Enhanced Respiratory Sound Classification Using Deep Learning and Multi-Channel Auscultation.

: Identifying and classifying abnormal lung sounds is essential for diagnosing patients with respiratory disorders. In particular, the simultaneous recording of auscultation signals from multiple clinically relevant positions offers greater diagnostic potential compared to traditional single-channel measurements. This study aims to improve the accuracy of respiratory sound classification by leveraging multichannel signals and capturing positional characteristics from multiple sites in the same patient.

Association of Extended Steroid Treatment With Bloodstream Infection in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A National, Multicenter, Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: The impact of steroid treatment on mortality outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely demonstrated, while its effect on secondary infections, such as bloodstream infections (BSIs), is controversial. Recent studies have reported the survival benefits of using steroids for a standard duration compared to extended use, though their impact on the risk of BSIs remains debated. This study investigated whether extended steroid use is associated with the risk of BSIs and mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Determinants of Limiting Life-Sustaining Treatment in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Study in Korean Intensive Care Units.

Background: Understanding of the life-sustaining treatment (LST) decisions in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients remains limited. This study aimed to identify factors influencing LST decisions, and compare clinical outcomes between patients with, and without, LST.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 1,081 COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) across Korea from January 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021.

Characteristics and Prevalence of Sequelae after COVID-19: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: The World Health Organization has declared the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. However, this did not indicate the end of COVID-19. Several months after the infection, numerous patients complain of respiratory or nonspecific symptoms; this condition is called long COVID.

Association Between Plasma Granzyme B Levels, Organ Failure, and 28-Day Mortality Prediction in Patients with Sepsis.

: Sepsis is basically an inflammatory disease that involves the host's immune response. Granzyme B, a cytotoxic protease, has garnered attention for its involvement in modulating immune responses. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical implications of granzyme B in critically ill patients with sepsis, focusing on plasma granzyme B levels as a potential prognostic marker.

Home High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure: A Literature Review and Suggestions for Clinical Practice.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive respiratory support system that delivers air that is heated at 31°C-38°C, humidified 100%, and oxygen-enriched at a constant high flow rate of 15-60 L/min. Because of its numerous physiological benefits, convenience, and minimal side effects, HFNC has been increasingly used over the past decade in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, yet the clinical benefits of long-term HFNC remain uncertain. Several studies have suggested its potential use as an alternative home oxygen therapy for patients with chronic stable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis.

Plasma EphA2 level is a superior biomarker to Del-1 for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis.

Background: Sepsis, characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection, often leads to organ dysfunction, and vascular endothelial dysfunction plays a central role. The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph)A2 receptor is associated with increased vascular permeability; however, the developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1), has contrasting effects on endothelial function. Hence, we examined their potential as biomarkers of sepsis.

Relationship between the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index and the Prognosis of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Korea.

Background: Malnutrition exacerbates the prognosis of numerous diseases; however, its specific impact on severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes remains insufficiently explored.

Methods: This multicenter study in Korea evaluated the nutritional status of 1,088 adults with severe COVID-19 using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) based on serum albumin levels and body weight. The patients were categorized into two groups: GNRI >98 (no-risk) and GNRI ≤98 (risk).

Long-Lived Room-Temperature Phosphorescence from Silica Nanoparticles with In Situ Generated Carbonaceous Defects for Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

In this study, in situ formed silica nanoparticles (SNPs) emitting second-level phosphorescence at room temperature without a phosphorescent dopant have been achieved for the first time. This phosphorescence is achieved through the simple in situ formation of carbonaceous defects (CDs) within the SNPs, followed by passivation of the CDs by a robust silica matrix. The CD in the SNPs, termed CD@SNPs, are synthesized by cross-linking tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), and these cross-linked components create a porous structure within the silica matrix.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly strained global healthcare, particularly in the management of patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This study investigated the characteristics and prognoses of these patients.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study gathered data from patients with COVID-19 across 26 medical centers.

Risk Factors for the Mortality of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Non-Centralized Setting: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Limited data are available on the mortality rates of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 and clinical outcomes for patients receiving ECMO.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO in 19 hospitals across Korea from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

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.

Functional Aspects of the Obesity Paradox in Patients with Severe Coronavirus Disease-2019: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study.

Background: Results of studies investigating the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been conflicting.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective observational study, conducted between January 2020 and August 2021, evaluated the impact of obesity on outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 in a Korean national cohort. A total of 1,114 patients were enrolled from 22 tertiary referral hospitals or university-affiliated hospitals, of whom 1,099 were included in the analysis, excluding 15 with unavailable height and weight information.

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.

Outstanding Characteristics of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome in Korea.

Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple lung cysts, typical skin manifestations, and renal tumors. We prospectively enrolled thirty-one subjects from four South Korean institutions with typical lung cysts, and next-generation sequencing was conducted. We prospectively enrolled thirty-one subjects from four Korean institutions with typical lung cysts.