Relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study

Dalvand H, Dehghan L, Hadian MR, Feizy A, Hosseini SA. Relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingOccupational therapy clinic.ParticipantsChildren with CP (N=662; 281 girls, 381 boys; age range, 3–14y).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresIntelligence testing was carried out by means of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised. Gross motor function level was determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised (GMFCS E&;R).ResultsOf the children, 10.4% were at level I of the GMFCS E&;R, 38% at levels II and III, and 51.5% at levels IV and V. The lowest level of intelligence or profound intellectual disability was found in children with spastic quadriplegia (n=28, 62.2%). Children at the lowest levels (I–IV, GMFCS E&;R) obtained higher ratings in terms of intelligence in comparison with children at level V. Based on the present results, the diagnosis was statistically related to the intellectual level as dependent variable (P<.01); accordingly, hypotonic, quadriplegic, and hemiplegic patients had the highest odds to assign higher ratings in abnormal intelligence, respectively. Sex and age were not statistically related to the dependent variable.ConclusionsThe study results demonstrated a significant association between GMFCS E&;R and intellectual function. Therefore, we suggest that particular attention should be paid to the intellectual level in terms of evaluations of gross motor function. These results, in respect, might be interested for occupational and physical therapists who are involved in rehabilitation programs for these children.     

Oligosaccharide-mediated interactions of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of HIV-1 that are independent of CD4 recognition

In this study carbohydrate-mediated interactions of the envelope glycoprotein, gp120, of HIV-1 were investigated. Oligosaccharide probes (neoglycolipids), prepared from the N-glycosidically-linked chains of the natural and recombinant forms of gp120, were used in conjunction with the intact glycoprotein to investigate reactivities with a soluble carbohydrate-binding protein (lectin) known as mannose-binding protein in human serum. Evidence is presented that the high-mannose-type oligosaccharides with seven, eight and nine mannose residues from both forms of gp120 are recognized by the serum lectin, and that these reactivities are unrelated to CD4 recognition. Reactivities of the two forms of envelope glycoprotein with macrophages derived from human blood monocytes and with the mannose-specific macrophage endocytosis receptor isolated from human placental membranes were also investigated. Evidence is presented that both forms of gp120 bind to the macrophage surface by multiple interactions in addition to CD4 binding, and that among these interactions is a carbohydrate-mediated binding to the endocytosis receptor. We propose that such carbohydrate-mediated interactions could form the basis of viral attachment to a variety of healthy and diseased tissues.     

Understanding hypernatremia

Understanding hypernatremia is at times difficult for many clinicians. However, hypernatremia can often be deciphered easily with some basic understanding of water and sodium balance. Here, the basic pathophysiological abnormalities underlying the development of sodium disorders are reviewed, and case examples are given. Hypernatremia often arises in the hospital, especially in the intensive care units due to the combination of (1) not being able to drink water; (2) inability to concentrate the urine (most often from having kidney failure); (3) osmotic diuresis from having high serum urea concentrations, and (4) large urine or stool outputs.     

Molecular Spectrum of β-Thalassemia Mutations in Northwestern Iran

β-Thalassemia (β-thal) is a hereditary autosomal disorder with decreased or absent β-globin chain synthesis. This study was designed to identify the common and rare β-thal mutations in the Azerbaijan provinces, Northwestern Iran, and to set up a prenatal diagnostic laboratory. One hundred unrelated patients with known β-thal major and intermedia, registered with the thalassemia clinics in the provincial capitals of Tabriz and Ardebil, were included. Mutations were studied in 200 chromosomes, by polymerase chain reaction-amplification refractory mutation system (PCR-ARMS) and direct sequencing methods. We found 17 β-thal mutations in this region of Iran. The results showed that IVS-II-1 (G→A) was the most frequent mutation, comprising 21% of all mutations. Other common mutations were IVS-I-110 (G→A) 18%, frameshift codons (FSC) 8/9 (+G) 14.5%, FSC 8 (?AA) 8% and IVS-I-1 (G→A) 7.5%. This is the first comprehensive study in this region and could be useful for developing a β-thal molecular screening in Azerbaijan-Iran     

Amelioration of oxidative stress,cholinergic dysfunction,and neuroinflammation in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats fed with pomegranate seed

Inflammopharmacology - This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed hydro-ethanolic extract (PSE) on cholinergic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and...     

Familial Mediterranean fever in northwest of Iran (Ardabil): the first global report from Iran

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), which is the prototype of the hereditary periodic fever syndromes, is common in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Considering its geographical position in the northwest of Iran, with its population of Turkish origin and its vicinity to the Mediterranean Sea, th incidence of FMF should be high in Ardabil. The goal of this study was to introduce FMF as a disease with significant outbreak in this area. Based on the Tel-Hashomer criteria, patients suffering from FMF were collected from private clinics together with the medical records of adult and pediatric rheumatology clinics. Of 112 total patients determined, 74 were studied. All of the patients were interviewed and completed a questionnaire. Familial Mediterranean fever was common among children under 18 years (76%), and it was more common in males than females (M/F 1.17). Abdominal pain was the most common complaint (74%) and abdominal pain and fever (95% and 84%, respectively) were the main clinical symptoms. The average duration of pain was 12-72 hours and the average recovery (attack-free period) was from one week to one month (63.5%). The majority of the patients had hospital admission for diagnostic work-up (85%) and some (32%) ha undergone surgical operation erroneously; 92% of the patients had taken medications with incorrect diagnosis; and 20% had positive familial history of FMF. Fifty percent of the patients' parents were first-degree relatives an in 59.5% delay in diagnosis was more than three years. It seems that FMF is more common in the Northwest of Iran than previousl thought, although physicians are not familiar with it. The common age for manifestation of this disease is under 18 years and its presentation after the age of 40 years is very rare.     

Blood groups, secretor status and salivary Lewis, Lewis and 19.9 antigen levels in alcoholics and ethnic origin-matched controls.

Blood group and secretor status were determined in 89 heavy drinkers receiving outpatient treatment at a district general hospital in north-west London, and compared with 89 age-, sex- and ethnic origin-matched controls drawn from a panel of 1700 patients from a contiguous general practice. There were no significant differences in the distribution of ABO types and secretor status in the two groups. Differences in salivary mucins were investigated by assaying levels of sialylated and non-sialylated Lewis antigens and blood group antigens ABH in both patients and controls. Although there were no differences in the mean antigen levels for H, A, B Le(a) and Le(b) antigens, using the monoclonal antibody 19.9 (to sialylated Lewis(a) antigen), higher levels were found for groups O and B/AB non-secretors and for group A secretors in alcoholics compared with controls. In addition, inappropriate Le(a) and 19.9 immuno-reactivities were detected in the saliva samples of a group O Le(a)-b- secretor alcoholic and a group A Le(a)-b- secretor alcoholic, respectively. It is suggested that these changes in glycosylation of salivary proteins relate to the increased parotid gland cell proliferation known to occur in chronic alcoholics.