Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury and Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorders in Arizona

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children can result in long-lasting social, cognitive, and neurological impairments. In adults, TBI can lead to endocrinopathies (endocrine system disorders), but this is infrequently reported in children. Untreated endocrinopathies can elevate risks of subsequent health issues, such that early detection in pediatric TBI survivors can initiate clinical interventions. To understand the risk of endocrinopathies following pediatric TBI, we identified patients who had experienced a TBI and subsequently developed a new-onset hypothalamic regulated endocrinopathy (n = 498). We hypothesized that pediatric patients who were diagnosed with a TBI were at higher risk of being diagnosed with a central endocrinopathy than those without a prior diagnosis of TBI. In our epidemiological assessment, we identified pediatric patients enrolled in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) from 2008 to 2014 who were diagnosed with one of 330 TBI International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes and subsequently diagnosed with one of 14 central endocrinopathy ICD-9 codes. Additionally, the ICD-9 code data from over 600,000 Arizona pediatric patients afforded an estimate of the incidence, prevalence, relative risk, odds ratio, and number needed to harm, regarding the development of a central endocrinopathy after sustaining a TBI in Arizona Medicaid pediatric patients. Children with a TBI diagnosis had 3.22 times the risk of a subsequent central endocrine diagnosis compared with the general population (±0.28). Pediatric AHCCCS patients with a central endocrine diagnosis had 3.2-fold higher odds of a history of a TBI diagnosis than those without an endocrine diagnosis (±0.29). Furthermore, the number of patients with a TBI diagnosis for one patient to receive a diagnosis of a central endocrine diagnosis was 151.2 (±6.12). Female subjects were more likely to present with a central endocrine diagnosis after a TBI diagnosis compared to male subjects (64.1 vs. 35.9%). These results are the first state-wide epidemiological study conducted to determine the risk of developing a hypothalamic-pituitary disorder after a TBI in the pediatric population. Our results contribute to a body of knowledge demonstrating a TBI etiology for idiopathic endocrine disorders, and thus advise physicians with regard to TBI follow-up care that includes preventive screening for endocrine disorders.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Exploring the factors involved in the absence of parasitism of Chaetosiphon fragaefolii by generalist parasitoids in strawberry

Chaetosiphon fragaefolii Cockerell (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a worldwide strawberry pest with scarce records of parasitoids for its control. The parasitization rate of two generalist parasitoids, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Aphidius matricariae Haliday, their behavior and aphid defensive behaviors were evaluated with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as a comparative host. Defensive endosymbionts were also surveyed. C. fragaefolii was never parasitized in simple-choice tests, whereas in preference tests both parasitoids chose A. gossypii over C. fragaefolii. No contacts of A. matricariae with C. fragaefolii were observed while A. colemani made more antennal contacts and “stings” on A. gossypii than on C. fragaefolii with the latter exhibiting less defensive behaviors against the parasitoid. The bacterium Acinetobacter sp. was detected in all samples of C. fragaefolii, but with an unknown function. Further research on the possible defensive role of the glandular hairs covering the body of this aphid, the role of chemical signals and the existence of defensive internal mechanisms against parasitoids could provide plausible explanations for the absence of parasitism found.Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología AgrícolaFil: Francesena, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - la Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores; Argentina.Fil: Arneodo Larochette, Joel Demian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola e Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rocca, Margarita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - la Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores; Argentina.Fil: Greco, Nancy Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - la Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin