Early milk diet of infants and the effect on their body composition and growth and development in the first two years of life

Background: Nutrition in the first few months of life has important effects on long-term growth. The aim of this PhD was to investigate the effect of an infant’s milk diet (both formula and breastmilk intake) in the first two months of life on body composition at two months of age, growth in the first two years of life and neurodevelopment at two years; and to examine whether breast- and formula-fed infants differ at birth, confounding the true effect of breastfeeding. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the feeding patterns, growth and development of children in the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study. Descriptive and multivariate (multi-linear and logistic regression) analysis was employed. Results: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit had the greatest negative impact on exclusively breastfeeding at two months (adjusted odds ratio = 0.20 (95% CI 0.05, 0.83)). Nearly twice as many exclusively formula-fed infants experienced early rapid growth (ERG) at two months compared to exclusively breastfed infants, n=87 (30%) vs n=56 (16.9%), respectively. Infants that experienced ERG saw an increase in their weight-for-height (wfh) z-score at 24 months compared to infants that did not experience ERG, β=0.39 (95% CI 0.19, 0.54). Breastfed infants had a higher mean(SD) birthweight to formula-fed infants, 3.56(0.42)kg versus 3.46(0.44)kg, respectively. However, breastfed infants had a lower mean(SD) percentage fat mass at birth compared to formula-fed infants, 10.01(3.71)% versus 12.05(4.06)%. Conclusion statement: By two months of age few Irish infants are exclusively breastfed. Formula supplementation and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit in the maternity hospital shortened breastfeeding duration. Formula feeding increased the odds of ERG and experiencing ERG at two months increased a child’s wfh z-score at 24 months. Breastfed infants were different in growth and body composition at birth in our cohort

The Ursinus Weekly, October 18, 1954

Hazel invades Y-retreat but festivities continue • Juniors next for pictures • Intramural debate to be held Friday • B.A. admission tests • Sorority rushing schedule set up by I-S Council • Guilty or not guilty answer to Jan. 16th • Old Timers\u27 Day big day for alumni and students • Carl Smith FTAVP • Pre-legal to hold meeting • Politics and humor mix at first Ursinus Forum • MSGA holds open meeting • Political situation in France topic at French Club meeting • New Weekly series to start • Students attend Chi Alpha meeting: Aregood presides • Fraternities view prospects • Lantern adds 13 members • Abstractly speaking • Cheers for the substitutes • Dinner opens Canterbury year • Belles blank Garnet by 3-0 • Curtis captures title by downing Brodbeck • Weekly sponsors music poll • Gridmen rebound to stall Haverford, 12-0 • Booters remain undefeated; Zartman, Dawkins, Burger star • Supply Store reveals policyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1456/thumbnail.jp

Infant formula feeding practices in a prospective population based study

Background: It is recommended that formula-fed infants are given standard whey-based infant formula throughout the first year of life, unless otherwise advised by healthcare professionals. To our knowledge it has not yet been explored if parents are using a whey-based infant formula throughout the first 12 months of life. Reasons for parental choice of formula are also unknown. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to describe parental administration of whey-based and non whey-based infant formula in the first year of life. Methods: Data collected as part of the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study examined infant feeding practices at 2, 6 and 12 months of age. Descriptive analysis explored infant feeding practices and parental reasons for changing from a whey-based to a non whey-based infant formula. Multiple logistic regression investigated parental and infant characteristics associated with the use of whey-based infant formula. Results: In total, 62.4%, 40.4% and 12.8% parent(s) at 2, 6 and 12 months, respectively, gave their infant whey-based infant formula. No parental or infant characteristic was found to consistently influence the use of whey-based infant formula. The most common reason reported by parent(s) for changing their infant’s formula to a non whey-based formula was that they perceived their baby as being hungry. Conclusion: The majority of parent(s) commence their infants on whey-based formula, but most change to non whey-based formula before 12 months of age. Parental perception of infant satiety and not healthcare advice was the most common reason for changing from a whey-based to a non whey-based infant formula. Additional research is now required to investigate the effect of whey-based and non whey-based infant formula on infant growth

DNMT3B PWWP mutations cause hypermethylation of heterochromatin

The correct establishment of DNA methylation patterns is vital for mammalian development and is achieved by the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B. DNMT3B localises to H3K36me3 at actively transcribing gene bodies via its PWWP domain. It also functions at heterochromatin through an unknown recruitment mechanism. Here we find that knockout of DNMT3B causes loss of methylation predominantly at H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin and that DNMT3B PWWP domain mutations or deletion result in striking increases of methylation in H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin. Removal of the N-terminal region of DNMT3B affects its ability to methylate H3K9me3-marked regions. This region of DNMT3B directly interacts with HP1 and facilitates the bridging of DNMT3B with H3K9me3-marked nucleosomes in vitro. Our results suggest that DNMT3B is recruited to H3K9me3 marked heterochromatin in a PWWP-independent mannerthat is facilitated by the protein’s N-terminal region through an interaction with a key heterochromatin protein. More generally, we suggest that DNMT3B plays a role in DNA methylation homeostasis at heterochromatin, a process which is disrupted in cancer, aging and Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability and Facial Anomalies (ICF) syndrome

DNMT3B PWWP mutations cause hypermethylation of heterochromatin

The correct establishment of DNA methylation patterns is vital for mammalian development and is achieved by the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B. DNMT3B localises to H3K36me3 at actively transcribing gene bodies via its PWWP domain. It also functions at heterochromatin through an unknown recruitment mechanism. Here, we find that knockout of DNMT3B causes loss of methylation predominantly at H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin and that DNMT3B PWWP domain mutations or deletion result in striking increases of methylation in H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin. Removal of the N-terminal region of DNMT3B affects its ability to methylate H3K9me3-marked regions. This region of DNMT3B directly interacts with HP1α and facilitates the bridging of DNMT3B with H3K9me3-marked nucleosomes in vitro. Our results suggest that DNMT3B is recruited to H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin in a PWWP-independent manner that is facilitated by the protein’s N-terminal region through an interaction with a key heterochromatin protein. More generally, we suggest that DNMT3B plays a role in DNA methylation homeostasis at heterochromatin, a process which is disrupted in cancer, aging and Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability and Facial Anomalies (ICF) syndrome

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Diagnostic accuracy of the Cepheid 3-gene host response fingerstick blood test in a prospective, multi-site study: interim results.

BACKGROUND: The development of a fast and accurate, non-sputum-based point-of-care triage test for tuberculosis (TB) would have a major impact on combating the TB burden worldwide. A new fingerstick blood test has been developed by Cepheid (the Xpert-MTB-Host Response (HR)-Prototype), which generates a 'TB score' based on mRNA expression of 3 genes. Here we describe the first prospective findings of the MTB-HR prototype. METHODS: Fingerstick blood from adults presenting with symptoms compatible with TB in South Africa, The Gambia, Uganda and Vietnam was analysed using the Cepheid GeneXpert MTB-HR prototype. Accuracy of the Xpert MTB-HR cartridge was determined in relation to GeneXpert Ultra results and a composite microbiological score (GeneXpert Ultra and liquid culture) with patients classified as having TB or other respiratory diseases (ORD). RESULTS: When data from all sites (n=75 TB, 120 ORD) were analysed, the TB score discriminated between TB and ORD with an AUC of 0·94 (CI, 0·91-0·97), sensitivity of 87% (CI, 77-93%) and specificity of 94% (88-97%). When sensitivity was set at 90% for a triage test, specificity was 86% (CI, 75-97%). These results were not influenced by HIV status or geographical location. When evaluated against a composite microbiological score (n=80 TB, 111 ORD), the TB score was able to discriminate between TB and ORD with an AUC of 0·88 (CI, 0·83-0·94), 80% sensitivity (CI, 76-85%) and 94% specificity (CI, 91-96%). CONCLUSIONS: Our interim data indicate the Cepheid MTB-HR cartridge reaches the minimal target product profile for a point of care triage test for TB using fingerstick blood, regardless of geographic area or HIV infection status

TBVAC2020: Advancing tuberculosis vaccines from discovery to clinical development

TBVAC2020 is a research project supported by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Commission (EC). It aims at the discovery and development of novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines from preclinical research projects to early clinical assessment. The project builds on previous collaborations from 1998 onwards funded through the EC framework programs FP5, FP6, and FP7. It has succeeded in attracting new partners from outstanding laboratories from all over the world, now totaling 40 institutions. Next to the development of novel vaccines, TB biomarker development is also considered an important asset to facilitate rational vaccine selection and development. In addition, TBVAC2020 offers portfolio management that provides selection criteria for entry, gating, and priority settings of novel vaccines at an early developmental stage. The TBVAC2020 consortium coordinated by TBVI facilitates collaboration and early data sharing between partners with the common aim of working toward the development of an effective TB vaccine. Close links with funders and other consortia with shared interests further contribute to this goal

Clinical outcomes and response to treatment of patients receiving topical treatments for pyoderma gangrenosum: a prospective cohort study

Background: pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon dermatosis with a limited evidence base for treatment. Objective: to estimate the effectiveness of topical therapies in the treatment of PG. Methods: prospective cohort study of UK secondary care patients with a clinical diagnosis of PG suitable for topical treatment (recruited July 2009 to June 2012). Participants received topical therapy following normal clinical practice (mainly Class I-III topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus 0.03% or 0.1%). Primary outcome: speed of healing at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes: proportion healed by 6 months; time to healing; global assessment; inflammation; pain; quality-of-life; treatment failure and recurrence. Results: Sixty-six patients (22 to 85 years) were enrolled. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% was the most commonly prescribed therapy. Overall, 28/66 (43.8%) of ulcers healed by 6 months. Median time-to-healing was 145 days (95% CI: 96 days, ∞). Initial ulcer size was a significant predictor of time-to-healing (hazard ratio 0.94 (0.88;80 1.00); p = 0.043). Four patients (15%) had a recurrence. Limitations: No randomised comparator Conclusion: Topical therapy is potentially an effective first-line treatment for PG that avoids possible side effects associated with systemic therapy. It remains unclear whether more severe disease will respond adequately to topical therapy alone