Impact of Frailty on Surgical Outcomes of Patients With Cushing Disease Using the Multicenter Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders Registry.

Background And Objectives: Despite growing interest in how patient frailty affects outcomes (eg, in neuro-oncology), its role after transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing disease (CD) remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of frailty on CD outcomes using the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID) data set from a collaboration of US academic pituitary centers.

Methods: Data on consecutive surgically treated patients with CD (2011-2023) were compiled using the 11-factor modified frailty index.

Outcomes and complications of vertebral body tethering by patient gender.

Purpose: Non-fusion surgical options for pediatric scoliosis management such as vertebral body tethering (VBT) offer an alternative to spinal fusion. With this study, we aim to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in boys versus girls who have undergone VBT. Our hypothesis is that girls and boys will have similar outcomes by 2-year follow-up.

Homelessness and Birth Outcomes in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2016-2020.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of homelessness shortly before or during pregnancy and describe differences in maternal characteristics and adverse birth outcomes between people reporting homelessness and not reporting homelessness.

Methods: We used 2016-2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 31 sites to estimate the prevalence of self-reported homelessness during the 12 months before giving birth. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the association between homelessness and adverse birth outcomes, specifically small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and preterm birth (PTB).

Biomarkers in Ataxia-Telangiectasia: a Systematic Review.

Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) is a very rare multisystem disease of DNA repair, associated with progressive disabling neurological symptoms, respiratory failure, immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition, leading to premature death. There are no curative treatments available for A-T but clinical trials have begun. A major limiting factor in effectively evaluating therapies for A-T is the lack of suitable outcome measures and biomarkers.

Ocrelizumab dose selection for treatment of pediatric relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results of the OPERETTA I study.

Background: The presented study identified the appropriate ocrelizumab dosing regimen for patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS).

Methods: Patients with POMS aged 10-17 years were enrolled into cohort 1 (body weight [BW] < 40 kg, ocrelizumab 300 mg) and cohort 2 (BW ≥ 40 kg, ocrelizumab 600 mg) during a 24-week dose-exploration period (DEP), followed by an optional ocrelizumab (given every 24 weeks) extension period.

Primary Endpoints: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (CD19 B-cell count); secondary endpoint: safety; exploratory endpoints: MRI activity, protocol-defined relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score change.

MOG antibody-associated disease epidemiology in Olmsted County, USA, and Martinique.

Objectives: To report myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) epidemiology in two American regions using 2023 diagnostic criteria.

Patients And Methods: We compared age- and sex-adjusted incidence and prevalence of MOGAD per 2023 diagnostic criteria in Olmsted County (Minnesota [USA]) and Martinique (Caribbean [FR]) (01/01/2003-12/31/2018, prevalence day) using Poisson regression. Archived sera in 68-85% were available for MOG-IgG testing by live cell-based assay at Mayo Clinic.

mBAT: a newly developed mobile application for self-screening of pediatric bleeding disorders - a multi-center study.

Bleeding assessment tools (BATs) are used by trained medical personnel for screening bleeding disorders on a one-to-one basis with patients; hence, they are time-consuming and limited in use for large-population screening. The aims of the study were to develop, validate, and demonstrate a Thai BAT mobile application (mBAT) for self-screening of bleeding disorders. mBAT was developed and validated using the paper-based Thai version of pediatric bleeding questionnaire (TPBQ).

Patent Ductus Arteriosus Morphology Changes in Preterm Neonates Undergoing Transcatheter Device Closure.

Evaluate patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) morphology changes in the preterm neonate undergoing transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC). We propose the type F ductus is associated with lower corrected gestational age (CGA) and improved TCPC outcomes. Retrospective review of premature neonates undergoing TCPC at a large volume institution from November 2020 to November 2023.

Ultrasound-guided needle positioning confirmation with injection of saline solution for nodal dynamic contrast-enhanced MR-lymphangiography in pediatric patients.

Purpose: To assess the success rate of confirmation of ultrasound-guided intranodal needle positioning by saline injection for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography (DCMRL) in pediatric patients.

Material And Methods: Data from children undergoing nodal DCMRL after ultrasound-guided needle positioning into inguinal lymph nodes and validation of the needle position by injection of plain saline solution between 05/2020 and 12/2022 were reviewed. On injection of saline solution, adequate needle position was confirmed by lymph node distension without leakage.

Taiwanese fathers' experiences following the death of a child to cancer.

This study descried the experiences of fathers who had lost a child to cancer. The participants were eight fathers whose children died following cancer treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and content analysis identified six major themes: (1) accompanying their child on the final journey home, (2) stabilizing family life, (3) coping with unbearable grief, 4) maintaining the memory and continuing the bond, (5) reflecting on the regrets and contradictions of the treatment process, (6) finding new meaning, and cherishing the present.

Baseline Drug Clearance Predicts Outcomes in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated With Vedolizumab: Results From the VedoKids Prospective Multicentre Study.

Background: The pharmacokinetics of biologic agents can differ between children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often necessitating modified paediatric dosing strategies.

Aims: To define the exposure-response relationship of vedolizumab in the paediatric IBD VedoKids cohort including the effect of baseline clearance on deep biochemical remission (normal C-reactive protein [CRP]/erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and steroid-free remission) at 30 weeks, and to use population pharmacokinetic models to find the best matches between adult and paediatric pharmacokinetic profiles.

Methods: We sought a pharmacokinetic model on 312 serum vedolizumab concentrations from 129 children, assisted by a published adult model as a Bayesian prior.

Assessing Clinical Improvement of Infants Hospitalized for Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Related Critical Illness.

Background: Pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) commonly requires hospitalization. The Clinical Progression Scale Pediatrics (CPS-Ped) measures level of respiratory support and degree of hypoxia across a range of disease severity, but it has not been applied in infants hospitalized with severe RSV-LRTI.

Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective surveillance registry of infants hospitalized for RSV-related complications across 39 U.

Challenges in determining the global burden of non-malignant central nervous system tumors: an analysis of international incidence and mortality data sources.

Background: Non-malignant tumors of the CNS contribute substantially to the morbidity and mortality from CNS tumors. It is critical to understand the epidemiology of non-malignant CNS tumors separately from CNS malignancies to inform resource allocation and policy since treatment and prognosis can differ. High quality international data on non-malignant CNS tumor burden are needed to accomplish this goal.

Impact of optimal secondary cytoreductive surgery on survival outcomes in women with recurrent endometrial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Management of recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) represents a challenge. Although a complete resection of visible disease at secondary surgery (R0) is recommended, the impact of R0 on survival outcomes is unclear and pooled data are lacking.

Objective: To quantitatively assess the impact of R0 on survival outcomes in women with EC recurrence.

Use of Bibliotherapy for Depression in Pediatric Cancer Patients.

In this article, we discuss the use of bibliotherapy for depression in pediatric cancer patients, to attract attention to the importance of this method, overlooked by most health professionals. Cancer in children and adolescents is one of the most serious health problems worldwide. There is a subgroup of children with cancer at increased risk for anxiety and depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

FOXJ3, a novel tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma (NB) poses a significant challenge in pediatric cancer care due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. While advances have been made in clinical treatments, therapy resistance remains a tough hurdle in NB treatment. While much research has focused on identifying oncogenes in NB, there has been less emphasis on understanding tumor suppressors.

Restoring hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function in mice by delivery of RNA lipid nanoparticles.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a congenital multisystem disorder characterized by early-onset bone marrow failure (BMF) and cancer susceptibility. While gene addition and repair therapies are being considered as treatment options, depleted hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pools, poor HSC mobilization, compromised survival during transduction, and increased sensitivity to conventional conditioning strategies limit eligibility for FA patients to receive gene therapies. As an alternative approach, we explored protein replacement by mRNA delivery via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

Use of Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Review.

Immunoglobulins (Igs) are produced by B lymphocytes and play a key role in humoral immunity. Igs are classified into five isotypes (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD). Their primary function is to recognize and bind to foreign antigens.

Patient-reported outcome measures for life participation in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review.

Background: The symptoms, comorbidities and treatment burden associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be debilitating and limit life participation in patients with CKD not requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics, content and psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess life participation in patients with CKD.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL from database inception to February 2023 for all studies that reported life participation in patients with CKD (stages 1-5 not requiring kidney replacement therapy).

Standardized Multimodal Pain Protocol Minimizes Inpatient Opioid Administration in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Population.

Background: Optimal management of post-operative pain is a critical component of orthopedic surgical care. There is a heightened awareness of narcotic prescribing habits given the current "opioid epidemic." The lack of standardized protocols has led to increased errors, delayed access to prescribed medications, and excessive narcotic prescribing.

"If children don't feel safe, they won't come back": A qualitative exploration of parents' perceptions of health coordinators in a family-based programme in socially disadvantaged communities.

Background: Families residing in disadvantaged communities encounter inequalities that restrict their engagement in physical activity. Family-based interventions and health coordinators have been proposed as promising approaches to encourage physical activity among parents and children. However, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding family experiences of such programmes and the ways health coordinators facilitate continued participation in programmes delivered in disadvantaged communities.