Ultrasound to differentiate thyroglossal duct cysts and dermoid cysts in children.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine if ultrasound could differentiate between thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) and midline dermoid cysts (DC).

Study Design: Cohort study.

Methods: A search of pathology reports yielded 91 patients with TGDC or midline DC.

CD8αα⁺ innate-type lymphocytes in the intestinal epithelium mediate mucosal immunity.

Innate immune responses are critical for mucosal immunity. Here we describe an innate lymphocyte population, iCD8α cells, characterized by expression of CD8α homodimers. iCD8α cells exhibit innate functional characteristics such as the capacity to engulf and kill bacteria.

Early donor-specific antibodies in lung transplantation: risk factors and impact on survival.

Background: The impact of early donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) on patient and graft survival after lung transplantation remains controversial. In this study we analyzed risk factors for DSA that developed before initial hospital discharge after lung transplantation (early DSA) and compared mid-term outcomes in patients with or without DSA.

Methods: Between January 2009 and August 2013, 546 patients underwent lung transplantation at our institution.

Paclitaxel-coated balloons in refractory nonanastomostic airway stenosis following lung transplantation.

Airway stenosis represents the commonest airway complication following lung transplantation, affecting between 7% and 18% of patients. Existing treatment options offer limited efficacy and can cause additional patient morbidity. Paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCB) have proved effective in managing postinterventional coronary artery re-stenosis.

Therapeutic approach to respiratory infections in lung transplantation.

Lung transplant recipients (LTRs) are at life-long risk for infections and disseminated diseases owing to their immunocompromised state. Besides organ failure and sepsis, infection can trigger acute and chronic graft rejection which increases mortality. Medical prophylaxis and treatment are based on comprehensive diagnostic work-up including previous history of infection and airway colonisation to reduce long-term complications and mortality.

Combined transgenic expression of Punica granatum conjugase (FADX) and FAD2 desaturase in high linoleic acid Arabidopsis thaliana mutant leads to increased accumulation of punicic acid.

Arabidopsis was engineered to produce 21.2 % punicic acid in the seed oil. Possible molecular factors limiting further accumulation of the conjugated fatty acid were investigated.

A novel assay of DGAT activity based on high temperature GC/MS of triacylglycerol.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the final step in the acyl-CoA-dependent biosynthesis of triacylglycerol (TAG), a high-energy compound composed of three fatty acids esterified to a glycerol backbone. In vitro DGAT assays, which are usually conducted with radiolabeled substrate using microsomal fractions, have been useful in identifying compounds and genetic modifications that affect DGAT activity. Here, we describe a high-temperature gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS)-based method for monitoring molecular species of TAG produced by the catalytic action of microsomal DGAT.

Safety and efficacy of outpatient bronchoscopy in lung transplant recipients - a single centre analysis of 3,197 procedures.

Background: Bronchoscopy represents an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of lung transplant (LTx) recipients. Outpatient bronchoscopy reduces health costs and may improve quality of life amongst these patients. This retrospective study assessed the safety and efficacy of outpatient bronchoscopy including trans-bronchial biopsy.

Physician pain and discomfort during minimally invasive gynecologic cancer surgery.

Objective: Despite increasing awareness of physical strain to surgeons associated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS), its use continues to expand. We sought to gather information from gynecologic oncologists regarding physical discomfort due to MIS.

Methods: Anonymous surveys were e-mailed to 1279 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) members.

Introduction of the lung allocation score in Germany.

The aim of this study was to assess performance of the new lung allocation system in Germany based on lung allocation score (LAS). Retrospective analysis of waitlist (WL) outflow, lung transplantation (LTx) activity and 3-month outcomes comparing 1-year pre- and post-LAS introduction on December 10, 2011 was performed. Following LAS introduction, WL registrations remained constant, while WL mortality fell by 23% (p = 0.

Significance of new lung infiltrates in outpatients after lung and heart-lung transplantation.

Background: Infection and rejection represent major complications following lung transplantation and are often associated with pulmonary infiltrates. The differential diagnosis of these infiltrates depends on their timing after transplantation. The aim of this study was to characterize lung transplant recipients (LTR) presenting with new pulmonary infiltrates.

Conventional vs. tablet computer-based patient education following lung transplantation--a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Accurate immunosuppression is of critical importance in preventing rejection, while avoiding toxicity following lung transplantation. The mainstay immunosuppressants are calcineurin inhibitors, which require regular monitoring due to interactions with other medications and diet. Adherence to immunosuppression and patient knowledge is vital and can be improved through patient education.

Course and treatment of chronic hepatitis E virus infection in lung transplant recipients.

Objective: Persistent hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections have been described in various transplant cohorts. However, the frequency and the course of HEV infection in lung transplant recipients (Lu-Tr) are not well defined.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed serum from 95 Lu-Tr for HEV RNA and anti-HEV immunoglobulin-G (IgG) (with the MP assay).

ESPGHAN revised porto criteria for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents.

Background: The diagnosis of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) can be challenging in choosing the most informative diagnostic tests and correctly classifying PIBD into its different subtypes. Recent advances in our understanding of the natural history and phenotype of PIBD, increasing availability of serological and fecal biomarkers, and the emergence of novel endoscopic and imaging technologies taken together have made the previous Porto criteria for the diagnosis of PIBD obsolete.

Methods: We aimed to revise the original Porto criteria using an evidence-based approach and consensus process to yield specific practice recommendations for the diagnosis of PIBD.

Impact of GB virus C viraemia on clinical outcome in HIV-1-infected patients: a 20-year follow-up study.

Objectives: The impact of coexisting GB virus C (GBV-C) infection on the clinical course of HIV infection remains controversial. Early data from HIV-1 infected patients attending the Hannover Medical School in 2001 suggested prognostic benefit in GBV-C viraemic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns in long-term mortality and morbidity outcomes in this cohort.

Plant phospholipase A: advances in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cellular function.

Plant phospholipase As (PLAs) are a complex group of enzymes that catalyze the release of free fatty acids from phospholipids. Plant PLAs can be grouped into three families, PLA1, PLA2, and patatin-like PLA, that catalyze the hydrolysis of acyl groups from the sn-1 and/or sn-2 position. Each family is composed of multiple isoforms of phospholipases that differ in structural, catalytic, and physiological characteristics.

Glanders: an overview of infection in humans.

Glanders is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease, primarily of solipds. In the developed world, glanders has been eradicated. However, prior use of B.

The development of scientific communication skills: a qualitative study of the perceptions of trainees and their mentors.

Purpose: Scientific communication, both written and oral, is the cornerstone of success in biomedical research, yet formal instruction is rarely provided. Trainees with little exposure to standard academic English may find developing scientific communication skills challenging. In this exploratory, hypothesis-generating qualitative study, the authors examined the process by which mentored junior researchers learn scientific communication skills, their feelings about the challenges, and their mentor's role in the process.

Low exercise tolerance correlates with reduced inspiratory capacity and respiratory muscle function in recipients with advanced chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Background: Advanced chronic lung allograft dysfunction limits survival after lung transplantation. We hypothesize that patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction can be subdivided by exercise tolerance in two groups, and quality of life (QOL) and survival differ between the groups.

Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional, partly prospective, study was performed in our outpatient clinic between July and November 2011, including all patients with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s <50% baseline.

Phenotyping established chronic lung allograft dysfunction predicts extracorporeal photopheresis response in lung transplant patients.

Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) remains the leading cause of mortality in lung transplant recipients after the first year. Treatment remains limited and unpredictable. Existing data suggests extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) may be beneficial.

Physiologic responses following gonadotropin-releasing hormone immunization in intact male dogs.

We investigated the use of a commercial gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine as a method of temporary and reversible immunocastration in intact male dogs. Four privately owned dogs were vaccinated twice at 4-week intervals. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 12 and 20 weeks following the initial vaccination.