bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of interleukin 18 in Crohn's disease: evidence fromin vitroanalysis of human gut inflammatory cells and from experimental colitis models
Authors: MAERTEN P , SHEN C , COLPAERT S , LIU Z , BULLENS D A M , VAN ASSCHE G , PENNINCKX F , GEBOES K , VANHAM G , RUTGEERTS P , CEUPPENS J L 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYAn imbalance of immunoregulatory factors and/or cells contributes to uncontrolled mucosal T cell activation and inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). Bioactive interleukin (IL)-18 has been shown to be produced by macrophages in CD lesions. We report here that T cells freshly isolated from inflamed tissue of CD patients (and not T cells from control intestinal tissue) were responsive to IL-18. In the presence of IL-18, these T cells produced more interferon (IFN)-γ and less IL-10. To analyse further the role of IL-18 in this disease, an acute and a chronic model of murine colitis were used. IL-18 mRNA was significantly enhanced in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis, and treatment with IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BPa), which neutralizes IL-18 bioactivity, significantly reduced the severity of colitis. However, IL-18BPa did not affect the course of chronic colitis in CD45RBhighCD4+ T cell reconstituted SCID mice. Production of IFN-γ in lamina propria mononuclear cell cultures from IL-18BPa-treated SCID mice was decreased, but at the same time fewer lamina propria CD4+ T cells harvested from IL-18BPa-treated mice compared to non-treated mice were in apoptosis. We conclude that IL-18 clearly has a modulatory role in the inflammatory cascade of CD and experimental colitis by affecting IFN-γ and IL-10 production, and apoptosis. In view of the divergent effects of IL-18 neutralization in the two different murine colitis models, it is unlikely that IL-18 is at the top of this cascade.
Interleukin-15 production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells and T cell proliferation in HIV-infected patients with discordant response to highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: D'ETTORRE G , FORCINA G , ANDREOTTI M , SARMATI L , PALMISANO L , ANDREONI M , VELLA S , MASTROIANNI C M , VULLO V 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYA discordant response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) occurs when CD4 T cell counts are stable or increased over time despite persistently detectable HIV-RNA levels. In order to identify immunological factors affecting discordant treatment responses, a total of 27 HIV-infected patients were studied: (a) 10 naive patients (mean CD4+ = 101·5 cells/µl; mean HIV-RNA = 4·8 log10 copies/ml); (b) seven responder patients (mean CD4+ = 908·9 cells/µl); and (c) 10 discordant patients (mean CD4+ = 396·1 cells/µl; mean HIV-RNA = 5·4 log10 copies/ml). Five healthy blood donors were included as HIV-seronegative controls. The following parameters were evaluated: interleukin (IL)-15 production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) after stimulation with lypopolysaccaride (LPS) and Candida albicans; recall and HIV-1-specific antigen lymphocyte proliferation (LP). Increased levels of IL-15 production by MDDC after stimulation with LPS and C. albicans were found both in discordant patients and responder patients. Conversely, a strong reduction of IL-15 levels was observed in naive patients. Discordant patients developed positive LP responses to C. albicans and HIV-1 p24. LP in response to C. albicans and HIV-1 p24 was also positive in responder patients. Decreased LP response was found in naive patients. In conclusion, HIV-infected patients with discordant viro-immunological responses to HAART present increased levels of IL-15 production by MDDC and enhanced recall and HIV-1-specific antigen LP responses, suggesting an improvement in indices of immune function.
Paneth cell granule depletion in the human small intestine under infective and nutritional stress
Authors: KELLY P , FEAKINS R , DOMIZIO P , MURPHY J , BEVINS C , WILSON J , MCPHAIL G , POULSOM R , DHALIWAL W 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARY
Paneth cells are important contributors to the intestinal antimicrobial barrier through synthesis and release of antimicrobial peptides and proteins. Animal studies indicate that Paneth cell numbers, location and granule morphology are altered by infection and zinc status. We examined human tissue to determine whether Paneth cell numbers, distribution or granule morphology are altered in infective, inflammatory and nutritional disorders. Archival sections from infective disorders (giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, HIV, helminth infection) were compared with active inflammatory conditions (coeliac, Crohn's and graft-versus-host diseases) and histologically normal tissues. A subset of tissues was studied by electron microscopy and TUNEL staining for apoptosis. Human defensin-5 (HD5) peptide and mRNA was analysed by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Sections from a tropical population cohort study were then analysed to determine the relationship of granule depletion to infection, nutritional status and plasma zinc concentration. In HIV-related cryptosporidiosis, but not other disorders, Paneth cells were reduced in number and markedly depleted of granules. Paneth cell granule depletion was associated with reduced HD5 immunoreactivity, but this was not due to apoptosis and there was no reduction in mRNA transcripts. In the tropical population studied, depletion of granules was associated with reduced body mass index, reduced plasma zinc levels and HIV infection. Paneth cell granules in human small intestine may be depleted in response to infective and nutritional stress. We postulate that this is one mechanism through which zinc status influences host susceptibility to intestinal infection.
Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 mutations in periodontal disease
Authors: FOLWACZNY M , GLAS J , TÖRÖK H-P , LIMBERSKY O , FOLWACZNY C 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARY
Toll-like receptors (TLR) are signal molecules essential for the cellular response to bacterial cell wall components. Different functional effective polymorphisms for the TLR 4 gene (Asp299Gly; Thr399Ile) and for the TLR 2 gene (Arg677Trp, Arg753Gln) have recently been described that are associated with impaired lipopolysaccharide signal transduction. A total of 122 patients with chronic periodontal disease and 122 healthy unrelated controls were genotyped for the Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphism of the TLR 4 gene and the Arg677Trp and Arg753Gln mutation of the TLR 2 gene. The mutations were identified with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The prevalence of the Asp299Gly and the Thr399Ile mutant allele was 4·1% (10/244) and 4·5% (11/244) among periodontitis patients. For the healthy controls the prevalence was 3·3% (8/244) for the Asp299Gly (P = 0·810) and 3·7% (9/244) for the Thr399Ile mutant allele (P = 0·819). The Arg753Gln mutant allele was found in 2·9% (7/244) of the periodontitis subjects as compared to 4·1% (10/244) in the control group (P = 0·622). The Arg677Trp mutant allele was not found in any of the study subjects. Unlike in ulcerative colitis there was not observed an association between chronic periodontitis and the various mutations of the TLR 2 and 4 gene.
Preventing mother‐to‐child HIV transmission in the new millennium: the challenge of breast feeding
Authors: Kuhn Louise , Stein Zena , Susser Mervyn 
Published: January 2004

SummaryShort courses of antiretroviral drugs have greatly enhanced the prospect of reducing mother‐to‐child HIV transmission. Yet transmission by breast feeding clouds hopes for this seemingly simple intervention. We revisit mathematical models to assess the competing risks associated with feeding by breast vs. formula. These indicate that, in the less developed world where the HIV epidemic predominates, neither option,unmodified, offers a reasonable choice for HIV‐positive women. Where infant mortality rates are greater than about 40 per 1000 live births, if formula were made available to HIV‐infected women only, the excess number of deaths that would result from formula use would be approximately the same or greater than the number of HIV infections that might be prevented. Only at lower infant mortality rates, less than about 40 per 1000, is the risk greater on the breast.There are thus no good grounds for the total avoidance of breast feeding under all conditions. Research to develop and test safer infant feeding alternatives is an urgent priority. On the one hand, ways to reduce HIV transmission while preserving breast feeding, as exclusive breast feeding could do, need to be fully tested. On the other hand, ways to reduce non‐HIV morbidity and mortality associated with formula feeding, as educational or sanitary interventions could do, equally need testing. With either approach, a necessary foundation for implementing all the core components of preventing mother‐to‐child HIV transmission is competent counselling for mothers. Innovative approaches are needed to mobilise and train effective counsellors among health care workers and, as appropriate, community members.
Effect of indoor environmental factors on development of atopic symptoms in children followed up to 4 years of age
Authors: Gustafsson Dan , Andersson Kjell 
Published: January 2004

SummaryThe increased prevalence of atopic diseases reported in many Western countries is thought to be caused by changes in living conditions. For a long time attention was focused on indoor environmental factors and early feeding patterns, but during recent years other factors have received more attention. An unselected, Swedish, population‐based cohort of 904 children were followed from the age of 3 months to 4 years. Questionnaires were sent to the mothers of the children when they were 3 months, 18 months and 4 years of age. A blood sample was taken from a subgroup of the children when they were 4 years old which was analysed for IgE specific antibodies to food and inhalant allergens. The prevalences of asthma, allergic eye‐nose reactions, eczema, and food reactions at 4 years of age and a positive blood test were analysed as outcome factors.Features of housing and early feeding patterns were found to have limited effect on the development of allergies in the children. Presence of older siblings resulted in a decreased tendency to produce IgE antibodies. Early exposure to furry animals seemed to prevent the development of asthma. Children who were frequently infected up to 18 months of age showed an increased prevalence of allergic symptoms at 4 years of age. Children of mothers with a higher prevalence of complaints about indoor factors, or who had increased general symptoms or skin or mucous membrane symptoms ran a greater risk of developing various allergic symptoms. However, these children did not have higher levels of IgE antibodies. The reported allergic symptoms in the children may be due to non‐immunological reactions, although it is also possible that the mothers may have over‐reported such symptoms.
Genetic epidemiology: some special contributions of birth cohorts
Authors: Pembrey Marcus 
Published: January 2004

SummaryBirth cohorts that collect detailed phenotypic and environmental information, particularly if multigenerational, have an important contribution to make as we seek to understand the genetic and environmental determinants of common disease. Provided such multigenerational population cohorts are unselected by disease, trait or exposure, they can also contribute important information that is needed for optimal statistical analysis in genetic epidemiology generally. One example of this added value is an assessment, at specified loci, of whether or not there is distortion of the expected Mendelian 50 : 50 transmission of alleles to study subjects (e.g. due to differential loss of embryos of one genotype). Another example is to test for heterosis, i.e. whether heterozygotes have a greater or lesser effect than either homozygote. Finally, phenome scans (a fixed format analysis of the associations between a genotype of interest and thousands of outcome variables from the cohort database) could be used as a screening tool to test whether certain classes of genetic variation have more impact than others on human health and development, and so inform genotyping strategies generally.
The Belgrade childhood diabetes study: prenatal and social associations for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Šipetić Sandra , Vlajinac Hristina , Kocev Nikola , Saji´ Silvija 
Published: January 2004

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate whether prenatal and social factors are associated with the development of type 1 diabetes. A case‐control study was conducted in Belgrade during the period 1994–97. A total of 105 children ≤ 16 years old with recently onset of diabetes and 210 control children, individually matched by age (± 1 year), sex and place of residence, were included in the study. In the analysis using multivariable logistic regression, the following factors were significantly related to type 1 diabetes: poor socio‐economic status (Odds ratio = 4.18, 95% confidence interval [2.01, 8.72]); higher education of father (1.53, [1.16, 2.03]); complications during pregnancy (3.39, [1.64, 7.00]); ultrasound scan during pregnancy (0.40, [0.20, 0.79]); gestational age > 41 weeks (11.11, [1.80, 68.52]); mother's consumption of foods containing nitrosamines during pregnancy (3.14, [1.68, 5.87]); and consumption of alcohol by father (4.54, [2.34, 8.79]).
Changes in mean airway pressure during HFOV influences cardiac output in neonates and infants
Authors: Gullberg N. , Winberg P. , Selldén H. 
Published: January 2004

Background:  Changes in mean airway pressure affect cardiac output during conventional positive pressure ventilation. The effect of high‐frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) on cardiac output is less studied.Methods:  A prospective study in a university hospital pediatric intensive care unit. Fourteen patients aged <1 year and weighing <10 kg who were on HFOV were included. All patients had been on HFOV for >12 h and were considered to be in a stable condition. In the study group (n = 9) the mean proximal airway pressure (Paw) was increased and decreased by +5 and −3 cmH2O, respectively, from baseline in each patient. Measurements were made at each level including baseline settings between each change. In a control group (n = 5) no changes in ventilatory parameters were made. Cardiac output was assessed with echocardiography and the Doppler technique at each level of Paw and at similar intervals in the control group.Results:  Cardiac output changed significantly when Paw was changed in the study group (P = 0.02), with the greatest change at the highest Paw at −11% (range: −19 to −9) compared with baseline. We found no significant changes over time in the control group.Conclusion:  This study shows that CO is affected by changes in mean airway pressure during HFOV in concordance with the known effects of mean airway pressure during conventional positive pressure ventilation. The mean changes are smaller than expected compared with earlier studies of conventional mechanical ventilation. Further studies are needed to better understand these relationships.
Improved folate status in children and adolescents during voluntary fortification of food with folate
Authors: Wiltshire EJ , Couper JJ 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  To assess longitudinal changes in folate status in South Australian children and adolescents during fortification of food with folic acid.Methods:  Sixty‐nine children and adolescents (age 12.8 ± 2.3 years), 47 with diabetes and 22 healthy controls, had their folate status assessed at the beginning of 1999 and again after a mean 1.1 ± 0.23 years. Intake of folate at baseline was assessed with a quantitative food frequency questionnaire.Results:  Baseline red cell folate (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) was 756 ± 294.5 nmol/L and remained constant at follow up at 736 ± 299 nmol/L (P = 0.55) in the whole group. Serum folate increased from 24.4 ± 6.3 nmol/L to 27.2 ± 8.8 nmol/L (P = 0.002). Children with diabetes showed a significant increase in serum folate (from 26.3 ± 5.7−30.1 ± 7.9, P < 0.001) and stable red cell folate (835.8 ± 278.6 and 808.6 ± 296.7, P = 0.51) between baseline and the second samples, while controls showed stable serum (20.4 ± 5.7 and 21.1 ± 7.7, P = 0.7) and red cell folate (586.6 ± 255.9 and 579.8 ± 240.1, P = 0.92). A third sample collected in 17 subjects after a further 9 ± 1.3 months showed a further increase in serum and red cell folate. Mean folate intake at baseline was 301 ± 129 µg/day, below the mean recommended for prevention of neural tube defects.Conclusions:  Voluntary fortification of food with folate is associated with improved folate status in South Australian children and adolescents, but may not be sufficient at current levels to provide maximal protection against neural tube defects at a population level.
Cephalosporin resistant urinary tract infections in young children
Authors: Mehr SS , Powell CVE , Curtis N 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  To describe the antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria causing urinary tract infection (UTI) in a cohort of Australian children under 6 years of age.Methods:  Data were collected over a 12‐month period from children under 6 years of age with a provisional diagnosis of UTI made in the Emergency Department of Sunshine Hospital, Victoria.Results:  During the study period 100 culture‐proven UTI were identified in 97 children. Three children had two episodes. Out of the 100 episodes, 39% were male, 56% were under 12 months of age at presentation and 61% were managed as outpatients. Clinical features were non‐specific in the majority of cases. Hydronephrosis and vesicoureteric reflux was detected in 5.5% and 28.6%, respectively, of children with their first investigated UTI. A single bacterial isolate was cultured from 97 urines and two from three samples. Escherichia coli (n = 90) and Proteus mirabilis (n = 5) were the most common isolates. In vitro resistance to ampicillin/amoxycillin was found in 52% of isolates, to trimethoprim in 14% and to cephalothin/cephalexin in 24%. This resistance rate to first generation cephalosporins is the highest reported to date in adult or paediatric UTI in Australia.Conclusions:  Ampicillin/amoxycillin or cephalothin/cephalexin may not be the optimal choice of antibiotic for the empiric treatment of UTI in this and possibly other paediatric populations.
Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in children
Authors: Barnes C , Newall F , Furmedge J , Mackay M , Monagle P 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (cerebral SVT) is rare in children. Information on clinical characteristics, radiological findings and outcome is emerging.Methods:  Cases of cerebral SVT diagnosed between 1995 and 2001 were identified by a computer‐assisted search using International Classification of Disease codes. Medical records were reviewed to collect information on clinical presentation, investigations, treatment and outcome.Results:  Sixteen cases of cerebral SVT were identified. All cases presented in association with head and neck pathology. The majority of cases presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and focal neurological signs. Magnetic resonance imaging identified all cases of cerebral SVT whilst CT scanning failed to demonstrate the diagnosis in two cases. Management with anticoagulation was associated with radiological resolution of the thrombosis and normal neurological outcome. Long‐term follow up demonstrated neurological deficits in greater than 40% of patients.Conclusion:  Cerebral SVT in children is associated with significant residual neurological morbidity. Prospective studies to identify predictors of outcome and effective management interventions are required.
A comparison between optimal and actuarial health care costs of adolescents with diabetes
Authors: Cameron FJ , Widdison J , Boyce D , Gebert R 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  To assess actuarial cost and cost of optimal standards of care for adolescents with type 1 diabetes in a tertiary, hospital‐based care setting. To also assess actuarial costs of diabetic adolescents in psychosocial crisis.Methods:  Contact diaries were maintained over a 1‐year period (June 1999−June 2000). Contacts recorded included both structured and non‐structured clinical encounters with contact times recorded. In addition, optimal or ‘ideal’ hospital‐based support and contact times for adolescents were estimated and recorded in minutes per year. Three illustrative cases of adolescents in psychosocial crisis were also assessed in terms of actuarial health care professional contact times. Costs were then calculated according to Victorian hospital pay structures per professional for 1999−2000.Results:  The mean and median actuarial costs of caring for patients aged between 10 and 19 years were $A1307 per year and $A515 per year, respectively. The cost of optimal care for an adolescent was estimated at $A2817 per year after the first year of diagnosis. The costs per year of the three adolescents in crisis ranged from $A10 137 per year to $A30 524 per year.Conclusions:  Cost benefits may be seen in the short term by reducing the number of adolescents who end up in psychosocial crisis. Current actuarial costs of diabetic care for adolescents falls short of an optimal standard of care. Diabetic adolescents who fall into psychosocial crisis consume a disproportionate share of a limited clinical resource.
Constitutive dependence in finite‐element modelling of crack closure during fatigue
Authors: ANDERSSON H. , PERSSON C. , HANSSON T. , MELIN S. , JÄRVSTRÅT N. 
Published: January 2004

ABSTRACTThe influence of choice of constitutive relation on the prediction of crack‐opening stress for fatigue cracks using the finite‐element method is investigated and compared with experimental results. Two different experimentally obtained stress–strain relations for IN718 at 550 °C were used for fitting material parameters to the linear kinematic and the Bodner–Partom viscoplastic constitutive models. In addition, one reference material description and one Bodner–Partom with parameters fitted to both types of experiment was used, i.e., in total six constitutive descriptions. Experimental values for crack‐opening stress were found by the potential drop method for the two load cases analyzed. Two different load cases, load control and displacement control, have been examined. It turns out that the correlation between experimental and analytical crack‐opening stress vary significantly with material description, opening criteria in the simulation and load case. The investigation shows that care must be taken when choosing material description and opening criteria for crack propagation simulations.
Prediction of ductile fracture using isotropic and kinematic hardening rules including void nucleation
Authors: RAGAB A. R. 
Published: January 2004

ABSTRACTA formulation combining kinematic translation and isotropic expansion for a yield surface based on Gurson–Tvergaard function is used to describe void growth. By adopting a criterion of internal necking of the ligaments between voids, fracture strains for tensile bars made of conventional alloys and powder metal compacts—with micromechanical parameters mostly identified from experiments—are predicted according to kinematic, isotropic and mixed hardening models. Fracture strains predicted by the kinematic‐hardening model are in closer agreement with experiments whereas those estimated according to isotropic‐hardening model are overestimated. The consideration of either step‐like or continuous void nucleation models indicates its great influence on fracture strains and emphasizes a further need to quantify the statistical parameters involved in these models.