Infant mortality is still a major problem, with the interaction between malnutrition and diarrhoea among the leading causes of death. One option to fight both diarrhoea and malnutrition is breastfeeding. Benefits of breast milk are attributed to the actions of antimicrobial proteins in human milk, such as lactoferrin (LF), which increase intestinal and systemic immune functions. One way to convey the benefits of LF to children is the use of transgenic animals that express human proteins in the mammary gland. In this sense, the availability of animal milk with properties of human milk can be a potential source to increase and prolong the protective benefits of human milk in reducing disease and stimulating growth. Transgenic cows expressing rhLF were produced by pronuclear microinjection with the goal of using the milk to improve human health. To test this hypothesis, we have created a model of malnutrition in pigs by reducing the intake (50%) of calories and protein. The animals (n = 26) were randomly divided as follows: after weaning at 3 weeks of age, 18 animals were fed the protein and calorie-restricted diet (mal) for 3 weeks and 8 animals served as a control group and were fed standard feed (full-fed). After 3 weeks, 4 animals in each group were necropsied and the remaining animals (n = 18) were placed into the following experimental groups: 4 animals remained in the control group (full-fed-no milk), and the 14 malnourished animals were divided as follows: 4 animals were maintained on food restriction but received no milk (mal-no milk) and 10 animals were maintained on food restriction with 5 receiving 500 mL of control milk/day (con milk) and 5 receiving 500 mL of rhLF milk/day (rhLF milk) for a total of 15 days. Intestinal permeability and morphology, mRNA expression of tight junction proteins (ZO1, claudin, occludin), and cytokines (TGF-β, TLR-4, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6 IL-8, CCL-11) in the intestine, and hematological parameters were assessed. Data were analysed by ANOVA with P-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. The restricted diet was capable of inducing a state of malnutrition after 3 weeks as demonstrated by multiple changes in blood chemistry, a significant decrease in gut surface area, and an increase in electrical conductance indicative of compromised intestinal barrier function. Supplementation of the diet with either control milk or rhLF milk promoted the recovery of the intestine as indicated by significantly improved intestinal morphology and permeability. Levels of TNF-α were increased in the mal-no milk group; however, rhLF-fed animals were capable of regulating the expression of TNF-α, which did not significantly differ from full-fed controls. Tight junction proteins were also significantly up-regulated in the rhLF group. Overall, a model of malnutrition was established and the administration of both control and rhLF milk was beneficial in the recovery of the gastrointestinal tract. Our intention is that such milk from transgenic animals can benefit malnourished children around the world.
The fifth edition of Making Sense of Research in Nursing, Health and Social Care is an introductory text to research for health and social care practitioners. This book aims to give a basic understanding of research to health and social care practitioners and students with the expectation that anyone wanting further knowledge will gain more in-depth knowledge from more definitive texts. With research being essential for successful advancement and safety of health, well-being and delivery services (DOH, 2005), it is vital that health and social care professionals, as well as students in this field, develop a basic understanding in order to enhance their practice. With numerous textbooks focused on research in healthcare, it can be challenging trying to identify one that will give the reader a baseline understanding of research processes. However, this book has managed to cover the essential topics of research in a relatively short and succinct way, making this textbook a firm starting point to begin making sense of research.This book covers the role of research and the nature of knowledge in health and social care, the research process, ethics, searching and reviewing literature, research design and approach, problems and aims, sampling, data collection and analysis, critical appraisal of existing research and how to implement research into practice, covered across 12 concise chapters and a readable number of pages. As a student learning disability nurse, many of these chapters have proven useful when tackling academic assignments, such as literature reviews; therefore, this textbook can be utilized as another resource for academic development. As well as a table of chapter contents, a list of tables and figures are provided at the start of the book that helps to easily pinpoint any sections of interest quickly and easily.The use of relevant and up-to-date references along with useful website links gives the reader the opportunity to explore topics further to expand their base knowledge. In text, references are placed in relevant places and are not great in number, therefore not disrupting reading flow. Although the book is relatively small in size, all topics are covered adequately without feeling rushed through them. However, the author has clearly stated that this book is intended for those with limited understanding, and thus does not provide in-depth and definitive information. Therefore, if the reader requires more than the basics, a more comprehensive text would need to be accessed.Throughout the text, the writing style of the author is accessible and understandable to their target audience of professionals and students learning about research for the first time whilst making it interesting to the reader. With its short and concise chapters making information easier to find, and its easy to understand writing style, this book is definitely recommended to fellow students undertaking health and social care courses as well as to lecturers to add to their recommended reading lists.
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