High-Sensitivity Fluorescence-Based Detection of Reverse Transcriptase Read-Through of GC-Rich Short Tandem Repeat RNA.

Short tandem repeat (STR) RNAs play a pivotal role in the pathology of STR expansion-associated disorders. However, disease-related STR sequences are often GC-rich (>66% GC), which makes sample preparation and detection challenging. GC-rich STR RNAs, particularly those composed entirely of GC (100% GC), frequently cause interruptions during reverse transcription.

Prospective analysis of the outcome of surgical management of drooling in the pediatric population: a 10-year experience.

Background: Sialorrhea is a common problem in the neurologically impaired pediatric patient and surgery is the mainstay of treatment for severely affected patients refractory to conservative or medical treatment.

Methods: The results of the surgical protocol used since 1993 at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, are reported. Seventy-two patients underwent bilateral submandibular duct transposition combined with bilateral sublingual gland excision.

Effectiveness of the Innsbruck Sensorimotor Activator and Regulator in improving saliva control in children with cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an intraoral appliance, the Innsbruck Sensorimotor Activator and Regulator (ISMAR), in improving drooling and eating skills in a group of children with cerebral palsy, and to determine which factors might indicate good candidates for this type of treatment. Eighteen children (13 males, five females; mean age 7 years 10 months, range 4 to 13 years) were selected. Measures of drooling and feeding skills were taken at baseline, at the completion of a 6-month control phase, and at two more 6-monthly time points after the ISMAR was fitted.