Effects of the tulobuterol patch on the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations in young children.

The tulobuterol patch (TP) is a beta(2)-adrenergic agonist with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile used for asthma management in Japan. Because it contains tulobuterol in a molecular, crystallized form that is gradually absorbed percutaneously, TP exerts a prolonged bronchodilator effect exceeding 24 hours. Although it is a well-established treatment for asthma and wheezing, few studies have investigated whether it can reduce or prevent the symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in young children.

Germ-line mutation of KCNQ2, p.R213W, in a Japanese family with benign familial neonatal convulsion.

Background: Benign familial neonatal convulsion (BFNC) is an autosomal-dominantly inherited epilepsy of neonates. The KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 genes have been cloned as the responsible genes for BFNC. Detection of mutations in these genes is helpful for confirmation of BFNC or differential diagnosis of convulsive disorders in the neonatal period.

[Influenza C virus isolated in Hiroshima Prefecture during the 1999/2000 winter season--a clinical and epidemiological study].

Influenza C virus (Inf. C) is one of pathogens of human respiratory tract infection and prevalent throughout the world at an early stage in life. However, Inf.