human
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Development of new infant formulas aims to replicate the benefits of breast milk . One benefit of breast milk over infant formulas is greater gastrointestinal comfort . We compared indicators of gastrointestinal comfort in infants fed a whey-predominant formula containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids , galacto-oligo-saccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides , and infants fed a control casein-predominant formula without additional ingredients . The single-centre , prospect i ve , double-blind , controlled trial r and omly assigned healthy , full-term infants ( n=144 ) to receive exclusively either experimental or control formula from 30 days to 4 months of age . A group of exclusively breast-fed infants served as reference ( n=80 ) . At 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 months , infants ' growth parameters were measured and their health assessed . Parents recorded frequency and physical characteristics of infants ' stool , frequency of regurgitation , vomiting , crying and colic . At 2-months , gastric emptying ( ultrasound ) and intestinal transit time ( H2 breath test ) were measured , and stool sample s collected for bacterial analysis . Compared to the control ( n=69 ) , fewer of the experimental group ( n=67 ) had hard stools ( 0.7 vs 7.5 % , p<0.001 ) and more had soft stools ( 90.8 vs 82.3 % , p<0.05 ) . Also compared to the control , the experimental group 's stool microbiota composition ( mean % bifidobacteria : 78.1 ( experimental , n=17 ) , 63.7 ( control , n=16 ) , 74.3 ( breast-fed , n=20 ) , gastric transit times ( 59.6 ( experimental , n=53 ) , 61.4 ( control , n=62 ) , 55.9 ( breast-fed , n=67 ) minutes ) and intestinal transit times ( data not shown ) were closer to that of the breast-fed group . Growth parameter values were similar for all groups . The data suggest that , in infants , the prebiotic-containing whey-based formula provides superior gastrointestinal comfort than a control formula The gastrointestinal inflammatory response may play a role in the susceptibility of preterm infants for infections . We previously reported a trend toward lower endogenous infection morbidity after enteral supplementation of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides ( SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ) . We hypothesize that enteral supplementation of prebiotics may decrease infectious morbidity by reducing intestinal inflammation . Therefore , we aim ed to determine the effect of enteral supplementation of prebiotics on intestinal inflammation , as measured by fecal IL-8 ( f-IL-8 ) and calprotectin ( f-calprotectin ) , in preterm infants . In a r and omized controlled trial , infants with a GA < 32 wk and /or birth weight < 1,500 g received enteral supplementation of prebiotics or placebo ( maltodextrin ) between d 3 and 30 of life . F-IL-8 and f-calprotectin was assessed at baseline , d 7 , 14 , and 30 of life . In total , 113 infants were included . Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not different in the SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ( n = 55 ) and the placebo group ( n = 58 ) . Enteral supplementation of prebiotics had no effect on f-IL-8 and f-calprotectin . F-IL-8 and f-calprotectin were strongly correlated at all time points ( p < 0.001 ) . In conclusion , enteral supplementation of prebiotics ( SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ) does not affect f-IL-8 and f-calprotectin levels in preterm infants The addition of probiotics to infant formula has been shown to be an efficient way to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine in order to promote a gut flora resembling that of breast-fed infants . The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of a combination of two probiotic strains in early infancy . A group of 126 newborns were r and omised to receive a prebiotic-containing starter formula supplemented with Lactobacillus paracasei ssp . paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp . lactis or the same formula without probiotics for the first 3 months of life . A total of eighty infants continued the study until they were aged 6 months .  Growth measurements were taken monthly at healthy baby clinics . Diaries were used to monitor behaviour , infections , use of antibiotics , as well as stool characteristics . Normal growth occurred in all infants and no statistically significant differences were detected between the probiotics group and the control group for gain in weight , length and head circumference . Infants in the probiotics group produced softer and more frequent stools during the first 3 months of life . No differences were found in crying and sleeping hours , number of parent-diagnosed infections , antibiotic use , visits to the general practitioner and number of adverse events . The use of a prebiotic-containing starter formula supplemented with L. paracasei ssp . paracasei and B. animalis ssp . lactis in early infancy is safe , well tolerated and has no adverse effects on growth and infant behaviour ABSTRACT A healthy intestinal microbiota is considered to be important for priming of the infants ' mucosal and systemic immunity . Breast-fed infants typically have an intestinal microbiota dominated by different Bifidobacterium species . It has been described that allergic infants have different levels of specific Bifidobacterium species than healthy infants . For the accurate quantification of Bifidobacterium adolescentis , Bifidobacterium angulatum , Bifidobacterium bifidum , Bifidobacterium breve , Bifidobacterium catenulatum , Bifidobacterium dentium , Bifidobacterium infantis , and Bifidobacterium longum in fecal sample s , duplex 5′ nuclease assays were developed . The assays , targeting rRNA gene intergenic spacer regions , were vali date d and compared with conventional PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization methods . The 5′ nuclease assays were subsequently used to determine the relative amounts of different Bifidobacterium species in fecal sample s from infants receiving a st and ard formula or a st and ard formula supplemented with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides ( OSF ) . A breast-fed group was studied in parallel as a reference . The results showed a significant increase in the total amount of fecal bifidobacteria ( 54.8 % ± 9.8 % to 73.4 % ± 4.0 % ) in infants receiving the prebiotic formula ( OSF ) , with a diversity of Bifidobacterium species similar to breast-fed infants . The intestinal microbiota of infants who received a st and ard formula seems to resemble a more adult-like distribution of bifidobacteria and contains relatively more B. catenulatum and B. adolescentis ( 2.71 % ± 1.92 % and 8.11 % ± 4.12 % , respectively , versus 0.15 % ± 0.11 % and 1.38 % ± 0.98 % for the OSF group ) . In conclusion , the specific prebiotic infant formula used induces a fecal microbiota that closely resembles the microbiota of breast-fed infants also at the level of the different Bifidobacterium species Preterm infants have an impaired gut barrier function . We aim ed to determine the effects of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture consisting of neutral oligosaccharides ( short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (SCGOS)/long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides ( LCFOS ) ) and acidic oligosaccharides ( AOS ) on intestinal permeability of preterm infants as measured by the sugar absorption test in the first week of life . Furthermore , we determined host- and treatment-related factors associated with intestinal permeability . In a r and omised controlled trial , preterm infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks and /or birth weight ( BW ) < 1500 g received enteral supplementation of SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS or placebo ( maltodextrin ) between days 3 and 30 of life . Intestinal permeability , reflected by the urinary lactulose/mannitol ( L/M ) ratio after oral ingestion of lactulose and mannitol , was assessed at three time points : before the start of the study ( t = 0 ) , at day 4 ( t = 1 ) and at day 7 ( t = 2 ) of life . Data were analysed by generalised estimating equations . In total , 113 infants were included . Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not different between the SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ( n 55 ) and the placebo groups ( n 58 ) . SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS had no effect on the L/M ratio between t = 0 and t = 2 . In both the groups , the L/M ratio decreased from t = 0 to t = 2 ( P < 0·001 ) . Low BW increased the L/M ratio ( P = 0·002 ) . Exclusive breast milk feeding and mixed breast milk/formula feeding during the first week of life decreased the L/M ratio ( P < 0·001 and P < 0·05 , respectively ) . In conclusion , enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture does not enhance the postnatal decrease in intestinal permeability in preterm infants in the first week of life BACKGROUND Galactooligosaccharides ( GOS ) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides ( lcFOS ) proliferate bifidobacteria in infant gut microbiota . However , it is not known how GOS and FOS influence the microbiota of pregnant women and whether a potential prebiotic effect is transferred to the offspring . OBJECTIVES We aim ed to test how supplementation with GOS and lcFOS ( GOS/lcFOS ) in the last trimester of pregnancy affects maternal and neonatal gut microbiota . Variables of fetal immunity were assessed as a secondary outcome . DESIGN In a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled pilot study , 48 pregnant women were supplemented 3 times/d with 3 g GOS/lcFOS ( at a ratio of 9:1 ) or maltodextrin ( placebo ) from week 25 of gestation until delivery . Percentages of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within total bacterial counts were detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in maternal and neonatal ( days 5 , 20 , and approximately 182 ) stool sample s. Variables of fetal immunity were assessed in cord blood by using flow cytometry and cytokine multiplex-array analysis . RESULTS The proportions of bifidobacteria in the maternal gut were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the placebo group ( 21.0 % and 12.4 % , respectively ; P = 0.026 ) ; the proportion of lactobacilli did not differ between the groups . In neonates , bifidobacteria and lactobacilli percentages , diversity and similarity indexes , and fetal immune parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups . Mother-neonate similarity indexes of bifidobacteria decreased over time . CONCLUSIONS GOS/lcFOS supplementation has a bifidogenic effect on maternal gut microbiota that is not transferred to neonates . The increased maternal bifidobacteria did not affect fetal immunity as measured by a comprehensive examination of cord blood immunity variables BACKGROUND Glutamine depletion has negative effects on the functional integrity of the gut and leads to immunosuppression .  Very-low-birth-weight ( VLBW ) infants are susceptible to glutamine depletion because nutrition is limited in the first weeks of life . OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the effect of glutamine-enriched enteral nutrition on feeding tolerance , infectious morbidity , and short-term outcome in VLBW infants . DESIGN In a double-blind r and omized controlled trial , VLBW infants ( gestational age < 32 wk or birth weight < 1500 g ) were allocated to receive enteral glutamine supplementation ( 0.3 g . kg(-1 ) . d(-1 ) ) or isonitrogenous control supplementation ( alanine ) between days 3 and 30 of life . The supplementations were added to breast milk or to preterm formula . The primary endpoint for the study was time to full enteral feeding . Secondary endpoints were other variables of feeding tolerance , infectious morbidity , and short-term outcome . RESULTS Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not significantly different in the glutamine-supplemented ( n = 52 ) and the control ( n = 50 ) groups . The median time to full enteral feeding was 13 d ( range : 7 - 31 d ) in the glutamine-supplemented group and 13 d ( range : 6 - 35 d ) in the control group ( hazard ratio : 1.19 ; 95 % CI : 0.79 , 1.79 ; P = 0.40 ) . In the glutamine-supplemented group , 26 of 52 infants ( 50 % ) had > /=1 serious infection compared with 38 of 50 ( 76 
    Output:
    
agent
No statistically significant subgroup differences were found according to infant risk of allergy or type of infant feed .
There is some evidence that a prebiotic supplement added to infant feeds may prevent eczema .
It is unclear whether the use of prebiotic should be restricted to infants at high risk of allergy or may have an effect in low risk population s ; or whether it may have an effect on other allergic diseases including asthma
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Development of new infant formulas aims to replicate the benefits of breast milk . One benefit of breast milk over infant formulas is greater gastrointestinal comfort . We compared indicators of gastrointestinal comfort in infants fed a whey-predominant formula containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids , galacto-oligo-saccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides , and infants fed a control casein-predominant formula without additional ingredients . The single-centre , prospect i ve , double-blind , controlled trial r and omly assigned healthy , full-term infants ( n=144 ) to receive exclusively either experimental or control formula from 30 days to 4 months of age . A group of exclusively breast-fed infants served as reference ( n=80 ) . At 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 months , infants ' growth parameters were measured and their health assessed . Parents recorded frequency and physical characteristics of infants ' stool , frequency of regurgitation , vomiting , crying and colic . At 2-months , gastric emptying ( ultrasound ) and intestinal transit time ( H2 breath test ) were measured , and stool sample s collected for bacterial analysis . Compared to the control ( n=69 ) , fewer of the experimental group ( n=67 ) had hard stools ( 0.7 vs 7.5 % , p<0.001 ) and more had soft stools ( 90.8 vs 82.3 % , p<0.05 ) . Also compared to the control , the experimental group 's stool microbiota composition ( mean % bifidobacteria : 78.1 ( experimental , n=17 ) , 63.7 ( control , n=16 ) , 74.3 ( breast-fed , n=20 ) , gastric transit times ( 59.6 ( experimental , n=53 ) , 61.4 ( control , n=62 ) , 55.9 ( breast-fed , n=67 ) minutes ) and intestinal transit times ( data not shown ) were closer to that of the breast-fed group . Growth parameter values were similar for all groups . The data suggest that , in infants , the prebiotic-containing whey-based formula provides superior gastrointestinal comfort than a control formula The gastrointestinal inflammatory response may play a role in the susceptibility of preterm infants for infections . We previously reported a trend toward lower endogenous infection morbidity after enteral supplementation of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides ( SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ) . We hypothesize that enteral supplementation of prebiotics may decrease infectious morbidity by reducing intestinal inflammation . Therefore , we aim ed to determine the effect of enteral supplementation of prebiotics on intestinal inflammation , as measured by fecal IL-8 ( f-IL-8 ) and calprotectin ( f-calprotectin ) , in preterm infants . In a r and omized controlled trial , infants with a GA < 32 wk and /or birth weight < 1,500 g received enteral supplementation of prebiotics or placebo ( maltodextrin ) between d 3 and 30 of life . F-IL-8 and f-calprotectin was assessed at baseline , d 7 , 14 , and 30 of life . In total , 113 infants were included . Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not different in the SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ( n = 55 ) and the placebo group ( n = 58 ) . Enteral supplementation of prebiotics had no effect on f-IL-8 and f-calprotectin . F-IL-8 and f-calprotectin were strongly correlated at all time points ( p < 0.001 ) . In conclusion , enteral supplementation of prebiotics ( SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ) does not affect f-IL-8 and f-calprotectin levels in preterm infants The addition of probiotics to infant formula has been shown to be an efficient way to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine in order to promote a gut flora resembling that of breast-fed infants . The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of a combination of two probiotic strains in early infancy . A group of 126 newborns were r and omised to receive a prebiotic-containing starter formula supplemented with Lactobacillus paracasei ssp . paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp . lactis or the same formula without probiotics for the first 3 months of life . A total of eighty infants continued the study until they were aged 6 months .  Growth measurements were taken monthly at healthy baby clinics . Diaries were used to monitor behaviour , infections , use of antibiotics , as well as stool characteristics . Normal growth occurred in all infants and no statistically significant differences were detected between the probiotics group and the control group for gain in weight , length and head circumference . Infants in the probiotics group produced softer and more frequent stools during the first 3 months of life . No differences were found in crying and sleeping hours , number of parent-diagnosed infections , antibiotic use , visits to the general practitioner and number of adverse events . The use of a prebiotic-containing starter formula supplemented with L. paracasei ssp . paracasei and B. animalis ssp . lactis in early infancy is safe , well tolerated and has no adverse effects on growth and infant behaviour ABSTRACT A healthy intestinal microbiota is considered to be important for priming of the infants ' mucosal and systemic immunity . Breast-fed infants typically have an intestinal microbiota dominated by different Bifidobacterium species . It has been described that allergic infants have different levels of specific Bifidobacterium species than healthy infants . For the accurate quantification of Bifidobacterium adolescentis , Bifidobacterium angulatum , Bifidobacterium bifidum , Bifidobacterium breve , Bifidobacterium catenulatum , Bifidobacterium dentium , Bifidobacterium infantis , and Bifidobacterium longum in fecal sample s , duplex 5′ nuclease assays were developed . The assays , targeting rRNA gene intergenic spacer regions , were vali date d and compared with conventional PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization methods . The 5′ nuclease assays were subsequently used to determine the relative amounts of different Bifidobacterium species in fecal sample s from infants receiving a st and ard formula or a st and ard formula supplemented with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides ( OSF ) . A breast-fed group was studied in parallel as a reference . The results showed a significant increase in the total amount of fecal bifidobacteria ( 54.8 % ± 9.8 % to 73.4 % ± 4.0 % ) in infants receiving the prebiotic formula ( OSF ) , with a diversity of Bifidobacterium species similar to breast-fed infants . The intestinal microbiota of infants who received a st and ard formula seems to resemble a more adult-like distribution of bifidobacteria and contains relatively more B. catenulatum and B. adolescentis ( 2.71 % ± 1.92 % and 8.11 % ± 4.12 % , respectively , versus 0.15 % ± 0.11 % and 1.38 % ± 0.98 % for the OSF group ) . In conclusion , the specific prebiotic infant formula used induces a fecal microbiota that closely resembles the microbiota of breast-fed infants also at the level of the different Bifidobacterium species Preterm infants have an impaired gut barrier function . We aim ed to determine the effects of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture consisting of neutral oligosaccharides ( short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (SCGOS)/long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides ( LCFOS ) ) and acidic oligosaccharides ( AOS ) on intestinal permeability of preterm infants as measured by the sugar absorption test in the first week of life . Furthermore , we determined host- and treatment-related factors associated with intestinal permeability . In a r and omised controlled trial , preterm infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks and /or birth weight ( BW ) < 1500 g received enteral supplementation of SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS or placebo ( maltodextrin ) between days 3 and 30 of life . Intestinal permeability , reflected by the urinary lactulose/mannitol ( L/M ) ratio after oral ingestion of lactulose and mannitol , was assessed at three time points : before the start of the study ( t = 0 ) , at day 4 ( t = 1 ) and at day 7 ( t = 2 ) of life . Data were analysed by generalised estimating equations . In total , 113 infants were included . Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not different between the SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS ( n 55 ) and the placebo groups ( n 58 ) . SCGOS/LCFOS/AOS had no effect on the L/M ratio between t = 0 and t = 2 . In both the groups , the L/M ratio decreased from t = 0 to t = 2 ( P < 0·001 ) . Low BW increased the L/M ratio ( P = 0·002 ) . Exclusive breast milk feeding and mixed breast milk/formula feeding during the first week of life decreased the L/M ratio ( P < 0·001 and P < 0·05 , respectively ) . In conclusion , enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture does not enhance the postnatal decrease in intestinal permeability in preterm infants in the first week of life BACKGROUND Galactooligosaccharides ( GOS ) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides ( lcFOS ) proliferate bifidobacteria in infant gut microbiota . However , it is not known how GOS and FOS influence the microbiota of pregnant women and whether a potential prebiotic effect is transferred to the offspring . OBJECTIVES We aim ed to test how supplementation with GOS and lcFOS ( GOS/lcFOS ) in the last trimester of pregnancy affects maternal and neonatal gut microbiota . Variables of fetal immunity were assessed as a secondary outcome . DESIGN In a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled pilot study , 48 pregnant women were supplemented 3 times/d with 3 g GOS/lcFOS ( at a ratio of 9:1 ) or maltodextrin ( placebo ) from week 25 of gestation until delivery . Percentages of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within total bacterial counts were detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in maternal and neonatal ( days 5 , 20 , and approximately 182 ) stool sample s. Variables of fetal immunity were assessed in cord blood by using flow cytometry and cytokine multiplex-array analysis . RESULTS The proportions of bifidobacteria in the maternal gut were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the placebo group ( 21.0 % and 12.4 % , respectively ; P = 0.026 ) ; the proportion of lactobacilli did not differ between the groups . In neonates , bifidobacteria and lactobacilli percentages , diversity and similarity indexes , and fetal immune parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups . Mother-neonate similarity indexes of bifidobacteria decreased over time . CONCLUSIONS GOS/lcFOS supplementation has a bifidogenic effect on maternal gut microbiota that is not transferred to neonates . The increased maternal bifidobacteria did not affect fetal immunity as measured by a comprehensive examination of cord blood immunity variables BACKGROUND Glutamine depletion has negative effects on the functional integrity of the gut and leads to immunosuppression .  Very-low-birth-weight ( VLBW ) infants are susceptible to glutamine depletion because nutrition is limited in the first weeks of life . OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the effect of glutamine-enriched enteral nutrition on feeding tolerance , infectious morbidity , and short-term outcome in VLBW infants . DESIGN In a double-blind r and omized controlled trial , VLBW infants ( gestational age < 32 wk or birth weight < 1500 g ) were allocated to receive enteral glutamine supplementation ( 0.3 g . kg(-1 ) . d(-1 ) ) or isonitrogenous control supplementation ( alanine ) between days 3 and 30 of life . The supplementations were added to breast milk or to preterm formula . The primary endpoint for the study was time to full enteral feeding . Secondary endpoints were other variables of feeding tolerance , infectious morbidity , and short-term outcome . RESULTS Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not significantly different in the glutamine-supplemented ( n = 52 ) and the control ( n = 50 ) groups . The median time to full enteral feeding was 13 d ( range : 7 - 31 d ) in the glutamine-supplemented group and 13 d ( range : 6 - 35 d ) in the control group ( hazard ratio : 1.19 ; 95 % CI : 0.79 , 1.79 ; P = 0.40 ) . In the glutamine-supplemented group , 26 of 52 infants ( 50 % ) had > /=1 serious infection compared with 38 of 50 ( 76 
    Output:
    