No abstract available.
Fibrosis* ; Lung*

No abstract available.
Thorax*

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by chronic progressive parenchymal lung fibrosis. Although extensive researches for IPF pathogenesis have been reported for several decades, the precise mechanisms are still unknown and the specific treatments for elimination of fibrosis and prolongation of survival are also still unknown. The role of inflammation as initial insult of lung fibrosis is still debating by controversial results of animal model experiments. The recent proposed mechanism for IPF is a dysregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions which have critical role in tissue repair process and fibrosis. This hypothesis suggests impaired communications between epithelium and mesenchymal cells in terms of abnormal proliferation of mesenchymal cells instead of normal proliferation of epithelium. At recent, epithelial mesenchymal transition is regarded as an important source of myofiborblast which are major cells producing extracellular matrix. Classical treatment agents including steroid are already known to be ineffective in treatment of IPF, and also, IFN-gamma one of newly emerging drug, is proved to be ineffective in treatment of IPF. Now new drugs involved in the molecular levels of signal transduction of fibrotic pathway, inhibition of various growth factors (TGF, CTGF, VEGF), and direct inhibition of fibrotic cytokines are under investigated in animal experiments and human clinical studies. Further studies should be focused on the evaluation of precipitating factors, genetic markers, drugs for inhibiting specific molecules responsible for lung fibrosis, and agents for controlling ECM precipitation.
Animal Experimentation ; Cytokines ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibrosis ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Lung ; Models, Animal ; Precipitating Factors ; Signal Transduction

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal fibrotic lung disease in many patients. In spite of extensive research for many decades, the exact pathogenesis of IPF is unknown. At recent, the role of alveolar epithelial cells has been focused in the initiation of IPF in terms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, dysregulated Wnt signaling, and activation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The resulting excess collagen deposition and destruction of lung architecture by myofibroblasts and fibroblastic foci leads to the development of IPF. IPF can be diagnosed by typical high resolution chest tomogram (HRCT) or by multidisciplinary discussion based on the new guideline published on 2010.
Collagen ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Myofibroblasts ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, General*

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major health burden worldwide, with over 450 million confirmed cases and 6 million deaths. Although the acute phase of COVID-19 management has been established, there is still a long way to go to evaluate the long-term clinical course or manage complications due to the relatively short outbreak of the virus. Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most common respiratory complications associated with COVID-19. Scarring throughout the lungs after viral or bacterial pulmonary infection have been commonly observed, but the prevalence of post– COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis is rapidly increasing. However, there is limited information available about post–COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis, and there is also a lack of consensus on what condition should be defined as post–COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. During a relatively short follow-up period of approximately 1 year, lesions considered related to pulmonary fibrosis often showed gradual improvement; therefore, it is questionable at what time point fibrosis should be evaluated. In this review, we investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and management of post–COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis.

The presently used impairment rating guidelines in Korea do not accurately reflect the injury in various lung diseases. Therefore, they need to be made more objective and quantitative with new measurements, using indicators to more precisely represent impairment in the major respiratory diseases. We develop a respiratory impairment rating guideline to ensure that the same grade or impairment rating would be obtained regardless of surgeons who determinate it. Specialists in respiratory medicine and thoracic surgeons determined the impairment grades. Moreover, the impairment should be irreversible for more than 6 months. The impairment rating depends on the level of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume 1 second, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, arterial oxygen pressure, and arterial carbon dioxide pressure. The degree of whole body impairment is defined by each grade: first 81-95%, second 66-80%, third 51-65%, fourth 36-50%, and fifth 21-35%. In conclusion, we develop a respiratory impairment rating guideline for Koreans. Any qualified specialist can easily use it and judge objective scoring.
*Disability Evaluation ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases/classification/diagnosis ; Program Development ; Pulmonary Ventilation/physiology ; Respiratory Insufficiency/classification/*diagnosis ; Severity of Illness Index

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans* ; Bronchiolitis* ; Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia* ; Respiratory Sounds*

No abstract available.