Anikó Kőnig-Péter

Purpose: Implantable venous ports provide durable intravenous access but carry inherent risks. This study aimed to characterise portacath complication rates at our institution over eight years and to assess the impact of the COVID19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 344 consecutive patients who underwent port placement at the University of Pécs between 1 March 2018 and 29 November 2025. Data collected included demographics, underlying malignancy, comorbidities, immunocompromise and timing of implantation relative to chemotherapy. Complications were recorded and classified as acute or delayed. Associations between patient factors and complications were analysed using descriptive statistics and χ2 tests. Results: Overall, 31 of 344 ports developed complications, resulting in a complication rate of 9.25%. Infections (8.95%) and skin breakdown or decubitus ulcers (7.63%) were the most common events, while mechanical failure, catheter malposition, and pneumothorax occurred only rarely. Complication rates did not differ significantly by age, sex, comorbidities, immunocompromised status, timing of implantation or pandemic period. Conclusions: At our centre, ultrasound-guided portacath implantation was associated with a low complication rate, even during the COVID19 pandemic. Complications were primarily infectious or cutaneous and showed no clear association with demographic variables or timing of insertion. Rigorous aseptic technique, meticulous surgical placement and comprehensive patient education are essential to minimise adverse events.

Background: Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and the EFSA-recommended PAH4 index (benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene), can accumulate in human breast milk following maternal exposure. Aim: This study aimed to determine BaP and PAH4 levels in breast milk samples of lactating mothers in Hungary and to evaluate demographic, lifestyle, dietary, and environmental predictors of these carcinogenic PAHs. Methods: Breast milk samples (n = 50) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FLD). Due to the right-skewed distribution of PAH concentrations, BaP and PAH4 values were log10-transformed before statistical analysis. Associations between log10-transformed PAH concentrations and maternal variables were assessed using t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multivariable linear regression. Results: BaP was detected in 32 of 50 samples (64%), whereas PAH4 was detectable in 44 of 50 samples (88%). Frequent milk consumption was independently associated with higher log10-transformed PAH4 concentrations in multivariable analysis. Samples collected during the heating season tended to show higher carcinogenic PAH levels compared to those obtained outside the heating period. Other demographic and lifestyle factors showed no consistent independent associations. Conclusions: Lifestyle and environmental factors, particularly dietary habits and seasonal exposure, contribute to carcinogenic PAH levels in breast milk among Hungarian mothers. Identifying modifiable determinants may support strategies to reduce infant exposure.

(1) The evidence is mounting that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of hazardous organic compounds with established carcinogenic and toxic properties. Humans may be exposed to PAHs through several different routes, including diet, inhalation, and dermal contact. There is also a possibility that they could transfer into breast milk following maternal exposure, which could potentially endanger breastfeeding infants. (2) The objective of this study was to ascertain the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in breast milk samples from 50 Hungarian mothers, employing high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC–FLD). An Incremental Life Risk Calculation (IRCL) model estimated the carcinogenic risk to infants. (3) Total PAH concentrations ranged from 0 to 78 ng/mL, with fluorene (5.3 ng/mL), phenanthrene (3.2 ng/mL), and pyrene (2.5 ng/mL) being the most abundant. PAHs were detected in 48 of the 50 samples, with phenanthrene present in 92% of samples. Dibenzo (a,h)anthracene was not detected. (4) According to the model measurements, most of the samples were within acceptable risk levels; however, 2 samples out of 50 posed a higher risk. Statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by the mothers indicated that factors such as diet, residence, and education may influence PAH levels in breast milk.

(1) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hazardous organic compounds with known carcinogenic and toxic properties. Exposure to PAHs occurs through various sources, including diet, inhalation, and skin contact, and they can transfer into breast milk following maternal exposure, potentially endangering breastfeeding infants. (2) This study aimed to determine the PAH content in breast milk samples from 50 Hungarian mothers using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FLD). The carcinogenic risk to infants was estimated using the Incremental Life Risk Calculation (IRCL) model. (3) Total PAH concentrations ranged from 0 to 78 ng/mL, with fluorene (5.3 ng/mL), phenanthrene (3.2 ng/mL), and pyrene (2.5 ng/mL) being the most abundant. PAHs were detected in 48 of the 50 samples, with phenanthrene present in 92% of samples. Dibenzo (a,h)anthracene was not detected. (4) Based on IRCL calculations, 10% of the samples were classified as safe, while 88% presented an acceptable carcinogenic risk for infants. Statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by the mothers indicated that factors such as diet, residence, and education may influence PAH levels in breast milk.

(1) Background: The retention of intraradicular posts is an important factor for the prognosis of endodontically treated teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the push-out bond strength (PBS) of the posts relating to their diameter and region of the root. (2) Methods: A total of 40 premolar teeth (decoronated and root canal-filled) were divided into four groups (n = 10). After post-space preparation, different sizes (1.0, 1.2, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) of glass fiber posts were luted with resin cement into the root canals. After placement, 2 mm thick slices were cut from the roots according to their apical, middle, and coronal regions (n = 116). Push-out tests were carried out in a universal testing machine on each slice. A statistical evaluation of the data was applied. (3) Results: When comparing the diameter, the 2.0 mm posts had the highest PBS (111.99 ± 10.40 N), while the 1.0 mm posts had the lowest PBS (99.98 ± 8.05 N). Divided by the surface of the bonded area, the average PBS value was the highest for the 1.0 mm posts (18.20 ± 1.67 MPa) and the lowest for the 2.0 mm posts (12.08 ± 1.05 MPa). (4) Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, when comparing the regions of the roots, no significant differences were found among the PBS values of the three regions (p = 0.219). When comparing the diameters, significant differences were shown between the PBS values of the four groups (p = 0.023 and p = 0.003, respectively).

Introduction: The public health threat of substandard and falsified medicines has been well known in the last two decades, and several studies focusing on the identification of products affected and preventing consumption have been published. However, the number of these products reaching patients and causing health consequences and adverse drug reactions is not a well-researched area.Objectives: Our aim was to identify and describe the characteristics of cases that are related to adverse drug reactions potentially originating from counterfeit medication using publicly available pharmacovigilance data.Methods: A descriptive study was performed based on pharmacovigilance data retrieved from Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) identified in the European Medicines Agency’s EudraVigilance and FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) databases in April 2022 using selected MedDRA preferred terms: counterfeit product administered, product counterfeit, product label counterfeit, product packaging counterfeit, suspected counterfeit product, adulterated product, product tampering, and suspected product tampering. ICSRs were analyzed by age and gender, by year of reporting, region of origin, reporter’s profession, and severity of the outcome. The disproportionality method was used to calculate pharmacovigilance signal measures.Results: A total of 5,253 cases in the FAERS and 1,049 cases in the EudraVigilance database were identified, generally affecting middle-aged men with a mean age of 51.055 (±19.62) in the FAERS and 64.18% of the cases between 18 and 65 years, while the male to female ratios were 1.18 and 1.5. In the FAERS database, we identified 138 signals with 95% confidence interval including sildenafil (n = 314; PRR, 12.99; ROR, 13.04; RRR, 11.97), tadalafil (n = 200; PRR, 11.51; ROR, 11.55; RRR, 10.94), and oxycodone (n = 190; PRR, 2.47; ROR, 2.14; RRR, 2.47). While in the EV data 31, led by vardenafil (n = 16, PRR = 167.19; 101.71–274.84; 95% CI, RRR = 164.66; 100.17–270.66; 95% CI, ROR = 169.47; 103.09–278.60; 95% CI, p < 0.001), entecavir (n = 46, PRR = 161.26, RRR = 154.24, ROR = 163.32, p < 0.001), and tenofovir (n = 20, PRR = 142.10, RRR = 139.42, ROR = 143.74, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The application of pharmacovigilance datasets to identify potential counterfeit medicine ADRs can be a valuable tool in recognition of potential risk groups of consumers and the affected active pharmaceutical ingredients and products. However, the further development and standardization of ADR reporting, pharmacovigilance database analysis, and prospective and real-time collection of potential patients with health consequences are warranted in the future.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be extremely hazardous to human health due to their carcinogenicity and toxicity. Following mother exposure, a part of PAHs might be transferred into breast milk, and PAH exposure may results in adverse effects in breastfeeding infants. Chrysene, benzo(a,h)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene (PAH4) are the most suitable indicators of PAHs in food. The aim of this work was to develop a sensitive and selective sample preparation method for the determination of PAH4 in breast milk using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The study compared different extraction methods of PAHs. The method was validated using parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.5–50 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation values were less than 0.37%. The recovery values ranged between 99.97 and 99.99%. The LOD and LOQ values were found to be between 1.4 and 1.7 ng/mL and between 2.5 and 4 ng/mL, respectively.

The adsorption capacities of alginate, chitosan and immobilized Spirulina platensis-maxima cells were studied in a continuous packed-bed column, under dynamic condition. The composition of alginate and chitosan beads was optimized. Various operating conditions were applied; the effect of flow rate, column height and initial metal ion concentration were investigated. The alginate beads have the highest adsorption capacity for Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, 3.4, 2.3 and 3.1 mmol g⁻¹ per dry weight, respectively. The alginate-Spirulina system has slightly decreased adsorption capacity 3.1, 1.9 and 3 mmol g⁻¹. The uptake of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by chitosan and chitosan-Spirulina beads is 0.8, 0.9, 0.7 and 1, 0.8, 0.6 mmol g⁻¹. The Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models have been applied to analyse the breakthrough data. The results indicate feasible reuse of the beads at least in five sorption cycles.