Frequency of developmental dysplasia of the hip in breech-presented Chinese neonates in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES. To clarify the use of ultrasonography by determining the frequency of developmental dysplasia of the hip among breech-presented Chinese neonates in Hong Kong. DESIGN. Prospective case series. SETTING. Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS. All breech-presented Chinese neonates born during January 2008 to June 2009 were included (except premature neonates). They were examined clinically from birth till the age of 1 year. Ultrasound of the hips was performed at the age of 2 weeks, and X-ray of the pelvis at the age of 1 year. RESULTS. A total of 209 breech-presented neonates were born during the study period; 110 neonates completed all necessary investigations and follow-up. Among the latter, there were three neonates with developmental dysplasia of the hip warranting treatment, which amounted to a frequency of 2.7%. CONCLUSION. Developmental dysplasia of the hip among breech-presented Chinese babies is only slightly less common than in corresponding populations in other regions in the world. Since early diagnosis is important, ultrasonography screening in high-risk cases such as those with breech presentation may be useful.

Dog and rat kidney proximal tubule cells in culture: responses to parathyroid hormone.

We have described and compared culture systems for proximal tubule cell (PTC) preparations from dog and rat kidney. Cells were prepared from kidney cortex by enzyme digestion and purified on Percoll density gradient. The dog PTC and rat PTC differed in their growth characteristics in culture. Although the dog PTC tended to overgrow the contaminating fibroblastic cells, the rat PTC tended to be overgrown by the latter cells when cultured in medium containing 15% fetal calf serum (FCS). Cultures of rat PTC in serum-free medium or medium containing only 2% FCS yielded only epithelium-like cells exhibiting characteristics of cells that are proximal tubular in origin. These properties include protrusion of microvilli, high alkaline phosphatase activity, ability to transport sugar, and responsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in terms of cAMP production. The time course and dose-response curves of PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation were studied in dog and rat PTC. The estimated half-maximal concentrations (Kact) for PTH in dog and rat PTC were 1.2 and 100 nM, respectively. Both values are within the range reported in the literature for the respective renal membrane preparations. In addition to our previously reported data on dog PTC, this study revealed the presence of PTH-inhibitable 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase in dog PTC. These two model cell culture systems should prove useful in studying PTH action in renal cells.