Objective Approach for Titration of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Daytime Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Titration Based on Respiratory Movement Regularity.

: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is used to treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has proven clinical efficacy for this condition. However, the objective method to determine the appropriate CPAP level for treatment is still unclear. Patients with OSA typically exhibit irregular respiratory efforts due to obstruction or narrowing of the upper airway during sleep.

Efficacy of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in a Patient With Saber-Sheath Trachea on Dilated Central and Peripheral Airways: A Case Report.

A saber-sheath trachea is a type of tracheal deformity characterized by coronal narrowing and sagittal widening of the intrathoracic trachea. In this case report, we describe a 76-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and repeated episodes of type 2 respiratory failure that responded poorly to inhaled long-acting β2 agonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonists, and corticosteroids. The patient was admitted to our hospital due to a COPD exacerbation.

Refractory phenotype of -sensitized asthma with bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Sensitization to mucus plugs, and bacterial colonization may coexist and relate to a refractory phenotype during follow-up in asthma with bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA).

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the features of -sensitized refractory asthma with bronchiectasis and determine the refractory phenotype in this population and ABPA.

Methods: This study included cases of the oldest available -specific IgE data and chest computed tomography images from a nationwide survey of refractory asthma with bronchiectasis.

An Optimal Transport Medium for SARS-CoV-2 Detection in the Direct Method of Rapid Microfluidic PCR System.

Background: Recently developed rapid real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) systems adopting microfluidic thermal cycling technology are ideal for point-of-care (POC) testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Because the RNA extraction step before real-time RT-PCR is rate-limiting, a direct RNA extraction method (direct method) that adopts chemical viral lysis and eliminates RNA purification steps is preferable for rapid real-time RT-PCR. In the direct method, selecting the transport medium is essential because it may be introduced into subsequent real-time RT-PCR steps, but might inhibit PCR.

Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Fasciitis Mimicking Pseudogout in an Older Patient: A Diagnostic Challenge and Treatment Approach.

ANCA-associated fasciitis is a rare manifestation of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) that can mimic other conditions, such as pseudogout, especially in elderly patients. We present the case of a 93-year-old woman who initially developed polyarthralgia, muscle pain, and difficulty walking, symptoms suggestive of pseudogout. However, after further investigation, including elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA levels and MRI findings, she was diagnosed with ANCA-associated fasciitis.