Development and Validation of Deep Learning-Based Infectivity Prediction in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Through Chest Radiography: Retrospective Study.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) poses a global health challenge owing to the time-intensive nature of traditional diagnostic tests such as smear and culture tests, which can require hours to weeks to yield results.

Objective: This study aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI)-based chest radiography (CXR) to evaluate the infectivity of patients with PTB more quickly and accurately compared with traditional methods such as smear and culture tests.

Methods: We used DenseNet121 and visualization techniques such as gradient-weighted class activation mapping and local interpretable model-agnostic explanations to demonstrate the decision-making process of the model.

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.

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.

Effects of high-fidelity simulation education on medical students' anxiety and confidence.

Introduction: Psychological factors such as anxiety and confidence that students have in the patient care situation are important in that this affects the actual clinical performance. Students who are just starting clinical practice have a lack of clinical knowledge, skill proficiency, and patient communication skills, so they experience anxiety and lack of confidence in clinical setting. Practice in a safe environment, such as simulation education, can help students perform more settled and competently in patient care.

Risk of QT prolongation through drug interactions between hydroxychloroquine and concomitant drugs prescribed in real world practice.

Hydroxychloroquine has recently received attention as a treatment for COVID-19. However, it may prolong the QTc interval. Furthermore, when hydroxychloroquine is administered concomitantly with other drugs, it can exacerbate the risk of QT prolongation.

Temporal trajectories of accompanying comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes: a Korean nationwide observational study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major concern globally and well known for increasing risk of complications. However, diabetes complications often remain undiagnosed and untreated in a large number of high-risk patients. In this study based on claims data collected in South Korea, we aimed to explore the diagnostic progression and sex- and age-related differences among patients with type 2 diabetes using time-considered patterns of the incidence of comorbidities that evolved after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

System for Collecting Biosignal Data from Multiple Patient Monitoring Systems.

Objectives: Biosignal data include important physiological information. For that reason, many devices and systems have been developed, but there has not been enough consideration of how to collect and integrate raw data from multiple systems. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a system for collecting and integrating biosignal data from two patient monitoring systems.

Short-term Evaluation of a Comprehensive Education Program Including Inhaler Training and Disease Management on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Proper education regarding inhaler usage and optimal management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is essential for effectively treating patients with COPD. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive education program including inhaler training and COPD management.

Methods: We enlisted 127 patients with COPD on an outpatient basis at 43 private clinics in Korea.

Erratum to: An updated review of case-control studies of lung cancer and indoor radon-Is indoor radon the risk factor for lung cancer?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40557-016-0094-3.].

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.

An updated review of case-control studies of lung cancer and indoor radon-Is indoor radon the risk factor for lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Smoking is definitely the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Radon ((222)Rn) is a natural gas produced from radium ((226)Ra) in the decay series of uranium ((238)U).

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.

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.

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.

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 dependent overexpression of sulfiredoxin and peroxiredoxin III in human lung cancer.

Background/aims: Oxidative stress results in protein oxidation and is implicated in carcinogenesis. Sulfiredoxin (Srx) is responsible for the enzymatic reversal of inactivated peroxiredoxin (Prx). Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) binds to antioxidant responsive elements and upregulates the expression of Srx and Prx during oxidative stress.

Epithelial apoptosis as a clinical marker in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Backgrounds: Epithelial cell apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP).

Methods: Serum levels of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (M30) were measured in 55 patients with IIP and 34 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The IIP cases included usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP; n = 30), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; n = 15), and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP; n = 10).

Selectively decreased expression of peroxiredoxins induced by silica in pulmonary epithelial cells.

Background/aims: Peroxiredoxin (Prx) belongs to a ubiquitous family of antioxidant enzymes that regulates many cellular processes through intracellular oxidative signal transduction pathways. Silica-induced lung damage involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger subsequent toxic effects and inflammatory responses in alveolar epithelial cells resulting in fibrosis. Therefore, we investigated the role of Prx in the development of lung oxidant injury caused by silicosis, and determined the implication of ROS in that process.