Temperature drift during environmental radiation monitoring and its unfolding.

The aim of the presented paper is to examine the temperature drift and its unfolding for an environmental monitor equipped with a LaBr3(Ce) detector. It is known that temperature could influence energy, shape, and efficiency calibration. Consequently, when ambient temperature changes, the full energy absorption peak moves in the resulting spectrum. Research consists of experimental and analytical parts. During research in the climatic chamber, the dependence on temperature of energy, shape, and efficiency calibration was completed. The numerical method allows generating gamma spectra for theoretical so-called binary temperature variation.

Physical Activity and Its Potential Determinants in Obese Children and Adolescents under Specialist Outpatient Care-A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: this study aimed to assess the physical activity of obese pediatric patients under specialized outpatient care and its potential determinants. (2) Methods: A total of 83 subjects aged 7-18 years with simple obesity and their parents were enrolled. Data were collected with the use of physical activity questionnaires (PAQs) for children and adolescents and additional questions concerning selected socio-demographic characteristics. (3) Results: The mean final PAQ score was 2.09 ± 0.69. The most frequently chosen types of physical activity included walking, gymnastics, and jogging or running. We found a weak correlation inversely proportional between the child's age and mean final PAQ score (r = -0.25; p = 0.02). Younger children were more active during lunchtime at school and after school compared to adolescents (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04). The final PAQ score differed according to the place of residence; the lowest score was obtained by subjects living in cities >100,000 inhabitants (p = 0.025). We found a positive correlation between PAQ-Ch score and the father's physical activity, and between PAQ-A score and the mother's education. (4) Conclusions: The physical activity of obese pediatric patients is low, particularly in adolescents. It seems that age and place of residence have an impact on the physical activity of obese children and adolescents. The PAQs used in this study are useful in physical activity assessment and identification of time segments during the day in which activity might be improved. However, this requires confirmation in a larger group of pediatric patients.

Systemic Immune Inflammation Index as a Key Predictor of Dialysis in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease with the Use of Random Forest Classifier.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade inflammation is a significant component of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Systemic immune inflammation index (SII), a newly defined ratio combining neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts, has not yet been evaluated in the pediatric CKD population nor in the context of CKD progression or dialysis. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the complete blood cell count (CBC)-driven parameters, including SII, in children with CKD and to assess their potential usefulness in the prediction of the need for chronic dialysis. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted on 27 predialysis children with CKD stages 4-5 and 39 children on chronic dialysis. The data were analyzed with the artificial intelligence tools. RESULTS: The Random Forest Classifier (RFC) model with the input variables of neutrophil count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and SII turned out to be the best predictor of the progression of pediatric CKD into end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring dialysis. Out of these variables, SII showed the largest share in the prediction of the need for renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in the progression of CKD into ESKD. Among CBC-driven ratios, SII seems to be the most useful predictor of the need for chronic dialysis in CKD children.

Urinary Tract Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns: 5-Year Experience in a Tertiary Pediatric Nephrology Center in the Southwestern Region of Poland.

(1) Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in the pediatric population. This study aimed to analyze the urine culture results and antimicrobial patterns over the last 5 years in children diagnosed with UTI. (2) Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 242 patients hospitalized in the Pediatric Nephrology Department diagnosed with a UTI in the years 2018-2022. (3) Results: The most common causative agent was E. coli, responsible for 64% of UTIs, followed by Klebsiella spp. (16%), Pseudomonas spp. (6%), Enterobacter spp. (4%), Proteus spp. (4%), and Enterococcus spp. (3%). Non-E. coli UTIs were significantly more frequently observed in patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract or neurogenic bladder and patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. For the whole study period, 32% of E. coli were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 23.3% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 12.2% to ciprofloxacin, and 4.4% to nitrofurantoin. During 2018-2022, the prevalence of E. coli resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid varied from 16.7% to 41.2%, and resistance to cefuroxime increased four times (from 4% in 2018 to 16.7% in 2022). Starting in 2021, all isolated E. coli strains were classified as susceptible-increased exposure or resistant to cefuroxime. (4) Conclusion: Managing pediatric UTIs remains challenging in clinical practice. The choice of optimal empiric treatment should be considered following local recommendations and individual risk factors assessment and require careful dosage adjustment. Observed changes in antimicrobial resistance indicated the need for frequent updating of local recommendations for the management of pediatric patients with UTIs.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Family Factors Associated with Lifestyle Habits in a Sample of Italian Primary School Children: The I-MOVE Project.

The acquisition of healthy dietary and exercise habits during childhood is essential for maintaining these behaviors during adulthood. In early childhood, parents have a profound influence on a child's lifestyle pursuits, serving as both role models and decision-makers. The present study examines family factors as potential contributors to healthy lifestyle habits and their child's overall diet quality among a sample of primary school children. A secondary aim is to evaluate several aspects of diet quality using the Mediterranean adaptation of the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). This cross-sectional study involved 106 children enrolled in a primary school located in Imola, Italy. Data were collected from October to December 2019 using an interactive tool used to assess parent characteristics, children's lifestyle, food frequency (ZOOM-8 questionnaire), and actigraph accelerometers to capture children's physical activity and sedentary behavior. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (expressed by KIDMED Index) was positively associated with fathers' educational level, parental sport participation, and the parent's overall nutritional knowledge. Higher mothers' educational level was inversely associated with children's leisure screen time. Parents' nutritional knowledge was positively related to children's average daily minutes of organized sport activities. The better score for DQI-I was for consumption adequacy, followed by variety and moderation. The lowest score was for overall balance. The present study reinforces the importance of family factors in young children's lifestyle choices, particularly their dietary, leisure time, and exercise habits.

Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and family characteristics associated with cognitive performance in Italian primary school children: analysis of the I-MOVE project.

Working memory (WM) is a multicomponent system that supports cognitive functioning. It has been linked to a wide variety of outcomes including academic success and general well-being. The present study examined the relations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and WM among Italian children, adjusting for important parent characteristics and children's lifestyle habits. Data for this study was obtained from 106 children attending primary school in Imola (Italy) who were part of the I-MOVE study emphasizing school-based physical activity. Children's adherence to the MD was calculated using the KIDMED index (KI) based on the ZOOM-8 questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using an actigraph accelerometer and WM using the backward digit span test. Univariate regression was used to select significant child-level and family measures associated with WM, which were then tested in a single multivariate regression model. Older age is positively associated with higher WM (ß = 0.36; 95% CI 0.25, 0.47). Dietary adherence (KI) (ß = 0.07; 95% CI 0.01, 0.14) and engagement in organized PA outside school hours (ß = 0.58; 95% CI 0.09, 1.10) are positively related to WM. Among the family measures, father's education was positively associated with WM for high school education and for university vs. middle school or lower, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the MD was associated with better WM capacity in primary school children. These findings can be used to guide policymakers in designing health promotion programs and instituting policies emphasizing healthy nutrition to improve physical health and boost cognitive functioning. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The development of working memory involves the entire childhood with a rapid spurt between 2 and 8 years of age. • Working memory plays a critical role in children's learning and academic performance and underlies higher-order cognitive abilities. WHAT IS NEW: • Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was associated with higher working memory capacity in primary school children. • Health promotion interventions based on PA and sound nutrition involving children benefit not only physical and mental health, but also cognitive health.

Retrospective Analysis of the Ureaplasma spp. Prevalence with Reference to Other Genital Tract Infections in Women of Reproductive Age.

Ureaplasma spp. are frequently isolated from the genital tract of women of reproductive age. To date, it remains unclear whether they are commensal or pathogenic. In our study, we assessed the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. in a group of 1,155 women of childbearing age. In addition, we assessed how often women with positive Ureaplasma spp. develop genital tract co-infections and how the vaginal pH changes. This study showed a relationship between colonization by Ureaplasma spp. and presenting symptoms. In fact, we showed that colonization of the genital tract by Ureaplasma spp. can affect the occurrence of co-infections such as Gardnerella vaginalis. We also observed a relationship between increased pH values and the presence of Ureaplasma spp.

Emerging Role of Microbiome in the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Children.

The microbiome of the urinary tract plays a significant role in maintaining health through the impact on bladder homeostasis. Urobiome is of great importance in maintaining the urothelial integrity and preventing urinary tract infection (UTI), as well as promoting local immune function. Dysbiosis in this area has been linked to an increased risk of UTIs, nephrolithiasis, and dysfunction of the lower urinary tract. However, the number of studies in the pediatric population is limited, thus the characteristic of the urobiome in children, its role in a child's health, and pediatric urologic diseases are not completely understood. This review aims to characterize the healthy urobiome in children, the role of dysbiosis in urinary tract infection, and to summarize the strategies to modification and reshape disease-prone microbiomes in pediatric patients with recurrent urinary tract infections.

Gut Microbiota Alterations and Primary Glomerulonephritis in Children: A Review.

The article summarizes the current evidence on the impact of microbiota alterations on immune-mediated primary glomerulonephritis in children. In particular, the focus is on the link between dysbiosis and the onset or recurrence of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, immunoglobulin A nephropathy, and membranous nephropathy. The aim is to describe possible pathomechanisms, differences in gut microbiota composition between pediatric patients and healthy controls, and possible usage of microbiota manipulations in supportive therapy. On this basis, we attempt to indicate directions for further research in that field.

Dependence of photon registration efficiency on LaBr3(Ce) detector orientation for in situ radionuclide monitoring.

Knowledge of a radiation detector's numerical characteristics allows its energy efficiency to be calibrated theoretically for any measurement geometry. Here, energy efficiency calibration is discussed for oriented LaBr3(Ce) detectors used for in situ radiation monitoring. Vertical and horizontal detector orientations relative to the ground surface are compared using efficiency calibrations based on the detector's numerical characteristics and are equally effective. Quantitative assessment of the different measurement geometries was performed using a new analytical approach: integrated absolute full energy peak efficiency.

Breakfast Frequency and Composition in a Group of Polish Children Aged 7-10 Years.

Breakfast is considered one of the crucial elements of a healthy diet. Most studies evaluate breakfast consumption with the risk of obesity and other health effects. Less attention is paid to the evaluation of breakfast composition and patterns. Thus, this study aimed to describe the most frequently observed breakfast patterns and to assess breakfast composition and quality in a group of Polish early school-age children. The cross-sectional survey study was conducted in school years 2017/2018 and 2018/2019. Information regarding breakfast was obtained with the use of an original paper-based weekly observation diary, and breakfast quality was assessed with a special scoring designed to be used together with the diary. In total, 223 schoolchildren of the second and third grades participated in the study, and 200 diaries were analyzed. More than ¾ of the participants consumed breakfast every day. Nearly 68% of meals were classified as well balanced, but only 16.5% of children eat a well-balanced breakfast every day. The number of children who usually (≥5 times per week) eat a sandwich for breakfast was 94 (47%), and that of those who habitually eat cereal and milk or porridge was 29 (14.5%). Only 7% of children consumed fruit or vegetables for breakfast daily, and 26.5% never eat fruit or vegetables for breakfast. Concluding, most children eat breakfast regularly, but the meal composition and quality might be improved.

Familial Correlates of Leisure Time Activities among Polish Early School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The after-school period may play a critical role in the accumulation of children's physical activity and sedentary time. The study aimed to characterize familial correlates of early school-age children's leisure time activities. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a group of 223 children (mean age 8.7 ± 0.5) and their parents. The percentage of children with daily leisure time physical activity (LTPA) >1 h was 23.32%, and with daily screen time <2 h was 32.74%. The average children's leisure time physical activity was significantly higher on weekend days than on weekdays (114.85 vs. 89.43 min, p = 0.005). Similarly, the average screen time was higher on weekend days than on weekdays (95.50 vs. 66.10 min, p < 0.001). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that independent predictors of children's leisure time physical activity were the father's education level and the father's occupational status, whereas at least one parent with higher education correlated negatively with children's longer screen time. The study showed that children's leisure time activities are associated with parental education and differ significantly between weekdays and weekend days. These findings underline the need for screening for unfavorable health behaviors among early school-age children, and indicate that health promotion programs should be oriented on both parents and children aiming to improve parental health consciousness, reduce screen time and increase physical activity, especially during the weekend.

Measles Immunization Policies and Vaccination Coverage in EU/EEA Countries over the Last Decade.

BACKGROUND: Starting from 2016, a major measles epidemic affected EU/EEA countries, after the measles incidence rate had progressively decreased from 2011 to 2015. METHODS: This study describes measles incidences (ECDC reports), the vaccination coverages (VCs) (WHO/UNICEF reports) and the vaccination strategies, whether mandatory or recommended (ECDC Vaccine Scheduler), in 30 European countries over the last decade. RESULTS: VCs were higher in countries with historically mandatory vaccination. However, in these countries, VCs declined between 2010 and 2018, in two cases to levels below 90% at the second dose. Instead, 9 and 12 countries with recommended vaccination increased their VCs, respectively, for the first and the second dose. Overall, the countries with VC ≥ 95% decreased from 20 to 15 for the first dose and from 10 to 7 for the second dose. This trend led Italy, France and Germany to make vaccination mandatory. In Italy this provision was introduced in 2017, and together with the catch-up campaigns on children between 1 and 15 years at school entry, led immediately to a strong effect: the first dose VC passed from 87% in 2016 to 93% in 2018, and from 82% to 89% for the second dose. CONCLUSIONS: Mandatory vaccination is certainly a policy producing positive effects; however, it seems to require additional strategies in order to reach the WHO goal of 95% of VC. Measures such as catch-up action on susceptible populations and communication strategies aimed at increasing awareness and acceptance should be considered.

[Identification of yeasts isolated from the genital tract of women by mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF].

INTRODUCTION: A fungal infection of vagina is one of the most common gynecological problems of women of childbearing age. There has been a gradual increase in yeast- like fungi which are problematic to identify. There is thus a need for searching new identification methods, which would allow for fast recognition and selection of the proper course of treatment. The aim of study was to evaluate the usefulness of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique in the diagnosis of pathogenic yeast-like fungi isolated from the genital tract of women. METHODS: There were identified 484 yeast-like fungi strains isolated from the genital tract of patients treated at Centrum Badah Mikrobiologicznych i Autoszczepionek im. Jana Bobra in Cracow (CBMiA) in the age group 20 - 50. The material was analyzed using streak plating on the culture medium: Sabouraud agar (CBMiA) and chromogenic media chromID Candida (bioMdrieux). The strains were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (MALDI Biotyper MicroflexTM Series, Bruker Daltonics, Germany) operating as IVD (In Vitro Diagnostic). The procedure of proteins extraction with the use of ethanol and formic acid was used. RESULTS: All 484 yeast-like fungi strains isolated from the genital tract of women were correctly identified to the species level. CONCLUSIONS: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method may be successfully used for routine identification of yeast-like fungi and in particular the strains of non-albicans Candida, which have a lower susceptibility to antifungal agents.

[Compliance with hygiene procedures among medical faculty students]. / Przestrzeganie procedur higienicznych przez studentów wydzialu lekarskiego.

BACKGROUND: Many of the healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) are transmitted by healthcare workers' hands, which actively contributes to transferring pathogens from patient to patient and within the healthcare environment. Hand hygiene is the easiest and cheapest method for preventing HCAIs. The article presents the compliance with hygiene procedures in a group of medical students of the Wroclaw Medical University. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anonymous survey was conducted among 112 students. The survey included questions about the frequency of disinfection of hands and stethoscopes, changing clothes into clean ones, compliance with recommendations for healthcare workers, as well as subjective assessment of the availability of disinfectants in the hospital. RESULTS: The results of the survey revealed that 35.7% of students did not disinfect their hands before each patient's examination, 90% of them indicated limited access to disinfectants as the most important reason. The majority (93.8%) of respondents were trained in hand hygiene. In 34.82% the availability of disinfectants in hospitals was assesed as good, 62.5% of respondents drew attention to the fact that the dispensers were often empty. Compliance with recommendations for healthcare workers: 66.9% posessed white coat with short sleeves, 52.68% wore wristwatch or jewelery on their hands, 50% of students laundered white coat less frequently than once a week, 9.82% did not disinfect their stethoscope at all, 15.18% did that before each patient's examination. CONCLUSIONS: Students compliance with hand hygiene now and in their future work as doctors is the easiest method for preventing HCAIs. Providing easy access to disinfectants in the hospital environment and shaping hygiene habits during clinical activities play an essential role.