Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Modern drug discovery is driven by high demand in the pharmaceutical industry to test growing libraries of compounds against potential targets. High-throughput screening (HTS) is characterized by fully automated experimentation that leverages robotic liquid handling systems, analytical techniques, and advanced computing and statistics, including the recent integration of artificial intelligence. To align with this trend, it is crucial to develop and implement new HTS platforms that offer improved predictivity and physiological relevance. In recent years, microphysiological systems, commonly known as organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, have progressed from a theoretical concept to a powerful alternative to conventional in vitro and animal models. High-throughput OoC (HT-OoC) systems could represent the disruptive technology sought by pharmaceutical companies to address their enormous research and development (R&D) expenses. In this study, we provide a brief overview of commercial products utilizing modern HT-OoC systems in drug discovery and development. Additionally, we discuss recent trends in R&D aimed at industrialization.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Modern drug discovery is driven by high demand in the pharmaceutical industry to test growing libraries of compounds against potential targets. High-throughput screening (HTS) is characterized by fully automated experimentation that leverages robotic liquid handling systems, analytical techniques, and advanced computing and statistics, including the recent integration of artificial intelligence. To align with this trend, it is crucial to develop and implement new HTS platforms that offer improved predictivity and physiological relevance. In recent years, microphysiological systems, commonly known as organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, have progressed from a theoretical concept to a powerful alternative to conventional in vitro and animal models. High-throughput OoC (HT-OoC) systems could represent the disruptive technology sought by pharmaceutical companies to address their enormous research and development (R&D) expenses. In this study, we provide a brief overview of commercial products utilizing modern HT-OoC systems in drug discovery and development. Additionally, we discuss recent trends in R&D aimed at industrialization.

Modern drug discovery is driven by high demand in the pharmaceutical industry to test growing libraries of compounds against potential targets. High-throughput screening (HTS) is characterized by fully automated experimentation that leverages robotic liquid handling systems, analytical techniques, and advanced computing and statistics, including the recent integration of artificial intelligence. To align with this trend, it is crucial to develop and implement new HTS platforms that offer improved predictivity and physiological relevance. In recent years, microphysiological systems, commonly known as organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, have progressed from a theoretical concept to a powerful alternative to conventional in vitro and animal models. High-throughput OoC (HT-OoC) systems could represent the disruptive technology sought by pharmaceutical companies to address their enormous research and development (R&D) expenses. In this study, we provide a brief overview of commercial products utilizing modern HT-OoC systems in drug discovery and development. Additionally, we discuss recent trends in R&D aimed at industrialization.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Long-term outcomes of live kidney donors remain controversial, although this information is crucial for selecting potential donors. Thus, this study compared the long-term risk of all-cause mortality between live kidney donors and healthy control. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including donors from seven tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Persons who underwent voluntary health screening were included as controls. We created a matched control group considering age, sex, era, body mass index, baseline hypertension, diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and dipstick albuminuria. The study outcome was progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and all-cause mortality as identified in the linked claims database. Results: We screened 1,878 kidney donors and 78,115 health screening examinees from 2003 to 2016. After matching, 1,701 persons remained in each group. The median age of the matched study subjects was 44 years, and 46.6% were male. Among the study subjects, 2.7% and 16.6% had underlying diabetes and hypertension, respectively. There were no ESKD events in the matched donor and control groups. There were 24 (1.4%) and 12 mortality cases (0.7%) in the matched donor and control groups, respectively. In the age-sex adjusted model, the risk for all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the donor group than in the control group. However, the significance was not retained after socioeconomic status was included as a covariate (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.87–3.80). Conclusion: All-cause mortality was similar in live kidney donors and matched non-donor healthy controls with similar health status and socioeconomic status in the Korean population.