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Biomedical subjects

C Trevenen

Publications and source records attributed to C Trevenen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Mucosal inflammation in a genetic model of spontaneous type I diabetes mellitus.

The BioBreeding (BB) rat provides a model of spontaneous type I diabetes mellitus that closely resembles the human disease. Diabetes-prone BB rats demonstrate increased intestinal permeability prior to the development of insulinitis. Studies suggest that alterations in intestinal permeability can lead to increased intestinal inflammatory activity. Diabetes-prone (BBdp) and diabetes-resistant (BBdr) BB rats were examined at 45 days and at >70 days of age following the development of clinical disease (BBd). In separate experiments, tissue was assayed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) or fixed for histological assessment and immunohistochemistry. Blood was obtained for leukocyte MPO measurements and morphological assessment of circulating leukocytes. MPO activity was significantly elevated in the distal small intestine of 45-day-old BBdp rats. In contrast, at >70 days of age, MPO activity was significantly increased throughout the small intestine of BBd and non-diabetic BBdp rats. Subsequently, all measurements were performed in >70-day-old rats. An increase in inflammatory infiltrate was noted in the distal small intestine of BBd rats by light microscopy. Infiltrating cells were identified as bands (a maturing cell type of the neutrophil lineage) and mature neutrophils. The findings suggest diabetes susceptibility is associated with an increase in intestinal inflammatory activity.

Animals↗

Combination of renal agenesis with respiratory and alimentary tract atresia results in normal lung development.

The VACTERL complex comprises renal agenesis and atresias of the alimentary and respiratory tracts. We report on a case with this combination causing severe oligohydramnios but with normal lung development. The likely protective mechanism for pulmonary development was an increase in alveolar pressure and reduced alveolar fluid loss due to the esophageal-tracheal malformation. This suggests the possible treatment of oligohydramnios by tracheal occlusion.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Severe Kawasaki disease in infants: two fatal cases.

Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis that manifests itself in many ways. Infants may present as atypical cases and commonly experience severe inflammatory changes. The two cases that are presented here highlight unusual severity and pathology. Patient 1 was a three-month-old infant with atypical Kawasaki disease who developed gangrenous lesions, and coronary and extracoronary artery aneurysms. Multiorgan failure ensued with diffuse cardiac and extracardiac aneurysms and thromboses at autopsy. Patient 2 was a five-month-old infant with Kawasaki disease, cholangitis and peripheral gangrene. Severe coronary artery aneurysms developed and he died following a myocardial infarction, despite multiple doses of intravenous immunoglobulin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and corticosteroids. There is a higher occurrence of atypical disease and more severe vasculitis in infants with Kawasaki disease. Pathological changes are described, including coronary and extracardiac lesions. Patient 1 shows extensive peripheral gangrene and widespread aneurysms, and patient 2 illustrates severe cardiac complications with diffuse organ inflammation. Therapies including intravenous immunoglobulin, ASA, corticosteroids and antithrombotics are reviewed.

Aneurysm↗

Middle cerebral artery dissection.

A 12-year-old girl had minor head trauma, with resultant mild headache, one day prior to onset of an apparently generalized tonic clonic seizure, right hemiparesis and dysphasia. A cranial CT scan showed evidence of a left middle cerebral artery infarct. Despite ventilation, fluid restriction, mannitol, thiopental infusion and intracranial pressure monitoring she deteriorated and died. Autopsy demonstrated dissection of the left middle cerebral artery with an intact internal carotid artery and no evidence of vasculitis. Middle cerebral artery dissection in children is very rare. Most reported cases are diagnosed at autopsy. The pathogenesis of cerebral artery dissection may include preceding minor head trauma or exertion and this should be sought for in the history.

Accidents, Home↗

Practice guidelines for ordering stool cultures in a pediatric population. Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

A comprehensive utilization review was done of all stool culture tests performed at a pediatric hospital during a 3-year period from June 1, 1989 through to July 1, 1992. A total of 4,460 stool culture specimens were surveyed from 3,420 children. Sixty percent (2,692) of the workload was from inpatients, 22% (1,001) was from emergency room (ER) visits and 18% (767) was from outpatient clinic/office visits. A total of 9% (294 of 3,420) of the children were confirmed to have enteric bacterial infection. Enteric infections in Southern Alberta follow a typical pattern, where most cases of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella sp and Campylobacter jejuni are diagnosed in the summer months between June and September. Marked differences were found in the overall stool culture positivity rate between hospitalized children (94 of 2,141, 4%), and ambulatory children attending the ER (176 of 892, 19%). Although a significant number of children had more than one stool culture done, most cases of enteric bacterial infections were diagnosed on the first stool sample (290 of 294, 98%). Most children (89 of 94, 95%) who were hospitalized because of an acute diarrheal illness had a bacteriological diagnosis confirmed within the first 4 days after admission (90 of 94, 96%), including immunocompromised children in the Oncology ward. Over the past year, significant sustainable cost savings have resulted from the implementation of practice guidelines for ordering pediatric stool cultures.

Bacterial Infections↗

Practice guidelines for ordering stool ova and parasite testing in a pediatric population. The Alberta Children's Hospital.

A comprehensive utilization review was done of all stool ova parasite examinations performed at a pediatric hospital during a 3-year period from June 1, 1989 to July 1, 1992. A total of 2,652 stool specimens were surveyed from 1,532 children. Forty-one percent (1,081) of the workload was from inpatients, 37% (976) was from emergency room (ER) visits/other outpatients, and 22% (233) was from patients attending the gastroenterology (GI) clinic. The prevalence of enteric parasites in hospitalized children was 4% (35 of 829) compared to rates of 10% (47 of 470) and 13% (30 of 233) for children attending the ER/other outpatient clinics and GI clinic, respectively. Giardia lamblia was found most often (31%[45 of 146]), followed by Dientamoeba fragilis (23%[33 of 146]), Entamoeba coli (16%[24 of 146]), Blastocystis hominis (13% [19 of 146]), Cryptosporidium (8% [12 of 146]), Endolimax nana (4% [6 of 146]), Enterobius vermicularis (2% [3 of 146]), Hymenolepis nana (2% [3 of 146]), and Iodamoeba buetschlii (1% [1 of 146]). Most children were colonized/infected with a single parasite (85%) with a much smaller number having two or more parasites. Only nine children (6%) who were immunocompetent and hospitalized for more than 4 days were found to have enteric parasites. Over the past 18 months, significant sustainable cost savings have resulted from the implementation of practice guidelines for ordering pediatric stool ova and parasite examinations.

Animals↗

Allergic colitis in infancy: clinical and pathologic aspects.

This study prospectively evaluated 35 consecutive infants who presented with fresh blood mixed with stools. The mean age at onset of bleeding was approximately 4 weeks. All infants were otherwise asymptomatic and exhibited normal growth and physical examinations. None had evidence of a bleeding diathesis, viral or bacterial enteritis, or necrotizing enterocolitis. Consent for limited colonoscopy and biopsy was obtained for 34 infants. Twenty-five had macroscopic colitis and 10 infants had marked nodular lymphoid hyperplasia. Thirty-one infants had histopathological evidence of colitis characterized by a marked eosinophilic infiltrate. Compared with 19 controls (age, 4.1 +/- 3.6 months) the mean number of eosinophils per high-power field was greater in the patients with colitis. Patients with colitis also had an elevated mean absolute peripheral eosinophil count and a low mean serum albumin compared to control values. The 31 infants with colitis were receiving solely breast milk (10), cow's milk formula (9), soya formula (9), breast milk with cow's milk formula (2), or nutramigen (1) at the time of presentation. Nineteen infants had rapid resolution of frank bleeding and gradual correction of serum albumin with dietary change. While limited colonoscopy and biopsy were useful in establishing a definitive diagnosis, a low serum albumin and high peripheral eosinophil count suggested the diagnosis. Colitis characterized histologically by > 20 eosinophils per high-power field is a common cause of rectal bleeding in otherwise healthy young infants. Resolution of bleeding and increase in serum albumin after dietary change suggest that this is an allergic colitis: however, the pathogenesis of this disorder needs further clarification.

Animals↗

Investigation and outcome of 121 infants and children requiring Nissen fundoplication for the management of gastroesophageal reflux.

In a 6.5 year period starting January 1982, 121 patients (74 male, 47 female; 1.6:1) with complicated gastroesophageal reflux referred to Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, required a Nissen fundoplication at a mean age of 35.5 months (range 3 weeks to 18 years). The median age of onset of symptoms was less than 1 month. Symptoms and indications for surgery included regurgitation (88%), failure to thrive (52%), reflux-associated pulmonary symptoms and aspiration (48%), biopsy evidence of esophagitis (35%) with heartburn (17%), dysphagia (18%), hematemesis (17%), anemia (13%), and hypoproteinemia (22%). Sixty-four percent of the patients had a syndrome or chromosomal abnormality, respiratory disease, or neuromuscular disorder. The barium contrast upper-gastrointestinal radiographic series, performed in all patients, identified structural [gastric outlet obstruction (2%), esophageal stricture (11%), erosive esophagitis (9%)], and functional abnormalities [gastroesophageal reflux (90%), barium aspiration (8%), esophageal hypoperistalsis (30%), delayed gastric emptying (4%)]. Barium contrast upper gastrointestinal radiographic series identified gastroesophageal reflux with a sensitivity of 90% (compared to history), was 50% sensitive and 92% specific for erosive esophagitis (compared to biopsy), was 59% sensitive and 74% specific for esophageal dysmotility (compared to esophageal manometry), and there was a significant (p less than 0.01) association between barium aspiration and prior evidence of aspiration pneumonitis. Esophageal manometry demonstrated a significantly (p less than 0.001) lower esophageal sphincter pressure in patients compared with controls, but no significant correlation with failure to thrive, aspiration pneumonia, biopsy evidence of esophagitis, or parameters of the 24-hour esophageal pH study. Twenty-four hour pH monitoring showed significantly (p less than 0.05) more reflux episodes than in asymptomatic controls and there was significant (p less than 0.05) correlation between the percentage of time pH was less than 4 and the presence of hypoalbuminemia, and biopsy-proven erosive esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus. Endoscopic appearance was 91% sensitive and 60% specific for esophagitis when compared to biopsy. Nissen fundoplication was completely effective at resolving gastroesophageal reflux in 83%, and associated with marked improvement in 15%. No patient died as a result of fundoplication. Major complications included: recurrence of symptoms requiring reoperation (2%), subsequent mechanical bowel obstruction (8%), wound infection or pneumonia (12%).

Adolescent↗

Fibrous hamartoma of infancy.

Fibrous hamartoma of infancy is an uncommon fibroproliferative lesion that occurs only in infancy and childhood. The present case is unusual for the presence of two separate lesions, infiltration into the superficial muscle, infiltration and entrapment of nerves, and rapid recurrence after initial surgery. Despite these unusual and suspicious features, follow-up evaluations over the 15 months subsequent to the last resection showed no evidence of recurrence.

Axilla↗

Familial polyposis coli in childhood.

Familial polyposis coli has generally been considered a disorder of adulthood that is rarely identified in children. We report 3 affected kindreds in which the disorder was diagnosed in 6 of 11 potentially affected children between 8 and 16 years of age. Experience with these kindreds demonstrates that polyps frequently develop during childhood in affected individuals. Colonoscopy was found to be preferable to the air-contrast barium enema, in that it was as sensitive a technique for detection of adenomas, and in that it also permitted collection of biopsies for histologic confirmation. We recommend that colonoscopy be performed late in the first decade of life before symptoms develop. Total colectomy, rectal mucosectomy, and ileo-anal anastomosis eliminated the risk of malignancy, preserved anal sphincter function by both clinical and manometric assessment, and was readily adapted to by these children.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Chronic pancreatitis associated with ulcerative colitis.

A twelve-year-old girl without apparent predisposing factors developed chronic pancreatitis, and 10 months later had fulminant onset of ulcerative colitis requiring a colectomy. This report strengthens the evidence for a relationship between pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Child↗

Cloacal exstrophy and related abdominal wall defects in Manitoba: incidence and demographic factors.

A retrospective descriptive study of omphalocele and exstrophic defects of the abdominal wall was carried out in Manitoba to determine the prevalence of these defects, changes in birth incidence with time and their etiologic heterogeneity. The incidence of isolated omphalocele was similar to that reported in other series but the overall incidence of other types of abdominal wall defects was high. Cloacal exstrophy, bladder exstrophy and amnion disruption defects contributed significantly to the number of cases ascertained and emphasized the heterogeneity of abdominal wall defects. There were fluctuations in birth incidence with time with cloacal exstrophy especially apparently being more common in 1980-81. No specific demographic or environmental factors were documented in the cases seen in 1980-81 which could explain the high incidence in these years. Cloacal exstrophy is, however, now appreciated to be much more common than first realized. Studied directed at elucidation of the causes of apparent changes in incidence of malformations such as omphalocele or exstrophic defects will have to take into account both the fluctuations in background incidence of these defects and the considerable diversity in their etiology.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Is childhood schizophrenia a cholinergic disease? I. Muscle morphology.

Four hypotonic boys (aged 4 years and 11 months, 6 years and 9 months, 7 years and 4 months, and 8 years and 10 months, respectively), all of whom demonstrated a formal thought disorder, had been psychotic for more than six months, and met the DSM-III criteria for chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia, were studied with respect to skeletal muscle morphology. A significant difference between the mean fiber diameters of type I and type II muscle fibers was observed in the three boys with the most severe thought disorder, type II muscle fibers being consistently smaller. No significant difference in the mean fiber diameter between the two fiber types were seen in the fourth boy, who was also the only one who demonstrated any secondary thought process. The boys differed in their activity levels, but there was no correlation between type II muscle fiber atrophy and hypoactivity. It is hypothesized that a depressed cholinergic system is implicated in the pathogenesis of both the muscle fiber atrophy and the formal thought disorder.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Muscle biopsy in hypotonic schizophrenic children: a preliminary report.

Two hypotonic boys, aged 7 years, 3 months and 7 yers, 7 months, who possessed sufficient speech to demonstrate a severe thought disorder and who differed markedly in their activity levels, were subjected to a biopsy of the quadriceps muscle. The biopsies revealed atrophy of type 2 muscle fibers, as well as variability in the size of these fibers. The findings could be compatible with a denervation phenomenon.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗