Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and low-density lipoprotein subfractions after a 2-year treatment with atorvastatin in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on inflammation markers and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study involving 28 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and subfractions of LDL were measured at baseline, after 1 year and 2 years of treatment with atorvastatin (10 mg/day) vs. placebo.

Cardiovascular risk in pediatric type 1 diabetes: sex-specific intima-media thickening verified by automatic contour identification and analyzing systems.

Objectives: To improve screening and quantification of subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), we investigated the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors (cRFs) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) percentiles with regard to sex-specific differences.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included clinical parameters, blood lipids, and B-mode ultrasound examination of the bilateral mean cIMT using an automatic contour identification procedure combined with computerized analysis.

Results: A total of 270 patients were eligible for evaluation (126 females, mean age 13.

Growth-promoting Properties of Different Solid Nutrient Media Evaluated with Stressed and Unstressed Micro-organisms: Prestudy for the Validation of a Rapid Sterility Test.

Currently, sterility testing in the pharmaceutical industry-a mandatory release test for all sterile drug products-takes an incubation time of at least 14 days and is based on liquid media according to the pharmacopoeias. The search is on for a rapid sterility test to reduce this rather long time frame. For this we have chosen the Millipore Milliflex Rapid Microbiology Detection System, which is based on solid nutrient media.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus - prevalence, patterns of use, and costs.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used in adults and children. Studies on CAM in diabetes have mainly focused on the adult population and its use among children with type 1 diabetes has not been well characterized.

Objectives: This study determines prevalence, parental reasons and motivations, perceived effectiveness, costs, and communication of CAM use.

Autonomic function testing in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common complication in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and associated with an increased mortality. Early detection of CAN would be desirable for a better individual risk stratification. The aim of this study was to determine whether autonomic dysfunction can be diagnosed in young patients with a recent history of T1DM.