Prevalence and correlates of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) cohort.

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in the mineral and bone disorder seen in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) is highly prevalent in the adult CKD population.

Methods: The prevalence and determinants of 25OHD deficiency (defined as a level <20 ng/ml) were examined longitudinally in 506 children in the CKiD cohort.

A Peer-Led High School Transition Program Increases Graduation Rates Among Latino Males.

The present study investigated the impact of a manualized high school transition program, the Peer Group Connection (PGC) program, on the graduation rate at a low-income, Mid-Atlantic high school. The program utilized twelfth grade student peer leaders to create a supportive environment for incoming ninth grade students. Results of a randomized control trial demonstrated that male students who participated in the program during ninth grade were significantly more likely to graduate from high school within four years than male students in the control group (81% versus 63%).

Rituximab in post-transplant pediatric recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) recurs in 20-40 % of allografts. Plasmapheresis (TPE) has been one of the mainstays of treatment with variable results. Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody to the protein CD20, is being used for treatment of recurrent FSGS (recFSGS) but pediatric experience is limited.

Renal dysfunction in patients with thalassaemia.

Little is known about the effects of thalassaemia on the kidney. Characterization of underlying renal function abnormalities in thalassaemia is timely because the newer iron chelator, deferasirox, can be nephrotoxic. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of renal abnormalities in thalassaemia patients, treated before deferasirox was widely available, using 24-h collections of urine.

Mediators between coping styles and substance use/intentions in urban, high school freshmen.

To explore what mediates relationships between coping styles and substance use, different types of coping, proximal precursors of substance use, and reported substance use/intentions to use were examined in a study of low income, urban, high school freshmen from American ethnic minority groups. Regression analyses showed evidence for two mediators. The relationship between a tendency to depend upon parents to cope with problems and increased substance use was mediated by lowered perceptions of harm from use.