This blinded cross-sectional study was to determine whether chronic cocaine exposure in utero produces abnormalities in left ventricular function (shortening fraction), heart rate, rhythm, and ...conduction in term neonates. Three groups of neonates were evaluated by two-dimensional echo Doppler and 24 hour Holter monitor, with studies initiated in the first 24 hours of life. Group A (n = 32) neonates had a positive history of chronic maternal cocaine use in pregnancy (MCU+) and a positive neonatal urine cocaine test (NUC+). Group B (n = 23) neonates were MCU+ but NUC-. Group C (n = 32) neonates were MCU- and NUC-. Measured parameters were compared statistically by analysis of variance. p < 0.05 was regarded as significant. Echocardiography showed no significant difference between groups A, B, and C for left ventricular shortening fraction. Holter monitor likewise revealed no significant difference between groups in minimal, maximal, and average heart rate, or in the incidence of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias greater than 20 beats/h in the 24-hour period. None of the patients had atrioventricular or bundle branch block. It is possible that the developmental state of the newborn heart makes it less responsive to the adverse effects of cocaine.
We present the discovery of KELT-21b, a hot Jupiter transiting the \(V=10.5\) A8V star HD 332124. The planet has an orbital period of \(P=3.6127647\pm0.0000033\) days and a radius of ...\(1.586_{-0.040}^{+0.039}\) \(R_J\). We set an upper limit on the planetary mass of \(M_P<3.91\) \(M_J\) at \(3\sigma\) confidence. We confirmed the planetary nature of the transiting companion using this mass limit and Doppler tomographic observations to verify that the companion transits HD 332124. These data also demonstrate that the planetary orbit is well-aligned with the stellar spin, with a sky-projected spin-orbit misalignment of \(\lambda=-5.6_{-1.9}^{+1.7 \circ}\). The star has \(T_{\mathrm{eff}}=7598_{-84}^{+81}\) K, \(M_*=1.458_{-0.028}^{+0.029}\) \(M_{\odot}\), \(R_*=1.638\pm0.034\) \(R_{\odot}\), and \(v\sin I_*=146\) km s\(^{-1}\), the highest projected rotation velocity of any star known to host a transiting hot Jupiter. The star also appears to be somewhat metal-poor and \(\alpha\)-enhanced, with Fe/H\(=-0.405_{-0.033}^{+0.032}\) and \(\alpha\)/Fe\(=0.145 \pm 0.053\); these abundances are unusual, but not extraordinary, for a young star with thin-disk kinematics like KELT-21. High-resolution imaging observations revealed the presence of a pair of stellar companions to KELT-21, located at a separation of 1.2" and with a combined contrast of \(\Delta K_S=6.39 \pm 0.06\) with respect to the primary. Although these companions are most likely physically associated with KELT-21, we cannot confirm this with our current data. If associated, the candidate companions KELT-21 B and C would each have masses of \(\sim0.12\) \(M_{\odot}\), a projected mutual separation of \(\sim20\) AU, and a projected separation of \(\sim500\) AU from KELT-21. KELT-21b may be one of only a handful of known transiting planets in hierarchical triple stellar systems.
To identify antenatal and intrapartum risk factors associated with seizures in term newborns, 40 infants who had seizures within 72 hours of birth were compared with 400 controls using logistic ...regression analysis. The risk of seizure in the term newborn was approximately one per 1000 in the population studied. The logistic regression model identified a group of infants in whom the risk of seizure was approximately one per 100. The risk factors included in the model were antepartum anemia, antepartum bleeding, asthma, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, presentation other than occiput anterior, fetal distress, and shoulder dystocia. Consistent with other studies, our analysis confirmed a strong association between seizures and factors that increase the risk of fetal asphyxia.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a serious acute systemic illness frequently complicated by cardiac involvement. To evaluate the spectrum of myocardial dysfunction, we obtained M-mode echocardiograms ...on nine consecutive patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever within 72 hours of admission. Seven of the nine patients had echocardiographic evidence of impaired left ventricular function; two of the seven had no other evidence of cardiac involvement. The extent of impairment of left ventricular function reflected the clinical severity of the illness. Left ventricular myocardial dysfunction is a frequent complication of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Echocardiography may provide the only clinical evidence of cardiac involvement in these patients.
