Zinc deficiency in children and adolescents with chronic liver diseases

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature related to zinc and zinc level in children and adolescents with chronic liver diseases. DATA SOURCES: The following key-words were used to retrieve studies from PubMed, SciELO and Web of Science databases: zinc, liver diseases, child and adolescent. National and international studies published from 1998-2008 were selected as well as classical studies on the theme. DATA SYNTHESIS: Zinc is an essential mineral for children's health with several functions in the organism, improving defense mechanisms, growth, sexual and cognitive development. Children with liver diseases seem to be more susceptible to zinc deficiency than healthy children, since their liver illness modifies the metabolism of this mineral, mainly regarding the distribution on tissues and elimination. The zinc level in the plasma seems to be low in these patients, but this index does not reflect the real zinc status in the organism; additionally, the urinary elimination of zinc seems to increase. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed in order to understand zinc status in children and adolescents with chronic liver diseases.OBJETIVO: Revisar as principais pesquisas referentes ao zinco e ao estado desse mineral em crianças e adolescentes com doenças hepáticas crônicas. FONTES DE DADOS: As palavras-chave zinco, hepatopatias, criança e adolescente foram inseridas nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Web of Science. O critério de seleção compreendeu os artigos de origem nacional e internacional, preferindo-se aqueles publicados de 1998 a 2008, além de estudos mais antigos considerados clássicos. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: O zinco é um mineral essencial para a saúde das crianças devido às suas inúmeras funções no organismo, dentre elas a atuação no sistema imune, o favorecimento do crescimento estatural e do desenvolvimento sexual e cognitivo. As crianças hepatopatas parecem estar mais suscetíveis à deficiência de zinco do que as saudáveis pelo fato de a doença no fígado alterar o metabolismo desse mineral, principalmente a sua distribuição aos tecidos e sua excreção. O nível de zinco no plasma parece ser baixo nesses pacientes, mas esse biomarcador não reflete o real estado de zinco no organismo e, além disso, a excreção urinária de zinco parece estar aumentada. CONCLUSÕES: É necessário um número maior de estudos sobre o estado de zinco em crianças e adolescentes com doenças hepáticas crônicas.32232

Vitamin D Levels in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: Cross-sectional Study / Níveis de Vitamina D em Crianças e Adolescentes com Paralisia Cerebral: Estudo Transversal

Aim: Tetraparetic Cerebral Palsy (TCP) patients may present risks factors for Vitamin D deficiency such as increased risk of malnutrition and possibly infrequent sun exposure. The present study aimed to compare the vitamin D status in this population of TCP pediatric patients (Case Group) and compare them with healthy children and adolescents (Control Group). Methods: The clinical data obtained were: gender, age, weight, height, nutritional status, consumption of vitamin D food sources, sun exposure and serum levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 20 ng/mL or less of 25(OH)D; “insufficiency” was defined as between 21-29 ng/mL; “sufficiency” was defined as between 30-100 ng/mL.1 Results: Sixty patients aged 3 to 20 years old were divided into two groups: the Control Group (n=30) and the Case Group (n=30) composed of individuals with TCP. Vitamin D levels did not differ between groups; the mean levels were 26.65 ng/mL (SD: 10.51) in the Case Group and, 28.93 ng/mL (SD: 9.26) in the Control Group. Conclusion: There was no difference identified between vitamin D levels among TCP and control patients, and no relationship between risk factors and serum 25(OH)D levels was observed. Even though Brazil is a tropical country with abundant sunshine during most of the year, there is still a considerable number of individuals with vitamin D classifications of insufficiency and deficiency in our study (N= 34/60). This should be alarming for healthcare professionals who work with the pediatric population, which is a population at risk for the development of disability

Las necesidades proteicas de pacientes en estado crítico que reciben nutrición parenteral

Assess whether the current protein intake recommendations may improve the biochemical parameters of critical patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Methods: longitudinal study with three evaluations made (during the first 72 hours, on the 7th and the 14th days of PN). The following tests were applied: albumin, C-reactive protein, prealbumin, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, lymphocytes, and glutathione peroxidase. The severity was determined by SOFA. The statistical analysis included the Spearman and Mann-Whitney tests, as well as ANOVA (analysis of variance). Results: among the 53 patients evaluated, 20 (37.74%) died. The mean calorie was 24.68 ± 9.78 kcal/kg (beginning of PN), 26.49 ± 8.89 kcal/kg (3rd to 7th days of PN), and 30.9 ± 12.19 kcal/kg (7th to 14th days of PN). The mean protein was 1.19 ± 0.44 g/kcal/kg (first 72 hours of PN), 1.29 ± 0.44 g/kcal/kg (3rd to 7th days of PN) and 1.49 ± 0.69 g/kcal/kg (7th to 14th days of PN). Prealbumin, albumin, total cholesterol and HDL were below the reference values, while the CRP levels were high. Throughout the three evaluation times, there was no a significant improvement on the levels of laboratory examinations. A strong and negative correlation was found between SOFA and prealbumin (r = -0.64, p = 0.05). Conclusions: the protein offer, according to the traditional recommendations, was not enough to improve the biochemical parameters of critical patients undergoing parenteral nutrition321250255COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESSem informaçãoEvaluar si las recomendaciones de ingesta de proteínas actuales pueden mejorar los parámetros bioquímicos de los pacientes críticos que reciben nutrición parenteral. Métodos: estudio longitudinal con tres evaluaciones realizadas (durante las primeras 72 horas, en el séptimo y los días decimocuarto de nutrición parenteral). Se aplicaron las siguientes pruebas: albúmina, proteína C reac ti va, prealbúmina, colesterol total, HDL, triglicéridos, linfocitos y glutatión peroxidasa. La gravedad se determinó por SOFA. El análisis estadístico incluyó las pruebas de Spearman y Mann-Whitney, así como ANOVA (análisis de varianza). Resultados: de los 53 pacientes evaluados, 20 (37,74%) fallecieron. La caloría media fue de 24,68 ± 9,78 kcal/kg (comienzo de PN), 26,49 ± 8,89 kcal/kg (tercero-séptimo días de PN), y 30,9 ± 12,19 kcal/kg (séptimo-décimo cuarto días de PN). La proteína media fue de 1,19 ± 0,44 g/ kcal/kg (primeras 72 horas de PN), 1,29 ± 0,44 g/kcal/kg (tercero-séptimo días de PN) y 1,49 ± 0,69 g/kcal/kg (séptimo- decimocuarto días de PN). La prealbúmina, la albúmina, el colesterol total y la HDL estaban por debajo de los valores de referencia, mientras que los niveles de PCR eran altos. A lo largo de los tres tiempos de evaluación, no hay una mejora significativa en los niveles de los exámenes de laboratorio. Una correlación fuerte y negativa entre SOFA y prealbúmina (r = -0,64, p = 0,05). Conclusiones: la oferta de proteínas, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones tradicionales, no fue suficiente para mejorar los parámetros bioquímicos de los pacientes críticos sometidos a nutrición parentera

Esteatose de causa não determinada em grupo pediátrico: hepatopatia mitocondrial primária?

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: In children, hepatic steatosis may be related to inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) or to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to assess and characterize steatosis of indeterminate cause through morphological and morphometric analysis of liver tissue. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Departments of Pathology of Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp) and Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FMB-Unesp). METHODS: Eighteen consecutive liver biopsies obtained from 16 patients of ages ranging from 3 months to 12 years and nine months that were inserted in a database in the study period were analyzed using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Through electron microscopy, the mitochondrial density and mean mitochondrial surface area were determined in hepatocytes. Ten patients ranging in age from 1 to 14 years were used as a control group. RESULTS: Pure steatosis was detected, unaccompanied by fibrosis or any other histological alteration. Microvesicular steatosis predominated, with a significant increase in mean mitochondrial surface area. CONCLUSION: Microvesicular steatosis may be related to primary mitochondrial hepatopathy, especially due to reduction of β-oxidation or partial stagnation of oxidative phosphorylation. For these reasons, this form of steatosis (which should not be called pure) is likely to represent an initial stage in the broad spectrum of NAFLD. We have drawn attention to cases of steatosis in the pediatric group, in which the microvesicular form predominates, since this may be associated with mitochondrial disorders.CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Em crianças, a esteatose hepática pode se relacionar a erros inatos do metabolismo (EIMs) ou à doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica (DHGNA). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e caracterizar esteatose de causa indeterminada por meio de análises morfológica e morfométrica em tecido hepático. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal nos Departamentos de Patologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp) e Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual Paulista (FMB-Unesp). MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 18 biópsias hepáticas consecutivas obtidas de 16 pacientes com idade variando de 3 meses a 12 anos e 9 meses, inseridas num banco de dados no período do estudo, que foram analisadas por microscopia óptica e eletrônica. Na microscopia eletrônica, foi realizada determinação da densidade mitocondrial e da área superficial média das mitocôndrias nos hepatócitos. Dez pacientes com idade variando de 1 a 14 anos foram usados como grupo controle. RESULTADOS: Foi detectada esteatose pura, não acompanhada por fibrose ou outra alteração histológica. Foi verificado que, na predominância de esteatose microvesicular, houve aumento significativo da área mitocondrial média. CONCLUSÃO: A esteatose microvesicular pode estar relacionada à hepatopatia mitocondrial primária, principalmente devido à redução na β-oxidação ou parcial estagnação da fosforilação oxidativa. Por essas razões, esta forma de esteatose (que não pode ser chamada de pura) possivelmente represente uma fase inicial no amplo espectro da DHGNA. Chamamos a atenção para casos de esteatose no grupo pediátrico com predomínio da forma microvesicular, uma vez que pode haver associação com desordens mitocondriais.21722

Paracoccidioidomycosis In Children: Clinical Presentation, Follow-up And Outcome.

From February, 1981 to May, 2001, 63 children under 15 y old (ages 2 - 15 y, median = 8 y, mean +/- 1 SD = 8 +/- 3 y) presenting 70 episodes of Paracoccidioidomycosis were admitted. The main clinical manifestations and laboratory features observed upon admission were: lymph node enlargement (87.1%), fever (75.7%), weakness (48.6%), pallor (41.4%), hepatomegaly (40%), splenomegaly (35.7%), anemia (90%), hypergammaglobulinemia (88.5%), eosinophilia (75.5%) and hypoalbuminemia (72.5%). Moderate to severe malnutrition was detected in 35.7% of the episodes (Gomez's criterion). Radiographic and technetium studies showed bone lesions in 20 of the episodes, most of them being multiple lytic lesions, involving both long (70%) and plain bones (30%). First line treatment consisted of an association of sulfametoxazole-trimethoprin, which was used, exclusively, in 50 episodes. Follow-up of hemoglobin levels, number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood, albumin and gammaglobulin serum levels revealed significant sequential improvement one and six months after hospital admission, being quite useful to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Six patients died (9.3%) and four developed sequelae (6.3%). In conclusion, the juvenile and disseminated forms can be observed in about 70% of the episodes of PCM occurring in children younger than 15 y old, most of them presenting with a febrile lymphoproliferative syndrome associated to anemia, eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia.46127-3

Paracoccidioidomicose em crianças: apresentação clínica, seguimento e evolução

From February, 1981 to May, 2001, 63 children under 15 y old (ages 2 - 15 y, median = 8 y, mean ± 1 SD = 8 ± 3 y) presenting 70 episodes of Paracoccidioidomycosis were admitted. The main clinical manifestations and laboratory features observed upon admission were: lymph node enlargement (87.1%), fever (75.7%), weakness (48.6%), pallor (41.4%), hepatomegaly (40%), splenomegaly (35.7%), anemia (90%), hypergammaglobulinemia (88.5%), eosinophilia (75.5%) and hypoalbuminemia (72.5%). Moderate to severe malnutrition was detected in 35.7% of the episodes (Gomez's criterion). Radiographic and technetium studies showed bone lesions in 20 of the episodes, most of them being multiple lytic lesions, involving both long (70%) and plain bones (30%). First line treatment consisted of an association of sulfametoxazole-trimethoprin, which was used, exclusively, in 50 episodes. Follow-up of hemoglobin levels, number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood, albumin and gammaglobulin serum levels revealed significant sequential improvement one and six months after hospital admission, being quite useful to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Six patients died (9.3%) and four developed sequelae (6.3%) . In conclusion, the juvenile and disseminated forms can be observed in about 70% of the episodes of PCM occurring in children younger than 15 y old, most of them presenting with a febrile lymphoproliferative syndrome associated to anemia, eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia.Foram analisados 70 episódios de Paracoccidioidomicose em 63 crianças com menos de 15 anos de idade (variação de 2 a 15 anos, mediana = 8 anos, média ± 1 DP = 8 ± 3 anos), no período de fevereiro de 1981 a maio de 2001. As principais manifestações clínicas e alterações laboratoriais à admissão foram: linfonodomegalia (87,1%), febre (75,7%), fraqueza (48,6%), palidez (41,4%), hepatomegalia (40,4%), esplenomegalia (35,7%), anemia (90%), hipergamaglobulinemia (88,5%), eosinofilia (75,5%) e hipoalbuminemia 72,5%. À admissão, 35,7% das crianças apresentavam desnutrição moderada e grave (critério de Gómez). Os resultados de radiografia simples e cintilografia óssea revelaram lesões ósseas em 20 episódios, a maioria constituída de lesões múltiplas e líticas, envolvendo ossos longos (70%) e planos (30%). A droga de escolha para o tratamento foi a associação sulfametoxazol-trimetoprina, sendo empregada isoladamente em 50 episódios. O seguimento de alguns resultados laboratoriais (dosagem de hemoglobina e contagem de eosinófilos no sangue periférico, dosagem de albumina e gamaglobulina séricas) revelou melhora significativa após o 1º e 6º mês da admissão, sendo muito útil para avaliação da eficácia terapêutica. Quatro pacientes evoluíram com seqüelas (6,3%) e seis (9,3%) morreram. Pode-se concluir que as formas juvenil e disseminada da PCM são prevalentes em crianças menores que 15 anos, ocorrendo em 70% dos episódios, apresentando-se como uma síndrome linfoproliferativa febril associada a anemia, eosinofilia e hipergamaglobulinemia

Breaking Common Sense: WHOOPS! A Vision-and-Language Benchmark of Synthetic and Compositional Images

Weird, unusual, and uncanny images pique the curiosity of observers because they challenge commonsense. For example, an image released during the 2022 world cup depicts the famous soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess, which playfully violates our expectation that their competition should occur on the football field. Humans can easily recognize and interpret these unconventional images, but can AI models do the same? We introduce WHOOPS!, a new dataset and benchmark for visual commonsense. The dataset is comprised of purposefully commonsense-defying images created by designers using publicly-available image generation tools like Midjourney. We consider several tasks posed over the dataset. In addition to image captioning, cross-modal matching, and visual question answering, we introduce a difficult explanation generation task, where models must identify and explain why a given image is unusual. Our results show that state-of-the-art models such as GPT3 and BLIP2 still lag behind human performance on WHOOPS!. We hope our dataset will inspire the development of AI models with stronger visual commonsense reasoning abilities. Data, models and code are available at the project website: whoops-benchmark.github.i

Analysis Of The Histologic Features In The Differential Diagnosis Of Intrahepatic Neonatal Cholestasis.

To compare the histologic features of the liver in intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis (IHNC) with infectious, genetic-endocrine-metabolic, and idiopathic etiologies. Liver biopsies from 86 infants with IHNC were evaluated. The inclusion criteria consisted of jaundice beginning at 3 mo of age and a hepatic biopsy during the 1st year of life. The following histologic features were evaluated: cholestasis, eosinophilia, giant cells, erythropoiesis, siderosis, portal fibrosis, and the presence of a septum. Based on the diagnosis, patients were classified into three groups: group 1 (infectious; n=18), group 2 (genetic-endocrine-metabolic; n=18), and group 3 (idiopathic; n=50). There were no significant differences with respect to the following variables: cholestasis, eosinophilia, giant cells, siderosis, portal fibrosis, and presence of a septum. A significant difference was observed with respect to erythropoiesis, which was more severe in group 1 (Fisher's exact test, P=0.016). A significant difference was observed in IHNC of infectious etiology, in which erythropoiesis was more severe than that in genetic-endocrine-metabolic and idiopathic etiologies, whereas there were no significant differences among cholestasis, eosinophilia, giant cells, siderosis, portal fibrosis, and the presence of a septum.15478-8

Megacolon e megaesôfago chagásicos diagnosticados na infância e com provável transmissão vertical

A doença de Chagas congênita é mais comumente identificada nos recém nascidos com sinais sugestivos de infecção intrauterina. Outras expressões clínicas são menos conhecidas e referências de manifestações compatíveis com a fase crônica da doença são raras na faixa etária pediátrica. Apresenta-se o caso de paciente em que, aos sete anos de idade, foram diagnosticados megaesôfago e megacolon secundários a tripanosomíase. A etiologia foi confirmada por meio de xenodiagnóstico, sorologias e achados anátomo-patológicos. Com base na epidemiologia, foi possível descartar outras vias de infecção que não a transmissão vertical. O diagnóstico deve figurar entre crianças com constipação intestinal e/ou sintomas de dismotilidade esofágica, mesmo fora das zonas endêmicas para a tripanosomíase.Reports on children presenting symptoms compatible with the chronic phase of Chagas disease are sporadic. We report a case of a 7-year-old boy who had megaesophagus and megacolon, both of them a consequence of the trypanosomiasis. The etiology was established by means of laboratory and histological features. Based on epidemiological data, the authors concluded that vertical transmission was the most probable route of acquisition. This diagnosis should be considered in children presenting similar complaints, even those living away from endemic areas