Health-related quality of life in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: examining agreement between child self-report and parent proxy.

Unlabelled: Premature children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) encounter several health issues potentially affecting their health-related quality of life (HRQL). We aimed to determine agreement between children with BPD and their parent's HRQL assessments. Using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assessment tools, we evaluated agreement and potential bias between parent proxy and child self-reports of the PROMIS-Scale-Global Health-7, the Psychological Stress Experiences Short Form (PSE), and the PROMIS-Profile-25.

Ambient smoke exposure and indoor air quality in eastern Massachusetts during the 2023 wildfire season.

Widespread North American wildfires in 2023 led to exposure to ambient wildfire smoke outside of traditionally wildfire-prone regions. The objective was to evaluate levels of indoor air pollutants in relation to ambient wildfire smoke exposure in eastern Massachusetts. Using a real-time multipollutant sensor system in five Boston area households, this study assessed indoor fine particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), and total volatile organic compound concentrations (TVOC) two days before and during days of hazardous wildfire smoke exposure (smoke days).

Comparison of home-based spirometry and oscillometry measurements in school-age children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Introduction: This study compares home-based oscillometry and spirometry for characterizing respiratory system disease in school-aged children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in clinical research. We hypothesized higher rates of successful completion and abnormal cases identified through oscillometry, with correlations between device measurements.

Methods: Participants 6-12 years old with BPD in the ongoing Air Quality, Environment and Respiratory Outcomes in BPD (AERO-BPD) study performed oscillometry followed by spirometry at two separate home visits.

Virtual interviews and equity: The pediatric pulmonary fellow perspective.

Background And Objectives: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shifted medical training programs to utilize virtual interviews (VIs) starting with the 2020 interview cycle. Fellowship interviews continue in the virtual format. It is unknown how this shift has affected equity for applicants as compared to in-person interviews.

Gastrointestinal complications in pediatric lung transplant recipients: Incidence, risk factors, and effects on patient outcomes.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications in lung transplant recipients can occur any time during the post-operative period, leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality. Despite the negative association between GI complications and patient outcomes, little is known about their incidence and risk factors for their development in pediatric lung transplant recipients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review at one pediatric tertiary center to describe the frequency of GI complications in lung transplant recipients.

Pericytes contribute to pulmonary vascular remodeling via HIF2α signaling.

Vascular remodeling is the process of structural alteration and cell rearrangement of blood vessels in response to injury and is the cause of many of the world's most afflicted cardiovascular conditions, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Many studies have focused on the effects of vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during vascular remodeling, but pericytes, an indispensable cell population residing largely in capillaries, are ignored in this maladaptive process. Here, we report that hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α) expression is increased in the lung tissues of PAH patients, and HIF2α overexpressed pericytes result in greater contractility and an impaired endothelial-pericyte interaction.

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and viable virus contamination of hospital emergency department surfaces and association with patient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and aerosol-generating procedures.

Emergency departments are high-risk settings for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surface contamination. Environmental surface samples were obtained in rooms with patients suspected of having COVID-19 who did or did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination was most frequent in rooms occupied by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who received no AGPs.

Comparison of Pneumotachometer and Portable Digital Turbine Spirometry for Field-Based Assessment: An Air Quality, Environment, and Respiratory Outcomes in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Study.

Data on the use of remote spirometry are limited in the pediatric population. We sought to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a digital turbine spirometer, Medical International Research (MIR) Spirobank Smart (MIR, New Berlin, WI, USA), compared with a pneumotachography spirometer, Pneumotrac (Vitalograph Inc., Lenexa, KS, USA), in field-based clinical research.

Health-Related Qualities of Life in School-Aged Children with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Objective: To determine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of school-aged children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) using the standardized Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assessment tools.

Study Design: The Indoor Air Quality and Respiratory Morbidity in Children with BPD Study is an ongoing observational study of school-aged children with BPD. HRQOL is assessed at enrollment by 3 PROMIS questionnaires, Parent Proxy Scale-Global Health 7, Parent Proxy Psychological Stress Experiences-Short Form, and the Parent Proxy Profile-Profile-25.

Trends in Pregnancy Rates in an Urban Adolescent Clinic Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We examined COVID-19 pandemic-related changes on reproductive health care delivery and pregnancy rates in an adolescent clinic. Through a retrospective data collection as part of quality improvement project, we compared the number of pregnancies, visit percentages for newly diagnosed pregnancies, and number/percentage of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) visits. The percentage of visits for newly diagnosed pregnancies during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2020) increased significantly relative to pre-pandemic percentages while the absolute number of new pregnancies only trended upward.

Real-world feasibility of short-term, unsupervised home spirometry in CF.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the performance of two available home spirometers used by people with Cystic Fibrosis (PwCF) over a short-term period and to assess user experience.

Study Design: This was a prospective observational study. Participants age 6 years and older were recruited to participate if they could complete acceptable spirometry in the clinic setting.

Binge-eating behaviors in adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures have resulted in a worsening of eating disorder symptoms and an increase in psychological distress. The present study examined symptoms and behaviors in adolescents and young adults with emotional eating, bingeing behaviors and binge eating disorder during the pandemic. Additionally, the study explored if individuals who experienced pandemic-related food availability and food affordability issues experienced increased binge-eating symptoms and negative feelings.

Eating disorders in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: There is evidence for increased risk of eating disorders in individuals with diet-treated chronic illnesses, however, data in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is less clear. No studies have evaluated avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in the CF population. We investigated the prevalence of eating disorders, including ARFID, in adolescents and young adults with CF.

Bone density and bone marrow composition in transgender girls prior to pubertal blockade: A case series.

Purpose: To determine bone mineral density (BMD) of transgender girls before pubertal blockade, and correlate with lifestyle and clinical variables.

Methods: Six transfemale peri-pubertal girls had knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T1-weighted images and single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). BMD measurements were obtained via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Efficacy and Safety of High-dose Cholecalciferol in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Receiving Infliximab.

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose, interval cholecalciferol administration in patients with IBD receiving infliximab.

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, open-label study enrolled pediatric and young adult patients with IBD and vitamin D deficiency.

Durvalumab with platinum-pemetrexed for unresectable pleural mesothelioma: survival, genomic and immunologic analyses from the phase 2 PrE0505 trial.

Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal cancer with limited therapeutic options until the recent approval of combination immune checkpoint blockade. Here we report the results of the phase 2 PrE0505 trial ( NCT02899195 ) of the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab plus platinum-pemetrexed chemotherapy for 55 patients with previously untreated, unresectable pleural mesothelioma. The primary endpoint was overall survival compared to historical control with cisplatin and pemetrexed chemotherapy; secondary and exploratory endpoints included safety, progression-free survival and biomarkers of response.

Peer-to-Peer Social Media Communication About Dietary Supplements Used for Weight Loss and Sports Performance Among Military Personnel: Pilot Content Analysis of 11 Years of Posts on Reddit.

Background: Over 60% of military personnel in the United States currently use dietary supplements. Two types of dietary supplements, weight loss and sports performance (WLSP) supplements, are commonly used by military personnel despite the associated serious adverse effects such as dehydration and stroke.

Objective: To understand peer-to-peer communication about WLSP supplements among military personnel, we conducted a pilot study using the social media website, Reddit.

Efficacy and Safety of Glembatumumab Vedotin in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung (PrECOG 0504).

Introduction: Glycoprotein NMB is a transmembrane protein linked with poor prognosis and is expressed in most squamous lung cancer. Glembatumumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting glycoprotein NMB, administered intravenously every 3 weeks in this phase 1 study to determine the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose in patients who had progressed on any number of previous therapies.

Results: A total of 13 patients were enrolled; adverse events (of any grade) including dyspnea, neutropenia, respiratory failure, anemia, increased aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase, diarrhea, and hypophosphatemia were seen in 15% of patients.

Attitudes towards involving children in decision-making surrounding lung transplantation.

Background: Medical care has shifted from a paternalistic model towards one centered around patient autonomy and shared decision-making (SDM), yet the role of the pediatric patient in decision-making is unclear. Studies suggest that many children with chronic disease are capable of making medical decisions at a young age, yet no standardized approaches have been developed for involving children in these decisions.

Methods: This is a single-center survey study investigating the attitudes of pediatric pulmonologists towards involvement of children in decisions regarding lung transplantation, utilizing a hypothetical case scenario with systematic manipulation of age and maturity level.

Smoking Behavior in Patients With Early-Stage NSCLC: A Report From ECOG-ACRIN 1505 Trial.

Introduction: Smoking cessation has been reported to benefit patients even after a diagnosis of lung cancer. We studied the smoking behavior of patients who participated in a phase 3 trial of adjuvant therapy following resection of stages IB-IIIA NSCLC.

Methods: The ECOG-ACRIN 1505 was conducted to determine whether the addition of bevacizumab to adjuvant chemotherapy would improve overall survival (OS) for patients with early-stage NSCLC.

Is Ovarian Reserve Impacted in Anorexia Nervosa?

Study Objectives: Hypothalamic amenorrhea is common in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with anorexia nervosa (AN), and ovarian reserve is not routinely assessed. AN increases rates of fertility problems, but how or when AN negatively influences future fertility is unclear. We sought to determine whether biomarkers of ovarian reserve were impacted in AYA with AN.