Postmortem tissue distribution of MDPV following lethal intoxication by "bath salts".

3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a psychoactive, synthetic analog of the central nervous system stimulant cathinone. Its recent popularity as a recreational drug in the United States has led to numerous reports to poison control centers across the country. As with other synthetic cathinones, the recreational use of MDPV has resulted in death.

An official ATS clinical practice guideline: interpretation of exhaled nitric oxide levels (FENO) for clinical applications.

Background: Measurement of fractional nitric oxide (NO) concentration in exhaled breath (Fe(NO)) is a quantitative, noninvasive, simple, and safe method of measuring airway inflammation that provides a complementary tool to other ways of assessing airways disease, including asthma. While Fe(NO) measurement has been standardized, there is currently no reference guideline for practicing health care providers to guide them in the appropriate use and interpretation of Fe(NO) in clinical practice.

Purpose: To develop evidence-based guidelines for the interpretation of Fe(NO) measurements that incorporate evidence that has accumulated over the past decade.

Assessment of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a marker of airway inflammation in asthma.

Background: Limited data are available on the presence of a systemic measure of inflammation in asthma. One marker that has been reported is C-reactive protein (CRP).

Objective: To examine the correlation between high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and asthma activity.