bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lecithin Decreases Human Milk Fat Loss During Enteral Pumping
Authors: Chan Melissa M. , Nohara Masaru , Chan Benjamin R. , Curtis Julie , Chan Gary M. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe fat content of human milk provides the majority of calories for infants. However, large fat losses in human milk have been observed using enteral pump systems, causing poor growth in infants. The fat may adhere in the pump system. Lecithin, a phospholipid, has been used in the food industry as a lipophilic emulsifier of fats.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lecithin on the delivery of human milk fat from an enteral pump. It is hypothesized that the addition of lecithin would decrease the fat loss during human milk delivery.MethodsSix mothers at a mature stage of lactation (>4 weeks of lactation) donated human milk. The human milk samples were stored separately at −20°C before analysis and evaluated individually. The fat content of the milk samples was estimated by the creamatocrit method, in which the samples were centrifuged in a standard hematocrit tube and the fat layer read with vernier calipers and expressed as a percentage of the length of the milk column to the nearest 0.5%. The accuracy of this method is 92%. The Kangaroo 324 Feeding Pump (Sherwood Medical, St. Louis, MO) was used as the continuous pump system. The human milk samples were divided into either control samples without lecithin or with lecithin (1 or 0.5 g soy lecithin dissolved in 50 mL milk). All samples were pumped at 10 to 50 mL/h for at least 4 hours. The pumped milk was collected in an iced container, and creamatocrits were determined in duplicate.ResultsThere was significant fat loss in the control milk samples compared with the milk samples with added lecithin. The average fat loss was 58% ± 13% for control samples and 55% ± 26% for the milk with 0.5 g soy lecithin. Milk with 1 g soy lecithin averaged 2% ± 2% fat loss. The pumping rate had no effect on fat loss. The greatest fat loss (70% ± 6%)occurred during the first 4 hours of pumping.ConclusionsThe addition of 1 g soy lecithin per 50 mL milk decreased the human milk fat loss during intermittent pumping and may help infants receive more calories from human milk administered by pump.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Oral Antibiotic‐Associated Diarrhea in an Outpatient Pediatric Population
Authors: Turck Dominique , Bernet Jean‐Paul , Marx Jacques , Kempf Hélène , Giard Patrick , Walbaum Olivier , Lacombe André , Rembert Françoise , Toursel Francis , Bernasconi Paul , Gottrand Frédéric , McFarland Lynne V. , Bloch Karine 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTBackground:Little information is available on the epidemiologic characteristics of antibiotic‐associated diarrhea (AAD) in children. The authors' aim was to evaluate the incidence of AAD in an outpatient pediatric population and to identify risk factors.Methods:Children aged 1 month to 15.4 years treated with oral antibiotics for a proven or suspected infection were enrolled from an ambulatory pediatric practice during an 11‐month period. Parents recorded the daily frequency and characteristics of stools using a diary during the antibiotic treatment and for 1 week after it was stopped. An episode of diarrhea was defined by at least 3 soft or liquid stools/d for at least 2 consecutive days. Risk factors for AAD—age, type of antibiotic treatment, type of combined treatment, and site of infection— were analyzed.Results:Of 650 children included, 11% had an episode of AAD, lasting a mean of 4.0 ± 3.0 days, beginning a mean of 5.3 ± 3.5 days after the start of antibiotic treatment. No child was hospitalized because of AAD. The incidence of AAD was higher in children less than 2 years (18%) than in those more than 2 years (3%; P < 0.0001). The incidence of AAD was particularly high after administration of certain antibiotics (amoxicillin/clavulanate, 23%; P = 0.003 compared with other antibiotics). The type of combined treatment and site of infection did not influence the onset of AAD.Conclusions:Antibiotic‐associated diarrhea was common in these outpatient children, especially for those aged less than 2 years and after the prescription of certain antibiotics, particularly, the combination of amoxicillin/clavulanate. JPGN 37:22‐26, 2003.
Psychological Distress Associated With Home Parenteral Nutrition in Swedish Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents: Preliminary Results
Authors: Engström Ingemar , Björnestam Berit , Finkel Yigael 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesHome parenteral nutrition (HPN) is life saving in some patients with intestinal failure. Clinical experience suggests that there may be psychologic problems in HPN children, including food refusal on reintroduction of food, parent–child conflict, sibling rivalry, and disruption of family routine. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychologic distress in children with HPN and the social integration of their parents.MethodsThe parents were asked to fill in three questionnaires anonymously– one regarding the HPN procedures; the Child Behavior Checklist, which provides a standardized description of children's behavioral problems, as reported by their mothers; and the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI), which in its short form comprises 30 questions about social network and social support.ResultsThe Child Behavior Checklist questionnaires were returned from 20 families (80% response), and the ISSI questionnaires were returned from 21 families (84% response). Children and adolescents with HPN are quite distressed psychologically. The subscale within ISSI that measures social integration was significantly higher in the HPN group, whereas the subscale that measures adequacy of social integration did not differ between the groups. Both subscales measuring attachment were significantly lower in the HPN group.ConclusionsThis study shows that children and adolescents with HPN are quite distressed psychologically, even though the exact reason for this may be somewhat unclear. The social integration of the parents is high, whereas attachment, which deals with deeper, emotional relations, is negatively affected.
Bone Mineral Density in Children With Untreated and Treated Celiac Disease
Authors: Kavak Umut S. , Yüce Aysel , Koçak Nurten , Demir Hülya , Saltik İnci Nur , Gürakan Figen , Özen Hasan 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesOsteopenia is a common complication in adults with celiac disease. The effect of a gluten‐free diet on bone mineral density is a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate bone mineral density in children with celiac disease at diagnosis and in patients treated for 1 year.MethodsBone mineral density and bone mineral content were measured in 34 children with untreated celiac disease at diagnosis and in 28 patients on a gluten‐free diet for 1 year. The results were compared with those of 64 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy control subjects. Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25 ‐hydroxy vitamin D, and intact parathormone levels were determined in treated and untreated patients.ResultsThe mean values of bone mineral density and bone mineral content of untreated patients with celiac were significantly lower than the control group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.005, respectively) and treated patients (P = 0.015 and P = 0.011 respectively). Treated patients had mean bone mineral density and bone mineral content values not significantly different from those of healthy control subjects. Minor hypocalcemia was detected in 17.6% of the patients with new diagnoses and 3.6% of the treated patients. Of the untreated patients, 29.4% had high intact parathormone concentrations; in untreated patients, the total was 14.3%. Untreated patients had significantly lower serum calcium and significantly higher intact parathormone levels than did treated patients. The other bone metabolism parameters were similar in the two celiac groups.ConclusionChildren with celiac disease are at risk for reduced bone mineral density. A strict gluten‐free diet improves bone mineralization, even in 1 year. Early diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease during childhood will protect the patient from osteoporosis.
Does Breast Feeding Influence Liver Biochemistry?
Authors: Jørgensen Marianne Hørby , Ott Peter , Juul Anders , Skakkebæk Niels Erik , Michaelsen Kim Fleischer 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveIt is assumed that early feeding can affect liver biochemistry because breast‐fed infants have a higher risk of hyperbilirubinemia than formula‐fed infants. The authors sought to determine how feeding mode affected liver biochemistry in healthy term infants.MethodsHealthy term infants were followed up during infancy with a monthly questionnaire about feeding mode. Blood samples were obtained at 2, 6, and 9 months. Liver biochemistry (serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and bilirubin), total insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I), and insulin growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3) were determined at all ages.ResultsMean AST and bilirubin were significantly higher in breast‐fed infants at 2 and 6 months. In addition, mean albumin levels were higher in breast‐fed infants at 2 months. Alkaline phosphatase, IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3, and lactic dehydrogenase levels did not differ between the feeding groups. AST levels did not correlate significantly with bilirubin, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, or lactic dehydrogenase values. There was a strong positive association between AST and IGF‐I at 2 months (r = 0.47, P = 0.004).ConclusionCytomegalovirus infection, vitamin K deficiency, and macromolecular forms of AST could be an explanation for a higher AST level among breast‐fed infants. However, no other clinical or paraclinical sign of liver disease was seen, all infants were given oral vitamin K, and the AST did not rise to levels comparable to those seen in individuals with macromolecular AST. The authors speculate the most likely explanation of the elevated AST is induction of hepatocytes by factors in human milk. This is supported by the higher albumin levels in breast‐fed infants and the positive association between AST and IGF‐I.
Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Diarrhea, Interleukin‐8 and Secretory Immunoglobulin A in Children With Acute Diarrhea
Authors: Yalçin S. Songül , Yurdakök Kadriye , Tezcan Ilhan , Öner Levent 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTObjective:Glutamine is an important fuel for rapidly dividing cells such as enterocytes and lymphocytes. Exogenous glutamine supplementation in catabolic states preserves intestinal mucosal structure and function, decreases bacterial translocation, and supports normal immunologic responses. This study was planned to assess the effect of glutamine supplementation on duration and severity of diarrhea and to assess its immunomodulatory effect by measuring serum interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in children with acute diarrhea.Methods:In this placebo‐controlled, double‐blind and randomized trial, 6‐ to 24‐month‐old otherwise healthy children admitted to the Diarrheal Diseases Training and Treatment Center with acute diarrhea received either 0.3 g/kg/day of glutamine (n = 63) or placebo (n = 65) for 7 days. Serum IL‐8 and sIgA levels were determined on admission and 7 days later. All cases were followed until the diarrheal episode ended. Anthropometric measurements and history of subsequent infectious diseases were monitored monthly for 3 months after treatment.Results:Mean duration of diarrhea in the glutamine treated group was significantly shorter than that of the placebo group (3.40 ± 1.96 days, 4.57 ± 2.48 days, respectively; P = 0.004). No differences in serum IL‐8 and sIgA were found between groups on admission or 1 week later. During 3 month follow‐up, mean weight gain and incidence of infectious diseases were similar in both groups.Conclusion:Duration of diarrhea was shorter in children supplemented with glutamine. The beneficial impact of glutamine supplementation seems to be through effects on gastrointestinal mucosa rather than the host immune response.
Spermine‐Induced Maturation in Wistar Rat Intestine: A Cytokine‐Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Peulen Olivier , Dandrifosse Guy 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTObjectives:Polyamines are of great importance in biologic processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. The ingestion of spermidine or spermine by suckling rats induces the precocious maturation of the small intestine. In a previous article, the authors hypothesized that this phenomenon could be mediated by interleukins. This work was performed to examine the role of IL‐1, IL‐2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐ α in the spermine‐induced maturation of the small intestine.Methods:Wistar suckling rats were treated with spermine, FR167653 (inhibitor of IL‐1β/TNF‐α production), IL‐1β/TNF‐α neutralizing antibodies, lipopolysaccharide, or IL‐2. Intestinal disaccharidase‐specific activities, polyamine content, and IL‐2 plasma concentration were analyzed. Comparisons were made with untreated control animals.Results:Spermine‐induced maturation of the small intestine was decreased by FR167653 but not by the neutralizing antibodies. Lipopolysaccharide injection induced an increase in disaccharidase‐specific activity. IL‐2 induced a decrease of the intestinal lactase‐specific activity. Spermine administration led to a similar decrease of lactase activity and to an increase of IL‐2 plasma concentration.Conclusions:The authors conclude that IL‐1β and TNF‐α are involved in the spermine effects on maltase‐ and sucrase‐specific activities and suggest that IL‐2 is involved in the spermine‐induced decrease of lactase activity.
Acute and Chronic Hepatitis: Working Group Report of the Second World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Authors: Chang Mei‐Hwei , Hadzic Dino , Rouassant Solange Heller , Jonas Maureen , Kohn I. Joaquin , Negro Francesco , Roberts Eve , Sibal Anupam 
Published: January 2024

ResearchInvestigate the risk factors and long‐term consequences of chronic hepatitis B and C.Explore the impact of hepatitis B vaccination on the prevention of acute and chronic liver diseases.Clarify the epidemiology and pathogenesis, and improve the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis in order to improve diagnosis of this disease.InterventionImplement hepatitis A vaccination.Determine the predictors of response of specific treatment for chronic hepatitis B.Establish indications and guidelines of treatment for hepatitis C.EducationTrain physicians and health workers in hepatitis A vaccination implementation.Educational measures to reduce vertical and horizontal transmission of hepatitis C.Train physicians and researchers to improve their knowledge of autoimmune hepatitis.
Exploring the future of regenerative medicine: Unveiling the potential of optical microscopy for structural and functional imaging of stem cells
Authors: Raju Gagan , Nayak Smitha , Acharya Neha , Sunder Mridula , Kistenev Yury , Mazumder Nirmal 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRegenerative medicine, which utilizes stem cells for tissue and organ repair, holds immense promise in healthcare. A comprehensive understanding of stem cell characteristics is crucial to unlock their potential. This study explores the pivotal role of optical microscopy in advancing regenerative medicine as a potent tool for stem cell research. Advanced optical microscopy techniques enable an in‐depth examination of stem cell behavior, morphology, and functionality. The review encompasses current optical microscopy, elucidating its capabilities and constraints in stem cell imaging, while also shedding light on emerging technologies for improved stem cell visualization. Optical microscopy, complemented by techniques like fluorescence and multiphoton imaging, enhances our comprehension of stem cell dynamics. The introduction of label‐free imaging facilitates noninvasive, real‐time stem cell monitoring without external dyes or markers. By pushing the boundaries of optical microscopy, researchers reveal the intricate cellular mechanisms underpinning regenerative processes, thereby advancing more effective therapeutic strategies. The current study not only outlines the future of regenerative medicine but also underscores the pivotal role of optical microscopy in both structural and functional stem cell imaging.
Research on the classification of early‐stage brain edema by combining intrinsic optical signal imaging and laser speckle contrast imaging
Authors: Zhang Yameng , Qi Xinping , Li Weitao , Wan Min , Ning Xue , Hu Jin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe early detection and pathological classification of brain edema are very important for symptomatic treatment. The dual‐optical imaging system (DOIS) consists of intrinsic optical signal imaging (IOSI) and laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), which can acquire cerebral hemodynamic parameters of mice in real‐time, including changes of oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (), deoxyhemoglobin concentration (ΔCHbR) and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within the field of view. The slope sum of , ΔCHbR and rCBF was proposed to classify vasogenic edema (VE) and cytotoxic edema (CE). The slope sum values in the VE and CE group remain statistically different and the classification results provide higher accuracy of more than 93% for early brain edema detection. In conclusion, the differences of hemodynamic parameters between VE and CE in the early stage were revealed and the method helps in the classification of early brain edema.
Theoretical investigations of the substituent effect on the opto‐electronic properties of the linearly fused napthadithiophene‐based molecules
Authors: Balakrishnan Jothi , Muthukumar Pavithrakumar , Arputharaj David Stephen , Christopher Pitchumani Violet Mary , Karuppannan Selvaraju , Kittusamy Senthilkumar 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe optoelectronic and charge transport properties of eight linearly fused Napthadithiophene (NDT) molecules with different electron‐withdrawing (EWG) and electron‐donating (EDG) substituents are studied using the density functional theory (DFT) methods. The effect of the substitution of EWG and EDG on the molecular structure, frontier molecular orbitals, ionization energy, electron affinity, reorganization energy, crystal packing, and charge carrier mobility are studied. The crystal structure simulation method is used to optimize the possible crystal packing arrangements for the studied molecules. The energy and distribution of electron density on the frontier molecular orbitals are strongly influenced by the substitution of EWG and EDG, thereby changes in the absorption spectrum and charge transport properties. The unsubstituted NDT molecule possesses a maximum hole mobility of 2.8 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is due to the strong intermolecular interactions. Therefore, the NDT molecule can be used as a p‐type semiconducting material. Among the studied molecules, the CCH‐substituted NDT molecule, NDT‐CCH, possesses a higher electron mobility of 1.13 cm2 V−1 s−1. The C2H5‐substituted NDT molecule, NDT‐C2H5, possesses ambipolar behavior with mobility of 4.77 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 1.70 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 for hole and electron, respectively.
Benchmark and performance progression: Examining the roles of market competition and focus
Authors: Ding Xin (David) 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAs the US healthcare system transitions from volume to value, various value‐based programs tie medical reimbursements to hospital performance relative to national top performers (i.e., benchmarks). However, prior studies report very limited results on how such benchmarks affect care delivery and patient outcomes across multiple performance fronts. This study examines how general acute care hospitals progress toward benchmarks measured by performance frontiers in technical efficiency, clinical quality, and patient experience over time, subjecting to external market conditions and internal focuses. Based on a panel dataset comprising hospitals in California from 2012 and 2019, our results find support for competitive‐distance‐driven progression rates, suggesting that hospitals' competitive positions measured by their distances to benchmarks drive performance improvements. Yet, the effect diminishes as they move closer to performance frontiers. In addition, we find that market competition reduces the progression rate of technical efficiency. Finally, our results also suggest that focus improves performance progression rates, yet its effects are curvilinear.
Rapamycin mitigates inflammation‐mediated disc matrix homeostatic imbalance by inhibiting mTORC1 and inducing autophagy through Akt activation
Authors: Yurube Takashi , Buchser William J. , Zhang Zhongying , Silwal Prashanta , Lotze Michael T. , Kang James D. , Sowa Gwendolyn A. , Vo Nam V. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain is a global health problem that originated mainly from intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Autophagy, negatively regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, prevents metabolic and degenerative diseases by removing and recycling damaged cellular components. Despite growing evidence that autophagy occurs in the intervertebral disc, the regulation of disc cellular autophagy is still poorly understood.MethodsAnnulus fibrosus (rAF) cell cultures derived from healthy female rabbit discs were used to test the effect of autophagy inhibition or activation on disc cell fate and matrix homeostasis. Specifically, different chemical inhibitors including rapamycin, 3‐methyladenine, MK‐2206, and PP242 were used to modulate activities of different proteins in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to assess IL‐1β‐induced cellular senescence, apoptosis, and matrix homeostasis in rAF cells grown under nutrient‐poor culture condition.ResultsRapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), reduced the phosphorylation of mTOR and its effector p70/S6K in rAF cell cultures. Rapamycin also induced autophagic flux as measured by increased expression of key autophagy markers, including LC3 puncta number, LC3‐II expression, and cytoplasmic HMGB1 intensity and decreased p62/SQSTM1 expression. As expected, IL‐1β stimulation promoted rAF cellular senescence, apoptosis, and matrix homeostatic imbalance with enhanced aggrecanolysis and MMP‐3 and MMP‐13 expression. Rapamycin treatment effectively mitigated IL‐1β‐mediated inflammatory stress changes, but these alleviating effects of rapamycin were abrogated by chemical inhibition of Akt and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that rapamycin blunts adverse effects of inflammation on disc cells by inhibiting mTORC1 to induce autophagy through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway that is dependent on Akt and mTORC2 activities. Hence, our findings identify autophagy, rapamycin, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling as potential therapeutic targets for IDD treatment.