摘要:

BackgroundRantes (regulated uponactivation,normalTcellexpressed andsecreted) is a chemotactic cytokine for memory T lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. The cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ) plays a key in the immune response. Their distributions and possible roles in the selective accumulation of inflammatory cells in Crohn's disease (CD) were examined by determining the expression of Rantes and IFN-γ genes in patients with CD using in situ hybridization (ISH) on frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections.MethodsIntestinal and mesenteric lymph node samples from 9 children who had undergone ileal resection for CD were examined for the presence of epithelioid-giant cell granulomas (EGCG) and Rantes and IFN-γ messenger RNA (mRNA). Normal pediatric intestine (n = 5) and lymph nodes (n = 2) served as controls.ResultsMany cells in all CD specimens in the epithelial compartment, lamina propria, and the EGCG gave positive signal with the Rantes antisense probe. Labelled cells were identified on paraffin sections as lymphocytes, macrophages, and epithelioid cells. There were Rantes-positive cells in the control intestinal tissues, but many Rantes-positive cells in control lymph nodes that showed follicular hyperplasia. IFN-γ-positive cells were present in all CD ileal and lymph node specimens, predominantly in close contact with EGCC. No positive signal was obtained with the Rantes and IFN-γ sense control probes.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that Rantes and IFN-γ contribute to the selective accumulation of macrophages and memory T helper lymphocytes inside the granulomas and inflammatory infiltrates that are characteristic of CD.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux is part of a generalized foregut motility disorder, which may also include delayed gastric emptying. With persistence of gastroesophageal reflux, or the presence of complications, including recurrent aspiration syndrome and esophageal stricture formation, surgical correction may be indicated. It is uncertain whether a procedure to resolve delayed gastric emptying is indicated at this time as well.MethodsSixty-seven children with proven gastroesophageal reflux had preoperative gastric emptying assessed using99Technetium-Sn-colloid labelled milk. Delayed gastric emptying was defined as a gastric residual activity of more than 40% at 2 hours after feeding. The antireflux operation was a partial anterior fundoplication. Postoperative milk scans assessed the effect of surgery on gastric emptying.ResultsGastric emptying at 2 hours improved overall from a median of 22% before surgery to 17% after surgery. In 17 patients delayed gastric emptying was identified before surgery; in 15 of those it returned to within normal limits after surgery. In 50 children with normal gastric emptying before surgery (gastric residual activity at 2 hours 16%), 14 (28%) showed delayed gastric emptying in the postoperative scan.ConclusionsDelayed gastric emptying is common in children who undergo surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease. A partial anterior fundoplication antireflux operation improves gastric emptying to within normal limits in the majority (88%) in this group, rendering a synchronous gastric drainage procedure unnecessary.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundSpecially collected, spray-dried bovine and porcine blood plasma have been incorporated previously in feeds of weanling farm animals, resulting in increased dietary intakes and greater rates of weight gain than observed in control animals. Before conducting similar trials in human populations, preliminary studies have been completed to assess the acceptability, safety, and digestibility of processed animal plasma in young children.MethodsMasked study diets were provided sequentially to each of ten young, Peruvian children recovering from severe protein-energy malnutrition during three randomly ordered 7-day dietary periods. The control diet was prepared from rice, milk, vegetable oil, and sugar; the two study diets included spray-dried, bovine serum concentrate to replace either 25% or 50% of the milk protein of the control diet. Urine and faces were collected quantitatively during the last four days of each diet period to assess stool weight, apparent absorption of macronutrients, and retention of nitrogen.ResultsAll children consumed the entire amounts offered of each of the diets. The mean number of daily bowel movements and mean apparent absorption and retention of nitrogen and mean apparent absorption of carbohydrate were similar for each diet. Fractional absorption of dietary lipid and of total energy increased significantly in relation to the amount of bovine serum concentrate in the diet, although this might be explained by the simultaneous replacement of milk fat with additional vegetable oil.ConclusionsEach of the diets was well accepted by the study children, and there was no evidence of any adverse effects of bovine serum concentrate.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundWe examined carnitine concentrations in fasted neonatal rat brain to evaluate the effect of starvation on fatty acid metabolism.MethodsThe free- and acylcarnitine concentrations in neonatal rat brain and heart were determined after a 72-hour starvation period from the 3rd to 6th postnatal day. They were also determined in rats at 3 and 6 days of age fed normally by the mother rats as controls.ResultsIn the brain, the mean free carnitine concentration in the fasted group showed an increase similar to that in normal rats and there was no difference between the fasted and 6-day-old control rats. However, the mean acylcarnitine concentration was significantly higher in the fasted group than in the control group at both 3 and 6 days of age. Almost all of the increased acylcarnitine in the fasted group was short-chain acylcarnitine.In the heart, there was no difference in the mean free carnitine concentration between the fasted group and control group at 6 days of age. The 6-day-old rats in both the fasted and control groups showed higher levels compared to 3-day-old rats in the control group. The mean acylcarnitine concentration in the fasted group was not different from that in control group at 6 days of age, while the amount of short-chain acylcarnitine was less than that in the control group at 6 days of age.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that in the brain, carnitine is accumulated as a result of redistribution during starvation, and is utilized for energy supply by fatty acid oxidation.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundDeterminations of fecal fat and nitrogen reveal evidence of malabsorption and assist in estimating the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme treatment. Seventy-two-hour stool collection, with chemical analysis of fecal fat, and Kjeldahl's method for measurement of fecal nitrogen are generally accepted as standard methods for making these determinations. However, these traditional methods are expensive, timeconsuming, and cumbersome. This study evaluated the efficiency and validity of an alternative method, using nearinfrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and compared results with those of the standard methods.MethodsNear-infrared reflectance spectroscopy is a secondary method: The instrument first has to be calibrated with samples analyzed by the standard method. Sixty-three stool samples with known fat content (range 4.79-292.5 mg/g), 24 samples with known nitrogen content (range 5.36-19.38 mg/g), and 24 samples with known water concentration (range 60.1-82.22%) served for calibration. A further 69 samples were analyzed to validate the procedure.ResultsThere was a satisfactory correlation between the measurements produced by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and those produced by standard methods: fatr= 0.97; nitrogenr= 0.94; waterr= 0.96.ConclusionsNear-infrared reflectance spectroscopy appears to be a reliable, simple, and rapid method of measuring different fecal components-as precise and accurate as the standard methods. Stool samples should be analyzed immediately after collecting or stored only a few days before analyzing.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundEscherichia coliK12 is a laboratory strain considered nonpathogenic. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect ofE. coliK12 infection on colonic structure and function.MethodsSuckling rabbits were infected at 10 days of age with 6 × 109CFUE. coliby intragastric inoculation and were examined 4 to 5 days later. Segments of ileum and proximal and distal colon were removed for light and electron microscopy, and NaCl transport was examined in vitro under short-circuited conditions in Ussing chambers.ResultsInfection did not cause weight loss or diarrhea. Colonic mucosa was inflamed with infiltration by polymorpho-nuclear neutrophils mainly in the lamina propria. The proximal and distal colon exhibited reduced Na+absorption. The proximal colon also showed increased Cl-secretion; the ileum was unaffected.ConclusionsInfection withE. coliK12 disrupts the epithelium and alters ion transport in the colon, probably as a result of mucosal inflammation. The changes indicate that nonpathogenicE. colihave the potential to cause intestinal disease.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundAnimal and human studies have suggested thattransfatty acids might alter some physiological functions and adversely affect the growth and essential fatty acid balance of infants. In this context it is important to know the fatty acid composition, including the levels oftransisomers of oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acids in infant formulas.MethodsTen liquid and fourteen powdered formulas for term infants were purchased from retail stores in Canada. The fatty acid composition of each formula was determined by capillary gas-liquid chromatography.ResultsAll the formulas met the mimimum content of 500 mg of linoleic acid/100 kcal formula (equivalent to 4.5% of energy) specified under current Canadian regulations. The formulas all met the minimum energy levels of 3% as linoleic acid and 0.7% as α-linolenic acid recommended recently by an ad hoc committee of Health Canada. However, in nine formulas, the proportion of linoleic acid was more than 20% of total fatty acids, and consequently, in five of them, the ratio of linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid exceeded the maximum ratio of 16:1 recommended by the ad hoc committee.Transfatty acids were present in all the samples, and generally the liquid formulas displayed a higher totaltranscontent (mean 1.9%, range 0.9-3.1%) than powdered formulas (mean 1.4%, range 0.6-2.5%). The amounts oftransisomers of linoleic and α-linolenic acids and the degree of isomerization of these fatty acids were also higher in liquid formulas than in powdered formulas.ConclusionsA few of the Canadian infant formulas would provide one-third of α-linolenic acid astransgeometric isomers.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

BackgroundIncreased lipid peroxidation caused by oxygen free radicals is thought to be one of the common pathogenetic mechanisms for the so-called oxygen radical diseases of prematurity. Since in vitro studies have shown that various forms of vitamin A can exert antioxidant effects that are more potent than those of vitamin E (treatment with which has been ineffective in these diseases), the purpose of this prospective, controlled study was to determine whether administration of supplemental vitamin A to premature infants deficient in this vitamin would have an antioxidant effect in vivo.MethodsFourteen infants (1181 ± 35 g; gestational age 29 ± 0.04 weeks) with a serum retinol concentration at 7 ± 2 days of age in the deficient range, lower than 0.7 μmol/l (<20 μg/dl), were enrolled in the study. Infants were randomized to receive the standard amount of vitamin A or standard plus supplemental (2.6 μmol/l [2500 IU] orally each day) vitamin A, beginning at 1 week of age. Antioxidant effects of supplementation were assessed by a decrease in lipid peroxidation, quantified by the ethane content of expired air.ResultsThree weeks after study enrollment, total daily vitamin A intake in the infants receiving supplements was 4.565 ± 0.236 μmol (4354 ± 225 IU) versus 1.879 ± 0.317 μmol/l (1792 ± 302 IU) in infants receiving standard amounts of the vitamin. In spite of the difference in intake of vitamin A, 3 weeks after study enrollment, serum retinol concentrations did not differ between the infants given supplements and those receiving standard amounts of vitamin A, 0.70 ± 0.21 versus 0.66 ± 0.07 μmol/l (20 ± 6 μg/dl versus 19 ± 2 μg/dl, respectively). In the infants receiving supplemental vitamin A, breath ethane values declined from baseline values. There was an inverse correlation between the number of weeks of supplementation and breath ethane values, whereas there was no significant correlation between the duration of the study and breath ethane values in the infants not given supplements.ConclusionsOur data suggest that supplementation with vitamin A in a small group of vitamin A-deficient preterm infants was associated with an antioxidant effect. Although no immediate clinical benefits were associated with supplementation, the data provide the rationale for future investigations of possible antioxidant effects of (larger amounts?) of vitamin A in higher risk premature infants born with subnormal serum retinol concentrations.

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0277-2116    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID