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High-dose inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, and antimicrobial properties, resulting in improved arterial oxygenation as well as a beneficial therapeutic effect on lower respiratory tract infections. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of 150-ppm intermittent iNO administered with a novel iNO-generator, for treating adults hospitalised for viral pneumonia. In this prospective, open-label, multicenter study, subjects aged 18-80, diagnosed with viral pneumonia received either standard supportive treatment alone (Control-Group) or combined with iNO for 40 min, 4 times per day up to 7 days (Treatment-Group). Out of 40 recruited subjects, 35 were included in the intention-to-treat population (34 with COVID-19). Adverse Events rate was similar between the groups (56.3% vs. 42.1%; respectively). No treatment-related adverse events were reported, while 2 serious adverse events were accounted for by underlying pre-existing conditions. Among the Treatment-Group, oxygen support duration was reduced by 2.7 days (Hazard Ratio = 2.8; p = 0.0339), a greater number of subjects reached oxygen saturation ≥ 93% within hospitalisation period (Hazard Ratio = 5.4; p = 0.049), and a trend for earlier discharge was demonstrated. Intermittent 150-ppm iNO-treatment is well-tolerated, safe, and beneficial compared to usual care for spontaneously breathing hospitalised adults diagnosed with COVID-19 viral pneumonia.

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Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare form of interstitial lung disease. A few case reports have described an association with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Corticosteroids are usually used to treat symptomatic patients but their efficacy has never been studied in a controlled trial. We describe a patient with LIP and CVID who was treated monthly with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) without steroids. The patient improved dramatically. We believe that, in selected cases of LIP and immunodeficiency, IVIG given monthly should be considered as the only treatment without adding steroids.

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A 26-year-old male with graft vs. host disease (GVHD) presented with rhinolalia (a squeaky voice of nasal quality) as a presenting sign for pneumonasopharynx and pneumomediastinum secondary to bronchiolitis obliterans. The patient underwent HLA-identical related peripheral blood stem cells transplantation 8 months before the diagnosis. Three weeks after transplantation he began to suffer from GVHD Grade III that involved the gut, liver, and skin and later on the lungs. Due to severe obstructive bronchiolitis obliterans the patient developed intensive cough evolving into pneumomediastinum and pneumonasopharynx with rhinolalia. The patient was treated conservatively with complete resolution. Although rare, pneumomediastinum and pneumonasopharynx can be a life-threatening event, and one should be aware of the signs and symptoms on physical examination, which may be as subtle as rhinolalia alone.

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This study is an examination of the influences of incarceration on perceived causes of loneliness. A heterogeneous prison population was divided into five homogeneous subgroups (sex offenders, violent offenders, property offenders, drug-related offenders, and a category that contained all other miscellaneous offenders) whose loneliness experiences were then compared. Three hundred fifty-six incarcerated male offenders and 501 men from the general population were recruited on a voluntary basis. They reported the perceived sources of their loneliness on an 82-item yes/no questionnaire. Results indicated significant differences in perceived causes of loneliness between the criminal and general populations and within the criminal sample when the data were examined according to offense type.

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Loneliness is a universal phenomenon, and its pain is intensified by a diagnosis of a terminal illness. The present study is an investigation of the coping strategies used by HIV/AIDS patients, by individuals diagnosed with cancer, and by the general population. Forty-three HIV/AIDS patients, 38 cancer patients, and 53 participants from the general population answered a 34-item questionnaire. Results indicated that with the exception of reflection and acceptance and religion and faith, those afflicted with HIV/AIDS cope with loneliness significantly differently from members of the other two groups. The findings of this exploratory study suggest that cancer patients and the general population do not differ in the ways they cope with loneliness.

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Loneliness is a prevailing experience which every person has experienced. This subjective experience is influenced by one's personality and situational variables. In the present study, the influence of age and sex on the experience of loneliness were examined. 711 participants volunteered to answer an 82-item yes/no questionnaire on their loneliness experience and its meaning. Four age groups were compared: 106 youths (13-18 years old), 255 young adults (19-30 years old), 314 adults (31-58 years old), and 36 seniors (60-80 years old). Within and between sex comparisons indicated that loneliness is indeed affected by one's age and sex.

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The present study is an examination of the influence of cultural background on an individual's ability to cope with loneliness. Participants were from 3 cultural backgrounds: North American, South Asian, and West Indian. A total of 679 participants (318 men and 361 women) answered an 18-item loneliness questionnaire. Results revealed significant differences in the coping strategies that the participants used. Gender differences were also found across the cultures and within each culture.

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The present study examined the influence of incarceration on sources of loneliness. It was hypothesized that incarcerated offenders would perceive the causes of their loneliness differently than a general population sample. 145 male offenders and 112 men from the general population who were recruited on a voluntary basis, reported the sources of their loneliness on a 15-item (yes/no) questionnaire. Analysis indicated a significant difference in the perceived sources of loneliness amongst the two populations. Also duration of loneliness, i.e., chronic vs episodic, was associated with perception of its causes.

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Previous research yielded five factors which comprise the experience of loneliness, namely, Emotional distress, Social inadequacy and alienation, Growth and discovery. Interpersonal isolation, and Self-alienation. The perceived causes of loneliness were grouped into factors of Personal inadequacies, Developmental deficits, Unfulfilling intimate relationships, Relocation and significant separations, and Social marginality. Using principal components factor analysis, the relations of perceived causes and the various aspects of loneliness were examined for 295 men and 338 women. All five of the perceived causes appeared to contribute to experienced loneliness. While scores on Emotional distress were strongly related to all five factors of perceived causes, the other four factors were differentially related.

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In this study, factor analysis was used to examine whether men and women experience loneliness differently and how marital status affects the experience of loneliness (especially if the marriage is terminated). The experiences of chronic and situational or event-related loneliness are also compared. Finally, the study is also an investigation of the social stigma that causes people to refuse to admit their loneliness. As a result of this stigma, when questioned for research purposes, individuals usually report a recall past loneliness rather than a current or ongoing experience. In the present study, the difference between loneliness recalled and loneliness experienced at the time of questioning is investigated.

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Previous research, upon which the present study is based, identified five clearly distinguished factors which comprise the loneliness experience: Emotional distress, Social inadequacy and alienation, Growth and discovery, Interpersonal isolation, and Self alienation. Further research indicated that the various coping strategies could be grouped into six factors, namely, Reflection and acceptance, Self-development and understanding. Social support network, Distancing and denial, Religion and faith, and Increased activity. The present study examined which were the most beneficial coping strategies, depending on the qualitative experience of lonely persons. The following coping strategies were identified as best suited to cope with and reduce the pain of loneliness. Acceptance and reflection, Social interaction, and Increased activity. Distancing from loneliness and attempts to ignore and deny it are the least effective and can, at best, be helpful on a temporary basis only.

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Content analysis of the sexual fantasies of 87 community college and university students revealed no significant sex differences in the content of sexual fantasies. Both men and women preferred traditional and facilitative fantasies. Because this study was explorative, however, further research is required to validate the suggested scale and replicate these results.

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Content analysis of 526 verbatim reports of loneliness revealed both helpful and nonhelpful coping strategies. The helpful strategies were grouped into three clusters that represent three distinct phases of the coping process. Eleven factors were subsumed under the three clusters. Four additional factors comprised the cluster of destructive and nonbeneficial coping strategies. The present study highlights the complexity and variety of coping strategies as well as the frequency with which they are used and their utility in helping people to survive loneliness and alienation.

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