Search

The article presents guidelines on working group for revision of guidelines for the use of Palivizumab in Japan. Topics include the precautions and indications on the drug's information leaflet, the appropriate use of this agent should be used on a patient by patient basis; and referring to guidelines issued by healthcare societies and other professional academic organizations.

The precise alignment of multiple layers of metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films, or MOF‐on‐MOF films, over macroscopic length scales is presented. The MOF‐on‐MOF films are fabricated by epitaxially matching the interface. The first MOF layer (Cu2(BPDC)2, BPDC=biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate) is grown on an oriented Cu(OH)2 film by a "one‐pot" approach. Aligned second (Cu2(BDC)2, BDC=benzene 1,4‐dicarboxylate, or Cu2(BPYDC)2, BPYDC=2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐dicarboxylate) MOF layers can be deposited using liquid‐phase epitaxy. The co‐orientation of the MOF films is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Importantly, our strategy allows for the synthesis of aligned MOF films, for example, Cu2(BPYDC)2, that cannot be grown on a Cu(OH)2 surface. We show that aligned MOF films furnished with Ag nanoparticles show a unique anisotropic plasmon resonance. Our MOF‐on‐MOF approach expands the chemistry of heteroepitaxially oriented MOF films and provides a new toolbox for multifunctional porous coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise alignment of multiple layers of metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films, or MOF‐on‐MOF films, over macroscopic length scales is presented. The MOF‐on‐MOF films are fabricated by epitaxially matching the interface. The first MOF layer (Cu2(BPDC)2, BPDC=biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate) is grown on an oriented Cu(OH)2 film by a "one‐pot" approach. Aligned second (Cu2(BDC)2, BDC=benzene 1,4‐dicarboxylate, or Cu2(BPYDC)2, BPYDC=2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐dicarboxylate) MOF layers can be deposited using liquid‐phase epitaxy. The co‐orientation of the MOF films is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Importantly, our strategy allows for the synthesis of aligned MOF films, for example, Cu2(BPYDC)2, that cannot be grown on a Cu(OH)2 surface. We show that aligned MOF films furnished with Ag nanoparticles show a unique anisotropic plasmon resonance. Our MOF‐on‐MOF approach expands the chemistry of heteroepitaxially oriented MOF films and provides a new toolbox for multifunctional porous coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel UV lithographic technique for the patterning of the block copolymer (Pluronic) thin films is developed. The present method is based on UV-induced water affinity changes in block copolymer films. By water vapor post-treatment of the film, a difference in water content is established between UV illuminated and unilluminated sections, which can induce an osmotic pressure at the interface. This osmotic pressure drives the migration of Pluronic molecules, resulting in formation of patterns on the block copolymer films. Remarkably, this patterning method requires neither initiators nor polymerizable moieties which are essential for a conventional photolithographic approach. Additionally, the etching process is bypassed, eliminating the use of destructive acids or organic solvents and making this an environmentally friendly patterning protocol. It is reported that Pluronic is photo-responsive to UV exposure, which causes the dehydration of the PEO-PPO-PEO backbone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach for the fabrication of homogeneous HKUST-1 [Cu3(BTC)2] coatings on copper metal plates, 3D objects, and as patterns, is here proposed. The conversion can be performed at room temperature in approximately 30 minutes using an aqueous ethanolic mixture. The two step conversion mechanism occurs via the formation of Cu(OH)2 nanotubes. Microscopic time-course monitoring reveals the conversion steps. The adhesion of the metal organic-framework (MOF) crystals, as well as the functional properties of the resulting supported catalyst, are successfully tested. The versatility of the conversion mechanism on different metal copper substrates is investigated as well; in particular, a photolithography protocol is proposed for the preparation of MOF patterns. This protocol offers several features (short processing time, applicability to any copper metal object, low cost of the equipment, room temperature conditions) that would make it favorable for basic research and industrial exploitation of MOF capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrin coatings on prosthetic vascular graft, which are conventionally produced by fibrinogen and thrombin, are expected to improve antithrombogenicity and healing characteristics. Thrombin is one of the factors of blood coagulation cascade; however, it has a possibility to play a negative role in the graft antithrombogenicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of our new grafts, thrombin-free fibrin-coated small caliber vascular prostheses. Knitted polyester fabric vascular prostheses 2 mm in internal diameter were coated with fibrin coating with thrombin (Graft I) or without thrombin (Graft II). Both grafts were implanted in bilateral common carotid arteries of 35 Japanese white rabbits, with Graft I in one side and Graft II in the contralateral side. Graft patency, histology, thrombin activity, and platelet deposition were compared between both grafts on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 30, and 60. Both grafts were patent without thrombus or stenosis at each end point (maximal period, POD 60). Macro- and microscopic findings revealed that no obvious difference was observed between both grafts. Before graft implantation, thrombin activities in Grafts I and II were 0.711 ± 0.086 and 0.009 ± 0.007 optical density at 405 nm, respectively. Thrombin activity of Graft II was significantly less than that of Graft I in every period after graft implantation, and platelet deposition of Graft II was significantly less than that of Graft I until POD 30. Thrombin-free fibrin-coated vascular prostheses have superior performance of antithrombogenicity to conventional fibrin-coated vascular prostheses with thrombin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DS5 ( Direct-Searcher Automatic System Version 5), for the crystal structure analysis of small molecules on personal computers (PCs), is a new program that integrates more than 18 main programs, subroutines and mathematics/graphic libraries of the DS*SYSTEM4 package. Three features of note are: compatibility of input instruction data with the SHELX series, control of calculation sequences by subprogram names that are prepared by the user, and graphical output on the PC display with Postscript/HPGL files. All functions of DS5 are inherited from DS*SYSTEM4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new computer program, ShakePSD (filtering using the Patterson function search procedures and direct methods), has been developed to solve the structures of organic compounds automatically on personal computers (PCs) operating under Windows. ShakePSD is a single program that can discriminate whether a heavy-atom is included or not and can employ heavy-atom methods (Patterson and search tot all remaining atoms) or direct methods (tangent formula and/or minimal function). A new subroutine, MINIMAL, adopts the Karle recycling method based on the theory. The input data are cell constants, space group, number of atoms with atomic types and observed structure factors F[sub D](h). Compared to the TANGENT produced (employing the tangent formula). MINIMAL is able to obtain the same or a larger number of atoms in a run set and the number of run sets is distinctly larger in a Single computer execution. MINIMAL is a powerful procedure, but it takes a considerable amount of processing time on a Windows PC. The output is in the form of two-dimensional projection diagrams of the molecules in a unit cell. ShakePSD is an automatic general phase solver, being able to handle both heavy-atom methods and direct methods within a single program, and determines, with certainty, molecular fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problems and solutions for the far end measurement of frequency characteristics of the baseband response of a multimode fiber due to dispersion are presented. Also described is a configuration of the measuring equipment of the baseband response. For the latter, the following are important: (i) removal of the effect of the material dispersion; (ii) stabilization and leveling of the modulation level; (iii) stabilization of the optical output level; (iv) removal of the effect of the reflected light from the output end and the input end of the fiber. Solutions for these problems are: (i) single-mode oscillation of the semiconductor laser by reduction of the modulation index; (ii) stabilization and leveling of the modulation level by a negative feedback loop that monitors the modulation level of the backward light of the laser; (iii) stabilization of the optical output by a negative feedback loop that monitors the output level of the backward light of the laser; and (iv) removal of the effect of the reflected light by means of oblique incidence and small input aperture angle. When the baseband characteristic of a fiber a few kilometers long is measured, irregular variations are observed. A solution to this problem is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new optical wavemeter using a quartz azimuth rotator for direct reading of wavelength is described. When linearly polarized light having a certain wavelength enters the quartz rotator the plane of polarization rotates, the angle of rotation depending on the thickness of the quartz and the wavelength. Since the thickness of the quartz in the wavemeter is kept constant, the wave- length can be read from the angle of rotation of the polarized input light. This angle is obtained from the ratio of two polarized light beams which are divided from the input light by using an optical analyzer. The quartz thickness at which the error in measurement of wavelength is minimum is found. The relationship between the dividing ratio of the beams and the wavelength is also found. An azimuth quartz rotator with optimum thick- ness is fabricated. It is confirmed that the calculated and measured characteristics of the dividing ratio versus wavelength are in good agreement. The wavemeter has a wave- length range of 0.6–1.6 μm and measurement accuracy better than 1 nm at input power of -35 dBm. To increase the utility of the wavemeter, a device to measure its input power with high sensitivity is added to the apparatus, the resulting accuracy being better than 0.1 dB at an input level of -35 dBm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoramidon-sensitve endothelin-converting enzyme of bovine endothelial cells showed substrate selectivity for big endothelin-1 (ET-1) when compared to big ET-1(1–380, big ET-2(1–37), big ET-2(1–38) and big ET-3(1–41). To investigate the big ET-1 structure important for specific conversion by the endothelin-converting enzyme, we synthesized a series of truncated analogues of big ET-1, measured the hydrolysis of their Trp21-Val22 bonds, and found that a 16-residue peptide, big ET-1(19–34), is the minimal peptide sequence. This suggests that an unusually long carboxy-terminal sequence is required for big ET-1 conversion. Alanine substitution for individual amino acids in the carboxy-terminal region of big ET-1(19–34) demonstrated that Hiss27, Val29, Pro30, Tyr31, Gly32, Leu33 and Gly34 are more important than Asn23, Thr24, Pro25, Glu26 and Val28 for eliciting efficient hydrolysis of the Trp21-Val22 bond, even though the former residues are located at more distant positions from the cleavage sites than are the latter. These results, together with the fact that big ET-2 and big ET-3 show heterogeneity in the big ET-1 residues His27, Val28, Val29 and Gly34, suggest that the His27-Val-Val-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Gly34 sequence in the carboxy-terminal region of big ET-1 plays the most important role in selective conversion by endothelin converting enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) was purified from bovine endothelial cell conditioned medium by a simple procedure in the absence of protein denaturant. The yield was 2.2 mg from 1.61 conditioned medium in a typical experiment. The purified inhibitor showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse fibrin autography with an apparent molecular mass of 45 Wa. The amino-terminal 40-amino-acid sequence was determined and found to be 70% similar to the reported corresponding sequence of human PAI-1. The amino acid composition also revealed a close relationship between bovine PAI and human PAI-1. The purified PAI was substantially inactive (570 U/mg) but it could be activated by treatment with protein denaturants such as 1% SDS (1.8 × 105 U/mg) and 4 M guanidine-HCl (1.5 × 105 U/mg). A more effective activation of this latent PAI was achieved by heat treatment at 100°C for 2.5 min, generating the specific activity of 1.0 × 106 U/mg. The heat-activated PAI lost its activity during incubation at 56°C for 30 min, but repeated heat at 100°C for 2.5 min could regenerate about 70% of the initial activity. Treatment at 37°C, 56°C and 80°C. however, failed to activate the latent PAI at all. These findings suggest that the buried reactive site of the latent PAI is exposed as a result of a heat-induced, specific conformational change, but tends to be masked again during renaturation under mild conditions, i.e. the PAI protein takes on preferentially a latent form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the feasibility of a decentralized voltage control scheme for large-scale power systems. The algorithm is intended to apply to a reactive normal operating state from an emergency state causal by ill-condition and also to keep the operating state away from approaching unstable boundaries in preventive control. The procedure for releasing voltage deviation (over/under voltage) is formulated as a multistage decision process over a certain time interval. The optimization problem is transformed into a two-point boundary value problem using the discrete maximum principle and is solved easily by using the discrete Riccati equation. For a large-scale power system, control values must be computed front a large number of state variables, and this inevitably prolongs the slow dynamics with controllers. The centralized control system in a large- scale system cannot be justified from the economical and technical viewpoints. To resolve the foregoing problems, a decentralized voltage control system incorporating slow voltage dynamics is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions The COVID‐19 pandemic has affected the lives of people of all ages. Most reports on pediatric cases suggest that children experience fewer and milder symptoms than do adults. This is the first nationwide study in Japan focusing on pediatric cases reported by pediatricians, including cases with no or mild symptoms.We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and transmission patterns of 840 pediatric (<16 years old) COVID‐19 cases reported between February and December 2020 in Japan, using a dedicated database which was maintained voluntarily by members of the Japan Pediatric Society.Almost half of the patients (47.7%) were asymptomatic, while most of the others presented mild symptoms. At the time of admission or first outpatient clinic visit, 84.0% of the cases were afebrile (<37.5°C). In total, 609 cases (72.5%) were exposed to COVID‐19‐positive household members. We analyzed the influence of nationwide school closures that were introduced in March 2020 on COVID‐19 transmission routes among children in Japan. Transmission within households occurred most frequently, with no significant difference between the periods before and after declaring nationwide school closures (70.9% and 74.5%, respectively).COVID‐19 symptoms in children are less severe than those in adults. School closure appeared to have a limited effect on transmission. Controlling household transmission from adult family members is the most important measure for prevention of COVID‐19 among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling metal–organic framework (MOF) growth on different substrates is crucial for device fabrication. An Australian–Japanese collaboration between M. Takahashi, P. Falcaro, and co‐workers demonstrates on page 1969 how MOF coatings on flat plates, 3D surfaces, and patterns can be fabricated using a facile, two‐step conversion process at room temperature with aqueous/alocholic solutions. Using copper substrates, nanotubes are grown and then quickly converted to MOF crystals, and MOF patterns are fabricated using sunlight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of pore filling is an important parameter for defining guest@MOF properties in applications including electronics, optics, and gas separation. However, the interplay of key aspects of host–guest interactions, such as a quantitative description of the guest alignment or the structural integrity of the host as function of pore filling are yet to be determined. Polarisation‐dependent infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection configuration combined with gas sorption allowed to simultaneously study the orientation of the guest molecule and structural changes of the MOF framework during the pore filling process. Thereby we found, that initially randomly oriented guest molecules align with increasing pore filling during adsorption from the gas phase. At the same time, the framework itself undergoes a reversible, guest molecule‐dependent rotation of the aromatic linker and a linker detachment process, which induce defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Grad der Porenfüllung definiert die Gast@MOF‐Eigenschaften in Anwendungen wie Elektronik, Optik und Gastrennung. Das Zusammenspiel von Schlüsselaspekten der Wirt‐Gast‐Wechselwirkungen, wie eine quantitative Beschreibung der Gastausrichtung oder die strukturelle Integrität des Wirts als Funktion der Porenfüllung, muss jedoch noch bestimmt werden. Polarisationsabhängige Infrarotspektroskopie in abgeschwächter Totalreflexionskonfiguration in Kombination mit Gassorption ermöglichten es, gleichzeitig die Orientierung des Gastmoleküls und strukturelle Änderungen des MOF‐Gerüsts während des Porenfüllprozesses zu untersuchen. Dabei stellten wir fest, dass sich zunächst zufällig orientierte Gastmoleküle mit zunehmender Porenfüllung während der Adsorption aus der Gasphase ausrichten. Gleichzeitig erfährt das Gerüst selbst eine reversible, vom Gastmolekül abhängige Rotation des aromatischen Liganden und einen Prozess der Ligandenablösung, wodurch Defekte induziert werden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ideal situation in constructing a broadband communication network is that all kinds of services are provided by a single network. Such a structure is not necessarily advantageous at the present state of technology. From such a viewpoint, the best approach would be first to construct an economically-optimum system, mostly considering the C - E type broadband distribution service, which is estimated to have the highest demand, and gradually extend the network for other services. This paper first describes that the configuration combining the star-type subscriber link and the tree-type trunk lines is economical and has the functional expendability. Next another configuration is considered, in which the optical fiber is used for the subscriber link and the frequency division switch is used for the channel selections in the conversion of network topology. It is shown that the system is the optimum from the viewpoint of the cost per subscriber. By applying the notion of the cross-contact switch, it is shown that the proposed system can be ex- tended to the C - E type video retrieval service and E - E type transmission service. The optical distribution system will be utilized effectively in the future new media, providing the basis for the broadband communication network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The singlet fission (SF) dynamics of pentacene linear aggregate models are investigated using the quantum master equation method by focusing on the Frenkel excitonic (FE) coupling effects on the SF rate and double triplet (TT) yield as well as on their aggregate size dependences. It is found that for the dimer model, unrealistically large FE couplings are needed to provide significant effects on the SF dynamics, while for the larger aggregate models a realistic FE coupling causes significant variations in the SF dynamics: as increasing the aggregate size, the SF rate rapidly increases, attains the maximum at 8‐mer (~3 times enhancement as compared to the non‐FE‐coupling case) and then decreases, approaching a stationary value after 12‐mer, although the stationary TT yield at 20‐mer remains slightly smaller than that in the non‐FE‐coupling case. These features are explained based on the relative relaxation factors between the adiabatic exciton states. The present results contribute to constructing the design guidelines for highly efficient SF aggregates. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The singlet fission (SF) dynamics of pentacene linear aggregates are investigated using the quantum master equation method by focusing on the Frenkel excitonic (FE) coupling effects on the SF rate and double triplet yield as well as on their aggregate size dependences. It is found that a realistic FE coupling causes significant size‐dependent variations in the SF rate, which are explained by the relative relaxation factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aromaticity of dicyclopenta‐fused acenes (DPAs) and polyacenes (PAs) of increasing size has been studied by evaluation with the GIMIC method at the DFT level of the magnetically‐induced currents (MICs), and by analyzing their spatial distributions. For these open‐shell singlet molecules, spin‐restricted and ‐unrestricted treatments provide very different MICs, the latter ones providing the most reliable solution. These MICs and the differences between spin‐restricted and ‐unrestricted treatments are interpreted in terms of the bond current strengths and the current gradients, which indicate the bond aromaticity and enable the spatial distributions of the diatropic and paratropic currents to be analyzed, respectively. In particular, they allow the rationalization of the MICs in correlation with the odd‐electron density distributions and their diradical characters. These calculations demonstrate that 1) in increasingly large PAs the bond current strengths get smaller and smaller than in benzene and get almost similar in the central and terminal rings, 2) for DPAs the MICs increase from dominant paratropic currents and antiaromaticity in the small compounds to diatropic currents and aromaticity in the larger ones, and 3) in the largest DPAs, the central rings are characterized by large diatropic currents and the terminal five‐membered rings, for which the odd‐electron densities are localized by weak ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new version of the Japanese pediatric guideline for the treatment and management of bronchial asthma was published in Japanese at the end of 2011. The guideline sets the pragmatic goal for clinicians treating childhood asthma as maintaining a 'well-controlled level' for an extended period in which the child patient can lead a trouble-free daily life, not forgetting the ultimate goal of obtaining remission and/or cure. Important factors in the attainment of the pragmatic goal are: (i) appropriate use of anti-inflammatory drugs; (ii) elimination of environmental risk factors; and (iii) educational and enlightening activities for the patient and caregivers regarding adequate asthma management in daily life. The well-controlled level refers to a symptom-free state in which no transient coughs, wheezing, dyspnea or other symptoms associated with bronchial asthma are present, even for a short period of time. As was the case in the previous versions of the guideline, asthmatic children younger than 2 years of age are defined as infantile asthma patients. Special attention is paid to these patients in the new guideline: they often have rapid exacerbation and easily present chronic asthmatic conditions after the disease is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Pulmonology and the Japanese Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases developed the Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children with the objective of facilitating the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood respiratory infections. To date, a first edition (2004) and a revised edition (2007) have been issued. Many problems complicate the diagnosis of the pathogens responsible for bronchopulmonary infections in children. The Guidelines were the first pediatric guidelines in the world to recommend treatment with antimicrobials suited to causative pathogens as identified from cultures of sputum and other clinical specimens collected from infection sites and satisfying assessment criteria. The major causative microorganisms for pneumonia in infants and children were revealed to be Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This manuscript describes the Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children in Japan 2007, with a focus on pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fourth version of the Japanese Pediatric Guidelines for the Treatment and Management of Bronchial Asthma 2008 (JPGL 2008) was published by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology in December 2008. In JPGL 2008, the recommendations were revised on the basis of the JPGL 2005. The JPGL 2008 is different to the Global Initiative for Asthma guideline in that it contains the following items: a classification system of asthma severity; recommendations for long-term management organized by age; a special mention of infantile asthma; and an emphasis on prevention and early intervention. Here we show a summary of the JPGL 2008 revising our previous report concerning JPGL 2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether the use of a stentless porcine aortic xenograft can be an alternative for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction during the Ross procedure, 9 patients underwent the Ross procedure and RVOT reconstruction with a stentless xenograft since January 2000. After the aortic valve was replaced with a pulmonary autograft, a stentless xenograft with a xenopericardial roll was implanted in the RVOT. One patient required subsequent aortic valve replacement because of severe regurgitation of the pulmonary autograft. All patients recovered well from the operation. The right ventricle-pulmonary arterial pressure gradient was 18 ± 7 mm Hg at discharge and was not significantly increased during the 2-year follow-up period. Although 1 patient died of ventricular arrhythmia 5 months after, his cardiac function was normal, and transpulmonary valve pressure was 19 mm Hg in the follow-up. The other 7 patients are currently in New York Heart Association functional Class I. Although long-term follow-up is required to explain the durability, the stentless xenograft with a pericardial roll is considered to be an alternative for reconstruction of the RVOT within 2 years after the Ross procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Helicobacter pylori is the causative agent of type B chronic gastritis, and plays a major role in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. Because gastric cancer has been the leading cause of cancer mortality in Japan and Korea, we conducted a seroepidemiological study to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Japan and Korea in order to explain the current change in the gastric cancer incidences between two countries. Materials and Methods. Samples used for this study included 1204 sera from Chinju, Korea and 580 sera from Fukuoka, Japan. Immunoblotting, using a sonicated crude H. pylori antigen and 1:5 dilution of serum, was performed, considering the immunoblot shows reactivity to the 120 Kd antigen of H. pylori as a specific marker of H. pylori infection. Results. Seroepidemiology data from Fukuoka, Japan showed a prevalence of H. pylori infection of 20% before school age, 40% by teenage years, and over 80% beyond 20~years of age. Seroepidemiology data from Chinju, Korea, showed a 50% infection rate in preschool ages, and over 80% prevalence rate after 7~years of age. Conclusions. Lower rates of childhood H. pylori infection in Fukuoka may explain the recent decline and shift in the incidence of stomach cancer in Japan, supporting the hypothesis that H. pylori is a major determinant in the pathogenesis of stomach cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Pulmonology and the Japanese Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases developed the Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children with the objective of facilitating the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood respiratory infections. To date, a first edition (2004) and a revised edition (2007) have been issued. Many problems complicate the diagnosis of the pathogens responsible for bronchopulmonary infections in children. The Guidelines were the first pediatric guidelines in the world to recommend treatment with antimicrobials suited to causative pathogens as identified from cultures of sputum and other clinical specimens collected from infection sites and satisfying assessment criteria. The major causative microorganisms for pneumonia in infants and children were revealed to be Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This manuscript describes the Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children in Japan 2007, with a focus on pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]