Anxiety in adolescents born preterm or with very low birthweight: a meta‐analysis of case–control studies

Aim To determine if adolescents who are born very preterm (<32wks; of gestation) and/or with very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500g) have a higher risk of experiencing clinically significant anxiety problems. Method We used a systematic review and meta‐analysis. We searched the databases ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, PsycNET, Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on the Health Sciences (LILACS), and Virtual Health Library (VHL) with equivalent search expressions (from the databases’ inception to June 2011). Also, we screened reference lists of identified articles. We selected case–control studies of adolescents 11 to 20 years old who were very preterm/VLBW and had a matched reference group born at term with normal birthweight that reported a validated anxiety outcome measure. For data extraction, two authors independently reviewed titles, abstracts, and full articles identified through the searches. Subsequently two authors independently extracted data. Results We included six studies with 1519 adolescents (787 very preterm/VLBW, 732 comparisons). The general risk of developing clinically significant anxiety problems was nearly doubled (p<0.05) in the very preterm/VLBW population (OR 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.15–4.47). The overall prevalences were 9.9% in the very preterm/VLBW group and 5.5% in the comparison group. Interpretation Those born very preterm/VLBW have an increased risk of developing clinically significant anxiety problems in adolescence.     

Sudden Death Due to Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:

FAVALE, S., et al .: Sudden Death Due to Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Predictable Event in a Young Patient. This case refers to a 39-year-old woman with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and family history of sudden death (SD). In 1985, high rate atrial stimulation induced VF. In 1996 an ICD was implanted and she remained without arrhythmic events until November 2000 when the device reported one episode of atrial fibrillation degenerating into VF and terminated by the ICD. The VF induction mechanism recorded by the ICD was similar to that observed in 1985. The high incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias in HCM renders cases like this at higher risk of SD. The predictive role of incremental atrial stimulation merits highlighting in future studies. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:637–639)     

Evidence for Abnormal Red Cell Population in Refractory Sideroblastic Anemia

Red cell enzymes were studied in 11 patients with refractory sideroblasticanemia. Eight of the cases were of the primary idiopathic type while threehad an underlying (?) disease. The red cells were separated into several densitygroups by different flotation with phthalate ester mixtures. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, hexokinase andpyruvate kinase activities and adenosine triphosphate contents were determined in each fraction, with special attention to the lightest and densestfractions.

It was found that the refractory anemia patients have a population of abnormal light red cells with a very high enzymatic activity, especially of hexokinase, a normal adenosine triphosphate content but relatively reduced surfacecharge. This abnormal population which so far seems typical to this disease,is probably another reflection of the disordered red cell proliferation andmaturation seen in refractory anemia.

Submitted on August 27, 1969 Accepted on December 8, 1969     

Bruxism and its effect on the teeth

This study presents the progress of tooth wear and the change in structural morphology on individual teeth of bruxist subjects, compared with non-bruxers. From the results of this investigation it can be concluded that the tooth wear progressed faster in bruxers than in non-bruxers. Scanning electron microscope investigations revealed in 10 teeth the same pattern of deep grooves and striations on the wear-facets of active bruxers.     

Rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in juvenile chronic myeloid leukaemia

Summary. Five patients with clinical and laboratory features typical for juvenile chronic myeloid leukaemia (JCML) are presented. Rearrangement of the j joining region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (Jh) was demonstrated in three children out of five analysed. As no Vh to Dhjh nor kappa light chain rearrangements were demonstrated, it is reasonable to speculate that the transforming event of the stem cell happened at the stage when Dh to Jh rearrangement took place. As the monocytic lineage is prominent in JCML, it is suggested that the transforming event happens in a unique stem cell with intermediate differentiation towards the myelomonocytic as well as the B-lymphatic lineage. This stem cell, which is present at a certain stage of embryogen-esis, disappears later. Such an early'hybrid'cell is sometimes involved in leukaemias of early infancy, and may be the transformed cell in some cases of infantile leukaemia.