bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomic nervous system functions in childhood essential hypertension
Authors: YAKINCI CENGİZ , MÜNGEN BÜLENT , TAYFUN MELTEM , GÜNDÜZ MEHMET , KARABİBER HAMZA 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe etiopathology of essential hypertension (EH) is still controversial, different pathologic mechanisms have been estimated as a cause of EH. One of these mechanisms is autonomic nervous system dysfunction (ANSD). Although there are different studies showing ANSD in adult EH, limited studies on ANSD in childhood EH are present. The present study was planned to investigate the role of ANSD in childhood EH. The study group (SG) consisted of 24 children with EH and the control group (CG) was 24 healthy children. Non‐invasive autonomic nervous system function tests: the orthostatic test, Valsalva ratio, 30/15 ratio and heart rate responses to deep breathing were performed on members of both groups. The mean differences in systolic blood pressure between supine resting and standing positions in the study and control groups were significant (z = −2.577, P = 0.0051). The mean differences in diastolic blood pressure between supine resting and standing positions in SG and CG were found to be statistically meaningful (z= −2.722, P = 0.0033). The mean differences in heart rate variation during hyperventilation in SG and CG were significant (z = −2.54, P = 0.0055). The mean differences in the Valsalva ratio between SG and CG were not statistically meaningful (z = 1.52, P = 0.0643). The mean differences in the 30/15 ratio in SG and CG were not found to be significant (z= −1.455, P = 0.0735). In the light of these results, both sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system dysfunction in childhood essential hypertension were found.
Treatment of aplastic anemia with antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporin A, methylprednisolone, danazole and recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor
Authors: SHICHINO HIROYUKI , MUGISHIMA HIDEO , TAKAMURA MAYUMI , SHIMADA TOSHIAKI , SUZUKI TAKASHI , CHIN MOTOAKI , HARADA KENSUKE , RYO SIGEO , KOJIMA SEIJI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe main purpose of the present study was to determine the response rate to immunosuppressive therapy combined with recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF) and its efficacy for preventing infections in patients with severe aplastic anemia. The treatments included one course of antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporin A, methylprednisolone, danazole and rhG‐CSF. Three patients had very severe aplastic anemia and two had moderate aplastic anemia. One patient relapsed 13 months following the first course of therapy and received a second course. Five patients received six courses of treatment and the response rate at 6 months was 83.3%. All patients achieved an absolute neutrophil count of greater than 1.0 × 109/L within 40 days. All patients with a complete response are transfusion‐free and doing well. All five patients are currently alive and have not had any episode of infection for 17–53 months. The results of the study indicate that this therapy may improve the poor prognosis of young patients with severe aplastic anemia. It has a good response rate and induces a rather rapid increase in the neutrophil count, which protects against life‐threatening bacterial and fungal infections.
Comparison of specific immunities to varicella‐zoster virus following post‐exposure prophylaxis of varicella by oral acyclovir observed in a family
Authors: ASANO YOSHIZO , SUGA SADAO , YOSHIKAWA TETSUSHI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAn otherwise healthy 3‐year‐old girl developed severe varicella complicated by aseptic meningitis and received intravenous acyclovir (ACV) therapy. Her two siblings who were susceptible to varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) and closely exposed to VZV in the family received oral ACV (45 or 54 mg/kg per day in four divided doses for 7 days) starting 8 days after onset of the index case for post‐exposure prophylaxis of varicella. They showed only five or seven papules over the body without fever 12 days after onset of the index case, while they had one‐third or half the level of antibody titer and equal sized skin reactions to VZV antigen of the index case 2.5 months later.
Serum level and gene polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme in Japanese children
Authors: YAMAMOTO KOHSUKE , KATAOKA SATOSHI , HASHIMOTO NAOSHI , KAKIHARA TOSHIO , TANAKA ATSUSHI , KAWASAKI TAKUYA , KIKUCHI TORU , TAKAHASHI HIDEO , UCHIYAMA MAKOTO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene in Japanese children. In addition, the relationship between this polymorphism and serum ACE levels in the same population were analyzed. Insertion/deletion polymorphism located in intron 16 of the ACE gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction in Japanese children aged 10–15 years. Allele frequencies were 0.64 for the insertion allele and 0.36 for the deletion allele in 122 subjects. No association was found between genotypes in this polymorphism and the level of systolic or diastolic blood pressure. A significant relationship between this polymorphism and serum ACE activity was observed. These results suggest that interindividual variability of serum ACE level is strongly influenced by the ACE genotype as early as in childhood.
Aflatoxin: Is it a neglected threat for formula‐fed infants?
Authors: AKŞIT SADIK , ÇAǦLAYAN SUAT , YAPRAK ISIN , KANSOY SAVAŞ 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIn the present study, the risk of exposure to aflatoxin in infants fed breast milk and formula was investigated. For this purpose, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was determined in the serum of both breast‐fed and formula‐fed infants. Serum AFB1 positivity was significantly higher in the formula‐feeding (F) group than the breast‐feeding (B) group (42.8 vs 8.5%, P <0.01). The AFB, concentration in different commercial formulas was also determined. Aflatoxin B1 was found in seven of the eight newly opened packages of different brands of formula. The concentrations showed a statistically significant increase at the 30th day after opening the packages (P <0.01). Although AFB1 concentrations in the formulas were found to be within acceptable limits for most countries, still, its existence must be carefully evaluated because future influences of very small amounts of aflatoxin on the growing organism have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, it was again concluded that for infants, human milk is safer than commercial formulas because of the lower contamination risk of aflatoxin. Also, commercial formulas must be regularly examined by authorities for the possible risk of aflatoxin contamination.
Rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis using the polymerase chain reaction
Authors: AOYAMA TATSUO , TAMURA CHIEKO , TAKEUCHI YOSHINAO , KAMIMURA TAKASHI , IMAIZUMI ATSUSHI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractUse of a repetitive DNA sequence of Bordetella pertussis allowed successful detection of the organism by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method was highly sensitive, being able to detect B. pertussis in specimens containing only a few cells. It was also highly specific, with no amplification of specimens containing other organisms, for example Haemophilus influenzae or Neisseria, being observed. A diagnosis could be made within 1 day. The PCR assay was also evaluated in clinical specimens. Among 47 nasopharyngeal specimens obtained from 24 patients with laboratory‐confirmed pertussis, 27 were positive by PCR and 19 by culture. In particular, all three bronchial aspirates from one patient with pertussis were positive by PCR, but only one showed positive on culture. Eleven specimens from parapertussis patients and 65 specimens from patients without pertussis tested negative. It was concluded that this newly developed PCR method for the diagnosis of pertussis was more rapid and sensitive than the usual culture method. Polymerase chain reaction could have a major impact on the treatment and control of this infection and would be a useful tool for studying the pathogenesis of B. pertussis infection.
2‘,5’‐oligoadenylate synthetase activity and T cell subset in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of aseptic meningitis
Authors: SAKATOKU HIROYUKI , INOUE MASAKAZU , KOJIMA MASAMITSU , AZUMA EIICHI , KOMADA YOSHIHIRO , ZHOU YAN‐WEN , ZHANG SHAO‐LI , SAKURAI MINORU 
Published: January 2011

Abstract2′,5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase activity, which is assumed to be induced by interferon, is reported to be one of the useful markers reflecting interferon activity. The enzyme activity of patients with aseptic meningitis and febrile convulsion were compared in order to evaluate interferon activity as one of the local immuno‐defense mechanisms of aseptic meningitis. The surface antigen of mononuclear cells in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of some patients with aseptic meningitis was also measured. The enzyme activity of patients with aseptic meningitis was 191.4 pmol/dL in the cerebrospinal fluid and 395.8 pmol/dL in the serum during the acute phase, while that of patients with febrile convulsion was 45.2 pmol/dL in the cerebrospinal fluid and 326.0 pmol/dL in the serum. The enzyme activity of the former patients significantly decreased during the recovery phase in both the cerebrospinal fluid and serum. CD3 positive cells in the peripheral blood were 56.3% of the total mononuclear cells during the acute phase and 65.2% during the recovery phase, whereas in the cerebrospinal fluid mononuclear cells, they were 87.1 and 85.5%, respectively. During the acute phase, CD4 positive cells were the predominant T lymphocyte subset in the cerebrospinal fluid cells, while CD8 positive cells were predominant during the recovery phase. The relative proportions of CD4 positive and CD8 positive cells during the acute and recovery phase in the cerebrospinal fluid mononuclear cells were quite high compared to the recovery phase, although that ratio of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was not changed throughout the course. It was concluded that T lymphocytes and increased 2′,5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase activity in the cerebrospinal fluid may be one of the important components in the local inflammatory process independent of the systemic host defense mechanism in aseptic meningitis.
Detection of the mutation in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: OHYA KAZUHIRO , TACHI NOBUTADA , KOZUKA NAOKI , KON SHIN‐ICHIRO , KIKUCHI KOKICHI , CHIBA SHUNZO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe gene responsible for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) was mapped to chromosome 4q35 by linkage analyses. Recently, the probe p13E‐11 derived from the cosmid clone 13E, which has been mapped to 4qter, detected a polymorphic EcoRI fragment, usually greater than 28 kb in normal individuals. In sporadic and familial FSHD patients, a specific shorter fragment, usually smaller than 28 kb, was found to cosegregate with FSHD. Two FSHD patients are presented here. Patient 1 is a sporadic case of FSHD with healthy parents. He had a de novo mutation identified by Southern blot analysis using the above‐mentioned probe. Patient 2 is a typical familial FSHD patient clinically and histologically. A rearranged and shortened EcoRI fragment was identified by molecular analysis. Southern blot analysis using the probe p13E‐11 also indicated a rearranged EcoRI fragment in both patients.
Pharmacokinetics of antibiotics in children
Authors: TOYONAGA YOSHIKIYO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIn designing the dosage regimen of antibiotics including β‐lactams in the field of pediatrics, the choice of adequate drugs, as well as the dosage and the number of administrations have not been performed exactly. This is possibly because of the extended spectrum of antibacterial activity in recent drugs. Even the timing of discontinuation has not been seriously considered. The present report mainly concentrates on several cephalosporins and demonstrates the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drugs, and further, describes the difference in pharmacokinetic parameters between age groups. On the other hand, it has been suggested that based on the minimum inhibitory concentration for 80% (MIC80) of antibiotics against subject micro‐organisms, the effective area under the concentration‐time curve, time above MIC80 and Cmax/MIC80 should be considered and the suitability of drug choice, the dosage of suitable drugs, and the number of administrations should be decided. The dosage regimen in the present study was not designed to take into account the effects of sub‐MIC and post‐antibiotic effect. However, for monotherapy, the dosage regimen was designed to maintain the concentration of at least MIC, which is sufficient from the viewpoint of saving life.
Adverse effects of antibiotics
Authors: IWATA SATOSHI , AKITA HIRONOBU 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe adverse effects caused by antibiotics and the interactions between other drugs based on the results of clinical studies on children recently conducted in Japan, as well as the results of previous studies in the literature were reviewed. Adverse effects of β‐lactam, macrolide and azalide antibiotics commonly observed in children included gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and loose stool, and hypersensitivity such as rash and fever. The incidences were 1–6% and 0.2–1.6%, respectively. Eosinophilia, thrombocytosis, and elevation of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase were common abnormal laboratory findings. Although many of the antibiotics used in childen are relatively safe, cautions should be given because developing children tend to have adverse effects unique or common in children, in addition to those commonly seen in adults.
Nitrogen dioxide production in a nitric oxide inhalation system using the Servo Ventilator 900C
Authors: SATO TOSHIHIDE , OKAMOTO KAZUFUMI , KUKITA ICHIRO , KIKUTA KOICHI , HAMAGUCHI MASAMICHI , SHIIHARA KAZUHIKO , SHIBATA YOSHIHIRO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractDuring nitric oxide (NO) inhalation therapy, toxicity may be produced by the reactive metabolite nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The purpose of the present study was to determine the NO2concentration in a NO inhalation system used for respiratory failure in children at relatively low concentrations of NO (< 20 ppm). The production of NO2in the NO inhalation system using the Servo Ventilator 900C connected to the test lung under each of 30 combinations of NO concentrations (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19 ppm) and inspired oxygen (O2) concentrations (21, 40, 60, 80, and 100%). Pressure controlled ventilation was used with a respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min. NO and NO2measurements were obtained on the inspiratory side of the Y‐piece connected to the test lung. At a given NO level, increases in the concentration of inspired O2resulted in increases in the concentration of NO2produced, as did increases in the amount of NO at a given concentration of O2. The mean NO2concentration at the inspiratory site of the Y‐piece did not exceed 0.05 ppm (the limit of NO2as an outdoor air pollutant in the United States) when the NO concentration did not exceed 8 ppm, regardless of the O2concentration. NO inhalation therapy for children with severe respiratory failure using the Servo Ventilator 900C can be performed safely when the concentration of NO does not exceed 8 ppm.
Agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenic purpura following measles infection in a living‐related orthotopic liver transplantation recipient
Authors: ARAKAWA YOICHI , MATSUI AKIRA , SASAKI NOBUHIKO , NAKAYAMA TETSUO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAgranulocytosis and thrombocytopenic purpura occurred simultaneously following measles infection in a 2‐year‐old girl who had received a living‐related orthotopic liver transplantation. Neutrophil and platelet counts rose to more than 0.5 × 103/mm3 and 30 × 103/mm3, respectively, 8 weeks after the onset of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and within 2 weeks from the start of subcutaneous injection of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor. Simultaneous occurrence of measles infection, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia has not been described before in the literature. An autoimmune mechanism was suspected because serum levels of platelet‐associated immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti‐neutrophil antibody were elevated during the acute phase.
Clinical observation of 14 cases of childhood polyarteritis nodosa in Japan
Authors: MAEDA MOTOHARU , KOBAYASHI MUNEMITSU , OKAMOTO SHIZUKA , FUSE TOMOKO , MATSUYAMA TSUYOSHI , WATANABE NOBUO , FUJIKAWA SATOSHI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAn epidemiological survey of childhood polyarteritis nodosa was conducted at 1290 hospitals followed by a secondary survey of hospitals that had therapeutic experience with the disease. Fourteen cases obtained from these surveys were studied clinically. The male‐female ratio was 4:3. The mean age at onset was 10.6 years. To established the diagnosis, skin biopsy was performed in 43%, retrograde aortography in 21%, and kidney biopsy in 14% of cases. Non‐specific symptoms such as fever (86%), skin eruption (50%), arthritis (50%), myalgia (50%), abdominal pain (43%) and hypertension (36%) were often noted as clinical findings at the initial visit. Throughout the clinical course, symptoms considered to be caused by local angiopathy, including interrupted blood circulation, were frequently noted. On blood tests, no specific findings other than acute inflammatory reaction were observed. Steroid preparations were used for treatment in all cases but one, and about half of them are presently free from steroids. Immunosuppressants were administered in 10 cases. As for prognosis, all patients are alive, but untoward sequelae were noted in 36% of cases. The results of the present survey reinforced the difficulty of establishing a final differential diagnosis because specific findings were scarce for this disease, as stated in previous reports. Establishing a method for early diagnosis by gathering and analyzing more data in detail will be necessary in the future.
Granulocyte elastase activity measurement in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with purulent meningitis
Authors: TAKASAKI JIRO , OGAWA YUNOSUKE 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMeasurements were made of the granulocyte elastase activity and the concentration of granulocyte elastase α1‐proteinase inhibitor complex (E‐α1 PI) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with purulent meningitis and aseptic meningitis. Granulocyte elastase activity was determined by the cleavage of methoxysuccinyl‐L‐(alanyl)2‐prolyl‐valyl‐p‐nitroanilide peptide substrate. The E‐α1 PI concentration was assayed with an enzyme immunoassay technique. Granulocyte elastase activity in the CSF on admission was significantly higher in patients with purulent meningitis (800 ± 539 μg/L; mean ± SD) than in patients with aseptic meningitis (< 10 μg/L). Granulocyte elastase activity in the CSF of patients with purulent meningitis decreased rapidly except for two patients who subsequently developed hydrocephalus. There was a weak correlation between granulocyte elastase activity and the concentration of E‐α1 PI in the CSF with purulent meningitis (n = 67, r = 0.48, P < 0.01). However, some samples of CSF showed a marked discrepancy between granulocyte elastase activity and E‐α1 PI concentration, indicating the importance of measuring granulocyte elastase activity in the CSF to estimate tissue injury.
OKT3 therapy for transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease in a neonate
Authors: MURAKAMI TOMOAKI , SEGUCHI MASASHI , NAKAZAWA MAKOTO , MOMMA KAZUO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractTransfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease (TA‐GVHD) is a fatal side effect of blood transfusion. The present study describes a case of TA‐GVHD in a neonate treated with anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibody (OKT3). The patient died of systemic bacterial infection. However, it is suggested that OKT3 suppressed the graft‐versus‐host reaction due to the improvement in the clinical signs and a change in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) type on the surface of circulating lymphocytes. A relatively large dose of OKT3 together with steroid pulse therapy and cyclosporin A may be required for the control of TA‐GVHD in neonates.
Vitamin D‐dependent rickets type I and type II
Authors: TAKEDA EIJI , YAMAMOTO HIRONORI , TAKETANI YUTAKA , MIYAMOTO KEN‐ICHI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractTwo distinct hereditary defects, vitamin D‐dependent rickets type I (VDDR I) and type II (VDDR II), have been recognized in vitamin D metabolism. VDDR I is suggested to be a deficiency of the renal 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)‐1α‐hydroxylase. Muscle weakness and rickets are the prominent clinical findings. A normal physiologic dose of 1α‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 is sufficient to maintain remission of rickets in this disorder. VDDR II consists of a spectrum of intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR) defects and is characterized by the early onset of severe rickets and associated alopecia. This can be attributed to mutations in the VDR gene. Massive doses of vitamin D analogs and calcium supplementation is usually required for the treatment; however, the response to therapy is sometimes variable.
Achondroplasia: Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment
Authors: TANAKA HIROYUKI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAchondroplasia (ACH) is the most common form of chondrodysplasia in humans. This disorder is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, though most cases are sporadic. Recent advances in molecular biology have revealed its genetic defect in fibroblast growth factor‐3 gene. This may introduce a new diagnostic tool and the classification of ACH and related disorders. Recent molecular engineering techniques have made it possible to provide large amounts of the various kinds of biofactors, such as erythropoietin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor and human growth hormone (GH), for clinical use. In fact, GH has been widely used to treat non‐GH‐deficient forms of short stature, such as Turner's syndrome, skeletal dysplasia, intrauterine growth retardation, chronic illness and idiopathic short stature, with beneficial effects. This may also be introduced into the medical management of ACH.
Minimization of the number of pregnant women to be treated with preventive procedure against GBS infection by means of antibody measurement
Authors: HOSHINA KIYOSHI ,   THE GBS INFECTION STUDY GROUP
Published: January 2011

AbstractTo study preventive strategies, it is essential to screen pregnant women having group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in the birth canal. For the purpose of studying preventive measures against this infection, nationwide multicenter research was performed in GBS‐carrying pregnant women. Of a total of 10 267 pregnant women, 1860 cases (18.1%) had GBS. The most common serotypes of detected GBS were type NT6 and JM9, followed by type III, type Ia and then type Ib. Type‐specific antibody titer was below the cut‐off point of 10 units/mL in 30.9% of Ia carriers, 58.5% of Ib carriers, 45.9% of II carriers and 32.9% of III carriers. Fortunately, no neonatal GBS infection occurred during this research. We concluded that 18.1% of studied pregnant women were GBS carriers and one‐third of these GBS carriers required preventive procedures with antibody measurement.