Chest
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There are limited data examining the diagnostic accuracy of thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) in distinguishing transudative from exudative pleural effusions. ⋯ Thoracic ultrasonography is inadequate to diagnose a transudative pleural effusion reliably. Although the TUS findings of a complex effusion may suggest an exudative pleural effusion, specific pleural diagnoses cannot be predicted confidently.
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) causes progressive dyspnea, hypoxemia, and death within a few years. Little is known about the effect of air pollution on disease exacerbations. ⋯ Our findings suggest that acute increases in air pollution are a risk factor for hospitalization of patients with a primary diagnosis of IPF.