Hierarchical regulation of the resting and activated T cell epigenome by major transcription factor families.

T cell activation, a key early event in the adaptive immune response, is subject to elaborate transcriptional control. In the present study, we examined how the activities of eight major transcription factor (TF) families are integrated to shape the epigenome of naive and activated CD4 and CD8 T cells. By leveraging extensive polymorphisms in evolutionarily divergent mice, we identified the 'heavy lifters' positively influencing chromatin accessibility.

Current operative management of congenital lobar emphysema in children: A report from the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and operative outcomes of patients with congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) within a large multicenter research consortium.

Methods: After central reliance IRB-approval, a retrospective cohort study was performed on all operatively managed lung malformations at eleven participating children's hospitals (2009-2015).

Results: Fifty-three (10.

Development of a multi-institutional registry for children with operative congenital lung malformations.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-institutional registry to characterize the demographics, management, and outcomes of a contemporary cohort of children undergoing congenital lung malformation (CLM) resection.

Methods: After central reliance IRB approval, a web-based, secure database was created to capture retrospective cohort data on pathologically-confirmed CLMs performed between 2009 and 2015 within a multi-institutional research collaborative.

Results: Eleven children's hospitals contributed 506 patients.

Stump Appendicitis.

Abdominal pain is a frequent problem encountered in the emergency department, and acute appendicitis is a well-recognized diagnosis. Laparoscopic appendectomy has become one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Patients with a history of appendectomy may experience recurrent right lower quadrant abdominal pain from an infrequently encountered complication that may occur when the residual appendix becomes obstructed and inflamed.

Management of pediatric ovarian torsion: evidence of follicular development after ovarian preservation.

Purpose: This study reviews contemporary management and follow-up of pediatric ovarian torsion.

Methods: This is a retrospective series of patients from birth to 19 years undergoing operative management of ovarian torsion from 2012 to 2016.

Results: We studied 43 girls who underwent 51 operations for ovarian torsion.

Oral relaxin maintains intestinal blood flow in a rat model of NEC.

Purpose: Intestinal vasoconstriction is a critical step in development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Relaxin (RLXN), a hormone found in breast milk but absent from formula, is a potent vasodilator. We hypothesized that relaxin-supplemented feeds with an NEC protocol would decrease NEC severity and increase intestinal blood flow.

Application of prostaglandin E2 improves ileal blood flow in NEC.

Purpose: Indomethacin, a nonselective prostaglandin inhibitor used to treat patent ductus arteriosus, is associated with intestinal perforation inducing an NEC-like illness. We sought to define the contribution of prostaglandin E2 (PG E2) and its receptor EP4 to intestinal blood flow regulation in premature neonates with NEC.

Methods: Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized by litter to undergo experimental NEC induction or to serve as a CONTROL.

Etiology and incidence of pediatric gallbladder disease.

Purpose: The spectrum of pediatric biliary tract disease is changing. The goal of this study was to examine the causes and comorbidities of pediatric gallbladder disease at our institution.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on consecutive patient at Kosair Children's Hospital who underwent cholecystectomy over a 9-year time period ending in 2012.

Intraperitoneal 1.5% Delflex improves intestinal blood flow in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) alters intestinal microvascular control mechanisms causing significant vasoconstriction. Our prior work with intraperitoneal 2.5% dextrose solution demonstrated increased intestinal perfusion in experimentally induced NEC.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to multiple hepatic artery aneurysms in a 14-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is the most common inherited disorder of the nervous system, affecting approximately 1 in 3,000 people. A small but significant subset of these patients develop vasculopathies. We present the first reported case of neurofibromatosis type 1 presenting with obstructive jaundice secondary to multiple hepatic artery aneurysms.

Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans: the surgical perspective.

Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans is a rare but highly lethal disease process that requires a multidisciplinary team of experts to optimise morbidity and mortality outcomes due to the breadth of complications of the disease. The surgical perspective involves the critical care management which utilises all currently available measured outcomes of critical care management as well as experimental therapies. Limb loss is common, and is reflective of the high incidence of compartment syndrome compounded by the significant soft tissue loss secondary to purpura and limb ischaemia, presumptively due to digital microemboli.

Reproductive experience differentially affects spatial reference and working memory performance in the mother.

The transition to motherhood results in a number of hormonal, neurological, and behavioral changes necessary to ensure offspring survival. Once motherhood is established, further neurological and behavioral changes may result with additional parity and mothering. Recent research has shown that motherhood enhances both hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and oxytocin-induced long-term potentiation, suggesting that the hippocampus is affected by mothering.