Yonsei medical journal
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
Application of a new spirometric reference equation and its impact on the staging of Korean chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
A new spirometric reference equation was recently developed from the first national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) survey in Korea. However, Morris' equation has been preferred for evaluating spirometric values instead. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in severity staging in Korean COPD patients by adopting the newly developed Korean equation. ⋯ These results indicate that equations from different ethnic groups do not sufficiently reflect the airflow limitation of Korean COPD patients. The Korean reference equation should be used for Korean COPD patients in order to administer proper treatment.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialBeneficial effects of adding ketamine to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl after the Nuss procedure in pediatric patients.
The aim of this prospective, double-blind, randomized study was to investigate the analgesic effects of low-dose ketamine on intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with fentanyl for pain control in pediatric patients following the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. ⋯ We concluded that low-dose ketamine added to IV-PCA with fentanyl after the Nuss procedure in pediatric patients can reduce pain scores, consumption of fentanyl, and incidence of nausea/vomiting without increasing side effects.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
ReviewKawasaki disease: laboratory findings and an immunopathogenesis on the premise of a "protein homeostasis system".
Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limited systemic inflammatory illness, and coronary artery lesions (CALs) are a major complication determining the prognosis of the disease. Epidemiologic studies in Asian children suggest that the etiologic agent(s) of KD may be associated with environmental changes. Laboratory findings are useful for the diagnosis of incomplete KD, and they can guide the next-step in treatment of initial intravenous immunoglobulin non-responders. ⋯ To control the action of pathogenic proteins and/or substances from the injured cells, immune cells are activated. Initially, non-specific T cells and non-specific antibodies are involved in this reaction, while hyperactivated immune cells produce various cytokines, leading to a cytokine imbalance associated with further endothelial cell injury. After the emergence of specific T cells and specific antibodies against the pathogenic proteins, tissue injury ceases and a repair reaction begins with the immune cells.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
ReviewCurrent management and future strategies of gastric cancer.
The overall prognosis of gastric cancer has gradually improved over the past decades with growing awareness of potential carcinogens, surveillance programs and early diagnosis, as well as advances in surgical techniques and multimodality treatments. Nevertheless, the outcome of advanced stage disease still remains poor with currently available treatments, and a worldwide consensus on the standard management thereof has not been established. ⋯ Diagnostic tests and surgical procedures need to be further sophisticated and standardized based on more recent evidences from ongoing and future randomized controlled trials, while comprehensive management should be individualized to each patient. Future challenges lie with how to optimize personalized therapies by deciphering biological complexity of gastric cancer and incorporating molecular biomarkers in clinical practice to forecast prognosis and to guide targeted therapeutics in adjunct to current standards of care.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
Anterior pelvic plating and sacroiliac joint fixation in unstable pelvic ring injuries.
To analyze the effectiveness of anterior pelvic plating and subsequent percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw fixation in patients with unstable pelvic ring injuries. ⋯ In patients with unstable pelvic ring injuries, anterior pelvic plating and subsequent percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw fixation may be a useful surgical option. The radiological results and residual neurologic symptoms had effects on its functional results.