American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy and Safety of Outpatient Treatment Based on the Hestia Clinical Decision Rule With or Without NT-proBNP Testing in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Outpatient treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) may lead to improved patient satisfaction and reduced healthcare costs. However, trials to assess its safety and the optimal method for patient selection are scarce. ⋯ Outpatient treatment of patients with PE selected on the basis of the Hestia criteria alone was associated with a low risk of adverse events. Given the low number of patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels, this trial was unable to draw definite conclusions regarding the incremental value of NT-proBNP testing in patients who fulfill the Hestia criteria. Clinical trial registered with www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2603 (NTR2603).
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialHeterogeneity in the Effects of Reward- and Deposit-based Financial Incentives on Smoking Cessation.
Targeting different smoking cessation programs to smokers most likely to quit when using them could reduce the burden of lung disease. ⋯ Heterogeneity among smokers in their acceptance and response to different forms of incentives suggests potential benefits of targeting behavior-change interventions based on patient characteristics. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01526265).
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2016
Fetal Phagocytes Take Up Allergens to Initiate Th2 Immunity and Facilitate Allergic Airway Responses.
Actively acquired tolerance occurs when foreign antigens come into contact with the immature fetal immune system. ⋯ Our results have mechanical implications for prenatal imprinting of atopy and shed light on the importance of fetal phagocytes in shaping the developing immune system and initiating allergic airway diseases.