Interstitial lung disease as an indication for pediatric lung transplant.

Interstitial lung disease can be an indication for lung transplant at any age, but it is a particularly common indication for lung transplant in infants. Nevertheless, not all interstitial lung diseases will lead to lung transplant in childhood. Genetic testing has aided the identification of these diseases in children.

The Highly Conserved Stem-Loop II Motif Is Dispensable for SARS-CoV-2.

The stem-loop II motif (s2m) is an RNA structural element that is found in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of many RNA viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Though the motif was discovered over 25 years ago, its functional significance is unknown. In order to understand the importance of s2m, we created viruses with deletions or mutations of the s2m by reverse genetics and also evaluated a clinical isolate harboring a unique s2m deletion.

Fictional emotions and emotional reactions to social robots as depictions of social agents.

Following the depiction theory by Clark and Fischer we would expect people interacting with robots to experience emotions akin to those toward films or novels. However, some people's emotional reactions toward robots display the motivational force typical to emotions. We discuss this incongruity and offer two suggestions on how to explain it while maintaining the depiction theory.

The highly conserved stem-loop II motif is dispensable for SARS-CoV-2.

Unlabelled: The stem-loop II motif (s2m) is a RNA structural element that is found in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of many RNA viruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Though the motif was discovered over twenty-five years ago, its functional significance is unknown. In order to understand the importance of s2m, we created viruses with deletions or mutations of the s2m by reverse genetics and also evaluated a clinical isolate harboring a unique s2m deletion.

Position paper: Models of post-transplant care for individuals with cystic fibrosis.

There is no consensus on the best model of care for individuals with CF to manage the non-pulmonary complications that persist after lung transplant. The CF Foundation virtually convened a group of international experts in CF and lung-transplant care. The committee reviewed literature and shared the post-lung transplant model of care practiced by their programs.

[Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions: evolution in patient care].

Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions are a frequently occurring condition that can have a considerable impact on the quality of life. The treatment modalities vary according to the anatomical involvement and symptomatology of the patient. Conservative and surgical management is still controversial and has evolved significantly in recent decades.

[Temporomandibular joint disorders: current concepts for conservative management].

The temporomandibular joint is subject to repeated stress. The overloading of the compensation system leads to dysfunction, which manifests itself in the form of muscular and articular damage. Pain, joint noises and limitation of mouth opening are the most frequent reasons for a temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) consultation.

Intergovernmentalism and the crisis of representative democracy: The case for creating a system of horizontally expanded and overlapping national democracies.

Technocratic intergovernmentalism has undermined the preconditions for its own success as a democratic project of transnational cooperation. It has triggered populist reactions within nation states and helped to discredit the intermediary institutions (parties and parliaments) that connect democratic will-formation and joint decision-making. This rise of populism and its alignment with nationalism, in consequence, hampers joint decision-making in the international realm.

The highly conserved stem-loop II motif is important for the lifecycle of astroviruses but dispensable for SARS-CoV-2.

The stem-loop II motif (s2m) is an RNA element present in viruses from divergent viral families, including astroviruses and coronaviruses, but its functional significance is unknown. We created deletions or substitutions of the s2m in astrovirus VA1 (VA1), classic human astrovirus 1 (HAstV1) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For VA1, recombinant virus could not be rescued upon partial deletion of the s2m or substitutions of G-C base pairs.

Recurrence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: To Assess Glucose Metabolism and Clinical Risk Factors at the Beginning of a Subsequent Pregnancy.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk of developing hyperglycemia in a subsequent pregnancy. This study aimed to assess parameters of glucose metabolism at the beginning of a subsequent pregnancy in women with a history of GDM. This prospective cohort study included 706 women who had at least one previous pregnancy (120 with prior GDM and 586 without GDM history).

CTOTC-08: A multicenter randomized controlled trial of rituximab induction to reduce antibody development and improve outcomes in pediatric lung transplant recipients.

We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of pediatric lung transplant recipients, hypothesizing that rituximab plus rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction would reduce de novo donor-specific human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSA) development and improve outcomes. We serially obtained clinical data, blood, and respiratory samples for at least one year posttransplant. We analyzed peripheral blood lymphocytes by flow cytometry, serum for antibody development, and respiratory samples for viral infections using multiplex PCR.

Violence-related distress and lung function in two longitudinal studies of youth.

Background: Exposure to violence has been associated with lower lung function in cross-sectional studies.

Methods: We examined whether increasing violence-related distress over time is associated with worse lung function and worse asthma control or quality of life in a secondary analysis of a 48-week randomised clinical trial in 98 youth with asthma (aged 9-16 years) treated with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (Vitamin D Kids Asthma Study (VDKA)). We then replicated our findings for lung function in a prospective study of 232 Puerto Rican youth followed for an average of 5.

Vitamin D supplementation, lung function and asthma control in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels.

Observational studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are linked to worse lung function and poor asthma control in children with asthma. We hypothesized that vitamin D supplementation would improve function, disease control, and quality of life in children with asthma (ages 6–16 years) and vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml. We tested this hypothesis in a secondary analysis of data from the Vitamin D Kids Asthma Study (VDKA), a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Performance of early risk assessment tools to predict the later development of gestational diabetes.

Background: Several prognostic models for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are provided in the literature; however, their clinical significance has not been thoroughly evaluated, especially with regard to application at early gestation and in accordance with the most recent diagnostic criteria. This external validation study aimed to assess the predictive accuracy of published risk estimation models for the later development of GDM at early pregnancy.

Methods: In this cohort study, we prospectively included 1132 pregnant women.

Characteristics of gestational diabetes subtypes classified by oral glucose tolerance test values.

Background: In clinical practice, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is treated as a homogenous disease but emerging evidence suggests that the diagnosis of GDM possibly comprises different metabolic entities. In this study, we aimed to assess early pregnancy characteristics of gestational diabetes mellitus entities classified according to the presence of fasting and/or post-load hyperglycaemia in the diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test performed at mid-gestation.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 1087 pregnant women received a broad risk evaluation and laboratory examination at early gestation and were later classified as normal glucose tolerant (NGT), as having isolated fasting hyperglycaemia (GDM-IFH), isolated post-load hyperglycaemia (GDM-IPH) or combined hyperglycaemia (GDM-CH) according to oral glucose tolerance test results.

Remote intervention engagement and outcomes in the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children consortium multisite trial.

Remote interventions are increasingly used in transplant medicine but have rarely been rigorously evaluated. We investigated a remote intervention targeting immunosuppressant management in pediatric lung transplant recipients. Patients were recruited from a larger multisite trial if they had a Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI) ≥2.

Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Severe Asthma Exacerbations in Children With Asthma and Low Vitamin D Levels: The VDKA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Severe asthma exacerbations cause significant morbidity and costs. Whether vitamin D3 supplementation reduces severe childhood asthma exacerbations is unclear.

Objective: To determine whether vitamin D3 supplementation improves the time to a severe exacerbation in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels.

Anellovirus Dynamics Are Associated With Primary Graft Dysfunction in Lung Transplantation.

Unlabelled: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the leading cause of early death in lung transplant. Anelloviruses are small circular DNA viruses that have been noted to be present at elevated levels in immunosuppressed patients. They have been associated with both short- and long-term outcomes in lung transplant, and we hypothesized that anellovirus dynamics might be associated with the development of PGD.

Vertical transmission in nematodes of RNA molecules encoding a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Here, we report on the discovery in nematodes of multiple vertically transmitted RNAs coding for putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Their sequences share similarity to distinct RNA viruses, including bunyaviruses, narnaviruses, and sobemoviruses. The sequences are present exclusively as RNA and are not found in DNA form.

Percutaneous cryoablation of benign bony tumours of the mandible.

Treatment of bony tumours of the oral and maxillofacial area usually involve resection. However, access to certain areas may be difficult because of the size or site of the tumour. A poor view of the lesion during operation is another limiting factor, which can lead to incomplete resection in difficult cases.

American Thoracic Society 2019 Pediatric Core Curriculum.

The American Thoracic Society Pediatric Core Curriculum updates clinicians annually in pediatric pulmonary disease in a 3 to 4 year recurring cycle of topics. The 2019 course was presented in May during the Annual International Conference. An American Board of Pediatrics Maintenance of Certification module and a continuing medical education exercise covering the contents of the Core Curriculum can be accessed online at www.

Laboratory mice born to wild mice have natural microbiota and model human immune responses.

Laboratory mouse studies are paramount for understanding basic biological phenomena but also have limitations. These include conflicting results caused by divergent microbiota and limited translational research value. To address both shortcomings, we transferred C57BL/6 embryos into wild mice, creating "wildlings.

The Mandibular Ramus: An Alternative Donor Site for Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting in Clefts of the Alveolus.

The authors describe the use of the mandibular ramus as an autologous bone graft material for secondary alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients. This technique represents a safe and effective alternative to currently used donor sites. Furthermore, it allows to minimize patient discomfort, so that they can be treated as outpatients.

Complex Tracheocarinal Reconstructions Using Extrathoracic Muscle Flaps as Airway Substitutes.

Background: Extrathoracic muscle flaps can be used as airway substitutes for the closure of complex bronchopleural or tracheoesophageal fistulas or in the context of tracheocarinal reconstructions after resection for centrally localized tumors in order to alleviate excess anastomotic tension.

Methods: Evaluation of all patients undergoing tracheocarinal reconstructions with extrathoracic muscle flap patches as airway substitutes in our institution from 1996 to 2016.

Results: A total of 73 patients underwent tracheocarinal reconstructions using extrathoracic muscle flap patches as airway substitutes for the closure of bronchopleural fistulas (n = 17) and complex tracheoesophageal fistulas (n = 7), or in the context of airway reconstructions after carinal resections in combination with pneumonectomy/sleeve lobectomy for centrally localized lung tumors (n = 36) and noncircumferential tracheal resections for tracheal disease processes (n = 14).