Beta-palmitate - a natural component of human milk in supplemental milk formulas.

The composition and function of human milk is unique and gives a basis for the development of modern artificial milk formulas that can provide an appropriate substitute for non-breastfed infants. Although human milk is not fully substitutable, modern milk formulas are attempting to mimic human milk and partially substitute its complex biological positive effects on infants. Besides the immunomodulatory factors from human milk, research has been focused on the composition and structure of human milk fat with a high content of ß-palmitic acid (sn-2 palmitic acid, ß-palmitate). According to the available studies, increasing the content of ß-palmitate added to milk formulas promotes several beneficial physiological functions. ß-palmitate positively influences fatty acid metabolism, increases calcium absorption, improves bone matrix quality and the stool consistency, and has a positive effect on the development of the intestinal microbiome.

Pulmonary function tests in type 1 diabetes adolescents with diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.

Chronic diabetic complications may afflict all organ tissues including cardiovascular and respiratory system. The aim of the study was to establish if the presence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) was associated with impaired pulmonary function tests in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). 46 adolescents with T1D and 25 healthy subjects at the age 15-19years were enrolled to the study. Basic anthropometric data, diabetes onset and duration, plasma glucose and A1c were established. Pulmonary function tests were measured by spirometry and the presence of CAN was examined by heart rate variability. Adolescents with T1D had significantly lower pulmonary function test parameters - FVC (p<0.01), FEV1 (p<0.01), MMEF (p<0.05) and PEFR (p<0.05) compared to the control subjects. In diabetic group, patients with CAN (CAN+, n=19) had significantly lower FVC (p<0.05), FEV1 (p<0.05) and PEFR (p<0.05) compared to patients without CAN (CAN-, n=27). All spirometric parameters were significantly lower in CAN+ subjects compared to healthy controls; however, no significant difference was found in these parameters between CAN- subjects and healthy controls. Spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1) significantly positively correlated with diabetes onset and body mass index; and negatively correlated with diabetes duration and resting heart rate. Our results indicate that CAN may be associated with reduced pulmonary functions in adolescents with T1D.

Adrenergic and acetylcholinesterase-positive innervation of palatine tonsils in mammals.

Innervation of human, feline and rabbit palatine tonsils was investigated. Adrenergic nerve components were visualized by formaldehyde-induced fluorescence of catecholamines and 5-HT, or by glyoxylic acid fluorescence, whereas acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive nerve structures were demonstrated by the direct thiocholine method. The largest density of adrenergic and AChE-positive nerve profiles was found in the adventitia of arterial branches in the fibrous capsula and septa, mainly in the form of periarterial nerve plexuses of different density. Fine nerve fibres lined the wall of small arteries which penetrated into extrafollicular lymphoid tissue and marginal layers of follicles. It is concluded that there are significant species-specific differences related to density, nature and topographic relations of adrenergic and AChE-positive nerve fibres in the various structural parts of palatine tonsils.