Changes in muscle-to-fat ratio are associated with lung function decline and airflow obstruction in the general population.

Background: The long-term relationship between body composition and lung function has not yet been fully demonstrated. We investigated the longitudinal association between muscle-to-fat (MF) ratio and lung function among middle-aged general population.

Methods: Participants were enrolled from a community-based prospective cohort between 2005 and 2014.

Clinical implication of electrocardiogram change in patients experiencing lung transplantation with end stage lung disease.

Introduction: End-stage lung disease causes cardiac remodeling and induces electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. On the other way, whether lung transplantation (LTx) in end-stage lung disease patients are associated with ECG change is unknown. The object of this study was to investigate ECG changes before and after LTx in end-stage lung disease patients and whether these changes had clinical significance.

Post-Transplant Vitamin D Deficiency in Lung Transplant Recipients: Impact on Outcomes and Prognosis.

Despite the recognized clinical significance of vitamin D deficiency in other solid organ transplant recipients, its specific relevance in lung transplantation remains to be fully understood. In this study, we performed a retrospective observational study on the impact of vitamin D deficiency on clinical outcomes and prognosis in 125 lung transplant recipients (LTRs) from October 2014 to March 2020 at a university hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Among 125 LTRs, 51 patients (40.

Impact of Immunosuppressants and Vaccination on COVID-19 Outcomes in Autoimmune Patients and Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of varying degrees of immunosuppression on the clinical outcomes of immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with autoimmune diseases or post-solid organ transplant statuses, in the context of COVID-19. By focusing on these highly vulnerable populations, the study underscores the significant health inequalities faced by immunocompromised patients, who experience disproportionately worse outcomes in comparison to the general population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of the K-COV-N dataset was conducted, comparing the effects of immunosuppression in autoimmune and transplant groups with matched control groups.

Diffuse pulmonary meningotheliomatosis: A case report.

A 57-year-old female presented with chest discomfort and exertional dyspnea but no other respiratory symptoms or history of malignancy. Chest CT revealed multifocal centrilobular nodules with ground-glass opacity in both lungs. Thoracoscopic wedge resection was done, and histological examination confirmed interstitial meningothelial-like nodules, consistent with diffuse meningotheliomatosis.

Predicting Successful Weaning through Sonographic Measurement of the Rapid Shallow Breathing Index.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction correlates with weaning failure, highlighting the need to independently assess the diaphragm's effects on weaning. We modified the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), a predictor of successful weaning, by incorporating temporal variables into existing ultrasound-derived diaphragm index to create a simpler index closer to tidal volume. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients who underwent a spontaneous breathing trial in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) at Severance Hospital between October 2022 and June 2023.

Malnutrition is associated with mortality in Sjögren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease.

The role of nutritional status as a prognostic factor in patients with Sjögren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease (SjS-ILD) is currently unclear. This study aimed to predict the prognosis of patients with SjS-ILD through their nutritional status assessment. In this retrospective observational study, nutritional status was evaluated at the time of diagnosis using body mass index (BMI) and nutritional markers such as controlling nutritional status (CONUT), the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) for all participants.

sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the gut content of .

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterium, designated as YPD9-1, was isolated from the gut contents of a spotty belly greenling, , collected near Dokdo island, South Korea. The rod-shaped cells were oxidase-positive, and catalase-negative. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C, iso-C, C, iso-C and iso-C.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Pulmonary Diseases Caused by Coinfections With Multiple Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Species.

Background: Coinfections with multiple nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) species have not been widely studied. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with NTM-pulmonary disease (PD) caused by coinfection with multiple NTM species.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with NTM-PD at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between March 2012 and December 2018.

Antifungal activity of aminopyrrolnitrin against Trichophyton verrucosum in a guinea pig model of dermatophytosis.

Background: Dermatophytosis is a common and major public health concern worldwide. Despite the increasing availability of antifungal drugs, relapses and untreated cases of dermatophyte infections are reported. Therefore, novel antifungal agents are required.

Development and validation of novel simple prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean intensive care units using national insurance claims data.

Background/aims: Intensive care unit (ICU) quality is largely determined by the mortality rate. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a novel prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean ICUs, using national insurance claims data.

Methods: Data were obtained from the health insurance claims database maintained by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea.

Repositioning of ezetimibe for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: We previously identified ezetimibe, an inhibitor of Niemann-Pick C1-like intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 and European Medicines Agency-approved lipid-lowering agent, as a potent autophagy activator. However, its efficacy against pulmonary fibrosis has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether ezetimibe has therapeutic potential against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Association between mechanical power and intensive care unit mortality in Korean patients under pressure-controlled ventilation.

Background: Mechanical power (MP) has been reported to be associated with clinical outcomes. Because the original MP equation is derived from paralyzed patients under volume-controlled ventilation, its application in practice could be limited in patients receiving pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV). Recently, a simplified equation for patients under PCV was developed.

Effects of an Ultra-Polished Scalpel on Incisional Wounds in a Diabetic Model.

Inflammation after surgical incisions is related to the degree of tissue damage. Healing with low inflammation is desirable, especially in patients with compromised healing potential. This experimental study was conducted to assess the degree of inflammatory reaction and scar formation from incisions made by an ultra-polished scalpel (UPS).

Risk Factors for Unfavorable Outcomes of Tuberculosis in Korea: Implications for Patient-Centered Care in Tuberculosis Treatment.

Background: The treatment success rate for tuberculosis (TB) has stagnated at 80-81% in South Korea, indicating unsatisfactory outcomes. Enhancing treatment success rate necessitates the development of individualized treatment approaches for each patient. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes to facilitate tailored TB care.

Impact of age on mortality and transfer to long-term care in patients in an intensive care unit.

Background: In the global trend of population aging, age is one of the significant factors to be considered in critically ill patients. However, the impact of age on clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis in this population varies across different studies.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis for patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) (30 beds) between January 2017 and December 2020 at the tertiary referral hospital in Korea.

Association between serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lung function in adults: three cross-sectional studies from US and Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Introduction: Cholesterol is an irreplaceable nutrient in pulmonary metabolism; however, studies on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have shown conflicting results regarding lung function. Therefore, we investigated the association between lung function and HDL-C levels in three cross-sectional studies conducted in the USA and South Korea.

Methods: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, US NHANES 2007-2012, and Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV-VII performed spirometry and met the American Thoracic Society recommendations.

Myosteatosis as a prognostic factor of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease.

Quantitative body composition affects the prognosis of patients with Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). However, whether the qualitative body composition obtained indirectly through computed tomography (CT) affects their prognosis is debatable. We retrospectively analyzed patients with MAC-PD who underwent non-contrast CT at MAC-PD diagnosis.

Galactomannan Titer as a Diagnostic Marker of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) can occur in immunocompromised patients, and an early detection and intensive treatment are crucial. We sought to determine the potential of Aspergillus galactomannan antigen titer (AGT) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum titers of beta-D-glucan (BDG) to predict IPA in lung transplantation recipients, as opposed to pneumonia unrelated to IPA. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 192 lung transplant recipients.

Clinical features and molecular genetics associated with brain metastasis in suspected early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Regarding whether brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be routine in patients with suspected early-stage lung cancer, guideline recommendations are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this study to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for brain metastasis (BM) in patients with suspected early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: A review of the medical charts of consecutive NSCLC patients diagnosed between January 2006 and May 2020 was performed.

Identification of Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury and Prediction of Renal Recovery in the Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following sepsis is associated with higher mortality; however, reliable biomarkers for AKI development and recovery remain to be elucidated.

Materials And Methods: Patients with sepsis admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Severance Hospital between June 2018 and May 2019 were prospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into those with and without AKI within 48 hours.

Longitudinal association between adiposity changes and lung function deterioration.

Background: The longitudinal relationship between adiposity and lung function is controversial. We aimed to investigate the long-term association between adiposity changes and lung function in a middle-aged general Asian population.

Methods: In total, 5011 participants (average age, 54 years; 45% men) were enrolled from a community-based prospective cohort.