Biomarkers of type 2 inflammation as predictors of response to biologics for severe eosinophilic asthma.

Background: The relationship between pre-treatment levels of blood eosinophil count (BEC), fractional exhaled nitric oxide ( ) and sputum eosinophils (Sp-EOS) and treatment response to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) remains unclear. We evaluated pre-treatment levels of BEC, , Sp-EOS and their combinations as predictors of treatment responses in patients with SEA undergoing anti-interleukin (IL)-5/IL-5Rα or anti-IL-4Rα antibody therapies.

Methods: The study included 153 adult patients with SEA (59 anti-IL-5/IL-5Rα and 94 anti-IL-4Rα users).

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Severe Asthma With Fungal Sensitization in Korea.

Purpose: Severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) is associated with life-threatening exacerbation and severe airflow limitation. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of fungal sensitization in asthma and clinical characteristics of SAFS.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea and the Korean Severe Asthma Registry cohorts.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for escalation to anaphylaxis from non-severe drug hypersensitivity reaction.

Background: Drug hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) poses significant challenges in clinical practice, with some patients experiencing more severe reactions upon re-exposure. Understanding the factors contributing to escalation into more severe reactions is crucial for improving patient safety. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with the progression from non-severe DHR to anaphylaxis.

Concurrent Blood Eosinophils and FeNO as Biological Therapy Indicators in Severe Asthma: Findings From the Precision Medicine Intervention in Severe Asthma Study.

Background: The combination of pretreatment peripheral blood eosinophil count (BEC) and FeNO levels for optimizing the therapeutic response of T2-biologics in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) remains unclear.

Objective: To compare longitudinal clinical outcome changes across subgroups stratified by the combination of high and low levels of BEC and FeNO.

Methods: Overall, 278 patients with SEA (anti-IL-5/IL-5Rα users: n = 82; and anti-IL-4Rα users: n = 196) were stratified based on pretreatment BEC and FeNO levels and observed for 6 to 12 months.

Divergent Patterns of Metabolite Expression in Red Seaweeds ( and Following Nitrate and Ammonium Supplementation.

This study explores species-specific metabolic responses to different nitrogen-rich formulations in and , highlighting distinct adaptive strategies. We evaluated the effects of Von Stosch Enrichment (VSE, nitrate-only), F/2 (nitrate-only), and Jack's Special (JS, nitrate and ammonium) on metabolic profiles. exhibited elevated energy storage and growth-related metabolites, with JS enhancing creatine production for energy storage and regeneration, alongside increased DNA/RNA synthesis and cell division activity.

Serum and urine eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) levels predict biologic response in severe asthma.

Background: Eosinophils are crucial in allergic inflammation, and their correlation with asthma severity has made them a focal point in predicting treatment outcomes. Blood eosinophil count is a commonly utilized marker. However, its limitations have prompted alternative biomarker exploration, such as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN).

Induced Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury: Present Status and Next Steps.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a significant clinical challenge, with no fully effective treatment available despite advancements in various therapeutic approaches. This review examines the emerging role of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) as promising candidates for SCI treatment, highlighting their potential for direct neural regeneration and integration with host tissue. We explore the biology of iNSCs, their mechanisms of action, and their interactions with host tissue, including modulating inflammatory responses, promoting axonal growth, and reconstructing neural circuits.

Longitudinal multi-trajectory phenotypes of severe eosinophilic asthma on type 2 biologics treatment.

Background: Limited understanding exists regarding the progression trajectory of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) patients on type 2 biologics therapies.

Objective: We aim to explore distinct longitudinal phenotypes of these patients based on crucial asthma biomarkers.

Methods: We enrolled 101 adult patients with SEA.

Clinical Characteristics of T2-Low and T2-High Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Findings From COREA Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the emerging biologics, biomarkers and treatment options for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) are still limited, requiring further research.

Methods: We enrolled 378 ACO patients from a multicenter real-world asthma cohort in Korea and compared the clinical characteristics, lung function, and exacerbation between type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low groups. We used the following comparisons: 1) low vs.

Physiological responses of Grateloupia turuturu and Chondrus ocellatus to nano-plastics.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of nano-plastics (NPs) on the growth, photosynthesis, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in Grateloupia turuturu and Chondrus ocellatus. Difference of surface characteristics between G. turuturu and C.

Effect of biologic therapies on quality of life in severe asthma: Findings from the PRISM study.

Background: Anti-type 2 (T2) biologic therapies (biologics) improve exacerbation rates, lung function, and asthma-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with severe T2 asthma. However, studies comparing different biologics are lacking. We evaluated the QoL in patients with severe asthma comprehensively and compare the efficacy of different T2-directed biologics using QoL questionnaires.

Real-World Effectiveness of Biologics in Patients With Severe Asthma: Analysis of the KoSAR.

Purpose: Severe asthma is associated with high morbidity and healthcare utilization; however, treatment options for these patients are limited. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of biologics in clinical practice.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 136 patients who received biologics for at least 4 months between September 2017 and July 2022 at 25 medical centers affiliated with the Korean Severe Asthma Registry (KoSAR).

Eosinophilia Is a Favorable Marker for Pneumonia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) expressing eosinophilia experience slightly fewer episodes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), than those without eosinophilia. However, the severity and burden of hospitalized pneumonia patients with COPD involving eosinophilia have not been assessed.

Methods: We evaluated the differences in clinical characteristics between patients with CAP and COPD with or without eosinophilia by a post hoc analysis of a prospective, multi-center, cohort study data.

Nationwide Study of the Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in Korea.

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a condition with an uncertain global incidence, and information on its diagnosis and management is limited. This study aimed to address these knowledge gaps.

Methods: This study utilized customized claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) in South Korea from January 2010, to December 2021.

Correlation of handgrip strength with quality of life-adjusted pulmonary function in adults.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is acknowledged as a key indicator of overall physical fitness and is associated with various health outcomes.

Objectives: This research investigates the correlation between HGS and quality of life (QoL), focusing on its relation to pulmonary function in the general adult population.

Method: The study involved 19,402 participants aged 40 and above, spanning from 2014 to 2019, who underwent pulmonary function and HGS tests.

Predictors of Early and Late Lung Function Improvement in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma on Type2-Biologics in the PRISM Study.

Background: The determinants linked to the short- and long-term improvement in lung function in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) on biological treatment (BioT) remain elusive.

Objective: We sought to identify the predictors of early and late lung function improvement in patients with SEA after BioT.

Methods: 140 adult patients with SEA who received mepolizumab, dupilumab, or reslizumab were followed up for 6 months to evaluate improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV).

Glucose-mediated mitochondrial reprogramming by cholesterol export at TM4SF5-enriched mitochondria-lysosome contact sites.

Background: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) translocates subcellularly and functions metabolically, although it is unclear how intracellular TM4SF5 translocation is linked to metabolic contexts. It is thus of interests to understand how the traffic dynamics of TM4SF5 to subcellular endosomal membranes are correlated to regulatory roles of metabolisms.

Methods: Here, we explored the metabolic significance of TM4SF5 localization at mitochondria-lysosome contact sites (MLCSs), using in vitro cells and in vivo animal systems, via approaches by immunofluorescence, proximity labelling based proteomics analysis, organelle reconstitution etc.

A comparison of treatment response to biologics in asthma-COPD overlap and pure asthma: Findings from the PRISM study.

Background: Despite the increasing use of biologics in severe asthma, there is limited research on their use in asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO). We compared real-world treatment responses to biologics in ACO and asthma.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study using data from the Precision Medicine Intervention in Severe Asthma (PRISM).

Sex differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characteristics: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018.

Background/aims: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is less prevalent in females than males, but it affects mortality in females. There may be sex differences in the clinical characteristics of COPD.

Methods: We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset from 2007 to 2018.

The serotype-specific prevalence of pneumococci in hospitalized pneumonia patients with COPD: a prospective, multi-center, cohort study.

Background/aims: The overall incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia is declining. However, the change in the pathogenic distribution of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and the serotype specificity of Streptococcus pneumoniae have not been evaluated in the post-era of pneumococcal vaccination in Korea.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multi-center, cohort study from seven University-affiliated hospitals.