Chest
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Hemoglobinopathies are diseases caused by genetic mutations that result in abnormal, dysfunctional hemoglobin molecules or lower levels of normal hemoglobin molecules. The most common hemoglobinopathies are sickle cell disease (SCD) and the thalassemias. In SCD, an abnormal hemoglobin alters the erythrocyte, causing a chronic hemolytic anemia, which can lead to pulmonary parenchymal damage and impaired vascular function. ⋯ Although screening studies suggest that PH is a common complication for patients with thalassemia, its impact on survival is unknown. Understanding the pathogenesis, diagnostic options, and prevention and treatment strategies for such complications is critical for clinicians who care for these patients. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and clinical presentation of pulmonary complications associated with hemoglobinopathies, with a focus on recent advances in pathogenesis and treatment.
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A consensus definition of acute kidney injury (AKI)-the risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification-predicts mortality in general hospital and ICU populations. We aimed to assess its value on admission in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ⋯ The RIFLE classification is a simple tool to assess and classify AKI on admission and independently predicts 30-day mortality and the need for MV/IS and RRT in patients with CAP.
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Recently, it has been shown that emphysematous destruction of the lung is associated with a decrease in the total number of terminal bronchioles. It is unknown whether a similar decrease is visible in the more proximal airways. We aimed to assess the relationships between proximal airway count, CT imaging measures of emphysema, and clinical prognostic factors in smokers, and to determine whether airway count predicts the BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index. ⋯ TAC is lower in subjects with greater emphysematous destruction and is a predictor of a high BODE index. These results suggest that CT imaging-based TAC may be a unique COPD-related phenotype in smokers.
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There are no data on the association between acute inflammation during critical illness and long-term mortality in ICU patients. ⋯ CRP levels during critical illness seem independently associated with post-ICU survival in nonsurgical ICU patients. Future research focusing on the association between acute systemic inflammation and post-ICU outcome is warranted in order to improve long-term survival of critically ill patients.
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We performed this study to evaluate the role of transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) following endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the mediastinal staging of lung cancer. ⋯ Following EBUS-TBNA in the mediastinal staging of potentially operable lung cancer, the accessibility to mediastinal nodal stations increased by adding EUS-B-FNA and an additional diagnostic gain might be obtained by EUS-B-FNA.