Timing of infection and development of wheeze, eczema, and atopic sensitization during the first 2 yr of life: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study.

To investigate if infections in pregnancy and very early in life present a risk for wheezing, eczema, or atopic sensitization in later infancy. A total of 2319 children enrolled before birth in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study were followed during their first 2 yr of life using repeated questionnaires. Information was obtained on common colds, fever, and diarrhea with fever as well as on wheeze and eczema at ages 3 and 7 months and 1 and 2 yr, respectively.

3D gait assessment in young and elderly subjects using foot-worn inertial sensors.

This study describes the validation of a new wearable system for assessment of 3D spatial parameters of gait. The new method is based on the detection of temporal parameters, coupled to optimized fusion and de-drifted integration of inertial signals. Composed of two wirelesses inertial modules attached on feet, the system provides stride length, stride velocity, foot clearance, and turning angle parameters at each gait cycle, based on the computation of 3D foot kinematics.

Host-microbial interactions in childhood atopy: toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14, and fecal Escherichia coli.

Background: Perturbations in the gut microbiota have been linked to atopic diseases. However, the development of atopic diseases depends not only on environmental factors (like microbial stimulation) but also on genetic factors. It is likely that particularly gene-environmental interactions in early life determine the development of atopy.

Robust beat detector for ambulatory cardiac monitoring.

Robust beat detection under noisy conditions is required in order to obtain a correct clinical interpretation of the ECG in ambulatory settings. This paper describes the evaluation and optimization of a beat detection algorithm that is robust against high levels of noise. An evaluation protocol is defined in order to study four different characteristics of the algorithm: non-rhythmic patterns, different levels of SNR, exact peak detection and different levels of physical activity.

Potential and challenges of body area networks for personal health.

This paper illustrates how body area network technology may enable new personal health concepts. A BAN technology platform is presented, which integrates technology building blocks from the Human++ research program on autonomous wireless sensors. Technology evaluation for the case of wireless sleep staging and real-time arousal monitoring is reported.

Ultra-low-power wearable biopotential sensor nodes.

This paper discusses ultra-low-power wireless sensor nodes intended for wearable biopotential monitoring. Specific attention is given to mixed-signal design approaches and their impact on the overall system power dissipation. Examples of trade-offs in power dissipation between analog front-ends and digital signal processing are also given.

Semantic wireless body area networks.

In this paper we introduce the concept of semantic Wireless Body Area Network (sWBAN). First the method for semantic interpretation of body sensor data is developed. This method is then illustrated for the case of ECG monitoring, providing the user with real-time monitoring and interpretation of heart activity.

Limits of preservation of samples for urine strip tests and particle counting.

Background: Preservation of urine samples is important for centralised laboratory services with automated instruments.

Methods: A multicentre evaluation was carried out to assess preservative tubes from BD Diagnostics-Preanalytical Systems and from Greiner Bio-One for test strip reading (documented at the level of remission values), for particle counting by flow cytometers (UF-100) and for visual microscopy. Failures were expressed as percentages of originally positive samples beyond a two-fold change (+100% or -50%) from the original values.

Antibiotic resistance of motile aeromonads in indoor catfish and eel farms in the southern part of The Netherlands.

The prevalence and degree of antibiotic resistance in catfish and eel farms in the southern part of The Netherlands was examined using motile aeromonads as indicator bacteria. A total of 29 water samples were collected, originating from six catfish farms, one catfish hatchery and three eel farms, and were plated on an Aeromonas-selective agar with and without antibiotics. From each plate, one colony was screened for presumptive motile aeromonads and tested for antibiotic susceptibility.

Potential and challenges of body area networks for cardiac monitoring.

This article gives an overview of results of the Human++ research program related to cardiac monitoring (http://www.imec-nl.nl/).

Breast-feeding duration and infant atopic manifestations, by maternal allergic status, in the first 2 years of life (KOALA study).

Objective: To investigate the potential effect of modification by maternal allergic status on the relationship between breast-feeding duration and infant atopic manifestations in the first 2 years of life.

Study Design: Data from 2705 infants of the KOALA Birth Cohort Study (The Netherlands) were analyzed. The data were collected by repeated questionnaires at 34 weeks of gestation and 3, 7, 12, and 24 months postpartum.

Consumption of organic foods and risk of atopic disease during the first 2 years of life in the Netherlands.

We prospectively investigated whether organic food consumption by infants was associated with developing atopic manifestations in the first 2 years of life. The KOALA Birth Cohort Study in the Netherlands (n 2764) measured organic food consumption, eczema and wheeze in infants until age 2 years using repeated questionnaires. Diet was defined as conventional ( 90 % organic).

The role of the intestinal microbiota in the development of atopic disorders.

The prevalence of atopic diseases, including eczema, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma, has increased worldwide, predominantly in westernized countries. Recent epidemiological studies and experimental research suggest that microbial stimulation of the immune system influences the development of tolerance to innocuous allergens. The gastrointestinal microbiota composition may be of particular interest, as it provides an early and major source of immune stimulation and seems to be a prerequisite for the development of oral tolerance.

Diagnostic performance of combined specific urinary proteins and urinary flow cytometry in urinary tract pathology.

Background: Urinalysis comprises three techniques: urinary flow cytometry, test strip analysis and determination of specific urinary proteins. We investigated the diagnostic possibilities of combining these methods for a cohort of patients with a variety of well-documented urological and nephrological pathology.

Methods: Urinary samples from 407 in- and out-patients with nephrological or urological pathology were retrospectively included in our study.

Early life exposure to antibiotics and the subsequent development of eczema, wheeze, and allergic sensitization in the first 2 years of life: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study.

Objectives: Antibiotic exposure in early life may be associated with atopic disease development either by interfering with bacterial commensal flora or by modifying the course of bacterial infections. We evaluated early life exposure to antibiotics and the subsequent development of eczema, wheeze, and allergic sensitization in infancy.

Methods: Information on antibiotic use in the first 6 months and eczema and wheeze until age 2 was collected by repeated questionnaires in 2764 families participating in the KOALA (Child, Parent and Health: Lifestyle and Genetic Constitution [in Dutch]) Birth Cohort Study in The Netherlands.

Breastfeeding and infant eczema in the first year of life in the KOALA birth cohort study: a risk period-specific analysis.

Objective: We studied the association between breastfeeding and eczema, taking into account the possible influence of reverse causation, with risk period-specific analyses.

Methods: Information on breastfeeding, determinants, and outcomes at 1 year of age was collected with repeated questionnaires for 2405 mother-infant pairs participating in the KOALA (Child, Parent and Health: Lifestyle and Genetic Constitution [in Dutch]) birth cohort study. By using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we compared an overall analysis with risk period-specific analyses.

Cytokines and soluble CD14 in breast milk in relation with atopic manifestations in mother and infant (KOALA Study).

Background: Conflicting evidence exists concerning the protective role of breastfeeding in allergy and atopic disease aetiology. Breast milk contains biologically active molecules influencing the innate immune system of newborns.

Objective: We aim to assess whether cytokines (TGF-beta1, IL-10 and IL-12) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) in breast milk are influenced by maternal atopic constitution and modify the development of atopic manifestations in infants.

Molecular fingerprinting of the intestinal microbiota of infants in whom atopic eczema was or was not developing.

Background: The rise in atopic diseases has been linked to disturbances in the intestinal microbiota composition.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the intestinal microbiota composition in infants in whom atopic (IgE-associated) eczema was or was not developing, using a molecular fingerprinting technique.

Methods: Within a prospective birth cohort study, fecal samples have been collected at the infant's age of 1 month.

Gut microbiota composition and development of atopic manifestations in infancy: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Perturbations in intestinal microbiota composition due to lifestyle changes may be involved in the development of atopic diseases. We examined gut microbiota composition in early infancy and the subsequent development of atopic manifestations and sensitisation.

Methods: The faeces of 957 infants aged 1 month and participating in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study were analysed using quantitative real-time PCR.

Factors influencing the composition of the intestinal microbiota in early infancy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of a broad range of external influences to the gut microbiotic composition in early infancy.

Methods: Fecal samples from 1032 infants at 1 month of age, who were recruited from the KOALA Birth Cohort Study in the Netherlands, were subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the enumeration of bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile, Bacteroides fragilis group, lactobacilli, and total bacterial counts. Information on potential determinants of the gut microbiotic composition was collected with repeated questionnaires.

Etiology of atopy in infancy: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study.

The aim of the KOALA Birth Cohort Study in the Netherlands is to identify factors that influence the clinical expression of atopic disease with a main focus on lifestyle (e.g., anthroposophy, vaccinations, antibiotics, dietary habits, breastfeeding and breast milk composition, intestinal microflora composition, infections during the first year of life, and gene-environment interaction).

Quantitative measurement of ketone bodies in urine using reflectometry.

Background: Recently, automated urine test strip readers became available that can report quantitative data. We explored the possibility of measuring all ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate) in urine with these test strips. Monitoring urinary ketone concentrations could offer the advantages of measuring higher values (due to the low renal thresholds) and being less sensitive to fluctuations.

Quantification of Bifidobacterium spp., Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile in faecal samples of breast-fed and formula-fed infants by real-time PCR.

To determine the influence of either exclusive breast-feeding or formula feeding on both composition and quantity of the gut microbiota in infants, we have developed real-time, quantitative PCR assays for the detection of Bifidobacterium spp. and Clostridium difficile. Furthermore, we have monitored the prevalence and counts of Escherichia coli by applying a previously described real-time PCR assay.

Alpha 1-microglobulin: clinical laboratory aspects and applications.

Background: Urinary microproteins are becoming increasingly important in clinical diagnostics. They can contribute in the non-invasive early detection of renal abnormalities and the differentiation of various nephrological and urological pathologies. Alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M) is an immunomodulatory protein with a broad spectrum of possible clinical applications and seems a promising marker for evaluation of tubular function.