Edward H. Hon, MD (1917-2006): A scientist, inventor, academician and the pioneer for the development of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring.

Aims: To describe the professional life of Edward H. Hon, MD, and the course of his academic career for the development of electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring.

Methods: Review of archives at the Loma Linda University related to Dr Hon's early education and medical school training, his postgraduate training at Yale University, his faculty appointments at Yale University, University of Southern California and his research accomplishment related to electronic FHR monitoring.

Early Blood Transfusion and Resolution of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Associated with Massive Subgaleal Hemorrhage.

A male infant delivered to a primipara woman following vacuum applications. He was vigorous at birth, with small caput and scalp bruising. His head was enlarging; he became pale with respiratory distress.

Medical care of children during the golden age of Islamic medicine.

During the Sassanid Empire in Persia (226-652 AD), there was a renaissance of humanistic sciences, including medicine, in the city of Gondi-Shapur. When the Islamic center of power moved to Baghdad in about 750 AD, physicians of Gondi-Shapur, including the dean of the medical school (a Nestorian Christian), gradually moved to Baghdad constructing hospitals and medical schools. Aided by the Persian and Nestorian Christians, the Islamic civilization ushered in what is considered to be the Golden Age of Islam from the 8th to 13th century AD.

Capillary blood draws in the NICU: the use of the Innovac quick-draw whole blood collection system versus traditional capillary blood draws.

Purpose: (1) To determine the rate of damaged and discarded capillary blood draws in the NICU; (2) to compare the rate of damaged and discarded samples between traditional capillary blood draws and the Innovac Quick-Draw device; (3) to determine whether in-service training for nurses on capillary blood draws decreased the rate of damaged and discarded blood samples.

Design: During Phase I of the study, the rate of capillary blood draws by the traditional method was determined. At the completion of Phase I, the manufacturer provided in-service training to senior nurses in the NICU with the use of the Innovac Quick-Draw device.

Historical evidence for the origin of teaching hospital, medical school and the rise of academic medicine.

Historical progression and the development of current teaching hospitals, medical schools and biomedical research originated from the people of many civilizations and cultures. Greeks, Indians, Syriacs, Persians and Jews, assembled first in Gondi-Shapur during the Sasanian empire in Persia, and later in Baghdad during the Golden Age of Islam, ushering the birth of current academic medicine.

Biomolecular effects of JB1 (an IGF-I peptide analog) in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Low-serum IGF-I levels at birth is a risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely LBW infants. We tested the hypothesis that JB1 (an IGF-I analog) prevents oxygen-induced retinopathy in our rat model. Neonatal rats were exposed to 50% oxygen with brief, clustered, hypoxic (12%) episodes from birth to P14.

Effects of combined hyperoxia and cyclooxygenase inhibition in neonatal rat lungs.

We examined the hypothesis that persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) associated with ibuprofen is due to alterations in biochemical and molecular regulators of oxidative stress and NO signaling. Newborn rats breathing 50% O2 or room air from the first day of life (P1), received early IP injections of: 1) indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg) on P1 and 0.

Hormonal influences of early postnatal indomethacin and ibuprofen in neonatal rats.

Objective: Indomethacin and ibuprofen are administered to preterm neonates for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus. The drugs suppress prostaglandins (PGs) which modulate growth and secretion of various hormones. We examined the hypothesis that early postnatal indomethacin and ibuprofen influence growth and GH-IGF-I-insulin and HPA axes in neonatal rats.

Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 in tracheal aspirate fluid of preterm neonates at birth may be predictive of bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptors are involved in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease.

Patients And Methods: Neonates with a birth weight of < or =1500 g and/or < or =30 weeks' gestation, with respiratory failure, requiring O(2) and mechanical ventilation within 24 hours, were eligible. Tracheal aspirate fluid samples were collected from 65 neonates before surfactant and/or assisted mechanical ventilation (baseline), at 3 and 7 days after birth, and weekly thereafter until extubation.

A tribute to Zakariya Razi (865 - 925 AD), an Iranian pioneer scholar.

The resurgence of Islamic Civilization in the Near East in the 7th century AD and its expansion to Persian Empire and Westward provided opportunities of access Persian, Hellenic, and Roman writings in philosophy and medicine. Based on their observations and experiences, Islamic physician-philosophers expanded upon those writings and at times challenged them. Among these physician-philosophers admiring and challenging Galen was Zakariya Razi described as the greatest physician of Islam and Medieval Ages.

Percutaneously inserted central catheter for total parenteral nutrition in neonates: complications rates related to upper versus lower extremity insertion.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the complication rates of upper versus lower extremity percutaneously inserted central catheters used for total parenteral nutrition in neonates.

Methods: During a 48-month study period, 396 neonates were identified as having had percutaneously inserted central venous catheters. A total of 370 catheters were inserted from the upper and 107 from the lower extremity.

Effects of brief, clustered versus dispersed hypoxic episodes on systemic and ocular growth factors in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Oxygen fluctuation patterns in preterm infants who develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are varied and poorly represented in animal models. We examined the hypothesis that clustered (CL) episodes of hypoxia during hyperoxia results in a more severe form of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) than dispersed episodes. Rat pups were exposed to alternating cycles of 1) 50% O2 with three CL episodes of 12% O2 every 6 h; or 2) 50% O2 with one episode of 12% O2 every 2 h, for 7 (P7) or 14 (P14) days postnatal age.

Early postnatal ibuprofen and indomethacin effects in suckling and weanling rat kidneys.

The use of indomethacin in preterm newborn infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus is associated with compromised renal function. Ibuprofen has been shown to be as effective as indomethacin with fewer renal side effects. We examined the hypothesis that early postnatal ibuprofen has less adverse effects on neonatal rat renal prostanoids, COX-2 expression, and angiotensin II than indomethacin.

Avicenna (AD 980 to 1037) and the care of the newborn infant and breastfeeding.

A brief historical review of medicine during the fourth century Islamic civilization or eleventh century AD in Persia or Iran was undertaken with its focus on Avicenna. A physician-philosopher, named Ibn Sina or Avicenna (980 to 1037), followed and further expanded the tradition of western philosophy and medicine by Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen. Avicenna, a physician, philosopher, astrologist, anatomist, pharmacologist, ethicist and poet wrote, the Canon of Medicine, the most comprehensive medical textbook of its time.

Vaginal versus oral indomethacin in a rabbit model for non-infection-mediated preterm birth: an alternate tocolytic approach.

Objective: We examined the hypotheses that vaginal indomethacin is more effective for prolonging gestation, and mediates its tocolytic actions via changes in cervical matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, compared to oral.

Study Design: Pregnant rabbits induced with mifepristone received oral or vaginal indomethacin; or oral or vaginal vehicle once daily for 2 days. Premature delivery, fetal ductus arteriosus, and cervical MMP activity were assessed.

Effects of antenatal betamethasone on maternal and fetoplacental matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activities in human singleton pregnancies.

Background: A single course of antenatal betamethasone is administered to women at risk of preterm labor to advance fetal lung maturation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are collagen-degrading enzymes that remodel extracellular matrix components during lung development. We tested the hypothesis that the effects of betamethasone on fetal lung maturation involve changes in MMP activity.

Influence of a single course of antenatal betamethasone on the maternal-fetal insulin-IGF-GH axis in singleton pregnancies.

Objective: We examined the hypothesis that a single course of antenatal betamethasone influences the maternal-fetal insulin-IGF-GH axis.

Design: A prospective, observational, pilot study consisting of four groups of pregnant women: (I) received betamethasone and delivered <2 weeks post treatment; (II) received betamethasone and delivered >2 weeks post treatment; (III) untreated women who delivered <37 weeks (preterm controls); (IV) untreated women who delivered >37 weeks (term controls). Maternal and mixed umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery and analyzed for insulin, glucose, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, GH, and GHBP.

Comparative effects of early postnatal ibuprofen and indomethacin on VEGF, IGF-I, and GH during rat ocular development.

Purpose: Ibuprofen and indomethacin are nonselective prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors that have been shown to improve oxygen-induced retinopathy in mice. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and growth hormone (GH) are potent growth factors involved in retinal development. This study was conducted to examine and compare the effects of early postnatal ibuprofen and indomethacin on ocular and systemic VEGF, IGF-I, and GH during rat ocular development.

Ontogeny of VEGF, IGF-I, and GH in neonatal rat serum, vitreous fluid, and retina from birth to weaning.

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and growth hormone (GH) are major regulators of physical growth, as well as normal and pathologic retinal development. Ocular tissues are protected by the blood-ocular barrier. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the ontogenic profiles of VEGF, IGF-I, and GH in the rat serum, vitreous fluid, and retina are compartment specific, and that the vitreous is a reservoir for retinal growth factors.

Maternal and feto-placental prostanoid responses to a single course of antenatal betamethasone.

We tested the hypothesis that antenatal betamethasone alters prostanoid levels in the maternal and feto-placental compartments. Forty-three singleton pregnancies were studied. Group I were women treated with a single course of antenatal betamethasone and who delivered <37 weeks gestation; Group II were untreated women who delivered <37 weeks; and Group III were untreated women who delivered >38 weeks.

Impaired lung vascular endothelial growth factor in extremely premature baboons developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease.

Background: Preterm infants exposed to O2 with mechanical ventilation often develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a form of chronic lung disease (CLD). The pathogenesis of BPD/CLD involves dysmorphic microvasculature and disrupted alveolarization. This may be due to impaired vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor expression.

Effect of maternal administration of selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors on renal size, growth factors, proteinases, and COX-2 secretion in the fetal rabbit.

Background: Selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are currently being considered for management of preterm labor. COX-2 is an important regulator of fetal renal growth and function. Its inhibition may lead to congenital oligonephropathy.

Increased lung matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels in extremely premature baboons with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) regulate the formation of normal lung architecture. Extremely premature infants exposed to hyperoxia and mechanical ventilation often develop lung inflammation and injury. We hypothesized that an imbalance between MMPs and their tissue inhibitors plays a key role.

Sinusoidal heart rate pattern: Reappraisal of its definition and clinical significance.

Objectives: To address the clinical significance of sinusoidal heart rate (SHR) pattern and review its occurrence, define its characteristics, and explain its physiopathology.

Background: In 1972, Manseau et al. and Kubli et al.

Influence of morphine and naloxone on endothelin and its receptors in newborn piglet brain vascular endothelial cells: clinical implications in neonatal care.

The present study examines the hypothesis that morphine exposure alters newborn brain vascular endothelial cell production of endothelin (ET)-1, as well as the mRNA expression of its receptors. Newborn piglet vascular endothelial cells were treated with morphine (100 ng/mL media), naloxone (100 ng/mL media), or drug-free media (control) for 6, 24, 48, and 96 h. Media was analyzed for ET-1 and big ET-1 levels and the cells were assessed for ETA and ETB receptor mRNA expression.