\n\nStudy Design: A prospective study was conducted in 249 preterms who were subdivided into three groups: one group (n=83)

was supplemented with Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri, one group with L. rhamnosus (n=83) and the other with no supplementation (n=83). The fungal colonization H 89 in the gastrointestinal tract, the late onset of sepsis and clinical parameters were recorded. A neurological structured assessment was further performed at 1 year of age.\n\nResult: Candida stool colonization was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the control group than in the groups treated with probiotics. The L. reuteri group presented a significantly higher reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms than did the L. rhamnosus and control groups. Infants treated with probiotics showed a statistically significant lower incidence of abnormal neurological outcome than did the control group.\n\nConclusion: The use of both probiotics seems to be effective in the prevention of gastrointestinal

colonization by Candida, in the protection from late-onset sepis and in reducing abnormal neurological outcomes in preterms. Journal of Perinatology (2011) 31, 63-69; doi:10.1038/jp.2010.57; published online 22 April 2010″
“Sinuses of Valsalva are important in assuring the physiological function of the aortic valve. This study evaluates short-term clinical results of the reimplantation technique for aortic valve-sparing root replacement using a new prosthesis with three separate sinuses of Valsalva (sinus prosthesis).\n\nBetween February 2009 and February 2011, a total of 23 patients (20 m/3 f; mean age 52 +/- 14.8 IWR-1-endo inhibitor GSK1210151A clinical trial years; range 24-70 years) with aortic root aneurysm underwent aortic valve-sparing procedures according to the David reimplantation technique using the new sinus prosthesis. Eighteen patients had tricuspid and five patients bicuspid aortic valves. All patients received clinical as well as echocardiographic examinations postoperatively (mean 13 +/- 9.3 months; 0.3-28 months).\n\nThere

was no death and no reoperation of the aortic valve. At latest follow-up, most patients were in New York Heart Association class I (n = 22; 95.7%). In 95.7% aortic valve regurgitation (AR) was 0 or 1+; one patient had AR 2+. Pressure gradients were between the normal range (mean pressure gradient 4.7 +/- 1.9 mmHg). Echocardiographic images demonstrate physiological aortic root dimensions and configuration with three separate sinuses of Valsalva without systolic contact of leaflets to the wall.\n\nThe new sinus prosthesis provides near normal root geometry and hemodynamics in valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the reimplantation technique, applicable for tricuspid and also bicuspid aortic valves.”
“Ptilochronology, the study of feather growth bars, has been used to assess nutritional condition, yet the implementation of this technique can be challenging.