bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defective natural killer cell activity and deficient production of interferon‐γ in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: WAKIGUCHI HIROSHI , KUBOTA HARUO , HISAKAWA HIROAKI , FUJIEDA MIKIYA , KURASHIGE TAKANOBU 
Published: January 2011

AbstractNatural killer (NK) cell activity, OK‐432‐augmented‐NK cell activity, concentrations of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) in the culture supernatants of lymphocytes stimulated with OK‐432, and subsets of NK cells and memory T cells were analyzed in 42 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving maintenance chemotherapy. Natural killer and augmented‐NK cell activities, and concentrations of IFN‐γ in the supernatants of cultured lymphocytes, were significantly lower in the patients with ALL than in age‐matched control children. Among the NK cell subsets, proportions of CD57+ cells in the patients with ALL were significantly higher than in the controls, and proportions of a memory T cell subset (CD4+ CD29+ T cells) in the patients were also significantly higher than in the controls.These results suggest that the function of NK cells and memory T cells that are considered as IFN‐γ producing cells, may be defective in ALL, and that CD57+ cells and CD4+ CD29+ cells may be resistant to or recover rapidly from suppression by cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Risks of antipyretics in young children with fever due to infectious disease
Authors: SUGIMURA TETSU , FUJIMOTO TAMOTSU , MOTOYAMA HIROKI , MARUOKA TAKANORI , KOREMATU SEIGOU , ASAKUNO YUKI , HAYAKAWA HIROSHI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine whether paracetamol (acetaminophen) affects the outcome of children with fever due to bacterial infectious disease. A total of 208 outpatients aged 6 months to 15 years with pyrexia due to bacterial infection who had been examined at the Fujimoto Children's Hospital from March 1992 to May 1992. The number of antipyretic doses of paracetamol (10 mg/kg) a day received within 3 days of illness in the patients with acute fever (≥ = 38°C) was investigated. In this study, the patients were divided into two groups: (i) the pneumonia group, which consisted of 101 patients who were subsequently diagnosed as having pneumonia during their illness and (ii) the control group, which consisted of 107 patients who were subsequently diagnosed as having illness with fever that did not progress to pneumonia. The mean number of daily doses was significantly higher for the pneumonia group (2.52 ± 0.80) than for the control group (1.37 ± 0.72, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the pneumonia group and the control group in body temperature during acute fever (38.7 ± 0.65 vs 38.8 ± 0.54°C). The data suggest that frequent administration of antipyretics to children with infectious disease may lead to a worsening of their illness.
Rapid dipstick test for diagnosis of urinary tract infection
Authors: HIRAOKA MASAHIRO , HIDA YUKIO , HORI CHIKAHIDE , TUCHIDA SHINYA , KURODA MITSUHIKO , SUDO MASAKATSU 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe rapid dipstick test of urine leukocyte esterase (LE) activity and nitrite has not been studied fully in pediatric clinical situations. We investigated the usefulness of the dipstick LE and nitrite test in the screening of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pediatric patients. Ninety‐two fresh urine samples were obtained from children suspected of having UTI. Leukocyte esterase activity and nitrite were measured in the urine specimens read by a photometer. Leukocytes were also counted on a disposable slide. Urine samples were examined for bacteriuria by the standard culture method. The results of the urine dipstick test of LE showed a close relationship with leukocyte counts on a counting chamber. Leukocyte esterase (‐) indicated leukocyte counts of less than 10/uL with a probability of 97% (58/60). Of the 22 urine samples with significant bacteriuria diagnosed by standard urine culture, the nitrite test did not detect bacteriuria in 10. While the sensitivities of the dipstick tests of nitrite (+) and LE ± or more for the diagnosis of significant bacteriuria were 55% (12/22) and 86% (19/22), respectively, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the combined test were 100%. These results suggest that use of the dipstick test of LE and nitrite can avoid a large part of the cost incurred by urine culture and is useful for screening UTI in children.
Neuropathology and immunohistochemistry of the brain‐stem in neonates with congenital hydrocephalus: Comparative studies between aqueductal stenosis and Arnold‐Chiari malformation
Authors: FUKUMIZU MICHIO , TAKASHIMA SACHIO , BECKER LAURENCE E. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractNeuropathological and immunohistochemical studies were done on the brain‐stem of neonates who had congenital hydrocephalus with aqueductal stenosis or Arnold‐Chiari malformation (ACM). The infants with aqueductal stenosis showed heterogeneity in their clinicopathological findings while the infants with ACM were relatively similar in neuropathological findings. There were prominent astrogliosis, decreased immunoreactivity with antisera to tyrosine hydroxylase and myelin basic protein in the periaqueductal area, and an increased reactivity with antiserum to substance P in the tegmentum of most patients with aqueductal stenosis and other malformations. In ACM, there was little gliosis in the tegmentum and periaqueductal area and minimal immunoreactivity of tyrosine hydroxylase, myelin basic protein and substance P. In both groups of cases, the cells in the periaqueductal region differ in neurotransmitter/neuromodulator immunoreactivity and degree of myelination reflecting a difference possibly in their maldevelopment.
The fluctuations of neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) levels of cerebrospinal fluid during bacterial meningitis: The relationship between the fluctuations of NSE levels and neurological complications or outcome
Authors: INOUE SHIGEAKI , TAKAHASHI HIROSHI , KANEKO KEN‐ICHIRO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractNeuron‐specific enolase (NSE) is one of the glycolytic enzymes distributed exclusively in neurons. It was measured serially in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 10 children with bacterial meningitis during the illness using radio‐immunoassay.The relationship between CSF‐NSE levels and neurological complications or outcome was examined. CSF‐NSE levels were significantly higher in the patients with bacterial meningitis than in the patients with the other central nervous system (CNS) infectious diseases, suggesting that CNS damage in those patients with bacterial meningitis was exacerbated. As CSF‐NSE levels increased to above 25 ng/mL in the acute phase, all patients except one had subdural effusion. In those patients whose CSF‐NSE level rose again during the illness, CNS complications or sequelae occurred. CSF‐NSE may be a useful prognostic factor for predicting CNS damage in childhood bacterial meningitis.
Increased levels of antibodies to food proteins in Down syndrome
Authors: REICHELT KARL L , LINDBACK TORE , SCOTT HELGE 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAn increased level of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies to food antigens has been found in Down syndrome. Biopsy did not show any anomaly of the gut. Increased IgA levels against specific proteins reflect increased transmucosal transport of antigens. The antigens presented may be immunogenic peptides or intact antigens. In this paper, we wished to exclude an institutional cause such as infections and also age differences.
What are parents of obese children concerned about in their children?
Authors: YOSHINAGA MASAO , YUASA YOSHIHIRO , KITAHARA TOMOKO , SHIMAGO ATSUSHI , MIYATA KOICHIRO , SAMESHIMA KOJI , IMAMURA MASATO , ARIMA KATSURA , MATSUOKA KATSUMI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe retrospectively examined the issues that concern parents of obese children to determine the most effective means of motivating them to seek treatment for obesity in their children.Children with an obesity index > 40%, aged six to 12 years, were screened in Kagoshima City in 1992. Parents were notified if their children needed an evaluation that included a family history and measurements of the blood pressure, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, atherogenic index (ASI), triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Parents were informed of the results of the evaluation and invited to attend a lecture on the treatment of obesity in children.A total of 378 obese children were evaluated. However, the parents of only 39 children attended the lecture. Children whose parents attended had higher mean total levels of cholesterol (190 ± 25 vs 175 ± 28, P < 0.01) and ASI values (3.2 ± 0.9 vs 2.7 ± 0.9, P < 0.02) than those whose parents did not attend. There were no significant differences in other factors. Only 4.2% of parents whose children showed no abnormal values, except for obesity, attended the lecture, compared with 20.3% (P< 0.01) or 16.9% (P< 0.05) of parents whose children had abnormal levels of cholesterol or abnormal ASI. Parents may be more concerned about hypercholesterolemia or arteriosclerosis than obesity per se. We should perhaps use the total cholesterol or ASI values, not just the severity of obesity, to motivate parents to enter their children into treatment programs for obesity.
Alagille syndrome with a spontaneous appearance of the interlobular bile ducts
Authors: FUJISAWA TAKUJI , KAGE MASAYOSHI , USHIJIMA KOSUKE , KIMURA AKIHIKO , ONO EIICHIRO , KATO HIROHISA 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe report a rare case of a 10 year old girl diagnosed as having Alagille syndrome on the basis of a characteristic face, posterior embryotoxon, cholestasis, peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis and the absence of interlobular bile ducts in a liver biopsy at 1.5 years of age. Since 1.5 years old, she had been in good health without medication and the serum biochemical liver function tests indicated no progression of cholestasis. A second liver biopsy at 9.5 years of age showed normal interlobular bile ducts confirmed by anti‐keratin staining at each of the five examined portal areas. Alagille syndrome is usually associated with the progressive disappearance of interlobular bile ducts. The findings of interlobular bile ducts in the second liver biopsy were therefore rare and unique to this case.
Preschool sarcoidosis manifesting as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: A case report and a review of the literature of Japanese cases
Authors: UKAE SUSUMU , TSUTSUMI HIROYUKI , ADACHI NORIAKI , TAKAHASHI HIROYUKI , KATO FUMIHIRO , CHIBA SHUNZO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractNine Japanese cases of sarcoidosis in children of 4 years of age or younger have been reported in the literature, including the case presented here. Clinically, preschool sarcoidosis is distinctly different from that of older children; it is characterized by a triad of skin, joint and eye lesions without pulmonary involvement. It is easily confused with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which also presents the symptoms of arthritis and uveitis. We report on a patient with preschool sarcoidosis who was initially diagnosed as having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. We recommend prompt skin biopsy to differentiate between these conditions.
New approaches to the study of human pediatric disease
Authors: SANDERSON IAN R 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe intestinal epithelium may modulate childhood gastrointestinal disease activity, particularly in chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The epithelium is in direct contact with the intestinal lumen and is ideally placed to act as a communication between the intestinal environment and the immune cells of the mucosa. Interaction is possible through the production of cytokines by enterocytes and the expression of surface molecules on the basolateral membrane. The study of how luminal contents can modulate enterocyte gene expression is central to this process, but the molecular mechanisms by which such interactions occur are not well understood. This review discusses possible molecular pathways between the intestinal lumen and the enterocyte and how they can be examined experimentally. Finally, the importance of enterocyte gene expression in human health and disease is reviewed.
A review: The active peptide of lactoferrin
Authors: TOMITA MAMORU , TAKASE MITSUNORI , BELLAMY WAYNE , SHIMAMURA SEIICHI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA potent antimicrobial peptide, ‘lactoferricin’, was found to be generated upon gastric pepsin cleavage of lactoferrin. The active peptide consists mainly of a loop of 18 amino acid residues, derived from the N‐terminal region of the lactoferrin molecule. Like various other antimicrobial peptides that display membrane‐disruptive properties, it contains a high proportion of basic amino acid residues. A physiologically diverse range of micro‐organisms was tested and found to be susceptible to inhibition by this natural peptide including Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. Its antimicrobial effect against sensitive micro‐organisms was lethal. Electron microscopy studies revealed that it induces a profound change in cell ultrastructural features and causes substantial cell damage in bacteria and fungi. These findings suggest the possibility that active peptides of lactoferrin may have a role in the host defense against microbial disease. If produced in substantial quantities in vivo such peptides could have important physiological significance, especially in nursing infants.
Milk proteins, cytokines and intestinal epithelial functions in children
Authors: DESJEUX JEHAN‐FRANÇOIS , HEYMAN MARTINE 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis paper discusses the relationship between food antigens, lymphocytes and the epithelial properties of the jejunum in children with cow's milk allergy. Experimental results indicate that increased protein permeability is not the primary cause of cow's milk allergy. Rather, results are interpreted as a secondary effect of an abnormal immunological response leading to mucosal inflammation and impairment of the endocytic process by the intestinal epithelial cells. Stimulation by cow's milk proteins caused the lymphocytes from infants with cow's milk allergy to release more tumor necrosis factor‐α TNFα than those from control infants. After appropriate antigenic stimulation, the cytokines released by the activated lymphocytes from these infants perturbed epithelial function, in particular its barrier capacity. Tumor necrosis factor a, together with gamma interferon are involved in these adverse effects. It is thought that bovine β‐lactoglobulin present in the intestinal lumen may be responsible for the secretory diarrhea observed in children with cow's milk allergy, as a consequence of stimulation of electrogenic chloride secretion. In addition, luminal foreign protein may stimulate the submucosal cells. As a consequence, the submucosal release of mediators, including lymphokines, might alter the intestinal epithelial barrier. In conclusion, in physiological conditions, the subepithelial tissue that comprises the immune system and many other systemic systems receive information on the antigenic content within the intestinal lumen via the intestinal epithelium.
Uptake of antigens: Role in gastrointestinal disease
Authors: WALKER W ALLAN 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe intestine is exposed to a wide variety of macromolecules. Because macromolecules are antigenic, mechanisms have evolved in the gastrointestinal tract to regulate their absorption. Macromolecular uptake can be beneficial in delivering essential factors for growth and in sampling the antigenic milieu of the gastrointestinal tract. Specific transport mechanisms exist to execute this physiological absorption. However, inappropriate and uncontrolled antigen transport may occur in disease states, or as a prelude to disease states in the gastrointestinal tract. Such transport may result in immune responses that are harmful. In this review we examine both physiological transport of macromolecules through epithelia and through M cells. We also discuss uncontrolled transport and its relation to disease states. We conclude by examining the interrelationship between antigen transport and an altered immune system in the establishment of gastrointestinal disease.
Umbilical cord blood as a rich source of immature hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: URASHIMA MITSUYOSHI , HOSHI YASUTAKA , SHISHIKURA AKIHIRO , KAMIJO MAKOTO , KATO YOKO , AKATSUKA JUN‐ICHI , MAEKAWA KIHEI 
Published: January 2011

AbstractTo investigate immaturity of hematopoietic progenitor cells in umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CB‐MNC), the formation of macroscopic colonies and mixed‐cell colonies was assayed by methylcellulose culture with various combinations of cytokines (stem cell factor [SCF], interleukin [IL]‐3, IL‐6, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor [G‐CSF], erythropoietin [EPO]) and compared with bone marrow (BM)‐MNC. Moreover, distribution of the subpopulations divided by CD34, CD38, HLA‐DR and CD33 was compared by flow‐cytometry.Colonies derived from CB‐MNC were so large that they could be observed with the naked eye and consisted of a variety of types of hematopoietic cells. Mixed‐cell colonies were formed to a much greater extent in CB‐MNC than in BM‐MNC. Addition of EPO, IL‐3, and SCF had rapid effects on the growth of mixed‐cell colonies. The subpopulations of immature hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+, CD38−, HLA‐DR−), which are supposed to be able to differentiate into hematopoietic precursors and stromal cells, were significantly higher in CB‐MNC (8.7±6.6%) than in BM‐MNC (0.0±0.1%; P < 0.001). These results suggest that CB is a rich source of immature hematopoietic progenitor cells compared to BM.
Major histocompatibility complex antigens and immune mechanisms in steroid‐responsive nephrotic syndrome
Authors: MIR SEVGI , KUTUKCULER NECIL , KAVAKLI KAAN 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAlthough the pathogenesis of steroid‐responsive nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is obscure, involvement of an immune mechanism is often suggested. Further evidence of an immune basis for this disorder is an increased frequency of specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. In the first part of this study, the phenotypic frequency of HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DR antigens were investigated in 30 children with SRNS and in 630 controls. In the second part, total T (CD3+ cells) and B lymphocytes (CD19+ cells) and the lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+ cells and their ratio) were studied in the same patients and in 30 healthy children. The investigations of all the patients were performed during the acute stage and 14 of 30 during remission stage. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) were determined by standard microlymphocytotoxicity assay and lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Human leukocyte antigens A3, DR4, DR7 and the haplotype HLA‐A2/B12 showed the strongest association with SRNS. In the studies for cellular immune disorder, CD3+ and CD8+ cells were found to be decreased significantly in the acute stage before beginning steroid therapy. No significant difference in lymphocyte subsets was observed in the remission stage without steroid or immunosuppressive therapy.
Effects of an acaricide on asthmatic children with house dust mite allergy
Authors: QUEK S C , CHONG A. , CONNETT G J , LEE B W 
Published: January 2011

AbstractD'Allergen is a recently available acaricidal and allergen reducing agent. To study any beneficial effects of treating houses with this agent in asthmatic children with dust mite allergy, histamine bronchial responsiveness was measured in 18 children before and 6–8 weeks after their homes were treated with the agent. Comparisons were with nine similar asthmatics whose homes were not treated. The mean provocative concentration of histamine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1s (PC20) increased from 1.02mg/L to 2.07mg/L in all 18 children who were studied (1.01 doubling doses). Bronchial responsiveness was relatively unchanged in a well matched control group of nine children studied over comparable time periods (PC20 pre was 1.25 mg/L, PC20 post was 0.67 mg/L). The results suggest that treating homes with D'Allergen reduces bronchial reactivity in asthmatic residents with house dust mite allergy.
Circadian rhythm of blood pressure in children with reference to normal and diseased children
Authors: WATANABE TOSHIHIKO , NAGASHIMA MASAMI , HOJO YASUO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractCircadian rhythms of blood pressure in children were investigated using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The subjects were 58 normal children (26 boys and 32 girls), 10 children with orthostatic dysregulation (OD) consisting of (three boys and seven girls) and 13 children taking prednisolone (nine boys and four girls).Systolic pressure in the normal group increased from early morning, peaked in the afternoon and gradually dropped thereafter. Blood pressure in the 22:00–05:30 h time range was significantly lower than in other time ranges.Blood pressure in the OD group was generally lower than in the normal group, while that in the steroid group tended to be higher.Systolic mid‐line estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) was significantly higher in boys than girls in both 10–12 year olds and 13–15 year olds according to Cosinor analysis. However, no increase in MESOR was observed in either boys or girls between the 10–12 year and 13–15 year age groups.The OD group showed lower diastolic MESOR than the normal group and the steroid group showed higher systolic MESOR.Seventy‐two per cent of those in the normal group manifested significant circadian rhythm. Only 50% of 10 12 year olds manifested circadian rhythm, whereas the figure for 13–15 year olds increased to 80–90%, suggesting that a pacemaker regulating circadian rhythm comes into effect at puberty.The percentage of those who manifested circadian rhythm in the OD group and steroid group was about 60%, lower than in the normal group.
Minocycline‐induced hemolytic anemia
Authors: KUDOH TOORU , NAGATA NOBUO , SUZUKI NOBUHIRO , NAKATA SHUJI , CHIBA SHUNZO , TAKAHASHI TOMOYA 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA case of drug‐induced immune hemolytic anemia is described. A 2 year old boy exhibited sudden anemia and hemoglobinuria after administration of minocycline (MINO). The specific immunoglobulin G antibody against MINO was demonstrated in the patient's serum by western blotting. This is a rare example where anti‐minocycline immune complex‐mediated hemolysis was responsible for an intravascular hemolytic process.
Twins with moyamoya disease
Authors: SARENUR TÜTÜNCÜOGLU , MEHMET KANTAR , VESILE ÖZTÜRK , NILGÜN YÜNTEN , YUSUF DUMAN , SABAHATTIN KULA , TUGRUL ÖZGÜR 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMoyamoya disease is a progressive disease which involves the internal carotid arteries and its branches bilaterally. The disease is reported both in adults and in children. Moyamoya disease is frequently seen in Japanese patients having certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes including HLA‐Aw24, Bw46 and Bw54. Twin cases are rarely reported in the literature. We hereby present the first Turkish monozygotic twins with moyamoya disease whose HLA haplotypes are A2, A9, B21, Bw22, Bw4, Bw6, Cw3, and DR2, DR4, DRw52, DRw53, Dq7. The patients with advanced disease were given nifedipine and intravenous immunoglobulin (400mg/kg/d for 5 days). During the 11 months of follow‐up, the patients were attack free.