Inhaled particulate matter (PM) might influence many adverse health effects in human body, including increased exacerbations of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we examined the associations between PM and pulmonary adverse effects. Two types of particles, Asian dust (AD) and titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), were administered intratracheally to C57BL/6 mice. The mice were exposed to saline and saline suspensions of 20 mg/kg of AD, TiO(2) particles twice a week for 12 weeks. Following exposure with these particles, the lungs were analyzed histopathologically by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome (MT) staining. Oxidative injuries were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for 8-oxoguanine in the lungs and Comet assays in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of C57BL/6 mice. Mice exposed to AD and TiO(2) showed significant inflammatory changes and oxidative damages in the lungs as compared with the control group. DNA damage in PBMCs was also increased significantly in AD and TiO(2)-exposed mice. However, lung fibrosis was minimal and there was no significant difference between PM exposed and control mice. Exposure to AD and TiO(2) particles-induced similar inflammatory damages in the lungs and elicited oxidative DNA damage in the PBMCs.

Endoscopic subureteral injection for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is known to be safe and efficient due to its minimal invasive nature. Being non-migratory, non-antigenic, and biocompatible, Macroplastique (Polydimethylsiloxane) is likely to be stable over time. A 5-year-old boy with a past history of subureteral administration of Macroplastique for unilateral Grade V VUR 4 years ago presented with recurrent gross and microscopic hematuria, along with suprapubic pain. On computed tomography (CT) abdomen, calcified material, suspected to be a stone, was visualized in the bladder. On diagnostic cystoscopy, calcification was seen around the orifice site where Macroplastique injection had been performed. We removed the calcific material by Holmium laser. Endoscopic subureteric implantation has several advantages, but nevertheless, vigilance is needed to detect longterm complications, especially in patients with gross or microscopic hematuria.

Background:Respiratory viruses play a significant role in the etiology of acute respiratory infections and exacerbation of chronic respiratory illnesses. This study was conducted to identify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with acute viral lower respiratory infections. Methods: This study investigated 1,168 children diagnosed with acute viral lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) between January 2012 and December 2014. Specimens of respiratory viruses were collected using a nasopharyngeal swab and analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and analyzed the clinical features of children hospitalized for acute lower respiratory infections. Results: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the main cause of infection in children aged <5 years, was the most commonly detected pathogen in children with bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and resulted in high proportions of children requiring oxygen treatment and intensive care unit admission. Rhinovirus was preceded by RSV as the second most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and was detected most frequently in the children aged ≥6 years. In addition, asthma was predominantly caused by rhinovirus in children aged ≥6 years, whereas croup was mostly caused by parainfluenza virus in those aged <5 years. Rhinovirus infection (p<0.001) and history of asthma (p=0.049) were identified as significant risk factors for readmission within a month. Conclusion: We identified the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory viruses in children with acute lower respiratory infections during the last 3 years. Our findings may provide useful clinical insight to comprehend the acute viral lower RTIs in children.