血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂和血管紧张素Ⅱ受体拮抗剂单药治疗及联合应用对慢性肾脏病患者肾素-血管紧张素系统表达的影响

目的:探讨血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(ACEI)和血管紧张素Ⅱ受体拮抗剂(ARB)单药治疗及联合应用对慢性肾脏病(CKD)患者循环和肾脏局部肾素-血管紧张素系统(RAS)表达的影响及差异. 方法:采用前瞻性随机对照设计,将24例CKD患者随机分为贝那普利组、缬沙坦组和联合治疗组,分别予贝那普利20 mg/d、缬沙坦160 mg/d、贝那普利10 mg/d和缬沙坦80 mg/d治疗8周.记录随访过程中的血压、血清肌酐(SCr)、尿蛋白定量等临床指标,并采用放射免疫法和酶联免疫吸附法测定血和尿RAS组分,比较治疗前后的临床指标和血、尿RAS 组分活性以及三组间的差异. 结果:治疗8周后贝那普利组的尿蛋白定量[(0.61 ±0.25) g/24h vs (0.35±0 20)g/24h,P＜0.05]、尿血管紧张素原[(60.76±28.05 )ng/(mg·Cr) vs (23.09±14.74) ng/(mg·Cr),P＜0.05]低于基线;缬沙坦组的平均动脉压低于基线[ (99.17±10.56) mmHg vs (84.63±9.33) mmHg,P＜0.05],血浆肾素活性(PRA)高于基线[(1.33±0.76) ng/(ml·h) vs (6.02±2.59)ng/(ml·h),P＜0.01].贝那普利组、缬沙坦组和联合治疗组的主要终点事件发生率(蛋白尿下降＞30％)分别为87.5％、12.5％和62.5％,贝那普利组显著高于缬沙坦组(P＜0.05).治疗8周后贝那普利组PRA[(3.20±1.25) ng/(ml·h) vs (6.02±2.59)ng/(ml·h),P＜0.05)和血管紧张素Ⅱ浓度[(53.32±11.13)pg/ml vs (105.61±59.49) pg/ml,P＜0.05)低于缬沙坦组. 结论:贝那普利短期治疗可有效降低CKD患者肾脏局部血管紧张素Ⅱ活性和蛋白尿,而缬沙坦可较贝那普利更显著升高血浆肾素活性和血管紧张素Ⅱ浓度.     

血清sCD14与腹水乳铁蛋白在肝硬化自发性细菌性腹膜炎诊治中的意义

[目的]研究血清sCD14与腹水乳铁蛋白(LF)在肝硬化自发性细菌性腹膜炎诊治中的意义。[方法]选取我院在2014年3月~2016年7月期间收治的88例肝硬化患者,根据病患者病情将患者分成肝硬化自发性细菌性腹膜炎组(A组=30例)与单纯性腹水肝硬化组(B组=58例),同时另选取44例来我院做常规检查的健康居民作为对照组。抽取患者的血液以及腹水送至实验室进行检查,采用免疫层析法检测腹水乳铁蛋白,采用细胞分流术检测sCD14的表达水平,观察腹水乳铁蛋白与sCD14对肝硬化自发性细菌性腹膜炎患者的诊治意义。[结果]A组患者sCD14、WBC、ALT、AST为[(47.59±11.34)mg/L、(16.75±3.25)×10~9/L、(156.85±32.61)U/ml、(132.65±23.51)U/ml],显著高于B组与对照组[(3.64±0.57)mg/L、(8.41±1.21)×10~9/L、(45.26±6.61)U/ml、(36.43±9.62)U/ml,(0.52±0.11)mg/L、(7.45±1.03)×10~9/L、(37.24±5.14)U/ml、(31.24±5.41)U/ml,(P0.05)];A组患者LF阳性表达率为(90.00%)、表达水平为(162.52±37.21)ng/ml,显著高于B组[(17.24%)、(76.49±11.24)ng/ml、(P0.05)];经Spearman等级相关性分析显示,血清sCD14、腹水LF水平随自发性细菌性腹膜炎患者Child-Pugh分级升高而增加[r=0.814、r=0.734,P0.05]。组间比较,Child-PughC级患者血清sCD14与LF水平最高,Child-PughB级患者血清sCD14与LF水平次之,Child-PughA级患者血清sCD14与LF水平最低,经综合治疗后,A组患者sCD14与LF值为[(4.63±1.02)mg/L、(35.62±11.02)ng/ml],显著低于治疗前[(47.59±11.34)mg/L、(162.52±37.21)ng/ml,(P0.05)],B组患者治疗后sCD14与LF值为[(0.51±0.12)mg/L、(33.02±10.34)ng/ml],显著低于治疗前[(0.76±0.21)mg/L、(76.49±11.24)ng/ml,(P0.05)]。[结论]血清sCD14与腹水LF在肝硬化自发性细菌性腹膜炎的早期诊断中具有重要的临床意义,对自发性细菌性腹膜炎与无菌性腹膜炎具有鉴别诊断意义,并且还能用于预测Child-Pugh的分级,为临床上疾病评估提供相应的参考依据。     

不同尿蛋白排泄率的2型糖尿病患者血清多聚ADP核糖聚合酶的变化及其临床意义

目的研究糖尿病慢性肾脏疾病(CKD)不同阶段患者血清多聚ADP核糖聚合酶(PARP)水平的变化及临床意义。方法收集T2DM患者195例,根据尿白蛋白/肌酐(UACR)水平,分为UACR30 mg/g组、UACR 30~300 mg/g组、UACR300 mg/g组,另选健康志愿者68名作为正常对照(NC)组。收集标本检测PARP、纤维蛋白原(Fg)、3硝基酪氨酸(3-NT)、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)、TGF-β1水平,并行相关性分析及多元逐步回归分析。结果 3组T2DM患者血清PARP均较NC组高[(56.07±14.05)vs(73.99±10.69)vs(86.18±11.23)vs(34.60±9.21)pg/ml,P0.01]。相关分析显示,血清PARP与UACR、Fg、3-NT、MCP-1、TGF-β1呈正相关(r=0.484、0.618、0.854、0.899、0.693,P0.05)。多元逐步回归分析显示,Fg、UACR是影响血清PARP的独立危险因素(P0.05),回归方程为Y_(PARP)=13.004+3.693X_(Fg)+0.02X_(uAcR)。结论 T2DM患者血清PARP水平与CKD肾脏损伤有一定联系,可能成为早期诊断CKD的新型生物学标志物。PARP参与CKD肾脏损伤可能涉及氧化应激、慢性炎性反应、肾脏纤维化、纤溶系统紊乱等机制。     

早期糖尿病慢性肾脏疾病患者血清血管生成素样蛋白4水平及吡格列酮影响的观察

目的探讨早期糖尿病慢性肾脏疾病(CKD)患者血清血管生成素样蛋白4(ANGPTL4)水平及吡格列酮(PGZ)对其影响。方法选取体检健康者92名为健康对照(NC)组、新诊断单纯T2DM患者89例为T2DM组和早期CKD患者90例为CKD组。将CKD组采用随机数字表法进一步分为联合吡格列酮治疗(PGZ)亚组45例和联合格列美脲治疗(GLI)亚组45例。采用ELISA检测血清ANGPTL4水平,观察治疗前后CKD患者血清ANGPTL4水平变化。结果 NC、T2DM、CKD组血清ANGPTL4水平逐渐降低[(34.8±4.75)vs(31.1±3.65)vs(27.1±3.52)ng/ml,P<0.05或P<0.01]。血清ANGPTL4水平与超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)、TG呈正相关(r=0.635、0.526,P<0.05或P<0.01),与BMI、FPG、HbA1c、高敏C反应蛋白(hsC-RP)、UAlb/Cr、VEGF、FIns、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)呈负相关(r=-0.502、-0.624、-0.542、-0.520、-0.538、-0.566、-0.576、-0.509,P<0.05或P<0.01)。治疗后PGZ亚组血清ANGPTL4水平较治疗前升高[(31.51±3.87)vs(27.60±3.58)ng/ml,P<0.05],UAlb/Cr降低[(88.50±8.90)vs(116.20±10.30)mg/24h,P<0.01]。治疗后GLI亚组UAlb/Cr较治疗前降低[(99.70±12.80)vs(122.40±13.10)mg/24h,P<0.05],血清ANGPTL4水平变化比较差异无统计学意义[(27.20±3.54)vs(26.60±3.48)ng/ml,P>0.05]。多元线性回归分析显示,HbA1c、FIns、UAlb/Cr是血清ANGPTL4水平的独立影响因素。结论 CKD患者血清ANGPTL4水平降低,吡格列酮通过增加血清ANGPTL4水平对CKD患者发挥治疗作用。     

维持性血液透析患者外周血单个核细胞核因子κB活性与微炎症、氧化应激状态及心血管疾病的关系

目的:探讨维持性血液透析(MHD)患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)核因子κB (NF-κB)活性与微炎症、氧化应激状态及心血管疾病(CVD)的关系. 方法:选取MHD治疗3个月以上的患者(32例),以体检健康者(12例)为对照组.采用ELISA法检测受试者PBMC的NF-κB活性,比色法检测血清总抗氧化能力(TAOC)及丙二醛(MDA).Pearson相关和线性回归分析PBMC的NF-κB活性与其他指标的相关性.二分类Logistic回归分析NF-κB活性与CVD的关系. 结果:MHD患者PBMC的NF-κB活性[(1 142.4±413.0)ng/mg核蛋白vs(208.3±39.5) ng/mg核蛋白,P＜0.05]、血清高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)(3.2 mg/L vs0.5 mg/L,P＜0.05)、TAOC[ (21.9±6.6)U/ml vs (15.7±2.3)U/ml,P＜0.05]和MDA[ (6.80±0.86) nmol/ml vs (3.89±0.51) nmol/ml,P＜0.05]皆显著高于对照组.单次HD后MHD患者PBMC的NF-κB活性显著升高[(2 076.5±690.1)ng/mg核蛋白vs(1 142.2 ±413.0)ng/mg核蛋白,P＜0.05],TAOC显著降低[(13.6±5.0) U/ml vs(21.9±6.6)U/ml,P＜0.05].Pearson相关分析显示PBMC的NF-κB活性与白细胞计数(r=0.454,P＜0.05)、血清hsCRP(r =0.590,P＜0.05)及MDA(r=0.390,P＜0.05)呈正相关.线性回归分析显示白细胞计数(β=0.338,P＜0.05)、血清hsCRP(β =0.440,P＜0.05)及MDA(β=0.319,P＜0.05)皆与PBMC的NF-κB活性独立相关.Logistic回归分析显示PBMC的NF-κB活性升高(＞1 170.0 ng/mg核蛋白)是CVD的独立危险因素(OR=8.47,P＜0.05). 结论:MHD患者PBMC的NF-κB活性显著升高,且与微炎症、氧化应激状态及CVD相关,可作为患者的炎症标志物.     

血清糖化终末产物类物质与糖尿病慢性肾脏疾病的关系

目的探讨AGEs类物质在不同程度的糖尿病慢性肾脏疾病(CKD)患者体内的蓄积情况。方法选取糖尿病患者259例,根据24hUAlb分为单纯糖尿病(DM,UAlb30mg/24h)组58例、微量蛋白尿(CKD1,UAlb 30~300mg/24h)组62例、临床蛋白尿(CKD2,UAlb300mg/24h)组53例、肾功能失代偿(CKD3,Scr 133~442μmol/L)组51例及尿毒症(U,Scr442μmol/L,持续血液透析治疗)组35例。另选同期体检健康者51名作为对照(NC)组。检测各组血清中AGEs、低分子量AGEs(LMWAGEs)和游离戊糖苷酶(FP)的荧光强度。结果 CKD1组血清AGEs荧光强度高于DM组和NC组,且DM组高于NC组[(14.94±3.07)vs(10.80±2.35)vs(6.23±1.25)U/mg],CKD3组高于CKD2组[(51.50±10.33)vs(15.57±3.20)U/mg](P0.05);DM组血清LMW-AGEs荧光强度与CKD1组,CKD2组与CKD3组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),其余各组两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),且U组最高;U组血清FP荧光强度高于其他各组(P=0.001),而其余各组两两比较,差异无统计学意义。结论测定血清AGEs和LMW-AGEs的水平可对早期肾损害的诊断、肾损害程度的分析及终末期肾病的评价提供帮助,FP主要适用于终末期肾病的评价,而对早期肾损害不敏感。     

桃红化浊汤联合恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎肝硬化（湿热蕴结证）临床疗效及安全性

目的探讨桃红化浊汤联合恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B,CHB)肝硬化(湿热蕴结证)的临床疗效及安全性。方法前瞻性收集2016年6月至2019年9月西安市中医医院收治的120例CHB肝硬化患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将患者分为观察组(60例)和对照组(60例)。对照组采用恩替卡韦治疗,观察组采用桃红化浊汤联合恩替卡韦治疗,比较两组患者治疗前和治疗6个月后单项症状积分、肝功能[包括丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)和总胆红素(total bilirubin,TBil)]、肝纤维化指标[包括透明质酸(hyaluronic acid,HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原氨基末端肽(procollagen typeⅢ,PCⅢ)、层粘连蛋白(laminin,LN)、Ⅳ型胶原(Ⅳcollagen,Ⅳ-C)、肝脏硬度值(liver stiffness measurement,LSM)和FIB-4指数]及HBV DNA载量。比较两组患者的治疗总有效率和不良反应发生率。结果治疗后,两组患者的症状积分均显著低于治疗前,包括双目或皮肤发黄[观察组:(2.22±0.41)分vs(5.22±2.36)分;对照组:(3.41±1.24)分vs(5.17±2.37)分]、恶心呕吐[观察组:(3.47±0.99)分vs(5.63±2.00)分;对照组:(4.48±1.47)分vs(6.30±2.04)分]、食欲不振[观察组:(2.63±0.76)分vs(6.80±1.54)分;对照组:(3.85±1.15)分vs(6.90±1.54)分]、脘腹撑急[观察组:(2.25±0.60)分vs(4.87±1.92)分;对照组:(3.60±1.01)分vs(4.98±1.40)分]及腹胀[观察组:(2.18±0.83)分vs(5.30±1.06)分;对照组:(3.45±1.06)分vs(5.17±1.56)分],且观察组上述症状积分均显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.001)。治疗后,两组患者肝功能指标水平均显著低于治疗前,包括血清ALT [观察组:(23.44±4.03)U/L vs(59.07±8.82)U/L;对照组:(39.42±5.09)U/L vs(56.92±7.77)U/L]、AST [观察组:(22.07±4.23)U/L vs(46.18±6.53)U/L;对照组:(35.97±4.03)U/L vs(47.58±7.52)U/L]和TBil [观察组:(9.20±2.27)μmol/L vs(23.98±3.91)μmol/L;对照组:(14.32±4.11)μmol/L vs(24.66±3.55)μmol/L],且观察组治疗后上述指标显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.001)。治疗后,两组患者肝纤维化指标水平均显著低于治疗前,包括血清PCⅢ[观察组:(123.35±2 6.10)μg/L vs(172.83±44.03)μg/L;对照组:(143.90±36.34)μg/L vs(177.71±33.50)μg/L]、Ⅳ-C [观察组:(120.54±35.12)μg/Lvs(215.60±56.18)μg/L;对照组:(144.20±42.76)μg/L vs(200.52±67.23)μg/L]、HA [观察组:(122.82±30.89)μg/L vs(259.41±64.13)μg/L;对照组:(135.42±27.15)μg/L vs(257.83±54.35)μg/L]、LN [观察组:(142.97±31.44)μg/L vs(223.37±46.05)μg/L;对照组:(168.92±32.95)μg/L vs(209.53±45.07)μg/L]、LSM [观察组:(16.28±2.55)k Pa vs(21.16±2.89)k Pa;对照组:(18.61±2.04)k Pa vs(21.15±4.31)k Pa]及FIB-4指数(观察组:1.29±0.38 vs 2.23±0.55;对照组:1.57±0.36 vs 2.36±0.29),且观察组患者上述指标均显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05)。治疗后,两组患者HBVDNA载量均显著低于治疗前[观察组:(3.07±1.48)lg IU/ml vs(7.16±1.36)lg IU/ml;对照组:(3.11±1.56)lg IU/ml vs(7.30±1.28)lg IU/ml;t=24.001、22.856,P均0.001],观察组和对照组间差异无统计学意义(t=0.134,P=0.894);观察组和对照组HBV DNA低于检测下限率分别为88.33%(53/60)、86.67%(52/60),差异无统计学意义(χ~2=0.076,P=0.783)。治疗后,观察组患者总有效率为91.67%(55/60),显著高于对照组的76.67%(46/60),差异有统计学意义(χ~2=5.065,P=0.024)。治疗期间观察组和对照组不良反应发生率分别为6.67%(4/60)、10.00%(6/60),差异无统计学意义(χ~2=0.436,P=0.509)。结论桃红化浊汤联合恩替卡韦治疗CHB肝硬化(湿热蕴结证)可提高临床疗效,改善患者临床症状和肝功能,抑制肝纤维化,安全可靠。     

α-硫辛酸治疗糖尿病周围神经病变的疗效观察

目的观察糖尿病周围神经病变(DPN)患者加用α-硫辛酸后对神经症状及氧化应激反应的作用。方法选取DPN患者45例,分为α-硫辛酸联合甲钴胺(A)组17例及单药甲钴胺(B)组28例,比较两组治疗前后神经症状评分(NSS)、神经缺陷评分(NDS)及氧化应激指标水平。结果与治疗前相比,治疗后A组NSS得分下降[(4.88±0.94)vs(4.06±0.91)分,P0.05],过氧化氢酶(CAT)上升[(33.50±3.60)vs(37.07±6.47)U/L,P0.05],丙二醛(MDA)下降[(3.16±0.51)vs(2.77±0.27)mmol/L,P0.05],还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)上升[(82.93±9.55)vs(88.78±13.16)ng/L,P0.05],氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)下降[(115.00±23.20)vs(102.25±13.20)ng/L,P0.05]。B组仅CAT上升[(34.16±6.47)vs(37.12±5.99)U/L,P0.05],SOD、MDA、GSH和GSSG水平治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义。结论与单药甲钴胺相比,加用α-硫辛酸可更显著改善DPN患者氧化应激水平,从而更好地改善症状。     

N-乙酰半胱氨酸联合双环醇治疗抗结核药物所致的药物性肝损伤患者疗效研究*

目的 观察应用N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)联合双环醇治疗抗结核药物所致的药物性肝损伤(DILI)患者的疗效。方法 2018年1月～2020年1月我院诊治的因肺结核接受抗结核药物治疗导致的DILI患者76例,随机分为A组38例和B组38例,分别给予双环醇或双环醇联合NAC治疗,两组均连续治疗1个月或至肝功能正常。因本组患者被发现得早,肝功能损害较轻,未停止抗结核治疗。采用黄嘌呤氧化法和硫代巴比妥酸法检测血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)水平,采用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平,采用免疫散射速率比浊法检测血清C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平。结果 在治疗结束时,B组血清AST、ALT和GGT水平分别为(39.3±10.5)U/L、(35.9±32.5)U/L和(58.4±10.5)U/L,显著低于A组【分别为(75.4±14.6)U/L、(86.9±44.8)U/L和(95.8±14.5)U/L,P<0.05】;B组血清SOD水平为(83.5±8.0)U/L,显著高于A组【(74.5±7.3)U/L,P<0.05】,而血清MDA、IL-6和CRP水平分别为(5.0±0.8)μmol/L、(4.1±1.2)ng/L和(9.1±2.2)mg/L,显著低于A组【分别为(6.9±1.2)μmol/L、(6.8±2.4)ng/L和(14.5±3.7)mg/L,P<0.05】;在治疗过程中,B组与A组出现头晕、腹泻、皮疹、发热和恶性呕吐发生率无显著性差异(18.4%对15.8%,P>0.05)。结论 应用NAC联合双环醇治疗抗结核药物所致的DILI患者可获得较好的治疗效果,能促进血清肝功能指标的恢复,可能与抑制了机体氧化应激和炎症反应有关,同时患者加用药物后也未明显增加用不良反应发生率,但其长期治疗效果还需要进一步观察。     

5-ASA不同药物制剂在溃疡性结肠炎患者肠黏膜中浓度的对比研究

目的比较5-ASA不同药物制剂治疗溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)患者肠黏膜中浓度的差异。方法纳入我院133例UC患者,按治疗分为四组:A组(pH依赖的5-ASA)68例,B组(时间依赖的5-ASA)14例,C组(5-ASA前体)30例,D组(pH依赖的5-ASA,口服联合局部用药)21例,常规行肠镜检查并于乙状结肠区取组织活检,采用高压液相色谱法分析比较肠黏膜中5-ASA药物浓度。结果①A组肠黏膜5-ASA浓度明显高于B组及C组(P0.05);②内镜下缓解期的UC患者肠黏膜5-ASA浓度明显高于活动期患者[(61.02±7.11)ng/mg vs(36.16±6.28)ng/mg,P=0.03],组织学炎症缓解的UC患者肠黏膜5-ASA浓度明显高于炎症活动的患者[(66.68±8.95)ng/mg vs(34.98±5.61)ng/mg,P0.001];③口服联合局部用药(灌肠)的UC患者肠黏膜5-ASA浓度明显高于单独口服用药的患者[(72.55±10.89)ng/mg vs(52.21±6.78)ng/mg,P=0.03]。结论 5-ASA治疗UC患者,pH依赖性的5-ASA易获得较高的药物浓度,且口服联合局部用药效果更佳。     

Glucose and insulin concentration in amniotic fluid and in maternal blood in early and in late pregnancy

Glucose concentration in the amniotic fluid decreases towards the end of gestation, whereas the insulin concentration increases. The ratio between fetal (amniotic fluid) glucose to maternal glucose is reduced by about 50% at the end of pregnancy, whereas the ratio of C peptide is increased four times. The higher glucose concentration in amniotic fluid in early pregnancy could be explained by a lower fetal metabolic rate in the early stage of development and a low insulin activity of the fetus.     

Differentiation pathways in carcinogenesis and in chemo- and radioresistance

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) share many features with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) such as the ability for self-renewal and differentiation. Signaling pathways that are involved in these processes are also involved in chemo- and radioresistance (e.g. Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog pathways). This review is focused on the influence of three important differentiation pathways on carcinogenesis and on chemo- and radioresistance in ESCs and CSCs.     

Nitrite and thiocyanate in the fasting and secreting stomach and in saliva.

The concentrations of nitrite and thiocyanate in fasting and pentagastrin stimulated gastric juice and in saliva have been examined. Nitrite was found in all of 17 samples of fasting gastric juice, mean 4-9 +/- 1-1 muM. Stimulation of gastric secretion with pentagastrin caused no significant change in nitrite concentration. Thiocyanate was detected in all of 21 samples of fasting gastric juice and the difference in concentration between smokers and non-smokers probably reflects similar differences in saliva. In contrast to the nitrite data there was a significant drop in thiocyanate concentration of gastric juice after pentagastrin from 0-9 +/- 0-1 mM to 0-3 +/- 0-04 mM, suggesting a salivary origin for the thiocyanate in gastric juice. Thiocyanate is a powerful catalyst of nitrosation, which, together with small amounts of nitrite and naturally occurring amines could lead to the intragastric formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines and in certain circumstances be a factor in the aetiology of gastric cancer.     

Osteoporosis in celiac disease and in endocrine and reproductive disorders

As the increase in lifespan brings to light diseases that were previously not clinically detectable, osteoporosis has become an issue of worldwide significance. The disease is marked by a loss of bone mass; the bones become less dense, fragile and more prone to fracturing. Because it is regulated by endocrine and environmental factors, osteoporosis presents a multifactorial etiopathogenesis, with the genetic component accounting for 70% of an individual variation in bone mass density （BMD）, the principal determinant, with age, of fracture risk. Pathological conditions such as celiac disease （CD） exacerbate the process of bone loss, so that the occurrence of osteoporosis in celiac subjects is of particular note： indeed, the screening of osteoporosis patients for this disease is advisable, since it may be the only sign of undiagnosed CD. An increase in interleukin IL-1β, of the IL-1 system, in the relatives of celiac patients confirms the genetic predisposition to osteoporosis and its presence is evidence of an association between the two conditions. The direct effect on the bones of CD is secondary to poor absorption of calcium and vitamin D. In women osteoporosis is indirectly associated with early menopause and amenorrhea, and it may follow prolonged breast-feeding and frequent pregnancies, while in men it is associated with hypogonadism and GH deficit. These endocrine and non-endocrine factors exert their effects on bones by modulating the RANK/RANK-L/OPG system. An appropriate lifestyle from adolescence onwards, together with early diagnosis of and treatment for CD and primaryand secondary endocrine pathologies are important for the prevention of damage to the bones.     

Salmonellosis in children in developing and developed countries and populations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review addresses recent developments that relate to the clinical management and prevention of childhood salmonellosis in developed and developing countries. RECENT FINDINGS: Invasive disease due to serovar Typhi as well as nontyphoidal salmonellae (NTS) is common in children younger than 5 years old in developing countries, and multidrug resistance is an increasingly difficult problem to manage. A new conjugate vaccine was found to be very effective in preventing typhoid fever in young Vietnamese children and was well tolerated, showing great promise for the future. Antibiotic use in the food animal industry is an important source of disease with multidrug resistant NTS strains in the developed world. Efforts for prevention are aimed at immunization of animals, control of antibiotic use in the food animal industry and careful monitoring of food-borne outbreaks. On the other hand, although the burden of NTS disease in children is far greater in developing countries, especially in tropical Africa, knowledge of even basic epidemiology is lacking. Importantly, it may be that, as spp. acquire increasing resistance, they also acquire increasing virulence that will lead to even greater morbidity and mortality. SUMMARY: Recent developments include a better knowledge of clinical aspects of invasive salmonellosis, an increasing response to the problem of multiple antibiotic resistance (including quinolones), and excellent results from the use of a recently developed conjugate vaccine for typhoid fever in children as young as 2 years old.