Improving Estimates of PM Concentration and Chemical Composition by Application of High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) and Creating Aerosol Types from Chemistry (CATCH) Algorithm.

Improved characterization of ambient PM mass concentration and chemical speciation is a topic of interest in air quality and climate sciences. Over the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to improve ground-level PM using remotely sensed data. Here we present two new approaches for estimating atmospheric PM and chemical composition based on the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL)-retrieved aerosol extinction values and types and Creating Aerosol Types from Chemistry (CATCH)-derived aerosol chemical composition.

Report from the 2018 consensus conference on immunomodulating agents in thoracic transplantation: Access, formulations, generics, therapeutic drug monitoring, and special populations.

In 2009, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation recognized the importance and challenges surrounding generic drug immunosuppression. As experience with generics has expanded and comfort has increased, substantial issues have arisen since that time with other aspects of immunomodulation that have not been addressed, such as access to medicines, alternative immunosuppression formulations, additional generics, implications on therapeutic drug monitoring, and implications for special populations such as pediatrics and older adults. The aim of this consensus document is to address critically each of these concerns, expand on the challenges and barriers, and provide therapeutic considerations for practitioners who manage patients who need to undergo or have undergone cardiothoracic transplantation.

Postoperative antimicrobials after lung transplantation and the development of multidrug-resistant bacterial and Clostridium difficile infections: an analysis of 500 non-cystic fibrosis lung transplant patients.

Background: Broad-spectrum antimicrobials are given prophylactically post-transplant, although these agents are a risk factor for multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). This study aimed to determine whether an association exists between the duration of antimicrobials given early post-transplant and the development of MDR infections or CDI.

Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was performed on lung transplants from September 2009 to August 2014.

Patients with cirrhosis show a relative increase in thrombin generation that is correlated with lower antithrombin levels.

Predicting the risk of bleeding or thrombosis in cirrhotic patients is difficult due to reduced levels and dysregulation of both procoagulant and anticoagulant factors. We utilized thrombin generation and microvesicle analysis to better understand the regulation of haemostasis in cirrhotic patients. We studied 24 patients with cirrhosis vs.

Evidence of galaxy cluster motions with the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect.

Using high-resolution microwave sky maps made by the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, we for the first time present strong evidence for motions of galaxy clusters and groups via microwave background temperature distortions due to the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. Galaxy clusters are identified by their constituent luminous galaxies observed by the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III. We measure the mean pairwise momentum of clusters, with a probability of the signal being due to random errors of 0.

A new epoprostenol formulation for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Purpose: The pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of a novel formulation of epoprostenol for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are reviewed, with guidance on addressing a number of important safety considerations.

Summary: Epoprostenol is a direct vasodilator of the pulmonary and systemic vasculature indicated for improving exercise capacity in patients with PAH. Veletri, a recently approved formulation of epoprostenol for continuous i.

Effect of immunosuppression for first kidney or kidney/pancreas transplant on sensitization at the time of second transplant.

Background: Previously transplanted patients are more likely to be sensitized, leading to prolonged waitlist times and decreased graft survival. This analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing kidney/pancreas transplant database investigates factors at the time of first transplant associated with increased sensitization in patients undergoing second transplantation.

Methods: Records of nonsensitized patients (panel reactive antibodies [PRA] <20%) receiving a primary transplant in 1999 or later were analyzed to determine whether immunosuppressive agents at the time of first transplant were associated with a change in PRA from first to second transplant.

Cardioprotective medication use after renal transplantation.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in renal transplant patients. This study compares the use of cardioprotective medications in adult kidney transplant recipients at a single center with recommendations, which have been validated in the general population. Cardioprotective medication use was retrospectively collected post-renal transplant.