The idea that human bocavirus (hBoV) infection possibly plays a role in gastroenteritis has been suggested because of the frequent manifestation of gastrointestinal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hBoV in children with gastroenteritis. We studied the etiologic agents in 962 children hospitalized with gastroenteritis. Viral etiologic agents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A viral agent was found in 44.4% of the study population: rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus were detected in 25.7%, 13.7%, 3.0%, and 1.1% of the study population, respectively; hBoV was detected in 0.8%, which suggests that it might play a minor role in gastroenteritis.Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases requiring hospitalization of children. Group A rotavirus, norovirus, enteric adenovirus, and astrovirus are known to be important viral etiologic agents of gastroenteritis in children, and their detection is due to the use of improved diagnostic methods [1]. However, the etiologic agents are still undiagnosed in more than half of the patients with gastroenteritis, despite improvements in diagnostic technology.In 2005, human bocavirus (hBoV) was identified in children with acute respiratory-tract infections [2]. Although hBoV has been detected frequently in children with upper-respiratory-tract infection, lower-respiratory-tract infection (LRTI), and asthma exacerbation, the clinical spectrum of hBoV and the role that it plays in these infections is not certain [3][4][5][6]. In previous studies, hBoV has been reported to be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in 11%-29% of patients [7-

A simple and mild esterification method using mixed carboxylic-carbonic anhydrides has been developed. Simple aliphatic carboxylic esters are prepared in high yields by the reaction of acids with equimolar amounts of chloroformates (2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate is an exception) and triethylamine in the presence of a catalytic amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine. Although aromatic acids give a mixture of the ester, the acid anhydride, and the carbonate under normal conditions utilized in this study, it is found that increasing the amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine drastically decreases the formation of the acid anhydride and the carbonate, affording a satisfactory yield of the ester. This method reaches a limit with sterically hindered acids and the formation of the acid anhydride and the carbonate is favored.

Background and Purpose3′‐Sialyllactose (3′‐SL) is a safe compound that is present in high levels in human milk. Although it has anti‐inflammatory properties and supports immune homeostasis, its effect on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) is unknown. In this study, we investigated the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of 3′‐SL on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in in vitro and in vivo models.Experimental ApproachThe anti‐arthritic effect of 3′‐SL was analysed with fibroblast‐like synoviocytes in vitro and an in vivo mouse model of CIA. RT‐PCR, Western blotting and ELISA were performed to evaluate its effects in vitro. Histological analysis of ankle and knee joints of mice with CIA was performed using immunohistochemistry, as well as safranin‐O and haematoxylin staining.Key Results3′‐SL markedly alleviated the severity of CIA in the mice by reducing paw swelling, clinical scores, incidence rate, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and autoantibody production. Moreover, 3′‐SL reduced synovitis and pannus formation and suppressed cartilage destruction by blocking secretion of chemokines, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_metalloproteinases and osteoclastogenesis via NF‐κB signalling. Notably, phosphorylation of p65, which is a key protein in the NF‐κB signalling pathway, was totally blocked by 3′‐SL in the RA models.Conclusions and Implications3′‐SL ameliorated pathogenesis of CIA by suppressing catabolic factor expression, proliferation of inflammatory immune cells and osteoclastogenesis. These effects were mediated via blockade of the NF‐κB signalling pathway. Therefore, 3′‐SL exerted prophylactic and therapeutic effects and could be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.

BackgroundPincer nail is a nail deformity characterized by transverse overcurvature of the nail plate. Pincer nail can affect a patient's quality of life due to its chronic, recurrent course; however, there have been no clinical studies on the pincer nail condition in Korean patients.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical findings and treatment of pincer nail. In addition, possible etiological factors were considered, and treatment efficacy was evaluated.MethodsThe medical records and clinical photographs of 35 patients (12 males, 23 females) who were diagnosed with pincer nail between August 1, 2005 and July 31, 2009 were studied.ResultsPatient age ranged from 10 to 77 (52.09±17.26) years, and there was a predominance of female (23 out of 35 patients, F:M=2:1). The mean duration of the disorder was 7.45 years (range 0.25~40); 85% had pincer nail for at least 1 year. In addition, 40% had a history of previous treatment and recurrence. There were 82.8% patients with the common type of pincer nails. The most commonly involved nails were both great toenails. Among 35 patients, nail grinding was started in 30 patients, and 25 patients showed clinical improvement with nail grinding. The width index increased and the height index decreased after treatment. The mean follow up period was 8.42 months (range 1~27), and 7 patients showed recurrence after 8.8 months (range 2~20). Among 35 patients, 5 patients were treated with nail extraction with matricectomy, and the symptoms resolved immediately. The mean follow up period was 7.6 months (range 0~19), and recurrence was not observed. Onychomycosis was also present in 37.1% of patients, and itraconazole pulse therapy for 3 months was added.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate the clinical features of pincer nail in Korean patients. The findings show that the common type of pincer nail was most common, and nail grinding as a conservative treatment greatly improved pincer nails despite a risk of recurrence. When onychomycosis was also present, oral antifungal therapy added to nail grinding resulted in a more rapid change in nail thickness and clinical improvement.