Analysis of early-onset bloodstream infection due to Escherichia coli infection in premature babies.

In early-onset bacteremia among preterm neonates, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the main pathogen and can cause a high mortality rate. Thus, the predictive factors of mortality and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E.

Correlation of ovalbumin of egg white components with allergic diseases in children.

Background: Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy, such as egg white allergy, is common in young children (<3 years old), but not all young children sensitive to egg white present with allergic symptoms. This study investigated the relationship between sensitization to egg white component allergens and clinical manifestations of allergic diseases in young children.

Methods: From March to December 2010, 2256 children with physician-diagnosed allergic diseases were tested for serum levels of egg white, ovalbumin, and ovomucoid-specific IgE in the Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Patterns of sensitization to peanut allergen components in Taiwanese Preschool children.

Background/purpose: Peanut allergy is very common in Western countries, although it is seldom encountered in Eastern countries. Peanuts are comprised of at least 11 components, but the contribution to clinical symptoms by each component in each individual is not known. This study investigated the distributions of sensitivity to peanut allergen components among Taiwanese children who were sensitized to peanuts and followed the evolution of sensitization patterns to these components.

Serum heat shock protein 60 can predict remission of flare-up in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Heat shock protein (Hsp) 60 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to investigate synovial fluid and serum concentrations of Hsp60 and anti-Hsp60 and their relationship with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Forty-eight patients with JIA, including 22 oligo-articular, 19 poly-articular, and 7 systemic diseases, and 33 normal controls were enrolled in this study.

What makes an autoantigen an autoantigen?

Multiple classes of proteins are modified to tailor them for specific physiological roles. The nature of these posttranslational modifications of proteins, as well as the relationships between them including those of the immune system proteins themselves, and immune system responses are reviewed. Aspects of protein posttranslational modification and their relationship to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and primary biliary cirrhosis are highlighted.

A review of the physiological and immunological functions of biliary epithelial cells: targets for primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and drug-induced ductopenias.

Our understanding of biliary epithelial cells (BEC) in physiobiology and immunology has steadily expanded. BEC transports IgA as well as IgM into bile, synthesizes and secretes various chemokines, cytokines, and expresses adhesion molecules involved in cell interaction and signal transduction. These then suggest a myriad of potential roles for BEC in defense from invading microorganisms as well as the pathogenesis of diverse immunologically driven diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), graft-versus-host disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Myeloperoxidase-positive inflammatory cells participate in bile duct damage in primary biliary cirrhosis through nitric oxide-mediated reactions.

Previous studies have suggested that increased nitric oxide (NO)-mediated products are found in the livers of subjects with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but the mechanisms involved remain enigmatic. We took advantage of immunohistochemistry and several unique monoclonal antibodies to study inflammatory cells responsible for the generation of NO, the enzymes responsible for NO production, the expression of 3-nitrotyrosine, and the presence of CD68(+) and/or myeloperoxidase (MPO)(+) cells. We examined a total of 113 liver specimens, including 64 with PBC, 19 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), 6 with non-A, non-B hepatitis, 6 with alcoholic liver disease, 4 with cryptogenic cirrhosis, 4 with biliary atresia, and 10 normal subjects.