Characteristics and management of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korea compared with other high-income Asian countries and regions.

Background: This study investigated the characteristics of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis of a multinational observational study. Data from 271 mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean ICUs were analyzed for demographics, ventilation practices, and mortality, and were compared with those of 327 patients from other high-income Asian countries.

Machine Learning for 1-Year Graft Failure Prediction in Lung Transplant Recipients: The Korean Organ Transplantation Registry.

Background: In regions with limited donor availability, optimizing efficiency in lung transplant decision-making is crucial. Preoperative prediction of 1-year graft failure can enhance candidate selection and clinical decision-making.

Methods: We utilized data from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry to develop and validate a deep learning-based model for predicting 1-year graft failure after lung transplantation.

Establishment of Human Lung Cancer Organoids Using Small Biopsy and Surgical Tissues.

Lung cancer is a highly diverse disease, and reliable preclinical models that accurately reflect tumor characteristics are essential for studying lung cancer biology and testing new therapies. This study aimed to establish patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs) using small biopsy samples and surgical specimens to create a model system that preserves the genetic and histological features of the original tumors. PDTOs were generated from 163 lung cancer specimens, including 109 samples obtained using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) or bronchoscopy, 52 surgical specimens, and 2 pleural fluid samples.

Closed intensive care units and sepsis patient outcomes: a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study in South Korea.

Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, few studies have evaluated how the ICU model affects the outcomes of patients with sepsis.

Methods: This post hoc analysis of data from the Management of Severe Sepsis in Asia's Intensive Care Units II study included 537 patients with sepsis admitted to 27 ICUs in Korea.

Expert consensus on cancer treatment-related lung injury.

Background: Although advancements in cancer therapies have substantially improved the survival of cancer patients, these treatments may also result in acute or chronic lung injury. Cancer treatment-related lung injury (CTLI) presents with a diverse array of clinical manifestations and can involve multiple sites. Due to the lack of specific diagnostic protocols, CTLI can deteriorate rapidly and may be life-threatening if not promptly addressed.

Identification and Verification of Necroptosis-Related Genes in Patients With Sepsis by Bioinformatic Analysis and Molecular Experiments.

Although necroptosis is an emerging mechanism of multiple organ dysfunction in sepsis, data on the mechanistic link between necroptosis and sepsis are scarce. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to compare the gene profiles between the sepsis (n = 133) and healthy control (n = 12) groups and identify necroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The identified necroptosis-related DEGs were verified by three-step molecular experiments: (1) quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; (2) cell culture, transfection and Western blotting; and (3) cytokine array with apoptosis inhibition.

Annual Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease During Infliximab Maintenance Therapy: Balancing Efficacy with Risk of Pharmacokinetic Failure.

Background And Aims: Recent studies indicate that proactive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can improve clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with infliximab. Repetitive infliximab trough level (IFX TL) measurements for proactive TDM may increase patient inconvenience and medical costs. Therefore, we aimed to determine the optimal interval for TDM during infliximab maintenance therapy in patients with IBD.

Impact of the duration of corticosteroid treatment for postoperative acute lung injury following lung cancer surgery.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most serious pulmonary complications following lung resection. Despite the known beneficial effects of corticosteroid treatment for postoperative ALI, limited data are available regarding corticosteroid treatment duration. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of a short-course corticosteroid in patients with postoperative ALI following lung resection surgery for lung cancer.

Impact of Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Colonization on Clinical Characteristics, Antibiotic Treatment, and Clinical Outcomes of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.

Purpose: To determine effects of colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in general wards on characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients with HAP admitted to 16 tertiary or university hospitals in Korea from July 2019 to December 2019. From the entire cohort, patients who developed pneumonia in general wards with known colonization status before the onset of pneumonia were included in this study.

The association of withholding or continuing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers on acute kidney injury after non-cardiac surgery.

Background: Withholding or continuing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers peri-operatively in non-cardiac surgery remains controversial as they may result in intra-operative hypotension and postoperative organ damage.

Methods: We included patients prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers who underwent surgical procedures > 1 h duration under general or spinal anaesthesia from January 2012 to June 2022 in a single centre. We categorised patients by whether these drugs were withheld for 24 h before surgery.

The role and mechanism of PDZ binding kinase in hypobaric and hypoxic acute lung injury.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by hypobaric hypoxia (HH) is frequently observed in high-altitude areas, and it is one of the leading causes of death in high-altitude-related diseases due to its rapid onset and progression. However, the pathogenesis of HH-related ALI (HHALI) remains unclear, and effective treatment approaches are currently lacking.

Methods: A new mouse model of HHALI developed by our laboratory was used as the study subject (Chinese patent No.

Author Correction: Highly secreted tryptophanyl tRNA synthetase 1 as a potential theranostic target for hypercytokinemic severe sepsis.

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Clinical outcomes of fluoroquinolones combination therapy in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study using national health insurance claims data in Korea.

Background: Fluoroquinolones are one of the commonly used antibiotics for the initial empiric combination treatment. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of fluoroquinolones combination therapy for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fluoroquinolones as part of the empiric combination therapy for HAP using national health insurance claims data in Korea.

Features which discriminate between tuberculosis and haematologic malignancy as the cause of pleural effusions with high adenosine deaminase.

Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy (TBP). However, pleural effusions with high ADA can also be caused by other diseases, particularly hematologic malignant pleural effusion (hMPE). This study aimed to investigate the features that could differentiate TBP and hMPE in patients with pleural effusion ADA ≥ 40 IU/L.

Impact of sepsis on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status among fully ambulatory patients: a prospective nationwide multicenter cohort.

Background: Investigations of the impact of sepsis on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of fully ambulatory patients are scarce.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected nationwide data on septic patients recruited from 19 hospitals of the Korean Sepsis Alliance between August 2019 and December 2020. Adult septic patients with good ECOG PS (i.