Promoter-Specific Variants in NeuroD1 and H3K4me3 Coincident Regions and Clinical Outcomes of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background@#Neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1) is a representative small cell lung cancer (SCLC) transcription regulator involved in the carcinogenesis and behavior of SCLC.Histone modifications play an important role in transcription, and H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) is primarily associated with promoter regions. @*Methods@#We investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NeuroD1 and H3K4me3 coincident regions, selected using ChIP sequencing (ChIP-seq), and the clinical outcomes of 261 patients with SCLC. @*Results@#Among 230 SNPs, two were significantly associated with both the chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS) of patients with SCLC. RNF145 rs2043268A>G was associated with worse chemotherapy response and OS (under a recessive model, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26–0.94, P = 0.031, and adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.88, 95% CI, 1.38–2.57, P G was also associated with worse chemotherapy response and OS (under a dominant model, aOR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.23–0.99, P = 0.046, and aHR, 2.03, 95% CI, 1.47–2.82, P G and CINP rs762105A>G were associated with clinical outcomes in patients with SCLC and also affected the promoter activity of each gene.

Laboratory and radiological discrimination between tuberculous and malignant pleural effusions with high adenosine deaminase levels

Background/Aims@#Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels are useful in discriminating tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs) from malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). However, some patients with MPE exhibit high-ADA levels, which may mimic TPEs. There is limited data regarding the differential diagnosis between high-ADA MPE and high-ADA TPE. This study aimed to identify the predictors for distinguishing high-ADA MPEs from high-ADA TPEs. @*Methods@#Patients with TPE and MPE with pleural f luid ADA levels ≥ 40 IU/L were included in this study. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were compared between the two groups. Independent predictors and their diagnostic performance for high-ADA MPEs were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve. @*Results@#A total of 200 patients (high-ADA MPE, n = 30, and high-ADA TPE, n = 170) were retrospectively included. In the multivariate analysis, pleural fluid ADA, pleural f luid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and pleural nodularity were independent discriminators between high-ADA MPE and high-ADA TPE groups. Using pleural ADA level of 40 to 56 IU/L (3 points), pleural CEA level ≥ 6 ng/mL (6 points), and presence of pleural nodularity (3 points) for predicting high-ADA MPEs, a sum score ≥ 6 points yielded a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 96%, positive predictive value of 82%, negative predictive value of 98%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.965. @*Conclusions@#A scoring system using three parameters may be helpful in guiding the differential diagnosis between high-ADA MPEs and high-ADA TPEs.

Etiological Distribution and Morphological Patterns of Granulomatous Pleurisy in a Tuberculosis-prevalent Country

The cause of epithelioid granulomatous inflammation varies widely depending on the affected organ, geographic region, and whether the granulomas morphologically contain necrosis. Compared with other organs, the etiological distribution and morphological patterns of pleural epithelioid granulomas have rarely been investigated. We evaluated the final etiologies and morphological patterns of pleural epithelioid granulomatous inflammation in a tuberculosis (TB)-prevalent country. Of 83 patients with pleural granulomas, 50 (60.2%) had confirmed TB pleurisy (TB-P) and 29 (34.9%) had probable TBP. Four patients (4.8%) with non-TB-P were diagnosed. With the exception of microbiological results, there was no significant difference in clinical characteristics and granuloma patterns between the confirmed TB-P and non-TB-P groups, or between patients with confirmed and probable TB-Ps. These findings suggest that most pleural granulomatous inflammation (95.2%) was attributable to TB-P in TB-endemic areas and that the granuloma patterns contributed little to the prediction of final diagnosis compared with other organs.

The effect of susceptibility variants, identified in never-smoking female lung cancer cases, on male smokers

Background/Aims@#Genome wide and candidate gene association studies have identified polymorphisms associated with the risk of lung cancer in never-smokers. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between 11 polymorphisms identified in female never smokers and the lung cancer risk in male smokers. @*Methods@#This study included 714 lung cancer patients and 626 healthy controls. The polymorphisms were genotyped using SEQUENOM MassARRAY iPLEX assay or Taq-Man assay. @*Results@#Two polymorphisms were associated with the risk of lung cancer in male smokers, as in female never smokers. Male smokers carrying the rs4975616 variant allele had a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer (in a codominant model: odds ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.96; p = 0.02). The rs9387478 polymorphism also reduced lung cancer risk in male smokers (in a codominant model: odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.73 to 0.997; p = 0.046). In a stratified analysis, the association between these polymorphisms and the risk of lung cancer was predominant in lighter smokers and for cases of adenocarcinoma. @*Conclusions@#These results suggest that a subset of polymorphisms known to be associated with the risk of lung cancer in female never smokers is also associated with the risk of lung cancer in male smokers.

Detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis by Follow-up Indirect Computed Tomography Venography after Pulmonary Embolism / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND@#Information regarding the incidence and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detected by follow-up computed tomographic (CT) venography after pulmonary embolism (PE) is sparse. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of DVT in follow-up CT images, and to elucidate their clinical significance.@*METHODS@#Patients with PE were classified into the following three cohorts based on the time of indirect CT venography follow-up: within 1 month, 1 to 3 months, and 3 to 9 months after the initial CT scan. Each cohort was subdivided into patients with or without DVT detected by follow-up CT. Clinical variables were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Follow-up CT revealed DVT in 61% of patients with PE within 1 month, in 15% of patients with PE at 1 to 3 months, and in 9% of patients with PE at 3 to 9 months after the initial CT scan. Right ventricular (RV) dilation on the initial CT (odds ratio [OR], 8.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89–36.40; p=0.005) and proximal DVT at the initial presentation (OR, 6.93; 95% CI, 1.90–25.20; p=0.003) were found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images within 1 month, proximal DVT at the initial presentation was found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images at 1 to 3 months (OR, 6.69; 95% CI, 1.53–29.23; p=0.012), and central PE was found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images at 3 to 9 months (OR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.22–4.83; p=0.023) after the initial CT scan. Furthermore, the detection of DVT by follow-up CT independently predicted the recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (OR, 4.67; 95% CI, 2.24–9.74; p < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Three months after PE, DVT was not detected by follow-up CT in most patients with PE. RV dilation on the initial CT, central PE, and proximal DVT at the initial presentation were found to predict DVT on follow-up CT, which might predict VTE recurrence.

Detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis by Follow-up Indirect Computed Tomography Venography after Pulmonary Embolism / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the incidence and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detected by follow-up computed tomographic (CT) venography after pulmonary embolism (PE) is sparse. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of DVT in follow-up CT images, and to elucidate their clinical significance. METHODS: Patients with PE were classified into the following three cohorts based on the time of indirect CT venography follow-up: within 1 month, 1 to 3 months, and 3 to 9 months after the initial CT scan. Each cohort was subdivided into patients with or without DVT detected by follow-up CT. Clinical variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Follow-up CT revealed DVT in 61% of patients with PE within 1 month, in 15% of patients with PE at 1 to 3 months, and in 9% of patients with PE at 3 to 9 months after the initial CT scan. Right ventricular (RV) dilation on the initial CT (odds ratio [OR], 8.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89–36.40; p=0.005) and proximal DVT at the initial presentation (OR, 6.93; 95% CI, 1.90–25.20; p=0.003) were found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images within 1 month, proximal DVT at the initial presentation was found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images at 1 to 3 months (OR, 6.69; 95% CI, 1.53–29.23; p=0.012), and central PE was found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images at 3 to 9 months (OR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.22–4.83; p=0.023) after the initial CT scan. Furthermore, the detection of DVT by follow-up CT independently predicted the recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (OR, 4.67; 95% CI, 2.24–9.74; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Three months after PE, DVT was not detected by follow-up CT in most patients with PE. RV dilation on the initial CT, central PE, and proximal DVT at the initial presentation were found to predict DVT on follow-up CT, which might predict VTE recurrence.

Comparison of Early and Late Tuberculosis Deaths in Korea

The cause of death in patients with tuberculosis (TB) may differ according to the phase of anti-tuberculosis treatment. However, there are limited data regarding this issue in Korea. We compared the cause of death of TB patients who died during the early intensive and late continuation phase of treatment. Twenty (56%) of the 36 early deaths were due to TB-related causes, whereas 34 (89%) of the 38 late deaths were due to TB-unrelated causes. This finding suggests that TB-related early deaths mainly attributable to delayed diagnosis should be improved to further reduce the overall TB deaths.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT6 and CPF10 Induce Adenosine Deaminase 2 mRNA Expression in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Delayed hypersensitivity plays a large role in the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). Macrophages infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) increase the levels of adenosine deaminase2 (ADA2) in the pleural fluid of TPE patients. However, it is as yet unclear whether ADA2 can be produced by macrophages when challenged with MTB antigens alone. This study therefore evaluated the levels of ADA2 mRNA expression, using monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) stimulated with MTB antigens. METHODS: Purified monocytes from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers were differentiated into macrophages using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The MDMs were stimulated with early secretory antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10). The mRNA expression levels for the cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 1 (CECR1) gene encoding ADA2 were then measured. RESULTS: CECR1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in MDMs stimulated with ESAT6 and CFP10, than in the unstimulated MDMs. When stimulated with ESAT6, M-CSF-treated MDMs showed more pronounced CECR1 mRNA expression than GM-CSF-treated MDMs. Interferon-γ decreased the ESAT6- and CFP10-induced CECR1 mRNA expression in MDMs. CECR1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 10, respectively. CONCLUSION: ADA2 mRNA expression increased when MDMs were stimulated with MTB antigens alone. This partly indicates that pleural fluid ADA levels could increase in patients with culture-negative TPE. Our results may be helpful in improving the understanding of TPE pathogenesis.

The Different Effect of VEGF Polymorphisms on the Prognosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer according to Tumor Histology

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) contributes to tumor angiogenesis. The role of VEGF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lung cancer susceptibility and its prognosis remains inconclusive and controversial. This study was performed to investigate whether VEGF polymorphisms affect survival outcomes of patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgery. Three potentially functional VEGF SNPs (rs833061T>C, rs2010963G>C, and rs3025039C>T) were genotyped. A total of 782 NSCLC patients who were treated with surgical resection were enrolled. The association of the SNPs with overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) was analyzed. In overall population, none of the three polymorphisms were significantly associated with OS or DFS. However, when the patients were stratified by tumor histology, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) had significantly different OS (Adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.56–1.03 in SCC; aHR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.98–1.82 in AC; P for heterogeneity = 0.01) and DFS (aHR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.58–0.97 in SCC; aHR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.00–1.60 in AC; P for heterogeneity = 0.004) according to the rs833061T>C genotypes. Our results suggest that the prognostic role of VEGF rs833061T>C may differ depending on tumor histology.

Genetic Variants in the Wnt Signaling Pathway Are Not Associated with Survival Outcome of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in a Korean Population

Recently, genetic variants in the WNT signaling pathway have been reported to affect the survival outcome of Caucasian patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We therefore attempted to determine whether these same WNT signaling pathway gene variants had similar impacts on the survival outcome of NSCLC patients in a Korean population. A total of 761 patients with stages I-IIIA NSCLC were enrolled in this study. Eight variants of WNT pathway genes were genotyped and their association with overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed. None of the eight variants were significantly associated with overall survival or disease-free survival. There were no differences in survival outcome after stratifying the subjects according to age, gender, smoking status, and histological type. These results suggest that genetic variants in the WNT signaling pathway may not affect the survival outcome of NSCLC in a Korean population.

Diffuse Pulmonary Ossification Developing in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease / 대한내과학회지

Diffuse pulmonary ossification (DPO) is a rare condition characterized by chronic metaplastic ossification of the lung parenchyma. DPO is associated with various underlying pulmonary, cardiac, and systemic diseases. However, to our knowledge, DPO has rarely been described in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. We describe two cases of DPO diagnosed in long-term hemodialysis patients. Awareness of this rare disorder is required for a better differential diagnosis of cases presenting with bilateral diffuse micronodular lesions, including calcific opacities.

Letter to the editor: Respective Contribution of Liquid and Solid Media to Mycobacterial Yields from Pleural Fluid in Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

No abstract available.

Replication of the results of genome-wide and candidate gene association studies on telomere length in a Korean population

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A number of genome-wide and candidate gene association studies have identified polymorphisms associated with telomere length in Caucasian populations. This study was conducted to determine the impacts of 17 polymorphisms identified in Caucasians on telomere length in a Korean population. METHODS: Ninety-four healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Relative telomere length of chromosomes from peripheral blood samples was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Two polymorphisms, rs10936599 of MYNN and rs412658 of ZNF676, were found to be associated w ith telomere length (under dominant model, p = 0.04; under recessive model, p = 0.001). Three polymorphisms, rs2853669, rs7705526, and rs2736108, at the TERT locus were also associated with telomere length (under recessive model, p = 0.01, p = 0.02, and p = 0.01, respectively). The genotypes of the five polymorphisms associated with short telomere length were considered bad genotypes; telomere length was significantly decreased with increasing number of bad genotypes (p= 1.7 x 10(-5)). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified polymorphisms associated with telomere length in a Korean population.

TERT Polymorphism rs2853669 Influences on Lung Cancer Risk in the Korean Population

Short telomeres are known as one of the risk factors for human cancers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association between 6 polymorphisms, which were related with short telomere length in the Korean population, and lung cancer risk using 1,100 cases and 1,096 controls. Among the 6 polymorphisms, TERT rs2853669 was significantly associated with increased lung cancer risk under a recessive model (odds ratio [OR]=1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.05-1.81, P=0.02). The effect of rs2853669 on lung cancer risk was significant in younger individuals (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.18-2.54, P=0.005) and adenocarcinoma (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.07-2.07, P=0.02). Our results suggest that a common functional promoter polymorphism, TERT rs2853669, may influence both telomere length and lung cancer risk in the Korean population.

Predictors of Relapse in Patients with Organizing Pneumonia / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Although organizing pneumonia (OP) responds well to corticosteroid therapy, relapse is common during dose reduction or follow-up. Predictors of relapse in OP patients remain to be established. The aim of the present study was to identify factors related to relapse in OP patients. METHODS: This study was retrospectively performed in a tertiary referral center. Of 66 OP patients who were improved with or without treatment, 20 (30%) experienced relapse. The clinical and radiologic parameters in the relapse patient group (n=20) were compared to that in the non-relapse group (n=46). RESULTS: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), PaO2/FiO2, and serum protein level were significant predictors of relapse in OP patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.97; p=0.018; OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04; p=0.042; and OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.87; p=0.039, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows that FVC, PaO2/FiO2 and serum protein level at presentation can significantly predict relapse in OP patients.

Clinical Characteristics of Community-Acquired Viridans Streptococcal Pneumonia / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Viridans streptococci (VS) are a large group of streptococcal bacteria that are causative agents of community-acquired respiratory tract infection. However, data regarding their clinical characteristics are limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical and radiologic features of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with or without parapneumonic effusion caused by VS. METHODS: Of 455 consecutive CAP patients with or without parapneumonic effusion, VS were isolated from the blood or pleural fluid in 27 (VS group, 5.9%) patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified as a single etiologic agent in 70 (control group) patients. We compared various clinical parameters between the VS group and the control group. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the VS group was characterized by more frequent complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema and bed-ridden status, lower incidences of productive cough, elevated procalcitonin (>0.5 ng/mL), lower age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index score, and more frequent ground glass opacity (GGO) or consolidation on computed tomography (CT) scans. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema, productive cough, bed-ridden status, and GGO or consolidation on CT scans were independent predictors of community-acquired respiratory tract infection caused by VS. CONCLUSION: CAP caused by VS commonly presents as complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema. It is characterized by less frequent productive cough, more frequent bed-ridden status, and less common CT pulmonary parenchymal lesions. However, its treatment outcome and clinical course are similar to those of pneumococcal pneumonia.

A Case of Venlafaxine-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease / 결핵및호흡기질환

A patient treated with venlafaxine for major depression developed an interstitial lung disease (ILD) with the characteristic clinical, radiological and pathological features of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A high resolution computed tomography scan demonstrated ground glass opacity, mosaic perfusion with air-trapping and traction bronchiectasis in both lungs. The pathological findings were consistent with a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern. Clinical and radiological improvements were noted after the discontinuation of venlafaxine and the administration of a corticosteroid. This report provides further evidence that the anti-depressant venlafaxine can cause ILD.

Prognostic Value of Serum Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Information regarding prognostic value of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of GDF-15 and H-FABP predict an adverse outcome for COPD exacerbation. METHODS: Clinical variables, including serum GDF-15 and H-FABP levels were compared in prospectively enrolled patients with COPD exacerbation that did or did not experience an adverse outcome. An adverse outcome included 30-day mortality and need for endotracheal intubation or inotropic support. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were included and allocated into an adverse outcome (n=10) or a control (n=87) group. Frequencies of mental change and PaCO2>37 mm Hg were significantly higher in the adverse outcome group (mental change: 30% vs. 6%, p=0.034 and PaCO2>37 mm Hg: 80% vs. 22%, p1,600 pg/mL) was more common in the adverse outcome group (80% vs. 43%, p=0.041). However, serum H-FABP level and frequency of serum H-FABP elevation (>755 pg/mL) did not differ between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that an elevated serum GDF-15 and PaCO2>37 mm Hg were significant predictors of an adverse outcome (odds ratio [OR], 25.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-243.8; p=0.005 and OR, 11.8; 95% CI, 1.2-115.3; p=0.034, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated serum GDF-15 level and PaCO2>37 mm Hg were found to predict an adverse outcome independently in patients with COPD exacerbation, suggesting the possibility that serum GDF-15 could be used as a prognostic biomarker of COPD exacerbation.

Clinical Relevance of Bronchial Anthracofibrosis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF), which is associated with exposure to biomass smoke in inefficiently ventilated indoor areas, can take the form of obstructive lung disease. Patients with BAF can mimic or present with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of BAF in Korean patients with COPD exacerbation as well as to examine the clinical features of these patients in order to determine its clinical relevance. METHODS: A total of 206 patients with COPD exacerbation were divided into BAF and non-BAF groups, according to computed tomography findings. We compared both clinical and radiologic variables between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients with BAF (51 [25%]) were older, with a preponderance of nonsmoking women; moreover, they showed a more frequent association with exposure to wood smoke compared to those without BAF. However, no differences in the severity of illness and clinical course between the two groups were observed. Patients in the BAF group had less severe airflow obstruction, but more common and severe pulmonary hypertension signs than those in the non-BAF group. CONCLUSION: Compared with non-BAF COPD, BAF may be associated with milder airflow limitation and more frequent signs of pulmonary hypertension with a more severe grade in patients presenting with COPD exacerbation.

Mortality of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Korea: Assessed with the Pneumonia Severity Index and the CURB-65 Score

The pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65 are widely used tools for the prediction of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study was conducted to evaluate validation of severity scoring system including the PSI and CURB-65 scores of Korean CAP patients. In the prospective CAP cohort (participated in by 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2009 to September 2011), 883 patients aged over 18 yr were studied. The 30-day mortalities of all patients were calculated with their PSI index classes and CURB scores. The overall mortality rate was 4.5% (40/883). The mortality rates per CURB-65 score were as follows: score 0, 2.3% (6/260); score 1, 4.0% (12/300); score 2, 6.0% (13/216); score 3, 5.7% (5/88); score 4, 23.5% (4/17); and score 5, 0% (0/2). Mortality rate with PSI risk class were as follows: I, 2.3% (4/174); II, 2.7% (5/182); III, 2.3% (5/213); IV, 4.5% (11/245); and V, 21.7% (15/69). The subgroup mortality rate of Korean CAP patients varies based on the severity scores and CURB-65 is more valid for the lower scores, and PSI, for the higher scores. Thus, these variations must be considered when using PSI and CURB-65 for CAP in Korean patients.