Relationship Between Oxidative Stress Markers and Endothelin-1 Levels in Newborns of Different Gestational Ages.

Oxidative stress results from excessive reactive oxygen species formation and/or inadequate antioxidant defense. Premature and critically ill infants are especially susceptible due to an immature intrinsic antioxidant system that cannot fully compensate for a free radical load. Oxidative stress is also associated with endothelial dysfunction and alterations in Endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling pathways.

Ontogeny of endothelin receptors in the brain, heart, and kidneys of neonatal rats.

Background: Endothelin (ET) plays an important role in many physiological functions. It has been demonstrated that endogenous ET-1 concentration in the central nervous system (CNS) changes with age; however the ontogeny of ETA and ETB receptors in the brain, heart, and kidneys during postnatal development has not been studied.

Methods: Brains, hearts and kidneys of rats at postnatal days 1, 7, 14 and 28 were evaluated for the expression of ETA and ETB receptors via Western blot.

Ghrelin levels in cord blood from concordant and discordant twin pairs: association with birth weight and postnatal catch-up growth.

Objective: To determine whether cord blood ghrelin levels in discordant and concordant twins predict postnatal catch-up growth.

Methods: After obtaining parental consent, cord blood samples were collected at delivery for total ghrelin analysis. Infant weight, length and head circumference were obtained at birth, 2, 4, and 6 months of age.

Involvement of imidazoline and opioid receptors in the enhancement of clonidine-induced analgesia by sulfisoxazole.

Clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic agonist, has been demonstrated to produce significant analgesia and potentiate morphine analgesia. Endothelin (ETA) receptor antagonists have also been found to potentiate the antinociceptive response to morphine. Clonidine and ET have been reported to have cardiovascular interactions involving the sympathetic nervous system, but it is not known whether ETA receptor antagonist affects clonidine analgesia.

Outcomes of early nutrition support in extremely low-birth-weight infants.

Background: Early nutrition intervention, both parenteral and enteral, is becoming a standard of care for the extremely low-birth-weight infant (ELBW; <1,000 g) in many neonatal intensive care units (NICU) across the United States. However, there are no published or widely accepted guidelines regarding nutrition support strategies for this population. Most NICU clinicians have developed their own guidelines, so nutrition practices vary widely.

Involvement of central endothelin receptors in neonatal morphine withdrawal.

The involvement of central endothelin (ET) receptors in neonatal morphine tolerance has been demonstrated. The present study investigates the role of central ET receptors in morphine withdrawal in neonatal rats. The aim was to determine whether activation of G-proteins coupled to opioid and ET receptors by morphine and various ET receptor modulators is affected during morphine withdrawal in neonatal rats.

Role of endothelin (ETA) receptors in neonatal morphine withdrawal.

We have previously demonstrated role of central endothelin (ET) receptors in neonatal morphine tolerance. The present study was conducted to investigate involvement of central ET receptors in neonatal rat morphine withdrawal. The aim was to determine activation of G-proteins coupled to opioid and ET receptors by morphine and ET ligands in neonatal rat brains during morphine withdrawal.

Role of endothelin in neonatal morphine tolerance.

Management of neonatal opioid tolerance and withdrawal symptoms remains a major challenge in neonatal intensive care units. We provide evidence that central endothelin (ET) mechanisms are involved in the development of morphine tolerance in neonatal rats. Pregnant rats were rendered tolerant to morphine and rat pups were delivered by cesarean section.

Procalcitonin as a screening test for late-onset sepsis in preterm very low birth weight infants.

Objective: To compare the utility of procalcitonin (PCT) vs C-reactive protein (CRP) as indicators of late-onset neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods: PCT and CRP levels were measured in VLBW infants with suspected sepsis and controls. Comparisons were made between infected vs noninfected infants.

Neonatal distal femoral physeal fracture requiring closed reduction and pinning.

Neonatal physeal fracture of the distal femur is often difficult to diagnose. Timely and accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy are critical in order to avoid permanent morbidity and dysfunction of the affected limb. We describe an infant in whom closed reduction and pinning were required in order to assure a good outcome.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization and chromosome studies after transfusion in newborns: is a waiting period necessary?

Background: Delaying chromosome studies after transfusion is common practice in many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Yet, no evidence exists to support this practice.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of filtration and irradiation on chromosome detection, and to evaluate donor chromosome interference after transfusion.

Evidence that morphine tolerance may be regulated by endothelin in the neonatal rat.

Background: Opioids are widely used in the neonatal intensive care units for analgesia and sedation. Management of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms in neonates remains a major challenge.

Objectives: The present study investigates the involvement of a central endothelin (ET) mechanism in the development of tolerance to morphine in neonatal rats.

Upregulation of neutrophil surface adhesion molecules in infants of pre-eclamptic women.

Objective: To evaluate evidence of neutrophil activation in infants born to pre-eclamptic women and examine any association between degree of neutrophil activation and severity of pre-eclampsia.

Design: This study utilized quantitative flow cytometry to determine whether the expression of surface adhesion molecules: CD18, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c on cord blood neutrophils using mean channel fluorescence values (MCF). A total of 20 infants of pre-eclamptic women were compared with a control group of 19 infants of normotensive women.