Regional lung function testing in children using electrical impedance tomography.

Objective: To evaluate regional lung function in lung-healthy children before and after exercise challenge using electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Methods: Regional lung function was examined using EIT in 100 lung-healthy children (three age subgroups: 74-121, 122-155, 156-195 months) at baseline and 10 min after exercise. Global lung function was assessed by spirometry using Z-Scores of FEV , FVC, FEV /FVC, and FEF .

Case management via telephone counseling and SMS for weight maintenance in adolescent obesity: study concept of the TeAM program.

Background: In-patient obesity treatment programs for adolescents are associated with good success and substantial weight loss. However, maintaining weight loss remains a challenge. This article presents the concept of the TeAM (Telephone counseling as Adiposity Management) program.

Perception of body weight status: a case control study of obese and lean children and adolescents and their parents.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate differences in weight perception and self-concept of obese and lean children, and to examine parents' awareness of overweight in themselves and their children. A total of 59 obese patients aged 7-17 years and 49 of their parents from a pediatric obesity out-patient clinic participated and were compared with 96 normal-weight patients and 81 of their parents from a pediatric pulmonary disease out-patient clinic.

Methods: Children's and parents' self-perception of weight, desire for weight change and weight concerns, children's belief that their desired weight can be achieved, and parents' perception of their child's weight status were assessed using single questionnaire items.

Mycophenolate mofetil in combination with recombinant interferon alfa-2a in interferon-nonresponder patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Since ribavirin was able to improve the antiviral efficacy of interferon alfa in patients with chronic hepatitis C, several other adjuncts have been studied. It has been shown that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a more potent inhibitor of the inosine 5'-monophosphate-dehydrogenase (IMPDH) than ribavirin. The present study is a pilot study evaluating the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with interferon alfa-2a and MMF in interferon alfa nonresponder patients.