alpha1-Adrenergic blockers increase the frequency of spontaneous passage of the distal ureteral calculi. All 3 agents tested were equally efficacious.

This prospective study, performed in 76 children with a urinary tract infection (UTI), evaluates the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) in children with acute pyelonephritis documented by dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA). Renal parenchymal involvement was assessed by (99m )Tc-DMSA scintigraphy within 7 days of admission. The diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis was confirmed only in patients with reversible lesions on scintigraphy. According to DMSA scan results, patients were divided into two groups, lower UTI or acute pyelonephritis. In acute pyelonephritis, serum PCT level was found to be significantly higher than it is in the lower UTI (p <0.001). Also, significantly higher serum proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) levels were detected in those with acute pyelonephritis than those with lower UTI (p <0.001). We conclude that both serum PCT and proinflammatory cytokine levels may be used as accurate markers for diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis.

Aim. To determine serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels in neonatal sepsis at the time of diagnosis and after therapy, and to show the meaningful on the follow up. Methods. This prospective study was performed on newborns who were hospitalized for neonatal sepsis and who were classified as culture-proven sepsis (n=12), as culture-negative sepsis (n=21), and as healthy newborns (n=17). Results. At the time of diagnosis, serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels of culture-proven sepsis were significantly higher than those of the control groups (P<.05). At the time of diagnosis, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels of culture-proven sepsis and culture-negative sepsis were significantly higher than levels at the seventh day after antibiotic treatment. Conclusion. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are mediators of inflammation and can be used at the diagnosis and at the evaluation of the therapeutic efficiency in neonatal sepsis.

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth, body composition and hepatopancreas histology of Penaeus semisulcatus (postlarvae stage 20) were investigated for 48 days. Different dosages of MOS (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 g MOS kg−1) were tested in triplicate groups. Shrimp postlarvae averaging 0.34 ± 0.01 g attained 1.52 ± 0.31, 1.51 ± 0.15, 2.18 ± 0.13, 1.57 ± 0.13‐g final weight and 42.7 ± 2.7, 37.3 ± 1.3, 64.0 ± 6.9, 50.7 ± 4.8% survival, respectively. At the end of the study, generally enhanced growth performance and feed conversion ratio were observed in shrimp fed on diet containing 3.0 g kg−1 MOS with the highest final live weight (2.18 ± 0.13 g) and survival rate (64.0 ± 6.9%) after 48 days of feeding. The protein contents in the whole body decreased with increasing rates of dietary MOS (P < 0.05). Different levels of dietary MOS used in this study showed no detrimental effects on hepatopancreas tissue judged by histological screening. In conclusion, 3.0 g kg−1 MOS could be used as a healthy growth promoter in shrimp diets.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a chronic disease characterized by T-cell-dependent autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing β cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, resulting in an absolute lack of insulin. T cells are activated in response to islet-dominant autoantigens, the result being the development of IDDM. Insulin is one of the islet autoantigens responsible for the activation of T-lymphocyte functions, inflammatory cytokine production, and development of IDDM. The aim of this study was to investigate serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in children IDDM. The study population consisted of 27 children with IDDM and 25 healthy controls. Children with IDDM were divided into three subgroups: (1) previously diagnosed patients (long standing IDDM) (n : 15), (2) newly diagnosed patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (before treatment) (n : 12), and (3) newly diagnosed patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (after treatment for two weeks) (n : 12). In all stages of diabetes higher levels of IL-1β and TNF- α and lower levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were detected. Our data about elevated serum IL-1β, TNF- α and decreased IL-2, IL-6 levels in newly diagnosed IDDM patients in comparison with longer standing cases supports an activation of systemic inflammatory process during early phases of IDDM which may be indicative of an ongoing β-cell destruction. Persistence of significant difference between the cases with IDDM monitored for a long time and controls in terms of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α supports continuous activation during the late stages of diabetes.

It has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers of premature and mature infants, and comparing changes during lactation periods consequently. Milk was collected from total of 40 mothers (group M: mothers of mature infants, n = 20; group PM: mothers of premature infants, n = 20) from four lactation stages: colostrum (0–7 days), transitional (7–14 days), mature milk (21 days), and mature milk (2nd month). Levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-lβ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) were determined by chemiluminesence method, whereas atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of Zn and Cu levels. Cytokine levels were determined to be high in colostrum and transient milk from mothers of full-term infants, whereas their levels were reduced drastically in the 21st day and the 2nd month milk (P < .01 , P < .001). Similar trends were observed in milk from mothers of premature infants, but cytokine levels were significantly lower in colostrum compared to colostrum from mothers of mature infants (P < .01). The differences in cytokine levels were continuous in transient milk (P < .05) and mature milk (21 days) (P < .05), whereas there was no statistically significant differences between milk from both groups of mothers in the 2nd month (P > .05). Zn levels in milk from mothers of premature infants were significantly lower compared to the ones from mothers of mature infants (P < .01) and these differences continued through the 2nd month. Although Cu levels were lower in milk from mothers of premature infants, there was no statistically significant difference except colostrum (P > .05). Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines and trace elements in milk from mothers of premature infants is less than the level of the same agents in milk from mothers of full-term infants. Although there are commercially available products for infant feeding, human milk is still the best natural nutrient for newborns. Therefore, when premature infants are breastfed, necessary precautions such as supplemantary diets must be considered for possible infections and risks related with immune system deficiency.

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