Packed red blood cell transfusions as a risk factor for parenteral nutrition associated liver disease in premature infants.

Aim: To determine if packed red blood cell transfusions contribute to the development of parenteral nutrition associated liver disease.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 49 premature infants on parenteral nutrition for > 30 d who received packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions was performed. Parenteral nutrition associated liver disease was primarily defined by direct bilirubin (db) > 2.

Benefits of pre-, pro- and Syn-biotics for lung angiogenesis in malnutritional rats exposed to intermittent hypoxia.

Extremely low birth weight and reduced caloric intake have significant adverse effects on lung development and are risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is highly involved in lung microvascular development, and may be affected by nutritional status. To test the hypothesis that suboptimal nutrition decreases VEGF signaling in formula-fed neonatal rats, and to determine whether supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics ameliorate the effects, rat pups at birth (P0) were placed in room air (RA) or intermittent hypoxia (12%) during hyperoxia (50% O2) from birth to P3.

Cytokines and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways in the terminal ileum of hypoxic/hyperoxic neonatal rats: benefits of probiotics supplementation.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with the development of inflammatory bowel diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. We tested the hypothesis that probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics (a combination of pre- and probiotics) is effective for prevention of inflammatory responses to formula-feeding in the terminal ileum of neonatal rats.

Methods: Neonatal rats were exposed to hyperoxia/hypoxia during which they were either maternally-fed or hand-fed with formula supplemented with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics.

Comparative effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on growth factors in the large bowel in a rat model of formula-induced bowel inflammation.

Objectives: Supplementation with probiotics has been shown to prevent gastrointestinal damage possibly through preservation of growth factors. We tested the hypothesis that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics supplementation preserves intestinal insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and epidermal growth factors (EGFs) in formula-fed neonatal rats.

Materials And Methods: At birth (postnatal day 0 [P0]), neonatal rat pups (n = 18 pups/group) were either maternally fed or hand-gavaged with formula supplemented with probiotics (Pro-Fed), prebiotics, or synbiotics from P0 to P3.

Effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on messenger RNA expression of caveolin-1, NOS, and genes regulating oxidative stress in the terminal ileum of formula-fed neonatal rats.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) afflicts extremely low birth weight neonates, and probiotics reduces its incidence and severity. NO is involved in the pathogenesis of NEC, and caveolin-1 regulates NO signaling. We tested the hypothesis that intestinal caveolin-1 and NOS are deficient in formula-fed neonatal rats and that supplementation with "Florastar Kids" and/or galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides preserves caveolin-1 and NOS.

Valproic acid regulates catecholaminergic pathways by concentration-dependent threshold effects on TH mRNA synthesis and degradation.

The spectrum of neurological conditions and psychiatric disorders affected by valproic acid (VPA) ranges from control of seizure and mood disorders to migraine, neuropathic pain, and even congenital malformations and autism. While widely used clinically, the mechanism(s) of action of VPA is not completely understood. Emerging evidence indicates that brain noradrenergic systems contribute to the symptoms of mood disorders and may involve regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.

Necrotizing enterocolitis.

In necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) the small (most often distal) and/or large bowel becomes injured, develops intramural air, and may progress to frank necrosis with perforation. Even with early, aggressive treatment, the progression of necrosis, which is highly characteristic of NEC, can lead to sepsis and death. This article reviews the current scientific knowledge related to the etiology and pathogenesis of NEC and discusses some possible preventive measures.