Risks and Prevention of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection among Infants and Children with Pulmonary Hypoplasia, Airway Stenosis, Congenital Esophageal Atresia, Inborn Errors of Metabolism, or Neuromuscular Diseases in Japan.

Background: In March 2024, children with pulmonary hypoplasia, airway stenosis, congenital esophageal atresia, inborn errors of metabolism, and neuromuscular diseases became eligible for palivizumab in Japan. Despite limited epidemiological data, expert consensus guided the recommendation for palivizumab use in these children to ensure its proper application.

Objectives: This article outlines the proper use of palivizumab for RSV infection in infants and children with the specified conditions, aiming to enhance understanding of the medical basis for its clinical guidance.

Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of palivizumab in off-label neonates, infants, and young children at risk for serious respiratory syncytial virus infection: a multicenter phase II clinical trial.

Background: Pediatric patients with certain rare diseases are at increased risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, the prophylactic use of anti-RSV antibody (palivizumab) in these patients is not indicated at present in Japan.

Methods: This first-in-the-world multicenter, uncontrolled, open-label, phase II clinical trial was carried out between 28 July 2019 and 24 September 2021 at seven medical institutions in Japan to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of palivizumab in 23 subjects recruited from among neonates, infants, or children aged 24 months or younger who had any of the following conditions: pulmonary hypoplasia, airway stenosis, congenital esophageal atresia, inherited metabolic disease, or neuromuscular disease.

A global point prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in neonatal intensive care units: The no-more-antibiotics and resistance (NO-MAS-R) study.

Background: Global assessment of antimicrobial agents prescribed to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may inform antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

Methods: We conducted a one-day global point prevalence study of all antimicrobials provided to NICU infants. Demographic, clinical, and microbiologic data were obtained including NICU level, census, birth weight, gestational/chronologic age, diagnoses, antimicrobial therapy (reason for use; length of therapy), antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP), and 30-day in-hospital mortality.

Mirror syndrome due to anti-Jra alloimmunization.

Objective: We report a case of fetal hydrops and mirror syndrome in a pregnancy with anti-Jra alloimmunization.

Case Report: A 34-year-old multiparous woman (G3P2) at 29 weeks of gestation had complications which included generalized edema and mild dyspnea. An indirect Coombs test was positive for anti-Jra antibodies.

Utilizing Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy to Intubate Simulated Newborns while Contained within the Incubator: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Objective: The use of video laryngoscopy for intubating neonates in ergonomically challenging settings has not been studied well. We aimed to assess the usefulness of video laryngoscopy for experienced neonatologists to intubate neonatal manikins in incubators via side hand ports or head window.

Study Design: In this randomized crossover trial at three neonatal intensive care units in Japan, 27 neonatologists were randomized into two groups, namely, those intubating neonatal simulators using video laryngoscopy and then using direct laryngoscopy, or vice versa.

The VDAC2-BAK axis regulates peroxisomal membrane permeability.

Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are fatal genetic diseases consisting of 14 complementation groups (CGs). We previously isolated a peroxisome-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant, ZP114, which belongs to none of these CGs. Using a functional screening strategy, VDAC2 was identified as rescuing the peroxisomal deficiency of ZP114 where VDAC2 expression was not detected.

Chimerism of buccal membrane cells in a monochorionic dizygotic twin.

No monochorionic dizygotic twins (MCDZTs) with cellular chimerism involving cells other than blood cells have been reported in the literature to date. Here we report a probable first case of MCDZTs with buccal cell chimerism. A 32-year-old woman conceived twins by in vitro fertilization by using 2 cryopreserved blastocysts that were transferred into her uterus.

In vitro import of peroxisome-targeting signal type 2 (PTS2) receptor Pex7p into peroxisomes.

Pex7p, the peroxisome-targeting signal type 2 (PTS2) receptor, transports PTS2 proteins to peroxisomes from the cytosol. We here established a cell-free Pex7p translocation system. In assays using post-nuclear supernatant fractions each from wild-type CHO-K1 and pex7 ZPG207 cells, 35S-labeled Pex7p was imported into peroxisomes.

High-frequency oscillation (HFO) prevents activation of NF-kappaB found with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) in surfactant-depleted rabbit lung.

High-frequency oscillation (HFO) has been recognized as an effective ventilatory strategy to minimize lung injury during respiratory support. Conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) compared with HFO was shown to result in an increased number of PMNs and inflammatory cytokines in the lung lavage fluid. However how mechanical forces can be sensed by cells and converted into biochemical signals for intracellular signal transduction is still unknown.