Biomedical subjects

Daniela Landau

Publications and source records attributed to Daniela Landau.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Molecular epidemiology of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa in a Middle Eastern population.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) encompasses a large group of inherited blistering skin disorders caused by mutations in at least 10 genes. Numerous studies, mainly performed in European and US families with EB, have revealed a number of characteristic epidemiological and genetic features, which form the basis for current diagnostic and counseling strategies. However, little is currently known about the molecular epidemiology of EB in Middle East populations. In the present study, we assessed 55 EB families for pathogenic sequence alterations in the 10 genes known to be associated with EB. Our results show unique EB subtype distribution and patterns of inheritance in our cohort. We also failed to detect recurrent mutations frequently encountered in Europe and the US, and did not consistently observe genotype-phenotype correlations formerly established in Western populations. Thus, the molecular epidemiology of EB in the Middle East is significantly different from that previously delineated in Europe and the US. Our data raise the possibility that similar differences may also be found in other genetically heterogeneous groups of disorders, and indicate the need for population-specific diagnostic and management approaches.

Asian People↗

PubMed2005

Obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcome of unplanned out-of-hospital term deliveries: a prospective, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcomes in unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries. STUDY DESIGN: Obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcomes were compared between 151 consecutive parturients with unplanned, out-of-hospital term deliveries and 151 hospital term deliveries. RESULTS: Women who delivered out of hospital tended to be older (32 +/- 5.5 vs. 28 +/- 5.0 years, p = 0.046) and less educated (4.4 +/- 5.1 vs. 6.5 +/- 5.0 years, p = 0.005) as compared to women who delivered in the hospital. Unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries resulted in statistically significant higher rate of low-birth-weight newborns (< 2,500 g) (OR= 3.9, 95% CI 2.0-7.7, p<0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 8.4, 95% CI 1.1-181.1, p = 0.018) and trended for higher rate of manual lysis of retained placenta and membranes (4.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.013). Higher rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit due to neonatal complications, such as polycythemia (12.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), hypoglycemia (9.3% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.001) and convulsions (3.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.024), were noted in the out-of-hospital delivery group as compared to the controls. Using a multivariable analysis, lower educational level (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.4, p < 0.001), maternal age > 35 (OR = 6.2, 95% CI 2.3-16.7, p < 0.001) and high parity (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 4.9-12.9, p<0.001) were found to be independent risk factors for an unplanned outof hospital delivery. CONCLUSION: Unplanned out-of-hospital birth is an important risk factor for such complications as postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight and adverse neonatal outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Mental relaxation improves long-term incidental visual memory.

Experimental evidence has linked increased arousal to enhanced memory retention. There is also evidence that procedures reducing arousal, i.e., mental relaxation, might improve memory, but conflicting results have been reported. To clarify this issue, we studied the effects of a single session of relaxation training on incidental visual long-term memory. Thirty-two relaxation-naive subjects viewed 280 slides without being told that there would be subsequent memory testing. Afterwards, subjects listened to a 12 min relaxation tape; 16 subjects relaxed by following the instructions (relaxation group), and the other 16 subjects pressed a button whenever a body part was mentioned (control group). While listening to the relaxation tape, high frequency heart rate variability (HRV) was greater and low frequency HRV was lower in the relaxation group, implying effective relaxation and increasing parasympathetic activation. The relaxation group had superior memory retention 4 weeks later (p = .004), indicating enhancement of long-term memory performance. This effect could not be explained by retroactive interference experienced in the control group because short-term memory performance immediately after the tape was slightly better in the control group. Retention of materials acquired after the relaxation session remained unaffected, suggesting relaxation has retrograde effects on memory consolidation. Our data demonstrate a favorable influence of relaxation on at least this aspect of learning. Our data also extend previous knowledge on the beneficial effects of ascending parasympathetic stimulation on memory retention in that enhanced long-term memory consolidation may also occur in the presence of central and descending parasympathetic activation triggered by willful psychomotor activity.

Adult↗