Improved Outcomes With Standardized Convalescent Preterm Respiratory Care Practices.

Background: Chronic lung disease is the most common morbidity affecting very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Many of these infants are discharged home on oxygen, placing significant emotional and financial burdens on families. We sought to reduce the proportion of VLBW infants requiring discharge home on oxygen by improving convalescent respiratory practices.

Does the RAM Cannula Provide Continuous Positive Airway Pressure as Effectively as the Hudson Prongs in Preterm Neonates?

Objective: To compare the level of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered by the RAM cannula system (Neotech, Valencia, CA) with that delivered by a traditional CPAP nasal delivery interface (Hudson prongs; Hudson-RCI, Temecula, CA) in preterm infants with respiratory distress.

Methods: This was a crossover intervention study in a convenience sample of preterm infants with respiratory distress requiring treatment with CPAP. We measured the mean intraoral (pharyngeal) pressure, which approximates the applied CPAP level, using both the RAM cannula and Hudson prongs.

Neuropsychological correlates of self-reported impulsivity and informant-reported maladaptive behaviour among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury history.

Objective: Frontal lobe deficits resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to impulsive behaviour. We sought to examine whether neuropsychological performance predicted self-reported impulsivity and informant-reported maladaptive behaviour.

Method: We administered the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) to 116 Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans diagnosed with a history of TBI and PTSD.

Does Diaphragmatic Electrical Activity in Preterm Infants Predict Extubation Success?

Background: Despite many advances in respiratory care and mechanical ventilation, neonatologists lack an objective tool to aid in decision making for timely extubation. Electrical activity of the diaphragm (EA), a measure of neural respiratory drive and inspiratory load, may be a useful predictor of extubation success in preterm neonates. The objective of this work was to investigate whether peak EA could distinguish successful versus failed extubation in mechanically ventilated preterm infants.

The interpersonal worlds of bullies: parents, peers, and partners.

Research has yet to examine the social influences of parents, peers, and partners on bullying. This study explored the impact of social relationships on bullies, victims, bully/victims, and uninvolved participants. A sample of 370 college-age participants was asked about bullying, family environment, friends' illegal behavior, and conflict resolution tactics in romantic relationships.

Differing spectrum of HIV-associated ophthalmic disease among patients starting antiretroviral therapy in India and South Africa.

Differences in the prevalence and spectrum of HIV-associated ophthalmic disease in Africa and Asia are not well documented. We studied two comparable cohorts of patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in Mumbai, India, and Cape Town, South Africa. The prevalence of HIV-associated ophthalmic disease was higher in the Indian population (17.

Tuberculosis during the first year of antiretroviral therapy in a South African cohort using an intensive pretreatment screening strategy.

Objective: To determine the baseline prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in a cohort using a strategy of intensive pretreatment screening for TB and the subsequent incidence rate and temporal distribution of cases during the first year of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design: Prospective observational community-based ART cohort in South Africa.

Methods: Adults enrolling for ART and who did not have a current TB diagnosis were intensively screened for TB at baseline using culture of two sputum samples, chest radiography and investigations for extrapulmonary disease as required.

Substitutions due to antiretroviral toxicity or contraindication in the first 3 years of antiretroviral therapy in a large South African cohort.

Introduction: The patterns and reasons for antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug substitutions are poorly described in resource-limited settings.

Methods: Time to and reason for drug substitution were recorded in treatment-naive adults receiving ART in two primary care treatment programmes in Cape Town. The cumulative proportion of patients having therapy changed because of toxicity was described for each drug, and associations with these changes were explored in multivariate models.

Conservation of first-line antiretroviral treatment regimen where therapeutic options are limited.

Objectives: To determine rates and causes of switching from first- to second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens in a large treatment-naive cohort (a South African community-based ART service) where a targeted adherence intervention was used to manage initial virological breakthrough.

Methods: ART-naive adults (n=929) commencing first-line non-nucleoside-based ART [according to WHO (2002) guidelines] between September 2002 and August 2005 were studied prospectively. Viral load (VL) and CD4+ T-cell counts were monitored every 4 months.