Transient parkinsonism following mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Parkinsonism caused by infection is uncommon in children. We report 2 previously healthy children with acute self-limiting parkinsonism following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, with normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our case report expands the phenotype of parkinsonism associated with M pneumoniae infection. We recommend that children with acute parkinsonism preceded by a period of febrile illness, even with a normal brain MRI, should be investigated for M pneumoniae infection

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Malay language version of the TZO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life questionnaire

The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the translated Malay language version of TZO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life (TAPQOL) questionnaire in preschool children. Preterm children and term children aged between two and five years were enrolled into the study. The Malay language version of TAPQOL and a set of questions regarding the child’s health status were answered by the caregivers. The internal consistency, Spearman’s correlation coefficients and principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation and Mann–Whitney U test for group comparison were employed to evaluate the psychometric properties of this instrument. A total of 258 children (120 preterm children and 138 term children) were recruited to this study with a response rate of 94%. All (sub)domains except one had Cronbach’s α coefficients of more than.7. The Spearman’s correlation coefficients between 12 subdomains were generally low. PCA supported the structural unidimensionality of the items in the instrument. Preterm children had lower quality of life scores than that of term children. Malay version of TAPQOL has multidimensional construct. It is a reliable and valid instrument for preschool children, with almost similar psychometric properties to the original version

Optical fiber fringe projector for micro-component

Optik (Jena)1119419-422OTIK

Hydroelastic response of VLFS with a hinge or semi-rigid line connection

10.1115/OMAE2010-20664Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE3203-211PIOS

Hydroelastic response of very large floating structure with a flexible line connection

Ocean Engineering3817-181957-196

Beam-splitting cube for fringe-projection, holographic, and shearographic interferometry

Applied Optics40315615-5623APOP

A probable case of poliomyelitis imported to Malaysia

We report a previously well 10-month-old Somalian girl who acquired asymmetric lower limb weakness in July 2013 in Mogadishu, Banadir, before arriving in Malaysia at 12 months of age. In May 2013, there was a wild poliomyelitis outbreak in that area, as reported by the World Health Organization. Laboratory investigation, including cerebrospinal fluid, was unremarkable, and electrophysiological studies showed active axonal denervation in the left lower limb. The whole spine T2-weighted MRI revealed non-enhancing hyperintensities of the bilateral anterior horn cells, predominantly on the left side at T11-12. The viral isolations from two stool specimens at her presentation to our centre, 2 months after the onset of illness and 2 weeks apart, were negative. Despite lacking the acute virological evidence of poliomyelitis, in view of the girl's clinical, electrophysiological and classical spinal neuroradiological features, together with her temporal relationship with a World Health Organization reported wild poliomyelitis outbreak, we believe these findings are consistent with a diagnosis of imported poliomyelitis. A review at 30 months of age showed persistent left lower limb monoplegia with little recovery. Our patient reiterates the importance of maintaining awareness of wild polio importation, and keeping abreast of the latest news of global poliomyelitis outbreaks when treating patients with flaccid paralysis, even if they arrive from non-endemic poliomyelitis areas

Multichannel Fourier-transform interferometry for fast signals

10.1364/OE.19.012628Optics Express191312628-1263

Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency in a Chinese Boy

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting catabolism of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), with a wide range of clinical phenotype. We report a Malaysian Chinese boy with a severe early onset phenotype due to a previously unreported mutation. Urine organic acid chromatogram revealed elevated 4-hydroxybutyric acid. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated cerebral atrophy with atypical putaminal involvement. Molecular genetic analysis showed a novel homozygous 3-bp deletion at the ALDH5A1 gene c.1501-1503del (p.Glu501del). Both parents were confirmed to be heterozygotes for the p.Glu501del mutation. The clinical course was complicated by the development of subdural hemorrhage probably as a result of rocking the child to sleep for erratic sleep-wake cycles. This case illustrates the need to recognize that trivial or unintentional shaking of such children, especially in the presence of cerebral atrophy, can lead to subdural hemorrhage

Deep X-ray lithography in the fabrication process of a 3D diffractive optical element

10.1063/1.2436350AIP Conference Proceedings8791503-150