A rising incidence and poorer male outcomes characterise early onset paediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed before age 10 years is reportedly increasing, but national data are limited. AIM: To characterise the epidemiology, phenotype and clinical outcomes of children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease before age 10 years, and compare with data from children diagnosed aged 10-16 years. METHODS: A review of all Irish cases of early onset inflammatory bowel disease (diagnosis <10 years, EO-IBD) presenting between January 2000 and December 2014 was undertaken and compared to a cohort of later onset paediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients (diagnosis between 10 and 16 years, LO-IBD). Diagnostic investigations, phenotype, treatments, and long-term clinical and surgical outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety children (99 male) with EO-IBD were identified; 92 (48%) CD, 77 (41%) UC and 21 (11%) IBDU. The incidence of EO-IBD increased by 0.6 per 100 000 per year (0.8-3.2 per 100 000 per year), with a significant increase in UC by 0.06 per 100 000 per year (P=.02). Males with CD had more upper GI disease (L4a; 48% vs 21%; P=.007), more extensive disease distribution (L3±L4; 31% vs 11%; P=.05) and more severe disease activity at presentation (52% vs 31%; P=.05) than females. Fewer patients with early onset than later onset Crohn's disease had ileocolonic disease (L3; 10% vs 20%; P<.001). More relapses were observed in the first year post-diagnosis in early onset than later onset IBD (1.02 vs 0.5 mean relapses; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: EO-IBD is increasing in incidence. Males have more extensive and severe disease phenotypes, and younger patients have higher relapse rates than older children. Further research to explain these findings is warranted.

Terahertz gas-phase spectroscopy: chemometrics for security and medical applications.

We describe a spectrometer consisting of a vector network analyzer, a gas absorption cell, and a quasi-optical bench that acquires terahertz spectra of gaseous substances and mixtures. We tested volatile organic compounds that are medical biomarkers or chemicals which can be found on the US Environment Protection Agency list of harmful substances. Absorption spectra at gas pressures between 10 Pa and 5000 Pa were recorded. A subsequent multivariate data analysis demonstrated excellent qualitative and quantitative identification of pure substances and complex mixtures. The applied multivariate algorithms are principal components analysis, partial least square regression and soft independent modelling of class analogy.

Effect of immunization against melatonin on prolactin concentrations and the timing of reproductive transitions in ewes.

The objective of this experiment was to develop a procedure for immunizing ewes against melatonin that would alter the effects of changing photoperiod on seasonal reproduction and prolactin secretion. Ewes were immunized against human serum albumin (HSA) as controls (n = 9) or a melatonin-human serum albumin conjugate (0.25 mg; n = 10) on December 14th (Day 0) and boosted 9 times. They were maintained on natural photoperiod and then transferred indoors and exposed to long days for 35 d, followed by short days for 146 d, long days for 93 d, and short days for a further 123 d. Antibody titers to melatonin (at a serum dilution of 1:1,250) were significantly higher in immunized ewes (27.3 +/- 6.6%) than controls (0.7 +/- 0.1%; P < 0.001). At the end of the experiment, antibody titers in immunized ewes (at dilution of 1:50) were higher in blood (43.7 +/- 8.2%) than in cerebrospinal fluid (10.8 +/- 3.9%; P < 0.05), and highly correlated (r2 = 0.746). Onset of the breeding season was advanced slightly after the second transfer from long to short days in immunized ewes (April 12 +/- 3 d) compared with controls (April 25 +/- 3 d; P < 0.05). Mean serum prolactin concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in melatonin-immunized ewes compared with controls on natural photoperiod, after transfer from long to short days, during long days, and after the second transfer from long to short days. In conclusion, despite melatonin-immunization increasing antibody titers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and decreasing prolactin concentrations over much of the experiment, minimal effects on the timing of reproductive transitions in the ewes were evident. This discrepancy between the response of the prolactin and reproductive axes to melatonin immunization supports the hypothesis of a dual site of action of melatonin, with melatonin acting in the pituitary gland to mediate the effects of photoperiod on prolactin secretion and in the mediobasal hypothalamus to affect reproductive responses.

Violarvensin, a new flavone di-C-glycoside from Viola arvensis.

A new flavonoid di-C-glycoside, violarvensin (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Viola arvensis, together with the known derivative violanthin (2). The structure of 1 was established as apigenin-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-beta-D-6-deoxygulopyrano side by spectral analysis.

Active immunization against melatonin in Ile-de-France ewes and photoperiodic control of prolactin secretion and ovulatory activity.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether active immunization against melatonin could modify the perception of abrupt photoperiodic changes in ewes. Two groups each containing six intact Ile-de-France ewes were submitted to alternate periods of short days for 2.5 months and long days for 2.5 days for about 70 weeks. Three series of active immunizations against a melatonin conjugate were carried out during the first of the three long-day periods. Control ewes were actively immunized at the same time against human serum albumin. Blood samples were taken once a week throughout the experiment to measure antibody titre and affinity, and prolactin and progesterone concentrations. Sera of all treated ewes demonstrated higher antibody titres than those of control ewes. Antisera were highly specific, as evidenced by the absence of displacement of iodinated melatonin in the presence of ten melatonin metabolites. Significant effects of photoperiod and of the interaction between treatment and photoperiod on prolactin concentration were detected. Prolactin concentrations in plasma of the control ewes were high during long days and low during short days. However, in the treated ewes, with the exception of the first period of long days, prolactin concentrations were not influenced by photoperiodic changes. Ovulatory activity of control ewes, as demonstrated by progesterone measurements, was stimulated by short days and inhibited by long days. In contrast, ovulatory activity of treated ewes, after a response identical to that of control ewes after the first photoperiodic shift from long to short days, showed a complete desynchronization of ovulatory activity relative to photoperiodic changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Caffeic glycoside esters from Jasminum nudiflorum and some related species.

Poliumoside, forsythoside B, echinacoside and arenarioside, caffeic glycoside esters, were isolated from several species of Oleaceae. The poliumoside/forsythoside ratio distinguishes Jasminum nudiflorum from J. mesnyi. Arenarioside and forsythoside B act in Forsythia species as good hybridization markers.

On the influence of the sugar moiety on the antigonadotropic activity of luteoline glycosides.

Luteolin-7-glucoside and luteolin-7-glucuronide were isolated from Lycopus europaeus L. (Lamiaceae) and identified by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Luteolin-7-glucuronide proved to be active against PMSG in vitro as well as in vivo, whereas the other flavone glycosides occurring in the plant were completely inactive.

Characterization of melatonin receptors in the ram pars tuberalis: influence of light.

The present study was conducted to assess the binding of [125I]melatonin to frozen unfixed sections of pars tuberalis/median eminence tissue from Ile-de-France rams exposed or not exposed to light before slaughter. The specificity of [125I]melatonin binding to the pars tuberalis tissue was revealed by autoradiography and the magnitude of binding as related to the pars tuberalis area was determined after incubation and counting of pars tuberalis/median eminence sections. Subsequent studies with sections incubated with [125I]melatonin indicated that 1. the binding sites were saturable; 2. binding was stable for 24 h at 20 degrees C, but unstable at 28 or 37 degrees C; 3. melatonin and [127I]melatonin had a similar potency to compete with [125I]melatonin for binding sites, whereas other ligands such as serotonin or N-acetylserotonin were devoid of activity, and 4. by Scatchard analysis, the constant affinity Ka was found to be high in the 10(10) l/mol range. Rams exposed to light throughout the night prior to slaughter presented a significant increase in the apparent number of [125I]melatonin binding sites in comparison to animals maintained under darkness (2.25 +/- 0.30 vs 1.01 +/- 0.17 fmol/mm2 pars tuberalis, p less than 0.01), whereas Ka values were similar in both groups. These results indicate the presence of true melatonin receptors in the pars tuberalis of the ram. Furthermore, they suggest that their apparent number is light-dependent.

Geriatric medicine in Grahamstown.

A developing interest in improved care of the aged by the authorities of Settlers' Hospital in Grahamstown led to an invitation to the Geriatric Unit of the University of Cape Town in March 1984 to visit the hospital. The impressions gained on this visit indicated a need to expand hospital-based geriatric medicine into total community care of the elderly. Data were gathered concerning 50 acutely ill and 31 long-stay elderly black patients in Settlers' Hospital. These findings and the recommendations of various committees are discussed against the background of a model for the delivery of better geriatric care throughout the country. The most urgent necessity for Grahamstown appeared to be provision of better care for aged black people in the community.

Formation of compounds with antigonadotropic activity from inactive phenolic precursors.

The antigonadotropic activity of Lithospermum and Lycopus species can be attributed to their phenolic components. These compounds represent precursors of biologically active products which are formed by an oxidation step. Complexity and instability of these products aggravates the elucidation of detailed structural properties. Therefore, the type of reaction involved had to be clarified. Among the oxidation products of phenolic substances, the corresponding quinones are found. It can be demonstrated that the reaction between quinones and unoxidized diphenols yields products with strong antigonadotropic activity. This type of reaction - the formation of quinhydrones - is proposed to be engaged in the formation of various products with antigonadotropic activity.