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Multilocus Sequence Typing Reveals Extensive Genetic Diversity of the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Scedosporium aurantiacumScedosporium spp. are the second most prevalent filamentous fungi after Aspergillus spp. recovered from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in various regions of the world. Although invasive infection is uncommon prior to lung transplantation, fungal colonization may be a risk factor for invasive disease with attendant high mortality post-transplantation. Abundant in the environment, Scedosporium aurantiacum has emerged as an important fungal pathogen in a range of clinical settings.
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Novel method to select meaningful outcomes for evaluation in clinical trialsA standardised framework for selecting outcomes for evaluation in trials has been proposed by the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials working group. However, this method does not specify how to ensure that the outcomes that are selected are causally related to the disease and the health intervention being studied. Causal network diagrams may help researchers identify outcomes that are both clinically meaningful and likely to be causally dependent on the intervention, and endpoints that are, in turn, causally dependent on those outcomes.
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The measurement properties of tests and tools used in cystic fibrosis studies: a systematic reviewThere is no consensus on how best to measure responses to interventions among children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). We have systematically reviewed and summarised the characteristics and measurement properties of tests and tools that have been used to capture outcomes in studies among people with CF, including their reliability, validity and responsiveness. This review is intended to guide researchers when selecting tests or tools for measuring treatment effects in CF trials. A consensus set of these tests and tools could improve consistency in how outcomes are captured and thereby facilitate comparisons and synthesis of evidence across studies.
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Minimal structural lung disease in early life represents significant pathologyIn this cohort, as compared with the AREST CF cohort, the authors highlight the limited correlation between infection and inflammation with lung function and structural impairment, and that this was mainly explained by the mild changes identified in lung function and on chest CT scan.
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Changing Prevalence of Lower Airway Infections in Young Children with Cystic FibrosisAspergillus species and P. aeruginosa are commonly present in the lower airways from infancy
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Use of a primary epithelial cell screening tool to investigate phage therapy in cystic fibrosisThis study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing pre-clinical in vitro culture models to screen therapeutic candidates
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Effect of posture on lung ventilation distribution and associations with structure in children with cystic fibrosisBackground: We assessed the effect of posture on ventilation distribution and the impact on associations with structural lung disease.
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Air trapping in early cystic fibrosis lung disease-Does CT tell the full story?Mosaic attenuation on expiratory chest computed tomography (CT) is common in early life cystic fibrosis (CF) and often referred to as "air trapping"
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The AREST CF experience in biobanking - More than just tissues, tubes and time.Research to further improve outcomes for people with CF is dependent upon well characterised, archived and accessible clinical specimens.
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Chest imaging in cystic fibrosis studies: What counts, and can be counted?The aim of this study is to characterize the role of currently available CT and MRI markers in clinical studies, and to discuss challenges with CF studies.