Cardiovascular Events According to Inhaler Therapy and Comorbidities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: 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.

Risk of loss to follow-up among tuberculosis patients in South Korea: whom should we focus on?

Introduction: In South Korea, public-private mix (PPM) has been a key strategy in national tuberculosis (TB) control program. This study aimed to identify rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among TB patients in nationwide PPM institutions and their risk factors.

Methods: A nationwide prospective observational study including drug susceptible TB patients diagnosed from the 1st day to the 10th day of every month between July 2018 and December 2020 in PPM institutions was designed.

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.

Safety and Immunogenicity of the ID93 + GLA-SE Tuberculosis Vaccine in BCG-Vaccinated Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial.

Introduction: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the ID93 + glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA)-stable emulsion (SE) vaccine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative, previously Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated, and QuantiFERON-TB-negative healthy adults in South Korea.

Methods: Adults (n = 107) with no signs or symptoms of tuberculosis were randomly assigned to receive three intramuscular injections of 2 μg ID93 + 5 μg GLA-SE, 10 μg ID93 + 5 μg GLA-SE, or 0.9% normal saline placebo on days 0, 28, and 56.

Increased Healthcare Delays in Tuberculosis Patients During the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused disruptions to healthcare systems, consequently endangering tuberculosis (TB) control. We investigated delays in TB treatment among notified patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

Methods: We systemically collected and analyzed data from the Korea TB cohort database from January to May 2020.

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.

Diagnostic Potential of a PPE Protein Derived from Beijing/K Strain.

Purpose: The prevalence of () and the status of BCG vaccination may affect host immune responses to antigens. Understanding of the predominant local strain and immune signatures induced by its strain-specific antigens may contribute to an improved diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to determine immune responses to antigen which was identified from the hyper-virulent Beijing/K strain in South Korea.

Blood lead levels in relation to smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a study from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Background: Lead exposure is a resurgent environmental issue globally. Smoking can be a source of lead exposure, although the majority of lead poisonings originate from workplace exposures. However, no study has been undertaken concerning the blood lead levels based on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking status, and other risk factors of COPD.

Host immune responses to antigens derived from a predominant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Objectives: Beijing strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) is characterized by a high incidence of transmission, relapse, and drug resistance. This study aimed to determine host immune responses to antigens derived from the Beijing/K strain which has been highly prevalent in tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in South Korea.

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.

The Highest Metabolic Activity on FDG PET Is Associated With Overall Survival in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

We evaluated the prognostic value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) parameters for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC).We retrospectively enrolled 59 LS-SCLC patients who underwent pretreatment FDG PET/CT. Various PET parameters were measured in all malignant lesions, and we recorded the highest maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and sum of metabolic tumor volume (MTVsum) and total lesion glycolysis (TLGsum).

Prediction of occult lymph node metastasis using volume-based PET parameters in small-sized peripheral non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Patients with small-sized peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but without lymph node metastasis, may be optimal candidates for sublobar resection. We aim to identify the predictors of occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in clinically node-negative, small-sized NSCLC.

Methods: One hundred thirty nine patients with small-sized NSCLC (of less than 3 cm in diameter) who underwent surgical resection with mediastinal lymph node dissection were evaluated.

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.

Simple pulmonary eosinophilia found on follow-up computed tomography of oncologic patients.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of simple pulmonary eosinophilia (SPE) and validate CT findings of SPE found on follow-up CT of oncologic patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6977 cases of oncologic patients who underwent chest CT. A total of 66 individuals who met criteria for having SPE were identified.

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.

Inhaled nitric oxide does not reduce mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome regardless of severity: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Treatment with inhaled nitric oxide improves oxygenation but not survival in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, but the effect may depend on the severity of hypoxemia. Our objective was to determine whether nitric oxide reduces hospital mortality in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 100 mm Hg) but not in patients with mild-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (100 < PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 300 mm Hg) at the time of randomization.

Data Sources: Data were collected from Medline, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL electronic databases (inception to May 2013); proceedings from five conferences (to May 2013); and trial registries (http://www.

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.

The features of radiation induced lung fibrosis related with dosimetric parameters.

Background And Purpose: Radiation induced lung fibrosis (RILF) is a major complication after lung irradiation and is very important for long term quality of life and could result in fatal respiratory insufficiency. However, there has been little information on dosimetric parameters for radiotherapy planning in the aspect of RILF. The features of RILF related with dosimetric parameters were evaluated.