Article
Pediatrics
Brenda Poindexter
Summary: Probiotic products in the US and Canada are increasingly used in preterm infants, despite lacking FDA approval and sufficient evidence on safety and efficacy. The use of dietary supplement-grade probiotics raises concerns due to potential contamination and lack of regulation. As such, universal administration of probiotics to preterm infants is not recommended based on current evidence.
Review
Pediatrics
Ramaa Chitale, Kacey Ferguson, Megan Talej, Wen-Chien Yang, Siran He, Karen M. Edmond, Emily R. Smith
Summary: Early enteral feeding within 72 hours after birth is likely to reduce mortality and length of hospital stay in preterm and low birth weight infants, and may also decrease the risk of sepsis and weight at discharge. However, its effect on other outcomes such as necrotizing enterocolitis is uncertain.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Murat Cetinbas, Julie Thai, Evgenia Filatava, Katherine E. Gregory, Ruslan I. Sadreyev
Summary: The use of antibiotics has a lasting impact on the acquisition of the microbiome in preterm infants, affecting the content, diversity, and temporal stability. Dysbiosis and fluctuations in the microbiome persist even after antibiotic exposure, with a few common bacteria dominating the microbiome diversity.
Article
Microbiology
Jing Lu, Alexander Drobyshevsky, Lei Lu, Yueyue Yu, Michael S. Caplan, Erika C. Claud
Summary: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of gastrointestinal disease in premature infants and poses a significant risk for neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). This study found that abnormal bacterial colonization in preterm infants contributes to the development of NEC and negatively affects brain development and neurological outcomes. Using a mouse model, the researchers observed decreased occludin and ZO-1 expression, increased inflammation, impaired behavioral performance, delayed brain maturation, and altered metabolic profiles in mice with NEC, indicating the negative impacts of pre-NEC microbiota on brain development and neurological outcomes.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Keqin Liu, Adila Abudusalamu, Jixin Yang, Yanwei Su
Summary: This review aimed to evaluate the effects of early enteral feeding on health outcomes in preterm infants. Nine systematic reviews were included, showing that early enteral feeding may improve weight gain, reduce feed intolerance, shorten feeding duration, decrease hospital stay, lower the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and mortality risk. However, the certainty of evidence was generally low, indicating a need for further research to assess long-term outcomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yangming Qu, Shijie Guo, Ying Liu, Guohua Wang, Hui Wu
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the association between probiotics use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants, and the results indicated that probiotics are associated with a reduced risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants < 32 weeks of age. Further prospective studies with large samples are still needed.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Lila S. Nolan, Angela N. Lewis, Qingqing Gong, James J. Sollome, Olivia N. DeWitt, Robert D. Williams, Misty Good
Summary: Metabolomics analysis of breast milk from mothers of preterm infants revealed significant differences in metabolites related to fatty acid metabolism, oligosaccharides, amino sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and oxidative stress between mothers of infants with different birth weights. Understanding these differences may provide insights into tailored nutrition and care for preterm newborns in the future.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Myoung Kyoung Kim, Tae Yeon Jeon, Kyunga Kim, Yu Jin Kim, So-Young Yoo, Ji Hye Kim, Yun Sil Chang, Sanghoon Lee, Jeong-Meen Seo, Sung-Hoon Moon
Summary: This study investigated the clinical outcomes of ultrasound-detected perforated NEC without radiographic pneumoperitoneum in very preterm infants. The study found that very preterm infants with US-detected perforated NEC without radiographic pneumoperitoneum had a lower risk of death before discharge. This suggests that bowel ultrasounds may have a potential role in surgical decision-making for infants with advanced NEC.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Isadora Beghetti, Davide Panizza, Jacopo Lenzi, Davide Gori, Silvia Martini, Luigi Corvaglia, Arianna Aceti
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis on the role of probiotics in preventing NEC in preterm infants, demonstrating that B. lactis Bb-12/B94 could reduce the risk of NEC, with a different size effect according to feeding type. Further trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Guangguo Men, Lili Wang, Xudan Lu, Gang Wen, Qin Lu
Summary: Previous studies have shown that probiotics may benefit the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. However, the use of different bacterial strains and taxa in these studies may introduce bias. In this systematic review, we found that Enterococcus faecium is effective and safe in preventing NEC in preterm infants.
Article
Pediatrics
Marcin Kordasz, Michael Racine, Philipp Szavay, Markus Lehner, Thomas Krebs, Christian Luckert, Eva-Maria Hau, Steffen Berger, Ulf Kessler
Summary: This study found that low Apgar scores, low hemoglobin concentration, high lactate levels, and the presence of congenital heart disease or patent ductus arteriosus were correlated with severe NEC or mortality in preterm children with NEC.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shuqiang Ren, Xiaoyu Pan, Yan Hui, Witold Kot, Fei Gao, Per T. Sangild, Duc Ninh Nguyen
Summary: Preterm infants are at high risks of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Using preterm pigs as a model, it has been shown that subclinical NEC lesions, regardless of clinical confounding factors, can induce systemic immune suppression. This finding may help explain the increased risks of infection and sepsis in preterm infants with a history of NEC.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jogender Kumar, Jitendra Meena, Ankit Ranjan, Praveen Kumar
Summary: This systematic review examined the effect of oropharyngeal application of colostrum or mother's own milk on preterm infants, and found that it can reduce the risk of infection and necrotizing enterocolitis, and has benefits in early feeding.
Review
Pediatrics
Helena Sofia Ribeiro, Andre Assuncao, Rafael Jose Vieira, Paulo Soares, Hercilia Guimaraes, Filipa Flor-de-Lima
Summary: Platelet transfusions in preterm infants are associated with a higher risk of mortality, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Further studies are needed to confirm these associations and establish a threshold for platelet transfusion with less harm. Overall, the importance of this systematic review and meta-analysis is 8 out of 10.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ching-Min Chang, Ming-Horng Tsai, Wei-Chao Liao, Peng-Hong Yang, Shiao-Wen Li, Shih-Ming Chu, Hsuan-Rong Huang, Ming-Chou Chiang, Jen-Fu Hsu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota of extremely preterm infants. The results showed that probiotics increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and reduced the duration of total parenteral nutrition. The probiotic group also had a lower rate of late-onset sepsis.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Kin On Kwok, Kin-Kit Li, Wan In Wei, Margaret Ting Fong Tsoi, Arthur Tang, Hugh Simon Lam, Edward B. McNeil, Samuel Yeung Shan Wong
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Kathy Yuen Yee Chan, Po Yee Chung, Chi Zhang, Ellen Ngar Yun Poon, Alex Wing Kwan Leung, Kam Tong Leung
Summary: G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large and diverse group of membrane receptors that play a pivotal role in various physiological processes and diseases. The regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins, particularly the R4 subfamily, have been identified as important modulators of GPCR signaling. They have essential roles in physiology, such as hematopoiesis, immunity, and also have implications in pathologies including asthma and neurologic disorders. Understanding the expression and regulation of RGS proteins in the hematopoietic system can potentially improve the clinical performance of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Future trends in drug development targeting RGS activity and expression are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Jeff Yat-Fai Chung, Jinyue Liao, Max Kam-Kwan Chan, Alex Siu-Wing Chan, Guangyao Cheng, Chunjie Li, Xiao-Ru Huang, Calvin Sze -Hang Ng, Eric W. -F Lam, Dongmei Zhang, Yi-Ping Ho, Ka-Fai To, Kam -Tong Leung, Xiaohua Jiang, Ho Ko, Tin -Lap Lee, Hui-Yao Lan, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
Summary: This study discovered a direct mechanism of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) for promoting de novo neurogenesis, which contributes to a better understanding of tumor innervation. The study also identified a phenomenon of macrophage to neuron-like cell transition (MNT) and identified a crucial regulator for MNT. This finding has potential clinical significance for the treatment of cancer pain.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
So Ling Lau, Zara Lin Zau Lok, Shuk Yi Annie Hui, Genevieve Po Gee Fung, Hugh Simon Lam, Tak Yeung Leung
Summary: This study investigated the predictors of adverse long-term outcomes in infants with umbilical artery pH <7. It found that a cord arterial pH of <6.9 and an Apgar score at 5 min <7 were independent prognostic factors for neonatal/infant death or adverse long-term neurological outcomes.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jinglin Zhang, Bonan Chen, Hui Li, Yifei Wang, Xiaoli Liu, Kit Yee Wong, Wai Nok Chan, Aden K. Y. Chan, Alvin H. k Cheung, Kam Tong Leung, Yujuan Dong, Yi Pan, Huixing Ke, Li Liang, Zhaocai Zhou, Jianyong Xiao, Chi Chun Wong, William K. K. Wu, Alfred S. L. Cheng, Brigette B. Y. Ma, Jun Yu, Kwok Wai Lo, Wei Kang, Ka Fai To
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer worldwide, and the tumor microenvironment, specifically cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), plays a crucial role in promoting CRC progression.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Xue-Lian Wang, Eman Leung, Genevieve Po Gee Fung, Hugh Simon Lam
Summary: This study provides a detailed analysis of neonatal deaths in Hong Kong, showing that overall neonatal mortality remains stable but varies among different gestational weeks. The proportion of extremely preterm infants who died significantly increased, with hemorrhagic conditions being the leading cause of death. Congenital anomalies were the leading cause of death in neonates born after 27 weeks' gestation, but their cause-specific mortality has decreased, mainly attributed to trisomy 13/18 and multiple anomalies.
WORLD JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Huan Yan, Jing-Ling Zhang, Kam-Tong Leung, Kwok-Wai Lo, Jun Yu, Ka-Fai To, Wei Kang
Summary: Gastric cancer is a highly life-threatening malignancy, particularly in Asian countries. Aberrant activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G proteins promotes the progression of gastric cancer. These activated GPCRs/G proteins can potentially serve as valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognostic prediction, as well as therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the recent research progress of GPCRs and highlights their mechanisms in tumorigenesis, specifically in gastric cancer initiation and progression.
Article
Pediatrics
Lai Ling Hui, Frederick K. Ho, Charlotte Margaret Wright, Tim J. Cole, Hugh Simon Lam, Han-Bing Deng, Hung-Kwan So, Patrick Ip, E. Anthony S. Nelson
Summary: Using the WHO head circumference standards would lead to the overdiagnosis of macrocephaly and the underdiagnosis of microcephaly, except for Indians and some Asian neonates. Population-specific cut-offs or references are more appropriate for many populations. Healthcare professionals need to be educated about the limitations of the WHO head circumference standards.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Xuelian Wang, Lai Ling Hui, Tim J. Cole, E. Anthony S. Nelson, Hugh Simon Lam
Summary: This study compared the fitness of the INTERGROWTH-21st birth weight standards (INTERGROWTH21) with a local reference (FOK2003) for ethnic Chinese babies. The results showed that INTERGROWTH21 performed less well, especially in infants born <33 weeks' gestation, compared to FOK2003 in predicting complications related to small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. A more robust chart based on a larger sample of appropriately selected infants is needed.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Qiu-Ye Lan, Kate Ching-Ching Chan, Chun-Ting Au, Peggy Hiu-Ying Chan, Ngan Yin Chan, Yun Kwok Wing, Albert Martin Li, Hugh Simon Lam
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the secular trends of sleep-wake patterns of preschool children in Hong Kong. It found a significant downward trend in sleep duration and a positive correlation between parental and children's sleep duration.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeff Yat-Fai Chung, Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Max Kam-Kwan Chan, Vivian Weiwen Xue, Xiao-Ru Huang, Calvin Sze-Hang Ng, Dongmei Zhang, Kam-Tong Leung, Chun-Kwok Wong, Tin-Lap Lee, Eric W-F Lam, David J. Nikolic-Paterson, Ka-Fai To, Hui-Yao Lan, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that phenotype and function of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) are influenced by the microenvironment, resulting in different impact on tumor development as N1 or N2 state. They discovered that Smad3 activation is negatively correlated with N2 state and patient survival in NSCLC patients. In preclinical lung cancer models, targeting Smad3 reprogrammed TANs to an antitumor state (N1), suppressing tumor growth. Mechanistically, Smad3 regulated the maturity of TANs and maintained the N2 state through controlling genes related to cell fate determination. Thus, the findings suggest that Smad3 signaling could be a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Chi-Keung Cheng, Yuk-Lin Yung, Hoi-Yun Chan, Kam-Tong Leung, Kathy Y. Y. Chan, Alex W. K. Leung, Frankie W. T. Cheng, Chi-Kong Li, Thomas S. K. Wan, Xi Luo, Herbert-Augustus Pitts, Joyce S. S. Cheung, Natalie P. H. Chan, Margaret H. L. Ng
Summary: A genomic analysis of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients reveals extensive gene fusion events and mutations, providing new insights into the genetic complexities of this cancer. The study highlights the importance of understanding the genetic basis of pediatric AML for improving prognostic classification and treatment options.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Lyu, Fuda Xie, Bonan Chen, Wing Sum Shin, Wei Chen, Yulong He, Kam Tong Leung, Gary M. K. Tse, Jun Yu, Ka Fai To, Wei Kang
Summary: This review focuses on the complex interaction between the nervous system and gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, exploring the mechanisms of GI cancer development. It discusses the intricate relationship between the nervous system and GI tract development and tumor progression, as well as the feedback regulation of tumor cells on the nervous system. The review also highlights the influence of various components within the tumor microenvironment on GI cancer occurrence and progression. Furthermore, it emphasizes the transformation relationship between non-neuronal cells and neuronal cells, inspiring the development of nervous system-guided anti-tumor drugs.
Article
Oncology
Kam Tong Leung, Jiaoyang Cai, Yu Liu, Kathy Yuen Yee Chan, Jingbo Shao, Hui Yang, Qun Hu, Yao Xue, Xuedong Wu, Xia Guo, Xiaowen Zhai, Ningling Wang, Xue Li, Xin Tian, Zheng Li, Ning Xue, Yuxia Guo, Lingzhen Wang, Yao Zou, Peifang Xiao, Yingyi He, Runming Jin, Jingyan Tang, Jun J. Yang, Shuhong Shen, Ching-Hon Pui, Chi Kong Li
Summary: CD9 has prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially in the intermediate/high-risk arms and patients with minimal residual disease, providing insights into necessary interventions and informing timely therapeutic interventions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sl Lau, Sani Tk Wong, Wt Tse, Genevieve Pg Fung, Hugh Simon Lam, Daljit Singh Sahota, Ty Leung
Summary: This study investigated the perinatal mortality rate and causes of multiple pregnancies in Hong Kong, and found that although the prevalence of multiple pregnancies increased during the study period, the corresponding total perinatal mortality rate improved. This improvement was associated with improvements in antenatal care, treatment, and a decrease in preterm birth rate.
HONG KONG MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)