Objective The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for prevention of extubation failure in preterm infants. Methods Preterm infants (gestation ≥28 weeks) were randomized to HHHFNC or nCPAP after extubation. Primary outcome was extubation failure within 72 h of extubation. Results A total of 128 preterm infants were randomized to receive either HHHFNC (n = 63) or nCPAP (n = 65) after extubation. The primary outcome of extubation failure within 72 h after extubation was not different between the two groups (HHHFNC, 22.2% vs. nCPAP, 18.5%, risk difference of 3.7% and 95% CI −10.3 to 17.6, p = 0.604). The incidence of nasal trauma was significantly lower in the HHHFNC group than in the nCPAP group 6.3% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.020. Conclusions In our study, HHHFNC was as effective as nCPAP for prevention of extubation failure in preterm infants. Also, HHHFNC was associated with significantly less nasal trauma compared with nCPAP.

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells play a significant role in the prevention of viral infection and tumor surveillance in mammals. Although the involvement of γδ T cells in Marek’s disease virus (MDV) infection has been suggested, their detailed contribution to immunity against MDV or the progression of Marek’s disease (MD) remains unknown. In the current study, T cell receptor (TCR)γδ-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were infused into recipient chickens and their effects were examined in the context of tumor formation by MDV and immunity against MDV. We demonstrated that the adoptive transfer of TCRγδ-activated PBMCs reduced virus replication in the lungs and tumor incidence in MDV-challenged chickens. Infusion of TCRγδ-activated PBMCs induced IFN-γ-producing γδ T cells at 10 days post-infection (dpi), and degranulation activity in circulating γδ T cell and CD8α+ γδ T cells at 10 and 21 dpi in MDV-challenged chickens. Additionally, the upregulation of IFN-γ and granzyme A gene expression at 10 dpi was significant in the spleen of the TCRγδ-activated PBMCs-infused and MDV-challenged group compared to the control group. Taken together, our results revealed that TCRγδ stimulation promotes the effector function of chicken γδ T cells, and these effector γδ T cells may be involved in protection against MD.

Background Sildenafil is the drug of choice for neonatal pulmonary hypertension in developing countries where inhaled nitric oxide is not available. Available as oral and intravenous preparation – no study has been done in the past to compare the two forms. Each has its own benefits – but requires comparison in terms of efficacy and safety. This study was done to compare the efficacy of oral versus intravenous (IV) sildenafil in infants with mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension. Methods An open labelled randomized trial was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit of urban tertiary hospital in western India between February 2019 to December 2020. Infants born after 34 weeks of gestation with Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) > 25 mm Hg measured by echocardiography, within 72 h of birth, were enrolled for the study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive sildenafil either orally or by intravenous route. Primary outcome was the time taken for PAP to decrease below 25 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes were time taken for oxygenation index to decrease by 25%, duration of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, nasal oxygen, hospital stay, time to achieve full feeds, mortality, and side effects. Results Forty patients were enrolled. The baseline characteristics of neonates in both groups were similar except for APGAR scores at 1 min and 5 min, with oral group having lower score [MEDIAN (IQR) 5.00 (4.00- 7.00) and 7.00 (6.00- 8.00)] compared to IV group [MEDIAN (IQR) 7.00 (6.00–8.00) and 9.00 (8.00–9.00)] respectively. Time taken for PAP to decrease below 25 mm was not statistically different between the oral and intravenous groups. Systemic hypotension occurred in 4 neonates of the intravenous group but none in the oral group. Conclusion Oral and intravenous sildenafil had equal efficacy at reducing PAP in neonatal pulmonary hypertension, albeit intravenous sildenafil use was associated with a greater complication rate. Trial registration Trial was registered in the clinical trials registry of India [CTRI/2019/04/018781][25/04/2019].

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Background and Objectives: Hemodynamics in neonatal sepsis is complex and poorly understood. Several studies have reported conflicting findings on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in sepsis from severely increased flow to severely decreased flow. The objective of our study was to study CBF by measuring the resistive index (RI) of the anterior cerebral artery in late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS). Methods: All newborn infants admitted in our neonatal intensive care unit with suspected LONS during the period from January 2017 to December 2017 underwent point-of-care transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to measure the RI of the anterior cerebral artery within 24 h of clinical presentation before starting inotropes if at all required. Infants with congenital heart disease, perinatal asphyxia, major congenital malformations, and genetic syndromes were excluded. Neonates with positive culture were included in the final analysis. Results: Of 89 suspected LONS, 33 were culture positive and were analyzed. The mean admission weight was 2.33 ± 0.76 kg. The mean gestational age was 33.5 ± 3.4 wk. Most common organism isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae (82%). The RI was high in 54.5% (17 of 33) and normal in 45.5% (15 of 33) cases. Conclusions: LONS is a unique and complex hemodynamic state and we found it associated with the high RI indicating decreased CBF. A larger study may help in more understanding of this unique hemodynamic association.