Respiratory care
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Plasma level of human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2), noted to play a role in lung inflammatory diseases, is elevated in patients with pneumonia. ⋯ In CAP patients, plasma HBD-2 level on admission is associated with 30-day clinical outcomes, and lower plasma HBD-2 level is an independent predictor for adverse outcomes. Plasma HBD-2 level may become a useful tool for prognostic stratification in patients with CAP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Gradual versus sudden weaning from nasal CPAP in preterm infants: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
There is paucity of information on the weaning of nasal CPAP (NCPAP) in preterm infants. As the weaning from NCPAP can be gradual or sudden, we wanted to determine which of the 2 methods was better. ⋯ There was no difference in the success of weaning from NCPAP between the 2 weaning methods. The weight and postmenstrual age at the time of successful NCPAP wean also did not differ between the 2 groups. These findings suggest that factors other than the method of CPAP wean, such as pulmonary maturity, may determine the success of NCPAP wean in preterm infants.