Zinc is essential for the transcription function of Nrf2 in human renal tubule cells in vitro and mouse kidney in vivo under the diabetic condition.

Increasing evidence from human and laboratory studies showed the effect of zinc (Zn) on diabetic complications. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays important role in the prevention of oxidative damage. This study was to define whether Zn statues (deficiency or supplement) affect the Nrf2 expression and function, and also affect the damage severity of human renal tubular (HK11) cells exposed to high glucose (HG) with palmitate (Pal) and kidney of diabetic mice induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocins.

Follow-up study of lympho-histiocytic villitis and incidental retroplacental hematoma.

Placentas are usually submitted for pathologic examination based on obstetrical indications. We hypothesized that the placenta may have diagnostic value to the infant independent of obstetrical events. We specifically tested whether lymphohistiocytic villitis (noninfectious) would predict autoimmune or alloimmune disease based on transfer of activated maternal T-cells to the fetus and whether clinically silent placental separations (retroplacental hematomas, RPH) would predict neurologic injury in the infant.

Individualizing fortification of human milk using real time human milk analysis.

Objective: To use real-time human milk macronutrient analysis to calculate final composition following fortification.

Study Design: Preterm HM (PHM) and pooled donor human milks (DHM) were analyzed by mid-infrared spectroscopy for protein, fat and lactose. Energy content was calculated from macronutrient results.

Community partnership to promote home fire safety in children with special needs.

Background: Parents of children with special needs are vigilant as their child may have difficulty independently escaping a burning home. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if providing home fire safety information via a digital video disc (DVD) increases families' knowledge, behavior and ability regarding home fire safety.

Methods: A school based classroom intervention (using a home fire safety DVD) was provided to parents (n=40) of children with and without special needs to improve home fire safety knowledge, behavior and ability.

Magnolia extract (BL153) ameliorates kidney damage in a high fat diet-induced obesity mouse model.

Accumulating evidence demonstrated that obesity is a risk factor for renal structural and functional changes, leading to the end-stage renal disease which imposes a heavy economic burden on the community. However, no effective therapeutic method for obesity-associated kidney disease is available. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of a magnolia extract (BL153) for treating obesity-associated kidney damage in a high fat diet- (HFD-) induced mouse model.

Variants in C-reactive protein and IL-6 genes and susceptibility to obstructive sleep apnea in children: a candidate-gene association study in European American and Southeast European populations.

Background: Preliminary evidence indicates that variants of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6 genes might be associated with the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in childhood. Thus a candidate-gene association study was conducted to investigate the association of four variants of the CRP gene (1444C/T, -717T/C, 1861C/T, and 1919A/T) and two variants of the IL-6 gene (-174G/C and 597G/A) with OSA in a cohort of European American and Greek children.

Methods: The genetic risk effects were estimated based on the odds ratio (OR) of the allele contrast and the generalized odds ratio (ORG), which is a model-free approach.

The prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy by non-mitogenic acidic fibroblast growth factor is probably mediated by the suppression of oxidative stress and damage.

Background: Emerging evidence showed the beneficial effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) on heart diseases. The present study investigated whether non-mitogenic aFGF (nm-aFGF) can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy and the underlying mechanisms, if any.

Methodology/principal Findings: Type 1 diabetes was induced in mice by multiple intraperitoneal injections of low-dose streptozotocin.

Attenuation of hyperlipidemia- and diabetes-induced early-stage apoptosis and late-stage renal dysfunction via administration of fibroblast growth factor-21 is associated with suppression of renal inflammation.

Background: Lipotoxicity is a key feature of the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, and is attributed to excessive lipid accumulation (hyperlipidemia). Increasing evidence suggests that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21 has a crucial role in lipid metabolism under diabetic conditions.

Objective: The present study investigated whether FGF21 can prevent hyperlipidemia- or diabetes-induced renal damage, and if so, the possible mechanism.

Renal improvement by zinc in diabetic mice is associated with glucose metabolism signaling mediated by metallothionein and Akt, but not Akt2.

Human epidemiological and animal studies have shown the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on mitigating diabetic nephropathy. However, the mechanism by which zinc protects the kidney from diabetes remains unknown. Here we demonstrate the therapeutic effects of zinc on diabetes-induced renal pathological and functional changes.

In vitro umbilical cord wrapping and torsion: possible cause of umbilical blood flow occlusion.

Objective: Intrapartum fetal heart rate decelerations and bradycardia are often attributed to umbilical cord occlusion without knowing the anatomic basis of that occlusion. We hypothesized that umbilical cord twisting while looped around fetal parts could occlude blood flow.

Methods: Using an in vitro preparation, human umbilical cord veins were perfused at one end with water at approximately 40 cm H2O.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity not associated with cerebral palsy: reconsideration of surgical inclusion criteria.

Children with spastic diplegia from cerebral palsy (CP) experience measurable improvement in their spasticity and motor function following selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR). The role of this operation in the treatment of other spasticity causes is less well defined. A literature review was undertaken to survey outcomes from SDRs performed outside the CP population.

Complications associated with molding helmet therapy for positional plagiocephaly: a review.

Molding helmet therapy is a widely accepted treatment for positional plagiocephaly that is generally considered to be low risk. Multiple large outcome studies have shown good results, but adverse events are rarely reported. The literature on helmet therapy was reviewed to clarify the clinical experience with associated complications.

The effect of radiation timing on patients with high-risk features of parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma: an analysis of IRS-IV and D9803.

Purpose: Radiation therapy remains an essential treatment for patients with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (PMRMS), and early radiation therapy may improve local control for patients with intracranial extension (ICE).

Methods And Materials: To address the role of radiation therapy timing in PMRMS in the current era, we reviewed the outcome from 2 recent clinical trials for intermediate-risk RMS: Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS)-IV and Children's Oncology Group (COG) D9803. The PMRMS patients on IRS-IV with any high-risk features (cranial nerve palsy [CNP], cranial base bony erosion [CBBE], or ICE) were treated immediately at day 0, and PMRMS patients without any of these 3 features received week 6-9 radiation therapy.

Absolute lymphocyte counts as prognostic indicators for immune thrombocytopenia outcomes in children.

Background: Recent studies reviewing immune mechanisms of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have suggested acute and chronic forms may represent distinct immunopathological disorders. This study evaluated absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) as predictors for ITP outcomes.

Procedure: CBCs with differential counts were ascertained at presentation, 3, 6, and 12 months for 204 patients.

Roles of microRNAs in pressure overload- and ischemia-related myocardial remodeling.

Cardiac remodeling, a term that spans maladaptation at the molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels, is the key pathophysiological process that leads to heart failure (HF). In clinic, pressure overload and ischemia are the two most common reasons to induce cardiac remodeling and HF, which includes but is not limited to cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, single-stranded, short non-coding RNAs.

Extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of severe, refractory steroid dependent pediatric Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's disease is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting both children and adults. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been used in steroid dependent adults with moderate to severely active Crohn's disease, with response rates up to 50%, with up to 25% complete responses. A 12-year-old male patient had severe unremitting Crohn's disease for one year, despite treatment with anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and biologic agents.

Pharmacokinetics, safety profile, and efficacy of aliskiren in pediatric patients with hypertension.

Objective: To assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety profile of aliskiren in pediatric patients (6-17 years old) with hypertension.

Methods: Patients were randomized to a single weight-based dose of either 2 mg/kg (n = 19) or 6 mg/kg (n = 20) of aliskiren daily for 8 days. The PK, pharmacodynamics, safety profile, and efficacy of aliskiren were assessed.

Use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system in adolescents with endometriosis.

Study Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our adolescent patient population who had received a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) at or after the time of endometriosis diagnosis, and determine efficacy of the LNG-IUS in regards to pain and bleeding on follow-up exam.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology Clinic and Children's Hospital in a metropolitan area.

Head-to-head comparison of disaster triage methods in pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.

Study Objective: A variety of methods have been proposed and used in disaster triage situations, but there is little more than expert opinion to support most of them. Anecdotal disaster experiences often report mediocre real-world triage accuracy. The study objective was to determine the accuracy of several disaster triage methods when predicting clinically important outcomes in a large cohort of trauma victims.

Verbal abuse of pediatric nurses by patients and families.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which nurses practicing in a pediatric hospital encounter verbal abuse by patients and families and their reactions to this abuse.

Background: Verbal abuse, the most common type of workplace violence against nurses results in declining morale and job satisfaction, and can negatively impact nurse turnover and quality of patient care.

Methods: The study employed a concurrent triangulation strategy using mixed methods.