Serum and urine levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in children with acute pyelonephritis

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common clinical disorder in younger infants and children and may result in permanent renal damage. The inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 play an important role in response to bacterial infection. This prospective study investigated the association between serum and urine IL-6 and IL-8 levels and acute pyelonephritis confirmed by (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan. A total of 78 children aged 1-121 months with a diagnosis of first-time febrile UTI were included. The following inflammatory markers were assessed: fever; white blood cells count (WBC); C-reactive protein (CRP); and serum and urine IL-6 and IL-8. The patients were divided into the acute pyelonephritis group (n=42) and the lower UTI group (n=36) according to the results of DMSA scan. Fever, WBC and CRP levels were significantly higher in children with acute pyelonephritis than in those with lower UTI (all p <0.001). Significantly, higher initial serum and urine IL-6 and IL-8 levels were found in children with acute pyelonephritis than in those with lower UTI (all p <0.001). Serum and urine IL-6 in children with acute pyelonephritis were positively correlated with fever, CRP and leucocyturia. These results indicate that both serum and urine IL-6 and IL-8 levels, particularly IL-6, are useful diagnostic tools for early recognition of acute pyelonephritis in febrile children.     

Impact of self-reported Gastroesophageal reflux disease in subjects from COPDGene cohort

Background

The coexistence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and COPD has been recognized, but there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the impact of GERD on COPD-related health status and patient-centered outcomes.

Methods

Cross-sectional and longitudinal study of 4,483 participants in the COPDGene cohort who met GOLD criteria for COPD. Physician-diagnosed GERD was ascertained by questionnaire. Clinical features, spirometry and imaging were compared between COPD subjects without versus with GERD. We evaluated the relationship between GERD and symptoms, exacerbations and markers of microaspiration in univariate and multivariate models. Associations were additionally tested for the confounding effect of covariates associated with a diagnosis of GERD and the use of proton-pump inhibitor medications (PPIs). To determine whether GERD is simply a marker for the presence of other conditions independently associated with worse COPD outcomes, we also tested models incorporating a GERD propensity score.

Results

GERD was reported by 29% of subjects with female predominance. Subjects with GERD were more likely to have chronic bronchitis symptoms, higher prevalence of prior cardiovascular events (combined myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and stroke 21.3% vs. 13.4.0%, p < 0.0001). Subjects with GERD also had more severe dyspnea (MMRC score 2.2 vs. 1.8, p < 0.0001), and poorer quality of life (QOL) scores (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score 41.8 vs. 34.9, p < 0.0001; SF36 Physical Component Score 38.2 vs. 41.4, p < 0.0001). In multivariate models, a significant relationship was detected between GERD and SGRQ (3.4 points difference, p < 0.001) and frequent exacerbations at baseline (≥2 exacerbation per annum at inclusion OR 1.40, p = 0.006). During a mean follow-up time of two years, GERD was also associated with frequent (≥2/year exacerbations OR 1.40, p = 0.006), even in models in which PPIs, GERD-PPI interactions and a GERD propensity score were included. PPI use was associated with frequent exacerbator phenotype, but did not meaningfully influence the GERD-exacerbation association.

Conclusions

In COPD the presence of physician-diagnosed GERD is associated with increased symptoms, poorer QOL and increased frequency of exacerbations at baseline and during follow-up. These associations are maintained after controlling for PPI use. The PPI-exacerbations association could result from confounding-by-indication.     

Effect of different doses of GLP-2 (Teduglutide) on acute esophageal lesion due to acid-pepsin perfusion in male rats

Gastro-esophageal reflux currently is widespread disorders with dangerous complications. GLP-2 is a peptide that has trophic and anti-inflammatory effects on gastrointestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of GLP-2 in esophageal mucosa lesion due to perfusion acid-pepsin. Thirty-six male rats were used in this study and divided into six groups. They were control, acid-pepsin, GLP-2 20 μg, GLP-2 30 μg, GLP-2 40 μg and GLP-2 50 μg/kg groups. Esophageal blood flow, plasma NO metabolite, esophageal tissue NO metabolites and histological study of esophagus were performed as indicators of esophageal damage following acid-pepsin perfusion. Results showed that GLP-2 significantly increased plasma and tissue NO metabolites in comparison to acid-pepsin group. Also histological study showed significantly fewer lesions in the most effective dose GLP-2 30 μg in comparison to acid-pepsin group, our results show that GLP-2 could be useful for the treatment of esophageal in animal model.     

Operation strategies for biohydrogen production with a high-rate anaerobic granular sludge bed bioreactor

Long-term operation for biohydrogen production with an efficient carrier-induced granular sludge bed (CIGSB) bioreactor had encountered problems with poor biomass retention at a low hydraulic retention (HRT) as well as poor mass-transfer efficiency at a high HRT or under a prolonged operation period. This work was undertaken to develop strategies enabling better biomass retention and mass-transfer efficiency of the CIGSB reactors. Supplementation of calcium ion was found to enhance mechanical strength of the granular sludge. Addition of 5.4–27.2 mg/l of Ca²⁺ also led to an over three-fold increase in biomass concentration and a nearly five-fold increase in the H₂ production rate (up to 5.1 l H₂/h/l). Two reflux strategies were utilized to enhance the mass-transfer efficiency of the CIGSB system. The liquid reflux (LR) strategy enhanced the H₂ production rate by 2.2-fold at an optimal liquid upflow velocity of 1.09 m/h, which also gave a maximal biomass concentration of ca. 22 g VSS/l. Similar optimal H₂ production rate was also obtained with the gas reflux (GR) strategy at a rate of 1.0–1.49 m/h, whereas the biomass concentration decreased to 2–7 g VSS/l and thereby the specific H₂ production rate was higher than that with LR. The operation strategies applied in this work were effective to allow stable and efficient H₂ production for nearly 100 days.     

Lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection with vacAs1a, cagA-positive, and babA2-positive genotype in erosive reflux esophagitis disease

BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence of esophagitis has been recognized in the West. Helicobacter pylori infection, particularly virulent strains, is proposed as a protective factor against the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease. To evaluate the relationship of reflux esophagitis with virulent H. pylori infection, we studied the prevalence of reflux esophagitis among H. pylori-infected and -uninfected patients and the genotype of isolates in Taiwan. METHODS: Patients who had routine physical examination were investigated. The severity of esophagitis was evaluated using the Los Angeles grading system. H. pylori status was assessed by histology, rapid urease test, and bacterial culture. Genotyping of vacA, cagA, and babA2 was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Risk factors for severe esophagitis were evaluated. RESULTS: Reflux esophagitis was found in 21.2% of 1622 patients. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was found in 33.0% of 276 patients with reflux esophagitis compared with 67.5% of 378 patients with normal esophagus (p < .001). Esophagitis occurred in a significantly lower rate among H. pylori-positive patients with peptic ulcer than those without peptic ulcer. cagA, babA2, and vacAs1a were detected in 100% of 143 isolates. Factors that predicted severe esophagitis included age, gender, and hiatus hernia but not H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests significantly lower incidence of H. pylori infection with the triple-positive virulent genotype in patients with reflux esophagitis in Taiwan.     

和中平逆方治疗肝胃郁热型反流性食管炎临床研究

目的:观察和中平逆方治疗肝胃郁热型反流性食管炎的临床疗效。方法:选择60例经内镜检查及中医辨证确诊为肝胃郁热型的反流性食管炎患者,分为中药治疗组、西药对照组,每组各30例,均以8周为一疗程,疗程结束后进行疗效比较。结果:两组临床症状疗效,治疗组总有效率为96.67%,对照组为96.66%,两组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05);内镜疗效,治疗组总有效率为73.33%,对照组为73.33%,两组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05);肝胃郁热证候疗效,治疗组总有效率为96.67%,对照组为76.67%,两组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论:1.和中平逆方对反流性食管炎的症状、食管黏膜炎症改善均有明显疗效;2.和中平逆方对肝胃郁热型反流性食管炎中医证候的改善优于奥美拉唑肠溶胶囊。     

P-type ATPases as drug targets: Tools for medicine and science

P-type ATPases catalyze the selective active transport of ions like H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ across diverse biological membrane systems. Many members of the P-type ATPase protein family, such as the Na⁺,K⁺-, H⁺,K⁺-, Ca²⁺-, and H⁺-ATPases, are involved in the development of pathophysiological conditions or provide critical function to pathogens. Therefore, they seem to be promising targets for future drugs and novel antifungal agents and herbicides. Here, we review the current knowledge about P-type ATPase inhibitors and their present use as tools in science, medicine, and biotechnology. Recent structural information on a variety of P-type ATPase family members signifies that all P-type ATPases can be expected to share a similar basic structure and a similar basic machinery of ion transport. The ion transport pathway crossing the membrane lipid bilayer is constructed of two access channels leading from either side of the membrane to the ion binding sites at a central cavity. The selective opening and closure of the access channels allows vectorial access/release of ions from the binding sites. Recent structural information along with new homology modeling of diverse P-type ATPases in complex with known ligands demonstrate that the most proficient way for the development of efficient and selective drugs is to target their ion transport pathway.     

胃食管反流病的治疗进展

胃食管反流病(gastroesophaeal reflux disease,GERD)是医疗实践中的最常见的疾病之一,其发病率在世界范围内呈逐年上升趋势,且随年龄增长而增加,40-60岁为高发年龄[1]。GERD是一种由胃、十二指肠内容物反流入食管引起不适症状和(或)并发症的疾病,GERD在临床上大致可分为:糜烂性食管炎(EE)(反流性食管炎(RE))和非糜烂性食管炎(NERD)。其中NERD最多见,约占60%。GERD远期危害较小,但其病情漫长且极易复发,严重影响了生活质量。主要表现为食管症状(包括典型的烧心和反流)和食管外症状(包括咽部异物感、咳嗽、声嘶、哮喘、咽喉炎等表现),还有增加发展为Barrett食管及食管癌的危险[2,3]。GERD的治疗目的是愈合食管炎,快速缓解症状、减少复发、提高生活质量,治疗方法主要包括以下4个方面:一般治疗,药物治疗,内镜下治疗和外科治疗。近年来已成为国内外研究的热点,本文就近年来对GERD的治疗进展做一综述。     

埃索美拉唑联合莫沙比利干预老年性反流性食管炎临床研究

目的：探讨埃索美拉唑联合莫沙比对老年性反流性食管炎临床疗效。方法：选择符合2003年反流性食管炎诊断及治疗指南诊断标准的160例老年反流性食管炎患者,随机分为治疗组（埃索美拉唑联合莫沙比利）和对照组（奥关拉唑）,观察治疗前后内镜下疗效及症状评分变化。结果：治疗组内镜下病变较对照组显著缓解,总有效率高于对照组,症状评分明显低于对照组,两者间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,且治疗中未发现明显不良反应。结论：埃索美拉唑联合莫沙比利对老年性反流性食管炎有较好的治疗效果,具有很高的临床应用价值。     

真菌性食管炎患者抗真菌治疗期间血常规、免疫功能动态变化的特征分析

目的分析真菌性食管炎患者接受抗真菌治疗期间血常规及免疫功能动态变化的特征。方法将我院收治的42例真菌性食管炎患者纳入实验组,给予患者氟康唑联合克霉唑抗真菌治疗;同期收治的42例反流性食管炎纳入对照组,给予常规治疗。两组分别于入院时、治疗1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d及14 d,动态开展血常规检查及免疫功能指标监测。治疗过程中,观察两组不良反应。结果治疗期间,实验组白细胞计数呈下降趋势,中性粒细胞百分比则呈上升趋势;对照组白细胞计数呈下降趋势,中性粒细胞无明显变化。治疗1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d、14 d,组间白细胞计数差异显著(P<0.05);入院时、治疗1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d,组间中性粒细胞对比差异显著(P<0.05),治疗14 d,组间中性粒细胞百分比差异不显著(P>0.05)。实验组、对照组CRP均呈下降趋势,治疗1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d、14 d CRP水平组间对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组、对照组食管炎患者IgM及IgG均呈升高趋势,治疗1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d、14 d对比,两组差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论真菌性食管炎患者多伴明显免疫功能下降、中性粒细胞比例降低。治疗期间,血常规检查、免疫功能的动态监测可为真菌性食管炎患者的疗效评估提供临床依据。