An Infant Formula with Partially Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Supports Adequate Growth and Is Safe and Well-Tolerated in Healthy, Term Infants: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Equivalence Trial

The current study evaluates the safety and tolerance of a partially hydrolyzed whey protein-based infant formula (PHF) versus an in intact cow's milk protein formula (IPF). Breastfed infants were included as a reference group. In a multi-country, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial, infants whose mothers intended to fully formula feed were randomized to PHF (n= 134) or IPF (n= 134) from <= 14 days to 17 weeks of age. The equivalence analysis of weight gain per day within margins of +/-3 g/d (primary outcome), the recorded adverse events, growth and gastro-intestinal tolerance parameters were considered for the safety evaluation. Equivalence of weight gain per day from enrolment until 17 weeks of age was demonstrated in the PHF group compared to the IPF group (difference in means -1.2 g/d; 90% CI (-2.42; 0.02)), with estimated means (SE) of 30.2 (0.5) g/d and 31.4 (0.5) g/d, respectively. No significant differences in growth outcomes, the number, severity or type of (serious) adverse events and tolerance outcomes, were observed between the two formula groups. A partially hydrolyzed whey protein-based infant formula supports adequate infant growth, with a daily weight gain equivalent to a standard intact protein-based formula; it is also safe for use and well-tolerated in healthy term infants

Determination of neo- and d-chiro-Inositol Hexakisphosphate in Soils by Solution 31P NMR Spectroscopy

The inositol phosphates are an abundant but poorly understood group of organic phosphorus compounds found widely in the environment. Four stereoisomers of inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) occur, although for three of these (scyllo, flea, and D-chiro) the origins, dynamics, and biological function remain unknown, due in large part to analytical limitations in their measurement in environmental samples. We synthesized authentic neo- and n-chiro-IP6 and used them to identify signals from these compounds in three soils from the Falkland Islands. Both compounds resisted hypobromite oxidation and gave quantifiable P-31 NMR signals at delta = 6.67 ppm (equatorial phosphate groups of the 4-equatorial/2-axial conformer of neo-IP6) and delta = 6.48 ppm (equatorial phosphate groups of the 2-equatorial/4-axial conformer of D-chiro-IP6) in soil extracts. Inositol hexakisphosphate accounted for 46-54% of the soil organic phosphorus, of which the four stereoisomers constituted, on average, 55.9% (myo), 32.8% (scyllo), 6.1% (neo), and 5.2% (n-chiro). Reappraisal of the literature based on the new signal assignments revealed that neo- and D-chiro-IP6 occur widely in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These results confirm that the inositol phosphates can constitute a considerable fraction of the organic phosphorus in soils and reveal the prevalence of neo- and D-chiro-IP6 in the environment. The hypobromite oxidation and solution P-31 NMR spectroscopy procedure allows the simultaneous quantification of all four IP6 stereoisomers in environmental samples and provides a platform for research into the origins and ecological significance of these enigmatic compounds

Single crystalline silicon dioxide films on Mo(1 1 2)

A preparation is reported which, for the first time, results in a thin, crystalline SiO2 film on a Mo(1 1 2) single crystal. The procedure consists of repeated cycles of Si deposition and subsequent oxidation, followed by a final annealing procedure. LEED pictures of high contrast show a crystalline SiO2 overlayer with a commensurate relationship to the Mo(1 1 2) substrate. Surface imperfections have been studied by SPA-LEED and a structure model, consistent with the appearance of antiphase domain boundaries as preferential disorder, is proposed. AES and XPS have been used to control film stoichiometry. A spatial dependence of the Si4+ core level shift with distance from the interface plane is observed and well explained by image charge interaction across the interface. Furthermore, the theoretically predicted insensitivity of the Si4+ core level shift with respect to the degree of crystallinity is experimentally verified for the first time. The wetting of the substrate by the film has been investigated by XPS and TDS. The results prove that the film covers the substrate completely

LARS: Ein differenziertes Sprach- und Leseförderprogramm bei GrundschülerInnen mit Deutsch als Erst- und Zweit-Sprache: Evaluierung der Pilotstudie

Schwab S, Seifert S, Watko P, Obendrauf T, Trauntschnig M, Gasteiger-Klicpera B. LARS: Ein differenziertes Sprach- und Leseförderprogramm bei GrundschülerInnen mit Deutsch als Erst- und Zweit-Sprache: Evaluierung der Pilotstudie. In: Fritzsche T, Meyer CB, Adelt A, Roß J, eds. Spektrum Patholinguistik. 6th ed. Potsdam: Universitätsverl. Potsdam; 2013

An Infant Formula with Partially Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Supports Adequate Growth and Is Safe and Well-Tolerated in Healthy, Term Infants: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Equivalence Trial

International audienceThe current study evaluates the safety and tolerance of a partially hydrolyzed whey protein-based infant formula (PHF) versus an in intact cow's milk protein formula (IPF). Breastfed infants were included as a reference group. In a multi-country, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial, infants whose mothers intended to fully formula feed were randomized to PHF (n = 134) or IPF (n = 134) from ≤14 days to 17 weeks of age. The equivalence analysis of weight gain per day within margins of +/-3 g/d (primary outcome), the recorded adverse events, growth and gastro-intestinal tolerance parameters were considered for the safety evaluation. Equivalence of weight gain per day from enrolment until 17 weeks of age was demonstrated in the PHF group compared to the IPF group (difference in means -1.2 g/d; 90% CI (-2.42; 0.02)), with estimated means (SE) of 30.2 (0.5) g/d and 31.4 (0.5) g/d, respectively. No significant differences in growth outcomes, the number, severity or type of (serious) adverse events and tolerance outcomes, were observed between the two formula groups. A partially hydrolyzed whey protein-based infant formula supports adequate infant growth, with a daily weight gain equivalent to a standard intact protein-based formula; it is also safe for use and well-tolerated in healthy term infants

Regulation of Ins(3,4,5,6)P-4 signaling by a reversible kinase/phosphatase

Regulation of Cl- channel conductance by Ins(3,4,5,6)P-4 provides receptor-dependent control over salt and fluid secretion [1], cell volume homeostasis [2], and electrical excitability of neurones and smooth muscle [3]. Ignorance of how Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 is synthesized has long hindered our understanding of this signaling pathway. We now show Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 synthesis by Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P,5 1-phosphatase activity by an enzyme previously characterized [4] as an Ins(3,4,5,6)P-4 1-kinase. Rationalization of these phenomena with a ligand binding model unveils Ins(1,3,4)P-3 as not simply an alternative kinase substrate [4, 5], but also an activator of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P-5 I-phosphatase. Stable overexpression of the enzyme in epithelial monolayers verifies its physiological role in elevating Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 levels and inhibiting secretion. It is exceptional for a single enzyme to catalyze two opposing signaling reactions (1-kinase/1-phosphatase) under physiological conditions. Reciprocal coordination of these opposing reactions offers an alternative to general doctrine that intracellular signals are regulated by integrating multiple, distinct phosphatases and kinases [6].X1139sciescopu