Iron Deficiency in Preschool Children with Chronic Rhinitis.

Iron deficiency (ID) has been intricately linked with various inflammatory diseases. Chronic rhinitis stands as one of most common respiratory inflammation disorders in children. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ID among preschool children with chronic rhinitis and to explore the association between ID and chronic rhinitis in this population.

The Pathogenic Role of Anti-Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Autoantibodies in the Nocardiosis with the Central Nervous System Involvement.

Purpose: Anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies (anti-GM-CSF Abs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) infection and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Their presence has also been noted in nocardiosis cases, particularly those with disseminated disease.

Cryptococcus gattii Infection as the Major Clinical Manifestation in Patients with Autoantibodies Against Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor.

Purpose: Anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies (anti-GM-CSF Abs) are a predisposing factor for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and Cryptococcus gattii cryptococcosis. This study aimed to investigate clinical manifestations in anti-GM-CSF Ab-positive patients with C. gattii cryptococcosis and analyze the properties of anti-GM-CSF Abs derived from these patients and patients with PAP.

Pathogenic autoantibodies to IFN-γ act through the impedance of receptor assembly and Fc-mediated response.

Anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies (AIGAs) are a pathogenic factor in late-onset immunodeficiency with disseminated mycobacterial and other opportunistic infections. AIGAs block IFN-γ function, but their effects on IFN-γ signaling are unknown. Using a single-cell capture method, we isolated 19 IFN-γ-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from patients with AIGAs.

Anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies underlie disseminated Talaromyces marneffei infections.

Talaromyces marneffei causes life-threatening opportunistic infections, mainly in Southeast Asia and South China. T. marneffei mainly infects patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but also infects individuals without known immunosuppression.

A model for predicting risk of serious bacterial infection in febrile infants younger than 3 months of age.

Background: The objective of this study was to construct a model for predicting the risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile infants.

Methods: A total of 135 febrile infants younger than 3 months of age who met the inclusion criteria were assessed on the following: physical appearance, complete blood count, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), urinalysis, stool smears for white blood cell (WBC) count if diarrhea was apparent, and blood and urine cultures. Chest X-rays were performed if respiratory symptoms were evident.

Placental weight and birth characteristics of healthy singleton newborns.

To determine the relationship of placental weight and birth characteristics of healthy Chinese singleton newborns, 552 consecutive singleton near-term and uncomplicated pregnancies were enrolled in a retrospective study from October 2000 to April 2001. Maternal age, infants' gender, gestational age, placental weight (PW), birth weight (BW), birth length (BL), cord length, ponderal index, and appearance of meconium-stained amniotic fluid or a nuchal cord were recorded and analyzed. Our results show that the mean value of BW was 3235 +/- 17 g, birth length was 48.