The Reduced Gut Species Is Linked to Liver Enzyme Elevation and Insulin Resistance in Pediatric Fatty Liver Disease.

The objective of this study was to investigate gut dysbiosis and its metabolic and inflammatory implications in pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study included 105 children and utilized anthropometric measurements, blood tests, the Ultrasound Fatty Liver Index, and fecal DNA sequencing to assess the relationship between gut microbiota and pediatric MAFLD. Notable decreases in spp.

Unmasking a hidden culprit: late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia beyond infancy: A case report and literature review.

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare congenital anomaly with abnormal diaphragm development, typically diagnosed prenatally or soon after birth. Late-presenting CDH presents diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific symptoms that can lead to misdiagnoses.

Methods: This report discusses a 35-month-old female initially presenting with predominant gastrointestinal symptoms and minimal respiratory distress.

Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying U46619-Induced Contraction on Porcine Lower Esophageal Sphincter.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES), resulting in the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. U46619, a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor agonist, induces contractions in various smooth muscles. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of U46619 on the porcine LES.

The novel roles of YULINK in the migration, proliferation and glycolysis of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells: implications for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Abnormal remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, characterized by the proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) along with dysregulated glycolysis, is a pathognomonic feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). YULINK (MIOS, Entrez Gene: 54468), a newly identified gene, has been recently shown to possess pleiotropic physiologic functions. This study aims to determine novel roles of YULINK in the regulation of PAH-related pathogenesis, including PASMC migration, proliferation and glycolysis.

The joint effect of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertension contribute to higher risk of diabetes mellitus after delivery: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are known risk factors for postpartum diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension, respectively. This study aimed to examine the association between the co-occurrence of GDM and PIH and the subsequent development of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (TNHIRD).

Changing patterns of infectious diseases in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each infectious disease has had its own epidemic pattern and seasonality for decades. However, public health mitigation measures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have resulted in changing epidemic patterns of infectious diseases. Stringent measures resulted in low incidences of various infectious diseases during the outbreak of COVID-19, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, pneumococcus, enterovirus, and parainfluenza.

Execution of anticipatory guidance and the knowledge and practice gap among caregivers in Southern Taiwan: A retrospective study.

Background/purpose: This study examined the practice rate of Anticipatory Guidance (AG) and the gap between knowledge and practice among caregivers.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data from caregivers who brought their children for seven age-based well-child visits (birth to 7 years old) and seven corresponding AG checklists for practice (each ranged from 16 to 19 guidance items, 118 items in total) between 2015 and 2017. Practice rates of guidance items and their association with children's sex, age, residence, and body mass index were collected and analyzed.

Unnecessary radiation exposure during diagnostic radiography in infants in a neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: Unnecessary radiation exposure (URE) during radiographic examination is an issue among infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The causes of URE have not been fully explored. This study investigated the incidence and identified the causes of URE in infants during diagnostic radiography in a NICU.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Was Highly Associated with Reduction in Left Ventricular Diastolic Function as Early as in Adolescence.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is increased in adolescents with obesity and may play a role in early cardiovascular pathophysiological changes. There is a lack of evidence focusing on the association between EAT and cardiac function in adolescents. This study explored associations between EAT, left ventricle (LV) geometric, and LV functional changes in adolescents.

Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty for Acquired Imperforate Anus Complicated by Anorectal Necrosis: A Case Report.

Anorectal necrosis is an uncommon lethal disease in children, characterized by necrosis of the mucosa of the anus and rectum. The difference between anorectal necrosis and Fournier's gangrene is that anorectal necrosis does not affect the genital organs. The treatment for anorectal necrosis includes debridement of the anus, colostomy, and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Chronic Nocturnal Abdominal Pain as the Presentation of Inverted Meckel Diverticulum: A Case Report.

The common clinical manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum include painless lower gastrointestinal bleeding and intestinal obstruction due to intussusception. Intussusception induced by inverted Meckel's diverticulum has rarely been reported; furthermore, there is no report thus far of chronic nocturnal abdominal pain as a presenting symptom in children with Meckel's diverticulum. A 4-year-and-10-month-old girl with no significant history of previous illness presented with the sole complaint of chronic nocturnal abdominal pain for 3 months.

High Risk of Early Cataracts in Young Type 1 Diabetes Group: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Chronic hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients results in ocular problems over time, but only a few studies emphasized on cataracts.

Aim: To evaluate the epidemiology of cataracts in the T1D population.

Method: A two-part study was conducted using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Phthalate exposure alters gut microbiota composition and IgM vaccine response in human newborns.

Postnatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticizer, is associated with allergy development in childhood, suggesting that DEHP exposure may dysregulate immune response in infants. We investigated whether DEHP exposure in newborns through medical treatment affected the gut microbiota pattern and vaccine response, which are both related to immune development. In this prospective cohort study from May 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017, newborns with respiratory distress who were given intravenous infusions (IVs) were enrolled as the DEHP group, and newborns who did not receive IVs were enrolled as the control group.

Serum apoptotic marker M30 is positively correlated with early diastolic dysfunction in adolescent obesity.

Purpose: Obesity in adolescence has been shown to be related to cardiac geometric and functional changes. Cardiac dysfunction in adults with obesity could be attributed to chronic low-grade inflammation, apoptosis of cardiomyocyte, and glucose metabolic disorder. The aforementioned association in adolescents with obesity have never been well studied.

Novel Ultrasonographic Fatty Liver Indicator Can Predict Hepatitis in Children With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Childhood non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a public health issue worldwide. To date, liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing the severity of NAFLD. However, this invasive procedure might contribute to complications.

L-Arginine and L-Citrulline Supplementation Have Different Programming Effect on Regulatory T-Cells Function of Infantile Rats.

Arginine is a semiessential amino acid in healthy adult human, but is essential for preterm, newborn or critically ill patients. Arginine can be supplied from our diet or synthesis from citrulline. In conditions of sepsis or endotoxemia, arginine may be deficient and be accompanied with altered immune response.

Mechanism of resveratrol-induced relaxation of the guinea pig fundus.

Background: Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that can be isolated from plants and also is a constituent of red wine. Resveratrol induces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and may prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose: Impaired gastric accommodation plays an important role in functional dyspepsia and fundic relaxation and is a therapeutic target of functional dyspepsia.

Estradiol mediates relaxation of porcine lower esophageal sphincter.

Most pregnant women have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) during pregnancy. Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy is associated with GERD. The effects of estradiol on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) motility and GERD are not clearly known.

Neonatal gastric perforation: a report of two cases and a systematic review.

Rationale: Neonatal gastric perforation is a rare and life-threatening disorder in neonates and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, the exact mechanisms of neonatal gastric perforation remain unknown.

Patient Concerns: In this study, we reported 2 cases of neonatal gastric perforation and conducted a systematic review to analyze the prognostic factors for mortality.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Alleviates Bacterial-Induced Neuronal Apoptotic Damage in the Neonatal Rat Brain through Epigenetic Histone Modification.

Bacterial meningitis during the perinatal period may cause long-term neurological deficits. The study investigated whether bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from led to neuronal apoptosis with an impaired performance of long-term cognitive function involving the activation of histone modification in the TNF- gene promoter. Further, we looked into the therapeutic efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a neonatal brain suffering from perinatal bacterial meningitis.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 4 plus 5 is a better biomarker than total lactate dehydrogenase for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children.

Although usually self-limiting, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) may lead to clinical or radiological deterioration despite macrolide antibiotic therapy, resulting in the development of refractory MPP (RMPP). Corticosteroids have been used to treat RMPP with beneficial effects. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a suggested biomarker for the use of steroid therapy.