Curbside particulate matter and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: Biologic plausibility for the association between exposure to particulate matter (PM) less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) morbidity in epidemiologic studies has not been determined. The upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry receptor on host cells, by PM is a putative mechanism.

Objective: We sought to assess the effect of PM on SARS-CoV-2 infection of cells .

Ear magnetic discs to prevent cauliflower ear: a case gone wrong.

We present a case of pinna pressure necrosis secondary to the use of ear magnetic discs, used in the management of auricular haematoma. A man in his 20s sustained a left auricular haematoma while wrestling. His coach aspirated the haematoma and advised the use of commercially available compression magnets on either side of the pinna to prevent haematoma reaccumulation.

Underground railway particulate matter and susceptibility to pneumococcal infection.

Background: Concentrations of particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM) on underground railways are higher than those near urban roads. Traffic-related PM increases pneumococcal infection via increasing the expression of platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR), a receptor co-opted by pneumococci to adhere to cells. To date, it is unknown whether underground railway PM increases pneumococcal infection.

Confocal microscopy 3D imaging of diesel particulate matter.

To date, diesel particulate matter (DPM) has been described as aggregates of spherule particles with a smooth appearing surface. We have used a new colour confocal microscope imaging method to study the 3D shape of diesel particulate matter (DPM); we observed that the particles can have sharp jagged appearing edges and consistent with these findings, 2D light microscopy demonstrated that DPM adheres to human lung epithelial cells. Importantly, the slide preparation and confocal microscopy method applied avoids possible alteration to the particles' surfaces and enables colour 3D visualisation of the particles.

E-cigarettes and respiratory health: the latest evidence.

The E-cigarette market continues to expand at an alarming rate with thousands of flavours available for purchase and continuously evolving devices. Now that it is a multi-billion dollar industry and one without stringent regulation, there is rising concern over the safety of vaping products. Since June 2019, over 2800 cases of E-cigarette-associated acute lung toxicity have been reported in the USA, over 60 of which resulted in death.

Pricing practices of gastroenterologists in New York.

There is growing awareness of the price disparities for equivalent services in healthcare. We aimed to characterize regional variations in fees charged by gastroenterologists in Manhattan, NY. All private practice gastroenterologists in Manhattan were contacted and asked what they charge fee-paying patients for initial consultations for nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms.

A personal exposure study employing scripted activities and paths in conjunction with atmospheric releases of perfluorocarbon tracers in Manhattan, New York.

A personal exposure study was conducted in New York City as part of the Urban Dispersion Program (UDP). It examined the contact of individuals with four harmless perflourocarbon tracers (PFT) released in Midtown Manhattan with approval by city agencies at separate locations, during two types of experiments, completed during each release period. Two continuous 1 h release periods separated by a 1.