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Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is characterized by the formation of orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) comprising its M1 and M23 isoforms in the plasma membrane. However, the biological importance of OAP formation is obscure. Here, we developed an OAP depolymerization male mouse model by transgenic knock-in of an AQP4-A25Q mutation. Analyses of the mutant brain tissue using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, super-resolution imaging, and immunogold electron microscopy revealed remarkably reduced OAP structures and glial endfeet localization of the AQP4-A25Q mutant protein without effects on its overall mRNA and protein expression.AQP4A25Q/A25Qmice showed better survival and neurologic deficit scores when cerebral edema was induced by water intoxication or middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. The brain water content and swelling of pericapillary astrocytic endfeet processes inAQP4A25Q/A25Qmice were significantly reduced, functionally supporting decreased AQP4 protein expression at the blood–brain barrier. The infarct volume and neuronal damage were also reduced inAQP4A25Q/A25Qmice in the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion model. Astrocyte activation in the brain was alleviated inAQP4A25Q/A25Qmice, which may be associated with decreased cell swelling. We conclude that the OAP structure of AQP4 plays a key role in its polarized expression in astrocytic endfeet processes at the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, our study provided new insights into intervention of cerebral cellular edema caused by stroke and traumatic brain injury through regulating AQP4 OAP formation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAquaporin-4 (AQP4) is characterized by orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) comprising the M1 and M23 isoforms in the membrane. Here, an OAP depolymerization male mouse model induced by AQP4-A25Q mutation was first established, and the functions of OAP depolymerization in cerebral edema have been studied. The results revealed that AQP4 lost its OAP structure without affecting AQP4 mRNA and protein levels in AQP4-A25Q mice. AQP4-A25Q mutation mice has neuroprotective effects on cerebral edema induced by water intoxication and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion through relieving the activation of astrocytes and suppressed microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. We concluded that the OAP structure of AQP4 plays a key role in its polarized expression in astrocytic endfeet processes at the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, our study provided new insights into intervention of cerebral cellular edema caused by stroke and traumatic brain injury through regulating AQP4 OAP formation.

Synaptic plasticity is the neural basis of physiological processes involved in learning and memory. Tripartite motif-containing 32 (TRIM32) has been found to play many important roles in the brain such as neural stem cell proliferation, neurogenesis, inhibition of nerve proliferation, and apoptosis. TRIM32 has been linked to several nervous system diseases including autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the role of TRIM32 in regulating the mechanism of synaptic plasticity is still unknown. Our electrophysiological studies using hippocampal slices revealed that long-term potentiation of CA1 synapses was impaired in TRIM32 deficient (KO) mice. Further research found that dendritic spines density, AMPA receptors, and synaptic plasticity-related proteins were also reduced. NMDA receptors were upregulated whereas GABA receptors were downregulated in TRIM32 deficient mice, explaining the imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. This caused overexcitation leading to decreased neuronal numbers in the hippocampus and cortex. In summary, this study provides this maiden evidence on the synaptic plasticity changes of TRIM32 deficiency in the brain and proposes that TRIM32 relates the notch signaling pathway and its related mechanisms contribute to this deficit.

Objective To evaluate the association between maternal ambient pollutant exposure and neonatal jaundice in multiple pollutant species and examine sex differences. Study design Epidemiological study. Records of 13,297 newborns (6,153 males, 7,144 females) born in Taichung, Taiwan were obtained from a national database. Average concentrations of prenatal air pollutants 3 months prior to birth were divided into low, middle and high levels. Neonatal jaundice phototherapy rates between mothers who suffered varying air pollutant levels were compared. Clinical study: 376 newborns (189 males, 187 females) born and received jaundice treatment with phototherapy in a hospital in Taichung, Taiwan were recruited. The correlation between prenatal exposure to air pollutants 3 months prior to birth, newborn’s serum bilirubin and serum hemoglobin were calculated. Results Epidemiological study: Male newborns born to mothers exposed to high CO, NO, NO2, and CH4 levels had higher phototherapy rates. In female newborns, the same was noted for CO and CH4. Clinical study: Male newborns had a positive correlation between CO, PM10, PM2.5, NO, NO2, NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbon), and CH4 exposure 3 months prior to birth and serum bilirubin levels. Female newborns had a positive correlation for CH4. A positive correlation between CO, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, NMHC, CH4 exposure and serum hemoglobin levels was noted in male newborns. Conclusion Maternal exposure to air pollutants may increase neonatal jaundice treatment rates for phototherapy and higher neonatal serum total bilirubin level. Higher hemoglobin levels due to higher pollutant exposures may explain our findings. The association was more obvious in male newborns.

Autophagy plays a major role in defending against oxidative stress in respiratory epithelial cells. The complement regulatory protein CD46 can enhance autophagy and decrease local complement activation at sites of inflammation. This study investigated the mechanism by which CD46 protects against oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in respiratory epithelium in asthmatic patients. Nasal mucosa samples were obtained from 60 adults with mild asthma who received turbinectomy and 30 controls. A decreased expression of CD46 and increased apoptosis were noted in the damaged nasal epithelium from the asthmatic patients. Primary epithelial cells cultured with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 2 showed decreased CD46 and increased cleaved CASPASE-3A expressions. Crosslinking CD46 mAb could induce the formation of autophagosomes and LC3-II expression in primary epithelial cells. CD46 engagement could induce autophagy against hydrogen peroxide-induced epithelial cell death, whereas the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine decreased this effect. In addition, CD46 engagement decreased the expressions of PRO-IL-1β and NLRP3, enhanced the expression of scaffold protein GOPC, and diminished hydrogen peroxide-induced 8-OHdG, IL-1β and IL-6 production. Silencing ATG5 in human lung epithelial A549 cells decreased CD46-activated autophagy with LC3-II. CD46 induced autophagy and decreased the oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis of respiratory epithelium, and this may offer a new therapeutic strategy to treat asthma.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in children aged 4–48 months with atopic dermatitis. Methods: The design of this study was a two-center, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study with two parallel groups to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of L. rhamnosus in children aged 4–48 months with atopic dermatitis diagnosed using Hanifin and Rajka criteria and with a Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) ≥ 15 at enrollment. The duration of this study was 8 weeks with a total of five visits. The enrolled patients were allocated into either a treatment group (one ComProbi capsule containing L. rhamnosus a day) or a control group (one capsule of placebo a day) at a ratio of 1:1. The primary endpoint was to compare the mean change from baseline in SCORAD after 8 weeks of treatment. The other secondary end points were to compare the following: the mean changes from baseline in SCORAD at postbaseline visits, the frequency and total amount of the use of corticosteroids during the 8-week treatment, the frequency of atopic dermatitis and the symptom-free duration, the mean changes from baseline in Infant Dermatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire at Week 4 and Week 8, and the mean changes from baseline in the Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire at Week 4 and Week 8. Results: The mean changes in SCORAD from baseline at Week 8 was −21.69 ± 16.56 in the L. rhamnosus group and −12.35 ± 12.82 in the placebo group for the intent-to-treat population (p = 0.014). For the per-protocol population, the mean change of SCORAD from baseline was −23.20 ± 15.24 in the L. rhamnosus group and −12.35 ± 12.82 in the placebo group (p = 0.003). Significant differences were demonstrated between groups at Week 8 in intensity in the intent-to-treat population and per-protocol population. Throughout the period, the amount of topical corticosteroids used showed no difference between groups. No significant difference was noted in the overall symptom-free durations compared with the placebo group. Infant Dermatitis Quality of Life Questionnaires and Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaires scores improved significantly at Week 4 and Week 8 but did not reach statistical significance. Adverse events were documented in 14/33 patients in the L. rhamnosus group (42.42%, 35 events) and in 15/33 placebo patients (45.45%, 37 events). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that L. rhamnosus was effective in decreasing symptoms of atopic dermatitis after an 8-week treatment by comparing the mean change of SCORAD from baseline with a placebo (p

G protein-coupled receptor 50 (GPR50) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor which is highly homologous with the sequence of melatonin receptor MT1 and MT2. GPR50 expression has previously been reported in many brain regions, like cortex, midbrain, pons, amygdala. But, the distribution of GPR50 in the hippocampus and cortex and the cell types expressing GPR50 is not yet clear. In this study, we examined the distribution of GPR50 in adult male mice by immunofluorescence. Our results showed that GPR50 was localized in the CA1-3 pyramidal cells and the granule cells of the dentate gyrus. GPR50 was also expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. As inhibitory neurons also contain many types, we found that GPR50 was localized in some interneurons in which it was co-expressed with the calcium-binding proteins calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin. Besides, similar results were seen in the cortex. The widespread expression of GPR50 in the hippocampus and cortex suggests that GPR50 may be associated with synaptic plasticity and cognitive function.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease in infancy, for which topical steroids are the first-line therapy but have side effects. Innovative approaches are needed to reduce the burden of AD and corticosteroid usage in infants.The once-daily consumption of heat-treated probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei GM-080 or placebo for 16 weeks as supplementary approach to topical treatment with fluticasone propionate cream was compared in AD infants aged 4-30 months. Outcomes were SCORAD and its subscores, TEWL, Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL), corticoid "sparing effect," CCL17/TARC, and IgE status.SCORAD, objective SCORAD, itching, and IDQOL decreased significantly (p0.001) over the treatment period in both treatment groups. Slight decreases (ns) were noted in TEWL in lesional and unaffected skin and CCL17 levels. There were no differences between the treatment groups. Total IgE increased over the treatment period in both groups, with significantly higher increase in the heat-treated probiotic group (p = 0.038). There was no evidence of a corticoid "sparing effect" by the probiotic.In this design, the probiotic L. paracasei was not beneficial as a complementary approach to topical corticosteroids in infants with AD. However, slight beneficial effects may have been masked by the moderate potency corticoid.

Social isolation in adolescence leads to lasting deficits in hippocampal-dependent tasks. The reported effects of isolation on learning and memory in the Morris water maze and synaptic-related proteins have been inconsistent. Moreover, the autophagy level and its effect on cognition in the isolation model are also not clear. In the present study, we did an extended isolation period up to six months to establish a stable and appropriate isolation model to investigate the cognitive changes associated with it. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin was systemically administered to mice to determine the roles of autophagy activation on cognitive changes. We discovered that long-term post-weaning social isolation (L-PWSI) produced marked deficits in spatial learning and memory and inhibited CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP), but paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and input/output (I/O) curve were unaffected. The results further showed that the L-PWSI significantly decreased the protein expression levels of PSD-95, GluA1, NR1 and NR2B in the hippocampus, and no significant changes in the extracellular release of glutamate and the protein expression levels of synaptophysin, synapsin I, GAP-43, NR2A and GABAA. Moreover, we found that L-PWSI increased the protein expression of p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR and p62, whereas the protein levels of LC3B and Beclin1 were decreased indicating an inhibition in autophagy activity. Intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin significantly potentiated fEPSP slope and cognition-related proteins expression in the L-PWSI mice. These results therefore suggest that L-PWSI induces postsynaptic dysfunction by disrupting the interaction between AMPAR, NMDAR and PSD-95, and inhibit the autophagy activity which led to impaired spatial memory and cognitive function.

BackgroundNasal irrigation has been used as adjunctive therapy for sinonasal disease but is under-researched in children. The study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of nasal irrigation with normal saline in the management of acute sinusitis in atopic children.MethodsWe enrolled 60 atopic children with acute sinusitis, of whom 29 received nasal irrigation with normal saline and 31 did not receive nasal irrigation. All participants underwent a nasal peak expiratory flow rate (nPEFR) test, a nasal smear examination, and radiography (Water's projection) and were requested to complete a Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) during the baseline visit. All participants were requested to record symptoms in a daily diary and were followed up at 1-week intervals. A physical examination, nasal smear, and nPEFR were performed at each visit, and all daily diaries were collected. At the final visit (after 3 weeks), the symptom diaries were reviewed and participants were requested to complete the PRQLQ again. nPEFR, radiography, and a nasal smear were also repeated.ResultsThere were significant improvements in mean PRQLQ and nPEFR values (p 0.05). The irrigation group recorded significant improvements in eye congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, sneezing, and cough symptoms compared with the non-irrigation group.ConclusionNasal irrigation is an effective adjunctive treatment for acute sinusitis in atopic children.

Antibiotics during infancy, delivery, and breastfeeding affect the intestinal microbiota in early life and is associated with allergic disease. Gastroenteritis (GE) during infancy also affects intestinal microbiota in early life, however, its relationship to allergic disease has not been investigated. Data of 45,499 males and 49,430 females, from birth to 5 years of age, were collected from a national database in Taiwan. Subjects were categorized into early GE (GE within 0–6 months) and non-early GE group (no GE within 0–6 months). The rates of asthma (AS), allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) over 5 years were evaluated and compared between the groups. In patients with AS, AR, and AD, the number of clinical visits and drug prescriptions for the allergic disease was also evaluated to assess the effect of early GE on allergic disease. After adjusting for the effect of GE in later life and other factors, the rates of AS [OR (odds ratio) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48–1.60], AR [OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.45–1.54], and AD [OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.33–1.47] were higher in the early GE group than in the non-early GE group. The magnitude of the increase was higher in females than in males. In those with AS, AR, and AD, the number of clinical visits and drug prescriptions was not different between the early GE and non-early GE groups. In children with early GE, good control of GE in the following years lowered the rate of allergic disease. Early-life GE was associated with increased rates of AS, AR, and AD in later life and this was trend more prominent in females.

BackgroundVarious studies have investigated the efficacies of mometasone furoate monohydrate (MFM) and fluticasone propionate (FP) nasal sprays for adults. However, research on their effectiveness for children is limited. This study compares the efficacies of MFM and FP nasal sprays in pediatric patients with perennial-allergic rhinitis.Materials and methodsFor this study, 94 perennial allergic rhinitis patients aged 6–12 years were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: an MFM group and an FP group. Treatment was provided for 4 weeks. The effects of the two agents were compared using the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and total symptom scores (TSSs). Nasal-peak expiratory flow rates and eosinophil percentage in nasal smears were also compared between the two groups.ResultsPatients in the MFM group exhibited significant improvement in their TSS (t = −2.65, p

Background/Purpose Data on hospital admissions for children under 5 years old, concerning the admission rate, leading diagnoses, categories of disease, average hospitalization days, costs and between-year differences are scarce. Our study aims to investigate such admission profiles. Methods Five percent of admission data for children under 5 years old in 2000 and 2009 was collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We calculated the admission rate in regards to total admission, the patients' gender, the ten leading diagnoses, the ten most systemic common categories of disease, and the average hospitalization days and costs. The differences of the rates between 2000 and 2009 were evaluated by incidence rate ratios (IRR). Results The admission rate per thousand children (population) was higher in 2009 (172.9) than 2000 (153.1). The ten most common systemic categories of disease were similar in both years. Furthermore, it was observed that the hospitalization days decreased by 3.7% in 2009, while medical expenditures increased by 10.9%. Conclusions Efforts should be made to decrease the admission rate and hospitalization days in Taiwan to the levels of well-developed countries. Our data may serve as baseline data for future evaluations of child morbidity.

Rhinitis and sinusitis are very common medical conditions and have been shown to be frequently associated. The role of allergies in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis has been confirmed; however, the role of allergies in acute rhinosinusitis is debatable. Nonetheless, allergies are an important factor in the development of rhinosinusitis.To evaluate the incidence of allergic rhinitis in patients with acute rhinosinusitis and identify the clinical spectrum in Taiwan.This study randomly recruited 69 participants between 3 and 12 years of age with acute rhinosinusitis over the period of one and a half years. All participants underwent a nasal peak expiratory flow rate (nPEFR) test, skin-Prick test (SPT), nasal smear examination, nasal culture, radiography (Water's projection) and were requested to complete the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) as well as provide their allergic history.Among the 69 participants in the study, 27 (39.1%) participants were shown to have allergic rhinitis. The most troublesome symptoms among the 69 participants with acute rhinosinusitis were postnasal drip (3.00 ± 1.29), nasal obstruction (2.94 ± 1.39) and cough (2.67 ± 1.42). The most troublesome symptoms among the 27 participants with acute rhinosinusitis combined with allergic rhinitis were nasal obstruction (3.33 ± 1.24), postnasal drip (3.22 ± 1.09) and itchy eyes (2.74 ± 1.43) and with the higher values. In addition, the participants (≧ 6 y/o) with acute rhinosinusitis combined with allergic rhinitis had significantly lower nPEFR values compared with the nonatopic children (75.2 ± 18.2 vs 96.6 ± 21.4, p0.05). If nPEFR is below 75 mL/min, the positive predict value in the patients of acute rhinosinusitis is 75.0% combined with allergic rhinitis (sensitivity 63.2%; specificity 85.7%). Streptococcus pneumoniae (29.0%), Haemophilus influenzae (20.3%), and Moraxella catarrhalis (17.4%) were the major isolated pathogens in this study. The prevalence of colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in the 69 participants with acute rhinosinusitis was 23.2%, and 15.9% for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).This study demonstrated that the bacteriological properties of acute rhinosinusitis among children in Taiwan are the same as those in other parts of the world; however, the prevalence of colonization by MRSA was higher than among healthy children. Second, atopic children were more likely to develop acute rhinosinusitis than nonatopic children. Third, most Taiwanese children with acute rhinosinusitis complained of postnasal drip, nasal obstruction and cough. If a child suffering from acute rhinosinusitis complained of severe nasal obstruction (nPEFR≦75 mL/min), the doctor should be alerted to atopic conditions requiring further treatment. The issues dealt with in this study may require further research with a larger sample population over an extended period of time to verify these conclusions.

The atopic march hypothesis suggests that allergy diseases often progress from atopic dermatitis to allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis. How often can the classic progression of allergic diseases be observed in the pediatric patient population? This study aimed to observe the pattern of allergic diseases progression, onset age, disease intervals, and frequency of the allergic march. Data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in the period 1996-2008 were used to obtain a cohort of children with allergic disease. Physician's diagnosis was used to confirm the allergic disease based on the international disease coding. The age of disease onset was compared. There were 10,729 children aged

Background There is growing evidence of positive correlations between asthma (AS) and obesity in adults and children. Leptin is an obesity gene product secreted by white adipose tissue; elevated serum levels are found in obese adults and children. Recently, leptin has also been found to be associated with allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the links between serum leptin, atopic AS, and AR remained undetermined. Because AS and AR share common allergic inflammatory mechanisms, our aim was to determine if there were any differences in serum leptin levels between asthmatic children and nonasthmatic children with AR. Methods We studied 114 children (67 boys and 47 girls): 68 with mild intermittent-to-moderate persistent atopic AS (AS children) and 46 with mild-to-moderate persistent AR without AS (AR children; overall mean age, 8.51 years; range, 5–18 years). Body mass index (BMI), serum leptin, pulmonary function, and atopy parameters (serum IgE and eosinophil levels) were measured. Results Compared with AR children, AS children had higher body weights (kg), body mass indices (kg/cm2), and serum leptin levels (ng/mL). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that serum leptin concentrations differed significantly for girls, being overweight and between disease groups (AS and AR children). Conclusion Our results indicate that a higher serum leptin level has stronger association with mild-to-moderate persistent AS compared with AR. Hence, serum leptin may be a stronger predictor for childhood AS compared with AR. Among the asthmatic children, higher serum leptin levels also showed stronger associations with female gender and being overweight.

Nasal irrigation has been used as an adjunctive therapy of sinonasal disease including acute/chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Several published articles reported it also improves clinical sinus symptoms.To evaluate the effectiveness of normal saline nasal irrigation in the management of acute sinusitis in children.This was a randomized, prospective placebo-controlled study.We included 69 participants with acute sinusitis. 30 of 69 participants underwent normal saline nasal irrigation. 39 of 69 participants were not receiving nasal irrigation. All participants performed nasal peak expiratory flow rate (nPEFR) test, nasal smear examination, radiography (Water's projection) and requested to complete the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaires (PRQLQ) at the baseline visit. All participants were requested to record the symptom diary card every day and were followed-up every 1 week during this period. A physical examination, nasal smear and nPEFR were performed at each visit, and all daily diary cards collected. At the final visit, the symptoms diaries were reviewed and participants were requested to complete the PRQLQ again. The nPEFR, radiography (Water's projection) and nasal smear were also repeated.Normal saline irrigation group significantly improved mean PRQLQ values and nPEFR values at medium (T=2.816, P0.05) and final period (T=2.767, P0.05) compared with the other group. Although there were no statically significant improving rate of radiography (Water's projection) in among two groups (T=0.545, P0.05), but normal saline irrigation group was better than the other group. The improval rate of mean TSS in the irrigation group significantly improved all symptoms compared with the placebo group, in which rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, throat itching, cough and sleep quality improved. 27 of 66 (40.9%) participants with atopy, 16 of 27 (53.33%) participants underwent normal saline irrigation. Normal saline irrigation atopy group significantly improved rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, throat itching and sleep quality symptoms compared with non-irrigation atopy group. Normal saline irrigation atopy group significantly improved nPEFR values at final period (Z=2.53, P0.05).This study evidence that normal saline nasal irrigation improves Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life and decreases acute sinusitis symptoms. Nasal irrigation is an effective adjunctive treatment for pediatric acute sinusitis. Normal saline nasal irrigation in atopy children also improves allergic-related symptoms. We may need larger, longer and extended study to assess the conclusion.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a potent and long-acting second-generation histamine H1- receptor antagonist for the treatment of allergic disease, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, in adult and child. It is a racemic mixture of levocetirizine (Xyzal) and dextrocetirizine. The purpose of this present study was to compare the efficacy of cetirizine, levocetirizine and placebo for the treatment of pediatric perennial allergic rhinitis. 74 perennial allergic rhinitis patients, aged 6 to 12 years old, assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups for 12 weeks randomly. The effects of the three agents were compared with the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) and Total Symptom Score (TSS) by diary. Nasal peak expiratory flow rate (nPEFR) and laboratory examinations including serum immunoglobulin E level, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), blood eosinophil counts and eosinophil percentage in a nasal smear were evaluated among the three groups. The results revealed that both cetirizine and levocetirizine improved TSS in comparison with the placebo group, and ceterizine appeared to be more efficacious than levocetirizine at week 8 and week 12. The PRQLQ score showed significant decreased both in cetirizine and levocetirizine group, but there was no statistic significant difference between both groups. The eosinophil proportion in a nasal smear significantly decreased among the cetirizine in comparison with the placebo group but there was no statistic significant in levocetirizine groups. Both cetirizine and levocetirizine showed significant improvement in nPEFR in comparison with the placebo group, and ceterizine appeared to be more efficacious than levocetirizine. The 12-week treatment program showed that cetirizine was more effectious than levocetirizine.

Background The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in children from the developed and developing countries has been increasing. Methods Three epidemiological surveys of the prevalence of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in schoolchildren in Taichung, located in central Taiwan, were conducted in 1987, 1994, and 2002. The first questionnaire was used before the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was developed; the last two surveys were modified using ISAAC questionnaires. Results A total of 37,801, 75,960, and 11,580 children were studied in 1987, 1994 and 2002, respectively. The prevalence of allergic diseases had increased in the past two decades. Results indicate that the prevalence of bronchial asthma had risen, from 2.19% in 1987, and 3.54% in 1994, to 6.99% in 2002. Regardless of sex, the prevalence of bronchial asthma decreased with increasing age. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 5.1% in 1987, 12.46% in 1987, and 27.59% in 2002, and the prevalence of atopic eczema was 1.10% in 1987, 1.88% in 1994, and 3.35% in 2002. Conclusion There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in Taichung schoolchildren from 1987 to 2002.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious inflammatory disorder which remains the primary cause of incidence and mortality in patients with acute pulmonary inflammation. However, there is still no effective medical strategy available clinically for the improvement of ALI. Wogonin, isolated from roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is a common medicinal herb which presents biological and pharmacological effects, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anticancer. Preadministration of wogonin inhibited not only lung edema but also protein leakage into the alveolar space in murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Moreover, wogonin not only reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 but also inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced by LPS. We further found wogonin inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK at a concentration lower than ERK. In addition, inhibition of lung edema, protein leakage, expression of iNOS and COX-2, and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK were all observed in a parallel concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that wogonin possesses potential protective effect against LPS-induced ALI via downregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression by blocking phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 397-403, 2017.

Up to date, the morbidity and mortality rates of acute lung injury (ALI) still rank high among clinical illnesses. Endotoxin, also called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induced sepsis is the major cause for ALI. Beneficial biological effects, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and neuroprotection was found to express by 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (DHMF). The purpose of present study was to investigate the potential protective effects of DHMF and the possibile mechanisms involved in LPS-induced ALI. In our experimental model, ALI was induced in mice by intratracheal injection of LPS, and DHMF at various concentrations was injected intraperitoneally for 30 min prior to LPS administration. Pretreatment with DHMF inhibited not only the histolopatholgical changes occurred in lungs but also leukocytes infiltration in LPS-induced ALI. Decreased activity of antioxidative enzymes (AOE) such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) caused by LPS was reversed by DHMF. LPS-induced lipid peroxidation HIF-1α accumulation, NF-κB phosphorylation, and IκBα degradation were all inhibited by DHMF. In addition, LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-1β were also inhibited by 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone. These results suggested that the protective mechanisms of DHMF on endotoxin-induced ALI might be via up-regulation of antioxidative enzymes, inhibition of NFκB phosphorylation, and HIF-1α accumulation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1700-1709, 2016.

Previous studies have shown that phthalate exposure in childhood is associated with the development of respiratory problems. However, few studies have assessed the relative impact of prenatal and postnatal exposure to phthalates on the development of asthma later in childhood. Therefore, we assessed the impact of prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposure on the development of asthma and wheezing using a Taiwanese birth cohort. A total of 430 pregnant women were recruited, and 171 (39.8%) of them had their children followed when they were aged 2, 5, and 8 years. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess asthma and wheezing symptoms and serum total immunoglobulin E levels were measured at 8 years of age. Urine samples were obtained from 136 women during their third trimester of pregnancy, 99 children at 2 years of age, and 110 children at 5 years. Four common phthalate monoester metabolites in maternal and children’s urine were measured using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal urinary mono-benzyl phthalate [MBzP] concentrations were associated with an increased occurrence of wheezing in boys at 8 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 4.95 (95% CI 1.08–22.63)), for upper quintile compared to the others) after controlling for parental allergies and family members' smoking status. Urinary mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate [MEHP] levels over the quintile at 2-year-old were associated with increased asthma occurrence (adjusted OR = 6.14 (1.17–32.13)) in boys. Similarly, the sum of di-2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate [DEHP] metabolites at 5 years was associated with asthma in boys (adjusted OR = 4.36 (1.01–18.86)). Urinary MEHP in maternal and 5-year-old children urine were significantly associated with increased IgE in allergic children at 8 years. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to phthalate was associated with the occurrence of asthma in children, particularly for boys.

Background This study evaluates the association between neonatal jaundice and childhood allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods Eleven thousand three hundred twenty-eight children were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Their claims data were evaluated from birth to 10 years of age, and they were assigned to either the study (with neonatal jaundice) or the control (without neonatal jaundice) group. The diagnostic criteria for AR were at least three diagnoses of AR at outpatient services, one diagnosis of AR during an admission, or one diagnosis of AR in an emergency department. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORs) were calculated after adjustment for the following confounders: preterm/low birth weight, neonatal infection, other respiratory conditions, other birth conditions, and gender. AR rate, AR onset time, the use of oral antihistamines/nasal corticosteroids, outpatient visit frequency for AR, lower respiratory infection (LRI) rates, sinusitis/otitis media/conjunctivitis rates, and the effect of phototherapy were evaluated. Results After adjustment for the confounding factors, the rate of AR was higher in icteric children (OR, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.24~1.72). There was a higher incidence of AR in children Conclusion Neonatal jaundice increased the rate and complications of childhood AR in subjects aged up to 10 years and may be a risk factor for childhood AR.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to assess the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker for predicting dilating (grades III-V) vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in young children with a first febrile urinary tract infection. METHODS: Children ≤2 years of age with a first febrile urinary tract infection were prospectively evaluated. Serum samples were tested for PCT at the time of admission to a tertiary hospital. All children underwent renal ultrasonography (US), Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan, and voiding cystourethrography. The diagnostic characteristics of PCT test for acute pyelonephritis and dilating VUR were calculated. RESULTS: Of 272 children analyzed (168 boys and 104 girls; median age, 5 months), 169 (62.1%) had acute pyelonephritis. There was VUR demonstrated in 97 (35.7%), including 70 (25.7%) with dilating VUR. The median PCT value was significantly higher in children with VUR than in those without (P < 0.001). Using a PCT cutoff value of ≥1.0 ng/mL, the sensitivity and negative predictive value for predicting dilating VUR were 94.3% and 95.4%, respectively, for PCT, and 97.1% and 97.8%, respectively, for the combined PCT and US studies, whereas the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 2.03 and 0.107, respectively, for PCT, and 1.72 and 0.067, respectively, for the combined studies. By multivariate analysis, high PCT values and abnormalities on US were independent predictors of dilating VUR. CONCLUSIONS: PCT is useful for diagnosing acute pyelonephritis and predicting dilating VUR in young children with a first febrile urinary tract infection. A voiding cystourethrography is indicated only in children with high PCT values (≥1.0 ng/mL) and/or abnormalities found on a US.

The association between neonatal jaundice and childhood asthma is a new finding of two reports. The purpose of the study was to verify their results.Data from 11,321 children were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Their claims data were evaluated from birth to 10 yr old. Children were analyzed as case (those with neonatal jaundice) and controls (those without neonatal jaundice). The diagnostic criteria for asthma were as follows: at least four asthma diagnoses at outpatient services and emergency department (ED), or one asthma diagnosis during an admission. In children fitting the asthma criteria, those with no asthma diagnosis after 1 yr of age were excluded. Mantel-Haenszel's odds ratios were calculated after adjustment for the following confounders: preterm/low birth weight, neonatal infection, other respiratory conditions, other birth conditions, and gender. Asthma rate, onset time, the use of drugs, upper respiratory infection and lower respiratory infection (LRI) rates, hospital admission/ED visit rates, and the effect of phototherapy were evaluated.After adjustment for the confounding factors, the rate of asthma was higher in icteric children (OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.36-1.98, p0.001), and the influence in females was stronger. There still was an association between neonatal jaundice and late onset asthma (asthma onset after 3 yr of age). In asthmatic children, those with neonatal jaundice have increased asthma onset rate before age 6, increased use of inhalant steroids, LRI rates, and ED visits for respiratory disease.Neonatal jaundice increased the rate and severity of childhood asthma in subjects aged up to 10 yr and may be a risk factor for childhood asthma.

Epidemiological research underpins the importance of effective health-care strategies for adolescents. This descriptive study compares the 10 most common diseases among Taiwanese adolescents for 2000 and 2009.Data for a total of 69,594 visits in 2000 and 65,802 visits in 2009 by adolescents aged between 10 and 20 years were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database. A maximum of three outpatient diagnostic codes (International Classification of Disease, ninth revision) could be listed for every visit. The data categories were: principal diagnosis, patient age, and physician specialty. The middle adolescent age group utilized the least amount of medical services. Respiratory (46.2% in 2000, 40.5% in 2009) and digestive (16.5% in 2000 and 16.9% in 2009) tracts were the leading two diagnostic categories for adolescent ambulatory visits. Teeth (6.8%, 6.1%) and eye (4.0%, 3.1%) problems were also among the top 10 diseases. Family practitioners, ear-nose-throat specialists, and traditional Chinese medicine physicians were the major health-care providers for Taiwanese adolescents, especially in the middle and late groups. Although noted as the first option for consultation in the early group, the role of pediatricians with regard to adolescent health care declined in importance with age.Nearly 99% of the population in Taiwan is covered under the national health insurance system. The different disease patterns and major health-care providers between Taiwan and other countries are compared.

Background As children represent the future, ensuring that they receive proper health care should be a primary concern of our societies. Epidemiological research underpins the importance of effective child health care strategies, and highlights the need for accurate data collection; such surveys are currently lacking in Taiwan. In our descriptive studies, we compared the differences of the ten most common diseases in the year 2000 and 2009 among Taiwanese children. Methods Data for a total of 174,651 and 142,200 visits under eighteen years old were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in year 2000 and 2009. A maximum of three outpatient diagnostic codes (the International Classification of Disease [ICD], ninth revision) could be listed for every visit. Data were categorized according to the principal diagnoses, age and different specialties of physicians. Results Respiratory tract infection was the most common disease (58.21% to 44.77%). Teeth (4.90% to 5.16%) and eye (2.52% to 3.15%) problems were the also in the list of top ten diseases. In year 2009, the rate of allergic rhinitis was 2.87% in 7-18 years old group. Pediatricians were the first option for consultation, followed by ear, nose and throat specialists and family physicians. However, for the school age children group, the role of pediatricians with regards to children's health care showed a decrease in its importance. Conclusions The amount of information relevant to child health care is rapidly expanding. The ten most common diseases of the present analysis may serve as baseline data for future evaluations of the changes of type of diseases among children.

The burden of asthma is sufficient to warrant its recognition as a high-priority disorder in governmental health strategies in many countries. However, the components of the total health care costs for patients with asthma have not been well studied, and an overall understanding of health care utilization patterns in this population is lacking in Taiwan. We evaluated 95,110 patients aged 18-55 years who were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Research Database from January 1 to December 31, 2002. Health care utilization and costs, including those related to office, outpatient hospital, emergency department, and inpatient hospital visits were compared between patients with and patients without asthma. In 2002, the period prevalence of treated asthma was 1.8%. Patients with asthma used substantially more services than did those without asthma in all categories. The mean costs of hospitalizations for patients with asthma were 2.7-fold higher than those of patients without asthma. Asthma care represented 26% of all health-care services that patients with asthma received, while the remaining 74% were for nonasthma care. Almost one-half of all asthma-related costs were attributable to hospitalizations. These findings may serve as baseline data for future evaluations of changes in health care utilization and expenditures among asthmatic patients.

Background: In many countries, the burden of asthma is sufficient to warrant recognition as a high-priority disorder in governmental health strategies. However, the components of the total health-care costs for pediatric patients with asthma have not been well studied, and an overall understanding of health-care utilization patterns in this population is lacking in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 33 461 patients aged 3–17 years who were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Research database from 1 January to 31 December 2002 were evaluated. Health-care utilization and costs, including those related to office, outpatient hospital, emergency department, and inpatient hospital visits were compared between pediatric patients with and without asthma. Results: In 2002, the period prevalence of treated asthma was 6.0%. Pediatric patients with asthma used substantially more services than did those without asthma in all categories. Hospital outpatient visits and overall health-care expenditure for patients with asthma were 2.2-fold higher than those of patients without asthma. Asthma care represented 20% of all health-care services that patients with asthma received, while the remaining 80% were for non-asthma care. Almost three-fourths of all asthma-related costs were attributable to office and hospital outpatient visits; one-fourth was attributable to urgent care and hospitalizations. Conclusions: These findings may serve as baseline data for future evaluation of changes in health-care utilization and expenditure among pediatric patients with asthma.

The relationships between uric acid and chronic disease risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension have been studied in adults. However, whether these relationships exist in adolescents is unknown. We randomly selected 8,005 subjects who were between 10 to 15 years old at baseline. Measurements of uric acid were used to predict the future occurrence of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. In total, 5,748 adolescents were enrolled and followed for a median of 7.2 years. Using cutoff points of uric acid for males and females (7.3 and 6.2 mg/dl, respectively), a high level of uric acid was either the second or third best predictor for hypertension in both genders (hazard ratio: 2.920 for males, 5.222 for females; p

Although allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis have recently been considered to be a single disease, many questions remain unanswered. Why do some atopic patients develop asthma symptoms and others develop allergic rhinitis symptoms? Which factors play a role in the development of different allergic phenotypes? We hypothesized that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism might play a role in the development of asthma phenotypes in children with allergic rhinitis. The study sample included 106 children with allergic rhinitis, but no asthma, and 105 age- and gender-matched children with allergic rhinitis and asthma. Subjects of both groups exhibited the same systemic immunologic changes and allergen sensitivities. Controls consisted of 102 healthy children. The ACE genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction. The serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, allergen-specific IgE sensitivity, and eosinophil count were also measured. The frequencies of the DD genotype were significantly higher in the children with both allergic rhinitis and asthma than in the children with allergic rhinitis but no asthma [p = 0.018; odds ratio (OR) = 3.257; (1.222-8.680)]. Results of this study suggest that ACE gene polymorphism DD genotype might play a role in the development of the asthma phenotype in children with allergic rhinitis.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) play a role in inactivating bradykinin and tachykinins. Bradykinin and tachykinins are potent mediators of inflammatory reaction. An insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene has been shown to be associated with serum ACE levels. We hypothesized that ACE polymorphism might play a role in allergic rhinitis development.Seventy five children aged 6-13 years with atopic allergic rhinitis and 66 age- and gender-matched healthy children were studied. ACE genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and allergen-specific IgE levels were also measured.The frequencies of the DD and non-DD genotypes, and of the II and non-II genotypes did not differ significantly between healthy children and allergic rhinitis children (chi-squared test, p=1.000 and 0.438, respectively). There was no association of ACE genotype and mean IgE levels in rhinitis children or healthy controls.The results of our study indicate that polymorphism of the ACE gene is unrelated to the development of allergic rhinitis, the duration of allergic rhinitis, serum IgE levels, and allergen-specific IgE in Taiwanese children.

Immunotherapy through oral routes is thought to be a valuable therapeutic option for asthma. The clinical and immunologic effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in children with asthma caused by mites were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study for 6 months. Patients (aged 6-12 yr) with mild-to-moderate asthma, with single sensitization to mite allergen, received either SLIT or placebo with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D.p.)/D. farinae (D.f.) 50/50 extract. The cumulative dose was around 41824 IR, equivalent to 1.7 mg of D.p. and 3.0 mg of D.f. allergen. Symptom and medication scores were assessed throughout the study. Serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E, eosinophil count, eosinophil cationic protein, specific IgE, specific IgG4, and skin sensitivity were evaluated before starting the treatment and after the treatment period. Twenty patients completed the study. At the beginning of the treatment, no differences were observed between the groups for symptom and medication scores, skin sensitivity, or immunologic parameters. After 6 months of treatment, there was a significant difference in nighttime asthma symptom scores and specific IgG4 (p < 0.05) in the SLIT group compared with the placebo group. Daytime symptom and medication scores, total IgE, eosinophil count, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and mean evening peak expiratory flow rate reached significant differences in the SLIT group during the treatment period (p < 0.05). No severe adverse effects were reported. Our results revealed that treatment for 6 months with SLIT is clinically effective in decreasing asthmatic symptoms and medication use in children with mild-to-moderate asthma because of mite sensitivity. The clinical usefulness of this form of immunotherapy and the mechanism underlying its immunologic effects deserve further studies.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) were recently added to the method of treating allergic rhinitis (AR). However, in children under 6 yr old, there has been no study about its efficacy in treating AR. We aim to compare the clinical efficacy of montelukast, cetirizine and placebo in the treatment of children from 2 to 6 yr old with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), to see if there are any significant differences. Sixty children were selected and treated with montelukast, or cetirizine, or placebo once daily. The efficacy of the three agents was compared with the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) and Total Symptom Score (TSS) by diary. In addition, we also examined serum IgE, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), blood eosinophil counts, nasal airway resistance (NAR) and eosinophil percentage in nasal smears. The results revealed that both montelukast and cetirizine were significantly efficacious compared with placebo in NAR, eosinophil percentage in nasal smears, PRQLQ, TSS and all symptom items except nasal itching, throat itching and tearing. For nasal itching, only cetirizine was significantly efficacious. On the other hand, for night sleep quality, montelukast was significantly superior to cetirizine.

Guidelines from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) mention several medications for the treatment of asthma. These medications include oral and inhaled beta-2 agonists, oral and inhaled corticosteroids, xanthines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and their combinations. In addition to asthma, these drugs are commonly prescribed to treat other respiratory diseases, such as acute bronchitis, chronic cough, lower respiratory infection, or even bronchopneumonia. We analyzed differences in prescribing patterns between pediatric patients with and those without asthma, as coded in the claim records from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Oral beta-2 agonists were the most frequently monotherapy in both groups of patients (52.6-77.6% vs 62.8-84. 8%). Oral beta-2 agonists combined with xanthines or oral corticosteroids combined with an oral beta-2 agonist were the most frequent combination therapies in both groups. Inhaled corticosteroids were used in 3.1-11.0% of patients with asthma; the rate varied by patient age. In conclusion, prescribing patterns were similar in pediatric patients with and those without asthma.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between air pollution and asthma exacerbation in children and adults. Pearson analysis was used to establish correlations between air pollutants—sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μ m or less (PM 10 )—and ED visits for asthma in 2004. Among children, there were significant positive correlations between nitrogen dioxide ( r = 0.72), carbon monoxide ( r = 0.65), and PM 10 ( r = 0.63) and ED visits for asthma. Among adults, only weakly positive, non significant correlations between all air pollution measures and ED visits for asthma were found. This study suggests that air pollution plays a role in acute exacerbation of asthma in children but not in adults.

This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between air pollution and the varying prevalence of allergic diseases in the city of Taichung and the rural town of Chu-Shan. We used questionnaires to screen children aged from 7 to 15 years in Taichung and Chu-Shan and compared the results from these 2 areas with the factors related to air pollution. The study included 11,580 children in Taichung and 2621 children in Chu-Shan. In Taichung, the prevalence of asthma was 7.0%, of allergic rhinitis 27.6% and of atopic dermatitis 3.4%. In Chu-Shan, the prevalence of asthma was 5.6%, of allergic rhinitis 21.8% and of atopic dermatitis 3.3%. We also collected data on the concentration of air pollutants in the 2 areas over a 1-year period from January to December 2001 and compared the average annual concentrations of various pollutants. Compared with Chu-Shan, Taichung had higher air concentrations of nitric oxide (NO; 11.47 +/- 4.75 vs 5.07 +/- 2.81 ppb), carbon monoxide (CO; 0.78 +/- 0.19 vs 0.59 +/- 0.12 ppm), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2); 24.99 +/- 6.8 vs 21.45 +/- 7.87 ppb) and sulfur dioxide (SO(2); 2.58 +/- 1.0 vs 2.44 +/- 0.88 ppb). Student's t test results showed that CO and NO were related significantly to the prevalence of allergic disease (p0.005). The prevalence of both asthma and allergic rhinitis is higher in Taichung than in Chu-Shan, a finding that could be related to higher levels of some air pollutants in the urban location.

BACKGROUND: A nationwide asthma survey on the effects of air pollution is lacking in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time trend and the relationship between air pollution and health care services for asthma in Taiwan. METHODS: Health care services for asthma and ambient air pollution data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research database and Environmental Protection Administration from 2000 through 2009, respectively. Health care services, including those related to the outpatient and inpatient visits were compared according to the concentration of air pollutants. RESULTS: The number of asthma-patient visits to health-care facilities continue to increase in Taiwan. Relative to the respective lowest quartile of air pollutants, the adjusted relative risks (RRs) of the outpatient visits in the highest quartile were 1.10 (P-trend = 0.013) for carbon monoxide (CO), 1.10 (P-trend = 0.015) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 1.20 (P-trend

Background The lymphotoxin-α (LT-α) gene is located on chromosome 6 (6p21.1–6p21.3) and it may regulate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. TNF is a potent cytokine in the airway inflammatory response. Polymorphisms of TNF-associated genes have been related to asthma. This study investigated an LT-α-NcoI polymorphism in the first intron of the LT-α gene (LT-α-NcoI*1 allele, as a variant type; and LT-α-NcoI*2 allele), which may predispose individuals to asthma and atopy. Methods Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were performed to determine LT-α-NcoI genotypes among our subjects. A genetic case control analysis was then performed on 114 atopic asthmatic and 155 non-asthmatic unrelated children. Results There was a statistically higher frequency of LT-α-NcoI*1 allele carriers (1/1 + 1/2) in the subjects with atopic asthma than in controls (OR = 1.923; 95% CI=1.061–3.484; p = 0.031). Conclusion The results indicate that LT-α-NcoI*1 may be a risk factor for atopic asthma in Taiwanese children.