Morbidity-free survival in extremely premature infants after changes of clinical practices according to evidence-based guidelines: a quality improvement uncontrolled before-after study in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Unlabelled: Four indicators of severe neonatal morbidity (SNM) (intraventricular hemorrhage stages 3-4, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 3, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and/or necrotizing enterocolitis) are well-known to be associated with poor infancy outcome after very preterm birth. Practice changes according to recent guidelines were implemented after medical team restructuration. We hypothesized that these changes may have improved overall survival and SNM-free survival in extremely preterm infants (EPI).

Early elevated alkaline phosphatase as a surrogate biomarker of ongoing metabolic bone disease of prematurity.

Unlabelled: Very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates present a high risk of metabolic bone disease (MBD). Our main objective was to determine the easiest way to make an early diagnosis of this disease by identifying surrogate biomarkers before any radiological signs occurred. We conducted in our NICU a 6-month observational prospective study, with inclusion of all singleton VLBW neonates.

Black carbon footprint of human presence in Antarctica.

Black carbon (BC) from fossil fuel and biomass combustion darkens the snow and makes it melt sooner. The BC footprint of research activities and tourism in Antarctica has likely increased as human presence in the continent has surged in recent decades. Here, we report on measurements of the BC concentration in snow samples from 28 sites across a transect of about 2,000 km from the northern tip of Antarctica (62°S) to the southern Ellsworth Mountains (79°S).

Retrospective study of inpatient diabetes management service, length of stay and 30-day readmission rate of patients with diabetes at a community hospital.

: Hospitalized patients with diabetes are at risk of complications and longer length of stay (LOS). Inpatient Diabetes Management Services (IDMS) are known to be beneficial; however, their impact on patient care measures in community, non-teaching hospitals, is unknown. : To evaluate whether co-managing patients with diabetes by the IDMS team reduces LOS and 30-day readmission rate (30DR).