Search

Background: Parents can engage in several behaviours with regard to early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP). These can be related to diet of mother/child and the modification of the home environment; not all of them are justified by current evidence. Previous studies showed that parental health literacy (HL) is related to favourable health behaviours directed at the child. This study aimed to investigate the causal effect of mothers' HL on ECAP behaviours and to test different moderators of this effect. Methods: One thousand six hundred sixty-two mothers participating in the KUNO-Kids health study in the area of Regensburg, Germany were surveyed on HL (assessed via the health care scale of the Health Literacy Survey-EU questionnaire, HLS-EU-Q47) and ECAP behaviours implemented during pregnancy and the child's first year of life. Patterns in ECAP behaviours were identified by latent class analysis. Multinomial regression modelling was performed with HL as exposure, ECAP as outcome variable, allergy risk, parental competence and bonding, anxiety and depression as moderators as well as potentially confounding variables. Results: We identified three classes of ECAP behaviours (class 1: „breastfeeding " N = 871; class 2: „allergen-avoidance " N = 490; class 3: „mixed behaviours " N = 301). In univariable as well as fully adjusted regression models, compared to class 1, class 2 was negatively, and class 3 was not associated with HL. None of the tested moderating variables altered the association between HL and ECAP significantly. Conclusions: We found an effect of mothers' HL on ECAP behaviours: lower HL of mothers increased allergen-avoiding behaviour directed at their child, while decreasing the chance of exclusive breastfeeding. Improving HL could contribute to the implementation of recommended ECAP behaviours in families, especially to the reduction of allergen-avoiding behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for ECAP behaviors, in the total sample and stratified for allergy risk status. Trend analyses for estimating change in ECAP behaviors were performed using adjusted logistic regression modeling, for the total sample and stratified for allergy risk status. Early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP) behaviors encompass a wide range of parental behaviors with regard to children's exposure to or avoidance of allergens, including maternal and child nutrition or modification of the living environment. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of our study was to assess the extent to which families followed recommendations, issued by the German society for sleep medicine, for the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during night-time sleep. Analyzing longitudinal data from a birth cohort located at the University Children's Hospital Regensburg in Bavaria (Germany), we determined data regarding the infant's sleep location, sleep settings and body position, and exposure to environmental factors. Data were collected in a structured interview after birth and by standardized questionnaires at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year of life, respectively. The majority of 1,400 surveyed infants (94% at 4 weeks) were reported to sleep in the parents' sleeping room during the first months of life. While the most common furniture was a bedside sleeper (used by 48%), we also observed a considerable proportion of families who regularly practiced bed-sharing and, for 16% of infants, the parents' bed was the default sleeping place. 12% of infants were still put regularly in the prone position. The vast majority (87%) of the infants were breastfed at some timepoint and 17% lived in a household with one or more smokers. Although most parents implemented many SIDS recommendations, our analysis illustrates a considerable gap between recommendations and intentions after birth on the one hand and actual implementation in real life on the other. The number-one deviation from the current SIDS guidelines during night-time sleep was bed-sharing with an adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on advancements in rapid tests and laboratory diagnostics in mycology, emphasizing their role in promptly identifying fungal infections through immunological and molecular methods. It states that these technologies allow for quicker detection and differentiation of pathogens like Aspergillus and Candida, crucial for timely intervention, especially in immunocompromised patients undergoing treatments such as organ transplants or immunosuppressive therapies.

The article presents the discussion on Syndromic testing (Multiplexing) enabling the generation of definitive results within a matter of hours. Topics include differentiation of various pathogens through syndromic testing plays a pivotal role in guiding targeted measures, including the isolation of infected individuals; and scenarios where rapid and accurate discrimination between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens is vital.

The article focuses on the increasing need for labor-saving automation solutions in microbiology due to workforce shortages, especially in the face of complex diagnostic procedures and training requirements. Topics include the potential for automation in microbiological diagnostics, particularly in urine and stool analysis, showcasing advancements such as urine flow cytometry for bacterial identification and a combination of molecular screening.

The article focuses on the importance of laboratory and point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as part of a comprehensive testing strategy, emphasizing the need for sensitive diagnostics and targeted therapy. Topics include prevention strategies, diagnostic recommendations based on sexual history, and the use of nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAT) for syndromic testing, alongside an overview of available test kits.