How to get your paper accepted for publication.

This paper is an attempt to convey in a lucid way how to go about writing a scientific article for publication in an appropriate journal. Topics covered are: a) reasons to write a paper b) types of papers c) asking a question and formulating an hypothesis d) the complex series of steps necessary before you begin your study e) additional considerations once your study is complete f) the process of writing the paper and g) writing skills. In the concluding remarks I comment on the possibility of rejection of your submission which should not be taken personally.

Strategic plan for pediatric respiratory diseases research: an NHLBI working group report.

The Division of Lung Diseases of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently held a workshop to identify gaps in our understanding and treatment of childhood lung diseases and to define strategies to enhance translational research in this field. Leading experts with diverse experience in both laboratory and patient-oriented research reviewed selected areas of pediatric lung diseases, including perinatal programming and epigenetic influences; mechanisms of lung injury, repair, and regeneration; pulmonary vascular disease (PVD); sleep and control of breathing; and the application of novel translational methods to enhance personalized medicine. This report summarizes the proceedings of this workshop and provides recommendations for emphasis on targeted areas for future investigation.

How to get your paper rejected.

This paper focuses on the main problems that authors of rejected papers have had in their submissions to Pediatric Pulmonology over the past 5 years or so. It is intended as a teaching tool for residents, fellows, allied health personnel, practicing physicians and even some academic physicians who need a refresher on what goes wrong and how they may avoid rejection of their labor. The approach is somewhat lighthearted but nevertheless the message is quite serious.

Pediatric pulmonology: a developmental history in north america.

We describe the development of pediatric pulmonology in North America, from its rudimentary beginning in the early part of the 20th century. Milestones in the history of lung diseases affecting children, such as tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and neonatal lung disease, are discussed. Finally, maturation into a subspecialty recognized by the American Board of Pediatrics is described.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease of infancy): an update for the pediatrician.

This paper is a review of the changes that have occurred over the past 35 years in the clinical and radiologic presentation of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), now more commonly referred to as chronic lung disease of infancy (CLD). Curent thoughts on etiology are only briefly discussed. The major focus is the management of the patient with CLD by the primary care physician once the patient has been discharged from hospital.

Effect of a Soft Boston Orthosis on pulmonary mechanics in severe cerebral palsy.

Spinal braces such as the Soft Boston Orthosis (SBO) help stabilize scoliosis and improve sitting, positioning, and head control in individuals with cerebral palsy. However, their impact on pulmonary mechanics in this population has not been studied. We examined the effect of a Soft Boston Orthosis on the pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange in 12 children and young adults (5-23 years of age) with severe cerebral palsy.

Recurrent thoracic duplication cyst with associated mediastinal gas.

Mediastinal cysts are not uncommon in the pediatric age group. Presentation varies from an abnormality found on routine chest radiograph to severe respiratory distress and even respiratory failure. Presentation depends on the age of the patient, the location of the lesion, the extent and the size of the mass, and what structures are involved.

Pleural infection in children.

The physiology of pleural liquid formation and stages of pleural effusion are reviewed in this article in our recent experience, only 50% of pleural effusions in hospitalized patients were parapneumonic and only about 7% of these patients could be classified as having an empyema. These findings are in contrast to children 20 to 30 years ago in whom over 40% of parapneumonic effusions were empyemas. Diagnostic approaches are also controversial.

Effect of sinus denervation and vagotomy on c-fos expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius after exposure to CO2.

Exposure to hypercapnia and electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) has been shown to induce c-fos expression in several brain stem regions including the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). To test whether the labeled neurons were activated directly by hypercapnia or secondarily via the carotid bodies (sinus nerve), adult rats were exposed to either air or 14-16% CO2 for 1 h. Experiments were done on eight groups: (1) exposure to air, (2) exposure to CO2, (3) chronic CSN denervation/CO2, (4) chronic unilateral CSN denervation/CO2, (5) chronic sham CSN denervation/CO2, (6) anesthetized/CO2, (7) anesthetized and acute vagotomy/CO2, and (8) premedicated with morphine, 10 mg s.

Technique for repetitive recording from fetal respiratory neurons.

We developed a new method for repetitive recording of medullary neurons in fetal sheep in situ. The technique involves chronically fixing the fetal head to the flank of the ewe by way of a Teflon plate that has a removable window. This window allows direct access of a recording electrode to the floor of the fourth ventricle of the fetus.