bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Home Infliximab Infusion Program
Authors: Condino Adria A. , Fidanza Sara , Hoffenberg Edward J. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Infliximab is a promising advance in the treatment of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Infliximab is an effective therapy for selected children with Crohn disease but is both costly and time consuming.Objectives:To analyze our center's experience with a program of home‐based infliximab infusion.Methods:Between September, 2001, and October, 2003 we reviewed the charts of all children receiving home infliximab infusions focusing on cost, safety, and patient satisfaction. Children were enrolled in the home infusion program if they were compliant with hospital‐based infliximab infusions and other medications, had no adverse events during hospital‐based infliximab infusions, were in remission and had access to experienced pediatric homecare nursing.Results:Ten children received 59 home infusions with a dose range of 7.5 to 10 mg/kg/dose. The calculated average savings per patient was $1335/100 mg infliximab. Home infusions ranged from 2 to 5 hours. Since infusions could be performed any day of the week, school absenteeism was decreased. The average patient satisfaction rating for home infusions was 9 on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 = most satisfied). Three patients experienced difficulty with IV access requiring multiple attempts, but all were able to receive their infusions. One infusion was stopped because of arm pain above the IV site. This patient had his next infusion in the hospital before returning to the home infusion program. No severe adverse events (palpitations, blood pressure instability, hyperemia, respiratory symptoms) occurred during home infusions.Conclusions:In our carefully selected patients, infliximab infusions administered at home were safe and are cost‐effective. Patients and families preferred home infusions, since time missed from school and work was reduced.
Deficits in Size‐Adjusted Bone Mass in Children with Alagille Syndrome
Authors: Olsen Irene E. , Ittenbach Richard F. , Rovner Alisha J. , Leonard Mary B. , Mulberg Andrew E. , Stallings Virginia A. , Piccoli David A. , Zemel Babette S. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTObjectives:To describe bone status in children with Alagille syndrome (AGS) and healthy control children adjusted for age, gender and height (HT), and to identify dietary intake and AGS‐related factors associated with bone status.Methods:Prepubertal children with AGS and healthy controls comparable in age and ethnicity were evaluated. Subjects were ≥4 years of age, prepubertal and had whole body (WB) and/or lumbar spine (LS) dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of acceptable quality. Anthropometric (weight, HT), diet and AGS‐specific data (e.g., coefficient of fat absorption, labs, liver transplantation) were also collected. Bone area (BA), bone mineral content (BMC) and HT were log transformed for best fit. Bone data were analyzed unadjusted, adjusted for gender, age and HT, and as HT‐specific z‐scores.Results:AGS and control groups were similar in age, pubertal status and ethnicity. Children with AGS were small‐for‐age, had decreased BA and BMC‐for‐age, and decreased WB BA and BMC‐for‐HT z‐scores compared to healthy controls. Prevalence of low BMC‐for‐HT z‐scores (< −2) among AGS subjects was 20% for the WB and 39% for the LS. Bone mineralization was positively related to fat absorption but not dietary intake.Conclusions:Children with AGS have deficits in bone size and bone mass relative to body size. Modifiable factors, such as treatment of malabsorption should be explored as an early focus of AGS care to prevent bone fragility.
Early Decline of Pancreatic Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Class 1 or 2 CFTR Mutations
Authors: Walkowiak Jaroslaw , Sands Dorota , Nowakowska Anna , Piotrowski Robert , Zybert Katarzyna , Herzig Karl‐Heinz , Milanowski Andrzej 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTBackground:Most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients develop steatorrhea and require pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. However, there are few data regarding the decline of exocrine pancreatic function within the first years of life in relation to CF genotype. We assessed the decline of pancreatic function in CF infants carrying class 1 or 2 CFTR mutations who were diagnosed in a neonatal screening program.Materials and Methods:Twenty‐eight CF patients were included in the study and 27 completed the study. In all subjects, fecal pancreatic elastase‐1 concentrations and fecal fat excretion were scheduled to be determined at diagnosis, at 6 months of age and subsequently at 6‐month intervals.Results:In all CF patients, fecal pancreatic elastase‐1 concentrations of the first assay after diagnosis (3 to 4 months of age) were lower than the cut‐off level for normals of <200 μg/g stool. Steatorrhea was found in 81.5% of these subjects. At the age of 6 months, all screened CF subjects had fecal pancreatic elastase‐1 concentrations <100 μg/g and at the age of 12 months all were pancreatic insufficient. At that time, having proved pancreatic insufficiency in all studied subjects, we stopped the scheduled further assessment.Conclusion:CF patients require careful monitoring of pancreatic status from diagnosis onwards. In patients carrying class 1 or 2 CFTR mutations, pancreatic insufficiency develops in the first months of life. The proper assessment of pancreatic insufficiency and intestinal malabsorption is crucial for the early introduction of pancreatic enzymes.
Gut Microbiota as a Target for Food Allergy
Authors: Di Costanzo Margherita , Amoroso Antonio , Canani Roberto Berni 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTPurpose of review:The purpose of this review is to present an overview on the potential role of gut microbiota as target of intervention against food allergy.Recent findings:Many studies suggest a key pathogenetic role for gut microbiota modifications (dysbiosis) in food allergy development. Several factors responsible for dysbiosis have been associated with the occurrence of food allergy, such as caesarean delivery, lack of breast milk, drugs use (mainly antibiotics and gastric acidity inhibitors), antiseptic agents use, and low fibers/hight fat diet. No specific bacterial taxa have been consistently associated with food allergy, but evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis occurs even before food allergy signs and symptoms presentation. Data from animal and human studies highlight the ability of particular bacterial taxa to ferment dietary fibers for the production of short chain fatty acids that affect host immunity and help to explain their health‐promoting role.Summary:Modulation of gut microbiota composition and/or function represents a promising strategy for treatment and prevention of food allergy in childhood.
Childhood Obesity
Authors: Koletzko Berthold 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTPurpose of review:The early origins of overweight and obesity and the opportunities for early prevention are explored.Recent findings:Overweight and obesity prevalence globally has increased at an alarming rate. No single intervention can halt the rise of the obesity epidemic. Particular attention is given to exploring causative factors and preventive measures in early life, when biological determinants of risk trajectories, feeding behaviour and dietary preferences are shaped. Some lifestyle and nutrition modifications in pregnancy and infancy can reduce subsequent obesity risk. Also postnatal infant gut colonisation may modify later obesity risk, but currently available evidence does not allow firm conclusions. Surprisingly, about 3.2 times more systematic reviews (SR) than randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were published on “probiotics” and health, and even 7.9 times more SR than RCTs on “probiotics” and obesity, which is not helpful.Summary:Multiple research opportunities exist for exploring the early origins of obesity to contribute towards halting the rise in obesity prevalence. Exploring the early development of the microbiome in its complexity, its dependence on dietary and other exogenous factors, and its metabolic and regulatory functions is promising. Meaningful progress for obesity prevention can most likely be achieved by combining several strategies.
Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Giannetti Eleonora , Staiano Annamaria 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTPurpose of review:The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence regarding probiotics treatment for pediatric IBS.Recent findings:The overall management of children with IBS should be tailored to the patient's specific symptoms and identifiable triggers. The four major therapeutic approaches include: pharmacologic, dietary, psychosocial, and complementary/alternative medicine interventions.Although there is limited evidence for efficacy of pharmacological therapies such as antispasmodics and anti‐diarrheals, these may have a role in severe cases. A Cochrane review concluded that only weak evidence exists regarding beneficial effects of pharmacological agents in providing relief from symptoms in functional abdominal pain (AP) in children. Role of antibiotics in treatment of children with IBS remains controversial. Various non‐pharmacologic treatments are available for pediatric IBS. In a recent systematic review including 24 studies some evidence was found indicating beneficial effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, and probiotics (LGG and VSL#3).Few randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are available in children. A meta‐analysis including 9 trials which tested different probiotics as a treatment for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) in children and adolescents concluded that Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and VSL#3 significantly increased treatment success. We recently showed that, in children with IBS, a mixture of Bifidobacterium infantis M‐63®, breve M‐16V® and longum BB536® is safe and is associated with better AP control and improved quality of life when compared to placebo.Summary:Probiotics are emerging as new therapeutic tools in FGIDs, due to the recognition of the importance of gut microbiota in influencing brain‐gut interactions, and of the role played by intestinal infections in the genesis of AP‐FGIDs. Preclinical data suggest that changes in the gut microbiota can affect brain signaling systems related to pain and associated emotional behavior. Therefore, probiotics could play a relevant role in the management of FGIDs, by affecting the gut microbiota or by altering brain function and pain perception centrally.
Chapter 6.0. History of Paediatric Hepatology in ESPGHAN
Authors: Burdelski Martin 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTHepatology played an important role in ESPGAN from the beginning. In 1989, the Hepatology Committee was started. In the early 1990s H for hepatology was included in ESPGHAN. Hepatology Summer schools were held from 1995 and later monothematic conferences met the needs of many young ESPGHAN members. The role of ESPGHAN members in the progress of diagnostic and therapeutic measures in hepatitis B and C will be elucidated (Chapter 6.1) as well as the role of other ESPGHAN members in the understanding of immunological hepatic disorders of childhood (Chapter 6.2). During childhood, many metabolic hepatic disorders threaten the life and health of children making orchestrated measures in diagnostic and therapeutic efforts necessary (Chapter 6.3). The pathophysiology of cholestasis was cleared by the detection of bile salt transporters, which were identified by ESPGHAN members in the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom and Germany (Chapter 6.4). Finally liver transplantation for acute fulminant and chronic end stage liver disease was established as a meanwhile standard treatment option (Chapter 6.5). Immunosupression in liver transplantation was improved and standardized through the cooperation of many ESPGHAN member driven studies (Chapter 6.6).
Chapter 6.1. Pediatric Chronic Hepatitis B and C
Authors: Sokal Etienne M. , Nannini Pilar 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTThe expression of hepatitis B and C virus infections in children differs from that in adults and requires specific paediatric expertise. The European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) has been a pioneer in this field, having stressed the need for straightforward recommendations since the mid‐1980s. Following much observation, surveillance, and research, a panel of ESPGHAN experts was able to develop such recommendations on hepatitis B infection in children in 2009, which was then followed in June 2013 by proper guidelines. In the field of Chronic Hepatitis C, in 2011 ESPGHAN experts published also the Guidance for Clinical Trials for Children and Adolescents, and approved in 2012 the NASPGHAN guidelines for treatment. The ESPGHAN Society is to be commended for its pioneering work in furthering our understanding of chronic hepatitis B and C disease presentations in infants, children, and adolescents.
Digital location tracking in the parent/caregiver–college student dyad
Authors: Chase Gregory E. , Brown Morgan T. , Navarro Jessica L. , Lippold Melissa A. , Jensen Michaeline 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionAs college students navigate new developmental milestones, many families rely on digital technology to stay connected and aid in the transition to adulthood. Digital location tracking apps allow for parental monitoring in new ways that may have implications for youth development. Although recent research has begun to examine prevalence and motivations for digital location tracking in adolescence, we know little about how and why families continue to track into the transition to college, and how this may relate to perceptions of helicopter and autonomy supportive parenting.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study of 706 community college and 4‐year university students in the Southeastern United States, we describe prevalence and sociodemographic differences in parent/caregiver digital location tracking of their college student children, and how this may be associated with perceptions of helicopter parenting and parent/caregiver autonomy support.ResultsFindings suggest that digital location tracking is a fairly common practice among college students, with nearly half of the sample endorsing currently or previously being digitally location tracked by their parent/caregiver. Younger, White, and higher socioeconomic status students were more likely to be tracked. Those students who were currently being digitally location tracked tended to perceive their primary parent/caregiver as engaging in more helicopter parenting and as less supportive of their autonomy.ConclusionsThis brief report provides preliminary insight into parent/caregiver digital location tracking of their college student children. It is our hope that future research will further examine how digital location tracking may be helping or hindering attainment of developmental milestones in the digital age.
Optimized reconstruction of the absorption spectra of kidney tissues from the spectra of tissue components using the least squares method
Authors: Pinheiro Maria R. , Fernandes Luís E. , Carneiro Isa C. , Carvalho Sónia D. , Henrique Rui M. , Tuchin Valery V. , Oliveira Hélder P. , Oliveira Luís M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWith the objective of developing new methods to acquire diagnostic information, the reconstruction of the broadband absorption coefficient spectra (μa[λ]) of healthy and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma kidney tissues was performed. By performing a weighted sum of the absorption spectra of proteins, DNA, oxygenated, and deoxygenated hemoglobin, lipids, water, melanin, and lipofuscin, it was possible to obtain a good match of the experimental μa(λ) of both kidney conditions. The weights used in those reconstructions were estimated using the least squares method, and assuming a total water content of 77% in both kidney tissues, it was possible to calculate the concentrations of the other tissue components. It has been shown that with the development of cancer, the concentrations of proteins, DNA, oxygenated hemoglobin, lipids, and lipofuscin increase, and the concentration of melanin decreases. Future studies based on minimally invasive spectral measurements will allow cancer diagnosis using the proposed approach.
Comparison of the ratio of second trimester fetal biometric measurements to fetal nasal bone length in fetuses with normal karyotype and trisomy 21
Authors: Dal Yusuf , Akkuş Fatih , Karagün Şebnem , Coşkun Ayhan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimIn this study, we compared the ratio of second trimester fetal biometric measurements to nasal bone length (NBL) in fetuses with normal karyotype and trisomy 21 to determine their diagnostic prognostic value.Materials and MethodsThe study included 148 pregnant women who obtained second‐trimester ultrasonographic fetal anatomy and had amniocentesis (AS) for fetal karyotyping. The fetal karyotype results divided the groups into normal and trisomy 21 fetuses. Age, obstetric history, first and/or second trimester screening test risk ratios, fetal biometric measurements, and NBL mm, median (MoM) multiples, and percentile values were recorded and compared between groups.ResultsBPD/NBL ratios above 9.26 predict trisomy 21 in fetuses with 77.6% sensitivity and 86.1% specificity (p = 0.001). HC/NBL ratios above 34.50 predict trisomy 21 in fetuses with 77.8% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity (p = 0.001). FL/NBL ratios above 6.02 predict trisomy 21 in fetuses with 69.6% sensitivity and 72.2% specificity (p = 0.001). HL/NB ratios above 6.56 predict trisomy 21 in fetuses with 95.5% sensitivity and 47.2% specificity (p = 0.001). The NBL MoM value demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy for normal‐karyotype fetuses (p = 0.021).ConclusionWe found that BPD/NBL, HC/NBL, FL/NBL, and HL/NBL ratios differed between fetuses with a normal karyotype and those with trisomy 21, specifically the HC/NBL ratio, which predicted trisomy 21 with good diagnostic accuracy. In identifying normal‐karyotype fetuses, the NBL MoM was highly accurate.
Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) versus open extended cholecystectomy: A multicenter propensity score matched study
Authors: Sohn Hee Ju , Lee Mirang , Han Youngmin , Kwon Wooil , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Han Ho‐Seong , Lim Chang Sup , Jang Jin‐Young 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis multicenter study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive extended cholecystectomy (MI‐EC) versus open EC (O‐EC) for patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC).MethodsPatients who underwent EC (cholecystectomy, wedge resection of the liver bed, and regional lymphadenectomy) for GBC between 2010 and 2020 in three centers were included in the study. The clinicopathological data were compared after propensity score matching. Additional subgroup analysis on laparoscopic and robotic EC (L‐EC and R‐EC) was performed.ResultsA total of 377 patients were included: 308 for O‐EC and 69 for MI‐EC, respectively. The MI‐EC group had a longer operative time (188.9 vs. 238.1 min, p < .001) and shorter hospital stay (9.0 vs. 7.2 days, p = .007), although no differences were found in operative blood loss, complication rate and survival outcome. In subgroup analysis, L‐EC patients had a longer operative time (264.4 vs. 202.0 min, p = .001), compared to R‐EC patients with comparable perioperative and survival outcomes.ConclusionAlthough patients with MI‐EC had a longer operation time and higher medical costs, the advantages were enhanced recovery with comparable short‐ and long‐term outcomes. The operation time was less for R‐EC patients than for L‐EC patients, though the high cost still remains. The surgery type for EC can be selected according to the patient's condition, social status and surgeon's preference.
Morphology and distribution of sensilla on head appendages in the water beetle Hygrobia hermanni (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Hygrobiidae)
Authors: Jager Muriel , Errais Walid , Trichet Michaël , Manuel Michaël 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSensilla on head appendages were studied in detail for the first time in a member of the relict family Hygrobiidae (squeak beetles), closely related to Dytiscidae (diving beetles). Adult and third instar larval stage specimens of Hygrobia hermanni (Fabricius, 1775) were examined using scanning electron microscopy, focusing on antennae, palps and larval mandibles. In total, 37 sensilla subtypes are described, including 22 observed in the adult (basiconica: 3; Böhm's bristles: 2; circumvallate sensilla: 2; coeloconica: 10; ovoid placodea: 3; digitiform placodea: 2) and 16 in the larva (basiconica: 4; campaniformia: 1; chaetica: 4; coeloconica: 5; trichodea: 1; unnamed: 1). Only one subtype (of sensilla coeloconica) was shared between the adult and the larva. Autapomorphies of Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae, and putatively shared derived characters (synapomorphies) of Hygrobiidae + Dytiscidae are discussed. Among the latter, the most remarkable is the acquisition of a special sensory field, located on the apical segment of the adult maxillary palp, subapically and postero‐dorsally. This sensory field is made up of ovoid multiporous sensilla placodea otherwise present on the anterior (internal) surface of antennal segments, suggesting that in a common ancestor of Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae, maxillary palps might have taken over enhanced capacities of longe‐range molecule detection.
Climate risks to soy‐maize double‐cropping due to Amazon deforestation
Authors: Leite‐Filho Argemiro Teixeira , Soares‐Filho Britaldo Silveira , de Oliveira Ubirajara 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDeforestation in the Brazilian Amazon (BA) for cattle and soybean production has significant consequences for the various aspects of the climate system. Land surface modifications due to deforestation directly influence surface energy and moisture availability, hence impacting rainfall patterns, air temperature and the onset of the agricultural rainy season. Here, we assess the forest loss‐related climate risks for the first and second crop seasons of the soy‐maize double cropping system in the BA. We utilized long‐term, daily, remote sensed climate data and annual land‐use maps as input for a machine learning algorithm to isolate the signal of forest loss on the climate. Our findings indicate that forest loss in the BA intensifies the risks of climate change from the local to the regional geographical scale, with the impact being more pronounced at the regional scale. Between 1999 and 2019, largely deforested regions exhibited a delay of approximately 76 days in the onset of the agricultural rainy season. These regions also experienced a 360 mm decrease in rainfall and an increase in maximum air temperature of 2.5°C. In view of these results, there are collective advantages of halting deforestation. Conservation of the Amazon Forest is vital for maintaining the early onset of the agricultural rainy season, favourable temperatures and adequate rainfall volume needed for attaining high yields in the soy‐maize double cropping system.