Effects of low-dose clarithromycin added to fluticasone on inflammatory markers and pulmonary function among children with asthma: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Macrolides exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects beyond their purely antibacterial action, as demonstrated by several bronchial inflammatory disorders, including asthma.

Methods: Fifty-eight children with newly diagnosed mild persistent asthma were selected by using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines and were randomly divided into the study (group I) (n = 36) and control (group II) (n = 22) groups. Mycoplasma pneumonia-specific immunoglobulin G and -specific immunoglobulin M antibody levels of each participant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Cranberries for Preventing Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Uncircumcised Boys.

Background • Highly concentrated cranberry juice has long been considered to have protective properties against urinary tract infections (UTIs), on the basis of its content of cranberry proanthocyanidins, with A-type interflavan bonds. Objective • This study intended to evaluate the benefits of a highly concentrated cranberry juice for the prevention of repeated episodes of UTI in uncircumcised boys. Design • The study was a randomized, controlled trial.

Melatonin Supplementation for Children With Atopic Dermatitis and Sleep Disturbance: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Sleep disturbance is common in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), but effective clinical management for this problem is lacking. Reduced levels of nocturnal melatonin were found to be associated with sleep disturbance and increased disease severity in children with AD. Melatonin also has sleep-inducing and anti-inflammatory properties and therefore might be useful for the management of AD.

Short-term ibuprofen treatment and pulmonary function in children with asthma.

Objectives: To investigate the association between ibuprofen use and pulmonary function in children with Asthma.

Methods: Ninety 9- to 10-year-old children were classified into 3 groups: Study group, mild to moderate stable asthmatic children with self-reported aspirin allergy and no history of anaphylaxis; Allergy control group: atopic children (allergic rhinitis/atopic dermatitis); Healthy control group: non-atopic healthy children. None of the participants in the atopic and healthy control groups had a history of aspirin allergy.

Atopic dermatitis, melatonin, and sleep disturbance.

Background And Objectives: Sleep disturbance is common in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, studies have largely been questionnaire-based, and the pathophysiology remains unclear. The aims of this study were to determine objective characteristics of sleep disturbance in children with AD and explore contributing factors and clinical predictors.

Efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist with anti-H1 receptor antagonist plus anti-H2 receptor antagonist for treatment of refractory chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Background: The efficacy of the combination of leukotriene receptor antagonist (LRA) and H1 antihistamine was similar to the synergistic regimen of H1 and H2 antihistamine for treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). However, the effective rates of these two regimens were only 53.3% and 63.

Ectopic lobe of right lung with abscess formation in children: a visual diagnosis case.

We report a 9-year-old boy who had chest pain of 3 weeks' duration caused by ectopic lobe of the right lung with abscess formation. The diagnosis was supported by chest computed tomography and video-assisted thoracoscopy. The child responded well to the operation and fully recovered.

The relationships between postpartum adaptation and postpartum depression symptoms of first pregnancy mothers in Taiwan.

Background: Motherhood is a critical situation characterized by role conflicts. These conflicts between the roles of mother, worker, and wife are the norm in the postpartum period and may jeopardize a mother's well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between postpartum adaptation and depression among new mothers who live in northern Taiwan.

Heart rate variability in junior high school students with depression and anxiety in Taiwan.

Background: The impact of depression and anxiety on heart rate variability (HRV) is not clear in adolescents. We hypothesised that HRV investigation in adolescents may early prevent the mental diseases occurrence.

Methods: Three hundred and thirty-three seventh grade students participated in this study programme.

The essential role of anti-thyroid antibodies in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Background: An autoimmune etiology has been suggested in up to one-third of cases of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), in which it has been proposed that a subset of cases are associated with thyroid autoimmunity. The objective of our present study was to verify the prevalence of thyroid antibodies in the patients with CIU.

Methods: Sixty patients aged 12-51 years, who met criteria for CIU, and 40 aged-matched healthy controls (18 males and 22 females) were participated in this study.

Change in intraoperative rectal temperature influencing erectile dysfunction following transurethral resection of the prostate.

Background/purpose: In this study, we assessed the relationship between changes in intraoperative rectal temperature and erectile function in patients who have undergone transurethral resection of the prostate.

Methods: Eighty-six potential patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced lower urinary tract symptoms were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1-small prostates (<40 ml) and group 2-large prostates (≥ 40 ml), as determined by transrectal ultrasound measurement.

Effects of environmental lead exposure on T-helper cell-specific cytokines in children.

Lead (Pb) may alter T-lymphocyte reactivity in situ by preferentially enhancing the development of T-helper 2 (T(H)2)- and inhibiting T(H)1-lymphocyte development. These effects could result in dysregulation of the presence/availability of T(H)1- and T(H)2-associated cytokines. The aim of this study was two-fold, that is, to assess whole blood Pb levels in schoolchildren from Taiwanese communities that varied in degree of potential for Pb exposure and then ascertain if there were relationships between Pb exposure and changes in levels of key T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokines.

Serum levels of lipoxin A(4) do not predict the development of subsequent asthma among young children with acute bronchiolitis.

Background: Acute bronchiolitis frequently causes wheezing in infants and young children, although its relationship to asthma remains unclear. We hypothesized that serum lipoxin A(4) levels may be used as an early predictive biomarker of subsequent asthma in young children with acute bronchiolitis.

Methods: We recruited 69 children who were divided into 3 groups: 47 children younger than 24 months with acute bronchiolitis as an experimental group (Group 1); 11 children aged 2-24 months with viral acute gastroenteritis as a non-allergic control group (Group 2); and 11 children older than 24 months with physician-diagnosed asthma exacerbations as an asthma control group (Group 3).

Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in 2-year-old children: report of 3 cases.

Some children less than four years old have Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced infectious mononucleosis (IM). Because primary EBV infection in infants and young children is usually asymptomatic or subclinical, EBV infection diagnosis may not be easy among young children. To illustrate the clinical characteristics and diagnostic procedures for EBV infection in young children, the authors report herein three cases of primary EBV infection in two-year-old children with an evaluation of their initial clinical symptoms.

Psychogenic urinary retention in children: a case report.

Psychogenic urinary retention occurs relatively infrequently in children and is less common than in adults. The influence of psychogenic factors on voiding generally results in an irritative syndrome, but rarely in urinary retention. A definitive diagnosis is established by excluding other pathological conditions.

A survey of serum specific-lgE to common allergens in primary school children of Taipei City.

Environmental factors and eating habits have had a significant impact on the increased sensitization to allergens in children. This study investigated changes in common allergen sensitivities among children in Taipei City, Taiwan. A total of 142 primary schools in Taipei City, which included 25,094 students aged 7-8 years, were surveyed using an ISAAC questionnaire to screen for allergies.

Efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist with an anti-H1 receptor antagonist for treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is often difficult to treat. Although histamine-releasing activity is detectable for up to 50% of CIU patients, antihistamine therapy provides only a limited response.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of combined leukotriene receptor antagonist (LRA) and H1 antihistamine, H1 and H2 antihistamine, and two H1 antihistamines as a synergistic therapeutic regimen for treating CIU compared with a matched placebo modality.

Initiation of breastfeeding lessons from Taiwan.

Unlabelled: A study undertaken in Taiwan in 2001 is reported here with the aim of improving understanding about the socio-cultural factors that may affect a woman's decisions about infant feeding.

Aim Of The Study: to determine the current status of infant feeding and the influences of basic sociodemographic characteristics and social support, as well as maternal knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding.

Methods: A questionnaire including sociological, psychological and medical variables was completed by 195 mothers who were also interviewed individually in the maternity hospital.

Pleuritis and pleural effusion as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematous in a 23-year-old woman.

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primary affects women and may affect any organ system. Pleural inflammation is a common feature of SLE; however, as an initial presentation in SLE is rare. The author report the case of a 23-year-old woman with chest pain, dyspnea and without fever for 1 week.

Eicosanoids in asthma.

Eicosanoids belong to a diverse family of bioactive fatty acids that play important roles in regulating airway inflammation and reactivity. They are the key mediators of the pathobiology of asthma. Among the eicosanoids, lipoxins (LXs) were the first agents to be identified and recognized as potential anti-inflammatory endogenous lipid mediators.

Primary urinary tract infection in infants: prophylaxis for uncomplicated pyelonephritis.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common causes of unexplained fever in infants with a reported prevalence range of 5-11%. The clinical and laboratory findings were reviewed, and diagnosis and treatment for 95 infants with primary UTI were evaluated in this study.

Methods: All patients underwent renal ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrogram and 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan during hospitalization before treatment, with treatment consisting of 2- or 4-week appropriated antibiotic therapy for the patients associated upper UTI, followed by a second DMSA scan 6 months after therapy.

Latex allergy in health care workers in Taiwan: prevalence, clinical features.

Background: Latex allergy is becoming a major health concern among healthcare workers, of whom approximately 2.8 to 18% are reportedly sensitized.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of a natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy screening program to identify sensitized hospital employees.

Acute focal bacterial nephritis in an 8-year-old .

Acute focal bacterial nephritis or acute lobar nephronia is an acute localized non-liquefactive bacterial kidney infection. Clinically, it may develop as an abscess and present as acute pyelonephritis but is distinguishable by the presence of a focal mass on imaging studies. The authors report the case of an 8-year-old girl with fever up to 39 degrees C and left flank pain of 6 days duration.

Transurethral electrovapor resection versus standard transurethral resection treatment for a large prostate: a 2-year follow-up study conducted in Taiwan.

Introduction: Those patients featuring a large prostate and undergoing transurethral resection typically face a longer duration of surgery, they have a higher degree of hemorrhage and a higher irrigant volume required for the procedure, and they tend to reflect a higher incidence of morbidity than is the case for a small prostate. We report on the relative safety and efficacy of transurethral electrovapor resection of the prostate (TUVRP) as compared with standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for Taiwanese patients having a prostate size >50 ml.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-six symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia patients featuring a prostate size >50 ml were randomized and underwent either TUVRP using wedge loop or standard TURP.