Associations between endogenous dimethylarginines and renal function in healthy children and adolescents

The structural isomer of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), is eliminated almost entirely by urinary excretion and considered a sensitive index of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, reports on this relationship in healthy subjects younger than 18 years of age are rare. Therefore, our aim was to investigate relations between endogenous dimethylarginines and renal function indices in healthy children and adolescents. We studied 40 subjects aged 3–18 years free of coexistent diseases or subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. A serum creatinine-derived estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated by the revised bedside Schwartz equation. L-arginine, ADMA and SDMA were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Mean eGFR was 122 ± 22 (SD) mL/min per 1.73 m2. Creatinine and eGFR exhibited closer correlations with the SDMA/ADMA ratio (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001; r = −0.63, p < 0.0001, respectively) than with SDMA (r = 0.31, p = 0.05; r = −0.35, p = 0.03). Neither creatinine nor eGFR correlated with ADMA or L-arginine. Adjustment for age or height only slightly attenuated the associations between the SDMA/ADMA ratio and eGFR or creatinine. Our findings suggest the superiority of the SDMA/ADMA ratio over SDMA as a renal function index in healthy children. Thus, further studies are warranted to verify our preliminary results in a larger group of subjects below 18 years of age

Przydatność badań ultrasonograficznych w rozpoznawaniu i w ocenie odległych wyników leczenia operacyjnego zwężenia podmiedniczkowego moczowodu u noworodków

Background: Pyeloureteral stricture in neonates requires early diagnosis and treatment for the reason that leads to infections, formation of concrements and destruction of renal parenchyma. Aim: Evaluation of usefulness of ultrasound examinations in diagnosis of neonatal pyeloureteral stricture and their value in postoperative follow-up. Material/Methods: The study comprised of 54 newborns (33 boys and 29 girls) with pyloureteral stricture diagnosed by ultrasound, including 52 (96%) of unilateral (27 left and 25 right sided) and 2 cases of bilateral stricture. In 15 (28%) neonates high-grade pelvic dilatation was found. Results: Operative treatment with use of Anderson-Hynes method was applied in 6(11%) of children in first month of life, in 21 (39%) of children between 2 and 6 month of life and in 27(50%) in second half of first year of life. Long-term follow-up was performed in 46 children of mean age 7,8 years using abdominal ultrasound. The very good result of surgical intervention was noted in 50% of children, good effect in 43,5% and poor outcome in 3 children: 1 with large pelvic dilatation and two cases with lack of renal function confirmed by scintigraphy. Conclusions: Abdominal ultrasound in neonates allow not only to make early diagnosis of pyeloureteral stricture but also provide quick and proper qualification to operative treatment. Abdominal ultrasound, among other ways of imaging, as a safe and useful, should be method of choice in follow-up after operative treatment of pyeloureteral stricture in children. Follow-up using abdominal ultrasound in children after Anderson-Hynes operation confirm beneficial effects of such treatment on reconstruction of dynamics of upper urinary tract, prevention of deformation of pyelocaliceal system and damage of renal parenchyma

Wpływ wczesnych zakażeń na ekspresję molekuł CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18, CD54 i CD62L na powierzchni neutrofili i monocytów obwodowej krwi żylnej u wcześniaków

INTRODUCTION: Cell adhesion molecules on neutrophils and monocytes play an important role in the immunity of newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-two premature infants (47 with early-onset infection and 35 without infection, 37 male and 45 female, 40 delivered vaginally and 42 by Caesarean section) between the 3rd and 7th day of life were assessed for the expression rate of CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18 CD54 and CD62L on granulocytes and monocytes using a Becton Dickinson FACS Canto II flow cytometer. Both groups were analysed for sex, body weight, gestational age, type of delivery and infection, and correlations between adhesion molecules were identified. RESULTS: Preterm infants with infection had a significantly higher mean CD62L level than preterm infants without infection. There was also a positive correlation between gestational age and CD11b and CD11c, as well as correlations between CD11b and CD11c, CD11b and CD54, and CD11c and CD54U. In preterm infants without infection, there was a significant correlation between body weight and CD11a level, and correlations between CD11a and CD18, as well as CD11a and CD54. The sex of the preterm infants and type of delivery in both groups had no significant effect on the mean levels of the analysed molecules. There was no significant relationship between the expression of the analysed molecules and the CRP concentration and platelet count in preterm infants with infection. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Early-onset infection in premature infants promotes increased expression of the CD62L molecule, which despite the lack of correlation with the CRP concentration and platelet count may prove useful in the diagnosis of infections. 2. CD11b expression in preterm infants with infections is affected by gestational age, while the expression of CD11a in preterm infants without infections is correlated with body weight. 3. Expression of the analysed molecules in premature neonates does not depend on sex or type of delivery.WSTĘP: Molekuły adhezji komórkowej na neutrofilach i monocytach odgrywają ważną rolę w odporności noworodków. MATERIAŁ I METODY: U 82 wcześniaków (47 z zakażeniem wczesnym i 35 bez zakażeń; 37 płci męskiej i 45 żeńskiej; 40 urodzonych siłami natury i 42 cięciem cesarskim) między 3 a 7 dobą życia dokonano oceny odsetka ekspresji CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18, CD54 i CD62L na granulocytach i monocytach krwi cytometrem przepływowym Becton Dickinson FACS Canto II, z uwzględnieniem płci, masy ciała, wieku płodowego wcześniaków, typu porodu i zakażenia, oraz określono wzajemne korelacje między molekułami. WYNIKI: U wcześniaków z zakażeniem stwierdzono istotne statystycznie zwiększenie średniego odsetka CD62L niż u wcześniaków bez zakażeń, dodatnie korelacje między wiekiem płodowym a CD11b i CD11c oraz wzajemne korelacje między CD11b i CD11c, CD11b i CD54 oraz CD11c i CD54. U wcześniaków bez zakażeń wykazano znamienną zależność między masą ciała a CD11a oraz korelacje między CD11a i CD18 oraz CD11a i CD54. Płeć wcześniaków i typ porodu w obu grupach nie miały istotnego wpływu na średnie wartości badanych molekuł. Wykazano brak istotnych zależności między ekspresją badanych molekuł a stężeniem CRP i liczbą płytek krwi u chorych wcześniaków. WNIOSKI: 1. Wczesne zakażenia u wcześniaków sprzyjają zwiększeniu ekspresji molekuły CD62L, co mimo braku korelacji ze stężeniem CRP i liczbą płytek krwi może dowodzić przydatności oznaczania tej molekuły w diagnostyce zakażeń. 2. Na wartość ekspresji CD11b u wcześniaków z zakażeniem wpływa wiek płodowy, a na CD11a masa ciała u wcześniaków bez zakażeń. 3. Ekspresja badanych molekuł u wcześniaków nie zależy od ich płci i typu porodu

Geospatial clustering of gastroschisis in Poland: Data from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM)

Objectives: The aims of this study were: to evaluate the prevalence of abdominal wall defects in the Polish population, to analyze temporal trends in the prevalence, to identify areas (clusters) of high risk of abdominal wall defects, and to characterize, with respect to epidemiology, children with abdominal wall defects and their mothers in the area defined as a cluster. Material and Methods: We used isolated congenital malformations (gastroschisis Q79.3 and omphalocele Q79.2 according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10, the extended version)) data reported to the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM) over the years 1998– 2008 based on the population of 2 362 502 live births. We analyzed 11 administrative regions of Poland with complete epidemiologic data. Results: Of 11 regions, 2 had a significantly higher standardized prevalence of isolated gastroschisis: Dolnośląskie (1.7/10 000 live births, p = 0.0052) and Śląskie (1.9/10 000 live births, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, within the region of Dolnośląskie, we defined a clear prevalence of the isolated gastroschisis cluster (p = 0.023). We comprehensively examined demographic and socio-economic risk factors for abdominal wall defects in this area, and we found that these factors failed to account for the cluster. Conclusions: We identified a distinct prevalence cluster for isolated gastroschisis, although a precise reason for the disease clustering in this region remains unknown. Cluster identification enables more focused research aimed at identification of specific factors with teratogenic effects

www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms Associations between Endogenous Dimethylarginines and Renal Function in Healthy Children and Adolescents

Abstract: The structural isomer of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), is eliminated almost entirely by urinary excretion and considered a sensitive index of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, reports on this relationship in healthy subjects younger than 18 years of age are rare. Therefore, our aim was to investigate relations between endogenous dimethylarginines and renal function indices in healthy children and adolescents. We studied 40 subjects aged 3–18 years free of coexistent diseases or subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. A serum creatinine-derived estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated by the revised bedside Schwartz equation. L-arginine, ADMA and SDMA were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Mean eGFR was 122 ± 22 (SD) mL/min per 1.73 m 2. Creatinine and eGFR exhibited closer correlations with the SDMA/ADMA ratio (r = 0.64, p &lt; 0.0001; r = −0.63, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13 1546

Spatial and temporal clustering of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Poland

<div><p><i>Background</i>: Geographic variation in the prevalence of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate may be due to exogenous environmental factors or genetic variation. In this study, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Polish urban and rural environments in order to identify geographic areas with high prevalence (defect clusters). <i>Methods</i>: We use all cases of congenital malformations reported to the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations in the years 1998–2008 from the total population of 2,362,502 births. <i>Results</i>: We detect a strong signal of increased prevalence of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a single region of Poland, the Dolnośląskie voivodeship. Furthermore, we demonstrate a statistically significant prevalence differences between the urban and rural areas within this region. Through our comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis, we precisely define the cluster of the highest risk that comprises the eastern part of this voivodeship.</p></div