Increase of breast-feeding in the past decade in Greece, but still low uptake: cross-sectional studies in 2007 and 2017.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate breast-feeding prevalence in Greece in 2007 and 2017, compare breast-feeding indicators and maternity hospital practices between these years, and investigate breast-feeding determinants. DESIGN: Two national cross-sectional studies (2007 and 2017) using systematic cluster sampling of babies with the same sampling design, data collection and analysis methodology. SETTING: Telephone interview with babies' mothers or fathers. PARTICIPANTS: Representative sample of infants who participated in the national neonatal screening programme (n 549 in 2017, n 586 in 2007). RESULTS: We found that breast-feeding indicators were higher in 2017 compared with 10 years before. In 2017, 94 % of mothers initiated breast-feeding. Breast-feeding rates were 80, 56 and 45 % by the end of the 1st, 4th and 6th completed month of age, respectively. At the same ages, 40, 25 and <1 % of babies, respectively, were exclusively breast-feeding. We also found early introduction of solid foods (after the 4th month of age). Maternity hospital practices favouring breast-feeding were more prevalent in 2017, but still suboptimal (63 % experienced rooming-in; 51 % experienced skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth; 19 % received free sample of infant formula on discharge). CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increasing trend in all breast-feeding indicators in the past decade in Greece, but breast-feeding rates - particularly rates of exclusive breast-feeding - remain low. Systematic public health initiatives targeted to health professionals and mothers are needed in order to change the prevailing baby feeding 'culture' and successfully implement the WHO recommendations for exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life.

Protective Effects of Pinus halepensis Bark Extract and Nicotine on Cigarette Smoke-induced Oxidative Stress in Keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major environmental health threat. The oxidative stress induced by CS on keratinocytes and the possible protective effect of nicotine, its receptor inhibitors, and Pinus halepensis bark extract in relation to known antioxidants were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary mouse keratinocytes were exposed to cigarette smoke in the presence and absence of Pinus halepensis bark extract (1 µg/ml), rutin (50 µM) and ascorbic acid (250 µM), nicotine (1 µM) with or without mecamylamine (5 µM) and α-bungarotoxin (0.1 µM). Keratinocyte viability and oxidative stress were evaluated by MTT and fluorescence assays. RESULTS: Pinus halepensis bark extract decreased the oxidative stress and increased the viability of keratinocytes, and moreover, these effects were more pronounced compared to the mixture of rutin and L-ascorbic acid. Nicotine significantly enhanced the viability potentiation of the beneficial effect induced by Pinus halepensis bark extract. Mecamylamine and α-bungarotoxin showed no specific effect. CONCLUSION: Pinus halepensis bark extract in combination with nicotine may successfully reverse skin damage induced by cigarette smoke.

Polymorphisms in ABC transporter genes and concentrations of mercury in newborns--evidence from two Mediterranean birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The genetic background may influence methylmercury (MeHg) metabolism and neurotoxicity. ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters actively transport various xenobiotics across biological membranes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of ABC polymorphisms as modifiers of prenatal exposure to MeHg. METHODS: The study population consisted of participants (n = 1651) in two birth cohorts, one in Italy and Greece (PHIME) and the other in Spain (INMA). Women were recruited during pregnancy in Italy and Spain, and during the perinatal period in Greece. Total mercury concentrations were measured in cord blood samples by atomic absorption spectrometry. Maternal fish intake during pregnancy was determined from questionnaires. Polymorphisms (n = 5) in the ABC genes ABCA1, ABCB1, ABCC1 and ABCC2 were analysed in both cohorts. RESULTS: ABCB1 rs2032582, ABCC1 rs11075290, and ABCC2 rs2273697 modified the associations between maternal fish intake and cord blood mercury concentrations. The overall interaction coefficient between rs2032582 and log2-transformed fish intake was negative for carriers of GT (ß = -0.29, 95%CI -0.47, -0.12) and TT (ß = -0.49, 95%CI -0.71, -0.26) versus GG, meaning that for a doubling in fish intake of the mothers, children with the rs2032582 GG genotype accumulated 35% more mercury than children with TT. For rs11075290, the interaction coefficient was negative for carriers of TC (ß = -0.12, 95%CI -0.33, 0.09), and TT (ß = -0.28, 95%CI -0.51, -0.06) versus CC. For rs2273697, the interaction coefficient was positive when combining GA+AA (ß = 0.16, 95%CI 0.01, 0.32) versus GG. CONCLUSION: The ABC transporters appear to play a role in accumulation of MeHg during early development.