The Effects of Training in Music and Phonological Skills on Phonological Awareness in 4- to 6-Year-Old Children of Immigrant Families.

Children of immigrant families often have great difficulties with language and disadvantages in schooling. Phonological problems appear especially common. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether music training has a positive effect on the phonological awareness in these children.

Factor XII C46T gene polymorphism and the risk of cerebral venous thrombosis.

Background: The TT genotype of a functional factor XII (FXII) C46T gene polymorphism was shown to be a risk factor for peripheral venous thrombosis. We tested whether this genetic variant also increases the risk for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Methods: We performed a case-control study including 78 consecutive patients with proven CVT and 201 healthy population controls from South Germany.

[Platelet aggregation disorders].

Irrespective of their mechanism of action, anticoagulants reduce the formation and action of thrombin. Thus they interfere with a final step in coagulation. Among platelet inhibitors only the GPIIb/IIIa antagonists inhibit the common pathway of aggregation, namely the formation of platelet-to-platelet bridges which are mediated by fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor.

Platelet activation through triathlon competition in ultra-endurance trained athletes: impact of thrombin and plasmin generation and catecholamine release.

The aims of this study were to evaluate whether platelets are activated during strenuous exercise in healthy athletes. Also, to determine the impact of plasmin and thrombin activity and catecholamine release. Previous studies have shown activation of the hemostatic system after competitive exercise, but platelet activation was thought to be absent in trained athletes.

Incomplete inhibition of platelet aggregation and glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptor blockade by abciximab: importance of internal pool of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptors.

Resting platelets contain a substantial internal pool of GPIIb-IIIa complexes that is exposed on the surface of activated platelets. Whether the exposure of internal GPIIb-IIIa complexes on the activated platelet surface affects therapy with GPIIb-IIIa antagonists is poorly understood. We addressed this issue in thirteen patients who underwent elective coronary stenting and received abciximab.