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Background: With environmental pollution increasing, interest in organic farming and organic foodstuffs has been growing all over the world. Data on organic food consumption by Lithuanian athletes is not yet available. This lack of data determined the aim of this study: to identify the particulars of organic foodstuff consumption among athletes. Methods: In September-November 2012, we polled 158 of the best-performing athletes of the Olympic sports team through direct interviews. An approved questionnaire was used to identify the specifics of organic foodstuff consumption among athletes. Results: The survey results showed that 97% of athletes consume organic foodstuffs, and 80% of athletes highlighted the positive impact of organic food on health. Nevertheless, a slim majority of athletes (51.7%) consume organic foodstuffs seldomly, 2-3 times per week. The range of organic foodstuffs consumed depends on the gender of athletes, and the consumption of some products depends on monthly incomes. Conclusions: Survey results confirm the need for the production and expansion of the variety of organic foodstuffs. In the course of the development of the organic food market, it should be beneficial for manufacturers to target high-performance athletes and physically active people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Various content-related threats such as provocative content, disinformation, cyberbullying, or sexual and commercial messages might reach children by phone and have a negative effect on their health. Amongst parents who are able to control it, we aimed to assess parental attitudes towards the use of mobile phones among children and control measures taken. Materials and Methods: A total number of 619 parents of primary school children from a middle-sized town in Lithuania participated in this study. Parents anonymously filled out our original questionnaire. Distribution of the respondents was assessed according to control measures taken, threat awareness, and sociodemographic factors. Results: Most of the respondents (79.8%) thought that personal mobile phones might be harmful to children's health, 99.5% of the parents used at least one control measure. Further, 91.9% of the respondents did not think that children might receive messages from strangers. Respectively, 85.5% and 95.2% of the parents thought that children do not receive offensive or sexual content messages. Many parents (25.5%) helped their children register to social networks. Parents with lower education and parents of younger children had lower awareness of threats (p < 0.05). Fathers, higher educated, single, and unemployed parents indicated application of fewer control measures (p < 0.05). Other sociodemographic factors were not related with threat awareness or control measures taken (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Nearly all parents of primary school children take measures in order to control their children's usage of mobile phones but most of them underestimate content-related threats brought by mobile phones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Stress is defined as a psychological sensation related to a change in both human physiology and behavior in response to a threat or challenge. As the prevalence of stress is increasing globally, nurses represent a risk group for exposure to stress-related psychological alterations. The aim of this study was to explore how clinical nurses in Lithuania cope with the perceived chronic stress in relation to additional emotional experiences following the death of a patient. (2) Methods: During a four-week period of October 2023, a total of 283 female nurses, aged between 20 and 70 years old, were enrolled in a single cross-sectional study. The PSS-10 (perceived stress scale) and the Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) questionnaires were applied to assess the level of self-perceived stress and the use of coping styles along with the adequate strategies. Furthermore, the nurses' emotions, evoked following patient death, were classified depending on their valence. Both the multiple linear and logistic regression statistical analyses were conducted to examine the associations between dependent and independent variables. (3) Results: The study identified that more than half of the nurses experienced patient death several times a month. A moderate-to-high level of the symptoms of mental chronic stress were suffered by 76% of caregivers. The psychological arousal following the death of a patient may induce the occurrence of emotional complexity that refers to competitive feelings, namely, helplessness (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1; 2.9), disappointment (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1; 3.5), anxiety (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2; 4.2), and guilt (ORadj 4.7, 95% CI 1.4; 5.7), and can serve as a potential trigger for chronic stress development in clinical nurses. In terms of emotion-focused stress control (β 0.1, 95% CI −0.1; −0.2, R2 = 0.12), Lithuanian nurses had low control of the perceived chronic stress. The use of problem-focused coping (β −0.2, 95% CI −0.3; −0.1, R2 = 0.09) was also not addressed to an appropriate extent. The use of the avoidance coping style was associated with moderate–high levels of chronic stress perceived by nurses (β 0.5, 95% CI 0.4; 0.7, R2 = 0.24). Furthermore, the avoidant coping strategy related to behavioral disengagement was significantly related to resilience to chronic stress in an adverse way. The cognitive process of self-blame was considered as a meaningful maladaptive behavior component for magnifying chronic stress in nurses. (4) Conclusions: The study highlights the need to implement the recommendations for boosting the nurses' mental health. Hospitals should contribute to psychological assistance along with providing necessary training on stress-coping strategies for clinical nurses. In order to promote the sustainability of mental health through additional social support interventions, it would be useful to upgrade the clinical nurses' daily routines with mindfulness-based trainings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess fatigue in children aged 2–17 years with asthma from both child and parent perspectives and describe associated factors. Methods: Fatigue scores were self‐reported by children aged 5–17 years old and proxy‐reported by parents or carers for all children. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale was used. Fatigue scores ranged from 0 to 100, higher scores meant less fatigue. Results: There were 527 children and parents enrolled. The mean overall fatigue score by self‐report was 72.7 ± 15.8 and by proxy report was 75.8 ± 16.3. Self‐reported fatigue score was lower in children aged 5–7 years (71.5 ± 15.9) compared to proxy‐reported score (76.3 ± 15.5). Proxy and self‐reported fatigue scores were similar between parents and older children. Fatigue scores were lower in association with poor asthma control and receipt of social support. Lower self‐reported, but not proxy‐reported, fatigue score was related to asthma severity. Lower proxy‐reported, but not self‐reported, fatigue score was related to the child being older and having shortness of breath. Conclusion: Parents underestimated the fatigue of younger children aged 5–7 years, but fatigue scores were similar between parents and older children. Both clinical and social factors are associated with fatigue in children with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluation of eating habits and physical activity is very important for health interventions. Our aim in this study was to assess the characteristics of eating and physical activity of 6-7th grade schoolchildren in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, as well as the association between dietary habits and physical activity. Methods: The study was conducted within the project 'Education of healthy diets and physical activity in schools'. The sample consisted of 1008 schoolchildren from 22 schools in the city of Vilnius, and was based on empirical methods, including a questionnaire poll and comparative analysis. Statistical software Stata v.12.1 (Stata corp LP) was used to analyze the data. Results: Our study showed that less than half (37.1%) of study participants had physically active leisure time. Boys were significantly more physically active than girls. More than half (61.4%) of children ate breakfast every day. Girls were more likely to eat vegetables and sweets. Schoolchildren who ate vegetables and dairy products as well as those who got enough information about physical activity and spoke about it with their family members were more physically active. Conclusions: The results of the study confirmed that schoolchildren were not sufficiently physically active. It was found that low physical activity is related to dietary and other factors, such as lack of information about physical activity and its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Leonardo da Vinci project "Introducing standards of the best medical practice for patients with inherited alpha-1-antitrypsin Deficiency in Central Eastern Europe" belongs to a sub-programme of the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme. It started in November 2011 and is conducted in cooperation with eight European partners. The project's main goal is to support development of a Central-Eastern European Network (CEE) for alpha-1-antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) early diagnostics and treatment. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is one of the major serine protease inhibitors in the human circulation, and is an acute phase protein produced predominantly by hepatocytes. Severe inherited AATD deficiency occurs in about 1 in 2.500 individuals; most commonly in those of European ancestry. AATD considerably increases the risk of liver disorder in infants, children and adults, while respiratory complications are observed mainly in adults. The average concentration of AAT in plasma in healthy individuals is 1.3 mg/ml. The concentration of AAT during acute phase processes rises 3- to 4-fold above normal. Alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a disorder inherited in an autosomal co-dominant fashion. The mutant Z AAT protein differs from the normal M variant by a single amino acid substitution (Glu 342 Lys). Severe ZZ AAT deficiency was first recognized as a hereditary condition predisposing to disease on the basis of 90% lower plasma levels of the protein arising not from the lack of AAT synthesis, but from a defect in its secretion. Most Caucasians of North European descent are homozygous for the normal M variant of AAT, but some carry the Z allele, which is associated with an increased risk of early-onset emphysema and liver disease. The great advantage and main focus of the project is to create a long-lasting European network of cooperation between medical institutions involved in AATD medical care. The network is a response to the needs of CEE countries and at the same time it will help them to participate in the broader frame of the European network of medical centres specializing in AATD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Balanced nutrition and good physical fitness are the essential parts of a healthy growth and development of children and adolescents. Furthermore, these are the key factors in the prevention of overweight and obesity. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine daily food intake of adolescents aged 11-14 years and to assess the parameters of physical fitness and weight status among different genders. Material and methods: The study included 65 adolescents aged 11-14. Data were collected by a 24-h diet recall interview, the European physical fitness test battery (Eurofit) and the assessment of body mass index (BMI), based on body height and weight measurements. Result: In total, in 64.0% of boys and 62.5% of girls daily energy intake was too low. There was a serious calcium and iodine deficiency and a deficiency of some vitamins (vitamin A and vitamin D) in adolescents. The total score of physical fitness ranged from 3.2 to 5.8. The evaluation of body weight indicated that 9.2% of adolescents were underweight, 23.1% were overweight and 3.1% showed obesity. Discussion: The assessment of energy expenditure needs to be included in studies for more accurate evaluation of energy balance and relation to weight status. Results on physical fitness in relation to weight status are controversial. Conclusions: Daily food intake of adolescents is not balanced and with sufficient nutrients. Flexibility was the weakest parameter of physical fitness. The remaining parameters of physical fitness were satisfactory. Only 64.6% of adolescents were classified as normal weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the Health Promoting School (HPS) encourages a holistic approach to promoting health in schools, instead of a more traditional education on health. The aim of this paper was to determine the association between studying in a HPS and smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents. A cross-sectional study of 3574 adolescents from 44 HPS and 66 non-HPSs was conducted. The association between studying in a HPS and smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents was analysed using logistic regression models. Pearson's χ 2 test was used to determine the differences between HPS and non-HPS students' sociodemographic characteristics, and the difference in distribution of students who smoked and consumed alcohol at various rates across different groups. Studying in a HPS setting was not significantly associated with adolescent smoking or attempts to smoke. Compared to HPS students, non-HPS students had a significantly higher chance of attempting to consume alcohol and consumed alcohol once a month or more frequently. In comparing the distribution of HPS and non-HPS students according to the frequency of smoking and alcohol consumption across various groups of respondents, it was determined that some factors were associated with frequency of smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents. The results of the study showed that studying in a HPS was associated with a reduction in both smoking and alcohol consumption, and therefore it is advisable to further develop the HPS network. However, both the individual and educational characteristics of adolescents must be taken into account when planning prevention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The eating habits of most Lithuanian people do not adhere to the recommendations for a healthy diet. If children and adolescents were provided with the relevant information, it would not only improve their nutritional knowledge, but also their eating habits in adulthood and the subsequent health of their children. The objective of this study was to determine the need for information on nutrition among Lithuanian adolescents, the current knowledge of adults regarding recommendations for the consumption of various food groups, and the factors that influence both the need for information and the current knowledge.Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted, consisting of 3,574 adolescents aged 14-18 years and 1,007 adults aged 18-75 years. Logistic regression models with confidence intervals of 95% were used to determine the influence of various socio-demographic factors on the adolescent need for information on nutrition and the adult knowledge of nutrition.Results: A total of 66.7% of adolescents stated that they need information regarding nutrition, whereas 29.8% indicated that they lack such information. Significantly more girls than boys, and more students from schools in urban areas than students from schools in rural areas, expressed their need for information on nutrition. Lithuanian adults lacked knowledge of recommendations for the consumption of various food groups. Women and respondents with higher education degrees were found to have more knowledge on recommendations of the consumption of various food groups compared to men and respondents of other levels of education respectively.Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the required information on nutrition must be continuously provided via various channels to both adolescents and adults, and socio-demographic factors must be taken into account when planning public health intervention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine the factors associated with the admission to hospital on a return visit to the ED. The reasons of return visits to the ED are complex and involve such causes as disease progression, medical errors, delayed diagnosis, or misdiagnosis. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. All the emergency visits from 1 January 2018 through 20 May 2019 were included. The patients were divided into two groups: the patients who visited the ED only once within a month were attributed to group 1, while those who paid two or more visits to the ED within 30 days belonged to group 2. The demographic data, the triage category, the number of laboratory and radiology tests, specialist consultations, diagnoses and the time spent in the ED were evaluated. The statistical analysis was performed using R statistical software package, non-parametric statistical methods were used. Results: 32,215 patients were included in the analysis, 3,243 patients (10.05% of all the initial visits) returned to the ED within 30 days. The number of laboratory tests had a statistically significant impact on admission to the ward both the first and the return visits. The triage category was associated with the admission on the return visit to the ED. Age, gender, number of consultations and radiology tests had no medium or large impact. Among the diagnoses, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal diseases were related to the admission on return visit. Conclusions: Patients with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal system diseases in all age groups, patients with medical conditions and advanced investigation (the increased number of laboratory testing and the time spent in the ED) have an increased risk for a return visit over a 30-day time frame and an increased rate of hospital admissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is associated with increased risk of various cancers but its association with kidney cancer is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between T2DM with or without metformin use and the risk of kidney cancer in a population-based national cohort in Lithuania.Methods: The cohort was composed of diabetic patients identified in the NHIF database during 2000-2012. Cancer cases were identified by record linkage with the national Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for kidney cancer as a ratio of observed number of cancer cases in diabetic patients to the expected number of cancer cases in the underlying general population were calculated.Results: T2DM patients (11,592) between 2000 and 2012 were identified. Overall, 598 cases of primary kidney cancer were identified versus 393.95 expected yielding an overall SIR of 1.52 (95% CI: 1.40-1.64). Significantly higher risk was found in males and females. Significantly higher risk of kidney cancer was also found in both metformin users and never-users' groups (SIRs 1.45, 95% CI: 1.33-1.60 and 1.78 95% CI: 1.50-2.12, respectively).Conclusions: The patients with T2DM have higher risk for kidney cancer compared with the general Lithuanian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The availability of information on healthy products does not ensure the empowerment of people with the knowledge on how to choose or avoid food products or dishes depending on unhealthy factors. Public knowledge and beliefs of unhealthy food effects on health needs to be evaluated so that appropriate measures can be taken to properly inform people and relevant socio-demographic groups.Methods: The original survey questionnaire containing questions about specific food groups and various health effects was compiled. A total of 1,007 respondents, Lithuanian residents aged 18-75 years, were surveyed in March 2019. Multilevel stratified probability sampling method was used for data representativeness.Results: Almost half of respondents (46.2%) knew that deep-fried food could cause cancer. The majority of respondents (68.4%) were aware that sugar causes obesity and 61.7% were aware that sugar increases the risk of diabetes mellitus; 41.6% (more often those living in non-rural areas) know that grilled meat may cause cancer. More than half of respondents (57.2%) (more likely those living in non-rural areas and those with a university degree) were aware that smoked meat products may cause cancer. Only 46.4% were aware of the fact that salt raises blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.Conclusion: Only about half of Lithuanian residents aged 18-75 were aware of the scientifically proven harmful effects of unhealthy food groups. Socio-demographic factors influence the knowledge and beliefs of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. A low level of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle affects the body posture in adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the core relation between the level of physical activity and spinal posture as well as physical fitness parameters in 11-14 years old teenagers. Methods. The cross-sectional study included 532 children, aged from 11 to 14 years. The study was carried out at three Lithuanian schools in 2011-2013. The Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (YPAQ) was used to assess physical activity. Spinal posture was assessed according to the Hoeger visual posture assessment method. Physical capacity was evaluated using a 6-min walking test (6 MWT) and by calculating maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). Other physical fitness such as the general balance, flexibility, explosive leg power and abdominal muscle endurance were evaluated by applying the European Fitness Test (Eurofit). According to time spent doing moderate to vigorous intensity physical activities (MVPA), the sample was divided into 2 groups -- a low activity level group and moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity level group. We compared the spinal posture evaluation results and physical fitness parameters between groups as well as correlations between the duration of MVPA, spinal posture evaluation results and physical fitness parameters. Results. The study showed that 22.2% of teenagers had a low physical activity level and 16% of teenagers had an incorrect posture. The teenagers of low physical activity group were less physically fit and had the poorer posture than teenagers in the MVPA group. During the 6MWT, the teenagers in the low physical activity group walked on average 63.2 m less (p = 0.002), and their VO2max was 0.8 mL/kg/min lower (p = 0.006) than that of teenagers in the MVPA group. The teenagers in the low physical activity group also did not perform as well in the explosive leg power and abdominal muscle endurance tests compared to teenagers in the MVPA group. Correlations between the duration of MVPA and spinal posture evaluation results as well as some physical fitness parameters were very weak. Conclusion. The teenagers of low physical activity were less physically capable and had poorer posture than the teenagers in the MVPA group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of life for the family is an important outcome of childhood asthma. The aim of the study was to describe the quality of life in families who have a child with asthma. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module was completed by the parents of 527 children with asthma. The median overall score was 75.0 (interquartile range 63.9, 87.5). The following factors were independently associated with lower quality of life: additional difficulties such as anxiety and financial hardship (3.81 [2.45, 5.93]), waking with asthma symptoms one or more nights a week (odds ratio 2.53 [1.34, 4.75]), regular use of symptoms reliever medication (2.47 [1.57, 3.87]), and female gender (1.97 [1.27, 3.05]). Lower socioeconomic status of the family and exposure to molds at home doubled the odds for lower quality of life. Physician's diagnosed asthma severity and control were associated with quality of life in univariate, but not multivariate analysis.Conclusion: Multiple factors, several of which are not related to asthma, contribute to the family burden of having a child with asthma. Clinicians should be mindful of the impact of asthma on the child and the family, and consider exploring factors not directly related to childhood asthma. What is Known: • Childhood asthma as a chronic disease impacts the quality of life of the patient, but there is also an impact on the immediate family. • There are relatively few studies exploring the quality of life of parents of a child with asthma; the results are heterogeneous and none has been carried out in an Eastern European country. What is New: • This is the first study to describe caregiver's quality of life in an Eastern European population in the context of childhood asthma. • The quality of life of the family of asthmatic child depends not only on factors related to asthma, but also non-asthma related factors such as poverty which play even more important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Quality of life (QoL) has been widely researched among children with asthma in Western countries, but there is a lack of data from eastern Europe, where the prevalence is relatively low, but hospital admission rates are higher. We evaluated the overall level and major determinants of QoL in Lithuanian children aged 5-11 years with asthma.Methods: This study was carried out in six asthma outpatient clinics in the two largest cities of Lithuania from January 2015 to July 2016. The children's QoL was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) asthma module, which was completed by the child and one parent.Results: We collected questionnaires from 226 children (68% boys) with a mean age of eight (±2) years: 65% had mild asthma, 31% had moderate asthma and 4% had severe asthma. One in 10 had been hospitalised in the preceding 6 months. The mean self-reported QoL score was 74 and the parent-reported QoL score was 73. QoL was associated with asthma severity and control, shortness of breath and the child's general health, but not socioeconomic factors.Conclusion: The overall level and major determinants of QoL in children with asthma in Lithuania were comparable with Western populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) bacterium is the most well recognized pathogen involved in pathogenesis of dental caries. Its virulence arises from its ability to produce a biofilm and acidogenicity, causing tooth decay. Discovery of natural products capable to inhibit biofilm formation is of high importance for developing health care products. To the best of our knowledge, in all previous scientific reports, a colorimetric assay was applied to test the effect of sumac and methyl gallate (MG) on S. mutans adherence. Quantitative assessment of the developed biofilm should be further performed by applying an optical profilometry assay, and by testing the effect on both surface roughness and thickness parameters of the biofilm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the effect of sumac extract and its constituent MG on biofilm formation using an optical profilometry assay. Testing antibacterial activity of the sumac extract and its fractions revealed that MG is the most bioactive component against S. mutans bacteria. It reduced S. mutans biofilm biomass on the polystyrene surface by 68-93%, whereas 1 mg/ml MG was able to decrease the biofilm roughness and thickness on the glass surface by 99%. MG also prevented a decrease in pH level by 97%. These bioactivities of MG occurred in a dose-dependent manner and were significant vs. untreated bacteria. The findings are important for the development of novel pharmaceuticals and formulations of natural products and extracts that possess anti-biofilm activities with primary applications for oral health, and in a broader context, for the treatment of various bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We examined inequalities in cervical cancer survival in Lithuania by education and place of residence. Methods: The study is based on the linked dataset that includes all records of the 2001 population Census, all records from Lithuanian Cancer Registry (cancer incidence) and all death and emigration records from Statistics Lithuania for the period between 6 April 2001 and 31 December 2009. The study group includes cervical cancers registered in the Cancer Registry from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. Analysis was restricted to women who were 25-64 years old at the Census date (in total 1 866 cases). Results: During the study period there were 671 deaths corresponding to an overall 5-year survival proportion 64.13% (95% CI 61.86-66.31). Place of residence and education of cervical cancer patients had strong impact on survival; 5-year survival was higher in women living in urban areas than in rural (68.61 and 55.93%) and survival decreased with decreasing education: from 79.77% in highest education group to 64.85 and 50.48% in groups with secondary and lower than secondary education. The effect of place of residence declined when stage of disease was included in the model and became not significant in final model with education adjustment. The effect of education declined after inclusion of stage and other variables, however, remained significant. Conclusions: We found that women with higher education experienced higher survival following a cervical cancer diagnosis, and stage of disease at the time of diagnosis explains only the part of observed differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Lithuania is a Northern European country consisting of two main ethnolinguistic groups: Samogitians and Highlanders. The objective of the paper is to investigate differences in nutritional habits of 18-65-year-old Lithuanians living in different ethnolinguistic regions. Materials and methods. A representative, population-based, random sample of the 18-65-year-old ethnic Lithuanian population was interviewed from 17 December 2008 to 20 May 2013. Lithuanians living in their ethnolinguistic region for at least three generations were included (n = 1,133). We analysed responses to 12 questions about nutritional habits of respondents. For the univariate analysis, we applied the chi-squared test. For the clusterisation of the survey questions, we employed a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). Results. Comparing Samogitians' and Highlanders' responses according to their gender, education, and place of residence, we observed more often significant differences (p < 0.05) for the urban population, respondents without higher education, and women. The nutrition of Highlanders was more consistent with national and WHO nutritional recommendations. Significant differences were obtained in the consumption of fish (p = 1.9 ⋅ 10-12), milk (p = 1.8 ⋅ 10-4) and grain products (p = 0.01). MCA revealed that all questions fall into three groups with a different composition for Samogitians and Highlanders. We failed to demonstrate the impact of different nutritional habits on the body mass index. Conclusions. According to the univariate and multivariate analysis, the nutritional habits of Lithuanian ethnolinguistic regions are heterogeneous. Dependency on an ethnolinguistic region might be considered an important factor for the preparation of appropriate health and nutrition education and disease prevention programmes. The issue of excess weight remains equally important for both ethnolinguistic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Electromagnetic field exposure is the one of the most important physical agents that actively affects live organisms and environment. Active use of mobile phones influences the increase of electromagnetic field radiation. The aim of the study was to measure and assess the electric field strength caused by mobile phones to the human head. Methods. In this paper the software "COMSOL Multiphysics" was used to establish the electric field strength created by mobile phones around the head. Results. The second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile (GSM) phones that operate in the frequency band of 900 MHz and reach the power of 2 W have a stronger electric field than (2G) GSM mobile phones that operate in the higher frequency band of 1,800 MHz and reach the power up to 1 W during conversation. The third generation of (3G) UMTS smart phones that effectively use high (2,100 MHz) radio frequency band emit the smallest electric field strength values during conversation. The highest electric field strength created by mobile phones is around the ear, i.e. the mobile phone location. The strength of mobile phone electric field on the phantom head decreases exponentially while moving sidewards from the center of the effect zone (the ear), and constitutes 1-12% of the artificial head's surface. Conclusion. The highest electric field strength values of mobile phones are associated with their higher power, bigger specific energy absorption rate (SAR) and lower frequency of mobile phone. The stronger electric field emitted by the more powerful mobile phones takes a higher percentage of the head surface. The highest electric field strength created by mobile phones is distributed over the user's ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] There are similarities between driving safety of teens and their parents, as reported by teens. [•] Driving teenagers report that they discuss road safety behavior with parents. [•] Parental involvement is vital for road safety promotion in young drivers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine foods that cause adverse reactions and ailments to citizens of Vilnius (Lithuania). Methods. Vilnius University was a partner in the EuroPrevall integrated project - "The Prevalence Cost and Basis of Food Allergy in Europe", which is a EU-funded multi-disciplinary research study. By implementing this project, 4 333 6-12 year old schoolchildren of the 1st-4th grades from primary schools in Vilnius were asked to answer an anonymous questionnaire (3 084 questionnaires were gathered in return, response rate 71.2%). Meanwhile, 3 985 adults were asked to answer similar questions during interviews (2 634 of them agreed to take part in the survey, response rate 66.1%). Results. Fruits and berries (24.6%), and mostly citrus fruits (7.8%) were the most common foods that caused clinical symptoms among the children. Other important problematic foods were milk and dairy (19.4%), chocolate (10.9%), egg (7.4%). Fruits and berries were also the most common foods that caused clinical symptoms among adults (33.3%); other important foods were nuts (19.6%), vegetables (11.8%), chocolate (9.8%). Meat, crustaceans, cereals were food that caused clinical symptoms least to children and adults (⩽2.0%). Conclusions. The list of the most allergenic foods is different in various countries and regions. Food allergy is closely related with age, nutritional habits of the family and society, culture and religion. Therefore, we can find many similarities and disparities when comparing Vilnius with other cities or places in Europe and the world. In Lithuania, there are congenial conditions to grow and consume fruits, vegetables and dairy, therefore these foods are more likely to become allergens to some part of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of food allergies among primary schoolchildren in Vilnius, Lithuania. Methods. Vilnius University was a partner in EuroPrevall integrated project -- "The prevalence cost and basis of food allergy in Europe", which is an EU-funded multi-disciplinary research study. By implementing this project, using an anonymous questionnaire, 3 084 (5-12 year old) schoolchildren of the 1st-4th grade from primary schools in Vilnius were investigated. Results. 46.9% of 5-12 of children from primary schools had a self-reported illness or trouble caused by eating a food or foods; boys and girls were affected similarly. Food allergy was diagnosed by a doctor to 16.4% of schoolchildren. After analyzing children, who had trouble after eating, we discovered that the biggest group was among 9-year old ones (26.8%); and a smaller one among 7, 8 and 10-year old schoolchildren (26.0; 22.2 and 19.6%, respectively), the majority of them suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting (48.0%). Rash, nettle sting like rash or itchy skin were also frequent symptoms (46.4%). Other common symptoms were headaches (17.6%) and a runny or stuffy nose (16.8%). Fruit (24.6%) and mostly citrus (7.8%) was the most common food that caused clinical symptoms. Other important, problematic foods were milk and dairy products (19.4%), chocolate (10.9%), eggs (7.4%). Conclusions. According to the results of our research, almost half of the children of the primary schools in Vilnius had a self-reported illness or trouble, caused by eating. This shows us that food allergy might be a serious problem among schoolchildren in Vilnius; therefore it is essential to continue the research on food allergies, in order to find out tools and information necessary for policy makers, regulators, clinicians and allergic consumers, together with the food industry to effectively manage food allergies and the allergens causing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the association between type 2 diabetes (T2DM), use of glucose-lowering medications and endometrial cancer (EC) risk. Methods: The risk of EC incidence among women with T2DM in Lithuania was assessed using a retrospective cohort study design. Female patients who were registered with T2DM between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012 were identified in the National Health Insurance Fund database. EC cases (ICD-10 code C54) were identified from the Lithuanian Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by dividing the observed numbers of EC among patients with T2DM by the expected number of EC, calculated using national rates. Results: A total of 77,708 diabetic women were included in the analysis, and 995 cases of EC were identified. A significantly increased EC risk in diabetic women was found as compared to the general population (SIR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.59–1.80). The greatest EC risk was found among younger patients at T2DM diagnosis, and the risk declined gradually with increasing age but persisted in being significantly increased among all age groups. The risk for EC increased with increasing duration of diabetes, and the highest EC risk was observed more than 10 years after T2DM diagnosis. A significantly higher EC risk than expected from the general population was found in all patient groups by glucose-lowering medication combinations. The lowest EC risk was observed in diabetic women who were users of "oral only" (without metformin) (SIR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.10–1.83) and "metformin only" (SIR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.49–1.92) medications. A two times greater EC risk was observed among the remaining glucose-lowering medication categories. In contrast, use of insulin only was not related to a higher EC incidence risk (SIR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.23–0.86); however, the risk estimation was based on nine cases. Conclusions: Our study shows a significantly increased EC risk in diabetic women as compared to the general population. In this study, a significantly higher EC risk was found in all patient groups by glucose-lowering medication combinations, except for insulin only users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]