Feeding Babies at the Beginnings of Urbanization in Central Europe.

Small ceramic vessels with spouts, from which liquid can be poured, became popular during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in Central Europe (c. 1200-600 BC). Such feeding vessels represent a functional type and are highly variable in size, shape and decoration. Found both on settlements and within graves, their association with child burials suggest they might have been used to feed babies and small children. Combined lipid and isotope analysis was performed on 24 of these feeding vessels, with seven delivering interpretable results. Feeding vessels associated with child burials tend to deliver a ruminant milk signal, whereas other vessels were used to process ruminant and non-ruminant adipose fats. Here, we highlight the potential significance of feeding vessels as indicators of changing childcare practices during times of population increase, settlement nucleation and mobility, possibly involving out-sourcing the feeding of babies and small children to persons other than the mother.

Investigation of the migration of bisphenols from baby bottles and sippy cups.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a monomer in a number of consumer products, including baby bottles and sippy cups. Some jurisdictions around the world (including Canada) have regulated the production, advertising or selling polycarbonate baby bottles with BPA. Following the ban, makers have opted for alternative materials to BPA [named BPA analogues, BPAAs], which may not be as safe as promoted. The objective of this project was to conduct a migration study in baby bottles and sippy cups, and analyze 16 BPAAs, as a follow-up on the BPA migration study conducted by Health Canada in 2009. Baby bottles (20 brands) and sippy cups (13 brands) were tested for migration of BPAAs. The most commonly detected analytes in baby bottles were BPS, BPA, BPF, BPAF, BPM and BPTMC with detection frequency (DF) of more than 50%. In sippy cups, only BPA, BPS and BPF were frequently detected. The mean concentration of BPA in baby bottle leachate was 31.5 ng/L in water simulant whereas a 1.4-fold increase was seen in 50% EtOH simulant. Similarly, a 1.4-fold increase was seen in the mean concentration of BPS in 50% EtOH simulant, when compared to the mean concentration of 2.33 ng/L in water simulant. Increasing median concentration was observed for BPA as the ethanol content of the simulant increased (water<10% EtOH<50% EtOH). The concentration of BPS and BPA was higher in sippy cups than that in their matched brand of baby bottles with the 50% EtOH simulant. Although most of the target analytes were detected in baby bottles, their concentrations were low and no migration was observed for any of the analytes with increasing incubation time. Therefore, it is likely that known BPA analogues are not present in the polymers used in the manufacture of most of the baby bottle brands sold in Canada.

Characterization of odorants from baby bottles by headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry.

A SPME protocol was optimised for the characterization of odorous migrants coming from baby bottles. Considering this, a Plackett-Burman design to select variables and a central composite rotatable design to define the optimal conditions were used. The method proposed by Derringer and Suich was used to simultaneously optimise the responses. After validation, the analytical method was used to characterise volatile migrants from baby bottles made of polypropylene, Tritan and silicone using 50% ethanol as a simulant. 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was identified in all samples. Forty-five compounds were identified, of which thirty-eight were odorants in silicone baby bottles. Aldehydes were mainly responsible for the unpleasant odour of silicone. Moreover, silicone showed slightly higher volatile organic compounds (%) than recommended. Odours from ketones, benzophenone derivatives and alcohols were also detected by GC-O-MS, however below the LOQ obtained in the MS detector. All migration data were below the specific migration limits.

Identification of non-volatile migrants from baby bottles by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Baby bottles made of polypropylene, Tritan® and silicone were evaluated regarding the migration of non-volatile compounds using UPLC-QTOF-MS. Twenty-seven compounds were identified. In all polypropylene samples the migration of 2.2'-(tridecylimino)bis-ethanol and derivatives thereof were detected in concentrations below the specific migration limit (1.2 mg.kg-1). Furthermore, clarifying agents and glycerol derivatives were detected. Tritan baby bottle showed the migration of one slip additive. On the other hand, twenty compounds were detected in silicone baby bottles. Most of them were unknown compounds derived from acrylates. Once the migrants were identified, the risk assessment was carried out using the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach. The risk assessment of migrants coming from silicone samples showed levels above the threshold recommended as safe for babies.

Maloclusiones dentarias y su relación con los hábitos bucales lesivos / Dental malocclusion and its relationship to harmful oral habits

RESUMEN Introducción: La ruptura del equilibrio de las fuerzas extrabucales e intrabucales debido a una función anómala, desencadena maloclusión. Estas funciones musculares anómalas se conocen como hábitos bucales lesivos. Objetivo: Actualizar conocimientos y analizar los factores relacionados con las maloclusiones dentarias como los hábitos bucales lesivos en niños, en función de la frecuencia y duración de la succión nutritiva y no nutritiva, respiración por la boca y el empuje lingual atípico. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en cuatro bases de datos digitales Pubmed, Lilacs, Ibecs y Cumed correspondiente a los últimos 5 años. Se usó tesauro para el idioma inglés malocclusion, habits, finger sucking, pacifiers, bottle feeding, tongue habit, mouth breathing y en español maloclusión, hábitos, succión del dedo, chupete, biberones, hábitos linguales, respiración por la boca. La búsqueda reveló 65 artículos, de estos solo 19 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Análisis e integración de la información: El 89,5 por ciento de los artículos pertenecen a estudios de hábitos de succión no nutritivos solo o en conjunto con otros hábitos; y el 10,5 por ciento realizan investigaciones en niños respiradores bucales. Teniendo en cuenta la duración y frecuencia de los hábitos solo el 26,31 por ciento de las pesquisas seleccionadas tomaron en cuenta estas variables. En hábitos de succión nutritivos presentaron resalte horizontal aumentado, mordida cruzada posterior y escalón distal. Existe una asociación entre períodos cortos de amamantamiento y prevalencia de hábitos de succión no nutritivos; presentan además de maloclusiones anteriormente citadas, mordida abierta anterior. En respiración por la boca citaron clase II, mandíbula corta y retruida y disminución del tercio inferior de la cara. Conclusiones: Numerosas investigaciones se han realizado para asociar la duración de los hábitos de succión nutritivos y no nutritivos con maloclusiones, sin considerar la frecuencia de estos, además existe una reducida información científica en las bases electrónicas exploradas en lo que refiere a estudios de respiración por la boca y empuje lingual atípico en los niños(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Malocclusion is triggered by rupture of the balance between extraoral and intraoral forces as a result of an anomalous function. Such anomalous muscular functions are known as harmful oral habits. Objective: Update knowledge and analyze factors related to dental malocclusions, such as harmful oral habits in children, in terms of the frequency and duration of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking, mouth breathing and atypical tongue thrust. Methods: A bibliographic review was conducted of papers published in the last five years in the digital databases Pubmed, Lilacs, Ibecs and Cumed. The search terms used were malocclusion, habits, finger sucking, pacifiers, bottle feeding, tongue habit and mouth breathing in English, and maloclusión, hábitos, succión del dedo, chupete, biberones, hábitos linguales and respiración por la boca in Spanish. 65 papers were obtained, of which only 39 met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis and integration: 89.5 percent of the papers corresponded to studies about non-nutritive sucking habits alone or in combination with other habits, whereas 10.5 percent dealt with studies about mouth breathing children. Only 26.31 percent of the studies selected took into account the variables duration and frequency of the habits. Nutritive sucking habits were found to be associated with overjet, posterior crossbite and distal step. A relationship was also found between a short breastfeeding period and the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits, with the presence of anterior open bite alongside the aforementioned malocclusions. Mouth breathing was related to class II, small retrognathic jaw and a decreased lower third of the face. Conclusions: Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the relationship between malocclusions and the duration of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits, without considering the frequency of such habits. On the other hand, the electronic databases consulted contain few studies about mouth breathing and atypical tongue thrust in children(AU)

Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) for baby bottles: a comprehensive assessment on polymer-related non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) is a new material for the production of baby bottles. PPSU is a polyether plastic formally composed of bisphenol S (BPS) and 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl (DHBP), which both have slight endocrine activities in in vitro tests. So far, little is known about the presence and the release of potentially hazardous substances from PPSU baby bottles. In this study, we present a three-step approach for the analysis of PPSU starting with polymer characterisation in terms of chemical structure, total oligomer content and hydrolytic stability. Second is the determination of extractables focussing on monomers, monomer derivatives, linear and cyclic oligomers below 1000 Da and residual solvent. Third is a risk assessment on migration-related substances in accordance to European Union plastics regulation no. 10/2011 based on triplicate consecutive migration experiments using official milk simulant 50% ethanol. We analysed five types of PPSU baby bottles from different brands as well as corresponding raw materials from different manufacturers by various analytical techniques (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detector /fluorescence detector/Corona/electrospray ionisation-MS, HPLC-size exclusion chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 1H-NMR). We found significant variations of PPSU materials from different producers with regard to polymer and oligomer chain end groups (methoxylation, chlorination), while total oligomer content below 1000 Da was similar (mean about 0.48%). BPS was not detected above 0.3 mg/kg polymer in any PPSU sample. Residual DHBP content ranged between 1.7 and 15.5 mg/kg polymer. The most common oligomer in all PPSU samples was the cyclic tetramer (about 1200 mg/kg polymer), which is the only cyclic compound below 1000 Da. Residual solvent, sulfolane, was determined to a maximum of 1300 mg/kg polymer. In migration tests, we detected exceedances of neither specific migration limits for listed substances nor of thresholds of toxicological concern for non-listed substances (monomer derivatives, oligomers). Based on our analytical results, no concerns exist regarding migration of polymer-related substances from PPSU baby bottles.

Bisphenol A and Bisphenol S release in milk under household conditions from baby bottles marketed in Italy.

A simple and sensitive validated analytical method based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem fluorescence (FD) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry was applied to monitor the presence of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in plastic baby bottles marketed in Italy. The limits of detection (LOD) were 3.75 ng mL-1 and 80.00 ng mL-1, and those of quantification (LOQ) were 12.51 ng mL-1 and 260.00 ng mL-1 for BPA (FD detection) and for BPS (UV detection), respectively. BPA was found in only four samples, two samples undergone to microwave heating and two samples undergone to bottle warmer heating either at 40°C or at 80°C. Although the quantities of leached BPA were well below the reference dose for daily intake established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (4.0 µg kg-1 bw/day), the release of BPA and BPS from these plastic materials should be carefully considered by the government authorities to increase people's awareness on this issue and to protect the most vulnerable population group.

Evaluation of the migration of chemicals from baby bottles under standardised and duration testing conditions.

After the prohibition of bisphenol-A-containing polycarbonate baby bottles in the European Union (EU), alternative materials, such as polypropylene, polyethersulphone, Tritan™ copolyester, etc., have appeared on the market. Based on an initial screening and in vitro toxicity assessment, the most toxic migrating compounds were selected to be monitored and quantified using validated GC- and LC-QqQ-MS methods. The effect of several 'real-life-use conditions', such as microwave, sterilisation and dishwasher, on the migration of different contaminants was evaluated by means of duration tests. These results were compared with a reference treatment (filling five times with pre-heated simulant at 40°C) and with the legal EU 'repetitive-use conditions' (three migrations, 2 h at 70°C). Analysis of the third migration step of the EU repetitive-use conditions (which has to comply with the EU legislative migration limits) showed that several non-authorised compounds were observed in some baby bottles exceeding 10 µg kg(-1). However, all authorised compounds were detected well below their respective specific migration limits (SMLs). The reference experiment confirmed the migration of some of the compounds previously detected in the EU repetitive-use experiment, though at lower concentrations. Analysis of extracts from the microwave and dishwasher experiments showed a reduction in the migration during the duration tests. In general, the concentrations found were low and comparable with the reference experiment. Similar observations were made for the two sterilisation types: steam and cooking sterilisation. However, steam sterilisation seems to be more recommended for daily use of baby bottles, since it resulted in a lower release of substances afterwards. Repeated use of baby bottles under 'real-life' conditions showed no increase in the migration of investigated compounds and, after some time, the migration of these compounds even became negligible.

Identification of substances migrating from plastic baby bottles using a combination of low-resolution and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysers coupled to gas and liquid chromatography.

This work presents a strategy for elucidation of unknown migrants from plastic food contact materials (baby bottles) using a combination of analytical techniques in an untargeted approach. First, gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) in electron ionisation mode was used to identify migrants through spectral library matching. When no acceptable match was obtained, a second analysis by GC-(electron ionisation) high resolution mass spectrometry time of flight (TOF) was applied to obtain accurate mass fragmentation spectra and isotopic patterns. Databases were then searched to find a possible elemental composition for the unknown compounds. Finally, a GC hybrid quadrupole-TOF-MS with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation source was used to obtain the molecular ion or the protonated molecule. Accurate mass data also provided additional information on the fragmentation behaviour as two acquisition functions with different collision energies were available (MS(E) approach). In the low-energy function, limited fragmentation took place, whereas for the high-energy function, fragmentation was enhanced. For less volatile unknowns, ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole-TOF-MS was additionally applied. Using a home-made database containing common migrating compounds and plastic additives, tentative identification was made for several positive findings based on accurate mass of the (de)protonated molecule, product ion fragments and characteristic isotopic ions. Six illustrative examples are shown to demonstrate the modus operandi and the difficulties encountered during identification. The combination of these techniques was proven to be a powerful tool for the elucidation of unknown migrating compounds from plastic baby bottles.

Development and application of a non-targeted extraction method for the analysis of migrating compounds from plastic baby bottles by GC-MS.

In 2011, the European Union prohibited the production of polycarbonate (PC) baby bottles due to the toxic effects of the PC monomer bisphenol-A. Therefore, baby bottles made of alternative materials, e.g. polypropylene (PP) or polyethersulphone (PES), are currently marketed. The principal aim of the study was the identification of major compounds migrating from baby bottles using a liquid-liquid extraction followed by GC/MS analysis. A 50% EtOH in water solution was selected as a simulant for milk. After sterilisation of the bottle, three migration experiments were performed during 2 h at 70°C. A non-targeted liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate-n-hexane (1:1) was performed on the simulant samples. Identification of migrants from 24 baby bottles was done using commercially available WILEY and NIST mass spectra libraries. Differences in the migrating compounds and their intensities were observed between the different types of plastics, but also between the same polymer from a different producer. Differences in the migration patterns were perceived as well between the sterilisation and the migrations and within the different migrations. Silicone, Tritan™ and PP exhibited a wide variety of migrating compounds, whereas PES and polyamide (PA) showed a lower amount of migrants, though sometimes in relatively large concentrations (azacyclotridecan-2-one up to 250 µg kg⁻¹). Alkanes (especially in PP bottles), phthalates (dibutylphthalate in one PP bottle (±40 µg kg⁻¹) and one silicone bottle (±25 µg kg⁻¹); diisobutylphthalate in one PP (±10 µg kg⁻¹), silicone (up to ±80 µg kg⁻¹); and Tritan™ bottle (±30 µg kg⁻¹)), antioxidants (Irgafos 168, degradation products of Irganox 1010 and Irganox 1076), etc. were detected for PP, silicone and Tritan™ bottles. Although the concentrations were relatively low, some compounds not authorised by European Union Regulation No. 10/2011, such as 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (10-100 µg kg⁻¹) or 2-butoxyethyl acetate (about 300 µg kg⁻¹) were detected. Migrating chemicals were identified as confirmed (using a standard) or as tentative (further confirmation required).