Direct perturbation theory for the dark soliton solution to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with normal dispersion.

After finding the basic solutions of the linearized nonlinear Schrödinger equation by the method of separation of variables, the perturbation theory for the dark soliton solution is constructed by linear Green's function theory. In application to the self-induced Raman scattering, the adiabatic corrections to the soliton's parameters are obtained and the remaining correction term is given as a pure integral with respect to the continuous spectral parameter.

A 2-year step-down withdrawal from inhaled corticosteroids in asthmatic children receiving immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) for treating asthma are controversial because of their negative effects on the growth of asthmatic children and without clearly defined withdrawal strategy. A 2-year ICS step-down and withdrawal strategy has been developed for asthmatic children receiving 3-year subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). METHODS: Eleven children were included into the SCIT group and 13 children into the ICS group. ICSs were discontinued when children met the following criteria: requiring only 1 puffper day, with good control, for at least 6 months; having a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity ≥80%; and SCIT discontinued for ≥24 months. The main endpoints were the results of both the childhood asthma control test (C-CAT) and the methacholine bronchial provocation test. RESULTS: In the SCIT group, all the 11 children had ICS discontinued, with one child developed asthma attack after pneumonia and received ICS again after completion of SCIT. In the ICS group, five children discontinued ICS and developed asthma attacks later and received ICS again; the other eight children developed severe symptoms during ICS step-down. Thus, the discontinuation of ICS was only achieved in the SCIT group. The dose of methacholine that caused a decrease of 20% in FEV1 continued to improve after discontinuation of ICS for the SCIT group and presented better results than the ICS group (P=0.050). After completion of SCIT, the C-CAT had improved significantly after 30 months of treatment compared with the ICS group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we developed a 2-year step-down and withdrawal strategy from ICSs strategy for allergic asthma children receiving SCIT; the strategy was efficacious and safe.

iTRAQ-based Quantitative Proteomics Study in Patients with Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children and young adults. Although MP pneumonia is usually benign and self-limited, in some cases it can develop into life-threating refractory MP pneumonia (RMPP). However, the pathogenesis of RMPP is poorly understood. The identification and characterization of proteins related to RMPP could provide a proof of principle to facilitate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for treating paients with MP. In this study, we used a quantitative proteomic technique (iTRAQ) to analyze MP-related proteins in serum samples from 5 patients with RMPP, 5 patients with non-refractory MP pneumonia (NRMPP), and 5 healthy children. Functional classification, sub-cellular localization, and protein interaction network analysis were carried out based on protein annotation through evolutionary relationship (PANTHER) and Cytoscape analysis. A total of 260 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the RMPP and NRMPP groups. Compared to the control group, the NRMPP and RMPP groups showed 134 (70 up-regulated and 64 down-regulated) and 126 (63 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated) differentially expressed proteins, respectively. The complex functional classification and protein interaction network of the identified proteins reflected the complex pathogenesis of RMPP. Our study provides the first comprehensive proteome map of RMPP-related proteins from MP pneumonia. These profiles may be useful as part of a diagnostic panel, and the identified proteins provide new insights into the pathological mechanisms underlying RMPP.

[Effects of salbutamo and ipraopium bromide inhalation on pulmonary function in young children with asthmatoid bronchitis].

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of bronchodilator in asthmatoid bronchitis remains controversial. This study was designed to investigate the effects of bronchodilators, salbutamo and ipraopium bromide, on the pulmonary function in young children with this disease. METHODS: Pulmonary function tests were performed in 20 children with asthmatoid bronchitis (2 months-2.5 years of age) before and 30, 60, and 120 minutes after salbutamo and ipratropium bromide inhalation. The indexes of pulmonary function measured included tidal breathing flow volume (TBFV) loop, percent of tidal volume to peak tidal expiratory flow (%V-PF), terminal flows per peak expiratory flow (25/PF), peak tidal expiratory flow (PTEF), rate of mid-expiratory to mid-inspiratory flow (ME/MI), respiratory rate (RR) and tidal volume per kilogram (TV/kg). RESULTS: Before drug inhalation, the descending branch of the TBFV loop was depressed. The PTEF shifted forward and %V-PF (0.19 +/- 0.04) and 25/PF (0.42 +/- 0.11) decreased. These changes did not improve and the remaining indexes, RR, ME/MI and TV/kg, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after drug inhalation also remained similar to before inhalation. CONCLUSIONS: Salbutamo and ipratropium bromide inhalation did not improve the airway resistance and ventilation function in children with asthmatoid bronchitis. This suggests that the efficacy of bronchodilator in the treatment of this disease is doubtful.

[Therapeutic effects of cefepime and sulbactam/cefoperazone on moderate and severe respiratory tract infection in children].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of cefepime (Maxipime) and sulbactam/cefoperazone (sulperazone) on moderate and severe respiratory infection in children. METHODS: Totally 100 children hospitalized for pneumonia were randomized equally into 2 groups, namely group A with maxipime treatment at the dose of 50 mg/kg given intravenously twice daily, and group B with sulperazone treatment at 50-100 mg/kg given intravenously twice a day. The therapeutic effects and safety of both medications were observed. RESULTS: In maxipime group, 44 of the 50 cases were cured with complete elimination of the symptoms and signs, and obvious therapeutic effect was achieved in 5 cases with significant improvement or resolution of the majority of symptoms and signs. One case failed to respond favorably to the treatment, with the overall efficacy rate of 98% without incidence of adverse effects. In sulperazone group, 40 of the 50 cases were cured, 6 showed significant improvement, and 4 failed to respond to the treatment, with the rate of 92%. One patient complained of rashes during sulperazone treatment, which disappeared the next day without sulperazone withdrawal. Significant difference was not noted between the groups (chi(2)=2.43, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both maxipime and sulperazon are effective and safe for application in children with moderate and severe respiratory infections.