Clinically significant hemoptysis and all-cause mortality in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Background: Hemoptysis is one of the major symptoms in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, its prevalence, incidence, and impact on long-term prognosis remain uncertain. We evaluated the incidence of clinically significant hemoptysis, and determined its association with mortality in patients with NTM-PD.

Fecal and Sputum Microbiota and Treatment Response in Patients with Mycobacterium abscessus Pulmonary Disease.

Background: The microbiota is a potential source of biomarkers for clinical outcomes in chronic respiratory conditions, but its role in Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease (PD) remains unexplored. We aimed to identify microbial signatures in fecal and sputum microbiotas associated with treatment response in patients with M. abscessus PD.

Relationship between clarithromycin MICs and treatment responses in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease.

Background: Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) is a chronic lung condition with rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide. Macrolides like azithromycin and clarithromycin are the backbone of long-term antibiotic therapy for progressive MAC-PD. The impact of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), especially within the susceptible range, for macrolides on treatment responses remains unclear.

Unveiling the chasm of economic burden from metastatic prostate cancer through a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To analyze the clinical and economic consequences of the progression to castration-resistant status for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in South Korea.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using National Health Insurance claims data from 2013 to 2021. Patients defined as newly diagnosed with mHSPC had an index date of first claim for metastatic PC between 2015 and 2016 and no exposure to CRPC medicines during the washout period.

Clinicopathological analysis of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis.

Background: The aim of this study is to examine the clinical and pathological attributes of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinicopathologic characteristics of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in 14 patients. The medical records and imaging data obtained between March 2004 and February 2023 were scrutinized.

Change of erythrocyte sedimentation rate as prognostic biomarker for complex pulmonary disease through anti-mycobacterial treatment.

Background: It remains unclear whether erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) accurately predicts prognosis during treatment and how ESR changes.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the predictive values of ESR as a prognostic factor of complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) while on anti-mycobacterial treatment and its changes according to the treatment responses.

Design: This study is a retrospective cohort study.

Influence of rainfall on size-resolved bioaerosols around a livestock farm.

Bioaerosols, capable of transporting microorganisms, can impact human health and agriculture by spreading to nearby communities. Their transmissions are influenced by various factors, including weather conditions and human activities. However, the scarcity of detailed, taxon-specific data on bioaerosols' sizes limits our ability to assess risks associated with bioaerosols' generation and spread.

Low-Cost Indoor Sensor Deployment for Predicting PM Exposure.

Indoor air quality is critical to human health, as individuals spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. However, indoor particulate matter (PM) sensor networks are not deployed as often as outdoor sensor networks. In this study, indoor PM exposure is investigated via 2 low-cost sensor networks in Pittsburgh.

Immunologic features of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease based on spatially resolved whole transcriptomics.

Background: The immunologic features of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) are largely unclear. This study investigated the immunologic features of NTM-PD using digital spatial profiling techniques.

Methods: Lung tissues obtained from six patients with NTM-PD between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2020, at Seoul National University Hospital were subjected to RNA sequencing.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of COMT-inhibitors as Adjuvant Treatments to Levodopa in Patients with Advanced Parkinson's Disease.

Purpose: We aimed to elicit scientific evidence on the cost-effectiveness of two catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors (COMT-i) versus no COMT-i in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.

Methods: A mixed model of the decision tree and a Markov model with three health states by OFF-time level (<25%, ≥25%, and death) was constructed to compare opicapone (OPC), entacapone (ENT), and no COMT-i over a lifetime. A hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients was created and simulated based on the characteristics of the BIPARK trial subjects.

Air quality and kidney health: Assessing the effects of PM, PM, CO, and NO on renal function in primary glomerulonephritis.

Background: While extensive studies have elucidated the relationships between exposure to air pollution and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and diabetes, the intricate effects on specific kidney diseases, notably primary glomerulonephritis (GN)-an immune-mediated kidney ailment-are less well understood. Considering the escalating incidence of GN and conspicuous lack of investigative focus on its association with air quality, investigation is dedicated to examining the long-term effects of air pollutants on renal function in individuals diagnosed with primary GN.

Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 1394 primary GN patients who were diagnosed at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital.

QMAC-DST for Rapid Detection of Drug Resistance in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A Multicenter Pre-Post Comparative Study.

This study explores the impact of QMAC-DST, a rapid, fully automated phenotypic drug susceptibility test (pDST), on the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) patients. This pre-post comparative study, respectively, included pulmonary TB patients who began TB treatment between 1 December 2020 and 31 October 2021 (pre-period; pDST using the Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) DST (M-kit DST)) and between 1 November 2021 and 30 September 2022 (post-period; pDST using the QMAC-DST) in five university-affiliated tertiary care hospitals in South Korea. We compared the turnaround times (TATs) of pDSTs and the time to appropriate treatment for patients whose anti-TB drugs were changed based on these tests between the groups.

Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life Following Antibiotic Treatment in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Initial Analysis of the NTM-KOREA Cohort.

Background: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has emerged as a priority in the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We aimed to evaluate HRQOL and its changes after 6 months' treatment in patients with NTM-PD.

Methods: The NTM-KOREA is a nationwide prospective cohort enrolling patients initiating treatment for NTM-PD in 8 institutions across South Korea.

Rates and Risk Factors of Progression in Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The clinical course of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is varied, and a watchful waiting management strategy is appropriate for a subset of patients. Understanding disease progression and risk factors for progression is essential for deciding on an appropriate follow-up strategy.

Research Question: What is the rate of NTM-PD progression, and what are the predictors of progression?

Study Design And Methods: Patients with NTM-PD who were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022, were included in this analysis.

Clinical course of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: The impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) has not been well established. In this study, we investigated the clinical course of NTM-PD in patients with RA and the impact of RA on the prognosis of NTM-PD.

Methods: We analyzed patients who developed NTM-PD after being diagnosed with RA from January 2004 to August 2023 at a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea.

Preoperative evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer using [Ga]FAPI-46 PET/CT: a prospective pilot study.

Purpose: Mediastinal nodal staging is crucial for surgical candidate selection in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but conventional imaging has limitations often necessitating invasive staging. We investigated the additive clinical value of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT, an imaging technique targeting fibroblast activation protein, for mediastinal nodal staging of NSCLC.

Methods: In this prospective pilot study, we enrolled patients scheduled for surgical resection of NSCLC based on specific criteria designed to align with indications for invasive staging procedures.

Metabolomic Characteristics of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease.

Background: The therapeutic challenges posed by nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) contribute to an unmet medical need. In this study, we aimed to investigate NTM-PD-specific metabolic pathways using serum metabolomics to understand disease pathogenesis.

Methods: Mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomic profiling of serum from patients with NTM-PD (n = 50), patients with bronchiectasis (n = 50), and healthy controls (n = 60) was performed.

Del-1 Plays a Protective Role against COPD Development by Inhibiting Inflammation and Apoptosis.

Neutrophilic inflammation is a prominent feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1) has been reported to limit excessive neutrophilic inflammation by inhibiting neutrophil adhesion to the vascular endothelial cells. However, the effects of Del-1 in COPD are not known.

Treatment Outcomes of Clofazimine-Containing Regimens in Severe Complex Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Clofazimine is suggested as a promising drug for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease. However, the role of clofazimine in severe complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the treatment outcomes of patients with severe MAC-PD treated with regimens containing clofazimine.

The Impact of Trehalose Dimycolate on the Clinical Course of Complex Pulmonary Disease.

The clinical implications of trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease have not been studied. To examine the presence of TDM in clinical isolates obtained from patients with complex (MAC) pulmonary disease (PD) and its impact on disease severity and treatment outcomes. We analyzed clinical isolates from patients with diagnoses of MAC PD at Seoul National University Hospital between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021.