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Adolescence is characterized by changes in reward-related behaviors, social behaviors, and decision-making. These behavioral changes are necessary for the transition into adulthood, but they also increase vulnerability to the development of a range of psychiatric disorders. Major reorganization of the dopamine system during adolescence is thought to underlie, in part, the associated behavioral changes and increased vulnerability. Here, we utilized fast scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis to examine differences in dopamine release as well as mechanisms that underlie differential dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core of adolescent (P28-35) and adult (P70-90) male rats. We show baseline differences between adult and adolescent-stimulated dopamine release in male rats, as well as opposite effects of the α6 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on modulating dopamine release. The α6-selective blocker, α-conotoxin, increased dopamine release in early adolescent rats, but decreased dopamine release in rats beginning in middle adolescence and extending through adulthood. Strikingly, blockade of GABAA and GABAB receptors revealed that this α6-mediated increase in adolescent dopamine release requires NAc GABA signaling to occur. We confirm the role of α6 nAChRs and GABA in mediating this effect in vivo using microdialysis. Results herein suggest a multisynaptic mechanism potentially unique to the period of development that includes early adolescence, involving acetylcholine acting at α6-containing nAChRs to drive inhibitory GABA tone on dopamine release.

During adolescence, chemicals and cells in the brain undergo significant reorganization. These changes are thought to be why teenagers are often more vulnerable to developing drug addictions and psychiatric disorders. However, it is not fully understood how the brain transforms during this transitional period. Most of this reorganization takes place in the dopamine system which is responsible for triggering pleasurable sensations, including the feeling of reward after taking drugs. In 2020, a group of researchers found that adolescent male rats released less of the chemical dopamine in a part of the brain involved in the reward pathway than adult rats. But it was unclear what was causing this age-related effect. To investigate, Iacino et al. ­ including some of the researchers involved in the 2020 study ­blocked a family of receptors called nAChRs (short for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors) in the brain cells of male rats. These receptors bind to a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which stimulates cells to release dopamine. Iacino et al. found that inhibiting a specific type of nAChR led to a decrease in dopamine in adult rats, but an increase in early adolescent rats. However, this effect was not observed when other types of nAChRs were inhibited. Iacino et al. found that the adolescent male rats also had higher levels of another neurotransmitter called GABA which blocks the release of dopamine. This led them to hypothesize that the reduced levels of dopamine in early adolescence may be due to increased levels of GABA, which is secreted by specialized cells which also have nAChRs on their surface. To investigate, Iacino et al. blocked two receptors for GABA that are found on dopamine-releasing neurons before exposing the rats to the nAChR inhibitor. This caused the adolescent rats to release less dopamine following nAChR inhibition, similar to the levels observed in adult rats. These findings suggest that the nAChR inhibitor leads to a rise in dopamine by stopping cells from releasing GABA ­ but only in adolescent rats. The work of Iacino et al. demonstrates how the dopamine system differs in adolescence, which may provide new insights in to why teenagers are often more susceptible to addiction. For instance, nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, can also bind to nAChRs and make them less sensitive to acetylcholine. This may reduce the release of GABA, resulting in more dopamine being released which is then sensed as a reward by the teenage brain. However, more research is needed to fully understand how this brain circuit is modulated by nicotine intake.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is extremely common in the pediatric population, and most children with AD will first present to their primary care provider (PCP). The PCP can recognize AD by its clinical features, including itch, a chronic relapsing course, and the characteristic eruption. The cornerstone of AD therapy is dry skin care, typically a short daily bath/shower followed by an emollient applied to all skin. Most children with AD will also require topical medications, such as topical corticosteroids and/or topical nonsteroidal therapies. For children with more severe disease, systemic agents, including several novel therapies, may be required. In managing AD, the clinician must monitor for side effects of medications as well as complications of the AD itself, the most common of which is secondary infection. An understanding of the pathogenesis, treatments, and complications of AD is essential for the PCP, as untreated (or undertreated) AD has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected children and their caregivers. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(4):e121-e128.].

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We describe the first cases of pediatric melanoma with ALK fusion gene arising within giant congenital melanocytic nevi. Two newborn boys presented with large pigmented nodular plaques and numerous smaller satellite nevi. Additional expansile nodules developed within both nevi and invasive melanomas were diagnosed before 10 months of age in both boys. Oncogenic driver mutations in NRAS and BRAF were absent in both cases. Instead, oncogenic ZEB2::ALK fusion genes were identified in both the nevus and melanoma developing within the nevus. In both cases, tumors were noted by ultrasound in utero, demonstrated significant nodularity at birth, and progressed to melanoma in the first year of life suggesting that congenital nevi with ALK fusion genes may behave more aggressively than those with other mutations. As ALK kinase inhibitors are effective against a range of tumors with similar ALK fusion kinases, identifying ALK fusion genes in congenital melanocytic nevi may provide an opportunity for targeted therapy.

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BACKGROUND: Pediatric melanoma presents with distinct clinical features compared to adult disease. OBJECTIVE: Characterize risk factors and negative outcomes in pediatric melanoma. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study of patients under 20 years diagnosed with melanoma between January 1, 1995 and June 30, 2015 from 11 academic medical centers. RESULTS: Melanoma was diagnosed in 317 patients, 73% of whom were diagnosed in adolescence (age ≥11). Spitzoid (31%) and superficial spreading (26%) subtypes were most common and 11% of cases arose from congenital nevi. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 68% of cases and positive in 46%. Fatality was observed in 7% of cases. Adolescent patients with melanoma were more likely to have family history of melanoma (P = .046) compared to controls. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective nature, cohort size, control selection, and potential referral bias. CONCLUSION: Pediatric melanoma has diverse clinical presentations. Better understanding of these cases and outcomes may facilitate improved risk stratification of pediatric melanoma.

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teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an evidence-based program developed in Australia that teaches young people in grades 10-12 how to identify and respond to signs of mental health challenges and crises among peers. Recognizing the growing adolescent mental health crisis in the USA, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with a Johns Hopkins University research team, used a multimethod research approach to adapt the program culturally and contextually from Australia to the USA. The goals of the study were to engage adolescents, MHFA instructors, and content area experts (N = 171) in a process to determine: how to retain the elements of the course that were evidence-based and effective while adapting the program for US students, what topics to add so US students have the essential information and skills teens needed to help a friend experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, what changes to make to curriculum materials to ensure the style and delivery resonate with US students, and what tools to include so the program is implemented safely and with fidelity in diverse US schools. This paper outlines the adaptation process, including engaging participants, identifying key recommendations for modification, and making changes to the tMHFA program. The findings demonstrate the types of adaptations that may be needed to facilitate implementation and maintenance of program effectiveness when introducing tMHFA to new populations of students in the USA. In addition, the process outlined can be replicated toward this purpose as the program continues to expand both in the USA and in other countries.

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Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic ameba found in freshwater that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when it enters the nose and migrates to the brain. In September 2018, a 29-year-old man died of PAM after traveling to Texas. We conducted an epidemiologic and environmental investigation to identify the water exposure associated with this PAM case. The patient's most probable water exposure occurred while surfing in an artificial surf venue. The surf venue water was not filtered or recirculated; water disinfection and water quality testing were not documented. N. fowleri and thermophilic amebae were detected in recreational water and sediment samples throughout the facility. Codes and standards for treated recreational water venues open to the public could be developed to address these novel venues. Clinicians and public health officials should also consider novel recreational water venues as a potential exposure for this rare amebic infection.

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The prevalence of distant metastases (DM) in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) remains unknown. A PRISMA systematic review of DM rates in patients with HPV-related OPSCC was performed. PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched. The primary outcome was prevalence of DM. Data on demographics, tumor classification, and clinical outcomes were also collected. Meta-analysis of pooled DM rate was determined. Ten articles met inclusion criteria, representing 1860 patients with mean follow-up of 3.6 years. Overall DM rate was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.9-8.2). T3 or T4 classification disease was associated with a 4.88-fold (95% CI: 1.92-12.40) risk of DM compared to T1 or T2 classification disease. This study is the first to systematically review the prevalence of DM among patients with HPV-related OPSCC, where pooled DM rate was found to be 7%.

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OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and laboratory outcomes of infants with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SCFN) and propose a care algorithm. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study of infants diagnosed with SCFN at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago from 2009 to 2019. RESULTS: Of 32 infants who met inclusion criteria, most were born full-term (84%), born via cesarean section (58%), had normal weight for gestational age (69%), and experienced delivery complications (53%). Twenty-nine infants (91%) had calcium drawn, and all had hypercalcemia. Three infants developed clinical symptoms of hypercalcemia, two required hospital admission, two developed nephrocalcinosis, and one developed acute kidney injury. The majority of infants (62%) had a peak ionized calcium between 1.5 and 1.6 mmol/L. No infants with peak ionized calcium less than 1.5 mmol/L developed complications of hypercalcemia. Most patients were diagnosed with hypercalcemia (86%) and demonstrated peak ionized calcium levels (59%) within the first 28 days of life. No patients developed hypercalcemia after 3 months of age. CONCLUSION: Hypercalcemia occurred in 100% of infants who had laboratory monitoring. We recommend obtaining an initial ionized calcium level when SCFN is suspected, and monitoring for the first 3 months of life if hypercalcemia has not been detected. In patients with asymptomatic hypercalcemia less than 1.5 mmol/L, there appears to be low likelihood of related complications. For symptomatic, markedly elevated (>1.6 mmol/L), or persistently elevated levels (>6 months) we suggest coordinated care with endocrinology or nephrology, consider hospitalization, and urinary system ultrasound.

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Objective: To analyze how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced trends in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presentation and diagnosis-including referral patterns, stage at presentation, and time to diagnosis-over a longitudinal time course. Setting: Multicenter tertiary care academic institution. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with HNSCC presenting between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 was performed. Patients were stratified into pre-COVID and COVID cohorts based upon presentation date either before or after the COVID pandemic was declared a national emergency. Data was collected on demographics, referral site, symptoms, tumor characteristics, and time to diagnosis. Results: Of 203 patients with HNSCC identified, 77.3% (157/203) were in the pre-COVID cohort and 22.7% (46/203) were in the COVID cohort. Patients in the COVID cohort were more likely to present through inpatient or ER consultation (26% vs. 11%) than outpatient setting. There was a greater than 50% decrease in new tumor board case presentations per month in the COVID cohort (4.8) relative to the pre-COVID (10.9) cohort. Cancer stage at presentation was similar between cohorts. Time from presentation to diagnosis was similar between the cohorts at approximately 30 days. Conclusions: These results suggest that patients presenting during the COVID pandemic may have unique referral patterns. A significant decrease in tumor board presentations was noted, which may contribute to more delayed presentations that have yet to be observed. Further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted. Lay Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed where and how patients with head and neck cancer initially seek care. We found that patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer more often were initially seen in urgent settings than before the pandemic. Level of Evidence: 3.

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Determinants of individual variation in reallocation of limited resources towards self-maintenance versus reproduction are not well known. We tested the hypothesis that individual heterogeneity in long-term 'somatic state' (i) explains variation in endocrine and behavioural responses to environmental challenges, and (ii) is associated with variation in strategies for allocating to self-maintenance versus reproduction. We used relative telomere length as an indicator of somatic state and experimentally generated an abrupt short-term reduction of food availability (withdrawal of food supplementation) for free-living seabirds (black-legged kittiwakes, Rissa tridactyla). Incubating male kittiwakes responded to withdrawal by increasing circulating corticosterone and losing more weight compared to continuously supplemented controls. Males with longer telomeres increased time in directed travel regardless of treatment, while experiencing smaller increases in corticosterone. Males with longer telomeres fledged more chicks in the control group and tended to be more likely to return regardless of treatment. This study supports the hypothesis that somatic state can explain variation in short-term physiological and behavioural responses to challenges, and longer-term consequences for fitness. Male kittiwakes with longer telomeres appear to have prioritized investment in self over investment in offspring under challenging conditions.

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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The principal environmental risk factor for conventional nevi and melanomas is ultraviolet exposure. However, little is known about genetic or environmental risk factors for developing Spitz tumors. This study investigates risk factors associated with Spitz neoplasms. METHODS: Patients with Spitz tumors seen at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital were surveyed with a 16-item questionnaire about environmental and inherited factors. Spitz tumor patients were compared to a pediatric control cohort from a similar clinical setting. This was supplemented with a meta-analysis of genetic and environmental causes of Spitz neoplasms. RESULTS: One hundred and six Spitz and 58 control surveys were obtained and no statistically significant differences in genetic or environmental risk factors were found between Spitz and control groups. CONCLUSION: Our data and meta-analysis suggest that typical risk factors associated with melanoma are not significantly associated with Spitz tumors. Identification of relevant genetic or environmental risk factors will likely require larger and population-based studies.

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BACKGROUND: Higher body mass index (BMI) may have a protective effect on survival in patients with head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of BMI on overall survival (OS) in veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: A cohort of 702 patients diagnosed with HNSCC between 1995 and 2019 were identified at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and 342 patients were included for analysis. Records were queried for clinical-demographic data, BMI, and outcomes. RESULTS: HNSCC patients categorized as overweight or obese at time of diagnosis had a lower 3-year risk of death (p = 0.033) and improved OS (p < 0.001) compared to patients who were underweight or normal weight. The majority of locoregional recurrences occurred in patients with low or normal pretreatment BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Higher BMI at diagnosis may have a protective effect on OS in veterans with HNSCC.

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Retrospective chart review was conducted to identify the clinical features of Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) in five children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). All five children, four of which were on anti-TNF therapies, experienced the onset of HSP after their IBD diagnosis. HSP averaged 20.8 months in duration. The patients in our cohort, particularly those on anti-TNF therapy for inflammatory bowel disease, experienced chronic and recurrent courses of HSP.

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Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are regulators of glutamate release and targets for development of therapies for hyperactive glutamatergic signaling. However, the effects of long-term stimulation of mGlu receptors on cellular signaling in the brain have not been described. This study investigated the effects of 2-day and 14-day osmotic mini-pump administration of the mGlu2,3 agonist LY379268 (3.0 mg kg-1  day-1 ) to rats on receptor-mediated G-protein activation and signaling in mesocorticolimbic regions in rat brain sections. A significant reduction in LY379268-stimulated [35 S]GTPγS binding was observed in the 14-day group in some cortical regions, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and ventral pallidum. The 14-day LY379268 treatment group exhibited mGlu2 mRNA levels significantly lower in hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, caudate, and ventral pallidum. In both 2-day and 14-day treatment groups immunodetectable phosphorylated cAMP Response Element-Binding protein (CREB) was significantly reduced across all brain regions. In the 2-day group, we observed significantly lower immunodetectable CREB protein across all brain regions, which was subsequently increased in the 14-day group but failed to achieve control values. Neither immunodetectable extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) protein nor phosphorylated ERK from 2-day or 14-day treatment groups differed significantly from control across all brain regions. However, the ratio of phosphorylated ERK to total ERK protein was significantly greater in the 14-day treatment group compared with the control. These results identify compensatory changes to mGlu2,3 signal transduction in rat brains after chronic systemic administration of agonist, which could be predictive of the mechanism of action in human pharmacotherapies.

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BACKGROUND: Pediatric melanoma is rare and diagnostically challenging. OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical and histopathologic features of fatal pediatric melanomas. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study of fatal melanoma cases in patients younger than 20 years diagnosed between 1994 and 2017. RESULTS: Of 38 cases of fatal pediatric melanoma identified, 57% presented in white patients and 19% in Hispanic patients. The average age at diagnosis was 12.7 years (range, 0.0-19.9 y), and the average age at death was 15.6 years (range, 1.2-26.2 y). Among cases with known identifiable subtypes, 50% were nodular (8/16), 31% were superficial spreading (5/16), and 19% were spitzoid melanoma (3/16). One fourth (10/38) of melanomas arose in association with congenital melanocytic nevi. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective nature, cohort size, and potential referral bias. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric melanoma can be fatal in diverse clinical presentations, including a striking prevalence of Hispanic patients compared to adult disease, and with a range of clinical subtypes, although no fatal cases of spitzoid melanoma were diagnosed during childhood.

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