Plasma AGE and Oxidation Products, Renal Function, and Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Observational Study.

Aims: We aimed to determine whether plasma advanced glycation end products or oxidation products (AGE/oxidation-P) predict altered renal function and/or preeclampsia (PE) in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: Prospectively, using a nested case-control design, we studied 47 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, of whom 23 developed PE and 24 did not. Nineteen nondiabetic, normotensive pregnant women provided reference values.

The Early Effects of the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Resident Education: A National Assessment.

Purpose: Residency programs must ensure resident competence for independent practice. The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted health care delivery, impacting pediatric residencies. This study examines the impact on pediatric resident education.

Exploring Factors Associated with Decisions about Feminizing Genitoplasty in Differences of Sex Development.

Study Objective: Infants with genital development considered atypical for assigned female sex may undergo feminizing genitoplasty (clitoroplasty and/or vaginoplasty) in early life. We sought to identify factors associated with parent/caregiver decisions regarding genitoplasty for their children with genital virilization.

Design: Longitudinal, observational study SETTING: Twelve pediatric centers in the United States with multidisciplinary differences/disorders of sex development clinics, 2015-2020 PARTICIPANTS: Children under 2 years old with genital appearance atypical for female sex of rearing and their parents/caregivers INTERVENTIONS/OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on the child's diagnosis and anatomic characteristics before surgery were extracted from the medical record.

Association of Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System Inhibitors and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Objectives: To determine the association of prior use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASIs) with mortality and outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Multicenter, international COVID-19 registry.

Bone Mass Accrual in First Six Months of Life: Impact of Maternal Diabetes, Infant Adiposity, and Cord Blood Adipokines.

The perinatal period is a time of substantial bone mass accrual with many factors affecting long-term bone mineralization. Currently it is unclear what effect maternal gestational/type 2 diabetes has on infant bone mass accrual. This is a prospective study of offspring of Native American and Hispanic mothers with normoglycemia (n = 94) and gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes (n = 64).

APOC3 genetic variation, serum triglycerides, and risk of coronary artery disease in Asian Indians, Europeans, and other ethnic groups.

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia has emerged as a critical coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor. Rare loss-of-function (LoF) variants in apolipoprotein C-III have been reported to reduce triglycerides (TG) and are cardioprotective in American Indians and Europeans. However, there is a lack of data in other Europeans and non-Europeans.

Elevated activity levels of activating autoantibodies to the GnRH receptor in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: 1) To confirm the correlation of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) activating autoantibody (AAb) activity with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis in large well defined cohorts; and 2) to evaluate suppression of AAb activity with GnRH antagonist medication in transfected GnRHR cells exposed to serum of PCOS patients.

Design: Cross-sectional matched case-control study.

Setting: University-based research facility.

Post-operative complications following masculinizing genitoplasty in moderate to severe genital atypia: results from a multicenter, observational prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Differences of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which there is atypical chromosomal, gonadal and/or phenotypic sex. A phenotype of severe genital atypia in patients raised as male is a relatively rare occurrence and standards for management are lacking. Decision making for early surgical planning in these rare cases includes, but is not limited to, degree of atypia, location of testes, and presence of Mϋllerian remnants.

Illness Uncertainty Longitudinally Predicts Distress Among Caregivers of Children Born With DSD.

Objective: A subset of parents of children with disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) including ambiguous genitalia experience clinically elevated levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Research indicates that uncertainty about their child's DSD is associated with parent psychosocial distress; however, previous studies have been cross-sectional or correlational in nature. The current study is the first to examine the longitudinal trajectory of the relationship between caregiver-perceived uncertainty about their child's DSD and caregiver anxious and depressive symptoms across the first 12 months following genital surgery in young children, or if surgery was not performed, the first 12 months following study entry.

The Role of GnRH Receptor Autoantibodies in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective: Is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) associated with activating autoantibodies (AAb) to the second extracellular loop (ECL2) of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR)?

Design And Methods: We retrospectively screened sera from 40 patients with PCOS and 14 normal controls (NCs) with regular menses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of GnRHR-ECL2-AAb. We obtained similar data from 40 non-PCOS ovulatory but infertile patients as a control group (OIC) of interest. We analyzed GnRHR-ECL2-AAb activity in purified immunoglobulin (Ig)G using a cell-based GnRHR bioassay.

Vitamin D Metabolites and Binding Protein Predict Preeclampsia in Women with Type 1 Diabetes.

The risk for preeclampsia (PE) is enhanced ~4-fold by the presence of maternal type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Vitamin D is essential for healthy pregnancy. We assessed the total, bioavailable, and free concentrations of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D), and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) at ~12, ~22, and ~32 weeks' gestation ("Visits" (V) 1, 2, and 3, respectively) in 23 T1DM women who developed PE, 24 who remained normotensive, and 19 non-diabetic, normotensive women (reference controls).

Post-operative complications following feminizing genitoplasty in moderate to severe genital atypia: Results from a multicenter, observational prospective cohort study.

Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which there is atypical chromosomal, gonadal and/or phenotypic sex. While there remains controversy around the traditionally binary concept of sex, most patients with DSD are reared either male or female depending on their genetic sex, gonadal sex, genital phenotype and status of their internal genital tract. This study uses prospective data from 12 institutions across the United States that specialize in DSD care.

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Product Verification Testing Samples from U.S. Department of Agriculture-Regulated Producing Establishments, 2005 through 2017.

Abstract: Ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry product samples collected between 2005 and 2017 from RTE-producing establishments for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ALLRTE/RTEPROD_RAND (random) and RTE001/RTEPROD_RISK (risk-based) sampling projects were tested for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).

Incidence of Epinephrine Reactions With Local Anesthesia in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Background: The incidence of reactions to epinephrine-containing local anesthetics in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has not been established.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of epinephrine-induced reactions from local anesthetics in patients who undergo MMS for the removal of cutaneous malignancies.

Methods: From 2016 to 2018, 200 MMS patients were recruited from the authors' surgical center.

Validation of apixaban anti-factor Xa assay and impact of body weight.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used as therapies for venous thromboembolism and other cardiovascular diseases. However, routine coagulation monitoring is not required, but may be clinically indicated in high risk populations including obese patients.

Objectives: The aims of this study were two fold; to validate a chromogenic assay for anti-factor Xa measurement in patients taking apixaban, and correlate it with PT/INR and PTT, and to measure anti-factor Xa levels in patients who weighed >120 kg.

Predictors of Psychosocial Distress in Parents of Young Children with Disorders of Sex Development.

Purpose: We evaluated demographic, financial and support predictors of distress for parents of young children with disorders of sex development including atypical genital development, and characterized early parental experiences. This work extends our previous findings to identify those parents at risk for distress.

Materials And Methods: Participants included mothers (76) and fathers (63) of a child (78) diagnosed with disorders of sex development characterized by moderate to severe genital atypia.

Haptoglobin Phenotype Modulates Lipoprotein-Associated Risk for Preeclampsia in Women With Type 1 Diabetes.

Context: The incidence of preeclampsia (PE) is increased in women with diabetes (∼20% vs ∼5% in the general population), and first trimester lipoprotein profiles are predictive. Haptoglobin (Hp), a protein with functional genetic polymorphisms, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic effects. Among people with diabetes, the Hp 2-2 phenotype is associated with cardiorenal disease.

Obesogenic Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms' Influence on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in American Indian Children.

Background: American Indian (AI) populations suffer disproportionately from cardiovascular disease and depression as compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Behaviors that contribute to obesity are considered obesogenic and include poor diet, low physical activity, and high screen time. This study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and obesogenic behaviors on cardiometabolic risk factors in AI youth.

Baseline Characteristics of Infants With Atypical Genital Development: Phenotypes, Diagnoses, and Sex of Rearing.

Purpose: Little is known about the phenotypes, diagnoses, and sex of rearing of infants with atypical genital development in the United States. As part of a multicenter study of these infants, we have provided a baseline report from US difference/disorder of sex development clinics describing the diagnoses, anatomic features, and sex of rearing. We also determined whether consensus guidelines are followed for sex designation in the United States.

ESRD and ESRD-DM associated with lignite-containing aquifers in the U.S. Gulf Coast region of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is an irreversible, lethal kidney disease that occurs in regions of the Balkans where residents drink untreated well water. A key factor contributing to the development of BEN may be consumption of dissolved organic matter leached from low-rank coal called lignite. This hypothesis-known as lignite-water hypothesis-was first posed for areas of the Balkans.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Autoantibodies in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.

Background: Both the adrenergic and renin-angiotensin systems contribute to orthostatic circulatory homeostasis, which is impaired in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Activating autoantibodies to the α1-adrenergic and β1/2-adrenergic receptors have previously been found in sera from patients with POTS. We hypothesized that patients with POTS might also harbor activating autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) independently of antiadrenergic autoimmunity.