Chest
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To characterize respiratory abnormalities in a convenience sample of ironworkers exposed at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site for varying lengths of time between September 11, 2001, and February 8, 2002. ⋯ Respiratory symptoms occurred in the majority of ironworkers at the WTC disaster site and were not attributable to smoking. Exposure on September 11 was associated with a greater prevalence of cough. Objective evidence of lung disease was less common. Spirometry underestimated the prevalence of lung function abnormalities in comparison to FO. Continuing evaluation of symptoms, chest radiographs, and airway dysfunction should determine whether long-term clinical sequelae will exist.
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To evaluate the incidence, patient characteristics, and clinical significance of segmental early relaxation phenomenon (SERP) in stress echocardiography. ⋯ This is the first stress echocardiographic study demonstrating that SERP is a distinct and relatively common stress echocardiographic phenomenon occurring in early diastole regardless of type of stress. SERP occurs predominantly in apical and midseptum in the distribution of the left anterior descending coronary artery. It should not be mistaken for atypical septal motion, ischemia, or dyskinesia, and does not seem related solely to the presence of underlying coronary disease or stress-induced ischemia. No adverse long-term outcomes are seen in patients with SERP and no inducible ischemia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Predicting response to omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, in patients with allergic asthma.
To determine baseline characteristics predictive of response to omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, in patients with allergic asthma. ⋯ Patients who benefit most when omalizumab is administered as add-on therapy are those receiving high doses of BDP, those with a history of frequent emergency asthma treatment, and those with poor lung function. Patients should be treated with omalizumab for a minimum duration of 12 weeks.