Volume 85 No. 5 April 2019

Early Career Investigator

Congratulations to Tamorah Lewis, the Early Career Investigator for April. As an emergency room “frequent flyer,” she decided at an early age that she wanted to be a pediatrician. Her mentors recognized her unique talents and guided her to become a neonatologist and clinical pharmacologist and to pursue a PhD in clinical investigation. Having carved for herself a relatively unique niche, she is involved in research in neonatal precision medicine. An article by Lewis and colleagues in this issue that examines the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in response to steroids in bronchopulmonary dysplasia demonstrates her research ability. Her advice? Stay connected! See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0273-8 and https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0235-1

Deformation analysis for cardiovascular compromise in newborns

In this review article, Bussmann and El-Khuffash discuss the determinants of cellular metabolism and myocardial dysfunction, the maladaptive state of the preterm cardiovascular system, and the role of deformation analysis in identifying the underlying physiological basis of cardiovascular instability. See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0293-z

The effect of enalopril, a renin angiotensin system inhibitor, on kidney development

Yoo et al. treated newborn rats with enalopril and studied the effect on renal lymphangiogenesis. They concluded that enalopril can disrupt lymphangiogenesis and induce tubulointerstitial changes in the developing kidney. See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0288-9

The impact of making a wish

Patel et al. describe the impact of a Make A Wish experience on a child’s healthcare utilization and costs. Their results show a reduction in hospital visits and healthcare expenditures for these children. See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0207-5

Impact of congenital heart disease on kidney development

Scholes et al. examined 452 preoperative kidney ultrasound scans to determine kidney length. Unexpectedly, they found that, on average, kidneys are larger in neonates with congenital heart disease. See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0163-0

Inhibition of MIF reduces vascular remodeling in CDH

Using a rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), Perveen et al. found that ISO-92, an inhibitor of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), improved several parameters of lung development in animals with CDH. ISO-92 increased the activity of phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor and reduced arginase 1 and 2 and sFlt-1. Conclusion? ISO-92 may be a prenatal therapeutic for increasing pulmonary function in neonates with CDH. See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0335-6

Neonatal abstinence syndrome in West Virginia

In this fascinating article, Umer et al. describe the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in West Virginia. Their results justify increased focus on rural communities. In a related policy commentary, Raphael and Wong discuss the rural health disparities in addressing NAS. See https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0172-z and https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0272-9