Prospective population-based study of RSV-related intermediate care and intensive care unit admissions in Switzerland over a 4-year period (2001-2005)

OBJECTIVES: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are a leading cause of hospital admissions in small children. A substantial proportion of these patients require medical and nursing care, which can only be provided in intermediate (IMC) or intensive care units (ICU). This article reports on all children aged < 3 years who required admission to IMC and/or ICU between October 1, 2001 and September 30, 2005 in Switzerland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively collected data on all children aged < 3 years who were admitted to an IMC or ICU for an RSV-related illness. Using a detailed questionnaire, we collected information on risk factors, therapy requirements, length of stay in the IMC/ICU and hospital, and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 577 cases reported during the study period, 90 were excluded because the patients did not fulfill the inclusion criteria; data were incomplete in another 25 cases (5%). Therefore, a total of 462 verified cases were eligible for analysis. At the time of hospital admission, only 31 patients (11%) were older than 12 months. Since RSV infection was not the main reason for IMC/ICU admission in 52% of these patients, we chose to exclude this subgroup from further analyses. Among the 431 infants aged < 12 months, the majority (77%) were former near term or full term (NT/FT) infants with a gestational age > or = 35 weeks without additional risk factors who were hospitalized at a median age of 1.5 months. Gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and congenital heart disease (CHD) were all associated with a significant risk increase for IMC/ICU admission (relative risk 14, 56, and 10, for GA < or = 32 weeks, BPD, and CHD, respectively). Compared with NT/FT infants, high-risk infants were hospitalized at an older age (except for infants with CHD), required more invasive and longer respiratory support, and had longer stays in the IMC/ICU and hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In Switzerland, RSV infections lead to the IMC/ICU admission of approximately 1%-2% of each annual birth cohort. Although prematurity, BPD, and CHD are significant risk factors, non-pharmacological preventive strategies should not be restricted to these high-risk patients but also target young NT/FT infants since they constitute 77% of infants requiring IMC/ICU admission.

First continuous ground-based observations of long period oscillations in strato-/mesospheric wind profiles

Direct measurements of middle-atmospheric wind oscillations with periods between 5 and 50 days in the altitude range between mid-stratosphere (5 hPa) and upper mesosphere (0.02 hPa) have been made using a novel ground-based Doppler wind radiometer. The oscillations were not inferred from measurements of tracers, as the radiometer offers the unique capability of near-continuous horizontal wind profile measurements. Observations from four campaigns at high, mid and low latitudes with an average duration of 10 months have been analyzed. The dominant oscillation has mostly been found to lie in the extra-long period range (20–40 days), while the well-known atmospheric normal modes around 5, 10 and 16 days have also been observed. Comparisons of our results with ECMWF operational analysis model data revealed remarkably good agreement below 0.3 hPa but discrepancies above.

Materials studies related to the Cu₂S/ZnCdS heterojunction : first quarterly report for period March 15 - June 15, 1980 /

"Work Performed Under Contract No. AC02-77CH00178."

The first American civil war; first period, 1775-1778, with chapters on the continental or revolutionary army and on the forces of the crown,

Mode of access: Internet.

A popular history of the United States, from the first discovery of the western hemisphere by the Northmen, to the end of the first century of the union of the states. Preceded by a sketch of the prehistoric period and the age of the mound builders,

First published 1876-81.

A general history of Connecticut : from its first settlement under George Fenwick, to its latest period of amity with Great Britain prior to the revolution; including a description of the country, and many curious and interesting anecdotes...By a gentleman of the province. London 1781. To which is added a supplement, verifying many important statements made by the author.

Mode of access: Internet.

The debates and proceedings in the Congress of the United States, with an appendix, containing important state papers and public documents, and all the laws of a public nature; with a copious index ... [First to] Eighteenth Congress.--first session: comprising the period from [March 3, 1789] to May 27, 1824, inclusive. Comp. from authentic materials.

Continued by "Register of debates in Congress."

A statistical, political, and historical account of the United States of North America; from the period of their first colonization to the present day.

Brief bibliographies at end of many of the chapters.

Secret memoirs of the royal family of France, during the revolution, with original and authentic anecdotes of contemporary sovereigns, and other distinguished personages of that eventful period, now first published from the journal, letters, and conversations of the Princess Lamballe.

"A lady of rank", [i.e. Catherine Hyde, Marquise de Govion Broglio Solari]

An historical sketch of the First Church in Boston, from its formation to the present period. To which are added two sermons, one on leaving the old, and the other on entering the new house of worship.

Mode of access: Internet.

Virginia Carolorum: the colony under the rule of Charles the First and Second, A.D. 1625-A.D. 1685 based upon manuscripts and documents of the period /

Includes index.

St. Louis business directory, for 1847: containing the history of St. Louis, from the period of its first settlement, down to the present time:

Mode of access: Internet.

Annals of Annapolis : comprising sundry notices of that old city from the period of the first settlements in its vicinity in the year 1649, until the war of 1812 : together with various incidents in the history of Maryland, derived from early records, public documents, and other sources ; with an appendix, containing a number of letters from General Washington, and other distinguished persons, which letters have never been published before /

Sabin