The Relation of Caregiver Demand to Adjustment Outcomes in Children With Cancer: The Moderating Role of Parenting Stress

This study investigated the relation of caregiver demand (CD) and parenting stress (PS) to child adjustment in a pediatric cancer sample. Mothers of children with cancer completed measures of PS and CD and rated their child's emotional, behavioral, and social adjustment. PS emerged as an independent predictor of the child's emotional, behavioral, and social adjustment; and moderated the relation between CD and child internalizing problems (IP). Contrary to expectations, children evidenced fewer IP under conditions of high CD and low PS, and more IP under conditions of low CD and low PS.     

Pro-Inflammatory Interferon Gamma Signaling is Directly Associated with Stroke Induced Neurodegeneration

The delayed immune response to stroke is responsible for the increased neural injury that continues to occur after the initial ischemic event. This delayed immune response has been linked to the spleen, as splenectomy prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is neuroprotective. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is linked to the splenic response, which enhances neural injury following MCAO. IFNγ activates the expression of the inflammatory chemokine interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10). This study was designed to determine the role of IFNγ signaling in the inflammatory response following MCAO. Expression of IP-10 increased in the brain and the spleen following MCAO. Splenectomy inhibited the increase of IP-10 in the brain post-MCAO, while recombinant IFNγ administration to splenectomized rats returned IP-10 levels in the brain to levels found in rats after MCAO only. Systemic administration of an IFNγ neutralizing antibody to MCAO-treated rats reduced infarct volume and IP-10 levels in the brain. T cell infiltration was reduced in the MCAO-damaged brains of IFNγ antibody-treated animals relative to those that received isotype control antibodies. Additionally, inhibiting IFNγ signaling with splenectomy or an IFNγ neutralizing antibody blocked the induction of IP-10 expression and decreased neurodegeneration following MCAO. Targeting this pro-inflammatory pathway following stroke could be a promising stroke therapeutic.     

Renal bladder ultrasound evaluation in monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis: is it really necessary?

Background

Published guidelines regarding radiographic imaging in the evaluation of monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis (MPNE) are not followed. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of urological abnormalities on renal/bladder ultrasound (RBUS) in children with MPNE and to compare the RBUS findings in children with and without MPNE.

Methods

Retrospective data collection in all children aged 5–17 years seen for the initial evaluation of MPNE. Control group consisted of age- and sex-matched children who had abdominal ultrasound for other than bladder-/kidney-related causes. RBUS findings were analyzed with regard to the need for intervention and/or follow-up.

Results

While abnormalities on RBUS were seen in 12.54 % of enuretic children and in 5.38 % of controls (p?=?0.004), the majority of these findings were clinically insignificant. Of those with abnormalities, only 4 enuretic children (1.43 %) required intervention and 8 (2.87 %) needed follow-up studies. These rates were not significantly different from the controls. However, enuretic children with RBUS abnormalities appear to be more resistant to treatment than enuretic children with normal RBUS (p?=?0.002).

Conclusions

A small proportion of abnormalities seen on RBUS in children with MPNE require intervention and/or further evaluation. The identification of insignificant RBUS findings could lead to unnecessary additional investigations owing to parental concern. Detailed history and a voiding diary may be sufficient in the initial evaluation of children with MPNE, although RBUS may play an important role in patients who are resistant to treatment.     

To go or not to go organic: what choice for Pacific island countries?

There are arguments for and against organic agriculture. The paper looks at the impact of changes and development, the need for sustainable development, organic farming as a viable alternative, organic certification and concluding thoughts on why organic farming makes sense. To go organic does not necessarily mean that organic products are totally free of chemical pesticides but they have a lower pesticide residue. Organic certification, a process guarantee not a product guarantee, becomes necessary if a farmer has to sell organic food products locally (to tourists) or export overseas. For Pacific organic producers, the biggest obstacle lies with certification costs and initial investments in research and extension to educate consumers and farmers about organic agriculture organic methods.