Population pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in critically ill children: impact of cystic fibrosis.

Background: Pharmacokinetics data on ceftazidime are sparse for the paediatric population, particularly for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) or severe infections.

Objectives: To characterize the population pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in critically ill children, identify covariates that affect drug disposition and evaluate the current dosing regimens.

Methods: The study was registered with Clinicaltrials.

Variability of ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics in children: impact on dose range in sickle cell patients.

Objectives: To determine the ciprofloxacin population pharmacokinetics in paediatric patients and the impact of underlying disease and evaluate the appropriateness of current dosage regimens.

Patients And Methods: Plasma concentrations of ciprofloxacin from children treated with ciprofloxacin were measured by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic population analysis was performed using NONMEM v7.

Nasal airway epithelial cell IL-6 and FKBP51 gene expression and steroid sensitivity in asthmatic children.

Background: Many asthmatic patients exhibit uncontrolled asthma despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Airway epithelial cells (AEC) have distinct activation profiles that can influence ICS response.

Objectives: A pilot study to identify gene expression markers of AEC dysfunction and markers of corticosteroid sensitivity in asthmatic and non-asthmatic control children, for comparison with published reports in adults.

Effects of Maternal Supplementation With Omega-3 Precursors on Human Milk Composition.

Background: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are important for newborn neurosensory development. Supplementation of breastfeeding mothers' diets with omega-3 PUFAs, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), may increase their concentration in human milk. Research aim: This study aimed to assess human milk composition after 15-day supplementation regimens containing either omega-3 PUFAs or olive oil, which does not provide ALA.

[Legal aspects of consent in children (Part 1)].

In pediatric research, the patient is legally a minor and therefore protected by law. Research can only be conducted after parental consent and patient assent have been obtained. In this context, this review discusses the historical events and documents related to all ethical precautions and obligations.

[Consent in children: Practical situations (part 2)].

Ethical and regulatory documents frame informed consent in pediatric research; their application is obligatory but may be complex. In this specific context, pediatric investigators have a central ethical role to play to ensure the strict respect of regulatory and ethical requirements adapted to the French legal, social, and cultural context as well as good clinical practices. This article attempts to shed light on the considerations that can allow researchers to come to terms with industrial and institutional demands while responding to the needs of patients, particularly in the domain of pediatric research.

New candidate loci identified by array-CGH in a cohort of 100 children presenting with syndromic obesity.

Syndromic obesity is defined by the association of obesity with one or more feature(s) including developmental delay, dysmorphic traits, and/or congenital malformations. Over 25 syndromic forms of obesity have been identified. However, most cases remain of unknown etiology.

Comparison of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections in asthmatic children versus asthmatic adults.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been implicated in asthma exacerbations and chronic asthma. A 2-year longitudinal study has been conducted to investigate the role of M. pneumoniae infections in 168 and 20 hospitalized children and adults, respectively, with asthma exacerbation compared with outpatients (88 children and 48 adults) with chronic asthma (without an exacerbation).

Pulmonary outcome and its correlates in school-aged children born with a gestational age ≤ 32 weeks.

Background: There is limited data regarding factors influencing the respiratory outcome at school age of ex-preterms born since the introduction of antenatal steroids, surfactant replacement together with less aggressive ventilation.

Objectives: To establish the main antenatal, neonatal and early childhood respiratory correlates of respiratory status in school-aged children born at ≤ 32 weeks of gestation.

Methods: Ex-preterm children born at ≤ 32 weeks of gestation between 1997 and 2001 at Bordeaux University Hospital were evaluated at school age, using a respiratory questionnaire and lung function tests (spirometry, plethysmography, exercise challenge test and CO lung diffusing capacity DLCO measurements).

Nocturnal activity of 11β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 1 is increased in type 1 diabetic children.

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate low-grade inflammation in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its association with cortisol levels as well as its bioavailability through 11β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) activity.

Methods: Children with T1D (n=45) and their non-diabetic siblings (n=28) participated in the study. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRPhs) were measured between 1400 and 1800h.

Renal impairment in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Due to the improvement in life expectancy in cystic fibrosis (CF), co-morbidities such as renal function impairment may be more frequent.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of renal disease in children with CF and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods: A single-center retrospective study analyzing the genetic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of 112 children.

Myeloid leukaemia in children with Down syndrome: report of the registry-based French experience between 1990 and 2003.

Aim: To determine the epidemiology of myeloid leukaemia (ML) in children with Down syndrome (DS) and the efficacy of two approaches, low-dose cytarabine-based regimen (LDC) and standard-dose intensive chemotherapy (SD).

Procedure: All children with Down syndrome aged from 2 months to 15 years with ML/myelodysplasia registered in the French registry between January 1990 and December 2003 were included.

Results: Forty-four patients were included.

Marine lipid-based liposomes increase in vivo FA bioavailability.

Liposomes made from an extract of natural marine lipids and containing a high n-3 PUFA lipid ratio were envisaged as oral route vectors for FA supplements in order to increase PUFA bioavailability. The absorption of FA in thoracic lymph duct-cannulated rats, after intragastric feeding of dietary fats in the form of liposomes or fish oil, was compared. Lipid and FA analyses were also performed on feces.

Incorporation of alpha-tocopherol in marine lipid-based liposomes: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Liposomes made from a natural marine lipid extract and containing a high polyunsaturated n-3 fatty lipid ratio were envisaged as oral route vectors and a potential alpha-tocopherol supplement. The behavior of vesicles obtained by simple filtration and of giant vesicles prepared by electroformation was investigated in gastrointestinal-like conditions. The influence of alpha-tocopherol incorporation into liposomes was studied on both physical and chemical membrane stability.

In vitro behavior of marine lipid-based liposomes. Influence of pH, temperature, bile salts, and phospholipase A2.

To deliver polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by the oral route, liposomes based on a natural mixture of marine lipids were prepared by filtration and characterized in media that mimic gastrointestinal fluids. First the influence of large pH variations from 1.5-2.

Physical and chemical stability of marine lipid-based liposomes under acid conditions.

Liposomes made from a marine lipid extract containing a high polyunsaturated fatty lipid ratio were submitted to large pH variations, ranging from 1 to 8. Shape transformations were followed by video microscopy using giant liposomes and micromanipulation experiments. Acidification induced a decrease of the vesicle size simultaneous to the appearance of invaginations.

Induction of new physicochemical and functional properties by the glycosylation of whey proteins.

Nucleophilic primary amino groups of whey proteins (beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin) were modified with reducing sugars in mild heat conditions. After 49 hr of heating (60 degrees C) at pH 6.5, 20-30% of beta-lactoglobulin amino groups were substituted with aldohexoses (galactose, mannose, glucose) and lactose, whereas up to 70% and 90% of beta-lactoglobulin amino groups were modified with ribose and glyceraldehyde, respectively.