Epidemiology of reported <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yersinia enterocolitica</Emphasis> infections in Germany, 2001-2008

Background  

Yersiniosis is the third most common zoonotic bacterial disease in Germany and the European Union. Sequelae of Yersinia enterocolitica infections, such as reactive arthritis, have been reported. Consumption of pork and its products, especially eaten raw or undercooked, is an important risk factor of yersiniosis. Infection with Y. enterocolitica is notifiable through the national surveillance system for infectious diseases in Germany and several thousands of cases are being reported each year. We present recent data on the epidemiology of reported yersiniosis in Germany.     

Randomised,double-blind and placebo-controlled study using new probiotic lactobacilli for strengthening the body immune defence against viral infections

Background  

The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL 9 (DSM 15312) and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 (DSM 13434) could affect naturally acquired common cold infections in healthy subjects.     

Protracted outbreak of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>. Enteritidis PT 21c in a large Hamburg nursing home

Background  

During August 2006, a protracted outbreak of Salmonella (S.) Enteritidis infections in a large Hamburg nursing home was investigated.     

Post epidemic giardiasis and gastrointestinal symptoms among preschool children in Bergen,Norway. A cross-sectional study

Background  

A surprisingly low number of children became ill with giardiasis during the large waterborne outbreak of Giardia lamblia in Bergen, Norway during autumn 2004. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of giardiasis among exposed children one year after an outbreak and compare faecal carriage of Giardia and abdominal symptoms among exposed versus unexposed children one year after the epidemic.     

The role of neighborhood level socioeconomic characteristics in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> infections in Michigan (1997–2007): Assessment using geographic information system

Background:  

The majority of U.S. disease surveillance systems contain incomplete information regarding socioeconomic status (SES) indicators like household or family income and educational attainment in case reports, which reduces the usefulness of surveillance data for these parameters. We investigated the association between select SES attributes at the neighborhood level and Salmonella infections in the three most populated counties in Michigan using a geographic information system.     

MRSA as an occupational disease: a case series

Objectives  

Occupationally acquired infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an issue of increasing concern. However, the number of cases of occupational disease (OD) due to MRSA in healthcare workers (HCWs) and the characteristics of such cases have not been reported for Germany.     

Risk factors for antibiotic resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter</Emphasis> spp. isolated from raw poultry meat in Switzerland

Background  

The world-wide increase of foodborne infections with antibiotic resistant pathogens is of growing concern and is designated by the World Health Organization as an emerging public health problem. Thermophilic Campylobacter have been recognised as a major cause of foodborne bacterial gastrointestinal human infections in Switzerland and in many other countries throughout the world. Poultry meat is the most common source for foodborne cases caused by Campylobacter. Because all classes of antibiotics recommended for treatment of human campylobacteriosis are also used in veterinary medicine, in view of food safety, the resistance status of Campylobacter isolated from poultry meat is of special interest.     

Increasing work-place healthiness with the probiotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus reuteri</Emphasis>: A randomised,double-blind placebo-controlled study

Background  

Short term illnesses, usually caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases are disruptive to productivity and there is relatively little focus on preventative measures. This study examined the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri protectis (ATCC55730) on its ability to improve work-place healthiness by reducing short term sick-leave caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.     

Geographical and temporal distribution of human giardiasis in Ontario,Canada

Background  

Giardia is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in North America. Although information on geographical distribution of giardiasis is critical in identifying communities at high risk, little has been done in this area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the geographical and temporal distribution of human giardiasis in Ontario in order to identify possible high risk areas and seasons. Two spatial scales of analyses and two disease measures were used with a view to identifying the best of each in assessing geographical patterns of giardiasis in Ontario. Global Moran's I and Moran Local Indicators of Spatial Associations were used to test for evidence of global and local spatial clustering, respectively.     

Estimating the regional distribution of men who have sex with men (MSM) based on Internet surveys

Background  

Measurement of prevalence and incidence of infections in a hard to reach population like men who have sex with men (MSM) is hampered by its unknown size and regional distribution. Population-based surveys have recently been used to estimate the total number of MSM, but these surveys are usually not large enough to measure regional differences in the proportion of MSM in the population. We explored the use of the proportional regional distribution of participants of large internet-based surveys among MSM from Germany to estimate the regional distribution of MSM in Germany.     

The effect of phosphatidylserine administration on memory and symptoms of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Background

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorder of childhood, affecting 3–5% of school‐age children. The present study investigated whether the supplementation of soy‐derived phosphatidylserine (PS), a naturally occurring phospholipid, improves ADHD symptoms in children.

Methods

Thirty six children, aged 4–14 years, who had not previously received any drug treatment related to ADHD, received placebo (n = 17) or 200 mg day^–1 PS (n = 19) for 2 months in a randomised, double‐blind manner. Main outcome measures included: (i) ADHD symptoms based on DSM‐IV‐TR; (ii) short‐term auditory memory and working memory using the Digit Span Test of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; and (iii) mental performance to visual stimuli (GO/NO GO task).

Results

PS supplementation resulted in significant improvements in: (i) ADHD (P < 0.01), AD (P < 0.01) and HD (P < 0.01); (ii) short‐term auditory memory (P < 0.05); and (iii) inattention (differentiation and reverse differentiation, P < 0.05) and inattention and impulsivity (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in other measurements and in the placebo group. PS was well‐tolerated and showed no adverse effects.

Conclusions

PS significantly improved ADHD symptoms and short‐term auditory memory in children. PS supplementation might be a safe and natural nutritional strategy for improving mental performance in young children suffering from ADHD.     

'Imported risk' or 'health transition'? Smoking prevalence among ethnic German immigrants from the Former Soviet Union by duration of stay in Germany - analysis of microcensus data

Background  

It can be assumed that resettlers (ethnic German immigrants from the Former Soviet Union) show similar smoking patterns as persons in their countries of origin at the time of migration. We analysed how the smoking prevalence among resettlers differs from that among the general population of Germany and whether the prevalence differs between groups with increasing duration of stay.     

No difference in self‐reported frequency of choking between infants introduced to solid foods using a baby‐led weaning or traditional spoon‐feeding approach

Background

Baby‐led weaning (BLW) where infants self‐feed family foods during the period that they are introduced to solid foods is growing in popularity. The method may promote healthier eating patterns, although concerns have been raised regarding its safety. The present study therefore explored choking frequency amongst babies who were being introduced to solid foods using a baby‐led or traditional spoon‐fed approach.

Methods

In total, 1151 mothers with an infant aged 4–12 months reported how they introduced solid foods to their infant (following a strict BLW, loose BLW or traditional weaning style) and frequency of spoon‐feeding and puree use (percentage of mealtimes). Mothers recalled if their infant had ever choked and, if so, how many times and on what type of food (smooth puree, lumpy puree, finger food and specific food examples).

Results

In total, 13.6% of infants (n = 155) had ever choked. No significant association was found between weaning style and ever choking, or the frequency of spoon or puree use and ever choking. For infants who had ever choked, infants following a traditional weaning approach experience significantly more choking episodes for finger foods (F_2,147 = 4.417, P = 0.014) and lumpy purees (F_2,131 = 6.46, P = 0.002) than infants following a strict or loose baby‐led approach.

Conclusions

Baby‐led weaning was not associated with increased risk of choking and the highest frequency of choking on finger foods occurred in those who were given finger foods the least often. However, the limitations of noncausal results, a self‐selecting sample and reliability of recall must be emphasised.     

Studies on the antihypertensive and antidyslipidemic activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Viola odorata</Emphasis> leaves extract

Background  

This study was undertaken to provide pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Viola odorata Linn. in hypertension and dyslipidemia using the in vivo and in vitro assays.     

The use of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis</Emphasis> combination in the management of weight loss: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Aim  

To evaluate the effects of two formulations, Cissus quadrangularis -only and a Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination, on weight loss in overweight and obese human subjects.     

Hypocholesterolemic effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing,</Emphasis> an edible blue-green alga

Background  

Intake of an edible blue-green alga Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing (N. Commune) has been shown to lower plasma total cholesterol concentration, but the mechanisms behind the hypocholesterolemic effect have not been elucidated.     

Differential effect of corn oil-based low <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> structured fat on the plasma and hepatic lipid profile in an atherogenic mouse model: comparison to hydrogenated <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> fat

Background  

Trans fat are not desirable in many aspects on health maintenance. Low trans structured fats have been reported to be relatively more safe than trans fats.     

Aqueous extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Piper sarmentosum</Emphasis> decreases atherosclerotic lesions in high cholesterolemic experimental rabbits

Background  

Piper sarmentosum (P.s) has flavonoid component in its leaves which has antioxidative effect. To date, its effect on atherosclerosis has not been studied histologically.     

Correlates shift work with increased risk of gastrointestinal complaints or frequency of gastritis or peptic ulcer in H. pylori-infected shift workers?

Aim  

There is an ongoing discussion whether work under shift work conditions enhances the ulcerogenic potential of Helicobacter pylori infections. This may be induced by a disruption of the circadian rhythm. The present study assessed whether there is an association between H. pylori infection and an increased risk of gastrointestinal complaints or frequency of gastritis or peptic ulcer in H. pylori-infected shift workers.