SERCA directs cell migration and branching across species and germ layers.

Branching morphogenesis underlies organogenesis in vertebrates and invertebrates, yet is incompletely understood. Here, we show that the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca reuptake pump (SERCA) directs budding across germ layers and species. Clonal knockdown demonstrated a cell-autonomous role for SERCA in air sac budding.

5 years after an ACE: what happens then?

Purpose: Antegrade continence enema (ACE) revolutionised the lives of children with chronic constipation and soiling. Parents often ask how long the ACE will be required. We looked at our patients 5 years after ACE formation to answer the question.

Single incision prone retroperitoneoscopic paediatric nephrectomy.

Objective: We have previously reported our early experience (2 patients) of single-incision nephrectomy via the retroperitoneal prone route using an advanced access platform (GelPOINT Mini). Here, we review our series to date and also present a detailed video demonstrating the technique.

Method: In the prone position, a single transverse incision was made at the midpoint on a line along the lateral border of erector spinae bounded by the lower border of the 12th rib and iliac crest.

Spiral rotational flap for the creation of a new umbilicus in bladder exstrophy.

Objective: A range of surgical techniques have been described to create a new umbilicus in children with bladder exstrophy. We present a detailed video demonstrating our technique for the creation of a new umbilicus.

Method: The position of the planned umbilicus and flap were marked on the abdomen.

Laparoscopic treatment of intussusception in children: a systematic review.

Background: Idiopathic intussusception is one of the most common causes of small bowel obstruction in children. In the event of failed radiological reduction, laparotomy remains the treatment of choice. There is still no agreement in pediatric surgery about safety and effectiveness of the use of minimally invasive surgery in this common pediatric condition.

Voluminous "cobra-head" stone in a duplex system ureterocele: combined cysto-ureteroscopic and percutaneous cystolithotomy approach.

We report a case of a 7-year-old boy with a voluminous 8.5-cm "cobra-head" calculus in a duplex system ureterocele causing flank pain, hematuria, and infection. Combined cysto-ureteroscopy and percutaneous cystolithotomy enables dependent ureterocele incision along its inferolateral border and efficient stone clearance in a single minimally invasive procedure.

Ephedrine hydrochloride: novel use in the management of resistant non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence in children.

Objective: To determine whether the adrenoceptor agonist, ephedrine hydrochloride, is an effective treatment for resistant non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence in children.

Methods: From 2000 to 2010, eighteen children with resistant non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence were treated with oral ephedrine hydrochloride at our institution. Sixteen were female and two were male.

Paediatric sutureless circumcision and modified circumcision: video demonstration.

Objective: Circumcision is undertaken using a variety of surgical methods. Modified circumcision for the hooded prepuce or mild glanular hypospadias mandates an excellent cosmetic result. Tissue glue is an alternative to sutures for circumcision in children and has significant advantages in terms of cosmesis and postoperative pain.

Acute scrotal pain in boys at a single paediatric centre with a questionnaire to assess patient awareness of the acute scrotum.

Paediatric surgeons commonly evaluate acute scrotal pain. Previous peer review articles have suggested that boys should be educated to ensure early medical assessment thereby avoiding potential testicular loss. In this study we sought to ascertain a contemporary view of educational awareness of testicular pain in boys presenting to our service.

Indications and relative renal function for paediatric nephrectomy over a 20-year period.

Background: The indications for partial or total nephrectomy for urological reasons are not clearly documented in the paediatric surgical literature and there are only a limited number of publications on this subject.

Purpose: In order to clarify the situation in our centre, we reviewed our own indications for nephrectomy over a 20-year period.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent nephrectomy for urological and oncological causes between May 1990 and October 2010 at our centre were retrospectively reviewed.

Spider-man, magnets, and urethral-cutaneous fistula.

Self-inserted foreign bodies in the genitourinary tract or externally attached to the male genitalia can be challenging to the urologist. These cases often necessitate urgent assessment and intervention. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy who inserted 1 magnet into his urethra and placed a second on the ventral surface of the penis.

Meconium per vagina: a rare presentation of meconium peritonitis.

Meconium peritonitis results from antenatal perforation of the gastrointestinal tract; it presents as gastrointestinal obstruction, intraabdominal masses, or calcification. The presentation with passage of meconium per vagina secondary to meconium peritonitis is rare. We describe the radiologic and surgical findings in a neonate who had passage of meconium per vagina secondary to ileal atresia and meconium peritonitis.

Airway smooth muscle dysfunction precedes teratogenic congenital diaphragmatic hernia and may contribute to hypoplastic lung morphogenesis.

Fetal intervention aims to improve lung growth and survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is important in lung development: ASM progenitors produce a key growth factor for lung morphogenesis (fibroblast growth factor 10); ASM contractility is also coupled to growth. ASM hyperreactivity occurs in postnatal CDH and may exacerbate barotrauma via impaired lung compliance.

Hidden pathologies associated with (and concealed by) early gestational isolated fetal hydrothorax.

Isolated fetal hydrothorax is an uncommon finding on routine prenatal ultrasound and is associated with a variable prognosis. We believe this is the first report of a patient whose antenatal hydrothorax was associated with both congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia. This rare combination caused significant problems in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Spontaneous propagating calcium waves underpin airway peristalsis in embryonic rat lung.

Prenatal airways from diverse species exhibit spontaneous peristaltic contractions (airway peristalsis). These contractile waves appear coupled to and may function to regulate prenatal lung growth. They are unaffected by atropine or tetrodotoxin but abolished by nifedipine.