Association of exposure to environmental vanadium and manganese with lung function among young children: A population-based study.

Exposure to environmental metals has been associated with health outcomes including respiratory health. Little is known about the impact of exposure to environmental metals on lung function among young children in general population. This study aimed to investigate the associations of exposure to metals with lung function among young children in a population-based cohort.

Trend in blood lead levels in Taiwanese adults 2005-2017.

This study examined the trend of blood lead levels (BLLs) in Taiwanese adults and analyzed the variations in the BLL between Linkou (northern) and Kaohsiung (southern) hospital branches. Between 2005 and 2017, 3,804 adult participants received blood lead tests at the Linkou (n = 2,674) and Kaohsiung (n = 1,130) branches of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The geometric mean of BLL was 2.

Clinical spectrum of acute poisoning in children admitted to the pediatric emergency department.

Background: Pediatric poisoning is a common emergency worldwide. Routine surveillance is required for public health authorities and physicians to update strategies for prevention and management of pediatric poisoning. This study investigated the epidemiology of poisoning among children admitted to an emergency department (ED).

N-acetylcysteine prevents hypertension via regulation of the ADMA-DDAH pathway in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) reduces nitric oxide (NO), thus causing hypertension. ADMA is metabolized by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH), which can be inhibited by oxidative stress. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, can facilitate glutathione (GSH) synthesis.

Sonographic finding of persistent renal pelvic wall thickening in children.

Objective: Renal pelvic wall thickening (RPWT) is a sonographic finding, which is associated with urinary tract infection (UTI) and other genitourinary tract abnormalities. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RPWT and whether persistent RPWT related to vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed sonographic findings of RPWT in children and adolescents referred for renal ultrasound study from January 2010 to December 2011.

Rise of community-onset urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in children.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by resistant bacteria is becoming more prevalent. Few studies are available regarding community-onset UTIs caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in children.

Materials And Methods: During a 5-year period, hospitalized children with community-onset UTI caused by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (case) and those with non-ESBL-producing E.