Effects of Oat ß-Glucan and Inulin on Alleviation of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Aggravated by Circadian Disruption in C57BL/6J Mice.

This was the first study that examined the effects of oat ß-glucan and inulin on diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in circadian-disrupted (CD)-male C57BL/6J mice. CD intensified NASH, significantly increasing alanine aminotransferase and upregulating hepatic tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and transforming growth factor ß 1 (TGFß1). However, these observations were significantly alleviated by oat ß-glucan and inulin treatments. Compared to CD NASH mice, oat ß-glucan significantly decreased the liver index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and insulin. In prebiotic-treated and CD NASH mice, significant negative correlations were found between enrichment of Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate-036 (Harlan), Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate-001 (NCI), and Bacteroides ovatus after oat ß-glucan supplementation with TNFα and TGFß1 levels; and enrichment of Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate-110 (HZI) after inulin supplementation with AST level. In conclusion, oat ß-glucan and inulin exhibited similar antiliver injury, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities but had no effect on cecal short-chain fatty acids and gut microbiota diversity in CD NASH mice.

Natural small-molecules reverse Xeroderma Pigmentosum Complementation Group C (XPC) deficient-mediated drug-resistance in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Renal cancer is insensitive to radiotherapy or most chemotherapies. While the loss of the XPC gene was correlated with drug resistance in colon cancer, the expression of XPC and its role in the drug resistance of renal cancer have not yet been elucidated. With the fact that natural small-molecules have been adopted in combinational therapy with classical chemotherapeutic agents to increase the drug sensitivity and reduce adverse effects, the use of herbal compounds to tackle drug-resistance in renal cancer is advocated. PURPOSE: To correlate the role of XPC gene deficiency to drug-resistance in renal cancer, and to identify natural small-molecules that can reverse drug-resistance in renal cancer via up-regulation of XPC. METHODS: IHC was adopted to analyze the XPC expression in human tumor and adjacent tissues. Clinical data extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were further analysed to determine the relationship between XPC gene expression and tumor staging of renal cancer. Two types of XPC-KD renal cancer cell models were established to investigate the drug-resistant phenotype and screen XPC gene enhancers from 134 natural small-molecules derived from herbal plants. Furthermore, the identified XPC enhancers were verified in single or in combination with FDA-approved chemotherapy drugs for reversing drug-resistance in renal cancer using MTT cytotoxicity assay. Drug resistance gene profiling, ROS detection assay, immunocytochemistry and cell live-dead imaging assay were adopted to characterize the XPC-related drug resistant mechanism. RESULTS: XPC gene expression was significantly reduced in renal cancer tissue compared with its adjacent tissue. Clinical analysis of TCGA database also identified the downregulated level of XPC gene in renal tumor tissue of stage IV patients with cancer metastasis, which was also correlated with their lower survival rate. 6 natural small-molecules derived from herbal plants including tectorigenin, pinostilbene, d-pinitol, polygalasaponin F, atractylenolide III and astragaloside II significantly enhanced XPC expression in two renal cancer cell types. Combinational treatment of the identified natural compound with the treatment of FDA-approved drug, further confirmed the up-regulation of XPC gene expression can sensitize the two types of XPC-KD drug-resistant renal cancer cells towards the FDA-approved drugs. Mechanistic study confirmed that GSTP1/ROS axis was activated in drug resistant XPC-KD renal cancer cells. CONCLUSION: XPC gene deficiency was identified in patient renal tumor samples, and knockdown of the XPC gene was correlated with a drug-resistant phenotype in renal cancer cells via activation of the GSTP1/ROS axis. The 6 identified natural small molecules were confirmed to have drug sensitizing effects via upregulation of the XPC gene. Therefore, the identified active natural small molecules may work as an adjuvant therapy for circumventing the drug-resistant phenotype in renal cancer via enhancement of XPC expression.

Macroalgal morphology mediates microplastic accumulation on thallus and in sediments.

The accumulation process of microplastics (MPs) is a key to understanding their fate in the environment. However, there is limited information about the short-term accumulation of MPs on macrophytes. The ability of macrophyte to attenuate wave and reduce current velocity is potentially facilitating MPs deposition. We hypothesize that the macroalgae retain MPs with their morphologies (filamentous and non-filamentous) being one of the factors to govern retention. Our hypothesis was tested by field observation during the dry season in Hong Kong when the macroalgae communities were the most diverse. MPs per biomass, surface area, or interstitial volume were used to represent the abundances on macroalgae. We found that filamentous algae retained a 2.35 times higher number of MPs when compared with non-filamentous algae if unit per biomass was considered. Other units, however, showed insignificant differences in MPs abundances between algal morphologies. Fibre was the most dominant shape of MPs with no significant difference in their abundances between filamentous and non-filamentous algae, suggesting fibres were retained regardless of the algal morphologies. To further evaluate the potential accumulation in the environment, sediment samples were also collected under the algal mat and immediate vicinity (~50 cm) of the algal mat. We found that sediment collected under the vegetated area contained significantly higher MPs. This was 3.39 times higher than the unvegetated area. Sediment collected under/near filamentous algae retained much higher abundances of MPs than those of non-filamentous algae. Provided that the observed retention of MPs on macroalgae, we speculate macrophyte system is one of the short-term MPs accumulation hotspots where the temporal increase of MPs depends on the seasonality of macrophyte in a given region.

Self-adaptive and efficient propulsion of Ray sperms at different viscosities enabled by heterogeneous dual helixes.

We disclose a peculiar rotational propulsion mechanism of Ray sperms enabled by its unusual heterogeneous dual helixes with a rigid spiral head and a soft tail, named Heterogeneous Dual Helixes (HDH) model for short. Different from the conventional beating propulsion of sperm, the propulsion of Ray sperms is from both the rotational motion of the soft helical tail and the rigid spiral head. Such heterogeneous dual helical propulsion style provides the Ray sperm with high adaptability in viscous solutions along with advantages in linearity, straightness, and bidirectional motion. This HDH model is further corroborated by a miniature swimming robot actuated via a rigid spiral head and a soft tail, which demonstrates similar superiorities over conventional ones in terms of adaptability and efficiency under the same power input. Such findings expand our knowledge on microorganisms' motion, motivate further studies on natural fertilization, and inspire engineering designs.

The mycoestrogen zeranol at high dosage antagonizes transient receptor potential channel activities in 3T3 L1 cells.

Recent findings have revealed that exposure to environmental contaminants may result in obesity and pose a health threat to the general public. As the activity of transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) plays a permissive role in adipogenesis, the interactions between TRPs and some food pollutants, i.e. bisphenol A, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, zearalenone, and zeranol at 10 µM were investigated in the present study. TRP-V1,-V3, -C4 and -C6 are reported to be differentially expressed in the adipocyte differentiation, and immunoblotting was performed to quantify changes in these TRPs affected by the pollutants. Our result indicated that the mycoestrogen zeranol or α-zearalanol suppressed the expression of the V1 and C6 isoforms. Subsequently, confocal microscopy was used to measure the calcium inflow repressed by zeranol from 0.1 µM to 10 µM. Oil Red O staining was used to determine the differentiation of 3T3 L1 preadipocytes. Zeranol could suppress the expression of TRP-V1 and -C6 protein and inhibit the associated flow of calcium into the cytosol of 3T3 L1 cells. Its IC50 value for inhibiting calcium inflow stimulated by 40 µM capsaicin or 10 µM GSK1702934A was estimated to be around 6 µM. Reduced TRP-V1 or -C6 activity might result in promoting adipogenesis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that zeranol could potentiate fat cell differentiation through antagonizing TRP-V1 and -C6 activities.

Spinal phantom comparability study of Cobb angle measurement of scoliosis using digital radiographic imaging.

BACKGROUND: Computed radiography (CR), digital radiography (DR) and biplanar radiography (EOS™ imaging system) are common imaging tools for radiographic evaluation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The effect of imaging methods in relation to later-on Cobb angle measurements on radiographs is not yet quantified. The study aimed to examine the compatibility between CR, DR and EOS for scoliotic quantification by evaluating the reliability, agreement of different imaging methods, and assessing the prediction performance for EOS measurement from that of CR and DR. METHOD: A flexible spine phantom was used to simulate 32 different scoliotic curves ranging from 10° to 60°. Each curvature was imaged using DR, CR and EOS systems accordingly. Each of the six observers independently measured Cobb angle twice on each image at a two-week interval. Intraclass correlation coefficient (model 2 and 3), Bland-Altman plot and linear regression analysis were completed to evaluate the reliability, agreement, and the prediction of Cobb angle measurement, respectively. RESULTS: Reliability analysis showed excellent intra-observer reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient >0.9) for each observer and good inter-observer reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.84 for EOS; 0.739 for CR; 0.877 for DR) for each method. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated good agreement between imaging methods without fixed or proportional bias. Excellent coefficient of determination was achieved, with 0.980 for CR versus EOS measurements, and 0.973 for DR versus EOS measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographs produced by all of the three methods can provide reliable and accurate Cobb angle measurements for scoliosis assessments. None of the methods systemically underestimates or overestimates the Cobb angle measurement. Additionally, all of the evaluated methods are satisfactory in obtaining images for Cobb angle measurement in AIS. However, the 3D post-processing techniques offered by EOS should also be taken into consideration as it takes a vital role in treatment and monitoring of 3D deformity in the case of scoliosis. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: In view of the limited availability of biplanar radiography (EOS™ imaging system), computed radiography and digital radiography are demonstrated to be reliable alternatives in scoliosis monitoring as evident in the reliability, agreement and prediction of Cobb angle measurement.

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF GENERALIZED DEMODICOSIS IN RED-HANDED TAMARINS ( SAGUINUS MIDAS) USING A SINGLE ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL FLURALANER.

Two adult sibling red-handed tamarins ( Saguinus midas) presented with weight loss and multifocal skin masses. A skin biopsy revealed pyogranulomatous dermatitis with intrafollicular Demodex sp. mites. Subsequent skin scrapes confirmed the presence of live mites within lesions. Initial treatment with topical and oral ivermectin was unsuccessful, and lesions continued to progress. A single dose of fluralaner (Bravecto®, Merck Animal Health, Kenilworth, New Jersey, 07033, USA; 28.125 mg po) was administered to each animal approximately 5 mo after initial presentation. Lesions resolved over the next 3 mo, and all follow-up skin scrapes were negative for both animals. No adverse effects were noted. A single oral administration of fluralaner at 30-35 mg/kg appears adequate and safe for the treatment of generalized demodicosis in red-handed tamarins.

Mortality, length of stay, bloodstream and respiratory viral infections in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether diagnostic categories and presence of infections were associated with increased mortality or length of stay (LOS) in patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: A retrospective study of all PICU admissions between October 2002 and April 2016 was performed. Oncologic vs nononcologic, trauma/injuries vs nontraumatic, infectious (gram-positive, gram-negative, fungal bloodstream infections, common respiratory viruses) vs noninfectious diagnoses were evaluated for survival and LOS. RESULTS: Pediatric intensive care unit admissions (n = 2211) were associated with a mortality of 5.3%. Backward binary logistic regression showed that nonsurvival was associated with leukemia (odds ratio [OR], 4.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-10.10; P < .0005), lymphoma (OR, 21.34; 95% CI, 3.89-117.16; P < .0005), carditis/myocarditis (OR, 7.91; 95% CI, 1.98-31.54; P = .003), encephalitis (OR, 6.93; 95% CI, 3.27-14.67; P < .0005), bloodstream infections with gram-positive organisms (OR, 5.32; 95% CI, 2.67-10.60; P < .0005), gram-negative organisms (OR, 8.23; 95% CI, 4.10-16.53; P < .0005), fungi (OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.07-14.42; P = .039), and pneumococcal disease (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.21-8.75; P = .019). Stepwise linear regression revealed that LOS of survivors was associated with bloodstream gram-positive infection (B = 98.2; 95% CI, 75.7-120.7; P < .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diagnoses of leukemia, lymphoma, cardiomyopathy/myocarditits, encephalitis, and comorbidity of bloodstream infections and pneumococcal disease were significantly at risk of PICU mortality. Length of stay of survivors was associated with bloodstream gram-positive infection. The highest odds for death were among patients with leukemia/lymphoma and bloodstream coinfection. As early diagnosis of these childhood malignancies is desirable but not always possible, adequate and early antimicrobial coverage for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria might be the only feasible option to reduce PICU mortality in these patients. In Hong Kong, a subtropical Asian city, none of the common respiratory viruses were associated with increased mortality or LOS in PICU.

Outcome of Encephalitis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To review pathogens, morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients with viral and infectious encephalitis. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all patients with encephalitis admitted to the PICU between 2002 and 2014 was done. RESULTS: Encephalitis (n = 46) accounted for 2.7 % of PICU admissions, but 11.8 % PICU mortality over a 12-y period. A microorganism (primarily virus) was identified in 59 % of encephalitis patients in the PICU. Enteroviruses and herpes viruses were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Respiratory viruses [such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses] and enteric viruses (such as rotavirus and norovirus) were obtained in the nasopharyngeal aspirate and stool respectively, but undetectable from the CSF. More than one-fourth patients with encephalitis died in the PICU. Boys accounted for 85 % of nonsurvivors and 52 % survivors (p = 0.038). Mechanical ventilation, inotrope, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and corticosteroid usage were significantly higher among non-survivors (p 0.001-0.044). Binomial logistic regression showed that patients who received corticosteroid had a lower chance of survival than those who did not after adjusting for gender, IVIG and mechanical ventilation (adjusted odd ratio = 0.071, 95 % CI 0.006-0.881; p 0.039). Eighteen (55 %) of the survivors had moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Encephalitis is associated with significant mortality despite intensive care. Over 25 % case died and 55 % of survivors had moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairments. There appeared to be no emerging outbreaks of encephalitis during the 15-y study period.

Radiologic, Neurologic and Cardiopulmonary Aspects of Submersion Injury.

Many indices and scores are used in critical care medicine to aid management and predict risk of mortality. We report 2 cases of submersion injury and discuss the usefulness and application of common respiratory and critical care indices. The respiratory indices help better understand the pulmonary pathophysiology and characterize the severity of lung injury and ventilation/perfusion mismatch. Severe lung injury resolved after ventilation support with appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure in both cases. The 6-year-old girl survived the near-fatal submersion injury intact despite grossly abnormal initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and high Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 scores, whereas the 5-year-old boy with grossly abnormal GCS and Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 scores died despite resolution of lung injury. These cases illustrate that resuscitation should be promptly instituted at the scene to ensure optimal outcome because initial pulmonology and neurology indices may not reliably predict mortality or intact survival. The GCS score was not initially designed for prognostication. Nevertheless, 2 serial GCS scores of 3, one performed at emergency department and one at the pediatric intensive care unit, were associated with nonsurvival in our second patient.

Neurologic and Cardiovascular Complications in Pediatric Life Threatening Imipramine Poisoning.

We present an 18-month boy with imipramine poisoning to illustrate the neuro-cardiac toxic effects of this potentially deadly poison in children. The toddler ingested an unknown amount of imipramine from a non-childproof bottle which clearly labelled that the drug must be kept out of reach from children. He developed neurologic and cardiac symptoms. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed tachycardia and widened QRS. He was immediately treated with bicarbonate infusion and made an uneventful recovery. This is the youngest and only reported case of symptomatic imipramine ingestion in our locality. Imipramine has been surpassed by newer antidepressants for the treatment of depression in the past decade. Literature is searched to review the mortality rate in young children. Intensive care neuro-cardiac support contributes to the favorable outcome. Despite clear labelling of the bottle, carelessness on the part of the adult and the use of non-childproof bottle are definite preventable factor to such potentially fatal ingestion.

Cardiopulmonary morbidity of streptococcal infections in a PICU.

AIM: The streptococci are important bacteria that cause serious childhood infections. We investigated cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with streptococcal infection and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. METHODS: A retrospective study between 2002 and 2013 of all children with a laboratory isolation of streptococcus. RESULTS: There were 40 (2.3%) PICU patients with streptococcal isolations including Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus, GAS, n = 7), Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus, GBS, n = 5), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP, n = 20), alpha-hemolytic (n = 4), beta-hemolytic (n = 2) and gama-hemolytic (n = 2) streptococci. Comparing among GAS, GBS and SP, respiratory isolates were more likely positive for GAS or SP (P = 0.033), whereas cerebrospinal fluid was more likely positive for GBS (P = 0.002). All GAS and GBS, and the majority of SP (90%) were sensitive to penicillin. All SP specimens were sensitive to cefotaxime and vancomycin. These infections were associated with high PICU mortality of 43%, 20% and 25%, respectively. Isolation of streptococci was associated with a 30% mortality and high rates of need for mechanical ventilatory and inotropic supports. Patients with GAS, SP or any streptococcal isolation had relative risks [95% confidence interval (CI), P value] of PICU deaths of 7.5 (CI 3.1-18.1, P < 0.0001), 4.5 (CI 2.0-9.8, P < 0.0002) and 5.7 (CI 3.4-9.5, P < 0.0001), respectively. In SP, older children had significantly higher prevalence of premorbid conditions such as malignancy, mental retardation/cerebral palsy ± seizure disorders, chromosomal or genetic disorders (P = 0.003) than children <5 years of age. Serotypes were available for some of these specimens that included 19A, 6B, 3 and 6C. There were four SP deaths with multiorgan system failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome (two 19A and two serotype 3). CONCLUSIONS: Severe streptococcal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite treatment with systemic antibiotics and intensive care unit support. GAS and SP affect the lungs of children, whereas GBS more likely causes meningitis in infants. The expanded coverage of newer polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines can probably prevent infections by serotypes 19A, 19F, 6B and 3.

Typical or atypical pneumonia and severe acute respiratory symptoms in PICU.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common childhood pathogen associated with atypical pneumonia (AP). It is often a mild disease and seldom results in paediatric intensive care (PICU) admission. In 2003, World Health Organization (WHO) coined the word SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in patients with severe acute respiratory symptoms (sars) for an outbreak of AP in Hong Kong due to a novel coronavirus. In 2012, another outbreak of coronavirus AP occurred in the Middle East. Confusing case definitions such as MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and SARI (severe acute respiratory infections) were coined. This paper aims to present a case of MP with sars, ARDS, pneumonia and pleural effusion during the MERS epidemics, and review the incidence and mortality of severe AP with MP. METHODS: We presented a case of MP with sars, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia and pleural effusion during the MERS epidemics, and performed a literature review on the incidence and mortality of severe AP with MP requiring PICU care. RESULTS: In early 2013, an 11-year-old girl presented with sars, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), right-sided pneumonia and pleural effusion. She was treated with multiple antibiotics. Streptococcus pneumoniae was not isolated in this girl with 'typical' pneumonia by symptomatology and chest radiography, but tracheal aspirate identified MP instead. The respiratory equations are computed with PaO2 /FiO2 consistent with severe lung injury. Literature on the incidence and mortality of severe AP with MP requiring PICU care is reviewed. Six, 165 and 293 articles were found when PubMed (a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine) was searched for the terms 'mycoplasma' and 'ICU', 'mycoplasma' and 'mortality', and 'mycoplasma' and 'severe'. Mortality and PICU admission associated with MP is general low and rarely reported. Experimental and clinical studies have suggested that the pathogenesis of lung injuries in MP infection is associated with a cell-mediated immune reaction, and high responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy has been reported especially for severe disease. Management of severe mycoplasma infection in the PICU includes general cardiopulmonary support and specific antimicrobial treatment. Macrolide resistance genotypes have been detected. CONCLUSION: We urge health organizations to refrain from the temptation of coining unnecessary new terminology to describe essentially the same conditions each and every time when outbreaks of AP occur.

A baby with symmetrical hand injuries and rhabdomyolysis following nonfatal electrocution by an unusual mechanism.

Childhood electrical injuries are rare in the city of Hong Kong. We report the case of a 21-month boy with severe electrical injuries of both hands and explored underlying mechanism for the incident. Meticulous orthopedic repair and reconstruction ensures satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes. Our case concurs with the literature that young children may be predisposed to this mode of incident with their curious exploring hands. Despite regulations on electrical home safety standards, extension power boards can still pose a dangerous risk for severe morbidity in the household with young children. Prevention strategies often involve commonsense approach in home safety measures such as (1) use proper fuses in electrical boxes, (2) do not overload outlets, (3) use insulated and grounded electrical cords, (4) keep electrical cords away from a child's reach, and (5) cover electrical outlets so children will not stick items in the outlet.

Prolonged non-survival in PICU: does a do-not-attempt-resuscitation order matter.

BACKGROUND: Etiologies of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality are diverse. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of PICU mortality in a regional trauma center, and explore factors associated with prolonged non-survival. METHODS: Demographic data of all PICU deaths in a regional trauma center were analyzed. Factors associated with prolonged nonsurvival (length of stay) were investigated with univariate log rank and multivariate Cox-Regression forward stepwise tests. RESULTS: There were 88 deaths (males 61%; infants 23%) over 10 years (median PICU stay = 3.5 days, interquartile range: 1 and 11 days). The mean annual mortality rate of PICU admissions was 5.8%. Septicemia with gram positive, gram negative and fungal pathogens were present in 13 (16%), 13 (16%) and 4 (5%) of these patients, respectively. Viruses were isolated in 25 patients (28%). Ninety percent of these 88 patients were ventilated, 75% required inotropes, 92% received broad spectrum antibiotic coverage, 32% received systemic corticosteroids, 56% required blood transfusion and 39% received anticonvulsants. Thirty nine patients (44%) had a DNAR (Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation) order with their deaths at the PICU. Comparing with non-trauma category, trauma patients had higher mortality score, no premorbid disease, suffered asystole preceding PICU admission and subsequent brain death. Oncologic conditions were the most prevalent diagnosis in the non-trauma category. There was no gunshot or asthma death in this series. Prolonged non-survival was significantly associated with DNAR, fungal infections, and mechanical ventilation but negatively associated with bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: Death in the PICU is a heterogeneous event that involves infants and children. Resuscitation was not attempted at the time of their deaths in nearly half of the patients in honor of parents' wishes. Parents often make DNAR decision when medical futility becomes evident. They could be reassured that DNAR did not mean "abandoning" care. Instead, DNAR patients had prolonged PICU stay and received the same level of PICU supports as patients who did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Complications of bezoar in children: what is new?

A bezoar is a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system. The condition may be associated with pica, especially in developmentally retarded children. Clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific. Endoscopic diagnosis and removal of the foreign materials is often indicated. Occasionally, severe complications may occur. We report two cases to illustrate the clinical features and complications in these children. In the first case, a reliable history was not obtained in the developmentally delayed girl which precluded prompt diagnosis, but the grossly dilated stomach on plain abdominal radiograph gave clues to an underlying insidious mechanical obstruction of upper gastrointestinal tract. In the second case of a normal child, the unrelenting symptoms and weight loss prompt further investigations which revealed the diagnosis. Literature on pediatric bezoar is reviewed. Oesophagoduodenoscopy is the investigation of choice for diagnostic confirmation, but surgical facilities must be available to deal with acute complications.

Influenza and parainfluenza associated pediatric ICU morbidity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if morbidity in young children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU with a laboratory proven diagnosis of influenza and parainfluenza infection) had increased. METHODS: Retrospective study from January 2003 through December 2009 was carried out. Every child in the PICU with a laboratory-confirmed influenza or parainfluenza infection was included. RESULTS: 18 influenza (influenza A =13 and influenza B = 5) and 17 parainfluenza admissions were identified over the 7-year period. Parainfluenza type 3 (n = 9) was the commonest subtype of parainfluenza infection. The median age of children admitted with influenza was higher than parainfluenza (4.5 vs 1.7 years, p = 0.044). Admissions associated with proven influenza and parainfluenza infections accounted for 2% of PICU annual admissions. There was only one death in 2003. 51% of these patients required ventilatory support, 45% received systemic corticosteroids, and 91% received initial broad spectrum antibiotic coverage. Bacterial co-infections were identified in 25% of these patients. The incidence of influenza admissions had not increased significantly in 2009 (H1N1 pandemic) when compared with 2003 (SARS epidemic) (p = 0.3). There were only two PICU cases of pandemic H1N1 in 2009 and both survived. The annual incidence of severe PICU cases of influenza and parainfluenza were 0.94 and 0.88 per 100,000 children per annum, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic H1N1, influenza and parainfluenza viruses may be associated with significant childhood morbidity and PICU admissions.

Neonates investigated for influenza-like illness during the outbreak of pandemic H1N1 2009: trivial infections but major triage implications.

We report eight cases of neonates (from birth to 25 days) admitted to the neonatal service of a teaching hospital with influenza-like illness during the outbreak of pandemic H1N1 2009, and discuss their management and infection control issues. Empirical antibiotics were often promptly initiated and timely stopped when sepsis was ruled out. Also, there was no pandemic H1N1-09 but influenza A (H3N2, n = 1), parainfluenza (type 3, n = 3) and respiratory syncytial virus (n = 1) have been isolated. The infants recovered spontaneously without any antiviral therapy. There was no outbreak of the respiratory infections in the neonatal service during the admissions. Respiratory viral infections can occur in neonates although the clinical course may be milder and nonspecific. Emergency room and frontline staff must be vigilant of the non-specific clinical features of infections with respiratory viruses in the neonates so that prompt triage and isolation can be implemented to avoid outbreaks in the neonatal service.