锌对哮喘大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液中嗜酸性粒细胞趋化蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1及白介素8的影响

目的探讨锌对哮喘大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中嗜酸性粒细胞趋化蛋白(eotaxin)、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)及白介素8(IL-8)的影响。方法建立哮喘大鼠模型,SD大鼠32只,按体质量随机分为4组,A组为缺锌饲料+卵清蛋白(OVA)激发组,B组为补锌饲料+OVA激发组,C组为正常锌饲料+OVA激发组,D组为正常锌饲料+生理盐水激发组。诱喘后24 h取BALF进行细胞分类,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测BALF中eotaxin、MCP-1及IL-8。结果与C组相比,A组大鼠BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞及单核细胞数均明显增加(P0.05),而B组则明显减少(P0.05);B组上述炎性细胞较D组仍有明显增加(P0.05)。A组大鼠BALF中eotaxin[(178.97±23.40)pg/ml]及MCP-1[(3.11±0.86)ng/ml]较C组[eotaxin(147.20±39.35)pg/ml,MCP-1(2.39±0.59)ng/ml]明显增加(P0.05),而B组eotaxin[(112.85±27.62)pg/ml]及MCP-1[(1.66±0.74)ng/ml]则明显减少(P0.05);A、B、C三组BALF中IL-8差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论锌对哮喘大鼠气道eotaxin及MCP-1具有抑制作用,但对IL-8无明显影响。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞与Th17细胞在新生儿脓毒症炎性免疫反应中的作用

目的 探讨CD4+ CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞(CD4+ CD25+Treg)与Th17细胞在新生儿脓毒症炎性免疫反应中的作用.方法 选取脓毒症新生儿20例,抽取其静脉血3 mL备检,未加任何体外丝裂原刺激培养.采用流式细胞术检测外周血CD4+ CD25+ Treg的比例;采用实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)检测CD4+T淋巴细胞IL-17A、IL-17F、转录因子ROR-γt、Foxp3及相关细胞因子IL-6、TGF-β等mRNA表达;ELISA法检测IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α等前炎性因子蛋白表达;收集同期体检健康足月新生儿16例作为健康对照组.结果 与健康对照组比较:1.新生儿脓毒症组CD4+ CD25+Treg比例明显增高[(15.33±2.68)％比(2.96±0.56)％,P＜0.01],其转录因子Foxp3表达亦明显增高[(42.76±10.83) ×10-4比(22.34±4.17)×10-4,P＜0.01].2.新生儿脓毒症组较健康对照组CD4+T淋巴细胞高表达IL-17A及IL-17F[IL-17A:(13.56±3.21)×10“比(4.76 ±1.39)×10-6,P＜0.01;IL-17F:(7.62±1.45)×10-4比(1.89±0.48) ×10-4,P＜0.01].Th17细胞转录因子ROR-γt表达较健康对照组明显增高[(9.22±1.79) ×10-5比(2.84±0.56) ×10-5,P＜0.01].3.新生儿脓毒症组前炎性细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α表达明显增高[IL-1β:(2977.36±653.97) pg/L比(480.52±120.36) pg/L,P＜0.01;IL-6:(3143.82±775.08) pg/L比(393.78 ±96.55) pg/L,P ＜0.01;IL-10:(3216.98±678.43) pg/L比(326.11±62.45) pg/L,P＜0.01; TNF-α:(3582.24±876.13) pg/L比(1233.68±289.39) pg/L,P＜0.01].结论 新生儿脓毒症CD4+ CD25+Treg介导的免疫抑制及Th17介导免疫激活反应同时存在.     

卡介苗干预对哮喘小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液干细胞因子、巨噬细胞集落刺激因子表达的影响

目的 观察哮喘小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)干细胞因子(SCF)、巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(M-CSF)的表达,及卡介苗(BCG)干预对其表达的影响.方法 昆明小鼠30只随机分为哮喘组、BCG干预组、对照组,每组10只.以卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏激发建立哮喘模型.BCG干预组小鼠在OVA致敏前7、3、1 d以BCG皮内注射干预.末次激发24h后收集小鼠BALF,进行BALF中细胞总数及嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)计数,酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法检测各组BALF中SCF、M-CSF水平.结果 哮喘组小鼠BALF中细胞总数[(27.06±4.25)×107L-1]、EOS计数[(7.58±1.30)×107L-1]较对照组[(4.93±1.43)×107L-1、0]明显增高(Pa<0.01);BCG干预组小鼠BALF中细胞总数[(18.87±2.96)×107L-1]、EOS计数[(3.78±1.44)×107L-1]较哮喘组显著降低(Pa<0.01);哮喘组SCF水平[(280.25±14.20)ng/L]与对照组[(223.59±15.61)ng/L]比较显著增高(P<0.01),而BCG干预组SCF水平[(266.77±31.15)ng/L]与哮喘组比较无显著差异(P>0.05);哮喘组M-CSF水平[(204.30±10.39)ng/L]与对照组[(181.33±8.63)ng/L]比较显著增高(P<0.01),而BCG干预组M-CSF水平[(189.97±8.50)ng/L]与哮喘组比较显著下降(P<0.01).结论 致敏前多次给予BCG干预能显著抑制哮喘小鼠呼吸道炎性反应.哮喘小鼠BALF中SCF及M-CSF的表达增高,BCG干预能降低哮喘小鼠M-CSF的表达.抑制SCF或M-CSF的表达可能成为治疗哮喘的潜在靶点.     

哮喘大鼠肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞损伤及机制研究

目的观察哮喘大鼠肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞(AT_Ⅱ)损伤情况并探讨其可能机制。方法用卵白蛋白(OVA)制备Wistar大鼠哮喘模型,分别测定支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中一氧化氮(NO)、肿瘤坏死因子_α(TNF_α)浓度并检测AT_Ⅱ细胞的凋亡率和坏死率,将AT_Ⅱ细胞凋亡和坏死率之和(总损伤率)与NO和TNF_α浓度进行相关分析。结果哮喘组AT_Ⅱ细胞的凋亡率和坏死率[(11.55±2.82)%和(10.69±3.99)%]分别显著高于正常对照组[(2.81±2.22)%和(1.84±0.95)%],P均<0.01;BALF中的TNF_α和NO[(93.23±19.84)pg/ml和(7.36±0.63)μmol/L]也显著高于正常对照组[(26.97±5.85)pg/ml和(3.99±0.42)μmol/L],P均<0.01;BALF中TNF_α和NO浓度分别与AT_Ⅱ细胞总损伤率呈显著正相关(P均<0.01)。结论哮喘大鼠AT_Ⅱ细胞损伤明显,而TNF_α及NO的生成和释放增加可能是导致AT_Ⅱ细胞损伤增加的重要原因。     

儿童肿瘤化疗后粒细胞减少期并发ARDS肺泡巨噬细胞活性检测

目的 研究儿童肿瘤化疗后粒细胞减少期并发感染后出现ARDS,肺泡巨噬细胞(AM)HLA-DR的表达情况.方法 收集13例儿童肿瘤化疗后并发ARDS患者,其中5例为粒细胞减少期,予粒细胞集落刺激因子治疗.所有患儿行纤维支气管镜检查,收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)进行细胞计数、分类,流式细胞仪检测AM HLA-DR表达率.结果 粒细胞减少组ARDS患儿肺泡细胞总数、AM绝对值和AM百分比分别为(62.6±9.6)/μl、(40.8±4.3)/μl和65.9%±9.0%,粒细胞正常组ARDS患儿分别为(124.0±6.7)/μl、(67.6±10.7)/μl和54.6%±8.7%,两组差异均有显著性(P＜0.05).粒细胞减少组BALF中AM HLA-DR表达率较粒细胞正常组明显下降(35.3%±5.8%vs62.2%±5.8%),差异有非常显著性(P＜0.01).结论 粒细胞减少的ARDS患儿呈"肺泡细胞减少症"状态,AM呈失活状态.     

重症肺炎患儿中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞CD11b表达的意义

目的 探讨重症肺炎患儿中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞CD11b表达的意义.方法 用流式细胞术检测36例重症肺炎患儿(重症肺炎组)血液中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞CD11b表达,并与35例普通肺炎患儿(普通肺炎组)和30例正常儿童(正常对照组)比较.结果 急性期重症肺炎组和普通肺炎组中性粒细胞CD11b[ (90.67±7.03)％,(84.03±5.08)％]表达均高于正常对照组[(69.32±5.72)％](P＜0.05),且急性期重症肺炎组中性粒细胞CD11b表达高于普通肺炎组(P＜0.05).恢复期重症肺炎组中性粒细胞CD11b[ (72.68 ±2.07)％]和普通肺炎组CD11b[ (71.45 ±3.21)％]表达均低于同组急性期CD11b的表达(P＜0.05).急性期重症肺炎组淋巴细胞CD11b表达[(13.35 ±6.52)％]低于普通肺炎组[(19.19±6.47)％](P＜0.05),与正常对照组[(12.42±6.43)％]比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);恢复期,重症肺炎组淋巴细胞CD11b表达[(13.37 ±4.88)％]与普通肺炎组[(13.78±4.53)％]比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞CD11b表达在重症肺炎的演变过程中起到一定的作用,可作为重症肺炎的判断依据,预测疾病的发展.     

生命早期补充维生素D对哮喘大鼠白细胞介素10和细胞间黏附分子1表达的影响

目的 研究生命早期补充维生素D对大鼠哮喘模型的影响与机制.方法选用性成熟的雌性Wistar大鼠32只.随机分为4组:对照组、低、中、高剂量组各8只.于受孕第7天起隔天以灌胃的方式给予各组大鼠不同剂量的1,25(OH)_2D_3,对照组以DMSO-PBS代替.子代大鼠离乳后,从每组中随机取出8只制备哮喘模型.HE染色肺组织切片;ELISA法检测血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IL-10浓度;免疫组化法检测细胞间黏附分子I(ICAM-1)在肺组织中的表达.结果 (1)肺组织病理变化:低剂量组和中剂量组气道炎症和嗜酸性细胞浸润均低于对照组,高剂量组则明显高于对照组.(2)血清及BALF中IL-10浓度:血清中,低剂量组[(30.2±2.8)pg/ml]和中剂量组[(51.5±6.6)pg/ml]IL-10浓度均高于对照组[(18.7±4.7)pg/ml](P<0.05),且中剂量组高于低剂量组(P<0.05),而高剂量组[(15.4±3.5)pg/ml]无明显变化(P>0.05);BALF中,与对照组[(59.1±14.4)pg/ml]相比,低剂量组[(58.1±3.4)pg/ml]无显著性变化(P>0.05),中剂量组[(90.0±14.3)pg/ml]IL-10浓度高于对照组(P<0.05),高剂量组[(45.3±6.5)pg/ml]低于对照组(P<0.05).(3)ICAM-1在支气管上皮细胞中的表达:低剂量组与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);中剂量组低于对照组(P<0.05);高剂量组高于对照组(P<0.05).结论 生命早期适量的1,25(OH)_2D_3干预可改善大鼠肺部炎症,减少嗜酸性细胞浸润,而过量则加重气道炎症.其机制可能与1,25(OH)_2D_3对IL-10及支气管上皮ICAM-1表达的影响有关.     

肺炎支原体感染BALB/c小鼠肺泡灌洗液中白细胞介素-17含量的变化

目的 探讨肺炎支原体(mycoplasma pneumonia,MP)感染小鼠肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中白细胞介素-17(interleukin-17,IL-17)含量的变化.方法 将64只BALB/c小鼠分为正常组32只,MP感染组32只,两组分别于MP感染第3、7、14、21天取小鼠肺泡灌洗液及肺组织,每次8只.应用 HE染色法观察肺组织病理变化.应用ELISA法检则小鼠BALF 中IL-17 的含量.结果 MP感染后第7天肺组织的炎症改变最明显,第14天炎症已开始消退,第21天基本消失MP感染后3、7、14、21 d小鼠BALF 中 IL-17含量分别为(53.783 ±2.218) pg/ml、(65.913±10.693) pg/ml、(59.915 ±8.085) pg/ml、(57.043±11.997) pg/ml,正常组为(46.220 ±3.260) pg/ml,MP感染组较正常组BALF中IL-17含量有显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05) 在MP感染第7天小鼠BALF中 IL-17含量达到高峰,与其他时间点比较差异有统计学学意义(P＜().05).结论 MP感染可能使小鼠BALF中IL-17含量升高,且在第7天达到最高峰.MP感染可能通过IL-17途径参与哮喘气道炎症的形成.     

高氧对新生大鼠肺血管发育及肺组织血管生成素1表达的影响

目的 观察持续吸入85％氧气对新生大鼠肺血管发育和肺组织血管生成素1(Ang-1)表达的影响,探讨高氧肺损伤新生大鼠的肺血管发育情况及可能的发生机制.方法 将96只新生SD大鼠在生后6h内,随机分为高氧组和空气组,高氧组将大鼠置于自制密闭氧箱,FiO2=0.85.在实验3、7、14d每组各随机取16只处死,采集标本.采用HE染色进行肺组织形态学分析,放射状肺泡计数评价肺泡化程度,肺动脉钡剂造影及肺动脉密度检测评价肺血管的发育,免疫组织化学法检测肺组织Ang-1的表达,荧光定量PCR和Western blot技术检测肺组织Ang-1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平.结果 (1)新生大鼠高氧暴露14 d,肺组织的病理表现与早产儿支气管肺发育不良(BPD)的病理表现相似.(2)高氧组7 d RAC值显著低于空气组[(10.55±0.13):(11.74 ±0.19),P＜0.05],在14d时差异更显著[(12.47±0.05):( 15.03±0.16),P＜0.01].(3)肺动脉钡剂造影显示,高氧组14 d大鼠肺动脉主干变细,肺小动脉显影减少,肺动脉密度显著低于空气组[(3.55±0.09):(6.03±0.16),P＜0.05].(4)免疫组化染色显示,高氧组7d和14 d,肺组织Ang-1的表达均显著低于同时间点空气组[ (4.27±0.34):(3.10 ±0.29),P＜0.05,(5.65±0.49)∶(3.21±0.28),P＜0.01].(5)荧光定量PCR及Western blot结果显示,高氧组7d和14 d,Ang-1的mRNA水平显著低于空气组[(0.85±0.14)∶(0.44±0.21),P＜0.05,(0.87±0.24)∶(0.24±0.05),P＜0.01],Ang-1的蛋白水平也显著低于空气组[(0.88±0.31)∶(0.41 ±0.12),P＜0.05,(0.90 ±0.29):(0.21 ±0.06),P＜0.01].结论 持续吸入高浓度氧导致新生大鼠的肺血管发育障碍,Ang-1的表达下调可能参与了早产儿BPD血管发育受阻的发生机制.     

Poly(I:C)模拟RNA病毒在气道炎症研究中的应用

目的 使用poly(1:C)模拟RNA病毒感染,建立一个安全有效的病毒感染模型,探讨病毒诱发气道的炎症.方法 BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组和poly(I:C)组,poly(I:C)组连续3 d应用poly(I:C)滴鼻后,连续5 d观测小鼠肺泡灌洗液(BALF)细胞学改变,ELISA测定IFN-γ浓度,同时观察小鼠肺病理改变.结果 对照组小鼠BALF中中性粒细胞数和IFN-γ浓度分别为(1.53±0.06)×106/L和(7.11±1.11)ng/L.自Poly(I:C)滴鼻后第1天起,小鼠BALF中性粒细胞数和IFN-γ浓度开始升高,分别为(2.00±0.12)×106/L和(8.01±1.79)ng/L,肺间质内出现炎症细胞.这些变化在滴鼻后的第3天达到高峰,BALF中性粒细胞数和IFN-γ浓度分别为(4.30±0.32)×106/L和(13.51±1.40)ng/L,大量炎症细胞聚集在肺间质,随后炎症变化开始下降.对照组和poly(I:C)刺激组的BALF中淋巴细胞数均为(2.10±0.11)×106/L.结论 Poly(I:C)可以模拟RNA病毒感染,诱发病毒感染相似的气道炎症,促使中性粒细胞聚集,破坏正常气道,刺激IFN-γ分泌.但是poly(I:C)诱发的气道炎症是有时间限制的.     

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.     

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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.     

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   

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.     

Overcoming surfactant inhibition with polymers

Inhibition of the function of pulmonary surfactant in the alveolar space is an important element of the pathophysiology of many lung diseases, including meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The known mechanisms by which surfactant dysfunction occurs are (a) competitive inhibition of phospholipid entry into the surface monolayer (e.g. by plasma proteins), and (b) infiltration and destabilization of the surface film by extraneous lipids (e.g. meconium-derived free fatty acids). Recent data suggest that addition of non-ionic polymers such as dextran and polyethylene glycol to surfactant mixtures may significantly improve resistance to inhibition. Polymers have been found to neutralize the effects of several different inhibitors, and can produce near-complete restoration of surfactant function. The anti-inhibitory properties of polymers, and their possible role as an adjunct to surfactant therapy, deserve further exploration.     

Understanding infant formula

The World Health organisation recommends breast feeding infants for the first six months of life. When this breast feeding does not occur either through parental choice or medical need, infant formulas will be required. There is a bewildering array of formulas on the UK market for many different requirements. When faced with an unsettled infant many parents (and healthcare professionals) will experiment with the infant formula available and then attend the paediatric clinic looking for help and advice. It is therefore essential that paediatricians understand what milks are available and what the key differences between different products are. This review attempts to provide a simple guide through many of the formulations currently available in the UK; and offers advice for the dietary management of the child with extra calorie requirements, infants with cow's milk protein allergy, gastro oesophageal reflux disease, apparent unresolved hunger and infantile colic. Whatever the underlying condition, there is likely to be an infant formula that is suitable in this generation of ever expanding formulations.