Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) condenses DNA by looping.

Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) is a protein that has been proposed to compact retroviral DNA, making it inaccessible as a target for self-destructive integration into itself (autointegration). BAF also plays an important role in nuclear organization. We studied the mechanism of DNA condensation by BAF using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.

Oxygen administration: is practice based on evidence?

An audit of oxygen administration to children in the paediatric unit of a district general hospital was carried out following the introduction of new guidelines. The aim of the audit was to review oxygen administration practices against the guidance but also to gather information concerning patients, diagnoses, prescription practices and delivery devices. The notes of 36 infants and children admitted during a two week (winter) period who received oxygen were retrospectively reviewed for the audit.

Early scrotal exploration in all cases is the investigation and intervention of choice in the acute paediatric scrotum.

The acute scrotum in the paediatric population is a clinical dilemma where a definitive diagnosis can only truly be made at surgical exploration. We postulate that surgical exploration in all cases allows truly accurate diagnoses, treats the torted appendage testes and enables the validity of clinical signs associated with scrotal pathology to be assessed. We retrospectively reviewed all boys less than 15 years old who presented to our institution with scrotal pain over a 2 year period.

Identification of oligonucleotide sequences that direct the movement of the Escherichia coli FtsK translocase.

FtsK from Escherichia coli is a fast and sequence-directed DNA translocase with roles in chromosome dimer resolution, segregation, and decatenation. From the movement of single FtsK particles on defined DNA substrates and an analysis of skewed DNA sequences in bacteria, we identify GNGNAGGG, its complement, or both as a sequence motif that controls translocation directionality. GNGNAGGG is skewed so that it is predominantly on the leading strand of chromosomal replication.

Crosstalk between primase subunits can act to regulate primer synthesis in trans.

The coordination of primase function within the replisome is an essential but poorly understood feature of lagging strand synthesis. By using crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we show that functional elements of bacterial primase transition between two dominant conformations: an extended form that uncouples a regulatory domain from its associated RNA polymerase core and a compact state that sequesters the regulatory region from the site of primer synthesis. FRET studies and priming assays reveal that the regulatory domain of one primase subunit productively associates with nucleic acid that is bound to the polymerase domain of a second protomer in trans.

Sequence-directed DNA translocation by purified FtsK.

DNA translocases are molecular motors that move rapidly along DNA using adenosine triphosphate as the source of energy. We directly observed the movement of purified FtsK, an Escherichia coli translocase, on single DNA molecules. The protein moves at 5 kilobases per second and against forces up to 60 piconewtons, and locally reverses direction without dissociation.

Closure of the ventral hernia in the management of giant exomphalos: a word of caution.

Giant exomphalos containing liver as its major component and with visceroabdominal disproportion presents difficult management options to a paediatric surgeon. At Starship Children's Hospital, we deal with these with primary skin closure, if possible, followed by staged repair of the ventral hernia beginning in the 2nd year of life. During the closure of a ventral hernia, we encountered major hepatic venous bleeding resulting from the inadvertent injury to the right hepatic vein, resulting in the death of the child.

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) in siblings: case report and review of the literature.

Purpose: Report of MMIHS in siblings with emphasis on diagnostic aspects in antenatal scanning and genetics.

Method: Two case reports and review of the literature

Results: The firstborn child of this family was a female infant with a postnatal diagnosis of MMIHS. In the consecutive pregnancy frequent antenatal scans were performed, which showed normal fetal anatomy until 19 weeks' gestation.

OK-432 and lymphatic malformations in children: the Starship Children's Hospital experience.

Background: Surgery has previously been the mainstay of treatment for lymphatic malformations but has attendant problems of marked scarring, high chance of recurrence and potential nerve damage. Alternative management for these lesions involves the intralesional injection of OK-432. The present paper reviews OK-432 use in lymphatic malformations in children.

Long-term dilatation of caustic strictures of the oesophagus.

Caustic strictures of the oesophagus (CSO) in children are managed in different ways. Our study looks into the results of long-term dilatation of such strictures. Of 109 children admitted to our hospital with caustic ingestion, 10 developed strictures.

De-regulation of D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase by domain removal.

Escherichia coli 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH) catalyzes the first step in serine biosynthesis, and is allosterically inhibited by serine. Structural studies revealed a homotetramer in which the quaternary arrangement of subunits formed an elongated ellipsoid. Each subunit consisted of three domains: nucleotide, substrate and regulatory.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma: four cases.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignant neoplasm affecting children. A retrospective review was carried out of patients diagnosed as having PPB at one institute over a period of 16 years. The presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and family history were studied.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and extralobar sequestration occurring independently in the ipsilateral hemithorax.

We report a case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and extralobar pulmonary sequestration (EPS) occurring independently in the ipsilateral hemithorax. A literature search using Medline, Winspirs 2.0, found 14 previously reported cases of CCAM within an EPS.

Gartner's duct cyst with unilateral renal dysplasia presenting as an introital mass in a new born.

A persistent Gartner's duct cyst associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis or dysplasia is rare. A vaginal cyst at the introitus as the presenting complaint is very rare, and has not been previously described in a neonate. Sepsis despite the presence of renal agenesis, or non- or poorly functioning renal tissue, is an indication for ureterectomy or nephroureterectomy on the affected side.

Effect of yellow filters on pupil size.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the size of the pupil while viewing through yellow and neutral density (ND) filters. Previous studies have shown that the pupil of the human eye is relatively more sensitive to short wavelengths than indicated by the photopic luminosity curve. We first measured the consensual horizontal pupil diameter of 11 observers as a function of luminance (0.

Multiple organ malrotation syndrome with duodenal atresia: a case report.

Duodenal atresia (DA) can be associated with multiple anomalies. Multiple organ malrotation syndrome (MOMS) involves laevoversion of the liver and gall bladder and dextroversion of the stomach and spleen. We report a case of MOMS with DA.

Colo-colic intussusception in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Intussusception is the commonest surgical complication of Henoch-Sch onlein purpura (HSP), occurring in 1.3%-13.6% of affected children.

Malrotation in newborns following antenatal diagnosis of intra-abdominal cyst.

Two newborn girls had malrotation, small bowel in a subdiaphragmatic location on the right and leftward displacement of the liver. On antenatal scans, each had been diagnosed as having a large intra-abdominal cyst, but this had disappeared in both by the time of delivery. Both infants were asymptomatic at birth.

Post circumcision meatal stenosis: 12 years' experience.

Aims: To study the presentation of meatal stenosis as a complication of circumcision done in boys of neonatal or nappy age.

Methods: A total of 50 patients were studied. These patients had meatotomy performed to treat meatal stenosis.

Artificial cell surface constructs for studying receptor-ligand contributions to lymphocyte activation.

T-cell activation involves interactions between a number of different receptors on the T-cell with their respective ligands on the antigen presenting cell. One approach to studying the contributions of the individual receptors is the use of purified ligands, alone or in combination, to stimulate the cells. However, effective T-cell recognition requires that the ligands be displayed on a surface having dimensions similar to those of a cell.

Is a normally functioning gastrointestinal tract necessary for normal growth in late gestation?

It is known that neonates with congenital abnormalities of the intestine tend to be growth-retarded. We wished to explore the hypothesis that normal fetal gut function is needed for normal growth in late gestation. If this is true, then different populations of babies with different congenital gut abnormalities would be expected to have similar impairments of growth and be small at birth.

Gastroschisis: can the morbidity be avoided?

Although the mortality associated with gastroschisis (GS) has fallen markedly over recent years, postoperative morbidity and the incidence of complications remain high. Many different factors may contribute to this morbidity; the aim of this study was to determine which factors contributed most. Measures of morbidity used were time to full oral feeding (FOF), time on parenteral nutrition (PN), age at discharge, and incidence of complications.

Are babies with gastroschisis small for gestational age?

A large proportion of babies with gastroschisis (GS) have low birth weights. It is not clear, however, whether only certain subgroups or the whole population of babies with GS have low birth weights. The aim of this study was to ascertain if the birth weights of babies with GS are significantly lower than those of the general population and to determine if the birth weights of babies with GS from two different populations were significantly different.

Antenatal diagnosis of urinary tract abnormalities by ultrasonography after 28 weeks' gestation: incidence and outcome.

Objective: The objective was to establish the likelihood that antenatal upper urinary tract dilatation identified after 28 weeks of gestation will progress to significant postnatal uropathy.

Study Design: In 5 years, 3856 fetuses had ultrasonography after 28 weeks of gestation when the mothers were first seen in advanced pregnancy for delivery appointments or for other obstetric indications. Fetuses with urinary tract anomalies had ultrasonographic surveillance after 6 days and 6 weeks of life with further evaluation as necessary.