Centrifugal LabTube platform for fully automated DNA purification and LAMP amplification based on an integrated, low-cost heating system.

This paper introduces a disposable battery-driven heating system for loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) inside a centrifugally-driven DNA purification platform (LabTube). We demonstrate LabTube-based fully automated DNA purification of as low as 100 cell-equivalents of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) in water, milk and apple juice in a laboratory centrifuge, followed by integrated and automated LAMP amplification with a reduction of hands-on time from 45 to 1 min. The heating system consists of two parallel SMD thick film resistors and a NTC as heating and temperature sensing elements.

Basilar artery stroke in childhood.

Aim: Little is known about basilar artery stroke (BAS) in children. The objective of this study was to calculate the incidence of BAS in children and to analyse the clinical presentation, risk factors, radiological findings, therapeutic approaches, and outcome of BAS in childhood.

Method: A prospective, population-based study including children with arterial ischaemic stroke and a systematic review of the literature was undertaken.

Outcome of peripheral facial palsy in children - a catamnestic study.

Background: Even though the etiologies, therapies and prognoses of acute peripheral facial palsy (PFP) differ among children and adults, not many studies focus on children.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 84 children, aged 10 months to 16 3/12 years, who were seen at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland between 1998 and 2007 due to PFP. Data about etiology, diagnostics and therapy were gathered from medical files, the outcome by questionnaires.

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in Swiss children.

Unlabelled: AIMo describe the characteristics of paediatric cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) in Switzerland.

Method: data on clinical features, neuroimaging, risk factors, and treatment were collected for all children in Switzerland younger than 16 years of age who had CSVT between January 2000 and December 2008. A follow-up examination and a cognitive assessment were performed (mean follow-up period 26mo).

Neuroimaging in childhood arterial ischaemic stroke: evaluation of imaging modalities and aetiologies.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe neuroimaging patterns associated with arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS) in childhood and to differentiate them according to stroke aetiology.

Method: Clinical and neuroimaging (acute and follow-up) findings were analysed prospectively in 79 children (48 males, 31 females) aged 2 months to 15 years 8 months (median 5 y 3 mo) at the time of stroke by the Swiss Neuropaediatric Stroke Registry from 2000 to 2006.

Results: Stroke was confirmed in the acute period in 36 out of 41 children who underwent computed tomography, in 53 of 57 who underwent T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in all 48 children who underwent diffusion-weighted MRI.