OBJECTIVE  The aim of this study was to determine whether culturing human placental explants under different oxygen tensions will alter expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. METHODS  Placental explant cultures from second-trimester, elective, terminations-of-pregnancy were incubated under 21, 5, or 1% O(2) concentrations for 24 hr in the presence or absence of IL-10. Cytokine concentrations in the conditioned medium were quantified by immunoassay. RESULTS  Culture of placental explants under 21, 5, or 1% O(2) concentrations produced hyperoxic (143 ± 1.6 mmHg), normoxic (37 ± 1.6 mmHg), and hypoxic (18.2 ± 1.6 mmHg) pO(2) levels for the maternal-fetal interface in the medium. Oxygen tension had profound effects on basal placental cytokine levels as well as on IL-10-stimulated cytokine production. IL-1β and TNF-α, but not IFN-γ production, was reduced by 21% O(2) . Moreover, 21% O(2) levels increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-13 while 1% O(2) tended to decrease the production of these cytokines. CONCLUSIONS  Five percent- O(2) incubation more accurately represents in vivo pO(2) conditions at the maternal-fetal interface. Routine culture of placental explants in room air produces a superphysiologic oxygen tension that tended to increase the production of anti-inflammatory and decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, low pO(2) may reduce responsiveness of the placenta to the anti-inflammatory actions of IL-10.

Purpose of Review Children and adolescents with acute hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus frequently have acute, potentially life-threatening presentations which require high-acuity care in an inpatient and often intensive care setting. This review discusses the evaluation and care of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus in hospitalized children in both critical and non-critical care settings, highlighting important differences in their care relative to adults. Recent Findings Diabetic ketoacidosis remains highly prevalent at diagnosis among children with type 1 diabetes, and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state is increasingly prevalent among children with type 2 diabetes. Recent clinical trials have investigated the potential benefits of various types of intravenous fluids and their rates of administration as well as the risks and benefits of intensive glucose control in critically ill children. The Endocrine Society has developed guidelines focused on managing hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, outlining important aspects of care shown to decrease morbidity and mortality. In the non-critical illness setting, intensive therapy on newly diagnosed diabetes is increasingly recommended at the outset. Summary With the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents, recent studies addressing acute diabetes emergencies help inform best practices for care of hospitalized children with hyperglycemia and diabetes.

A newborn male infant was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit due to suspected sepsis. He was clinically stable with normal electrolyte levels on admission. However, he was noted to have micropenis and bilateral nonpalpable testes. Ultrasound imaging confirmed the presence of both gonads in the inguinal canal, with no Müllerian structures visualized. Laboratory examination revealed an undetectable random plasma cortisol level; subsequent ACTH stimulation testing confirmed adrenal insufficiency. Further testing revealed additional pituitary hormone deficiencies, and the infant was started on multiple hormone replacement therapies. Magnetic resonance imaging identified absent septum pellucidum, pointing of the frontal horns, and optic nerve hypoplasia. A diagnosis of septo-optic dysplasia was made based on this combination of findings. This case highlights the importance of thorough physical examination in newborn infants, which may reveal the only sign of underlying pathology in the absence of other concerning findings.

Muscle weakness and enhanced fatigue are common complaints of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In order to evaluate the underlying mechanisms, the present study assessed the acute effects of the chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin, on spontaneous motor activity and swimming performance of mice. Before and after i.p. injection of doxorubicin at 25 mg/kg into each mouse, the number of spontaneous movements was monitored for 24 hr using Columbus Instruments Opto‐varimax‐mini activity meter, and the integrated swimming activity (V.sec) was recorded for 40 min using a digital swimming monitor (Pagala, 1999).Doxorubicin, within the clinical dose range, significantly reduced the stereotypic, ambulatory, and thus the total number of spontaneous movements of the mice in a 24 hr period (Table 1). Doxorubicin also caused a significant reduction in the integrated swimming activity of the mice over a 40 min period (Table 1). These results indicate that chemotherapeutic agents may significantly decrease the motivation and endurance for physical activity.Supported by a special grant from Maimonides Med. Ctr.