The Diaphragmatic Initiated Ventilatory Assist (DIVA) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing rates of extubation failure in extremely premature infants undergoing extubation to non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist versus non-synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

Background: Invasive mechanical ventilation contributes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the most common complication of prematurity and the leading respiratory cause of childhood morbidity. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) may limit invasive ventilation exposure and can be either synchronized or non-synchronized (NS). Pooled data suggest synchronized forms may be superior.

Assessment of Humoral Immune Response in Pre- and Post-Vaccinated Cattle Against Lumpy Skin Disease.

Introduction: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is viral disease affecting cattle production and productivity in Ethiopia. As a prevention method, vaccinations have been used for a long period with a questionable output due to the existence of LSD outbreaks in vaccinated herds in different parts of Ethiopia.

Methods: A longitudinal study was performed from October 2019 to April 2020 with the objective of assessing the humoral immune response of cattle with a serum neutralization test (SNT) from different management systems in central Ethiopia.

Cognitive function, mental health, and health-related quality of life after lung transplantation.

Rationale: Cognitive and psychiatric impairments are threats to functional independence, general health, and quality of life. Evidence regarding these outcomes after lung transplantation is limited.

Objectives: Determine the frequency of cognitive and psychiatric impairment after lung transplantation and identify potential factors associated with cognitive impairment after lung transplantation.

Genetic variation in the prostaglandin E2 pathway is associated with primary graft dysfunction.

Rationale: Biologic pathways with significant genetic conservation across human populations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The evaluation of the role of recipient genetic variation in PGD has thus far been limited to single, candidate gene analyses.

Objectives: We sought to identify genetic variants in lung transplant recipients that are responsible for increased risk of PGD using a two-phase large-scale genotyping approach.

Latent class analysis identifies distinct phenotypes of primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Background: There is significant heterogeneity within the primary graft dysfunction (PGD) syndrome. We aimed to identify distinct grade 3 PGD phenotypes based on severity of lung dysfunction and patterns of resolution.

Methods: Subjects from the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group (LTOG) cohort study with grade 3 PGD within 72 h after transplantation were included.

Clinical risk factors for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Rationale: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the main cause of early morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results for PGD risk factors.

Objectives: We sought to identify donor, recipient, and perioperative risk factors for PGD.

Elevated plasma angiopoietin-2 levels and primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Introduction: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a significant contributor to early morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Increased vascular permeability in the allograft has been identified as a possible mechanism leading to PGD. Angiopoietin-2 serves as a partial antagonist to the Tie-2 receptor and induces increased endothelial permeability.

Variation in PTX3 is associated with primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Rationale: Elevated long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) levels are associated with the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation. Abnormalities in innate immunity, mediated by PTX3 release, may play a role in PGD pathogenesis.

Objectives: Our goal was to test whether variants in the gene encoding PTX3 are risk factors for PGD.

A panel of lung injury biomarkers enhances the definition of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation.

Background: We aimed to identify combinations of biomarkers to enhance the definition of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) for translational research.

Methods: Biomarkers reflecting lung epithelial injury (soluble receptor for advance glycation end products [sRAGE] and surfactant protein-D [SP-D]), coagulation cascade (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1] and protein C), and cell adhesion (intracellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1]) were measured in the plasma of 315 individuals derived from the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group cohort at 6 and 24 hours after transplantation. We assessed biomarker utility in 2 ways: first, we tested the discrimination of grade 3 PGD within 72 hours; second, we tested the predictive utility of plasma biomarkers for 90-day mortality.

The adult respiratory distress syndrome cognitive outcomes study: long-term neuropsychological function in survivors of acute lung injury.

Rationale: Cognitive and psychiatric morbidity is common and potentially modifiable after acute lung injury (ALI). However, practical measures of neuropsychological function for use in multicenter trials are lacking.

Objectives: To determine whether a validated telephone-based neuropsychological test battery is feasible in a multicenter trial.

Effect of single vs bilateral lung transplantation on plasma surfactant protein D levels in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Serum levels of surfactant protein D (SP-D) have been suggested as reflecting epithelial damage in acute lung injury, COPD, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, little is known about SP-D levels in the setting of lung transplantation.

Methods: We examined plasma SP-D levels in 104 subjects from a prospective, multicenter cohort study of lung allograft recipients.

Elevated pulmonary artery pressure is a risk factor for primary graft dysfunction following lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is often associated with elevations in pulmonary artery pressures. Although primary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been associated with primary graft dysfunction (PGD), the role of secondary PAH in mediating PGD risk in patients with IPF is incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and PGD among patients with IPF.

Plasma levels of receptor for advanced glycation end products, blood transfusion, and risk of primary graft dysfunction.

Rationale: The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is an important marker of lung epithelial injury and may be associated with impaired alveolar fluid clearance. We hypothesized that patients with primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation would have higher RAGE levels in plasma than patients without PGD.

Objectives: To test the association of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) levels with PGD in a prospective, multicenter cohort study.

Soluble p-selectin and the risk of primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Background: Platelet activation with subsequent neutrophilic adherence to the vasculature initiates ischemia-reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that higher plasma P-selectin levels reflecting platelet activation would therefore be associated with primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation.

Methods: In a prospective, multicenter cohort study of 376 patients who had undergone lung transplantation between 2002 and 2007, we measured soluble P-selectin levels before lung transplantation and at 6 and 24 h after lung reperfusion in 20 patients with grade III PGD (Pao(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen, < 200 mm Hg [with alveolar infiltrates seen on chest radiographs]) at 72 h after transplantation and 61 control subjects without PGD.

Cognitive, mood and quality of life impairments in a select population of ARDS survivors.

Background And Objective: There is increasing evidence that survivors of ARDS may have impairments in cognitive function, mood and quality of life. This study investigated associations between cognitive impairment, mood disorders and quality of life in a select group of ARDS survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the specific impairments in cognitive function, mood and quality of life in a group of 79 self-selected ARDS survivors who contacted an Internet-based support site.

Association of protein C and type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor with primary graft dysfunction.

Background: Acute lung injury is characterized by hypercoagulability and impaired fibrinolysis. We hypothesized that lower protein C and higher type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) levels in plasma would be associated with primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation.

Design: Prospective, multicenter cohort study.

The effect of primary graft dysfunction on survival after lung transplantation.

Rationale: Primary graft dysfunction is a severe acute lung injury syndrome after lung transplantation. Long-term outcomes of subjects with primary graft dysfunction have not been studied.

Objectives: We sought to test the relationship of primary graft dysfunction with both short- and long-term mortality using a large registry.