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T V Nguyen

Publications and source records attributed to T V Nguyen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

A nomogram for predicting osteoporosis risk based on age, weight and quantitative ultrasound measurement.

INTRODUCTION: Quantitative ultrasound measurement (QUS) or clinical risk index alone are not reliable tools for the identification of women with osteoporosis. This study examined the prognostic value of combined QUS and clinical risk index for predicting osteoporosis risk in Thai women. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional investigation with 300 women of Thai background, aged between 38 and 85 years (mean age: 58). Femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DXA (Hologic QDR-4500; Bedford, MA, USA). A femoral neck BMD T-scores <or= -2.5 was defined as "osteoporosis"; otherwise, "non-osteoporosis". QUS was measured by Achilles+ (GE Lunar, Madison, WI, USA) and converted to T-score. Three models for predicting osteoporosis were considered: model I included age, weight and QUS, model II included age and weight, and model III included only QUS. The prognostic performance among the models was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 12.7% (n=38/300) by femoral neck BMD. Age, weight and QUS were each significantly associated with osteoporosis risk. The AUC+/-SE value for model I was 0.86 +/- 0.03, which was significantly higher (p=0.02) than that for model II (AUC = 0.80 +/- 0.04) or model III (AUC = 0.79 +/- 0.04). Based on the estimated parameters of model I, a nomogram was constructed for predicting osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the combination of QUS and age and weight could significantly improve the prognosis of osteoporosis in Asian women, and that the nomogram can assist primary care physicians in the identification of high-risk women.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Influence of demographic factors and sport type on growth hormone-responsive markers in elite athletes.

CONTEXT: GH-responsive markers of the IGF system and of collagen turnover hold promise as the basis of a GH doping test. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and sporting type on GH-responsive serum markers in a large cohort of elite athletes from different ethnic backgrounds. DESIGN: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1103 elite athletes (699 males, 404 females), aged 22.2 +/- 5.2 yr, from 12 countries and 10 major sporting categories participated in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), acid labile subunit (ALS), and collagen markers [N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP)] were measured. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation (r = -0.14 to -0.58, P < 0.0005) between age and each of the GH-responsive markers. Serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and ALS were all lower (P < 0.05), whereas the collagen markers PINP, ICTP, and PIIINP were higher (P < 0.05) in men than in women. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity accounted for 23-54% of total between-subject variability of the markers. Age and gender cumulatively accounted for 91% of the attributable variation of IGF-I and more than 80% for PINP, ICTP, and PIIINP. Gender exerted the greatest effect on ALS (48%), and BMI accounted for less than 12% attributable variation for all markers. The influence of ethnicity was greatest for IGFBP-3 and ALS; however, for the other markers, it accounted for less than 6% attributable variation. Analysis of 995 athletes indicated that sporting type contributed 5-19% of attributable variation. CONCLUSIONS: Age and gender were major determinants of variability of GH-responsive markers except for IGFBP-3 and ALS. Ethnicity is unlikely to confound the validity of a GH doping test based on IGF-I and these collagen markers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Norepinephrine induces BDNF and activates the PI-3K and MAPK cascades in embryonic hippocampal neurons.

Both antidepressant treatment and physical exercise have been shown to increase circulating levels of norepinephine (NE) and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Increases in BDNF have been shown to be associated with enhanced dendritic arborization and neuronal survival, which forms the theoretical basis of the Neurotrophin Hypothesis of antidepressant action. Using isolated embryonic hippocampal neurons and immunoblotting, we show that application of NE increases BDNF and phosphorylated Trk, and that these increases can be prevented by ERK and PI-3K inhibitors. In addition, NE-induced increases in phospho-ERK2 and PI-3K were each suppressed by a PI-3K and MAPK inhibitor, respectively. Furthermore, phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding (CREB) protein was also increased by NE and brought down to baseline levels by MAPK and PI-3K inhibitors. And finally, because both the MAPK and PI-3K inhibitors suppress phosphorylation of both TrkB (upstream) and CREB (downstream), these results indicate that NE-induced BDNF expression follows a cyclic pathway, reminiscent of a positive feedback loop. The results of this study provide an in vitro model of the intracellular signaling mechanisms activated by NE, via ligand-G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-to-BDNF-RTK transactivation, that is putatively thought to occur in vivo as a result of excitatory neural activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evolution and adaptation of H5N1 influenza virus in avian and human hosts in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 is endemic in poultry in East and Southeast Asia with disease outbreaks recently spreading to parts of central Asia, Europe and Africa. Continued interspecies transmission to humans has been reported in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and China, causing pandemic concern. Here, we genetically characterize 82 H5N1 viruses isolated from poultry throughout Indonesia and Vietnam and 11 human isolates from southern Vietnam together with sequence data available in public databases to address questions relevant to virus introduction, endemicity and evolution. Phylogenetic analysis shows that all viruses from Indonesia form a distinct sublineage of H5N1 genotype Z viruses suggesting this outbreak likely originated from a single introduction that spread throughout the country during the past two years. Continued virus activities in Indonesia were attributed to transmission via poultry movement within the country rather than through repeated introductions by bird migration. Within Indonesia and Vietnam, H5N1 viruses have evolved over time into geographically distinct groups within each country. Molecular analysis of the H5N1 genotype Z genome shows that only the M2 and PB1-F2 genes were under positive selection, suggesting that these genes might be involved in adaptation of this virus to new hosts following interspecies transmission. At the amino acid level 12 residues were under positive selection in those genotype Z viruses, in the HA and PB1-F2 proteins. Some of these residues were more frequently observed in human isolates than in avian isolates and are related to viral antigenicity and receptor binding. Our study provides insight into the ongoing evolution of H5N1 influenza viruses that are transmitting in diverse avian species and at the interface between avian and human hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cytokine responses in gnotobiotic pigs after infection with virulent or attenuated human rotavirus.

To understand the role of cytokines during rotavirus infection, we assessed the kinetics of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (proinflammatory), IL-12 (Th1 inducer), gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) (Th1), IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2), and transforming growth factor beta (Th3) cytokine responses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum and intestinal contents of neonatal gnotobiotic pigs and IL-12, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 cytokine-secreting cell (CSC) responses of mononuclear cells from ileum, spleen, and blood by ELISPOT. Pigs received the virulent Wa P1A[8]G1 strain of human rotavirus (HRV) (VirHRV), attenuated Wa HRV (AttHRV), or mock (controls). The TNF-alpha levels peaked earlier and remained elevated in serum of the VirHRV group but peaked later in the AttHRV group. In serum, IL-6 was significantly elevated at postinoculation day (PID) 1 in the VirHRV group and at PID 3 in both HRV groups. The IL-12 was detected in serum of all pigs including controls with significantly elevated peaks in both HRV-infected groups, indicating a role for IL-12 in the induction of immune responses to rotavirus infection. Only low and transient IFN-gamma responses occurred in serum and intestinal contents of the AttHRV-infected pigs, compared to significantly higher and prolonged IFN-gamma responses in the VirHRV-infected pigs. This observation coincides with the diarrhea and viremia induced by VirHRV. The number of IFN-gamma-secreting cells was significantly higher in the ileum of the VirHRV group than in that of the controls. The number of IL-4 CSCs was significantly higher in ileum of both HRV groups than in that of the controls. Significantly higher levels of IL-10 in the serum occurred early in the VirHRV group, compared to lower levels in the AttHRV group. However, the number of IL-10 CSCs was significantly higher later in ileum and spleen of the AttHRV than in the VirHRV group, suggesting a delayed initiation of a Th2 response induced by AttHRV. A significantly higher percentage of pigs had IFN-gamma and IL-10 responses in serum after VirHRV infection than after AttHRV infection or in controls. These data indicate a balanced Th1/Th2 response during rotavirus infection, with higher cytokine levels early after infection with VirHRV compared to that with AttHRV. Mapping the kinetics and patterns of cytokine responses after rotavirus infection has important implications for induction of protective immunity by HRV vaccines. Higher protection rates may be associated with more balanced Th1- and Th2-type responses, but induction of higher earlier IFN-gamma (Th1) and proinflammatory cytokines triggered by VirHRV may also play an important role in the higher intestinal immunoglobulin A responses and protection rates induced by VirHRV.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Erythropoietin administration does not influence the GH--IGF axis or makers of bone turnover in recreational athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of biochemical markers of the IGF-system and of collagen turnover is a potential approach to detect GH abuse in sport. These markers are increased in patients on dialysis treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), mimicking the effects of GH. The aim was to determine whether r-HuEPO induces similar effects on the IGF-system and collagen turnover in healthy athletes. SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Young male Caucasian recreational athletes were administered 50 U/kg r-HuEPO (n=14) or placebo (n=16) three times a week for 25 days, followed by a 4-week wash-out period. IGF-I, IGFBP-3, the acid labile subunit (ALS), N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and N-terminal propeptide of type III collagen (PIIINP) were measured in samples collected at baseline (two samples), after 10, 22 and 24 days of r-HuEPO treatment and at the end of the 4-week wash-out period. RESULTS: Treatment with r-HuEPO resulted in approximately threefold elevation of serum EPO and marked elevation of markers of erythropoiesis. There was no significant treatment effect of r-HuEPO compared to baseline on IGF-I, IGFBP-3, ALS, PINP, ICTP or PIIINP. CONCLUSIONS: r-HuEPO administration did not change markers of the IGF-system and of collagen turnover in young healthy male athletes. Therefore, use of r-HuEPO in athletes should not affect the validity of a GH doping test using these GH-responsive markers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Viremia and nasal and rectal shedding of rotavirus in gnotobiotic pigs inoculated with Wa human rotavirus.

Respiratory symptoms with rotavirus shedding in nasopharyngeal secretions have been reported in children with and without gastrointestinal symptoms (Zheng et al., 1991, J. Med. Virol. 34:29-37). To investigate if attenuated and virulent human rotavirus (HRV) strains cause upper respiratory tract infections or viremia in gnotobiotic pigs, we inoculated them with attenuated or virulent HRV intranasally, intravenously, or orally or via feeding tube (gavage) and assayed virus shedding. After oral or intranasal inoculation with attenuated HRV, the pigs remained asymptomatic, but 79 to 95% shed virus nasally and 5 to 17% shed virus rectally. After inoculation by gavage, no pigs shed virus nasally or rectally, but all pigs seroconverted with antibodies to HRV. No viremia was detected through postinoculation day 10. Controls inoculated intranasally with nonreplicating rotavirus-like particles or mock inoculated did not shed virus. In contrast, 100% of pigs inoculated with virulent HRV (oral, intranasal, or gavage) developed diarrhea, shed virus nasally and rectally, and had viremia. The infectivity of sera from the viremic virulent HRV-inoculated pigs was confirmed by inoculating gnotobiotic pigs orally with pooled HRV-positive serum. Serum-inoculated pigs developed diarrhea and fecal and nasal virus shedding and seroconverted with serum and intestinal HRV antibodies. Pigs inoculated intravenously with serum or intestinal contents from the viremic virulent HRV-inoculated pigs developed diarrhea, virus shedding, and viremia, similar to the orally inoculated pigs. This study provides new evidence that virulent HRV causes transient viremia and upper respiratory tract infection in addition to gastrointestinal infection in gnotobiotic pigs, confirming previous reports of rotavirus antigenemia (Blutt et al., Lancet 362:1445-1449, 2003). Our data also suggest that intestinal infection might be initiated from the basolateral side of the epithelial cells via viremia. Additionally, virus shedding patterns indicate a different pathogenesis for attenuated versus virulent HRV.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Evidence for protein kinase involvement in long-term postsynaptic excitation of intrinsic primary afferent neurons in the intestine.

We have investigated the effects of protein kinase inhibitors on the sustained slow postsynaptic excitation (SSPE) that is evoked by prolonged stimulation of synaptic inputs to intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs) in the small intestines of guinea pigs. Stimulation of synaptic inputs to the IPANs caused depolarisation, increased input resistance, and increased excitation that continued after the cessation of stimulation. The excitation was substantially reduced by the broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine (1 microM), PKC inhibitors Ro 31-8220 (3.3 microM) and calphostin C (1 microM), but not by the PKA inhibitor H89 (1 microM). At a higher concentration, 10 microM Ro 31-8220 reduced the excitability of axons to electrical stimulation. Phorbol dibutyrate (1 microM) caused excitability increases, membrane depolarisation, and increased input resistance that mimicked the SSPE. We conclude that the generation of the SSPE requires a phosphorylation step that is mediated by protein kinase C.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effects of physical activity and dietary calcium intake on bone mineral density and osteoporosis risk in a rural Thai population.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of modifiable risk factors on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Thai women. Dietary calcium intake (g/day), energy expenditure (kcal/day), and sunlight exposure (h/day) were assessed in 129 rural Thai women aged 63 years (range 50 to 84 years). Bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and distal radius were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The average dietary calcium intake was 236 +/- 188 g/day (mean +/- SD), while the energy expenditure was 2,118 +/- 656 kcal/day with 1.1 +/- 1.7 h of sunlight exposure. In multiple linear regression analysis, dietary calcium intake, energy expenditure, and years since menopause were significant and independent predictors of BMD at various sites. The three factors together accounted for between 35% and 45% of the variance of BMD. The prevalence of osteoporosis (defined as BMD T-scores < or =-2.5) was 33% at the femoral neck, 42% at the lumbar spine, and 35% at the distal radius. The risk of osteoporosis was higher in women with lower dietary calcium intake (< or =138 mg/day; prevalence rate ratio [PRR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 1.9), lower energy expenditure (< or =1,682 kcal; PRR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.3), and greater years since menopause (> or =6 years; PRR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 5.8). The population attributable risk fraction of osteoporosis risk due to the three factors was 70%. These results suggest that in the Thai population, low dietary calcium intake and low physical activity together with advancing years since menopause were independent risk factors for low BMD.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Quantitative ultrasound measurements of bone: measurement error, discordance, and their effects on longitudinal studies.

The performance of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for the assessment of osteoporotic fracture must be fully defined if it is to be used in the clinical setting. We have examined the precision and reproducibility of two ultrasound instruments in 1,267 institutionalized elderly men and women (mean age 82.1 and 85.9 years, respectively). Measurement of BUA and VOS was reliable, least significant change for BUA being 2.4% and for VOS 0.3% using the CUBA McCue instrument and 2.7% for BUA using the Metra QUS-2. Importantly, age was not found to influence the precision of either parameter. Comparison of the instruments showed the QUS-2 measures BUA higher than the CUBA by 1.9 dB/MHz (+/-9.55 dB/MHz). Moreover classification of individuals as osteoporotic by machine-derived T-score was different between instruments (kappa = 0.44 in men and kappa = 0.62 in women). Fifty-six residents were remeasured by CUBA after 2.2 years; BUA was observed to decrease by 5.2% (+/-16.5%, p = 0.02) without significant change in VOS, suggesting BUA is more useful in longitudinal studies. In conclusion, ultrasound measurements were highly reliable and sensitive to longitudinal change even in the very elderly. However, diagnosis by T-score criteria was instrument specific, and such criteria should be interpreted with caution in the assessment of fracture risk.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Molecular and functional analysis of hyperpolarisation-activated nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in the enteric nervous system.

Hyperpolarisation-activated non-specific cation currents (Ih currents) are important for the regulation of cell excitability. These currents are carried by channels of the hyperpolarisation-activated nucleotide-gated (HCN) family, of which there are four known subtypes. In the enteric nervous system (ENS), the Ih current is prominent in AH neurons. We investigated the expression and localization of HCN isoforms in the ENS of mice, rats and guinea-pigs. HCN1, HCN2 and HCN4 were expressed in enteric neurons. Immunoreactivity for HCN1 was observed on neuronal cell membranes of Dogiel type II neurons in rat and mouse. HCN2 channel immunoreactivity occurred in the majority of enteric neurons in the guinea-pig, rat and mouse. Immunoreactivity for HCN4 protein was revealed on the cell membranes of many neurons, including Dogiel type II neurons, in the guinea-pig. HCN4 was expressed by glial cells in guinea-pig. There was no evidence of HCN3 channel protein in any species with either immunohistochemistry or Western analysis. RT-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using mouse HCN primers revealed mRNA for all four channels in the longitudinal muscle plus myenteric plexus of mouse distal colon. Sequencing confirmed the identity of the mRNA. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that HCN2 was the most highly expressed HCN channel subtype in the myenteric plexus of mouse distal colon. HCN1 and HCN4 were expressed at lower levels. HCN3 subtype mRNA was 0.2% of HCN2. We used intracellular recording to identify neurons having Ih currents and intracellular dye filling to locate the neurons for the immunohistochemical determination of channel expression. AH neurons with Ih currents were HCN2 and HCN4 channel positive. There was no correlation between the magnitude of the Ih and intensity of channel immunoreactivity. Our results indicate that HCN1, 2 and 4 genes and protein are expressed in the ENS. AH/Dogiel type II neurons, which have a prominent Ih, express HCN2 and 4 in guinea-pig and HCN1 and 2 in mouse and rat.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Antibody responses to human rotavirus (HRV) in gnotobiotic pigs following a new prime/boost vaccine strategy using oral attenuated HRV priming and intranasal VP2/6 rotavirus-like particle (VLP) boosting with ISCOM.

Safer and more effective human rotavirus (HRV) vaccines are needed. We evaluated oral priming with attenuated WaHRV (AttHRV) followed by boosting with two intranasal (IN) doses of VP2/6 virus-like particles (2/6 VLP) with immunostimulating complexes (ISCOM) to determine if this regimen induces protection against diarrhoea and viral shedding in the gnotobiotic pig model. IgM, IgA and IgG antibody titres in serum and intestinal contents were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum neutralizing antibody titres were measured by a virus neutralization (VN) test. Seven groups of neonatal gnotobiotic pigs were vaccinated at post-inoculation days (PID) 0, 10 and 21 and challenged with virulent WaHRV at PID 28. The vaccine groups included: (1, 2) oral priming with AttHRV and boosting with two IN immunizations with 2/6 VLP-ISCOM (Att + 2/6 VLP-ISCOM) at VLP concentrations of 250 micro g or 25 micro g; (3, 4) three IN immunizations with 2/6 VLP-ISCOM at VLP concentrations of 250 micro g or 25 micro g (2/6 VLP-ISCOM); (5) three oral immunizations with AttHRV (3xAttHRV); (6) one oral immunization with AttHRV (1xAttHRV); (7) controls (ISCOM matrix and/or diluent). The pigs that received 3xAttHRV or Att + 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM had the highest protection rates against diarrhoea upon challenge at PID 28 with virulent WaHRV. The IgA antibody titres to HRV in intestinal contents were significantly higher in the Att + 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM group than in all other groups prechallenge (PID 28). Serum VN antibody titres were statistically similar after the first inoculation among the groups given AttHRV, but at PID 28 VN antibody titres were significantly higher for the 3xAttHRV and Att + 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM groups than for the 1xAttHRV group suggesting that boosting with 2/6 VLP also boosted VN antibody responses. In humans, intestinal IgA antibodies have been correlated with protection against symptomatic reinfection. Thus the vaccine regimen of one oral dose of AttHRV and two IN immunizations with 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM may be an alternative to multiple-dose live oral vaccines in humans.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2003

Cross-sectional study of sexual behaviour and knowledge about HIV among urban, rural, and minority residents in Viet Nam.

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three districts of Quang Ninh province, Viet Nam, to find out what proportion of the people who lived there engaged in behaviour that put them at risk of becoming infected with HIV, and to measure their knowledge about HIV infection and AIDS. METHODS: The survey was conducted in a rural district, Yen Hung; a mountainous district inhabited primarily by ethnic minority groups, Binh Lieu; and an urban district, Ha Long. Participants aged 15-45 years were randomly selected from the general population to be interviewed. FINDINGS: A total of 630 people from 707 households were interviewed; 8% were not home despite repeated visits and 3% refused to participate. The prevalence of premarital intercourse ranged from 9% to 16% among married men and 4% to 7% among married women. Among single men the proportion who had ever had intercourse ranged from 6% to 16%. Fewer than 3% reported having ever had sex with a sex worker. The median number of extramarital sex partners was 1. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS was high in the urban and rural areas but low in the mountainous area. Being male and being 20-29 years old were associated with having multiple sex partners. CONCLUSION: The low prevalence of individuals reporting that they had had intercourse with sex workers and partners other than their spouse may explain the low rates of HIV infection among the heterosexual population; these rates are in contrast to the high rates of HIV infection found among injecting drug users. The association between having extramarital partners and being a younger man suggests that the tendency to have more sexual partners may increase in the future. If this happens, the potential for HIV to be spread through heterosexual sex will increase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Protection and antibody responses to oral priming by attenuated human rotavirus followed by oral boosting with 2/6-rotavirus-like particles with immunostimulating complexes in gnotobiotic pigs.

We evaluated antibody responses and protection induced by attenuated Wa human rotavirus (AttHRV) and VP2/6-rotavirus-like particles (VLP), 100 or 250 microg/dose, with immunostimulating complexes (ISCOM) (VLP/ISCOM) each given orally, alone or sequentially to gnotobiotic pigs. The AttHRV-VLP 250 microg/ISCOM and three-dose-AttHRV (AttHRV3x) groups had significantly higher serum IgA, IgG and intestinal IgA antibody titers to HRV pre-challenge than the three-dose-VLP 100 microg/ISCOM group (VLP/ISCOM3x) and controls (diluent/ISCOMmatrix). Protection rates against viral shedding and diarrhea were highest in the AttHRV-VLP250 microg/ISCOM and AttHRV3x groups, lower in the AttHRV-VLP 100 microg/ISCOM group, with no protection in the VLP/ISCOM3x group and controls. Thus, VLP/ISCOM boosted antibody titers and protection after priming with AttHRV.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2003

Risk factors for low birth weight in a socio-economically disadvantaged population: parity, marital status, ethnicity and cigarette smoking.

Low birth weight (LBW) is a public health problem, because it is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The principal aim of this study was to assess risk factors for LBW in a large multi-ethnic and socio-economically disadvantaged population. Data from 3242 mothers, who attended the Well Baby Clinic (Southwestern Sydney, Australia) for the first time, were analysed in relation to their demographic characteristics and socio-economic indices. The overall birthweight was 3377 +/- 577 g (mean +/- SD). In multiple linear regression analysis, smoking during pregnancy, marital status, parity, and country of birth were independently associated with birth weight. According to this analysis, lower birth weight was associated with mothers who had smoked during pregnancy (by 215.2 +/- 18.6 g), who were single (46.9 +/- 21 g), and of Asian background (108.5 +/- 38.2 g). However, higher parity was associated with significantly higher birth weight. The presence of each factor was coded as 1 and the absence, 0. A 'risk score' was then derived by summing up the individual scores. When birth weight was classified as 'low birth weight' (defined as those with birth weight being less than 2500 g) or normal birth weight, the overall prevalence of LBW was 1.9%. Each unit increase in the risk score was associated with a 1.9-fold (95% confidence interval: 1.5-2.6) increase in the risk of LBW. These data suggest that apart from marital status, ethnicity and parity, maternal smoking is the single most important preventable risk factors for LBW.

Female↗
PubMed2002

[Mechanisms of inflammation of the respiratory mucosa].

A UNIVERSAL UBIQUITOUS PHENOMENON: Because it involves many different species, inflammation is a universal phenomenon. It is also an ubiquitous phenomenon because several organs may be involved within a given species. In humans, where it is involved in almost all pathological conditions, inflammation reaches its highest degree of complexity. FOUR STEPS: Despite the diversity of symptoms and the complexity of the molecular interactions, the sequence of events leading to an inflammatory reaction involves four steps. The first is the appearance of signals initiating inflammation. The second step involves a series of cellular reactions, the earliest reactions leading to surface phenomenon. Limitation, or on the contrary amplification, of the initial inflammatory response is the third step. Finally, healing or installation of chronic inflammation is the fourth step. Transcription factors which play a switching role in cell signaling can also be useful as therapeutic targets for anti-inflammatory agents. Two transcription factors play an important role in airway inflammation: nuclear factor NF-kappa B and activating protein 1 (AP-1). Apoptosis or programmed cell death involves a cascade of events leading to condensation of the chromatin and fragmentation of the deoxyribonucleic acid. Programmed cell death is required to resolve the inflammatory process. The principal factors involved in apoptosis can be schematically divided into pro-apoptotic factors and anti-apoptotic factors.

Animals↗