Rethinking Mackinder’s thoughts: The „Heartland”in the 21st century geopolitics

A klasszikus háború politológiai, politikai filozófiai és geopolitikai koncepciója a 19. századtól a 21. századig átértékelődött vagy átstrukturálódott. Mennyire alkalmazható, megvalósítható és adaptálható Halford John Mackinder „Heartland” elmélete a modern és premodern geopolitikai konfliktusok megoldásában? Hogyan értelmezhetők Mackinder gondolatai a mai modern politikatudományban és geopolitikában? Ezek a kérdések képzik tanulmányom lényegét

Rethinking Mackinder’s thoughts: The „Heartland”in the 21st century geopolitics

A klasszikus háború politológiai, politikai filozófiai és geopolitikai koncepciója a 19. századtól a 21. századig átértékelődött vagy átstrukturálódott. Mennyire alkalmazható, megvalósítható és adaptálható Halford John Mackinder „Heartland” elmélete a modern és premodern geopolitikai konfliktusok megoldásában? Hogyan értelmezhetők Mackinder gondolatai a mai modern politikatudományban és geopolitikában? Ezek a kérdések képzik tanulmányom lényegét

Validation of a Generally Applicable Method for the Characterization of Scoliotic Deformities and Sagittal Spinal Curvatures

The oldest and most precise way to determine the curvatures of the spine is two directional X-ray measurement from the sagittal and coronal planes. By using X-ray, patients are exposed to radiation, which limits the repeatability of the measurements even in serious deformities, thus X-ray is not applicable for frequent monitoring. Therefore new alternative non-invasive radiation-free measurement systems appeared, which measure the external shape of the spine on the back surface. The goal of the present study is to validate the new tangential calculation method by Cobb method based radiographic analysis and by two other alternative calculation methods. In the study 22 young patients suffering from scoliotic deformities are examined. Thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and scoliotic deformity, as the three characterizing angles of spinal curvatures, are calculated by four different methods. The results show that the newly developed tangent line method could be applicable for the evaluation of spinal curvatures

Gyermekkori pancreatitis. A Magyar Hasnyalmirigy Munkacsoport bizonyitekon alapulo kezelesi iranyelvei.

Pediatric pancreatitis is a rare disease with variable etiology. In the past 10-15 years the incidence of pediatric pancreatitis has been increased. The management of pediatric pancreatitis requires up-to-date and evidence based management guidelines. The Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group proposed to prepare an evidence based guideline based on the available international guidelines and evidences. The preparatory and consultation task force appointed by the Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group translated and complemented and/or modified the international guidelines if it was necessary. In 8 topics (diagnosis; etiology; prognosis; imaging; therapy; biliary tract management; complications; chronic pancreatitis) 50 relevant clinical questions were defined. (Evidence was classified according to the UpToDate(R) grading system. The draft of the guidelines was presented and discussed at the consensus meeting on September 12, 2014. All clinical questions were accepted with total (more than 95%) agreement. The present Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group guideline is the first evidence based pediatric pancreatitis guideline in Hungary. This guideline provides very important and helpful data for tuition of pediatric pancreatitis in everyday practice and establishing proper finance and, therefore, the authors believe that these guidelines will widely serve as a basic reference in Hungary. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(8), 308-325

The effect of COVID-19 vaccination status on all-cause mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Hungary during the delta wave of the pandemic

The high mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is effectively reduced by vaccination. However, the effect of vaccination on mortality among hospitalised patients is under-researched. Thus, we investigated the effect of a full primary or an additional booster vaccination on in-hospital mortality among patients hospitalised with COVID-19 during the delta wave of the pandemic. This retrospective cohort included all patients (n = 430) admitted with COVID-19 at Semmelweis University Department of Medicine and Oncology in 01/OCT/2021–15/DEC/2021. Logistic regression models were built with COVID-19-associated in-hospital/30 day-mortality as outcome with hierarchical entry of predictors of vaccination, vaccination status, measures of disease severity, and chronic comorbidities. Deceased COVID-19 patients were older and presented more frequently with cardiac complications, chronic kidney disease, and active malignancy, as well as higher levels of inflammatory markers, serum creatinine, and lower albumin compared to surviving patients (all p < 0.05). However, the rates of vaccination were similar (52–55%) in both groups. Based on the fully adjusted model, there was a linear decrease of mortality from no/incomplete vaccination (ref) through full primary (OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.39–1.23) to booster vaccination (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13–0.72, p = 0.006). Although unadjusted mortality was similar among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, this was explained by differences in comorbidities and disease severity. In adjusted models, a full primary and especially a booster vaccination improved survival of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 during the delta wave of the pandemic. Our findings may improve the quality of patient provider discussions at the time of admission