Current preventive strategies and management of Epstein-Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in solid organ transplantation in Europe. Results of the ESGICH Questionnaire-based Cross-sectional Survey

There is limited clinical evidence on the utility of the monitoring of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia in the pre-emptive management of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We investigated current preventive measures against EBV-related PTLD through a web-based questionnaire sent to 669 SOT programmes in 35 European countries. This study was performed on behalf of the ESGICH study group from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. A total of 71 SOT programmes from 15 European countries participated in the study. EBV serostatus of the recipient is routinely obtained in 69/71 centres (97%) and 64 (90%) have access to EBV DNAemia assays. EBV monitoring is routinely used in 85.9% of the programmes and 77.4% reported performing pre-emptive treatment for patients with significant EBV DNAemia levels. Pre-emptive treatment for EBV DNAemia included reduction of immunosuppression in 50.9%, switch to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in 30.9%, and use of rituximab in 14.5% of programmes. Imaging by whole-body 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is used in 60.9% of centres to rule out PTLD and complemented computer tomography is used in 50%. In 10.9% of centres, FDG-PET is included in the first-line diagnostic workup in patients with high-risk EBV DNAemia. Despite the lack of definitive evidence, EBV load measurements are frequently used in Europe to guide diagnostic workup and pre-emptive reduction of immunosuppression. We need prospective and controlled studies to define the impact of EBV monitoring in reducing the risk of PTLD in SOT recipients

Temelín nuclear power plant, South Bohemia - Reference level of hydrosphere, prediction of impact, results from pre-operation period

Beginning of the construction of Temelin Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in south Bohemia (CR) dates back to 1986. It was planned that the first water-cooled reactor could be put into operation in 2001. A research project (1989-1998), funded from the national budget and carried out under supervision of the Czech Ministry of Environment, was aimed at examining pre-operational environmental conditions (a reference level) in terms of concentrations of radioactive and non-radioactive polluting substances in components of the environment, particularly in the hydrosphere, and at predicting possible impacts of future operation of Temelín NPP. Special attention paid to the hydrosphere was associated with requirements for protection of water quality in the Vltava River, which serves as drinking water resource for Prague capital. The observation and research activities continue during the following period (1999-2006) within the framework of a project sponsored by Czech Power Company. The paper summarises selected results of the projects, particularly those concerning pre-operational environmental conditions and impacts predicted for standard operation of the plant. More detailed description of the results, including possible impacts of the so called maximum project accident, is presented in [1-3]. To the date of the conference, the releases of tritium and other radionuclides from the plant into the hydrosphere were much less than the authorised limits

Electronic Media-Free Zone in the Bedroom! A Global Strategy Needed for Improving Health-Related Behaviours. European College of Sport Science (ECSS)

Book of Abstracts of the 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Scienc

Physical activity, Sedentary behaviour, use of electronic media, and snacking among youth: An international study

This study examined physical activity, sedentary behaviours, location of electronic media and snacking among children from five countries. These variables were assessed by ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using a free-time diary. Data were obtained from 812 secondary-school students (348 male, 464 female) aged from 12 to 18 years in United Kingdom, China, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. We found that less than half the students met the recommended guideline of 60 minutes daily physical activity (48% of British, 40% of Romanian, 34% of Slovakian, 20% of Hungarian and only 4% of Chinese students met this criterion). Ninety-six percent of British and 86% of Hungarian youth had more than one TV set in their home, followed by Romanian (64%), Slovakian (64%) and Chinese (29%) counterparts. Most British (73%) youths had televisions in their bedroom, followed by Hungarians (66%), Romanians (37%), Slovakians (35%) and Chinese (4%). When compared to females, male students spent significantly more time on TV/DVD/ video viewing (on average 110.7 vs 90.2 minutes/day; p<.001) and playing computer games (on average 34.0 vs 10.5 minutes/day; p<.001). Students who had a TV in their bedroom spent more time watching TV compared to those without a TV in their bedroom (on average 109 vs 91 minutes/day, p<.001). Higher levels of TV viewing were associated with more snack food consumption (r=.13, p<.01). In order to promote less TV viewing and snacking, it may be useful to keep TVs out of the bedrooms of children and adolescents