The urinary porphyrin and CARS score correlations observed among study participants suggest that mercury intoxication is significantly associated with autistic symptoms. The transsulfuration abnormalities observed

among study participants indicate that mercury intoxication was associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased detoxification capacity. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) and its subtypes (oral phase, pharyngeal phase, saliva control), and their relationship to gross motor functional skills in preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP). It was hypothesized that OPD would be present across all gross motor severity levels, and children with more severe gross motor function would have increased prevalence and severity of OPD.\n\nMETHODS: Children with a confirmed diagnosis of CP, 18 to 36 months corrected age, born in Queensland selleck kinase inhibitor between 2006 and 2009, participated. Children with neurodegenerative conditions were excluded. This was a cross-sectional population-based study. Children were assessed by using 2 direct OPD measures (Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment; Dysphagia Disorders Survey), and observations of signs suggestive of pharyngeal phase impairment and

impaired saliva control. Gross selleck chemicals motor skills were described by using the Gross Motor Function Measure, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), INCB024360 price Manual Ability Classification System, and motor type/distribution.\n\nRESULTS: OPD was prevalent in 85% of children with CP, and there was a stepwise relationship between OPD and GMFCS level. There was a significant increase in odds of having OPD, or a subtype, for children who were nonambulant (GMFCS V) compared with those who were ambulant (GMFCS I) (odds ratio = 17.9, P = .036).\n\nCONCLUSIONS: OPD was present across all levels of gross motor severity using direct assessments. This highlights the need for proactive screening of all young children with CP, even those with mild impairments,

to improve growth and nutritional outcomes and respiratory health.”
“Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by recurrent obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in episodic reductions in blood oxygen saturation and arousals from sleep. Mandibular repositioning appliances (MRAs) which are worn intra-orally at night, mechanically advance the mandible to help maintain a patent oropharygeal airway and have been proven to be an effective alternative for continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Titratable MRAs are designed to gradually protrude the mandible applying an easy-to-use mechanical advancing mechanism, until a protrusive position with positive effect on sleep apnea is reached. Considering the relatively low-tech approach of the basic advancement mechanism, the interest in the mechanistic element of the dental treatment of obstructive sleep apnea has increased.