Professional training in nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe: current status and opportunities for capacity development

Objective: To examine the availability of academic programmes in nutrition and identify nutrition training needs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Design: A questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to the members of the United Nations University Standing Committee on Nutrition, Regional Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in CEE (NCDN CEE). Setting: Participants' responses to the questionnaire including the comments of their colleagues from home institutions were obtained in group discussions during NCDN CEE meetings in 2010-2013. Subjects: Sixteen CEE countries' experts and their colleagues from home institutions involved in NCDN CEE activities 2007-2013. Results: The responses were obtained from fourteen out of sixteen participating countries; five countries have established Bachelor, Master and PhD studies in nutrition (Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), whereas in Latvia and Republic of Macedonia only Bachelor and Master studies are set up. Seven countries have no Bachelor, Master or PhD studies: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. Introduction to data analysis and Nutritional epidemiology are the most needed nutrition trainings that would increase working competence of nutritionists and nutrition-related professionals in CEE. Conclusions: Availability of academic programmes in nutrition in CEE countries is limited. Opportunities for improving the competence of existing and future nutrition-related professionals should be addressed at national and regional level; distance learning courses and creation of a regional centre for nutrition training were seen as opportunities for sustainable capacity development in nutrition in CEE

Implementation of Harmonized Food Consumption Data Collection in the Balkan Region According to the EFSA EU Menu Methodology Standards

Initiatives in the Capacity Development in Nutrition Research in the Balkan region in the last decade have been toward the creation of contemporary, harmonized Research Infrastructure (RI) compliant with European standards. This study describes the process of creation and implementation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) EU Menu methodology in the Balkan region during the EFSA support projects for food consumption data collection in four countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia). This process entailed the application and improvement of an innovative tool, the DIET ASSESS and PLAN (DAP), a platform for standardized food consumption data collection and dietary intake assessment. DAP comprises computerized food consumption, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity questionnaires, validated food picture book, and FoodEx2 exposure hierarchy with sets of facet descriptors of the interest. It hosts the Balkan food platform with a Serbian food composition database (FCDB) and Regional FCDB, compliant with European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR™) standards. The implementation of the DAP platform in national dietary surveys conducted with the support of the EFSA EU Menu project in Balkan countries enabled harmonized food consumption data compilation and reporting. Application of the methodology entailed the development of study protocol and extensive education and training of study personnel. The entire data collection process was managed by internal and external survey coordinators. A pilot study was conducted to test the entire data collection and control process and was afterward used to make necessary improvements and adjustments to meet EU Menu requirements. Data collected are internationally comparable with food consumption data in other European countries within the framework of the EU Menu program. The existence of such data in the Balkan region will catalyze research activities in emerging topics, such as identification of dietary patterns, the establishment of national nutrient reference values and food-based dietary guidelines (not only in Serbia, but in the whole Balkan region), dietary exposure assessments, the endorsement and evaluation of new food legislations, the environmental and other effects of diet on the food system. The developed and implemented methodology underpins evidence-based policy-making processes lacking in the field of public health nutrition in the region

Actual contamination of the Danube and Sava Rivers at Belgrade (2013)

This study was focussed on a comprehensive investigation on the state of pollution of the Danube and Sava Rivers in the region of Belgrade. Different complementary analytical approaches were employed covering both i) organic contaminants in the river water by target analyses of hormones and neonicotinoids as well as non-target screening analyses and ii) heavy metals in the sediments. Finally, some common water quality parameters were analysed. The overall state of pollution is on a moderate level. Bulk parameters did not reveal any unusual observations. Moreover, quantification of preselected organic contaminants did not indicate to elevated pollution. More significant contaminations were registered for chromium, nickel, zinc and partially copper in sediments with values above the target values according to Serbian regulations. Lastly, non-target screening analysis revealed a wider spectrum of organic contaminants comprising pharmaceuticals, technical additives, personal care products and pesticides. The study presented a comprehensive view on the state of pollution of the Sava and Danube Rivers and is the base for setting up further monitoring programs. As a superior outcome, it was illustrated how different chemical analyses can result in different assessments of the river quality. A comparison of target and non-target analyses pointed to potential misinterpretation of the real state of pollution

Residence time distribution in a membrane bioreactor dependance on activated sludge

U ovom radu istraživani su hidrodinamički uvjeti u membranskom bioreaktoru s uronjenom membranom. Određivanje učinaka hidrodinamike reaktora temelji se na eksperimentalnom određivanju raspodjele vremena zadržavanja tvari u reaktoru. Bioreaktor je bio ispunjen suspenzijom aktivnog mulja različitih koncentracija. Eksperimenti su provedeni injektiranjem inertne tvari s vrha bioreaktora te je praćena promjena vodljivosti na izlazu bioreaktora kao funkcija vremena. Određivan je utjecaj koncentracije biomase aktivnog mulja, protoka kapljevine i protoka zraka na raspodjelu vremena zadržavanja tvari. Dobivene vrijednosti RTD-a za realni reaktor uspoređivane su s modelom idealnog reaktora. Uočena su velika odstupanja. Glavni problem membranskog bioreaktora je čepljenje membrane pa je uz određivanje RTD-a praćena promjena transmembranskog tlaka u ovisnosti o vremenu. Time je određen utjecaj koncentracije biomase aktivnog mulja, protoka kapljevine i stupnja aeracije na čepljenje membrane.This paper deals with hydrodynamic characteristics of a submerged membrane bioreactor. Analysis of hidrodynamic effects in bioreactor are presented as residence time distributions. Bioreactor was filled with different concentrations of activated sludge. Experiments were conducted by injection of an inert into bioreactor and electrical conductivity at exit of the bioreactor was measured as a function of time. Effects of concentration of suspended active sludge as well as liquid and gas flowrates on residence time distribution were monitored. The results were compared with the model of an ideal membrane reactor. Depending on concentration level high variations have been noticed. The main problem in bioreactor was membrane fouling. Because of that increase trans-membrane pressure was mesured during the time. Membrane fouling was heavily influenced by concentration of suspended active sludge, aeration rate and the permeate flux

Residence time distribution in a membrane bioreactor dependance on activated sludge

U ovom radu istraživani su hidrodinamički uvjeti u membranskom bioreaktoru s uronjenom membranom. Određivanje učinaka hidrodinamike reaktora temelji se na eksperimentalnom određivanju raspodjele vremena zadržavanja tvari u reaktoru. Bioreaktor je bio ispunjen suspenzijom aktivnog mulja različitih koncentracija. Eksperimenti su provedeni injektiranjem inertne tvari s vrha bioreaktora te je praćena promjena vodljivosti na izlazu bioreaktora kao funkcija vremena. Određivan je utjecaj koncentracije biomase aktivnog mulja, protoka kapljevine i protoka zraka na raspodjelu vremena zadržavanja tvari. Dobivene vrijednosti RTD-a za realni reaktor uspoređivane su s modelom idealnog reaktora. Uočena su velika odstupanja. Glavni problem membranskog bioreaktora je čepljenje membrane pa je uz određivanje RTD-a praćena promjena transmembranskog tlaka u ovisnosti o vremenu. Time je određen utjecaj koncentracije biomase aktivnog mulja, protoka kapljevine i stupnja aeracije na čepljenje membrane.This paper deals with hydrodynamic characteristics of a submerged membrane bioreactor. Analysis of hidrodynamic effects in bioreactor are presented as residence time distributions. Bioreactor was filled with different concentrations of activated sludge. Experiments were conducted by injection of an inert into bioreactor and electrical conductivity at exit of the bioreactor was measured as a function of time. Effects of concentration of suspended active sludge as well as liquid and gas flowrates on residence time distribution were monitored. The results were compared with the model of an ideal membrane reactor. Depending on concentration level high variations have been noticed. The main problem in bioreactor was membrane fouling. Because of that increase trans-membrane pressure was mesured during the time. Membrane fouling was heavily influenced by concentration of suspended active sludge, aeration rate and the permeate flux

Capacity development in food and nutrition in central and Eastern Europe: A decade of achievements

This article summarizes the activities performed by the Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe and Balkan countries (NCDNCEE) in the past decade. The article gives a retrospective of the achievements and challenges in building capacity in nutrition research. Recognizing the lack of capacity and incoherent nutritional situation in CEE/BC, the United Nations University (UNU), Food & Nutrition Programme and the UN Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN) encouraged the formation of NCDNCEE in 2005, which became CAPNUTRA in 2012. The network's aim was to initiate and support tailor-made activities for capacity development in food & nutrition in research and training in CEE/BC. To identify the challenges and needs of nutrition research in the region, the network performed inventories on existence of food composition databases, food systems elements, dietary surveys, micronutrient recommendations, application of dietary assessment methods and grey literature. Further on, the network focused on the development of food composition databases and concomitant data management software, the Diet Assess & Plan platform for food consumption collection, dietary intake assessment and nutrition planning. These and other elements form the Balkan Food Platform, which underpins harmonized nutrition research in CEE/BC. Among key actions promoted by the platform are EFSA-supported dietary surveys conducted in four Balkan countries, on children and adults, in which food consumption data are collected and analysed in a harmonized way. Cooperation with FAO and active participation in international research projects enhanced the exchange of information and knowledge and brought international recognition to the CAPNUTRA network

Optimization of tetanus toxoid ammonium sulfate precipitation process using response surface methodology

<p>Tetanus toxoid (TTd) is a highly immunogenic, detoxified form of tetanus toxin, a causative agent of tetanus disease, produced by <i>Clostridium tetani</i>. Since tetanus disease cannot be eradicated but is easily prevented by vaccination, the need for the tetanus vaccine is permanent. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of optimizing TTd purification, i.e., ammonium sulfate precipitation process. The influence of the percentage of ammonium sulfate, starting amount of TTd, buffer type, pH, temperature, and starting purity of TTd on the purification process were investigated using optimal design for response surface models. Responses measured for evaluation of the ammonium sulfate precipitation process were TTd amount (Lf/mL) and total protein content. These two parameters were used to calculate purity (Lf/mgPN) and the yield of the process. Results indicate that citrate buffer, lower temperature, and lower starting amount of TTd result in higher purities of precipitates. Gel electrophoresis combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–mass spectrometric analysis of precipitates revealed that there are no inter-protein cross-links and that all contaminating proteins have pIs similar to TTd, so this is most probably the reason for the limited success of purification by precipitation.</p

Improving nutrition surveillance and public health research in Central and Eastern Europe/Balkan Countries using the Balkan Food Platform and dietary tools

The objective of this paper is to share experience and provide updated information on Capacity Development in the Central and Eastern Europe/Balkan Countries (CEE/BC) region relevant to public health nutrition, particularly in creation of food composition databases (FCDBs), applying dietary intake assessment and monitoring tools, and harmonizing methodology for nutrition surveillance. Balkan Food Platform was established by a Memorandum of Understanding among EuroFIR AISBL, Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade, Capacity Development Network in Nutrition in CEE - CAPNUTRA and institutions from nine countries in the region. Inventory on FCDB status identified lack of harmonized and standardized research tools. To strengthen harmonization in CEE/BC in line with European research trends, the Network members collaborated in development of a Regional FCDB, using web-based food composition data base management software following EuroFIR standards. Comprehensive nutrition assessment and planning tool - DIET ASSESS & PLAN could enable synchronization of nutrition surveillance across countries