Two Genomic Loci Control Three Eye Colors in the Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia).

The iris of the eye shows striking color variation across vertebrate species, and may play important roles in crypsis and communication. The domestic pigeon (Columba livia) has three common iris colors, orange, pearl (white), and bull (dark brown), segregating in a single species, thereby providing a unique opportunity to identify the genetic basis of iris coloration. We used comparative genomics and genetic mapping in laboratory crosses to identify two candidate genes that control variation in iris color in domestic pigeons.

Integrating terminologies into standard SQL: a new approach for research on routine data.

Background: Most electronic medical records still contain large amounts of free-text data. Semantic evaluation of such data requires the data to be encoded with sufficient classifications or transformed into a knowledge-based database.

Methods: We present an approach that allows databases accessible via SQL (Structured Query Language) to be searched directly through semantic queries without the need for further transformations.

From single-case analysis of neonatal deaths toward a further reduction of the neonatal mortality rate.

Background The infant mortality rate (IMR), a key indicator of the quality of a healthcare system, has remained at approximately 3.5‰ for the past 10 years in Germany. Generic quality indicators (QIs), as used in Germany since 2010, greatly help in ensuring such a good value but do not seem to be able to further reduce the IMR.

Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport (1912-2017): An Exemplary Life for Children and Paediatrics.

Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport, the first Chair in neonatology in Europe, passed away on March 23. Her biography illustrates how medical and scientific work has been influenced by social, ideological, and economic frames and boundaries in the 20th century. Regarded as a "Half-Jew" by the Nazi racist laws, she was denied her medical doctorate.

Dead space reduction by Kolobow's endotracheal tube does not justify the waiving of volume monitoring in small, ventilated lungs.

In ventilated preterm infants the flow sensor contributes significantly to the total apparatus dead space, which may impair gas exchange. The aim of the study was to quantify to which extent a dead space reduced Kolobow tube (KB) without flow sensor improves the gas exchange compared with a conventional ventilator circuit with flow sensor [Babylog 8000 (BL)]. In a cross-over trial in 14 tracheotomized, surfactant-depleted (saline lavage) and mechanically ventilated newborn piglets (age <12 h; body weight 705-1200 g) BL and KB was applied alternately for 15 min and blood gases were recorded.

A comparison of conventional surfactant treatment and partial liquid ventilation on the lung volume of injured ventilated small lungs.

As an alternative to surfactant therapy (ST), partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbons (PFC) has been considered as a treatment for acute lung injury (ALI) in newborns. The instilled PFC is much heavier than the instilled surfactant and the aim of this study was to investigate whether PLV, compared to ST, increases the end-expiratory volume of the lung (VL). Fifteen newborn piglets (age <12 h, mean weight 678 g) underwent saline lung lavage to achieve a surfactant depletion.

Standardized diaper care regimen: a prospective, randomized pilot study on skin barrier function and epidermal IL-1α in newborns.

Adaptation of skin barrier function and interleukin-1α (IL-1α) content in diapered and nondiapered skin are poorly characterized in newborns receiving standard skin care. In a monocentric, prospective pilot study 44 healthy, full-term neonates were randomly assigned to skin care with baby wipes (n = 21) or water-moistened washcloth (n = 23) at each diaper change. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin-pH, IL-1α, and epidermal desquamation were measured on days 2, 14, and 28 postpartum.

[No increase of incidence of retinopathy of prematurity and improvement of its outcome in a university perinatal centre level III - a prospective observational study from 1978 to 2007].

Background: There is a controversy over whether the improved survival rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW; birth weight < 1000 g) and of extremely low gestational age (ELGA; gestational age < 28 weeks) infants has resulted in a higher incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and induced blindness. We studied the incidence, treatment and the structural outcome of ROP in a Perinatal Centre Level III over a 30-year period in infants < 1500 g birth weight (VLBW = very low birth weight).

Patients And Methods: 1473 VLBW infants, who survived the first 28 days, had ocular examinations from 1978 to 2007.

Positive effects of early continuous positive airway pressure on pulmonary function in extremely premature infants: results of a subgroup analysis of the COIN trial.

Objective: Early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce lung injury in preterm infants.

Patients And Methods: Spontaneously breathing preterm infants were randomised immediately after birth to nasal CPAP or intubation, surfactant treatment and mechanical ventilation. Pulmonary function tests approximately 8 weeks post-term determined tidal breathing parameters, respiratory mechanics and functional residual capacity (FRC).

Effect of standardized skin care regimens on neonatal skin barrier function in different body areas.

The effect of topical skin care products on neonatal skin barrier during first 8 weeks of life has not been scientifically evaluated. In a prospective, randomized clinical study, we compared the influence of three skin care regimens to bathing with water on skin barrier function in newborns at four anatomic sites. A total of 64 healthy, full-term neonates (32 boys and 32 girls) aged <48 hours were randomly assigned to four groups receiving twice-weekly: WG, bathing with wash gel (n = 16); C, bathing and cream (n = 16); WG + C, bathing with wash gel plus cream (n = 16); and B, bathing with water (n = 16).

Radiation exposure in 212 very low and extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective: We determined the frequency and estimated effective radiation dose (E) from conventional diagnostic radiographs for infants who had birth weight of
Methods: Entrance skin doses were experimentally measured for all standard weight-dependent exposure settings. For each radiograph in the radiologic file, the exposed area on the film was measured manually.

The effect of surgery on lung volume and conventional monitoring parameters in ventilated newborn infants.

In newborn infants, thoraco-abdominal surgery is a serious intervention with respect to gas exchange and lung mechanics. This prospective clinical study compared surgery-induced changes in functional residual capacity (FRC) and ventilation inhomogeneity (VI) indices with changes in conventional monitoring parameters. Of 29 ventilated newborns (mean weight 2,770+/-864 g at surgery), 13, nine and seven underwent thoracic, abdominal or congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) surgery, respectively.

Comparison of lung volume measurements by multiple-breath heptafluoropropane washout and computed tomography in small ventilated piglets.

Background: Knowledge of lung volume is essential for monitoring and optimizing mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to compare lung volume measurements by multiple-breath heptafluoropropane (HFP) washout (MBW) and by respiratory gated computed tomography (CT) in ventilated newborn piglets.

Material/methods: In 6 ventilated piglets (age: <12 h, median weight: 945 g) blood gases, respiratory mechanics, and lung volumes were measured in both the supine and prone positions.

Is volume and leak monitoring feasible during nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure in neonates?

Objective: To investigate tidal volume (VT) and leak measurements during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in neonates using a commercial ventilatory device equipped with a flow sensor at the Y-piece.

Design: Randomized cross-over trial.

Setting: Neonatal intensive care unit level III.

Influence of bathing or washing on skin barrier function in newborns during the first four weeks of life.

Background And Objectives: After birth, skin barrier function is in state of flux and at risk of dysfunction. In a prospective clinical study, we compared the effects of 2 standard cleansing procedures on skin barrier function in newborns.

Methods: Fifty-seven healthy full-term neonates aged < or = 48 h were randomly assigned to either a bathing group (group B; n = 29), who were bathed with clear water twice weekly, or to a washing group (group W; n = 28), who were washed with a washcloth moistened with clear water twice weekly.

Impaired somatic growth and delayed lung development in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia--evidence from a 10-year, single center prospective follow-up study.

Purpose: In infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), somatic growth and pulmonary development are key issues beyond the time of intensive care treatment. The aim of the study was to investigate the somatic growth and pulmonary function after discharge and to compare CDH patients with a group of matched controls.

Methods: Anthropometric measurements and lung function tests were performed in 26 infants after surgical repair of CDH and 26 non-CDH intensive care patients, matched for gestational age and birth weight.

Variations of Apgar score of very low birth weight infants in different neonatal intensive care units.

Objective: The Apgar score should be an objective method to assess the state of newborns; however, its applicability in preterm infants is hampered by large variations among different observers. The study tested whether physicians that give low scores to written case descriptions also apply lower scores to preterm infants.

Patients And Methods: Descriptions (BMJ 2004; 329: 143-4) were sent to 14 neonatal units.

Impact of maternal body mass index on neonatal outcome.

Introduction: Maternal body mass index has an impact on maternal and fetal pregnancy outcome. An increased maternal BMI is known to be associated with admission of the newborn to a neonatal care unit. The reasons and impact of this admission on fetal outcome, however, are unknown so far.

Vascular endothelial growth factor as marker for tissue hypoxia and transfusion need in anemic infants: a prospective clinical study.

Objective: Oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is reduced in anemic infants because of low hemoglobin levels. Red blood cell transfusions become necessary if low hematocrit causes tissue hypoxia. No reliable parameters exist for detecting chronic tissue hypoxia.

Neurodevelopmental outcome and pulmonary morbidity two years after early versus late surfactant treatment: does it really differ?

Aim: To investigate whether neurodevelopmental outcome or pulmonary morbidity at age two years might be different after early versus late surfactant treatment in intubated preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods: In 185 ex-preterm infants of 27-32 completed weeks of gestation, who were enrolled in a controlled trial of early versus late surfactant treatment (31 +/- 19 min vs. 202 +/- 80 min, respectively), a standardized follow up of medical history, pulmonary morbidity and neurodevelopmental outcome using the Griffiths scales were carried out.

Impact of maternal endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms on blood pressure, protein excretion and fetal outcome in pregnancy.

A genetic association study was conducted to assess whether genetically determined alterations of the nitric oxide system are associated with clinical markers of pre-eclampsia. A large number of Caucasian women were consecutively included after delivery and genotyped for the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) polymorphisms G894T, T789C (n=1502) and intron 4a/b (n=2186). There are no significant differences in mean blood pressure (BP), protein excretion or new-onset peripheral oedema between any of the genotypes over the course of pregnancy.

Comparison of 2-h versus 3-h enteral feeding in extremely low birth weight infants, commencing after birth.

Aim: Immaturity is associated with problems in enteral nutrition of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Different time intervals between single feedings are used; however, no data are available to show a benefit of either regime.

Methods: In January 2001 enteral feeding regime was changed from 2-h to 3-h intervals.