Association between maternal occupational exposure to cleaning chemicals during pregnancy and childhood wheeze and asthma.

Background: Asthma is a leading cause of childhood morbidity in the U.S. and a significant public health concern.

Hemodynamic parameters predict adverse outcomes following biventricular conversion with single-ventricle palliation takedown.

Objective: Patients with a borderline left ventricular hypoplasia in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome variant or an unbalanced atrioventricular canal who undergo initial single-ventricle palliation may be candidates for biventricular (BiV) conversion following left ventricle (LV) recruitment procedures. We investigated associations among preoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing BiV conversion.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent BiV conversion to determine variables associated with clinical outcomes.

Outcomes following thoracotomy or thoracoscopic vascular ring division in children and young adults.

Objective: To determine the short- and intermediate-term outcomes following vascular ring division by video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) or thoracotomy approach.

Methods: This study is a retrospective review of patients with double aortic arch or right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum (RAA with LSCA/LL) who underwent division via left thoracotomy or VATS approach at a single institution. Outcome measures included operation duration (OR time), hospital length of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, and freedom from reintervention.

Glucose and metformin modulate human first trimester trophoblast function: a model and potential therapy for diabetes-associated uteroplacental insufficiency.

Problem: Diabetes confers an increased risk of preeclampsia, but its pathogenic role in preeclampsia is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of excess glucose on trophoblast function and whether any changes could be reversed by metformin.

Method Of Study: The human first trimester trophoblast cell line (Sw.

Combination antihypertensive therapy among patients with COPD.

Background: COPD and hypertension both increase the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF). Current clinical trials do not inform the selection of combination antihypertensive therapy among patients with COPD. We performed a comparative effectiveness study to investigate whether choice of dual agent antihypertensive therapy is associated with risk of hospitalization for CHF among patients with these two conditions.