High frequency mechanical ventilation affects respiratory system mechanics differently in C57BL/6J and BALB/c adult mice.

We tested the hypothesis that high frequency ventilation affects respiratory system mechanical functions in C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice. We measured respiratory mechanics by the forced oscillation technique over 1h in anesthetized, intubated, ventilated BALB/c and C57BL/6J male mice. We did not detect any change in airway resistance, Rn, tissue damping, G, tissue elastance, H and hysteresivity, eta in BALB/c mice during 1h of ventilation at 150 or at 450 breaths/min; nor did we find a difference between BALB/c mice ventilated at 150 breaths/min compared with 450 breaths/min.

Circadian disruption alters mouse lung clock gene expression and lung mechanics.

Most aspects of human physiology and behavior exhibit 24-h rhythms driven by a master circadian clock in the brain, which synchronizes peripheral clocks. Lung function and ventilation are subject to circadian regulation and exhibit circadian oscillations. Sleep disruption, which causes circadian disruption, is common in those with chronic lung disease, and in the general population; however, little is known about the effect on the lung of circadian disruption.

Hyperechoic congenital lung lesions in a non-selected population: from prenatal detection till perinatal management.

Objective: To present longitudinal observations of hyperechoic lung lesions (HLL) in a non-selected population from the time of prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound (US) until postnatal surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all fetuses diagnosed with an HLL between 1990 and 2005 in our Fetal Medicine Unit.

Results: We observed 21 cases of HLL.

Invasive aspergillosis in a paediatric haematology department: a 15-year review.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an increasingly common and often fatal fungal infection in children with haematological disorders. To describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of IA in children, retrospective review of the medical records of proven and probable IA between January 1986 and December 2000 was used. Twenty-four patients with IA were identified (10 proven and 14 probable) with a median age of 8.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a retinoid-signaling pathway disruption during lung development?

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) usually occurs sporadically. The prognosis remains poor, with a 50% perinatal mortality rate. Most deaths result from hypoxemia due to lung hypoplasia and abnormal development of pulmonary vasculature that results in persistent pulmonary hypertension.