The acute effect of inhaled nitric oxide on the exercise capacity of patients with advanced interstitial lung disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) selectively acts on the pulmonary vasculature of ventilated lung tissue by reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and intrapulmonary shunt. This effect may reduce ventilation/perfusion mismatch and decrease pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease.

Methods: In a prospective, single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, participants with advanced interstitial lung disease, underwent two separate six-minute walk tests (6MWT): one with iNO and the other with a placebo.

Endobronchial closure of broncho-biliary fistula using Amplatzer device: Case report.

Broncho-biliary fistula (BBF) is an extremely rare but serious medical condition resulting from pathological communication between the biliary system and the bronchial tree. Treatment options include both surgical and non-surgical approaches. Several endobronchial techniques, such as the spigot and glue, can be used for this purpose.

Bronchoscopy for management and identification of etiology of right middle lobe syndrome: Analysis of 66 cases.

Background: Right middle lobe (RML) syndrome is a recurrent or chronic obstruction of the RML causing atelectasis of the right middle lobe due to mechanical and nonmechanical etiologies. The consequences of untreated RML syndrome range from chronic cough to post-obstructive pneumonia and bronchiectasis. We report here our bronchoscopy experience in patients with RML syndrome.

Amplatzer Occluders for Effective Nonsurgical Management of Bronchopleural Fistulae.

Background: To assess the safety and efficacy of bronchopleural fistulae closure with Amplatzer occluder devices (AGA Medical, Golden Valley, MN) through our experience of over 14 years.

Methods: Retrospective data review of patients from Rabin Medical Center who underwent Amplatzer occluder device placement between March 2007 and September 2021 for bronchopleural fistulae closure.

Results: In total, 72 patients had 83 Amplatzer occluder devices implanted for bronchopleural fistulae closure.

Immunogenicity of a Third Dose of BNT162b2 Vaccine among Lung Transplant Recipients-A Prospective Cohort Study.

Two doses of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines elicit an attenuated humoral immune response among immunocompromised patients. Our study aimed to assess the immunogenicity of a third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine among lung transplant recipients (LTRs). We prospectively evaluated the humoral response by measuring anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 and neutralizing antibodies in 139 vaccinated LTRs ~4-6 weeks following the third vaccine dose.

Lung Transplantation for Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Single-center Experience.

Background: Late-onset pulmonary complications can occur following hematological stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In allogeneic HSCT these complications are often associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Lung transplantation (LTx) often remains the only viable therapeutic option in these patients.

External Validity of a Randomized Controlled Trial on Duration of Antibiotics for the Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteremia.

Introduction: Reports regarding the external validity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are scarce. We aimed to assess the population external validity of an investigator-initiated RCT on the duration of antibiotics for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteremia by comparing patients included in the RCT to patients that were not included in the trial.

Methods: Hospitalized patients with Gram-negative bacteremia were recruited into an RCT and randomized to receive 7 or 14 days of covering antibiotic therapy in Israel and Italy from 2013 to 2017.

Prognostic Significance of the N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Lung Transplant Candidates on the Waiting List.

We investigated the prognostic significance of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in lung transplant candidates, in a retrospective single-center study. Data regarding various baseline characteristics and all-cause mortality were collected for 205 lung transplant candidates placed on waitlist for transplantation from November 2017 to December 2019. Associations of NT-proBNP levels with baseline characteristics and mortality were analyzed.

A Biphasic COVID-19 Clinical Course in Anti-CD20 Treated Patients: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: We describe four cases of COVID-19 infection during the Omicron wave, in patients treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. All cases follow a similar biphasic clinical course consisting of respiratory deterioration, which occurred a few weeks after convalescence from initial mild to asymptomatic infection. Possible explanations are discussed.

Humoral response among patients with interstitial lung disease vaccinated with the BNT162b2 SARS-Cov-2 vaccine: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are at high risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic treatment may cause immunosuppression. Nevertheless, their ability to mount an adequate immune response to messenger RNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines was not evaluated.

Lower serum alpha 1 antitrypsin levels in patients with severe COVID-19 compared with patients hospitalized due to non-COVID-19 pneumonia.

Introduction: Alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT) is the major human blood serine protease inhibitor. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), which is crucial for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, is inhibited by A1AT. Therefore, we hypothesized that individuals with diminished levels of A1AT may be more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 disease.

Successful treatment of acute relapse of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with benralizumab and without corticosteroids: A case report.

Background: Currently, the mainstay of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) treatment is corticosteroids, usually with a favorable response and good prognosis. However, relapse is common, requiring long-term use of corticosteroids, with risk of significant treatment-related complications. The dire need to develop new treatments for patients with CEP, who are dependent on, or resistant to corticosteroids has led to exploring novel therapies.

Marked safety and high diagnostic yield of freehand ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsies performed by pulmonologists.

Background: Adequate tissue sampling is fundamental for establishing a definitive diagnosis, assessing prognosis and tailoring therapy. Each of the methods for obtaining tissue (e.g.

Mediastinal "deep freeze"-transcarinal lymph node cryobiopsy.

Background: The diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) from mediastinal lymph nodes ranges from 66%-89%. However, in many cases cytologic material is not sufficient for full molecular evaluation. A novel method of transcarinal cryobiopsy aims to provide bronchoscopically obtained, larger specimen samples from mediastinal lymph nodes.

Dexmedetomidine versus propofol sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX), is a highly selective alpha2 adrenoceptor (α2-AR) agonist, successfully used in various procedures including flexible bronchoscopy. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating DEX sedation during bronchoscopy report equivocal results regarding respiratory and hemodynamic outcomes.

Methods: We conducted an RCT to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine compared to propofol for sedation during bronchoscopy.

Sertraline-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A case series and Literature Review.

Sertraline-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a rare entity. A search of the English medical literature retrieved only 9 such cases. We report herein on an additional 12 patients who developed ILD during treatment with sertraline.

Effect of Endobronchial Coils on Exercise Tolerance and Lung Functions in Patients with Severe Emphysema - A Retrospective Cohort Study of 48 Patients.

Background: Lung volume reduction with endobronchial coils treatment (ECT), for patients with severe emphysema, has shown modest improvement in exercise capacity and lung functions in clinical trials, yet the benefit of this procedure is still unclear.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent ECT in Israel and a propensity score matched control group of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that were treated with usual care. The primary outcome was six-minute walk test distance (6MWTD), secondary outcomes were lung function tests and patient survival.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Infection Among Lung Transplant Recipients.

Objectives: Data are limited regarding the clinical significance of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infections among lung transplant recipients. We investigated the incidence and characteristics of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria infection in ourlung transplant patient population.

Materials And Methods: We obtaineddata of the patients who underwent lung transplant in our center from January 1997 to March 2019.

Long-term response to cabergoline and multi-modal treatment in men with macroprolactinoma: Does size really matter?

Objective: To study the outcome of men with macroprolactinoma following cabergoline treatment based on tumour size.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The study included 94 men, divided into three groups according to adenoma diameter: 10-19 mm (Group A, n = 36); 20-39 mm (Group B, n = 41); or ≥40 mm (Group C, giant prolactinomas, n = 17).

The effect of indirect calorimetry guided isocaloric nutrition on mortality in critically ill patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Indirect calorimetry (IC)-guided nutrition might positively affect the clinical outcome of critically ill patients. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, our objective was to assess the benefit of isocaloric nutrition guided by IC, compared to hypocaloric nutrition, for critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We performed a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials published through January 2021, assessing the benefit of isocaloric nutrition guided by IC.

The LungVision navigational platform for peripheral lung nodule biopsy and the added value of cryobiopsy.

Background: The LungVision system is a novel augmented-fluoroscopy-based real-time navigation and guidance technology for bronchoscopy that can be integrated with any standard biopsy tool, including the cryoprobe, to enable real-time visualization and localization of pulmonary nodules.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety among patients undergoing peripheral pulmonary nodule biopsy with the LungVision system.

Methods: This prospective, single-center study was conducted at Rabin Medical Center in Israel.

Use of capnography for prediction of obstruction severity in non-intubated COPD and asthma patients.

Background: Capnography waveform contains essential information regarding physiological characteristics of the airway and thus indicative of the level of airway obstruction. Our aim was to develop a capnography-based, point-of-care tool that can estimate the level of obstruction in patients with asthma and COPD.

Methods: Two prospective observational studies conducted between September 2016 and May 2018 at Rabin Medical Center, Israel, included healthy, asthma and COPD patient groups.

Immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in heart transplant recipients - a prospective cohort study.

Aims: To assess the short-term immunogenicity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine in a population of heart transplant (HTx) recipients. A prospective single-centre cohort study of HTx recipients who received a two-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech).

Methods And Results: Whole blood for anti-spike IgG (S-IgG) antibodies was drawn at days 21-26 and at days 35-40 after the first vaccine dose.