Elevated Levels of Toxic Bile Acids in Serum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Mutations Causing Pancreatic Insufficiency.

Hepatobiliary involvement is a hallmark in cystic fibrosis (CF), as the causative CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) defect is expressed in the biliary tree. However, bile acid (BA) compositions in regard to pancreatic insufficiency, which is present at an early stage in about 85% of CF patients, have not been satisfactorily understood. We assess the pattern of serum BAs in people with CF (pwCF) without CFTR modulator therapy in regard to pancreatic insufficiency and the genotype.

Cross-sectional analysis of universal vitamin D supplementation in former East Germany during the first year of life.

Background: Universal vitamin D supplementation is controversial. Preventative examinations and public health initiatives in former East Germany that included vitamin D prophylaxis for children were regulated by official recommendations and guidelines. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of a standardised nationwide guideline for universal supplementation with 400 International Units (IU) vitamin D3/day during the first year of life on clinical and biochemical parameters and the influence of surrounding factors.

Effect of dexamethasone on the IGFBP-1 regulation in premature infants during the first weeks of life.

Background: Early glucosteroid treatment in preterm infants has a negative impact on physical growth and development. So far, data on dexamethasone effect on the GH/IGF axis and the clinical outcome are conflicting.

Objective: Therefore, we studied the effect of dexamethasone treatment on parameters of somatic growth and on the secretion of insulin like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin like growth factors binding proteins (IGFBPs) in preterm infants.

Expression of components of the IGF axis in childhood acute myelogenous leukemia.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system as regulator for cellular proliferation is of particular interest in search for new prognostic approaches in cancer treatment.

Procedure: We analyzed the mRNA expression profile of IGF-I, -II, and IGFBP-2, -3 in 50 children with previously untreated AML (mean age 10.8 +/- 4.

Associations between ghrelin levels in serum of preterm infants and enteral nutritional state during the first 6 months after birth.

Background: Previous studies have suggested a possible influence of ghrelin on foetal growth. After birth, the regulation of this newly discovered orexigenic peptide is largely unknown.

Objective: To study the relationship between circulating levels of ghrelin and enteral nutritional state in preterm infants during the first months of life.

Associations of the IGF/IGFBP axis and respiratory diseases in neonatal patients during the first 6 months of life.

Objectives: To analyse IGFs in respect to somatic growth and neonatal diseases during the first 6 months of life.

Methods: IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF binding proteins (IGFBP-1, -2, -3) were determined by immunoassays in neonatal patients after birth (n = 67) and at 3 (3 mo; n = 75) and 6 months (6 mo; n = 47) of corrected postnatal age. Data on growth were tested for associations to the gestational age, birth weight (bw) SDS (/-2 SDS), neonatal morbidity and therapeutic strategies.

The potential of digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) in the assessment of osteopenia in children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Loss of bone mass is a known complication of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. The gold standard in the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) is dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Objective: In this preliminary study we evaluated digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) which estimates BMD (DXR-BMD) from hand radiographs in children with IBD.

Does insulin-like growth factor 1 contribute in red blood cell transfusions to the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity during retinal neovascularization?

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are associated with the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). During the period of retinal neovascularization a rise of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may trigger rapid growth of new blood vessels.

Objectives: To study endocrine factors in RBC transfusions that might be of importance for ROP.

Assessment of skeletal age at the wrist in children with a new ultrasound device.

Background: Determination of skeletal development in children is important. The most common method of evaluation uses the standards of Greulich and Pyle (G and P) to assess the left hand radiograph. Numerous assessments may be made during follow-up.

Conjugated linoleic acid modulation of cell membrane in leukemia cells.

This study compared the cellular uptake of pure conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA(9c,11t) and CLA(9c,11c)) to linoleic acid (LA) and their effects on polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis, its metabolism into conjugated long chain fatty acids (FAs) by desaturation and chain-elongation as well as cell proliferation and the associated anticarcinogenic effects on various human leukemia cell lines (K562, REH, CCRF-CEM and U937 cells). Furthermore, selective effects of this individual isomers of CLA on desaturation steps involved in the biosynthesis of PUFAs associated with cell growth were investigated. CLA isomers supplemented in the culture medium was readily incorporated and esterified into phospholipids (PLs) in the four cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

Thyroid hormone response to moderate hypothermia in severe brain injury.

Objective: To examine the effect of controlled moderate hypothermia on thyroid response in head-injured patients.

Design: Prospective, controlled, randomized study.

Setting: University hospital intensive care unit (ICU).

Advanced glycation end products in children with chronic renal failure and type 1 diabetes.

Serum levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are markedly elevated in adults with chronic renal failure (CRF) and diabetes mellitus. Accumulation of AGEs in tissues contributes to the development of long-term complications. Up to now little has been known about the formation of AGEs in childhood.