Social proximity and misinformation: Experimental evidence from a mobile phone-based campaign in India

We study how social proximity between the sender and the receiver of information shapes the effectiveness of preventive health behaviour campaigns and the persistence of misinformation. We implement a field experiment among a representative sample of slum residents in two major Indian cities characterized by Hindu-Muslim tensions. We show that informative messages are effective at improving evidence-based behavior, but not non-evidence-based behavior. These findings do not differ by social proximity, signalled by religion. However, when sender and receiver share the same religion, the intervention significantly reduces misinformation carrying in-group salience, highlighting the role of social proximity in fighting misinformation. (JEL codes: C93; D91; I12; I15; O12

Randomized crossover comparison of proportional assist ventilation and patient-triggered ventilation in extremely low birth weight infants with evolving chronic lung disease

Background: Refinement of ventilatory techniques remains a challenge given the persistence of chronic lung disease of preterm infants. Objective: To test the hypothesis that proportional assist ventilation ( PAV) will allow to lower the ventilator pressure at equivalent fractions of inspiratory oxygen (FiO(2)) and arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation in ventilator-dependent extremely low birth weight infants in comparison with standard patient-triggered ventilation ( PTV). Methods: Design: Randomized crossover design. Setting: Two level-3 university perinatal centers. Patients: 22 infants ( mean (SD): birth weight, 705 g ( 215); gestational age, 25.6 weeks ( 2.0); age at study, 22.9 days ( 15.6)). Interventions: One 4- hour period of PAV was applied on each of 2 consecutive days and compared with epochs of standard PTV. Results: Mean airway pressure was 5.64 ( SD, 0.81) cm H2O during PAV and 6.59 ( SD, 1.26) cm H2O during PTV ( p < 0.0001), the mean peak inspiratory pressure was 10.3 ( SD, 2.48) cm H2O and 15.1 ( SD, 3.64) cm H2O ( p < 0.001), respectively. The FiO(2) ( 0.34 (0.13) vs. 0.34 ( 0.14)) and pulse oximetry readings were not significantly different. The incidence of arterial oxygen desaturations was not different ( 3.48 ( 3.2) vs. 3.34 ( 3.0) episodes/ h) but desaturations lasted longer during PAV ( 2.60 ( 2.8) vs. 1.85 ( 2.2) min of desaturation/ h, p = 0.049). PaCO2 measured transcutaneously in a subgroup of 12 infants was similar. One infant met prespecified PAV failure criteria. No adverse events occurred during the 164 cumulative hours of PAV application. Conclusions: PAV safely maintains gas exchange at lower mean airway pressures compared with PTV without adverse effects in this population. Backup conventional ventilation breaths must be provided to prevent apnea-related desaturations. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Base

Growth and structure of three adjacent 22 year-old Douglas-fir stands in the Oregon Coast Range

In the Oregon Coast Range, total biomass and biomass increment, leaf area, the relationship between leaf area and sapwood area, and patterns of growth and form of individual trees, were studied in 40 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesfi (Mirb.) Franco) trees from three adjacent 22 year-old plantations that had developed at different rates. The estimated total aboveground biomass in the three stands, designated as (1) "slow", (2) "medium", and (3) "fast", were 98.7, 148.2, and 203.7 t.ha-1, respectively, significantly different at the 95 percent level. Total belowground biomass was significantly higher for "fast" with 52.5 t.ha-1 versus 42.0 and 34.4 t.ha-1 for "medium" and "slow" stands. Total aboveground biomass increment was similar for "medium" and "fast" (12.6 and 12.3 t.ha-1yr-1) and was lower for "slow" (8.9 t.ha-1yr-1). Leaf area was significantly greater in "fast" than either of the other two stands. Sapwood area decreased with increasing height in the tree, with stands differing significantly only at breast height (bh). Leaf area to sapwood area ratios varied throughout the stem and were significantly higher for "fast"; the ratio was much lower at bh than at the base of the live crown. Diameter at bh (dbh) and sapwood at the crown base are both strong predictors of crown biomass components. For stem weight the addition of height to dbh reduced bias and increased the precision of estimates. Leaf area was as closely related to dbh as to bh sapwood area. Taking into account mean annual ring width in the sapwood did not improve the leaf area to sapwood area relationship. The results of the stem analysis indicated that growth differences among the stands appeared at a very early age. Differences among the stands in biomass, leaf area, and growth rate, which stem analysis shows to have appeared by at least age seven, may be related to differing soil characteristics. "Slow" soils are lower in nitrogen and phosphorous, and are waterlogged for part of the wet season. "Fast" and "medium" soils are similar to one another, except for a coarse textured C layer at shallower depth in "fast", which may have permitted more rapid root development and better access to water during dry periods

Atp bioluminescence for rapid and selective detection of bacteria and yeasts in wine

Microbial contamination may represent a loss of money for wine producers as several defects can arise due to a microorganism’s growth during storage. The aim of this study was to implement a bioluminescence assay protocol to rapidly and simultaneously detect bacteria and yeasts in wines. Different wines samples were deliberately contaminated with bacteria and yeasts at different concentrations and filtered through two serial filters with decreasing mesh to separate bacteria and yeasts. These were resuscitated over 24 h on selective liquid media and analyzed by bioluminescence assay. ATP measurements discriminated the presence of yeasts and bacteria in artificially contaminated wine samples down to 50 CFU/L of yeasts and 1000 CFU/L of bacteria. The developed protocol allowed to detect, rapidly (24 h) and simultaneously, bacteria and yeasts in different types of wines. This would be of great interest for industries, for which an early detection and discrimination of microbial contaminants would help in the decision‐making proces

Differences in tidal breathing between infants with chronic lung diseases and healthy controls

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of tidal breathing (TB) measurements in infants is controversially discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent the breathing pattern of sleeping infants with chronic lung diseases (CLD) differ from healthy controls with the same postconceptional age and to assess the predictive value of TB parameters. METHODS: In the age of 36–42 postconceptional weeks TB measurements were performed in 48 healthy newborns (median age and weight 7d, 3100 g) and 48 infants with CLD (80d, 2465 g)) using the deadspace-free flow-through technique. Once the infants had adapted to the mask and were sleeping quietly and breathing regularly, 20–60 breathing cycles were evaluated. Beside the shape of the tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) 18 TB parameters were analyzed using ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to investigate the discriminative ability of TB parameters. RESULTS: The incidence of concave expiratory limbs in CLD infants was 31% and significantly higher compared to controls (2%) (p < 0.001). Significant differences between CLD infants and controls were found in 11/18 TB parameters. The largest differences were seen in the mean (SD) inspiratory time 0.45(0.11)s vs. 0.65(0.14)s (p < 0.0001) and respiratory rate (RR) 55.4(14.2)/min vs. 39.2(8.6)/min (p < 0.0001) without statistically significant difference in the discriminative power between both time parameters. Most flow parameters were strongly correlated with RR so that there is no additional diagnostic value. No significant differences were found in the tidal volume and commonly used TB parameters describing the expiratory flow profile. CONCLUSION: The breathing pattern of CLD infants differs significantly from that of healthy controls. Concave TBFVL and an increased RR measured during quiet sleep and under standardized conditions may indicate diminished respiratory functions in CLD infants whereas most of the commonly used TB parameters are poorly predictive

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade partially attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn piglets: relationship with the nitrergic system

The objective of this study was to observe possible interactions between the renin-angiotensin and nitrergic systems in chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn piglets. Thirteen chronically instrumented newborn piglets (6.3 +/- 0.9 days; 2369 +/- 491 g) were randomly assigned to receive saline (placebo, P) or the AT(1) receptor (AT(1)-R) blocker L-158,809 (L) during 6 days of hypoxia (FiO(2) = 0.12). During hypoxia, pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa; P &lt; 0.0001), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; P &lt; 0.02) and the pulmonary to systemic vascular resistance ratio (PVR/SVR; P &lt; 0.05) were significantly attenuated in the L (N = 7) group compared to the P group (N = 6). Western blot analysis of lung proteins showed a significant decrease of endothelial NOS (eNOS) in both P and L animals, and of AT(1)-R in P animals during hypoxia compared to normoxic animals (C group, N = 5; P &lt; 0.01 for all groups). AT(1)-R tended to decrease in L animals. Inducible NOS (iNOS) did not differ among P, L, and C animals and iNOS immunohistochemical staining in macrophages was significantly more intense in L than in P animals (P &lt; 0.01). The vascular endothelium showed moderate or strong eNOS and AT(1)-R staining. Macrophages and pneumocytes showed moderate or strong iNOS and AT(1)-R staining, but C animals showed weak iNOS and AT(1)-R staining. Macrophages of L and P animals showed moderate and weak AT(2)-R staining, respectively, but the endothelium of all groups only showed weak staining. In conclusion, pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia in newborn piglets is partially attenuated by AT(1)-R blockade. We suggest that AT(1)-R blockade might act through AT(2)-R and/or Mas receptors and the nitrergic system in the lungs of hypoxemic newborn piglets.University of MiamiFAPES

Localization and potential role of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 in different phases of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) can evolve in prematurely born infants who require mechanical ventilation because of hyaline membrane disease (HMD). The development of BPD can be divided in an acute, a regenerative, a transitional, and a chronic phase. During these different phases, extensive remodeling of the lung parenchyma with re-epithelialization of the alveoli and formation of fibrosis occurs. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is an enzyme that is involved in re-epithelialization processes, and dysregulation of MMP-1 activity contributes to fibrosis. Localization of MMP-1 and its inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2, were investigated in lung tissue obtained from infants who died during different phases of BPD development. In all studied cases (n = 50) type-II pneumocytes were found to be immunoreactive for MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. During the acute and regenerative phase of BPD, type-II pneumocytes re-epithelialize the injured alveoli. This may suggest that MMP-1 and its inhibitors, expressed by type-II pneumocytes, play a role in the re-epithelialization process after acute lung injury. Although MMP-1 staining intensity remained constant in type-II pneumocytes during BPD development, TIMP-1 increased during the chronic fibrotic phase. This relative elevation of TIMP-1 compared with MMP-1 is indicative for reduced collagenolytic activity by type-II pneumocytes in chronic BPD and may contribute to fibrosis. Fibrotic foci in chronic BPD contained fibroblasts immunoreactive for MMP-1 and TIMP-1 and -2. This may indicate that decreased collagen turnover by fibroblasts contributes to fibrosis in BPD development

Azithromycin in the extremely low birth weight infant for the prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Azithromycin reduces the severity of illness in patients with inflammatory lung disease such as cystic fibrosis and diffuse panbronchiolitis. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a pulmonary disorder which causes significant morbidity and mortality in premature infants. BPD is pathologically characterized by inflammation, fibrosis and impaired alveolar development. The purpose of this study was to obtain pilot data on the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic azithromycin in reducing the incidence and severity of BPD in an extremely low birth weight (≤ 1000 grams) population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Infants ≤ 1000 g birth weight admitted to the University of Kentucky Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (level III, regional referral center) from 9/1/02-6/30/03 were eligible for this pilot study. The pilot study was double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled. Infants were randomized to treatment or placebo within 12 hours of beginning mechanical ventilation (IMV) and within 72 hours of birth. The treatment group received azithromycin 10 mg/kg/day for 7 days followed by 5 mg/kg/day for the duration of the study. Azithromycin or placebo was continued until the infant no longer required IMV or supplemental oxygen, to a maximum of 6 weeks. Primary endpoints were incidence of BPD as defined by oxygen requirement at 36 weeks gestation, post-natal steroid use, days of IMV, and mortality. Data was analyzed by intention to treat using Chi-square and ANOVA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 43 extremely premature infants were enrolled in this pilot study. Mean gestational age and birth weight were similar between groups. Mortality, incidence of BPD, days of IMV, and other morbidities were not significantly different between groups. Post-natal steroid use was significantly less in the treatment group [31% (6/19)] vs. placebo group [62% (10/16)] (p = 0.05). Duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly less in treatment survivors, with a median of 13 days (1–47 days) vs. 35 days (1–112 days)(p = 0.02).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study suggests that azithromycin prophylaxis in extremely low birth weight infants may effectively reduce post-natal steroid use for infants. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of azithromycin on the incidence of BPD and possible less common side effects, before any recommendations regarding routine clinical use can be made.</p

The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion polymorphism is not associated with an increased risk of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia in ventilated very low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND: The ACE gene contains a polymorphism consisting of either the presence (insertion, I) or absence (deletion, D) of a 287 bp alu repeat in intron 16. The D allele is associated with increased ACE activity in both tissue and plasma. The DD genotype is associated with risk of developing ARDS and mortality. The frequency of the D allele is higher in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis and berylliosis. The role of this polymorphism has not been studied in the development of BPD in the premature newborn. METHODS: ACE I/D genotype was determined in 245 (194 African-American, 47 Caucasian and 4 Hispanic) mechanically ventilated infants weighing less than 1250 grams at birth and compared to outcome (death and/or development of BPD). RESULTS: The incidence of the D allele in the study population was 0.58. Eighty-eight (35.9%) infants were homozygous DD, 107 (43.7%) were heterozygous ID and 50 (20.4%) were homozygous II. There were no significant differences between genotype groups with respect to ethnic origin, birth weight, gestation, or gender. There was no effect of the ACE I/D polymorphism on mortality or development of BPD (O(2 )on 28 days or 36 weeks PCA). Secondary outcomes (intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia) similarly were not influenced by the ACE ID polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE I/D polymorphism does not significantly influence the development of BPD in ventilated infants less than 1250 grams