Fly Ash as a Potential Adsorbent for Removing Radionuclides from Aqueous Solutions in an Adsorption-Membrane Assisted Process Compared to Batch Adsorption.

The paper deals with checking the possibility of using fly ash (FA) as a sorbent in the batch adsorption method of removing radionuclides from aqueous solutions. An adsorption-membrane filtration (AMF) hybrid process with a polyether sulfone ultrafiltration membrane with a pore size of 0.22 μm was also tested as an alternative to the commonly used column-mode technology.

Radiologic Characteristics of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria Infection in Patients with Bronchiectasis.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-pd) commonly complicates bronchiectasis. However, clinical and radiological features of NTM-pd and bronchiectasis are very similar. We aimed to develop a radiologic prediction tool for bronchiectasis to identify NTM-pd.

Step oximetry test: a validation study.

Introduction: Step climbing is a potentially useful modality for testing exercise capacity. However, there are significant variations between test protocols and lack of consistent validation against gold standard cycle ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). The purpose of the study was to validate a novel technique of exercise testing using a dedicated device.

The awareness to metabolic syndrome among hospital health providers.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was shown to be related to a variety of diseases. High level of vigilance for the diagnosis of MetS is expected among health providers. We evaluated the level of awareness to MetS among physician and nurses working in a central hospital.

Lobar distribution in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis predicts bacteriologic pathogen treatment.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBr) is a major cause of morbidity due to frequent infectious exacerbations. We analyzed the influence of patient age and bronchiectasis location on the bacterial profile of patients with NCFBr. This retrospective cohort study included 339 subjects diagnosed with an infectious exacerbation of NCFBr during the 9-year period between January 2006 and December 2014.

Outbreak of autoimmune disease in silicosis linked to artificial stone.

Background: There is a well-established association between inhalational exposure to silica and autoimmune disease. We recently observed an outbreak of silica-related autoimmune disease among synthetic stone construction workers with silicosis referred for lung transplantation assessment.

Aims: To characterize the rheumatologic complications in silicosis within these highly exposed, clinically well-characterized patients.

Preparation of water samples for proficiency testing on radionuclides.

The Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (INCT) procedure for preparation of water samples for proficiency testing on determination of (241)Am, (137)Cs, (239)Pu, (226)Ra and (90)Sr in water is presented. Natural waters were applied as the raw materials and spiked with the aforementioned radionuclides. The procedure of spiking water allows to prevent losses of the radionuclides and to assign property values from formulation.

[Pulmonary hyper IgG4 disease].

Hyper IgG4 syndrome (HIDI is a multisystem disease characterized by high levels of immunoglobulin IgG4 with possible involvement of the pancreas, lung and lymph nodes as well as other organs. It was first described in connection to autoimmune pancreatitis but since then, it became clear that it can also affect many other organs. The disease involves the thorax and lesions were described in the mediastinum, airways, lung parenchyma and pleura.

Limitations in exercise and functional capacity in long-term postpneumonectomy patients.

Introduction: Pneumonectomy results in impairments of pulmonary function and exercise intolerance associated with respiratory limitations. However, exercise capacity and functional capacity are less known at long-term followup. The aims of this study were to assess exercise tolerance and functional capacity among long-term postpneumonectomy patients and to identify the limiting factors in exercise related to comorbidities and which lung was involved.

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis and diabetes insipidus in pregnant women: our experience.

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) occurs predominantly in young adult smokers. Diabetes insipidus occurs in up to 15 % patients with PLCH. Information on PLCH in pregnancy is sparse, especially associated with diabetes insipidus.

Characterization of novel multiantigenic vaccine candidates with pan-HLA coverage against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The low protection by the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and existence of drug-resistant strains require better anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccines with a broad, long-lasting, antigen-specific response. Using bioinformatics tools, we identified five 19- to 40-mer signal peptide (SP) domain vaccine candidates (VCs) derived from M. tuberculosis antigens.

Clinical and radiological features of Mycobacterium kansasii and other NTM infections.

Background: Mycobacterium kansasii infection is one of the most common causes of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in the world. However, it is not possible to differentiate completely between M. kansasii and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) because of a lack of direct comparative studies.

Minor and intermediate surgeries in lung transplant recipients.

Background: Only limited data exist regarding the incidence and outcome of surgical procedures following lung transplantation (LTX).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of surgical procedures performed in all LTX patients (n = 250) between 1997 and 2008.

Results: Of 250 patients who underwent LTX, 68 (27.

Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEH), previously known as "intravascular bronchoalveolar tumor," is a rare vascular malignancy with an unpredictable prognosis. Treatment can vary from observation in asymptomatic patients to surgery in patients with resectable disease or chemotherapy in patients with disseminated disease. This report describes the clinical, radiological and pathological features of three cases of PEH and a review of the current literature.

'2+1' tricarbonyltechnetium(I)/tricarbonylrhenium(I) mixed-ligand complexes with methyl thiosalicylate and isocyanide ligands as potential precursors of radiopharmaceuticals.

The complexes of [(99m)Tc]-tricarbonyltechnetium(I) and [(188)Re]-tricarbonylrhenium(I), of the '2+1' type, with methyl thiosalicylate as an anionic bidentate ligand and with either tert-butyl 3-isocyanopropionate or glycine-glycine-tyrosine 4-isocyanobutyrate as monodentate ligands, have been prepared on the n.c.a.

Long-term follow-up of flexible bronchoscopic treatment for bronchial carcinoids with curative intent.

Background. Typical pulmonary carcinoids represent less than 5% of primary lung tumors. In patients with typical bronchial carcinoid, formal surgical resection still remains the gold-standard treatment.

Long-term pulmonary function after recovery from pulmonary contusion due to blunt chest trauma.

Background: Blunt chest trauma can cause severe acute pulmonary dysfunction due to hemo/pneumothorax, rib fractures and lung contusion.

Objectives: To study the long-term effects on lung function tests after patients' recovery from severe chest trauma.

Methods: We investigated the outcome and lung function tests in 13 patients with severe blunt chest trauma and lung contusion.

Endobronchial drainage of lung abscess: the use of laser.

The management of lung abscess is usually conservative. However, in some cases drainage is necessary, commonly performed transcutaneously. Endobronchial catheter drainage is a potential alternative, though reported only sporadically.

The QuantiFERON-TB-GOLD assay for tuberculosis screening in healthcare workers: a cost-comparison analysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the costs of screening healthcare workers (HCWs) for tuberculosis (TB) using the novel interferon-gamma release assay QuantiFERON((R))-TB Gold In-tube (QFT) versus the tuberculin skin test (TST). We used a prospective observational study with a cost-comparison analysis. The study was conducted at a regional center for ambulatory TB treatment.

'2+1' Tricarbonyltechnetium(I) and -rhenium(I) mixed-ligand complexes with N-methylpyridine-2-carboxyamide and isocyanide or imidazole ligands-potential precursors of radiopharmaceuticals.

Complexes of tricarbonyltechnetium(I)-99m and rhenium(I)-188, of '2+1' type: with N-methylpyridine-2-carboxyamide as a neutral bidentate ligand and either tert-butyl 3-isocyanopropionate or imidazole as a monodentate ligand, have been obtained on n.c.a.

The 15-step oximetry test: a reliable tool to identify candidates for lung transplantation among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive disease with a median survival of approximately 3 years. Measurements of lung volumes and diffusion capacity at rest are generally used to monitor the clinical course of IPF. Due to its high mortality, identification of patients at high risk is crucial for treatment strategies such as lung transplantation.

Herpes zoster after lung transplantation: incidence, timing, and outcome.

Background: Although herpes zoster is a common complication of lung transplantation, the epidemiologic data are limited. The aims of the present study were to determine the incidence and clinical manifestations of herpes zoster in a large cohort of lung transplant recipients and to identify risk factors associated with its development.

Methods: The files of all adult patients who underwent lung transplantation at a major tertiary medical center from January 2001 to December 2007 were reviewed.