EP2 Receptor Blockade Attenuates COX-2 Upregulation During Intestinal Inflammation.

High levels of PGE2 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammatory disorders such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and peritonitis. However, PGE2 has a paradoxical effect: its low levels promote intestinal homeostasis, whereas high levels may contribute to pathology. These concentration-dependent effects are mediated by four receptors, EP1-EP4.

Lactobacillus murinus HF12 colonizes neonatal gut and protects rats from necrotizing enterocolitis.

The use of lactobacilli in prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is hampered by insufficient knowledge about optimal species/strains and effects on intestinal bacterial populations. We therefore sought to identify lactobacilli naturally occurring in postnatal rats and examine their ability to colonize the neonatal intestine and protect from NEC. L.

Soybean-derived recombinant human epidermal growth factor protects against experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) reduces necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, its high cost virtually prohibits clinical use. To reduce cost, soybean expressing human EGF was developed.

Colonization with Escherichia coli EC 25 protects neonatal rats from necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants; yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. To evaluate the role of intestinal bacteria in protection against NEC, we assessed the ability of naturally occurring intestinal colonizer E. coli EC25 to influence composition of intestinal microbiota and NEC pathology in the neonatal rat model.

Limiting chest computed tomography in the evaluation of pediatric thoracic trauma.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the chest (chest CT) is overused in blunt pediatric thoracic trauma. Chest CT adds to the diagnosis of thoracic injury but rarely changes patient management. We sought to identify a subset of blunt pediatric trauma patients who would benefit from a screening chest CT based on their admission chest x-ray (CXR) findings.

Roles of nitric oxide and intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis remains one of the most vexing problems in the neonatal intensive care unit. Risk factors for NEC include prematurity, formula feeding, and inappropriate microbial colonization of the GI tract. The pathogenesis of NEC is believed to involve weakening of the intestinal barrier by perinatal insults, translocation of luminal bacteria across the weakened barrier, an exuberant inflammatory response, and exacerbation of the barrier damage by inflammatory factors, leading to a vicious cycle of inflammation-inflicted epithelial damage.

The non-diagnostic ultrasound in appendicitis: is a non-visualized appendix the same as a negative study?

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate outcomes in children who underwent a non-diagnostic ultrasound (US) evaluating for appendicitis and to identify predictors of a negative diagnosis.

Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective chart review was performed on patients age 0-18, who underwent an abdominal US evaluating for acute appendicitis from 2004 through 2013. Clinical data and specified outcomes were recorded, and exams were categorized into non-diagnostic studies and further separated into studies where the appendix was non-visualized.