Carnitine Intake and Serum Levels Associate Positively with Postnatal Growth and Brain Size at Term in Very Preterm Infants

Carnitine has an essential role in energy metabolism with possible neuroprotective effects. Very preterm (VPT, <32 gestation weeks) infants may be predisposed to carnitine deficiency during hospitalization. We studied the associations of carnitine intake and serum carnitine levels with growth and brain size at term equivalent age (TEA) in VPT infants. This prospective cohort study included 35 VTP infants admitted to Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. Daily nutrient intakes were registered at postnatal weeks (W) 1 and 5, and serum carnitine levels were determined at W1, W5, and TEA. The primary outcomes were weight, length, and head circumference Z-score change from birth to TEA, as well as brain size at TEA in magnetic resonance imaging. Carnitine intake at W1 and W5, obtained from enteral milk, correlated positively with serum carnitine levels. Both carnitine intake and serum levels at W1, W5, and TEA showed a positive correlation with weight, length, and head circumference Z-score change and with brain size at TEA. In linear models, independent positive associations of carnitine intake and serum carnitine levels with length and head circumference Z-score change and brain size at TEA were seen. In VPT infants, sufficient carnitine intake during hospitalization is necessary since it is associated with better postnatal growth and larger brain size at term age.     

Comparing surgical efficiencies between phacoemulsification systems: a single surgeon retrospective study of 2000 eyes

AIM: To compare under similar conditions intraoperative surgical efficiencies metrics between an active fluidics and a gravity based phacoemulsification systems. METHODS: Adult patients who were diagnosed with a cataract that compromised visual acuity inferior to 20/40 were included in the study. Patients were excluded from the study if they had a history of severe retinal disorders, clinically significant corneal endothelial dystrophy or history of corneal disease. All phacoemulsification surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. Both phacoemulsification systems used the 0.9 mm 45-degree aspiration bypass system Intrepid Balanced tip and the 0.9 mm Intrepid Ultra infusion sleeve. All cataracts were classified using the Lens Opacities Classification System III, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and aspiration fluids were measured in each surgery. RESULTS: Totally 2000 eyes were included in the study. Phacoemulsification was performed in 1000 (50%) eyes with an active fluid dynamics system and in 1000 (50%) eyes with a gravity-based fluidic system. Mean CDE until fracture of the lens was 1.1 and 1.9 percent-seconds and total mean CDE used was 5.6 and 7.2 percent-seconds using an active fluidics dynamics system and gravity-based fluidic system, respectively (P<0.001). Mean aspiration fluids used were 70 mL using an active fluidics dynamics system and 84 mL using a gravity-based fluidic system (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study evidences that surgeries performed under similar conditions (same surgeon, phaco tip and sleeve) with the active fluidics dynamics system required significantly lower CDE and aspiration fluids.     

灸药并用治疗小儿久咳127例

目的:观察灸药并用治疗脾虚痰湿型小儿咳嗽的疗效。方法:127例久咳患儿辨证属脾虚痰湿型,采用内服二陈汤加减、温和灸膏肓等穴、捏脊疗法综合治疗,7次为1个疗程,连治3个疗程,并随访1年。结果:127例患儿中,治愈21例,好转88例,未愈18例,总有效率为87%。结论:灸、药、捏脊疗法三者并用,能有效治疗脾虚痰湿型小儿久咳,本法可作为临床的首选疗法之一。     

小儿推拿各流派手法治疗外感风寒发热的临床运用及学术特点

总结山东"三字经"小儿推拿流派、孙重三小儿推拿流派、张汉臣小儿推拿流派、金义成海派小儿推拿、刘开运小儿推拿流派和深圳岭南小儿推拿各自的手法特色,介绍各流派治疗小儿外感风寒发热的取穴和方法,指出不同流派小儿推拿手法治疗小儿外感风寒发热均有较好的临床疗效,但操作和选穴不尽相同,各有针对性、地域性及传承性。     

Late response to radiochemotherapy in pediatric glioblastoma: report on two patients treated according to HIT-GBM protocols

High-grade gliomas in children are rare and the best treatment is undetermined. The German language group study HIT-GBM compares various induction protocols for subsequent patient cohorts. Currently, cisplatinum, etoposide, ifosfamide, and vincristine are given simultaneously with extended-field radiotherapy. Imaging is done 3 weeks after to define treatment response, followed by 6-weekly controls during consolidation with lomustine, vincristine, and prednisone. The authors report on 2 patients with incompletely resected glioblastoma multiforme in which response was lacking 3 weeks after radiochemotherapy but became evident 12 weeks later. This suggests that later time points are required to assess induction protocol response.     

Safety of mTOR inhibitor continuation in pediatric heart transplant recipients undergoing surgical procedures

mTOR inhibitors have been associated with SWC when used in the perioperative period. Limited literature is available to guide providers in managing chronic mTOR inhibitor use in the perioperative period, especially in the pediatric setting. The primary aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of SWC with mTOR inhibitor continuation during the perioperative period for major surgeries. Heart transplant recipients ≤25 years old at the time of primary heart transplant receiving sirolimus maintenance therapy during a surgical procedure and within the study period were included. Surgeries identified within the study period included otolaryngology procedures (46.2%), such as tonsillectomies with or without adenoidectomies, cardiac surgeries (30.8%) including a sternal revision, pulmonary vein repair, and pacemaker placement in two patients, orthopedic surgeries (15.4%) including a posterior spinal fusion and an Achilles tendon lengthening with ankle and subtalar joint release, and a neurosurgery (7.7%), which was a ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision. Thirteen surgical encounters were examined. One SWC was observed, an infected pacemaker requiring systemic antibiotics and removal of the device. The results of this study suggest that sirolimus may be continued in the perioperative period based on the low rate of SWC observed.     

An overview of disparities in childhood cancer: Report on the Inaugural Symposium on Childhood Cancer Health Disparities,Houston, Texas, 2016

The Inaugural Symposium on Childhood Cancer Health Disparities was held in Houston, Texas, on November 2, 2016. The symposium was attended by 109 scientists and clinicians from diverse disciplinary backgrounds with interests in pediatric cancer disparities and focused on reviewing our current knowledge of disparities in cancer risk and outcomes for select childhood cancers. Following a full day of topical sessions, everyone participated in a brainstorming session to develop a working strategy for the continued expansion of research in this area. This meeting was designed to serve as a springboard for examination of childhood cancer disparities from a more unified and systematic approach and to enhance awareness of this area of need.