A case of chronic kidney disease with refractory periodic vomiting and hypertension in a pediatric patient.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) sometimes experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. In addition, hypertension and CKD are closely linked, and sustained hypertension in children is associated with the progression of CKD, leading to early cardiomyopathy and premature atherosclerosis. These symptoms substantially affect the quality of daily life of CKD patients, and particularly in children with CKD, they may cause growth retardation.

Association of the Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 BB Genotype with COVID-19-Related Mortality.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is crucial in first-line immune defenses. There are still many unknown factors regarding the mechanisms causing variability in the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In Japan, there have been few reports to date regarding the association between MBL and COVID-19.

Chemokine/Interleukin Imbalance Aggravates the Pathology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

(1) Background: Almost 100% of children are initially infected by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by the age of 2 years, with 30% to 40% of children developing lower respiratory tract infections, of which 1% to 3% become severe. The severity of RSV-induced disease correlates with the influx of leukocytes, which leads to damage of the airways. We hence performed an immunological study based on the assumption that a chemokine/interleukin imbalance affects respiratory disorders caused by bronchiolitis and severe pneumonia.

Involvement of Peripheral Monocytes with IL-1β in the Pathogenesis of West Syndrome.

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of West syndrome (WS). Inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β(IL-1β), have been reported to be associated with epilepsy. However, the assessment of cytokine changes in humans is not always simple or deterministic.

Interleukin-1β in peripheral monocytes is associated with seizure frequency in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy.

In this study, we assessed circulating immune cells and plasma cytokine levels in 15 pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). DRE patients had a significantly higher percentage of CD14 monocytes positive for IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, and TNF-α than controls. Significantly higher intracellular levels of IFN-γ in CD4 T cells and NK cells were also found in DRE patients.

Increased Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Cytokine Levels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients of Sudden Unexpected Death with or without Viral Infection.

Objective: To clarify the pathogenesis of sudden unexpected natural death (SUD) as well as biomarkers to differentiate the underlying diseases, by performing cytokine analysis in the acute phase of pediatric patients in whom viral infection led to SUD.

Methods: An acute phase cytokine analysis of pediatric patients in whom viral infection led to SUD was performed, and the data obtained were compared with those from SUD patients not associated with viral infections. Subjects included 4 boys aged 1-16 mo who died of cardiopulmonary arrest associated with viral infections.

Orthostatic Headache in Children Including Postural Tachycardia Syndrome and Orthostatic Hypotension: A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.

Background And Aim: Although head and/or neck pain attributed to orthostatic hypotension is included in international guidelines, its mechanisms and relevance remain unknown. This study examined the term's relevance and aimed to elucidate the associated clinical features.

Methods: An active stand test was performed to evaluate fluctuations in systemic and cerebral circulation in children and adolescents reporting complaints in the absence of a confirmed organic disorder.

Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Levels in Japanese Infants with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Younger than 3 Months of Age.

Low blood levels of vitamin D have been reported in children who have frequent respiratory tract infections. We measured serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D in Japanese infants under 3 months of age who had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D in the 10 infants, excluding those with underlying diseases, were between < 4 and 29.

Clinical Features and Burden Scores in Japanese Pediatric Migraines With Brainstem Aura, Hemiplegic Migraine, and Retinal Migraine.

Background: Migraines are a broad spectrum of disorders classified by the type of aura with some requiring attentive treatment. Vasoconstrictors, including triptans, should be avoided in the acute phase of migraines with brainstem aura, in hemiplegic migraine, and in retinal migraine. This study investigated the characteristics and burden of these migraines.

A case of respiratory syncytial virus-associated encephalopathy in which the virus was detected in cerebrospinal fluid and intratracheal aspiration despite negative rapid test results.

We report a first case of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection-associated encephalopathy in which RS virus was detected in the patient's intratracheal aspiration and cerebrospinal fluid despite negative rapid test results of the nasal swab. The patient's findings and clinical course coincided with those of acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) with severe subsequent sequelae. Our case indicates that clinicians should consider RSV infection when patients have AESD with unknown etiology.

Granzyme A Participates in the Pathogenesis of Infection-Associated Acute Encephalopathy.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine whether granzymes are implicated in the pathogenesis of infection-associated acute encephalopathy (AE).

Methods: We investigated granzyme and cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute encephalopathy or complex febrile seizures (cFS). A total of 24 acute encephalopathy patients and 22 complex febrile seizures patients were included in the present study.