The influence of music lessons on the socio-emotional wellbeing of children with cleft lip and/or palate.

Introduction There is a dearth of psychological interventions for patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).Objective To evaluate the influence of music lessons on the socio-emotional wellbeing of children with CL/P.Setting This study was conducted at Asociación San Lucas (Moyobamba, Peru), which has a multidisciplinary programme for children with CL/P. Recorder lessons are offered to all patients aged 6-8 years. From age eight, the children can switch to flute, clarinet, violin, viola or cello.Materials and methods The Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), a post-intervention questionnaire, was administered to all 26 children participating in the music programme.Results Mean GBI scores per question ranged from 59.62 (SD: 31.68) to 92.31 (SD: 23.21), showing an overall positive effect of the music lessons on the patients' socio-emotional wellbeing. Playing a musical instrument gave the children satisfaction and self-confidence. The children lost much of their shame, became less shy, and participated more in social activities. In a non-significant numerical trend, boys, flute/clarinet players and orchestra players had higher mean GBI scores than, respectively, girls, string players and children who did not play in the orchestra.Conclusions Quantitative and qualitative analysis indicated a positive influence of music lessons on the patients' socio-emotional wellbeing.

Dataset on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students towards antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health issue globally fuelled largely by its misuse. Controlling this problem would require an understanding of the levels of awareness of the population towards antibiotics. The data presented here was obtained from undergraduate students attending a Nigerian University in the first three months of the year 2016. The data is stratified by such demographic variables as age, sex and level of study. It contains information about the knowledge, and predispositions of participants to antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Preliminary descriptive statistics are presented in the tables and figures herewith. Data was analysed using SPSS-20 and is available for reuse in the native SPSS format. In concluding, this data can be used to model the determinants of antibiotic knowledge among students.

Identificaci¢n de Arcobacter en heces de ni¤os y adultos con/sin diarrea y en reservorios animales / Identification of Arcobacter in children and adult feces with/without diarrhea, and in animal reservoirs

Introducci¢n: Los microorganismos del g‚nero Arcobacter, considerados pat¢genos zoon¢ticos emergentes, son morfol¢gicamente similares a Campylobacter. Los reportes de Arcobacter como agente etiol¢gico de diarrea en humanos en Am‚rica Latina son escasos. En el Per£ no se ha comunicado su aislamiento en heces de humanos o en animales. Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia de Arcobacter en heces de ni¤os y adultos con/sin diarrea y en animales: aves, ganado vacuno, porcino, peces y mariscos. Dise¤o: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Instituci¢n: Instituto de Medicina Tropical Daniel A. Carri¢n, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Instituto Nacional de Salud del Ni¤o; Instituto Materno Infantil de San Bartolom‚; y Hospital Arzobispo Loayza, Lima, Per£. Material biol¢gico: Aislamientos bacterianos de muestras de heces de humanos y animales. Intervenciones: B£squeda activa de Arcobacter sp. en heces de humanos y animales, de julio a octubre del 2011. Principales medidas de resultados: Prevalencia de Arcobacter en heces. Resultados: Se encontr¢ Arcobacter sp. en muestras de ni¤os con diarrea (2/100), pero no sin diarrea (0/97); en 52 muestras de adultos con diarrea y 180 sin diarrea; solo se le aisl¢ en una muestra correspondiente a una persona sin diarrea. Entre las especies animales, las especies con mayor prevalencia de Arcobacter sp fueron bovinos (25 por ciento) y porcinos (29,2 por ciento). Entre las especies marinas, las dos especies de mariscos estudiadas presentaron prevalencias altas: choro 24 por ciento (12/50) y langostinos 22 por ciento (11/50). Conclusiones: Arcobacter es un germen zoon¢tico, potencialmente pat¢geno para el ser humano, en particular para los ni¤os. Debe ser estudiado sistem ticamente en especies animales utilizadas para el consumo humano. As¡ mismo, es importante realizar estudios relacionados con aspectos ecol¢gicos, su comportamiento frente a los antimicrobianos y su transmisibilidad al ser humano.

Introduction: Microorganisms of the genre Arcobacter considered emerging zoonotic pathogens are morphologically similar to Campylobacter. Reports of Arcobacteras as etiologic agent of diarrhea in humans in Latin America are scarce. In Peru its isolation in feces of humans or animals has not been reported. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Arcobacter in feces of children and adults with/without diarrhea and in animals: birds, cattle, pigs, fish and seafood. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Institute of Tropical Medicine Daniel A. Carrion, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; National Institute of Child Health; Maternal and Child San Bartolome Institute; and Arzobispo Loayza Hospital. Biologic material: Bacterial isolates from stool samples of humans and animals. Interventions: Active search of Arcobacter sp. in human and animal feces, from July to October 2011. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of Arcobacter in feces. Results: Arcobacter sp. was found in samples from children with diarrhea (2/100), but not in those without diarrhea (0/97). In samples of adults with diarrhea (52) and without diarrhea (180), only one sample was isolated from a subject without diarrhea. Among animals, species with higher prevalence of Arcobacter sp were cattle (25 per cent) and swine (29.2 per cent). Among marine species, the two seafood species studied showed high prevalence: choro 24 per cent (12/50) and prawns 22 per cent (11/50). Conclusions: Arcobacter is a zoonotic germ potentially pathogenic to humans, particularly in children. Animal species used for human consumption should be studied systematically. It is important to perform studies on ecological aspects, behavior against antimicrobials and transmissibility to humans.

Phytoremediation of wastewater with Limnocharis flava, Thalia geniculata and Typha latifolia in constructed wetlands.

Phytoremediation is thought to be the most sustainable wastewater treatment option for developing countries. However, its application is often limited by unavailability of suitable candidate species. In the present study, the potentials of Limnocharis flava, Thalia geniculata and Typha latifolia for remediation of heavy metal contaminated wastewater with a constructed wetland system were evaluated. The wetland consisted of three treatment lines each planted with sufficient and equal number of a species. Duplicate plant and water samples were collected bi-monthly and analyzed for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer over a six month period. Bioaccumulation rates generally increased over time and varied among plants for these metals, with Fe (456-1549 mg kg1 roots; 20-183 mg kg(-1) shoot) being the most sequestered and Pb (1.2-7.6 mg kg(-1) roots; 1.55-3.95 mg kg(-1) shoot) the least. Translocation factors differed among the species but generally remained stable over time. L flava showed potential for hyperaccumulating Hg. Removal efficiencies varied for the studied metals (approximately 20-77 %) and were generally related to metal uptake by the plants. These results demonstrate the suitability of the species for phytoremediation, and the usefulness of the technique as an option for improving irrigation water quality in Ghana.

Poster - Thur Eve - 18: Characterization of a camera and LED lightbox imaging system for radiochromic film dosimetry.

Radiation therapy treatment modalities continue to develop and have become increasingly complex. With this, dose verification and quality assurance (QA) is of great importance to ensure that a prescribed dose is accurately and precisely delivered to a patient. Radiochromic film dosimetry has been adopted as a convenient option for QA, because it is relatively energy independent, is near tissue equivalent, and has high spatial resolution. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to use. In this study, preliminary work towards developing a novel method of imaging radiochromic film is presented. The setup consists of a camera mounted vertically above a lightbox containing red LEDs, interfaced with computer image acquisition software. Imaging results from this system will be compared with imaging performed using an Epson Expression 10000XL scanner (a device in common clinical use). The lightbox imaging technique with camera readout is much faster relative to a flatbed scanner. The film measurements made using the camera are independent of film orientation, and show reduced artifacts, so that there are fewer corrections required compared to the use of flatbed scanners. Optical scatter also appears to be less of an issue with this design than with the flat bed scanner. While further work needs to be done to optimize the lightbox imaging system, the lightbox system shows great promise for a rapid, simple, and orientation independent setup, improving on existing film scanning systems.

Características clínicas de la tuberculosis pulmonar bacilífera. Hospital Regional de Loreto enero 1998 - diciembre 2002 / Clinical characteristics of the pulmonary tuberculosis bacilífera. Loreto's Regional hospital January, 1998 - December, 2002

Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas del paciente con tuberculosis (TBC) pulmonar bacilífera, del Hospital Regional de Loreto (HRL) de enero de 1998 a diciembre del 2002. Materiales y Métodos: Es un trabajo descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal. Se revisó la ficha clínica de 271 pacientes con tuberculosis pulmonar bacilífera que ingresaron al programa de control de tuberculosis del HRL durante 5 a±os. Resultados: De los 271 pacientes el tiempo de enfermedad mßs frecuente fue mayor que 1 mes a 6 meses (44.7 por ciento), de inicio insidioso (93 por ciento), los signos y síntomas predominantes fueron tos (96.7 por ciento), baja de peso (86 por ciento), expectoración (83 por ciento) y pérdida del apetito (72.3 por ciento); al examen pulmonar predominaron respiración ruda(29.2 por ciento), subcrépitos (28.8 por ciento); las radiografías patológicas mostraron compromiso pulmonar bilateral (43.3 por ciento), 38 por ciento fueron BK(+) y 31 por ciento BK(+++), la baciloscopía de esputo fue positiva en la primera muestra en 64.2 por ciento y solo 18.1 por ciento presentaron enfermedad asociada, principalmenteanemia y diabetes mellitus. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con TBC pulmonar bacilífera presentaron un tiempo de enfermedad 1-6 meses, inicio insidioso, con tos, baja de peso, expectoración y pérdida del apetito; con respiración ruda y subcrépitos al examen, compromiso pulmonar bilateral en la radiografía; BK(+) y baciloscopía positiva en la primera muestra de esputo.

Beta(2)-adrenergic receptor overexpression driven by alpha-MHC promoter is downregulated in hypertrophied and failing myocardium.

OBJECTIVE: The alpha-myosin heavy chain (alpha-MHC) promoter is frequently used to direct cardiac specific transgene expression. We studied whether transgene expression controlled by this promoter was altered under conditions of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. METHODS: Transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing human beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)AR) and wild type (WT) controls were subjected to thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) or sham operation and studied at 1, 3 and 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Sham operated TG mice had higher heart rates and left ventricular (LV) contractility than WT (all P<0.01), demonstrating enhanced betaAR activation. TAC at 1, 3 and 8 weeks produced progressive LV hypertrophy which was similar between WT and TG mice. Evidence of heart failure was more marked in TG mice with a greater increase in weights of the right ventricle and lungs and a higher prevalence of atrial thrombus (P<0.05 in each case). In hypertrophied TG hearts, endogenous alpha-MHC mRNA transcripts in LV were maintained at 1 and 3 weeks, but were reduced by approximately 40% relative to the sham-operated group at 8 weeks after TAC. Transgene expression, measured as human beta(2)AR mRNA, was reduced by 45% at 1 and 3 weeks and by 70% at 8 weeks after TAC. beta(2)AR binding sites were reduced by 35, 47 and 65%, respectively, at 1, 3 and 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Cardiac hypertrophy and failure cause downregulation of the endogenous alpha-MHC as well as cardiac specific overexpression of the transgene directed by an alpha-MHC promoter.

Enhanced negative chronotropy by inhibitory receptors in transgenic heart overexpressing beta(2)-adrenoceptors.

Transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing beta(2)-adrenoceptors (AR) in the heart have enhanced beta-adrenergic activity. Since the degree of beta-adrenergic activation influences the negative chronotropic control of heart rate (HR), we studied the inhibitory effect of cholinergic and purinergic stimulation on HR in TG and wild-type (WT) control mice. Bradycardia in response to vagal nerve stimulation and administration of acetylcholine or adenosine was studied in anesthetised animals and perfused hearts. Basal HR was significantly higher in TG than WT mice (P<0.01). Electrical stimulation of vagal nerves (1-32 Hz) induced a Hz-dependent reduction in HR and the response was more pronounced in TG than WT groups (P<0.01). In perfused hearts, HR reduction by acetylcholine (ACh) was more pronounced with EC(50) 110-fold lower in TG than WT hearts. Adenosine-induced bradycardia, which was abolished by a P(1) antagonist, was more pronounced in TG hearts. After pre-treatment with pertussis toxin (PT, 100 microg/kg), bradycardia by vagal nerve stimulation or ACh remained unchanged in WT, but markedly inhibited in TG hearts (both P<0.01). Conversely, inhibiting guanylyl cyclase with LY83583 (30 microM) or nitric oxide synthase with L-NMMA (100 microM) attenuated HR reduction by vagal nerve stimulation in WT but not in TG hearts. Immunobloting assay showed similar G(ialpha2) abundance in TG and WT hearts. Thus, cardiac overexpression of beta(2)AR with high beta-adrenergic activity leads to hypersensitivity of inhibitory receptors controlling HR due to increase in activity of PT-sensitive G-proteins.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in CHO cells expressing norepinephrine transporter.

1. We examined the existence of catecholamine metabolizing enzymes (catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT, and monoamine oxidase, MAO) in CHO cells transfected with norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) cDNA. 2. NET activity was studied by incubating cells with [3H]-NE (0. 5 microCi ml-1, 20 min) in a Na+ containing medium. Incubation with [3H]-NE lead to [3H] accumulation at 47797+/-4864 d.p.m. per well. Specific inhibitors of NET abolished this uptake. 3. During post-uptake incubation, [3H] leaked rapidly from cells and the extracellular phase comprised 89% of total radioactivity within 40 min. Both [3H] retention and [3H] 'leakage' were largely unaffected by inhibitors for MAO. In contrast, COMT inhibitors, U-0521 and Ro 41-0960, dose-dependently increased intracellular [3H]-NE retention with a maximal increase of 4.5 fold. The EC50 for Ro 41-0960 was 139-times lower than that of U-0521. U-0521 largely inhibited [3H] 'leakage' and doubled the apparent Vmax for [3H]-NE uptake. 4. Addition of U-0521 during uptake incubation increased intracellular NE content by 8 fold. Normetanephrine, the COMT-dependent metabolite of NE, was formed in large quantities during post-uptake incubation. U-0521 significantly inhibited the formation of NMN with an equal preservation of intracellular NE. 5. CHO cells expressing NET possess COMT activity, which is responsible for the metabolism of NE to form lipophilic metabolite normetanephrine. The apparent 'properties' of the NET function expressed in CHO cells changed, after inhibition of COMT, in such a way closer to that described in the native neuronal preparations.

Task-specific design of skeletal muscle: balancing muscle structural composition.

Skeletal muscle fibers are composed of three structural elements, each contributing a unique aspect of muscle function, yet each 'competing' in a sense for space inside the cell. The volume occupied by myofibrils determines the force of contraction, the volume of sarcoplasmic reticulum sets the rate of onset and relaxation of a fiber's contraction and hence contraction frequency, and the volume of mitochondria sets the level of sustained performance. The entirety of functional outcomes in muscle, from sustained isometric to high frequency contractions, and from high power output to high endurance, are all primarily attributable to shifts in the proportions (and relationships) of those three structures. This paper examines and reviews these components of muscle first to identify and summarize structure-function 'rules', and second to examine the balance between sometimes competing demands. In particular, we focus on those muscles in which power, endurance and frequency are all simultaneously high (flight muscles), and examine how muscle has 'solved' problems of space and energy demand. From these results and observations it would appear that for flight to have evolved in small animals, the double packing of inner mitochondrial membranes may be expected in animals under 50-80 g in mass, and asynchronous muscle is structurally essential for flight in small insects with wing beat frequencies above about 100 Hz.

An exploration of feeding difficulties in children with Down syndrome.

Detailed examination of several aspects of feeding was carried out on a representative sample of a defined geographical population of children with Down syndrome. The examination included standardised assessments both of oral-motor function and of parent-child interaction. The findings suggest that the development of oral-motor function in children with Down syndrome not only lags behind intellectual development, but also follows an aberrant pathway. In particular, specific aspects of tongue and jaw function were impaired together with problems initiating and maintaining a smooth sequence of feeding actions. Also, parent-child interactions, as in studies on play, tended to be more controlling. Parents of children with Down syndrome do not spontaneously report the extent of their child's feeding problems unless specific enquiry is made, preferably accompanied by observation of feeding.

The ball-and-socket ankle: a case history and literature review.

The ball-and-socket ankle is a rare clinical condition that has a deformity of the talotibial articulation. Assorted anomalies frequently exist. Treatment is usually based on clinical presentation of a foot problem.

Impaired oral-motor function in children with Down's syndrome: a study of three twin pairs.

Three twin births occurring within 18 months in Oxfordshire, in which a girl with Down's syndrome was twin to an unaffected boy, provided an opportunity for a closely matched comparison of ratings on the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment, which examines oral-motor function in a systematic and reliable way. A detailed description of the video-recording of one twin pair is included. This illustrates abnormalities of oral-motor function which may occur generally in Down's syndrome, as suggested further by a numerical tabulation of the differences found between the twins.

All-terrain-vehicle injuries. A sport out of control.

All-terrain vehicles, originally introduced as utility vehicles to be used on farms or ranches, have now gained immense popularity in the United States as a form of recreational activity. With the increasing popularity of these vehicles, along with more powerful engines, a corresponding increase in the injury and death rates has been noted. We discuss the experience in the emergency department and trauma unit of a Southwest teaching hospital, an area where these vehicles are in use year round. We suggest ways to prevent and minimize accidents to reduce the number of injuries and deaths.

Tarsal coalition: a review of the literature and presentation of 13 cases.

Tarsal coalition refers to the condition that exists when there is absent or restricted movement between two or more of the bones of the hindfoot. The usual cause of the restricted movement is a congenital abnormality with a fibrous (syndesmosis), cartilagenous (synchondrosis), or bony (synostosis) union between the adjoining involved bones. The commonest site of these congenital anomalous attachments are reported in the literature as being located at the calcaneonavicular, the talocalcaneal, and, less commonly, the talonavicular areas. Limited movement in the hindfoot can also result from trauma, arthritis, tumor, or injury involving those joints in the foot. The congenital form may often go unrecognized until such time as a twist or sprain of the ankle or foot leads to its diagnosis. On the other hand, the condition may go unrecognized as a cause for chronic pain or discomfort in the hindfoot or ankle. In this article, a series of 13 feet in 11 patients with this condition that have been noted in the sports medicine clinic at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center during the past 8 years is described. A detailed historical, clinical, and biomechanical account is also included.

Snapping scapula: a review of the literature and presentation of 14 patients.

The syndrome of pain at the vertebral edge of the scapula and snapping associated with movement of the shoulder that occurs spontaneously after trauma or surgical procedures to the shoulder girdle is relatively common. The snapping is described in the literature as being due to an exostosis on the undersurface of the vertebral angle of the scapula, which rides across the rib cage. The pain has been reported to be the result of inflamed bursae located between the scapula and adjacent thorax or over the scapular exostosis. This retrospective study of a small group of patients with the syndrome attempts to define, by detailed x-ray studies, the presence or absence of exostosis at the vertebral angle. In none of these cases was a bony abnormality or exostosis identified clinically or radiologically. The irritating symptoms can be relieved by physiotherapy; surgery is unnecessary.

Patellalgia.

In brief: Knee pain relating to or arising from the patellofemoral articulation is common in athletes. While direct trauma can cause this pain, patellofemoral malalignment and/or tracking problems seem to be its major source. This paper reviews the functional anatomy of the patella and describes the diagnostic and treatment procedures recommended for investigating and treating this condition. Most patients improve after an initial course of conservative treatment. Proximal or distal realignment may be surgically performed in patients who don't respond to conservative treatment. Patellectomy leaves some weakness in the quadriceps and should be used only as a last resort.

Anomalous muscle in the leg: soleus accessorium.

In the last 4 years we have had the opportunity to investigate an anomalous muscle mass on the medial aspect of the distal leg of three young athletes. A review of the clinical literature has revealed only nine reported cases of a similar muscle mass in this area. Surgical exploration was carried out in each of our three cases with relief of symptoms in two of the cases following decompression of the overlying fascial sheath. We believe this muscle to represent the soleus accessorius and its presence, which may be rare. The presence of this muscle should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a symptomatic or asymptomatic mass of the posteromedial aspect of the distal leg. Surgical exploration and fascial release is recommended.