Staphylococcus parequorum sp. nov. and Staphylococcus halotolerans sp. nov., isolated from traditional Korean soybean foods.

Strains Mo2-6T, S9, KG4-3T, and 50Mo3-2, identified as coagulase-negative, Gram-stain-positive, halotolerant, non-motile coccoid bacteria, were isolated from traditional Korean soybean foods. Strains Mo2-6T and S9 were both catalase- and oxidase-negative, whereas KG4-3T and 50Mo3-2 were catalase-positive but oxidase-negative. The optimal growth conditions for Mo2-6T and S9 were 30°C, 2% NaCl, and pH 7.

The influence of pneumococcal positivity on clinical outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Bacterial co-infection has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and may contribute to poor clinical outcomes when co-detected in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of pneumococcal positivity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Phycobium rhodophyticola gen. nov., sp. nov. and Aliiphycobium algicola gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the phycosphere of marine red algae.

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacteria, designated D3-12ᵀ and G2-2ᵀ, were isolated from the phycosphere of marine red algae. Both strains exhibited catalase- and oxidase-positive activities. Strain D3-12ᵀ grew optimally at 30°C, pH 7.

Bioadhesive levan-based coaxial nanofibrous membranes with enhanced cell adhesion and mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

Conventional electrospun nanofibrous membranes have been widely used for tissue engineering scaffolds because they can mimic extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays a significant role in cell proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation. However, the inadequate mechanical strength and biological functions of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds limit the range of their practical applications. In this study, we prepared a uniform levan-based core-shell composite (csCAL) nanofibrous membrane using the coaxial electrospinning technique.

Corticosteroid Therapy Duration and Dosage According to the Timing of Treatment Initiation for Post-COVID-19 Organizing Pneumonia.

COVID-19 can lead to pulmonary complications, including organizing pneumonia. Steroids are essential in treating post-COVID-19 organizing pneumonia. However, research on the clinical benefits of initiating steroid treatment early for this condition is limited.

The clinical characteristics associated with the ratio between the main pulmonary artery and ascending aorta diameter in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: A pulmonary artery-to-aorta (PA/A) ratio of ≥1 is a reliable indicator of pulmonary hypertension and is associated with an increased risk of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and long-term mortality in patients with stable COPD. However, it is unclear whether a PA/A ratio of ≥1 is associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of COPD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical course and mortality of patients with PA/A ratios of ≥1 who were hospitalized with acute exacerbation of COPD.

One-year mortality and readmission risks following hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on the types of acute respiratory failure: An observational study.

Few studies have examined the risk factors associated with the type of acute respiratory failure (ARF) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD based on the type of ARF. The medical charts of hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.

sp. nov., isolated from a marine green alga.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile, non-flagellated, and coccus-shaped bacterium, strain J2-16, isolated from a marine green alga, was characterized taxonomically. Strain J2-16 grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., isolated from marine algae.

Two Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic, and motile rod bacteria, designated as strains KJ51-3 and 15G1-11, were isolated from marine algae collected in the Republic of Korea. Both strains exhibited catalase- and oxidase-positive activities. Optimum growth conditions for strain KJ51-3 were observed at 30 °C and pH 6.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., isolated from marine red algae.

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic rods, designated as RMAR6-6 and KMA01, exhibiting catalase- and oxidase-positive activities, were isolated from marine red algae in the Republic of Korea. Cells of strain RMAR6-6 exhibited flagellar motility, while those of strain KMA01 were non-motile. Strain RMAR6-6 exhibited optimal growth at 30-35°C and pH 7.

The complete chloroplast genome of Mitt. (Porellaceae) and phylogenetic relationships to other bryophytes.

Mitt. (Jungermanniidae, Porellaceae), a bryophyte is widespread in temperate Asia and North America. In Korea, is mainly observed in shaded and dried rocks or tree trunks on mountains.

Major adverse cardiovascular events and hyperuricemia during tuberculosis treatment.

Background: Hyperuricemia is common during tuberculosis (TB) treatment, especially in association with pyrazinamide (PZA). This study investigated the relationship between major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and hyperuricemia during TB treatment.

Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Serum KL-6 levels predict the occurrence and severity of treatment-related interstitial lung disease in lung cancer.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) as a potential biomarker for treatment-related ILD (TR-ILD) in lung cancer. We recruited patients with lung cancer in whom KL-6 was measured to differentiate between pneumonia and ILD (category 1), diagnose and assess the severity of suspicious ILD (category 2), or evaluate baseline levels before cancer treatment (category 3). Among 1,297 patients who underwent KL-6 testing, 422 had lung cancer, and TR-ILD was detected in 195 patients.

sp. nov., isolated from a marine red alga, reclassification of and as comb. nov. and comb. nov., and emended description of the genus Joshi . 2022.

A Gram-stain-positive alkali-tolerant and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain P16, was isolated from a marine red alga, , in the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells were motile rods with peritrichous flagella and exhibited catalase and oxidase activities. The optimal growth of strain P16 was observed to occur at 30 °C and pH 8.

Description and Genomic Characteristics of sp. nov., Isolated from Kimchi.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, and non-spore-forming lactic acid bacterium, designated as BK2, was isolated from kimchi, a Korean traditional fermented vegetable food, and the taxonomic characteristics of strain BK2, along with strain LMG 11983, were analyzed. Both strains optimally grew at 30°C, pH 7.0, and 1.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in a patient with unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis: Case report.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous organisms, but can cause a chronic pulmonary infection in some patients. Therefore, there could be host factors susceptible to this disease. A structural lung disease including damages of lungs caused by previous respiratory infection has been suggested as a host factor.

sp. nov., isolated from plastic waste landfill soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain U1, was isolated from plastic dumped soil sampled in the Republic of Korea. Cell of strain U1 were non-motile rods showing catalase-negative and oxidase-positive activities. Strain U1 was shown to grow at 10-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C) and pH 6.

Risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with acquired hypofibrinogenemia in patients administered hemocoagulase batroxobin for hemoptysis.

Background: Hemocoagulase batroxobin is used to prevent hemostasis or bleeding in surgical and trauma patients; however, the role of batroxobin in patients with hemoptysis is not well understood. We evaluated the risk factors and prognosis of acquired hypofibrinogenemia in hemoptysis patients treated systemically with batroxobin.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of hospitalized patients who were administered batroxobin for hemoptysis.

Usefulness of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction with bronchial washing samples in predicting discontinuation of airborne infection isolation in patients hospitalized with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective: In-hospital tuberculosis (TB) transmission remains a concern. Airborne infection isolation (AII) can be discontinued in hospitalized patients with suspected active pulmonary TB when the results of three consecutive sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears are negative. However, fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed in patients who may have difficulty in producing sputum samples.

Risk factors for cerebral complications in patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare pulmonary disease. Although most patients with PAVMs are asymptomatic, cerebral complications associated with PAVMs are often fatal. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for cerebral complications in patients with PAVMs.

Three cases of rigid bronchoscopic removal of carinal masses: Case report.

Tracheal tumors are rare diseases. They can cause narrowing of a central airway, a severe respiratory distress, and death. The objective of this case series is to highlight the role of rigid bronchoscopy in diagnosing and treating carina masses which are difficult to remove surgically.

Smoking cessation rates in elderly and nonelderly smokers after participating in an intensive care smoking cessation camp.

Since it is a widely known fact that smoking cessation is beneficial physically and cognitively, efforts should be made to enable smokers to quit smoking through policy. Intensive care smoking cessation camps generally show a high smoking cessation success rate, but research is needed to determine which smokers should be admitted due to costeffectiveness. Although many studies have been conducted to find factors related to smoking cessation success, there is still controversy about the will and success rate of smoking cessation of elderly smokers.

Life-threatening Mycobacterium intracellulare pleuritis in an immunocompetent host: Case reports.

Rationale: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)-associated pleuritis is a very rare disease. Here, we describe 2 cases of life-threatening Mycobacterium intracellulare-associated pleuritis in immunocompetent hosts.

Patient Concerns: A 78-year-old man with sudden onset-onset dyspnea (case 1) and an 80-year-old man with cough, sputum and fever (case 2) presented to our emergency room.