Egészségtudományi Közlemények

The organizational structure of the medicinal herb growing sector and its analysis

2024-03-25T09:11:07+01:00

Medicinal plant cultivation is a sector that can be found both in Hungary and abroad too. However, its characteristics may be different from area to area. However, the organizational structure of the sector is the same in most countries. And the profiles of medicinal plant growing enterprises are also identical, as they can carry out the same economic activities in the sector in most countries. The purpose of this literature research is to map, analyze and present the organizational structure of the medicinal plant growing sector.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM): technological advancement in diabetes management

2024-11-11T09:13:09+01:00

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) represents a major breakthrough in diabetes management, offering real-time insights into glucose levels that help optimize glycaemic control. This review discusses the expanding role of CGM, its advantages, challenges, and future directions. Traditional methods, such as self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG), provide only periodic glucose data, which can miss critical fluctuations and result in less effective diabetes management. In contrast, CGM delivers constant feedback, allowing timely interventions and a deeper understanding of glucose patterns. CGM systems typically comprise a sensor, transmitter, and receiver. These devices measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid and send data to receivers or smartphones, with some systems even syncing with insulin pumps for automatic adjustments. Both real-time (rtCGM) and intermittently scanned (isCGM) systems have demonstrated benefits, including reduced HbA1c levels, increased time in range (TIR), and a lower risk of hypoglycemia for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Despite these benefits, CGM adoption faces barriers like cost, accessibility, and data overload. Additionally, occasional discrepancies between CGM readings and actual blood glucose levels highlight the need for user education and further refinement of CGM accuracy.
Advances in CGM technology, including longer sensor life, improved accuracy, and integration with artificial intelligence (AI), are propelling diabetes care forward. AI features hold promise for predictive glucose management, while integration with closed-loop (artificial pancreas) systems may transform insulin delivery. As CGM technology progresses, it is positioned to play a crucial role in managing not only diabetes but also other metabolic conditions. For CGM to achieve its full potential, issues surrounding affordability and accessibility must be addressed to ensure broad access to this life-enhancing technology.

From skincare to surgery - South Korea’s influence in beauty and health tourism

2024-10-08T11:05:18+02:00

South Korea’s beauty ideals are not only culturally significant; they are also the driving force behind the nation’s thriving K-Beauty industry and medical tourism sector. Historically, beauty in Korea has been associated with Confucian values of inner strength and duty. Over time, there has been an increasing emphasis on appearance, leading to the development of specific beauty standards such as the “three whites” (skin, teeth and eyes) and the “three blacks” (hair, eyebrows and pupils). Nowadays, these ideals are amplified by the influence of K-pop and K-dramas, promoting features such as pale skin, V-shaped faces and heart-shaped lips. The global popularity of K-Beauty products and skincare routines has made South Korea a leading destination for beauty tourism. Tourists are flocking to Korea for skincare treatments and beauty workshops, supported by social media and beauty industry influencers. In addition, South Korea has become a top destination for medical tourism, particularly plastic surgery. In 2023, a record 606,000 foreign patients sought medical treatment, with more than half of them seeking dermatological or cosmetic procedures. The South Korean government aims to further promote medical tourism and expects 700,000 foreign patients per year by 2027. The financial impact is significant, with medical tourists spending 10 times more than the average tourist.

Relationships between burnout, self-esteem and psychologicalwell-being in university students

2024-09-30T12:11:33+02:00

The authors conducted a quantitative cross-sectional study to investigate the relationships between burnout, self-esteem and psychological well-being among university students in the health sciences. The aim of the study was to uncover the psychosocial risk factors that may influence students’ health behaviors and mental health status. A total of 281 full-time students (n = 281; 14.9% male; 85.1% female) from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Miskolc took part in the study (mean age: 21.1 years; standard deviation: 2.9). According to its composition, 54.1 of the sample consisted of physiotherapists, 15.8% of public health nurses, 14.3% of medical diagnosticians, 10% of health tourism managers and 5.7% of nurses. In addition to socio-demographic questions, the survey used the Student Burnout Inventory to measure burnout, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES-H) to measure self-esteem, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to measure the subjective experience of stress and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) to assess mental health. The results indicate that the self-esteem and psychological well-being of university students are strongly correlated with the likelihood of burnout. Furthermore, these things have a significant impact on their health behaviors and health status. An inappropriate career choice and a lack of support from the environment can lead to a change of subject or even dropping out of college. The findings highlight the complex issues of student burnout and dropout and emphasize the role of educational institutions in providing early detection and appropriate support, which are essential for maintaining student well-being and achieving academic success.

Molecular allergen and cross-allergen component studies among people living in the northheastern Hungarian region

2024-10-08T09:06:09+02:00

Background: The availability of multiplex microarray-based diagnostic systems in the field of allergology contributes to the determination of personalized, component- based diagnosis. It enables allergen source and accurate allergen component identification even in patients with ambiguous symptoms and Prick skin test suggesting simultaneous positivity of two or more related allergens. Aim: In our study, we determined the presence and type of sensitization in the adult population of northeastern Hungary using a new type of multiple allergy diagnostic system and identified the molecular components most frequently involved in the background of sensitization and cross sensitization. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study involving 229 adult volunteers. An ELISA- based multiplex molecular diagnostic system was used to determine sensitization. Results: Sensitization to an allergen was confirmed in nearly 70% of the subjects. 22.70% were sensitized to a single allergen, while 46.72% were sensitized to multiple allergens simultaneously. The degree of sensitization and total IgE were moderately correlated. In both groups, significant seasonal inhaled allergens were the molecular components of ragweed, grasses and birch. As perennial allergens, dust and food mite proteins caused frequent sensitization. The most common components responsible for cross-sensitization were proteins from ragweed, Timothy grass, birch and dust mite. Discussion: Multiplex technology and component-based diagnosis can assist the clinician in determining targeted, patient-centred and cost-effective allergy treatment.