The prebiotic effect of α-1,2 branched, low molecular weight dextran in the batch and continuous faecal fermentation system

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of smaller molecular weight (0.5 and 1.0 kDa) on prebiotic efficacy and its putative sustainability in the human gut. The prebiotic effect of α-1,2 branched, 0.5 and 1 kDa dextrans were evaluated in faecal batch fermentations as compared with inulin. Both dextrans induce similar selectivity towards Bifidobacterium sp., Lactobacillus/Enterococcus and Bacteroides/Prevotella, and producing similar concentrations of short chain fatty acids. However, the 0.5 kDa dextran was fermented faster than the 1 kDa dextran, where both produced lower amount of gas than inulin. The fermentation of 1 kDa dextran was further investigated in continuous gut models. The dextran increased Bifidobacterium and Roseburia sp. populations in the final vessel, while decreasing Clostridium histolyticum and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Overall, the α-1,2 branched, 1 kDa dextran induced selective effect on the gut microbiota and stimulated short chain fatty acids, indicating prebiotic sustainability in distal regions of the gut

A Transiting Planet of a Sun-like Star

A planet transits an 11th magnitude, G1V star in the constellation Corona Borealis. We designate the planet XO-1b, and the star, XO-1, also known as GSC 02041-01657. XO-1 lacks a trigonometric distance; we estimate it to be 200+-20 pc. Of the ten stars currently known to host extrasolar transiting planets, the star XO-1 is the most similar to the Sun in its physical characteristics: its radius is 1.0+-0.08 R_Sun, its mass is 1.0+-0.03 M_Sun, V sini < 3 km/s, and its metallicity [Fe/H] is 0.015+-0.04. The orbital period of the planet XO-1b is 3.941534+-0.000027 days, one of the longer ones known. The planetary mass is 0.90+-0.07 M_Jupiter, which is marginally larger than that of other transiting planets with periods between 3 and 4 days. Both the planetary radius and the inclination are functions of the spectroscopically determined stellar radius. If the stellar radius is 1.0+-0.08 R_Sun, then the planetary radius is 1.30+-0.11 R_Jupiter and the inclination of the orbit is 87.7+-1.2 degrees. We have demonstrated a productive international collaboration between professional and amateur astronomers that was important to distinguishing this planet from many other similar candidates.Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures, accepted for part 1 of Ap

Neonatal jaundice and developmental impairment among infants in Kilifi, Kenya

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is common in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), and it is associated with sepsis. Despite the high incidence, little has been documented about developmental impairments associated with NNJ in SSA. In particular, it is not clear if sepsis is associated with greater impairment following NNJ. Methods: We followed up 169 participants aged 12 months (57 cases and 112 controls) within the Kilifi Health Demographic Surveillance System. The diagnosis of NNJ was based on clinical laboratory measurement of total serum bilirubin on admission, whereas the developmental outcomes were assessed using the Developmental Milestones Checklist and Kilifi Development Inventory. Results: There were significant differences between the cases and controls in all developmental domains. Cases scored lower in language functioning (mean [M] = 6.5, standard deviation [SD] = 4.3 vs. M = 8.9, SD = 4.6; p \u3c .001); psychomotor functioning (Mdn = 23, interquartile range [IQR] = 17–34 vs. Mdn = 31.0, IQR = 22.0–44.0; Mann–Whitney U = 4,122, p = .002); and socio‐emotional functioning ([Mdn = 30.0, IQR = 27.0–33.0 vs. Mdn = 34.0, IQR = 30.0–37.0], Mann–Whitney U = 4,289, p \u3c .001). There was no evidence of association between sepsis and psychomotor (rpb = −.2, p = .214), language (rpb = −.1, p = .510), and socio‐emotional functioning (rpb = .0, p = .916). Significant and medium to large portions of the variance (34–64%) in the developmental outcomes among children who survived NNJ were associated with home birth, low maternal education, and feeding problems during the first days of life. Conclusions: NNJ is associated with developmental impairments in the early childhood years; however, NNJ associated with sepsis does not lead to more severe impairment. Prenatal and postnatal care services are needed to reduce the negative impact of NNJ for children from low resourced settings

Reduction of Birth Weight Among Infants Born to Adolescents: Maternal–Fetal Growth Competition

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72838/1/j.1749-6632.1997.tb48213.x.pd

Giant aneurysm of the atrial septum associated with premature closure of foramen ovale

Premature closure or restriction of foramen ovale (PCFO) is a rare congenital anomaly that can lead to a wide spectrum of cardiac malformations. This spectrum of secondary malformations appears to depend on the gestational timing of closure of the foramen ovale and to the degree of restriction. Earlier in the gestation, closure of the foramen has been associated with severe hypoplasia of the left ventricle whereas later closure has been associated with right heart failure and rarely with the formation of an aneurysm of the atrial septum. We describe the case of a 1 day old infant in whom PCFO resulted in severe right heart failure in addition to the formation of a giant atrial septal aneurysm

A perspective on SIDS pathogenesis. The hypotheses: plausibility and evidence

Several theories of the underlying mechanisms of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have been proposed. These theories have born relatively narrow beach-head research programs attracting generous research funding sustained for many years at expense to the public purse. This perspective endeavors to critically examine the evidence and bases of these theories and determine their plausibility; and questions whether or not a safe and reasoned hypothesis lies at their foundation. The Opinion sets specific criteria by asking the following questions: 1. Does the hypothesis take into account the key pathological findings in SIDS? 2. Is the hypothesis congruent with the key epidemiological risk factors? 3. Does it link 1 and 2? Falling short of any one of these answers, by inference, would imply insufficient grounds for a sustainable hypothesis. Some of the hypotheses overlap, for instance, notional respiratory failure may encompass apnea, prone sleep position, and asphyxia which may be seen to be linked to co-sleeping. For the purposes of this paper, each element will be assessed on the above criteria