Cell type-specific and subcellular expression of phospholipid phosphatase-related proteins to modulate lyso-phosphatidic acid synaptic signaling in the developing and adult CNS.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive phospholipid that participates in critical processes in neural development and adult brain function and is implicated in various pathophysiological conditions. Along with its six well-characterized receptors, atypical regulators of LPA signaling have also been suggested, including phospholipid phosphatase-related proteins (PLPPRs). PLPPRs have been mostly studied in the developing brain where they control LPA-dependent axon guidance, cortical network hyperexcitability, and glutamatergic neurotransmission.

Comparative efficacies of procalcitonin and conventional inflammatory markers for prediction of renal parenchymal inflammation in pediatric first urinary tract infection.

Objectives: To compare the reliability of procalcitonin (PCT) with conventional laboratory parameters in predicting for renal parenchymal inflammation (RPI).

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 57 children who were admitted for a first-episode urinary tract infection. All patients underwent measurement of the leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum PCT.

Procalcitonin for the early prediction of renal parenchymal involvement in children with UTI: preliminary results.

In order to establish the most reliable marker for distinguishing urinary tract infections (UTI) with and without renal parenchymal involvement (RPI), we recorded the clinical features and admission leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum procalcitonin (PCT) in 57 children (including 43 girls) aged 2-108 months admitted with a first episode of UTI. RPI was evaluated by Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy within 7 days of admission. To establish cut-off points for ESR, CRP, and PCT, we used receiver operating characteristics curves and compared the area under the curve for ESR, CRP, and PCT.

Pulmonary embolism: CT findings with the use of helical computed tomography.

Aim: The aim of this study is the presentation of the imaging findings in patients with pulmonary embolism, the diagnosis of which was made with the use of helical computed tomography.

Material And Methods: The lung CT scans of 14 patients were retrospectively studied. The presence of hypoattenuating thrombus within the lumen of one or more pulmonary arterial branches was considered as the imaging criterion for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.