Risk Factors for the Mortality of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Non-Centralized Setting: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Limited data are available on the mortality rates of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 and clinical outcomes for patients receiving ECMO.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO in 19 hospitals across Korea from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

The Profile of Early Sedation Depth and Clinical Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Korea.

Background: Current international guidelines recommend against deep sedation as it is associated with worse outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in Korea the prevalence of deep sedation and its impact on patients in the ICU are not well known.

Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional cohort study was performed in 20 Korean ICUs.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and hospital mortality in critically ill patients without COVID-19 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicenter, retrospective, propensity score-matched study.

Background: The high transmission and fatality rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) strain intensive care resources and affect the treatment and prognosis of critically ill patients without COVID-19. Therefore, this study evaluated the differences in characteristics, clinical course, and prognosis of critically ill medical patients without COVID-19 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients from three university-affiliated tertiary hospitals.

Population-based study of the association between asthma and exogenous female sex hormone use.

Objectives: Several studies have suggested the influence of exogenous hormones on asthma, but the results are still conflicting. Moreover, there has been little associated research on Asian population. This study aimed to assess the association between use of exogenous female sex hormones and asthma in Korean women.

Korean Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Interstitial Lung Diseases: Part 4. Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia.

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is a type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia with an acute or subacute clinical course. Bilateral lung consolidations located in the subpleural area and bronchovascular bundle are the most common findings on chest high-resolution computed tomography. The pathologic manifestations include granulation tissue in the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles.

Toll-like receptor expression in pulmonary sensory neurons in the bleomycin-induced fibrosis model.

Airway sensory nerves are known to express several receptors and channels that are activated by exogenous and endogenous mediators that cause coughing. Toll-like receptor (TLR) s are expressed in nociceptive neurons and play an important role in neuroinflammation. However, there have been very few studies of TLR expression in lung-derived sensory neurons or their relevance to respiratory symptoms such as cough.

Implications of Plasma Renin Activity and Plasma Aldosterone Concentration in Critically Ill Patients with Septic Shock.

Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is closely associated with volume status and vascular tone in septic shock. The present study aimed to assess whether plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) measurements compared with conventional severity indicators are associated with mortality in patients with septic shock.

Methods: We evaluated 105 patients who were admitted for septic shock.

Value of Serum Cystatin C Measurement in the Diagnosis of Sepsis-Induced Kidney Injury and Prediction of Renal Function Recovery.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients. Serum cystatin C has emerged as a reliable marker of AKI. We sought to assess the value of serum cystatin C for early detection and prediction of renal function recovery in patients with sepsis.

Reactive Oxygen Species Modulator 1 (Romo1) Predicts Poor Outcomes in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.

Purpose: Reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (Romo1) is a key mediator of intracellular reactive oxygen species production. However, examination of the clinical usefulness of Romo1 in cancers has been limited. We evaluated the association of Romo1 expression with clinical outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

The effect of an IκB-kinase-β(IKKβ) inhibitor on tobacco smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation.

Purpose Of The Study: Inactivation of NF-κB with IKKβ knockout mice reduces tobacco smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation. In this study, we investigated whether the IKKβ inhibitor PS-1145 could attenuate the pulmonary inflammation induced by tobacco smoke.

Materials And Methods: We divided 30 mice into three groups: a control group, a smoking group, and a PS-1145 group.

Risk factors for tuberculosis after gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

Aim: To examine incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in gastrectomy patients and investigate the risk factors for developing TB after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of gastrectomy patients with gastric cancer was performed at a university-affiliated hospital in Seoul, South Korea between January 2007 and December 2009. We reviewed patient medical records and collected data associated with the risk of TB, surgery, and gastric cancer.

Prognostic Implications of Serum Lipid Metabolism over Time during Sepsis.

Background: Despite extensive research and an improved standard of care, sepsis remains a disorder with a high mortality rate. Sepsis is accompanied by severe metabolic alterations.

Methods: We evaluated 117 patients with sepsis (severe sepsis [n = 19] and septic shock [n = 98]) who were admitted to the intensive care unit.

Glucagon levels, disease severity, and outcome in severe sepsis.

Purpose: Few studies on plasma glucagon levels in patients with sepsis have been performed. We aimed to assess clinical value of glucagon levels in comparison with clinical parameters and severity scores in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Methods: A total of 112 patients who were admitted to intensive care unit with severe sepsis or septic shock were included.

Comparison of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus community-acquired and healthcare-associated pneumonia.

Purpose: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as an important cause of not only healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) but also community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We determined the impact of MRSA on differences in clinical characteristics, courses, and outcomes between CAP and HCAP.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on 78 adult patients admitted with MRSA pneumonia at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between January 2008 and December 2011.

Prediction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients with non-nosocomial pneumonia.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as an important cause of not only hospital acquired pneumonia, but also non-nosocomial pneumonia. However, the risk factors for non-nosocomial MRSA pneumonia are not clearly defined. Our objective was to identify risk factors at admission that were associated with non-nosocomial MRSA pneumonia.

Two cases of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy in metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) is rarely associated with cholangiocarcinoma (CC), and represents dismal prognosis. A 63-year-old male was admitted for evaluation of an intrahepatic mass. He was diagnosed with HHM associated with locally advanced CC.

Two cases of Wernicke's encephalopathy in young age patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neurolopsychiatric syndrome caused by thiamine deficiency, and classically presents with the triad of opthalmopathy, ataxia and altered mentality. Both prolonged total parenteral nutrition and reduced oral intake can induce Wernicke's encephalopathy during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although early treatment is important for recovery from Wernicke's encephalopathy, the vague symptoms and characteristics hinder early diagnosis.

Delta neutrophil index as an early marker of disease severity in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Background: The immature granulocyte count has been reported to be a marker of infection and sepsis. The difference in leukocyte subfractions (delta neutrophil index, DNI) in ADVIA 2120 reflects the fraction of circulating immature granulocytes in the blood. This study evaluated the clinical utility of DNI as a severity and prediction marker in critically ill patients with sepsis.