Short term evaluation of respiratory effort by premature infants supported with bubble nasal continuous airway pressure using Seattle-PAP and a standard bubble device.

Background: Almost one million prematurely born infants die annually from respiratory insufficiency, predominantly in countries with limited access to respiratory support for neonates. The primary hypothesis tested in the present study was that a modified device for bubble nasal continuous positive airway pressure (Bn-CPAP) would provide lower work of spontaneous breathing, estimated by esophageal pressure-rate products.

Methods: Infants born <32 weeks gestation and stable on Bn-CPAP with FiO2 <0.

Pro- and antiinflammatory cytokine signaling: reciprocal antagonism regulates interferon-gamma production by human natural killer cells.

Activated monocytes produce proinflammatory cytokines (monokines) such as interleukin (IL)-12, IL-15, and IL-18 for induction of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells provide the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, an autocrine/negative regulator of IFN-gamma. The ability of one signaling pathway to prevail over the other is likely important in controlling IFN-gamma for the purposes of infection and autoimmunity, but the molecular mechanism(s) of how this counterregulation occurs is unknown.

Progestin only contraceptives and their use in adolescents: clinical options and medical indications.

Some adolescents use progestin only contraceptive products because of an underlying medical condition; others simply prefer them. Current options include pills, a long -acting intramuscular injection, an implant, and a progestin-releasing intrauterine device. Also available is Plan B, a progestin only emergency contraceptive option.