Distribution of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract of children with no organic disease

Background This study aimed to assess the eosinophil (eos) density of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in children undergoing endoscopic procedures following an extensive workup, without diagnosis of an organic disease. Methods Biopsies from GI endoscopies performed at 3 major children’s hospitals (Athens, Madrid and Rome), between January 2012 and June 2018, were evaluated by a single pathologist in each center. Peak eos counts were expressed /high power field and /mm2. Other histological abnormalities were also reported. Results A total of 111 children (median age 11 years; 48 boys) underwent upper endoscopy (333 biopsies), while 44 (median age 12; 25 boys) underwent ileocolonoscopy (262 biopsies). The median (interquartile range) eos/mm2 were as follows: esophagus 0 (0-0); stomach 0 (0-3); duodenum 22 (13-29); ileum 29 (19-46); cecum 39 (25-71); ascending colon 24 (20-41); transverse colon 27 (21-57); descending colon 21 (13-27); sigmoid colon 22 (13-30); and rectum 10 (6-22). Geographical variations in GI tissue eos counts were found amongst the participating centers, but the causative factors need further evaluation. Functional GI disorders according to the Rome IV criteria were diagnosed in 73 children (37 boys, median age 13 years). No differences were found between children with or without functional GI disorder diagnosis, with regard to eos density in the GI tract. Conclusion The reported peak counts of GI tissue eos in children with no organic diseases provide normative values that may be useful in the evaluation of children with GI symptoms suggestive of eosinophilic GI disorders

Investigation of multiple factors which may contribute to Vitamin D levels of bedridden pregnant women and their preterm neonates

Objective: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) is the marker, which indicates vitamin D levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible factors, which contribute to serum 25-OH-D levels in bedridden mothers and their preterm neonates.Methods: Twenty-six preterm neonates born during the period of 24-33 weeks of gestational age and 20 mothers (who experienced pregnancy complications) were recruited to the study.Results: Five major results were obtained. (i) The 25-OH-D serum levels for preterm neonates and their mothers were found to possess strong correlation (ii) and both differed significantly in comparison with the optimal levels. (iii) An increase of mothers 25-OH-D serum levels was associated with an increased possibility that the neonates would be measured to have normal 25-OH-D levels. (iv) Sex was not a key factor to neonates 25-OH-D levels. (v) No correlation was found between mothers 25-OH-D levels and their vitamin D3 supplement (400 IU/d during pregnancy).Conclusions: Due to insufficient exposure to sunlight and a diet not enriched with vitamin D, bedridden pregnant women suffer from vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy complications lead often to birth of preterm neonates with the same deficiency. Mothers should increase the total amount of vitamin D intake (food and supplement). © 2015 Taylor & Francis

Physicochemical stability assessment of all-in-one parenteral emulsion for neonates containing SMOFlipid

AbstrAct The aim of the study was to assess the stability of all-in-one (AIO) parenteral admixture used for neonates, containing SMOFlipid, an alternative to soybean, an α-tocopherol-enriched lipid emulsion. SMOFlipid, consisting of soybean oil, medium chain triglycerides, olive oil and fish oil, was introduced commercially in 2005. Stability assays consisted of the assessment of the admixture's macroscopic aspect, droplet size distribution, pH, peroxide value and α-tocopherol concentration. The admixture was stored at room temperature or at 4°C and analysed over time (0, 24 and 48 h). The SMOFlipid-containing AIO parenteral admixture was shown to be physicochemically stable. All changes were reversible, the droplet size was under the upper limit (0.5 µm) set by the US Pharmacopeia, maximum loss for vitamin E was 25% and the lipid peroxidation occurred within 24 h after preparation. In conclusion, the addition of SMOFlipid to an AIO parenteral admixture for neonates did not affect its physicochemical stability, and it was safe for administration on the first day of its preparation

Vitamin D insufficiency in obese patients with severe mental illness taking olanzapine

The purpose of the study was to assess the vitamin D status of obese patients with severe mental illness (SMI) treated with olanzapine. Fifteen obese SMI patients treated with olanzapine were pair-matched with healthy obese subjects. Another 52 overweight and obese SMI patients volunteered to participate in the study (total n = 67) and were divided into three subgroups (group A = overweight, group B = obese, group C = severely obese). Anthropometric, body composition, blood glucose, lipids, 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone, and calcium measurements were performed. No differences were found between healthy and SMI subjects in any of the dependent variables (p > 0.05). The obese and severely obese patients demonstrated significantly lower levels of serum 25(OH)D concentration (p < 0.01) compared with overweight. A significant inverse correlation was found between serum 25(OH)D concentration and all anthropometric parameters (p < 0.05). The results indicate that obese SMI patients appear to be vitamin D deficient, similar to healthy obese subjects. The level of obesity seems to play a significant role in their vitamin D status: the greater the body fat of the patients the lower the serum 25(OH)D concentration. Thus, as in healthy individuals, an inverse association exists between the degree of adiposity and the serum 25(OH)D concentration in SMI patients © 2012 Springer-Verlag

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial of the effect of ω-3 fatty acids on the oxidative stress of preterm neonates fed through parenteral nutrition

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to research and draw conclusions about the effect of a parenteral nutrition (PN) fat emulsion, rich in-ω3 fatty acids, on the antioxidant markers of preterm infants, when compared with a standard fat emulsion. This was a double-blind, parallel-group study conducted in Athens, Greece, using an equal randomization method. Subjects/Methods: Thirty-eight infants were selected using a double-blind method and a computer-generated randomization list. Both groups received PN, based on the same protocols. Group A received SMOFlipid fat emulsion, while group B received the standard fat emulsion (Intralipid). Serum levels of vitamin A, E and total antioxidant potential (TAP) were measured on days 0, 7 and 14 of PN support. Clinical and biochemical data were collected on days 0, 14 and on the day of discharge. Results: Serum levels of vitamin E and A were significantly increased in group A, while only vitamin A serum level was increased in group B on the fourteenth day (group A: vitamin E: P-value0.002, vitamin A: P-value0.000, group B: vitamin E: P-value0.065, vitamin A: P-value0.000). TAP was increased only in the intervention group (group A: P-value0.000, group B: P-value0.287). Mild anemia was developed in both groups, while no differences were detected in the infection rate, days of hospitalization, days of ventilator support and days of phototherapy. Conclusions: Oxidative stress was significantly reduced in those neonates fed with ω-3 fatty acids, whereas no effect was observed in the neonates fed with standard lipids. Intervention had no effect on infants growth and clinical outcome. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved

Distribution of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract of children with no organic disease

Background This study aimed to assess the eosinophil (eos) density of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in children undergoing endoscopic procedures following an extensive workup, without diagnosis of an organic disease. Methods Biopsies from GI endoscopies performed at 3 major children’s hospitals (Athens, Madrid and Rome), between January 2012 and June 2018, were evaluated by a single pathologist in each center. Peak eos counts were expressed /high power field and /mm2. Other histological abnormalities were also reported. Results A total of 111 children (median age 11 years; 48 boys) underwent upper endoscopy (333 biopsies), while 44 (median age 12; 25 boys) underwent ileocolonoscopy (262 biopsies). The median (interquartile range) eos/mm2 were as follows: esophagus 0 (0-0); stomach 0 (0-3); duodenum 22 (13-29); ileum 29 (19-46); cecum 39 (25-71); ascending colon 24 (20-41); transverse colon 27 (21-57); descending colon 21 (13-27); sigmoid colon 22 (13-30); and rectum 10 (6-22). Geographical variations in GI tissue eos counts were found amongst the participating centers, but the causative factors need further evaluation. Functional GI disorders according to the Rome IV criteria were diagnosed in 73 children (37 boys, median age 13 years). No differences were found between children with or without functional GI disorder diagnosis, with regard to eos density in the GI tract. Conclusion The reported peak counts of GI tissue eos in children with no organic diseases provide normative values that may be useful in the evaluation of children with GI symptoms suggestive of eosinophilic GI disorders. © 2020 Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology