Chest
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The diagnostic workup of individuals suspected of having lung cancer can be complex and protracted because conventional symptoms of lung cancer have low specificity and sensitivity. ⋯ The DELFI score distinguishes individuals with lung cancer from those without cancer better than suspicious symptoms do. These results represent proof-of-concept support that fragmentation-based biomarker approaches may facilitate diagnostic resolution for patients with concerning symptoms of lung cancer.
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Whether intubation should be initiated early in the clinical course of critically ill patients remains a matter of debate. Results from prior observational studies are difficult to interpret because of avoidable flaws including immortal time bias, inappropriate eligibility criteria, and unrealistic treatment strategies. ⋯ When realistic treatment strategies and eligibility criteria are used, strategies that delay intubation result in similar 30-day mortality risks compared with those that intubate early. Delaying intubation ultimately avoids intubation in most patients.
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Severe uncontrolled asthma (SUA) is frequently treated with biologic therapy if a T2 phenotype is found. Bronchoscopy is not routinely recommended in these patients unless a specific indication to rule out comorbidities is present. ⋯ Routine bronchoscopy in SUA eligible for biologic therapy is a safe procedure that can help to better phenotype and personalize asthma management.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Glycemic Variability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Glycemic variability is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes independent of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Given the conflicting evidence on the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for OSA on HbA1c, elucidating its effect on glycemic variability has value. ⋯ PAP therapy did not improve glycemic control or variability in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and type 2 diabetes. Exploratory analyses suggested that PAP therapy may improve glucose variability in female participants. Post-dinner and bedtime glucose levels were higher in those who did not receive PAP therapy.
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Open-Label Trial of Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension in Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Disease.
Mycobacterium abscessus is the second most common nontuberculous mycobacterium respiratory pathogen and shows in vitro resistance to nearly all oral antimicrobials. M abscessus treatment success is low in the presence of macrolide resistance. ⋯ In a cohort of patients primarily with macrolide-resistant M abscessus, one-half of the patients using ALIS showed sputum culture conversion to negative findings. The emergence of mutational amikacin resistance was not uncommon and occurred with the use of clofazimine monotherapy.