Effects of an Amino Acid-Based Formula Supplemented with Two Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Growth,Tolerability, Safety,and Gut Microbiome in Infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

This open-label, non-randomized, multicenter trial (Registration: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT 03661736","term_id":"NCT03661736"}}NCT 03661736) aimed to assess if an amino acid-based formula (AAF) supplemented with two human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) supports normal growth and is well tolerated in infants with a cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). Term infants aged 1–8 months with moderate-to-severe CMPA were enrolled. The study formula was an AAF supplemented with 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). Infants were fed the study formula for 4 months and were offered to remain on the formula until 12 months of age. Tolerance and safety were assessed throughout the trial. Out of 32 infants (mean age 18.6 weeks; 20 (62.5%) male), 29 completed the trial. During the 4-month principal study period, the mean weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) increased from –0.31 at the baseline to +0.28 at the 4-months’ follow-up. Linear and head growth also progressed along the WHO child growth reference, with a similar small upward trend. The formula was well tolerated and had an excellent safety profile. When comparing the microbiome at the baseline to the subsequent visits, there was a significant on-treatment enrichment in HMO-utilizing bifidobacteria, which was associated with a significant increase in fecal short-chain fatty acids. In addition, we observed a significant reduction in the abundance of fecal Proteobacteria, suggesting that the HMO-supplemented study formula partially corrected the gut microbial dysbiosis in infants with CMPA.     

Assay of tolfenamic acid and its metabolites by liquid chromatography on dynamically modified silica: application in pharmacokinetics

An LC method able to separate all known metabolites of tolfenamic acid was developed. It was applied to characterize the metabolic profiles after single and multiple peroral doses of tolfenamic acid to volunteers. Up to 80% of the dose, mostly conjugated metabolites, could be recovered in the urine by this method. Two of the metabolites showed plasma half-lives of several days and peculiar conjugation properties.     

Effect of Elevation and Surface Roughness on Naturalness Perception of 2.5D Decor Prints

Naturalness is a complex concept. It can involve a variety of attributes. In this work, we considered the effect of elevation and surface roughness on naturalness perception of 2.5D decor prints for four material categories. We found that elevation has an impact on the naturalness perception of 2.5D decor prints and that it is linked with content. The observers found lower elevation to be more natural for wood and glass 2.5D prints while there was no clear tendency for stone and metal 2.5D prints. We also found the perceptual attributes used for naturalness assessment of 2.5D decor prints. The top five ones are color, roughness, gloss, elevation, and lightness. The obtained findings can be useful for companies that produce 2.5D prints.     

Some personality correlates of hypnotic susceptibility

The present research was directed principally toward determining the relationship of a number of personality variables to hypnotic susceptibility. The personality variables utilized were selected to cover the personality domain as broadly as possible. Hypnotic susceptibility was measured by the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form A. A correlational analysis was completed for 30 Ss. This included (a) the correlations between each of the personality variables and hypnotic susceptibility and (b) the intercorrelations among all of the personality measures. It was found that the following variables correlated with hypnotic susceptibility at the 5% level of confidence: age (—.37), year in college (—.36), and missionary service (.37).Social class rating of father's occupation correlated significantly at the 1% level of confidence (.54).     

Kidney Function in Heart Failure

Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to improve a rankit ordinal model for evaluating and validating dichotomized tests in a prospective Nordic project. Material and methods. The model is based on the assumption that the S‐shaped curve of fractions of positive for increasing concentrations can be de‐convoluted to a histogram and thereby used to calculate the parameters for a ln‐Gaussian distribution. In a Nordic survey, four urine samples with known concentrations of hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) and nitrites were distributed to more than 2500 practitioners' offices. Results. The results are presented as parameters (geometric mean and CV) for the components urine‐hCG and urine‐nitrites, together with fractions of positive for clinical critical values (5 and 40?IU/L for hCG), for which fractions should be below 0.01 and above 0.99, respectively, and 7?µmol/L for nitrites. Furthermore, the concentration intervals of varying fractions of positive from 0.01 to 0.99 are estimated as grey zones. The parameters and grey zones for different kits are compared. No urine‐hCG kit fulfilled the low clinical criterion, whereas all fulfilled the high criterion. Seven of the eight nitrites kits had fractions of positive above 0.9 for the company confirmation limit, but varying fractions for the clinically important limit of 7?µmol/L (fractions from 0.06 to 0.83). Conclusions. The present model makes it easy to estimate parameters for the kits, and also to estimate the fractions of measured positives for specified concentrations. It is thus suited for external quality assessment as well as for manufacturers' method validation.     

Hypochromic reticulocytes,hypochromic erythrocytes and p-transferrin receptors in diagnosing iron-deficient erythropoiesis

Background: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypochromic reticulocytes, hypochromic erythrocytes and p-transferrin receptors are sensitive variables in detecting iron-deficient erythropoiesis in healthy subjects and hemodialysis patients. Methods: Study 1: Twenty-one blood donors donated 450?mL blood. During the following 2 weeks blood samples were analyzed for the variables mentioned above. Study 2: Twenty-eight blood donors received 10 000 U recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) twice in the first week or placebo, after they had donated 450?mL blood. During the following 3 weeks the blood samples were analyzed for the variables mentioned in Study 1. Study 3: Eighteen hemodialysis patients receiving rHuEPO and iron treatment had either iron treatment discontinued for 4 weeks, after which iron was resumed, or received unchanged treatment. During 8 weeks blood samples were analyzed for the variables mentioned in Study 1. Results: Study 1: Blood donation induced an increase in hypochromic reticulocytes of 178%, in hypochromic erythrocytes the increase was 267%, and in p-transferrin receptors 32%. Study 2: Treatment with rHuEPO induced a more pronounced increase than placebo in hypochromic reticulocytes (232% vs. 158%) and hypochromic erythrocytes (1240% vs. 300%), but not in p-transferrin receptors. Study 3: Discontinuation of iron treatment did not cause any significant differences in the variables mentioned above between the two groups, but caused a 25% decrease in p-ferritin. When iron treatment was resumed, p-ferritin increased by 19%. We found no significant changes in the control group. Conclusions: Hypochromic reticulocytes, hypochromic erythrocytes and p-transferrin receptors are sensitive variables in the early detection of iron-deficient erythropoiesis in healthy subjects, but in this study the iron withdrawal period was too short to show the value of these variables in the detection of iron-deficient erythropoiesis in hemodialysis patients.     

Ion exchange analysis of porphyrins in urine

An easy and cheap analysis of total porphyrin in urine is described based on the ion exchange resin Dovex 2x8, 50-100 mesh. Recovery of added porphyrin varied between 65 and 90% for uro- and 70 and 95% for coproporphyrin. The use of the method with internal standard is described and exemplified. Ammoniacal solutions of crystalline free porphyrins were used as standards.     

Work-related stressors and occurrence of adverse events in an ED

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 12 work-related stressors and the occurrence of adverse events in an emergency department (ED).MethodsNurses and physicians, working in an ED at a Danish regional hospital, filled out a questionnaire on occurrence and emotional impact of 12 work-related stressors after each shift during a 4-week period. The questionnaire also instructed the participants to describe any adverse events that they were involved in during the shift.ResultsTwo hundred fourteen adverse events were reported during the 979 studied shifts. During the same period, only 27 adverse events were reported to the mandatory national reporting system, and only 10 of these were duplicates. A high variability of stressors and emotional impact among the different groups of participants was found. Linear regression analysis showed an association between involvement in adverse events and the occurrence and emotional impact of stressors across groups, whereas no significant association was found for age, seniority, shift type, or length.ConclusionThe study showed an association between the occurrence and impact of 12 work-related stressors and involvement in adverse events across the groups of participants. Furthermore, the study showed that most adverse events were not reported to the mandatory national reporting system.