Using survey data to estimate the impact of the omicron variant on vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 infection.

Symptoms-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not a substitute for precise diagnostic tests but can provide insight into the likely level of infection in a given population. This study uses symptoms data collected in the Global COVID-19 Trends and Impact Surveys (UMD Global CTIS), and data on variants sequencing from GISAID. This work, conducted in January of 2022 during the emergence of the Omicron variant (subvariant BA.

Expression of microRNA-184 in keratinocytes represses argonaute 2.

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorders. However, the impact of IL-22 on microRNA (miRNA) expression in epidermal keratinocytes is unknown. Here we show that IL-22 induces miR-184 in reconstituted human epidermis (RHE) and in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line.

Dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound for lower urinary tract symptoms in children--initial report on normative values.

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in children. The aim of this study was to determine normal values for pelvic floor movement in asymptomatic controls to allow comparison with symptomatic children with dysfunctional voiding (DV) in the next phase of the study.

Material And Methods: One hundred children between the ages of 5-17 years were recruited prospectively as controls.

Splenogonadal fusion and sex reversal.

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital malformation where an abnormal union occurs between the spleen and gonad or mesonephric derivatives. Although it occurs in females it is much less prevalent than in males (male:female ratio, 16:1), but this may partly be because of the inaccessibility of the female gonads leading to under-diagnosis. To our knowledge this is the first case of splenogonadal fusion associated with sex reversal reported in the literature.

20 mm lithium button battery causing an oesophageal perforation in a toddler: lessons in diagnosis and treatment.

Swallowed button batteries (BB) which remain lodged in the oesophagus are at risk of serious complications, particularly in young children. The authors report a 3-year-old child, who rapidly developed an oesophageal perforation, following the ingestion of a 20-mm lithium BB which was initially mistaken for a coin. A thoracotomy and T-tube management of the perforation led to a positive outcome.

Hypospadias surgery past, present and future.

Purpose Of Review: Hypospadias surgery has been in continuous evolution for many years with steadily improving reported results. Despite this many unanswered questions on its cause, management and outcomes remain. Recent research has done little to clarify most matters.

Infantile urinary tract infection and timing of micturating cystourethrogram.

Objective: The investigation of infantile febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is still a subject of debate and controversy. To evaluate for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) most authorities recommend a micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) to be performed at least 4 weeks after UTI to avoid false positive.

Patients And Methods: At a tertiary centre for paediatric specialities, information on 427 infants who had undergone MCUG following a first febrile UTI was prospectively recorded and their case notes reviewed.

Combinatorial interaction between two human serotonin transporter gene variable number tandem repeats and their regulation by CTCF.

Two distinct variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) within the human serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) have been implicated as predisposing factors for CNS disorders. The linked polymorphic region in the 5'-promoter exists as short (s) and long (l) alleles of a 22 or 23 bp elements. The second within intron 2 (Stin2) exists as three variants containing 9, 10 or 12 copies of a 16 or 17 bp element.

Factors affecting the outcome of foreskin reconstruction in hypospadias surgery.

Objective: Despite ongoing refinement of numerous techniques, the incidence of complications following hypospadias repair is still significant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors that affect the success in childhood of foreskin reconstruction with hypospadias repair.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was carried out of all primary hypospadias repairs with foreskin reconstruction (n=408) over the last 23 years.

Differential regulation of the serotonin transporter gene by lithium is mediated by transcription factors, CCCTC binding protein and Y-box binding protein 1, through the polymorphic intron 2 variable number tandem repeat.

The serotoninergic pathways are possible targets for the action of lithium, a therapeutic agent for treatment of bipolar affective disorders. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating human serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) expression by lithium and, specifically, the role of the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphic region in intron 2, which is potentially a predisposing genetic factor for bipolar affective disorders. We demonstrated that addition of lithium to human JAr cells led to changes in the levels of SLC6A4 mRNA and protein.

Experience of bedside preformed silo staged reduction and closure for gastroschisis.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of routine staged reduction and closure at the bedside, using preformed silos with no general anesthesia (PSnoGA), compared to emergency operative fascial closure (OFC) under general anesthesia for gastroschisis (GS).

Methods: A retrospective matched case-control analysis of neonates with GS was performed between 1990 and 2004 inclusively. Assessment included demographics, method of closure, days on ventilator, days to first enteral feed, days to full oral feeds, days on parenteral nutrition, length of hospital stay, and complications.

Interval laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Background: Conservative management of advanced complicated appendicitis in children is becoming more common. Formation of an appendiceal mass or abscess may mitigate against urgent appendectomy during the acute stage, and conservative treatment followed by interval appendectomy has been advocated. We present our experience of interval laparoscopic appendectomy in our institution.

Laparoscopic antegrade continence enema using a two-port technique.

Background: The antegrade continence enema is an effective method of treatment of fecal incontinence. We report our experience of a laparoscopic antegrade continence enema procedure and describe a simple approach to this procedure using a two-port technique.

Materials And Methods: Over a 3-year period, 12 children with intractable constipation and fecal soiling underwent the antegrade continence enema procedure laparoscopically.

Delays in the diagnosis of anorectal malformations are common and significantly increase serious early complications.

Aim: To clarify the extent of delayed diagnosis of anorectal malformations and the consequences of delaying this diagnosis.

Methods: We performed a retrospective case review of all neonatal admissions with an anorectal malformation to a tertiary paediatric surgery unit. A delayed diagnosis was considered to be one made 24 h or more after birth.

Laparoscopic-assisted transanal endorectal coloanal anastomosis for Hirschsprung's disease.

Background: There has been a recent trend in the use of laparoscopic-assisted one-stage pull-through in the management of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). We describe our initial experience using laparoscopy with a transanal coloanal anastomosis as described by Rintala and Lindhal for HD.

Methods: Six children with biopsy-confirmed HD underwent laparoscopic-assisted pull-through using Rintala's transanal endorectal coloanal anastomosis.

YB-1 and CTCF differentially regulate the 5-HTT polymorphic intron 2 enhancer which predisposes to a variety of neurological disorders.

The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene contains a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) domain within intron 2 that is often associated with a number of neurological conditions, including affective disorders. The implications of this polymorphism are not yet understood, however, we have previously demonstrated that the 5-HTT VNTR is a transcriptional regulatory domain, and the allelic variation supports differential reporter gene expression in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to identify transcription factors responsible for the regulation of this VNTR.

Compulsory drug treatment in Canada: historical origins and recent developments.

In Canada, illicit drug use and addiction have traditionally been considered as a criminal justice problem and have been addressed from a legal perspective. Over the past century, a medical approach to drug addiction has slowly crept into the criminal justice processing of drug offenders. This has happened through the combination of principles of punishment with principles of addiction treatment in the sentencing of drug offenders to create a distinct application of 'compulsory drug treatment' in Canada.