A Case of Cavitary Mycobacterium chimaera.

Mycobacterium chimaera is a nontuberculous mycobacterium typically associated with heater-cooler units used in cardiac bypass procedures and is usually of low virulence. Here we present a patient with advanced Mycobacterium chimaera infection without typical risk factors.

Acute Fulminant Hepatic Failure and Renal Failure Induced by Oral Amiodarone: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent that inhibits adrenergic stimulation by blocking alpha and beta receptors. It prolongs action potential and refractory period in myocardial tissue. Its remarkably long half-life is associated with a myriad of adverse events.

E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-associated Lung Injury: A Case of an Adult Female Leading to Hospitalization.

E-cigarette or vaping is an alternative to traditional cigarette use with potentially devastating consequences. The most recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a total of 2,561 cases of vaping associated pulmonary injury as of December 27, 2019. This case described a 41-year-old female who presented with a clinical picture suggesting of bronchitis; however, a diagnosis of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury was made.

A Case of Dermatomyositis Causing Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia.

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), also known as idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), is a rare inflammatory condition. It often presents as sequelae of existing chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various connective tissue conditions. This case describes a 28-year-old African American female who presented with a complex clinical picture involving chronic inflammatory processes and the pulmonary system.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Case of Mistaken Identity.

Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD), also known as interstitial lung diseases (ILD), are a group of lung disorders affecting alveolar epithelium, pulmonary capillary endothelium, and surrounding lung tissue. Over time due to injury, the tissue around the air sacs becomes fibrotic leading to poor oxygen exchange, eventually resulting in the patient experiencing shortness of breath. This case describes a 69-year old male who presented in 2017 with a complex clinical picture involving both cardiac and pulmonary systems.

Does Playing Video Games Before Bedtime Affect Sleep?

Sleep serves a vital role in our ability to function on a daily basis and may be affected by various activities such as playing video games. Teenagers are one of the largest consumers of video games and if played before bedtime may lead to the release of certain neurotransmitters which may, in turn, alter sleep architecture and reduce sleep efficiency. The purpose of this study is to measure 1) sleep efficiency 2) sleep latency 3) time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) stage with and without playing video games 30 minutes to 60 minutes before bedtime.

A Case of A Sleepy Taxi Driver Presenting with Narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder, which can manifest in childhood, or adolescence by causing excessive daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, sleep attacks or cataplexy. Although presentation can vary, nearly all patients present with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). There is often a significant delay in diagnosis, which may lead to a misdiagnosis.

Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Testing: Diagnostic Utility in Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or Asthma-chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can present as unique conditions or as a combination known as asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS). These condition(s) can be categorized as obstructive conditions, causing inflammation of small airways leading to decrease airflow, mucus production, and bronchoconstriction. Asthma and COPD affect every age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, thus increasing mortality and morbidity burden in our society.

A Case of Off-label Sodium Oxybate in an 11-Year-Old with Narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a rare chronic condition which affects sleep architecture. It may manifest in childhood or adolescence by causing excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, and hallucinations. Research suggests that there is a significant delay in diagnosis with the mean age being 10 to 15 years from onset of symptoms.

Identifying Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Based on Computed Tomography Evidence of Emphysema.

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is most commonly caused by smoking tobacco or cigarettes. However, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is the only genetic disorder known to cause COPD and these patients often present with emphysema earlier in life and with more severe disease. Additionally, AATD patients are often misdiagnosed with other lung disorders, and the diagnosis is often delayed for up to a decade.

A Pediatric Case of Narcolepsy Presenting as Syncope.

Narcolepsy is a chronic genetic and sleep disorder that is caused by a protein deficiency. This may affect the patients' sleep architecture and the brain's ability to control circadian rhythms. Individuals with this condition feel rested after waking but then feel tired and sleepy as the day progresses.

Nitrofurantoin Toxicity: A Near Case of Mistaken Identity.

Nitrofurantoin is one of the most utilized antibiotics to treat bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Despite the clinical benefits, it requires vigilant monitoring, as it can cause damage to multiple organs, especially the lungs and the liver. This case is an example of clinical vigilance, which provided tremendous benefit for the patient.

Low Dose Naltrexone and Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Discussion.

Low dose naltrexone (LDN) has been promising as a complementary medication for patients with a broad range of medical disorders. Although not a proven cure, evidence from clinical trials supports LDN as being a valuable adjunct for disorders in which the immune system plays a centralized role. Additionally, clinical trials have proposed a unique mechanism(s) allowing LDN to affect tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the cellular level by augmenting the immune system.

Mycobacterium Chimaera: A Rare Presentation.

Mycobacterium chimaera is an indolent nontuberculous mycobacterium which is abundant in soil, dust, and water. Although lacking recognition garnered by other mycobacteria (i.e.

Off-label Sodium Oxybate in Childhood Narcolepsy: A Comprehensive Report.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that can manifest in childhood or adolescence by causing excessive sleepiness, hallucinations, sleep attacks, or cataplexy. There is often a significant delay in diagnosis with the mean time being 15 years from the onset of symptoms, which may lead to further exacerbations and a high comorbidity burden. Although narcolepsy is predominantly associated with loss of hypocretin (orexin), the role of genetics is poorly understood and, therefore, is complementary to the diagnosis but not confirmatory.

Early respiratory abnormalities in emergency services police officers at the World Trade Center site.

The effects of exposure to the environment around the World Trade Center after the attack of September 11, 2001, are not fully described. We evaluated 240 police first-responders; respiratory symptoms occurred in 77.5% but resolved or improved in around three fourths of subjects by the time of their evaluation (mean 69 days after the attack).