SLAB51 Multi-Strain Probiotic Formula Increases Oxygenation in Oxygen-Treated Preterm Infants.

Preterm infants are at risk of hypoxia and hyperoxia because of the immaturity of their respiratory and antioxidant systems, linked to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a single administration of the SLAB51 probiotic formula in improving oxygenation in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)-affected premature babies, thus reducing their need for oxygen administration. Additionally, the capability of SLAB51 in activating the factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) responsible for antioxidant responses was evaluated in vitro.

Acute Bronchiolitis: Is There a Role for Lung Ultrasound?

Introduction: Viral bronchiolitis is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in the first year of life, considered a health burden because of its morbidity and costs. Its diagnosis is based on history and physical examination and the role of radiographic examination is limited to atypical cases. Thus far, Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is not considered in the diagnostic algorithm for bronchiolitis.

Pigtail catheters versus traditional chest drains for pneumothorax treatment in two NICUs.

Pneumothorax in newborns can be life-threatening. The traditional treatment of pneumothorax is chest drain placement. Recently, modified pigtail catheter has been proposed as a less traumatic approach despite limited experience in infants.

Is Lactoferrin More Effective in Reducing Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Neonates Fed Formula Than in Those Receiving Mother's Own Milk? Secondary Analyses of Two Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Lactoferrin is the major antimicrobial protein in human milk. In our randomized controlled trial (RCT) of bovine lactoferrin (BLF) supplementation in preterm neonates, BLF reduced late-onset sepsis (LOS). Mother's own milk (MM) contains higher concentrations of lactoferrin than donor milk or formula, but whether BLF is more effective in infants who receive formula or donor milk is uncertain.

Lung Ultrasound: A New Tool in the Management of Congenital Lung Malformation.

Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate effectiveness of lung ultrasound (LUS) in the management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation and pulmonary sequestration in NICUs.

Study Design: This is a nonconsecutive case series of neonates admitted to the academic NICU of Policlinico of Bari, Italy, from 2010 to 2018, for suspected lung malformations and examined by LUS.

Results: Seven neonates were admitted for suspected pulmonary malformations, four neonates were diagnosed with pulmonary sequestration and three with congenital pulmonary airway malformation either type I (two cases) or type II (one case) according to Adzick classification.

Strategies for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Adopted in the "Real-World" Setting: Data From the Italian Register for HIV-1 Infection in Children.

Background: Strategies for prevention of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) have been continuously optimized. However, cases of vertical transmission continue to occur in high-income countries.

Objectives: To investigate changes in PMTCT strategies adopted by Italian clinicians over time and to evaluate risk factors for transmission.

Exposure to Gastric Acid Inhibitors Increases the Risk of Infection in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants but Concomitant Administration of Lactoferrin Counteracts This Effect.

Objective: To investigate whether exposure to inhibitors of gastric acidity, such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, can independently increase the risk of infections in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Study Design: This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of bovine lactoferrin (BLF) supplementation (with or without the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) vs placebo in prevention of late-onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Inhibitors of gastric acidity were used at the recommended dosages/schedules based on the clinical judgment of attending physicians.

The distinctive vertical heterophoria of dyslexics.

In this study, we looked for the presence of vertical heterophoria (VH) in 42 dyslexic children (22 males and 20 females) aged 118.5±12.9 months who were compared with a control group of 22 nondyslexic children (eleven males and eleven females) aged 112±9.

Bovine lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in very-low-birth-weight neonates: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: NEC is a common and severe complication in premature neonates, particularly those with very-low-birth-weight (VLBW, <1500 g at birth). Probiotics including lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) proved effective in preventing NEC in preterm infants in several RCTs.

Objective: Lactoferrin, a mammalian milk glycoprotein involved in innate immune host defences, can reduce the incidence of NEC in animal models, and its action is enhanced by LGG.

Bovine lactoferrin prevents invasive fungal infections in very low birth weight infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Lactoferrin is a mammalian milk glycoprotein involved in innate immunity. Recent data show that bovine lactoferrin (bLF) prevents late-onset sepsis in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial where preterm VLBW neonates randomly received bLF (100 mg/day; group A1), bLF + Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (10(6) colony-forming units per day; group A2), or placebo (group B) for 6 weeks.

Lactoferrin and prevention of late-onset sepsis in the pre-term neonates.

Late-onset sepsis (LOS) affects a large proportion of pre-term neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide, with high morbidity and related mortality, and frequent occurrence of severe late neurodevelopmental impairment. Due to the frequency, severity and difficulties in early diagnosis and prompt therapy, prevention is crucial for decreasing the burden of infection-related complications in NICUs. It is well known that feeding with fresh maternal milk, hygiene measures and the cautious use of H2-blockers are related with a decreased risk of developing sepsis.

Bovine lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of late-onset sepsis in very low-birth-weight neonates: a randomized trial.

Context: Sepsis is a common and severe complication in premature neonates, particularly those with very low birth weight (VLBW) (<1500 g). Whether lactoferrin, a mammalian milk glycoprotein involved in innate immune host defenses, can reduce the incidence of sepsis is unknown. In animal models, the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) enhances the activity of lactoferrin but has not been studied in human infants.

Coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in the ill preterm newborn.

Aim: The activation pattern of the clotting and fibrinolytic systems in 63 preterm infants (GA 31, 6 +/- 2.3 weeks) was studied.

Methods: The infants were divided into four groups: (i) IRDS, (ii) asphyxia at birth, (iii) sepsis, and (iv) mild infection.

[Seeing the timbre in the singing voice: training and retraining].

Voice clinicians, as well as singers, always correlate the assessment of the singing voice to the vocal and corporal gestures that model singing, and among these parameters, especially timbre. The authors have shown how and what to see in the timbre; first of all, through analysis of the voice by oscillography and sonagraphy, then through observation of the singing act in artists, with special interest for dynamic recordings by vuccal and nasal fibroscopy. In this manner, each variation of the timbre heard clearly corresponds to modifications of the glottic vibratory cycle, volume changes of the resonators, pharynx, oropharynx and buccal cavity.