Weight shapes the intestinal microbiome in preterm infants: results of a prospective observational study.

Background: The intestinal microbiome in preterm infants differs markedly from term infants. It is unclear whether the microbiome develops over time according to infant specific factors.

Methods: We analysed (clinical) metadata - to identify the main factors influencing the microbiome composition development - and the first meconium and faecal samples til the 4th week via 16 S rRNA amplican sequencing.

Increased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in the Netherlands after implementation of the new Dutch guideline for active treatment in extremely preterm infants: Results from three academic referral centers.

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe inflammatory disease, mostly occurring in preterm infants. The Dutch guidelines for active treatment of extremely preterm infants changed in 2006 from 26+0 to 25+0weeks of gestation, and in 2010 to 24+0 of gestation. We aimed to gain insight into the incidence, clinical outcomes and treatment strategies, in three academic referral centers in the Netherlands over the last nine years.

Identification of bacterial invasion in necrotizing enterocolitis specimens using fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Objective: Investigation of bacterial invasion into the intestinal wall in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) specimens.

Study Design: We compared 43 surgical NEC specimens with 43 age-matched controls. We used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), a universal bacterial probe together with species-specific probes for Clostridium spp.

Paneth cells in the developing gut: when do they arise and when are they immune competent?

Background: Little is known about the perinatal development of Paneth cells (PCs) during gestation and the relation with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We aimed to investigate when PCs arise and when they become immune competent during gestation.

Methods: We included 57 samples of ileum tissue of fetuses/infants with a gestional age (GA) between 9 and 40 wk taken as part of a standard autopsy procedure.

The relation between splanchnic ischaemia and intestinal damage in necrotising enterocolitis.

Objectives: The underlying pathophysiology of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) remains incompletely understood, particularly the role of intestinal perfusion. We aimed to determine the relation between cerebral and splanchnic fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE), a marker for tissue underperfusion, with intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in plasma (I-FABPp), a marker for intestinal damage, in infants with NEC. Furthermore, we investigated the combined courses of cerebral and splanchnic FTOE values and I-FABPp levels in uncomplicated (conservative treatment) and complicated NEC (surgery or death).

A Necrotizing Enterocolitis-Associated Gut Microbiota Is Present in the Meconium: Results of a Prospective Study.

Background: Anomalous intestinal microbiota development is supposedly associated with development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Our aim in this study was to identify the intestinal microbiota of patients at risk for NEC.

Methods: In a prospective trial that investigated prognostic factors for development of NEC in high-risk neonates (NTR4153), 11 NEC cases were gestational age/birthweight matched with controls (ratio of 1:2).

Risk factors associated with postnecrotizing enterocolitis strictures in infants.

Introduction: Survivors of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) often develop a post-NEC intestinal stricture, causing severe and prolonged morbidity.

Objectives: We first aimed to determine the incidence of post-NEC strictures. Second, we aimed to determine risk factors associated with intestinal post-NEC strictures.

The clinical utility of reticular basement membrane thickness measurements in asthmatic children.

Objective: Reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness is one of the pathological features of asthma and can be measured in endobronchial biopsies. We assessed the feasibility of endobronchial biopsies in a routine clinical setting and investigated the clinical value of RBM thickness measurements for asthma diagnosis in children.

Methods: We included all children who underwent bronchoscopy with endobronchial mucosal biopsies for clinical reasons and divided them into three subgroups: (1) no asthma, (2) mild-moderate asthma, and (3) problematic severe asthma.

Bloodstream infections during the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis and their relation with the pro-inflammatory response, gut wall integrity and severity of disease in NEC.

Introduction: Bacterial involvement is believed to play a pivotal role in the development and disease outcome of NEC. However, whether a bloodstream infection (BSI) predisposes to NEC (e.g.

Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels in Necrotizing Enterocolitis correlate with extent of necrotic bowel: results from a multicenter study.

Background: Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) is considered as a specific marker for enterocyte damage in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma and urinary I-FABP levels with the extent of macroscopic intestinal necrosis in surgical NEC.

Methods: We combined data from prospective trials from two large academic pediatric surgical centers.

[Oral florid papillomatosis or "speckled" leukoplakia? A discussion with reference to three cases (author's transl)].

Three patients in whom the diagnosis of oral florid papillomatosis or speckled leukoplakia was made are reported. All three patients were elderly men, who had been heavy smokers for years. In two of the treated patients the disease recurred.