ACTYBOSS: activity, behavioral therapy in young subjects--after-school intervention pilot project on obesity prevention.

Aims: To test the feasibility of a school-based intervention, which combines an incentive-driven physical activity program with lifestyle lectures, and its potential beneficial outcome on children's metabolic parameters.

Methods: We conducted a 6-month pilot intervention in two high schools in Mallorca, Spain, consisting of a program which involved free supervised exercise sessions and nutritional lectures, where children received credit points as a reward for the hours spent exercising and attendance to the lectures. The credit-earned points obtained were exchanged for gifts.

Congenital hypothyroidism with neurological and respiratory alterations: a case detected using a variable diagnostic threshold for TSH.

We report a case of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with neurological and respiratory alterations due to a heterozygotic c.374-1G > A mutation of TITF1/NKX2-1. The hypothyroidism was detected using a neonatal screening protocol in which the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) threshold is re-set each day on the basis of within-day variability and between-day variation.

[Epidemiological study of the metabolic diseases with homocystinuria in Spain].

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of homocystinuria in Spain and to establish the measures and mechanisms to ensure its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Material And Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to 35 hospitals in which children and adult patients are treated.

Results: Using the questionnaires submitted by 25 physicians from 16 centres, 75 patients were identified: 41 transsulphuration defects (one deceased), 27 remethylation (six deaths) and 7 without a syndromic diagnosis.

Evaluation and long-term follow-up of infants with inborn errors of metabolism identified in an expanded screening programme.

Newborn screening (NBS) by tandem mass spectrometry started in Galicia (Spain) in 2000. We analyse the results of screening and clinical follow-up of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) detected during 10 years. Our programme basically includes the disorders recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics.

[Clinical and genetic findings in patients with biotinidase deficiency detected through newborn screening or selective screening for hearing loss or inherited metabolic disease].

Background And Objective: To evaluate clinical, biochemical and genetic findings of two series of patients with biotinidase deficiency.

Patients And Method: Fifteen cases detected through newborn screening and six through selective screening for hearing loss or metabolic disease.

Results: No patient detected by neonatal screening had symptoms and only one case with partial biotinidase activity developed myoclonic seizures that resolved with biotin.

Tyrosinemia type 1 in Spain: mutational analysis, treatment and long-term outcome.

Background: Tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) is a rare but treatable disease. The aim of the present study was to review the efficacy of long-term treatment of HT1 with nitisinone, expand knowledge about the clinical spectrum of the disease and assess a possible genotype-phenotype correlation.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was carried out based on questionnaires on genotype, phenotype, therapy and outcome in 34 Spanish patients with HT1.

[TRAMOMTANA (Multidisciplinary treatment of morbid obesity: medication, behavioral therapy, nutritional support, and physical activity). From question to reality in an investigator-initiated clinical trial (II)].

Implementation of an intensive, multidisciplinary weight loss program in patients with morbid obesity is reported. This program is based on behavioral changes, lifestyle intervention, medication, and group therapy sessions. Our objective is to show that the results achieved with this two-year weight loss program will be at least similar to those achieved with bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity.

Quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA expression in central and peripheral regions of gliomas.

Malignant gliomas are characterized by their invasiveness and angiogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix and create a more permissive environment for cell invasion. We aimed to investigate for the presence of inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity in MMP-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by means of quantitative analysis and to evaluate its prognostic impact in glioma patients.

Relevance of expanded neonatal screening of medium-chain acyl co-a dehydrogenase deficiency: outcome of a decade in galicia (Spain).

Neonatal screening of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) is of major importance due to the significant morbidity and mortality in undiagnosed patients. MCADD screening has been performed routinely in Galicia since July 2000, and until now 199,943 newborns have been screened. We identified 11 cases of MCADD, which gives an incidence of 1/18,134.

[Recommendations and management of type I hereditary or hepatorenal tyrosinemia].

Tyrosinemia type I is a potentially lethal disease if not diagnosed and treated properly. Diagnostic and therapeutic advances in recent years have significantly improved the prognosis for these patients. It is therefore important that the pediatrician has a clinical practice guideline with recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of this disease that leads to the appropriate intervention.

Inborn errors of metabolism in a neonatology unit: impact and long-term results.

Background: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) have greater repercussions in neonatology units. The goal of our study was to evaluate the impact of IEM in a neonatology unit and the outcome of these neonates.

Methods: All patients with IEM admitted in our unit were evaluated during an 8-year period for specific diagnosis, clinical features, therapy and long-term neurodevelopment.

Chemical and in vitro study of the potential of 3-(aryl)-2-sulfanylpropenoic acids and their Zn(II) complexes as protective agents against cadmium toxicity.

The free H(2)xspa ligands [xspa = pspa, Clpspa, tspa or fspa where p = 3-(phenyl), Clp = 3-(2-chlorophenyl), t = 3-(2-thienyl), f = 3-(2-furyl) and spa = 2-sulfanylpropenoato], their Zn(II) complexes of formula [HQ](2)[Zn(xspa)(2)] (HQ = diisopropylammonium) and the Cd(II) equivalents were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and by IR, Raman and NMR ((1)H, (13)C) spectroscopy. X-Ray studies of the crystal structures of [HQ](2)[Zn(pspa)(2)], [HQ](2)[Zn(Clpspa)(2)], [HQ](2)[Zn(tspa)(2)] and [HQ](2)[Zn(fspa)(2)] show that the zinc atom is coordinated to two O atoms and two S atoms of the ligands in a distorted tetrahedral ZnO(2)S(2) environment. In the structures of [HQ](2)[Cd(pspa)(2)] and [HQ](2)[Cd(Clpspa)(2)] the cadmium atom is coordinated to three S atoms and two carboxylato O atoms of the ligands in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal environment.

Interaction of Pb2+, PbMe22+ and PbPh22+ with 3-(phenyl)-2-sulfanylpropenoic acid: a coordinative and toxicological approach.

We investigated the reaction of Pb(2+), PbMe(2)(2+) and PbPh(2)(2+) with 3-(phenyl)-2-sulfanylpropenoic acid (H(2)pspa) to give the complexes [Pb(pspa)], [PbMe(2)(pspa)], [PbPh(2)(pspa)], [HQ](2)[Pb(pspa)(2)] and [HQ[(2)[PbPh(2)(pspa)(2)] (HQ=diisopropylammonium), which were characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (207)Pb) spectroscopy and by fast atom bombardment (FAB) spectrometry. The structures of [PbMe(2)(pspa)], [PbPh(2)(pspa)], [PbPh(2)(pspa)(dmso)].dmso and [HQ[(2)[PbPh(2)(pspa)(2)] are interesting examples of unexplored Pb coordination kernels and supramolecular association.

Dinuclear triphenylphosphinegold(I) sulfanylcarboxylates: Synthesis, structure and cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines.

Compounds of the type [(AuPPh(3))(2)(xspa)]; H(2)xspa [x:p=3-phenyl-, f=3-(2-furyl)-, t=3-(2-thienyl)-, -o-py=3-(2-pyridyl)-, Clp=3-(2-chlorophenyl)-, -o-mp=3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-, -p-mp=3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-, -o-hp=3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-, -p-hp=3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-, -diBr-o-hp=3-(3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-; spa=2-sulfanyl propenoato] were synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (31)P) spectroscopy and by FAB mass spectrometry. The structures of [(AuPPh(3))(2)(Clpspa)], [(AuPPh(3))(2)(o-hpspa)], [(AuPPh(3))(2)(p-hpspa)].MeOH and [(AuPPh(3))(2)(diBr-o-hpspa)].

Interactions of diorganolead(IV) with 3-(2-thienyl)-2-sulfanylpropenoic acid and/or thiamine: chemical and in vitro and in vivo toxicological results.

The reactions of PbR(2)(OAc)(2) (R = Me, Ph) with 3-(2-thienyl)-2-sulfanylpropenoic acid (H(2)tspa) in methanol or ethanol afforded complexes [PbR(2)(tspa)] that electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and IR data suggest are polymeric. X-ray studies showed that [PbPh(2)(tspa)(dmso)] x dmso, crystallized from a solution of [PbPh(2)(tspa)] in dmso, is dimeric, and that [HQ](2)[PbPh(2)(tspa)(2)] (Q = diisopropylamine), obtained after removal of [PbPh(2)(tspa)] from a reaction including Q, contains the monomeric anion [PbPh(2)(tspa)(2)](2-). In the solid state the lead atoms are O,S-chelated by the tspa(2-) ligands in all these products, and in the latter two have distorted octahedral coordination environments.

The identification of novel mutations in the biotinidase gene using denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography (dHPLC).

Biotinidase deficiency (BD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of biotin metabolism that causes incomplete recycling of free biotin. The resulting depletion of intracellular biotin leads to impaired activities of biotin-dependent carboxylases. The ensuing clinical phenotype includes progressive neurologic deterioration with epileptic seizures, muscular hypotonia as well as skin eczema.

Secondary disorders of glycosylation in inborn errors of fructose metabolism.

Adamowicz and colleagues raised the alert in 2007 about patients with atypical hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) primarily misdiagnosed as CDG Ix. We describe a girl with neonatal hypertonia, facial trismus, absent swallowing and coughing reflexes, gastro-oesophageal reflux and sporadically elevated Krebs cycle metabolites and lactate. At 14 months microcephaly and hepatomegaly were noted, with hypertransaminasaemia but normal blood coagulation, glucose, phosphate, and absent urinary reducing substances.

Synthesis, structure and cytotoxicity studies of diisopropylammonium and triethylammonium salts of triphenylphosphinegold(I) sulfanylcarboxylates.

Compounds of the type [HQ][Au(PPh(3))(xspa)] and [HP][Au(PPh(3))(xspa)] {HQ=diisopropylammonium; HP=triethylammonium; H(2)xspa=3-aryl-2-sulfanylpropenoic acids [x: p=3-phenyl-, f=3-(2-furyl)-, t=3-(2-thienyl)-, -o-py=3-(2-pyridyl)-, Clp=3-(2-chlorophenyl)-, -o-mp=3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-, -p-mp=3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-, -o-hp=3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-, -p-hp=3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-, diBr-o-hp=3-(3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxyphenyl]} were synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (31)P) spectroscopy and by FAB mass spectrometry. The structures of [HQ][Au(PPh(3))(Clpspa)] and [HQ][Au(PPh(3))(-o-mpspa)] show that the crystal contains hydrogen-bonded diisopropylammonium cations and [Au(PPh(3))(xspa)](-) anions. The anions in the two compounds have different structures, with the carboxylate group either coordinated or not coordinated to the gold atom, respectively.

[A guide to the clinical diagnosis and urgent treatment of neonatal hyperammonaemia].

Symptomatic hyperammonaemia in newborn is a medical emergency that should be recognised in its early stages, specifically diagnosed and aggressively treated to improve the immediate and long-term prognosis of these children. The paediatrician and the neonatal doctor should have a diagnosis-therapy scheme for its urgent management.

Differences in mitochondrial function and antioxidant systems between regions of human glioma.

Metabolic features and oxidative stress have been extensively studied in cancer cells. However, comparative studies between cancer cell populations that coexist in human neoplastic tissue are not frequently available. The aim of the present study was to characterize markers of oxidative status and mitochondrial function in center vs.

[On-line resources in dealing with rare diseases].

The increase in scientific knowledge and the need for its transmission to health professionals and patients has resulted in the creation of websites as a useful tool. In low prevalence diseases, such as rare diseases (RDs), sites are being created by scientific societies, institutions and patients. This section reviews the most important websites dealing with RDs both nationally and internationally.