Differentiating Genetic Forms of Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia From Acquired Lesions Resembling Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia: Clinical, Neurodevelopmental, and Imaging Insight From 19 Extremely Premature Patients.

It is well established that extreme prematurity can be associated with cerebellar lesions potentially affecting the neurologic prognosis. One of the commonly observed lesions in these cases is pontocerebellar hypoplasia resulting from prematurity, which can pose challenges in distinguishing it from genetically caused pontocerebellar hypoplasia. This confusion leads to unacceptable and prolonged diagnostic ambiguity for families as well as difficulties in genetic counseling.

A cross-sectional study on gaming intensity and social vulnerability in adolescents that have a chronic condition.

Background: Adolescents growing up with a chronic condition might experience more social vulnerabilities compared to their healthy peers as an indirect result of their conditions. This can lead to a relatedness need frustration for these adolescents. Consequently, they might spend more time playing video games compared to their peers.

A cross-national comparison of problematic gaming behavior and well-being in adolescents.

Background And Aims: The popularity of playing games among adolescents has increased during the last decades, possibly affecting the prevalence of problematic gaming behavior. The current study aimed to compare country-level prevalence rates of adolescents' problematic gaming behavior in five countries and identify cross-cultural similarities and differences in the relationship between problematic gaming and well-being (life satisfaction, psychological complaints, and peer support).

Methods: Cross-national data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study were used.

A PMM2-CDG caused by an A108V mutation associated with a heterozygous 70 kilobases deletion case report.

Background: Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG) are a large group of inborn errors of metabolism with more than 140 different CDG types reported to date (1). The first characterized, PMM2-CDG, with an autosomal recessive transmission, is also the most frequent. The PMM2 gene encodes a phosphomannomutase.

Effects of vitamin E incorporation in polyethylene on oxidative degradation, wear rates, immune response, and infections in total joint arthroplasty: a review of the current literature.

Highly cross-linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was introduced to decrease wear debris and osteolysis. During cross-linking, free radicals are formed, making highly cross-linked polyethylene vulnerable to oxidative degradation. In order to reduce this process, anti-oxidant vitamin E can be incorporated in polyethylene.

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) as a carrier for rifampicin and vancomycin to target therapy-recalcitrant staphylococcal biofilms.

Standard antibiotic therapy in osteomyelitis patients is of limited value when methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), or small-colony variants (SCV) are present. Far better results are obtained by local drug delivery of antibiotic combinations including rifampicin, using a suitable carrier. We therefore investigated release kinetics of antibiotics from biodegradable poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and in vitro biofilm inhibition of MRSA, MRSE, and S.

Viscoelasticity of biofilms and their recalcitrance to mechanical and chemical challenges.

We summarize different studies describing mechanisms through which bacteria in a biofilm mode of growth resist mechanical and chemical challenges. Acknowledging previous microscopic work describing voids and channels in biofilms that govern a biofilms response to such challenges, we advocate a more quantitative approach that builds on the relation between structure and composition of materials with their viscoelastic properties. Biofilms possess features of both viscoelastic solids and liquids, like skin or blood, and stress relaxation of biofilms has been found to be a corollary of their structure and composition, including the EPS matrix and bacterial interactions.

A biodegradable gentamicin-hydroxyapatite-coating for infection prophylaxis in cementless hip prostheses.

A degradable, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), gentamicin-loaded prophylactic coating for hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated cementless hip prostheses is developed with similar antibacterial efficacy as offered by gentamicin-loaded cements for fixing traditional, cemented prostheses in bone. We describe the development pathway, from in vitro investigation of antibiotic release and antibacterial properties of this PLGA-gentamicin-HA-coating in different in vitro models to an evaluation of its efficacy in preventing implant-related infection in rabbits. Bone in-growth in the absence and presence of the coating was investigated in a canine model.

Interstitial 12p13.1 deletion involving GRIN2B in three patients with intellectual disability.

We report on three patients presenting moderate intellectual disability, delayed language acquisition, and mild facial dysmorphia. Array-CGH studies revealed overlapping interstitial 12p13.1 microdeletions encompassing all or part of GRIN2B.

Biodegradable vs non-biodegradable antibiotic delivery devices in the treatment of osteomyelitis.

Introduction: Chronic osteomyelitis, or bone infection, is a major worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality, as it is exceptionally hard to treat due to patient and pathogen-associated factors. Successful treatment requires surgical debridement together with long-term, high antibiotic concentrations that are best achieved by local delivery devices, either made of degradable or non-degradable materials.

Areas Covered: Non-degradable delivery devices are frequently constituted by polymethylmethacrylate-based carriers.

Successful treatment of Candida albicans-infected total hip prosthesis with staged procedure using an antifungal-loaded cement spacer.

We present a rare case of an immunocompetent host who developed a Candida albicans-infected total hip prosthesis. The infection could not be eradicated with debridement and extensive antifungal therapy. Our patient first underwent a resection of the proximal femur and local treatment with gentamicin-loaded cement beads.

Long-term outcome of children with oesophageal atresia type III.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with oesophageal atresia type III (EA), focusing on the presence of late sequelae and quality of life.

Methods: This was a retrospective case ascertainment followed by clinical assessment of patients. The study parameters included the patients' demographic characteristics, associated abnormalities, presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and digestive or respiratory symptoms, results of a clinical examination to evaluate nutritional status, spirometry results and quality of life assessed using the PedsQL 4.

A gentamicin-releasing coating for cementless hip prostheses-Longitudinal evaluation of efficacy using in vitro bio-optical imaging and its wide-spectrum antibacterial efficacy.

Cementless prostheses are increasingly popular in total hip arthroplasties. Therewith, common prophylactic measures to reduce the risk of postoperative infection like the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cements, will no longer be available. Alternative prophylactic measures may include the use of antibiotic-releasing coatings.

Influence of Co-Cr particles and Co-Cr ions on the growth of staphylococcal biofilms.

Purpose: In the last decades, hip prostheses with a metal-on-metal (MOM) bearing have been implanted by orthopedic surgeons worldwide. However, concerns are now raised towards the metal particles and degradation products released by MOM-bearings into surrounding tissue, although effects of Co-Cr wear on infection are also unknown. Therefore, we here determine the viable volumes of staphylococcal biofilms formed on polystyrene in the absence and presence of Co-Cr particles and Co-Cr ions.

The prevalence of triggers in paediatric migraine: a questionnaire study in 102 children and adolescents.

The prevalence and characterization of migraine triggers have not been rigorously studied in children and adolescents. Using a questionnaire, we retrospectively studied the prevalence of 15 predefined trigger factors in a clinic-based population. In 102 children and adolescents fulfilling the Second Edition of The International Headache Classification criteria for paediatric migraine, at least one migraine trigger was reported by the patient and/or was the parents' interpretation in 100% of patients.

The influence of Co-Cr and UHMWPE particles on infection persistence: an in vivo study in mice.

Wear of metal-on-metal (cobalt-chromium, Co-Cr particles) and metal-on-polyethylene (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, UHMWPE particles) bearing surfaces in hip prostheses is a major problem in orthopedics. This study aimed to compare the influence of Co-Cr and UHMWPE particles on the persistence of infection. Bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus Xen36 were injected in air pouches prepared in subcutaneous tissue of immuno-competent BALB/c mice (control), as a model for the joint space, in the absence or presence of Co-Cr or UHMWPE particles.

Antibacterial efficacy of a new gentamicin-coating for cementless prostheses compared to gentamicin-loaded bone cement.

Cementless prostheses are increasingly popular but require alternative prophylactic measures than the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cements. Here, we determine the 24-h growth inhibition of gentamicin-releasing coatings from grit-blasted and porous-coated titanium alloys, and compare their antibacterial efficacies and gentamicin release-profiles to those of a commercially available gentamicin-loaded bone cement. Antibacterial efficacy increased with increasing doses of gentamicin in the coating and loading with 1.

Gentamicin release from commercially-available gentamicin-loaded PMMA bone cements in a prosthesis-related interfacial gap model and their antibacterial efficacy.

Background: Around about 1970, a gentamicin-loaded poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement brand (Refobacin Palacos R) was introduced to control infection in joint arthroplasties. In 2005, this brand was replaced by two gentamicin-loaded follow-up brands, Refobacin Bone Cement R and Palacos R + G. In addition, another gentamicin-loaded cement brand, SmartSet GHV, was introduced in Europe in 2003.

Effects of metal-on-metal wear on the host immune system and infection in hip arthroplasty.

Background And Purpose: Joint replacement with metal-on-metal (MOM) bearings have gained popularity in the last decades in young and active patients. However, the possible effects of MOM wear debris and its corrosion products are still the subject of debate. Alongside the potential disadvantages such as toxicity, the influences of metal particles and metal ions on infection risk are unclear.

A biodegradable antibiotic delivery system based on poly-(trimethylene carbonate) for the treatment of osteomyelitis.

Background And Purpose: Many investigations on biodegradable materials acting as an antibiotic carrier for local drug delivery are based on poly(lactide). However, the use of poly(lactide) implants in bone has been disputed because of poor bone regeneration at the site of implantation. Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) is an enzymatically degradable polymer that does not produce acidic degradation products.

Concepts for increasing gentamicin release from handmade bone cement beads.

Background And Purpose: Commercial gentamicin-loaded bone cement beads (Septopal) constitute an effective delivery system for local antibiotic therapy. These beads are not available in all parts of the world, and are too expensive for frequent use in others. Thus, orthopedic surgeons worldwide make antibiotic-loaded beads themselves.

A surface-eroding antibiotic delivery system based on poly-(trimethylene carbonate).

Biodegradable delivery systems that do not produce acidic compounds during degradation are preferred for local antibiotic delivery in bone infections in order to avoid adverse bone reactions. Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) has good biocompatibility, and is such a polymer. The objective of this in vitro study was to explore the suitability of PTMC as an antibiotic releasing polymer for the local treatment of bone infections.