Assessment of swallowing performance in patients with neurodegenerative disease: A hierarchical cluster analysis.

Background: Swallowing is a complex process that alters with age and neurological diseases; swallowing disorders can be a consequence of both of them. As an advanced multivariate statistical method, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was utilized to make the dendrograms, which was used to find the relationship between the variables. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the type of clustering exhibited by the variables using HCA and to evaluate the approach to major neurodegenerative diseases (MND) with swallowing disorders based on the results obtained.

Demyelinating Disease of the Central Nervous System Concurrent With COVID-19.

Neurological diseases related to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are increasingly reported. We report here three cases that presented with subtle neurologic findings manifesting within a range of 15 days to four months after their COVID-19 diagnoses. Magnetic resonance imaging showed acute multifocal periventricular and subcortical demyelinating lesions.

Prevalence of and risk factors for atopic dermatitis: A birth cohort study of infants in southeast Turkey.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is most common in the first year of life. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for AD in a birth cohort of infants from southeast Turkey.

Methods: Adana Paediatric Allergy Research (ADAPAR) birth cohort study was derived from 1377 infants who were born in Cukurova University, Medical Hospital, Adana, Turkey between February 2010 and February 2011.

Role of immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic asthma.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) induces clinical and immunological tolerance as defined by persistence of clinical benefit and associated long-term immunological parameters after cessation of treatment. Although the efficacy of SIT has been shown in terms of reducing symptoms, medication consumption and ameliorating quality of life in both allergic rhinitis and asthma, there has long been some controversies about effectiveness of SIT in the treatment of allergic asthma. The type of allergen, the dose and protocol of immunotherapy, patient selection criteria, the severity and control of asthma, all are significant contributors to the power of efficacy in allergic asthma.

Two year follow-up of clinical and inflammation parameters in children monosensitized to mites undergoing subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy.

Background: Both SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy) and SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy) have clinical and immunologic efficacy in children with rhinitis and asthma but comparative studies are scarce.

Objective: To investigate the clinical and immunological efficacy of mite-specific SLIT and SCIT in children with rhinitis and asthma.

Method: Thirty children monosensitized to house dust mite were randomized to receive either active SCIT or SLIT or placebo for 1 yr in a double-blind double-dummy placebo controlled design (Yukselen A et al.

Correlation between nasal eosinophils and nasal airflows in children with asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitised to house dust mites.

Background: Allergic rhinitis and asthma due to mite sensitisation are diseases which are frequently associated and characterised by persistent inflammation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between nasal airflows and nasal eosinophils in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis due to house dust mite sensitisation.

Methods: Twenty-four children with both rhinitis and asthma (R+A), 13 children with rhinitis and no asthma (R) and 10 non-allergic healthy children were evaluated prospectively.

Exhaled breath condensate MMP-9 level and its relationship wıth asthma severity and interleukin-4/10 levels in children.

Background: Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are key mediators in airway remodeling, and MMP- 9 is the main type investigated to discover its implication for the pathogenesis and severity of asthma.

Objective: To evaluate MMP-9 and its natural tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) levels of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in children with asthma. We also analyzed any potential relationship between these enzymes and EBC interleukin (IL)-4/10 levels as well as asthma severity.

Can Serum-Specific IgE/Total IgE Ratio Predict Clinical Response to Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy in Children Monosensitized to House Dust Mite?

Background. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is one of the important regimens for the treatment of allergic diseases. Predictive tests for the clinical response to SIT are limited.

Effect of one-year subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy on clinical and laboratory parameters in children with rhinitis and asthma: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy study.

Background: It has been reported that both sublingual (SLIT) and subcutaneous (SCIT) allergen-specific immunotherapy have clinical efficacy, yet there are rather few comparative placebo studies of children. We aimed to investigate the clinical and immunological efficacy of mite-specific SLIT and SCIT versus a placebo in rhinitis and asthma in children.

Methods: The outcomes of this 1-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy study were symptom and medication scores, visual analog scores (VAS), titrated skin prick tests, nasal and bronchial allergen provocation doses, serum house dust mite-specific immunglobulin E (HDM-sIgE), sIgG4, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels.

Exhaled breath condensate MMP-9 levels in children with bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis (BE) is still an important cause of chronic supurative respiratory diseases in developing countries. Neutrophil-derived proteases such as neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are implicated in causing airway damage in chronic pulmonary disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the MMP-9 and its natural tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) levels utilizing the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) method and their relationship with radiological findings and pulmonary functions in children with BE.

Potential association between allergic diseases and pertussis infection in schoolchildren: results of two cross-sectional studies seven years apart.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pertussis infections and allergic diseases in two cross-sectional questionnaire-based surveys carried out in 1997 and 2004. We also measured serum level of antibody to B. pertussis.

The clinical and genetical features of 124 children with Familial Mediterranean fever: experience of a single tertiary center.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical features of childhood-onset Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients and to assess the phenotype-genotype correlation. The study included patients with childhood-onset FMF that followed up over a period of 18 years in the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology clinic. Twelve MEFV mutations were investigated in all patients.

Indices of lower airway inflammation in children monosensitized to house dust mite after nasal allergen challenge.

Background: There are few available data assessing the united airway disease and its systemic aspects in children. With this study, we aimed to investigate the inflammation markers of upper and lower airways before and after nasal allergen challenge in mite sensitive children with different clinical expression of the allergic disease.

Methods: Four study groups were formed: rhinitis only, without bronchial hyper-responsiveness (R, n = 10), rhinitis with asthma (R + A, n = 22), atopic asymptomatics (AA, n = 8) and nonallergic healthy controls (C, n = 10).

Effect of outdoor fungus concentrations on symptom severity of children with asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitized to molds.

Although the relationship between asthma severity and exposure to airborne fungi has been well studied, little is known about the contribution of outdoor molds to the symptoms of children monosensitized to molds. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of outdoor mold spore concentrations on daily asthma and/or rhinitis scores in children monosensitized to molds. Nineteen children with asthma and/or rhinitis sensitized only to molds recorded their daily symptoms and PEF values to the diaries, from February 2005 to January 2006.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis profile in Turkish children.

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of disorders. Publications from different countries point to differences in the disease manifestation of JIA among different populations. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of JIA in Turkish children.

Specific allergen immunotherapy: effect on immunologic markers and clinical parameters in asthmatic children.

Background: Specific allergen immunotherapy (SIT) is the main treatment modality for achieving long-term symptom relief in perennial allergic diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1 year of house dust mite immunotherapy on the concentrations of 3 immunologic markers: eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), nitric oxide (NO), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1). We also compared the effect on asthma symptoms and medication scores, allergen-specific bronchial challenge test, and the skin prick test.

Effect of indoor mold concentrations on daily symptom severity of children with asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitized to molds.

Little is known about the contribution of indoor molds to the symptoms of asthma and/or rhinitis in children monosensitized to molds. We aimed to investigate the effect of indoor mold spore concentrations on daily symptoms of asthma and/or rhinitis in children monosensitized to molds. Nineteen children with asthma and/or rhinitis sensitized only to molds recorded their daily symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values to the diaries, from February 2005 to January 2006.

Is there any relationship between asthma and asthma attack in children and atypical bacterial infections; Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori.

Unlabelled: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by variable airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. There are many factors affecting the development and severity of childhood asthma such as genetic predisposition, atopy, environmental factors, obesity, diet, socioeconomic status, and infectious triggers. In the present study we aimed to investigate the frequency of Mycdoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Helicobacter pylori infections in asthmatic children.

Prevention of new sensitizations by specific immunotherapy in children with rhinitis and/or asthma monosensitized to house dust mite.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that single-allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) may prevent sensitization to other airborne allergens in monosensitized children. We aimed to assess the prevention of new sensitizations in monosensitized children treated with single-allergen SIT injections in comparison with monosensitized patients given appropriate pharmacologic treatment for their disease.

Methods: A total of 147 children with rhinitis and/or asthma monosensitized to house dust mite were studied; 45 patients underwent SIT with adsorbed extracts and 40 patients underwent SIT with aqueous extracts for 5 years.

Life-threatening facial edema due to pine caterpillar mimicking an allergic event.

Background: Approximately 150 species of Lepidoptera have been described as causing damage to human skin. One of these species is the pine processionary caterpillar, which is responsible for dermatitis, contact urticaria, ocular lesions and rarely respiratory signs and anaphylactic reactions through IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. We report a pediatric case of severe orofacial edema mimicking an allergic reaction after ingestion of a pine processionary caterpillar; urgent airway intubation was required.

The effects of long term use of inhaled corticosteroids on linear growth, adrenal function and bone mineral density in children.

In this study we aimed to investigate the long term effects of inhaled steroids on linear growth, adrenal function and bone mineral density. Thirty children with moderate asthma were randomly divided into two groups. Fifteen children (8 boys, 7 girls mean age; 10.

Relationship between pollen counts and weather variables in east-Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Does it affect allergic symptoms in pollen allergic children?

Background: Aeroallergen sampling provides information regarding the onset, duration and severity of the pollen season that clinicians use to guide allergen selection for skin testing and treatment.

Objectives: This atmospheric survey reports (1) airborne pollen contributions in Adana in one-year period (2) pollen onset, duration and peak level (3) the relationship between airborne pollen and selected meteorological variables and; (4) effects on symptoms in pollen allergic children.

Methods: Pollen sampling was performed with a volumetric Burkard Spore Trap.

Bronchiectasis: still a problem.

The prevalence of bronchiectasis (BR) has decreased significantly in industrialized countries, but is still commonplace in developing countries. We evaluated the causes and clinical features of BR in 23 children (13 boys (57%) and 10 girls (43%), with a mean age of 8.45 +/- 4.

Cytokine levels in serum of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

We investigated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in JRA patients during both active and inactive phases of the disease. The systemic JRA patients had the highest IL-1beta and IL-6 levels during both active and inactive periods. In the systemic group IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-12 levels during the active period were elevated compared to the inactive period (p = 0.