UNASSIGNED: Children maintain growth and development by ingesting adequate calories and nutrients, typically achieved via oral intake of food and liquids. When unable to eat and drink orally, they need temporary or permanent enteral nutritional support via nasogastric, nasoduodenal, gastrostomy, or jejunostomy tubes. The objectives of this retrospective study are to describe lessons learned from operating a weaning program at ALYN Hospital for over a decade, the characteristics of the patient population (gender, age, medical condition, and type of tube feeding and hospitalization), and which of these characteristics correlate with successful weaning.
UNASSIGNED: Data were obtained from the hospital\'s secure database of 82 infants and toddlers, 37 boys (45.4%) and 45 girls (54.9%) aged 3 months to 10.8 years who took part in a tube feeding intervention from 2011 to 2020. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed to characterize the participants and their responses to the program.
UNASSIGNED: Fifty-one children (62.2%) were less than 2 years, 26 children (31.7%) were 2-4.11 years, and only 5 children were aged 5 years (6.1%) and older. Fifty-six children were successfully weaned from tube feeding, 9 children were eventually successful, but the process took longer than anticipated, 11 children were partially weaned and 6 were not successfully weaned.
UNASSIGNED: These results are discussed within the context of a successful weaning program related to participant characteristics (medical condition, age, gender, and weight), and subsequent recommendations are offered related to the intervention setting, duration, and intensity; redefining success in weaning and the need for long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Clinical evidence regarding predictors of successful weaning from mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is lacking. This study aimed to create a simple risk score to predict successful weaning from MCS in patients with cardiogenic shock.
METHODS: This retrospective single-center cohort study included 114 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or IMPELLA between January 2013 and June 2023. Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. The primary endpoint was successful weaning from MCS defined as successful decannulation without the need for MCS re-implantation and survival to discharge. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection was performed to generate the prediction model. We first developed a general weaning score model, and then created a simple version of the score model using the same variables.
RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were successfully weaned from MCS. The following variables measured during weaning evaluation were selected as the components of the weaning score model: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), mean blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lactate level, and QRS duration. According to the results, we conducted a novel weaning score model to predict successful weaning from MCS: 1.774-2.090×(AMI)+0.062×[mean blood pressure (mmHg)]+0.139×[LVEF (%)]-0.322×[Lactate (mg/dl)]-0.066×[QRS (msec)]. The following variables were selected as the components of the simple version of the weaning score model: AMI, mean blood pressure ≥80 mmHg, lactate <10 mg/dL, QRS duration ≤95 msec, and LVEF >35%.
CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simple model to predict successful weaning from MCS in patients with cardiogenic shock.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of quercetin increasing growth performance and decreasing incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets. Forty-eight Duroc × Landrace × Large White weaned piglets with similar body weight (7.48 ± 0.20 kg, 28 days of age) were randomly divided into four treatments (control, 250 mg/kg quercetin, 500 mg/kg quercetin, and 750 mg/kg quercetin treatments) and fed with basal diet or experimental diet supplemented with quercetin. Performance, diarrhea rate and index, and content of serum anti-inflammatory factors were determined and calculated in weaned piglets; colonic flora and signaling pathways related to anti-inflammation were measured using 16S rDNA sequencing and RNA-seq, respectively. The results showed that compared with control, feed-to-gain ratio and content of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were significantly decreased in the 500 and 750 mg/kg quercetin treatments (P < 0.05); quercetin significantly decreased diarrhea rate and diarrhea index (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the content of serum transforming growth factor (TGF-β) in weaned piglets (P < 0.05); the content of serum NF-κB was significantly decreased in the 750 mg/kg quercetin treatment (P < 0.05); moreover, quercetin significantly increased diversity of colonic flora (P < 0.05), and at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria in the 500 and 750 mg/kg treatments was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the three quercetin treatments were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the colon of weaned piglets; at the genus level, the relative abundance of Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1, Turicibacter, unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae, Phascolarctobacterium, and Family_XIII _AD3011_group was significantly increased (P < 0.05); the relative abundance of Subdollgranulum and Blautia was significantly decreased in the 500 and 750 mg/kg treatments (P < 0.05); the relative abundance of Eschericha-Shigella, Terrisporobacter, and Eubacterium-coprostanoligenes was significantly increased (P < 0.05); the relative abundance of Streptocococcus, Sarcina, Staphylococcus, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-008 was significantly decreased in the three quercetin treatments (P < 0.05); the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014 was significantly increased in the 250 mg/kg quercetin treatment in the colon of weaned piglets (P < 0.05). The results of Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the quercetin treatments were significantly enriched in nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signal pathway (P < 0.05); mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1R1 (IL-1R1), conserved helix-loop-helix ubiquitous kinase (CHUK), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and IL-1β from quercetin treatments were significantly decreased in colonic mucosa of weaned piglets (P < 0.05). In summary, quercetin increased feed conversion ratio and decreased diarrhea through regulating NF-κB signaling pathway, controlling the balance between anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory factors, and modulating intestinal flora, thus promoting the absorption of nutrients in weaned piglets. These results provided the theoretical foundation for applying quercetin in preventing weaning piglets\' diarrhea and animal husbandry practices.

The intestinal microbiome during infancy and childhood has distinct metabolic functions and microbial composition compared to adults. We recently published a gnotobiotic mouse model of the pre-weaning microbiome (PedsCom), which retains a pre-weaning configuration during the transition from a milk-based diet to solid foods, leads to a stunted immune system, and increases susceptibility to enteric infection. Here, we compared the phylogenetic and metabolic relationships of the PedsCom consortium to two adult-derived gnotobiotic communities, Altered Schaedler Flora and Oligo-Mouse Microbiota 12 (Oligo-MM12). We find that PedsCom contains several unique functions relative to these adult-derived mouse consortia, including differences in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism genes. Notably, amino acid degradation metabolic modules are more prevalent among PedsCom isolates, which is in line with the ready availability of these nutrients in milk. Indeed, metabolomic analysis revealed significantly lower levels of total free amino acids and lower levels of specific amino acids abundant in milk (e.g. glutamine and glutamic acid) in the intestinal contents of adult PedsCom colonized mice compared to Oligo-MM12 controls. Metabolomic analysis of pre-weaning intestinal contents also showed lower levels of amino acids that are replete in milk compared to germ-free controls. Thus, enhanced amino acid metabolism is a prominent feature of the pre-weaning microbiome that may facilitate design of early-life microbiome interventions.

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOSs), which are an attractive feed additive for animal production, exhibit pleiotropic bioactivities. In the present study, we investigated graded doses of AOS-mediated alterations in the physiological responses of piglets by determining the intestinal architecture, barrier function, and microbiota. A total of 144 weaned piglets were allocated into four dietary treatments in a completely random design, which included a control diet (CON) and three treated diets formulated with 250 mg/kg (AOS250), 500 mg/kg (AOS500), and 1000 mg/kg AOS (AOS1000), respectively. The trial was carried out for 28 days. Our results showed that AOS treatment reinforced the intestinal barrier function by increasing the ileal villus height, density, and fold, as well as the expression of tight junction proteins, especially at the dose of 500 mg/kg AOS. Meanwhile, supplementations with AOSs showed positive effects on enhancing antioxidant capacity and alleviating intestinal inflammation by elevating the levels of antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting excessive inflammatory cytokines. The DESeq2 analysis showed that AOS supplementation inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria Helicobacter and Escherichia_Shigella and enhanced the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Veillonella. Collectively, these findings suggested that AOSs have beneficial effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and gut health in piglets.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of feeding wheat-straw based densified complete feed block (DCFB) on daily weight gain, feed intake, digestibility and feed conversion rate in growing heifer calves. Eight weaned F1 Frisian*Borena (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) crossbred calves (92.5 ± 27.5 kg body weight) and 5 months of age were randomly distributed into four groups, each with two animals evaluated under 4 × 4 double Latin Square Design for 240 days. The control treatment was natural pasture hay (NPH) and concentrate mix (CM) fed conventionally in a way that covers 50:50% requirements on dry matter (DM) bases and DCFB prepared by mixing wheat straw (WS) to concentrates mixture in the ratio of 50:50 (T2), 40:60 (T3) and 30:70 (T4), respectively. Each heifer group was fed on each diet for 60 days. At the end of each period the last 7 days were used to collect feed and feacal samples. However, the heifers were weighed each 15 days to estimate daily growth performances. It was found that significant (P < 0.05) differences among groups in average daily gain, feed conversion rate, feed intake and digestibility. The densification of WS and feeding in the form of feed block generally improved feed DM and nutrient intake and digestibility. The increase in the proportion of CM in the DCFBs also increased the DM and nutrient intake and digestibility. Heifer growth rate was higher (P < 0.05) in T1, T3 and T4 diets than T2 groups. Feed conversion ratio was higher (P < 0.05) both in T3 and T4 compared to T1 and T2. The total cost of production per each gram body weight gained was recorded higher (P < 0.05) for calves in the T2 group compared to calves in T1, T3 and T4. In conclusion, maintaining post weaned F1 heifer calves on DCFB composed of wheat straw and a commercial calf\'s concentrate based diet in the ratio of 40 to 60 would both biologically and economically feasible.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze how socioeconomic, pregnancy and childbirth factors relate to the feeding situation in the sixth month of life of full-term babies.
METHODS: longitudinal observational study, with 98 mothers of full-term babies. Data collection was structured by capturing information regarding the clinical history and moment of birth in the babies\' medical records, followed by the application of two questionnaires to the postpartum women, with questions regarding sociodemographic data, pre- and post-pregnancy data and the baby\'s nutrition. baby, the first being answered during hospital stay and the second, by telephone, in the 6th month of life. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, using the frequency distribution of categorical variables, inferential analysis using Pearson\'s Chi-square test and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression, adopting, for inclusion in the final model, the significance level of 5%.
RESULTS: there was an association between exclusive breastfeeding in the 6th month and maternal education and between the period of food introduction and family income. Mothers with higher education were 4.82 times more likely to breastfeed their children exclusively until the sixth month. Families with lower income (up to one minimum wage) were 2.54 times more likely to start food introduction before the sixth month than families with higher income.
CONCLUSIONS: higher maternal education was a predictive factor for exclusive breastfeeding at the 6th month and higher military income was a predictive factor for introducing food after the 6th month.
OBJECTIVE: analisar como os fatores socioeconômicos, da gestação e do parto se relacionam com a situação da alimentação no sexto mês de vida de bebês nascidos a termo.
UNASSIGNED: estudo observacional longitudinal, com 98 mães de bebês termos. A coleta de dados foi estruturada pela captação das informações referentes à história clínica e ao momento do parto nos prontuários dos bebês, seguida da aplicação de dois questionários, com questões referentes a dados sociodemográficos, dados pré e pós-gestacionais e da alimentação do bebê, sendo o primeiro respondido durante a internação hospitalar e o segundo, por contato telefônico, no 6° mês de vida. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos dados, por meio da distribuição de frequência das variáveis categóricas, análise inferencial utilizando o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson e análise multivariada por regressão logística binária, adotando-se, para inclusão no modelo final, o nível de significância de 5%.
RESULTS: houve associação entre aleitamento materno exclusivo no 6º mês e escolaridade materna e entre o início da introdução alimentar e a renda familiar. Mães com ensino superior apresentaram 4,82 vezes mais chances de amamentarem os filhos de forma exclusiva até o sexto mês. Famílias de menor renda (até um salário mínimo) tiveram 2,54 vezes mais chances de iniciarem a introdução alimentar antes do sexto mês do que as famílias de maior renda.
UNASSIGNED: maior escolaridade materna foi fator preditor para o aleitamento materno exclusivo ao 6º mês e maior renda familiar foi fator preditor para introdução alimentar após o 6º mês.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate hemodynamic profiles of critical care patients undergoing spontaneous t-piece trial (SBT) and present weaning failure.
UNASSIGNED: Prospective observational study conducted in ready-to-wean non-cardiac ICU patients. Clinical, echocardiographic and thermodilution-derived variables were recorded before and after a 2-hour SBT. Weaning from mechanical ventilation was defined as preservation of spontaneous breathing for 48 hours following successful SBT.
UNASSIGNED: Fourteen patients succeeded weaning, five manifested T-trial-failure and six late-failure. Weaning outcome was significantly associated with ELWI(Extravascular lung-water index), global-end-diastolic index and impaired diastolic function, as indicated by pre-T Doppler early wave velocities (E/Em); Fifty-six percent of participants presented ELWI≥7mL/kg when fulfilling predetermined criteria for weaning. ELWI, impaired pulmonary permeability and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were independent determinants of ELWI.
UNASSIGNED: ELWI before SBT and impaired diastolic function (as indicated by pre-T E/Em) might be weaning outcome determinants and their assessment may allow better risk stratification in weaning decision making.

This study aimed to determine the fertility and growth traits, viability, and body measurements of the Romanov sheep under breeder conditions in the humid region of Turkey. The animal material of the research consisted of sheep imported from Ukraine in 2019. In the study, there are two farms with 31 and 44 ewes in the first year and three farms with 45, 34, and 32 ewes in the second year. The reproductive performances of 186 sheep and lambs in three different farms were examined, and nine rams, one ram per 20 sheep, were used for mating. Two-year (2020 and 2021) data on the reproductive performance of pure Romanov ewes, survivability in ewes and lambs, and development characteristics in lambs were used in the present study. The conceived rate (88.17%), fecundity at birth (1.42) and at weaning (1.29), litter size at birth (1.76) and weaning (1.56), single (50.98%), twin (41.83%), and triplet birth rate (6.54%), and abortion rate (6.71%) were determined for 2 years average. Birth and weaning weights of lambs were affected by sex and birth type (p < 0.01). The Romanov sheep and their lambs did not satisfy the breeder regarding reproductive performance and lamb development.