Development and validation of technologies suitable for the decontamination and re-use of contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought significant challenges to society globally, particularly in the area of healthcare provision. A pressing need existed in protecting those tasked with delivering healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 crisis by providing solutions for preserving adequate supplies of effective personal protective equipment (PPE).

Aim: To evaluate and validate available methods for the decontamination of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) while maintaining functionality during re-use.

Looking for Lepidic Component inside Invasive Adenocarcinomas Appearing as CT Solid Solitary Pulmonary Nodules (SPNs): CT Morpho-Densitometric Features and 18-FDG PET Findings.

Objective: To investigate CT morphologic and densitometric features and 18-FDG PET findings of surgically excised lung adenocarcinomas "mixed subtype" with predominant lepidic component, appearing as solid solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) on CT scan.

Materials And Methods: Approval for this study was given from each local institutional review board according to its retrospective nature. Nodules pathologically classified as lung adenocarcinoma mixed subtype with bronchioloalveolar otherwise lepidic predominant component, in three different Italian institutions (Napoli; Varese; Parma), were retrospectively selected.

Multimodular Ultrasound Orientation: Residents' Confidence and Skill in Performing Point-of-care Ultrasound.

Introduction The objectives of this study were to determine if a multimodular introductory ultrasound course improved emergency medicine intern confidence in performing a point-of-care ultrasound and if our educational objectives could be met with our chosen structure. Methods This is a prospective, observational study evaluating three consecutive incoming emergency medicine residency classes from three residency programs. A one-day introductory ultrasound course was delivered.

How well will you FIT? Use of a modified MMI to assess applicants' compatibility with an emergency medicine residency program.

Purpose: Emergency medicine residency programs have evaluated the use of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) for applicants. The authors developed an MMI-style method called the Fast Interview Track (FIT) to predict an applicant's 'fit' within an individual residency program.

Methods: Applicants meet with up to five residents and are asked one question by each.

Physician documentation of sepsis syndrome is associated with more aggressive treatment.

Introduction: Timely recognition and treatment of sepsis improves survival. The objective is to examine the association between recognition of sepsis and timeliness of treatments.

Methods: We identified a retrospective cohort of emergency department (ED) patients with positive blood cultures from May 2007 to January 2009, and reviewed vital signs, imaging, laboratory data, and physician/nursing charts.

A multifinger microtriode with carbon nanotubes field emission cathode operating at GHz frequency.

Vacuum microelectronic devices play an important role in the field of micro- and nano-electronics and they have been strongly developed in recent decades. Vacuum microelectronics are mainly based on the field emission effect and the employment of electrons in vacuum in a device with dimensions from tenths to hundredths of a micrometer. In this work, we present the development of a carbon-nanotube-based multifinger microtriode operating from 0.

Emergency ultrasound fellowship training: a novel team-based approach.

Objectives: To describe our experience with implementation of a novel team-based emergency ultrasound (EUS) fellowship training program.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review at an academic medical center. All emergency department (ED) faculty and residents were divided into 3 teams, and a fellow was assigned to each team.

Ultrasound competency assessment in emergency medicine residency programs.

Objectives: In the Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine (EM), bedside ultrasound (US) is listed as one of the essential procedural skills. EM milestones released by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and American Board of Emergency Medicine require residents to demonstrate competency in bedside US. The purpose of this study was to assess the current methods used by EM residency training programs to evaluate resident competency in bedside US.

Implementation of a novel point-of-care ultrasound billing and reimbursement program: fiscal impact.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the fiscal impact of implementation of a novel emergency department (ED) point-of-care (POC) ultrasound billing and reimbursement program.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study at an academic medical center. A novel POC ultrasound billing protocol was implemented using the Q-path Web-based image archival system.

Ability of emergency physicians with advanced echocardiographic experience at a single center to identify complex echocardiographic abnormalities.

Objectives: To determine the ability of emergency physicians to detect complex abnormalities on point-of-care (POC) echocardiograms.

Methods: Single-blinded, nonrandomized, cross-sectional study. Twenty-five different emergency medicine clinical scenarios (video clips and digital images) covering a variety of echocardiographic abnormalities were presented to a group of emergency physician sonologists.

Does the experience of the writer affect the evaluative components on the standardized letter of recommendation in emergency medicine?

Background: The Standardized Letter of Recommendation (SLOR) was developed in an attempt to standardize the evaluation of applicants to an emergency medicine (EM) residency.

Objective: Our aim was to determine whether the Global Assessment Score (GAS) and Likelihood of Matching Assessment (LOMA) of the SLOR for applicants applying to an EM residency are affected by the experience of the letter writer. We describe the distribution of GAS and LOMA grades and compare the GAS and LOMA scores to length of time an applicant knew the letter writer and number of EM rotations.

Alternative methods to central venous pressure for assessing volume status in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Early goal-directed therapy increases survival in persons with sepsis but requires placement of a central line. We evaluate alternative methods to measuring central venous pressure (CVP) to assess volume status, including peripheral venous pressure (PVP) and stroke volume variation (SVV), which may facilitate nurse-driven resuscitation protocols.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in the emergency department or ICU of an academic medical center.

Would earlier microbe identification alter antibiotic therapy in bacteremic emergency department patients?

Background: Although debate exists about the treatment of sepsis, few disagree about the benefits of early, appropriately targeted antibiotic administration.

Study Objectives: To determine the appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy and the extent to which therapy would be altered if the causative organism for sepsis was known at the time of administration.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study, conducted in an academic Emergency Department (ED), on consecutive positive blood cultures between November 1, 2008 and February 1, 2009.

Aldehyde-resistant mycobacteria bacteria associated with the use of endoscope reprocessing systems.

Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, but little is known about their ability to increase resistance to chemical disinfectants. This study randomly sampled 3 automated endoscope reprocessors in the United States using aldehydes for endoscope disinfection. Bacterial contamination was found after disinfection in all automated endoscope reprocessors, and some mycobacteria isolates demonstrated significant resistance to glutaraldehyde and ortho-phthaldehyde disinfectants.

A randomized controlled trial comparing the Arctic Sun to standard cooling for induction of hypothermia after cardiac arrest.

Context: Hypothermia improves neurological outcome for comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Use of computer controlled high surface area devices for cooling may lead to faster cooling rates and potentially improve patient outcome.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of surface cooling with the standard blankets and ice packs to the Arctic Sun, a mechanical device used for temperature management.

A surgical case of pyothorax-associated lymphoma of T-cell origin arising from the chest wall in chronic empyema.

We report a surgical a case of pyothorax-associated lymphoma of T-cell origin arising from the chest wall and developing on pleural sequelae of therapeutic pneumothorax for pulmonary tuberculosis. The tumor was removed with resection of the fifth to eighth ribs. The chest wall defect repaired with a Marlex (Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Co, Houston, TX) prothesis.

Lung mast cells are a source of secreted phospholipases A2.

Background: Secreted phospholipases A(2) (sPLA(2)s) are released in plasma and other biologic fluids of patients with inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic diseases.

Objective: We sought to evaluate sPLA(2) activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic patients and to examine the expression and release of sPLA(2)s from primary human lung mast cells (HLMCs).

Methods: sPLA(2) activity was measured in BALF and supernatants of either unstimulated or anti-IgE-activated HLMCs as hydrolysis of oleic acid from radiolabeled Escherichia coli membranes.

The role of technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile in the detection of neoplastic lung lesions.

Objective: Our goal was to determine the role of technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) in the detection of neoplastic lung lesions.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively studied 79 consecutive patients with indeterminate lung lesion between January 2006 and September 2007. All patients were submitted to (99m)Tc-MIBI single-photon emission chest tomography (SPECT) before invasive diagnostic procedure.

Pulmonary hernia secondary to limited access for mitral valve surgery and repaired by video thoracoscopic surgery.

Iatrogenic pulmonary hernia is a rare condition. Repair is performed due to persistent symptoms and it is usually carried out by open surgery. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman who developed a lung hernia after small anterior thoracotomy that was performed for mitral valve surgery.

A home-made device for safe intraoperative aspiration of pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Surgical intervention is still the main modality for the treatment of hydatid disease. Different surgical procedure have been described; however, in the literature there is no collective agreement on the best surgical strategy. For intact pulmonary hydatid cysts, an enucleation or needle aspiration are possible strategies.

Electrothermal bipolar tissue sealing systems in lung surgery.

Various techniques have been proposed to reduce intraoperative blood loss in surgery. We report our experience with the use of LigaSure, a new electrothermal bipolar tissue sealing system, in lung surgery. This system has been already applied with good results in other surgical fields.

Giant solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: two case reports.

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare neoplasms. We report two cases of giant SFTP treated by surgical resection. One of these was enormous (30 x 19 x 18 cm, weight: 4,050 g) and occupied the entire left pleural cavity with complete lung collapse and contralateral mediastinal shift.