bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intestinal Uptake and Transmission of Macromolecules into the Blood in the Young Guinea Pig
Authors: Ekström G. M. , Weström B. R. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe developmental changes in the ability of the small intestinal epithelium to take up and transfer into blood the macromolecules bovine serum albumin (BSA), bovine immunoglobulin G (BIgG), and fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled dextran 70,000 (FITC‐dextran) were studied in guinea pigs 0–14 days of age. In addition, in the same animals, the activities of the proteases cathepsin B and D within the intestinal mucosa were measured. Four hours after gavage feeding, 0‐day‐old guinea pigs showed an uptake of the markers into the enterocytes throughout the small intestine. In 2‐day‐old guinea pigs, the markers were only detected in the enterocytes in the distal part. All three macromolecules passed into the blood in these young animals. In 7‐day‐old guinea pigs, no epithelial marker uptake was observed, but low levels of BSA and FITC‐dextran could still be detected in serum. Neither epithelial uptake nor transfer of the markers to the blood could be found in the animals that were 14 days of age. The activity of cathepsin B and D in the intestinal mucosa showed a tendency to increase with age, and for all ages the activity in the distal part was higher than in the proximal part. The results showed that the small intestine in guinea pigs at birth is capable of macromolecular uptake and transfer into the circulation. This ability decreased with age eventually leading to intestinal closure after 1 week. The histological findings implied that intestinal closure was a consequence of a replacement of fetal absorptive cells with adult cells lacking this ability.
Nutritional Status and Growth in Children with Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Vegnente A. , Guida S. , Di Costanzo V. , Fusco C. , Iorio R. , Toscano P. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryAs reported for other chronic liver diseases, hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection might result in malnutrition. In order to establish whether this disease could be responsible of malnutrition and hence influence growth, 75 children, chronically infected with HBV, have been followed up for 4 years. Thirty‐one of them had chronic active hepatitis (CAH), 25 chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), 14 chronic lobular hepatitis (CLH), and five cirrhosis (three active, two inactive). The nutritional status was evaluated every 12 months, with careful physical and laboratory examinations. General nutritional status was estimated according to Waterlow criteria (13,14). At our first observation, 50 children were following a balanced diet with a caloric intake adequate for age and weight, whereas 25 were on a low‐fat diet, begun in the belief of its therapeutic value. For seven patients of this second group, the caloric intake was below the daily requirement. The latter group showed a growth failure in weight when they were first seen at our center and gained weight when the dietary intake was normalized. However, no biochemical feature of malnutrition was observed in all the 75 children. At the end of the follow‐up period, the nutritional status was satisfactory for all of them.
Detection of Hepatitis B Virus DNA in the Liver of Children with Chronic Hepatitis B by In Situ Hybridization and Its Relation to Other Viral Markers
Authors: Wirth Stefan , Hueter Anke , Blaha Ingeborg , Mundlos Stefan , Keller Klaus‐Michael , Zabel Bernhard 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe aim of the study was to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by in situ hybridization (ISH) with a 35S‐labeled radioactive probe in frozen liver biopsy tissue sections of 63 hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive children. The results were compared to other markers of viral replication. HBV DNA was detected in 48 children. Of the 15 negative cases, four had hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg), 10 anti‐HBe, and one neither HBeAg nor anti‐HBe. Free HBV DNA in serum and liver was positive in one patient. Forty of the positive children were HBeAg‐ and six anti‐HBe‐positive; two were negative for both. Of 45 36 had HBV DNA in serum. In 38 of 47 HBV DNA and in 31 of 42 HBeAg could be detected in the liver. The HBV DNA signals were located mainly over the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The distribution of HBV DNA in the tissue was classified as homogeneous, inhomogeneous with focal patches, and focal. It is concluded that in situ hybridization is a reliable method for detection of HBV DNA in liver tissue of children with chronic hepatitis B. The technique, which can be applied to small amounts of liver tissue, provides informations about the distribution of replicative viral sequences, complementing laboratory data, liver histochemistry, and histology.
Plasma Gastrin‐34 Increases During and Immediately After Breast‐Feeding in 3‐Day‐Old Infants
Authors: Marchini Giovanna , Redham Ingrid , Uvnäs‐Moberg Kerstin 
Published: January 2024

SummaryWe examined whether plasma gastrin concentration increases during breast‐feeding in infants. The peptide concentration was measured cross‐sectionally before, during, and after breast‐feeding in healthy, 3‐day‐old infants (n = 72). Somatostatin, a modulator of gastrin release, was also analyzed. Both peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay and were further characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The (mean ± SD) concentration of gastrin rose significantly from 63 ± 24 pmol/L before feeding to 92 ± 32 pmol/L (p < 0.01) and 95 ± 21 pmol/L (p < 0.01), 5 and 10 min after the initiation of sucking, respectively. The gastrin concentration was 102 ± 35 pmol/L (p < 0.01) immediately after feeding. Plasma somatostatin concentration was unaffected by feeding. As assessed by HPLC, circulating gastrin before, during, and after feeding was found to correspond to gastrin‐34, whereas circulating somatostatin was found to correspond to somatostatin‐14. We conclude that in contrast to earlier studies, plasma gastrin concentration increases during and immediately after breast‐feeding in infants.
In Vitro Hydrogen Production by Enteric Bacteria Cultured from Children with Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
Authors: Khin‐Maung‐U  , Tin‐Aye  , Ku‐Tin‐Myint  , Tin‐Oo  , Myo‐Khin  , Thackway Stephen A. , Connor Susan J. , Bolin Terry D. , Duncombe Vic M. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryLactulose breath hydrogen test and Enterotest string test were carried out simultaneously on 19 children 3–5 years old. Bacteria isolated from the jejunal fluid in upper small intestines of these children were incubated with lactulose at neutral pH. Anaerobes were present in all but one child, and in 15 children they were present in numbers greater than 5 log10 organisms per ml. Most of these bacteria did not produce hydrogen in vitro. Hydrogen production (>100 ppm) was observed with the following bacteria: Bacteroides (5%), Clostridia (8%), anaerobic corynebacteria (5%), Escherichia coli (67%), Lactobacillus (8%), Staphylococcus (8%), and Streptococcus (9%). The following bacteria did not produce hydrogen in vitro: Actinobacter, Actinomyces, anaerobic cocci, Bifidobacterium, Fusobacterium, micrococci, Neisseria, Sarcina, and Veillonella. This study suggests that in the diagnosis of small bowel bacterial overgrowth using lactulose breath hydrogen test, it is important to consider that patients with a flat breath hydrogen response to a carbohydrate challenge during the first 60 min may be infected with enteric bacteria which are not capable of producing H2.
Bacterial Ileocecitis Caused by Escherichia Coli O157
Authors: Tarr Phillip I. , Weinberger Edward , Hatch Edwin I. , Christie Dennis L. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryEscherichia coli O157:H7 is most commonly linked to hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Diagnostic ultrasound was used to demonstrate terminal ileum abnormalities suggestive of bacterial ileocecitis, a recently described entity that resembles acute appendicitis, in a patient whose stool culture yielded E. coli O157:H7. This case extends the spectrum of disease caused by E. coli O157:H7 and expands the number of organisms that can cause bacterial ileocecitis.
Doppler Assessment of Human Neonatal Gut Blood Flow Velocities
Authors: Coombs R. C. , Morgan M. E. I. , Durbin G. M. , Booth I. W. , McNeish A. S. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryDuplex pulsed Doppler ultrasound was used to study changes in gut blood flow velocities during the first week of life in a group of 14 term babies. There was a significant increase in fasting peak systolic velocity in the superior mesenteric artery between days 1 and 2 with a further upward trend until day 5; no such changes were seen in the coeliac axis. Fasting velocities were 20% lower in breast‐fed babies than bottle‐fed babies. Following feeds, there was a significant increase in velocity in the superior mesenteric artery that was 35% greater in the bottle‐fed than breast‐fed babies. Changes in the coeliac axis were qualitatively similar but substantially smaller. The peak velocity in both vessels occurred 50 min after a feed. We conclude that Doppler ultrasound can be readily used to measure gut blood flow velocities in the human newborn. It provides a noninvasive technique for investigating adaptive postnatal changes in the splanchnic circulation, and, in particular, the response to feeds.
Abnormal Gut Blood Flow Velocities in Neonates at Risk of Necrotising Enterocolitis
Authors: Coombs R. C. , Morgan M. E. I. , Durbin G. M. , Booth I. W. , McNeish A. S. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryDuplex pulsed Doppler ultrasound was used to determine blood flow velocities in the coeliac axis and superior mesenteric artery in three groups of neonates: a group at high risk of developing necrotising enterocolitis (n = 27) and two control groups, i.e., a nonasphyxiated, appropriately grown group of preterm infants (n = 18) and a group of nonasphyxiated term infants (n = 14). Subjects were studied on the first, second, and fourth days of life. The median peak systolic velocities in the superior mesenteric artery were between 20 and 51% lower in the at‐risk group than in the term control group on all 3 days of measurement (p < 0.05 – p < 0.002). The ratio of peak systolic velocity in the coeliac axis to that in superior mesenteric artery, an index of relative downstream vascular resistance in the superior mesenteric artery, was 42–65% greater in the at‐risk group compared with the other two groups on days 1 and 2 (p < 0.05 – p < 0.001) and significantly greater than the term group on day 4 (73%, p < 0.002). These data demonstrate that neonates at risk of developing necrotising enterocolitis have abnormal gut blood flow velocities. Furthermore, they provide evidence that an alteration in the splanchnic circulation may be an important factor in the final common pathway that links diverse risk factors for necrotising enterocolitis with clinical disease.
Production of Short Chain Fatty Acids by the Intestinal Microflora During the First 2 Years of Human Life
Authors: Midtvedt Ann‐Christine , Midtvedt Tore 
Published: January 2024

SummaryWe have followed the establishment of one group of intestinal microflora‐associated characteristics, namely, the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in 30 healthy children, by gas chromatography analysis of fecal samples taken at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months of age. Acetic and propionic acids were the principal SCFAs at 1 and 3 months. Successively, the production of iso‐ and n‐butyric, valeric, and caproic acids was established. At 2 years, the absolute amounts of all SCFAs with the exception of n‐valeric acid had reached adult values. However, not all children had achieved a typically adult range of stool SCFAs by the end of the study. Both absolute and relative amounts of SCFAs were influenced by exposure to foods other than breast milk and exposure to antibiotic therapy. After standardization for exposure to foods other than breast milk, a positive age factor could be seen between 0 and 1 month of age for total amounts produced of SCFAs, acetic, propionic, and n‐butyric acids. After this time, however, no clear age factor could be distinguished.
Malabsorption of Different Lactose Loads in Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Zuin G. , Fontana M. , Monti S. , Marchisio P. , Beretta P. , Principi N. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThirty children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (18 PI and 12 P2, according to the classification system of the Centers for Disease Control) and 54 noninfected children were evaluated for lactose malabsorption with use of the hydrogen breath test after different lactose loads. Lactose malabsorption after load of 2 g/kg occurred in 75% of P2, 67% of PI, and in 46% of noninfected children. With a lower lactose load (1 g/kg), the prevalence of malabsorption was significantly higher among P2 children than PI and noninfected cases. A similar figure was obtained after the lowest load (0.5 g/kg). Infected children with lactose malabsorption were significantly younger than noninfected malabsorbers (mean age ± SD; 50.3 ± 22 vs. 63.5 ± 20.9 months) when the load of 2 g/kg was used. The use of lower lactose loads seems to be helpful in finding the dose that can be tolerated. This finding could have nutritional importance and could lead to better dietary management.
Hormonal Regulation of the mRNA for Cysteine‐Rich Intestinal Protein in Rat Jejunum During Maturation
Authors: Needleman David S. , Leeper Lucy L. , Nanthakumar Nanda N. , Henning Susan J. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryCysteine‐rich intestinal protein (CRIP) has been implicated as an important zinc‐binding protein in the rat intestine. However, its specific role remains undefined. As an approach to the ultimate elucidation of the function of CRIP, we have explored the role of glucocorticoids and L‐thyroxine (T4) in the increase of CRIP mRNA that occurs during postnatal development. Hydrocortisone administration on day 10 elicited a precocious increase of CRIP mRNA. The response to hydrocortisone was readily detectable 12 h after injection. Lack of endogenous glucocorticoids in rat pups adrenalectomized on day 9 impeded but did not prevent the normal rise of CRIP mRNA. Furthermore, injections of dexamethasone (DEX) on days 10, 16, and 18 led to a loss of responsiveness of CRIP mRNA as the pups matured. The administration of T4 alone resulted in a small increase of CRIP mRNA, whereas when combined, T4 and DEX synergistically raised the concentration of CRIP mRNA. All of these patterns of response to hormone manipulation indicate the possibility that CRIP is a mediator of glucocorticoid action on the developing intestine. They do not appear to support the hypothesis that CRIP plays a role in zinc transport during the postnatal period. The potent effects of glucocorticoids and T4 on CRIP mRNA levels should provide useful tools for further investigations in this area.
Ingestion of Caustic Alkali Farm Products
Authors: Neidich Gary 
Published: January 2024

SummarySince the Poison Prevention Packaging Act took effect, the number of ingestions of caustic alkali from household products has been significantly reduced. Commercial caustic alkalis used on farms, however, were not included in this legislation. Fourteen children over a 5 year period were seen after ingestion of commercial caustic alkalis used on farms. Seven of the children had ingested liquid pipeline cleaners and seven had ingested solid agents used for a variety of reasons. Six of seven children ingesting liquid agents did so from nonoriginal containers into which the caustic had been transferred for convenience. All seven children ingesting solid agents did so from the original container. Eight of the 14 children were found to have second‐degree or worse esophageal involvement. Both solid and liquid caustic agents used commercially on farms can cause significant morbidity. Development of a child‐resistant container for daily transfer of liquid pipeline agents could be helpful in preventing injuries from liquid pipeline cleaners. Pediatric gastroen‐terologists as well as primary care physicians in rural areas should be familiar with this type of injury and should take an active role in instructing parents of children living on farms to prevent such injuries. Extension of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act to caustic alkalis used on farms needs to be considered.
Postnatal Growth in Infants Born Between 700 and 1,500 g
Authors: Cooke Richard J. , Ford Amy , Werkman Susan , Conner Cynthia , Watson Donna 
Published: January 2024

SummaryOur purpose was to examine postnatal growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (n = 54). A high frequency of intrauterine growth retardation was noted that was corrected by plotting birth weight against crown‐heel length and not gestational age. No differences in postnatal growth were noted between infants whose size was appropriate for gestational age (n = 37) and those small for gestational age (n = 17). Overall, growth tended to exceed that previously published. Weight but not length or head gain was less in the smaller (≤ 1,000 g) when compared to the larger (> 1,000 g) VLBW infant. Poorer weight gain could not be related to more “illness” or less nutrient intake in the smaller infants.
Duodenal Findings on Ultrasound in Children with Schonlein—Henoch Purpura and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Authors: Kagimoto Seiichi 
Published: January 2024

SummaryAbdominal ultrasonic examination was performed in 14 patients with Schonlein‐Henoch purpura (SHP). Thickening of the duodenal wall was observed in nine (82%) of the 11 with such gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as severe abdominal pain or bleeding. The thickened duodenal wall showed a high echogenicity. Enlargement of the duodenal lumen was seen in seven (64%) patients with GI symptoms. These findings had been observed in four patients before SHP was diagnosed on the basis of the peculiar skin lesions. In three cases of SHP without GI symptoms, those changes were absent. Four cases of ulcerative colitis, three of bacterial enterocolitis (two Yersinia and one Klebsiella), and five without SHP and any GI problems did not exhibit such duodenal abnormalities. On subsequent endoscopic study, mucosal edema and multiple hemorrhagic erosions were seen, especially at the second portion of the duodenum in two cases of SHP. Biopsy specimens from the duodenum of those cases showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, suggested by the ultrasound (US) findings. It is important to consider the duodenal changes carefully when US is performed in patients with severe GI symptoms of unknown origin. The characteristic duodenal findings described suggest the differential diagnosis of SHP, which usually requires no surgical intervention.
Serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children by an Indirect Immunofluorescence Test
Authors: Rocha Gifone Aguiar , de Magalhães Queiroz Dulciene Maria , Mendes Edilberto Nogueira , Teles de Carvalho Anfrisina Sales , Rocha de Oliveira Andreia Maria , de Moura Sílvia Beleza 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test for serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and to determine how the test is affected by the presence of antibodies against Campylobacter jejuni. We studied 65 consecutive children (two with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer) and a series of 18 children with duodenal ulcer. Thirty children were H. pylori negative, as determined by culture, by the preformed urease test, and by carbolfuchsin‐stained smears. The microorganism was identified by microbiological methods in 35 of the 65 (53.85%) consecutive patients studied and in all children with duodenal ulcer. The titer of the IIF test was ≥1:20 in the sera of all children with duodenal ulcer and in the sera of 30 of 33 H. pylori‐positive children without duodenal ulcer. No H. pylori‐negative children had titers >1:10. A serum dilution of 1:20 discriminated between H. pylori‐infected and noninfected children. Absorption with C. jejuni did not change the levels of IgG against H. pylori. When five patients who had been successfully treated with metronidazole, amoxycillin, and furazolidone for 7 days were retested, a slight decrease in anti‐H. pylori IgG levels was noted from the third month on. The decrease was more significant 9 months after the eradication of the microorganism.
Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Measure Total Body Water in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Azcue Maria , Fried Martin , Pencharz Paul B. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to measure whole‐body bioelectrical variables and to validate the technique of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a measure of total body water (TBW) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). In 20 normally nourished males with CF, aged 7 to 39 years, bioelectrical impedance measurements were compared with TBW measured by isotopic distribution of H218O. The relationship between the two measurements was found to be highly significant (r = 0.96; p < 0.0001). The major genotype mutation F308 was found to have no effect on BIA. Comparison of the CF patients with 21 normal controls matched for age and TBW volumes as measured by H218O volume of distribution showed no difference in electrical parameters. However, the slope of the regression lines (H218O, H2/R) was significantly steeper for the CF subjects (p < 0.03) than for controls. These data show that BIA can be used to measure TBW in patients with CF. However, the predictive equations developed in healthy control subjects should not be used; rather, separate predictive equations for patients with CF will need to be developed.
Lipid and Apoprotein A‐I and B Levels in Obese School‐Age Children
Authors: Bellù Roberto , Ortisi Maria Teresa , Scaglioni Silvia , Agostoni Carlo , Salanitri Vincenzo Saitta , Riva Enrica , Giovannini Marcello 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe association between lipids and apoproteins and indices of fat patterning was assessed in a sample of school‐age children of both sexes. The study included 361 children between 6 and 15 years of age in two urban centers in the Milan area. Ages, weights, and skin folds were recorded, and percentages of overweight and body mass index were derived. Total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (C‐HDL), triglycerides (TRIGL), apoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I), and apoprotein B (apoB) were assayed. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (C‐LDL) was calculated. The obese boys had significantly higher levels of TRIGL and apoB than nonobese boys. The obese girls had significantly higher TC, TRIGL, C‐LDL, and apoB levels than the nonobese girls, but lower C‐HDL. The LDL/apoB ratio was lower in obese than normal‐weight boys. The subscapular/tricipital fold ratio (S/T) was correlated positively with TRIGL and inversely with C‐HDL in boys, while in girls it was correlated with TRIGL and apoB. The subscapular/iliac fold ratio (S/I) was correlated with the C‐LDL/ apoB ratio only in girls. These data underline the importance of anthropometric parameters and indices of fat patterning in determining early cardiovascular risk factors.