Utility of arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide gradient as a severity index in critical care.

Background: The arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide gradient (P [a-Et] CO) reveals the ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) status of critically ill patients. V/Q mismatch has several causes and affects the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. We investigated the relationship between P (a-Et) CO and the clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Health-related quality of life of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who were classified as having "good outcomes".

Background: This study aimed to understand the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) classified as having "good outcomes" and determine associated sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors.

Methods: Participants were 86 patients with aSAH with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0-2 in our hospital between February 2003 and April 2014. Participants completed self-report questionnaires examining sociodemographic characteristics and the following self-rating scales: the hospital anxiety and depression scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and EuroQoL-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D).

Application and utility of boosting machine learning model based on laboratory test in the differential diagnosis of non-COVID-19 pneumonia and COVID-19.

Background: Non-Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and COVID-19 have similar clinical features but last for different periods, and consequently, require different treatment protocols. Therefore, they must be differentially diagnosed. This study uses artificial intelligence (AI) to classify the two forms of pneumonia using mainly laboratory test data.

Excellence of the closed intensive care unit system in critically ill surgical patients.

Background: Despite reports that the closed intensive care unit (ICU) system improves clinical outcomes, it has not been widely applied for various reasons. This study aimed to propose a better ICU system for critically ill patients by comparing the experience of open surgical ICU (OSICU) and closed surgical ICU (CSICU) systems in the same institution.

Methods And Findings: Our institution converted the ICU system from "open" to "closed" in February 2020, and enrolled patients were classified into the OSICU and CSICU groups at that time from March 2019 to February 2022.

Efficacy of a rehabilitation program using minor muscles in colorectal cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: preliminary study.

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the common reasons that colorectal cancer patients cannot maintain their routine chemotherapy schedules. Some medications are used for pain relief; however, the effect of medication is disappointing. We carried out this study to confirm that a rehabilitation program using minor muscles might provide a valuable aid in symptom relief of CIPN.

Validation of presepsin measurement for mortality prediction of sepsis: a preliminary study.

Background: Sepsis and septic shock remain the leading causes of death in critically ill patients worldwide. Various biomarkers are available to determine the prognosis and therapeutic effects of sepsis. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of presepsin as a sepsis biomarker.

Optimal duration of the apnea test for determining brain death: Benefit of the short-term apnea test.

Background: The criteria for brain death determination have not been unified globally, and there is no global consensus on the apnea test, which is essential for determining brain death. Since the apnea test is associated with many complications, we aimed to determine an optimal duration of the apnea test.

Methods: We analyzed the results of the apnea test performed for brain death determination between August 2013 and February 2021 at a single institution in South Korea.

The Role of Glutathione Reductase in Influenza Infection.

Influenza infection induces lung epithelial cell injury via programmed cell death. Glutathione, a potent antioxidant, has been reported to be associated with influenza infection. We hypothesized that lung epithelial cell death during influenza infection is regulated by glutathione metabolism.

The Future Direction of the Organ Donation System After Legislation of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act.

BACKGROUND The transplant community is seeking ways to encourage organ donation after cardiac arrest to solve the problem of the insufficiency of organs available for the increasing number of people awaiting transplantation. This study aimed to determine whether the life-sustaining treatment (LST) decision system, implemented in Korea on February 4, 2018, can address the shortage of organ donations. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the 442 patients who had filled out forms for the LST decision at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from April 2018 to December 2019, and classified the eligibility of organ and tissue donation according to the Korean Organ Donation Agency criteria.

A Comparative Analysis of the Respiratory Subscore of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Scoring System.

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) tool is a commonly used measure of illness severity. Calculation of the respiratory subscore of SOFA is frequently limited by missing arterial oxygen pressure (Pa) data. Although missing Pa data are commonly replaced with normal values, the performance of different methods of substituting Pa for SOFA calculation is unclear.

Decreased IDO1-dependent tryptophan metabolism in aged lung during influenza.

Influenza epidemics remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the current study, we investigated the impact of chronological ageing on tryptophan metabolism in response to influenza infection.Examination of metabolites present in plasma collected from critically ill patients identified tryptophan metabolism as an important metabolic pathway utilised specifically in response to influenza.

Decision-making regarding withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and the role of intensivists in the intensive care unit: a single-center study.

Background: This study examined the experience of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in patients hospitalized in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary care center. It also considers the role that intensivists play in the decision-making process regarding the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 227 patients who decided to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment while hospitalized at Ewha Womans University Medical Center Mokdong between April 9 and December 31, 2018.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Steamed and Freeze-Dried Mature Silkworm Larval Powder against Ethanol-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Rats.

Silkworm, , contains high amounts of beneficial nutrients, including amino acids, proteins, essential minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. We have previously reported a technique for producing steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP), which makes it easier to digest mature silkworm. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of SMSP on alcoholic fatty liver disease and elucidated its mechanism of action.

GLUT1-dependent glycolysis regulates exacerbation of fibrosis via AIM2 inflammasome activation.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rapidly progressive, fatal lung disease that affects older adults. One of the detrimental natural histories of IPF is acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF), of which bacterial infection is reported to play an important role. However, the mechanism by which bacterial infection modulates the fibrotic response remains unclear.

Proposed safe apnea test using positive end-expiratory pressure valve and short-term blood gas analysis: Observational study.

The apnea test is an essential examination for the determination of brain death; however, hypotension, hypoxemia, and other complications during the apnea test can affect the stability of brain-dead patients, as well as organ function for recipients. Therefore, it is necessary to establish standard guidelines for apnea testing.The modified apnea test (MAT) comprises delivery of 100% oxygen through the endotracheal tube connected to manual resuscitator (Ambu bag) with the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve after disconnection of the mechanical ventilator for maintenance of PEEP.

A Single-Center Experience with an Intensivist-Led Brain-Dead Donor Management Program.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to report our experience of brain-dead donor management by a dedicated intensivist who had wide experience in treatment of hemodynamically unstable patient and to suggest a role for intensivists in organ donation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The management of brain-dead donors was performed by experienced intensivists. The hospital medical records and data from the Korean Network of Organ Sharing from August 2013 to December 2016 were reviewed retrospectively.

Epidermal growth factor-mediated Rab25 pathway regulates integrin β1 trafficking in colon cancer.

Background: Integrins play a critical role in carcinogenesis. Integrin β1 localization is regulated by the guanosine-5'-triphosphate hydrolase Rab25 and integrin β1 levels are elevated in the serum of colon cancer patients; thus, the present study examined the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Rab25 on integrin β1 localization in colon cancer cells.

Methods: HCT116 human colon cancer cells were treated with increasing concentrations of EGF, and cell proliferation and protein expression were monitored by MTT and western blot analyses, respectively.

Preventive effect of anti-VacA egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) on Helicobacter pylori-infected mice.

Background: Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium, is the causative agent of gastric disorders and gastric cancer in the human stomach. Vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) is among the multi-effect protein toxins released by H. pylori that enables its persistence in the human stomach.

Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes for patients with Fournier's gangrene: a retrospective study.

Fournier's gangrene is a gas-forming, necrotising soft tissue infection affecting the perineum. It spreads rapidly along the deep fascial planes and is associated with a high mortality rate. With a growing elderly population with comorbidities, the frequency of severe cases of Fournier's gangrene is expected to increase.