The glucocorticoids, cortisol and corticosterone, have a unique function in the fetus in
inducing a wide range of enzymes before birth that have little or no function during fetal life …

I. Introduction W ITH advancing pregnancy in humans and nonhuman primates, the placenta
and fetal adrenal produce extremely large amounts of the steroid hormones estrogen …

Congenital pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is an uncommon cause of respiratory failure in
full-term newborns1–4. Although its histopathological appearance is similar to that of the …

Diabetes alters microvascular function in the vascular beds of organs, including the lungs.
Cardiovascular complications of pulmonary vascular affectation may be a consequence of …

Integrating basic and clinical research on the biophysical and physiological functions of
pulmonary surfactants, this practical reference presents thorough, cutting-edge coverage on …

During the final prenatal period of fetal lung development in humans, important maturational
processes occur, including the production of surfactant necessary to decrease surface …

Pulmonary surfactant is composed of approximately 90% lipid, 10% protein and small
amounts ofcarbohydrate. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), which accounts for …

Lamellar bodies are the specialized secretory organelles of alveolar type II (ATII) epithelial
cells through which the cell packages pulmonary surfactant and regulates its secretion …

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen involved in
normal and abnormal angiogenesis. VEGF mRNA and protein are abundant in distal …

I. Introduction T HE LUNGS of mammals and many other vertebrates contain surface active
material in the peripheral air spaces. This material, comprised of various lipids and proteins …