An Integrated, Multimodal, Digital Health Solution for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Prospective Observational Pilot Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions of Americans and has a high economic impact partially due to frequent emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Advances in digital health have made it possible to collect data remotely from multiple devices to assist in managing chronic diseases such as COPD.

Objective: In this pilot study, we evaluated the ability of patients with COPD to use the Wellinks mHealth platform to collect information from multiple modalities important to the management of COPD.

Association Between Diaphragmatic Paralysis and Ipsilateral Cervical Spondylosis on MRI.

Purpose: Diaphragmatic paralysis (DP) is an important cause of dyspnea with many underlying etiologies; however, frequently no cause is identified despite extensive investigation. We hypothesized that cervical spondylosis (CS), as manifest by cervical neuroforaminal stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is an underrecognized cause of unilateral DP.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed assessing cervical spine imaging utilization in the investigation of unilateral DP, and the contribution of CS to its pathogenesis.

Comparison of a micro-electro-mechanical system airflow sensor with the pneumotach in the forced oscillation technique.

Purpose: This study supports the use of thin-film micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) airflow sensors in the forced oscillation technique.

Materials And Methods: The study employed static testing using air flow standards and computer-controlled sound attenuations at 8 Hz. Human feasibility studies were conducted with a testing apparatus consisting of a pneumotach and thin-film MEMS air flow sensors in series.

Surgical lung biopsy in adult respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis.

Background: Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a high mortality rate and consumes considerable health care resources. It is not clear whether specimens obtained from open lung biopsy (OLB) in ARDS provide a specific diagnosis, alter therapy, or affect outcome. This meta-analysis attempts to determine whether OLB is safe, provides a specific diagnosis, changes therapy, or affects survival.

Outcomes of unresected ground-glass nodules with cytology suspicious for adenocarcinoma.

Background: Five-year survival rates for resected stage I adenocarcinoma approach 100%. Given previous studies describing the prolonged indolent natural history of ground-glass lesions suspicious for early adenocarcinoma, our purpose in this study was to determine if outcomes were different among patients who were observed for radiographic and biopsy suspected early adenocarcinoma compared with those who were resected immediately.

Methods: We identified 63 patients with no prior history of lung adenocarcinoma who had undergone computer tomography-guided fine-needle aspiration of ground-glass opacities with cytology concerning for new early adenocarcinoma between January 2002 and December 2011.

Radiographic and clinical characterization of false negative results from CT-guided needle biopsies of lung nodules.

Introduction: Computed tomography-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a highly sensitive technique for diagnosing malignancy in pulmonary nodules; however, there is great uncertainty regarding the reliability of a benign result. The goal of this study was to characterize the clinical, radiologic, and technical variables associated with a false negative result.

Methods: We performed a consecutive series review of patients who had an initial benign result from an FNA between January 2002 and December 2004.

Upregulation of pirin expression by chronic cigarette smoking is associated with bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis.

Background: Cigarette smoke disrupts the protective barrier established by the airway epithelium through direct damage to the epithelial cells, leading to cell death. Since the morphology of the airway epithelium of smokers does not typically demonstrate necrosis, the most likely mechanism for epithelial cell death in response to cigarette smoke is apoptosis. We hypothesized that cigarette smoke directly up-regulates expression of apoptotic genes, which could play a role in airway epithelial apoptosis.