The Korean journal of internal medicine
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2016
Multicenter StudyFeasibility of α-fetoprotein as a diagnostic tool for hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of α-fetoprotein (AFP) as a diagnostic tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Korean patients. ⋯ The cut-off AFP value for early-stage HCC was 17.4 ng/mL. Our study cautiously suggests that AFP has a role in the diagnosis of HCC, and that the appropriate value of AFP for the diagnosis of HCC may be 100 ng/mL rather than 200 ng/mL.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2016
Comparative StudyClinical efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula compared to noninvasive ventilation in patients with post-extubation respiratory failure.
Post-extubation respiratory failure (PERF) is associated with poor clinica l outcomes. High-f low nasa l cannula (HF NC) ox ygen therapy has been used in patients with respiratory failure, but the clinical benefit in patients with PERF remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of HFNC compared to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with PERF. ⋯ HFNC is likely to be as effective as, and better tolerated than, NIV for treatment of PERF.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Nov 2015
Case ReportsThe effects of nonyl phenoxypolyethoxyl ethanol on cell damage pathway gene expression in SK-NSH cells.
Most pesticide formulations contain both chief and additive ingredients. But, the additives may not have been tested as thoroughly as the chief ingredients. The surfactant, nonyl phenoxypolyethoxylethanol (NP40), is an additive frequently present in pesticide formulations. We investigated the effects of NP40 and other constituents of a validamycin pesticide formulation on cell viability and on the expression of genes involved in cell damage pathways. ⋯ NP40 appeared to be particularly harmful, inducing gene expression changes that indicated genotoxicity, activation of the cell death (necrosis signaling) pathway, and induction of the 70 kDa heat shock protein 4 gene.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2018
Medication nonadherence in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the importance of belief about medication and illness perception.
To investigate medication nonadherence in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze related factors. ⋯ Medication nonadherence is common in Korean patients with RA. Less belief in necessity of medication and greater emotional response to disease were identified as key factors prompting intentional nonadherence. These factors may be strategically targeted to improve medication adherence rates and subsequent clinical outcomes.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Mar 2018
Comparative StudyComparison of clinical utility between diaphragm excursion and thickening change using ultrasonography to predict extubation success.
Both diaphragmatic excursion and change in muscle thickening are measured using ultrasonography (US) to assess diaphragm function and mechanical ventilation weaning outcomes. However, which parameter can better predict successful extubation remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical utility of these two diaphragmatic parameters to predict extubation success. ⋯ Diaphragm excursion seems more accurate than a change in the diaphragm thickness to predict extubation success.