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The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is made up of multi-disciplinary teams that are committed to improving the lives of children and their families living with respiratory disease.
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Neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence: A systematic review and meta-analysisEstimate the global prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence (RS) at one year or more of age.
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Can lung disease be averted by focusing on early-life inequities?Shannon Simpson BMedSci (hons), PhD Head, Strong Beginnings Research, Co-head Foundations of Lung Disease 08 6319 1631 Shannon.simpson@thekids.org.au
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Interactions between bacteria in the human nasopharynx: a scoping reviewEmerging evidence indicates that interactions between bacteria shape the nasopharyngeal microbiome and influence respiratory health. This Review uses the systematic scoping methodology to summarise 88 studies including observational and experimental studies, identifying key interactions between bacteria that colonise the human nasopharynx.
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What goes up must come down: dynamics of type 1 interferon signaling across the lifespanType 1 interferons (T1IFNs) are typically expressed in low concentrations under homeostatic conditions, but upon pathogenic insult or perturbation of the pathway, these critical immune signaling molecules can become either protectors from or drivers of pathology. While essential for initiating antiviral defense and modulating inflammation, dysregulation of T1IFN signaling can contribute to immunopathology, making it and its associated pathways prime targets for immune evasion and disruption by pathogens.
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Innate epithelial and functional differences in airway epithelium of children with acute wheezeEarly childhood wheeze is a major risk factor for asthma. However, not all children who wheeze will develop the disease. The airway epithelium has been shown to be involved in asthma pathogenesis. Despite this, the airway epithelium of children with acute wheeze remains poorly characterized.
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The effect of moderate-to-late preterm birth on lung function over the first 5 years of life in a South African birth cohortPreterm birth is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, particularly due to lung disease. Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have the highest rates of preterm birth. Infants born extremely preterm rarely survive, so the largest burden is amongst moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) infants. The long-term health impact on MLP children in LMIC is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of MLP birth on lung function trajectories from birth to 5 years in the Drakenstein Child Health Study.
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Exploring the Complexity of the Human Respiratory Virome through an In Silico Analysis of Shotgun Metagenomic Data Retrieved from Public RepositoriesRespiratory viruses significantly impact global morbidity and mortality, causing more disease in humans than any other infectious agent. Beyond pathogens, various viruses and bacteria colonize the respiratory tract without causing disease, potentially influencing respiratory diseases’ pathogenesis.
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Prematurity-associated lung disease: is it asthma?Shannon Elizabeth Simpson Smith BMedSci (hons), PhD PhD, MSc, BSc Head, Strong Beginnings Research, Co-head Foundations of Lung Disease Program
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The longitudinal microbial and metabolic landscape of infant cystic fibrosis: the gut-lung axisIn cystic fibrosis, gastrointestinal dysfunction and lower airway infection occur early and are independently associated with poorer outcomes in childhood. This study aimed to define the relationship between the microbiota at each niche during the first 2 years of life, its association with growth and airway inflammation, and explanatory features in the metabolome.