Protein In Children Research Articles

Role of natural salivary defenses in the maintenance of healthy oral microbiota in children and adolescents

Aim:The present study served the purpose of assessing the levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), proteins, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels in caries-free and caries active children.Materials and Methods:Stratified randomized sampling method was used to include 40 subjects in the age group 12–15 years having a full complement of permanent dentition except for third molars. The selected pediatric subjects were further divided into two groups of 20 each based on DMFS score, Group-I – Caries free (DMFS score = 0) and Group-II – Caries active (DMFS score ≥10). Unstimulated midmorning saliva samples were collected and analyzed colorimetrically and by radial immunodiffusion method for constituents of saliva understudy.Results:The mean salivary IgA levels in children in Group-I (caries-free children) was 10.63 ± 2.85 mg/dL which was statistically higher as compared to caries active children in Group-II (8.50 ± 1.43 mg/dL).The mean salivary protein level in children of Group-II was statistically higher at 3.28 ± 0.12 mg/dL as compared to Group-I (2.89 ± 0.11 mg/dL).Conclusion:The present study showed decreased levels of salivary immunoglobulin A and high concentration of salivary protein in children with increased caries experience which is indicative of the protective role of salivary constituents in caries-free children.

The Protein Level and Molecular Weight Analysis in Different Children's Toothpaste, which Probably Induced Hypersensitivity.

Context:A new case of an allergic reaction due to the use of toothpaste was found in California, United States, causing the death of an 11-year-old girl. Ingredients contained in toothpaste suspected as a cause of allergies are milk protein compounds.Aims:The aim is to compare the protein level and molecular weight in children's toothpaste.Settings and Design:Stratified random sampling.Subjects and Methods:Samples used were children's toothpaste products in society, namely, Pepsodent®, Cussons®, Enzyme®, Kodomo®, Formula®, Colgate®, the toothpaste contain recaldent of GC Tooth Moose® and pure cow's milk. Those samples were divided into eight groups, randomly selected according to the purpose (stratified random sampling), and then coded to maintain product confidentiality. Meanwhile, samples used as comparison groups were recaldent paste and pure cow's milk.Results:Each sample was analyzed for protein content using a biuret test and protein molecular weight using the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis test. The protein content in toothpaste is compared with the similarity of the molecular protein weight in toothpaste that contains recaldent. Protein was found in samples 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 through a biuret test, with a concentration of 1.82; 1.53; 2.76; 1.92; 1.85; and 3.2 μg/mL. However, the protein bands were only found in sample 5 with a molecular weight of 20.7 kDa, sample 6 with a molecular weight of 19.1 kDa, sample 7 with a molecular weight of 17.7 kDa, and sample 8 with 2 bands, namely, 28.7 and 39.7 kDa.Conclusions:We found the presence of protein in children's toothpaste. The protein molecular weight of recaldent paste is 17.7 kDa. Toothpaste containing protein with its molecular weight similar to recaldent's are found in samples 5 and 6.

Influence of Intervention Model of Local Fish Utilization to Adequacy of Energy and Protein in Children in the Coastal City of Bengkulu, Indonesia

Influence of Intervention Model of Local Fish Utilization to Adequacy of Energy and Protein in Children in the Coastal City of Bengkulu, Indonesia

Estimation of Some Interleukins in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Children with Meningitis

Meningitis is often associated with cerebral compromise which may be responsible for neurological squeal in nearly half of the survivors. Little is known about the mechanisms of CNS involvement in bacterial meningitis. the current study was to analyze the clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of interleukin (IL)- 6, IL-1, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein in children with meningitis (n=35) and compared with control subjects (n=28). Serum total protein, interleukine-6, IL-1 , IL-8, IL-10 , and, CRP, and TNF-α levels were found to be significantly high in study group, whereas serum glucose IL-10 levels were significantly low comparing with control group. Positive correlation was observed between IL-6with glucose , CRP , and IL-8 , also between IL-10 with protein , TNF with IL-8 ,and IL-1 with CRP . whereas there was negative correlation between IL-6 with protein , TNF , IL-1 , IL-10 , also between IL-1 with IL-8 ,between IL-10 with, and TNF , IL-10 with glucose . More studies performed in suitable models of meningitis are required in order to establish the routine use of inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of infectious diseases of the central nervous system

The efficiency of vitamin D using in the formation of food tolerance to cow’s milk protein in children with food allergy

The problem of vitamin D deficiency is one of the most actual today, because, according to the results of numerous studies, its deficiency is registered in half the worlds population. The article presents the results of a study on the level of vitamin D in children of first year of life, suffering from cows milk proteins allergy, as well as in children who have formed a secondary food tolerance to this allergen. In the article was evaluated the effectiveness of the additional use of vitamin D against the background of the therapeutic dairy-free diet use. It was found that the 57.1 4.8% children of first year of life with cows milk proteins allergy have vitamin D insufficiency. Normal vitamin D level was found in only 36.2 4.7% of patients. In turn, vitamin D deficiency was found in 6.7 2.4% children, suffering from cows milk proteins allergy. It was found that the additional daily intake of vitamin D on the background of the use of therapeutic dairy-free diet may reduce the time of development of food tolerance to cows milk proteins and achieve the formation of secondary food tolerance for the three years in 92.0 3.8% of children with cows milk proteins allergy. It was found, that the use of only therapeutic dairy-free diet allows to achieve the formation of secondary food tolerance only in 76.0 6.0% children (p 0.05). The normal level of vitamin D were established in 97.6 1.7 % children, formed a secondary food tolerance to cows milk proteins.

C-reactive protein in children with dengue fever in Vietnam

Precise diagnosis of the severity of dengue fever (DF) and its timely treatment reduce its mortality, but the sensitivity of clinical presentations is low for the classification of severity. Research on biomarkers is ongoing, and some studies in adults have shown the utility of C reactive protein (CRP) in the early diagnosis of dengue severity. However, the role of CRP in children with DF is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the value of CRP in distinguishing between DF and severe DF. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2016 to April 2017 at Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Serum CRP was tested on days 4 and 5 of the disease. Laboratory tests for DF were based on either a positivity for non-structured glycoprotein-1 antigen (NS1Ag) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin (Ig) M in acute phase serum. Among 270 patients, 29.6% had DF, 26.7% had DF with warning signs, and 43.7% had severe DF. The CRP level was measured in 123 patients on day 4 and 147 patients on day 5 of the illness. The median CRP level for DF was 2.4 mg/L, for DF with warning signs was 6.7 mg/L, and for severe DF was 7.3 mg/L. The CRP level was higher on day 4 than on day 5. The CRP level showed a statistically significant difference between the group with circulatory dysfunctions (p=0.02) or liver dysfunction (p= 0.04) and the other patients. The CRP cut-off point on day 4 that distinguished DF and severe DF was 5.8 mg/L and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.89, with a sensitivity of 82.9% and specificity of 80%. The CRP concentration in the early stage of illness may, therefore, help to distinguish between DF and severe DF.

Vitamin D and neurospecific proteins in children with inflammatory demyelinating diseases of central nervous system

The relevance of studying the provision of vitamin D in children with inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) is due to a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency conditions in children population, which, according to current literature data, leads to the imbalance of the immune system and a predisposition to a severe disease course, chronization of the process, development of autoimmune pathology. The study of the concentration of neurospecific proteins (NSP) in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been recently used to analyze the degree and nature of nervous tissue damage in case of various CNS diseases. The study included investigation of blood serum and CSF samples obtained from 107 children (34 – with encephalitis, 28 – with disseminated encephalomyelitis (DEM), 20 – with multiple sclerosis (MS), 25 – control group). Determination of vitamin D levels (25(OH)D) was performed by the method of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, concentrations of myelin basic protein, neuron-specific enolase, S100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein – by ELISA method. A decrease in the concentration of vitamin D under 30 ng/ml was found in 95% of children with inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, while the severity of the deficiency of 25(OH)D was associated with the severity of the disease course. In the early stages of the disease in all groups, a significant increase in the level of the main myelin protein was found, while an increase in the concentration of other NSP was observed less frequently and was associated with a severe and complicated course of the disease. Correlations of different intensity and direction between NSP and 25(OH)D were found, which indicates their importance in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of CNS.

Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy: It Works, But...

Research Article| August 01 2019 Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy: It Works, But... AAP Grand Rounds (2019) 42 (2): 20. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.42-2-20 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy: It Works, But.... AAP Grand Rounds August 2019; 42 (2): 20. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.42-2-20 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: immunotherapy, peanut hypersensitivity, adverse event Source: Chu DK, Wood RA, French S, et al. Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy (PACE): a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Lancet. 2019; 393(10187): 2222– 2232; doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30420-9Google Scholar Investigators from multiple institutions conducted a meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy. Investigators searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, and databases at the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency from inception to 2018 to identify published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing oral immunotherapy with placebo or allergen avoidance for the treatment of peanut allergy. The investigators pooled data among included studies for several outcomes, including (a) peanut-induced anaphylaxis, defined as involvement of ≥2 organ systems after possible allergen exposure; (b) epinephrine use; (c) serious adverse events; and (d) proportion of patients who passed a supervised in-clinic oral food challenge. The investigators analyzed these outcomes according to intention to treat. Risk ratios or incidence rate ratios for these outcomes among participants receiving oral immunotherapy (vs placebo or allergen avoidance) were determined. Among 1,624 records identified, 12 RCTs were included involving 1,041 participants with a median age of 8.7 years. In all trials, peanut oral immunotherapy involved defatted peanut flour, paste, or extract. Patients who received oral immunotherapy (vs no immunotherapy) had a significantly increased likelihood of passing a supervised in-clinic oral challenge (risk ratio [RR], 12.42; 95% CI, 6.82–22.61). However, compared to those who received no immunotherapy, participants who received oral immunotherapy had a significantly greater risk of anaphylaxis (RR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.76–5.55), epinephrine use (RR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.27–3.83), and serious adverse events (RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.00–3.66). The investigators conclude that although oral immunotherapy effectively induces desensitization, it comes at considerable expense, with increased serious adverse events and anaphylactic reactions. Dr Rosenthal has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. Peanut allergy can be life-threatening. Desensitization with trace amounts of peanut protein gradually increased over time can be used to overcome lifelong avoidance of peanuts.1 This method has an efficacy of 67.2%, but how safe is this approach? (See AAP Grand Rounds. 2019;4[3]:32.1 ) The current study reports on a meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy. Compared to those who received no immunotherapy, children who received oral peanut immunotherapy had a significantly increased risk of anaphylaxis, epinephrine use, and serious adverse events. What can be done to avoid these serious adverse events? Do not forget that prevention of peanut allergy can be achieved with early introduction of peanut protein in children. (See AAP Grand Rounds. 2015;33[6]:61.2 ) The Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study tested the theory that the very low rates of peanut allergy in Israeli children were a result of... You do not currently have access to this content.

Salivary flow rate, total protein and pH in caries-free children and adolescents aged between 5 and 18 years

Introduction. Data regarding salivary flow and the levels of salivary components in developmental age are scarce and not fully consistent. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare unstimulated mixed saliva flow rate, pH and total protein in children aged between 5 and 18 years to obtain information on the functional maturation of salivary glands during the developmental period. Material and methods. A total of 90 children and adolescents (both sexes) aged between 5 and 18 years were examined. All subjects were caries-free (ICDA II score zero). Unstimulated mixed saliva was sampled from all patients to assess pH, total protein and flow rate. The subjects were divided into age groups 5-6, 13-14 and 18 years. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University (No. Nr KB-335/2013). Results. Significantly lower salivary flow rates were observed in 5-6 year olds vs. 13-14 and 18-year-olds. In contrast, pH values were significantly higher in the youngest group compared to older age groups. Total protein was the lowest in 5-6 year olds, higher in 13-14 year olds and the highest at the age of 18 years (significant difference between age groups of 5-6 and 18 years). A decreasing trend in pH values and an increasing one in protein levels were observed between the age groups. Considering the entire group of subjects, a positive correlation between age and salivary flow rate and protein levels, and a negative correlation with pH were found. Moreover, pH and protein levels decreased with increasing salivary flow. Conclusions. Unstimulated mixed saliva flow rate and total protein increase, while pH levels decrease between the ages of 5 to 18 years.

Clinical study on the effect of hyperbaric oxygen assisted therapy on neuroprotein level in children with viral encephalitis

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the levels of neuro-related proteins in children with viral encephalitis. Methods 74 cases of children with viral encephalitis in our hospital from March 2017 to October 2018 were divided into control group (n=37) and experimental group (n=37) according to different treatment methods. The control group was given routine treatment, and the experimental group was given hyperbaric oxygen treatment on the basis of the above. The clinical efficacy, changes of serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), myelin basic protein (MBP) before and after treatment, and recovery time of vital signs were observed. Results Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of neuro-related proteins between the two groups (P>0.05); after treatment, the contents of NSE, beta-EP, and MBP in the experimental group significantly decreased, and the total cure rate of the experimental group was significantly higher (91.89% vs.62.16%), the recovery time of vital signs significantly shortened, with statistically significant differences compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can not only effectively reduce the levels of neuro-related proteins in children with viral encephalitis, improve the total clinical cure rate and shorten the recovery time of vital signs. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Children; Viral encephalitis; Neuroprotein level

Prenatal adversity and salivary C-reactive protein in children: results: From a low-income, diverse sample

Childhood adversities and traumatic events have each been associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation and trauma-related symptoms in adulthood. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) reflects cumulative cortisol levels over the course of months and is discussed as a potential marker between trauma-induced neuroendocrine dysfunction and trauma-related symptoms. The present study examines this hypothetical link by delineating the impact of exposure to categories of abuse and neglect during development and lifetime traumatic experiences on HCC and trauma-related symptoms.The Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure (MACE) scale, Life Events Checklist, and predictive analytics were used to evaluate the importance of type and timing of maltreatment and trauma load on HCC in inpatients (n = 183) with different psychiatric diagnoses. Additionally, a comparison group of n = 75 controls were recruited from the community. The extent to which the relationship between trauma load and trauma-related symptoms was influenced by childhood adversities and HCC was determined by analysis of variance.Early neglect, in particular neglect at 3 years, emerged as the most important predictor of adult HCC. Post-hoc explanatory analysis showed that patients with high neglect at age 3 had lower HCC compared to patients with low neglect at age 3 and controls. Patients with high neglect at age 3 and low cortisol reported increased trauma-related symptoms upon trauma exposure.Results strengthen evidence that inadequate care and neglect during critical periods alter HPA axis biology towards enduring reduction in cortisol, the latter being associated with augmented trauma-related symptoms upon trauma exposure. If validated by longitudinal assessments these cross-sectional findings suggest biological mechanisms of childhood adversities into psychopathology in adulthood.

S100B protein in the blood of children with autism spectrum disorders

To evaluate the plasma content of S100B protein in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Forty-five children with autism (item F84 of ICD-10), aged from 6 to 15 years, were examined. The control group (KG) consisted of 25 healthy children. The study included examination by specialists, an assessment of the severity of the disease using the Children's Rating Scale of Autism scale (CARS), evaluation of S100B in blood serum. The content of S100B in children with autism was significantly higher in comparison with KG. The level of S100B in children with ASD with abnormal development of brain structures (MRI) was significantly higher compared with KG and a group of children without signs of disturbance of brain structures. S100B levels were higher in children with severe ASD, and differed from controls in children with moderate ASD. The majority of children with ASD show signs of stress of neuroprotective mechanisms, and children with anomalies of brain structures have signs of hypoxia of the brain and damage of the blood-brain barrier.

THE ROLE OF ADMINISTRATION MEETING TO INCREASE FAMILY ABILITY TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S QUALITY

AbstractThe problem in this study is the extent to which the quality of the children of the Family Hope Program (KPM) Family Hope Program (PKH) after the parents, especially the mother, received assistance at PKH, known as the Assistance of Family Capacity Building Meeting (P2K2). PKH is a program of the Republic of Indonesia government in breaking the poverty chain in Indonesia. P2K2 assistance itself is the implementation of Out of School Education (PLS) because in practice there is a process of education and training, transfer of non-formal knowledge and skills in the fields of family management, education, health, and economics. When PKH KPM gets knowledge and skills in these fields, it is hoped that there will be an influence on the quality of KPM PKH children with indicators set by the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, namely: (1) Poor nutritional status for children under five (2) Increase food consumption energy and protein for children, (3) Increasing average length of schooling for children, (4) Increasing the average number of children's school participation, and (5) Reducing the number of working hours of children or the absence of working children. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Based on the results of the study, the P2K2 mentoring program run by PPKH Bandung which began in 2017 has been able to improve the quality of children in the form of increasing numbers of children who are absent from school more than 85% and toddlers or pregnant women who do not routinely assess their health at the service health facilities between 478% -687% from before the implementation of P2K2 counterpart program in 2016. Even so, the number of school drop out (DO) children and malnourished children also experienced a significant decline, from 48 children who DO in 2016 to 17 children in the year 2017, while children with malnutrition 0 (none) both in 2016 and 2017. Even so, the process of P2K2 Assistance will run less optimally during 2017 as the average number of implementation is 62%, the presence of KPM follows P2K2 assistance 79%, and the delivered curriculum is only about 61%. Thus the P2K2 mentoring program needs to continue to be developed because the results are good and to further maximize the implementation process.

Effects of Oxcarbazepine combined with Levetiracetam treatment on electroencephalography and serum levels of S-100β, glial fibrillary acidic protein in children with epilepsy

Objective To explore the effects of Oxcarbazepine combined with Levetiracetam treatment on electroencephalography (EEG) and serum levels of S-100β, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in children with epilepsy. Methods One hundred and ten children with epilepsy who were admitted to Zhumadian Central Hospital from March 2016 to May 2017 were selected as research subjects.The random number table method was used to divide 55 patients into combined group (treated with Oxcarbazepine plus Levetiracetam) and 55 patients in control group (only treated with Oxcarbazepine). The clinical efficacy, EEG background activity, serum S-100β and GFAP levels were compared between the 2 groups after treatment. Results The control rate of the combined group was 69.09%, the markedly effective was 18.18%, the effective was 9.09%, and ineffective was 3.64%; the control group had a control rate of 52.73%, markedly effective 20.00%, effective 20.00%, and ineffective 7.27%, respectively.The differences between the 2 groups were statistically significant (Z=-2.012, P=0.044). Before and after treatment, the background activity of EEG in both groups was dominated by alpha wave activity.There was no significant difference in the activity rate of alpha wave, theta wave and delta wave between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in serum S-100β and GFAP levels between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, serum S-100β [(0.415±0.086) μg/L, (0.473±0.091) μg/L], GFAP [(2.60±0.44) ng/L, (2.93±0.40) ng/L] in the combined group and the control group were significantly lower than before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (t=6.339, 6.703, 3.001, 3.364, all P<0.05). After treatment, serum S-100β and GFAP levels in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (t=3.435, 4.116, all P<0.05). Conclusions Oxcarbazepine combined with Levetiracetam is superior to Oxcarbazepine alone in the treatment of children with epilepsy, as it can reduce the levels of S-100β and GFAP and is worthy of clinical application. Key words: Oxcarbazepine; Levetiracetam; Epilepsy; S-100βprotein; Glial fibrillary acidic protein

Issue Highlights

Issue Highlights

PENGARUH BOOKLET TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN, KONSUMSI ENERGI DAN PROTEIN ANAK SEKOLAH DASAR NEGERI 16 PONTIANAK TIMUR

ABSTRACTThis research aims to determine the effect of nutritional counseling in the form of booklets towards knowledge, consumption of energy and protein of children in elementary school. This research is a quasi-experimental design with a controlled group pre-post test. This research was conducted in August-September, 2017. The study population was students of 5A and 5B grades of SDN 16 East Pontianak. The samples are 24 children, each group consist of 8 children by randomly sampling. Group 1 was given nutrition counseling with booklet media once a month, group 2 was given twice a month and group 3 was given 3 times a month. Data analysis used paired t-test and independent test. The results showed that knowledge of group 1 increased by 11.0%, group 2 increased by 11.0% and group 3 increased by 10.5%. Energy consumption in group 1 increased to 1270.6 calories, group 2 decreased to 1310.7 calories, and group 3 increased to 1204.2 calories. Protein consumption in group 1 increased to 43.9 gr/day, group 2 increased to 48.5 gr/day, group 3 increased to 39.4 gr/day. In conclusion, the mean score of knowledge in each group significantly increased before and after the intervention as well as energy and protein intake. However, there was no difference before and after the intervention. Counseling about healthy breakfast is needed so that student nutrition can be fulfilled.Keywords: Booklet, Nutrition Knowledge, Energy, protein

Brain injury markers: S100 calcium-binding protein B, neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein in children with diabetic ketoacidosis.

To investigate serum levels of brain injury markers in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the relation of these markers with clinical and radiological findings of brain injury and laboratory results. Twenty-nine patients with DKA, 30 with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and 35 healthy children were included. Clinical and laboratory findings, and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were recorded. In the DKA group, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were measured at baseline and 6 and 12 hours after treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the DKA group to demonstrate any brain injury. No clinical or radiological findings of brain injury were found in any of the patients with DKA. In the DKA group, S100B was significantly higher than the healthy control and T1DM groups, while GFAP and NSE levels were not different from controls and T1DM patients. No significant differences were found in GFAP, NSE and S100B levels according to severity of DKA, diabetes duration and GCS. NSE and GFAP levels do not increase in DKA patients without overt brain injury. Elevated levels of S100B, which is also synthesized from non-neuronal tissues, might arise from peripheral sources. A lack of concurrent increase in serum levels of these brain injury markers might result from the yet intact blood brain barrier or a true absence of neuronal damage. In order to reveal subclinical brain injury related to DKA, there is a need for studies concurrently assessing neurocognitive functions.

Leptin, hs-CRP, IL-18 and urinary protein before and after treatment of children with nephrotic syndrome.

We aimed to analyze the changes in plasma leptin, serum inflammatory factors and urinary protein in children with nephrotic syndrome before and after treatment and their clinical significance. A total of 28 children treated and diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome between November 2015 and October 2016 were selected as treatment group, while 25 healthy children were selected as control group. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin and other general data between treatment group and control group (P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and 24 h urinary protein level in children with nephrotic syndrome before treatment (r=0.408, P=0.005). Twenty-four hours urinary protein, urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels in children with nephrotic syndrome before treatment were significantly higher than those in normal children, and these indexes were significantly decreased after treatment. The levels of plasma leptin and serum inflammatory factors (hs-CRP and IL-18) in children with nephrotic syndrome before treatment were obviously higher than those in normal children, and these indexes were obviously decreased after treatment. In conclusion, the detection of changes in plasma leptin, serum inflammatory factors (hs-CRP and IL-18) and urinary protein in children with nephrotic syndrome before and after treatment has important reference value for reflecting the severity of disease and evaluating the prognosis of children with nephrotic syndrome.

Associations Among Mucosal and Transmural Healing and Fecal Level of Calprotectin in Children With Crohn’s Disease

Bowel healing is an important goal of therapy for patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Although there have been many studies of mucosal healing, transmural healing (ie, in the bowel wall) has not been investigated in children. We analyzed data from the ImageKids study to determine associations among mucosal, transmural healing and levels of calprotectin and C-reactive protein in children with CD. We collected data from a multi-center study designed to develop 2 magnetic resonance enterography (MRE)-based measures for children with CD (6-18 years old). In our analysis of 151 children (mean age, 14.2 ± 2.4 years), all patients underwent MRE and a complete ileocolonoscopic evaluation; fecal levels of calprotectin and blood levels of C-reactive protein were measured. Mucosal healing was defined as simple endoscopic severity index in CD score below 3, transmural healing as an MRE visual analogue score below 20 mm, and deep healing as a combination of transmural and mucosal healing. We identified mucosal healing with transmural inflammation in 9 children (6%), transmural healing with mucosal inflammation in 38 children (25%), deep healing in 21 children (14%), and mucosal and transmural inflammation in 83 children (55%). The median level of calprotectin was lowest in children with deep healing (mean level, 10 μg/g; interquartile range, 10-190 μg/g), followed by children with either transmural or mucosal inflammation, and highest in children with mucosal and transmural inflammation (810 μg/g; interquartile range, 539-1737 μg/g) (P < .001). Fecal level of calprotectin identified children with deep healing with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89-0.98); level of C-reactive protein identified children with deep healing with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71-0.9). A calprotectin cutoff value of 100 μg/g identified children with deep healing with 71% sensitivity and 92% specificity; a cutoff value of 300 μg/g identified children with mucosal healing with 80% sensitivity and 81% specificity. In a prospective study of children with CD, we found that one-third have healing in only the mucosa or the bowel wall (not both). Levels of fecal calprotectin below 300 μg/identify children with mucosal healing, but a lower cutoff value (below 100 μg/g) is needed to identify children with deep healing. Clinicaltrials.gov no: NCT01881490.

Survey of plasma proteins in children with progeria pre-therapy and on-therapy with lonafarnib.

BackgroundHutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an ultra-rare, fatal, segmental premature aging syndrome caused by the aberrant lamin A protein, progerin. The protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor, lonafarnib, ameliorates some aspects of cardiovascular and bone disease.MethodsWe performed a prospective longitudinal survey of plasma proteins in 24 children with HGPS (an estimated 10% of the world's population at the time) at baseline and on lonafarnib therapy, compared with age- and gender-matched controls using a multi-analyte, microsphere-based immunofluorescent assay.ResultsThe mean levels for 23/66 (34.8%) proteins were significantly lower and 7/66 (10.6%) were significantly higher in HGPS samples compared with those in controls (P≤0.05). Six proteins whose concentrations were initially lower normalized with lonafarnib therapy: interleukins 1α, 7, and 13, beta-2 microglobulin, C-reactive protein, and myoglobin. Alpha-2 macroglobulin, a protease inhibitor associated with stroke, was elevated at baseline and subsequently normalized with lonafarnib therapy.ConclusionThis is the first study to employ a multi-analyte array platform in HGPS. Novel potential biomarkers identified in this study should be further validated by correlations with clinical disease status, especially proteins associated with cardiovascular disease and those that normalized with lonafarnib therapy.