bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Inductive Inference in Infancy
Authors: Rakison David H. , Cicchino Jessica B. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis chapter challenges the predominant “top-down” view of early inductive inference. According to this view, induction and categorization by infants as young as 9 to 11 months of age is based on abstract knowledge about the properties of things that is acquired through specialized mechanisms, modules, or innate principles. This perspective is contested both on theoretical and empirical grounds. First, it is proposed that infants' concepts for objects and entities are generated via general rather than specific mechanisms. As a corollary of this view, it is argued that early knowledge about the properties of things in the world involves associative links between specific surface features and those properties, and that such representations are not in place until the middle or end of the second year of life. Second, it is argued that care must be taken in interpreting infants' behavior within the inductive generalization procedure. In particular, (1) infants' behavior in the task is not always driven by knowledge acquired prior to arriving at the laboratory; and (2) the basis for induction for any property must be studied before conclusions can be drawn about the nature and content of infants' concepts. In support of these views, data is provided from inductive generalization studies with 14- to 26-month-olds, which show that infants are influenced by the model exemplar used by the experimenter, and that perceptual features—such as legs and wheels— act as the basis for early induction for motion properties.
Similarity, Induction, Naming, and Categorization: A Bottom-up Approach
Authors: Sloutsky Vladimir M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis chapter considers two broad theoretical approaches to cognitive development. One approach advocates the importance of a priori constraints in cognitive development (i.e. the top-down approach). The other approach argues that people have powerful learning mechanisms enabling them to extract regularities from the input (i.e. the bottom-up approach). It then reviews a recently proposed bottom-up model of inductive generalization and several phenomena predicted by the model; some of these phenomena present challenges to the top-down approach. It focuses on the role of label and appearance information in induction and presents evidence that labels affect induction by contributing to the overall similarity of compared items. The chapter also considers a mechanism that may underlie the effects of labels on generalization. It suggests that labels (and other sounds) contribute to similarity by overshadowing (or attenuating processing of) corresponding visual input, and presents supporting evidence from studies with infants and young children. Finally, the chapter discusses how effects of words may change in the course of development as a function of increasing familiarity of human speech.
Role of Acid and Nonacid Reflux in Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis Compared With Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux and Control Patients
Authors: Rosen Rachel , Furuta Glenn , Fritz Julia , Donovan Kate , Nurko Samuel 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:Because of the relationship between food and eosinophilic diseases, we hypothesize that patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) may be repeatedly exposed to nonacid ingested foodstuffs compared with patients without EE. Because inflammation is found throughout the esophagus in patients with EE, we further hypothesize that there would be more full‐column reflux in EE patients compared with patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and control patients.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed pH‐multichannel intraluminal impedance tracings of EE patients who were age‐matched with control and GERD patients and compared the reflux profiles among the 3 groups.Results:There were no significant differences between the mean numbers of nonacid reflux events in EE patients (4.7 ± 3.3) compared with GERD (7.5 ± 5.3) or control patients (6.8 ± 4.6) (P = 0.36). There were significantly more acid reflux events in patients with GERD (47.4 ± 17.1) compared with patients with EE (24.9 ± 20.0) and control patients (28.4 ± 16.5) (P = 0.02). Patients with EE did not have a higher percentage of full‐column reflux (31.9 ± 20.9) compared with control patients (24.4 ± 19.8) or patients with GERD (30.5 ± 14.9) (P = 0.64).Conclusions:Neither full‐column reflux nor nonacid reflux is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of EE.
Natural History of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Over a 5‐Year Follow‐up: A Retrospective Review of Data From the Register of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Newby Elizabeth A , Croft Nick M , Green Michael , Hassan Kamal , Heuschkel Robert B , Jenkins Huw , Casson David H 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:The natural history of paediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is poorly understood. We aim to describe the disease course in this cohort and generate prognostic information for patients and clinicians.Materials and Methods:Patient records from 6 tertiary paediatric gastroenterology centres were reviewed to generate data concerning original diagnosis, change in diagnosis, family history, surgical interventions, growth, and presence of extragastrointestinal manifestations.Results:Data were collected on 116 children with Crohn disease (CD), 74 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 20 with indeterminate colitis (IC), followed for a mean period of 3.42, 3.3, and 2.9 years from date of diagnosis, respectively.A male predominance is demonstrated in CD. Revision of diagnosis in patients with IC is mainly to UC, with most children receiving a definitive diagnosis within 2 years of initial presentation. Of the children with UC, 17.6% underwent 1 or more major operations with a median time to surgery of 1.92 years. Of children with CD, 11.6% underwent 1 or more major intraabdominal procedures with a median time to surgery of 1.83 years. We recorded a positive family history in 2.7%, 8.2%, and 10% of cases for CD, UC, and IC, respectively. For both boys and girls with CD, but only for boys with UC, height standard deviation score became more negative over time.Conclusions:This retrospective study quantifies certain distinctions between IBDs diagnosed in paediatric and adult populations. We document a trend toward male predominance in children with CD. We also note impaired linear growth in children with CD, whereas it appears maintained in girls with UC. We also have recorded a low incidence of IBDs in the families of this cohort and suggest that environmental influences may be of greater importance. We document that major intraabdominal surgery may be required in about 15% of patients with either UC or CD within 2 years of diagnosis, and that the majority of those diagnosed initially with IC will be reclassified as either UC or CD within 2 years.
Molecular Studies of Fecal Anaerobic Commensal Bacteria in Acute Diarrhea in Children
Authors: Balamurugan Ramadass , Janardhan Harish P , George Sarah , Raghava M Venkata , Muliyil Jayaprakash , Ramakrishna Balakrishnan S 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and Objective:The commensal bacterial flora of the colon may undergo changes during diarrhea, owing to colonization of the intestine by pathogens and to rapid intestinal transit. This study used molecular methods to determine changes in the composition of selected commensal anaerobic bacteria during and after acute diarrhea in children.Materials and Methods:Fecal samples were obtained from 46 children with acute diarrhea in a rural community during an episode of acute diarrhea, immediately after recovery from diarrhea, and 3 months after recovery. DNA was extracted and quantitative polymerase chain reaction using SYBR green and genus‐ and species‐specific primers targeting 16S rDNA were undertaken to quantitate the following groups of bacteria: Bifidobacterium spp., Bifidobacterium longum group, Bacteroides‐Prevotella group, Bacteroides fragilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus group, Faecalibacterium prauznitzii, and Eubacterium rectale, relative to amplification of universal bacterial domain 16S rDNA.Results:Bacteria belonging to the Bacteroides‐Prevotella‐Porphyromonas group, E rectale, L acidophilus, and F prauznitzii groups were low during acute diarrhea compared with their levels after recovery from diarrhea. The pattern was similar in rotavirus diarrhea and nonrotavirus diarrhea. Administration of amylase‐resistant maize starch as adjuvant therapy was associated with lower levels of F prauznitzii at the time of recovery but did not lead to other changes in the floral pattern.Conclusions:Specific classes of fecal bacteria are lower during episodes of acute diarrhea in children than during periods of normal gastrointestinal health, suggesting specific alterations in the flora during diarrhea.
Autophagy: Healthy Eating and Self‐digestion for Gastroenterologists
Authors: Hussey Séamus , Terebiznik Mauricio R , Jones Nicola L 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAutophagy is an evolutionary conserved mechanism in eukaryotic cells that is known to process redundant or defective cellular proteins and organelles. The recent renewal of interest in autophagy research has led to a significant expansion in our understanding of the importance of autophagy in cellular health and disease. This invited review summarizes key elements of autophagy research, emphasizes those of particular interest to gastroenterologists, and offers insights into present and future research directions.
Rapid Determination of the Bacterial Composition of Commercial Probiotic Products by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
Authors: Marcobal Angela , Underwood Mark A , Mills David A 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTLabel claims on probiotic products often do not represent the true constituents. With the increased use of probiotics in clinical studies, it is necessary to know the true composition of probiotic products to better interpret study outcomes. We used terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to rapidly determine the overall bacterial composition of 14 commercial probiotic products and validated the results with species‐specific polymerase chain reaction. The results show that many probiotic products contain unadvertised additional lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, whereas others are missing species listed on the product label. In summary, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism is a rapid method for profiling the microbial contents of probiotic products used in clinical studies.
Lack of Diagnostic Utility of Specific Immunoglobulin M in Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children
Authors: Serrano Carolina A , González Carmen G , Rollan Antonio R , Duarte Ignacio , Torres Javiera , Peña Alfredo J , Harris Paul R 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:Helicobacter pylori infection results in a systemic immune response characterized by the initial rise of immunoglobulin (Ig) M followed by the elevation of IgG‐ and IgA‐specific antibody levels in serum. Age and regional considerations may modify the accuracy of serological tests.Objectives:To determine the accuracy of specific IgG, IgA, and IgM in H pylori infection determination in different age groups.Patients and Methods:We enrolled 179 patients referred for endoscopy. Patients were considered infected if they had positive histological or urease test results for H pylori. Titers of IgG, IgA, and IgM were determined in serum by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Through receiver operator characteristic curves, cutoff, sensitivity, and specificity values were obtained. Agreement and correlation between immunoglobulin titers and inflammation markers were explored.Results:Infection with H pylori was present in 58% of adults, 62% of adolescents, and 25% of children. Sensitivity and specificity were higher in children younger than 12 years old for IgG and IgA. All diagnostic performance values were lower for IgM. Agreement measures were approximately 0.5 in adults and reached values of approximately 0.7 for adolescents and children. IgM had negative agreement with other methods. There was a correlation between inflammation markers, H pylori load, and immunoglobulin titers for IgG and IgA. These associations decreased with age and were not observed for IgM.Conclusions:IgG and IgA serological tests reached high performance values, particularly in children younger than 12 years old, indicating that they are reasonable screening methods once cutoff values are adjusted to local population and age. IgM does not present an additional contribution.
Sterol Profiling in Red Blood Cell Membranes and Plasma of Newborns Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Pianese P , Salvia G , Campanozzi A , D'Apolito O , Russo A Dello , Pettoello‐Mantovani M , Corso G 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives:Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a lifesaving therapy in children with intestinal failure, frequently complicated by liver dysfunction. Plant sterols (phytosterols) of lipid emulsions have been supposed to contribute to cholestasis in TPN‐treated children. The present study aimed to evaluate the plasma and red blood cell membrane (RBCM) phytosterol levels in newborns after a short period of TPN.Patients and Methods:Phytosterols, cholesterol, and other sterol levels were quantified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in 15 healthy control infants, 22 patients after TPN, and 11 patients before TPN. Sterols of lipid emulsions were quantified.Results:Plasma and RBCM phytosterol levels were, respectively, on average 56 μmol/L and 83 μmol/g per protein in patients after TPN, 13 μmol/L and 15 μmol/g per protein in patients before TPN, and 9 μmol/L and 13 μmoL/g per protein in control infants (P < 0.05 for differences). The days of TPN and the total amount of infused lipids correlated significantly with RBCM phytosterol (P < 0.05); correlations for plasma were positive but not significant. No correlation was observed with plasma bilirubin, γ‐glutamyltransferase, or alanine transaminase.Conclusions:Plasma and RBCM phytosterols increase significantly in newborns after a short period of TPN. Higher phytosterol levels were observed in some patients that could have been due to their individual variability in phytosterol metabolism and/or clearance. A greater accumulation of phytosterols in membranes may induce TPN‐related cholestasis.
Treatment Regimen Adherence in Pediatric Gastroenterology
Authors: Hommel Kevin A , Mackner Laura M , Denson Lee A , Crandall Wallace V 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTObjective:To review and critically evaluate the extant research pertaining to adherence in pediatric gastroenterological diseases, particularly inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease, and to provide recommendations for future research development.Materials and Methods:A literature search with no date restriction was conducted using PubMed and PsychInfo electronic databases and bibliographies of relevant articles.Results:Adherence rates in inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease range considerably from 16% to 62% and 5% to 70%, respectively, across treatments and assessment method; nonadherence frequency was generally not reported. Measures used to assess adherence included self‐report, interview, diet record, and bioassay methods, and each measure demonstrated strengths and limitations. Limited evidence suggests that adherence in both disease populations is related to patient and family behavioral factors and that nonadherence is related to poor disease outcome. Treatment outcome research for nonadherence is scant in the current literature.Conclusions:Future research should focus on refining assessment method, examining adherence and concomitant behavioral factors longitudinally, testing theoretical models of adherence, and developing efficacious treatments for nonadherence.
Desquamative Enteropathy and Pyloric Atresia Without Skin Disease Caused by a Novel Intracellular β4 Integrin Mutation
Authors: Salvestrini Camilla , McGrath John A , Ozoemena Linda , Husain Khaled , Buhamrah Eman , Sabery Nasim , Leichtner Alan , Rufo Paul A , Perez‐Atayde Antonio , Orteu Cate H , Torrente Franco , Heuschkel Robert B , Thomson Michael A , Murch Simon H 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:Mutations in α6 or β4 integrins (ITGA6, ITGB4) are known to cause junctional epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (JEB‐PA), often lethal in infancy through skin desquamation. There is 1 report of pyloric atresia associated with a desquamatory enteropathy but without skin disease, of unknown molecular basis.Patients and Methods:We report 2 Kuwaiti siblings with pyloric atresia and life‐threatening intestinal desquamation without significant skin abnormality. The older sibling died of intractable diarrhoea, and the younger sibling suffered episodes of massive protein‐losing enteropathy, triggered by viral infections, in addition to obstructive uropathy. Mutation analysis was performed for ITGA6 and ITGB4 and expression of ITGA6 and ITGB4 protein was examined in skin and intestinal biopsies. Her serum also was incubated with normal intestine.Results:We identified a novel mutation in ITGB4, with homozygous deletion of a single residue (isoleucine 1314) within the intracellular plectin‐binding domain. Expression of ITGA6 and ITGB4 within skin, duodenal, and colonic epithelium was normal or minimally reduced, in contrast to previous reports. Biopsies taken during relapse showed accumulation of immunoglobulin G and C1q within intestinal basement membrane, whereas immunoglobulin G from her serum bound to basement membrane of normal small intestine. Immunomodulatory therapy induced significant improvement following relapses.Conclusions:ITGB4 mutation may induce a desquamative enteropathy in infancy without significant skin disease. A history of pyloric atresia is important in infants with severe chronic diarrhoeal disease and should prompt investigation for JEB‐PA associated mutations. Acquired immune responses may exacerbate primary genetic disorders of epithelial adhesion and immunomodulatory therapy may be beneficial.
Liver Disease Associated with ZZ α1‐Antitrypsin Deficiency and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Therapy in Children
Authors: Lykavieris Panayotis , Ducot Béatrice , Lachaux Alain , Dabadie Alain , Broué Pierre , Sarles Jacques , Bernard Olivier , Jacquemin Emmanuel 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in children with liver disease associated with ZZ α1‐antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.Patients and Methods:A total of 42 affected children received UDCA (30 mg · kg−1 · day−1) and underwent clinical and biochemical follow‐up at least yearly.Results:In group 1, 22 children whose mean initial γ‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase (GGT) was 7.4 × N normalized serum liver test results after a mean treatment of 2.6 years. In 16 of these children, UDCA was discontinued. Relapse was observed in 11 children, and liver test results returned to normal after UDCA resumption. In the other 5 children, liver test results remained normal during a mean period of 2.5 years. In group 2, 11 children (mean initial GGT 12.8 × N) had improved liver test results after a mean treatment of 2.3 years. In group 3, 9 children (mean initial GGT 33.8 × N) had no liver test result improvement and evolution toward cirrhosis, requiring liver transplantation in 7. Most of the children in group 1 had normal results of clinical examination after UDCA treatment, versus none in group 3 (P ≤ 0.00001). Initial GGT (P ≤ 0.002) and total bilirubin (P ≤ 0.05) levels were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 3. Combined initial values of GGT ≤5.5 × N and total bilirubin ≤66 μmol/L were associated with normalization of liver test results in 90% of children.Conclusions:UDCA may significantly improve clinical status and liver test results in some children with liver disease associated with ZZ AAT deficiency. No beneficial effect of UDCA was shown in children with the most severe liver involvement. Initial levels of GGT and total bilirubin may be of prognostic value for therapy effectiveness.
Serum Linoleic Acid Status as a Clinical Indicator of Essential Fatty Acid Status in Children With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Maqbool Asim , Schall Joan I , Garcia‐Espana J Felipe , Zemel Babette S , Strandvik Birgitta , Stallings Virginia A 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency (PI) are at increased risk for essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency.Objectives:To investigate serum markers of EFA status in children with CF and PI and their association with growth, body composition, and lung function.Patients and Methods:Serum phospholipid fatty acid, growth, and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1, percentage predicted) status were assessed at baseline and 12 months in 77 children with CF and PI, 7 to 10 years old. Longitudinal mixed‐effects models were used to compare associations of the triene:tetraene ratio (ratio of eicosatrienoic acid to arachidonic acid) and serum linoleic acid (as a molar percentage of total serum phospholipid fatty acids, or mol%) with the clinical outcomes. Controls for serum fatty acid were 23 healthy white age‐ and sex‐matched children.Results:Children with CF and PI had higher median triene:tetraene ratio and lower linoleic acid than healthy controls. Depending on the triene:tetraene ratio cutoff point used (0.04 or 0.02), either 17% or 52% of the children with CF had EFA deficiency, respectively. Only linoleic acid was significantly and positively associated with z scores for weight, height, body mass index, upper arm muscle area, and FEV1 at baseline. Children with linoleic acid at 21 mol% or higher had significantly better growth and pulmonary status than those with lower concentrations.Conclusions:Serum phospholipid linoleic acid at 21 mol% or higher was associated with better growth, body composition, and FEV1. No clinical outcome associations were found with the triene:tetraene ratio. These findings suggest that linoleic acid concentration was a more clinically relevant biomarker of EFA status than the triene:tetraene ratio in children with CF and PI. Further research is warranted to validate this specific percentage of linoleic acid cutoff point as a new recommendation for clinical use.
Detection of Polyethylene Glycol–based Laxatives in Stool
Authors: Sadilek Martin , Feldman Kenneth , Murray Karen F , Young Melissa , Mazor Suzan 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThe ability to test stool for laxatives is an important part of patient care in some clinical circumstances. Some patients take or are given laxatives surreptitiously. Additionally, failure to take prescribed laxatives may result in treatment failure in children with constipation or encopresis. Although laboratory methods have been available to identify many laxatives in the stool, tests are not available for detecting polyethylene glycol (PEG)–based laxatives. PEG‐based laxatives are frequently used in the treatment of children with constipation. We developed a mass spectrometry (MS)–based analysis for detecting PEG in stool and verified the technique in an adult volunteer. We then piloted the assay on stools from children taking PEG for constipation versus children with diarrhea who were not taking PEG. Eleven subjects with diarrhea and 8 receiving PEG were enrolled. Nine of the children with diarrhea and 7 receiving PEG were evaluated by MS. All 3 subjects with PEG who had a stool osmolal gap determined had elevated gaps. Stools of all 7 subjects with PEG were positive for PEG by MS, whereas none of the 9 subjects with diarrhea had stool positive for PEG. This new MS methodology to test stool for PEG is described. It is likely to prove useful in the documentation of surreptitious PEG administration and in evaluation of PEG treatment failure.