Methanogenic Archaea in the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Relation to Disease Type and Activity

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis; however, studies on methanogens—especially those focused on children—are extremely limited. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance of total methanogenic archaea and their three subgroups: Methanobrevibacter (Mb.) smithii, Methanosphaera (Ms.) stadtmanae, and Methanomassiliicoccales, in the feces of children with both active and inactive Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The results of a quantitative real-time PCR were cross-referenced with the disease type (CD vs. UC) and activity assessed with the use of Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) and Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) indices, and fecal calprotectin (FCP) concentration, and compared with controls. There was a significant decrease in the number of total methanogens in CD and UC compared to controls. The prevalence of total methanogens was also lower in UC compared to controls. Furthermore, patients from the inactive UC group were colonized by a lower number of Mb. smithii, and demonstrated the most pronounced positive correlation between the number of Ms. stadtmanae and the FCP concentration. Our results demonstrate that gut methanogens are related to the type and activity of pediatric IBD

The Influence of Wheat Germ Expeller on Performance and Selected Parameters of Carbohydrate, Lipid, and Protein Metabolism in Blood Serum for Broilers

The effect of replacing (5, 10, and 15%) wheat middlings in the feed of broiler chickens (EX5, EX10, EX15) with wheat germ expeller (WGE) on their parameters of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism was examined. Thirty-two randomly chosen broilers on day 43 were slaughtered, and their blood and liver were sampled. The concentration of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and protein and their fractions were tested in the blood serum. In livers, total protein and fat contents were analyzed. It has been found that replacing wheat middlings with 10% and 15% of expeller results in (p ≤ 0.05) a lower final body weight than CT. A higher feed, fat, protein, and methionine intake was noted in groups EX5-EX15 compared to CT. No alterations were found in the protein and fat content in the livers and the blood lipid profile of chickens. Changes in the protein metabolism of broilers indicate the need to research. WGE does not interfere with the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. However, WGE did not contribute to obtaining production benefits

Prevalence and Significance of Autoantibody Seropositivity in Children with Wilson’s Disease

Autoantibodies occur in healthy subjects as well as in children with Wilson’s disease (WD), but their prevalence and significance are unknown. Thus, we aimed to assess the prevalence of autoantibodies and autoimmune markers, and their relationship to liver injury in WD children. The study included 74 WD and 75 healthy children as a control group. Patients with WD underwent transient elastography (TE) examinations, as well as determination of liver function tests, copper metabolism markers, and serum immunoglobulins (Ig). In the sera of the WD patients and controls, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle, anti-mitochondrial, anti-parietal cell, anti-liver/kidney microsomal, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies, and specific celiac antibodies were determined. Among the autoantibodies, only the prevalence of ANA in children with WD was higher than in the controls. There was no significant relationship between the presence of autoantibodies and liver steatosis or stiffness after TE. However, advanced liver stiffness (E > 8.2 kPa) was related to IgA, IgG, and gamma globulin production. The type of treatment did not influence the prevalence of autoantibodies. Our results suggest that autoimmune disturbances in WD might not be directly related to liver damage as expressed by steatosis and/or liver stiffness after TE

The Impact of a CMV Infection on the Expression of Selected Immunological Parameters in Liver Tissue in Children with Biliary Atresia

The pathogenesis of biliary atresia (BA) is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of selected immunological parameters in liver tissue in BA children based on CMV/EBV infection status. Eight of thirty-one children with newly diagnosed BA were included in this prospective study and assigned to two groups (I with active infection, II without active or past infection). All studies were performed on surgical liver biopsies. To visualize CD8+ T cells and CD56 expression, immunohistochemical staining was performed. The viral genetic material in the studied groups was not found, but CMV infection significantly affected the number of CD8+ lymphocytes in both the portal area and the bile ducts. The average number of CD8+ cells per mm2 of portal area in Groups I and II was 335 and 200 (p = 0.002). The average number of these cellsthat infiltrated the epithelium of the bile duct per mm2 in Group I and II was 0.73 and 0.37 (p = 0.0003), respectively. Expression of CD56 in the bile ducts corresponded to the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate of CD8+ cells. Our results suggest that active CMV infection induces an increased infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes, which could play a role in BA immunopathogenesis. Increased CD56 expression can be a sign of a newly formed bile structure often without lumen, suggesting inhibition of the maturation process in BA

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Plasma of Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Gene expression profiles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) were evaluated in peripheral blood leukocytes of children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Gene expression patterns were correlated with their plasma protein counterparts, systemic parameters of liver injury, and selected markers of inflammation. The MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-14, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TGF-β, and IL-6 transcripts levels were tested by the real-time PCR. Plasma concentrations of MMP-9, TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio, sCD14, leptin, resistin, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 and serum markers of liver injury were estimated by ELISA. The MMP-9, TIMP-2 expression levels, plasma amounts of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were increased in children with NAFLD. Concentrations of AST, ALT, GGT, and leptin were elevated in serum patients with NAFLD, while concentration of other inflammatory or liver injury markers was unchanged. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels correlated with serum liver injury parameters (ALT and GGT concentrations, respectively); there were no other correlations between MMP/TIMP gene expression profiles, their plasma counterparts, and serum inflammatory markers. Association of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression with serum liver injury parameters (ALT, GGT) may suggest leukocyte engagement in the early stages of NAFLD development which possibly precedes subsequent systemic inflammatory responses

Kidney length normative values in children aged 0-19 years - a multicenter study

Abstract Background: Currently used pediatric kidney length normative values are based on small single-center studies, do not include kidney function assessment, and focus mostly on newborns and infants. We aimed to develop ultrasound-based kidney length normative values derived from a large group of European Caucasian children with normal kidney function. Methods: Out of 1,782 children aged 0-19 years, 1,758 individuals with no present or past kidney disease and normal estimated glomerular filtration rate had sonographic assessment of kidney length. The results were correlated with anthropometric parameters and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Kidney length was correlated with age, height, body surface area, and body mass index. Height-related kidney length curves and table were generated using the LMS method. Multivariate regression analysis with collinearity checks was used to evaluate kidney length predictors. Results: There was no significant difference in kidney size in relation to height between boys and girls. We found significant (p < 0.001), but clinically unimportant (Cohen's D effect size = 0.04 and 0.06) differences between prone vs. supine position (mean paired difference = 0.64 mm, 95% CI = 0.49-0.77) and left vs. right kidneys (mean paired difference = 1.03 mm, 95% CI = 0.83-1.21), respectively. For kidney length prediction, the highest coefficient correlation was observed with height (adjusted R2 = 0.87, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We present height-related LMS-percentile curves and tables of kidney length which may serve as normative values for kidney length in children from birth to 19 years of age. The most significant predictor of kidney length was statural height