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The discrete wavelet transform was applied to denoise electropherograms in capillary electrophoresis (CE). The use of the Haar wavelet and translation invariant denoising were found to be very efficient for this purpose. An important improvement was obtained, as compared with Savitzky-Golay and Fourier, which are the most commonly used techniques for denoising in the instrumentation software packages. A better removal of the noise and, especially, a better preservation of the shapes of very sharp peaks was achieved. Removal of the baseline variations was also investigated.

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Chronic constipation is a common problem in childhood. In two randomized trials in adults with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, and 1 in constipated women with a defecation frequency Ͻ3 times per week, a significant increase was shown in stool frequency in the probiotic group who used Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 compared with the control group in subjects who had Ͻ3 stools per week. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:In constipated children, the fermented dairy product that contained B lactis strain DN-173 010 increased stool frequency, but this increase was comparable to that of the control group. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend fermented dairy products that contain B lactis strain DN-173 010 for these patients. abstract BACKGROUND: Constipation is a frustrating symptom affecting 3% of children worldwide. A fermented dairy product containing Bifidobacterium lactis strain DN-173 010 was effective in increasing stool frequency in constipated women. Our aim was to assess the effects of this product in constipated children. METHODS: In this prospective randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 159 constipated children (defecation frequency Ͻ 3 times per week) were randomly allocated to receive either a fermented dairy product that contains B lactis DN-173 010 (n ϭ 79) or a control product (n ϭ 80) twice a day for 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in stool frequency from baseline to after 3 weeks of product consumption. Analyses were by intention to treat. RESULTS: Eleven children did not return to any follow-up visit (5 in the probiotic group, 6 in the control group) and were therefore excluded from the final analysis. Thus, 74 children in each group were analyzed. The change in stool frequency from baseline to after 3 weeks of product consumption increased in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (2.9 Ϯ 3.2 in probiotic group versus 2.6 Ϯ 2.6 in control group, P ϭ .35). There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In constipated children, the fermented dairy product containing B lactis strain DN-173 010 did increase stool frequency, but this increase was comparable in the control group. There is currently not sufficient evidence to recommend fermented dairy products containing B lactis strain DN-173 010 in this category of patients. Future studies should focus on whether a longer period of probiotic products is more effective in children who have a short history of constipation.

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