Early oxygen levels contribute to brain injury in extremely preterm infants

Background Extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs) are at risk of neurodevelopmental impairments that may originate in early NICU care. We hypothesized that early oxygen saturations (SpO(2)), arterial pO(2) levels, and supplemental oxygen (FiO(2)) would associate with later neuroanatomic changes. Methods SpO(2), arterial blood gases, and FiO(2) from 73 ELGANs (GA 26.4 +/- 1.2; BW 867 +/- 179 g) during the first 3 postnatal days were correlated with later white matter injury (WM, MRI, n = 69), secondary cortical somatosensory processing in magnetoencephalography (MEG-SII, n = 39), Hempel neurological examination (n = 66), and developmental quotients of Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS, n = 58). Results The ELGANs with later WM abnormalities exhibited lower SpO(2) and pO(2) levels, and higher FiO(2) need during the first 3 days than those with normal WM. They also had higher pCO(2) values. The infants with abnormal MEG-SII showed opposite findings, i.e., displayed higher SpO(2) and pO(2) levels and lower FiO(2) need, than those with better outcomes. Severe WM changes and abnormal MEG-SII were correlated with adverse neurodevelopment. Conclusions Low oxygen levels and high FiO(2) need during the NICU care associate with WM abnormalities, whereas higher oxygen levels correlate with abnormal MEG-SII. The results may indicate certain brain structures being more vulnerable to hypoxia and others to hyperoxia, thus emphasizing the role of strict saturation targets. Impact This study indicates that both abnormally low and high oxygen levels during early NICU care are harmful for later neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm neonates. Specific brain structures seem to be vulnerable to low and others to high oxygen levels. The findings may have clinical implications as oxygen is one of the most common therapies given in NICUs. The results emphasize the role of strict saturation targets during the early postnatal period in preterm infants.Peer reviewe

The fingerprint of the summer 2018 drought in Europe on ground-based atmospheric CO2 measurements

During the summer of 2018, a widespread drought developed over Northern and Central Europe. The increase in temperature and the reduction of soil moisture have influenced carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in various ways, such as a reduction of photosynthesis, changes in ecosystem respiration, or allowing more frequent fires. In this study, we characterize the resulting perturbation of the atmospheric CO2 seasonal cycles. 2018 has a good coverage of European regions affected by drought, allowing the investigation of how ecosystem flux anomalies impacted spatial CO2 gradients between stations. This density of stations is unprecedented compared to previous drought events in 2003 and 2015, particularly thanks to the deployment of the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) network of atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring stations in recent years. Seasonal CO2 cycles from 48 European stations were available for 2017 and 2018.The UK sites were funded by the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (formerly the Department of Energy and Climate Change) through contracts TRN1028/06/2015 and TRN1537/06/2018. The stations at the ClimaDat Network in Spain have received funding from the ‘la Caixa’ Foundation, under agreement 2010-002624

Hazard ratios for coronary heart disease and stroke in men in fourths of the score of each ability test subscale.

<p>Analyses are stratified for year of birth and adjusted for age and year at testing.</p

The effect of adjustment for socio-economic status in childhood and adulthood and blood pressure/hypertension on hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for coronary heart disease and stroke, per one unit lower z score.

<p>Analyses are stratified for year of birth.</p>*<p>Taxable income in 1980 in five categories. Subjects with an event in 1980 or before are excluded from this analysis.</p>†<p>Systolic blood pressure measured at conscription and reimbursement for medication for hypertension before the outcome event.</p

Characteristics of the 2786 men studied.

<p>CHD, Coronary heart disease.</p>*<p>Data missing for 165 men.</p

Body Size at Birth and in Child-and Adulthood and Odds for Retaining Top Scores in Cognitive Ability Over Five Decade^a.

<p>Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; OR, odds ratio.</p>a<p>Logistic regression analyses were conducted as presented in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0054707#pone-0054707-g001" target="_blank">Figure 1</a>, panel A.</p>b<p>Adjustments were made for length of gestation (birth measures), father's occupational status in childhood, parity, mother's age and height at delivery, history of breastfeeding, age at testing cognitive ability at 20.1 years, and time interval between tests of cognitive ability from 20.1 to 67.9 years.</p>c<p>A further model adjusted for ‘b’ plus highest own achieved level of education. The marked associations were rendered non-significant. The marked associations were rendered non-significant. Unmarked associations remained as in the adjusted model ‘b’.</p>d<p>A further model adjusted for ‘b’ plus diagnoses of stroke and coronary heart disease. The marked associations were rendered non-significant. Unmarked associations remained as in the adjusted model ‘b’.</p>e<p>Measurements of head circumference at two, seven, 11 and 20.1 years were not available.</p