Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Procalcitonin (PCT) and Kawasaki Disease: Does PCT Correlate With IVIG-Resistant Disease, Admission to the Intensive Care Unit, or Development of Coronary Artery Lesions?

BACKGROUND Kawasaki disease (KD) remains a clinical diagnosis due to the absence of a sensitive and specific diagnostic test. There are limited published data on the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker for the diagnosis or prognosis of children with KD. We hypothesized that PCT might be useful in predicting coronary artery lesions (CALs) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance. METHODS Eighty-five children with KD who were hospitalized within the first 10 days of illness were retrospectively reviewed. PCT was measured on stored serum or plasma samples obtained at the time of admission (pre-IVIG). Data were analyzed to determine whether there were statistically significant associations with PCT, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels and the incidence of CALs, pediatric intensive care unit admission, or IVIG-resistant disease in KD patients. RESULTS PCT values in children hospitalized with acute KD ranged from 0.1 ng/mL to 143.9 ng/mL, with a median of 0.49 ng/mL (IQR 0.23-1.29 ng/mL). There was no correlation of PCT with patient age, race, or sex, but it was correlated with day of illness. KD patients with a PCT ≥ 0.5 ng/mL had a significantly higher incidence of IVIG-resistant disease (29% versus 7%, P = .02). There was no association between PCT and development of CALs in our sample. CONCLUSIONS Additional research is needed to establish the sensitivity and specificity of PCT for the diagnosis of KD. PCT may be of value in predicting which children are at increased risk for IVIG-resistant disease.
W orld Journal of Surgical, Medical and Radiation Oncology Jaw Tumors in Ghanaian Children and Adolescents – A Retrospective Study

all tumors 0.97:1. 27(29.35%) benign tumors occurred in the maxilla and 65(70.65%) in the mandible. There were 48(40.68%) odontogenic, and 70(59.32%) non-odontogenic tumors. Ameloblastoma was the commonest odontogenic tumor, (30/48) 62.5%. Fibro-osseous lesions (N=31) were the commonest of all the tumors, constituting 26.27% of jaw tumors, and 44.29% of non-odontogenic tumors. Burkitt’s lymphoma was the commonest malignant neoplasm, (17/26)65.38%. Conclusion: Most jaw tumors are benign. 19.67%(118/600) affect children and adolescents, Burkitt’s lymphoma is the most prevalent malignancy and together with other non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma form about 20% of all tumors and 88% of all malignancies affecting the jaws in childhood.
Acupuncture for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder with features of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. There is increasing interest in complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture; however, it remains unclear whether the use of acupuncture in children and adolescents with ADHD is supported by the existing evidence. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 2); MEDLINE (21 May 2010); CINAHL (21 May 2010); EMBASE (21 May 2010); ERIC (21 May 2010); PsycINFO (21 May 2010), Chinese Biological Medicine Database (10 May 2010); Chinese Scientific Periodical Database of VIP INFORMATION (10 May 2010); China Periodical in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (10 May 2010); and Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Database (10 May 2010). We handsearched Chinese language journals and conference proceedings. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing acupuncture with placebo or sham acupuncture, or conventional treatment. Participants under the age of 18 years with any type of ADHD were included. Papers in any language were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors (S Li, B Yu) independently determined the studies to be included in the review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted the data using pre-developed extraction forms. The risk of bias within the trials was assessed by the same review authors in relation to allocation concealment, blinding and withdrawals. The measures of ADHD outcomes were extracted from core symptoms rating scales and additional secondary outcomes were considered. MAIN RESULTS No studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive search showed that there is no evidence base of randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials to support the use of acupuncture as a treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents. Due to the lack of trials, we cannot reach any conclusions about the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for ADHD in children and adolescents. This review highlights the need for further research in this area in the form of high quality, large scale, randomised controlled trials.
Hyponatremia Is a Feature of Kawasaki Disease Shock Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

Kawasaki disease (KD) shock syndrome (KDSS) is hypotension with KD. We compared children with KDSS and matched control children with KD. Children with KDSS more often were female, had a lower platelet count and sodium concentration, had a condition refractory to immunoglobulin, and had abnormal echocardiography results. KDSS is a unique subset of KD.
Immunogenicity of a Booster Dose of Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Previously Immunized HIV-Infected Children and Youth

Background The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends a booster dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) after initial immunization for patients at high risk for meningococcal infection. Methods The International Maternal Pediatric Adolescents AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) P1065 trial evaluated the use of MCV4 in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children and youth. The final step of this trial was an open-label study of an MCV4 booster dose 3.5 years after primary MCV4 immunization. Antibody titers were evaluated at the time of the booster vaccine and 1, 4, and 24 weeks after the booster. Immunogenicity was measured by rabbit serum bactericidal antibody (rSBA) against each meningococcal serogroup. Immunologic memory was defined as either seroprotection (rSBA titer ≥1:128) or a ≥4-fold increase 1 week after the booster dose. Primary response was defined as either a ≥4-fold response or seropositivity 4 weeks after the booster in the absence of immunologic memory. Adverse events were assessed for 4 weeks after the booster dose. Results Of 174 participants with serology results at entry and 1 and 4 weeks later, the percentage with protective antibody levels at entry varied according to serogroup, ranging from a low of 26% for serogroup C to a high of 68% for serogroup A. A memory response to at least 1 serogroup occurred in 98% of the participants: 93% each for serogroups A and Y, 88% for serogroup C, and 94% for serogroup W-135; 83% had a memory response to all 4 serogroups. Overall, rates of any memory or primary response were ≥90% for all serogroups. No serious adverse events were encountered. Conclusions A booster dose of MCV4 elicited a memory response in 88% to 94% of previously immunized HIV-infected participants depending on serogroup, including those who lacked a protective titer level for that serogroup before booster vaccination.
Assessment of Drug Related Problems in Stroke Patients Admitted to a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

A B S T R A C T Introduction: Drug related problems contribute to patient's morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life. Drug related problems can occur at any stage of prescribing, transcribing, dispensing and administration of medications. Identifying and resolving the drug related problems will improve the patient's safety and therapeutic outcomes. Objective: To study the rate, types, pattern, and clinical significance of drug related problems in stroke patients. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted in the medicine and neurology wards of a tertiary care hospital over a period of six months from November 2011 to April 2012. Necessary demographic and clinical data was collected from the case records. The treatment data was analyzed to determine the rate, pattern, clinical significance, and outcomes of DRPs in stroke patients. Results: A total of 80 DRPs were identified in 108 patients. The frequency of drug related problems was 1.54 per patient. The highly reported drug related problem was drug interactions (25.0%) followed by drug use without indication (15.0%) and adverse drug reactions (15.0%). Majority interventions (97.9%) were accepted by the health care professionals. Conclusion: Early detection and intervention of drug related problems may improve the therapeutic outcomes in stroke patients. Developing and adopting policies regarding the drug administration, dispensing and prescribing would minimize the drug related problems in stroke patients.
Beta-blockers for preventing stroke recurrence.

BACKGROUND Stroke affects 15 million people per year worldwide. Despite recent developments in acute stroke treatment, prevention remains very important. Stroke has a high rate of recurrence; therefore secondary prevention is also important. Many clinical approaches to control risk factors have been proposed. One of these approaches is the prescription of beta-blockers that have effects beyond the reduction of blood pressure, which can reduce the recurrence of stroke. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of beta-blockers for preventing stroke recurrence and for reducing death and major vascular events in people with a previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and to determine their safety, particularly with regard to the development of diabetes mellitus. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (December 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 12), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (December 2011), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2011), EMBASE (1980 to December 2011), and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) (1982 to December 2011). We also searched ongoing trials registers and reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that included participants with previous stroke or TIA due to arterial thrombosis or embolism.The intervention was any beta-blocker versus control, or beta-blocker plus other treatment versus other treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened the trials identified, appraised quality, and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS We included two RCTs involving 2193 participants in the review. Both studies randomised participants to either beta-blocker (atenolol 5 mg) or placebo. No statistical differences were noted among the groups in risks of fatal and non-fatal stroke (risk ratio (RR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 1.17). For all other outcomes analysed (death from all causes, cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, major vascular events), we observed no significant differences between the groups. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS To date, no available evidence supports the routine use of beta-blockers for secondary prevention after stroke or TIA. More studies with larger samples are needed.
Supplementation with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) to breastfeeding mothers for improving child growth and development.

BACKGROUND Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are the most abundant fatty acids in the brain and are necessary for growth and maturation of the brain and retina. LCPUFA are named "essential" because they cannot be synthesised efficiently by the human body and come from maternal diet. It remains controversial whether LCPUFA supplementation to breastfeeding mothers is beneficial for the development of their infants. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of supplementation with LCPUFA in breastfeeding mothers in the cognitive and physical development of their infants as well as safety for the mother and infant. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (November 2009), CENTRAL (2009, Issue 2), PubMed (1966 to July 2009), EMBASE (1974 to June 2009), CINAHL (1984 to June 2009), LILACS (1982 to June 2009), Google Scholar (June 2009) and reference lists of published narrative and systematic reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials or cluster-randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of LCPUFA supplementation on breastfeeding mothers and their infants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed eligibility and trial quality and performed data extraction. MAIN RESULTS We included six randomised controlled trials involving 1280 women. We found no significant difference in children's neurodevelopment: language development (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.49 to 0.20; two trials, 349 participants); intelligence or problem-solving ability (two trials, 817 participants; SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.66); psychomotor development (SMD 0.34, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.78; two trials, 279 participants); motor development (SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.29; two trials, 349 participants); in child attention there was a significant difference (SMD 0.50, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.77; one study). For child visual acuity there was no significant difference (SMD -0.06, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.14; three trials, 401 participants). For growth, there were significant differences in length (MD -0.75 cm, 95% CI -1.38 to -0.12; two trials, 834 participants) and head circumference (MD 0.69 cm, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.02; one trial, 244 participants). One study reported a significant difference in infant allergy (risk ratio (RR) 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.95). We found no significant difference in one trial evaluating postpartum depression (SMD 0.15, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.41). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Based on the limited evidence that we found, LCPUFA supplementation did not appear to improve children's neurodevelopment or visual acuity. In two studies, LCPUFA supplementation was associated with increased head circumference. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the practice of giving LCPUFA supplementation to breastfeeding mothers in order to improve infant growth and development.
Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review

Background Although a number of risk factors have been associated with invasive fungal disease (IFD), a systematic review of the literature to document pediatric-specific factors has not been performed. Methods We used the Ovid SP platform to search Medline, Medline In-Process, and Embase for studies that identified risk factors for IFD in children with cancer or those who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We included studies if they consisted of children or adolescents (<25 years) who were receiving treatment for cancer or undergoing HSCT and if the study evaluated risk factors among patients with and those without IFD. Results Among the 3566 studies screened, 22 studies were included. A number of pediatric factors commonly associated with an increased risk for IFD were confirmed, including prolonged neutropenia, high-dose steroid exposure, intensive-timing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia, and acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Increasing age, a factor not commonly associated with IFD risk, was identified as a risk factor in multiple published cohorts. Conclusions With this systematic review, we have confirmed IFD risk factors that are considered routinely in daily clinical practice. Increasing age should also be considered when assessing patient risk for IFD. Future efforts should focus on defining more precise thresholds for a particular risk factor (ie, age, neutropenia duration) and on development of prediction rules inclusive of individual factors to further refine the risk prediction.
Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates From Children With Periorbital or Orbital Cellulitis

Background Periorbital and orbital cellulitis cause significant pediatric morbidity. Here, we define the clinical features of and characterize isolates from children with periorbital or orbital cellulitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Methods Patients were identified from a prospective S aureus study database from January 2002 to July 2015. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Isolates were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (lukSF-PV [pvl]) genes were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed with the Fisher exact or Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results Eighty-five patients with periorbital (n = 58) or orbital (n = 27) cellulitis were identified. We found 57 (67%) methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) isolates, 72 (85%) pvl-positive (pvl+) isolates, and 66 (78%) USA300 isolates. No differences in clinical characteristics were found when we compared MRSA to methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) infections or USA300 to non-USA300 infections. Patients with orbital cellulitis were hospitalized a median of 12 days (range, 2-28 days) and received antibiotics for 21 days (range, 10-32 days). Twelve (44%) patients with orbital cellulitis received steroids. Steroid treatment did not affect the length of hospitalization or duration of antibiotic treatment. Six (7%) patients with orbital cellulitis were bacteremic. Patients with periorbital cellulitis were hospitalized for a median of 3 days (range, 0-17 days) and received antibiotics for 11 days (range, 7-32 days). According to computed tomography (CT), 19 (70%) patients with orbital cellulitis and 11 (41%) with periorbital cellulitis had sinusitis. Conclusions The majority of periorbital and orbital S aureus infections at Texas Children's Hospital were caused by MRSA, and no change was observed over time. Empirical antibiotic treatment should include coverage for MRSA. PVL might be an important virulence factor in these presentations. S aureus is associated with sinusitis and its complications.
Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Disease in Children

Considerable progress has been made in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pediatric patients with invasive fungal disease (IFD). The reported decreasing trend in the incidence of invasive candidiasis (IC) over the past 15 years in both neonates and children has been encouraging. Nevertheless, due to the growing number of immunocompromised children at risk for IFD, this disease continues to be associated with significant morbidity and death and with increased financial burden to the health care system. Therefore, it is important to understand the contemporary epidemiology of IFD. Incidence rates of IFD in children are affected by geographical, population, and time variability. There is an ongoing effort to constantly document and update the incidence of IFD and species distribution among different pediatric populations as a means to direct preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic resources to the most appropriate subset of patients. Children with a hematologic malignancy or a primary or secondary immunodeficiency, those undergoing solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and premature neonates are the major subsets of pediatric patients at risk of developing IFD. In this review, we focus on fungal disease epidemiology with a specific emphasis on the 2 most common pediatric IFDs, IC and invasive aspergillosis (IA).
The Overall Survival of Colon Cancer Patients in Srinagarind Hospital: 2000-2010, Hospital Based Population

Background and Objective : Colon cancer is frequently found especially in elderly worldwide including Thailand. The aims of this study are to study the survival time and the treatment of choice for colon cancer patients in Srinagarind Hospital during 2000-2010. Material and Method : All new colon cancer cases registered in Srinagarind Hospital between January 1 st , 2000 and December 31 st , 2010 were included in this study. Our data were obtained from the Khon Kaen Cancer Registry. The characteristics of patients and survival time were analysed. Results : The overall increment of new colon cancer cases was 5% in both genders (3% in male and 7% in female). The mean age of patients was 59 and 57 years in male and female, respectively. Stage IV was the most common stage (35.85%) presented in colon cancer patients at the first diagnosis and stage III was the second most common (12.56%). This study revealed that the most common site of distant metastasis was liver (33.42%). The overall survival rate of all stages of colon cancer patients was 36.84 months while these data could not be analysed in patients with stage I-III because all these patients still were alive and did not reach the analytical point. Conclusion : The trends of new colon cancer cases gradually increase every year. If the early stages of colon cancer can be recognised and adequate standard treatment is available for all colon cancer patients, survival time of patients might be longer and the prognosis of patients is possibly improved.
The molecular characterization of a catalase from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Catalase (CAT) is an antioxidant enzyme and plays a significant role in the protection against oxidative stress by reducing hydrogen peroxide. The CAT cDNA of Eriocheir sinensis (EsCAT) was cloned via RACE technique. The complete sequence of EsCAT cDNA consisted of a 5′ untranslated regions (UTR) of 224 bp, a 3′ UTR of 1287 bp with a poly (A) tail and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1542 bp, which encoded a polypeptide of 513 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of approximately 58.86 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.880. The deduced amino acid sequence of EsCAT contained a highly conserved proximal active‐site signature motif (60FDRERIPERVVHAKGAL76) and a proximal heme–ligand signature motif (350RLFSYNDTH358) and exhibited high similarity with other reported CATs. In the phylogenetic tree, EsCAT was clustered with the CATs from Scylla serrata and Portunus trituberculatus. The EsCAT transcripts were constitutively expressed in haepatopancreas, haemocytes, gill, gonad, muscle and heart, with highest expression level in haepatopancreas. The relative expression level of EsCAT mRNA in haemocytes was continuously up‐regulated and reached the peak level at 48 h post‐Vibrio anguillarum challenge. The purified recombinant EsCAT protein displayed antioxidant activity against hydrogen peroxide with high thermal stability and broad spectrum of pH values. All these results demonstrated that EsCAT was an efficient antioxidant enzyme and potentially involved in the regulation of redox and innate immune response of crabs.