Cell Penetrating Peptide Derived from Human Eosinophil Cationic Protein Decreases Airway Allergic Inflammation.

Cell penetrating peptide derived from human eosinophil cationic protein (CPPecp) is a 10-amino-acid peptide containing a core heparan sulfate (HS)-binding motif of human eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). It binds and penetrates bronchial epithelial cells without cytotoxic effects. Here we investigated airway-protective effects of CPPecp in BEAS-2B cell line and mite-induced airway allergic inflammation in BALB/c mice.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroid disease: A 10-year study.

Background: This large-scale study aims to analyze the association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with thyroid diseases.

Methods: In this retrospective, nationwide cohort study, 1633 newly diagnosed SLE patients from the National Health Insurance Research Database in 2000 were examined and data on patients with diagnoses of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis were collected from 2000 to 2009. We subdivided these SLE patients by the presence of overlap syndrome.

The natural course of eczema from birth to age 7 years and the association with asthma and allergic rhinitis: a population-based birth cohort study.

Although "atopic march" is a popular concept, the relationship between eczema and subsequent asthma is far from clear. However, some cohort studies have shown the possibility of two different allergic phenotypes in those who present with early eczema in terms of their persistency. We checked the cohort data from 308,849 children born in 2000 in Taiwan, to evaluate the different courses of eczema and their relationships to subsequent asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) at age 7 years.

Macrohematuria as initial presentation in a girl with factor VIII and factor IX inhibitors associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Acquired hemophilia is rarely observed in a pediatric population. We report a case of a 14-year-old girl presented with ecchymoses and macrohematuria. She developed factor VIII and factor IX inhibitors, and was diagnosed with simultaneous acquired hemophilia and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in patients with pediatric allergic disorders: a nationwide, population-based study.

Background: Allergic disorders are common, chronic conditions in pediatric populations. The characteristic symptoms of allergic disorders mainly include bronchial asthma (BA), allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD), all of which may disturb sleep, leading to daytime inattention, irritability, and hyperactivity, which are also components of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Conflicting data exist in the literature regarding the relationship between ADHD and allergic disorders.

Treatment with propranolol for infantile hemangioma in 13 Taiwanese newborns and young infants.

Background: Hemangioma in infants has a benign self-limited course, but the 10% of cases with complications need further treatment. Successful treatment with propranolol in western countries has been reported over the past few years. We evaluated the efficacy of propranolol for treating infantile hemangioma in Taiwanese newborns and young infants.

Prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in pediatric allergic rhinitis: a nationwide population-based study.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic condition in pediatric populations. Characteristic symptoms in AR may bother daily activities and disturb sleep, leading to daytime inattention, irritability, and hyperactivity, which are also components of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Conflicting data exist in the literature regarding the relationship between ADHD and AR.

Reduced expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and correlated elevation of interleukin-17 and interferon-γ in pediatric patients with chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Background: Dysregulated T helper (Th) cells are considered important in the pathophysiology of chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The present study investigated whether levels of Th cytokines in pediatric patients with chronic ITP were different compared with healthy controls.

Procedures: Fifty-seven pediatric patients with chronic ITP and 28 healthy controls were enrolled.

Juvenile diffuse systemic sclerosis/systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome--a case report.

We report a rare case of diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) evolving into diffuse SSc/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome. A 15-year-old boy was diagnosed as diffuse SSc with initial presentations of Raynaud's phenomenon and skin tightening. He underwent Chinese herbal treatment and clinical symptoms deteriorated in the following 3 years.

Are empiric antibiotics for acute exudative tonsillitis needed in children?

Background: Empiric antibiotics are frequently given for children with acute exudative tonsillitis. A few studies have investigated the causative agent of acute "exudative" tonsillitis in children to evaluate the necessity of antibiotic therapy. This study tried to explore the common causative agent of acute exudative tonsillitis among children.

Sodium sulfite aggravated allergic sensitization and airway inflammation in mite allergen sensitized BALB/c mice.

Sulfur dioxide is a typical air pollutant. Sulfite, which is formed at the bronchial mucosa from inhaled sulfur dioxide, might play a role in the exacerbation of asthma. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium sulfite and its interaction with a house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p) on allergic sensitization and airway inflammation.

Recurrent hemarthrosis in a boy with synovial hemangioma: a case report.

We describe an unusual case of hemarthrosis caused by a synovial hemangioma in an 11-year-old boy. The initial presentations were sudden onset of spontaneous knee swelling and painful sensation accompanied by limitation of joint movement. The patient had a history of recurrent swelling with spontaneous remission over the same location in the past year.

Concurrence of Incontinentia Pigmenti and Behçet's Disease.

We report here a rare case of incontinentia pigmenti (IP) in a 10-year-old girl who developed Behçet's disease. IP was diagnosed in infancy and Behçet's disease was diagnosed at 10 years of age. The initial presentations of Behçet's disease were spiking fever and recurrent painful oral and genital ulcers that were refractory to antibiotics.