35^th World Pediatrics Conference August 01-02, 2022 Zurich, Switzerland

Biography:

Cynthia T. Ortiz has over 15 years expertise as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and childhood obesity educator.  She was a member of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move project and has been a leader in the Philadelphia and South Jersey community teaching children through the Fitadelphia Kids program since 2006.  She has taught over 8,000 children at different organizations and schools, and has trained high school and college students for employment teaching the program.  She is the president of the non-profit La Placita Wellness and Education Center, Inc., which was established in 2006 and provides obesity programs to the community.  She was recognized by Mamas Latinas in 2012 as one of the top 25 influential mothers in the nation.  She is the owner of the trademark Fitadelphia and author and illustrator of the copyrighted program What’s Eating You Kid?  https://whatseatingyoukid.club

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem:  Children (and adults) are consuming preservatives, pesticides, and other additives found in processed foods in high quantities.  Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Dept of Agriculture report that small quantities of these chemicals are safe, safety concerns develop when they are consumed in high quantities.  The saying, “a little bit won’t hurt” is only true when the consumer knows how much of the preservatives, pesticides, etc. they are consuming.  In reviewing Figure 1, which is a food label for a bakery item, we encounter 9 out of the 16 Monsters discussed in the What’s Eating You Kid? Program.  Six of the Monsters on the label have been identified as causing anger and violent behavior when consumed in excess.  Consuming different foods that contain a list of ingredients like those in the Figure 1 label throughout the day is more than “just a little bit” and a cause for real concern.

The purpose of What’s Eating You Kid? is (1) to teach children (and adults) to learn what the “Monsters” are (by studying the eBook, word puzzle, Monster puzzles and flash cards), (2) to teach the effects on health from overconsumption of these Monsters and (3) journaling (which is a mindful activity that can create awareness and change) to keep track of the Monsters using the interactive Monster Tracker Journal.

During two studies (2009 and 2010) at a preschool center and 30 summer day camps, children were taught nutrition using the My Food Pyramid for Kids along with food label recognition that were a precursor to the What’s Eating You Kid? program.

Findings:  Children did not want to consume food that contained preservatives, pesticides, etc. if consuming these things were going to make them obese and/or shorten their life span.  Children reacted to the information they received by insisting that their parents, “stop feeding them junk and stop killing them.” We conducted parent workshops which initially led to the creation of the What’s Eating You Kid? eBook and program.

Conclusions & Significance:  (1) Children want to be healthy.  (2) Journaling is a mindfulness activity creating awareness and checking impulsivity.  (3) Making better choices is awareness that creates change.  (4) Parents and/or guardians, schools and organizations can learn and teach this program which is suitable for all ages.  (5) In 2009, obesity was reversed 100% at the preschool proving that teaching label reading and mindfulness intervention like journaling works.  

Biography:

I am a medical doctor, from Tirana, Albania. I have graduated on 1998 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tirana, Albania. In 2003was specialized for four years in obstetric and gynecology and I am working at Gynecological Obstetric University Hospital "Koço Gliozheni"  in Tirana. Currently I am doing Phd in obstetric and gynecology from Tirana University, in Tirana - Albania. I am dedicated to my profession and also I have several publications on this topic.

Abstract:

Introduction: Several studies have found increased duration to be associated with increased risk of maternal morbidity primarily hemorrhage, fever or infection, and perineal trauma. The aim is to discuss the effect of prolonged second stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted between 2017 and June 2018 in Gynecological Obstetric University Hospital "Koço Gliozheni". A total of 96 primiparas with the length of second stage of labor longer than 2h were selected and pregnant women with the length less than 2h served as control. The maternal and neonatal outcomes of two groups were observed and compared. Almost half of puerperas (50 cases) with the length of second stage of labor longer than 2h underwent vaginal delivery.

Results: A total of 65% with the length of second stage of labor between 120 min and 180 min, 35% between 181 min and 240 min and 10% longer than 241 min underwent vaginal delivery. The longer the length of second stage of labor was, the lower was score of Apgar scale for infants in 1 min (p<0.01), and the higher the incidence of asphyxia (p<0.01). But there was no difference in scale in 5 min (p=0.2). As second stage of labor prolonged, the incidences of cesarean section and of postpartum hemorrhage increased.

Conclusions: The prolonged second stage of labor can decrease the score of Apgar scale in 1 min, increase the incidence of asphyxia, but has no effect on scale in 5 min. It still need more evidence from evidence medicine to definition of time and treatment of second stage of labor.

Biography:

I am a medical doctor, from Tirana, Albania. I have graduated on 2000 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tirana, Albania. In 2007was specialized for four years in pediatrics- neonatology and I am working at International Hospital in Tirana. Currently I am doing Phd in obstetric and gynecology from Tirana University, in Tirana - Albania. I am dedicated to my profession and also I have several publications on this topic.

Abstract:

Introduction: Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a significant cause of child mortality. We investigated antepartum and intrapartum risk factors for neonatal encephalopathy in term infants.

Material And Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted at the maternity hospital K. Gliozheni” in Tirana, Albania, in which characteristics of 65 singleton term infants who developed NE from 2011-2018 were compared with those of randomly selected controls. Antenatal risk factors (including obesity, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, previous cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, abnormal amniotic fluid volume, and abnormal fetal heart rate [FHR] tracing before labor) and intrapartum risk factors (acute intrapartum sentinel events and other risk factors like suspicious or ominous FHR tracing and clinical chorioamnionitis) were related to occurrence of NE.

Results: Neonates with encephalopathy had more frequent antepartum (75% versus 19%, p<0.001) and intrapartum (68% versus 20%, p<0.001) risk factors, including acute intrapartum events (35% versus 3%, p<0.001), than controls. On the whole, 28% of cases of NE had only antepartum risk factors, 23% had only intrapartum risk factors, and 45% had a combination of the two. In 9% cases, no risk factors were recognizable. Four of the 65 cases died versus none of controls, giving a neonatal case-fatality rate of 6.2% and forty two (64.6%) neonates with NE presented multiorgan dysfunction.

Conclusions: 45% of cases of NE following term deliveries can be attributed to a combination of antepartum and intrapartum variables. Understanding which perinatal risk factors are associated with neonatal encephalopathy is key to developing interventions to prevent newborn deaths and disability.

Biography:

I am a medical doctor, anatomopathologist from Tirana, Albania. I have graduated on 1991 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tirana, Albania.  Afterwards I was specialized for four years in anatomical pathology and work at the at the University Hospital centre “Mother Teresa” in Tirana. Currently I am doing Phd in this domain at Tirana University, in Tirana - Albania.

Abstract:

Introduction: Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are a dramatic health problem due to their high morbidity and mortality in all ages. In the pediatric population, brain tumors constitute the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide each year, accounting for approximately 25% of childhood cancers. The aim of the study was to define the morphologic features of brain tumours.

Material and methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at University Hospital Centre “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, Albania during 2015-2019 including 33 children 3 to 14 years old diagnosed with brain tumous.

Results: The morphological distribution of cases was astrocytoma (11 cases, 33%), primitive neuroectodermal tumor or PNET (14 cases; 42%), ependymoma (3 cases, 9%), mixed glioma (2 cases; 6%) and a case of oligodendroglioma. The 33 malignancies included in this study were further categorized by site into two groups, supratentorial (12 cases; 36%) and infratentorial (21 cases; 64%).

Conclusion: Knowledge of the biology and tumor types and subtypes will enable clinicians to have a better understanding of the prognosis and optimal therapy for patients with specific CNS tumors

Biography:

I am a medical doctor, from Tirana, Albania. I have graduated on 1994 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tirana, Albania. Afterwards I was specialized for four years in obstetric and gynecology and I am working at Gynecological Obstetric University Hospital Koço Gliozheni in Tirana. Currently I am doing Phd in obstetric and gynecology from Tirana University, in Tirana - Albania. I am dedicated to my profession and also I have several publications on this topic.

Abstract:

Introduction: Trial of labour for vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is a well-established standard practice of care. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of vaginal birth after caesarean section.

Methods: This is prospective study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital "Koco Gliozheni", Tirana, Albania, in the period 2015-2019 includin in 100 women who had one prior caesarean section and were admitted to hospital at term with spontaneous onset of labour. A control group (n = 100) was matched from women without previous caesarean section.

Results: The success rate of vaginal birth after caesarean section was 89/100 (89%). The mean duration of the first and second stages of labour were not significantly different in the study group (145.9 and  31.3 min respectively) compared with the control group (145.2 and 28.6 min). There were infrequent complications; only 1 woman (1.1%) had ruptured uterus and 2 women (2.2%) suffered uterine dehiscence. There were no stillbirth or fetal distress.

Conclusions:  On the basis of these results, we conclude that for selected cases with one prior lower segment caesarean section who present in spontaneous active labour, a trial of vaginal delivery may have a high success rate > 85%) with no increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity or mortality. The duration of labour for these women was similar to normal deliveries.

Biography:

Prof. Zhichao Wang is associate chief surgeon and associate professor from Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. His clinical and research focused on comprehensive treatments of neurofibromatosis (including radical surgical resection, tumor reduction surgery, organ reconstruction after facial neurofibromatosis resection, neurofibromatosis related clinical trials). He is the winner of Shanghai Youth Top Talent, the winner of “Rising Star” of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, the winner of “Chenguang Program” of Shanghai Education Commission and the Sailing Plan of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Young Science and Technology Talents.

Prof. Zhichao Wang has several academic publications in famous journals including Journal of Investigative Dermatology, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery as first or corresponding authors. The total impact factor reached above 150 points with more than 500 citations. He obtained 2 national invention patents. He led and participated in 6 national and provincial scientific research projects. He is also on the editorial board of Annals of Translational Medicine and Translational Pediatrics. He won the second prize of Shanghai Teachers teaching Innovation Competition and other 9 teaching awards.

Abstract:

MAPK/extracellular signaleregulated kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2 inhibitors (MEKis) have recently achieved surprising success in treating unresectable plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs). However, few studies have investigated the mechanisms of MEKi resistance in patients with PNF. We determined the efficacy of six different MEKis for treating PNFs, explored drug resistance mechanisms, and identified potential combination therapies to overcome resistance. By screening drug efficacy among six MEKis in human NF1-deficient PNF cell lines, TAK-733 was found to reduce PNF cell viability the most. We then cultured the TAK-733‒resistant cells and explored the potential targets for further treatment. Both high-throughput drug screening and RNA sequencing analyses of MEKi-resistant PNF cells identified cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors as potential agents for PNFs. Dinaciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, showed synergistic effects on MEKi-resistant cells. Coadministration of dinaciclib and TAK-733 significantly reduced cell viability and inhibited sphere formation and colony formation. Dinaciclib did not affect MEK signaling but decreased the expression of several prosurvival proteins, including survivin and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, to induce apoptosis and inhibit mitosis. TAK-733/dinaciclib combination therapy induced tumor reduction in PNF patient‒derived xenografts mouse models. Therefore, the combination of MEKi and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor may be promising for treating inoperable PNFs, especially when drug resistance exists. Our findings provide evidence for future clinical trials with MEKi resistant patients with PNF