Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: A case report and literature review.

Background: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease caused by the accumulation of surfactant in the lung's alveoli, as a result of malfunction in the cleaning function of alveolar macrophages. The major symptoms include cough and dyspnea. Computed tomography scan usually reveals crazy-paving pattern.

Evaluation of elevated serum apelin-13 and D-dimer concentrations in individuals diagnosed with pulmonary embolism.

Background: Given the limited specificity of D-dimer, there is a perceived need to discover a more precise marker for diagnosing individuals who are suspected of having pulmonary embolism (PE). In this study, by evaluating the increase in the serum level of Apelin-13 and D-dimer, we found valuable findings about Apelin-13, which can be suggested as an auxiliary and non-invasive diagnostic biomarker in individuals with suspected PE, based on the obtained results.

Methods: In this case-control study, 52 Iranian individuals were included, all of whom were suspected to have PE.

Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Associated Factors in Hospitalized Iranian COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms/distress and posttraumatic stress (PTS) and associated factors among inpatients with COVID-19 before discharge from the hospital.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two teaching referral hospitals in Babol, Iran from July to November 2020. The subjects were inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were clinically stable.

Semi-surgical percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy vs. conventional percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: A prospective randomized trial.

Background: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a common surgical procedure in the ICU. The present study was conducted to compare semi-surgical percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (SSPDT) with conventional percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (CPDT).

Methods: The present randomized clinical trial was conducted on 160 patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care units (ICUs) with an indication for tracheostomy and were systematically divided into two equal groups of 80.

Efficiency and outcome of non-invasive versus invasive positive pressure ventilation therapy in respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Application noninvasive ventilation in the patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduced mortality. This case-control study was designed to compare efficiency and outcome of non-invasive (NIV) versus invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) in respiratory failure due to COPD.

Methods: The patients were assigned to NIV or IPPV intermittantly.