Evaluation of Anal Sphincter with High Resolution Anorectal Manometry and 3D Reconstruction in Patients with Anorectal Malformation.

Background: Patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) need long-term follow-up, in order to evaluate fecal continence; the main predictors of longer-term success are the type of ARM, associated anomalies and sacral integrity. Three-Dimensional High Resolution Anorectal Manometry (3D-HRAM) gives detailed information on pressure on the anal complex profile. Our objective was to analyze anal sphincter activity in ARM patients with 3D-HRAM establishing the correlation between manometric and clinical data.

Evaluation of Dysphagia and Inhalation Risk in Neurologically Impaired Children Using Esophageal High-Resolution Manometry with Swallowing Analysis.

Background: Dysphagia in neurologically impaired children is associated with feeding difficulties, malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. Esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) has been used in the diagnosis of motility disorders affecting the swallowing process. The aim of this study was to analyze swallowing functions in NI children by using HRM in order to establish swallow parameters identifying inhalation risk.

Advanced Management Protocol of Transanal Irrigation in Order to Improve the Outcome of Pediatric Patients with Fecal Incontinence.

Background: Transanal irrigation (TAI) is employed for children with fecal incontinence, but it can present several problems which require a study of their outcomes among different pathologies and without a tailored work up. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an advanced protocol in order to tailor TAI, prevent complications, and evaluate outcomes.

Methods: We included 70 patients (14 anorectal malformation, 12 Hirschsprung's disease, 24 neurological impairment, 20 functional incontinence) submitted to a comprehensive protocol with Peristeen: fecal score, volumetric enema, rectal ultrasound, anorectal 3D manometry, and diary for testing and parameter adjustment.

High Resolution Manometry Guidance During Laparoscopic Fundoplication in Pediatric Surgically "Fragile" Patients: Preliminary Report.

Background: High resolution manometry (HRM), has been recently introduced in clinical practice to detect esophageal intraluminal pressure and esophageal motor function. We evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of intraoperative esophageal HRM during antireflux laparoscopic procedures in pediatric cases with neurological impairment (NI) or esophageal atresia (EA).

Methods: From January to November 2019, seven children (5 NI, 2 EA) with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were enrolled.

Diabetes Type 2 in Neurologically Impaired Children and Adolescents Without Obesity: A New Emerging Entity?

Insulin resistance (IR) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In neurologically impaired (NI) children unfavorable cardio-metabolic risk profile with high prevalence of IR has been reported. We evaluated the prevalence of T2D in NI children and adolescents, in order to define if a dedicated glucose monitoring may be recommended in these subjects.

Genetic Basis of Posterior Urethral Valves Inheritance.

Objective: To highlight genetic pattern of posterior urethral valves (PUVs), we performed a genetic study on 2 siblings affected. PUVs are the most common congenital cause of lower urinary tract obstruction and an important cause of renal failure in infants (50% progress to end-stage renal disease in 10 years). PUVs occur in 1 of 5000-8000 male infants, but real incidence is arduous to determine because of the wide spectrum of possible clinical presentation.

Enhancement of tumor cell susceptibility to natural killer cell activity through inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway.

Natural killer (NK) cells are the primary effectors of the innate immune response against virus-infected cells or cells that have undergone malignant transformation. NK cells recognize their targets through a complex array of activating and inhibitory receptors, which regulate the intensity of the effector response against individual target cells. However, many studies have shown that tumor cells can escape immune cell recognition through a variety of mechanisms, developing resistance to NK cell killing.

Interferon-γ-induced activation of JAK1 and JAK2 suppresses tumor cell susceptibility to NK cells through upregulation of PD-L1 expression.

Inhibition of JAK1 or JAK2 in human tumor cells was previously shown to increase susceptibility of these cells to NK cell lysis. In the present study, we examined the cellular mechanisms that mediate this effect in hematopoietic tumor cell lines and primary tumor cells. Incubation of tumor cells with supernatant from activated NK cells or interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-induced activation of pSTAT1 and increased expression of PD-L1 without altering expression of other activating or inhibitory NK cell ligands.

Treatment of a malignant pheochromocytoma in a dog using 131I metaiodobenzylguanidine.

A 12 yr old castrated male Yorkshire terrier was presented with a history of an inoperable pheochromocytoma. Physical examination revealed a large, midabdominal mass. Neurologic examination was normal at presentation.

Reirradiation of recurrent canine nasal tumors.

Canine nasal tumors are typically treated with radiation therapy but most patients develop local recurrence. Our purpose was to evaluate tumor and normal tissue response to reirradiation in nine dogs. The median dose delivered with the first protocol was 50 Gy (range 44-55 Gy) and the median fraction number was 18 (range 15-20).

Is rectal disimpact always necessary in children with chronic constipation? Evaluation with pelvic ultrasound.

Purpose: The aim of study was to evaluate if pelvic ultrasound can be useful in managing children with chronic idiopathic constipation.

Methods: A total of 270 children with idiopathic chronic constipation were enrolled in the study. At baseline and at monthly checkups children were evaluated by clinical score and pelvic ultrasound (US).

Comparison of systemic toxicities of 177Lu-DOTMP and 153Sm-EDTMP administered intravenously at equivalent skeletal doses to normal dogs.

Unlabelled: Bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals have been used to effectively treat cancer arising from and metastasizing to bone in humans and dogs. The rate of complete tumor control is low, and the geographic distribution of available compounds is limited by their half-lives. This experiment was done to evaluate in normal dogs the toxicity of (177)Lu-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetramethylene phosphonate ((177)Lu-DOTMP) used as a potential therapeutic radiopharmaceutical.

Survival, neurologic response, and prognostic factors in dogs with pituitary masses treated with radiation therapy and untreated dogs.

Background: Pituitary masses in dogs are not uncommon tumors that can cause endocrine and neurologic signs and, if left untreated, can decrease life expectancy.

Hypothesis: Dogs with pituitary masses that received radiation therapy (RT) have more favorable neurologic outcomes and longer survival times compared with untreated dogs.

Animals: Nineteen dogs with a pituitary mass identified on CT or MR imaging were irradiated with 48 Gy given in 3 Gy daily-dose fractions.