Effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements on growth, psychomotor development, iron status, and morbidity among 6- to 12-mo-old infants in South Africa: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Evidence on the effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) on early child growth and development is mixed.

Objective: This study assessed the effect of daily consumption of 2 different SQ-LNS formulations on linear growth (primary outcome), psychomotor development, iron status (secondary outcomes), and morbidity in infants from age 6 to 12 mo within the context of a maize-based complementary diet.

Methods: Infants (n = 750) were randomly assigned to receive SQ-LNS, SQ-LNS-plus, or no supplement.

Inhibition of iron absorption by calcium is modest in an iron-fortified, casein- and whey-based drink in Indian children and is easily compensated for by addition of ascorbic acid.

Background: Calcium inhibits and ascorbic acid (AA) enhances iron absorption from iron-fortified foods. Absorption efficiency depends on iron status, although the interaction is unclear.

Objective: We investigated the ability of AA to overcome calcium-induced inhibition of iron absorption in children differing in iron status.

Rice-based oral antibody fragment prophylaxis and therapy against rotavirus infection.

Rotavirus-induced diarrhea is a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals and in children in developing countries. We have developed a system for prophylaxis and therapy against rotavirus disease using transgenic rice expressing the neutralizing variable domain of a rotavirus-specific llama heavy-chain antibody fragment (MucoRice-ARP1). MucoRice-ARP1 was produced at high levels in rice seeds using an overexpression system and RNAi technology to suppress the production of major rice endogenous storage proteins.

Anti-rotavirus protein reduces stool output in infants with diarrhea: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Rotavirus infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children younger than 5 years of age. Current treatment options are limited. We assessed the efficacy of a llama-derived, heavy-chain antibody fragment called anti-rotavirus protein (ARP1), in modifying the severity and duration of diarrhea in male infants with rotavirus infection.

In vitro neutralisation of rotavirus infection by two broadly specific recombinant monovalent llama-derived antibody fragments.

Rotavirus is the main cause of viral gastroenteritis in young children. Therefore, the development of inexpensive antiviral products for the prevention and/or treatment of rotavirus disease remains a priority. Previously we have shown that a recombinant monovalent antibody fragment (referred to as Anti-Rotavirus Proteins or ARP1) derived from a heavy chain antibody of a llama immunised with rotavirus was able to neutralise rotavirus infection in a mouse model system.

Random serial sampling to evaluate efficacy of iron fortification: a randomized controlled trial of margarine fortification with ferric pyrophosphate or sodium iron edetate.

Background: Random serial sampling is widely used in population pharmacokinetic studies and may have advantages compared with conventional fixed time-point evaluation of iron fortification.

Objective: Our objective was to validate random serial sampling to judge the efficacy of iron fortification of a low-fat margarine.

Design: We conducted a 32-wk placebo-controlled, double-blind, iron-intervention trial in 18-40-y-old Swiss women (n = 142) with serum ferritin (SF) concentrations <25 μg/L.

Therapeutic effect of llama derived VHH fragments against Streptococcus mutans on the development of dental caries.

Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of dental caries. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of variable regions of a llama heavy chain antibody fragments directed against S. mutans named S36-VHH (S for Streptococcus) alone or fused with glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger.

Llama antibodies against a lactococcal protein located at the tip of the phage tail prevent phage infection.

Bacteriophage p2 belongs to the most prevalent lactococcal phage group (936) responsible for considerable losses in industrial production of cheese. Immunization of a llama with bacteriophage p2 led to higher titers of neutralizing heavy-chain antibodies (i.e.

Induced refolding of a temperature denatured llama heavy-chain antibody fragment by its antigen.

In a previous study we have shown that llama VHH antibody fragments are able to bind their antigen after a heat shock of 90 degrees C, in contrast to the murine monoclonal antibodies. However, the molecular mechanism by which antibody:antigen interaction occurs under these extreme conditions remains unclear. To examine in more detail the structural and thermodynamic aspects of the binding mechanism, an extensive CD, ITC, and NMR study was initiated.

Single-domain antibody fragments with high conformational stability.

A variety of techniques, including high-pressure unfolding monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, have been used to investigate the equilibrium folding properties of six single-domain antigen binders derived from camelid heavy-chain antibodies with specificities for lysozymes, beta-lactamases, and a dye (RR6). Various denaturing conditions (guanidinium chloride, urea, temperature, and pressure) provided complementary and independent methods for characterizing the stability and unfolding properties of the antibody fragments. With all binders, complete recovery of the biological activity after renaturation demonstrates that chemical-induced unfolding is fully reversible.