Respiratory Syncytial Virus and US Pediatric Intensive Care Utilization.

Importance: Bronchiolitis is the most common diagnosis necessitating respiratory support and pediatric intensive care, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis. In 2023, the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab and the maternal RSVpreF vaccine were implemented to prevent RSV in infants.

Objective: To determine the potential association of novel RSV prevention strategies with pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) utilization.

Predictive Value of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Swab PCR Assay for MRSA Infection in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients.

Background: Critically ill pediatric patients are frequently initiated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) active antibiotics during infection evaluation even though MRSA infections are rare in many patient populations. The MRSA nasal swab polymerase chain reaction assay (MRSA-NS-PCR) is a test that has been shown to have a high negative predictive value (NPV) for MRSA infection in adults. This study evaluated the diagnostic test characteristics of the MRSA-NS-PCR in predicting the presence of MRSA infection in critically ill pediatric patients.

Clinical features and outcome of 40 horses with mesodiverticular bands identified during exploratory laparotomy for management of acute colic.

Background: Mesodiverticular bands (MDBs) are an embryonic remnant of the vitelline artery. Information about the clinical significance of equine MDBs is currently limited.

Objectives: To report the clinical features, surgical findings and outcomes of horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy where a MDB was identified.

Tailored Synthesis of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Polyurethanes Using O-Protected Diazeniumdiolated Chain Extenders.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to exhibit significant anti-platelet activity and its release from polymer matrices has been already utilized to increase the biocompatibility of various blood-contacting devices. Herein, details of a new synthetic approach for preparing NO-releasing diazeniumdiolated polyurethanes (PU) are described. The method's utility is demonstrated by the incorporation of methoxymethyl- or sugar-protected pre-formed diazeniumdiolate moieties directly into chain extender diols which are then incorporated into the polyurethane backbone.