Alleviation of Dyspnea and Changes in Physical Activity Level by Air Flow to the Face With a Fan.

Background: Dyspnea is an unpleasant subjective symptom and is associated with decreased physical activity level (PAL). Effect of blowing air toward the face has received a great deal of attention as a symptomatic therapy for dyspnea. However, little is known about the duration of its effect and its impact on PAL.

Exhalation immediately before inhalation optimizes dry powder inhaler use.

Objective: Although exhalation immediately prior to inhalation (EPI) from dry powder inhalers (DPIs) is universally advised, its benefit has not been investigated. The objective of this study to assess the effects of EPI on inhaled flow from a DPI.

Methods: We measured peak inhaled flow rate (PIFR) and inhaled gas volume of 25 volunteers unfamiliar with DPIs.

Usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy: pyothorax-associated lymphoma.

The relatively rare entity pyothorax-associated lymphoma (PAL) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Therefore, PAL should be diagnosed as soon as possible with minimal invasion. We herein report the case of an 81-year-old man with PAL that was successfully treated with chemotherapy.

[Resistances of dry powder inhalers and training whistles and their clinical significance].

Background: Flow resistance of dry powder inhaler (DPI) is important information when physician choose a suitable DPI to individual patient. We previously reported flow resistances of several DPIs and training devices. In the present in vitro study, we measured resistances of new DPIs and new trainers.

[Dynamic characteristics of flow trainer for dpi and its clinical relevance].

Background: Trainer devices are widely employed for flow instruction in the use of dry powder inhalers (DPI). However, their aerodynamic characteristics in actual use have yet to be investigated.

Methods: We recorded inhalation flow signals and sounds produced from trainers for Diskus®, Symbicort®, Pulmicort® and Twisthaler® while five volunteers inhaled from the trainers with various inhalation patterns.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection without pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae typically causes respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia. We herein report the case of a 30-year-old Japanese woman with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which is rarely caused by bacteria, secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and ensuing hypercytokinemia without pneumonia who was successfully treated with a combination of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Therefore, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, which is treatable with antibiotics, should be considered a possible trigger of HLH in patients who present with a viral-like illness without pneumonia.