Resting-State Neurophysiological Activity Patterns in Young People with ASD,ADHD, and ASD + ADHD

Altered power of resting-state neurophysiological activity has been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which commonly co-occur. We compared resting-state neurophysiological power in children with ASD, ADHD, co-occurring ASD?+?ADHD, and typically developing controls. Children with ASD (ASD/ASD?+?ADHD) showed reduced theta and alpha power compared to children without ASD (controls/ADHD). Children with ADHD (ADHD/ASD?+?ADHD) displayed decreased delta power compared to children without ADHD (ASD/controls). Children with ASD?+?ADHD largely presented as an additive co-occurrence with deficits of both disorders, although reduced theta compared to ADHD-only and reduced delta compared to controls suggested some unique markers. Identifying specific neurophysiological profiles in ASD and ADHD may assist in characterising more homogeneous subgroups to inform treatment approaches and aetiological investigations.     

Construction of genetically defined aroA mutant of a native E. coli O78:K80 isolated from avian colibacillosis, in Iran

A precisely defined, single gene deletion of aroA was made systematically by Datsenko and Wanner based approach in native Escherichia coli O78: K80, and its nature was examined. The aroA gene encodes 5-enolpyrovylshikimate3-phosphate synthase and participates in the aromatic amino acids and folic acid, which are universal metabolic pathways of bacteria. For construction of mutant strain, the gene was replaced by recombination with a chloramphenicol cassette, flanked by FLP recognition target site. Primers designed to create in-frame deletion upon excision of the resistance cassette. The aroA deletion was confirmed by both polymerase chain reaction and failure of the mutant to replicate and grow on minimum medium lacking aromatic amino acids. On the other hand, the wild-type parent strain grows well in this medium. The sequence of the aroA gene in native strain was different, and knowing this subject was important to produce a mutant strain with deletion-based methods of mutation. Furthermore, use of antibiotic cassette replacement facilitates mutant construction in a more cost-effective manner in comparison with other techniques such as use of suicide vectors.     

Apparent Life-Threatening Events in Neonatal Period: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Challenges in a Pediatric Referral Center

Objective

Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTEs) is an episode that is frightening to the observer and is characterized by some combination of apnea, color change, altered muscle tone, choking, and gagging. This study was designed to evaluate and follow up neonates who presented with clinical manifestation of an ALTE in a year.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, all of the neonates with episode of ALTE who were admitted to the Children''s Medical Center (CMC) in Tehran, from June 15^th 2010 to May 14^th 2011 were enrolled in the study. Data from patients consisting of history, physical examinations, and paraclinical findings were recorded in a checklist and all followed up 3 to 6 months after discharge.

Findings

During the study period 18 neonates were admitted due to ALTE episode(s) with mean age of 15±13 days. Nine (50%) neonates had previous attacks of ALTE. The most frequent complaint was cyanosis in 12 (67%) and apnea in 8 (44%) patients. In 10 (56%) the event lasted less than one minute, 13 (72%) were awake, 17 (95%) in supine position and 13 (72%) on their parent''s lap. Primary antagonistic impression on admission was sepsis in 11 (61%) and concomitant seizure in 5 (28%). The most common final diagnosis according to repeated physical examinations, result of paraclinical investigations and follow up was sepsis 4 (22%) and aspiration 9 (50%). ALTE recurred in none of the neonates during follow up.

Conclusion

The rate of ALTE seems to be higher than in this study owing to high incidence of recurrent ALTE. Although most of these attacks regress spontaneously, more attention should be paid for the underlying diseases.     

Effect of the diode laser on bacteremia associated with dental ultrasonic scaling: a clinical and microbiological study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential use of diode lasers (DLs) to reduce bacteremia associated with ultrasonic scaling (US). Furthermore, the clinical efficacy of DLs as an adjunct to US in the treatment of gingivitis was investigated. BACKGROUND DATA: Recently, lasers have found new applications in dental practice. The benefits of the use of DLs as an adjunct to US have not yet been determined. METHODS: Twenty-two gingivitis patients were treated using a split-mouth study design in which each side was randomly treated by US alone or DL followed by US (DL + US). Blood samples were drawn just before and during US in each treatment step to detect induced bacteremia. Clinical parameters including plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing depth, and relative attachment level were recorded at baseline and 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Bacteremia was detected in 15 patients (68%) after US alone, and in 8 patients following DL + US (36%). The reduction of the incidence of odontogenic bacteremia during US after the application of DL was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Clinical signs improved eventually, with no significant differences between the two treatment regimens (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Application of DL energy can reduce bacteria in gingival crevices which may reduce bacteremia following US. The use of DL did not show additional clinical influence on gingival healing after treatment of gingivitis with US.     

Inflammatory/demyelinating central nervous system involvement in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF): coincidence or association?

Background and Objective Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent febrile polyserositis. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in FMF is uncommon, but recently cases with multiple sclerosis (MS) and FMF have been reported. Here we assess patients with both FMF and MS, in order to clarify any relationship between FMF and MS, and to evaluate disease characteristics. Patients and Methods Our MS database between 1986–2005 was screened retrospectively, and patients with both FMF and inflammatory/demyelinating CNS disease were evaluated among a total of 2800 patients including definite MS (n = 2268) and other demyelinating disorders. Results There were 12 patients with FMF, who developed a CNS disorder with multifocal white matter lesions. Median age at onset of FMF was 7 years, and median age at neurological onset was 26.8 years. Nine patients (including two siblings) had definite MS according to clinical and MRI findings, whereas 3 patients had atypical features suggesting other demyelinating disorders. Disease severity varied among the patients between very mild to a fatal course. All 8 patients evaluated for oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF were positive. Conclusion The rate of FMF among our patients with definite MS is almost 4 times the expected prevalence in Turkey. Our series including a sibling pair concordant for FMF and MS may suggest that similar genetic susceptibility and environmental factors might be responsible, although coincidence still remains a possibility. A prospective study on a larger sample seems to be justified. Part of this study was presented at the Eighth Meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS) in Nice, June 1998.     

Evaluation of CHROMagar KPC for rapid detection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

A new CHROMagar KPC medium was compared to MacConkey agar with carbapenem discs and PCR for the bla_KPC gene for rapid detection of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The sensitivity and specificity relative to PCR were 100% and 98.4%, respectively, for CHROMagar KPC and 92.7% and 95.9%, respectively, for MacConkey agar.     

Oral Health–Related Quality of Life and Periodontal Health Status in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

BackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multidimensional concept regarding quality of life (QOL) as it relates specifically to health and disease. The effect of ongoing hemodialysis on a person's oral health can be determined by clinical variables, but these do not reflect the person's perception of health versus illness. The authors conducted a study to determine the periodontal status, attitude toward oral health and self-perceived oral health in patients undergoing hemodialysis, as well as to evaluate the effect of oral health on QOL within this group.MethodsPatients undergoing hemodialysis were evaluated for socio-demographic and periodontal variables. The authors evaluated oral health–related quality of life (OHRQOL) by means of the short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). They measured perceived oral health by asking a single question.ResultsThe study involved 47 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Plaque index score, gingival index score, probing depth and bleeding-on-probing status were 2.21 ± 0.66, 1.24 ± 0.77, 2.17 millimeters ± 0.53 mm and 33.51 percent ± 24.58 percent, respectively. Participants reported being uncomfortable when eating or swallowing. Participants reported being sensitive to hot or cold (69.8 percent), having a worse sense of taste (90.8 percent) and having painful aching in the mouth (72.1 percent). The mean OHIP-14 and GOHAI scores were 19.40 ± 7.74 and 15.72 ± 8.68, respectively.ConclusionsThe self-perceived health of 72.7 percent of participants undergoing hemodialysis was fair or poor, and the impact of OHRQOL was moderate, which means that oral health was not a major concern. These results underscore the importance of using subjective and self-reported oral assessments to determine more convenient and satisfying treatment approaches for each patient.Clinical ImplicationsClinicians should use oral health assessment tools to determine individual treatment and approaches to promote the oral health of patients undergoing hemodialysis and improve their QOL.