Diagnostic modalities in the mediastinum and the role of bronchoscopy in mediastinal assessment: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: Diagnosis of pathology in the mediastinum has proven quite challenging, given the wide variability of both benign and malignant diseases that affect a diverse array of structures. This complexity has led to the development of many different non-invasive and invasive diagnostic modalities. Historically, diagnosis of the mediastinum has relied on different imaging modalities such as chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission topography.

Developing Interventions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable, progressive respiratory disease that may have a significant negative impact on the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. A substantial portion of the world's population is affected by COPD, and despite optimal medical management with medications, supplemental oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation, many patients are left debilitated because of this disease. Bronchoscopic treatment modalities offer a less-invasive method for the treatment of refractory COPD compared to surgical interventions and have expanded the potential therapeutic options for these patients.

Management and Discussion of COVID-19 Related Tracheal Stenosis: A Single Center Retrospective Review.

SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented amount of tracheal stenosis. Rigid bronchoscopy can serve as a curative measure or bridge therapy to tracheal resection. We also briefly discuss the pathophysiology of tracheal stenosis from prolonged intubation and SARS-CoV-2 virus.

One-session bilateral sequential whole lung lavage (OSBSWLL) for the management of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Background: Whole Lung Lavage (WLL) has been an important part in the management of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) since it improves radiologic and clinical parameters. Bilateral WLL is usually performed in two sessions on different days. Few case reports have described one-session bilateral sequential lung lavage (OSBSWLL), and none have described ambulatory management (same-day discharge).

COVID-19 Impact on Interventional Pulmonology Training.

The impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic extends beyond the realms of patient care and healthcare resource use to include medical education; however, the repercussions of COVID-19 on the quality of training and trainee perceptions have yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of interventional pulmonology (IP) fellows' involvement in the care of COVID-19 and its impact on fellows' clinical education, procedure skills, and postgraduation employment search. An internet-based survey was validated and distributed among IP fellows in North American fellowship training programs.

Racial differences in beliefs of physician prescribing practices for low-cost pharmacy options.

Background: Previous studies have reported that certain populations are sensitive to high out-of-pocket drug costs, and drug noncompliance leads to poorer health outcomes.

Objective: Our aim was to measure patient awareness of discount pharmacy options, cost barriers to medication access, and beliefs about health care provider's use of low-cost medications.

Methods: This cross-sectional 17-item survey was administered to patients in the emergency department of an urban trauma center in February 2011.

Symmetry-breaking intramolecular charge transfer in the excited state of meso-linked BODIPY dyads.

We report the synthesis and characterization of symmetric BODIPY dyads where the chromophores are attached at the meso position, using either a phenylene bridge or direct linkage. Both molecules undergo symmetry-breaking intramolecular charge transfer in the excited state, and the directly linked dyad serves as a visible-light-absorbing analogue of 9,9'-bianthryl.