Practices supporting cue-based breastfeeding of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units across Europe.

Background: Emerging knowledge about supportive neurodevelopmental neonatal care shows the need for an individual approach to establish breastfeeding. However, evidence on how cue-based breastfeeding is supported in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is scarce. Therefore, the aim was to describe supporting practices for cue-based breastfeeding.

Differences between neonatal units with high and low rates of breast milk feeding for very preterm babies at discharge: a qualitative study of staff experiences.

Background: Breast milk has significant benefits for preterm babies, but 'very preterm' babies are unable to feed directly from the breast at birth. Their mothers have to initiate and sustain lactation through expressing milk for tube feeding until their babies are developmentally ready to feed orally. There are wide disparities between neonatal units in England in rates of breast milk feeding at discharge.

Tissue-resident macrophages specifically express Lactotransferrin and Vegfc during ear pinna regeneration in spiny mice.

The details of how macrophages control different healing trajectories (regeneration vs. scar formation) remain poorly defined. Spiny mice (Acomys spp.

Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues.

Aging, often considered a result of random cellular damage, can be accurately estimated using DNA methylation profiles, the foundation of pan-tissue epigenetic clocks. Here, we demonstrate the development of universal pan-mammalian clocks, using 11,754 methylation arrays from our Mammalian Methylation Consortium, which encompass 59 tissue types across 185 mammalian species. These predictive models estimate mammalian tissue age with high accuracy (r > 0.

DNA methylation networks underlying mammalian traits.

Using DNA methylation profiles ( = 15,456) from 348 mammalian species, we constructed phyloepigenetic trees that bear marked similarities to traditional phylogenetic ones. Using unsupervised clustering across all samples, we identified 55 distinct cytosine modules, of which 30 are related to traits such as maximum life span, adult weight, age, sex, and human mortality risk. Maximum life span is associated with methylation levels in subclass homeobox genes and developmental processes and is potentially regulated by pluripotency transcription factors.

A transcriptionally repressed quiescence program is associated with paused RNA polymerase II and is poised for cell cycle re-entry.

Adult stem cells persist in mammalian tissues by entering a state of reversible quiescence, referred to as G0, which is associated with low levels of transcription. Using cultured myoblasts and muscle stem cells, we report that in G0, global RNA content and synthesis are substantially repressed, correlating with decreased RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) expression and activation. Integrating RNAPII occupancy and transcriptome profiling, we identify repressed networks and a role for promoter-proximal RNAPII pausing in G0.

mRNP granule proteins Fmrp and Dcp1a differentially regulate mRNP complexes to contribute to control of muscle stem cell quiescence and activation.

Background: During skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite stem cells use distinct pathways to repair damaged myofibers or to self-renew by returning to quiescence. Cellular/mitotic quiescence employs mechanisms that promote a poised or primed state, including altered RNA turnover and translational repression. Here, we investigate the role of mRNP granule proteins Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (Fmrp) and Decapping protein 1a (Dcp1a) in muscle stem cell quiescence and differentiation.

Rad-GTPase contributes to heart rate via L-type calcium channel regulation.

Sinoatrial node cardiomyocytes (SANcm) possess automatic, rhythmic electrical activity. SAN rate is influenced by autonomic nervous system input, including sympathetic nerve increases of heart rate (HR) via activation of β-adrenergic receptor signaling cascade (β-AR). L-type calcium channel (LTCC) activity contributes to membrane depolarization and is a central target of β-AR signaling.

Metabolic regulation of innate immune cell phenotypes during wound repair and regeneration.

Metabolism regulates an array of cellular processes from embryonic development through adulthood. These include proliferation, differentiation and the effector functions of adult cells to maintain homeostasis and repair. It is becoming clear that bioenergetic shifts can control how cells respond to environmental disruptions during tissue injury to initiate a healing response.

The primary cilium dampens proliferative signaling and represses a G2/M transcriptional network in quiescent myoblasts.

Background: Reversible cell cycle arrest (quiescence/G0) is characteristic of adult stem cells and is actively controlled at multiple levels. Quiescent cells also extend a primary cilium, which functions as a signaling hub. Primary cilia have been shown to be important in multiple developmental processes, and are implicated in numerous developmental disorders.

Improving infant outcomes through implementation of a family integrated care bundle including a parent supporting mobile application.

Objective: The aim of the Integrated Family Delivered Care (IFDC) programme was to improve infant health outcomes and parent experience through education and competency-based training.

Design: In collaboration with veteran parents' focus groups, we created an experienced co-designed care bundle including IFDC mobile application, which together with staff training programme comprised the IFDC programme. Infant outcomes were compared with retrospective controls in a prepost intervention analysis.

The transcription factor Lef1 switches partners from β-catenin to Smad3 during muscle stem cell quiescence.

Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs), also known as satellite cells, persist in adult mammals by entering a state of quiescence (G) during the early postnatal period. Quiescence is reversed during damage-induced regeneration and re-established after regeneration. Entry of cultured myoblasts into G is associated with a specific, reversible induction of Wnt target genes, thus implicating members of the Tcf and Lef1 (Tcf/Lef) transcription factor family, which mediate transcriptional responses to Wnt signaling, in the initiation of quiescence.

Comparative Evaluation of Frictional Properties, Load Deflection Rate and Surface Characteristics of Different Coloured TMA Archwires - An Invitro Study.

Introduction: During tooth movement the success of sliding mechanics is dependent upon various factors which include frictional resistance at bracket-archwire interface, surface roughness of archwire materials and elastic properties of archwires. Ion implantation techniques reduce the frictional force and allow better tooth movement clinically.

Aim: The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the frictional properties, load deflection rate and surface characteristics of Honey dew and Purple coloured (Ion implanted) TMA wires with uncoated TMA wires.

Drinking speed using a Pat Saunders valved straw, wide-bore straw and a narrow-bore straw in a normal adult population.

Background: Straw drinking is often recommended as a strategy for managing swallowing difficulties in adult clinical populations. This study presents a range of normal adult straw drinking speeds and discusses clinical applications.

Method: Straw drinking speed in a normal healthy population of 70 adults from 18 to 95 years of age was measured.

Feeding and communication impairments in infants with central grey matter lesions following perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic injury.

Background: Basal ganglia and thalamic (BGT) injury is common after acute perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia. Cerebral palsy is the most obvious consequence of BGT injury affecting 70-75% of survivors and is predictable from neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However there is no equivalent predictive data for other specific outcomes.

Drinking speed using a valved Pat Saunders straw, wide bore straw and a narrow bore straw in school-age children.

Background: To understand the nature of straw drinking in relation to a group of children with specific eating and drinking difficulties, it is first necessary to ascertain the range of normal function. Straw drinking is often recommended as a method that can support children with eating and drinking difficulties.

Method: This study looked at straw drinking performance in a normal population of 125 children aged between 6 and 11 years of age.

Consensus statement on standard of care for congenital muscular dystrophies.

Congenital muscular dystrophies are a group of rare neuromuscular disorders with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. Recent advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of congenital muscular dystrophy have enabled better diagnosis. However, medical care for patients with congenital muscular dystrophy remains very diverse.

Congenital stridor with feeding difficulty as a presenting symptom of Dok7 congenital myasthenic syndrome.

Objective: The congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of genetic disorders of neuromuscular transmission causing fatigable weakness. Symptoms may be present from birth, but diagnosis is often delayed for several years, notably in post-synaptic CMS due to mutations in the DOK7 gene. Recently, we noted a subgroup of children with CMS in whom congenital stridor and bilateral vocal cord palsy predated other symptoms.

Natural history of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy.

Objective: To describe the course, complications, and prognosis of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), with special reference to life-changing events, including loss of ambulation, respiratory insufficiency, and death.

Methods: Review of the case notes of 13 patients with UCMD, aged 15 years or older at last visit, followed up at a tertiary neuromuscular centre, London, UK, from 1977 to 2007. Data collected were age at onset of symptoms, presenting symptoms, mobility, contractures, scoliosis, skin abnormalities, respiratory function, and feeding difficulties.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes in childhood: diagnostic and management challenges.

The Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes (CMS), a group of heterogeneous genetic disorders of neuromuscular transmission, are often misdiagnosed as congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) or myopathies and present particular management problems. We present our experience of 46 children with CMS, referred to us between 1992-2007 with provisional diagnoses of congenital myopathy (22/46), CMS or limb-girdle myasthenia (9/46), central hypotonia or neurometabolic disease (5/46), myasthenia gravis (4/46), limb-girdle or congenital muscular dystrophy (4/46) and SMA (2/46). Diagnosis was often considerably delayed (up to 18y4 m), despite the early symptoms in most cases.

Feeding problems and malnutrition in spinal muscular atrophy type II.

The aim of the study was to conduct a survey using a dedicated questionnaire to assess feeding difficulties and weight gain in a population of 122 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type II patients, aged between 1 and 47 years. All the answers were entered in a database and were analysed subdividing the cohort into age groups (1-5, 6-10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, and 30-50 years). Six out of our 122 patients (5%), all younger than 11 years, had weights more than 2SD above the median for age matched controls, whilst 45 (37%) had weights less than 2SD below the median.