The relationship between plasma lipid peroxidation products and primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation is modified by donor smoking and reperfusion hyperoxia.

Background: Donor smoking history and higher fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) at reperfusion are associated with primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation. We hypothesized that oxidative injury biomarkers would be elevated in PGD, with higher levels associated with donor exposure to cigarette smoke and recipient hyperoxia at reperfusion.

Methods: We performed a nested case-control study of 72 lung transplant recipients from the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group cohort.

Transplantation of an LGR6+ Epithelial Stem Cell-Enriched Scaffold for Repair of Full-Thickness Soft-Tissue Defects: The In Vitro Development of Polarized Hair-Bearing Skin.

Background: Recent literature has shown that full-thickness wounds, devoid of the stem cell niche, can subsequently be reconstructed with functional skin elements following migration of the LGR6 epithelial stem cell into the wound bed. In this study, the authors use a variety of LGR6 epithelial stem cell-seeded scaffolds to determine therapeutic utility and regenerative potential in the immediate reconstruction of full-thickness wounds.

Methods: Isolated LGR6 epithelial stem cells were seeded onto a spectrum of acellular matrices and monitored in both in vitro and in vivo settings to determine their relative capacity to regenerate tissues and heal wounds.

Genome-wide association analysis identifies TXNRD2, ATXN2 and FOXC1 as susceptibility loci for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. To identify new susceptibility loci, we performed meta-analysis on genome-wide association study (GWAS) results from eight independent studies from the United States (3,853 cases and 33,480 controls) and investigated the most significantly associated SNPs in two Australian studies (1,252 cases and 2,592 controls), three European studies (875 cases and 4,107 controls) and a Singaporean Chinese study (1,037 cases and 2,543 controls). A meta-analysis of the top SNPs identified three new associated loci: rs35934224[T] in TXNRD2 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.

A protocol for a randomised clinical trial of the effect of providing feedback on inhaler technique and adherence from an electronic device in patients with poorly controlled severe asthma.

Introduction: In clinical practice, it is difficult to distinguish between patients with refractory asthma from those with poorly controlled asthma, where symptoms persist due to poor adherence, inadequate inhaler technique or comorbid diseases. We designed an audio recording device which, when attached to an inhaler, objectively identifies the time and technique of inhaler use, thereby assessing both aspects of adherence. This study will test the hypothesis that feedback on these two aspects of adherence when passed on to patients improves adherence and helps clinicians distinguish refractory from difficult-to-control asthma.

The Enigma of Rapid Repeat Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study of Teen Mothers.

Study Objective: Rapid repeat pregnancy accounts for 18% of teen pregnancies and leads to adverse health, economic, and developmental outcomes for teen mothers and their children. Few interventions have been successful in reducing rapid repeat pregnancy. In this qualitative study we examined adolescent mothers' perceptions of their decision-making and behaviors that helped prevent or promote a rapid repeat pregnancy.

Porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) vascularises after exposure in open necrotic wounds seen after complex hernia repair.

Biological alternatives to synthetic meshes are increasingly utilised in complex abdominal wall reconstruction. There is a lack of evidence demonstrating that non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix vascularizes and integrates with human tissue in suboptimal wound conditions. We aimed to evaluate these properties in Strattice™ (Life Cell Inc.

Protein Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis Identifies Genetic Variation in the Innate Immune Regulator TOLLIP in Post-Lung Transplant Primary Graft Dysfunction Risk.

The authors previously identified plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) level as a quantitative lung injury biomarker in primary graft dysfunction (PGD). They hypothesized that plasma levels of PAI-1 used as a quantitative trait could facilitate discovery of genetic loci important in PGD pathogenesis. A two-stage cohort study was performed.

Medical Malpractice in Wuhan, China: A 10-Year Autopsy-Based Single-Center Study.

Medical disputes in China are historically poorly documented. In particular, autopsy-based evaluation and its impact on medical malpractice claims remain largely unstudied. This study aims to document autopsy findings and medical malpractice in one of the largest cities of China, Wuhan, located in Hubei Province.

Longitudinal Study of Age-Related Cataract Using Dynamic Light Scattering: Loss of α-Crystallin Leads to Nuclear Cataract Development.

Purpose: To conduct a longitudinal study on age-related nuclear cataracts using dynamic light scattering (DLS) to determine if cataract progression is associated with loss of the unbound form of the lens molecular chaperone protein, α-crystallin.

Design: Natural history and cohort study.

Participants: Patients 30 years of age or older of either gender seeking treatment at the Wilmer Eye Institute Cornea-Cataract Department.

Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clarifying Dosing Controversies and Improving Adherence.

Objective: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is used for its effect on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity and longterm benefits. This can be limited by adherence. One way to assess adherence is to measure blood levels.

Multiparametric Assessment of Treatment Response in High-Grade Soft-Tissue Sarcomas with Anatomic and Functional MR Imaging Sequences.

Purpose: To determine the added value of quantitative diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast material-enhanced imaging to conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for assessment of the response of soft-tissue sarcomas to neoadjuvant therapy.

Materials And Methods: MR imaging examinations in 23 patients with soft-tissue sarcomas who had undergone neoadjuvant therapy were reviewed by two readers during three sessions: conventional imaging (T1-weighted, fluid-sensitive, static postcontrast T1-weighted), conventional with diffusion-weighted imaging, and conventional with diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. For each session, readers recorded imaging features and determined treatment response.

Predictors of a Top Performer During Emergency Medicine Residency.

Background: Emergency Medicine (EM) residency program directors and faculty spend significant time and effort creating a residency rank list. To date, however, there have been few studies to assist program directors in determining which pre-residency variables best predict performance during EM residency.

Objective: To evaluate which pre-residency variables best correlated with an applicant's performance during residency.

Pituitary macroadenomas (>3 cm) in young adulthood: Pathologic and proliferative characteristics.

Background: There are scarce data regarding the significance of the tumor size, hormonal activity and size of the pituitary tumor of the young; therefore, the study was designed to define the relation of the hormonal status of the large pituitary adenomas.

Objective: We compared those features with tumors of the elderly (>40) with the young patients, and analyzed the clinicopathologic and proliferative features of pituitary macroadenomas in young adulthood (≤40).

Methods: 20-year archives of pituitary tumors in our clinics were reviewed and macroadenomas with diameter≥3 cm were included in the study.

Pediatric Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: Radiographic and Histologic Prevalence, With Clinical Correlation.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of radiographic and histologic superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) and posterior semicircular canal dehiscence (PSCD) and associated changes in temporal bone thickness in children aged 0 to 7 years.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review and histopathologic review of cadaveric bone specimens.

Setting: Two tertiary referral centers.

Performant Mutation Identification Using Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of 14 Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Genes.

At least 14 causative genes have been identified for both syndromic and nonsyndromic forms of thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection (TAA), an important cause of death in the industrialized world. Molecular confirmation of the diagnosis is increasingly important for gene-tailored patient management but consecutive, conventional molecular TAA gene screening is expensive and labor-intensive. To circumvent these problems, we developed a TAA gene panel for next-generation sequencing of 14 TAA genes.

Objective Estimates Improve Risk Stratification for Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation.

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a major cause of early mortality after lung transplant. We aimed to define objective estimates of PGD risk based on readily available clinical variables, using a prospective study of 11 centers in the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group (LTOG). Derivation included 1255 subjects from 2002 to 2010; with separate validation in 382 subjects accrued from 2011 to 2012.

DNA copy number variants of known glaucoma genes in relation to primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: We examined the role of DNA copy number variants (CNVs) of known glaucoma genes in relation to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: Our study included DNA samples from two studies (NEIGHBOR and GLAUGEN). All the samples were genotyped with the Illumina Human660W_Quad_v1 BeadChip.

Intracranial microcapsule chemotherapy delivery for the localized treatment of rodent metastatic breast adenocarcinoma in the brain.

Metastases represent the most common brain tumors in adults. Surgical resection alone results in 45% recurrence and is usually accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy. Adequate chemotherapy delivery to the CNS is hindered by the blood-brain barrier.

Hiding in plain sight: a closer look at posterior cortical atrophy.

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome dominated by deterioration of higher visual function (particularly visuospatial and visuoperceptual abilities). It is most commonly due to Alzheimer's disease pathology, but may also be caused by dementia with Lewy bodies, corticobasal degeneration or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Patients often present to optometrists, ophthalmologists and/or neurologists with non-specific visual complaints, and unless clinicians seek the specific symptoms and signs of PCA (beyond that of the 'standard' neurological examination), this infrequent disorder is easily missed, delaying its diagnosis and treatment.

Self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement using alternative access sites in symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis deemed extreme risk of surgery.

Objectives: The CoreValve Extreme Risk US Pivotal Trial enrolled patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis deemed unsuitable for surgical aortic valve replacement. Implants were attempted using transfemoral access (n = 489) or an alternative access (n = 150). In present analysis, we sought to examine the safety and efficacy of CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement using alternative access.

Multicenter evaluation of the thermo scientific prelude for measurement of immunosuppressant drugs using sample preparation liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Immunosuppressant drugs (ISDs) are commonly prescribed to solid organ transplant patients. Their narrow therapeutic index and potential for toxicity necessitates careful monitoring of blood concentrations. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods are increasingly used for ISD measurement.

Vascular tone pathway polymorphisms in relation to primary open-angle glaucoma.

Aims: Vascular perfusion may be impaired in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG); thus, we evaluated a panel of markers in vascular tone-regulating genes in relation to POAG.

Methods: We used Illumina 660W-Quad array genotype data and pooled P-values from 3108 POAG cases and 3430 controls from the combined National Eye Institute Glaucoma Human Genetics Collaboration consortium and Glaucoma Genes and Environment studies. Using information from previous literature and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, we compiled single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 186 vascular tone-regulating genes.