Changes in inflammatory factors in the Brown Norway rat model of food allergy.

BACKGROUND: The role of serum S100A8/A9 in intestinal inflammation has been confirmed, and its role in food allergy is currently being investigated. OBJECTIVE: To explore the levels of S100A8/A9 and inflammatory factors, including Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), Nuclear transcription factors (NF-κB) and Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), in mild food allergies. METHODS: Eighty 3-week-old male Brown Norway rats were used. Forty rats were randomly assigned to the ovalbumin-sensitized experimental group, while 40 rats were assigned to the normal saline sham-sensitized control group. Body weight and length and the levels of serum ovalbumin-specific IgE (OVA-IgE), histamine, Th1-associated and Th2-associated factors, S100A8/A9 and inflammation-associated cytokines were compared. RESULTS: Through the evaluation of OVA-IgE level and Th1/Th2 balance in the experimental group, a successful IgE-mediated food allergy model was constructed. Compared with the control group, the experimental group had higher serum S100A8/A9 levels on days 21, 28, 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); higher TLR4 levels on days 28, 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); higher TNF-α levels on days 28, 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); higher NF-κB levels on days 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); and higher IL-1ß and IL-6 levels on days 7 to 42 (all P < 0.05). Moreover, positive correlations were found between the serum levels of S100A8/A9 and inflammation-associated cytokines [TNF-α: r = 0.378, P = 0.039; IL-1ß: r = 0.679, P = 0.000; IL-6: r = 0.590, P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: S100A8/A9 and inflammatory-related factors, including TLR4, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß, is closely related to food allergies. Moreover, immune and inflammatory factors interact with each other in food allergies, which may provide insight into food allergy causes and treatments.

Linear growth failure induced by systemic inflammation inhibiting IGF-1/IGFBP axis in rats with asymptomatic colitis.

BACKGROUND: Children in poor areas show significant growth retardation that does not improve with an adequate supply of energy and nutrients, which may be related to asymptomatic intestinal infection caused by poor sanitation. Our objective was to explore the mechanism of intestinal inflammation inhibiting growth in the setting of asymptomatic colitis. METHODS: Forty-eight 3-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, colitis group (with asymptomatic colitis induced by 2.5% trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid) and pair-fed group (daily food intake matched to the pair in the colitis group). The linear growth was assessed, and the plasma levels of hormone and systemic cytokines were detected and compared by independent two-sample t-test or one-way ANOVA among groups. RESULTS: At d5, the increases in the body length of the control, colitis and pair-fed groups were 1.65 ± 0.34 cm, 1.10 ± 0.30 cm and 1.38 ± 0.26 cm, respectively, and the increase in the body length in the colitis group was significantly less than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the levels of hormone and cytokines among three groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, rats in the colitis group exhibited linear growth failure, as well as higher expression of calprotectin, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2, lower insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, and lower expression of nuclear factor kappa B in hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to undernutrition, the systemic inflammatory response caused by asymptomatic colitis may inhibit the linear growth of rats by its influence on the insulin-like growth factor/insulin-like growth factor binding protein axis.

Effects of dietary intervention on vitamin B12 status and cognitive level of 18-month-old toddlers in high-poverty areas: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The local diet in high-poverty areas in China is mainly vegetarian, and children may be more vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore the vitamin B12 status of toddlers living in high-poverty areas of China and to observe the effects of different complementary foods on the vitamin B12 status and cognitive level of these toddlers. METHODS: The study was nested within a cluster-randomized controlled trial implemented in 60 administrative villages (clusters) of Xichou County in which infants aged 6 months old were randomized to receive 50 g/d of pork (meat group), an equi-caloric fortified cereal supplement (fortified cereal group) or local cereal supplement (local cereal group) for one year. At 18 months, a subsample of the 180 toddlers (60 from each group) was randomly tested for serum vitamin B12 and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, and their neurodevelopment was evaluated. RESULTS: The median serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and tHcy were 360.0 pg/mL and 8.2 µmol/L, respectively, in children aged 18 months. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations less than 300 pg/mL were found in 62 (34.4%) children, and concentrations less than 200 pg/mL were found in 30 (16.7%) children. The median vitamin B12 concentration was significantly different among the three groups (P < 0.001). The highest vitamin B12 level was demonstrated in the fortified cereal group (509.5 pg/mL), followed by the meat group (338.0 pg/mL) and the local cereal group (241.0 pg/mL). Vitamin B12 concentration was positively correlated with the cognitive score (P < 0.001) and the fine motor score (P = 0.023) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd Edition (BSID III) screening test. Compared to the local cereal group, children in the meat group had higher cognitive scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In poor rural areas of China, vitamin B12 deficiency in toddlers was common due to low dietary vitamin B12 intake. Fortified cereal and meat could help improve the vitamin B12 status of children and might improve their cognitive levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The larger trial in which this study was nested was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT00726102 . It was registered on July 31, 2008.

[Establishment of a rat model of oral food allergy].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a food allergy model in Brown Norway (BN) rats by gavage of ovalbumin (OVA) without any adjuvant, and to evaluate this model. METHODS: A total of 20 male BN rats aged 3 weeks were randomly divided into allergy group and control group (n=10 each). BN rats in the allergy group were given OVA 1 mg per day by gavage, and all the rats were treated for 41 days continuously. On day 42, the rats in the allergy group were given OVA 100 mg by gavage for challenge. The rats in the control group were given normal saline of the same volume by gavage. Differences in body length, body weight, and food intake were compared between the two groups on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. ELISA was used to measure the serum OVA-IgE level and plasma histamine level after challenge on day 42, and the changes in rats' appearance and fecal properties were observed. The model of food allergy was considered successful when the serum OVA-IgE level in the allergy group was no less than the mean serum OVA-IgE level + 3 standard deviation in the control group. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in body length, body weight or food intake between the allergy and control groups at all time points (P>0.05). On day 21, the control group had a significantly higher food intake than the allergy group (P<0.05). On day 42 after challenge, the allergy group showed significantly higher serum OVA-IgE and plasma histamine levels than the control group (P<0.05). The sensitization rate (rate of successful modeling) was 90%. The fecal properties showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: OVA by gavage without any adjuvant can successfully establish the model of food allergy in BN rats and has a high success rate. Food allergy induced by OVA may reduce food intake within a short period of time, but no influence on rats' body length or body weight has been observed.

Association between feeding practices and weight status in young children.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate feeding practices during infancy may lead to overweight. The aims of this study are to investigate the growth of children in the first 18 months of life; to evaluate the feeding practices of caregivers using developed Young Child Feeding Questionnaire; and to investigate caregivers' feeding attitudes and behaviors associated with infants' weight status. METHODS: Six month-old infants and their main caregivers entering the Kongjiang Community Health Center for a routine well-child check were recruited for this study and followed up every 6 months for 12 months. Questionnaire survey was carried out through on-site face-to-face interview at each visit with the main caregivers of children using Young Child Feeding Questionnaire, which included caregivers' feeding attitudes and behaviors. The weight and length of children were measured at each visit. RESULTS: Among 197 children who completed the investigation at 18 months of age, 64 (32.49%) children were overweight (BMI-for-age z scores > +1). The increases in weight-for-age z scores and BMI-for-age z scores from birth to 6 months, 12 to 18 months and birth to 18 months in overweight children were significantly higher than those in normal weight children (P < 0.001). In normal weight children, caregivers worried more about children's being "underweight" and "eating less" (P = 0.001), whereas caregivers with overweight children worried more about children's "eating too much" and being "overweight" (P < 0.001). In 64 overweight infants, the scores of "concern about child's food intake" were significantly correlated with increase in BAZ between 12 and 18 months (Bata = 0.293, P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Young Child Feeding Questionnaire is a valid tool for evaluating feeding practice of caregivers. The rapid BMI gain in overweight children may be associated with some inappropriate feeding attitudes and behaviors of caregivers.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Variations in Enzyme Production of Saccharopolyspora rosea A22 under Different Temperatures.

Saccharopolyspora is a key microorganism in the fermentation of traditional fermented foods, capable of producing saccharifying and liquefying enzymes at elevated temperatures. However, the specific mechanisms and regulatory pathways governing Saccharopolyspora's response to ambient temperatures are not yet fully understood. In this study, the morphological differences in Saccharopolyspora rosea screened from traditional handmade wheat Qu at different temperatures were initially explored. At 37 °C, the mycelium exhibited abundant growth and radiated in a network-like pattern. As the temperature increased, the mycelium aggregated into clusters. At 50 °C, it formed highly aggregated ellipsoidal structures, with the mycelium distributed on the spherical surface. Subsequently, we assessed the biomass, saccharifying enzyme activity and liquefying enzyme activity of Saccharopolyspora rosea cultured at 37 °C, 42 °C and 50 °C. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis demonstrated that Saccharopolyspora rosea employs mechanisms related to the carbon metabolism, the TCA cycle, glycine, serine and threonine metabolisms, and microbial metabolism in diverse environments to coordinate its responses to changes in environmental temperature, as verified by the expression of typical genes. This study enhances our understanding of the differences in high-temperature enzyme production by Saccharopolyspora, and offers valuable guidance for the traditional fermented food industry to drive innovation.

A summary index of infant and child feeding practices is associated with child growth in urban Shanghai.

BACKGROUND: Recently, an infant and child feeding index (ICFI) constructed on brief recalls of breastfeeding, feeding frequency and food diversification was assumed to provide long-term prediction about child feeding practices. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the cross-sectional ICFI (CS-ICFI) or longitudinal ICFI (L-ICFI) and child anthropometric indices in downtown Shanghai, China. METHODS: The prospective cohort study included 180 infants aged 5-7 mo with their main caregivers who were visited 3 times every 6 months over 12 months. A CS-ICFI was constructed for each visit by using data on feeding practices based on 24-h and 7-d recalls. An L-ICFI was constructed with use of the 3 CS-ICFIs. The associations between ICFI and length-for-age z score (LAZ), weight-for-age z score (WAZ), and weight-for-length z score (WLZ) were examined. The stability of the CS-ICFI was assessed by using repeatability coefficient (RC). RESULTS: The L-ICFI was positively associated with LAZ and WAZ at Visit 3(beta = 0.151, P = 0.040 and beta = 0.173, P = 0.024, respectively). Moreover, the CS-ICFI at Visit 1 was positively associated with LAZ, WAZ and WLZ (beta = 0.160, P = 0.029; beta = 0.191, P = 0.009; beta = 0.176, P = 0.020) at Visit 3, and the CS-ICFI at Visit 3 was also positively associated with LAZ (beta = 0.176, P = 0.016). Stability of the CS-ICFI was shown by the value of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.31) of the RC, which differed significantly from 0 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ICFI constructed on brief recalls based on cross-sectional studies can be used to evaluate the effects of child feeding practice on child growth.

[Intestinal inflammation-induced child growth failure: immunologic and endocrine mechanisms].

Faltering linear growth is commonly encountered in children with intestinal inflammation. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are important regulators of postnatal longitudinal bone growth. Inhibition of GH/IGF axis will result in growth failure in young children. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) abnormally increase in children with intestinal inflammation, and may affect linear growth both systemically and locally at the level of the growth plate though disturbing the GH/IGF axis.

Sex differences in the application of WHO standards to Shanghai infants from birth to 18 months.

BACKGROUND: The number of obese children in Shanghai has increased annually. Shanghai growth standards are higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO's) growth standards, which may influence caregiver feeding practices and enhance the risk of overweight in infants. METHOD: A cluster-randomized controlled trial analysed 15,019 infants (healthy newborns, ≥3 clinical consultations in one year) from 19 community health service centers in two urban areas in Shanghai. Randomization was performed at the community level. A total of 8510 infants in the S-group were assessed with the Shanghai growth standards, and 6509 infants in the W-group were assessed by the WHO growth standards. Follow-up data were collected at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months. Changes in the weight-for-age z score (WAZ), length-for-age z score (LAZ), and weight-for length z score (WLZ) were assessed using mixed regression models. Sex differences were compared between groups at all follow-up periods. RESULTS: Compared to the S-group, the percent of overweight in boys in the W-group significantly decreased starting at 9 months (4.9% vs 3.3%, P = 0.011 at 9 months, 4.5% vs 2.5%, P < 0.001 at 12 months and 3.1% vs 0.8%, P < 0.001 at 18 months), and the percent of overweight in girls in the W-group significantly decreased starting at 12 months (3.0% vs 1.8%, P = 0.009 at 12 months and 1.7% vs 0.6%, P = 0.039 at 18 months). A decreased weight in boys (from 4 months to 18 months, P < 0.05) and an increased length in girls (from 6 months to 18 months, P < 0.05) were the key reasons for the decreased overweight percentage in the W-group. CONCLUSION: The adoption of the WHO growth standards could result in markedly decreased weight gain in boys and increased length gain in girls beyond the age of 18 months among urban Shanghai infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1800015371.

Comparison of the effects of different growth standards on infants in Urban Shanghai: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The Shanghai growth standards are higher than World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards, which may influence the feeding practices of the caregivers and increase the risk of overweight in these infants. This study aimed to compare the effects of different growth standards on childhood obesity in Shanghai metropolitan area. METHODS: This was a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 2 downtown areas with 19 community health service centers in Shanghai from November 2013 to December 2015. Randomization was done at the level of the community. Infants (health newborns) were assessed and monitored by the Shanghai growth standards (S-group) and the 2006 WHO growth standards (W-group), respectively. Measurements were taken at 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 9.0 and 12.0 months of age during follow-up period. Based on the values of length and weight measurements, according to the group's growth standards, doctors provided the caregivers with corresponding clinical consultation. Changes in weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), length-for-age z-score (LAZ), and weight-for length z-score (WLZ) between 2 groups were assessed using mixed regression models. Overweight was compared between 2 group at all follow-up measurements. RESULTS: A total of 6509 infants (52.1% were boys) were in the W-group, and 8510 infants (51.4% were boys) were in the S-group. The overweight ratios between two groups were distinct at 9 months of age (3.4% in W-group and 4.3% in S-group) and 12 months of age (2.2% in W-group and 3.8% in S-group), and the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.020 and P < 0.001, respectively). Compared to W-group, the increase in WAZ (coefficient = 0.04, P = 0.004) and WLZ (coefficient = 0.09, P < 0.001) were significantly greater, and the LAZ was lower (coefficient = -0.04, P = 0.047) in S-group (W-group values were used as reference in mixed regression models). CONCLUSION: Compared to the Shanghai growth standards, the adoption of WHO 2006 growth standards would reduce the risk of infant overweight in Shanghai metropolitan area up to 1 year of age. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1800015371, http://www.chictr.org.cn/ Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

Lack of Dietary Diversity Contributes to the Gaps in Micronutrient Status and Physical Development between Urban and Rural Infants.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of malnutrition among Chinese infants has decreased, micronutrient deficiency is still common. This study aimed to describe and compare the status of micronutrient deficiency and its association with dietary variety and socio-demographic features among infants from urban and rural China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1200 children aged 18-month-old from rural villages in Yunnan and an urban city in Shanghai. Information on food intake was obtained from a 24-h dietary recall technique. Anthropometric measures, dietary diversity score (DDS), food variety score (FVS), and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) were calculated and compared. Correlations between DDS, FVS, MAR, NAR, and anthropometric measures were examined. RESULTS: Compared with urban area, DDS, FVS, and NAR of most micronutrients of infants from rural areas were significantly lower. These data corresponded to significant lower Z-scores of physical growth in rural infants. DDS, FVS, and NAR were positively correlated to anthropometric measures. CONCLUSION: Infants from rural areas consumed a significantly lower amount of micronutrient and had worse anthropometric measures. Both DDS and FVS could be used in dietary assessment studies on children. This is the first research quantified the difference in dietary diversity and micronutrient status of infants in rural and urban areas of China. Our work can potentially serve as a guide to infant feeding recommendations.

Upregulation of calprotectin in mild IgE-mediated ovalbumin hypersensitivity.

Calprotectin, also known as S100A8/A9, has been linked to gut inflammation caused by IgE-mediated food hypersensitivities, but the pathophysiologic abnormalities it causes remain to be determined. We created a mild food hypersensitivity model through oral gavage of ovalbumin in Norway brown rats without using immune adjuvant. Changes in the levels of calprotectin and inflammation-associated cytokines were then observed over time. We found that fecal calprotectin as well as jejunal and liver TLR4, TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-1ß, and IL-6 were upregulated in hypersensitive rats. Additionally, the influence of calprotectin on CD4+ T and dendritic cells was observed by co-culturing CD4+ T cells with dendritic cells, which revealed a shift toward increased Th2 T cells in calprotectin-treated cultures. These results suggest that calprotectin, along with other inflammatory factors, promotes the inflammation seen in mild food allergy.

Vitamin D Insufficiency and Its Association with Biochemical and Anthropometric Variables of Young Children in Rural Southwestern China.

BACKGROUND: With recognition of the important roles of Vitamin D (VitD) in various physiological processes, increasing attention has been drawn to the status of VitD in early life. However, the VitD status of young children and the related factors in rural areas of Southwestern China remain unclear. This study aimed to explore VitD status and its seasonal variation in 18-month-old children living in rural Southwestern China. The association of VitD with biochemical and anthropometric variables was also investigated. METHODS: A total of 177 18-month-old children in a rural area of Yunnan Province, Southwestern China, were enrolled. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured through high-performance liquid chromatogram-tandem mass spectrometry. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured with a chemiluminescence assay. Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also measured. Anthropometric data and the outdoor activity time of each participant were collected. RESULTS: The serum 25(OH)D concentration was 26.61 ± 7.26 ng/ml; concentrations lower than 30 ng/ml accounted for 70.6% of the participants and concentrations lower than 20 ng/ml accounted for 16.4%. The level of serum 25(OH)D was not significantly different among four seasons (P >0.05). A positive relationship was found between 25(OH)D concentration and the time of outdoor activities (r = 0.168, P < 0.05). Serum PTH concentration was negatively correlated with 25(OH)D concentration (r = -0.163, P < 0.05). A positive relationship was found between the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and calcium (r = 0.154, P < 0.05). No significant association was observed between 25(OH)D and ALP, phosphorus, or anthropometric variables. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of VitD insufficiency is high among young children in the rural Southwestern China regardless of the seasons. VitD supplementation is still essential to maintain VitD sufficiency for children living in rural area.

The Effect of Iron Fortification on Iron (Fe) Status and Inflammation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) is common in toddlers in developing countries. Iron fortified or meat-based complementary foods may be effective to prevent ID. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare iron status at 18 months and growth from 6 to 18 months in rural poor toddlers fed 3 different complementary foods. METHODS: The study was nested within a larger trial in which 6-month-old infants were randomized to receive 50g/d meat (MG), an equi-caloric fortified cereal supplement (FG) or local cereal supplement (LG) for 1 year. Hb, sTfR, HsCRP, ferritin and AGP were measured in 410 blood samples collected by a random sampling (MG, 137; FG, 140; LG, 133); calprotectin was measured in feces. Body iron = -[log (sTfR ×1000/ferritin)-2.8229] /0.1207. ID = ferritin<12ug/L. RESULTS: The toddlers in FG had the significantly highest levels in serum ferritin and body iron (P = 0.043, 0.004), and the rates of both ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were the lowest in FG (P = 0.010, 0.021). The rate of systemic inflammation in FG was 30.71%, which was the highest among three groups (P = 0.042). No intervention effects on either the rates of ID and IDA or iron stores (serum ferritin and body iron) were shown in MG. The change in length-for-age z scores (LAZ) from 6 to 18 months among three groups was significantly different (P = 0.021) and a smaller decrease of LAZ in MG and a larger decrease of LAZ in FG were observed. CONCLUSION: Iron fortified cereal improved iron status of poor rural toddlers but was also associated with systemic inflammation which was likely to impair their growth.

Fecal calprotectin concentrations in healthy children aged 1-18 months.

OBJECTIVE: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is an established biomarker of gut inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate FC concentrations in healthy children between 1 and 18 months of age. METHODS: Healthy children aged 1-18 months were enrolled in this study at the Department of Children's Health Care in Shanghai, China. Children's stool samples were collected and analyzed, and FC concentration was determined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children's weights and lengths were measured. Parents were asked to complete a brief questionnaire regarding several clinical and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: The FC concentrations were unevenly distributed; the median FC concentration was 174.3 µg/g (range: 6.0-1097.7 µg/g) or 2.241 log10 µg/g (range: 0.775-3.041 log10 µg/g) for all 288 children. The children were divided into several age groups: 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months and 12-18 months. The median FC concentrations for these age groups were 375.2 µg/g (2.574 log10 µg/g), 217.9 µg/g (2.338 log10 µg/g), 127.7 µg/g (2.106 log10 µg/g), 96.1 µg/g (1.983 log10 µg/g) and 104.2 µg/g (2.016 log10 µg/g), respectively. A significant correlation between age and FC concentration was found (r=-0.490, p<0.001). A simple correlation analysis of weight-for-length Z-scores or weight-for-age Z-scores vs. FC concentrations showed that these variables were negatively correlated (Spearman's rho=-0.287, p<0.001; Spearman's rho=-0.243, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The FC levels of children aged 1-18 months exhibit a downward trend with increasing age and are greater than the normal levels observed in healthy adults. In healthy children aged <6 months, FC levels are high. In children aged 6-18 months, FC concentrations are relatively low but are still higher than those of children aged >4 years.

Comparison of the different kinds of feeding on the level of fecal calprotectin.

BACKGROUND: Controversial results have been reported on the effect of type of feeding on the level of fecal calprotectin in infants. OBJECTIVE: To assess fecal calprotectin levels in breast fed or nonbreast fed healthy infants. DESIGN: A study was conducted to compare fecal calprotectin in infants who were exclusively breastfed compared to those who were not breastfed in Shanghai, China. Stool samples were collected and analyzed, and the fecal calprotectin concentration was determined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The infant's weight and length were measured. Parents were asked to fill in a brief questionnaire, with questions about several clinical and sociodemographic factors. SUBJECTS: This study included 105 healthy infants aged 0-5 months. RESULTS: Stool samples were obtained from 105 healthy infants (63 boys, 42 girls) with a median age of 2.86 months (range 1-5.88). The median fecal calprotectin concentration was significantly higher in breast fed infants (377µg/g, range 35-937µg/g) than that in nonbreast fed ones (233µg/g, range 37-895µg/g) (p=0.001). A correlation was found that from 0 to 5 months, fecal calprotectin was negatively and significantly associated with age in both two kinds of feeding (breast fed: Spearman's rho -0.346, p=0.010; nonbreast fed: Spearman's rho -0.478, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the kind of feeding influences the fecal calprotectin concentration and breast fed infants have higher levels than nonbreast fed ones in the first months of life. This may represent that human milk influences the gut mucosa by immunomodulating factors.

Feeding and growth of normal birth weight infants during the first year of life in Shanghai.

AIM: This study aimed to explore the relationship between infant feeding practices and growth outcomes in the first 12 months of life. DESIGN: Investigators completed 262 questionnaires, which included infant feeding patterns, feeding environment, feeding beliefs/attitudes and caregivers' feeding behaviors through on-site face-to-face interviews with the main caregivers of infants at 12 months of age. The infant's weight and length at ages 6 and 12 months were measured. SETTING: The study was conducted in urban Shanghai, China. SUBJECTS: This study included 262 healthy normal birth weight full-term singleton 6-month-old infants and their main caregivers. RESULTS: Among 262 infants, 86 (32.82%) infants were overweight [BMI-for-age z scores (BAZ)>+1] at 12 months. Compared with normal weight infants, the overweight infants had higher birth weights (P=0.009). Furthermore, the overweight infants gained significantly more weight (P<0.001) in the first year of life. In normal weight infants, caregivers worried more about infants being "underweight" and "eating less" (P<0.001) whereas caregivers with overweight infants worried more about infants being "overweight" (P<0.001). Consequently, the total score of caregivers' over-feeding behaviors was significantly higher in normal weight infants (P=0.029). However, in overweight infants, the scores of "fed quickly within 10 min" (r=0.223, P=0.039) and "feeding was the best way to stop the infant's fussiness" (r=0.285, P=0.008) were positively correlated with BAZ. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight in early life is associated with carelessness about excessive appetite and some particular infant feeding behaviors of caregivers in Shanghai.