Lack of association of Aspergillus colonization with the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in lung transplant recipients: An international cohort study.

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a major limitation in the long-term survival of lung transplant recipients (LTRs). However, the risk factors in the development of BOS remain undetermined. We conducted an international cohort study of LTRs to assess whether Aspergillus colonization with large or small conidia is a risk factor for the development of BOS.

Clinical risk factors for invasive aspergillosis in lung transplant recipients: Results of an international cohort study.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a frequent complication in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Clinical risk factors for IA have not been fully characterized, especially in the era of extensive anti-fungal prophylaxis. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical risk factors associated with IA in LTRs.

Lack of autophagy induces steroid-resistant airway inflammation.

Background: Neutrophilic corticosteroid-resistant asthma accounts for a significant proportion of asthma; however, little is known about the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of the disease.

Objective: We sought to address the role of autophagy in lung inflammation and the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-resistant neutrophilic asthma.

Methods: We developed CD11c-specific autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5)(-/-) mice and used several murine models to investigate the role of autophagy in asthmatic patients.

Bronchial thermoplasty: Long-term safety and effectiveness in patients with severe persistent asthma.

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) has previously been shown to improve asthma control out to 2 years in patients with severe persistent asthma.

Objective: We sought to assess the effectiveness and safety of BT in asthmatic patients 5 years after therapy.

Methods: BT-treated subjects from the Asthma Intervention Research 2 trial (ClinicalTrials.

Near fatal asthma: clinical and airway biopsy characteristics.

Background. Inflammation and remodeling are integral parts of asthma pathophysiology. We sought to describe the clinical and pathologic features of near fatal asthma exacerbation (NFE).

Outcomes after lung transplantation and practices of lung transplant programs in the United States regarding hepatitis C seropositive recipients.

Background: The estimated prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among lung transplant (LT) recipients is 1.9%. Many thoracic transplant programs are reluctant to transplant HCV-seropositive patients due to concerns of hepatic dysfunction caused by immunosuppression.

Pericardial constriction after lung transplantation.

Pericardial constriction is extremely rare after lung transplantation. We present a case and review the potential contributing factors for pericardial constriction after lung transplantation. Treatment for this condition, irrespective of the cause, remains pericardiectomy.

Long-term pulmonary function after living-donor lobar lung transplantation in adults.

Background: Living-donor lobar lung transplantation was developed as an alternative to cadaveric transplantation. However, whether two pulmonary lobes provide comparable intermediate and long-term pulmonary function to full-sized bilateral cadaveric grafts in adults is unknown.

Methods: An analysis of the pulmonary functions of 59 bilateral lobar and 43 bilateral cadaveric adult lung transplant recipients who survived more than 3 months after transplantation was performed.

A decade of living lobar lung transplantation: perioperative complications after 253 donor lobectomies.

Living lobar lung transplantation places two donors at risk for each recipient. We examined the perioperative outcomes associated with the 253 donor lobectomies performed at our institution during our first decade of living lobar lung transplantation. There have been no perioperative or long-term deaths.

A decade of living lobar lung transplantation: recipient outcomes.

Objective: Living lobar lung transplantation was developed as a procedure for patients considered too ill to await cadaveric transplantation.

Methods: One hundred twenty-eight living lobar lung transplantations were performed in 123 patients between 1993 and 2003. Eighty-four patients were adults (age, 27 +/- 7.

Regulation of activin A expression in mast cells and asthma: its effect on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells.

Activin A, a homodimeric protein (betaAbetaA) and a member of the TGF-beta superfamily, is involved in the inflammatory repair process. Using cDNA microarray analysis, we discovered strong induction of the activin betaA gene in human mast cells (MC) on stimulation with PMA and calcium ionophore (A23187). Activin betaA mRNA was also highly induced in primary cultured murine bone marrow MC (BMMC) after stimulation by IgE receptor cross-linking.