Long-Term Increases in Mental Disorder Diagnoses After Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for Severe Childhood Respiratory Disease: A Propensity Matched Observational Cohort Study.

Objectives: To evaluate neurodevelopmental and mental disorders after PICU hospitalization in children requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory illness.

Design: Retrospective longitudinal observational cohort.

Setting: Texas Medicaid Analytic eXtract data from 1999 to 2012.

Rapid exome sequencing in PICU patients with new-onset metabolic or neurological disorders.

Background: Genomic assessment previously took months to result and was unable to impact clinical care in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The advent of rapid exome sequencing potentially changes this. We investigated the impact of rapid exome sequencing in a pilot study on pediatric patients admitted to a single PICU with new-onset metabolic/neurologic disease.

Is Mode of Delivery Associated With Sexual Response? A Pilot Study of Genital and Subjective Sexual Arousal in Primiparous Women With Vaginal or Cesarean Section Births.

Introduction: Although postpartum sexual concerns are common, limited data exist on postpartum sexual response. Furthermore, the physiological process of vaginal birth may negatively impact genital response compared with unlabored cesarean section (C-section), but this hypothesis has yet to be tested.

Aim: To (i) compare genital and subjective sexual response and sexual concordance by mode of delivery with inclusion of a control group, (ii) compare groups on self-reported sexual function over the past month, (iii) examine the relationship between laboratory measurement of sexual response and self-reported sexual function, and (iv) investigate association between obstetrical factors and breastfeeding and between sexual response and self-reported sexual function.

Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Integration with Other Imaging Modalities for Greater Molecular Understanding of Biological Tissues.

Over the last two decades, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has been increasingly employed to investigate the spatial distribution of a wide variety of molecules in complex biological samples. MSI has demonstrated its potential in numerous applications from drug discovery, disease state evaluation through proteomic and/or metabolomic studies. Significant technological and methodological advancements have addressed natural limitations of the techniques, i.

Pediatric Anti--Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Review with Pooled Analysis and Critical Care Emphasis.

Purpose: Anti--methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is being recognized with increasing frequency among children. Given the paucity of evidence to guide the critical care management of these complex patients, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature with pooled analysis of published case reports and case series.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science for relevant published studies.

Perceptions of the effects of childbirth on sexuality among nulliparous individuals.

Background: Media representations of sexuality after childbirth depict vaginal birth as harmful and cesarean delivery as protective, although research does not support these depictions. The objective of the current study was to investigate perceptions of the effects of mode of delivery on sexuality.

Methods: Nulliparous participants who were able to and interested in giving birth (N = 1428) completed an online survey about their preferences for mode of delivery and their perceptions of childbirth as they specifically relate to sexuality.

Clinical profile of persistent genito-pelvic postpartum pain.

Unlabelled: OBJECTIVE*: the primary aim was to describe the pain characteristics of persistent genito-pelvic postpartum pain (PPP) and compare these characteristics by mode of delivery. The secondary aim was to incorporate psychosocial variables into the conceptualization of PPP by exploring the relationship among postpartum depressive symptoms, fatigue, and PPP.

Design: cross-sectional study design.

Norharmane Matrix Enhances Detection of Endotoxin by MALDI-MS for Simultaneous Profiling of Pathogen, Host, and Vector Systems.

The discovery of novel pathogenic mechanisms engaged during bacterial infections requires the evolution of advanced techniques. Here, we evaluate the dual polarity matrix norharmane (NRM) to improve detection of bacterial lipid A (endotoxin), from host and vector tissues infected with Francisella novicida (Fn). We evaluated NRM for improved detection and characterization of a wide range of lipids in both positive and negative polarities, including lipid A and phospholipids across a range of matrix assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI)-coupled applications.

More from less: high-throughput dual polarity lipid imaging of biological tissues.

The high ion signals produced by many lipids in mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) make them an ideal molecular class to study compositional changes throughout tissue sections and their relationship with disease. However, the large extent of structural diversity observed in the lipidome means optimal ion signal for different lipid classes is often obtained in opposite polarities. In this work we demonstrate how new high speed MALDI-MSI technologies combined with precise laser position control enables the acquisition of positive and negative ion mode lipid data from the same tissue section much faster than is possible with other MSI instruments.

Mutations in SLC1A4, encoding the brain serine transporter, are associated with developmental delay, microcephaly and hypomyelination.

Background: L-serine plays an essential role in neuronal development and function. Although a non-essential amino acid, L-serine must be synthesised within the brain because of its poor permeability by the blood-brain barrier. Within the brain, its synthesis is confined to astrocytes, and its shuttle to neuronal cells is performed by a dedicated neutral amino acid transporter, ASCT1.

Loss of function mutation in glutamic pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) causes developmental encephalopathy.

Intellectual disability is genetically heterogeneous, and it is likely that many of the responsible genes have not yet been identified. We describe three siblings with isolated, severe developmental encephalopathy. After extensive uninformative genetic and metabolic testing, whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous novel variant in glutamic pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) or alanine transaminase 2 (ALT2), c.

Anesthesia in children: perspectives from nonsurgical pediatric specialists.

The Pediatric Anesthesia NeuroDevelopment Assessment (PANDA) study investigates the potential neurotoxicity of anesthetics in the pediatric population. At a recent symposium, a panel of nonsurgical physicians from the disciplines of radiology, neurology, cardiology, and critical care discussed the role anesthesia plays in their respective practices. To execute diagnostic studies and/or therapeutic interventions in each of these disciplines, general anesthesia is oftentimes required for pediatric patients.

Differential Associations of Communication and Love in Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Bisexual Women's Perceptions and Experiences of Chronic Vulvar and Pelvic Pain.

The literature on genital and pelvic pain has largely focused on heterosexual women. An online study examined characteristics of vulvar pain in 839 lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women 18-45 years of age and investigated associations between relationship qualities such as love and communication with participants' perceptions of pain's influence on relationships. Characteristics of vulvar pain were similar across groups.

Neuronal expression of GalNAc transferase is sufficient to prevent the age-related neurodegenerative phenotype of complex ganglioside-deficient mice.

Gangliosides are widely expressed sialylated glycosphingolipids with multifunctional properties in different cell types and organs. In the nervous system, they are highly enriched in both glial and neuronal membranes. Mice lacking complex gangliosides attributable to targeted ablation of the B4galnt1 gene that encodes β-1,4-N-acetylegalactosaminyltransferase 1 (GalNAc-transferase; GalNAcT(-/-)) develop normally before exhibiting an age-dependent neurodegenerative phenotype characterized by marked behavioral abnormalities, central and peripheral axonal degeneration, reduced myelin volume, and loss of axo-glial junction integrity.

Advances in pediatric neurocritical care.

Because pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) improve survival for a range of acute diseases, attention has turned toward ensuring the best possible functional outcomes after critical illness. The neurocritical care of children is of increasing interest. However, the pediatric population encompasses a heterogeneous set of neurologic conditions, with several possible models of how best to address them.

Anti-GM2 ganglioside antibodies are a biomarker for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Acute canine polyradiculoneuritis (ACP) is considered to be the canine equivalent of the human peripheral nerve disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS); an aetiological relationship, however, remains to be demonstrated. In GBS, anti-glycolipid antibodies (Abs) are considered as important disease mediators. To address the possibility of common Ab biomarkers, the sera of 25 ACP dogs, 19 non-neurological, and 15 epileptic control dogs were screened for IgG Abs to 10 glycolipids and their 1 : 1 heteromeric complexes using combinatorial glycoarrays.

Are vascular risk factors associated with post-stroke depressive symptoms?

Objective: Vascular risk factors (VRFs) have been associated with stroke and cognitive impairment, however, the role of VRFs in predicting post-stroke depression (PSD) has not been assessed. The objective of the current study was to determine whether VRFs are associated with the risk of PSD in an acute stroke population.

Methods: In this observational study, patients meeting World Health Organization MONICA Project and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria for stroke were eligible.

Serotonergic function and treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of frontotemporal dementia.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were first, to evaluate the effectiveness of citalopram in treating behavioral disturbances in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) subjects and second, to determine whether an association exists between serotonergic function, as determined by a neuroendocrine challenge, and treatment response.

Design: Single-dose citalopram (30 mg per os) challenge followed by a 6-week open-label study.

Setting: Outpatients referred to memory clinics.

Verbal memory performance and completion of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: To assess cognitive performance as a predictor of noncompletion of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) using a standardized verbal memory test.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (n = 131) entering 1-year outpatient CR between April 2007 and May 2009. Verbal memory performance was assessed using the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition.

Changes in nursing burden following memantine for agitation and aggression in long-term care residents with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: an open-label pilot study.

Background: Agitation and aggression are common neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with a negative impact on caregivers.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether changes in agitation and aggression would follow memantine treatment and, if so, be associated with changes in nursing burden in institutionalized patients with moderate to severe AD.

Study Design: This was a 3-month open-label trial of memantine.

Conference report: Seventh Exploratory Measurement Science Group Symposium.

The impressive 18th Century Ardgour House again played host to the seventh annual Exploratory Measurement Science Group Symposium. The Symposium was organised as a study retreat for young and established scientists who share a common interest in the development and application of advanced analytical instrumentation. Speakers from a wide range of backgrounds in academia, industry and government were invited to present and discuss their research interests surrounded by the stunning Highland scenery of Fort William.

The pharmacoeconomics of cognitive enhancers in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with a substantial economic impact on patients, their caregivers and society. Due to the current rise in the aging population, the prevalence and impact of Alzheimer's disease are expected to increase greatly. The cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease is magnified in the more severe stages of the disease.

A meta-analysis of cytokines in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Studies suggest that inflammation is involved in the neurodegenerative cascade leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and symptoms. This study sought to quantitatively summarize the clinical cytokine data.

Methods: Original English language peer-reviewed studies measuring cytokine concentrations in AD and healthy control subjects were included.

Initial surgical experience with a dense cortical microarray in epileptic patients undergoing craniotomy for subdural electrode implantation.

Objective: Detailed investigations of cortical physiology require the ability to record brain electrical activity at a submillimeter scale. Standard intracranial electrodes result in significant averaging of potentials generated by large numbers of neurons. In contrast, microelectrode arrays allow for recording of local field potentials and single-unit activity.