Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Sulfur Compounds on Kidney Health and Disease.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) plays a decisive role in kidney health and disease. HS can ben synthesized via enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways, as well as gut microbial origins. Kidney disease can originate in early life induced by various maternal insults throughout the process, namely renal programming.

Salivary Biomarkers to Differentiate between and Influenza A Virus-Related Pneumonia in Children.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common among children and can be fatal in certain conditions. In children, CAP can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. Identification of pathogens can help select appropriate therapeutic strategies.

Comparison of the predictive ability of lactate and central venous blood gas in pediatric venoarterial mode extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcome.

Background: This study aims to compare lactate and central venous blood gas in the prediction of outcome in pediatric venoarterial mode extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO).

Method: This was a retrospective observational study conducted on patients undergoing V-A ECMO care in the pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. Patients under 18 years of age undergoing V-A ECMO from January 2009 to April 2019 were included in this study.

Use of saliva sample to detect C-reactive protein in children with pneumonia.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive biomarker for inflammation and is broadly used to clinically diagnose infectious diseases, including pneumonia. However, blood sampling is fraught with technical difficulties in children. The salivary analysis may be a potential diagnostic tool, as it is noninvasive, patient-friendly, and easy to perform in children.

Outcome analysis of pediatric hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Purpose: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disease associated with rapid clinical deterioration and the need for intensive care; therefore, it is essential to identify clinical parameters related to mortality and establish prognostic factors correlated with unfavorable outcome in high risk patients whose treatment may fail.

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2018, a total of 51 pediatric patients (less than 18 years old) who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of HLH-2004 with documented results of bone marrow investigations at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were enrolled. The treatment protocol was based on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-94 (HLH-94) and HLH-2004.

Left Ventricle Decompression Strategies in Pediatric Peripheral Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used in patients with potentially reversible acute cardiac and/or pulmonary failure who are unresponsive to conventional treatment. Patients with profound left ventricular (LV) dysfunction under venous-arterial (V-A) ECMO may experience LV distention, pulmonary edema, and thrombus formation. It is critical to unload the left ventricle to prevent such complications.

Impact of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation on Acute Fulminant Myocarditis-related Hemodynamic Compromise Arrhythmia in Children.

Background: Acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) commonly presents as abrupt cardiogenic shock with or without dysrhythmia. This study evaluated the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on AFM-related hemodynamic compromise dysrhythmias. We also reported the clinical experience of AFM at our hospital.

Early Differentiation of Kawasaki Disease Shock Syndrome and Toxic Shock Syndrome in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS) and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can present as shock and fever with skin rash, but the management of these 2 groups of patients is different. This report proposes to help clinicians earlier distinguish these 2 diseases and expedite institution of appropriate therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with the diagnosis of KDSS or TSS from January 2000 through December 2010.

Renoprotective effects of melatonin in young spontaneously hypertensive rats with L-NAME.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) deficiency occurs in humans and animals with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). An inhibitor of NO synthase, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) exacerbates kidney damage in the adult spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). We examined whether L-NAME exacerbated hypertensive nephrosclerosis in young SHRs and whether melatonin protects SHRs against kidney damage by restoration of the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-NO pathway.