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Renz-Polster H, Blair PS, Ball HL, Jenni OG, De Bock F. Death from Failed Protection? An Evolutionary-Developmental Theory of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. HUMAN NATURE (HAWTHORNE, N.Y.) 2024; 35:153-196. [PMID: 39069595 PMCID: PMC11317453 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-024-09474-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been mainly described from a risk perspective, with a focus on endogenous, exogenous, and temporal risk factors that can interact to facilitate lethal outcomes. Here we discuss the limitations that this risk-based paradigm may have, using two of the major risk factors for SIDS, prone sleep position and bed-sharing, as examples. Based on a multipronged theoretical model encompassing evolutionary theory, developmental biology, and cultural mismatch theory, we conceptualize the vulnerability to SIDS as an imbalance between current physiologic-regulatory demands and current protective abilities on the part of the infant. From this understanding, SIDS appears as a developmental condition in which competencies relevant to self-protection fail to develop appropriately in the future victims. Since all of the protective resources in question are bound to emerge during normal infant development, we contend that SIDS may reflect an evolutionary mismatch situation-a constellation in which certain modern developmental influences may overextend the child's adaptive (evolutionary) repertoire. We thus argue that SIDS may be better understood if the focus on risk factors is complemented by a deeper appreciation of the protective resources that human infants acquire during their normal development. We extensively analyze this evolutionary-developmental theory against the body of epidemiological and experimental evidence in SIDS research and thereby also address the as-of-yet unresolved question of why breastfeeding may be protective against SIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Renz-Polster
- Division of General Medicine, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden- Württemberg (CPD-BW), University Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter S Blair
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Helen L Ball
- Department of Anthropology, Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Oskar G Jenni
- Child Development Center at the University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Freia De Bock
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Goldwater PN. Current SIDS research: time to resolve conflicting research hypotheses and collaborate. Pediatr Res 2023; 94:1273-1277. [PMID: 37173404 PMCID: PMC10175898 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02611-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
From the earliest publications on cot death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) through to this day, clinical pathology and epidemiology have strongly featured infection as a constant association. Despite mounting evidence of the role of viruses and common toxigenic bacteria in the pathogenesis of SIDS, a growing school of thought featuring a paradigm based on the triple risk hypothesis that encompasses vulnerability through deranged homoeostatic control of arousal and/or cardiorespiratory function has become the mainstream view and now dominates SIDS research. The mainstream hypothesis rarely acknowledges the role of infection despite its notional potential role as a cofactor in the triple hit idea. Decades of mainstream research that has focussed on central nervous system homoeostatic mechanisms of arousal, cardiorespiratory control and abnormal neurotransmission has not been able to provide consistent answers to the SIDS enigma. This paper examines the disparity between these two schools of thought and calls for a collaborative approach. IMPACT: The popular research hypothesis explaining sudden infant death syndrome features the triple risk hypothesis with central nervous system homoeostatic mechanisms controlling arousal and cardiorespiratory function. Intense investigation has not yielded convincing results. There is a necessity to consider other plausible hypotheses (e.g., common bacterial toxin hypothesis). The review scrutinises the triple risk hypothesis and CNS control of cardiorespiratory function and arousal and reveals its flaws. Infection-based hypotheses with their strong SIDS risk factor associations are reviewed in a new context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul N Goldwater
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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Goldwater PN. Serious gaps in the investigation of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy in Australia. Med J Aust 2023; 218:252-253. [PMID: 36924034 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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Goldwater PN. The Science (or Nonscience) of Research Into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Front Pediatr 2022; 10:865051. [PMID: 35498810 PMCID: PMC9051368 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.865051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED This Viewpoint paper presents a timely and constructive critique of mainstream SIDS research. It is concerning that twenty-first century medical science has not provided an answer to the tragic enigma of SIDS. The paper helps explain why this is so and illustrates possible shortcomings in the investigation of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SIDS/SUID) by mainstream researchers. Mainstream findings are often based on questionable and dogmatic assumptions that return to founding notions such as the Triple Risk Hypothesis and the contention that the mechanisms underlying SIDS/SUID are heterogeneous in nature. The paper illustrates how the pathological findings in SIDS have been under-investigated (or ignored) and that key epidemiological risk factors have slipped from memory. This apparent amnesia has resulted in failure to use these established SIDS facts to substantiate the significance of various neuropathological, neurochemical, or other research findings. These unsupported findings and their derivative hypotheses are therefore ill-founded and lack scientific rigor. CONCLUSION The deficits of SIDS "science" revealed in this paper explain why the SIDS enigma has not yet been solved. To make progress in understanding SIDS, it is important that researchers, as scientists, uphold standards of research. Encouragement for new directions of research is offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Nathan Goldwater
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Morichi S, Suzuki S, Nishimata S, Yamanaka G, Kashiwagi Y, Kawashima H. Increased Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Cytokine Levels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients of Sudden Unexpected Death with or without Viral Infection. Indian J Pediatr 2021; 88:879-884. [PMID: 33400135 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-020-03588-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To clarify the pathogenesis of sudden unexpected natural death (SUD) as well as biomarkers to differentiate the underlying diseases, by performing cytokine analysis in the acute phase of pediatric patients in whom viral infection led to SUD. METHODS An acute phase cytokine analysis of pediatric patients in whom viral infection led to SUD was performed, and the data obtained were compared with those from SUD patients not associated with viral infections. Subjects included 4 boys aged 1-16 mo who died of cardiopulmonary arrest associated with viral infections. The causative viruses were identified as enterovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rotavirus. The 4 other infants/children (aged 2-12 mo) died of non-infectious episodes, i.e., 1, 2, and 1 died of drowning, falling, and a traffic accident, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid samples (CSF) of the subjects were collected during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or within 24 h of the events. RESULTS The infection-induced sudden death group showed elevated CSF levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. No increase was observed in interleukin-10 levels. Furthermore, in the infection-induced sudden death group, platelet-derived growth factor levels correlated with inflammatory cytokine levels. CONCLUSIONS Infection-associated SUD may be differentiated from noninfectious SUD by measuring the levels of acute phase-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at the onset of SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Morichi
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
| | - Shinji Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nishimata
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Gaku Yamanaka
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Yasuyo Kashiwagi
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kawashima
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
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Vivekanandarajah A, Nelson ME, Kinney HC, Elliott AJ, Folkerth RD, Tran H, Cotton J, Jacobs P, Minter M, McMillan K, Duncan JR, Broadbelt KG, Schissler K, Odendaal HJ, Angal J, Brink L, Burger EH, Coldrey JA, Dempers J, Boyd TK, Fifer WP, Geldenhuys E, Groenewald C, Holm IA, Myers MM, Randall B, Schubert P, Sens MA, Wright CA, Roberts DJ, Nelsen L, Wadee S, Zaharie D, Haynes RL. Nicotinic Receptors in the Brainstem Ascending Arousal System in SIDS With Analysis of Pre-natal Exposures to Maternal Smoking and Alcohol in High-Risk Populations of the Safe Passage Study. Front Neurol 2021; 12:636668. [PMID: 33776893 PMCID: PMC7988476 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.636668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-natal exposures to nicotine and alcohol are known risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of post-neonatal infant mortality. Here, we present data on nicotinic receptor binding, as determined by 125I-epibatidine receptor autoradiography, in the brainstems of infants dying of SIDS and of other known causes of death collected from the Safe Passage Study, a prospective, multicenter study with clinical sites in Cape Town, South Africa and 5 United States sites, including 2 American Indian Reservations. We examined 15 pons and medulla regions related to cardiovascular control and arousal in infants dying of SIDS (n = 12) and infants dying from known causes (n = 20, 10 pre-discharge from time of birth, 10 post-discharge). Overall, there was a developmental decrease in 125I-epibatidine binding with increasing postconceptional age in 5 medullary sites [raphe obscurus, gigantocellularis, paragigantocellularis, centralis, and dorsal accessory olive (p = 0.0002-0.03)], three of which are nuclei containing serotonin cells. Comparing SIDS with post-discharge known cause of death (post-KCOD) controls, we found significant decreased binding in SIDS in the nucleus pontis oralis (p = 0.02), a critical component of the cholinergic ascending arousal system of the rostral pons (post-KCOD, 12.1 ± 0.9 fmol/mg and SIDS, 9.1 ± 0.78 fmol/mg). In addition, we found an effect of maternal smoking in SIDS (n = 11) combined with post-KCOD controls (n = 8) on the raphe obscurus (p = 0.01), gigantocellularis (p = 0.02), and the paragigantocellularis (p = 0.002), three medullary sites found in this study to have decreased binding with age and found in previous studies to have abnormal indices of serotonin neurotransmission in SIDS infants. At these sites, 125I-epibatidine binding increased with increasing cigarettes per week. We found no effect of maternal drinking on 125I-epibatidine binding at any site measured. Taken together, these data support changes in nicotinic receptor binding related to development, cause of death, and exposure to maternal cigarette smoking. These data present new evidence in a prospective study supporting the roles of developmental factors, as well as adverse exposure on nicotinic receptors, in serotonergic nuclei of the rostral medulla-a finding that highlights the interwoven and complex relationship between acetylcholine (via nicotinic receptors) and serotonergic neurotransmission in the medulla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunnjah Vivekanandarajah
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Morgan E. Nelson
- Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Hannah C. Kinney
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy J. Elliott
- Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Rebecca D. Folkerth
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Hoa Tran
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jacob Cotton
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Perri Jacobs
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Megan Minter
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kristin McMillan
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jhodie R. Duncan
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kevin G. Broadbelt
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kathryn Schissler
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hein J. Odendaal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jyoti Angal
- Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Lucy Brink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elsie H. Burger
- Division of Forensic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University & Western Cape Forensic Pathology Service, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Jean A. Coldrey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Johan Dempers
- Division of Forensic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University & Western Cape Forensic Pathology Service, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Theonia K. Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - William P. Fifer
- Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elaine Geldenhuys
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Coen Groenewald
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ingrid A. Holm
- Division of Genetics and Genomics and the Manton Center for Orphan Diseases Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael M. Myers
- Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bradley Randall
- Department of Pathology, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Pawel Schubert
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mary Ann Sens
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States
| | - Colleen A. Wright
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Lancet Laboratories, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Drucilla J. Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Shabbir Wadee
- Division of Forensic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University & Western Cape Forensic Pathology Service, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Dan Zaharie
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robin L. Haynes
- Department of Pathology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Comprehensive Detection of Candidate Pathogens in the Lower Respiratory Tract of Pediatric Patients With Unexpected Cardiopulmonary Deterioration Using Next-Generation Sequencing. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2020; 21:e1026-e1030. [PMID: 32956172 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000002558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Next-generation sequencing has been applied to the investigation of microorganisms in several clinical settings. We investigated the infectious etiologies in respiratory specimens from pediatric patients with unexpected cardiopulmonary deterioration using next-generation sequencing. DESIGN Retrospective, single-center, observational study. SETTING Tertiary care, a children's hospital. SUBJECTS The study enrolled a total of 16 pediatric patients with unexpected cardiopulmonary deterioration who were admitted to the PICU. Ten bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and six transtracheal aspirate samples were analyzed. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS RNA libraries were prepared from specimens and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. One or more bacterial/viral pathogens were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or transtracheal aspirate specimens from 10 patients. Bacterial and viral coinfection was considered in four cases. Compared with the conventional culture and viral antigen test results, an additional six bacterial and four viral pathogens were identified by next-generation sequencing. Conversely, among 18 pathogens identified by the conventional methods, nine pathogens were detected by next-generation sequencing. Candidate pathogens (e.g., coxsackievirus A6 and Chlamydia trachomatis) were detected by next-generation sequencing in four of 10 patients in whom no causative pathogen had been identified by conventional methods. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that viral and bacterial infections are common triggers in unexpected cardiopulmonary deterioration in pediatric patients. Next-generation sequencing has the potential to contribute to clarification of the etiology of pediatric critical illness.
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Goldwater PN, Kelmanson IA, Little BB. Increased thymus weight in sudden infant death syndrome compared to controls: The role of sub-clinical infections. Am J Hum Biol 2020; 33:e23528. [PMID: 33107139 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of the present investigation is to analyze thymus, brain, heart, liver, and kidney weights in SIDS victims compared to controls. BACKGROUND Epidemiologic risk factors for SIDS (eg, male gender, genetic, obstetric, environmental, smoke exposure, nonbreastfeeding, etc.) are consistent with an infectious process underlying many of these deaths. METHODS Data from autopsy reports on 585 SIDS victims and comparison deaths (n = 294 control, n = 291 SIDS) were analyzed. Cases were obtained from Australia (n = 184 controls, n = 98 SIDS) and Russia (n = 122 controls, n = 181 SIDS). Log10 transform of thymus and other organ weights was computed because variables were skewed. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of standardized log values were age-adjusted by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The standardized log10 thymus residual adjusted for age, brain and liver weights was computed for the final analysis. RESULTS After controlling for age by MANCOVA, thymus, body, brain and liver weights were significantly higher among SIDS compared to non-SIDS victims. The largest difference as between covariate-adjusted log10 non-SIDS thymus weight differed (mean = 1.423, 95% CI: 1.393-1.452) and log10 non-SIDS thymus weight (mean = 1.269, 95% CI: 1.243-1.294) were significantly different (P < .0001). Heart weight was significantly lower in SIDS victims. DISCUSSION When adjusted for confounders (age, body, and organ weights), SIDS victims have a significantly heavier thymus and brain compared to non-SIDS controls who died of trauma. This finding supports previously published studies that link infection to SIDS deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Nathan Goldwater
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Igor A Kelmanson
- Department of Children's Diseases, St. Petersburg State Institute of Psychology and Social Work, Institute for Medical Education of the V.A. Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Bertis B Little
- Health Management and Systems Science, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Computational and Transcriptome Analyses Revealed Preferential Induction of Chemotaxis and Lipid Synthesis by SARS-CoV-2. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9090260. [PMID: 32882823 PMCID: PMC7564677 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The continuous and rapid emergence of new viral strains calls for a better understanding of the fundamental changes occurring within the host cell upon viral infection. In this study, we analyzed RNA-seq transcriptome data from Calu-3 human lung epithelial cells infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to five other viruses namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-MERS), influenzavirus A (FLUA), influenzavirus B (FLUB), and rhinovirus (RHINO) compared to mock-infected cells and characterized their coding and noncoding RNA transcriptional portraits. The induction of interferon, inflammatory, and immune response was a hallmark of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Comprehensive bioinformatics revealed the activation of immune response and defense response to the virus as a common feature of viral infection. Interestingly however, the degree of functional categories and signaling pathways activation varied among different viruses. Ingenuity pathways analysis highlighted altered conical and casual pathways related to TNF, IL1A, and TLR7, which are seen more predominantly during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nonetheless, the activation of chemotaxis and lipid synthesis was prominent in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. Despite the commonality among all viruses, our data revealed the hyperactivation of chemotaxis and immune cell trafficking as well as the enhanced fatty acid synthesis as plausible mechanisms that could explain the inflammatory cytokine storms associated with severe cases of COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the virus, respectively.
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Evaluation of the presence and distribution of leptomeningeal inflammation in SIDS/SUDI cases and comparison with a hospital-based cohort. Childs Nerv Syst 2019; 35:2391-2397. [PMID: 31270575 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-019-04268-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prior research demonstrates that leptomeninges of infants and late-term fetuses derived from a non-traumatic, hospital-based cohort contain a surprisingly large number of inflammatory cells and stainable iron. These were present irrespective of the findings from the general autopsy, the neuropathologic examination, and the mode of delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS We applied a similar methodology to a sudden infant death syndrome/sudden unexpected death in infancy (SIDS/SUDI) cohort. Forty-two SIDS/SUDI cases autopsied between 2006 and 2014 by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office were identified. An interpretable amount of leptomeninges from at least two areas of the brain (cerebral cortex, brain stem, cerebellum) were present in each case. Immunoperoxidase (IPOX) staining with CD45 and CD68 was performed and Perl's method was used to detect the presence of iron. The number of immunoreactive cells per IPOX stain within the leptomeninges in each slide was manually tabulated and the density subsequently quantified. The presence or absence of stainable iron was noted. RESULTS This cohort represented 22 males and 20 females ranging in age from 2 to 311 days, with relatively evenly divided modes of delivery. The examined brain sections included 32 of the cerebral cortex, 18 of the brain stem, and 36 of the cerebellum. The lengths of the examined leptomeninges ranged from 2 to 40 mm. The ranges of the number of cells per millimeter, and the standard deviations of the means were wide and varied. Overall, there was no significant difference in the number of CD45 or CD68 immunoreactive cells/millimeter between the three brain sites. Comparing this cohort to a subpopulation of hospitalized infants in our prior study, there were no significant differences between the density of inflammatory cells in the sections from the cerebral cortex and brain stem. There were differences in the CD68 densities, particularly in the cerebellar sections which may be attributable to methodological differences. Iron was identified in only a single section in this cohort but was present in most of the cases in the hospital-based cohort. CONCLUSION This study further elucidates the relevance of the presence of inflammatory cells and iron in the leptomeninges. Whether in a hospital-based or more forensically relevant population, the presence of inflammatory cells in the leptomeninges (even in great abundance) is common.
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Mechanisms underlying a critical period of respiratory development in the rat. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2019; 264:40-50. [PMID: 30999061 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, Filiano and Kinney (1994) proposed that a critical period of postnatal development constitutes one of the three risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The underlying mechanism was poorly understood. In the last 17 years, much has been uncovered on this period in the rat. Against several expected trends of development, abrupt neurochemical, metabolic, ventilatory, and electrophysiological changes occur in the respiratory system at P12-13. This results in a transient synaptic imbalance with suppressed excitation and enhanced inhibition, and the response to acute hypoxia is the weakest at this time, both at the cellular and system's levels. The basis for the synaptic imbalance is likely to be contributed by a reduced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its TrkB receptors in multiple brain stem respiratory-related nuclei during the critical period. Exogenous BDNF or a TrkB agonist partially reverses the synaptic imbalance, whereas a TrkB antagonist accentuates the imbalance. A transient down-regulation of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) at P12 in respiratory-related nuclei also contributes to the vulnerability of this period. Carotid body denervation during this time or perinatal hyperoxia merely delays and sometimes prolongs, but not eliminate the critical period. The rationale for the necessity of the critical period in postnatal development is discussed.
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Sehgal P, Pollanen M, Daneman N. A Retrospective Forensic Review of Unexpected Infectious Deaths. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz081. [PMID: 30956993 PMCID: PMC6441567 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There exists a knowledge gap in identifying the spectrum of infectious pathogens and syndromes that lead to fulminant decline and death. The aim of this study was to better characterize patient-, pathogen-, and disease-related factors in the phenomenon of unexpected infectious deaths. Methods We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of all community-based, unexpected infectious deaths in Ontario, Canada between January 2016 and December 2017. Patient-related information, infection-related information, and circumstances around the death were extracted for each case to facilitate descriptive analyses. Results Of the 7506 unexpected deaths over the study period, 418 (6%) were due to infectious diseases. Bacterial pneumonia (43%) was the most common infectious syndrome, followed by disseminated infection with no clear focus (12%), peritonitis (10%), myocarditis (6%), and pyelonephritis (5%). A pathogen was identified in 210 cases (50%), with the most common being Staphylococcus aureus (n = 35), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 30), Streptococcus pyogenes (n = 25), Klebsiella spp. (n = 23), and Escherichia coli (n = 19). Prodromal symptoms were present in 68% of persons before death, with a median (interquartile range) duration of only 1.0 (0.0–4.0) days; just 30% of those who died had had recent healthcare contact before their death. Conclusion Infectious diseases have the capacity to cause fulminant decline and death. The most common cause of unexpected infectious death is bacterial pneumonia, with a predominance of gram-positive bacteria. Given the rapidity of these deaths, preventing a majority of them would require upstream strategies to reduce infection susceptibility and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nick Daneman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Canada
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13
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Hafke A, Schürmann P, Rothämel T, Dörk T, Klintschar M. Evidence for an association of interferon gene variants with sudden infant death syndrome. Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:863-869. [PMID: 30617847 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1974-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence that inflammation plays a role in the etiology of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Immune system dysregulation seems to be the background of higher infection susceptibility in SIDS infants. This phenotype is possibly determined by genetic factors. METHODS Twenty-three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the following 13 candidate genes governing the immune system were successfully genotyped in 251 Caucasian SIDS cases and 336 controls from Germany: ADAR1, CSF2RB, DDX58, IFNA1, IFNA21, IFNA8, IFNAR2, IFNG, IL6, MX2, OAS1, OAS3, and TNFA. Associations between genotypes and SIDS were then statistically evaluated using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Overall analysis revealed statistically significant results for two variants in interferon gamma (IFNG) (rs2069705: OR 1.40 (1.07; 1.83), p = 0.01; and rs2069727: OR 0.75 (0.59; 0.96), p = 0.02) and for one variant in interferon alpha 8 (IFNA8) (rs1330321: OR 1.85 (1.06; 3.21), p = 0.03). Haplotype analyses identified a three-marker risk IFNG haplotype rs2069727-rs2069718-rs2069705 associated with SIDS (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.23-2.13; p = 0.0003). Subgroup associations were found for variants in adenosine deaminase acting on RNA1 (ADAR1), 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase-1 (OAS1) and colony stimulating factor 2 receptor beta common subunit (CSF2RB). CONCLUSION In summary, this large study of 251 SIDS cases for common variants in 13 candidate genes governing the immune system has provided first evidence for a role of IFNG in the etiology of SIDS and should stimulate further research into the clinicopathological relevance of immunomodulatory genes for this fatal syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Hafke
- Institute of Legal Medicine (OE 5500), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Schürmann
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Rothämel
- Institute of Legal Medicine (OE 5500), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thilo Dörk
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Klintschar
- Institute of Legal Medicine (OE 5500), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Litchfield IJ, Ayres JG, Jaakkola JJK, Mohammed NI. Is ambient air pollution associated with onset of sudden infant death syndrome: a case-crossover study in the UK. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e018341. [PMID: 29654005 PMCID: PMC5898297 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Air pollution has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity in several studies with indications that its effect could be more severe in children. This study examined the relationship between short-term variations in criteria air pollutants and occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). DESIGN We used a case-crossover study design which is widely applied in air pollution studies and particularly useful for estimating the risk of a rare acute outcome associated with short-term exposure. SETTING The study used data from the West Midlands region in the UK. PARTICIPANTS We obtained daily time series data on SIDS mortality (ICD-9: 798.0 or ICD-10: R95) for the period 1996-2006 with a total of 211 SIDS events. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Daily counts of SIDS events. RESULTS For an IQR increase in previous day pollutant concentration, the percentage increases (95% CI) in SIDS were 16 (6 to 27) for PM10, 1 (-7 to 10) for SO2, 5 (-4 to 14) for CO, -17 (-27 to -6) for O3, 16 (2 to 31) for NO2 and 2 (-3 to 8) for NO after controlling for average temperature and national holidays. PM10 and NO2 showed relatively consistent association which persisted across different lag structures and after adjusting for copollutants. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated ambient air pollutants, particularly PM10 and NO2, may show an association with increased SIDS mortality. Thus, future studies are recommended to understand possible mechanistic explanations on the role of air pollution on SIDS incidence and the ways in which we might reduce pollution exposure among infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Litchfield
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jon G Ayres
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jouni J K Jaakkola
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Nuredin I Mohammed
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
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15
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Spinelli J, Byard RW, Van Den Heuvel C, Collins-Praino LE. Medullary Astrogliosis in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Varies With Sleeping Environment: Evidence for Different Mechanisms of Death in Alone Versus Co-sleepers? J Child Neurol 2018; 33:269-274. [PMID: 29357731 DOI: 10.1177/0883073817750498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sudden infant death syndrome remains the leading cause of death in infants under 1 year, and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. The current study investigated the hypothesis that co-sleepers die more rapidly from causes such as suffocation from overlaying by comparing levels of reactive astrogliosis in the medulla of infants who died sleeping alone to those who died co-sleeping. The amount of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining in alone sleepers was significantly higher than shared sleepers in 3 specific areas of the medulla, the inferior vestibular nucleus, the medial vestibular nucleus and the cochlear nucleus. Given that glial fibrillary acidic protein elevations follow a delayed time course, this suggests that death in co-sleepers was more rapid, not allowing for reactive gliosis to occur. This provides evidence of pathological differences in mechanisms of death in infants who are classified as having died from sudden infant death syndrome, suggesting potential need for refinement of categorization of these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Spinelli
- 1 Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Roger W Byard
- 1 Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Corinna Van Den Heuvel
- 1 Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Lyndsey E Collins-Praino
- 1 Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Namazi H, Namazi I, Ghiasi P, Ansari H, Rajabi S, Hajizadeh-Saffar E, Aghdami N, Mohit E. Exosomes Secreted by Normoxic and Hypoxic Cardiosphere-derived Cells Have Anti-apoptotic Effect. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH : IJPR 2018; 17:377-385. [PMID: 29755568 PMCID: PMC5937107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have emerged as one of the most promising stem cell types for cardiac protection and repair. Exosomes are required for the regenerative effects of human CDCs and mimic the cardioprotective benefits of CDCs such as anti-apoptotic effect in animal myocardial infarction (MI) models. Here we aimed to investigate the anti-apoptotic effect of the hypoxic and normoxic human CDCs-derived exosomes on induced apoptosis in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs). In this study, CDCs were cultured under normoxic (18% O2) and hypoxic (1% O2) conditions and CDC-exosomes were isolated from conditioned media by differential ultracentrifugation. Cobalt chloride as hypoxia-mimetic agents at a high concentration was used to induce apoptosis in hESC-CMs. The caspase-3/7 activity was determined in apoptosis-induced hESC-CMs. The results indicated that the caspase-positive hESC-CMs were significantly decreased from 30.63 ± 1.44% (normalized against untreated cardiomyocytes) to 1.65 ± 0.1 and 1.1 ± 1.09 in the presence of normoxic exosomes (N-exo) at concentration of 25 and 50 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, hypoxic exosomes (H-exo) at concentration of 25 and 50 μg/mL led to 8.75 and 12.86 % reduction in caspase-positive cells, respectively. The anti-apoptotic activity of N-exo at the concentrations of 25 and 50 μg/mL was significantly higher than H-exo. These results could provide insights into optimal preparation of CDCs which would greatly influence the anti-apoptotic effect of CDC-exosomes. Totally, CDC-secreted exosomes have the potential to increase the survival of cardiomyocytes by inhibiting apoptosis. Therefore, CDC-exosomes can be developed as therapeutic strategy in ischemic cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helia Namazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,Students’ Research committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Iman Namazi
- School of medicine, Mashhad university of medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Parisa Ghiasi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hassan Ansari
- School of medicine, Mashhad university of medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Sarah Rajabi
- School of medicine, Mashhad university of medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | | | - Nasser Aghdami
- School of medicine, Mashhad university of medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran. ,Corresponding authors: E-mail: ,
| | - Elham Mohit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Corresponding authors: E-mail: ,
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Abstract
Despite decades of investigation and millions of dollars spent, the cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) eludes researchers. It is timely therefore to reconsider the reasons for this failure and to explore how research might go forward with better prospects. This review assesses SIDS research in the context of clinicopathological and epidemiological features and determines that only infection attains congruence.
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Meert K, Telford R, Holubkov R, Slomine BS, Christensen JR, Dean JM, Moler FW. Exploring the safety and efficacy of targeted temperature management amongst infants with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to apparent life threatening events. Resuscitation 2016; 109:40-48. [PMID: 27737774 PMCID: PMC5124384 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the safety and efficacy of targeted temperature management amongst infants with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to an apparent life threatening event (ALTE) recruited to the Therapeutic Hypothermia after Paediatric Cardiac Arrest Out-of-Hospital trial. METHODS Fifty-four infants (48h to <1year of age) with ALTE who received chest compressions for ≥2min, were comatose, and required mechanical ventilation after return of circulation were included. Infants were randomised to therapeutic hypothermia (33°C) (n=26) or therapeutic normothermia (36.8°C) (n=28) within six hours of return of circulation. Outcomes included 12-month survival with Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Second Edition (VABS-II) score ≥70, 12-month survival, change in VABS-II score from pre-arrest to 12 months post-arrest, and select safety measures. RESULTS Amongst infants with pre-arrest VABS-II ≥70 (n=52), there was no difference in 12-month survival with VABS-II ≥70 between therapeutic hypothermia and therapeutic normothermia groups (2/25 (8.0%) vs. 1/27 (3.7%); relative risk 2.16; 95% confidence interval 0.21-22.38, p=0.60). Amongst all evaluable infants (n=53), the change in VABS-II score from pre-arrest to 12 months post-arrest did not differ (p=0.078) between therapeutic hypothermia and therapeutic normothermia groups, nor did 12-month survival (5/26 (19.2%) vs. 1/27 (3.7%); relative risk 5.19; 95% confidence interval 0.65-41.50, p=0.10). CONCLUSIONS Mortality was high amongst infants that were comatose after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to ALTE in both therapeutic hypothermia and therapeutic normothermia treated groups. Functional status was markedly reduced among survivors. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00878644).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Meert
- Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Russell Telford
- University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, P. O. Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, USA
| | - Richard Holubkov
- University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, P. O. Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, USA
| | - Beth S Slomine
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - James R Christensen
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - J Michael Dean
- University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, P. O. Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, USA
| | - Frank W Moler
- University of Michigan, CS Mott Children's Hospital, 1540 East Hospital Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Elhaik E. A "Wear and Tear" Hypothesis to Explain Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Front Neurol 2016; 7:180. [PMID: 27840622 PMCID: PMC5083856 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among USA infants under 1 year of age accounting for ~2,700 deaths per year. Although formally SIDS dates back at least 2,000 years and was even mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Kings 3:19), its etiology remains unexplained prompting the CDC to initiate a sudden unexpected infant death case registry in 2010. Due to their total dependence, the ability of the infant to allostatically regulate stressors and stress responses shaped by genetic and environmental factors is severely constrained. We propose that SIDS is the result of cumulative painful, stressful, or traumatic exposures that begin in utero and tax neonatal regulatory systems incompatible with allostasis. We also identify several putative biochemical mechanisms involved in SIDS. We argue that the important characteristics of SIDS, namely male predominance (60:40), the significantly different SIDS rate among USA Hispanics (80% lower) compared to whites, 50% of cases occurring between 7.6 and 17.6 weeks after birth with only 10% after 24.7 weeks, and seasonal variation with most cases occurring during winter, are all associated with common environmental stressors, such as neonatal circumcision and seasonal illnesses. We predict that neonatal circumcision is associated with hypersensitivity to pain and decreased heart rate variability, which increase the risk for SIDS. We also predict that neonatal male circumcision will account for the SIDS gender bias and that groups that practice high male circumcision rates, such as USA whites, will have higher SIDS rates compared to groups with lower circumcision rates. SIDS rates will also be higher in USA states where Medicaid covers circumcision and lower among people that do not practice neonatal circumcision and/or cannot afford to pay for circumcision. We last predict that winter-born premature infants who are circumcised will be at higher risk of SIDS compared to infants who experienced fewer nociceptive exposures. All these predictions are testable experimentally using animal models or cohort studies in humans. Our hypothesis provides new insights into novel risk factors for SIDS that can reduce its risk by modifying current infant care practices to reduce nociceptive exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran Elhaik
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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20
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Burke RM, Suchdev PS, Rebolledo PA, de Aceituno AMF, Revollo R, Iñiguez V, Klein M, Drews-Botsch C, Leon JS. Predictors of Inflammation in a Cohort of Bolivian Infants and Toddlers. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:954-963. [PMID: 27527627 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been associated with cardiovascular disease and other health outcomes in children and adults, yet few longitudinal data are available on prevalence and predictors of inflammation in infants. We aimed to identify the prevalence of inflammation in a cohort of Bolivian infants and estimate its association with acute (recent illnesses) and chronic (overweight, stunting) morbidities and potential pathogen exposure (represented by water, sanitation, and hygiene [WASH] resources). We measured plasma concentrations of two acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein [CRP], marking acute inflammation, and alpha(1)-acid-glycoprotein [AGP], marking chronic inflammation) at three time points (target 2, 6-8, and 12-18 months). Of 451 singleton infants enrolled in the parent study, 272 had the first blood draw and complete data. Anthropometry and sociodemographic and recent illness data (2-week recall of cough, diarrhea, and fever) were collected at each visit. Inflammation was defined as CRP > 5 mg/L or AGP > 1 g/L. The prevalence of inflammation increased from early infancy (3% at first blood draw) to later infancy (15-22% at later blood draws). Recent cough, recent fever, and age in months were significantly associated with relative increases in CRP (7-44%) and AGP (5-23%), whereas recent diarrhea was only significantly associated with an increase in CRP (48%). Neither anthropometry nor WASH was significantly associated with inflammation. Results confirm the role of recent acute illness in inflammation in infants, and indicate that adiposity and WASH are not as important to inflammation in this age category.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Burke
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Parminder S Suchdev
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Nutrition Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Paulina A Rebolledo
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Rita Revollo
- Servicio Departamental de Salud, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Volga Iñiguez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Mitchel Klein
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Carolyn Drews-Botsch
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Juan S Leon
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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