Ongoing Excess Hospitalizations for Severe Pediatric Group A Streptococcal Disease in 2023-2024-A Single-Center Report.

A Europe-wide outbreak of invasive pediatric group A streptococcal infections (iGAS) began in fall 2022. Here, we report the evolution of GAS hospitalizations in children and adolescents during the second outbreak year in 2023-2024 at a tertiary center in Switzerland. Using prospective monitoring of all in-patient GAS cases below 16 years of age, including those with iGAS, we compared case frequencies and clinical characteristics in three time periods (2013-2020; 2022-2023; 2023-2024).

Preadmission course and management of severe pediatric group A streptococcal infections during the 2022-2023 outbreak: a single-center experience.

Purpose: The massive increase of infections with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in 2022-2023 coincided in Switzerland with a change of the recommendations for the management of GAS pharyngitis. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate whether the clinical manifestations and management before hospitalization for GAS infection differed in 2022-2023 compared with 2013-2022.

Methods: Retrospective study of GAS infections requiring hospitalization in patients below 16 years.

Cytokine Signaling in Pediatric Kidney Tumor Cell Lines WT-CLS1, WT-3ab and G-401.

Renal tumors comprise ~7% of all malignant pediatric tumors. Approximately 90% of pediatric kidney tumors comprise Wilms tumors, and the remaining 10% include clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, renal cell carcinoma and other rare renal tumors. Over the last 30 years, the role of cytokines and their receptors has been considerably investigated in both cancer progression and anti-cancer therapy.

Long-term pulmonary outcome of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: functional lung MRI using matrix-pencil decomposition enables side-specific assessment of lung function.

Objectives: In patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) the exact functional outcome of the affected lung side is still unknown, mainly due to the lack of spatially resolved diagnostic tools. Functional matrix-pencil decomposition (MP-) lung MRI fills this gap as it measures side-specific ventilation and perfusion. We aimed to assess the overall and side-specific pulmonary long-term outcomes of patients with CDH using lung function tests and MP-MRI.

Activation of immune evasion machinery is a part of the process of malignant transformation of human cells.

Malignant transformation of human cells is associated with their re-programming which results in uncontrolled proliferation and in the same time biochemical activation of immunosuppressive pathways which form cancer immune evasion machinery. However, there is no conceptual understanding of whether immune evasion machinery pathways and expression of immune checkpoint proteins form a part of the process of malignant transformation or if they are triggered by T lymphocytes and natural killers (NK) attempting to attack cells which are undergoing or already underwent malignant transformation. To address this fundamental question, we performed experimental malignant transformation of BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelium cells and RC-124 non-malignant human kidney epithelial cells using bracken extracts containing carcinogenic alkaloid called ptaquiloside.

[Workplace-based Assessments: A Needs Analysis of Residents and Supervisors].

Workplace-based Assessments: A Needs Analysis of Residents and Supervisors During residency training, four workplace-based assessments (WBA) are planned per year in the form of Mini-CEX and/or DOPS. They were introduced as a tool for giving feedback and defining learning objectives in the clinical setting. The aim of the present study is to identify facilitating and inhibiting factors.

Pediatric Tularemia-A Case Series From a Single Center in Switzerland.

Background: The incidence of tularemia has recently increased throughout Europe. Pediatric tularemia typically presents with ulceroglandular or glandular disease and requires antimicrobial therapy not used in the empirical management of childhood acute lymphadenitis. We describe the clinical presentation and course in a case series comprising 20 patients.

Preparedness for Life-Threatening Situations in a Pediatric Tertiary-Care University Children's Hospital: A Survey.

Pediatric nurses and physicians are rarely exposed to life-threatening events. Understanding the needs of clinicians is key for designing continuing training programs. A survey exploring preparedness to manage life-threatening events as well as training needs was mailed to all clinically active nurses and physicians at a tertiary-level referral children's hospital.

Chromosomal Heterogeneity of the G-401 Rhabdoid Tumor Cell Line: Unusual Partial 7p Trisomy.

Rhabdoid tumor is a very aggressive and hardly curable pediatric malignancy. It commonly starts in the kidneys but also can occur in the brain, liver, and other organs. The treatment of this tumor usually involves a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Dissection of the appendix with ultrasound-activated scalpel: an experimental study in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine mechanical, microbiologic, and morphologic changes of the appendicle rim to assess if it is appropriate to dissect the appendix with the ultrasound-activated scalpel (UAS) during laparoscopic appendectomy.

Materials And Methods: After laparoscopic resection of the appendix, using conventional Roeder slings, we investigated 50 appendicle rims with an in vitro procedure. The overall time of dissection of the mesoappendix with UAS was noted.