Investigations into tensile strength of banana fibre reinforced hybrid polymer matrix composites

Natural fibres, such as banana, coir, jute and gongura have been proved to be effective reinforcements in polymer matrix composites. This work aims to design and fabricate the banana fibre reinforced hybrid polymer matrix composites. The authors developed a hybrid polymer by blending natural and synthetic resins. The tensile behavior of fabricated composites is studied. The influences of natural resin and alkaline treatment of fibre on tensile strength are investigated. ANOVA technique is used to find the regression equations for ultimate tensile strength

Mitra shunt (spleen preserving, side to side lieno-renal shunt) for portal hypertension with hypersplenism in early infancy

Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is the commonest cause of portal hypertension presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and splenomegaly. Medical management of this condition may provide relief, but involves repeated hospital visits and endoscopic procedures. Surgery is an effective curative solution by lowering portal venous pressure with effective shunting of venous blood from splanchnic to systemic circulation. Shunt surgery for such a small baby has not been previously reported and splenectomy has its own problems. Similarly, banding or sclerotherapy in such babies is not without risk. Among the various shunt options, Mitra shunt (spleen preserving, side-to-side lienorenal shunt), developed and standardized in our own country, stands out as the most optimum surgical treatment for EHPVO in early infancy. We report a 4-month-old baby, youngest recipient of Mitra shunt reported in literature with successful outcome

Investigations into tensile strength of banana fibre reinforced hybrid polymer matrix composites

Natural fibres, such as banana, coir, jute and gongura have been proved to be effective reinforcements in polymer matrix composites. This work aims to design and fabricate the banana fibre reinforced hybrid polymer matrix composites. The authors developed a hybrid polymer by blending natural and synthetic resins. The tensile behavior of fabricated composites is studied. The influences of natural resin and alkaline treatment of fibre on tensile strength are investigated. ANOVA technique is used to find the regression equations for ultimate tensile strength

VSL#3 improves symptoms in children with irritable bowel Syndrome: A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study

Background and Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem in pediatrics, for which no safe and effective treatment is available. Probiotics have shown some promising results in adult studies, but no positive study has been published on pediatric age. We aimed at investigating the efficacy of VSL#3 in a population of children and teenagers affected by IBS, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted in 7 pediatric gastroenterology divisions. Patients and Methods: Children 4 to 18 years of age, meeting eligibility criteria, were enrolled. The patients were assessed by a questionnaire for a 2-week baseline period. They were then randomized to receive either VSL#3 or a placebo for 6 weeks, with controls every 2 weeks. At the end, after a "wash-out" period of 2 weeks, each patient was switched to the other group and followed for a further 6 weeks. Results: A total of 59 children completed the study. Although placebo was effective in some of the parameters and in as many as half of the patients, VSL#3 was significantly superior to it (P < 0.05) in the primary endpoint, the subjective assessment of relief of symptoms; as well as in 3 of 4 secondary endpoints: abdominal pain/discomfort (P < 0.05), abdominal bloating/gassiness (P < 0.05), and family assessment of life disruption (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found (P = 0.06) in the stool pattern. No untoward adverse effect was recorded in any of the patients. Conclusions: VSL#3 is safe and more effective than placebo in ameliorating symptoms and improving the quality of life in children affected by IBS. © 2010 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Role of <i>Lactobacillus reuteri</i> <i>DSM 17938</i> on Crying Time Reduction in Infantile Colic and Its Impact on Maternal Depression: A Real-Life Clinic-Based Study

Background: Infantile colic is characterized by prolonged periods of inconsolable, incessant crying and persistent fussing in an otherwise healthy infant. It is a self-limiting condition, but causes significant stress to mothers. AIM: To observe the role of Lactobacillus reuteriDSM 17938 in reducing crying time in colicky infants in routine clinical practice. Methods: This was a prospective observational multicentric clinic-based study. Each practitioner included approximately 30 infants L. reuteri DSM 17938 for a period of 21 days. There were four physical consultations and two telephonic consultations. The parents were given a daily diary to record the duration of crying and fussing episodes and a questionnaire was administered during the consultations. Results: A total of 120 infants with a mean age of 56.9 ± 34.2 days were included in this 28-day study. The mean crying time as reported by the parents in the subject diary reduced from 248.2 ± 101.2 min, 95% CI: 229.45, 266.94 at baseline to 45.6 ± 79.1 min 95% CI: 31.02, 60.31 at study end (P L. reuteri DSM 17938 was associated with a significant reduction in crying time in colicky infants, and showed improvement in maternal depression

Lewis Acid Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroheteroarylation of Pentafulvenes

A diverse approach toward the catalytic regioselective nucleophilic addition of nitrogen heterocycles to Lewis acid activated pentafulvenes has been established. The developed protocol introduces pentafulvenes as nonsymmetrical alkenes for the hydroheteroarylation reaction, providing alkylidenecyclopentenylation at the C-3 position of indoles and the C-2 position of pyrrole

Global standard for the composition of infant formula : recommendations of an ESPGHAN coordinated international expert group.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) develops food standards, guidelines and related texts for protecting consumer health and ensuring fair trade practices globally. The major part of the world's population lives in more than 160 countries that are members of the Codex Alimentarius. The Codex Standard on Infant Formula was adopted in 1981 based on scientific knowledge available in the 1970s and is currently being revised. As part of this process, the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses asked the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition to initiate a consultation process with the international scientific community to provide a proposal on nutrient levels in infant formulae, based on scientific analysis and taking into account existing scientific reports on the subject. ESPGHAN accepted the request and, in collaboration with its sister societies in the Federation of International Societies on Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, invited highly qualified experts in the area of infant nutrition to form an International Expert Group (IEG) to review the issues raised. The group arrived at recommendations on the compositional requirements for a global infant formula standard which are reported here

Dei drammaturghi-concertatori: Diderot, Goldoni, Barone

Artículo de publicación ISIBackground: There are no internationally agreed recommendations on compositional requirements of follow-up formula for young children (FUF-YC) aged 1–3 years. Aim: The aim of the study is to propose international compositional recommendations for FUF-YC. Methods: Compositional recommendations for FUF-YC were devised by expert consensus based on a detailed literature review of nutrient intakes and unmet needs in children aged 12–36 months. Results and Conclusions: Problematic nutrients with often inadequate intakes are the vitamins A, D, B12, C and folate, calcium, iron, iodine and zinc. If used, FUF-YC should be fed along with an age-appropriate mixed diet, usually contributing 1–2 cups (200–400 ml) of FUF-YC daily (approximately 15% of total energy intake). Protein from cow’s milk-based formula should provide 1.6–2.7 g/100 kcal. Fat content should be 4.4–6.0 g/100 kcal. Carbohydrate should contribute 9–14 g/100 kcal with >50% from lactose. If other sugars are added, they should not exceed 10% of total carbohydrates. Calcium should provide 200 mg/100 kcal. Other micronutrient contents/100 kcal should reach 15% of the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization recommended nutrient intake values. A guidance upper level that was 3–5 times of the minimum level was established. Countries may adapt compositional requirements, considering recommended nutrient intakes, habitual diets, nutritional status and existence of micronutrient programs to ensure adequacy while preventing excessive intakes