Resp Care
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Tularemia is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis. The most frequent forms of tularemia are ulceroglandular, followed by typhoidal forms, glandular, and oculoglandular. ⋯ Cutaneous lesions secondary to respiratory infections occur in 30% of cases. We present a case of tularemia with cavitary pneumonia and skin lesions.
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COPD is characterized by chronic air-flow limitation. Smoking is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of COPD. Smoking is associated with increased oxidative stress in the lungs. In this study our aim was to evaluate the differences in the burden of oxidative stress in patients with COPD, smokers, and non-smokers by measuring hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-isoprostane levels in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. ⋯ Even if respiratory function tests are within normal limits, oxidant burden in lungs of smokers is equivalent to that in COPD patients. 8-isoprostane could be useful in assessing symptom severity and health status of COPD patients.
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Respiratory therapist (RT) is a nascent career in China, so little information is available about intensive care unit (ICU) respiratory care resources and practices, requirements for RTs, and barriers to recruit RTs. ⋯ ICU respiratory care equipment and the knowledge to use them are insufficient. Important differences exist in respiratory care practice, which is mostly provided by nurses and physicians. RTs have been gradually recognized and accepted by ICU staff, while professional training and education are needed.
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In a subset of aspirin-tolerant asthmatics, administration of aspirin improves respiratory symptoms. We present a patient with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps who exhibited relief of nasal obstruction and nasal discharge and improvement in the sense of smell following oral administration of 150 mg of aspirin daily. Improvement in the patency of the nasal passages was documented by nasal endoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. Improvement of olfactory function was documented by validated psychophysical olfactory testing and by means of olfactory event-related potentials.