Evidence-based guidelines for use of probiotics in preterm neonates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current evidence indicates that probiotic supplementation significantly reduces all-cause mortality and definite necrotising enterocolitis without significant adverse effects in preterm neonates. As the debate about the pros and cons of routine probiotic supplementation continues, many institutions are satisfied with the current evidence and wish to use probiotics routinely. Because of the lack of detail on many practical aspects of probiotic supplementation, clinician-friendly guidelines are urgently needed to optimise use of probiotics in preterm neonates.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>To develop evidence-based guidelines for probiotic supplementation in preterm neonates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To develop core guidelines on use of probiotics, including strain selection, dose and duration of supplementation, we primarily used the data from our recent updated systematic review of randomised controlled trials. For equally important issues including strain identification, monitoring for adverse effects, product format, storage and transport, and regulatory hurdles, a comprehensive literature search, covering the period 1966-2010 without restriction on the study design, was conducted, using the databases PubMed and EMBASE, and the proceedings of scientific conferences; these data were used in our updated systematic review.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this review, we present guidelines, including level of evidence, for the practical aspects (for example, strain selection, dose, duration, clinical and laboratory surveillance) of probiotic supplementation, and for dealing with non-clinical but important issues (for example, regulatory requirements, product format). Evidence was inadequate in some areas, and these should be a target for further research.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We hope that these evidence-based guidelines will help to optimise the use of probiotics in preterm neonates. Continued research is essential to provide answers to the current gaps in knowledge about probiotics.</p

Composition comprising probiotic bacteria for use in the treatment of immune disorders

The present invention relates to a composition comprising probiotic bacteria for the treatment of pathologies associated with alterations of the immune system. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of selected probiotic bacteria for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of allergies, such as atopic dermatitis

Validation of recombinant and bovine chymosin by mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry has been used to map chymosin from a fermentative source. The copresence of the two known genetic variants A (Asp244) and B (Gly244) was ascertained in bovine chymosin. By contrast, either the A or the B genetic variant occurred in the three commercial samples of recombinant calf chymosin (RCC). Specific biomarker proteins were searched to identify the enzyme source, in both bovine chymosin and RCC samples. Analyzing the derived tryptic peptides, evidence was provided that RCC and bovine chymosin are mainly formed by (1-323), (3-323), and (40p-323) (suffix “p” denotes residues in the pro-segment region of chymosin), whereas the minor components, (4-323), (5-323), and (6-323), were only detected in bovine chymosin. Additionally, the three commercial RCC samples contained the protein species (1-323), (38p-323), (39p-323), and (40p-323) and the shorter form (3-323). Differentiation of the natural and bioengineered enzyme is based upon the detection of these unique minor components by mass spectrometry

Diatom communities and vegetation of springs in the south-western Alps

Springs are unique but understudied habitats. Diatom communities have received some attention but have remained largely unknown in the south-western Alps. We therefore studied the springs of the south-western extreme of the Alpine mountain range. We analysed epilithic and epiphytic assemblages in 48 springs of different ecomorphological types, located on contrasting lithological substrata (carbonate/siliceous). Moreover, phytosociological relevés were carried out for carbonate springs. The diatom flora consisted of 223 taxa. Most (198) of the taxa were included in the Red List, and 12.5% belonged to threatened categories. Characteristic spring taxa (crenophiles) were present. The ecological preferences of crenophilous diatom species described in the eastern Alps were confirmed. Diatom species characteristic of the lake-littoral zone were found in pool springs. We observed no significant differences in species richness and diversity between epilithic and epiphytic assemblages, but some species showed a preference for bryophytes, and five occurred in the epibryon only. As regards moisture conditions, 15% of the taxa occurred on wet or temporarily dry sites, and 4% lived mostly outside water bodies. The main environmental factors influencing diatom assemblages were pH, conductivity, altitude, and shading. The carbonate-substratum crenic vegetation was composed of a mixture of vascular plants and bryophytes, which find their ecological optimum in springs. Bryophyte cover was dominant, with the most abundant taxa belonging to the genus Palustriella. The vegetation corresponded to the Cratoneuretum commutati association

Desarrollo de geles masticables de ibuprofeno para pacientes pediátricos

El desarrollo de geles masticables de ibuprofeno dirigidos a pacientes pediátricos en edad escolar supone retos tanto de investigación documental, como tecnológicos al momento de su manufactura. Se realizaron los estudios de preformulación y pruebas previas al principio activo, el ibuprofeno, y a los diferentes excipientes para lograr características que no comprometan la eficacia y seguridad del medicamento, ni la aceptabilidad por parte del paciente. La principal limitante de esta formulación es el sabor amargo del ibuprofeno. Para disminuirlo se recurrió al uso de las tecnologías que implican el enmascaramiento del sabor, tales como la incorporación de Ibuprofeno suspendido en la formulación, ya que el ibuprofeno suspendido retrasa la aparición del sabor amargo en comparación con el parcialmente disuelto. En segundo lugar, la supresión cognitiva central mediante la adición de sacarina como edulcorante que compite con las moléculas de ibuprofeno por las proteínas de las células receptoras; y finalmente la supresión periférica mediante la adición de gluconato de calcio y acetato de sodio. Los iones sodio y calcio modifican el receptor de sabor y disminuyen su afinidad por la molécula de ibuprofeno. Se aplicaron herramientas estadísticas, diseño factorial y diseño de experimentos con mezclas simplex centroide para delimitar el número de experimentos en base a las variables dependientes “sabor” y “consistencia” e independientes el porcentaje de acetato de sodio y grenetina, respectivamente. Se obtuvo una matriz de cinco experimentos y se seleccionó el número dos como la “mejor fórmula”. Se definió, en base a principios tecnológicos la técnica de manufactura ideal

Characterization of Bifidobacterium spp. strains for the treatment of enteric disorders in newborns.

Several studies support the use of probiotics for the treatment of minor gastrointestinal problems in infants. Positive effects on newborn colics have been evidenced after administration of Lactobacillus strains, whereas no studies have been reported regarding the use of bifidobacteria for this purpose. This work was therefore aimed at the characterization of Bifidobacterium strains capable of inhibiting the growth of pathogens typical of the infant gastrointestinal tract and of coliforms isolated from colic newborns. Among the 46 Bifidobacterium strains considered, 16 showed high antimicrobial activity against potential pathogens; these strains were further characterized from a taxonomic point of view, for the presence and transferability of antibiotic resistances, for citotoxic effects and adhesion to nontumorigenic gut epithelium cell lines. Moreover, their ability to stimulate gut health by increasing the metabolic activity and the immune response of epithelial cells was also studied. The examination of all these features allowed to identify three Bifidobacterium breve strains and a Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum strain as potential probiotics for the treatments of enteric disorders in newborns such as infantile colics. A validation clinical trial involving the selected strains is being planned

Administration of Bifidobacterium breve Decreases the Production of TNF-α in Children with Celiac Disease

Background Increasing evidence suggests that not only genetics, but also environmental factors like gut microbiota dysbiosis play an important role in the pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD). Aim The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of two probiotic strains Bifidobacterium breve BR03 and B. breve B632 on serum production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in children with CD. Methods The study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial that included 49 children with CD on glutenfree diet (GFD) randomized into two groups and 18 healthy children in the control group. The first group (24 children with CD) daily received B. breve BR03 and B632 (2 9 109 colony-forming units) and the second group (25 children with CD) received placebo for 3 months. Results TNF-a levels were significantly decreased in the first group after receiving B. breve for 3 months. On follow-up, 3 months after receiving probiotics, TNF-a levels increased again. Children with CD who were on GFD for less than 1 year showed similar baseline TNF-a levels as children who were on GFD for more than 1 year. IL-10 levels were in all groups of patients below detection level. Conclusions Probiotic intervention with B. breve strains has shown a positive effect on decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a in children with CD on GFD