Assessing post-COVID-19 respiratory dynamics: a comprehensive analysis of pulmonary function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and bronchodilator response.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a considerable impact on the global healthcare system. Individuals who have recovered from COVID often experience chronic respiratory symptoms that affect their daily lives. This study aimed to assess respiratory dynamics such as airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and bronchodilator response in post-COVID patients.

A real-world study of Afatinib plus ramucirumab in treatment-naïve, EGFR-mutated, non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Recent reports suggested combining ramucirumab with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to overcome EGFR resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nonetheless, evidence supporting the activity of afatinib and ramucirumab is lacking. This study investigated the survival benefits and safety profile of afatinib plus ramucirumab in patients with treatment-naïve, EGFR-mutated, metastatic NSCLC.

Co-existing obstructive sleep apnea reduces Nuss surgery efficacy in pectus excavatum.

Nuss surgery is effective in correcting pectus excavatum (PE), with a recurrence rate of 1.2-27%. Re-do surgery is successful but still has a 6% failure rate.

Mucoid impaction mimicking multiple metastatic lung cancer.

The most common etiology of multiple pulmonary nodules is metastatic lung cancer. Although benign etiologies have been reported, mucoid impaction less commonly presents as multiple pulmonary nodules. Herein, we report the case of an 81-year-old demented man who presented with multiple pulmonary nodules due to mucoid impaction.

Associations between occupational inhalation risks and FeNO levels in airway obstruction patients: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012.

Purpose: To investigate associations between occupational inhalation risks and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Patients And Methods: Data of 16,486 subjects who had undergone spirometry with pre-bronchodilator and post-bronchodilator lung function assessment were retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012 database. After excluding 2,638 subjects with missing spirometry values, data of 13,336 subjects were included for analysis.

Generalized Convulsion Complicating Acute Diffuse Pulmonary Hemorrhage: The Report of a Rare Case.

Purpose: The immediate complications associated with a generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizure usually involve injuries such as aspiration pneumonia, head injury, skull or vertebral fracture and orolingual biting injury. Here we present a young man who suffered from GTC that was followed by a rare complication, acute diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage, which presented with massive hemoptysis and subsequent respiratory failure.

Case Report: An 18-year-old boy developed a GTC convulsion that lasted for about two minutes and then regained consciousness 15 minutes later.

Beneficial Effects of Long-Term CPAP Treatment on Sleep Quality and Blood Pressure in Adherent Subjects With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Although CPAP is the first treatment choice for moderate-to-severe OSA, acceptance of and adherence to CPAP remain problematic. High CPAP adherence is generally defined as ≥4 h of use/night for ≥70% of the nights monitored.

Comparison of cardiovascular co-morbidities and CPAP use in patients with positional and non-positional mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine if there are differences in cardiovascular co-morbidities, blood pressure (BP) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use between patients with positional-dependent and nonpositional-dependent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: Patients who were referred for overnight polysomnography for suspected OSA between 2007 and 2011 were screened. A total of 371 patients with OSA were included for analysis and divided into six groups according to positional-dependency and severity of OSA: positional mild (n = 52), positional moderate (n = 29), positional severe (n = 24), non-positional mild (n = 18), non-positional moderate (n = 70) and non-positional severe group (n = 178).

Factors affecting CPAP acceptance in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea in Taiwan.

Background: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases with age. Treatment often includes CPAP. CPAP adherence is correlated with disease severity and symptoms.

Fish fin aspiration: an unusual type of lower airway foreign body in a Chinese adult.

Foreign body aspiration into the lower airway is rare in adults, and typically occurs in individuals of advanced age or with underlying neurological or medical conditions. The most common type of lower airway foreign body is organic substances, in particular chicken or fish bones. In many patients a history of an acute choking event is not found, and symptoms are non-specific and may be attributed to other medical conditions.

Factors that affect the diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasonography-assisted transbronchial lung biopsy.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a relatively noninvasive procedure used to diagnose and stage lung cancer. Although EBUS-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) procedures for peripheral lesions have higher diagnostic yields than traditional TBLB or fluoroscopy-assisted TBLB, the diagnostic yield is not 100%, and the reasons for this are not clear.

Subjects And Methods: This retrospective study assessed what characteristics influence the diagnostic yield of EBUS-guided TBLB.

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and quality of life in underweight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objective: An estimated 20-40% of COPD patients are underweight. We sought to confirm the physiological and psychosocial benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes (PRP) in underweight compared with non-underweight patients with COPD.

Methods: Twenty-two underweight COPD patients with BMI <20 kg/m(2), and 22 non-underweight COPD patients, who were matched for FEV(1) and age, were studied.

Increased survivin mRNA in malignant pleural effusion is significantly correlated with survival.

Objective: The sensitivity of cytologic examination of pleural effusions is variable and not predictive of prognosis. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis that may be a novel diagnostic/prognostic marker of cancers. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of measuring survivin mRNA levels in pleural effusions.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by leukemic infiltration of the lung.

Respiratory distress syndrome resulting from leukemic pulmonary infiltrates is seldom diagnosed antemortem. Two 60- and 80-year-old women presented with general malaise, progressive shortness of breath, and hyperleukocytosis, which progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after admission. Acute leukemia with pulmonary infection was initially diagnosed, but subsequent examinations including open lung biopsy revealed leukemic pulmonary infiltrates without infection.