Effects of swim stress and alpha-MSH acute pre-treatment on brain 5-HT transporter and corticosterone receptor.

The forced swim test (FST) can lead to stress-related diseases such as depression, through activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and corticosteroid disregulation. Among the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) has been shown to regulate long-lasting behavioral responses. Moreover, serotonergic pathways in various brain areas are activated by stressors, a feature that suggests a role for serotonin in both stress-induced HPAA disregulation and depressive physiopathology.

Genetic and morphological findings in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (Byler disease [PFIC-1] and Byler syndrome): evidence for heterogeneity.

Byler disease (ByD) is an autosomal recessive disorder in which cholestasis of onset in infancy leads to hepatic fibrosis and death. Children who have a clinically similar disorder, but are not members of the Amish kindred in which ByD was described, are said to have Byler syndrome (ByS). Controversy exists as to whether ByD and ByS (subtypes of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis [PFIC]) represent one clinicopathological entity.

Lessons learned from autopsies at a pediatric teaching hospital.

Twenty-six percent of pediatric patients had discrepant major diagnoses revealed at autopsy. A printed form used to document permission for autopsies improved the autopsy rate. No variables were found to predict the success rate for obtaining autopsies.

Association of Epstein-Barr virus with leiomyosarcomas in young people with AIDS.

Background: Children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have an unusually high incidence of smooth-muscle tumors (leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas) in addition to malignant lymphomas. We tested the hypothesis that the smooth-muscle tumors in these children are associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Methods: Tissue specimens of five leiomyosarcomas and two leiomyomas from six children with AIDS were studied for evidence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and EBV by in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Radiographic patterns of PLH/LIP in HIV positive children.

A retrospective study was performed of the radiographic patterns of the lungs in children being followed in the Children's Hospital Aids Program (CHAP). The most consistent finding was a diffuse reticulonodular pattern in the lungs. In addition, lung consolidation, either isolated or in combination with nodules, was noted.