骨髓来源间充质干细胞对高氧新生大鼠肺组织细胞间黏附分子1表达的影响

目的研究鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)对高氧新生大鼠肺损伤的影响。方法采用贴壁选择法分离、培养、扩增大鼠骨髓来源MSCs,并以5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(BrdU)进行标记;3日龄清洁级SD新生大鼠24只,95%氧环境下7 d后,随机分为A组:大剂量组,每只动物腹腔注射含MSCs 5×104的磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)50μL;B组:小剂量组,每只动物腹腔注射含MSCs 1×104的PBS 50μL;C组:对照组,每只动物腹腔注射PBS 50μL。1周后处死,肺组织病理学检测辐射状肺泡计数(RAC),免疫组织化学检测细胞间黏附分子1(ICAM-1)吸光度(A)、BrdU积分情况。结果A、B组BrdU染色积分别为(0.261±0.023)、(0.215±0.019),两组比较有显著差异(t=4.237 P=0.001),而C组未见BrdU附性染色细胞;A、B、C组RAC值I、CAM-1 A值分别为(12.92±1.53)(、13.57±0.57)(、8.93±0.92);(1.89±0.17)、(2.0±0.22)、(2.95±0.15)(F=42.935,79.206 P均=0)。结论腹腔注射MSCs后肺组织有MSCs定植,与注射量相关;MSCs对新生大鼠高氧肺损伤具有保护作用,可能与降低肺组织ICAM-1的表达有关。     

人骨髓来源间充质干细胞对新生大鼠高氧肺损伤干预作用的研究

目的 研究人骨髓来源间充质干细胞对新生大鼠高氧肺损伤的干预作用.方法 采用贴壁选择法分离、培养、扩增hMSCs,并予BrdU进行标记;32只3日龄SD大鼠随机分为A、B、、C、D4组,每组8只;A组:高氧暴露+hMSCs注射组,B组:空气暴露+hMSCs注射组,C组:高氧暴露对照组,D组:空气暴露对照组.A、C组:高氧(95%)暴露后7 d,腹腔分别注射含5×105 MSC的磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)、单纯的PBS 50 μl,B、D组:空气暴露后7 d,腹腔分别注射含5×105 hMSCs的PBS、单纯的PBS 50 μl.注射后3 d处死全部动物取肺组织,ELASA法检测肺组织匀浆TNFα、TGFβ1水平;免疫组织化学方法检查肺组织BrdU积分情况,HE染色观察肺组织学形态学结构,做辐射状肺泡计数(RAC);RT-PCR方法检测各组肺组织Alu序列表达情况.结果 (1)A、B、C、D 4组TNFα水平分别为142.933±24.017,79.033±11.573,224.088±41.915,76.500±10.373(F=59.970,P=0.000);而TGFβ1水平分别为1726.484±91.086,1530.359±173.441,2047.717±152.057,1515.777±131.049(F=24.977,P=0.000).(2)RAC值分别为11.145±1.331,13.941±0.985,9.595±0.672,14.819±1.080(F=43.234,P=0.000).(3)RT-PCR检测显示A、B组均有Alu序列表达,而C、D组均未见Alu序列表达.免疫组织化学显示A、B组均有BrdU阳性染色细胞,BrdU积分分别为0.230±0.026,0.190±0.015,t=3.769,P=0.002;C、D组均未见阳性染色细胞.结论 新生大鼠腹腔注射hMSC后肺组织有hMSCs定植,且与暴露的条件相关;hMSCs可改善新生大鼠因高氧引致的肺组织损伤.     

川芎嗪对新生大鼠高体积分数氧性肺损伤肺纤维化的影响

目的 探讨川芎嗪对高体积分数氧(高氧)性肺损伤新生大鼠肺组织纤维化的保护作用.方法 出生12 h内的清洁级Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠80只作为研究对象,随机分成4组(每组20只):空气对照组(A组);空气加川芎嗪组(B组);高氧组(C组);高氧加川芎嗪组(D组).B、D组新生大鼠每天腹腔注射溶于9 g/L盐水中的川芎嗪30 mg/kg,A、C组新生鼠每日腹腔注射等量9 g/L盐水,持续14 d.第14天每组随机选取10只新生鼠,处死,取其肺组织切片,HE染色法观察其肺组织病理变化;Masson三色染色图像定量分析计算其胶原纤维阳性面积百分比,测定其肺组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)水平,判断其肺纤维化程度.应用SPSS 13.0软件进行统计学分析.结果 高氧组第14天肺组织病理发现间质细胞增多,肺泡数目减少,肺组织出现纤维化改变;川芎嗪治疗组肺组织病理改变明显减轻.高氧组新生大鼠体质量与A、B组比较均明显减轻(Pa<0.05);而D组新生大鼠体质最较C组明显增加(P<0.05).与A、B组比较,C组胶原沉积明显增多,胶原纤维阳性面积百分比及HYP水平明显增高(Pa<0.05).D组与C组比较,胶原沉积明显减少,胶原纤维阳性面积百分比、HYP水平均明显下降(Pa<0.05),D组与A组、B组相比差异无显著性(Pa>0.05).结论 川芎嗪早期干预町减轻高氧性肺损伤新生大鼠的肺组织纤维化程度.     

血管内皮生长因子基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞对支气管肺发育不良大鼠肺发育的影响

目的 研究血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)移植对支气管肺发育不良大鼠肺泡结构和肺部微血管的作用.方法 采用密度梯度离心法分离SD大鼠骨髓MSCs,贴壁培养传代并鉴定,应用DNA重组技术构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(-)/VEGF164,然后转染至MSCs.将新生SD大鼠置于950 mL/L氧箱中14 d后,随机分为转染组(MSCs/VEGF组)、对照组(MSCs组)、空白组(无血清培养基组),每组10只,分别于气管内注入1×105个转染VEGF的MSCs、单纯MSCs和等量无血清培养基.分别于移植后1、4周取大鼠肺组织行HE染色观察肺组织结构和放射状肺泡计数(RAC),免疫组织化学染色法评价VEGF蛋白表达和新生血管密度情况,Western blot方法检测肺组织中VEGF164蛋白表达情况.结果 免疫组织化学结果显示移植后l、4周转染组大鼠肺组织RAC、VEGF蛋白表达、再生血管密度较对照组和空白组均明显增加(P均＜0.05).Western blot检测结果显示移植后1、4周转染组VEGF164蛋白表达较对照组和空白组均明显增加(P均＜0.05).结论 VEGF基因转染MSCs移植能显著促进肺泡发育以及微血管再生,VEGF与新生大鼠肺发育有密切关系.     

川芎嗪对慢性高氧肺损伤新生大鼠内源性一氧化氮合酶表达水平的影响

目的观察川芎嗪干预对新生大鼠高氧肺损伤的影响及可能作用机制。方法80只足月新生12h内的清洁级SD大鼠,随机分为空气组（A组）、空气＋川芎嗪组（B组）、高氧（60％）组（C组）、高氧＋川芎嗪组（D组）。B、D两组每日腹腔注射川芎嗪30mg／kg,一日一次,A、C两组每日腹腔注射等量生理盐水,实验第14天每组随机选取8只,测量体重后取肺组织,测量肺质量,HE染色观察肺组织病理改变并计算其放射状肺泡计数（RAC）、RT—PCR方法检测内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）mRNA表达水平;免疫组织化学染色法检测eNOS蛋白表达水平。结果C组显示明显的肺泡发育受阻,体重（g）、肺质量（g）、RAC值（个）较A、B组均明显减少[体重：（17．4±3．2）比（29．5±1．7）、（29．3±1．6）,肺质量：（0．26±0．04）比（0．41±0．03）、（0．40±0．03）,RAC值：（4．8±0．7）比（9．0±0．8）、（8．8±0．9）,P〈0．05],D组病理改变减轻,体重、肺质量、RAC值高于C组（P〈0．05）,与A组相近（P〉0．05）。与A组（3．54±0．37）相比,C组肺组织eNOS表达水平（2．76±0．23）明显降低,D组（3．80±0．36）表达较C组增加,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,与A组相近（P〉0．05）。结论高氧可导致新生大鼠出现肺损伤,病理改变类似于早产儿新型支气管肺发育不良,川芎嗪干预对其有一定保护作用,其机制可能与川芎嗪促进eNOS的表达并捅过内源性NO生成增多而降低肺微血管压力有美．     

脂多糖对不同脑成熟程度早期新生鼠髓鞘发育的影响及肿瘤坏死因子-α表达变化

目的 通过向2日龄(P2)、7日龄(P7) Wistar新生鼠腹腔注射相同剂量的脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS),采用2’,3’环核苷酸3’磷酸二酯酶(2’,3’-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase,CNPase)和髓鞘碱性蛋白(myelin basic protein,MBP)分别标记未成熟少突胶质细胞和成熟少突胶质细胞,动态监测感染因素对两组新生鼠脑白质区髓鞘发育的影响,并检测这一过程中脑组织肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor,TNF)-α表达的变化,探讨TNF-α在脑白质损伤(white matter damage,WMD)发生中的作用.方法 将96只新生Wistar大鼠随机分为4组,每组24只,A组(P2新生鼠腹腔注射LPS5.0 mg/kg),B组(P7新生鼠腹腔注射LPS 5.0 mg/kg),C1、C2组(分别向P2或P7新生鼠腹腔注射等量生理盐水).观察各组新生鼠脑组织病理变化,免疫组织化学技术测定给药后24h脑组织CNPase蛋白表达变化及日龄14d(P14)脑组织MBP蛋白表达的变化,RT-PCR法测定给药后4h脑组织中TNF-αmRNA表达的变化.结果 A组大鼠脑组织病理可见胼胝体区、外囊区灶性出血及侧脑室内出血,P14时胼胝体区可见软化灶,软化灶的周围可见胶质增生.而B组和C1、C2组脑白质区组织结构清晰,无明显的细胞增生和出血.A组脑室周围白质区阳性CNPase表达程度及面积较C1组弱(106.93±2.62vs 113.67±2.69,P＜0.01),B组染色程度及面积亦较C2组弱(96.37±1.82 vs 101.65±2.01,P＜0.01).P14时,与C1组相比,在胼胝体及放射冠区A组MBP染色明显减少(128.21±2.99 vs 134.81±2.98,P＜0.01),而B组较C2组无明显改变(134.77±3.68 vs 134.81±2.98,P＞0.05).给药后4h,A组新生鼠脑组织中TNF-α mRNA表达相对值较B组增强(1.79±0.04 vs 1.18±0.04,P＜0.01).结论 处于脑发育中的未成熟新生鼠腹腔注射LPS可对脑的髓鞘发育产生重要影响,导致髓鞘形成障碍或发育延迟,进而发生WMD,TNF-α在WMD发生时表达明显增加;而脑发育相对成熟的新生鼠则可抵御LPS的损伤,仅发生髓鞘发育的延迟而无明显的髓鞘形成障碍.     

阿奇霉素对新生大鼠高体积分数氧肺损伤的影响

目的探讨阿奇霉素对高体积分数氧(高氧)诱发新生大鼠肺损伤的影响。方法选用出生2d的新生Wistar大鼠90只,雌雄不拘,随机分为3组:空气对照组、高氧模型组、阿奇霉素治疗组(阿奇霉素组),每组各30只。空气对照组新生鼠暴露在室内空气中;高氧模型组和阿奇霉素组新生鼠暴露在900mL·L-1氧气中,共14d;阿奇霉素组新生大鼠于出生第2天起,每天分别腹腔内注射阿奇霉素200mg·kg-1;空气对照组和高氧模型组新生鼠腹腔内注射9g·L-1盐水。第3、7、14天每组各处死10只动物,取肺组织,光镜下观察其肺组织的病理变化;采用免疫组织化学染色检测其肺组织干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的表达。结果IFN-γ在空气对照组无阳性表达;高氧模型组第7天达到高峰,第14天明显下降,但仍高于空气对照组;阿奇霉素组IFN-γ表达强度在各时间段均低于高氧模型组(Pa<0.05)。CTGF在空气对照组无阳性表达;高氧模型组随吸入高氧时间延长,阳性表达逐渐增强;阿奇霉素组CTGF表达强度在各时间段均低于高氧模型组(Pa<0.05)。MMP-9在空气对照组仅有散在的阳性细胞着色;...     

激素对新生鼠高氧肺损伤及血清前列腺素E2、白三烯B4的影响

目的研究产前与产后激素应用对新生鼠高氧肺损伤及血清前列腺素E2、白三烯B4的影响。方法将新生鼠分为产前激素+高氧组、生后激素+高氧组、高氧对照组与空气对照组,每组14只,分别置高氧或空气中14 d。观察指标包括新生鼠病死率、体质量、肺系数、辐射状肺泡计数(RAC)、组织病理变化。原位末端标记法(TUNEL)检测肺泡细胞凋亡指数(AI),酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定血清中PGE2、LTB4值。结果三组置高氧中新生鼠存活率与体质量均明显低于空气对照组(P均<0.05),肺系数则明显高于空气对照组(P<0.05),但三组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。置高氧中三组新生鼠肺组织病理变化明显。空气对照组的RAC最高,两组激素组RAC高于高氧对照组(P<0.05),而使用激素的两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。空气对照组肺组织中可见少数凋亡细胞,AI低于其余各组(P<0.05)。高氧对照组AI高于激素组(P<0.05),激素组间两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。四组中空气对照组的PGE2最低(P<0.05),高氧三组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。空气对照组LTB4也最低(P<0.05)...     

丙氨酰-谷氨酰胺对低出生体重新生大鼠缺氧性肠损伤后胰岛素样生长因子1的影响

目的　探讨丙氨酰-谷氨酰胺(Ala-Gln)对低出生体重(LBW)新生大鼠缺氧后肠组织胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)及IGF-1受体(IGF-1R)水平的影响。方法　将孕鼠分别置于吸烟和非吸烟环境中饲养, 非吸烟条件下饲养孕鼠所分娩的新生大鼠设为A组; 将吸烟条件下饲养孕鼠所分娩的正常体重新生大鼠设为B组, LBW新生大鼠随机分为对照组(C组)、缺氧-复氧组(D组)和Ala-Gln组(E组); 每组24只。D、E组行缺氧-复氧操作连续3 d, 每天2次造模, E组在每日缺氧处理前腹腔注射Ala-Gln(10 mL/kg), C、D组以等量生理盐水行替代注射。各组于生后第4、7、10天分别处死8只大鼠取肠组织。采用ELISA法检测各组肠组织IGF-1水平; 免疫组化法检测各组肠组织IGF-1R水平。结果　A组与B组IGF-1及IGF-1R蛋白水平在各时间点差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。C组IGF-1及IGF-1R蛋白水平呈上升趋势, 第7天时均较其他各组升高(P<0.05), 第10天时趋于正常水平, 与A、B组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。D组各时间点IGF-1及IGF-1R蛋白水平均明显低于C组(P<0.05)。E组在第4、7天IGF-1及IGF-1R蛋白水平低于C组(P<0.05), 但到第10天上升至接近C组水平, 且显著高于D组水平(P>0.05)。结论 宫内和生后缺氧易使LBW新生大鼠出现肠损伤, 肠道外给予大剂量Ala-Gln可减轻LBW新生大鼠缺氧性肠损伤程度, 对缺氧性肠损伤有一定保护作用。     

角质细胞生长因子对吸入高体积分数氧新生大鼠肺组织的影响

目的 研究角质细胞生长因子(KGF)对高体积分数氧(高氧)暴露下新生大鼠肺组织结构的影响.方法 将新生的108只SD大鼠随机分为空气组、高氧组和KGF干预组,每组36只.每组又分为3d、7d、14d3个亚组.高氧组、KGF干预组大鼠持续暴露于氧体积分数＞950mL·L-1氧箱中,KGF干预组于吸氧同时背部皮下注射重组人角质细胞生长因子(rhKGF)1mg·d-1,连用3d后改为0.5mg·d-1直至实验结束.空气组和高氧组给予等量9g·L-1盐水.空气组大鼠呼吸空气.3d、7d、14d亚组在相应时间点取肺组织,通过肉眼及光镜下观察其肺组织病理学变化,并作肺泡辐射状计数(RAC).结果 空气组7d时出现肺泡化,14d时肺泡化成熟.高氧组时小血管扩张充血,肺间质细胞增多,7d时肺间隔变厚,肺泡腔大小不一,肺泡数减少,14d时肺泡数明显减少,肺泡大小不等,出现明显纤维化.KGF干预组7d时可见肺泡结构较完整,14d时少数肺泡融合,间质细胞增生不严重.高氧组3d时RAC与空气组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),7d、14d时RAC与空气组相比差异均有统计学意义(Pa＞0.01).KGF干预组各时间点RAC与空气组比较差异均无统计学意义(Pa＞0.05).结论 长时间暴露于高氧环境,可导致新生大鼠肺组织发育障碍,但KGF能促进肺泡的发育,减轻纤维化,可有效减轻高氧吸入对新生大鼠肺组织的损伤.     

Allergic factors associated with the development of asthma and the influence of cetirizine in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial: First results of ETA®

There is a common progression known as the allergic march from atopic dermatitis to allergic asthma. Cetirizine has several antiallergic properties that suggest a potential effect on the development of airway inflammation and asthma in infants with atopic dermatitis. Methods. Over a two year period, 817 infants aged one to two years who suffered from atopic dermatitis and with a history of atopic disease in a parent or sibling were included in the ETAC^® (Early Treatment of the Atopic Child) trial, a multi-country, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The infants were treated for 18 months with either cetirizine (0.25mg/ kg b.i.d.) or placebo. The number of infants who developed asthma was compared between the two groups. Clinical and biological assessments including analysis of total and specific IgE antibodies were performed. Results. In the placebo group, the relative risk (RR) for developing asthma was elevated in patients with a raised level of total IgE (≥ 30 kU/I) or specific IgE (≥ 0.35 kUA/I) for grass pollen, house dust mite or cat dander (RR between 1.4 and 1.7). Compared to placebo, cetirizine significantly reduced the incidence of asthma for patients sensitised to grass pollen (RR = 0.5) or to house dust mite (RR = 0.6). However, in the population that included all infants with normal and elevated total or specific IgE (intention-to-treat - ITT), there was no difference between the numbers of infants developing asthma while receiving cetirizine or placebo. The adverse events profile was similar in the two treatment groups. Discussion. Raised total IgE level and raised specific IgE levels to grass pollen, house dust mite or cat dander were predictive of subsequent asthma. Cetirizine halved the number of patients developing asthma in the subgroups sensitised to grass pollen or house dust mite (i.e. 20% of the study population). In view of the proven safety of the drug, we propose this treatment as a primary pharmacological intervention strategy to prevent the development of asthma in specifically sensitised infants with atopic dermatitis.     

Resurgence of measles in Singapore: profile of hospital cases

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the profile of cases of measles seen at a general hospital during a recent outbreak that occurred despite a measles vaccination program. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study from January 1991 to March 1998. All patients with measles (ICD code 055. 9) seen at the emergency unit or as inpatients were included. RESULTS: There were 87 cases identified. The diagnosis was clinical in all and proven serologically in 71%. Eighty-five per cent of the cases occurred between January 1997 and March 1998. There was a bi-modal age distribution with peaks in the very young (相似文献   

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孤独症谱系障碍(autistic-spectrum disorders,ASDs)近年来患病率逐年攀升至1%左右,其症状往往伴随终生,成为严重威胁儿童健康和发展的神经发育性疾患;注意缺陷多动障碍(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,ADHD)是儿童期最常见的精神障碍,国内报道患病率为4.13%～5.83%,其症状可延续至青少年期,甚至到成年期[1]。这两类精神障碍在成年期的临床表现、共患病、治疗策略和预后与儿童期有哪些不同呢?本文通过回顾相     

EXCITING NEW TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR PATHYPHYSIOLOGIC MECHANISMS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

During the past several decades, our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of vasoocclusion associated with sickle cell disease has improved greatly. Interaction of genes, hemoglobin molecules, red cell membrane and metabolic changes, cell-cell interactions and cell-plasma interactions, red cell adhesion to vascular endothelium, activation of coagulation, and vascular reactivity play a role in vaso occlusion. Penicillin prophylaxis of pneumococcal infections and appropriate use of blood transfusions and other supportive measures improved survival of sickle cell patients. Hydroxyurea made a major impact on sickle cell therapy when it was shown to decrease acute painful episodes, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusion in adults. Significant experience in the use of hydroxyurea has been accumulated in older children. The benefits and risks of hydroxyurea for younger children and long-term risks in all patients will be evaluated in future investigations. Other promising therapies include butyrate compounds, clotrimazole, magnesium supplementation, poloxamer 188, antiadhesion agents, anticoagulant approaches, and nitric oxide. Hemopoietic transplantation remains the only curative therapy. However, several transgenic mouse models are available for studies of gene therapy or other treatment approaches on biochemical, cellular, and pathologic effects of mutant genes.     

Infiltrations of Epstein-Barr virus-carrying cells in granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders corresponding to chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection

A 21-year-old man with granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders (GLPD) associated with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is described. Chromosomal analyses revealed several clonal abnormalities and two of them were mainly repetitious. High copy numbers of monoclonal EBV genome were also detected in the proliferative large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), indicating the monoclonal expansion of EBV-infected LGLs. The patient had an indolent course for several years, and there was no evidence of infiltrations of his bone marrow until the end stage. At autopsy, microscopic studies revealed marked infiltrations of LGL in the liver and spleen, and the infiltrating cells were NK-cell immunophenotype. The infiltrated LGLs showed latency I.     

LUTEINIZING HORMONE RECEPTOR MUTATIONS IN DISORDERS OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT AND CANCER

Human male sexual development is regulated by chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Aberrant sexual development caused by both activating and inactivating mutations of the human luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) have been described. All known activating mutations of the LHR are missense mutations caused by single base substitution. The most common activating mutation is the replacement of Asp-578 by Gly due to the substitution of A by G at nucleotide position 1733. All activating mutations are present in exon 11 which encodes the transmembrane domain of the receptor. Constitutive activity of the LHR causes LH releasing hormone-independent precocious puberty in boys and the autosomal dominant disorder familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP). Both germline and somatic activating mutations of the LHR have been found in patients with testicular tumors. Activating mutations have no effect on females. The molecular genetics of the inactivating mutations of the LHR are more variable and include single base substitution, partial gene deletion, and insertion. These mutations are not localized and are present in both the extracellular and transmembrane domain of the receptor. Inactivation of the LHR gives rise to the autosomal recessive disorder Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) and male hypogonadism or male pseudohermaphroditism. Severity of the clinical phenotype in LCH patients correlates with the amount of residual activity of the mutated receptor. Females are less affected by inactivating mutation of the LHR. Symptoms caused by homozygous inactivating mutation of the LHR include polycystic ovaries and primary amenorrhea.     

A profile of respiratory symptoms in urban and rural South Australian school children

This report describes the cross-sectional analyses of data from the first year of a longitudinal study using questionnaire and respiratory function data over a 5 year period from a sample of rural South Australian school children. The cumulative or lifetime prevalences of respiratory symptoms were estimated in 825 rural and 1261 urban school children aged between 5 and 15 years in order to determine if the prevalence rates differed between rural and urban school children. The study found the overall cumulative prevalence of asthma and/or wheezy breathing (AWB) to be 24.1% in the rural school children compared to 27.6% in the urban school children. Most children developed AWB symptoms before the age of 7 years, with 20% reporting moderately severe symptoms and 10% having more than one attack per fortnight. The cumulative prevalence of bronchitis, loose/rattly cough (BLRC) differed significantly between the rural school children (34.1%) and urban school children (47.9%). The BLRC symptoms preceded the development of AWB in many cases. Urban school children also reported a higher prevalence of atopic conditions.     

Personality profiles and heart rate variability (vagal tone) in children with recurrent abdominal pain

The aim of the study was to explore psychological factors and autonomic activity in children with recurrent abdominal pain and to compare them with those in a control group of healthy children. The Personality Inventory for Children was used for assessment of developmental, emotional and psychosocial factors in 25 children with recurrent abdominal pain (age, 7-15 y). Parasympathetic and sympathetic functions in these children and in 23 healthy control subjects (age, 7-13 y) were also investigated, non-invasively using a computerized polygraph. Vagal tone (parasympathetic function) was indexed by calculation of respiratory sinus arrhythmia in beats/min. Skin conductance (sympathetic function) was recorded by the constant current method. On the Personality Inventory for Children, 16 patients had high scores on somatic concern. Several patients had scores in the clinical range for depression, withdrawal and anxiety, but the mean scores for these personality profile scales were well within the normal range of healthy children. Interestingly, there was a spike on the L (Lie)-scale for most of the patients and 15 patients had scores above or close to the clinical cut-off value. As compared with the scores in healthy children, vagal tone and sympathetic tone were normal. Conclusion: Many children with recurrent abdominal pain have scores in the clinical range for depression, withdrawal, anxiety and L-scale indicating coping problems, denial and a trend towards somatic concern that may contribute to the evolution of abdominal pain. Autonomic nerve activity was not disturbed in these children.     

Hauttemperaturen verschiedener Körperoberflächenareale des Rumpfes bei Säuglingen

Summary In two groups of infants (3–53 weeks old) skin temperatures were controlled in different areas of the trunk—i.e.: regions of sternum, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys—at different room-temperatures (group I: 21–25°C; group II: 29–32°C). Rectal temperatures of some probands in both groups also had been controlled simultaneously. A definite change in the reaction to heat was proofed in different periods of the first year of life. In higher environmental temperatures the skin temperature was almost constant at every controll-point of the skin, even in older infants. In lower environmental temperatures the skin temperatures lowered continuously with age till 7. to 9. moth. From 10. to 12. month the lowering of skin temperature discontinued. The rectal temperatures were relatively constant in all infants. Only in infants from 7. to 12. month, whose skin temperatures were controlled in lower as well as in higher environmental temperatures, a tendency to higher rectal temperatures was proofed in warmer environmental temperatures.The significance of these results is discussed.

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Untersuchungen mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.