| 1. |
- Shimizu, T, et al.
(author)
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Inhibitory effects of theophylline, terbutaline, and hydrocortisone on leukotriene B4 and C4 generation by human leukocytes in vitro.
- 1994
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In: Pediatric pulmonology. - 8755-6863. ; 18:3, s. 129-34
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) are considered to be important mediators in the pathophysiology of asthma. Theophylline, terbutaline, and hydrocortisone are drugs commonly used in the treatment of asthma. In the present study we have investigated the in vitro inhibitory effects of theophylline, terbutaline, and hydrocortisone on LTB4 and LTC4 generation from human leukocytes. After preincubation in the presence of these drugs, the cells were stimulated with the calcium ionophore A 23187 and the supernatants were analyzed for their LTB4 and LTC4 content using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total leukotriene (LT) production (the combined amounts of LTB4 and LTC4) was dose-dependently inhibited by pretreatment with theophylline, terbutaline or hydrocortisone. Therapeutic levels of hydrocortisone (5 x 10(-6) M) plus theophylline (5 x 10(-5) M) inhibited LTB4 and LTC4 production in an additive way, as did the combination of hydrocortisone plus terbutaline (5 x 10(-8) M). A statistically significant effect of diminished LTB4 generation was obtained after preincubation with therapeutic levels of theophylline plus terbutaline, but no such effect was seen for LTC4 levels. The in vitro inhibitory effects on LTB4 and LTC4 generation from human leukocytes by theophylline, terbutaline, and hydrocortisone, as well as the additive effect of hydrocortisone plus theophylline or terbutaline, add to our understanding of the therapeutic effects of these drugs in the treatment of bronchopulmonary obstruction.
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| 2. |
- Kristjánsson, Sigurdur, 1955, et al.
(author)
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Eosinophil cationic protein, myeloperoxidase and tryptase in children with asthma and atopic dermatitis.
- 1994
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In: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - 0905-6157. ; 5:4, s. 223-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tryptase, total IgE and differential blood cell counts were studied in atopic children with: 1) moderate to severe asthma using inhaled steroids and symptom-free for the last 3 weeks (n = 13), 2) mild asthma with sporadic symptoms, using only inhaled beta 2-agonists < 3 times/week (n = 15), 3) acute asthmatic attacks admitted to hospital (n = 12), 4) mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (n = 14). Fifteen children without any history of atopy served as controls. ECP, MPO, tryptase and IgE were measured in serum by radioimmunoassays (RIA). The symptom-free children with inhaled steroids had similar median ECP and MPO values as the controls, 8.0 and 360 micrograms/l, vs. 9.0 and 310 micrograms/l, while both ECP and MPO were significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the symptom-free children without anti-inflammatory treatment, 32 and 887 micrograms/l and in those with acute asthma, 28 and 860 micrograms/l. The children with atopic dermatitis had increased ECP but normal MPO levels, 16.0 and 455 micrograms/l. Tryptase in serum was not measurable in any patient. All groups except the control group had significantly elevated total IgE levels. The results indicate that in atopic children serum ECP is a good marker of ongoing asthma or atopic dermatitis. The normal levels of ECP and MPO in the children with asthma using inhaled steroids seem to reflect successful anti-inflammatory treatment. The increased levels of ECP and MPO in the children with mild asthma and no anti-inflammatory treatment may indirectly reflect airway inflammation.
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| 3. |
- Blind, Per Jonas, 1947-
(author)
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Carboxylic ester hydrolase in acute pancreatitis : a clinical and experimental study
- 1994
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) is erroneous in up to one third of patients when based on clinical criteria and elevated serum amylase values. Furthermore, according to autopsy reports fatal pancreatitis remains clinically undiagnosed in 22 to 86 % of hospitalised patients. Consequently, search for better methods for the diagnosis of AP seems not only justified but urgent. The pancreas secretes an nonspecific lipase, the carboxylic ester hydrolase (CEH) with molecular properties different from other pancreatic secretory enzymes. These differences may imply that sites and rates of clearances from blood of pancreatic enzymes differ. Except for the pancreas this enzyme is secreted from the lactating mammary gland with milk.A sensitive and reproducible sandwich-ELISA for quantitative determination of CEH was developed. When establishing referent values it was noted that in individuals aged 20 to 65 years serum concentrations of CEH did not depend on age, gender, the time of the day or duration from food intake to blood sampling, or use of nicotine. The mammary gland did not contribute significantly to basal serum levels of CEH; enzyme levels in lactating women or women with mammary tumours were identical to those of the reference population.Seventy percent of patients with the diagnosis AP, based on elevated serum amylase levels and abdominal pain, had elevated CEH values. Among the patients with elevated amylase alone a probable cause of pancreatitis was lacking in the majority of patients. Contrastingly, a likely cause of AP could be identified in all patients presenting with abdominal pain and elevated CEH levels alone. These findings suggested that an elevated CEH level indicated AP more reliably than an elevated amylase level.In patients with AP diagnosed by contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) alone, or combined with histopathological diagnosis, serum CEH levels were elevated on admission in all but one patient, and in all within the next 24 h. Furthermore, in patients with severe pancreatitis CEH levels remained at a raised level from the second to at least the 10:th day following admission, whereas a significant decrease was noted in patients with mild pancreatitis. In contrast, serum amylase values were higher in patients with mild pancreatitis during the observation period than in those with severe pancreatitis. CEH levels were higher in patients with three or more Ranson signs than in those with less than three signs from the first day after admission. CEH levels were within referent range in 164 patients without known pancreatic disease admitted due to abdominal emergency conditions, or due to planned surgery for chronic extrapancreatic gastrointestinal diseases, and 16 patients having CECT without pathological findings in the pancreas. This suggests that AP can be excluded with very high degree of probability in presence of non-elevated CEH levels.A sandwich ELISA for determination of Guinea pig CEH and a model for graded pancreatitis in the same species were developed. CEH levels showed proportional to severity of inflammation, thus confirming previous clinical observations. CEH levels in bile were proportional to inflammation, while it was absent in urine. Amylase levels in urine were identical regardless of severity of inflammation, but low in bile. These results suggested differences in sites and rates of clearance between the two enzymes.Seemingly elevated CEH levels allowed identification of clinically significant pancreatitis following ERCP, which amylase levels did not.The presented studies have shown that quantitative determination in serum of CEH by the described method is a more reliable test for the diagnosis of AP than determination of amylase activity. The differences between CEH and amylase are, at least partly, due to differences in molecular properties determining rates and routes of clearances of the two enzymes from serum.
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| 4. |
- Shimizu, T, et al.
(author)
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Leukotriene B4 and C4 generation by blood leukocytes after ex vivo stimulation by Ca-ionophore and opsonized zymosan in children with atopic dermatitis.
- 1994
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In: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - 0905-6157. ; 5:2, s. 95-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ex vivo release of leukotrienes B4 (LTB4) and C4 (LTC4) from the leukocytes of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) was evaluated after stimulation with Ca-ionophore and opsonized zymosan and compared with that of control children of similar ages. The blood eosinophil counts and total serum IgE levels in AD children were significantly higher than those in control children. The production of LTC4, but not LTB4, was significantly higher in AD children than in control children. There was a significant correlation between the relative blood eosinophil count and LTC4 generation after stimulation with both Ca-ionophore and opsonized zymosan in all subjects. Calculations of the amount of LTC4 produced per eosinophilic cell showed that there was no significant difference between cells from AD children and control children in terms of their ability to produce LTC4. These findings suggest that the enhanced LTC4 generation is due to increased numbers of eosinophils rather than to enhanced releasability of these cells.
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| 5. |
- Békássy, Albert, et al.
(author)
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Hepatocellular carcinoma
- 1994
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In: Acta Pædiatrica. - : Wiley. - 1651-2227 .- 0803-5253. ; 83:2, s. 150-150
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 6. |
- Björk, Anne, et al.
(author)
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Endovascular treatment of a spinal arteriovenous malformation in a 21-month-old boy
- 1994
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 83:12, s. 1326-1331
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Reports of spinal arteriovenous malformations in children are rare. This case report describes a 21-month-old boy whose first symptom was attacks of abdominal pain, followed gradually by neurological symptoms. The diagnosis was made using magnetic resonance imaging and spinal angiography, and the patient was successfully treated with embolization.
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| 7. |
- CERNERUD, LARS
(author)
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Are there still Social Inequalities in Height and Body Mass Index of Stockholm Children
- 1994
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Social Medicine. - 0300-8037. ; 22:3, s. 161-165
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Height and body mass index (BMI) of all non-immigrant schoolchildren in Stockholm in the age interval 10.0-10.9 years born in 1981 were related to the mother's educational level and the number of siblings. The two social variables were dichotomized and two extreme groups of socially more and less privileged children were formed. Socially less privileged boys were 1.1 cm shorter than their more privileged peers, whereas there was no difference as regards girls. Socially less privileged children were expected to show higher BMI, but the finding was contrary. More privileged boys were heavier. The findings were compared to a previous study of Stockholm children born in 1933-1963. Major social inequalities in height were levelled out for Stockholm children in the 1950s, a social gap reappeared in the 1960s and small disparities still exist for boys today.
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| 8. |
- CERNERUD, LARS, et al.
(author)
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The Value of Measuring Height and Weight of Schoolchildren
- 1994
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In: Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. - 0269-5022. ; 8:4, s. 365-372
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The measurements of height and weight in the Stockholm school health service was appraised in relation to the screening value, the costs and benefits. The concept of a doubtful screening value of growth surveillances at school age was supported. Investment costs and running expenses were very low. The measurement procedure used only 2% of the total time spent by the nurses in the school health service. The growth data were an appropriate prerequisite for the reassurance of adolescents about their developing identity and body image. The growth data also constituted an appropriate indicator for public health research. The benefits and low costs may justify maintenance of the measurements in the school health service despite a low screening value.
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| 9. |
- Darin, Niklas, 1964, et al.
(author)
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Clinical, serological and PCR evidence of cytomegalovirus infection in the central nervous system in infancy and childhood.
- 1994
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In: Neuropediatrics. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0174-304X .- 1439-1899. ; 25:6, s. 316-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Over a 3-year-period (Dec. 1990-Nov. 1993) 12 children were found PCR-positive for CMV-DNA in CSF and brain biopsies. Three of the patients were immunologically compromised. During the same period CSF samples from 10 shunt-operated children and 143 virological routine CSF samples were PCR CMV negative. Clinical association with positive PCR-CMV reaction was considered likely in 6 patients: two boys developed prolonged fever and meningoencephalitis following neurosurgery, one infant girl had a course compatible with congenital inclusion disease, and three had prolonged fever following transplantation. Clinical association was deemed probable in 3 infant girls: one had neonatal infection, meningitis and intraventricular haemorrhage, one had neonatal encephalitis and failure to thrive, and one with neonatal seizures and encephalitis developed brain atrophy. Clinical association was judged possible in 3 patients: one infant girl with no signs of encephalitis developed brain atrophy, one had an Aicardi Type 1 syndrome and one 2 1/2-year-old boy had an acute encephalitis with insufficient serological support for CMV but was 12 months later PCR positive for CMV. We conclude that CMV may be an overlooked infectious agent of the CNS also in immunocompetent children. PCR aids in rapid diagnosis of CMV infection in the immunocompromised. CMV may occasionally be disclosed with PCR in other conditions as a probably non-relevant observation.
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| 10. |
- Eriksson, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Amphetamine abuse during pregnancy : Follow-up of children after 14 years
- 1994
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In: Pediatric Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-3998 .- 1530-0447. ; :36, s. 13-13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sixtyfive children born to women who all used amphetamine during pregnancy have been followed prospectively since birth 1976-77. The children have been tested and examined regularly, demonstrating that social environmental factors influence the child's growth and somatic status while exposure for amphetamine during fetal life seem to influence the child's test results and behaviour up to the age of 8 years.After 14 years information was collected about school achievement, health, somatic growth and psycosocial environment. Only 20 children (30%) were still in the custody of their biological mothers. Ten children (15%) were one class below that for their biological age. Corresponding figure in Sweden is < 5 %. Grades in language, mathematics and sports were significantly lower than the mean of their schoolmates. The difference was most pronounced in boys. Weight and length were decreased in girls and increased in boys in comparison with Swedish school children born in the same year. Socioenvironmental risk factors correlated with poor outcome.Amphetamine abuse during pregnancy will influence the development of exposed children up to the age of 14 years.
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