Development of a Machine Learning Model for Predicting Weaning Outcomes Based Solely on Continuous Ventilator Parameters during Spontaneous Breathing Trials.

Discontinuing mechanical ventilation remains challenging. We developed a machine learning model to predict weaning outcomes using only continuous monitoring parameters obtained from ventilators during spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs). Patients who received mechanical ventilation in the medical intensive care unit at a tertiary university hospital from 2019-2021 were included in this study.

Enhancing the interferon-γ release assay through omission of nil and mitogen values.

Purpose: To address the limited utility of the interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA) caused by its variability and inconsistency.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on data obtained between 2011 and 2019. QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube was used to measure IFN-γ levels in nil, tuberculosis (TB) antigen, and mitogen tubes.

The Profile of Early Sedation Depth and Clinical Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Korea.

Background: Current international guidelines recommend against deep sedation as it is associated with worse outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in Korea the prevalence of deep sedation and its impact on patients in the ICU are not well known.

Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional cohort study was performed in 20 Korean ICUs.

Interferon-γ-Inducible Chemokines as Prognostic Markers for Lung Cancer.

Interferon (IFN)-γ-inducible chemokines in the CXCR3/ligand axis are involved in cell-mediated immunity and play a significant role in the progression of cancer. We enrolled patients with lung cancer ( = 144) and healthy volunteers as the controls ( = 140). Initial blood samples were collected and concentrations of IFN-γ and IFN-γ-inducible chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

TB Antigen-Stimulated CXCR3 Ligand Assay for Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.

The diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis (TB-LAP) is challenging. We evaluated the role of blood CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) ligands in its diagnosis. A total of 65 lymphadenopathy patients were enrolled and lymph node sampling was performed.

Effects of a Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and on Patients with Chronic Bronchitis and Bronchiectasis.

Background: Hederacoside C from ivy leaf dry extracts (HH) and berberine from dry extracts (CR) can be combined (HHCR) as a herbal product. Previous studies have demonstrated that HHCR has antitussive and expectorant effects in animal models of respiratory disease. However, the therapeutic effects of HHCR on respiratory diseases in humans have not been well-studied.

Blood eosinophil count as a prognostic biomarker in COPD.

Background: High blood eosinophil count is a predictive biomarker for response to inhaled corticosteroids in prevention of acute exacerbation of COPD, and low blood eosinophil count is associated with pneumonia risk in COPD patients taking inhaled corticosteroids. However, the prognostic role of blood eosinophil count remains underexplored. Therefore, we investigated the associated factors and mortality based on blood eosinophil count in COPD.

Erratum to: An updated review of case-control studies of lung cancer and indoor radon-Is indoor radon the risk factor for lung cancer?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40557-016-0094-3.].

The Usefulness of Serum CXCR3 Ligands for Evaluating the Early Treatment Response in Tuberculosis: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in the pathobiology of tuberculosis (TB). The ligands for CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) activate the T-helper type 1 lymphocyte pathway. The CXCR3 ligands are reportedly useful clinical markers for the diagnosis and follow-up of TB.

An updated review of case-control studies of lung cancer and indoor radon-Is indoor radon the risk factor for lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Smoking is definitely the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Radon ((222)Rn) is a natural gas produced from radium ((226)Ra) in the decay series of uranium ((238)U).

The Prognostic Value of Residual Volume/Total Lung Capacity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The prognostic role of resting pulmonary hyperinflation as measured by residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors related to resting pulmonary hyperinflation in COPD and to determine whether resting pulmonary hyperinflation is a prognostic factor in COPD. In total, 353 patients with COPD in the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort recruited from 16 hospitals were enrolled.

Independent risk factors for mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who undergo comprehensive cardiac evaluations.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on the prognosis of COPD is not well known.

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of cardiovascular comorbidities on the prognosis of COPD.

A TB antigen-stimulated CXCR3 ligand assay for the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB.

Background: The ligands for CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) recruit T-helper type 1 cells, which play a major role in cell-mediated immunity in TB.

Methods: A total of 409 subjects were enrolled. The study population comprised 186 patients with active TB, 58 patients with non-TB pulmonary diseases, 50 control subjects with a positive interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA) result, and 115 control subjects with a negative IGRA result.

The significance of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 in pleural effusion.

Background: Apoptosis plays a role in the development of pleural effusion. Caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18, a marker for epithelial cell apoptosis, was evaluated in pleural effusion.

Methods: A total of 79 patients with pleural effusion were enrolled.

Consideration of additional factors in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score.

Purpose: The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, originally developed to assess organ failure status, is widely used as a prognostic indicator in intensive care unit patients. Additional prognostic factors, such as age and comorbidities, may complement the predictive performance of the SOFA.

Methods: In total, 1049 consecutive patients were enrolled prospectively.

The significance of sedation control in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Background: Adequate assessment and control of sedation play crucial roles in the proper performance of mechanical ventilation.

Methods: A total of 30 patients with various pulmonary diseases were prospectively enrolled. The study population was randomized into two groups.

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 dependent overexpression of sulfiredoxin and peroxiredoxin III in human lung cancer.

Background/aims: Oxidative stress results in protein oxidation and is implicated in carcinogenesis. Sulfiredoxin (Srx) is responsible for the enzymatic reversal of inactivated peroxiredoxin (Prx). Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) binds to antioxidant responsive elements and upregulates the expression of Srx and Prx during oxidative stress.

Sepsis with multiple abscesses after massive autologous fat grafting for augmentation mammoplasty: a case report.

Background: Autologous fat grafting to the breast for breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation has gained much attention recently. However, its efficacy and the severities of its associated complications are of concern. The authors experienced one case of multiple breast abscesses after augmentation mammoplasty by autologous fat grafting.

Emphysema as a risk factor for the outcome of surgical resection of lung cancer.

It is unclear whether emphysema, regardless of airflow limitation, is a predictive factor associated with survival after lung cancer resection. Therefore, we investigated whether emphysema was a risk factor associated with the outcome after resection for lung cancer. This study enrolled 237 patients with non small cell lung cancer with stage I or II who had surgical removal.

Epithelial apoptosis as a clinical marker in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Backgrounds: Epithelial cell apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP).

Methods: Serum levels of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (M30) were measured in 55 patients with IIP and 34 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The IIP cases included usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP; n = 30), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; n = 15), and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP; n = 10).

Acute hemodynamic effects of recruitment maneuvers in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: The recruitment maneuver (RM) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can cause hemodynamic derangement. We evaluated circulatory and cardiac changes during RMs.

Methods: We performed sustained inflation (SI) with a pressure of 40 cm H(2)O for 30 seconds as an RM on 22 patients with ARDS.

Serum angiopoietin-1 as a prognostic marker in resected early stage lung cancer.

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical significance of angiopoietins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with resected early stage lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: The study enrolled 101 patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of stage I or II, along with 70 healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and VEGF were measured with an ELISA.

Evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from ARDS patients with regard to apoptosis.

Background: Apoptosis is thought to play an important role in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We evaluated the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from ARDS patients focusing on apoptosis.

Methods: The study enrolled 31 ARDS patients and 20 healthy controls.

Serum angiopoietin-2 as a clinical marker for lung cancer.

Background: Angiopoietins play a critical role in the angiogenesis related to tumor growth in concert with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and enhanced expression of angiopoietin-2 has been reported in lung cancer tissue.

Methods: Patients with lung cancer (n = 136) and healthy volunteers (n = 40) were enrolled. Serum angiopoietin-2 and VEGF concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Expression of peroxiredoxin and thioredoxin in human lung cancer and paired normal lung.

Background: Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) have been implicated in regulating many cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the pathophysiological significance of Prx proteins, especially in lung disease, has not been defined. Therefore, the authors investigated the distribution and expression of various Prx isoforms in lung cancer and compared this with normal lung from human and mouse.