Parenting style of Chinese fathers in Hong Kong: correlates with children's school-related performance.

This study investigates parenting styles among Chinese fathers in Hong Kong as perceived by their school-age children. Four parenting styles, namely inductive, indulgent, indifferent, and dictatorial parenting, are assessed using the Parent Behavior Report (1988). Data were collected through a questionnaire survey on a sample of 1011 Primary Three to Five Chinese students from six schools in Hong Kong and 471 fathers.

Disposition of cefepime in the central nervous system of patients with external ventricular drains.

Study Objective: To assess central nervous system (CNS) penetration of cefepime in adults with external ventricular drains and to compare the achieved cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations with the usual minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of common pathogens.

Design: Open-label, prospective study.

Setting: University-affiliated medical center.

Integration of population pharmacokinetics, a pharmacodynamic target, and microbiologic surveillance data to generate a rational empiric dosing strategy for cefepime against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Study Objective: To derive steady-state pharmacokinetic profiles of cefepime against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Design: Retrospective evaluation using a weighted approach based on a minimum inhibitory concentration distribution of cefepime in the United States.

Setting: Medical and surgical intensive care units.

Mitral valve replacement in children.

Background And Aims Of The Study: Although repair of the mitral valve in children with or without concomitant congenital heart defects has improved significantly, it is not always achievable. The study aim was to review a 20-year experience of mitral valve replacement (MVR) in children.

Methods: Since 1980, 90 patients (37 males, 53 females; mean age 8.

Pharmacodynamics of cefepime in patients with Gram-negative infections.

We conducted a prospective, open-label study to delineate a relationship between exposure and outcomes in 36 patients treated with cefepime. Twenty patients had documented Gram-negative infections. Timed blood and urine samples were obtained at steady state to determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters.

Konno aortoventriculoplasty in children and adolescents: from prosthetic valves to the Ross operation.

Background: In children with complex multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), the Konno aortoventriculoplasty is used to enlarge the aortic root and increase the size of the aortic valve implanted. We present our experience with the evolution of this surgical approach from prosthetic valves to the Ross operation.

Methods: Between March 1982 and July 2000, 60 patients (36 males and 24 females) had 72 Konno aortoventriculoplasties (prosthetic valve and Konno group [57 patients; redo, 12] and Ross-Konno group [15 patients]).

One hundred pulmonary valve replacements in children after relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Background: Surgical repair of obstructive lesions of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in children commonly creates pulmonary valve incompetence that may eventually require pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). We reviewed our experience with PVR late after RVOT reconstruction.

Methods: We performed 100 PVRs in 93 children 1.

The ShcA protein is a molecular chaperone that assists in the secretion of the HopPsyA effector from the type III (Hrp) protein secretion system of Pseudomonas syringae.

Pseudomonas syringae uses a type III protein secretion system encoded by the Hrp pathogenicity island (Pai) to translocate effector proteins into plant cells. One of these effector proteins is HopPsyA. A small open reading frame (ORF), named shcA, precedes the hopPsyA gene in the Hrp Pai of P.

Genomewide identification of proteins secreted by the Hrp type III protein secretion system of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000.

The ability of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 to be pathogenic on plants depends on the Hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) type III protein secretion system and the effector proteins it translocates into plant cells. Through iterative application of experimental and computational techniques, the DC3000 effector inventory has been substantially enlarged.

Clinical outcomes for patients with bacteremia caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococcus in a level 1 trauma center.

To assess the degree of morbidity and mortality attributable to vancomycin resistance in enterococcal bacteremia (EB), a matched case-control study was conducted. Patients with bacteremia due to vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) were matched to control patients with bacteremia due to vancomycin-susceptible enterococcus. During 1996--2000, 65 patients with cases of clinically significant VRE bacteremia were identified, and 53 of these patients were successfully matched.

Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus: case report and review.

Rhodococcus equi is a facultative, intracellular, gram-positive coccobacillus increasingly reported as an opportunistic pathogen in patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). An HIV-positive man developed R. equi pneumonia and sepsis.

De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty for tricuspid regurgitation in children.

Background: Significant tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) occurs with other congenital heart defects, typically after repair of right-sided obstructive lesions. Since 1991, we applied the De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty technique for TR in children.

Methods: Forty-one children, aged 5 months to 22.

Successful biventricular repair after initial Norwood operation for interrupted aortic arch with severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Background: Management of newborns with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) remains challenging. Associated severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) have often led to increased mortality with neonatal biventricular repair. We review our experience with an alternative approach for this complex surgical problem.

The Konno aortoventriculoplasty for repeat aortic valve replacement.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of aortic root augmentation by the Konno-aortoventriculoplasty technique as part of reoperative aortic valve replacement.

Methods: Since 1983, 15 patients, 12 males and three females, had repeat aortic valve replacement (AVR) with concomitant Konno aortoventriculoplasty. Age ranged from 1.

Saphenous vein homograft: a superior conduit for the systemic arterial shunt in the Norwood operation.

Background: Excessive pulmonary blood flow increases ventricular volume work in the face of inadequate systemic cardiac output, low diastolic blood pressure, and inadequate coronary perfusion. Using the smallest available 3-mm polytetrafluoroethylene shunts have been successful, although catastrophic shunt thrombosis has occasionally been observed. To avoid thrombosis with a smaller conduit, saphenous vein homografts (SVG) were used to construct the modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunts.

In vivo flow dynamics of the total cavopulmonary connection from three-dimensional multislice magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) design continues to be refined on the basis of flow analysis at the connection site. These refinements are of importance for myocardial energy conservation in the univentricular supported circulation. In vivo magnetic resonance phase contrast imaging provides semiquantitative flow visualization information.

Diagnosis and catheter treatment of innominate artery stenosis following stage I Norwood procedure.

Four infants aged 20-115 days (mean, 57.8 days) who had undergone stage I Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome came to early cardiac catheterization (6-112; mean, 47.3 days) following surgery because of significant arterial desaturation (pulse oximetry indicating oxygen saturations consistently in the 40%-70% range).

New antibiotics for infections caused by resistant organisms.

A continued increase in the expression of resistance among bacterial pathogens has prompted the development of a variety of new compounds directed against resistant strains of bacteria. Recently, the most dramatic increase in resistance has been among gram-positive organisms, and the predominant areas of development have been within a few classes of agents. Expanded spectrum fluoroquinolones offer advantages against many resistant gram-positive organisms, including S.

Extra-anatomic aortic bypass via sternotomy for complex aortic arch stenosis in children.

Objective: Recurrent aortic narrowing after repair of aortic coarctation or interrupted aortic arch, as well as diffuse, long-segment aortic hypoplasia, can be difficult to manage. Extra-anatomic ascending aorta-descending aorta bypass grafting through a sternotomy is an alternative approach for this problem.

Methods: Since 1985, 19 patients aged 2 months to 18 years (mean 10.

Once-daily aminoglycoside in the treatment of Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis: case report and review.

Once-daily administration of aminoglycosides (ODA) is effective and safe for many indications. By optimizing pharmacodynamic principles, it enhances bactericidal activity and minimizes toxicity. Its use for the treatment of enterococcal infection is controversial, however, and results of in vitro studies and animal models of endocarditis are conflicting.

Vancomycin peak serum concentration monitoring.

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly used in the treatment of gram-positive bacterial infections. With the rising prevalence of resistant gram-positive bacterial infections in healthcare institutions and the advent of attempts to curb escalating medical cost, vancomycin is being used with increasing frequency in the homecare setting for infection management. In view of its variability in pharmacokinetics and the potential for toxicities, serum concentrations often are measured.

Oligomerization of mu- and delta-opioid receptors. Generation of novel functional properties.

The existence of dimers and oligomers for many G protein-coupled receptors has been described by us and others. Since many G protein-coupled receptor subtypes are highly homologous to each other, we examined whether closely related receptors may interact with each other directly and thus have the potential to create novel signaling units. Using mu- and delta-opioid receptors, we show that each receptor expressed individually was pharmacologically distinct and could be visualized following electrophoresis as monomers, homodimers, homotetramers, and higher molecular mass oligomers.

Modified Fontan without use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Direct cavopulmonary connection using an extracardiac conduit has a number of theoretical advantages in the staged management of children with single ventricular congenital heart defects. With appropriate planning, completion Fontan using an extracardiac connection may be accomplished without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: From January 1995 to October 1997, 32 consecutive patients underwent completion Fontan using an extracardiac cavopulmonary connection.

Current results with pediatric heart transplantation.

Background: Cardiac transplantation is an accepted treatment for children with end-stage heart failure or complex or inoperable congenital defects.

Methods: Since 1988, 95 transplants have been performed in 89 children aged 4 days to 18 years (median 6.9 years, 42 patients 0-5 years).