Spontaneous multiple keloids: a case report.

An aberrant healing reaction to cutaneous injury or inflammation that spreads outside the original wound's boundaries causes keloidal scars. We present the case of a sixty-year-old male patient who initially came with complaints of respiratory system but had spontaneous lesions over his body for 50 years which remained undiagnosed. It was confirmed on histological examination to be keloids.

Anti-Thymocyte Globulin as a Therapy for Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is a polyclonal antibody formulation which has been used as a second-line therapy for chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Limited data exist evaluating its efficacy; however, several single-center retrospective studies have variably demonstrated either improvement or stabilization of spirometry parameters after administration of ATG. ATG has been in use at UT Southwestern for treatment of CLAD since at least 2010; here, we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention at our center.

Management of donor-specific antibodies in lung transplantation.

The formation of antibodies against donor human leukocyte antigens poses a challenging problem both for donor selection as well as postoperative graft function in lung transplantation. These donor-specific antibodies limit the pool of potential donor organs and are associated with episodes of antibody-mediated rejection, chronic lung allograft dysfunction, and increased mortality. Optimal management strategies for clearance of DSAs are poorly defined and vary greatly by institution; most of the data supporting any particular strategy is limited to small-scale retrospective cohort studies.

Management of a bulbous blunderbuss maxillary central incisor with one root and three canals in a patient with cleft lip and palate.

Unique anatomical deviations in canal structure are rare in anterior teeth, especially central incisors, and thus risk being overlooked. For successful intervention, a meticulous diagnostic procedure and treatment plan, significantly aided by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), are crucial. The case at hand explores the management of a maxillary left central incisor in a cleft palate patient, characterized by multiple developmental lobes, a bulbous crown, and an atypical root anatomy.

Deep margin elevation in class II cavities: A comparative evaluation of microleakage and interface integrity using confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the microleakage between the gingival seat and base material and to assess the interface integrity between the base material and overlying composite in class II cavities restored using deep margin elevation.

Materials And Methods: Thirty maxillary molars ( = 30) were taken, and class II cavities were prepared with a gingival seat extending below the cementoenamel junction. These teeth were divided into three groups for subgingival margin elevation using different materials: Group A ( = 10) - flowable composite, Group B ( = 10) - glass ionomer cement (GIC), and Group C ( = 10) - GIC with nanohydroxyapatite (GIC n-HAp).

Outpatient management of Post-COVID syndrome - single center experience.

Background: COVID patients continue to experience unremitting symptoms that extend far beyond the initial illness. While there is rapid accumulation of data on acute COVID treatment in hospitalized patients, little is known regarding post-COVID management.

Objectives: To describe our center's experience treating post-COVID sub-syndromes encountered in Post-COVID Lung Clinic.

Crossroads between Autoimmunity and COVID-19 in Lung Transplant Recipients.

The presence of a certain group of auto-antibodies (AAbs) is known to correlate with the severity of COVID-19. It is, however, unknown if such AAbs are prevalent and impact COVID-19-related outcomes in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) who are immunosuppressed. We performed a retrospective study of LTRs with COVID-19 and analyzed samples before and after COVID-19 for IgG AAbs.

COVID-19 Vaccination is Associated With Favorable Outcomes Among Lung Transplant Patients With Breakthrough Infections.

Background: There are limited data regarding the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines among lung transplant (LT) patients.

Methods: We included all LT patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and December 10, 2021 (n = 84; median age 55, range, 20-73 years; males 65.5%).

Antibody homotypic interactions are encoded by germline light chain complementarity determining region 2.

The utilization of avidity to drive and tune functional responses is fundamental to antibody biology and often underlies the mechanisms of action of monoclonal antibody drugs. There is increasing evidence that antibodies leverage homotypic interactions to enhance avidity, often through weak transient interfaces whereby self-association is coupled with target binding. Here, we comprehensively map the Fab–Fab interfaces of antibodies targeting DR5 and 4-1BB that utilize homotypic interaction to promote receptor activation and demonstrate that both antibodies have similar self-association determinants primarily encoded within a germline light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDRL2).

Diaphragmatic plication among lung transplant patients: A single-center experience.

Background: There is lack of data reporting outcomes among patients needing diaphragmatic plication (DP) during or after lung transplantation (LT). We sought to assess the association of DP with post-transplant spirometry among other outcomes.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent LT between 2012 and 2016 (n = 324, mean age 56.

ECMO Long Haulers: A Distinct Phenotype of COVID-19-Associated ARDS With Implications for Lung Transplant Candidacy.

Background: Studies indicate that the recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome may be slower than other viral pneumonia. There are limited data to guide decisions among patients who need extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, especially the expected time of recovery and considering lung transplantation (LT).

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome placed on ECMO between March 1, 2020, and September 15, 2021 (n = 20; median age, 44 y; range, 22-62 y; male:female, 15:5).

Characteristics and outcomes among vaccinated lung transplant patients with breakthrough COVID-19.

Background: Despite multiple studies evaluating the immunological responsiveness to vaccines, the clinical effectiveness of the two-dose mRNA vaccine schedule among lung transplant (LT) patients has not been evaluated.

Methods: We included LT patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on a nasopharyngeal swab between March 1, 2020, and August 25, 2021 (n = 70). The study group was divided based on their vaccination status.

Predictors and outcomes of respiratory failure among lung transplant patients with COVID-19.

Background: There is limited data on the predictors and outcomes of new or worsening respiratory failure among lung transplant (LT) patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We included all the LT patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during a 1-year period (March 2020 to February 2021; n = 54; median age: 60, 20-73 years; M:F 37:17). Development of new or worsening respiratory failure (ARF) was the primary outcome variable.

Effects of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Initiation on Oxygenation and Pulmonary Opacities.

Introduction: There is limited data on the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on pulmonary physiology and imaging in adult patients. The current study sought to evaluate the serial changes in oxygenation and pulmonary opacities after ECMO initiation.

Methods: Records of patients started on veno-venous, or veno-arterial ECMO were reviewed (n=33; mean (SD): age 50(16) years; Male: Female 20:13).

Post-infection pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 among patients with lung transplantation.

Background: There is limited data on outcomes among lung transplant (LT) patients who survive Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Any single or bilateral LT patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 1, 2020, to February 15, 2021 (n = 54) and survived the acute illness were included (final n = 44). Each patient completed at least 3 months of follow-up (median: 4.

Clinical characteristics, management practices, and outcomes among lung transplant patients with COVID-19.

Background: There are limited data on management strategies and outcomes among lung transplant (LT) patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We implemented management protocols based on the best available evidence and consensus among multidisciplinary teams. The current study reports our experience and outcomes using this protocol-based management strategy.

Characteristics and outcomes among lung transplant patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Background: To describe characteristics and outcomes among lung transplantation (LT) patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and elucidate the predictors of 1-year survival after RSV infection.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review study among LT patients with RSV infection between 2013 and 2018 (90 episodes among 87 patients; mean age 56.3 ± 13.

Spectrum of findings on ventilation‒perfusion lung scintigraphy after lung transplantation and association with outcomes.

Background: Air trapping (AT) is one of the hallmarks of allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation (LT). Inert gas‒based ventilation‒perfusion (VQ) lung scintigraphy has excellent sensitivity in the detection of AT.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients who underwent single or double LT between January 2012 and December 2014 (N = 193).

Insult to Injury: Development of Alveolar Hemorrhage after Initiation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with complications that are separate from the underlying diagnoses that require its use. One of the foremost complications of ECMO is a high incidence of bleeding, including alveolar hemorrhage (AH), which is believed to be due to both prophylactic anticoagulation and critical illness-induced systemic coagulopathy. However, akin to systemic inflammatory response syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO causes widespread systemic inflammation and acute lung injury, which likely further predisposes patients to AH.

Characteristics and outcomes among patients with community-acquired respiratory virus infections during the first year after lung transplantation.

Background: The current study describes the spectrum of community-acquired respiratory infections (CARV) during the first year after lung transplantation (LT). Additionally, we elucidate variables associated with CARV, management strategies utilized, and impact on early and late outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective study among patients transplanted between 2012 and 2015 (n = 255, mean age 55.

Self-reactive antibodies associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome subtype of chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Background: Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD) remains the major limitation in long term survival after lung transplantation. Our objective is to evaluate for the presence of autoantibodies to self-antigens, which is a pathway along with complex interplay with immune as well as non-immune mechanisms that leads to a fibroproliferative process resulting in CLAD.

Methods: Serum profiles of IgG autoantibodies were evaluated using customized proteomic microarray with 124 antigens.

Discovery of genomic regions and candidate genes for grain weight employing next generation sequencing based QTL-seq approach in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield enhancement is one of the prime objectives of plant breeders. Elucidation of the inheritance of grain weight, a key yield component trait, is of paramount importance for raising the yield thresholds in rice.