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Biliary atresia ( BA) is the most common indication for LT in children. We investigated whether this diagnosis per se, compared to other chronic liver diseases ( OCLD), had an influence on patient survival. Data from 421 Scandinavian children, 194 with BA and 227 with OCLD, listed for LT between 1990 and 2010 were analyzed. The intention-to-treat survival and influencing risk factors were studied. Patients with BA had higher risk of death after listing than patients with OCLD. The youngest (<1 year) and smallest (<10 kg) children with the highest bilirubin (>510 μmol/L), highest INR (>1.6), and highest PELD score (>20) listed during 1990s had the worst outcome. Given the same PELD score, patients with BA had higher risk of death than patients with OCLD. For adolescents, low weight/ BMI was the only prognostic marker. Impaired intention-to-treat survival in patients with BA was mainly explained by more advanced liver disease in younger ages and higher proportion of young children in the BA group rather than diagnosis per se. PELD score predicted death, but seemed to underestimate the severity of liver disease in patients with BA. Poor nutritional status and severe cholestasis had negative impact on survival, supporting the 'sickest children first' allocation policy and correction of malnutrition before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Platelet releasate has been shown to promote osteogenetic cell proliferation and differentiation. Topography and chemistry of biomaterials have high impact on platelet activation. More specifically, the bioactive cell adhesive peptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) triggers platelet activation mediated by the αIIbβ3 integrin receptor. Accordingly, topographical, chemical and biomimetical (immobilized RGD peptide) modifications of titanium (Ti) surfaces may enhance early platelet activation and bony healing of implants. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate platelet activation with subsequent platelet-derived cytokine release by accordingly modified Ti surfaces. Materials and methods: Pre-treated (PT; mean roughness [ Ra]=0.04 μm, contact angle [CA]=91°), acid-etched (A, Ra=0.83 μm, CA=106°), large grit-sandblasted, acid-etched (SLA, Ra=3.2 μm, CA=109°) as well as hydrophilically modified acid-etched (modA, Ra=0.83 μm, CA=0) and modified large grit-sandblasted, acid-etched (modSLA, Ra=3.2 μm; CA=0°) titanium surfaces were investigated. Additionally, RGD peptides were chemically immobilized on PT, A and SLA surfaces (PT-RGD [CA=18°], A-RGD [CA=0°], SLA-RGD [CA=0°]). The different Ti surfaces were incubated with platelet concentrate of three healthy volunteers at room temperature for 15 min and for 30 min. High thrombogenous collagen served as the control group. Out of the supernatant, platelet consumption was assessed via platelet count (PC). Cytokine release was quantified via the level of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: After 15 min, especially the rough SLA surface showed a strong decrease in PC and a strong increase in VEGF and PDGF levels. After 30 min, high platelet consumption as well as high levels of VEGF and PDGF were measured for unspecifically modified (modA) and especially for biomimetic, specifically modified (PT-RGD, A-RGD) surfaces, indicating a delayed effect of the surface modifications on platelet activation. Discussion: Modifications of surface roughness modifications appear to influence early platelet activation and cytokine release after 15 min whereas surface chemistry modifications with increased hydrophilic properties and surface modifications via RGD peptide on plainer surfaces lead to a further, more specific promotion of platelet activation and degranulation after 30 min. The observed effect could be valuable for critical clinical situations like compromised bone sites. To cite this article: Kämmerer PW, Gabriel M, Al-Nawas B, Scholz T, Kirchmaier CM, Klein MO. Early implant healing: promotion of platelet activation and cytokine release by topographical, chemical and biomimetical titanium surface modifications in vitro. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012 504-510. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02153.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the import of khawai japonensis to Europe. It states that Carp, Cyprinus carpio L., is one of the most important cultured fish, especially in Central Europe and Asia. It mentions that pathogenic cestodes of carp belong to the order Caryophyllidea, the species of which possess a monozoic and unsegmented body and use tubificid oligochaetes as intermediate hosts.

Aim: Neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants can be reasonably diagnosed by 18–24 months corrected age, whereas the predictive value of earlier assessments is debated. We hypothesized that neurological findings at 6 and 12 months indicative of subsequent cerebral palsy predict 18–24 months’ neurodevelopmental impairment. Methods: Neurodevelopmental examinations (Griffiths scales) at 20 months of age in 561 preterm infants (birth weight <1 500 g) were compared with results of standardized neurological examinations (Early Motor Pattern Profile; EMPP) and Griffiths scales at 6 (n = 451) and 12 months (n = 496) corrected age. Results: Griffiths developmental quotients at 20 months were weakly but significantly related to EMPP scores at 6 (Rs = 0.328) and 12 months (Rs = 0.493). Areas under receiver operator characteristic curves for the EMPP to predict neurodevelopmental impairment (Griffiths scores ≤75) at 20 months were 0.772 (0.890) at 6 (12) months, compared to 0.915 (0.962) for Griffiths scores. By contrast, EMPP and Griffiths scores had equal power to predict unability to walk unaided at 2 years of age (EMPP 6/12 months: 0.946/0.983; Griffiths 6/12 months: 0.935/0.985). Conclusion: Neurological examinations with the EMPP at 6 and 12 months corrected age are of limited value to predict neurodevelopmental impairment at 20 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms with wide geographical or phenotypic diversity often constitute assemblages of genetically distinct species or lineages. Within parasites, an emergence of host-specific lineages is assumed to create such cryptic variability; however, empirical evaluation of these processes is scarce. Here, we analyse populations of a parasite with a complex life cycle, wide host spectrum and global distribution, with the aim to reveal factors underlying the evolution of host- or geography-dependent lineages. Using 15 microsatellite loci, deep genetic distances were observed between populations from distant geographical areas. On the local scale, host-mediated genetic structure was found among sympatric samples. Two lineages differing in the spectrum of infected hosts co-occurred in the Euro-Mediterranean area, and two distinct lineages were recovered from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Although sampled across several host taxa and multiple localities, a lack of marked genetic structure was seen in the populations belonging to one of the European lineages. Only weak genetic differentiation between sympatric samples from two host species was found. Complexity of the parasite life-cycle contributed to such a stratified pattern. Differences in the immune response between fish hosts were suggested as the factor diversifying the populations locally; conversely, high mobility of the parasite due to migration with its bird (definitive) host were assessed to homogenize populations across the area of distribution. However, despite the high mobility, large bodies of salt water prevent the parasite from long-distance migrations, as was demonstrated in an example of the Mediterranean Sea which represented an effective barrier to gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bruňanská, M., Scholz, T. and Ibraheem, M.H. 2005. Spermiogenesis in the cestode Corallobothrium solidum Fritsch, 1886 (Proteocephalidea: Corallobothriinae).— Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 86: 55–61 Spermiogenesis of Corallobothrium solidum Fritsch 1886, has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The zone of differentiation contains the two centrioles, each with one thin root, being orientated in the same plane only when a single intercentriolar body (ICB) appears between them. A median cytoplasmic process (MCP) develops distally to the two flagella, which are of unequal length, get longer and rotate towards the MCP. The nucleus penetrates into the spermatid body after the fusion of both flagella with the MCP has started. Flagellar roots occur occasionally in some spermatids. New for the Eucestoda are the following findings: 1. cortical microtubules (CMs) are arranged in two short parallel rows in one-axoneme region of some spermatids; 2. the crested body of spermatid consists either of electron-dense tubular elements and interposes itself between CMs, or it is rather homogeneous and situated more peripherally above one continuous semicircle of CMs. The present results support previous data that the type of spermiogenesis in proteocephalideans resembles mostly that observed in tetraphyllideans (Onchobothriidae and Phyllobothriidae), thus supporting the view of a close phylogenetic relationship of tetraphyllidean and proteocephalidean cestodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effect of moderate alcohol consumption in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease has been shown in several epidemiologic studies. Such studies have also shown, however, that the protective effect of alcoholic beverages like wine and beer is not only due to the ethanol content but also to the presence of nonalcoholic constituents. The positive effect of alcoholic beverages has been attributed to changes in lipoprotein metabolism, but there is substantial evidence that effects on hemostasis play an important role. Whether the effects of alcoholic beverages on hemostasis are due exclusively to ethanol or are due, in part, to nonalcoholic components, is still under debate. METHODS: We have examined the hemostatic effects of 3 liters of beer, dealcoholized beer, and ethanol/water (v/v 4%), consumed over a period of 3 hr, in 12 young healthy volunteers. Platelet parameters CD62, PAC-1, and monocyte platelet aggregates were analyzed using flow cytometric measurements. The activity of factor VII was determined with a prothrombin time (PT) assay and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity using a chromogenic substrate. Thrombin generation was determined according to the method of Hemker. RESULTS: All three fluids administered, dealcoholized beer, beer, and ethanol, reduced the expression of activated fibrinogen receptor, the platelet activation marker CD62, and the formation of monocyte-platelet-aggregate. In addition, dealcoholized beer also showed significant inhibitory effects on thrombin generation, whereas beer and ethanol showed procoagulatory effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the acute consumption of dealcoholized beer inhibits thrombogenic activity in young adults. This action could have a beneficial effect on the development of coronary artery disease. Thus, the consumption of dealcoholized beer could provide cardiovascular benefit without the negative effects of alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current immunosuppressive strategies are aimed at abrogating the allospecific T-cell response against donor tissues or organs. However, little information is yet available on the potential influences of these drugs on innate immune responses. In order to address this, we have employed a whole blood model. Human whole blood was pretreated with sirolimus, cyclosporine A or tacrolimus in therapeutic as well as supra therapeutic doses, and subsequently stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PepG) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Plasma cytokine analyses revealed a potent inhibitory effect of sirolimus on interleukin(IL)-10 production induced by all bacterial products tested. In contrast, cyclosporine A and tacrolimus inhibited the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in response to LPS, but not to PepG and LTA. Using a quantitative mRNA analyses, we also observed that sirolimus significantly decreased the IL-10 mRNA accumulation to sub-basal levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This suggests that the sirolimus inhibits IL-10 production by interfering with the IL-10 gene transcription. However, the molecular mechanism of this inhibition remains unclear. Based on the present study and observations by others, we postulate that the clinical use of the sirolimus may be associated with a dysregulated innate immune response to bacterial infection and thus an increased risk of hyperinflammation and sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on neurodevelopmental outcome and growth. Neurodevelopmental outcome of 20 out of 22 suriviving very low birthweight infants (VLBW) diagnosed with NEC between 1992 and 1996 was compared with 40 control infants matched for gestational age and year of admission. Follow-up studies were performed at 12 and 20 mo of corrected age. The German revision of the Griffiths' scales was used for development assessment. Neurodevelopment was significantly delayed in infants with NEC at 12 mo (median general developmental quotient: 90.0 vs 97.8; p = 0.04) and 20 mo (86.4 vs 97.7; p = 0.004) of age. Somatic growth did not differ between infants with and without NEC. Fifty-five percent of infants suffering from NEC but only 22.5% of the infants without NEC were severely retarded (developmental quotient < -2 SD of a control group of healthy newborns) at 20 mo of corrected age.Conclusion: Preterm infants developing NEC are at risk for neurodevelopmental impairment and need close neurodevelopmental follow-up for the first years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study related to the digenean Oligogonotylus manteri (O. manteri) Watson, which is a common parasite of cichlid fish in Central America and the South East of Mexico. Fish for the study were sampled by angling from the coastal lagoon of Celestun, 80 km west of Merida, on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The infection level of this parasite, localized mainly in the anterior part of the intestine of Cichlasoma urophthalmus, is extremely high. Cysts containing metacercariae of O. manteri were mainly located in the lamina propria and submucosa of the anterior part of the intestine.