Utility of Urine Dipstick Testing in Pediatric Appendicitis: Assessing its Role in Identifying Complicated Cases and Retrocecal Appendicitis.

Background:  Diagnosing appendicitis in children remains a challenge, and the role of urine dipstick is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between abnormal urine dipstick results and appendicitis, particularly appendicitis severity and appendix position.

Methods:  A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2017 to 2021 at a tertiary hospital in Sweden.

The role of socio-demographic and psychological factors in shaping individual carbon footprints in Finland.

Household consumption emissions are a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, making them a vital target for emission reductions. While previous research has studied socio-demographic and situational factors in explaining the variation in individuals' carbon footprints, a more comprehensive exploration of individual drivers, would benefit the development of effective and equitable mitigation policies. The current study examines associations between psychological and socio-demographic factors and carbon footprints of Finnish adults (n = 3,519).

A Survey of Preoperative, Perioperative, and Postoperative Management Practices for Testicular Torsion in Pediatric Patients among European Surgeons.

Introduction:  Management of testicular torsion varies between specialties resulting in lack of standardization. The aim of this survey was to assess pre-, peri-, and postoperative differences.

Methods:  An online questionnaire was distributed in 2023 to general and pediatric surgeons, pediatric urologists, and urologists by the Trainees of European Pediatric Surgery.

[Acute scrotum in children].

Acute scrotum in a child is common, and the main underlying conditions are torsion of intrascrotal appendages, epididymitis, testicular torsion and idiopathic scrotal edema. The main diagnostic aim is to confirm or rule out testicular torsion, since this may lead to irreversible ischemia within hours. The diagnostics can be difficult, especially in prepubertal boys, but consist of a thorough history and clinical examination, the use of a clinical prediction score, and sometimes ultrasound with doppler.

Genetic testing and new variants in diagnosis of congenital ichthyoses.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate how diagnostic practice in congenital ichthyoses has evolved during the years 2000-2020 and what kind of gene variants of congenital ichthyosis have been found.

Methods: The study cohort of this register-based research consisted of a total of 88 patients, whose diagnostic testing was conducted, and ichthyosis diagnoses set at the Department of Dermatology and the Department of Clinical Genetics at Tampere University Hospital during the years 2000-2020.

Results: Diagnosis of ichthyosis was confirmed with genetic testing in 33 cases, and with conventional diagnostic methods, such as clinical findings, skin biopsy and family history of ichthyoses, in 55 cases.

Loss-of-function mutations of the TIE1 receptor tyrosine kinase cause late-onset primary lymphedema.

Primary lymphedema (PL), characterized by tissue swelling, fat accumulation, and fibrosis, results from defects in lymphatic vessels or valves caused by mutations in genes involved in development, maturation, and function of the lymphatic vascular system. Pathogenic variants in various genes have been identified in about 30% of PL cases. By screening of a cohort of 755 individuals with PL, we identified two TIE1 (tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin- and epidermal growth factor-like domains 1) missense variants and one truncating variant, all predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic algorithms.

Orchidopexy for undescended testis-rate and predictors of re-ascent.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the rate of re-ascent requiring re-operation after primary orchidopexy and to investigate eventual differences between the inguinal and scrotal approach as well as other potential predictors for re-ascent.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of children treated for undescended testis (UDT) with orchidopexy between 2018 and 2022 was conducted. The primary outcome was re-ascent requiring re-operation, and the secondary outcome was atrophy rate.

National survey of physicians in Swedish child health centres finds insecurity and unawareness regarding management of undescended testicles.

Aim: To investigate underlying factors for previously reported shortcomings in child health centres' (CHC) referral process of boys with undescended testicles.

Methods: A total of 386 physicians working at Swedish CHCs were surveyed regarding their knowledge about undescended testicles and their clinical management. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors of non-adherence to guidelines and self-reported lack of clinical skills.

Associations between Th1-related cytokines and complicated pediatric appendicitis.

The pathogenesis of appendicitis is not understood fully, and the diagnosis can be challenging. Previous research has suggested an association between a T helper (Th) 1-dependent immune response and complicated appendicitis. This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between serum concentrations of the Th1-associated cytokines interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β) and the risk of complicated appendicitis in children.

Maternal weight, smoking, and diabetes provided early predictors of longitudinal body mass index growth patterns in childhood.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting overweight growth development using extended body mass index (BMI) data combined with birth and maternal records from Finnish national registries.

Methods: The longitudinal data consist of growth measurements of 7372 from six birth cohorts in Finland: 1974 (n = 1109), 1981 (n = 983), 1991 (n = 607), 1994-1995 (n = 829), 2001 (n = 821), and 2003-2004 (n = 3023). Anthropometric data were collected from birth to age 15 years from the health records.

Supranormal differential renal function on MAG3 scan in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction - Prevalence and pyeloplasty during follow-up.

Background: Children with suspected ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) may present with a paradoxical ipsilateral supranormal differential renal function (snDRF) on Technetium mercaptoacetyltriglycine scintigraphy (MAG3 scan).

Objective: The aim was to investigate the prevalence of snDRF, the risk of pyeloplasty among children with UPJO and snDRF, and to explore the experience of snDRF among international pediatric urologists.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of children with suspected unilateral UPJO who underwent MAG3 scan at four hospitals in Sweden between 2005 and 2020.

Sex differences in children operated with pyeloplasty for pelvoureteric junction obstruction.

Purpose: Pelvoureteric junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common cause of hydronephrosis in children but no previous studies have evaluated differences between boys and girls operated with pyeloplasty. This study aimed to evaluate potential differences between sexes in children operated with pyeloplasty for PUJO in terms of presentation, surgery, and long-term results.

Methods: Data was retrospectively collected from all children operated on with pyeloplasty between January 2002 and December 2020.

Mapping of referral patterns for undescended testes - Risk factors for referral of children with normal testes.

Background: Accurate referral of boys with suspected undescended testes (UDT) is of importance to preserve fertility and reduce risk of future testicular cancer. While late referral is well studied, there is less knowledge about incorrect referrals, hence, referral of boys with normal testes.

Objective: To evaluate the proportion of UDT referrals that did not lead to surgery or follow-up, and to assess risk factors for referral of boys with normal testes.

The practice of early mother-newborn skin-to-skin contact after delivery of healthy term neonate and associated factors among health care professionals at health facilities of Southwestern Oromia, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her new-born baby after birth is beneficial for both the mother and her baby. Although mother-newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth is an essential practice, it is limited to a small proportion of premature babies in low-income countries including Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the practice of early mother-new-born skin-to-skin contact after the delivery of healthy term neonates and associated factors among health care professionals in Southwestern Oromia, Ethiopia.

Utilizing and Valorizing Oat and Barley Straw as an Alternative Source of Lignocellulosic Fibers.

The transition to sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable materials requires new sources of cellulose fibers that are already used in large volumes by forest industries. Oat and barley straws provide interesting alternatives to wood fibers in lightweight material applications because of their similar chemical composition. Here we investigate processing and material forming concepts, which would enable strong fiber network structures for various applications.

Sulfate-reducing bioreactors subjected to high sulfate loading rate or acidity: variations in microbial consortia.

Sulfate-reducing bioreactors are used in e.g. the mining industry to remove sulfate and harmful metals from process waters.

An Evaluation of Serum IgE and Th2-Associated Interleukins in Children With Uncomplicated and Complicated Appendicitis.

Background: The pathogenesis of appendicitis is not understood completely and establishing a correct diagnosis can be clinically challenging. Previous investigations have shown an association between a T helper cell (Th)2-mediated inflammatory response, for example immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy, and a decreased risk of complicated appendicitis. The present study aimed to evaluate differences in serum concentrations of IgE and Th2-associated interleukins (IL) in children with uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis.

Ten years of paediatric robotic surgery: Lessons learned.

Background: Costs and a low total number of cases may be obstacles to the successful implementation of a paediatric robotic surgery programme. The aim of this study was to evaluate a decade of paediatric robotic surgery and to reflect upon factors for success and to consider obstacles.

Materials And Methods: All children operated on with robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery between 2006 and 2016 were included in a retrospective, single-institutional study in Lund, Sweden.

Patient-reported physical and psychosocial significance of abdominal scarring in anorectal malformations.

Background Abdominal scarring in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) is a permanent visible sign of a chronic congenital condition. The study's aims were to assess the physical and psychosocial significance of abdominal scarring in ARM and to propose a scar treatment approach. Methods A patient- and observer reported cross-sectional study of ARM patients with previous colostomies surgically treated 1997-2015 with minimum 4 years' follow-up after stoma closure.

Free boundary methods and non-scattering phenomena.

We study a question arising in inverse scattering theory: given a penetrable obstacle, does there exist an incident wave that does not scatter? We show that every penetrable obstacle with real-analytic boundary admits such an incident wave. At zero frequency, we use quadrature domains to show that there are also obstacles with inward cusps having this property. In the converse direction, under a nonvanishing condition for the incident wave, we show that there is a dichotomy for boundary points of any penetrable obstacle having this property: either the boundary is regular, or the complement of the obstacle has to be very thin near the point.

Nationwide paediatric cohort study of a protective association between allergy and complicated appendicitis.

Background: In a nationwide cohort the potentially protective association between allergy and complicated appendicitis was analysed, and the influence of seasonal antigens, antihistamine treatment, and timing of allergy onset assessed.

Methods: Some 1 112 571 children born between 2000 and 2010 were followed from birth until the end of 2014. A cross-sectional analysis of appendicitis cases, with comparison of allergic versus non-allergic children for absolute risk and odds of complicated appendicitis was first undertaken.

Doppler ultrasound improves diagnostic accuracy for testicular torsion.

Background: Doppler ultrasound can diagnose testicular torsion with high sensitivity and specificity but may delay surgical treatment. This study aims to assess whether the use of doppler ultrasound, in cases with intermediate clinical suspicion of testicular torsion, can improve diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical assessment alone.

Methods: We implemented a new clinical algorithm where patients with intermediate suspicion of testicular torsion undergo doppler ultrasound within 60 min.