Different characteristics associated with intensive care unit transfer from the medical ward between patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with and without pneumonia.

Background: The rate of hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is increasing. Few studies have examined the clinical, laboratory and treatment differences between patients in general wards and those who need transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics of 374 patients who were initially admitted to the general ward at Chonnam National University Hospital in South Korea due to AECOPD (pneumonic, 194; non-pneumonic, 180) between January 2008 and March 2015.

Usefulness of Rigid Bronchoscopic Intervention Using Argon Plasma Coagulation for Central Airway Tumors.

Objectives: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a noncontact form of electrocautery that utilizes ionized argon as the electrical current. A rigid bronchoscopic use of APC for the management of central airway obstruction could be safe and rapidly effective. This study evaluated the usefulness of rigid bronchoscopy with APC for the management of central airway obstructions due to benign or malignant tumors.

Predictive factors for survival and correlation to toxicity in advanced Stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients with concurrent chemoradiation.

Objective: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced Stage III non-small cell lung cancer in patients with a good performance status and minimal weight loss. This study aimed to define subgroups with different survival outcomes and identify correlations with the radiation-related toxicities.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 381 locally advanced Stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients with a good performance status or weight loss of <10% who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy between 2004 and 2011.

Variability in the anti-tumor effect of tegafur-uracil depending on histologic types of lung cancer.

Background: Tegafur-uracil (UFT) is an anticancer agent that inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS). The degree of TS expression in primary lung cancer (LC) is different according to histologic cell type. In this study, we examined the variability of the anti-tumor efficacy of UFT monotherapy depending on histological subtypes of LC.

Microarray analysis of gene expression in lung cancer cell lines treated by fractionated irradiation.

Background: To identify differentially expressed genes between parent and radioresistant lung cancer cell lines established by fractionated irradiation.

Materials And Methods: Lung cancer cell lines (A549, NCI-H1650) were irradiated with several fractionation schemes. Clonogenic assays were used to identify radioresistant cell lines.

Prevalence of chronic sputum and associated factors in Korean adults.

Chronic sputum is a troublesome symptom in many respiratory diseases. The prevalence of chronic sputum varies from 1.2% to 13% according to the country.

Early metabolic response on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography/computed tomography after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer is correlated with local tumor control and survival.

Aim: We evaluated the relationship of early metabolic responses on (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) performed within one month after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with local tumor control and survival in patients with advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: One hundred and nineteen patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC who completed definitive CCRT were included. PET/CT was performed 2-4 weeks after completion of radiotherapy.

A phase III concurrent chemoradiotherapy trial with cisplatin and paclitaxel or docetaxel or gemcitabine in unresectable non-small cell lung cancer: KASLC 0401.

Purpose: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is recommended for the management of patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This prospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of concurrently delivered cisplatin doublets with paclitaxel, or docetaxel, or gemcitabine.

Methods: The main eligibility criteria consisted of previously untreated stage IIIB NSCLC.

Differences in classification of COPD group using COPD assessment test (CAT) or modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores: a cross-sectional analyses.

Background: The GOLD 2011 document proposed a new classification system for COPD combining symptom assessment by COPD assessment test (CAT) or modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores, and exacerbation risk. We postulated that classification of COPD would be different by the symptom scale; CAT vs mMRC.

Methods: Outpatients with COPD were enrolled from January to June in 2012.

Endotracheal tuberculous granuloma formation following endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration.

Endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a useful and safe diagnostic test. We herein report a case of endotracheal granuloma formation that occurred after EBUS-TBNA in a 73-year-old woman. The patient was admitted due to coughing and dyspnea after 70 days of antituberculous therapy for mediastinal lymphadenitis.

Repeated favorable responses to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a case of advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

The presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is a prognostic and predictive marker for EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. However, inevitably, relapse occurs due to the development of acquired resistance, such as T790M mutation. We report a case of repeated responses to EGFR-TKIs in a never-smoked woman with adenocarcinoma.

Analysis of patients with hemoptysis in a tertiary referral hospital.

Background: This study attempted to investigate the main causes of hemoptysis, the type of examinations used for diagnosis, the treatment modalities and outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the medical records of 221 patients admitted to the Chonnam National University Hospital, between January 2005 and February 2010, with hemoptysis.

Results: Bronchiectasis (32.

Comparison of docetaxel/cisplatin dosages of 75/60 and 60/60 mg/m(2) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

A combination of docetaxel (D) and cisplatin (P) is one of the standard regimens for the initial treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Yet, the toxicity of D administered at 75 mg/m(2) in three weekly doses to patients is a concern. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a lower combination dose, 60 mg/m(2) of D and 60 mg/m(2) of cisplatin (P), as a treatment for NSCLC.

Proportion and characteristics of transient nodules in a retrospective analysis of pulmonary nodules.

Background:   Pulmonary nodules manifest as pure or mixed ground glass opacities (GGOs), or solid nodules.

Methods:   We retrospectively surveyed 317 cases with pulmonary nodules to observe the proportion and predictive factors of transient lesions in patients with pulmonary nodules.

Results:   At the initial computed tomography scan, 63.

Temozolomide-associated bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroid.

Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent with clinical activity against glioblastoma multiforme (GM). It is generally well-tolerated and has few pulmonary side effects. We report a case of temozolomide-associated brochiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) requiring very high-dose corticosteroid treatment.

Retreatment of gefitinib in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who previously controlled to gefitinib: a single-arm, open-label, phase II study.

Most patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who initially respond to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) eventually experience progression of disease. Based on previous trials which showed second response after switching to another EGFR-TKI, we hypothesized that the reintroduction of gefitinib would lead to disease control rate (DCR) in more than 30% of patients. This was a single-arm, open-label, prospective, phase II trial of gefitinib for the treatment of advanced or metastatic NSCLC.

Response to gemcitabine-platinum chemotherapy by single nucleotide polymorphisms of RRM1 and ERCC1 genes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background:   RRM1, the regulatory subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, is involved in carcinogenesis and the response to gemcitabine. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the RRM1 gene (RR37 and RR524) impact promoter activity and are associated with prognosis. The excision repair cross-complementation group 1 protein (ERCC1) is associated with platinum resistance.

Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide: a prognostic marker in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are elevated in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease with right ventricular overload. The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of plasma NT-proBNP levels as a prognostic marker of severe COPD with chronic respiratory failure and latent pulmonary hypertension.

Methods: Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured in 61 patients with stable COPD.

Invariant natural killer T cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objective: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells may play an important role in regulating the innate and acquired immune systems in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is little information regarding the potential role of iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of COPD. To investigate whether iNKT cells have an important role in COPD, the frequency of iNKT cells in peripheral blood of patients with COPD was analysed.

Influence of diaphragmatic mobility on hypercapnia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A reduction in diaphragm mobility has been identified in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with a decline in pulmonary function parameters. However, little information exists regarding the potential role of diaphragm mobility on hypercapnia in COPD. A new method of assessing the mobility of the diaphragm, using ultrasound, has recently been validated.

Disease-free survival of patients after surgical resection of non-small cell lung carcinoma and correlation with excision repair cross-complementation group 1 expression and genotype.

Background And Objective: Expression of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) is recognized as a favourable prognostic marker in patients who have undergone surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection, ERCC1 correlated with poor prognosis. Class III beta tubulin (TUBB3) is also known to be a predictive marker of the efficacy of treatment with taxanes or vinorelbine.

Can pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis be cured by only the 1st set of chemotherapy? Treatment outcome and clinical features of recently developed pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis.

Purpose: Most patients with pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis can be cured by the initial single set of Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment. However, several cases have been reported to have unsatisfactory responses to the initial PZQ treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical findings of patients with pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis who needed additional PZQ treatment after the 1st set chemotherapy.

Apoptosis of T lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and progressive destruction of lung parenchyma. Apoptosis is critical for the maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis and is in equilibrium with proliferation and differentiation. This study was undertaken to investigate relationship between apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes during exacerbation of COPD and inflammatory response that characterizes this condition.

Plasma proGRP concentration is sensitive and specific for discriminating small cell lung cancer from nonmalignant conditions or non-small cell lung cancer.

To date, most clinical data on pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP) have been based on serum concentrations. This study evaluated the agreement between proGRP levels in fresh serum and plasma in patients with various lung diseases. Pairs of serum and EDTA plasma were collected from 49 healthy individuals.

The impact of the 2007 ATS/IDSA diagnostic criteria for nontuberculous mycobacterial disease on the diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Background: In 2007, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) published new diagnostic guidelines for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease. Bacteriological criteria have become simpler compared to the 1997 ATS diagnostic criteria.

Objective: For assessing the impact of the 2007 ATS/IDSA diagnostic criteria, we compared the diagnosis rate and time to diagnosis of NTM lung disease using the 1997 and 2007 ATS guidelines.