Publications by authors named "Joo H Park"
Connective tissue disease (CTD) comprising a various range of autoimmune disorders is often accompanied by lung involvement, which can lead to life-threatening complications. The main types of CTDs that can present as interstitial lung disease (ILD) include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, and systemic lupus erythematosus. CTD-ILD poses a significant challenge in clinical diagnosis and management due to its heterogeneous nature and variable prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Ca2+ signaling in fibroblasts would be one of the important mediators of lung fibrosis. This study investigated the relationship between calcium channel blocker usage and the risk of developing interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Material And Methods: This cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Screening Cohort spanned from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015.
Article Synopsis
- * This study reveals a connection between cellular senescence and increased infectivity of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in endothelial cells, identifying caveolin-1 and CD109 as key factors that enhance KSHV infection.
- * Using CRISPR technology, researchers found that knocking out these factors reduces KSHV's ability to infect cells, while CD109 actively interacts with the virus and can inhibit its entry, highlighting the role of aging in viral infections.
Background: Despite recent advances and global improvements in sepsis recognition and supportive care, mortality rates remain high, and adherence to sepsis bundle components in Korea is low. To address this, the Korean Sepsis Alliance, affiliated with the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, developed the first sepsis treatment guidelines for Korea based on a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: A de novo method was used to develop the guidelines.
Objective: Due to the application of multiple treatment modalities, a substantial proportion of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience one or more emergency room (ER) visits or unplanned hospitalizations during or after treatment. We investigated HNC cases that visited ERs after cancer treatment to identify potential risk factors in the context of the Korean healthcare system.
Methods: This was a single-center cohort study of HNC patients who underwent cancer treatments at OOOO in 2019 (N = 566).
Article Synopsis
- - Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) of the lung has unique features such as multicentric lesions and low distant metastasis but a poor prognosis, with median survival under a year.
- - While treatment options are limited, lung transplantation in selected IMA patients has shown improved survival, but with high rates of recurrence often linked to the primary tumor.
- - A notable case of bilateral lung transplantation using cardiopulmonary bypass for stage ⅣA lung-limited IMA achieved 15 months of stable health without disease recurrence or organ rejection, and IMA's characteristics and outcomes are discussed in relation to prior classifications and other lung transplantation cases.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates pulmonary fibrosis-like changes in critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia during two different variant periods: delta and pre-delta.
- Clinical data and chest CT images were analyzed from a total of 184 patients across two time periods, revealing that those infected during the delta variant period displayed more severe fibrosis-like changes.
- The findings indicate that patients during the delta period had a higher frequency of significant fibrotic changes compared to the pre-delta group, suggesting the delta variant may be associated with worse pulmonary outcomes.
Clinical Characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease according to Smoking Status.
Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul)
January 2025
Article Synopsis
- - COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can result from factors like infections, asthma, air pollution, and genetics, with smoking being the main risk factor.
- - Non-smokers with COPD show different characteristics, such as a normal rate of FEV1 decline, fewer comorbidities, milder airflow issues, and unique radiological features, but still face significant acute exacerbations.
- - COPD increases the risk of lung cancer regardless of smoking history, and managing other related health problems is crucial for effective treatment of COPD.
Investigation of cell-to-cell transfer of polystyrene microplastics through extracellular vesicle-mediated communication.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Plastics are increasingly prevalent in our lives, breaking down into microplastics (MPs) that spread in the environment, exposing all living organisms to their effects.* -
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny particles released by cells that aid in communication and can transport proteins and other materials between cells.* -
- This study found that polystyrene microplastics can be transferred between cells through EVs, suggesting they may contribute to adverse health effects, and highlights the need for further research in this area.*
Compositionally Graded MoSTe/MoS van der Waals Heterostructures for Ultrathin Photovoltaic Applications.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
September 2024
van der Waals heterojunctions utilizing two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials have emerged as focal points in the field of optoelectronic devices, encompassing applications in light-emitting devices, photodetectors, solar cells, and beyond. In this study, we transferred few-atomic-layer films of compositionally graded ternary MoSTe alloys onto metal-organic chemical vapor deposition-grown molybdenum disulfide (MoS) as p- and n-type structures, leading to the creation of a van der Waals vertical heterostructure. The characteristics of the fabricated MoSTe/MoS vertical-stacked heterojunction were investigated considering the influence of tellurium (Te) incorporation.
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- - The study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Fybro, a generic antifibrotic medication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), with a focus on its real-world performance over 6-12 months.
- - Out of 359 patients enrolled, a large majority (71.9%) experienced adverse events, with decreased appetite being the most common issue; however, lung function decline rates did not vary significantly across different dosages of Fybro.
- - The findings suggest that using higher-dose Fybro tablets can enhance patient adherence to medication regimens, proposing that fewer pills daily may lead to better treatment compliance.
Article Synopsis
- Nasal irrigation is important after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for those with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and a study evaluated the use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) vs. saline for this purpose.
- In a trial with 49 patients, those using NAC showed better outcomes in terms of postnasal drip, smell dysfunction, and crust issues two weeks post-surgery, although these results were not statistically significant over time.
- Overall, NAC was well tolerated with no reported side effects and indicated some benefits compared to saline irrigation in the immediate recovery phase after ESS for CRS without nasal polyps.*
Characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with superoptimal peak inspiratory flow rates (PIFR) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to compare the characteristics between COPD patients with superoptimal PIFR and those with optimal and sub-optimal PIFR. PIFR was measured using In-Check DIAL G16 and categorized into sub-optimal (PIFR lower than that required by the patient's device), optimal, and superoptimal (peak PIFR ≥ 90 L/min).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study determined whether compared to conventional mechanical ventilation (MV), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with decreased hospital mortality or fibrotic changes in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. A cohort of 72 patients treated with ECMO and 390 with conventional MV were analyzed (February 2020-December 2021). A target trial was emulated comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs no ECMO within 7 days of MV in patients with a PaO/FiO < 80 or a PaCO ≥ 60 mmHg.
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- COPD is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, but the impact of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on this risk is unclear, prompting a study to investigate the relationship between inhaler prescriptions and comorbidities in COPD patients.
- A retrospective analysis of over 63,000 COPD patients found no significant difference in lung cancer development among those using different types of inhalers; rather, factors like diffuse interstitial lung disease, comorbidity scores, and hospitalization rates were more impactful.
- The study concluded that lung cancer risk in COPD patients is more strongly influenced by existing health issues and hospitalization frequency than the type of inhaler prescribed.
Article Synopsis
- Mild head of bed elevation (HBE) has proven effective in reducing obstructive sleep apnea, but this study examines its practicality using an adjustable bed in everyday settings.
- The pilot randomized trial included 32 participants split into two groups—one sleeping flat and the other on a mildly elevated bed—to assess any adverse effects and changes in sleep quality using polysomnography (PSG).
- Results indicated no significant differences in adverse events or overall sleep satisfaction between groups, but notable improvements were found in respiratory distress and apnea-hypopnea indices for those using mild HBE.
Prevalence and risk factors of postoperative laryngeal edema in patients undergoing neck dissection.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
August 2024
Article Synopsis
- Postoperative laryngeal edema (PLE) is a frequent complication after neck dissection surgery, affecting nearly 30% of patients with symptoms like pain and difficulty swallowing.
- A study analyzed 343 patients to identify risk factors, revealing that higher body mass index and specific tumor locations significantly increased the likelihood of developing PLE.
- Early recognition and treatment can enhance recovery and patient outcomes for those at risk of PLE following surgery.
Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may be associated with hyperprogressive disease (HPD). However, there is currently no standardized definition of HPD, with its risk factors and clinical implications remaining unclear. We investigated HPD in lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy, aiming to redefine HPD, identify risk factors, and assess its impact on survival.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A suboptimal peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) in dry-powder inhaler (DPI) users can lead to insufficient therapeutic effects in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few data on the prevalence of and factors associated with suboptimal PIFR in Korean patients with COPD are available.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with COPD who had been using DPIs for more than three months.
Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for detection of minimal residual disease (MRD), monitoring treatment response, and early detection of recurrence in cancer patients. In this study, we explored the utility of ctDNA-based MRD detection to predict recurrence in a real-world cohort of primarily early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with curative intent.
Methods: Longitudinal plasma samples were collected post curative-intent treatment from 36 patients with stage I-IV NSCLC.
Objectives: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic functional vestibular disorder for which the Bárány Society has established diagnostic criteria. This nationwide multicenter study aims to investigate the clinical features of individuals with definite PPPD and clinical variant PPPD who do not fully meet the diagnostic criteria, with a particular focus on visual exaggeration.
Methods: Between September 2020 and September 2021, a total of 76 individuals with definite PPPD and 109 individuals with clinical variant PPPD who did not meet all three exacerbating factors outlined in Criterion B were recruited from 18 medical centers in South Korea.
Treating advanced thyroid cancer presents challenges due to its resistance to various treatment modalities, thereby limiting therapeutic options. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the efficacy of temsirolimus in conjunction with dual immunotherapy of nivolumab/ipilimumab to treat heavily treated advanced PDTC. A 50-year-old female initially presented with a rapidly enlarging mass on her right neck.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: COPD coexists with many concurrent comorbidities. Cardiovascular complications are deemed to be major causes of death in COPD. Although inhaler therapy is the main therapeutic intervention in COPD, cardiovascular events accompanying inhaler therapy require further investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Exercise capacity is associated with lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, but a discrepancy between exercise capacity and airflow limitation exists. This study aimed to explore factors contributing to this discrepancy in COPD patients.
Methods: Data for this prospective study were obtained from the Korean COPD Subgroup Study.
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a common extra-articular clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that has negative impacts on morbidity and mortality. In addition, there has been no proven treatment for RA-ILD to date. Thus, we planned a meta-analysis of a literature search to confirm the clinical effects of antifibrotic agents in RA-ILD patients.
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