Evaluation of a Modified Vesikari Severity Score as a Research Tool for Assessing Pediatric Acute Gastroenteritis.

A modified Vesikari severity score (MVSS) is a useful research tool for assessing severity of acute gastroenteritis. We present a MVSS for studies in which a follow-up assessment of symptoms cannot be obtained. The MVSS significantly correlated with other markers of severity, including illness duration and work and school absenteeism.

Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose syndrome.

The galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-Gal) syndrome is a newly recognized and unique form of food allergy, characterized by delayed reactions to mammalian meats. This form of allergy occurs in individuals who become sensitized to alpha-Gal, a carbohydrate that is present on most mammalian tissues. Sensitization occurs after exposure to multiple arthropod bites, most commonly the lone star tick.

A Review of an Interfacility Transport Program Pediatric Stroke Clinical Practice Guideline.

Background: Pediatric acute ischemic stroke is a rare diagnosis that requires timely recognition and definitive management to prevent morbidity and mortality. Children often present to primary care offices, urgent care clinics, and adult emergency departments for evaluation of symptoms that may be signs and symptoms of stroke. Currently, there are no published prehospital or transport protocols specific to pediatric acute ischemic stroke.

Current status of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and automatic external defibrillator availability in high schools in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Background: School-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) have proven to increase the survival of victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This study aimed to determine the status of CPR training, availability of AEDs, and medical emergency response programs (MERPs) in high schools in Halifax Regional Municipality.

Method: High school principals were asked to participate in a voluntary online survey comprising questions about demographics, AEDs availability, CPR training for staff and students, the existence of MERPs, and perceived barriers.

Impact of Weight on Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients in Pediatric Centers: An ACTION Registry Study.

Ventricular assist device (VAD) options vary for children in different weight groups. This study evaluates contemporary device usage and outcomes for children based on weight. Data from the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry were examined for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 4 weight cohorts: <8 kg, 8-20 kg, 21-40 kg, and >40 kg, for devices implanted 3/2013-10/2020.

Beyond the Hot Comb: Updates in Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia from 2011 to 2021.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a form of scarring alopecia that predominantly affects middle-aged women of African descent. Recent data suggest a multifactorial etiology of CCCA that is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Emerging evidence regarding the genetic basis of the condition may elucidate new therapies.

Nocturnal Hypertension in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease Is Common and Associated With Progression to Kidney Replacement Therapy.

Background: Nocturnal hypertension is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression among adults. In children, effects of nocturnal hypertension on CKD progression is less studied.

Methods: We investigated the relationships between nocturnal, daytime, or sustained hypertension and progression to kidney replacement therapy in children using Cox proportional hazards models.

Clinical validation of a spectroscopic liquid biopsy for earlier detection of brain cancer.

Background: Diagnostic delays impact the quality of life and survival of patients with brain tumors. Earlier and expeditious diagnoses in these patients are crucial to reduce the morbidities and mortalities associated with brain tumors. A simple, rapid blood test that can be administered easily in a primary care setting to efficiently identify symptomatic patients who are most likely to have a brain tumor would enable quicker referral to brain imaging for those who need it most.

Phase III Trial Adding Vincristine-Topotecan-Cyclophosphamide to the Initial Treatment of Patients With Nonmetastatic Ewing Sarcoma: A Children's Oncology Group Report.

Purpose: The primary aim of this phase III randomized trial was to test whether the addition of vincristine, topotecan, and cyclophosphamide (VTC) to interval compressed chemotherapy improved survival outcomes for patients with previously untreated nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard five-drug interval compressed chemotherapy (regimen A) for 17 cycles or experimental therapy with five cycles of VTC within the 17 cycles (regimen B). Patients were stratified by age at diagnosis (< 18 years and ≥18 years) and tumor site (pelvic bone, nonpelvic bone, and extraosseous).

IMPPACT (Intravenous Monotherapy for Postoperative Perforated Appendicitis in Children Trial): Randomized Clinical Trial of Monotherapy Versus Multi-drug Antibiotic Therapy.

Background: Perforated appendicitis is the most common cause of intraabdominal abscess (IAA) in children. The optimal postoperative antibiotic regimen to reduce IAA has evolved in the last decade from triple-drug to 2-drug therapy (CM). Recent retrospective studies show decreased infectious complications with monotherapy PT.

A multicenter report on the safety and efficacy of plerixafor based stem cell mobilization in children with malignant disorders.

Background: Pleraxifor for peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization in children with malignancies is often given following failure of standard mobilization (SM) rather than as a primary mobilizing agent.

Study Design And Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, we report the safety of plerixafor-based PBSC mobilization in children with malignancies and compare outcomes between patients who received plerixafor upfront with SM (Group A) with those who received plerixafor following failure of SM (Group B). In the latter pleraxifor was given either following a low peripheral blood (PB) CD34 (<20 cells/cu.

Squamous Carcinoma of the Cervix in a 15-Year-Old with Congenital HIV: A Case Report.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Immunocompetent hosts have intact defense mechanisms to prevent HPV infection, but immunocompromised patients are at higher risk for complications, including HPV-related cancers. Most of these cancers originate from high-risk HPV strains in sexually active patients.

Cost-Effectiveness of the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group Screening Guidelines to Prevent Heart Failure in Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Purpose: Survivors of childhood cancer treated with anthracyclines and/or chest-directed radiation are at increased risk for heart failure (HF). The International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG) recommends risk-based screening echocardiograms, but evidence supporting its frequency and cost-effectiveness is limited.

Patients And Methods: Using the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and St Jude Lifetime Cohort, we developed a microsimulation model of the clinical course of HF.

Beyond tumor mutational burden: potential and limitations in using exosomes to predict response to immunotherapy.

: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has ushered in a new era of cancer therapeutics. The standard for determining which patients might benefit from ICB-based therapies is through the assessment of tumor mutational burden using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue samples; however, this strategy is imperfect. The discovery of exosomal PD-L1 has placed these nano-vesicles to the forefront of immunotherapy biomarker development.

Predicting Morbidity and Mortality in Neonates Born With Gastroschisis.

Background: Gastroschisis is an increasingly common congenital abdominal wall defect. Due to advances in neonatal critical care and early surgical management, mortality from gastroschisis and associated complications has decreased to less than 10% in most series. However, it has been recognized that the outcome of gastroschisis has a spectrum and that the disorder affects a heterogeneous cohort of neonates.