Gut microbiome contributions to altered metabolism in a pig model of undernutrition

The concept that gut microbiome-expressed functions regulate ponderal growth has important implications for infant and child health, as well as animal health. Using an intergenerational pig model of diet restriction (DR) that produces reduced weight gain, we developed a feature-selection algorithm to identify representative characteristics distinguishing DR fecal microbiomes from those of full-fed (FF) pigs as both groups consumed a common sequence of diets during their growth cycle. Gnotobiotic mice were then colonized with DR and FF microbiomes and subjected to controlled feeding with a pig diet. DR microbiomes have reduced representation of genes that degrade dominant components of late growth-phase diets, exhibit reduced production of butyrate, a key host-accessible energy source, and are causally linked to reduced hepatic fatty acid metabolism (β-oxidation) and the selection of alternative energy substrates. The approach described could aid in the development of guidelines for microbiome stewardship in diverse species, including farm animals, in order to support their healthy growth.

Infant and Child Health in the United States and France

This chapter examines French infant and child health programs that laid the foundation for France's family-centered social democracy. Throughout, it compares French developments to US policies and programs that sought similar child health goals in order to explain why the two nations' outcomes diverged. The comparison begins in the 1870s, when France's infant mortality rate was similar to that of the United States. During these early years, French and American social reformers, physicians, and public health experts collaborated to craft policies aimed at the reduction of maternal and infant mortality, the improvement of child health, and the alleviation of disparities between population subgroups. Ultimately, however, France proved more successful in achieving and sustaining its gains in infant and child health, even as the country experienced dramatic demographic shifts after 1950 due to immigration from its former colonial empire in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The chapter then identifies what lessons American policy makers might learn, adopt, or adapt from the French experience.

Using animation to teach breastfeeding physiology: a proof of concept study

Background Breastfeeding provides the optimal nourishment for infant and child health and supporting mothers to breastfeed is a global health priority. Midwives are uniquely placed to provide breastfeeding education and support to the woman and it is imperative that they have a sound understanding of the physiological underpinnings of breastfeeding. However, midwifery students and some midwives continue to struggle with the complex physiology of lactation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an instructional animation resource to teach breastfeeding physiology to student and practicing midwives. Further, this study also offers insights into how student and practicing midwives accept novel approaches to learning. Methods A cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in this proof of concept study. The setting was online with midwifery students recruited from Deakin University and registered midwives recruited from the Australian College of Midwives membership. Snowball sampling was also employed to recruit midwives through professional networks of the research team. The quantitative part of this study included a structured online questionnaire for midwives and midwifery students and descriptive statistics were used to present the quantitative data. The qualitative data were collected from open-ended questions on the questionnaire and a deductive approach was used for analysing the data. Results This proof of concept study collected data from 110 participants and provides evidence for the use of animation as an effective pedagogical tool to explain complex concepts. The animated instructional resource was viewed favourably by both the midwifery students and practicing midwives. Conclusions The findings from this study, support the pedagogical advantages of animated instructional resources for teaching complex physiology. Further, educators should be encouraged and feel confident to develop and use animation technology as both an engaging and effective teaching resource especially for complex concepts.

Media Campaign on Exclusive Breastfeeding

Research has proved that Exclusive Breastfeeding is vital in achieving optimal infant and child health, growth and development; and so there have been media campaigns in support of the initiative. This chapter explored the relationship between the media campaign for exclusive breastfeeding and mothers' decision to comply based on Symbolic Interactionism, Diffusion of Innovation, Social Responsibility, and Gate-keeping Theories. The questionnaire survey, conducted among 400 mothers in Anambra state, Nigeria, revealed that despite the enormous benefits of exclusive breastfeeding that have been well established and enormous campaign which has created tremendous awareness on the need to exclusively breastfeed babies, social structure of communities and social interaction within the community influence mother's perception and acceptability of the message. The study, therefore recommends that view of the opinion leaders and people with decision-making power should be sought after to know their stand on the issue of exclusive breastfeeding. Appropriate communication strategies should be developed to get their support for the idea since they are the custodians of the culture and have great influence on the people.