bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short Stature as the Primary Manifestation of Monosymptomatic Celiac Disease
Authors: Bonamico M. , Sciré G. , Mariani P. , Pasquino A. M. , Triglione P. , Scaccia S. , Ballati G. , Boscherini B. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryIt is generally accepted that celiac disease (CD) must always be taken into consideration when dealing with children manifesting growth failure. It is therefore important to have laboratory tests capable of detecting patients who should undergo intestinal biopsy. Auxological and endocrine parameters, bone age, some nutritional indices (hemoglobin, serum iron, calcium, total protein, and albumin), and anti‐gliadin antibodies (AGA) IgA and IgG and 1‐h blood xylose levels were evaluated in 49 children of short stature. On the basis of the intestinal biopsy, 29 (59.1%) patients affected by CD were found. When patients with atrophic and normal intestinal mucosa were compared, significant differences in the frequency of pathological values of hemoglobinemia, serum iron, AGA, and 1‐h blood xylose levels were found, whereas no difference was observed in the levels of serum calcium, total protein, and albumin. Bone age was delayed in 81% of the celiac patients and in 47% of the controls. In particular, AGAs were found in 27 of 29 celiac patients and in three control subjects who showed a low level of one of the two antibodies. The results of our study demonstrate that AGA (IgA and IgG), together with 1‐h blood xylose, hemoglobinemia, serum iron, and family history of CD determination, are extremely useful for screening patients of short stature. This type of screening cannot, however, replace the intestinal biopsy because such tests cannot be completely sensitive and specific.
Gastrointestinal Priming Prior to Full Enteral Nutrition in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Meetze William H. , Valentine Christina , McGuigan James E. , Conlon Michael , Sacks Nancy , Neu Josef 
Published: January 2024

SummaryPriming of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with low‐volume feedings before giving full enteral feedings to very premature, high‐risk infants is a controversial practice. We designed a study of infants weighing less than 1,250 g and receiving total parenteral nutrition to determine whether GI priming would hasten weight gain, improve tolerance of subsequent feedings, enhance nutritional status, and increase serum concentration of gastrin, a hormone trophic for intestinal growth. Infants were randomly assigned to receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN) alone (N = 21) or GI priming plus TPN (N = 19) for 12 days beginning on day 3 of life. Full‐strength premature infant formula was used for priming. Both groups received the same total nutrition. Beginning on day 15, feedings in both groups were increased daily to a maximum of 120 kcal/kg/day on day 20, where they were maintained until day 30. After day 30, the feedings were modified according to the infants' condition. The groups did not differ in birth weight, gestational age, or 5‐min Apgar scores. GI‐primed infants had improved feeding tolerance after day 20 and a faster rise in serum gastrin during the initial phase of the study. There was no significant difference in weight gain. GI priming improves tolerance of feedings, accelerates rate of rise of serum gastrin during the first weeks of life, and does not increase the risk of feeding complications when compared to TPN alone. This may lead to more rapid maturation of the GI tract in primed infants.
Iron Absorption and Incorporation into Red Blood Cells by Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Ehrenkranz Richard A. , Gettner Patricia A. , Nelli Catherine M. , Sherwonit Elaine A. , Williams Joanne E. , Pearson Howard A. , Ting Bill T. G. , Janghorbani Morteza 
Published: January 2024

SummaryMeasurements of iron absorption and incorporation into RBCs were obtained with the stable isotope 58Fe, administered as a reference dose, in 11 premature infants with birth weights between 780 and 1,520 g and gestational ages between 24 and 33 weeks. Each study included a timed stool and urine collection, nasogastric tube administration of a single dose of about 228 μmlg of 58Fe/kg of body weight (as FeSO4, with 10 mg/kg of vitamin C) between feedings, and blood samples before 58Fe (day 1) and then 2 weeks (day 15) later. Gastrointestinal absorption of the 58Fe dose as measured by fecal isotope balance was 41.6 ± 17.6% (mean ± SD). However, only 12.0 ± 9.6% of the 58Fe dose (28.7 ± 22.3% of the absorbed 58Fe dose) was incorporated into RBCs on day 15. 58Fe absorption and 58Fe incorporation into RBCs on day 15 were significantly correlated with the hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte count on day 1. Transfusion history did not affect 58Fe absorption or 58Fe incorporation into RBCs. We conclude that concurrent measurement of 58Fe absorption with fecal monitoring and of 58Fe incorporation into RBCs permits a better understanding of the fate of iron ingested by premature infants than either measurement alone.
Plasma Amino Acid Response to Ingestion of L‐Amino Acids and Whole Protein
Authors: Gropper Sareen S. , Gropper Daniel M. , Acosta Phyllis B. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe effect of whole protein and L‐amino acid ingestion on plasma amino acid concentrations was investigated in 10 men. Each subject ingested equivalent amounts of amino acids as cottage cheese (session 1), an L‐amino acid mixture (session 2), and cottage cheese and L‐amino acids (session 3). Postprandial changes from baseline were larger for essential versus nonessential amino acids in each session. Higher and more rapid rises followed by more rapid declines in individual plasma amino acid concentrations were observed after ingestion of L‐amino acids alone or with whole protein than after ingestion of an equivalent amount of amino acids as whole protein. Individuals receiving the majority of their essential amino acid and nitrogen needs from elemental products may need, for example, to consume them more frequently or after consumption of other foods in an effort to slow down absorption rates.
Iron Nutrition and Growth of Breast‐ and Formula‐Fed Infants During the First 9 Months of Life
Authors: Haschke Ferdinand , Vanura Hanns , Male Christoph , Owen George , Pietschnig Beate , Schuster Ernst , Krobath Evelyn , Huemer Christian 
Published: January 2024

SummaryFeeding of iron (Fe)‐fortified (12–15 mg/L) infant formulas is an effective and convenient means to protect infants from Fe deficiency. To study lower levels of Fe fortification of infant formulas (3 or 6 mg/L) compared with those currently in use, we compared Fe intake and Fe nutritional status of three groups of healthy, term infants between 90 and 274 days of age. One group received an Fe‐fortified whey‐predominant formula (3 mg/ L) and the second group received the same formula with a higher Fe level (6 mg/L). A comparison group was breast‐fed at least until 274 days of age. All infants received infant foods and cereals according to European Community recommendations. Mean Fe intake of infants fed formula fortified with 3 mg/L was significantly lower at 183 and 274 days of age (p < 0.05) than that of infants fed formula fortified with 6 mg/L. None of the infants fed the formula fortified with 3 mg/L met the recommended daily allowance value (10 mg) for infants between 6 and 12 months of age. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, and serum ferritin levels were similar in the formula‐fed groups; none of the infants had depleted Fe stores (ferritin < 10 μg/L) at 183 and 274 days of age. Thirteen percent of breast‐fed infants had depleted Fe stores at 183 days of age, but only 3% were depleted at 273 days of age, when Fe‐fortified beikost was already part of the diet. No influence of Fe nutritional status was found on zinc and copper nutritional status or on growth. We conclude that regular consumption of an infant formula fortified with 3 mg Fe/L, a level substantially below present recommendations, prevents healthy, term infants from developing Fe deficiency during the first 6 months of life. It is preferable that infants 6 months of age and older receive an Fe‐fortified formula and a judicious selection of beikost to ensure an adequate dietary intake of Fe.
Down's Syndrome and Celiac Disease
Authors: Zubillaga P. , Vitoria J. C. , Arrieta A. , Echaniz P. , Garcia‐Masdevall M. D. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe association between Down's syndrome (DS) and autoimmune diseases has long been recognized. However, its relationship to celiac disease (CD) has only recently been reported, and a clear‐cut association remains to be fully established. We have studied the prevalence of CD in a random sample of 70 individuals with DS. IgA anti‐gliadin antibodies (IgA AGAs) were determined in all and found to be positive in nine (13%). In eight, anti‐endomysium antibodies (AEAs) were investigated, and jejunal biopsies were performed. AEAs were positive in two, and three had flat intestinal mucosa. The class I and II human leukocyte antigens of two patients with CD were determined. Results were as follows: A2/B8 B39/DR1 DR3/DQW1 DQW 2 in one case and A2 A28/B44 B17/DR4 DR5/DQW3 in the other. This implies a 43% prevalence of CD in DS, which is well above that previously found by us in our population (0.62/1,000 live births). We conclude that the association between DS and CD is not fortuitous and suggest that the determination of such serologic markers as IgA AGA and AEA should be part of health assessment in DS patients.
Increased in Vitro Intestinal Permeability in Suckling Rats Exposed to Cow Milk During Lactation
Authors: Arvola Taina , Isolauri Erika , Rantala Immo , Kaila Minna , Majamaa Heli , Virtanen Elina , Arvilommi Heikki 
Published: January 2024

SummarySpecific mucosal barrier functions of the gut develop in the newborn to combat the constant challenge of foreign antigens. To determine whether exposure to cow milk antigens interferes with this maturational process, jejunal permeability to macromolecules and the activation of immune mechanisms were studied in preweaning rats. At the age of 14 days, rat pups were divided into three feeding groups. Controls (n = 18) remained on normal maternal milk; group CM (n = 27) additionally received a daily gavage feed of cow milk; and in group D (n = 23), cow milk was given to dams. At 21 days, when “gut closure” normally occurs, intestinal in vitro absorption of horseradish peroxidase in its intact form was significantly higher in group CM and in group D than in controls (F = 5.6; p = 0.006): group CM: mean, 37.8 ng/h/cm2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 19.4–73.6; group D: mean, 26.9 ng/h/cm2; 95% CI, 8.2–88.2; controls: mean, 4.0 ng/h/cm2; 95% CI, 1.2–13.9. In association with increased jejunal permeability, there was enhanced jejunal eosinophilic infiltration in group CM. In group D, the number of specific antibody‐secreting cells in peripheral blood against β‐lactoglobulin was significantly higher than in group CM and controls. These data indicate that there is a critical period in development when feeding cow milk antigens delays gut closure. They further suggest that mucosal barrier function is impaired due to a local hypersensitivity reaction to cow milk antigens, irrespective of the protection of maternal milk or maternal antigen processing.
Gastroesophageal Reflux and Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Tucci Fabio , Resti Massimo , Fontana Rossana , Novembre Elio , Lami Caterina Adami , Vierucci Alberto 
Published: January 2024

SummaryWe evaluated the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in 36 children, 22 (61.2%) male and 14 (38.8%) female (median age, 75.5 months; range, 18–178), with noncontrolled asthma by means of prolonged (22–24 h) esophageal pH monitoring. None of the children had gastrointestinal symptoms suggesting gastroesophageal reflux. Atopy was seen in 21 of 36 (58.3%) patients. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux was present in 27 (75%) children. All patients were given cisapride (0.2 mg/ kg q.i.d.) for 3 months. A clinical and pharmacological score was determined, and a second pH‐metric study was made at the end of the follow‐up period. The following pH‐metric parameters were evaluated: the total percentage of time pH was <4, the number of reflux episodes, the number of reflux episodes lasting >5 min, the length of the longest single reflux episode, and the percentage of time the esophageal pH was <4 during sleep. The study was completed in 11 of 27 children. The percentage of time that esophageal pH was <4 improved in nine of 11 (81.8%) patients (p = 0.013). The percentage of time that esophageal pH was <4 during sleep showed the most significant decrease (p = 0.002) after treatment. Improvement in both clinical and pharmacological scores was highly significant (p < 0.0001) in 19 of 27 patients, eight of whom did not want to repeat the pH study. We conclude therefore that gastroesophageal reflux is frequently associated with noncontrolled asthma and that medical therapy for reflux may improve the further course of respiratory disease.
Identification of Gliadin Presence in Pharmaceutical Products
Authors: Miletic Ivanka Dj. , Miletic Vojislav D. , Sattely‐Miller Elizabeth A. , Schiffman Susan S. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryCeliac disease is characterized by hypersensitivity to the alcohol‐soluble wheat proteins called gliadins. Total avoidance of gliadin is the lifelong treatment for such patients. However, wheat gliadins are often present as impurities in industrial starch commonly used in the preparation of different pharmaceutical products. Therefore, some drugs might contain gliadin, which can be dangerous for sensitive patients if taken in large amounts or used permanently. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive, reliable assay that is specific for the detection of gliadins in pharmaceutical products. Gliadins were extracted here using sodium dodecyl sulfate rather than 70% ethyl alcohol, which has been the traditional solvent. This gliadin extract was utilized in a dot‐blot assay that incorporated an antigliadin antibody developed in rabbit and labeled with peroxidase. 4‐Chloro‐1‐naphthol was used as a peroxidase‐specific substrate. Isolated wheat gliadin was used as the positive control. Dilution experiments showed that the lower level of sensitivity for the assay was in the range of 0.0045 mg/ml of gliadin, which is a concentration level lower than that suggested for a gluten‐free diet. The assay developed here revealed that 71.2% of 59 prescription and nonprescription drugs tested contained gliadin in the amount detected by our dot‐blot assay. The prescription drugs tested were among the top 50 most frequently dispensed in U.S. community pharmacies. The nonprescription drugs were among those that constitute the largest sales in the United States. The results showed that the simple dot‐blot assay developed here can be used for pharmaceutical testing performed either by hospital laboratories or by patients themselves.
Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma and Red Blood Cell Phospholipids in Preterm Infants from 2 Weeks to 6 Months Postpartum
Authors: Luukkainen Päivi , Salo Matti K. , Janas Martti , Nikkari Tapio 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to follow the long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) status in initially human milk‐fed preterm infants from 2 weeks to 6 months postpartum. Twenty‐two infants aged 27–33 weeks of gestation at birth who had a birthweight of 710–2525 g were fed human milk for ≥4 weeks. After discharge from the hospital, they were either human milk‐fed or formula‐fed according to their mothers' decision: 10 were fully breast‐fed for 6 months and 12 were formula‐fed after discharge at 1–2 months. The formula fat contained 20% 18:2n‐6 and 3% 18:3n‐3 but was devoid of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP). Blood samples were taken at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. Percentage fatty acid compositions in red blood cell (RBC) and plasma total phospholipids were analyzed by capillary gas liquid chromatography. In formula‐fed infants, the change from human milk to formula resulted in a significant rise in plasma and RBC l8:2n‐6 and 18:3n‐3 and a decrease in plasma 20:4n‐6. Interestingly, RBC20:4n‐6 remained constant in both groups, even after 4–5 months of formula feeding. In the formula‐fed group, RBC 22:5n‐6 showed an increasing trend. The largest changes were seen in 22:6n‐3; in the formula‐fed group, il decreased in both plasma and RBC, whereas in the human milk‐fed group, it showed an increasing trend. At 6 month, RBC 22:6n‐3 was twice as high in the human milk‐fed group [7.70% (95% CI 6.17–9.22)] than in the formula‐fed group [3.80% (3.36–4.24)]. The relative birthweight correlated positively with RBC 20:4n‐6 and 22:6n‐3 in both groups at 3 months. In conclusion, in initially human milk‐fed preterm infants, formula feeding resulted in a rapid and significant decrease in plasma and RBC 22:6n‐3 and plasma 20:4n‐6 but not in RBC 20:4n‐6. Relative birthweight was associated with RBC 20:4n‐6 and 22:6n‐3 levels up to 3 months, showing the importance of intrauterine nutrition on LCP status.
Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Treatment of Acute Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Authors: Majamaa Heli , Isolauri Erika , Saxelin Maija , Vesikari Timo 
Published: January 2024

SummaryWe compared different lactic acid bacteria for their effect on the immune response to rotavirus in children with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. After initial oral rehydration, 49 children aged 6 to 35 months with rotavirus gastroenteritis randomly received cither Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei strain GG (LGG), L. casei subsp. rhamnosus (Lactophilus), or a combination of Streptococcus thermophilus and L. delbriickii subsp. bulgaricus (Yalacta) twice daily for 5 days. Serum antibodies to rotavirus, total number of immunoglobulin‐secrcting cells (ISC), and specific antibody‐secreting cells (sASC) to rotavirus were measured at the acute stage and at convalescence. The mean (SD) duration of diarrhea was 1.8 (0.8) days in children who received LGG, 2.8 (1.2) days in those receiving Lactophilus, and 2.6 (1.4) days in those receiving Yalacta (F = 3.3, p = 0.04). The ISC response was comparable in the three study groups, but the rotavirus‐specific immune responses were different. LGG therapy was associated with an enhancement of IgA sASC to rotavirus and serum IgA antibody level at convalescent stage. We conclude that certain strains of lactic acid bacteria, particularly LGG, promote serum and intestinal immune responses to rotavirus, and thus may be important in establishing immunity against rotavirus reinfections
Estimation of Arachidonic Acid Synthesis in Full Term Neonates Using Natural Variation of 13C Content
Authors: Demmelmair Hans , Schenck Ursula v. , Behrendt Eva , Sauerwald Thorsten , Koletzko Berthold 
Published: January 2024

SummaryNeonates need arachidonic acid (AA) for their growing tissues, but it is unknown to what extent they can synthesize AA from dietary linoleic acid (LA). We studied infantile AA synthesis by using different natural 13C amounts in dietary fats. The diets of four infants ages 18 ± 4 days (mean ± SD) with newly diagnosed phenylketonuria were changed from breast milk or formula to a phenylalanine‐free diet with corn oil as the only fat source. Compared with most dietary fats in Europe derived from C3 plants, corn oil LA has a higher 13C content. We determined the 13C content of LA and AA in 0.25–0.5 ml serum before and for 3–4 days after the diet change with gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC‐IRMS). Baseline δ 13C values were ‐ 31.5 ± 1.1%0 (mean ± SD) for serum LA and ‐ 30.1 ± 1.2%0 for AA. The corn oil diet induced changes of δ 13C values over baseline in LA of 8.9 ± 1.0 on day 1 and 12.7 ± 0.7 on day 4, respectively. The changes of AA δ 13C values were 0.5 ± 0.7 and 2.7 ± 0.7 on days 1 and 4. We conclude that reproducible detection of differences in δ 13C values of fatty acids in small samples of infantile serum, induced by dietary variation of natural 13C amounts, is feasible with GC‐IRMS. Since the corn oil diet did not contain AA, the observed change of AA δ 13C shows active endogenous AA synthesis in full‐term neonates. Using a simplified isotopic balance calculation, we estimate that an average 23% of plasma AA on study day 4 originates from infantile LA conversion.
Tracer Kinetic Studies on a Methionine‐Supplemented Soy‐Based Infant Formula Using 1‐13C‐ and 15N‐Methionine as Tracers
Authors: Radke Michael , Heine Willi , Wutzke Klaus D. , Leitzmann Peter , Walther Frank 
Published: January 2024

Summary:A tracer‐kinetic study using 1‐13C‐ and 15N‐labeled L‐methionine was conducted in order to measure the retention rate of free methionine added to commercially‐produced soy‐based infant formulas. Twelve male infants, fed on a soy formula, received a single‐pulse labeling by oral administration of L‐1‐13C‐methionine (5 mg/kg) and L‐15N‐methionine (10mg/kg). The abundance of expired 13C‐labeled CO2 was measured up to 7 h after administration at 15‐, 30‐, and 60‐min intervals. Additionally, enrichment of total 15N and 15N in urinary ammonia were determined up to 48 h after administration. Retention rates of the labeled carboxyl group amounted to an average of 91.2% (SD 4.1) of the intake. A similar retention rate was measured for the 15N‐label of methionine (90.0%, SD 4.3). The data point at the efficacy of methionine supplementation of soy‐based infant formulas.
TIA1 and Mast Cell Tryptase in Food Allergy of Children: Increase of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Expressing TIA1 Associates With Allergy
Authors: Augustin Merja , Karttunen Tuomo J. , Kokkonen Jorma 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundVariability of symptoms and signs make the diagnosis of children's food allergy (FA) difficult. In addition, mechanisms and antigens involved vary with age. In young infants, cow's milk protein allergy is associated with an increase of cytotoxic intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) expressing T‐cell–restricted intracellular antigen (TIA1). In the current study, the significance of TIA1 in FA in older children of mainly preschool and school age was analyzed and the findings correlated the with a detailed clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic analysis.MethodsThe subjects of this study were 66 children (mean age, 7.9 years; range, 1–15), including 27 with untreated and 15 with treated FA, and 24 control subjects. The morphology of duodenal and antral biopsy specimens was evaluated, and the proportion of TIA1‐positive IELs was counted from immunostained sections. Quantification of mast cells with immunostaining for mast cell tryptase (MCT) was completed, with the estimation of diffuse extracellular staining considered to indicate degranulation.ResultsPatients with untreated FA showed an increase in the total number of TIA1‐positive cells and IELs and of the TIA1/IEL ratio. The number of mast cells in duodenal mucosa was decreased in children with FA, but no association with degranulation was observed. Endoscopic abnormalities were common in FA, but conventional histopathology showed no informative differences.ConclusionsThe significant increase of TIA1‐positive IELs in duodenal tissue specimens is associated with FA. The cytotoxicity of T lymphocytes seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal FA. Activation and mechanisms of action should be studied further.