A day in the life of a nebulizer: surveillance for bacterial growth in nebulizer equipment of children with cystic fibrosis in the hospital setting.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by chronic lung infection. Minimizing exposure to pathogens is important. Treating a CF pulmonary exacerbation includes nebulizer therapies, but little is known about pathogen exposure from nebulizer equipment in CF.

Age- and sex-dependent effects of long-term zinc supplementation on essential trace element status and lipid metabolism in European subjects: the Zenith Study.

Given the key role of Zn in many physiological functions, optimal Zn status could be a predictive parameter of successful ageing. However, the benefit of Zn supplementation is still a matter of debate since Zn supplementation has been reported to be associated with the alteration of Cu status and lipid metabolism. As part of the Zenith Project, the present study aimed to investigate, in free-living healthy European middle-aged and older subjects, the effect of Zn supplementation on the biochemical status of Zn, Fe and Cu and on lipid profile.

Cerebral blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery: the role of transcranial Doppler--a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (TCD) is a sensitive, real time tool for monitoring cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). This technique is fast, accurate, reproducible and noninvasive. In the setting of congenital heart surgery, TCD finds application in the evaluation of cerebral blood flow variations during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Idiopathic macular hole surgery with low-concentration infracyanine green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy with infracyanine green (IFCG)-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling for the treatment of idiopathic macular hole.

Design: Prospective, noncomparative interventional case series.

Methods: Thirty-eight consecutive eyes of 35 patients with idiopathic macular hole were included in the study.

Disruption of neurofascin localization reveals early changes preceding demyelination and remyelination in multiple sclerosis.

Saltatory conduction in the nervous system is enabled through the intimate association between the leading edge of the myelin sheath and the axonal membrane to demarcate the node of Ranvier. The 186 kDa neuron specific isoform of the adhesion molecule neurofascin (Nfasc186) is required for the clustering of voltage gated Na+ channels at the node, whilst the 155 kDa glial specific isoform (Nfasc155) is required for the assembly of correct paranodal junctions. In order to understand the relationship between these vital structures and how they are affected in multiple sclerosis we have examined the expression of Nfasc155 and Nfasc186 in areas of inflammation, demyelination and remyelination from post-mortem brains.

Effects of zinc supplementation on cognitive function in healthy middle-aged and older adults: the ZENITH study.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled design was employed to investigate the effects of Zn supplementation on cognitive function in 387 healthy adults aged 55-87 years. Several measures of visual memory, working memory, attention and reaction time were obtained using the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery at baseline and then after 3 and 6 months of 0 (placebo), 15 or 30 mg Zn/d. Younger adults (< 70 years) performed significantly better on all tests than older adults (> 70 years), and performance improved with practice on some measures.

Resting energy expenditure and metabolic changes after lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema.

Background: Oxygen consumption volume (VO2) and resting energy expenditure are increased in emphysema because of impaired respiratory function and mechanics, with greater oxygen cost of breathing and altered metabolism. We hypothesized that lung volume reduction surgery may improve energy expenditure and metabolism.

Methods: In this 1-year prospective study, 30 patients with moderate-to-severe emphysema underwent bilateral lung volume reduction surgery; 28 similar patients, who refused operation, followed a standard respiratory rehabilitation program.

Are primary supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhages surrounded by a biochemical penumbra? A microdialysis study.

Objective: Opinions vary regarding the indications for surgical evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) and whether or not penumbra zones surround them.

Methods: We performed intracerebral microdialysis (mean duration, 3.5 d) after surgical evacuation of ICH in 22 patients.

Urinary oxytocin as a non-invasive biomarker for neurohypophyseal hormone secretion.

The objective was to characterize the urinary oxytocin (OT) system with the goal of using it as a biomarker for neurohypophyseal peptide secretion. We studied urinary OT secretion in mice under three conditions: (1) in OT gene deletion mice (OT -/-) which lack the ability to produce the peptide; (2) after arterial vascular infusion of OT and (3) after physiological stimulation with consumption of 2% sodium chloride. OT was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (SELDI TOF MS).

Triamcinolone as adjunctive treatment to laser panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To evaluate intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide before laser panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: This interventional case series included 9 patients with bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy. One eye received intravitreal triamcinolone before PRP (injected eye) and the other, PRP alone (control eye).

The natural history of occult choroidal neovascularisation associated with age-related macular degeneration. A systematic review.

Introduction: The purpose of this review is to combine the results of existing literature on the natural history of occult choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Materials And Methods: Published reports evaluating eyes with occult CNV in AMD patients were selected for meta-analysis based on a computerised MEDLINE search. Pooled estimates of the proportions of eyes with a vision loss greater than 2 to 3 (moderate vision loss) or 6 lines (severe vision loss) at 1 year and 2 to 3 years, respectively, or developing a classic component on fluorescein angiography at 1 year were measured.

Adrenal insufficiency in sepsis.

Background And Objectives: Corticosteroids were introduced in the treatment of severe infection as early as in the nineteen forties. Several " negative" randomized controlled trials of high-dose of glucocorticoids given for a short period of time in the early course of severe sepsis or acute respiratory distress syndrome raised serious doubts on the benefit of this treatment. Recently, a link between septic shock and adrenal insufficiency, or systemic inflammation induced glucocorticoids receptor resistance had been established.

Respiratory physiologic changes in pregnancy.

In summary, the major physiologic changes that occur in pregnancy are the increased minute ventilation, which is caused by increased respiratory center sensitivity and drive; a compensated respiratory alkalosis; and a low expiratory reserve volume. The vital capacity and measures of forced expiration are well preserved. Patients who have many lung diseases tolerate pregnancy well, with the exception of those who have pulmonary hypertension or chronic respiratory insufficiency from parenchymal or neuromuscular disease.

Diurnal variation in clinically significant diabetic macular edema measured by the Stratus OCT.

Purpose: To investigate diurnal variation in clinically significant macular edema (CSME) using the Stratus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec).

Methods: Fifteen eyes of 15 diabetic patients with CSME and 10 healthy subjects (controls) underwent four optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of macular thickness with the fast macular thickness mapping protocol of the Stratus OCT at 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 6 pm. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity and refraction data were also collected at each time.

NG2-expressing cells as oligodendrocyte progenitors in the normal and demyelinated adult central nervous system.

The mammalian adult central nervous system (CNS) is known to respond rapidly to demyelinating insults by regenerating oligodendrocytes for remyelination from a dividing precursor population. A widespread population of cells exists within the adult CNS that is thought to belong to the oligodendrocyte lineage, but which do not express proteins characteristic of mature myelinating oligodendrocytes, such as myelin basic protein (MBP) and 2,3-cyclic nucleotide 3-phosphodiesterase (CNP). Instead, these cells have phenotypic characteristics of a more immature stage of the oligodendrocyte lineage.

Screening and recruitment procedure of late-middle aged and older subjects: the ZENITH study.

Objective: To report the rational, design, recruitment, baseline characteristics and preliminary overview of volunteers in the ZENITH study.

Design: A multicentre prospective intervention study employing a randomised double-blind design.

Setting: Clermont-Ferrand, Theix (France), Coleraine (Northern Ireland), Grenoble (France), Rome (Italy).

The relationship between the zinc nutritive status and biochemical markers of bone turnover in older European adults: the ZENITH study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between indices of zinc nutritive status and biochemical markers of bone turnover in older adult European subjects.

Design: Use of baseline data from a multicentre prospective zinc intervention (ZENITH) study.

Setting: Centres in France, Italy and Northern Ireland.

Immune response in relation to zinc status, sex and antioxidant defence in Italian elderly population: the ZENITH study.

Objective: Evaluation of some immune markers in Italian elderly population in relation to zinc status, gender and antioxidant defence.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Italian population.

Basal metabolic rate and thyroid hormones of late-middle-aged and older human subjects: the ZENITH study.

Objective: This paper describes baseline data on basal metabolic rate (BMR), thyroid hormone levels and body composition of middle-aged and older people participating in the ZENITH project and the correlation of thyroid hormone levels with zinc status.

Design: A multicentre prospective intervention study employing a randomised double blind design.

Setting: Clermont-Ferrand, Theix (France), Coleraine (Northern Ireland), Grenoble (France), Rome (Italy).

Estimation of intake and status of vitamin A, vitamin E and folate in older European adults: the ZENITH.

Objective: To report selected dietary intake and vitamin status at baseline of volunteers participating in the ZENITH study and the correlation of vitamin status with zinc.

Design: A multicentre prospective intervention study employing a randomised double-blind design.

Setting: Clermont-Ferrand, Theix (France), Coleraine (Northern Ireland), Grenoble (France), Rome (Italy).

Zinc intake and status in middle-aged and older European subjects: the ZENITH study.

Objective: Inadequate intakes of micronutrients in elderly negatively affect the nutritional status. Zinc is an essential micronutrient in the elderly, especially in relation to its impact on immune function, bone mass, cognitive function and oxidative stress. However, data are lacking on zinc intake and status during normal ageing.

Zinc status and taste acuity in older Europeans: the ZENITH study.

Background: Age-related decline in taste acuity may be both a cause and an effect of depleted zinc and/or increased zinc requirement.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore associations between zinc status and taste acuity in healthy older European adults aged 55-90 y.

Sample: Volunteers were recruited within Italy (n = 108 aged 70-90 y), the United Kingdom (UK) (n = 93 aged 55-70) and two regions of France (n = 186), Grenoble (aged 70-90 y) and Clermont-Ferrand (aged 55-70 y).

Cognitive function in healthy older European adults: the ZENITH study.

Objective: Baseline data are reported from a study of the effects of zinc supplementation on cognitive function in older adults as assessed by the CANTAB computerised test battery.

Design: This is a multicentre prospective intervention study employing a randomised double-blind design.

Setting: European community-based study.

Positive and negative mood in the elderly: the ZENITH study.

Objective: To assess the quality of positive and negative affect (mood) in an ageing European sample.

Background: Mood quality has important implications for both physical and mental wellbeing. Poor quality moods are associated with deficits in the diverse areas of cognitive function, health, and social relationships.

Health and lifestyle characteristics of older European adults: the ZENITH study.

Objective: To describe health and lifestyle factors of participants in the ZENITH study.

Design: A prospective multicentre intervention study employing a randomised double-blind design.

Participants: Community dwelling older adults (n = 387), aged 55-87 y were recruited from regions in France, Italy and the UK.