Diversity and distribution of freshwater amphipod species in Switzerland (Crustacea: Amphipoda).

Amphipods are key organisms in many freshwater systems and contribute substantially to the diversity and functioning of macroinvertebrate communities. Furthermore, they are commonly used as bioindicators and for ecotoxicological tests. For many areas, however, diversity and distribution of amphipods is inadequately known, which limits their use in ecological and ecotoxicological studies and handicaps conservation initiatives.

Placental immaturity, endocardial fibroelastosis and fetal hypoxia.

We describe a term newborn who, after a normal gestational course, presented at birth with absent cardiac activity and no spontaneous breathing. Death occurred within 30 h. Autopsy revealed placental villous immaturity, multiple acute hypoxic lesions, but also chronic hypoxic lesions like endocardial fibroelastosis.

Feasibility of non-invasive pressure support ventilation in infants with respiratory failure after extubation: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effects of non-invasive pressure support ventilation (NIV) on the breathing pattern in infants developing respiratory failure after extubation.

Design: Prospective pilot clinical study; each patient served as their own control.

Setting: A nine-bed paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary university hospital.

Measuring end-expiratory lung volume and pulmonary mechanics to detect early lung function impairment in rabbits.

We investigated whether end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) or lung mechanical parameters are more sensitive for the detection of a compromised gas exchange during bronchoconstriction and after surfactant depletion. EELV was determined via SF(6) multiple breath wash-outs in mechanically ventilated rabbits while a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 1, 3 or 7 cm H(2)O was maintained. Airway resistance (R(aw)) and parenchymal elastance (H) were estimated from the pulmonary input impedance measured at each PEEP level by means of forced oscillations.

Severe methemoglobinemia due to food intoxication in infants.

The purpose of this case report is to illustrate food intoxication in infants as a consequence of fennel ingestion. Four cases of methemoglobinemia (MetHb) are presented here. Each patient ate homemade fennel purée a few hours prior to arriving to the emergency department with cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen, in the absence of suspected cyanotic heart disease.

[Heliox in pediatrics].

Heliox is composed of oxygen and helium and its low specific gravity allows a modification of the gas flow within the airway. Breathing heliox favors a laminar flow and therefore decreases the work of breathing. Its usefulness in the child is established in croup or in post-extubation stridor.

Successful management of severe respiratory failure combining heliox with noninvasive high-frequency percussive ventilation.

Heliox has been shown to be beneficial in the management of different obstructive pulmonary disorders. High-frequency percussive ventilation has recently been advocated to treat lung injury in children with reduced lung compliance. We report our experience of combining heliox with noninvasive high-frequency percussive ventilation in a 5-yr-old boy with severe acute respiratory failure resulting from advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease.