Mast cells mediate hyperoxia-induced airway hyper-reactivity in newborn rats.

Premature infants are at increased risk of developing airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) after oxidative stress and inflammation. Mast cells contribute to AHR partly by mediator release, so we sought to determine whether blocking mast cell degranulation or recruitment prevents hyperoxia-induced AHR, mast cell accumulation, and airway smooth muscle (ASM) changes. Rats were exposed at birth to air or 60% O2 for 14 d, inducing significantly increased AHR in the latter group, induced by nebulized methacholine challenge and measured by forced oscillometry.

Effect of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the neonatal intensive care unit on total hospital cost.

The rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is increasing in neonatal intensive care units. We determined the economic impact of isolating and cohorting MRSA-colonized neonates on total hospital cost at a 49-bed, level III-IV neonatal intensive care unit.