Cardiopulmonary response to exercise in adults born very preterm.

This study aims to compare cardiopulmonary response to aerobic exercise between young adults born very preterm, including a subgroup with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and term controls.Seventy-one adults (18-29 years) born <30 weeks' gestational age (24 with BPD) and 73 term controls were recruited. Assessment included cardiopulmonary exercise testing with impedance cardiography. We compared group differences in peak O2 consumption (peak VO2) and in ventilatory and cardiovascular responses to exercise using linear regression analyses.Preterm participants had reduced peak VO2 (mean difference -2.7; 95% CI -5.3, -0.1 mL·kg-1 lean body mass·min-1) versus controls. Those with BPD achieved lower peak work-rate compared to term controls (-21; 95% CI -38, -5 watts). There was no difference across groups in breathing reserve, ventilatory efficiency, peak heart rate and cardiac output. VO2 to work-rate relationship (ΔVO2/ΔWR) was reduced in preterm versus term. Peak systolic blood pressure and circulatory power (systolic blood pressure*VO2) were also lower in BPD versus term controls. In the preterm group, longer NICU stay and lower peak cardiac output were associated with lower peak VO2Results suggest limitations with peripheral O2 uptake in the muscle with reduced ΔVO2/ΔWR and peak circulatory power, but normal cardiac output. Investigations into skeletal muscle perfusion and O2 use during exercise are warranted to better understand mechanisms of exercise limitation.

Cardiopulmonary Function Abnormalities in Cohort of Adults following Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia as Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to describe the cardiopulmonary profiles of adult patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), comparing them to normative adult values. STUDY DESIGN: This study presents a retrospective chart review of all BPD patients followed in the adult BPD clinic, identified from institutional and archive databases, born preterm at ≤33 weeks of estimated gestational age (EGA) between January 1980 and December 2000. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with BPD (26.4 ± 2.7 weeks of EGA) were included. Average age at follow-up was 19 years. Majority (61.4%) of the patients had a diagnosis of asthma. Mean spirometry values were: first second of forced expiration (FEV1) 74.1%, forced vital capacity (FVC) 80.7%, and FEV1/FVC 82.5%. Echocardiography (ECHO) images were reviewed, left ventricular (LV) structure and performance did not differ between obstructive and nonobstructive pulmonary function test (PFT) groups, but values of LV longitudinal strain were 4.8% lower than expected normal for adults. Patients with obstructive PFT had additional decreased right ventricular (RV) function by ECHO. CONCLUSION: BPD patients in this study were found to have a burden of cardiorespiratory alterations that persisted into adulthood, with RV performance abnormalities found among patients with obstructive PFT. KEY POINTS: · BPD patients born at extremes of prematurity have cardiorespiratory alterations in adulthood.. · Among patients with obstructive lung function, subtle cardiac performance abnormalities were found.. · Future directions should include systematic follow-up of premature newborns with BPD..

Fully 3D-printed soft robots with integrated fluidic circuitry.

The emergence of soft robots has presented new challenges associated with controlling the underlying fluidics of such systems. Here, we introduce a strategy for additively manufacturing unified soft robots comprising fully integrated fluidic circuitry in a single print run via PolyJet three-dimensional (3D) printing. We explore the efficacy of this approach for soft robots designed to leverage novel 3D fluidic circuit elements-e.g., fluidic diodes, "normally closed" transistors, and "normally open" transistors with geometrically tunable pressure-gain functionalities-to operate in response to fluidic analogs of conventional electronic signals, including constant-flow ["direct current (DC)"], "alternating current (AC)"-inspired, and preprogrammed aperiodic ("variable current") input conditions. By enabling fully integrated soft robotic entities (composed of soft actuators, fluidic circuitry, and body features) to be rapidly disseminated, modified on demand, and 3D-printed in a single run, the presented design and additive manufacturing strategy offers unique promise to catalyze new classes of soft robots.

An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report: Translational Research in Rare Respiratory Diseases.

Rare respiratory diseases (RRDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that collectively represent a significant health care burden. In recent years, strong advocacy and policy initiatives have led to advances in the implementation of research and clinical care for rare diseases. The development of specialized centers and research networks has facilitated support for affected individuals as well as emerging programs in basic, translational, and clinical research. In selected RRDs, subsequent gains in knowledge have informed the development of targeted therapies and effective diagnostic tests, but many gaps persist. There was therefore a desire to identify the elements contributing to an effective translational research program in RRDs. To this end, a workshop was convened in October 2015 with a focus on the implementation of effective transnational research networks and collaborations aimed at developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Key elements included an emphasis on molecular pathogenesis, the continuing engagement of patient advocacy groups and policy makers, the effective use of preclinical models in the translational research pipeline, and the detailed phenotyping of patient cohorts. During the course of the workshop, current logistical and knowledge gaps were identified, and new solutions or opportunities were highlighted.

C-Reactive Protein in Stable Cystic Fibrosis: An Additional Indicator of Clinical Disease Activity and Risk of Future Pulmonary Exacerbations.

INTRODUCTION: In stable adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, we assessed the role of baseline high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on CF clinical variables and frequency of intravenous (IV) treated pulmonary exacerbations (PExs) 1-year post-baseline. METHODS: We recruited 51 clinically stable CF patients from our Adult CF Center. We incorporated collected parameters into Matouk CF clinical score and CF questionnaire-revised quality of life score (QOL). We used the clinical minus complications subscores as a clinical disease activity score (CDAS). We dichotomized our patients according to the cohort median baseline hs-CRP of 5.2 mg/L. RESULTS: Patients in the high hs-CRP group (≥ 5.2 mg/L) demonstrated worse CDAS (r=0.67, p=0.0001) and QOL scores (r=0.57, p=0.0017) at a given FEV1% predicted. In both hs-CRP groups, prior-year IV-treated PExs and baseline CDASs were significant predictors of future IV-treated PExs. Interestingly, the association between baseline CDAS and future PExs frequency was more robust in the high compared to the low hs-CRP group (r=-0.88, p<0.0001, r=-0.48, p=0.017, respectively) with a steeper regression slope (p=0.001). In addition, a significant interaction was demonstrated between elevated baseline hs-CRP levels and CDASs for the prediction of increased risk of future PExs (p=0.02). This interaction provided an additional indicator of clinical disease activity and added another dimension to the prior year PExs frequency phenotype to identify patients at increased risk for future PExs. CONCLUSION: Stable CF patients with elevated baseline hs-CRP (≥ 5.2 mg/L) demonstrated worse clinical disease activity and QOL scores at a given level of disease severity (FEV1% predicted). Elevated baseline hs-CRP values combined with clinical disease activity scores are associated with increased risk for future IV-treated PExs even in those with mild clinical disease activity scores.

Lung Function and Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Adults Born Prematurely. A Cohort Study.

RATIONALE: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the long-term consequences of prematurity are underrecognized entities, unfamiliar to adult clinicians. Well described by the pediatric community, these young adults are joining the ranks of a growing population of adults with chronic lung disease. OBJECTIVES: To describe the quality of life, pulmonary lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, body composition, and trends in physical activity of adults born prematurely, with or without respiratory complications. METHODS: Four groups of young adults born in Canada between 1987 and 1993 were enrolled in a cohort study: (1) preterm subjects with no neonatal respiratory complications, (2) preterm subjects with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, (3) preterm subjects with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and (4) subjects born at term. The following measurements were compared across the four groups: health-related quality of life, respiratory health, pulmonary function, methacholine challenge test results, and sedentary behavior and physical activity level. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Adult subjects who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infancy had mild airflow obstruction (FEV1, 80% predicted; FEV1/FCV ratio, 70) and gas trapping compared with others. They also had less total active energy expenditure and more time spent in sedentary behavior compared with subjects born at term. All preterm groups had a high prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness compared with term subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-derived, cross-sectional study, we confirmed previous reports that adults 21 or 22 years of age who were born prematurely with neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia are more likely to have airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and pulmonary gas trapping than subjects born prematurely without bronchopulmonary dysplasia or at term. Clinicians who care for adults need to be better informed of the long-term respiratory consequences of premature birth to assist young patients in maintaining lung function and health.

Clinical outcomes associated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections in adult cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is the most prevalent organism infecting the respiratory tract of CF children, and remains the second most prevalent organism in CF adults. During early childhood, SA infections are associated with pulmonary inflammation and decline in FEV1, but their clinical significance in adult CF patients is poorly characterized. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to determine the association between airway microbiology and clinical outcomes (FEV1, rate of pulmonary exacerbations, CRP levels and clinical scores). RESULTS: In a cohort of 84 adult CF patients, 24 % were infected with SA only, 60 % were infected with PA, and 16 % had neither PA nor SA. CF patients with SA experienced fewer pulmonary exacerbations and lower CRP levels than those with PA. CONCLUSION: In adult CF patients, SA infections alone, in the absence of PA, are a marker of milder disease.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in Quebec: Prevalence and Health-care Utilization.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that causes destruction of the lung and chronic respiratory failure. Population-based estimates of demographics, clinical outcomes, and health-care utilization are lacking for TSC and LAM. METHODS: Data on demographics, clinical outcomes, and health-care utilization in the Quebec ministerial provincial health-care database were analyzed for their association with TSC and LAM. RESULTS: A total of 1,004 subjects with TSC were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and 10th Revisions, codes for a prevalence of one in 7,872 people. There were 38 subjects with LAM, nine of whom also had TSC. Mean ages as well as the mean age at death were lower in the LAM and TSC group than in the control group. Mortality rates were higher in subjects with LAM than in those with TSC or in control subjects. Subjects with LAM experienced more medical visits and hospitalizations than did those with TSC and control subjects; these were associated with higher health-care costs. Frequently prescribed drugs in TSC or LAM included anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and sedatives; the use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of TSC in Quebec, Canada, is similar to estimates from previously published surveys. LAM is likely underreported, perhaps due to suboptimal case identification or referral. Health-care utilization and mortality for LAM are high, suggesting that timely diagnosis and therapy could be beneficial. Mental health disorders may be an unrecognized clinical feature of LAM. These results provide a population-based background for policymakers and researchers to better address the needs of patients with TSC and LAM.

Long-term quit rates after a perioperative smoking cessation randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: While surgery and perioperative smoking cessation interventions may motivate patients to quit smoking in the short term, it is unknown how often this translates into permanent cessation. In this study, we sought to determine the rates of long-term smoking cessation after a perioperative smoking cessation intervention and predictors of successful cessation at 1 year. METHODS: We previously reported short-term results from a perioperative randomized controlled trial comparing usual care with an intervention involving (1) brief counseling by the preadmission nurse, (2) smoking cessation brochures, (3) referral to a telephone quitline, and (4) a free 6-week supply of transdermal nicotine replacement. We now report our 1-year follow-up outcomes. RESULTS: Between October 2010 and April 2012, 168 patients were randomized. At 1 year, 127 patients (76%) were available for follow-up telephone interview. Smoking cessation occurred in 8% of control patients compared with 25% of patients in the intervention group (relative risk, 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-7.8; P = 0.018). The number needed-to-treat to achieve smoking cessation for 1 patient at 1 year postoperatively was 5.9 (95% CI, 3.4-25.9). Multivariable logistic regression modeling found that the intervention (P = 0.020) and lower nicotine dependency at baseline (P < 0.001) were predictive of success at smoking cessation at 1 year. Poisson regression showed that adjusted for nicotine dependency, those randomized to the intervention group were 2.7 times (95% CI, 1.1-6.7; P = 0.028) more likely to achieve long-term cessation than those in the control group. Adjusted for randomization group, a low level of nicotine dependency resulted in a relative risk of quitting of 5.1 (95% CI, 2.0-12.8; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that an intervention designed for a busy preadmission clinic results in decreased smoking rates not only around the time of surgery but also continued benefit in smoking cessation at 1 year. Perioperative care providers have a unique opportunity to assist patients in smoking cessation and achieve long-lasting results.

Candidate markers associated with the probability of future pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary exacerbations (PEs) cause significant morbidity and can severely impact disease progression in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, especially in patients who suffer from recurrent PEs. The assessments able to predict a future PE or a recurrent PE are limited. We hypothesized that combining clinical, molecular and patient reported data could identify patients who are at risk of PE. METHODS: We prospectively followed a cohort of 53 adult CF patients for 24 months. Baseline values for spirometry, clinical status using the Matouk Disease Score, quality of life (QOL), inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (IL)-1ß, -6, -8, -10, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)), polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxidation in blood plasma were collected for all patients during periods of stable disease, and patients were monitored for PE requiring PO/IV antibiotic treatment. Additionally, we closely followed 13 patients during PEs collecting longitudinal data on changes in markers from baseline values. We assessed whether any markers were predictors of future PE at baseline and after antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: Out of 53 patients, 37 experienced PEs during our study period. At baseline, we found that low lung function, clinical scoring and QOL values were associated with increased risk of PE events. PEs were associated with increased inflammatory markers at Day 1, and these biomarkers improved with treatment. The imbalance in arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels improved with treatment which coincided with reductions in lipid peroxidation. High levels of inflammatory markers CRP and IL-8 were associated with an early re-exacerbation. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that worse clinical and QOL assessments during stable disease are potential markers associated with a higher risk of future PEs, while higher levels of inflammatory markers at the end of antibiotic treatment may be associated with early re-exacerbation.

The effectiveness of a perioperative smoking cessation program: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking by surgical patients is associated with increased complications, particularly perioperative respiratory problems and poor wound healing. In this study, we sought to determine whether a pragmatic perioperative smoking cessation intervention designed for a busy preadmission clinic would be successful in reducing smoking rates and intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university-affiliated hospital in London, Ontario, Canada. Patients seen in the preadmission clinic at least 3 weeks preoperatively were randomized to either the control group (84 patients) or the intervention group (84 patients). The control group received no specific smoking cessation intervention. The intervention group received (1) brief counseling by the preadmission nurse, (2) brochures on smoking cessation, (3) referral to the Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline, and (4) a free 6-week supply of transdermal nicotine replacement therapy. All outcome assessors and caregivers on the operative day were blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was the rate of smoking cessation as confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide breath test. Secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and smoking status at 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Between October 2010 and April 2012, 168 patients were recruited into the study. Smoking cessation occurred in 12 patients (14.3%) in the intervention group as compared with 3 patients (3.6%) in the control group (relative risk 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-13.7; P = 0.03). The overall rate of combined intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications was not significantly different between intervention and control groups (13.1% and 16.7%, respectively; relative risk 0.79; 95% CI, 0.38-1.63; P = 0.67). At follow-up 30 days postoperatively, smoking cessation was reported in 22 patients (28.6%) in the intervention group compared with 8 patients (11%) in controls (relative risk 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.5; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: One of the objections to widespread use of smoking cessation interventions in the preadmission clinic is that it is too labor-intensive. The results of this study show that a smoking cessation intervention, designed to minimize additional use of physician or nursing time, results in decreased smoking rates on the day of surgery and promotes abstinence 30 days postoperatively.

Healthcare utilization and health-related quality of life of adult survivors of preterm birth complicated by bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

AIM: This study aims to characterize the impact of preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia on quality of life and healthcare utilization in adulthood. METHODS: A mail survey on quality of life and respiratory health was sent to a list of potential subjects identified using the databases of the Régie de l'asssurance maladie du Québec. Four groups of adults born between 1987 and 1993 were compared: (i) preterm with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, (ii) preterm with respiratory distress syndrome, (iii) preterm without respiratory complications and (iv) term controls. As a complement, data from the governmental healthcare administrative databases were extracted for responders. RESULTS: Although the groups differed in their use of healthcare services and prescription drugs, no clinically significant difference was observed for Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), SF-36v2 and Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnea Scale scores. However, compared to term subjects, bronchopulmonary dysplasia subjects were less likely to access higher education and more likely to be either invalid or unemployed. CONCLUSION: Compared to term subjects, subjects with a history of prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome or bronchopulmonary dysplasia had similar health-related quality of life and respiratory symptoms despite greater use of healthcare services and prescription drugs.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia - trends over three decades.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and respiratory distress syndrome subjects, along with the trends in severity and mortality associated with BPD over the past three decades. METHODS: Retrospective study of BPD and respiratory distress syndrome subjects born between 1980 and 2008, and admitted to Montreal Children's Hospital (Montreal, Quebec). Data were abstracted from hospital records. RESULTS: Gestational age and birth weight were correlated with the occurrence of BPD with each additional week of gestation and 100 g in birth weight being associated with an OR of developing BPD of 0.77 and 0.89, respectively. BPD severity was associated with male sex, Apgar score and the occurrence of neonatal pneumonia. Significant trends were observed for lower mortality despite lower gestational age and birth weight, greater maternal age and multiple gestations. CONCLUSION: Mortality from BPD has improved over the past three decades despite significant trends toward more pronounced prematurity and lower birth weights.

OBJECTIF: Décrire les caractéristiques des sujets atteints de la dysplasie bronchopulmonaire (DBP) et du syndrome de détresse respiratoire, de même que les tendances quant à la gravité de la DBP et à la mortalité s'y rapportant depuis 30 ans. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont mené une étude rétrospective des sujets atteints de la DBP et du syndrome de détresse respiratoire nés entre 1980 et 2008 et hospitalisés à L'Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants, au Québec. Ils ont tiré les données des dossiers hospitaliers. RÉSULTATS: Les chercheurs ont corrélé l'âge gestationnel et le poids de naissance avec l'occurrence de DBP, chaque nouvelle semaine de grossesse et nouvelle tranche de 100 g de poids de naissance s'associant à un RRR de DBP de 0,77 et de 0,89, respectivement. La gravité de la DBP s'associait au sexe masculin, à l'indice d'Apgar et à l'occurrence d'une pneumonie néonatale. Les chercheurs ont observé des tendances importantes de diminution de la mortalité malgré un âge gestationnel et un poids de naissance moins élevés, l'âge plus avancé des mères et des gestations multiples. CONCLUSION: La mortalité liée à la DBP a diminué depuis 30 ans, malgré des tendances importantes vers une prématurité plus prononcée et un plus petit poids à la naissance.

Health care utilization by preterm infants with respiratory complications in Quebec.

INTRODUCTION: Despite notable advances in prenatal and neonatal care, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remain important complications of preterm births, and their long-term sequelae are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To describe health care utilization and costs over a 16- to 25-year follow-up period in a cohort of preterm infants with respiratory complications. METHODS: Using provincial health administrative databases from Quebec, a cohort of individuals who were born prematurely with complications of RDS and/or BPD between 1983 and 1992 were identified. From these databases, which cover all Quebec residents, health services use, medication prescriptions, associated diagnoses and costs were tabulated. RESULTS: A total of 3442 subjects with respiratory complications following preterm birth were identified, of whom 773 had been diagnosed with BPD and 2669 had RDS without BPD. Asthma was diagnosed twice as frequently (1.7 to 2.4 times) in the BPD group compared with the RDS group, with more frequent hospital readmission, and outpatient and emergency room visits. Although respiratory causes remained the main reason for consultation in both groups, 3.7% and 3.4% of the outpatient visits were for mental or psychological ailments, such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or dysthymia for the BPD and RDS groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: BPD patients experienced more hospital admissions, outpatient and emergency rooms visits, and were more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses and to use respiratory drugs than RDS patients. Neurological and psychiatric complications occurred at a high frequency in both RDS and BPD subjects, and were associated with significant use of antipsychotic and antidepressant medications.

Long-term impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia on pulmonary function.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and the longterm respiratory consequences of prematurity are unfamiliar to adult respirologists and remain under-recognized entities to adult caregivers. In Canada, the incidence of preterm births and its main chronic respiratory complication, BPD, have increased over the past 25 years. OBJECTIVE: To describe the posthospitalization morbidity, medication use, health care use and pulmonary function tests of a large cohort of individuals with preterm birth complicated by BPD. METHODS: A retrospective review of the hospital records of 322 preterm infants with BPD was conducted. Outcome variables were compared across levels of disease severity. Differences between groups were tested with one-way ANOVA for continuous variables and the Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared test for ordinal variables. RESULTS: Outcomes after the initial hospitalization that were associated with the initial severity of BPD were as follows: hospital readmissions in the first two years of life, the presence of developmental delay, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity on pulmonary function tests in patients between eight and 15 years of age. CONCLUSION: Initial BPD severity was an important predictor of pulmonary function abnormality and health care use during childhood.

Occurrence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and respiratory distress syndrome after a preterm birth.

BACKGROUND: Despite notable advances in neonatal care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains an important complication of preterm birth, frequently resulting in prolonged hospital stay and long-term morbidity. METHODS: A historical cohort study of all preterm infants (gestational age younger than 37 weeks) admitted to the Montreal Children's Hospital (Montreal, Quebec) between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1992, was conducted. Information collected included demographic data, maternal and perinatal history, and main neonatal outcomes. Independent risk factors associated with BPD were identified by univariate analysis using one-way ANOVA, t tests or Mantel-Haenszel χ(2) testing. Severity of disease was studied using an ordinal multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS: In total, 1192 preterm infants were admitted, of whom 551 developed respiratory distress syndrome and 322 developed BPD. For each additional week of prematurity, the risk of developing BPD increased by 54% (adjusted OR 1.54/week [95% CI 1.45 to 1.64]). For each point subtracted on the 1 min Apgar score, the risk of developing BPD was increased by 16% (OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.1 to 1.3]). BPD was also associated with the presence of patent ductus arteriosus (OR 3.5 [95% CI 2.1 to 6.0]), pneumothorax in the first 48 h (OR 9.4 [95% CI 3.6 to 24.8]) or neonatal pneumonia/sepsis in the neonatal period (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.1 to 3.2]). Severity of BPD was associated with gestational age, 1 min Apgar score, very low birth weight and the presence of neonatal pneumonia/sepsis. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with BPD following a preterm birth were the degree of prematurity, birth weight, Apgar score at 1 min, and the presence of patent ductus arteriosus, pneumothorax or neonatal pneumonia/sepsis.

Facial cosmetic filler injections as possible target for systemic sarcoidosis in patients treated with interferon for chronic hepatitis C: two cases.

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic filler injections are now a very common procedure for aesthetic purposes. Today no contra-indication is given anymore to any patient for an intradermal filling. OBJECTIVES: We draw attention to a possible side effect of facial fillers in a population at risk. RESULTS: We report 2 similar cases of systemic sarcoidosis in patients who both developed a sarcoidal granuloma at the location of a cosmetic filler injection during combined interferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection. Cosmetic fillers were hyaluronic acid for one patient and probably silicone for the other. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic hepatitis C have a higher risk of interferon-induced sarcoidosis. Physicians must be aware of the risk that a granuloma can develop after a dermal filler injection especially in patients treated with interferon for chronic hepatitis C. These reactions may reveal a systemic sarcoidosis. We propose to perform a test for a hepatitis C virus infection before injecting a dermal filler and to inform the patient of this risk in case of a hepatitis C infection that could necessitate an interferon treatment.

Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of HSiBr: exploring the Si-Br bond through quadrupole hyperfine coupling.

The 1(01)-0(00) (9-10 GHz) and 2(02)-1(01) (18-19 GHz) rotational transitions of HSi 79Br and HSi 81Br have been measured in a pulsed discharge jet expansion to an experimental uncertainty of approximately 1 kHz using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The data have yielded an effective rotational constant, the centrifugal distortion constant Dj, the bromine nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, and the bromine nuclear spin-molecular rotation interaction parameter for both isotopomers. The derived parameters have been compared to their values calculated ab initio, and the nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor has been used to investigate the Si-Br bond, giving a sigma bond ionic character of 0.60, a pi bond character of 0.22, and a total Si-Br ionic character of 0.38. These bond characteristics have been compared to trends in other halosilylenes, silanes, and the analogous carbenes.