Changes in Pulmonary Functions of Adolescents with Pectus Excavatum Throughout the Nuss Procedure.

Background: We aimed to determine the longitudinal changes in pulmonary functions of adolescents with Pectus Excavatum who underwent the Nuss procedure, the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE).

Methods: Lung function measurements were performed before bar implantation (T), at least six weeks to ten months after implantation (T), at least eleven months to sixty-one months after bar implantation (T) and at least two weeks after bar explantation (T).

Results: Data of 114 patients (83.

Predictors of Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Symptomatic Children with Normal Spirometry and Suspicious of Possible Asthma.

Background: Asthma diagnosis may be challenging particularly in patients with mild symptoms without an obstructive pattern in spirometry. Detection of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) by a positive methacholine challenge (MCC) is still an important diagnostic tool to confirm the presence of asthma with reasonable certainty. However, it is time consuming and could be exhausting for patients.

Perinatal risk factors for asthma in children with allergic rhinitis and grass pollen sensitization.

Background: Results of epidemiologic studies have determined several risk factors for asthma in school-age children.

Objective: To examine whether parental and perinatal risk factors, along with infantile feeding patterns, were associated with asthma in children with grass pollen allergy and allergic rhinitis.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of our cohort, which consisted of children with allergic rhinitis.

Hemidesmosome integrity protects the colon against colitis and colorectal cancer.

Objective: Epidemiological and clinical data indicate that patients suffering from IBD with long-standing colitis display a higher risk to develop colorectal high-grade dysplasia. Whereas carcinoma invasion and metastasis rely on basement membrane (BM) disruption, experimental evidence is lacking regarding the potential contribution of epithelial cell/BM anchorage on inflammation onset and subsequent neoplastic transformation of inflammatory lesions. Herein, we analyse the role of the α6β4 integrin receptor found in hemidesmosomes that attach intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to the laminin-containing BM.

Dissecting the role of H3K64me3 in mouse pericentromeric heterochromatin.

To ensure genome stability, pericentromeric regions are compacted in a dense heterochromatic structure through a combination of specific 'epigenetic' factors and modifications. A cascadal pathway is responsible for establishing pericentromeric chromatin involving chromatin modifiers and 'readers', such as H3K9 histone methyltransferases (Suv)39h and heterochromatin protein 1. Here we define how H3K64me3 on the lateral surface of the histone octamer integrates within the heterochromatinization cascade.

Sexual and relationship functioning before and after renal transplantation: a descriptive study with patients and partners.

Objective: Many patients experience problems with sexual functioning after renal transplantation (RTx). Research on the sexual functioning of the partners of those patients and the consequences for relationship satisfaction and quality of life is lacking. This study sought to explore changes in sexual and relationship functioning from before to after RTx in patients and their partners.

Customized mycophenolate dosing based on measuring inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase activity significantly improves patients' outcomes after renal transplantation.

Background: Significant relationships have been reported between the uptake of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and the risk of acute rejection. In a prospective study after renal transplantation, we assessed the value of measuring inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity as a predictive indicator of an acute rejection episode in the initial postoperative period.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-two patients received 360 mg enteric-coated mycophenolate-sodium two times per day with concomitant tacrolimus/cyclosporine A, providing a total of 122 pharmacodynamic profiles.