Influence of SNPs in cytokine-related genes on the severity of food allergy and atopic eczema in children.

Although many single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) studies have reported an association of atopy, allergic diseases and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, almost all of these studies sought risk factors for the onset of these allergic diseases. Furthermore, many studies have analyzed a single gene and hardly any have analyzed environmental factors. In these analyses, the results could be masked and the effects of other genes and environmental factors may be decreased.

Clinical applications of real-time PCR for diagnosis and treatment of human cytomegalovirus infection in children.

There are many methods of detecting human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. So far, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been very useful not only in aiding in the diagnosis of HCMV but also in determining the severity and predicting HCMV infection. However, it is time-consuming and labor intensive.

IgE binding to raw and boiled shrimp proteins in atopic and nonatopic patients with adverse reactions to shrimp.

Background: Characterization of seafood allergens is important to understand the immune response to these allergens. Moreover, a detailed comparison between atopic and nonatopic patients with adverse reactions to shrimp has never been reported.

Methods: Raw and boiled shrimp extracts were analyzed by immunoblotting using sera from 9 atopic and 7 nonatopic patients with a history of adverse reactions to shrimp, and 13 control subjects.

[The national survey of immediate type of food allergy].

Background: The actual conditions regarding immediate type food allergy have not been fully understood. Appropriate countermeasures have not been taken so far. The objective of our research is to identify the actual conditions of immediate type food allergy in Japan for the purpose of contributing to future practices.

[In vitro evaluation of allergenicity of dried food powders manufactured for food provocation test].

Food provocation test (FPT) is one of important diagnostic methods for food allergy, but no standard antigens for FPT have yet been developed. In this study, dried powders were manufactured from five kinds of foods (cow's milk, hen egg, chicken, soybean and wheat) by spray-drying or freeze-drying and examined in vitro for their usefulness as antigens for FPT. In SDS-PAGE, the migration pattern of the extract from each powder was the same as or closely similar to that of the extract from its material.

[Symptoms of sick house syndrome and contributory factors; study of general dwellings in Hokkaido].

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the "Sick House Syndrome" which has recently received increasing attention, and to investigate relationships between symptoms and the state of general dwellings in Hokkaido.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to residents in 1775 dwellings, mainly solitary houses built or remodeled within the past few years by 24 construction companies in Sapporo and its environs, and answers was received from 564. The questionnaires included queries about building structure and characteristics, the residents' habits in the home, and subjective symptoms.

A comparison survey of seizures and other symptoms of Pokemon phenomenon.

On 16 December 1997, many Japanese children developed neurologic problems while watching the animated television series Pokemon. This study included children who visited the outpatient departments of 14 pediatric clinics for other reasons within 2 months after this incident. Volunteering children and parents or guardians were asked to complete questionnaires.

Pepsin-resistant 16-kD buckwheat protein is associated with immediate hypersensitivity reaction in patients with buckwheat allergy.

Background: Buckwheat is becoming popular in many countries as a health food and the incidence of buckwheat allergy is increasing in Asia. The ingestion of small amounts sometimes provokes an anaphylactic reaction. However, it remains controversial which is the major allergen responsible for such reactions.

Potter sequence complicated by congenital cystic lesion of the bladder.

We report a case complicated by oligohydramnios, pulmonary hypoplasia, bilateral renal dysplasia, and cystic lesion of the bladder. He was clinically compatible with Potter sequence. Congenital cystic bladder is the rarest form of the bladder.

Altered eosinophil levels as a result of viral infection in asthma exacerbation in childhood.

Respiratory viral infection is known to be a significant cause of asthma exacerbation. Eosinophils have been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations. To determine how often asthma exacerbation is caused by virus infections and to examine the relationship between eosinophilia and asthma episode, we investigated 64 children who experienced asthma attacks between October 1999 and March 2000.

Changes of the physiological parameters of very low-birthweight infants with chronic lung disease treated with dexamethasone.

Background: Dexamethasone is widely used for the treatment of chronic lung disease (CLD), but its mechanism of action is still not clearly understood.

Methods: Respiratory status, bodyweight, blood pressure, urine volume, fluid intake and nutrient intake were investigated in 12 infants with CLD during treatment with dexamethasone.

Results: The mean gestational age of the patients was 26.

Changes in Histamine/Tryptase Levels in Skin Chambers: Application for Clinical Evaluation of Atopic Dermatitis.

We measured changes in histamine and tryptase levels in fluid of children with atopic dermatitis using skin chamber methods and evaluated the correlation with clinical symptoms. Skin chambers were applied to forearm skin which had been scratched with a needle, and an extract of Dermatophagoides farinae (mite antigen) at 50 μg/ml in saline was added through 0.3-μm filters as a challenge.

Bronchial Response Study of Asthmatic Patients Using an Atmosphere-Changing Chamber.

We studied the bronchial response to low-pressure conditions by using an atmosphere-controlling chamber. When asthmatic patients were put in a chamber in which the pressure was reduced gradually, their small airways did not change until an estimated 1,000-meter level and from an estimated 1,500 m asthmatic patients' lung function crossed to that of normal subjects. For astmatics there was a remarkable change in saturation of oxygen under low-pressure conditions.