Chest
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Multicenter Study
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine rollout on Hispanic and non-Hispanic admission and mortality trends: an interrupted time series analysis.
Challenges with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prioritization, access, and hesitancy have influenced vaccination uptake. ⋯ SARS-CoV-2 vaccine rollout was associated with improved COVID-19 admission trends among non-Hispanic vs Hispanic patients. Vaccine rollout was not shown to influence mortality trends in either group, which were four times higher among Hispanic patients. Improved vaccine rollout may have reduced disparities in admission trends for Hispanic patients, but other factors influenced their mortality trends.
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Diagnostic yield and accuracy endpoints have been used inconsistently in the evaluation of advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy devices and techniques, limiting between-study comparisons. In addition, diagnostic accuracy can be adjudicated only after prolonged clinical follow-up, which delays reporting on the performance of novel devices. ⋯ A conservative diagnostic yield definition excluding nonspecific benign diagnoses closely approximated diagnostic accuracy through 2 years' follow-up, with a less than 1% discrepancy. Using this conservative yield definition may allow for dissemination of reliable diagnostic utility data without protracted delays needed for follow-up data in this era of rapid technological change in advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy.
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The global surge in methamphetamine use is a critical public health concern, particularly due to its robust correlation with methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (MA-PAH). This association raises urgent alarms about the potential escalation of MA-PAH incidence, posing a significant and imminent challenge to global public health. ⋯ This review consolidates our understanding of MA-PAH, pinpointing knowledge gaps for future studies. Addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing diagnostic accuracy, unraveling mechanisms, and optimizing treatment for MA-PAH, thereby addressing the evolving landscape of this complex health concern.
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Most reports of pulmonary manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been related to interstitial lung diseases. RA and COPD are both chronic inflammatory systemic diseases. ⋯ RA was shown to be associated with an increased risk of COPD development, augmented by seropositivity. Physicians should monitor respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function carefully in patients with RA.
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Endotracheal aspirates (ETAs) are widely used for microbiologic studies of the respiratory tract in intubated patients. However, they involve sampling through an established endotracheal tube using suction catheters, both of which can acquire biofilms that may confound results. ⋯ Unbiased molecular profiling shows that standard clinical ETA sampling has good concordance with the authentic lower airway microbiome in intubated patients.