The training and support needs of 22 programme directors of community-based childhood obesity interventions based on the EPODE approach: an online survey across programmes in 18 countries.

Background: Tackling childhood obesity is complex and requires a community-based approach implemented in multiple environments. It is known from literature that knowledgeable and skilled professionals are essential to implement such an approach successfully. The aim of the present study was to assess the need for training and support among a global network of programme directors implementing a Community-Based Childhood Obesity Intervention (CBCOI) based on the EPODE approach, in order to assist them in optimising the implementation process.

EPODE - A Model for Reducing the Incidence of Obesity and Weight-related Comorbidities.

Obesity is a global epidemic: it is estimated that the majority of the world's adults will be overweight or obese by 2030. It is therefore important to reverse trends towards increasing childhood obesity by interventions at the community level. Ensemble Prévenons l'obésité Des Enfants (EPODE, Together Let's Prevent Childhood Obesity) is a large-scale, coordinated, capacity-building approach for communities to implement effective and sustainable strategies to address this challenge.

Recording of electric signal passing through a pylon in direct skeletal attachment of leg prostheses with neuromuscular control.

Direct recordings were made of electrical signals emanating from the muscles in a rabbit's residuum. The signals were transmitted via wires attached on one end to the muscles, and on the other to an external recording system. The cable was held in a titanium tube inside a pylon that had been transcutaneously implanted into the residuum's bone.

Bronchial hyperreactivity in non-atopic children with asthma and reflux: effect of anti-reflux treatment.

Introduction: The prevalence of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) or the effect of anti-reflux treatment on BHR in children with asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not known.

Methods: Thirty non-atopic children with persistent asthma were studied. Extended esophageal pH monitoring was used to diagnose GERD and methacholine challenge test (MCT) was used as a marker of BHR and performed before and 2 years after anti-GERD treatment.

Associated factors in children with chronic cough.

Background: Children presenting with chronic cough are common to the primary care physicians, but data on the etiology are scant.

Methods: We evaluated 40 children (age range, 5 to 12 years) with chronic cough (> 8 weeks duration) with no obvious cause who were referred by their primary care physicians. All patients underwent an extensive multispecialty workup that included pulmonary, GI, allergy, immunology, and otorhinolaryngology testing.

Are we overprescribing antireflux medications for infants with regurgitation?

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of infants with persistent regurgitation who were referred to a pediatric gastroenterology service.

Methods: The records of 64 infants with persistent regurgitation and without any neurodevelopmental abnormalities, underlying illness, or cigarette smoke exposure were evaluated for diagnostic workup and treatment. Forty-four infants underwent extended esophageal pH monitoring.

Stable biopassive insulation synthesized by initiated chemical vapor deposition of poly(1,3,5-trivinyltrimethylcyclotrisiloxane).

The permanent implantation of electronic probes capable of recording neural activity patterns requires long-term electrical insulation of these devices by biopassive coatings. In this work, the material properties and neural cell compatibility of a novel polymeric material, poly(trivinyltrimethylcyclotrisiloxane) (poly(V3D3)), are demonstrated to be suitable for application as permanently bioimplanted electrically insulating films. The poly(V3D3) polymeric films are synthesized by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), allowing for conformal and flexible encapsulation of fine wires.

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide as an implantable dielectric coating.

Amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) films, deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), have been evaluated as insulating coatings for implantable microelectrodes. The a-SiC was deposited on platinum or iridium wire for measurement of electrical leakage through the coating in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4).

Early ribavarin treatment of bronchiolitis: effect on long-term respiratory morbidity.

Background: The mortality rate from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis has significantly reduced over the last decade. A major concern now is the long-term respiratory morbidity following RSV bronchiolitis.

Methods: In this prospective study, we randomly assigned 49 previously healthy infants with severe RSV bronchiolitis, early in the course of illness (< 5 days duration), to receive either conservative treatment (n = 21) or additional ribavirin treatment (n = 24).

Aspiration: a factor in rapidly deteriorating bronchiolitis in previously healthy infants?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of indicators of aspiration in previously healthy infants with respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) bronchiolitis who experienced rapid deterioration in their respiratory status. Lipid-laden macrophage index (LLMI) was assessed in 6 previously healthy infants with RSV bronchiolitis and no prior history of aspiration, who had a rapid deterioration of their respiratory status requiring mechanical ventilation. Five of 6 infants had a LLMI of more than 100, a level that is very suggestive of aspiration.

Benefits of thickened feeds in previously healthy infants with respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis.

Infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis have an increased risk of aspiration. The optimal feeding strategy for these patients has not been described. Fifteen previously healthy and clinically stable infants with RSV bronchiolitis underwent video-fluoroscopy studies to assess swallowing using thin barium.

Smaller volume, thickened formulas in the management of gastroesophageal reflux in thriving infants.

Background: The effect of smaller volume, thickened formulas on gastroesophageal reflux is not clear.

Methods: The frequency of gastroesophageal reflux and duration of acid pH in the esophagus were determined in six thriving infants using extended esophageal pH monitoring.

Results: There was a significant reduction in frequency of emesis and gastroesophageal reflux but not the duration of acid pH in the esophagus with the use of infant formula thickened with rice cereal to provide a nutritionally appropriate intake in a smaller volume.

Effect of cisapride on the QT interval in infants with gastroesophageal reflux.

Objective: We prospectively studied the effect of cisapride per se on QT interval in young infants (3-6 months) with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in a controlled setting.

Study Design: The infants diagnosed with GER and deemed to require therapy with cisapride were divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised infants with GER who underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) before initiation of therapy with cisapride in the dose of 1 mg per kg per 24 hours, divided into 3 doses.

Previously healthy infants may have increased risk of aspiration during respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis.

Objective: Respiratory illnesses may cause feeding difficulties in infants. We studied the safety of oral feeding during respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) bronchiolitis in previously healthy infants.

Methods: Twelve previously healthy infants (3-12 months) with RSV bronchiolitis underwent barium swallow studies during the acute phase of illness.

Reduced long-term respiratory morbidity after treatment of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis with ribavirin in previously healthy infants: a preliminary report.

Previously healthy infants less than 6 months of age with severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis who required hospitalization were identified from hospital records. Infants had been treated either conservatively (control group, n = 19) or with ribavirin added to conservative management (study group, n = 22). All infants underwent a 1-year follow-up after the initial illness.

Lymphoproliferative disorder involving the liver following transplantation: CT appearance.

Objective: Our goal is to report the CT findings of liver involvement in lymphoproliferative disease in immunosuppressed patients.

Materials And Methods: We report CT findings in two cases of lymphoproliferative disease involving the liver.

Results: The findings of this disorder are nonspecific both clinically and radiographically.

A common presentation of an uncommon cause of neonatal respiratory distress: pneumonia alba.

While lung involvement is an uncommon presentation of congenital syphilis, respiratory distress is a common leading symptom in sick newborns. We describe an infant who presented with respiratory distress thought to be secondary to congenital syphilis and discuss the findings suggestive of an etiology other than respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).