Circulating cytokine levels in systemic sclerosis related interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Exploration of cytokine levels in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is needed to find common and diverse biomolecular pathways. Circulating levels of 87 cytokines were compared amongst 19 healthy controls and consecutive patients with SSc-ILD (n = 39), SSc without ILD (n = 29), and IPF (n = 17) recruited from a Canadian centre using a log-linear model adjusted for age, sex, baseline forced vital capacity (FVC), and immunosuppressive or anti-fibrotic treatment at time of sampling. Also examined was annualized change in FVC.

The Influence of Mediators on the Relationship Between Antenatal Opioid Agonist Exposure and the Severity of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the direct (un-mediated) and indirect (mediated) relationship between antenatal exposure to opioid agonist medication as treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and the severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), and (2) to understand the degree to which mediating factors influence the direct relationship between MOUD exposure and NOWS severity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study includes data abstracted from the medical records of 1294 opioid-exposed infants (859 MOUD exposed and 435 non-MOUD exposed) born at or admitted to one of 30 US hospitals from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Regression models and mediation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between MOUD exposure and NOWS severity (i.

A Longitudinal Study of a Multifaceted Intervention to Reduce Newborn Falls While Preserving Rooming-In on a Mother-Baby Unit.

Background: Newborn falls occur when newborns held by caregivers slip from hands or arms and land on another surface. Though injury is rare, The Joint Commission has highlighted newborn falls as a patient safety priority. One hospital sought to reduce newborn falls to fewer than 10 per 10,000 births, to achieve 365 days without a fall, and to reduce injuries from falls to zero, while preserving mother-baby rooming-in.

Altered Polarization and Impaired Phagocytic Activity of Lung Macrophages in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: People with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) have an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We phenotyped lung macrophages in 4 subgroups-M1 (CD40+CD163-), M2 (CD40-CD163+), double positives (CD40+CD163+), and double negatives and (CD40-CD163-)-and we determined their phagocytic capacity in PWH with and without COPD.

Results: People with human immunodeficiency virus with COPD have more double-negative macrophages (84.

Macrophages with reduced expressions of classical M1 and M2 surface markers in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exhibit pro-inflammatory gene signatures.

The classical M1/M2 polarity of macrophages may not be applicable to inflammatory lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to the complex microenvironment in lungs and the plasticity of macrophages. We examined macrophage sub-phenotypes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in 25 participants with CD40 (a M1 marker) and CD163 (a M2 marker). Of these, we performed RNA-sequencing on each subtype in 10 patients using the Illumina NextSeq 500.

Phenobarbital and Clonidine as Secondary Medications for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

Background And Objectives: Despite the neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) epidemic in the United States, evidence is limited for pharmacologic management when first-line opioid medications fail to control symptoms. The objective with this study was to evaluate outcomes of infants receiving secondary therapy with phenobarbital compared with clonidine, in combination with morphine, for the treatment of NOWS.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of infants with NOWS from 30 hospitals.

Site-Level Variation in the Characteristics and Care of Infants With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal.

Background And Objectives: Variation in pediatric medical care is common and contributes to differences in patient outcomes. Site-to-site variation in the characteristics and care of infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) has yet to be quantified. Our objective was to describe site-to-site variation in maternal-infant characteristics, infant management, and outcomes for infants with NOWS.

Abundance of Non-Polarized Lung Macrophages with Poor Phagocytic Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Lung macrophages are the key immune effector cells in the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Several studies have shown an increase in their numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) of subjects with COPD compared to controls, suggesting a pathogenic role in disease initiation and progression. Although reduced lung macrophage phagocytic ability has been previously shown in COPD, the relationship between lung macrophages' phenotypic characteristics and functional properties in COPD is still unclear.

A quality improvement initiative to implement the eat, sleep, console neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome care tool in Massachusetts' PNQIN collaborative.

Objective: To support hospitals in the Massachusetts PNQIN collaborative with adoption of the ESC Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Care Tool© and assess NOWS hospitalization outcomes.

Study Design: Statewide QI study where 11 hospitals adopted the ESC NOWS Care Tool©. Outcomes of pharmacotherapy and length of hospital stay (LOS) and were compared in Pre- and Post-ESC implementation cohorts.

Models of care for neonatal abstinence syndrome: What works?

Opioid use disorders and the prescription of long-acting medications for their treatment have increased dramatically over the last decade among pregnant women. Newborns who experience prolonged in utero opioid exposure may develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Until recently, much of the focus on improving care for NAS has been on pharmacologically-based care models.

Breastmilk feeding for mothers and infants with opioid exposure: What is best?

With rare exception, breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed infants, and has special benefits for women and infants with perinatal opioid exposure. Infants breastfed and/or fed their mother's own breastmilk experience less severe opioid withdrawal symptoms, have shorter hospital stays, and are less likely to be treated with medication for withdrawal. The specific impact of mothers' milk feeding on opioid withdrawal may be related to the act of breastfeeding and associated skin-to-skin contact, qualities of breastmilk, healthier microbiome, small amounts of opioid drug in breastmilk, or a combination of these.

Quality improvement initiative to improve inpatient outcomes for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Objectives: To improve Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) inpatient outcomes through a comprehensive quality improvement (QI) program.

Design: Inclusion criteria were opioid-exposed infants ≥36 weeks. QI methodology including stakeholder interviews and plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles were utilized.

Functional outcomes and quality of life after total laryngectomy with noncircumferential radial forearm free tissue transfer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term functional and quality of life (QOL) outcomes after total laryngectomy with primary closure and those who underwent reconstruction with noncircumferential radial free forearm tissue transfer (RFFTT).

Methods: Sixty-seven patients were identified by chart review and underwent long-term follow-up using QOL surveys and standardized interviews.

Results: The RFFTT group had significantly higher rates of chemotherapy, gastric tube (G-tube) at surgery, and postoperative stricture.

Wide Variation Found in Care of Opioid-Exposed Newborns.

Objective: Standardized practices for the management of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) are associated with shorter lengths of stay, but optimal protocols are not established. We sought to identify practice variations for newborns with in utero chronic opioid exposure among hospitals in the Better Outcomes Through Research for Newborns (BORN) network.

Methods: Nursery site leaders completed a survey about hospitals' policies and practices regarding care for infants with chronic opioid exposure (≥3 weeks).

A Plaque Disruption Index Identifies Patients with Non-STE-Type 1 Myocardial Infarction within 24 Hours of Troponin Positivity.

Background: Markers of plaque destabilization and disruption may have a role in identifying non-STE- type 1 Myocardial Infarction in patients presenting with troponin elevation. We hypothesized that a plaque disruption index (PDI) derived from multiple biomarkers and measured within 24 hours from the first detectable troponin in patients with acute non-STE- type 1 MI (NSTEMI-A) will confirm the diagnosis and identify these patients with higher specificity when compared to individual markers and coronary angiography.

Methods: We examined 4 biomarkers of plaque destabilization and disruption: myeloperoxidase (MPO), high-sensitivity interleukin-6, myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in 83 consecutive patients in 4 groups: stable non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), stable obstructive CAD, NSTEMI-A (enrolled within 24 hours of troponin positivity), and NSTEMI-L (Late presentation NSTEMI, enrolled beyond the 24 hour limit).

A Qualitative Study of Family Experience With Hospitalization for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Background And Objectives: Although the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States quintupled between 2000 and 2012, little is known about the family perspective of the hospital stay. We interviewed families to understand their experiences during the newborn hospitalization for NAS and to improve family-centered care.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team from 3 hospital units composed open-ended interview questions based on a literature review, clinical experience, and an internal iterative process.

Psychometric assessment of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System and the MOTHER NAS Scale.

Background And Objectives: The present study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (NASS; "Finnegan Scale") and the MOTHER NAS Scale (MNS).

Methods: Secondary analysis of data from 131 neonates from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) study, a randomized trial in opioid-dependent pregnant women administered buprenorphine or methadone.

Results: Both the NASS and MNS demonstrated poor psychometric properties, with internal consistency (Cronbach's αs) failing to exceed .

Rooming-In to Treat Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Improved Family-Centered Care at Lower Cost.

Background And Objective: The incidence and associated costs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have recently risen sharply; newborns with NAS occupy 4% of NICU beds. We implemented a coordinated program for NAS including standardized protocols for scoring, medications and weaning, and a calm rooming-in environment, to improve family-centered care and to decrease both length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs.

Methods: In early 2013, a multidisciplinary quality improvement team began consecutive plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles.

The New Hampshire Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding Collaborative: A Statewide QI Initiative.

Background And Objective: Despite national recognition for their breastfeeding-friendly practices, many New Hampshire hospitals are still not achieving the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. To increase achievement of the Ten Steps in New Hampshire's birthing hospitals, facilitate Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) designation for interested hospitals, and improve rates of in-hospital any and exclusive breastfeeding.

Methods: After a 2010 needs assessment, we conducted 2 statewide workshops targeting 6 of the Ten Steps found to be most deficient among New Hampshire birthing hospitals.

How to use: transcutaneous bilirubinometry.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence neonatal jaundice guidelines recommend checking the bilirubin level in all infants with visible jaundice. The gold standard for this measurement is total serum bilirubin (TSB). Transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) is an alternative to TSB that has been validated for clinical use through extensive study.