Detection of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection by magnetic resonance imaging.
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Child, Preschool↗
Biomedical subjects
J Weil
Publications and source records attributed to J Weil.
Plasma concentrations of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide in healthy children, adolescents, and young adults: effect of age and gender.
Children with congenital heart disease need adequate diagnostic classification regarding their cardiovascular status (CVS). N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) plasma concentration indicates dysfunction of the cardiovascular system and guides decisions concerning treatment and prognosis. Reference values are established for adults, with age-dependent increasing values and higher values in women. To avoid misclassification concerning the CVS, a large group of healthy children and adolescents can be used show the relationship between gender, age, and N-BNP and these can serve as reference values. N-BNP was measured in 434 healthy subjects (240 female and 194 male) with ages ranging from 0 to 32 years without any cardiovascular disease or renal or hepatic impairment. Measurements were performed with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay from Roche Diagnostics. Mean N-BNP decreased from 12.6 fmol/ml (0-9 years; n = 79) to 9.41 fmol/ml (10-14 years; n = 154) and in adolescents from 6.1 (15-19 years; n = 99) to 4.8 fmol/ml (> 19 years; n = 102) in adults (p < 0.05). Mean N-BNP concerning gender did not differ in any age group younger than 19 years. In contrast, the adult female group had 78% higher N-BNP compared to the male group (p < 0.05). There was a significant peak in N-BNP at the age of 12-14 years. This study shows that reference values for N-BNP differed profoundly in children compared to adults and were up to 260% higher in children without any gender difference. Therefore, these reference values will help to avoid CVS misclassification in children for the biomarker N-BNP.
Adolescent↗
Utility of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide plasma concentrations in comparison to lactate and troponin in children with congenital heart disease following open-heart surgery.
We conducted a prospective study in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in order to determine the diagnostic value of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) plasma concentration in the perioperative care of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). N-BNP plasma concentrations were determined by using a validated enzyme immunoassay. We measured N-BNP the day before surgery and up to 15 days postoperatively in 23 children (age range, 0.25-11 years) undergoing cardiac surgery due to various CHDs. Supply and duration of catecholamines, vasodilators, and respiratory therapy were determined and correlated to N-BNP. In addition, troponin T (TnT) and arterial Lactat (aL) concentrations were measured simultaneously. We found a significant correlation between preoperative and maximal N-BNP levels and dosage of vasodilators (r = 0.41, p < 0.02 and r = 0.83, p < 0.01, respectively). Maximal TnT and aL levels were not correlated to dosage of vasodilators. The dosage and duration of catecholamines, the duration of respiratory therapy, and the plasma concentration of TnT and aL were not correlated to pre- or perioperative N-BNP. Maximal TnT and aL levels were correlated to duration (r = 0.53, p < 0.01 and r = 0.48, p < 0.02) and dosage (r = 0.52, p < 0.02 and r = 0.60, p < 0.01) of catecholamines and duration of respiratory therapy (r = 0.57, p < 0.01 and r = 0.50, p < 0.02). As recent studies show, N-BNP appears to be a powerful neurohumoral indicator of ventricular function and prognosis for guiding therapy in the outpatient department or for discriminating cardiac from noncardiac symptoms. In contrast, the value of N-BNP for guiding perioperative therapy in pediatric cardiac intensive care units is limited.
Child↗
Effect of climatic factors and population density on varicella zoster virus epidemiology within a tropical country.
Blood samples were collected from healthy subjects, aged 9 months-29 years in urban and rural communities from 4 distinct regions in Thailand, to determine the seroprevalence rate of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody and its relationship with demographic, climatic, and socioeconomic factors. The overall seroprevalence rate was 52.8% and increased from 15.5% in the 9-month to 4-year-old group to 75.9% in the 20-29 year-olds. The age-adjusted seroprevalence was significantly higher in the cooler than in the warmer regions. In the warmer regions only, the age-specific seroprevalence was significantly higher in the urban population than in the rural population. In Thailand, climate is the main determinant of VZV seroprevalence. The delayed onset of natural immunity is more marked in warmer climate areas. Population density is a secondary determinant; in the warmer areas, the pattern of adolescent and adult susceptibility was greater in rural than in urban areas.
Adolescent↗
Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A infection in India: changing pattern.
OBJECTIVE: Recent changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and the availability of effective vaccines have renewed interest in this infection. We determined the age-related prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in India and looked for differences by known risk factors for HAV infection. METHODS: In this prospective study, serum samples obtained from 1612 subjects aged 1 to 60 at six centers in five cities (Calcutta, Cochin, Indore, Jaipur and Patna) during the period February to August 1998 were tested for anti-HAV antibodies. Demographic and socio-economic information was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence rate was 65.9%, varying from 26.2% to 85.3% in various cities; there was no difference between males and females. Seropositivity increased with age from 52.2% in the 1-5 year age group to 80.8% in those aged 16 years or more. Seroprevalence rates were significantly lower in those aged 1-5 years compared with other age groups (p<0.0001). There was no difference in seroprevalence between those with monthly family income Rs 5001. Multivariate analysis showed that anti-HAV seroprevalence varied significantly by source of water supply, being highest when the supply was municipal. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate an epidemiological pattern of intermediate endemicity. This finding has public health implications as it indicates that a significant proportion of the Indian adolescent and adult population is at risk of HAV infection.
Adolescent↗
[Tuberculosis of the hematopoietic organs].
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Aged↗
[Glycoproteins in maternal and fetal blood and amniotic fluid. Variations in normal and pathologic pregnancies].
In this brief note, which is a preliminary report, the authors investigated systematically the variations, during normal and complicated pregnancies, of the concentrations of alpha-1-antitrypsin, orosomucoid, transferrin and alpha feto-protein, simultaneously in maternal serum, fetal serum and amniotic fluid. There exists during normal pregnancies a difference between the concentrations of alpha-1-antitrypsin and of orosomucoid found for primigravidae and for multigravidae. The role of these glycoproteins in preventing the mother from rejecting the fetus is discussed. In addition for Rhesus isoimmunization the clinical value of the variations in the levels of transferrin is discussed.
Adult↗
Polypeptide induction by recombinant human IFN-gamma.
Partially purified natural human IFN-gamma has been shown to induce the synthesis of a set of unique polypeptides that are not induced by comparable amounts of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. In addition, a set of polypeptides is induced in common by all three IFNs. The present study utilized a pure recombinant IFN-gamma and a monoclonal antibody against IFN-gamma to investigate whether the unique polypeptide-inducing properties previously reported are due to IFN-gamma itself. With the possible exception of two polypeptides, the results demonstrate conclusively that IFN-gamma is the sole molecular species responsible for the induction of all polypeptides, including those whose induction pattern is unique to IFN-gamma. Very high doses of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta induce some of the latter set of polypeptides to a limited extent. Thus the differential effects of IFN-gamma compared to IFN-alpha and IFN-beta are, in part, quantitative rather than qualitative in nature.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗