A rare case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis caused by potato snacks.

A rare case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis caused by potato snacks is reported. Specific food triggers for anaphylaxis were identified by using the skin prick test, antigen analysis, and serum IgE assays. Four potato proteins were considered candidate antigens for food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

A young child with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome successfully treated with high-dose immunoglobulin therapy.

Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a disease that presents mainly in older children after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with Kawasaki-like symptoms and multiple-organ failure. The number of cases of MIS-C has increased since April 2020, with reports mainly from Europe and the United States. The reason is unclear, but few cases of MIS-C have been reported in Asian countries, including Japan.

Thyroid function in patients with selenium deficiency exhibits high free T4 to T3 ratio.

Selenium, one of the essential trace minerals, is present in form of selenoproteins. Iodothyronine deiodinase, a selenoprotein, is involved in the activation and inactivation of thyroid hormone. Therefore, patients with selenium deficiency may present changes in thyroid hormone levels due to inhibition of T4 to T3 conversion; however, this assumption is still under debate.

Risk factors of malnutrition in children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.

Background: Children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) are at a high risk of malnutrition and often require tube feeding to maintain their nutritional status. However, determining their energy requirements is difficult since inadequate dietary intake, severe neurological impairment, respiratory assistance, and cognitive impairment are all factors that affect malnutrition in SMID.

Aim: This study investigated the factors affecting malnutrition and identified problems affecting the nutritional status of children with SMID.

Prevalence of undernutrition in Japanese pediatric patients on admission: Comparison of tertiary, acute-care, and rehabilitation hospitals.

Background And Objectives: There exist many studies in Western countries dealing with pediatric nutritional assessment on admission, but those in Asian countries are comparatively limited. This study aimed at clarifying the prevalence of undernutrition in 3 Japanese pediatric hospitals, especially focusing on their different characteristics.

Methods And Study Design: Study participants included 313 patients aged 1-17 years admitted to a tertiary hospital (175 patients), an acute-care hospital (99 patients), or a rehabilitation hospital (39 patients).

Increased oxidative stress in patients with severe disability: Association with nutrition.

Background: Previous studies have described a role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of various pediatric disorders, but investigation into oxidative stress status in patients with severe disability remains limited. The aim of the present study was therefore to clarify the oxidative stress status in patients with severe disability, focusing specifically on intake of three major nutrients and micronutrients with antioxidant activities.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with severe disability (mean age, 14.

Diffusion-weighted MRI for early diagnosis of neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis.

Aim: To determine the early changes and evolutions of brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and analyze prognostic factors of the early changes among patients with neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis (NHSE).

Method: We selected patients who developed encephalitis by 28 d after birth; had herpes simplex infection; and who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, including DWI, ⩽7 d of symptom onset. Thirty-two DWI scans between 0 and 28 d after onset in 13 patients and the clinical data were recruited.

Children with Down's syndrome display high rates of hyperuricaemia.

Aim: Several studies show that hyperuricaemia, abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood, frequently occurs in adult Down's syndrome patients, but paediatric research is scarce. We aimed to clarify its prevalence in paediatric Down's syndrome patients and its association with lifestyle-related laboratory variables and nutritional intake, to consider possible effects in later life.

Methods: We compared 52 Down's syndrome patients, from one to 15 years of age, with age-matched controls.

Carnitine in severely disabled patients: relation to anthropometric, biochemical variables, and nutritional intake.

Background: Carnitine plays a pivotal role in a variety of cellular functions. Carnitine deficiency often occurs in severely disabled patients, especially under valproic acid administration. However, the possible causative factors underlying carnitine deficiency have not been fully identified.

Efficacy of micafungin in treating four premature infants with candidiasis.

Background: Although clinical experience in neonates with candidiasis exists for amphotericin B and fluconazole, these standard treatments are often hindered by drug-associated toxicity or development of resistant strains. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a new antifungal agent, micafungin (MCFG), for treating Candida infections in premature infants.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study.

[Case of severe streptococcus pyogenes pneumonia with streptococcus toxic shock syndrome].

A 30-year-old woman who had until recently been healthy, was transferred to our hospital by ambulance with complaints of dyspnea and pain in both lower limbs. She had 1-week history of sore throat, fever and cough. She had been to a neighboring clinic three days previously, and had been prescribed some medication for bronchitis, but her symptoms had not improved.

Mutation spectrum of the PCCA and PCCB genes in Japanese patients with propionic acidemia.

Propionic acidemia (PA) is an inborn error of organic acid metabolism caused by a deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase. This enzyme is composed of two non-identical subunits, alpha and beta, which are encoded by the PCCA and PCCB genes, respectively. An enzyme deficiency can result from mutations in either PCCA or PCCB.

The in vitro analysis of the coagulation mechanism of activated factor VII using thrombelastogram.

We investigated the effects of addition of recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) to coagulation factor-deficient plasma and whole blood, using thrombelastograms (TEGs). The addition of rFVIIa to factor II- or X-deficient plasma did not correct hemostatic parameters, whereas it produced partial responses in factor V-, VIII- or IX-deficient plasma and good responses in factor VII-, XI- or XII-deficient plasma. Furthermore, the addition of rFVIIa and platelets (30-100 x 10(3)/ micro l) to platelet-poor plasma produced marked corrections, producing TEGs similar to those of platelet-rich plasma.