Chest
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Short telomeres are a common defect in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, yet mutations in the telomerase genes account for only a subset of these cases. ⋯ Our findings identify TINF2 as a mutant telomere gene in familial pulmonary fibrosis and suggest that infertility may precede the presentation of pulmonary fibrosis in a small subset of adults with telomere syndromes.
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Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) via helmet or total facemask is an option for managing patients with respiratory infections in respiratory failure. However, the risk of nosocomial infection is unknown. ⋯ A helmet with a good seal around the neck is needed to prevent nosocomial infection during NIV for patients with respiratory infections.
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Conventional medical thoracoscopy (MT), routinely performed in patients with pleural disease, does not always lead to a conclusive diagnosis. The endoscopic appearance of pleural diseases under white light could be misleading. Autofluorescence has been shown to be an interesting and effective diagnostic tool. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of autofluorescence imaging during MT. ⋯ The advantage of autofluorescence is its high sensitivity and NPV. It is useful to detect microlesions and delineate the pathologic margins. Autofluorescence can benefit patients with its better visualization.
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Isolation of Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (MAA) is common during Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease therapy, but there is limited information about the clinical significance of the MAA isolates. ⋯ Microbiologic and clinical follow-up after completion of MAC lung disease therapy is required to determine the significance of MAA isolated during MAC lung disease therapy. Single MAA isolates are not likely to be clinically significant.
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The impact of OSA on new cardiovascular events in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is poorly explored. ⋯ OSA is independently associated with a higher rate of long-term cardiovascular events after CABG and may have prognostic and economic significance in CABG surgery.