One of the key drivers for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is non-prudent antibiotic (AB) use, which results in selection pressure towards relevant bacteria. Community pharmacists have pivotal roles in facilitating the prudent use of ABs that have been demonstrated by several studies worldwide. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists related to AB use and infectious diseases in Hungary. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed among community pharmacists in Hungary with the use of an anonymous, structured and pilot-tested questionnaire. Data collection ran between January 2016 and January 2018; n = 339 community pharmacists nationwide were approached with our questionnaire, out of which 192 filled out our survey. Hungarian pharmacists have appropriate knowledge regarding ABs and antimicrobial therapy, and they realize the public health impact of the growing AMR. Twenty-five percent of participants admitted to giving out non-prescription ABs at least once in the last year. The age and presence of board-certified specializations were shown to be significant factors of self-perceived knowledge and professional attitudes. Educational strategies and interventions specifically aimed at focusing on identified shortcomings and changing certain attitudes could substantially improve AB dispensing and AB use, in addition to minimizing resistance.

Background: Women are typically diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer around the postmenopausal period when declining estrogen levels initiate changes in lipid profiles. Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are used to prevent the progression of cancer; however, a further reduction in estrogen levels may have detrimental effects on lipid levels, which was our working hypothesis. Methods: Our meta-analysis was conducted on the lipid profiles of postmenopausal breast cancer patients at baseline and at different treatment time points. Results: We identified 15 studies, including 1708 patients. Studies using anastrozole (ANA), exemestane (EXE), letrozole (LET), and tamoxifen (TMX) were involved. Subgroup analyses revealed that 3- and 12-month administrations of LET and EXE lead to negative changes in lipid profiles that tend to alter the lipid profile undesirably, unlike ANA and TMX. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, despite statistically significant results, EXE and LET may not be sufficient to cause severe dyslipidemia in patients without cardiovascular comorbidities according to the AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. However, the results may raise the question of monitoring the effects of AIs in patients, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia.

The investigation of food-drug and plant-drug interactions has become increasingly important. In case of antibiotics, it is essential to achieve and maintain a plasma concentration sufficient for the antimicrobial action. Although, on theoretical basis, the interaction of polyphenols and antibiotics may be hypothesized, experimental data are lacking to assess its clinical relevance. The aim of our study was to assess the interaction between one of the most widely used antibiotics, amoxicillin, and green tea, the most frequently consumed drink with high polyphenol content. The effects of green tea on the plasma level of amoxicillin was studied in an in vivo experiment in rats. The plasma level of amoxicillin was monitored by LC-MS/MS for 240 min after oral administration. The polyphenol content of green tea was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The peak plasma concentration of amoxicillin significantly decreased upon its co-administration with green tea, although the AUC0–240 of the antibiotic did not decrease significantly in the group treated with amoxicillin suspended in green tea. Our results suggest a potentially relevant interaction between green tea and amoxicillin, worth being further studied in humans.

Adequate vitamin D (VD) intake during pregnancy is needed for fetal development and maternal health maintenance. However, while there is no doubt regarding its importance, there is not a unified recommendation regarding adequate intake. The main aim of our study was to measure the VD serum level of studied women, together with its potential influencing factors: demographic (i.e., age, level of education, relationship status and type of residence), conception and pregnancy related factors. Results are based on secondary data analyses of a retrospective case–control study of 100 preterm and 200 term pregnancies, where case and control groups were analyzed together. Data collection was based on a self-administered questionnaire, health documentation, and maternal serum VD laboratory tests. VD intake was evaluated by diet and dietary supplement consumption. According to our results, 68.1% of women took some kind of prenatal vitamin, and only 25.9% of them knew about its VD content. Only 12.1% of included women reached the optimal, 75 nmol/L serum VD level. Higher maternal serum levels were associated with early pregnancy care visits (p = 0.001), assisted reproductive therapy (p = 0.028) and advice from gynecologists (p = 0.049). A correlation was found between VD intake and serum levels (p < 0.001). Despite the compulsory pregnancy counselling in Hungary, health consciousness, VD intake and serum levels remain below the recommendations. The role of healthcare professionals is crucial during pregnancy regarding micronutrients intake and the appropriate supplementation dose.

Wheatgrass is widely used in the alternative medicine, however, there is a lack of clinical evidence to support its efficacy. Although based on its chemical composition, data from animal experiments and clinical trials, the use of juice and extracts of Triticum shoots seems to be safe, clinical reports point out its potential interaction with oral anticoagulants. The aim of our study was to assess the interaction of wheatgrass with warfarin in rats and to assess its flavonoid content. Three groups of animals were treated orally with wheatgrass, warfarin, or the combination of wheatgrass and warfarin for five days. Clotting assays were performed using platelet-poor plasma. Prothrombin time was determined by optical and mechanical coagulometers. Flavonoid content of wheatgrass was measured by HPLC. The effect of wheatgrass on prothrombin time was not confirmed. Co-administration of wheatgrass and warfarin did not result in diminished anticoagulant activity. Low amount of flavonoids was detected in wheatgrass juice, the total flavonoid content was 0.467 mg/100 g lyophilized juice powder. The previously reported rutin, quercetin and apigenin was not detected by us. Our results do not confirm the probability of interaction of wheatgrass with oral anticoagulants. However, the low flavonoid content of wheatgrass does not support its use as an antioxidant.

Perinatal depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in women. The aim of this study was to assess the association of life stressors, perceived stress, obstetric and neonatal complications, and depressive symptoms in the early postpartum period and to compare these variables in two groups of women (preterm and term deliveries). Methods: A case–control study was conducted among 300 women who gave birth in 2019 at the University of Szeged. Cases included women with preterm deliveries (<37 weeks, n = 100), and the controls included women with term deliveries (≥37 weeks, n = 200). Data were collected during postpartum hospital stays through a self-administered questionnaire (containing validated questionnaires: the Holmes–Rahe Life Stress Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)) and the medical records of women and newborns. A descriptive statistical analysis and logistic regression were used to identify predictors of high EPDS scores (≥10). Results: Perceived stress levels were significantly higher among cases than controls (p < 0.001). Higher perceived stress was associated with a higher risk of depression in cases (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.17–1.48, p < 0.001) and controls (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.21–1.45, p < 0.001), too. Newborn complications were associated with an increased perinatal depression risk in the controls (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.05–5.91; p = 0.039) but not in the cases (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 0.79–9.85; p = 0.111). It is supposed that premature birth was stressful itself, and women with preterm babies were less sensitive to any complications occurring in their newborns compared to women with term newborns. Neither maternal age, education, nor obstetric complications predicted depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the impact of maternal perceived stress and newborns’ health status on the risk of developing depression during the early postpartum period. These results emphasize the need for ongoing screening and follow-up measures, especially for women with higher EPDS scores.