Association Between E-cigarette Use and Asthma Exacerbations Using Nationally Representative Survey Data.

Introduction Despite limited knowledge of its potential health effects, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has become increasingly popular in the United States (US). Cigarette smoking is linked to a higher risk of asthma, and e-cigarettes may have similar effects. This study's aim was to examine the association between e-cigarette use and asthma exacerbations in US adults with known asthma.

Transcriptomic responses in the blood and sputum of cigarette smokers compared to e-cigarette vapers.

Rationale: Electronic (e)-cigarettes are popular among youth and cigarette smokers attempting to quit. Studies to date have focused on the utility of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, but the biological effects are largely unknown.

Objectives: To identify transcriptomic differences in the blood and sputum of e-cigarette users compared to conventional cigarettes smokers and healthy controls and describe biological pathways affected by these tobacco products.

A novel infrapatellar approach of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the knee from both lateral and medial side: a case series.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common. Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection (UGIAI) using the superolateral approach is currently the gold standard for treating knee OA, but it is not 100% accurate, especially in patients with no knee effusion. Herein, we present a case series of chronic knee OA treated with a novel infrapatellar approach to UGIAI.

Indications and Future Perspectives of a Minimally Invasive Ultrasound-guided Double-needle Joint Lavage.

Arthroscopic joint lavage was proposed as a treatment option for different joint conditions such as septic or inflammatory arthritis. Ultrasound (US) is today considered a fundamental tool in musculoskeletal diseases as for diagnostic and guide for interventional procedures such as synovial fluid sampling and drug injections. To enable faster recovery and to have an alternative to surgery, to reduce risks and costs, we performed an US-guided double-needle lavage of the shoulder joint.

An Overview of Health Disparities in Asthma.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by inflammation in the respiratory airways which manifests clinically with wheezing, cough, and episodic periods of chest tightness; if left untreated it can lead to permanent obstruction or death. In the US, asthma affects all ages and genders, and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately burdened by this disease. The financial cost of asthma exceeds $81 billion every year and despite all the resources invested, asthma is responsible for over 3,500 deaths annually in the nation.

E-Cigarette Use in Young Adult Never Cigarette Smokers with Disabilities: Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.

Young adult never cigarette smokers with disabilities may be at particular risk for adopting e-cigarettes, but little attention has been paid to these people. This study examines the associations between different types of disability and e-cigarette use in this population. Young adult never-smokers from the 2016-2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey who were either never or current e-cigarette users ( = 79,177) were selected for the analysis.

A New Solution to an Old Problem: Ultrasound-guided Cervical Retrolaminar Injection for Acute Cervical Radicular Pain: Prospective Clinical Pilot Study and Cadaveric Study.

Study Design: Prospective clinical pilot study and cadaveric study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the spread of an ultrasound-guided interfascial plane blocks (UGIPBs) and its potential efficacy for cervical radiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical radiculopathy is a common disorder, potentially leading to severe pain and disability.

Biomarkers of Toxicant Exposure and Inflammation Among Women of Reproductive Age Who Use Electronic or Conventional Cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally have a more favorable toxicant profile than conventional cigarettes; however, limited information exists for women of reproductive age (WRA). Our aim was to compare biomarkers of toxicant exposure, inflammation, and oxidative stress among WRA who self-report exclusive e-cigarette use, exclusive cigarette smoking, or never tobacco use (controls). Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare the geometric means of urinary biomarkers of toxicant exposure and their metabolites, serum markers of inflammation [highly sensitive C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), interleukin 6, fibrinogen], and a measurement of oxidative stress [prostaglandin F2a-8-isoprostane (F2PG2a)] among WRA from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health survey.

The inflammatory biomarker YKL-40 is elevated in the serum, but not the sputum, of E-cigarette users.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults between 18 and 55 years old. Inclusion criteria were: exclusive e-cigarette use or cigarette smoking for ≥ 1 year or no history of tobacco use. Participants with a history of pulmonary illness, atopy, medications (except birth control pills), marijuana, and illegal substance use were excluded.

Factors Associated with E-Cigarette Use in U.S. Young Adult Never Smokers of Conventional Cigarettes: A Machine Learning Approach.

E-cigarette use is increasing among young adult never smokers of conventional cigarettes, but the awareness of the factors associated with e-cigarette use in this population is limited. The goal of this work was to use machine learning (ML) algorithms to determine the factors associated with current e-cigarette use among US young adult never cigarette smokers. Young adult (18-34 years) never cigarette smokers from the 2016 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) who reported current or never e-cigarette use were used for the analysis ( = 79,539).

Stethoscope hygiene: Using cultures and real-time feedback with bioluminescence-based adenosine triphosphate technology to change behavior.

Background: Stethoscope hygiene is rarely done despite guideline recommendations. We wanted to determine whether demonstrating what is growing on the stethoscopes of providers via culture or bioluminescence technology alters perceptions and improves compliance.

Methods: Providers were given the opportunity to (1) culture their stethoscopes before and after disinfection with alcohol pads, alcohol-based hand rub, or hydrogen peroxide disinfectant wipes and (2) swab stethoscopes for bioluminescence-based adenosine triphosphate testing before and after disinfection.

Association of atypical antipsychotics and mortality for patients hospitalised with pneumonia.

Introduction: Atypical antipsychotics are commonly used in patients with psychiatric conditions and dementia. They are also frequently used in patients being admitted with pneumonia; however, there are few safety data. The purpose of this study was to examine whether atypical antipsychotic use prior to admission is associated with increased mortality in patients with pneumonia.

E-cigarette use is associated with a self-reported diagnosis of prediabetes in never cigarette smokers: Results from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey.

Background: The use of e-cigarettes is increasing in the US but there is still a paucity of research on the metabolic effects of e-cigarette use. The goal of this work was to determine the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported prediabetes in adult never cigarette smokers.

Method: The 2017 cross sectional Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data was used for the analysis.

Adult E-Cigarettes Use Associated with a Self-Reported Diagnosis of COPD.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased in the US, but little is known about the effects of these products on lung health. The main purpose of this study was to examine the association between e-cigarette use and a participant's report of being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a nationally representative sample of adults. The first wave of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) survey adult data was used ( = 32,320).

Association between Regular Electronic Nicotine Product Use and Self-reported Periodontal Disease Status: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Survey.

Electronic nicotine product use is increasing in the U.S., but few studies have addressed its effects on oral health.