Estrogen-related receptor (ERR) γ protects against puromycin aminonucleoside-induced podocyte apoptosis by targeting PI3K/Akt signaling.

Accumulating evidence has shown that podocyte apoptosis is of vital importance for the development of glomerulosclerosis and progressive loss of renal function. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to podocyte apoptosis are still elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of estrogen-related receptor (ERR) γ in podocyte apoptosis, as well as the underlying mechanisms.

[Bronchitis obliterans associated with bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia in a child and literature review].

Objective: To investigate the clinical-radiologic-pathologic features of bronchitis obliterans that complicated with bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP).

Method: The clinical manifestations, characteristic imaging and pathology of a case with pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) complicated with bronchitis obliterans and BOOP were summarized and relative articles were reviewed.

Result: A 10-year-old girl complained of recurrent paroxysmal cough and episodes of wheezing with exercise, productive of yellowish sputum, irregular fever for 1 month presented with lower breath sounds of left lower lobe and localized tubular breath sounds.

MicroRNA-223 affects IL-6 secretion in mast cells via the IGF1R/PI3K signaling pathway.

In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of microRNA-223 (miR-223) on interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in mast cells and determine the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mast cells (P815) were transfected with miR-223 lentiviral vector and miR-223 inhibitor. miR-223 expression was then evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

Early Erythropoietin Administration does not Increase the Risk of Retinopathy in Preterm Infants.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) administration prevents anemia of prematurity and may be associated with a significant increase in the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. Nonetheless, early EPO treatment may prevent damage following retinal neovascularization. The aim of this meta-analysis was to elucidate whether EPO administration increases the risk of ROP.

Association of the genetic polymorphisms in pre-microRNAs with risk of childhood epilepsy in a Chinese population.

Purpose: MicroRNA (miRNA), functions as gene regulators, plays crucial roles in pathogenesis of epilepsy. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA may be associated with childhood epilepsy.

Method: We first genotyped the selected four SNPs (miR-146a rs57095329, miR-149 rs2292832, miR-196a2 rs11614913, and miR-499 rs3746444) in 267 paired childhood epilepsy patients and controls using the TaqMan assay, and evaluated the associations of the four SNPs with the risk of epilepsy.

The role of the AMOP domain in MUC4/Y-promoted tumour angiogenesis and metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

Background: MUC4 is a high molecular weight membrane protein that is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer (PC) and is associated with the development and progression of this disease. However, the exact mechanisms through which MUC4 domains promote these biological processes have rarely been studied, partly because of its high molecular weight, difficulty to overexpress it. Here, we use MUC4/Y, one of the MUC4 transcript variants, as a model molecule to investigate the AMOP-domain of MUC4(MUC/Y).

MicroRNA-223 promotes mast cell apoptosis by targeting the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor.

The present study aimed to examine the functional role of miR-223 in the regulation of mast cell apoptosis. Overexpressed miR-223 in mast cells transfected by Lipofectamine 2000 was used as a model, and miR-223 was found to promote mast cell apoptosis. To investigate the underlying mechanisms involved, the potential and putative target molecules of miR-223 were detected by bioinformatical analysis using predictive software, and western blotting.

MiR-221 promotes IgE-mediated activation of mast cells degranulation by PI3K/Akt/PLCγ/Ca(2+) pathway.

Mast cells play a pivotal role in the immediate reaction in asthma. In a previous study, it was found that MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) was associated with asthma. Hence, in the present study, the role and the potential mechanisms of miR-221 on immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated activation of mast cells degranulation were investigated.

Health-related quality of life in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia in China.

Background: The concept of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was brought up decades ago and has been well utilized in many different areas. Regarding immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) management, much work has been done to emphasize the necessity of taking HRQoL into consideration. However, data on HRQoL of children with chronic ITP remain rare.

Early enteral nutrition in neonates with partial gastrectomy: a multi-center study.

Background And Objectives: Compared with total parenteral nutrition (TPN), enteral nutrition is more suitable for patients post-operatively. Our aim was to determine the safety and feasibility of early enteral nutrition (EEN) using a jejunum feeding tube in neonates after undergoing a partial gastrectomy.

Methods And Study Design: This was a retrospective review of 46 patients who underwent partial gastrectomies for gastric perforation in our hospital.

miRNA-221-3p Enhances the Secretion of Interleukin-4 in Mast Cells through the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog/p38/Nuclear Factor-kappaB Pathway.

Mast cells play a central role in asthma. Moreover, serum miRNA-221-3p (miR-221) has been shown to be markedly increased in children with asthma. In the current study, we aimed to examine miR-221 expression in an asthma model and elucidate the mechanisms regulating interleukin (IL)-4 secretion in mast cells.

MicroRNA-939 down-regulates CD2-associated protein by targeting promoter in HEK-293T cells.

CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) serves as a slit diaphragm (SD) protein and plays essential roles in maintaining podocyte integrity and reducing proteinuria. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are novel regulators of gene expression. Podocyte-specific loss of miRNAs would lead to significant proteinuria.

[Value of clinical signs in the identification of Mycoplasma pneumonia in community acquired pneumonia in children].

Objective: To evaluate the value of clinical signs in the identification of Mycoplasma pneumonia in children's community acquired pneumonia.

Method: We searched the Cochrane library, PubMed, CNKI, Wan Fang and VIP databases. According to the inclusion and exclusion criterias, we selected and extracted the related information in the literature.

Unilateral congenital giant megaureter with renal dysplasia compressing contralateral ureter and causing bilateral hydronephrosis: a case report and literature review.

Background: Congenital giant megaureter (CGM) is uncommon in the pediatric population. The major clinical presentations are marked protruberances and abdominal cysts.

Case Presentation: We reported a case of CGM with almost the whole left ureter dilation accompanied with a 1 cm stricture at the entrance of the bladder and renal dysplasia, immediately compressing the contralateral ureter and causing bilateral hydronephrosis for the first time.

Inhibition of miR-29c promotes proliferation, and inhibits apoptosis and differentiation in P19 embryonic carcinoma cells.

In our previous study, the upregulation of microRNA (miR)-29c was identified in the mother of a fetus with a congenital heart defect. However, the functional and regulatory mechanisms of miR‑29c in the development of the heart remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the role and mechanism of miR‑29c inhibition in heart development were investigated in an embryonic carcinoma cell model.

Imbalance of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg responses in children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia is usually a benign self-limiting disease, but some patients suffer from acute lung injury in MP infections who need to use immune-modulators with conventional antibiotic treatment. The imbalance between CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T (Treg) cells and T helper (Th17) cells has been found in a number of different inflammation and autoimmune disease, while the role of the Th17/Treg balance in MP pneumonia remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the Th17/Treg pattern and its impact on disease severity in patients with MP pneumonia.

Clinical characteristics and mutation analysis of two Chinese children with 17a-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency.

Combined with the literature, recognize the clinical features and molecular genetic mechanism of the disease. 17a-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency, a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is caused by mutations in the cytochrome P450c17 gene (CYP17A1), and characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, female sexual infantilism or male pseudohermaphroditism. We presented the clinical and biochemical characterization in two patients (a 13 year-old girl (46, XX) with hypokalemia and lack of pubertal development, a 11 year-old girl (46, XY) with female external genitalia and severe hypertension).

Polymorphism of rs2767485 in Leptin Receptor Gene is Associated With the Occurrence of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: A genetic association study of leptin receptor (LEPR) gene with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in the Chinese Han population.

Objective: To determine whether LEPR gene polymorphisms are associated with the predisposition and/or disease severity of AIS.

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with AIS were reported to have lower body mass index (BMI), abnormal leptin bioavailability, and systemic lower bone mass, which implied that leptin/LEPR signaling pathway may be implicated in the etiology of AIS.

Use of off-label nephrology-related drugs in hospitalized pediatric patients: a retrospective study.

Background: The information about the use of off-label drugs in pediatric nephrology is still lacking, which leads to increased adverse reactions and medical disputes. We retrospectively analyzed the use of off-label drugs in the in-patient ward of the nephrology department of Nanjing Children's Hospital, China in order to provide more complete information about the use of drugs for children.

Methods: Proportional stratified random sampling was applied to select patients with renal diseases aged 1 month to 18 years, who were admitted to the hospital from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013.

Piezosurgical Suturectomy and Sutural Distraction Osteogenesis for the Treatment of Unilateral Coronal Synostosis.

Different surgical procedures are used for the treatment of synostosis. Among them, suturectomy and sutural distraction osteogenesis (SDO) are suitable for young infant patients. In this report, we present the case of a young infant patient with a clear synostosis of the left coronal suture, which was treated by piezoelectric suturectomy combined with SDO and 2 internal distractors.

Epigenetics in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: A study of global DNA methylation.

Objective: To examine the global methylation status of DNA in blood cells of children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD), since the aetiopathogenesis of LCPD remains unclear, and many factors closely associated with DNA methylation may be linked to the occurrence of LCPD.

Methods: Children with LCPD and age-, sex- and body mass index-matched controls were evaluated. Methylation levels of the long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1), a biomarker of global DNA methylation, were quantified by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Use of small intestinal submucosal and acellular dermal matrix grafts in giant omphaloceles in neonates and a rabbit abdominal wall defect model.

Background: The described surgical strategies for the management of omphalocele include primary closure, staged closure, and delayed closure. A primary repair is not suitable for all giant omphaloceles. We implanted two grafts, small intestinal submucosal (SIS) and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) onto abdominal wall defects in neonates to study the safety and efficacy of SIS and ADM graft techniques for initial closure of giant omphaloceles in infants, and we also implanted these grafts onto abdominal wall defects in an animal model.

Pharmacokinetics of a multicomponent herbal preparation in healthy Chinese and African volunteers.

K-601 is an herbal formulation for influenza consisting of Lonicera japonica, Isatis indigotica, Rheum palmatum, Phellodendron chinense, and Scutellaria baicalensis. In this work, we characterized the chemical constituents in K-601, identified the absorbed compounds and determined their pharmacokinetics in 6 Chinese and African volunteers by liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Similarity evaluation for chromatographic fingerprint of nine different batches showed values above 0.