A Review of Current Evidence for the Use of Steroids in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Systemic steroids are frequently used in critically ill patients for their anti-inflammatory properties. Potential benefits of these agents should be balanced against their known side effects. In this paper, we review trials assessing the use of systemic steroids in common conditions requiring admission to the intensive care unit.

Sustained Glycemic Control With Ivacaftor in Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes.

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is a common comorbidity in cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency occurring early in the disease process. Current treatment is exogenous insulin therapy as CFRD is due to impaired insulin secretion. Recent small studies have shown improvement in endogenous insulin secretion with a short period of ivacaftor therapy in primarily pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations amenable to potentiation.

Human primary airway epithelial cells isolated from active smokers have epigenetically impaired antiviral responses.

Background: Cigarette smoking (CS) is the main risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and most COPD exacerbations are caused by respiratory infections including influenza. Influenza infections are more severe in smokers. The mechanism of the increased risk and severity of infections in smokers is likely multifactorial, but certainly includes changes in immunologic host defenses.

Effect of Lactofen, Azoxystrobin, and Genotypes on Charcoal Rot, Phomopsis Seed Decay, and Pod and Stem Blight in Soybean.

Yield-limiting diseases such as charcoal rot and Phomopsis seed decay have a significant impact on the economic potential for soybean because there are few methods for management of these diseases. The objectives of this study were to determine the development of charcoal rot, infection of seed by Phomopsis spp., and severity of pod and stem blight on Asgrow 4403, Delta Pine 5806, United States Department of Agriculture-introduced DT 97-4290 and plant introduction (PI) number PI 567562A, and Asgrow 4403 treated and not treated with lactofen or azoxystrobin.