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NHf transport by the distal nephron and N[H.sup.+.sub.4] detoxification by the liver are critical for achieving regulation of acid-base balance and to avoid hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy, respectively. Therefore, it has been proposed that rhesus type B glycoprotein (Rhbg), a member of the Mep/Amt/Rh N[H.sub.3] channel superfamily, may be involved in some forms of distal tubular acidosis and congenital hyperammonemia. We have tested this hypothesis by inactivating the RHbg gene in the mouse by insertional mutagenesis. Histochernical studies analyses confirmed that RHbg knockout (KO) mice did not express Rhbg protein. Under basal conditions, the KO mice did not exhibit encephalopathy and survived well. They did not exhibit hallmarks of distal tubular acidosis because neither acid-base status, serum potassium concentration, nor bone mineral density was altered by RHbg disruption. They did not have hyperammonemia or disturbed hepatic N[H.sub.3] metabolism. Moreover, the KO mice adapted to a chronic acidloading challenge by increasing urinary N[H.sup.+.sub.4] excretion as well as their wild-type controls. Finally, transepithelial N[H.sub.3] diffusive permeability, or N[H.sub.3] and N[H.sup.+.sub.4] entry across the basolateral membrane of cortical collecting duct cells, measured by in vitro microperfusion of collecting duct from KO and wild-type mice, was identical with no apparent effect of the absence of Rhbg protein. We conclude that Rhbg is not a critical determinant of N[H.sup.+] excretion by the kidney and of N[H.sup.+] detoxification by the liver in vivo. rhesus protein; acid-base; tubular acidosis; ammonia

Anti-RhD prophylaxis of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is highly effective, but as the suppressive mechanism remains uncertain, a mouse model would be of interest. Here we have generated transgenic mice expressing human RhAG and RhD erythrocyte membrane proteins in the presence and, for human RhAG, in the absence, of mouse Rhag. Human RhAG associates with mouse Rh but not mouse Rhag on red blood cells. In Rhag knockout mice transgenic for human RHAG, the mouse Rh protein is “rescued” (re-expressed), and co-immunoprecipitates with human RhAG, indicating the presence of hetero-complexes which associate mouse and human proteins. RhD antigen was expressed from a human RHD gene on a BAC or from RHD cDNA under control of β-globin regulatory elements. RhD was never observed alone, strongly indicative that its expression absolutely depends on the presence of transgenic human RhAG. This first expression of RhD in mice is an important step in the creation of a mouse model of RhD allo-immunisation and HDFN, in conjunction with the Rh-Rhag knockout mice we have developed previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Infants often experience gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms whereby their nutrition might play a role in the occurrence of these symptoms. Evidence suggests that consuming goat milk-based infant formula (GMF) may provide relief. Therefore, a study was performed to assess the prevalence of GI symptoms in infants and the role of GMF., Methods: From June 2021 until November 2022, a cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and The Netherlands by recruiting parents/legal guardians through social media. GI symptoms after introduction of GMF were questioned using the validated Cow's Milk-Related Symptom Score (CoMiSS; scoring 0-33), lower scores indicate fewer symptoms. Occurrence of crying, gassiness, eczema, respiratory symptoms and stool consistency were asked retrospectively before and ≥ 14 days after introduction of GMF., Results: The study population ( n  = 425) of GMF-consumers mostly consisted of 0-6 months-old infants with a median age of 5 months. Overall, CoMiSS was low among GMF-consumers (median 1.00, IQR 4.00, range 0-14) of which 89% had CoMiSS ≤ 6 ( n  = 317), indicating (severity of) symptoms commonly present in healthy infants. After introduction of GMF, the majority of infants had lower symptom scores of gassiness (87%, n  = 128), skin symptoms (78%, n  = 32), watery stools/diarrhea (80%, n  = 32) or hard stools/constipation (84%, n  = 57), and crying (87%, n  = 122). The CoMiSS in GMF-consumers was significantly lower, meaning fewer symptoms, compared to GMF-non-consumers ( p  = < 0.001). CoMiSS was similar among categories of age, sex, and country of residence., Conclusion: This sample of infants fed GMF showed a low prevalence of GI symptoms and parents reported lower prevalence of GI symptoms after introduction of GMF based on retrospectively questionnaires. CoMiSS in GMF-consumers was significantly lower when compared to GMF-non-consumers. These results give indications of a potential benefit of GMF in managing GI symptoms in infants. Clinicaltrial. gov identifier NCT06755424., Competing Interests: The study was funded by Ausnutria B.V. Karen Knipping, Dominique Goossens, Linde van Lee and Lucie van der Zee are employee of Ausnutria B.B and were involved in study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; and the decision to submit the report for publication. Juliane Böhme declare no conflict if interest., (© 2025 The Author(s). Health Science Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Human milk is considered to be the optimal source of infant nutrition. Some of the benefits of breastfeeding have been ascribed to human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). For instance, HMO can affect faecal characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency. Such effects on stool characteristics can be beneficial for young infants as hard stools and even constipation is common in that age group. Prebiotics in infant milk formulas have been introduced to exert similar functionalities. A specific mixture of prebiotics consists of a combination of short chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) in a ratio of 9:1. This specific mixture has been developed to closely resemble the molecular size composition of HMO. Many studies have been done with scGOS/lcFOS, and indicators for digestive comfort have often been included as secondary outcomes. This review summarizes the effects of scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) on stool consistency, stool frequency and transit time in healthy term and preterm infants. In several of the studies with scGOS/lcFOS in a ratio of 9:1 in infant milk formulas, positive effects of this mixture on stool characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency were observed. As stool consistency was shown to be correlated to whole gut transit time, scGOS/lcFOS can be hypothesised to have a role in reducing the risk of constipation.