COW\u27S MILK ALLERGY IN THE POPULATION OF INFANTS AND EARLY PRESCHOOLERS FROM THE VUKOVAR – SRIJEM COUNTY

Introduction: Cow\u27s milk allergy is the most common allergic reaction present among infants and early preschoolers. The early diagnosis of the condition is crucial for adequate treatment of the affected child. Aim: To determine prevalence of cow\u27s milk allergy in the population of infants (0-1 years) and early preschoolers (1-4 years) from Vukovar–Srijem County and demographical characteristics of affected children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st May 2013 to 30th April 2014 in Vukovar General County Hospital and was approved by the responsible Ethical Committee. It included 59 children - suspected of having cow\u27s milk allergy (38/59, 64.4% boys and 21/59, 35.6% girls; mean age 20.8±16.2 months). The serum concentrations of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein were determined and demographic data for each patient were collected (gender, age, place of living). Standardized UniCAP fluorescence-enzyme immunoassay (Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden) was used to determine serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies for cow\u27s milk protein. Results: In observed population there were 35.6% (21/59) of children affected with cow\u27s milk allergy. The allergy was more common with boys (39.5%), and children who lived in villages (56.5%). Average value of serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein among affected children was 9.9±23.8 kU/L, and it was higher for boys (12.6 kU/L) in comparison to girls (3.2 kU/L). Conclusion: This study indicates that the cow\u27s milk allergy is relatively frequent within the observed population thus there is a need for further evaluation of this issue. In addition, the study has shown that the diagnosis of cow\u27s milk allergy in Croatia is still relatively late and because of that there is a need to make additional efforts for earlier diagnosis of such condition that would also improve the therapeutic approach to affected children

COW\u27S MILK ALLERGY IN THE POPULATION OF INFANTS AND EARLY PRESCHOOLERS FROM THE VUKOVAR – SRIJEM COUNTY

Introduction: Cow\u27s milk allergy is the most common allergic reaction present among infants and early preschoolers. The early diagnosis of the condition is crucial for adequate treatment of the affected child. Aim: To determine prevalence of cow\u27s milk allergy in the population of infants (0-1 years) and early preschoolers (1-4 years) from Vukovar–Srijem County and demographical characteristics of affected children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st May 2013 to 30th April 2014 in Vukovar General County Hospital and was approved by the responsible Ethical Committee. It included 59 children - suspected of having cow\u27s milk allergy (38/59, 64.4% boys and 21/59, 35.6% girls; mean age 20.8±16.2 months). The serum concentrations of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein were determined and demographic data for each patient were collected (gender, age, place of living). Standardized UniCAP fluorescence-enzyme immunoassay (Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden) was used to determine serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies for cow\u27s milk protein. Results: In observed population there were 35.6% (21/59) of children affected with cow\u27s milk allergy. The allergy was more common with boys (39.5%), and children who lived in villages (56.5%). Average value of serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein among affected children was 9.9±23.8 kU/L, and it was higher for boys (12.6 kU/L) in comparison to girls (3.2 kU/L). Conclusion: This study indicates that the cow\u27s milk allergy is relatively frequent within the observed population thus there is a need for further evaluation of this issue. In addition, the study has shown that the diagnosis of cow\u27s milk allergy in Croatia is still relatively late and because of that there is a need to make additional efforts for earlier diagnosis of such condition that would also improve the therapeutic approach to affected children

Glutamate in meat processing – origin, function and novel application

Glutamate is one of the most abundant amino acids in nature, accounting for up to 8-10% of most dietary proteins and peptides and most tissues. Only the free form of glutamate has taste-enhancing properties as a unique umami taste, and when glutamate is bound to proteins, it is tasteless with no umami taste. Fermentation, ageing, ripening and heat cooking are typical natural processes of protein hydrolysis during which free glutamate is released. The food industry most commonly uses it in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in amounts between 0.1 and 0.8% as a flavour enhancer. Since the beginning of the 21st century, its use as a flavour enhancer in meat and meat products with reduced salt content has become more widespread. The sodium content of MSG (12.28 g/100 g) is one-third that of salt (39.34 g/100 g), making MSG a promising salt alternative in sodium reduction strategies. There is no one-sided and conclusive scientific information reporting adverse human health effects of MSG in the general population, and it is still considered safe. However, in the wake of "clean label" initiatives, many consumers would prefer not to have additives or flavour enhancers such as glutamates in their food. This can be overcome by the known synergistic effect of natural 5'-ribonucleotides and glutamates found in seaweed, cheese, fish sauce, yeast extract, soy sauce, fermented soybeans and tomatoes, as they enhance the overall perception of umami flavour

GUIDELINES FOR THE PREVENTION, DETECTION AND THERAPY OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN ADULTS

Procjenjuje se da više od milijarde ljudi diljem svijeta ima niske koncentracije vitamina D zbog čega se s pravom govori o „pandemiji“ hipovitaminoze D te se razmatraju teške posljedice za javno zdravstvo. Geografski položaj Republike Hrvatske, posebice kontinentalnog dijela zemlje, čimbenik je rizika od pojave nedostatka vitamina D u populaciji. Cilj je ovih smjernica pružiti kliničarima jasan i jednostavan alat za prevenciju, prepoznavanje i liječenje nedostatka vitamina D u zdravoj populaciji i u različitih skupina bolesnika. Ove su smjernice nastale suradnjom kliničara različitih disciplina koji se bave brojnim aspektima skrbi o bolesnicima u riziku od razvoja nedostatka vitamina D. Utemeljene su na dokazima, prema sustavu GRADE (engl. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) koji uz snagu dokaza opisuje i razinu preporuke. Temeljni zaključci ovih smjernica odnose se na preporučenu populacijsku koncentra­ciju vitamina D u krvi koja iznosi 75 – 125 nmol/L te na definiranje preventivnih i terapijskih doza vitamina D za postizanje njegovih preporučenih koncentracijaIt is estimated that over one billion of people around the globe have low serum values of vitamin D, therefore, we can consider vitamin D deficiency as a pandemic and public health problem. Geographic position of Croatia, especially the continental part of the country, is a risk factor for the development of deficiency of vitamin D in the population. The aim of these guidelines is to provide the clinicians with easy and comprehensive tool for prevention, detection and therapy of vitamin D deficienncy in healthy population and various groups of patients. They were made as a result of collaboration of clinicians of different backgrounds who are dealing with patients at risk of vitamin D deficiency. These guidelines are evidence-based, according to GRADE-system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), which describes the level of evidence and strength of recommendation. The main conclusions address the recommended serum vitamin D values in the population which should be between 75 and 125 nmol/L and defining recommended preventive and therapeutic dosages of vitamin D in order to reach the adequate levels of serum vitamin D

Smjernice za prevenciju, prepoznavanje i liječenje nedostatka vitamina D u odraslih [Guidelines for the prevention, detection and therapy of vitamin D deficiency in adults]

It is estimated that over one billion of people around the globe have low serum values of vitamin D, therefore, we can consider vitamin D deficiency as a pandemic and public health problem. Geographic position of Croatia, especially the continental part of the country, is a risk factor for the development of deficiency of vitamin D in the population. The aim of these guidelines is to provide the clinicians with easy and comprehensive tool for prevention, detection and therapy of vitamin D deficienney in healthy population and various groups of patients. They were made as a result of collaboration of clinicians of different backgrounds who are dealing with patients at risk of vitamin D deficiency. These guidelines are evi- dence-based, according to GRADE-system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), which describes the level of evidence and strength of recommendation. The main conclusions address the recommended serum vitamin D values in the population which should be between 75 and 125 nmol/L and defining recommended preven- tive and therapeutic dosages of vitamin D in order to reach the adequate levels of serum vitamin D

Is TBX agar a suitable medium for monitoring Escherichia coli in bathing water using the membrane filtration method?

The use of a suitable method for the enumeration of indicator microorganisms is of crucial importance for reliable monitoring and assessment of the quality of bathing waters. Among other characteristics, the method should be selective enough and ensure acceptable relative recovery of target microorganisms. This study presents the basic parameters, relative recovery and categorical performance characteristics of Tryptone Bile X-glucuronide (TBX) agar for Escherichia coli (E. coli) enumeration in bathing water samples using the membrane filtration method. The results of the relative recovery study, in which TBX agar was compared against temperature- modified ISO 9308- 1:2014, showed that in order to achieve a satisfactory relative recovery of E. coli with TBX agar at 44 ± 0.5 °C, the resuscitation period on a non-selective medium (Minerals Modified Glutamate Agar, MMGA) at 36 ± 2 °C is crucial. Incubation on a double-layer MMGA/TBX medium with a 6-h resuscitation period and alternating incubation on single-layer MMGA and TBX agar with a 4-h resuscitation period resulted in acceptable and very similar relative recovery. The achieved performance characteristics of the tested medium, double- layer MMGA/TBX agar, are acceptable. The selectivity was matrix-dependent and was 60.6% for inland and 69.9% for coastal waters. No significant effect of the resuscitation period on selectivity was recorded. Finally, the results showed that when the resuscitation period on a non-selective medium is included, TBX agar is a suitable medium for E. coli enumeration in bathing water samples using the membrane filtration method and that its use, theoretically, would not have negative effects on the assessment of bathing water qualit

GUIDELINES FOR THE PREVENTION, DETECTION AND THERAPY OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN ADULTS

Procjenjuje se da više od milijarde ljudi diljem svijeta ima niske koncentracije vitamina D zbog čega se s pravom govori o „pandemiji“ hipovitaminoze D te se razmatraju teške posljedice za javno zdravstvo. Geografski položaj Republike Hrvatske, posebice kontinentalnog dijela zemlje, čimbenik je rizika od pojave nedostatka vitamina D u populaciji. Cilj je ovih smjernica pružiti kliničarima jasan i jednostavan alat za prevenciju, prepoznavanje i liječenje nedostatka vitamina D u zdravoj populaciji i u različitih skupina bolesnika. Ove su smjernice nastale suradnjom kliničara različitih disciplina koji se bave brojnim aspektima skrbi o bolesnicima u riziku od razvoja nedostatka vitamina D. Utemeljene su na dokazima, prema sustavu GRADE (engl. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) koji uz snagu dokaza opisuje i razinu preporuke. Temeljni zaključci ovih smjernica odnose se na preporučenu populacijsku koncentra­ciju vitamina D u krvi koja iznosi 75 – 125 nmol/L te na definiranje preventivnih i terapijskih doza vitamina D za postizanje njegovih preporučenih koncentracijaIt is estimated that over one billion of people around the globe have low serum values of vitamin D, therefore, we can consider vitamin D deficiency as a pandemic and public health problem. Geographic position of Croatia, especially the continental part of the country, is a risk factor for the development of deficiency of vitamin D in the population. The aim of these guidelines is to provide the clinicians with easy and comprehensive tool for prevention, detection and therapy of vitamin D deficienncy in healthy population and various groups of patients. They were made as a result of collaboration of clinicians of different backgrounds who are dealing with patients at risk of vitamin D deficiency. These guidelines are evidence-based, according to GRADE-system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), which describes the level of evidence and strength of recommendation. The main conclusions address the recommended serum vitamin D values in the population which should be between 75 and 125 nmol/L and defining recommended preventive and therapeutic dosages of vitamin D in order to reach the adequate levels of serum vitamin D

Medical nutrition therapy guidelines for diabetes in adults

Pravilna prehrana iznimno je važna u prevenciji šećerne bolesti i regulaciji glikemije. Šećerna bolest ubraja se u kategoriju bolesti koje se uspješno mogu prevenirati, dobro liječiti te im se može spriječiti ili odgoditi razvoj kroničnih komplikacija. Edukacija o pravilnoj prehrani treba biti individualno prilagođena, pri čemu treba obratiti pozornost na dob bolesnika, način života, socioekonomski status, tjelesnu aktivnost i komplikacije vezane uz šećernu bolest. Kod šećerne bolesti promjena životnih navika, što uključuje pravilnu prehranu, redovitu tjelesnu aktivnost i regulaciju tjelesne mase, može uvelike pridonijeti regulaciji glikemije, a u tipu 2 u nekim slučajevima može dovesti i do njene remisije. Smjernice su rezultat suradnje zdravstvenih stručnjaka koji sudjeluju u liječenju i edukaciji osoba koje boluju od šećerne bolesti. Utemeljene su na dokazima, prema metodologiji GRADE (engl. grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation) koja uz snagu dokaza opisuje i razinu preporuke. Temeljni zaključci ovih smjernica odnose se na procjenu nutritivnih potreba te primjenu medicinske nutritivne terapije, individualno prilagođene osobama sa šećernom bolešću kao i onima koji imaju i neke od vezanih komorbiditeta.Adequate nutrition is extremely important in diabetes prevention and regulation of glycemia. Diabetes counts into the category of diseases that can be successfully prevented and treated with possible delay of chronic complications development. Nutrition education should be individually tailored, by paying attention to the patient’s age, lifestyle, socio-economic status, physical activity and complications related to diabetes. Change in lifestyle habits, which includes proper diet, regular physical activity and weight management, can greatly contribute to the regulation of glycemia and in some cases of type 2 diabetes can lead to its remission. The guidelines were made as a result of collaboration of health professionals who participate in the treatment and education of individuals with diabetes. They are evidence-based, according to the GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), which describes the level of recommendation in addition to the strength of the evidence. The fundamental conclusions refer to the assessment of nutritional needs and the implementation of medical nutrition therapy, individually adapted to individuals with diabetes and those with related comorbidities