Transcriptome profiling of regulatory T cells from children with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy.

Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI) is one of the most common forms of hypogammaglobulinemia in the early childhood. THI is usually associated with chronic, recurrent bacterial and viral infections, life-threatening in some cases, yet its pathogenesis is still largely unknown. As our previous findings indicated the possible role of Treg cells in the pathomechanism of THI, the aim of the current study was to investigate gene expression profile of Treg cells isolated from THI patients.

Invitation to participate in a multi-center study for validation of cerebral computed tomography angiography and computed tomography perfusion in the determination of cerebral circulatory arrest during brain death/death by neurological criteria diagnosis procedure in paediatric population below 12 years of age.

We would like to invite paediatric intensive care units (PICU) to join our multi-center trial concerning patient population < 12 y/o and aiming at: • validation of computed tomography angiography (CTA)/computed tomography perfusion (CTP) tests for brain death/death by neurological criteria (BD/DNC) diagnosis procedures, • validation of duplex Doppler insonation of extracranial segments of the internal cerebral arteries and the vertebral arteries for choosing an optimal time for CTA/CTP testing.

Selective downregulation of natural killer activating receptors on NK cells and upregulation of PD-1 expression on T cells in children with severe and/or recurrent Herpes simplex virus infections.

Severe, recurrent or atypical Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are still posing clinical and diagnostic problem in clinical immunology facilities. However, the molecular background of this disorder is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activating receptors on NK cells (CD16, NKp46, NKG2D, NKp80, 2B4, CD48 and NTB-A) and checkpoint molecule PD-1 on T lymphocytes and NK cells, in patients with severe and/or recurrent infections with HSV and age-matched healthy control subjects.

Lidocaine as an element of multimodal analgesic therapy in major spine surgical procedures in children: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Background: Introducing the principles of multimodal analgesic therapy is necessary to provide appropriate comfort for the patient after surgery. The main objective of the study was evaluating the influence of perioperative intravenous (i.v.

Lidocaine Reduces Sevoflurane Consumption and Improves Recovery Profile in Children Undergoing Major Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND Intravenous lidocaine administered during surgery improves postoperative outcomes; however, few studies have evaluated the relationship between intravenous lidocaine and volatile anesthetics requirements. This study assessed the effects of lidocaine treatment on sevoflurane consumption and postoperative consciousness disorders in children undergoing major spine surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups: lidocaine and placebo (control).

Effect of intravenous, perioperative-administered lidocaine on serum levels of endocannabinoids and related N-acylethanolamines in children.

Background: Endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) are compounds that play a significant role in nociception. The promising therapeutic opportunities in postoperative pain management are connected with intra-venous (i.v.

Intravenous, Perioperatively Administered Lidocaine Regulates Serum Pain Modulators' Concentrations in Children Undergoing Spinal Surgery.

Objectives: We analyzed the influence of perioperative, intravenous (i.v.) lidocaine infusion as a part of multimodal anesthesia on concentrations of selected pain modulators.

Impact of Intravenous, Perioperative-Administrated Lidocaine on Postoperative Serum Levels of Endogenous Opioids in Children.

Background: Endogenous opioids are neuropeptides involved in pain-relieving processes. In the periphery, they are synthesised and stored in cells of the immune system.

Objective: In the current study, we describe the influence of perioperative, intravenous (i.

The level of myeloid-derived suppressor cells positively correlates with regulatory T cells in the blood of children with transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of infancy.

Introduction: Transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of infancy (THI) is a primary immunodeficiency characterised by low levels of immunoglobulin G (often with concomitant decrease of IgA and sometimes also of IgM) with still unknown exact reason. A delayed normalisation of the immunoglobulin level in THI may be associated with a transiently elevated number of regulatory T cells (Treg). Although in cancer and chronic inflammation it was shown that the level of Treg cells can be increased by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), until now no studies have been performed in the context of the role of MDSCs in THI and their correlation with Treg cells.

Factors affecting mortality in children requiring continuous renal replacement therapy in pediatric intensive care unit.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in up to 30% of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients and is associated with a high mortality rate.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate factors associated with the outcome and to identify the prognostic factors in children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Material And Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study, including 46 patients.

Postoperative pain after spinal surgery in the paediatric population.

Introduction: Postoperative pain is a major aftereffect of surgery. Especially severe occurs after extensive operations within the spine. The goal of the study was to investigate the laboratory predictive factors of intensive postoperative pain in children undergoing extensive surgery Patients and methods: We recruited 41 children, age median 13 years (IQR:10-15 years) undergoing extensive spine surgery.

Benefits of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for open appendectomy in children.

Background: One of the most frequently performed emergency surgical procedures in children is an appendectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of supplementing standard, general anaesthesia with the ultrasound-guided right TAP block.

Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 90 children of both sexes, aged 4-16 years with a body mass of 16-78 kg who underwent general anaesthesia for open appendectomy.

Filter Size Not the Anticoagulation Method is the Decisive Factor in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Circuit Survival.

Background/aim: As continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has emerged as a standard therapy in pediatric intensive care units (PICU), many related issues that may have an impact on circuit survival have gained in importance. Objective of the study was an evaluation of factors associated with circuit survival, including anticoagulation (ACG).

Methods: Retrospective study that included 40 patients, who in total received 7636 hours of CRRT during 150 sessions (84 filters, 4260 hours with heparin anticoagulation (Hep-ACG); 66 filters, 3376 hours with regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA)).

Comparison of 6B11 mAb and α-GalCer-loaded CD1d dextramers for detection of iNKT cells by flow cytometry.

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a small population of thymus-derived T cells that are restricted by non-classical MHC class I molecule CD1d and express an evolutionary conserved TCR with an invariant α-chain. The frequency of iNKT cells in peripheral blood is very low, thus, accurate methods to identify and enumerate iNKT cells are needed. The aim of the study was to compare 6B11 mAb or α-GalCer-loaded CD1d dextramers usage in iNKT cell detection.

Potts' shunt in a child with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension - one-and-a-half year observation.

This paper presents the case of a young girl with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, who developed signs of severe heart failure within a short period of time. Pharmacotherapy with sildenafil and bosentan (among other drugs) was ineffective. Heart catheterization revealed suprasystemic pressure in the pulmonary artery.

Intensive care of conjoined twins.

Conjoined twinning is one of the most uncommon congenital anomalies. Maintenance in an intensive care setting during this time allows for close monitoring, stabilisation, and nutritional supplementation of the infants as necessary to optimise preoperative growth and development. The birth of conjoined twins is a very difficult and dramatic moment for parents.

Anaesthesia of conjoined twins.

Conjoined twins have been a source of fascination to the public and the medical profession for centuries. Their birth was initially viewed as an ominous sign of impending disaster. Since Middle Ages into the 19th century they were regarded as monstrosities and were exhibited at circuses and sideshows.

History of treatment of conjoined twins.

This paper presents a history of the treatment of conjoined twins. The first mention of this malformation comes from the Neolithic period. Conjoined twins were depicted in mythologies of ancient peoples.

Anaesthesia of conjoined twins - case series.

As any complex surgical procedure, separation of conjoined twins requires complex anaesthesia management that is a prerequisite of performing the operation, while complex postoperative care is a decisive factor in the survival of the patients. The paper describes the anaesthetic management for surgical operations in ten sets of conjoined twins in the Children's Hospital of Cracow during 1977-2005. The anaesthetic technique and associated problems are summarized.

Acute kidney injury in a single pediatric intensive care unit in Poland: a retrospective study.

Background/aims: The recent improvements of management of patients in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) are associated with improved outcome. However, this decrease in mortality is associated with an increased number of children with acute kidney injury (AKI), especially in patients with multiorgan failure.

Methods: The report presents a retrospective analysis of 25 cases of AKI (assessed based on the pRIFLE criteria) in PICU within 7 years.

Torticollis as a first sign of posterior fossa and cervical spinal cord tumors in children.

Background: Torticollis, despite being well-known neurological manifestation, is often underestimated as a first symptom of the abnormalities of posterior cranial cavity and cervical spinal cord.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the occurrence of acquired torticollis in children as a herald sign of the tumors of the cervical spinal cord or of the posterior fossa.

Methods: Clinical records of 54 cases treated for the tumor of the cervical spinal cord or posterior fossa (including congenital ones) were retrospectively reviewed.