Introduction of Potentially Allergenic Foods in the Infant's Diet during the First Year of Life in Five European Countries

Background: Little information is available on infants' age at first introduction of potentially allergenic foods as part of complementary feeding. We aimed to analyze age at the introduction of potentially allergenic foods in healthy term infants relative to recommendations in 5 European countries. Method: Recruitment was conducted from October 2002 to June 2004. A total of 1,678 infants {[}588 breastfed (BF) and 1,090 formula-fed (FF) infants] were studied. In 1,368 infants, at least one 3-day weighed food diary at the age of 1-9 and 12 completed months was available. Results: Six percent of BF infants and 13% of FF infants consumed some potentially allergenic food already prior to the recommended minimum age of 4 months, and 4% of BF infants and 11% of FF infants had already received gluten. There were significant differences in the timing of the introduction of potentially allergenic foods between the countries at the age of 4-6 months (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The time of first introduction of potentially allergenic foods in infants differed significantly between countries, and they were introduced much earlier than recommended in some countries. FF infants received potentially allergenic foods earlier than BF infants. Better information and counseling of parents is desirable. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Incidence and treatment approach of intraocular pressure elevation after various types of local steroids for retinal diseases

Purpose For the treatment of macular edema, in addition to the use of antivascular endothelial growth factors, steroids are also used intravitreally and sub-Tenon. Side efects include among others cataract formation and elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this retrospective study was to elicit the IOP elevation after administration of various steroidal medication, the time of onset, and the efcacy of the administered IOP-lowering therapies. Methods We included 428 eyes with a postoperative (n=136), diabetic (n=148), uveitic macular edema (n=61), and macular edema after retinal vein occlusion (n=83). These patients were treated with one or more diverse steroidal agents once or multiple times. These drugs included: triamcinolone acetonide (TMC) as intravitreal injection (TMC IVI) or subTenon (TMC ST), as well as dexamethasone (DXM) and fuocinolone acetonide (FA) intravitreally. An increase of IOP of≥25 mmHg was designated as pathological. A steroid response in anamnesis, the time of onset of IOP rise from the frst administration, and the therapy administered were documented. Results Of 428 eyes, 168 eyes (39.3%) had IOP elevation up to a mean of 29.7 (SD ±5.6) mmHg, which occurred at a median of 5.5 months. Steroids most frequently leading to rise of IOP included DXM (39.1% of all eyes receiving that drug), TMC IVI (47.6%), TMC ST combined with DXM (51.5%), DXM with FA (56.8%), and TMC IVI with DXM (57.4%). A Kaplan–Meier analysis and the Log Rank test showed a signifcant diference (p<0.001). IOP rise was treated as follows: 119 conservatively (70.8%), and 21 surgically (12.5%, cyclophotocoagulation 8.3%, fltering surgery 1.8%, in 4 the steroidal drug implant was removed 2.4%), and 28 eyes received no therapy (16.7%). Sufcient IOP regulation was achieved in 82 eyes (68.9%) with topical therapy. In 37 eyes (31.1%) with persistently elevated intraocular pressure, topical therapy had to be continued over the follow-up of 20±7 months. Conclusions IOP increases after any type of steroid application are not rare. Results of our study let us suspect that especially therapy with intravitreal dexamethasone, either as a monotherapy or in combination with another steroid, tends to increase IOP more than other steroids. Regular IOP checks are necessary after each steroid administration, with possible initiation of long-term conservative and/or surgical therapy if necessary

Approval rates for corneal donation and the origin of donor tissue for transplantation at a university-based tertiary referral center with corneal subspecialization hosting a LIONS Eye Bank

Background: With the increasing demand for corneas, eye banks must optimize the tissue donation, collection, and selection process. This retrospective monocentric study analyzed the approval rates for corneal donation and the origin of and reasons for discarding donor corneas from 2010 to 2019. Methods: Data included the number of deceased, approval or rejection by the family for corneal donation and contraindications. Corneal grafts were included from all deceased persons who were full-body and multi-organ donors at the Saarland University Medical Center (UKS) and from external institutions. Additional analyzed parameters included endothelial cell count (ECC), blood sample serology for infections, and conjunctival swab testing . Results: A total of 1748 corneoscleral buttons were harvested from 10,265 deceased persons (17% with no contraindication) at the UKS between 2010 and 2019, with a consent rate of 23.3%. The number of explants increased from 136 in 2010 (15% of the deceased, total = 925) to 251 in 2019 (21%, total = 1214). Both the general and departmentspecifc data showed similar percentages for corneal donation over the years, with intensive care and palliative units recently providing the most corneas. The increase in the number of corneas processed by the cornea bank over the years (368 in 2010 compared with 857 in 2019) was linked both to a better internal supply in 2010 (262, 71.2% of the total) compared with 2019 (519, 60.6%) and to an external supply by reinforcement of cooperation with external hospitals, including Luxembourg in 2010 (106, 28.8% of the total) compared with 2019 (338, 39.4%). A total of 195 of 377 corneas (52%) were discarded in 2009 compared with 260 out of 715 (36%) in 2019. The main reasons for discarding were low ECC (36% of discarded corneas in 2009; 11% in 2019), positive conjunctival swab (11% in 2009; 13% in 2019), and blood sample serology (6% in 2009 and in 2019). Conclusion: Despite an increasing number of donors, the demand for corneas is still rising. Improved cooperation with internal departments and with external clinics has led to an increasing number of explanted corneas. The main reason for discarding corneas was low ECC, followed by a positive conjunctival swab for fungal or bacterial contamination and serology. Increased donation rates and continued improvements in collection and selection processes are necessary to cover the high demand for cornea

SmartUP: Entwicklung eines Zentrums für Nachhaltigkeit

Industriegebiete wurden seit Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts an Stellen errichtet, die heute mitten in den Städten sind. Im Laufe der letzten Jahrzehnte kam es zu einem starken Wandel in diesen Bereichen. Die umweltbelastenden Emissionen sowie bessere Anschlüsse an die Verkehrsinfrastruktur führten zu einer Verlagerung von Produktionsstätten in die Peripherie der Ballungsräume. Als Ergebnis dieses Wandels stehen heute in zentraler Lage viele Objekte leer bzw. sind nur teilweise genutzt. Einer dieser ehemaligen Industriestandorte, das Areal der ÖKO-Service in der Puchstraße 41, 8020 Graz, soll in der Folge eines Smart City Sondierungsprojektes zu einem Nachhaltigkeits-Zentrum ausgebaut werden, das Menschen und Organisationen mit zukunftsfähigen Produkten und Dienstleistungen Platz bietet, Kompetenzen bündelt und diese nach außen sichtbar macht. Geplant ist in einem ersten Schritt der Ausbau zu einem Nachhaltigkeits-Zentrum, die Ansiedlung von neuen Nachhaltigkeits- und Reparaturbetrieben, Büros, Geschäften und Gastronomie. Die Entwicklung wird auch Impulse für das Umfeld geben, sich als energie- und ressourcenschonendes Stadtquartier im Sinne der Smart City Graz Strategie zu positionieren. Im Rahmen des Projekts, welches mit Mitteln aus dem Förderprogramm „Smart Cities Demo“ des Klima- und Energiefonds gefördert wurde, soll in einem kooperativen Prozess auf Basis von Umfeld- und Stakeholderanalysen sowie unter Beteiligung von NachbarInnnen, nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Unternehmen, Kunst- und Kulturschaffenden, Vertreterinnen und Vertreter der Stadt Graz sowie Wissenschaft und Forschung eine gemeinsame Vision für das Quartier erstellt werden. Gleichzeitig wird ein umfassendes Energie- und Ressourcenkonzept für das Projektgebiet ausgearbeitet. Mit dem Projekt Smart UP soll gezeigt werden, dass eine derzeit wenig attraktive Industriebrache durch einen innovativen Nutzungsmix aus Gewerbe, Büros und sozialer Infrastruktur zu einem energie- und ressourceneffizienten Stadtquartier umgewandelt werden kann

Methodological Approaches for Dietary Intake Assessment in Formula-fed Infants

Background and Objective: The estimation of dietary intake remains a challenge in human nutritional studies. In infants, the use of food diaries (FDs) is a suitable method already validated; however, this method is not exempt from error. In formula-fed infants, dilution of powdered formulas may produce errors. Our aim was to develop and validate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the assessment of dietary intake in formula-fed infants, attending potential sources of error. Methods: We analysed sources of error in a random subsample of 3-day FDs from 100 infants enrolled in the European Childhood Obesity Project. Calculations to estimate intakes were standardised and included in a software tool (SOPsystem). An evaluation of a simulated FD was performed by 9 trained nutritionists and 23 nutrition students (n = 225 and n = 575 bottle evaluations, respectively) to compare the results obtained when using or not the SOPsystem. Correct answers (%), coefficients of variation, and the time spent (minutes) to assess the simulated FD were analysed. Results: Overall, 60% of the FDs contained reports of incorrect volumes, and 37% reported incorrect formula dilutions. When the SOPsystem was used, correct answers in the simulated FD were more frequent (P < 0.001) and the mean coefficient of variation and the time spent were lower (P < 0.005 and P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The development and implementation of SOPs with a software tool that identifies specific sources of error in record-keeping achieved a harmonised and improved process for assessing dietary intakes in formula-fed infants, minimising errors in calculations and reducing the work time invested

Estudo comparativo de medidas cefalométricas sagitais obtidas em telerradiografia digital e tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico

Introdução: A proposta deste estudo foi comparar medidas cefalométricas, lineares e angulares, obtidas de cefalogramas sobre telerradiografias de perfil digitais e reconstruções tomográficas, no plano médio sagital, a partir da tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC). Metodologia: Foram selecionadas 108 documentações iniciais de pacientes ortodônticos que continham telerradiografia de perfil digital e TCFC. Para reconstrução tomográfica a largura da base do osso nasal foi adotada como padrão para definição da espessura a ser utilizada. O examinador determinou 17 pontos anatômicos no plano médio sagital para a obtenção de 16 medidas cefalométricas utilizando o Dolphin Imaging Cephalometric and Tracing Software sobre os dois exames analisados. Resultados: A análise de reprodutividade do examinador foi feita através do coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC) e constatouse excelente reprodutibilidade (ICC &gt; 0,75) para todas as medidas cefalométricas utilizadas. A média das medidas cefalométricas no plano médio sagital, dos dois tipos de exames, foram submetidas ao teste t pareado e ao teste de Wilcoxon quando não foi obtida normalidade dos dados. Do total de medidas analisadas 9 (nove) foram diferentes estatisticamente, entre os dois grupos: SNA, SNB, SND, 1.NA, S-L, N-Me e SN apresentaram valores de p&lt;0,01 enquanto Pog-NB e S-Li apresentaram valor de p&lt;0,05. Conclusões: O estudo mostrou que houve diferenças significativas entre as medidas cefalométricas no plano médio sagital obtidas a partir da telerradiografia digital e a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico quando utilizada a base do osso nasal como referência de espessura para a reconstrução tomográfica

Maternal and Paternal Body Mass Index and Offspring Obesity: A Systematic Review

Background/Aims: It has been hypothesized that the intrauterineenvironment is an independent factor in obesity development. If so, thematernal effect is likely to be a stronger influencing factor (’fetalovernutrition hypothesis’). We aimed to systematically evaluate theassociations of offspring body mass index (BMI, or adiposity) withpre-pregnancy BMI (or adiposity) of the mother and the father. Methods:The Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched inMarch 2012. Results: Seven cohort studies were eligible for theanalysis. Among these, 2 groups of trials presented different data fromthe same parent-offspring cohorts (the Avon Longitudinal Study ofParents and Children, ALSPAC, and the Mater-University Study ofPregnancy, MUSP). In total, 3 large birth cohorts and 1 additional smallstudy were identified. Three studies provided a direct comparison ofparent-offspring associations, with a statistically stronger maternalinfluence found only in the MUSP cohort. Equivocal results were obtainedfrom all studies describing the ALSPAC cohort. The parental effect(indirectly estimated based on the presented odds ratio) was similar inthe Finnish cohort. In 1 additional small study, maternal BMI was foundto be a strong predictor of childhood obesity. Conclusions: There isonly limited evidence to support the ‘fetal overnutrition hypothesis’