Specificity of tilt illusion reduction through perceptual learning.

Human perceptual ability can be improved by perceptual learning through repeated exposure or training. Perceptual learning studies have focused on achieving accurate perception of stimuli by improving perceptual sensitivity. However, eliminating illusions can also be one of the ways of accurate perception.

Clinical relevance of false-negative interferon-gamma release assays in patients with tuberculous pleurisy in an intermediate tuberculosis burden country.

Background: There have been few studies to verify factors associated with a false-negative interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) in patients with tuberculous pleurisy. We investigated the clinical relevance of false-negative results of the blood QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay and its risk factors in patients diagnosed with pleural tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: Medical records of 650 pleural TB patients in a tertiary hospital between January 2009 and December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively.

Usefulness of impulse oscillometry for the assessment of bronchodilator response in elderly patients with chronic obstructive airway disease.

Background: Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a noninvasive and convenient technique to measure both airway resistance and reactance. This study aimed to evaluate whether IOS can be used to measure bronchodilator response (BDR) in elderly patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also describe the difference between asthma and COPD.

Methods: Seventy patients (30 and 40 with asthma and COPD, respectively) over 65 years of age were enrolled.

A case of tracheobronchomalacia due to relapsing polychondritis treated with Montgomery T-tube.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare and multi-system autoimmune disease of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous structures. Its clinical manifestations include recurrent chondritis of the ears, nose, pinna, peripheral joints, and laryngotracheobronchial tree and can be life-threatening in advanced cases of laryngotracheal stenosis. Because of the rarity of relapsing polychondritis and lack of understanding of its pathogenesis, there is no standard medical therapy, and treatment is tailored according to disease activity and site of organ involvement.

Lipoid pneumonitis in a patient with an accidental ingestion of kerosene successfully treated with bronchoscopic segmental lavage and systemic steroid: Case report.

Rationale: Standard treatment of lipoid pneumonitis remains unclear. This study reports a case of kerosene pneumonitis successfully treated with systemic steroid and segmental bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).

Patient Concerns: A 30-year-old woman referred to our hospital because of worsening of respiratory symptoms and fever despite antibiotic therapy following accidental ingestion of kerosene.

Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma - Multimodality Imaging.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a rare and fatal disease. PAS can often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary thromboembolism. Moreover, the correct diagnosis is frequently delayed due to nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Antibiotic and synergistic effect of Leu-Lys rich peptide against antibiotic resistant microorganisms isolated from patients with cholelithiasis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has eventually developed resistance against flomoxef sodium, isepamicin and cefpiramide. Therefore, in this study, the antibacterial activity and synergistic effects of the amphipathic-derived P5-18mer antimicrobial peptide were tested against pathogens associated with cholelithiasis that have developed resistance against commonly used antibiotics. The results were then compared with the activities of the amphipathic-derived peptide, P5-18mer, melittin and common antibiotics.