Diagnostic Value of Upar, IL-33, and ST2 Levels in Childhood Sepsis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Upar, IL-33, and ST2 in comparison with C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and Interleukin-6 in childhood sepsis.

Methods: A total of 128 children were included and 20 of them were the control group. We used only data showing a high probability of sepsis with blood culture positive children, because of this reason 68 children were excluded.

Evaluation of Etanercept Treatment in Newborn Rat Model with Hyperoxic Lung Injury.

Background: Many factors contribute to the development of BPD basically by increasing inflammation in preterm lungs. However, premature neonates have insufficient anti-inflammatory capacity. We aimed to evaluate the effect of etanercept, an anti-TNF agent, on BPD development in newborn rat model with hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

The Association between Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Level and Urine Cathelicidin in Children with a Urinary Tract Infection.

Objective: Cathelicidin is an important antimicrobial peptide in the urinary tract. Cathelicidin expression is strongly stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D in epithelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, and neutrophils. Vitamin D and cathelicidin status in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Escherichia coli is unknown.

The effect of the pre-pregnancy weight of the mother and the gestational weight gain on the bilirubin level of term newborn.

Objective: Jaundice is a problem in newborns. There are many maternal and infant-related factors affecting neonatal jaundice. The maternal pre-pregnancy weight, maternal body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain may have an effect on the newborn bilirubin levels.

Endocan and Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 as Novel Markers for Neonatal Sepsis.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit. Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) has been evaluated in sepsis and septic shock, and it was found to be valuable in distinguishing septic cases from nonseptic cases. Endocan is constitutively expressed by endothelial cells, and high levels of endocan may be of relevance for the promotion of systemic inflammation.

Long-Term Treatment with n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as a Monotherapy in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) treatment in obese children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: One hundred and eight obese (body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile for age and sex) adolescents with NAFLD were included in the study. Mean age of the subjects was 13.

Protective Effects of Valproic Acid, a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, against Hyperoxic Lung Injury in a Neonatal Rat Model.

Objective: Histone acetylation and deacetylation may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases. We evaluated the preventive effect of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, on neonatal hyperoxic lung injury.

Methods: Forty newborn rat pups were randomized in normoxia, normoxia+VPA, hyperoxia and hyperoxia+VPA groups.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infections and glycoprotein B genotypes in live-born infants: a prevalence study in Turkey.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are the leading cause of infectious hearing loss and central nervous system disease among children worldwide. In this study, we aimed to determine the birth prevalence of congenital CMV infection in live-born infants in Turkey.

Methods: In total, 944 consecutive live-born infants born from 926 pregnant women were included in this study.

High serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with pediatric sepsis.

Despite major advances in intensive care, sepsis continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D is involved in various physiologic functions, including cellular responses during infection and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in childhood sepsis because it can be fatal if diagnosis delayed.

Protective effects of melatonin therapy in model for neonatal hyperoxic lung injury.

Context: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common outcome of premature birth. Currently, no effective preventive therapy is available for BPD, but the major role of O2 toxicity in the development of BPD has gained attention, particularly for developing new antioxidants for prevention. The major protective mechanism of melatonin (MT) includes free-radical scavenging activity and activation of the cyclooxygenase-prostoglandin enzyme system.

Diagnostic value of elevated CXCR4 and CXCL12 in neonatal sepsis.

Objective: Neonatal sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns. The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 are now known to play an important role in inflammatory states. However, it is unclear how chemokines respond to late-onset neonatal sepsis.

The utility of serial plasma sE-selectin measurements in the prediction of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants.

Background: sE-selectin has recently been suggested as a surrogate marker for prediction of ROP development.

Aims: The possible role of serial plasma sE-selectin measurements in early prediction and diagnosis of ROP was evaluated.

Study Design: Prospective observational study

Subjects: Forty six preterm infants aged <34weeks of gestation and weighing <1500 g were enrolled.

Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity among children in kabul, afghanistan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are significant causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world, especially in underdeveloped countries like Afghanistan. Limited data are available concerning the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV in the pediatric age group in Afghanistan .

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess HBV, HCV and HIV serology among children at an outpatient clinic in Kabul.

Predictive value of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, soluble ST2, and IL-33 in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains an important complication of preterm births. The soluble form of ST2 (sST2), interleukin-33 (IL-33), and soluble form of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) have attracted increasing attention as biomarkers for different diseases. The aim of the current study was to assess the predictive value of plasma sST2, IL-33, and suPAR levels in patients with risk of BPD development.

Frequency, risk factors and outcomes of retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care hospital in Turkey.

The aim was to report outcomes of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening conducted between March 1999 and March 2012 in a retrospective manner before October 2005 (Group 1) and prospective manner thereafter (Group 2). Data of the neonates with either a gestational age of 34 weeks or less or with a birth weight of less than 1501 g were analyzed to elucidate the frequency of ROP, ROP-related risk factors and population characteristics. Of the 640 neonates, 240 (37.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is associated with insulin sensitivity in obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) and insulin resistance in obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Patients And Methods: Eighty-seven obese adolescents (45 girls and 42 boys, mean age: 12.7 ± 1.

uPAR, IL-33, and ST2 values as a predictor of subclinical chorioamnionitis in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is defined as rupture of membrane that happens before the onset of labor and 37 weeks. Subclinical intrauterine infection is major etiological factor in the pathogenesis that increases mortality and morbidity associated with PPROM. This study was performed to evaluate the levels of maternal serum urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), ST2 and interleukin (IL)-33 in PPROM and its relation with maternofetal infectious and morbidity.

Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin and RBP4 levels in obese and metabolic syndrome children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: To investigate the relationship of adiponectin, leptin, resistin and RBP4 levels in obese and metabolic syndrome children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Patients & Methods: Group I consisted of 63 obese children with liver steatosis, group II consisted of 12 obese children with elevated serum ALT activity from group I, and group III included 85 obese children without liver steatosis.

Results: Leptin levels were higher in the NAFLD children than in the control group.

Proadrenomedullin and serum amyloid A as a predictor of subclinical chorioamnionitis in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is defined as a spontaneous membrane rupture that occurs before the onset of labor and 37 weeks gestation. Subclinical intrauterine infection has been suggested as a very important etiological factor in the pathogenesis and subsequent morbidity related with PPROM. This study was performed to assess the levels of maternal proadrenomedullin (pro-ADM) and serum amyloid A (AA) in PPROM and its association with fetomaternal infectious morbidity.

Relationship of adipokines (adiponectin, resistin and RBP4) with metabolic syndrome components in pubertal obese children.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin, resistin and RBP4 levels and the components of metabolic syndrome.

Patients & Methods: Serum adiponectin, resistin and RBP4 levels were detected and analyzed in 148 8-18-year-old Turkish obese pubertal children with/without metabolic syndrome.

Results: Adiponectin and resistin concentrations were significantly inversely correlated with BMI standard deviation score, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance, waist circumference, triglyceride levels and diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and were directly correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine ameliorates hyperoxic lung injury in a neonatal rat model.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is an important cause of morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) treatment on hyperoxic lung injury in a neonatal rat model.

Methods: A total of 30 newborn pups were divided into control, hyperoxia, and hyperoxia + CDP-choline groups.

Evaluation of melatonin and prostaglandin E1 combination on necrotizing enterocolitis model in neonatal rats.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal emergencies in newborn infants but up to now there is no completely effective treatment for it.

Objective: In order to show that a combination of melatonin and prostaglandins may be useful to save lives, we use newborn rat as a model of necrotizing enterocolitis to test the hypothesis of using the combination therapy might have more potential effect on mucosal cytoprotection and healing.

Patients And Methods: A total of 60 newborn pups from 5 time-mated Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were divided equally into 5 groups as follows: NEC (subjected to NEC), NEC+Melatonin, NEC+Prostaglandin, NEC+Prostaglandin+Melatonin and control.

Association between insulin resistance and oxidative stress parameters in obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of oxidative stress with insulin resistance and metabolic risk factors in obese adolescents with NAFLD.

Methods: Forty-six obese adolescents (23 girls and 23 boys, mean age: 12.

Toll-like receptor levels and caffeine responsiveness in rat pups during perinatal period.

Infants born prematurely are prone to bronchopulmonary dysplasia which is a devastating form of chronic lung disease that develops in very low birth weight infants. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that initiate innate immune responses. We tested TLR2, 4, and 9 levels in the lungs of rat pups given caffeine at the first days of postnatal life.

CDP-choline reduces severity of intestinal injury in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) is an endogenous intermediate in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a contributor to the mucosal defense of the intestine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cytoprotective effect of CDP-choline treatment on intestinal cell damage, membrane phospholipid content, inflammation, and apoptosis in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Methods: We divided a total of 30 newborn pups into three groups: control, NEC, and NEC + CDP-choline.