Little is known about the impact of nutrition on toddler gut microbiota. The plasticity of the toddler gut microbiota indicates that nutritional modulation beyond infancy could potentially impact its maturation. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of consuming Young Child Formula (YCF) supplemented with short chain galactooligosaccharides and long chain fructooligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS, ratio 9:1) and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V on the development of the faecal microbiota in healthy toddlers. A cohort of 129 Thai children aged 1-3 years were included in a randomised controlled clinical study. The children were assigned to receive either YCF with 0.95 g/100 ml of scGOS/lcFOS and 1.8×10 cfu/g of B. breve M-16V (Active-YCF) or Control-YCF for 12 weeks. The composition and metabolic activity of the faecal microbiota, and the level of secretory immunoglobulin A were determined in the stool samples. The consumption of Active-YCF increased the proportion of Bifidobacterium (mean 27.3% at baseline to 33.3%, at week 12, P=0.012) with a difference in change from baseline at week 12 between the Active and Control of 7.48% (P=0.030). The consumption of Active-YCF was accompanied with a more acidic intestinal milieu compared to the Control-YCF. The pH value decreased statistically significantly in the Active-YCF group from a median of 7.05 at baseline to 6.79 at week 12 (P<0.001). The consumption of Active-YCF was associated with a softer pudding-like stool consistency compared to the Control-YCF. At week 6 and week 12, the between-group difference in stool consistency was statistically significant (P=0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). A Young Child Formula supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS and B. breve M-16V positively influences the development of the faecal microbiota in healthy toddlers by supporting higher levels of Bifidobacterium. The synbiotic supplementation is also accompanied with a more acidic intestinal milieu and softer stools.
Interleukin-12 (IL-12), an important cytokine in host defense against microbial pathogens, regulates natural killer and T-cell function(s) including the induction of gamma-interferon production. The major cellular sources of IL-12 are monocytes/macrophages. Bacteria, bacterial products, and intracellular parasites are the most efficient inducers of IL-12 production. In the present study we show that a signal transduction pathway sensitive to rapamycin may have an important role in the regulation/suppression of Staphylococcus aureus-induced IL-12 production in vitro. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, monocytes, or a human monocytic cell line THP-1 were stimulated with S. aureus Cowan strain 1 (SAC) in the presence or absence of rapamycin and investigated for production of IL-12 protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and IL-12 p40 mRNA accumulation by RNase protection assay or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results show that rapamycin significantly enhances SAC-induced IL-12 p70 protein production and IL-12 p40 mRNA accumulation. Further the results demonstrate that wortmannin enhances SAC-induced IL-12 p40 mRNA accumulation, whereas Ly294002 does not. These data indicate that a rapamycin-sensitive signaling pathway may act as a negative feedback cascade in the regulatory mechanisms of IL-12 production.
Background Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the predisposing factors for gastritis, peptic ulcer, and duodenal ulcer. Definite diagnosis of H. pylori infection is important in planning effective medical management. However, confirming the diagnosis through bacterial culture takes a number of days, and thus delays treatment. Objectives To examine endoscopic findings in children associated with chronic abdominal pain and H. pylori infection to aid in early diagnosis. We also evaluated treatment outcome of H. pylori infection. Methods A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the medical records of children under 15 years of age with chronic abdominal pain who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) between 2011 and 2017. According to 2016 Joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN Guidelines, H. pylori infection was defined by positive tests for both histopathology test and rapid urease test (RUT). The EGD finding, RUT, histopathologic finding, and treatment outcome were recorded. Results Forty-eight children presented with chronic abdominal pain (male 47.9%, female 52.1%, mean age was 8.44 ± 2.97 years). Twelve children out of 48 had H. pylori infection (12/48, 25%). Eight among the 12 children had antral nodularity (8/12), wherein there was no antral nodularity in children without H. pylori infection (0/36). This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of antral nodularity finding for H. pylori infection were 66.7% and 100%, respectively. Eradication of H. pylori infection with standard regimen improved the abdominal pain within 4 weeks. Conclusion The occurrence of antral nodularity in endoscopic finding was significantly associated with H. pylori infection. In addition, antral nodularity finding showed a good sensitivity and high specificity for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Mattress encasing with a special membrane in this study was highly efficacious in the reduction of mite allergen (>90%). However, with complete encasing, mite allergens within mattresses were increased at the end of the study. Complete mattress encasing in a tropical environment does not offer any advantage over partial encasing.
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