Interleukin-6 concentrations in the urine and dipstick analyses were related to bacteriuria but not symptoms in the elderly: a cross sectional study of 421 nursing home residents.

Background: Up to half the residents of nursing homes for the elderly have asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), which should not be treated with antibiotics. A complementary test to discriminate between symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) and ABU is needed, as diagnostic uncertainty is likely to generate significant antibiotic overtreatment. Previous studies indicate that Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the urine might be suitable as such a test.

Association of soluble CD89 levels with disease progression but not susceptibility in IgA nephropathy.

The Fc-α receptor (FcαR/CD89) is involved in IgA complex formation and may affect the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In this study, we tested the genetic variations of the CD89 gene in relation to disease susceptibility in IgAN and the expression of soluble CD89 (sCD89) in sera of patients with IgAN and in controls. There was a significant difference between the levels of sCD89-IgA complexes, measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in 177 patients with IgAN with and without disease progression at the time of first diagnosis.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor is increased in cerebrospinal fluid but decreased in blood during long-term pain.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is involved in inflammation and pain, roles which remain to be delineated clinically. We aimed to evaluate the role of central nervous and peripheral GDNF in long-term pain patients and in controls by analysing intrathecal and blood concentrations of GDNF. Simultaneous measurements of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and chemokine IL-8 served to define inflammatory responses.

Urinary proteins in children with urinary tract infection.

The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that the urinary excretion of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M), retinol-binding protein (RBP) and Clara cell protein (CC16) is increased in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) and relates to renal damage as measured by acute dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. Fifty-two children <2 years of age with UTI were enrolled in the study, 44 of whom were febrile. The control group consisted of 23 patients with non-UTI infection and elevated serum CRP (s-CRP) levels.

Genetic variation in the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene is associated with susceptibility to IgA nephropathy.

Background: There is growing evidence of genetic risk for susceptibility to IgA nephropathy. Among several candidate genes related to immunological regulation in renal tissue, TGFB1 is known to be a contributor to proliferation and the development of fibrosis.

Methods: We analysed several SNPs in a region of this gene using 212 DNA samples from biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy patients, 146 men and 66 women and 477 healthy age-matched controls (321 men and 156 women) from the same population in Sweden.

A module-based analytical strategy to identify novel disease-associated genes shows an inhibitory role for interleukin 7 Receptor in allergic inflammation.

Background: The identification of novel genes by high-throughput studies of complex diseases is complicated by the large number of potential genes. However, since disease-associated genes tend to interact, one solution is to arrange them in modules based on co-expression data and known gene interactions. The hypothesis of this study was that such a module could be a) found and validated in allergic disease and b) used to find and validate one ore more novel disease-associated genes.

Long-term treatment results and the immunoglobulin G subclass distribution patterns of proteinase-3-antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) and myeloperoxidase-ANCA in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Objective: Small vessel vasculitis associated with antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasm antigens has been denominated antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Material And Methods: Ninety-eight patients with various forms of AAV with renal involvement were studied retrospectively with regard to treatment, side-effects and outcome. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass distribution patterns in serum were determined in 51 patients with nephelometry and those of anti-proteinase-3 (PR3) and anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) in 44 patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Revaccination does not improve an observed deficit in antibody responses in Pakistani adults born of a lower birth weight.

We have previously shown that the generation of antibodies to a polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi) is compromised in Pakistani adults born of a lower birth weight. To assess whether this represents a true B-cell-dependent deficit, we revaccinated subjects with a second dose of the same vaccine and with a polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine to a different polysaccharide antigen (conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine). Anti-Vi IgG levels remained positively correlated with birth weight (p=0.

Common variations in the IL4R gene affect splicing and influence natural expression of the soluble isoform.

We previously found the soluble interleukin 4 receptor (sIL4R) to be differently expressed in allergic asthma patients compared to healthy individuals. Here we present data demonstrating the involvement of the sequence variations, c.912-1003A > G, c.

Interferon-gamma dose-dependently inhibits prostaglandin E2-mediated dendritic-cell-migration towards secondary lymphoid organ chemokines.

Monocyte-derived human dendritic cells (MoDCs) are increasingly applied as cellular vaccines for cancer patients. Important features for their efficacy include high migratory responsiveness to lymph node-chemokines and most likely their ability to produce bioactive IL-12 p70 upon subsequent contact with CD40 ligand-expressing T-cells. The current standard DC-maturation cocktail for clinical trials is inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) combined with prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), inducing phenotypically mature MoDCs with high migratory responsiveness to CCR7 ligands.

Avidity of tetanus and Hib antibodies after childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - implications for vaccination strategies.

Aim: To investigate the possible relationship between serum levels and avidities of antibodies against tetanus toxoid (TT) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in children that were vaccinated after treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Methods: The study groups were 31 paediatric patients with ALL and 18 healthy controls. All subjects were vaccinated with TT and a protein conjugated Hib vaccine.

Cytokines in the placenta of Pakistani newborns with and without intrauterine growth retardation.

Although intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a major risk factor for increased neonatal mortality and morbidity, the mechanisms behind it are not clear. We analyzed cytokine gene expression and gene polymorphisms in infants with and without IUGR in Pakistan, where IUGR is very common. 45 IUGR and 55 control mother/infant pairs were studied.

Association of the -159 CD14 gene polymorphism and lack of association of the -308 TNFA and Q551R IL-4RA polymorphisms with severe chronic periodontitis in Swedish Caucasians.

Background: Severe forms of periodontitis are suggested to have a genetic basis.

Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to study the association of gene polymorphisms related to some immune regulation components (G-308A TNFA, Q551R IL-4RA and C-159T CD14) with severe chronic periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: Sixty patients (aged 36-74 years; mean 54.

Intensive treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia reduces immune responses to diphtheria, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Objectives: Immunity to diphtheria toxoid (D), tetanus toxoid (T), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is affected in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aims were to examine immunity and to compare the response to immunization at 1 or 6 months after treatment.

Methods: Thirty-one patients were immunized with DT and conjugated Hib vaccine (ActHib) at 1 month or 6 months after treatment of ALL with the NOPHO 92 protocol.

Impaired kidney graft survival is associated with the TNF-alpha genotype.

Background: The TNF2 allele at position -308 of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha gene is associated with high TNF production. The purpose was to study the association of this gene polymorphism with rejection episodes and graft survival after kidney transplantation.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of transplant outcomes of patients who only had been treated with one single form of immunosuppression consisting of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolon was performed.

Polymorphism in promoter region of IL10 gene is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in women.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a genetically complex disease with many possible phenotypes. We investigated IL10 and TNFA gene polymorphisms in a group of Swedish women and men with RA compared with healthy individuals to estimate combinations of alleles specific for the disease.

Methods: We analyzed 264 patients with RA and 286 healthy controls for biallelic single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the -308 position of the TNFA and in the -1087 position of the IL10 gene by polymerase chain reaction with restriction endonuclease mapping.

Lactoferrin down-regulates the LPS-induced cytokine production in monocytic cells via NF-kappa B.

Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein present in milk, mucosal secretions and neutrophils contributes to host defense. We have previously shown that orally given milk lactoferrin (LF) mediates anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo. Moreover, we have shown that LF could inhibit the LPS-induced IL-6 secretion in a human monocytic cell line, THP-1.

Association of the -1087 IL 10 gene polymorphism with severe chronic periodontitis in Swedish Caucasians.

Background: Severe forms of periodontitis are suggested to have a genetic basis.

Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to study association of an IL10 gene polymorphism (G to A transition at the -1087 position) with severe chronic periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: Two groups of Swedish Caucasian subjects were included.

Long term enhancement of the IgG2 antibody response to Haemophilus influenzae type b by breast-feeding.

Subjects: Sets of sera were obtained from 30 children <6 years of age with invasive type b (Hib) infection and their mothers. Duration and mode of breast-feeding were monitored. Titers of IgG1, IgG2, IgA and IgM antibodies against Hib capsular polysaccharide were determined in sera taken during the acute illness and during early and late convalescence.

Breast-feeding, a complex support system for the offspring.

The newborn has an immune system, very limited in size at birth and its postnatal expansion and maturation takes time. In the meantime the transplacental IgG antibodies from the mother play an important role for the protection of the infant. However, these antibodies act in tissues and induce inflammation and are energy-consuming.

Aberrations in placental cytokine mRNA related to intrauterine growth retardation.

During normal pregnancy, a predominance of Th2 type cytokines prevails and is considered to protect the fetus. Animal experiments suggest that an increase of Th1 type cytokines may instead have deleterious effects. We have studied with the reverse transcription PCR technique mRNA for IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma in placentas from full-term appropriately grown newborns, newborns with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and newborns who were only small for gestational age.