detection of pulmonary mucociliary clearance: present challenges and future directions.

Pulmonary mucociliary clearance (MCC) is an important defence mechanism of the respiratory system and clears pathogens and foreign particles from the airways. Understanding the effect of disease states, drugs, toxins and airway manipulations on MCC could be beneficial in preventing early pulmonary disease and developing new pulmonary therapeutics. This review summarises the current methods and future efforts to detect pulmonary MCC .

Group-Based Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERITg) and Its Relationship to Recovery-Oriented Beliefs in Serious Mental Illness.

Group-based Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERITg) is the group application of Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), an evidence-based, integrative, recovery-oriented intervention to enhance insight and understanding of oneself and others in individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). MERITg may offer therapeutic interactions between participants that uniquely support recovery. The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between MERITg participation and recovery-oriented beliefs.

Applications of SPECT and PET Imaging for the Physiological Evaluation of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is classified as the narrowing or complete occlusion of the lower extremity arteries due to atherosclerosis. The risk of developing PAD increases with increased age and risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Current treatment for PAD involves lifestyle and symptom management, statin and antiplatelet therapy, and/or surgical interventions to improve quality of life with varying efficacy.

How multidisciplinary clinics may mitigate socioeconomic barriers to care for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Objective: Although multidisciplinary clinics improve outcomes in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), their role in addressing socioeconomic disparities is unknown. Our institution treats patients with CLTI at both traditional general vascular clinics and a multidisciplinary Limb Preservation Program (LPP). The LPP is in a minority community, providing expedited care at a single facility by a consistent team.

Training guidelines and competencies for serious mental illness (SMI) psychology.

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) face unique and significant challenges that require evidence-based practices and clinicians who have advanced, comprehensive training to provide them. SMI affects about 5.5% of the U.