A trial of lactase in the management of infant colic

Objective: To investigate transient lactose intolerance as a factor in the aetiology of infant colic.
Design: We undertook a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of lactase and placebo drops added to milk formula to determine whether this method of reducing lactose intake affected infant colic.
Subjects: Infants with colic were referred from clinics in keeping with Wessel's modified criteria.
Interventions: Infants were randomly allocated to add either lactase or placebo drops to their formula feeds for 1 week, followed by 2 days 'wash out'. The addition was changed for the second week so that subjects served as their own control. The formulas were kept refrigerated for 24 h before ingestion. The parents kept a diary of their baby's crying time.
Results: Thirteen babies completed the trial, of whom nine were boys. The mean birth weight was 3.7 kg (8.2 lb). Colic symptoms began in less than 1 month in 12 of the babies. The effect of the lactase was to reduce crying time by 1.14 h per day (CI 0.23–2.05). The reduction in crying time was significant ( t =2.75, d.f.=11, P =0.019). Conclusion: Transient lactose intolerance may have a role in the aetiology of infant colic. Lactase drops require prior incubation with milk formula to be effective. The response to lactase in this study supports 'colic', i.e. spasm of the large intestine as a factor in these infants' discomfort.     

The use of the mount vernon formula in the treatment of burn shock

Loss of fluid from the blood plasma and subsequent hypovolaemia is the central feature of shock in burning injuries and restoration of blood volume by intravenous transfusion remains the mainstay of treatment. The rate of loss of fluid bears a relationship to the extent of the burn and by use of a formula it is possible to predict the rate of loss at a particular time and the total quantity of fluid necessary. Various different formulae are discussed and the development of a formula in the Burns Ward of the Mount Vernon Centre for Plastic Surgery is described. It is emphasised that the formula is only a guide and the necessity for repeated clinical examination of the patient is stressed. Our reasons are given for the use of reconstituted dried human plasma as the main transfusion fluid.     

A monoclonal antibody with ability to distinguish between NH2-terminal fragments derived from fibrinogen and fibrin

A stable hybridoma secreting homogeneous antibody (immunoglobulin class IgG2a) has been prepared by fusion using cells of immunoglobulin non-secreter myeloma (P3X63Ag8.653) and spleen cells of mice which had previously been immunized with the NH2-terminal CNBr fragment of human fibrinogen, the so-called N-DSK [(A alpha 1-51, B beta 1-118, gamma 1-78)2]. In competitive ELISA or radioimmunoassay this antibody (MAb/1-8C6) cross-reacted with intact fibrinogen, N-DSK, a des fibrinopeptide A (des FPA) variant of N-DSK, the so-called (B)N-DSK, as well as the intact B beta chain (B beta 1-118) obtained from N-DSK. Also, and mot importantly, cross-reactivity was observed with fibrinogen-free ethanol extracts of plasma obtained from patients known to contain high levels of fibrinogen or fibrin degradation products. In vitro thrombin digestion of any of these competitors resulted in complete loss of cross-reactivity. MAb/1-8C6 did not react with the A alpha or gamma-chains of N-DSK, free fibrinopeptide B(FPB), free B beta 15-42, as well as equimolar mixtures of the latter two peptides. These results suggest that MAb/1-8C6 may be to an epitope in or around the thrombin-susceptible B beta 14 Arg-25 Gly bond. Furthermore, due to its reactivity with patient plasma extracts, this antibody may be useful in clinical investigations dealing with fibrino(geno)lysis.     

PLASMA FREE AMINO ACID CONCENTRATIONS OF BREAST-FED INFANTS

ABSTRACT. Photometric determination of alpha-amino nitrogen in peripheral venous plasma and urine from 20 healthy, full-term infants, 1–5 months of age, showing normal growth and development during an uncomplicated lactation, revealed lower plasma levels than what has been found in adults, or 3.7±1.1 mg/100 ml, and a urinary excretion of 41 + 14 mg/24 hours. Ion-exchange chromatography of deproteinized peripheral venous plasma showed low valine concentrations, an increased glycine/valine ratio and high cystine and very high taurine levels when compared to the levels of healthy American infants of comparable ages fed 3-3.5 g/kg of cow-milk protein. The findings indicate that a formula based on cow-milk protein should optimally contain only 1.0–1.2 g protein/100 ml provided that it is "humanized" not only with regard to the lactalbumin/casein ratio, but also to the cystine and taurine content. The pattern of the plasma concentrations of free amino acids reported in the present investigation may be used as a normal reference for breast-fed infants.     

Use of hypoallergenic formula in the prevention of atopic disease among Asian children

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a partially hydrolysed formula on genetically predisposed children, with respect to the development of atopic clinical manifestations and in vitro testing of serum IgE levels (total and milk-specific). METHODS: One hundred and ten infants were randomly assigned to receive either partially hydrolysed formula or standard infant formula, and were prospectively monitored from birth for clinical atopic symptoms and serum IgE levels. RESULTS: Eczema occurred less frequently in infants receiving partially hydrolysed formula. This was significant (P < 0.05) at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. However, the significance decreased with time, although it almost reached statistical significance at 30 months by the Kaplan-Meier survival function (log-rank statistic, 3.46; P = 0.063). Although wheezing occurred less frequently in infants receiving partially hydrolysed formula, compared to those receiving standard infant formula, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive feeding of hypoallergenic milk formula in the first 4 months of life has a protective effect in terms of the development of atopic dermatitis in the first 2 years of life, compared to feeding with cow's milk formula.     

Sweet and sour preferences during childhood: role of early experiences

We investigated the effects of early experience on sweet and sour preferences in children. Eighty-three children were divided into four groups based on the type of formula fed during infancy and age. By using a forced-choice, sip-and-swallow procedure, we determined the level of sweetness and sourness preferred in juice. Children who were fed protein hydrolysate formulas, which have a distinctive sour and bitter taste and unpleasant odor, preferred higher levels of citric acid in juice when compared to older children who were fed similar formulas. No such difference was observed between the groups for sweet preference. However, the level of sweetness preferred in juice was related to the sugar content of the child's favorite cereal and whether the mother routinely added sugar to their foods. These data illustrate the wide variety of experiential factors that can influence flavor preferences during childhood.     

补肾活血方对恒河猴PCO形态学和血清性激素的影响

目的探讨中药补肾活血方对恒河猴多囊卵巢(PCO)形态学和血清性激素的影响。方法选择健康育龄雌性恒河猴(6只)随机分为正常对照组、模型对照组、补肾活血方组;采用皮下注射丙酸睾丸酮和绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)建立PCO模型,分别灌胃给予生理盐水、补肾活血方,观察其卵巢形态及测定血清相关性激素含量。结果模型对照组血清LH、T水平较正常对照组明显升高,血清FSH、E2较正常对照组下降,与正常对照组相比模型组恒河猴卵巢体质量增加,呈多囊性改变,卵泡颗粒细胞减少而膜细胞层增加,电镜可见膜细胞内大量脂滴;补肾活血方组血清相关性激素水平恢复或接近正常对照组,卵巢形态接近正常组。结论提示此动物模型可以作为多囊卵巢研究的动物模型;补肾活血方具有改善多囊卵巢不排卵的作用。     

益气养阴方加马齿苋对糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经元一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的探讨益气养阴方加马齿苋对糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经元一氧化氮合酶（NOS）表述的影响。方法腹腔内注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）制作糖尿病大鼠模型，于造模后1月末以NADPH-d酶组化法观察益气养阴方加马齿苋对大鼠海马CA1区神经元NOS表达的影响。结果益气养阴方加马齿苋防治组大鼠比糖尿病组大鼠NOS表达增加（P〈0．05）。结论益气养阴方加马齿苋可以有效防治糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经元退行性变化。     

中药复方对糖尿病大鼠肾脏TGF—β_1 mRNA表达的影响

目的:观察健脾益肾活血化瘀法组成的中药复方对早期糖尿病肾病(DN)大鼠肾皮质转化生长因子β1(TGFβ1)的影响,探讨其作用机理。方法:实验采用链脲佐菌素(STZ)按53mg/kg剂量腹腔一次性注射建立糖尿病肾病大鼠模型,造模成功后随机分为中药组(中药复方)、西药组(瑞泰)、模型组和正常组。灌胃8周后RT—PCR法检测大鼠肾皮质TGFβ1mRNA表达。结果:各治疗组与模型组比较均明显降低糖尿病大鼠肾皮质TGFβ1mRNA表达(P<0.01),且中药组优于西药组(P<0.01)。结论:中药复方通过降低糖尿病大鼠肾皮质TGFβ1mRNA的表达,从而起到保护肾脏,延缓肾脏病理损害,抑制糖尿病肾病形成的作用。