Effects of Oral Lipid-Based nutritional supplements on appetite, energy intake, and lipid profile of moderately underweight children.

Oral lipid-based nutritional supplements (LNS) are designed to ensure dietary adequacy and to improve malnourishment in children. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 4 weeks of LNS on appetite, energy intake, and lipid profile of moderately underweight children (5-10 years old) with BMI-Z score between -2 and - 3 SDS, recruited in a single-blind randomized control trial. In addition to the regular dietary intake, fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, energy intake, and appetite responses were obtained before and after 4 weeks of LNS (535 kcal) or PLACEBO (92 kcal). After 4 weeks of supplementation mean energy intake (kcal) (p < .001), body weight (kg) (p < .001), BMI (kg/m2) (p < .01), mid-upper arm circumference (cm) (p < .01), total cholesterol (mg/dl) (p < .01) and fasting glucose (mg/dl) (p < .01) were raised significantly in the LNS group as compared to the PLACEBO group. No significant changes were detected in appetite responses (p > 0.05). In conclusion, LNS increases the overall energy intake, but does not affect the appetite but may induce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.

The Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder And Gastrointestinal Microbiota.

BACKGROUND: In recent times multiple attempts have been made to search for the link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and gut microbiota. This link is not a myth as the microbiota composition and in turn its bi-products affect not only the Gut-Brain axis but also the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the immune response. Aim of the study was to find the relation between the Gut Microbiota and the pathophysiology and in turn manifestations of ASD. METHODS: Eight original articles were identified by a systematic search of the MEDLINE database. Those articles were included in the review with clear mention of ASD and microbiota in titles and abstracts. RESULTS: In the majority of studies, Bacteroidetes/ Firmicutes ratio was deranged only one reported it to be normal. Bacteria such as Actinomyces and Proteobacteria were increased and Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella were decreased. The commonest method of sequencing observed was 16S rRNA. CONCLUSION: The microbiota composition of the gut does affect the manifestations of autism spectrum disorder. The derangement of the gut commensals may lead to mood disorders, depression, and other symptoms in autistic kids.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats: Detection of cell homing and tumor mass by magnetic resonance imaging using iron oxide nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are reported to improve hepatic fibrosis, and may impact the signaling mechanisms leading to the induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in animal models of liver cirrhosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify and explain the therapeutic role played by MSCs in hepatic cirrhosis and HCC by tracking them using nanoparticles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Liver cirrhosis and HCC were established in rats with the use of carbon tetrachloride and diethylnitrosamine injection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to track nanoparticlelabeled MSCs in the intact animal following injection and to monitor the changes in the hepatic parenchyma. RESULTS: Labeling of MSCs with iron oxide nanoparticles did not adversely affect their viability and proliferation. MRI indicated a significant reduction in tumor mass in the labeled MSCs group compared to the control group. Histopathologic examination of the liver, following MSCs treatment, showed an apparently normal looking liver with no evidence of neoplastic cellular changes. The biochemical results support these findings. CONCLUSIONS: This work documents that MSCs could be labeled with nanoparticles and traced in normal and cirrhotic liver and in liver with HCC in animals using MRI. MRI monitors the homing and localization of MSCs in the liver. MSCs infusion in animal models of cirrhosis and carcinoma may prove to be useful in limiting the cirrhotic process. Also, it may have a possible therapeutic potential on the carcinogenic process.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in children with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypovitaminosis D is a frequent condition in normal populations. Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) present a high risk of developing complications due to hypovitaminosis D. Our aim was to determine the frequency of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in children with different stages of CKD who were followed up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. DESIGN AND SETTING: University hospital-based case-control study of children followed up between March 2010 and March 2011. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood was extracted from children with CKD to measure urea, creatinine, hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and vitamin D3 levels. We calculated correlations between iPTH and vitamin D levels, and associations between vitamin D levels and CKD stages. RESULTS: The frequency of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was high among the cases and controls. Children with CKD had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than their peers with normal kidney function (P=.05) with a mean (SD) level of 17.5 (9.9) ng/mL versus 21.0 (13.4) ng/mL for the control group. Among the children with CKD, 36 (45.0%) had vitamin D insufficiency, 24 (30.0%) had vitamin D deficiency, and 10 (12.5%) had severe deficiency. There was a positive correlation between vitamin D3 level and CKD stages (Kendall tau=0.22, P=.003). A significant association existed between glomerular filtration rate and vitamin D3 deficiency (P=.002). There was a significant negative correlation between iPTH and vitamin D3 concentrations (Spearman correlation coefficient= -0.27, P=.01). A significant association existed between age and vitamin D3 level (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency is more frequent in children with CKD than in those with normal kidney function.

Therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stroma cells in pediatric diseases: current aspects and future perspectives.

Mesenchymal stem cells or stroma cells (MSCs) were recently proven to play various therapeutic roles when used in clinical trials to control various inflammatory, neoplastic and immunologic diseases in children. Clinical trials show some promising results, particularly in diseases where conventional therapy is still ineffective. However, experimental studies sometimes show conflicting results. This review aims to assess the current therapeutic role of MSCs in the control of several pediatric diseases and elaborate on their future applications by reviewing published studies. A review of published studies on this subject based on Pubmed and Medical Subject Heading databases, with search for all relevant articles focusing on results of clinical trials to evaluate the clinical applications of MSCs. The review includes documentation of positive as well as negative applications of MSCs focused on pediatric diseases. MSCs have important immunosuppressive and antifibrotic effects that need to be employed to help patients with diseases for which no conventional management has proven to be effective. They may be also be used as an adjuvant to conventional therapeutic modalities to consolidate recovery. This review sheds light on the significance of the use of MSCs for the treatment of various pediatric diseases and focuses on promising applications. Most of the reported studies agree about the favorable use of MSCs in various diseases; however, more clinical trials, involving larger numbers of patients, need to be conducted in order to refine the outcome of the therapeutic methods and establish standardized protocols.