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In this report we describe a cDNA sequence, BS106, identified from Incyte Genomics LifeSeq Expressed Sequence Tag database. A multi-tissue mRNA expression array, northern blots, and RT-PCR assays demonstrate the expression of BS106 in mammary, salivary and prostate glands, but not in other tissue types. BS106 mRNA was detected in 90% of the breast tissues examined. The cDNA encodes a 90-amino acid protein characterized as a small, mucin-like protein based on amino acid composition, extensive O-linked glycosylation, and expression profile. BS106 protein was recombinantly expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and the secreted product was purified from the culture media. Monoclonal antibodies were prepared and used for immunohistochemical analysis of early stage breast cancer. BS106 protein was detected in the vast majority of carcinomas (70-100%) and overexpressed in approximately 30% of the 22 specimens analyzed. BS106 protein was not detected in other solid tumor types including bladder carcinoma, colon carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the lung, ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic and prostatic carcinoma.

We hypothesized that a new test of infant lung function, less affected by shifts in lung volume, might better detect bronchodilator effects. Using the raised volume forced expiration technique (RVFET), the effect of a bronchodilator on lung function was studied in 22 infants with a history of recurrent wheeze and five healthy infants. Forced expiratory volume in 0.75 s (FEV0.75), forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow at 75% of FVC (FEF75%) were measured by forcing expiration, using an inflatable jacket from a lung volume set by an inspiratory pressure of 20 cm H2O. A minimum of five measurements were made at baseline and following the administration of 500 μg of salbutamol from a metered dose inhaler via a small volume metal spacer. Changes in lung function in the group of 25 infants who received salbutamol were compared to seven infants who received placebo aerosol. No significant changes occurred in measures of lung function following salbutamol administration when compared to baseline or placebo despite a significant increase in heart rate. A shift in lung volume is unlikely the reason why infants do not demonstrate a change in forced expiration following bronchodilator administration. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1998; 26:35–41. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Infant pulmonary function tests (PFTs) have proven increasingly popular and useful for clinical and research purposes. Informed consent requires accurate information on side effects. Our aim was to quantify minor side effects from a parental point of view by means of a questionnaire. The parents of 97 infants attending for PFTs were asked to complete a simple questionnaire. Eighty-one parents (84%) returned the questionnaire. Forty-one percent felt that their infants were not troubled by the process of administering the sedative chloral hydrate, whereas 55% suffered mild to moderate distress. In contrast, 94% of infants were not distressed by the actual PFTs. Similarly, 46% of parents were not distressed by the administration of sedative to their infant, with 49% expressing distress to a mild or moderate degree. Although 73% of parents were not distressed by watching their infants undergo the PFTs, 27% were to a mild to moderate degree. Seventy-three percent of infants were untroubled on waking. Seventy percent of infants had a good nights sleep after the PFTs. The vast majority of parents (94%) were happy to recommend that others allow their infants to undergo similar testing. We noted that most problems caused by infant PFTs relate to the administration of the sedative. Most infants awake from the tests not distressed and sleep normally the following night.

Inhalation therapy for wheezy infants with either a nebulizer or a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) through a spacer is common practice. The aim of our study was to compare aerosol delivery to wheezy infants from a nebulizer and from a pMDI via two small volume spacers. Twenty wheezy infants (aged 4–12 months) were recruited. They inhaled salbutamol from a Pari-Baby® nebulizer, from a detergent-coated Babyhaler®, and from a Nebuchamber® in random order. A filter was placed between the inhalation systems and the patients. The amount of salbutamol deposited on the filter was measured using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer and was expressed as a percentage of the total nebulized or actuated doses. The mean total nebulized dose for the Pari-Baby® (1030 μg) was higher (P < 0.001) than the mean actuated dove from a pMDI for the Babyhaler® (374 μg) and for the Nebuchamber® (378 μg). Mean drug deposition on the filter was 40.2% (150 μg) of the total actuated dose for the detergent-coated Babyhaler® and 40.7% (154 μg) of the total actuated dose for the Nebuchamber®. There was no significant difference in drug deposition on the filter between the two spacers. Mean drug deposition on the filter was 25.3% (260 μg) of the total nebulized dose for the Pari-Baby® nebulizer. There was no weight dependence in drug deposition on the filter for the two spacers, but, drug deposition increased with the subject's weight for the nebulizer. We have shown that aerosol delivery to wheezy infants from a pMDI through small volume spacers is effective and that a higher percentage of the total amount of salbutamol is delivered than from a nebulizer. The weight dependence in drug deposition for the nebulizer can be of clinical relevance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1997; 23:212–216 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.