Nefopam as a multimodal analgesia in thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure. However, some patients still experience severe pain after VATS. Pain after VATS can disturb deep breathing and coughing, and can increase postoperative pulmonary complications.

Endobronchial valves for emphysema and persistent air-leak: 10-year experience in an Asian country.

Background: Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy, a validated method for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) in severe emphysema, has been explored for persistent air-leak (PAL) management. However, its effectiveness and safety in the Asian population require further real-world evaluation. In this study, we assessed the outcomes of treatment with EBV within this demographic.

Trends and an Online Survey on the Use of Rigid Bronchoscopy in Korea.

Background: Although almost all interventional pulmonologists agree that rigid bronchoscopy is irreplaceable in the field of interventional pulmonology, less is known about the types of diseases that the procedure is used for and what difficulties the operators face during the procedure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what diseases rigid bronchoscopy is used for, whether it is widely used, and what challenges the operators face in Korea.

Methods: We enrolled 14 hospitals in this retrospective cohort of patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy between 2003 and 2020.

Effects of nefopam with fentanyl in intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after arthroscopic orthopedic surgery: a prospective double-blind randomized trial.

Background/aim: We performed this prospective randomized double-blind study to compare the effects of nefopam versus ketorolac in intravenous fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after shoulder arthroscopic orthopedic surgery. Materials and methods: Ninety-two patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive intravenous PCA. Patients were assigned to either the nefopam group (nefopam 120 mg and fentanyl 20 µg/kg) or the ketorolac group (ketorolac 2 mg/kg and fentanyl 20 µg/kg).

Prevalence of Respiratory Viral Infections in Korean Adult Asthmatics With Acute Exacerbations: Comparison With Those With Stable State.

Purpose: Viral infections are involved in ~50% of exacerbations among Caucasian adult asthmatics. However, there have been few reports on the causative virus of exacerbations in Korean adult asthmatics. Thus, we compared frequencies and types of viruses between lower respiratory tract illnesses (LRTIs) with exacerbations (exacerbated LRTIs) and those without exacerbations (stable LRTIs) to evaluate contribution of respiratory viruses to exacerbations.

Upregulation of interleukin-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin levels in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Innate T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses mediated by interleukin (IL)-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and IL-25 have been shown to play an important role in pulmonary fibrosis of animal models; however, their clinical implications remain poorly understood.

Methods: TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33 concentrations were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids obtained from normal controls (NCs; n = 40) and from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF; n = 100), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; n = 22), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP; n = 20), and sarcoidosis (n = 19).

Results: The TSLP and IL-33 levels were significantly higher in patients with IPF relative to the NCs (p = 0.

Microorganisms Causing Community-Acquired Acute Bronchitis: The Role of Bacterial Infection.

Background: Although acute bronchitis is quite common, there is relatively limited information regarding the microorganisms that are involved in this illness.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of acute bronchitis at 31 hospitals and clinics in Korea from July 2011 to June 2012. Sputum specimens were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture of microorganisms.

The role of F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of bone marrow on PET/CT in predicting clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship between bone marrow (BM) FDG uptake on PET/CT and serum inflammatory markers and to evaluate the prognostic value of BM FDG uptake for predicting clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods: One hundred and six NSCLC patients who underwent FDG PET/CT for staging work-up and received chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Mean BM FDG uptake (BM SUV) and BM-to-liver uptake ratio (BLR) were measured, along with volumetric parameters of PET/CT.

Association study of polymorphisms in interferon-γ receptor genes with the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium, which most commonly affects the lungs. The adaptive immune response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is predominantly mediated by the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) signaling pathway, which is regulated by IFN-γ receptors (IFNGR). IFN-γ activates the transcription of a number of genes that are important in immune responses, thus the appropriate function of IFNGR appears to be important in host defense against mycobacteria.

Invasive pulmonary mucormycosis with concomitant lung cancer presented with massive hemoptysis by huge pseudoaneurysm of pulmonary artery.

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic invasive fungal infection involving the pulmonary vasculature in immunocompromised patients. Pseudoaneurysm of pulmonary artery in mucormycosis is a rare fatal complication after invasion and rupture of a pulmonary artery. We report a patient with diabetes mellitus and incidental lung cancer who developed massive hemoptysis because of a huge pseudoaneurysm of the left pulmonary artery by mucormycosis.

Epidemiological aspects of pertussis among adults and adolescents in a Korean outpatient setting: a multicenter, PCR-based study.

Epidemiological data of Bordetella pertussis infection among adolescents and adults are limited in Korea. Patients (≥ 11 yr of age) with a bothersome cough for less than 30 days were enrolled during a 1-yr period at 22 hospitals in Korea. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for bacteriologic culture.

Association analysis of melanocortin 3 receptor polymorphisms with the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Purpose: Melanocortin 3 Receptor (MC3R) is one of the families of seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, and a recent study showed that MCR3 promoter polymorphism was significantly associated with the susceptibility of tuberculosis (TB) in South African population.

Methods: We analyzed six MC3R polymorphisms to examine the genetic effects on the risk of pulmonary TB in Korean subjects by using TaqMan assays and case-control analyses.

Results: Using statistical analyses, one common promoter polymorphism (MC3R rs11575886 T > C) was found to be associated with an increased risk of pulmonary TB.

Risk factors influencing rebleeding after bronchial artery embolization on the management of hemoptysis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) frequently develops in Korea where the prevalence of TB is intermediate. The effect of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) on the control of massive hemoptysis has been well known. This study is designed to identify the risk factors contributing to rebleeding after BAE in patients with TB.

A Multicenter Study of Pertussis Infection in Adults with Coughing in Korea: PCR-Based Study.

Background: Limited data on the incidence and clinical characteristics of adult pertussis infections are available in Korea.

Methods: Thirty-one hospitals and the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of pertussis infections among adults with a bothersome cough in non-outbreak, ordinary outpatient settings. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture tests.

The effect of post-treatment N-acetylcysteine in LPS-induced acute lung injury of rats.

Background: Oxidation plays an important role in acute lung injury. This study was conducted in order to elucidate the effect of repetitive post-treatment of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) of rats.

Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups.

Remarkable Effect of Gefitinib Retreatment in a Lung Cancer Patient With Lepidic Predominat Adenocarcinoma who had Experienced Favorable Results From Initial Treatment With Gefitinib: A Case Report.

Gefitnib is an oral agent of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and it has a certain efficacy against non-small cell lung cancer. There are some reports that the non-small cell lung cancer patients who experienced disease progression after responding to gefitinib were again sensitive to re-administration of gefitinib following temporary cessation of gefitinib. This is the case report showing a remarkable effect of gefitinib re-treatment in a patient with metastatic invasive adenocarinoma who had experienced favorable results from the initial treatment with gefitinib.

Catamenial hemoptysis: a nationwide analysis in Korea.

Background: Hemoptysis is a potentially serious clinical problem. However, there is no consensus on the clinical characteristics, treatment and patient outcome of catamenial hemoptysis.

Objective: Clinical characteristics, treatments and outcome in patients of catamenial hemoptysis were evaluated.

Association of serum leptin and adiponectin with obesity in asthmatics.

Background: Mounting evidence implicates obesity as a major risk factor for asthma. Leptin and adiponectin produced by fat tissues play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and allergic inflammation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of leptin and adiponectin on development of asthma.

Obesity in aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant asthmatics.

Background And Objective: Obesity is an important factor in the development of asthma. Aspirin hypersensitivity affects 5-10% of asthmatics. The association between obesity and aspirin hypersensitivity in asthma is unclear.

Clinical implications of the ethane in exhaled breath in patients with acute paraquat intoxication.

Study Objectives: Pulmonary fibrosis due to lipid peroxidation is a major symptom of paraquat intoxication. Ethane in the expired breath (exEth) reflects lipid peroxidation and may be a measure of the damage effected by oxygen radicals in acute lung injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of exEth as a measure of exposure to paraquat and as an indicator of lung damage.