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Functional skills in MECP2 duplication syndrome: developmental dynamics and regression

MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is an ultrarare, X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that is poorly understood in terms of its natural history and phenotypic variability. There is limited information on how individuals with MDS acquire, retain or lose fundamental functional skills (gross motor, purposeful hand function and communication) - that of which this study aimed to better characterise in the largest case series to date.

An infant nasal microbial gene atlas uncovers intervention-driven microbiome shifts and salt-resistant pathogen expansion

Functional studies of how early-life interventions shape the airway microbiome remain scarce. Here, we performed metagenomic sequencing of 704 longitudinal nasal swabs from infants with and without cystic fibrosis (CF) to construct and characterize a non-redundant gene atlas of the infant nasal microbiome. We aimed to determine how the nasal microbiome is perturbed by early therapies, as CF is commonly treated with inhaled hypertonic saline to improve mucociliary clearance.

Trajectories of prematurity-associated lung disease: lifelong lung health

Preterm birth is increasingly recognised as adversely influencing lifelong lung function. This Series paper on prematurity-associated lung disease reviews studies reporting longitudinal lung function measurements in individuals who were born preterm. Evidence suggests that preterm birth alters lung function trajectories from early life onwards, with implications for future respiratory morbidity. We propose that this population needs rigorous follow up that should include systematic monitoring of lung function across the lifespan, starting in childhood.

Applying spirometry phenotypes to a longitudinal cohort born very preterm

To better characterise prematurity-associated lung disease, adult spirometry phenotype classifications (obstructive lung disease, preserved ratio impaired spirometry and dysanapsis) have been applied to children born preterm. It is unknown how these phenotypes track over time.

A differentiated nasal epithelial cell model derived from children with acute wheeze and asthma

The airway epithelium is the primary structural and functional airway barrier and orchestrates innate immunity. Some children may have underlying epithelial vulnerabilities that contribute to the pathogenesis of acute wheeze and asthma.

Early life exposure to an episode of extreme air pollution and lung function later in childhood: the Hazelwood early life follow-up (ELF) study

Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, but the effects of early life exposure to acute, high-intensity pollution on later lung function remain poorly understood. We assessed the association between prenatal or infant exposure to fire-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from a six-week coal mine fire and subsequent lung function. 

Researchers sound the alarm as vaping fad explodes

Research into the potential health impacts of vaping is starting to back up concerns that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are not as benign as many people think.

The Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference values reflect contemporary Australasian spirometry

We aimed to ascertain the fit of the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference ranges to contemporary Australasian spirometric data.

Age- and height-based prediction bias in spirometry reference equations

Prediction bias in spirometry reference equations can arise from combining equations for different age groups,...

Early detection of lung function abnormalities in young children with cystic fibrosis

In this review, we have examined the role of lung function testing in infants and preschool children with CF.