Prevalence of atopy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B virus carriers, and healthy children: role of T helper 1 (Th1)-type immune response.

The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis has increased over the past few decades, especially in developed countries. They are characterized by a chronic inflammatory reaction mediated by T helper 2 (Th2) cells. Two common chronic diseases of childhood-an autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and a chronic viral infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers-are associated with a Th1-dominant and Th1-insufficient cytokine profile, respectively.

Menstrual pattern and common menstrual disorders among university students in Turkey.

Background: Menstrual disorders may affect the life of adolescents and young adult women, and may sometimes cause serious problems. The patterns of menstrual cycles were analyzed for association with age of menarche, prevalence of menstrual irregularity, dysmenorrhea, prolonged menstrual bleeding, and effect of menstrual disorders, especially dysmenorrhea, on social activities and school attendance among the female students.

Methods: A total of 480 students were randomly selected and asked to complete an the anonymous questionnaire of 25 items.

Atopy in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Aim: To investigate whether immune responses against chronic HBV infection in children have an effect on prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy.

Methods: Children with chronic HBV infection [HBV carriage (group 1) and chronic hepatitis (group 2)] were screened for allergic diseases. The results were compared with age-matched controls (group 3).

Parental-reported drug allergy in 6- to 9-yr-old urban schoolchildren.

Epidemiologic studies about the prevalence of adverse drug reactions in children are scarce compared to reports in adults. To assess the prevalence of parental-reported drug allergy in 6- to 9-yr-old urban school children, we performed a cross-sectional study of 6- to 9-yr-old urban children from the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey during the year 2004, using a self-administered questionnaire by parents. Response rate was 81.

Comparision of the apoptotic effects on lymphoblasts and on increase of myeloid lineage cells of a short-time, high-dose methylprednisolone and the conventional-dose prednisolone treatments in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The authors compare the apoptotic effect on the lymphoblasts and the proliferative effect on the myeloid lineage cells of a short-course high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) and the conventional-dose prednisolone treatments in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n = 10) received HDMP (30 mg/kg/day for 7 days) in a single dose before 6 a.