation--prostaglandin F2 alpha or the prostaglandin analogue Sulprostone was used after or simultaneously with the laminaria insertion (12-18 weeks n=34 and 40, respectively). The dilatatory effect of laminaria was an obvious help in termination of both first and second trimester pregnancies.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗
PubMed1985

Increased lysosomal fragility in the human uterine cervix following estrogen therapy.

In vitro stability of the lysosomal membrane complex was studied in non-pregnant human uterine cervices. The oestrogen therapy caused markedly enhanced lability of the lysosomal membrane complex as evidenced by higher activity of the "marker" enzyme when the preparations were challenged by mechanical or detergent stress. Oestradiol-17 beta might be implicated in altering the metabolism of the proteoglycan complex which may result in the "ripening" of the pregnant cervix.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1985

Betamimetic effects on the electro-mechanical characteristics of the pregnant and postpartum myometrium in vitro.

Myometrial strips were studied in the two extremes of regulatory conditions by measuring isometric tension and resting potentials in vitro. The effects of isoproterenol (IP) and PGF2 alpha were studied on pregnant and postpartum rabbit uteri. Lower IP concentrations inhibited the activity of the pregnant uterus as compared to the postpartum myometrium. Both pregnant and postpartum myometrium could be hyperpolarized by IP, however, lower concentrations were needed during pregnancy. The inhibiting effect on mechanical activity of IP developed without any hyperpolarization at its lower concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A possible "communication line" between the conceptus and the uterus.

A possibility of a model in which the conceptus utilizes membrane-like vesicles for transmembrane signaling between the chorioamnion (CA) and decidua (D) was tested in vitro. Tissue slices of CA and D from first and second trimester pregnancy material were exposed to liposomes (LUVS) encapsulating pBR 322 bacterial plasmid DNA radiolabelled with 32P alpha-ATP by nick translation. The corresponding CA and D cells yielded different amounts of incorporated radioactivity which was significantly (p less than less than 0.01) higher in the decidua as compared to the CA. Our data provides the first evidence that CA and especially decidual cells could actively pick up membrane-like vesicles. In spite of the fact that CA is an avascular tissue, such processes could readily operate on the outer surface of the conceptus and might play a role in the chain of events which leads to parturition.

Amnion↗