Development of chemosensitivity in neurons from the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of neonatal rats.

We studied the development of chemosensitivity during the neonatal period in rat nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) neurons. We determined the percentage of neurons activated by hypercapnia (15% CO(2)) and assessed the magnitude of the response by calculating the chemosensitivity index (CI). There were no differences in the percentage of neurons that were inhibited (9%) or activated (44.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency presenting as an acute neurologic emergency in a peripubertal girl.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency (IAD) is extraordinarily rare, and the clinical manifestations of its accompanying adrenal insufficiency are diverse. Early-onset forms of IAD have been linked to mutations in the Tpit transcription factor gene TPIT; however, the genetic basis of juvenile- or late-onset IAD is unknown. Herein, we describe a case of a peripubertal girl with IAD and a normal TPIT gene who presented with an acute neurologic emergency, demonstrating both the variable clinical presentation of IAD and the need for continued investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying juvenile- and late-onset IAD.

Intrinsic chemosensitivity of individual nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and locus coeruleus (LC) neurons from neonatal rats.

Chemosensitive (CS) neurons are found in discrete brainstem regions, but whether the CS response of these neurons is due to intrinsic chemosensitivity of individual neurons or is mediated by changes in chemical and/or electrical synaptic input is largely unknown. We studied the effect of synaptic blockade (11.4 mM Mg2+/0.

Neonatal maturation of the hypercapnic ventilatory response and central neural CO2 chemosensitivity.

The ventilatory response to CO2 changes as a function of neonatal development. In rats, a ventilatory response to CO2 is present in the first 5 days of life, but this ventilatory response to CO2 wanes and reaches its lowest point around postnatal day 8. Subsequently, the ventilatory response to CO2 rises towards adult levels.

The use of a continuous glucose monitoring system in hypoglycemic disorders.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in the evaluation and treatment of infants and children with hypoglycemic disorders.

Methods: Patients with hypoglycemic disorders wore the CGMS device in the Pediatric Clinic Research Center during their evaluation and treatment. Capillary blood glucose (CBG) values were obtained at least 3 times each day and entered into the device for calibration purposes.

Transition from multiple daily injections to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To review our experience with insulin dosing during the conversion from multiple daily injections to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Study Design: The charts of 65 children who started CSII from January 1998 to April 2000 were reviewed. Data regarding insulin dose and hemoglobin A1c levels were collected from the prepump visit and first (at 1 to 2 months) and second (at 3 to 6 months) visits after being placed on pump therapy.