Protective effect of soluble Klotho in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass support-A pilot study.

Objective: The Klotho protein family plays important roles in several metabolic pathways. Soluble Klotho has been recently put forward as an antiaging protein, demonstrating renal and cardiovascular protective traits. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support during cardiac surgery has been implicated in several adverse outcomes in pediatric and adult patients.

A Phase I clinical trial of dose-escalated metabolic therapy combined with concomitant radiation therapy in high-grade glioma.

Background: Animal brain-tumor models have demonstrated a synergistic interaction between radiation therapy and a ketogenic diet (KD). Metformin has in-vitro anti-cancer activity, through AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition. We hypothesized that the metabolic stress induced by a KD combined with metformin would enhance radiation's efficacy.

Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus using circulating microRNAs.

Design: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications and its prevalence is constantly rising worldwide. Diagnosis is commonly in the late second or early third trimester of pregnancy, though the development of GDM starts early; hence, first-trimester diagnosis is feasible.

Objective: Our objective was to identify microRNAs that best distinguish GDM samples from those of healthy pregnant women and to evaluate the predictive value of microRNAs for GDM detection in the first trimester.

The Impact of Preterm Infants' Continuous Exposure to Breast Milk Odor on Stress Parameters: A Pilot Study.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to assess the effect of continuous exposure to the odor of own mothers' breast milk (BM) on the stress parameters of preterm infants.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen healthy preterm infants were included. Mean heart rate and salivary cortisol were measured over three consecutive time periods, each lasting 2 days: (1) preintervention (odor free); (2) intervention, during which a cotton pad soaked with 1.

The metabolic syndrome and its components in pediatric survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a known complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) that contributes to long-term morbidity. We assessed the prevalence of components of the MetS in pediatric survivors of allogeneic HSCT and identified associated risk factors. Thirty-eight patients, median age at HSCT, 8.

Cardiovascular health among two ethnic groups living in the same region: A population-based study.

Background: Poor cardiovascular health (CVH) among ethnic/racial minorities, studied primarily in the USA, may reflect lower access to healthcare. We examined factors associated with minority CVH in a setting of universal access to healthcare.

Methods And Results: CVH behaviors and factors were evaluated in a random population sample (551 Arabs, 553 Jews) stratified by sex, ethnicity and age.

Epilepsy and behavioral changes, type 1 diabetes mellitus and a high titer of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies.

Autoantibodies to the 65 kDa isoform of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD65Ab) are associated with a range of clinical disorders, including type 1 diabetes (T1D) and stiff-person syndrome (SPS). In this article we describe a young girl who was diagnosed with T1D at the end of her first year of life and developed drug-resistant epilepsy 18 months later, followed by behavioral disturbances. She was admitted to our center at the age of 5 yr, at which time high GAD65Ab titers were detected in the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Klotho response to treatment with growth hormone and the role of IGF-I as a mediator.

Context: Klotho is an aging-modulating protein expressed mainly in the kidneys, which can be cleaved and shed to act as a circulating hormone. Several lines of evidence suggest a tight interaction between klotho and the GH-IGF-I axis. We showed previously that klotho levels are decreased in pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome Caused by a Novel Mutation of an Anti-MüIlerian Hormone Receptor Gene: Case Presentation and Literature Review.

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare genetic disorder of male internal sexual development defined as lack of regression of Müllerian derivatives in the 46XY male with normally virilized external genitalia and unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism. Approximately 85% of all cases are caused by mutations in genes encoding anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) or its receptor (AMHR2) with autosomal recessive transmission. This condition is frequently diagnosed incidentally, during surgical repair of inguinal hernia or cryptorchidism.

Glucose intolerance in cystic fibrosis as a determinant of pulmonary function and clinical status.

Background: Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) is associated with a decrease in pulmonary function and nutritional status. We investigated the clinical significance of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Methods: Fifty-five CF patients (aged 22.

Alteration in serum klotho levels in anorexia nervosa patients.

Background & Aims: Klotho is a trans-membrane protein which can be shed to act as a hormone; its blood levels may be regulated by the GH/IGF-1 axis. Klotho deficient mice exhibit short lifespan and characteristics of aging and malnutrition, including decreased fat and muscle mass, osteopenia, and impaired fertility. As anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by malnutrition and GH resistance, we hypothesized klotho levels would be altered in AN, and aimed to assess klotho levels in undernourished AN patients and changes in klotho following weight rehabilitation.

Leptin, ghrelin, and adiponectin in the metabolic adjustment to burn injury in children.

Objective: Leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin have diverse roles in the control of inflammation and metabolism in a normal state as well as in a chronic disease state. The aim of this study was to evaluate their role in the extreme metabolic and proinflammatory state after burn injury and during the initial weeks of recovery.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study in a tertiary care center was undertaken.

Omentin, an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing properties, is negatively associated with insulin resistance in normal gestation.

Objective: Omentin, a newly identified adipokine, enhances insulin mediated glucose uptake in human adipocytes, thus, inducing systemic insulin-sensitizing effect. The aims of this study were to determine whether circulating maternal omentin levels are associated with insulin resistance indices and to assess which compartment, maternal, fetal, or placental, is the source of omentin in maternal circulation.

Methods: Fasting serum glucose, insulin, and omentin were determined in 25 healthy pregnant women at the third trimester, before and 3 days after elective cesarean section.

Association between decreased klotho blood levels and organic growth hormone deficiency in children with growth impairment.

Objective: Klotho is an aging-modulating protein expressed mainly in the kidneys and choroid plexus, which can also be shed, released into the circulation and act as a hormone. Klotho deficient mice are smaller compared to their wild-type counterparts and their somatotropes show marked atrophy and reduced number of secretory granules. Recent data also indicated an association between klotho levels and growth hormone (GH) levels in acromegaly.

Chemerin concentrations in maternal and fetal compartments: implications for metabolic adaptations to normal human pregnancy.

Objectives: Chemerin, a novel adipocytokine, has been implicated in major metabolic and inflammatory processes. Study aims were to determine whether circulating maternal chemerin concentration (1) differs between pregnant and non-pregnant women, (2) changes as a function of gestational age, and (3) correlates with maternal insulin resistance. In addition, we investigated which compartment, maternal, fetal or placental, is the source of chemerin in maternal circulation.

RNA-binding protein PTB and microRNA-221 coregulate AdipoR1 translation and adiponectin signaling.

Adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) mediates adiponectin's pleiotropic effects in muscle and liver and plays an important role in the regulation of insulin resistance and diabetes. Here, we demonstrate a pivotal role for microRNA-221 (miR-221) and the RNA-binding protein polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) in posttranscriptional regulation of AdipoR1 during muscle differentiation and in obesity. RNA-immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays illustrated that both PTB and miR-221 bind AdipoR1-3'UTR and cooperatively inhibit AdipoR1 translation.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) downregulation in late antral stages is impaired in PCOS patients. A study in normo-ovulatory and PCOS patients undergoing in vitro maturation (IVM) treatments.

Purpose: To prospectively study the AMH expression and secretion pattern in mural granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular fluid (FF) from small follicles and medium follicles that were collected from normo-ovulatory (NO) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing in vitro maturation (IVM) treatments.

Methods: FF AMH levels and mRNA expression of mural GCs were measured in small (≤ 10 mm) and medium size follicles (11-15 mm) obtained from IVM treatments and large size follicles (≥ 16 mm) obtained from in vitro fertilization treatments.

Results: First, we show that AMH expression and protein level in the FF of NO patients were significantly higher in the small size follicles than in the medium and large size follicles (p < 0.

Cyclophosphamide triggers follicle activation and "burnout"; AS101 prevents follicle loss and preserves fertility.

Premature ovarian failure and infertility are major side effects of chemotherapy treatments in young cancer patients. A more thorough understanding of the mechanism behind chemotherapy-induced follicle loss is necessary to develop new methods to preserve fertility in these patients. We show that the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (Cy) activates the growth of the quiescent primordial follicle population in mice, resulting in loss of ovarian reserve.

Vitamin D status in pediatric patients with a history of malignancy.

Background: Multiple studies associate low vitamin D levels with cancer morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have measured vitamin D in pediatric patients with malignancy. Our aim was to assess vitamin D status in a large cohort of pediatric patients with cancer and to define risk factors for deficiency.

Regulation and function of adiponectin receptors in skeletal muscle.

Obesity-induced insulin resistance is a primary contributing factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived abundant plasma protein, has profound effects on systemic insulin sensitivity through direct action of the hormone on liver and muscle. The biological responses to adiponectin are mediated by two distinct receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, which differ in their affinities for adiponectin isoforms and exhibit cell type-specific effects.

Chemerin is present in human cord blood and is positively correlated with birthweight.

Objective: Chemerin, a novel adipokine, has been implicated in adipogenesis, inflammation, and metabolism. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of chemerin in cord blood and its association with birthweight.

Study Design: This cross-sectional study included the following: (1) twins with (n = 24) or without (n = 28) birthweight discordancy; and (2) singletons subclassified into small-for-gestational-age (SGA; n = 18); appropriate for gestational age (AGA; n = 33); and large-for-gestational-age (LGA; n = 8).

Evaluation of leptin levels among fibromyalgia patients before and after three months of treatment, in comparison with healthy controls.

Background: Leptin, an adipocyte-produced cytokine, interacts with various hormones, including those of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by widespread pain accompanied by tenderness. The pathogenesis involves a disturbance in pain processing and transmission by the central nervous system, leading to a general increase in pain perception.

Cord blood adiponectin and infant growth at one year.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between cord blood adiponectin and leptin and early infant growth at one year in small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.

Study Design: In this prospective study adiponectin and leptin concentrations were determined in cord blood of (i) AGA newborns (n = 44) and (ii) SGA newborns (n = 24). At one year of age, height and weight were measured.

Insulin sensitivity in late gestation and early postpartum period: the role of circulating maternal adipokines.

Objective: Early postpartum period is characterised by a dramatic decrease in insulin resistance and significant metabolic alterations. The aims of this study were to determine the changes in circulating maternal concentrations of total adiponectin, adiponectin multimers, leptin and resistin before and after the delivery and to explore their relationship with insulin sensitivity.

Methods: Twenty-seven normal pregnant women at term were included in this longitudinal study.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent transactivation of ErbB receptor family: a novel common mechanism for stress-induced IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and insulin resistance.

Objective: Stress stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been shown to induce insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 serine phosphorylation and insulin resistance by transactivation of ErbB receptors. We aimed at elucidating the potential role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in mediating stress-induced ErbB receptors activation.

Research Design And Methods: p38MAPK effect on ErbBs transactivation and insulin signaling was assessed in Fao or HepG2 cells, exposed to stress stimuli, and on metabolic parameters in ob/ob and C57/BL6 mice.