Yonsei medical journal
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Yonsei medical journal · Jul 2015
Association between Fibrinogen and Carotid Atherosclerosis According to Smoking Status in a Korean Male Population.
Although inconsistent, reports have shown fibrinogen levels to be associated with atherosclerosis. Accordingly, since cigarette smoking is associated with increased levels of fibrinogen and atherosclerosis, it may also affect the association between fibrinogen and atherosclerosis. We investigated the associations between fibrinogen and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) according to smoking status in a Korean male population. ⋯ Our findings suggest that cigarette smoking may modify the association between fibrinogen and carotid atherosclerosis. Further studies are required to confirm this finding in different populations.
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Yonsei medical journal · Jul 2015
The Clinical Courses of Patients with Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation Complicated by Pneumonia.
We evaluated the clinical characteristics and courses of patients with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) complicated by pneumonia. ⋯ We described the clinical characteristics and courses of patients with CCAM complicated by pneumonia, and showed that surgery may be performed safely after clinicolaboratory improvement is attained upon antibiotic treatment, even in the absence of complete radiological resolution.
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Yonsei medical journal · Jul 2015
Observational StudyLow Serum Concentrations of Moxifloxacin, Prothionamide, and Cycloserine on Sputum Conversion in Multi-Drug Resistant TB.
Low serum concentrations of drugs used to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have occasionally been associated with treatment failure. We determined the frequencies of low serum concentrations of anti-MDR-TB drugs, and assessed the effects of these concentrations on 2-month sputum conversion. ⋯ The frequency of low serum concentrations of anti-MDR-TB drugs was substantial and might not affect the 2-month sputum conversion rate. Larger prospective studies with timely sampling are needed to investigate the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in MDR-TB.
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Yonsei medical journal · Jul 2015
Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Transmission via Breast Milk in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants.
Extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) have a high risk of acquiring cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection via breast milk and consequently developing serious symptoms. We evaluated whether freeze-thawing or pasteurization could prevent postnatal CMV infection transmitted through breast milk in ELBWIs. ⋯ Pasteurization but not freeze-thawing of breast milk eradicated the postnatal acquisition of CMV infection through breast milk.
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Yonsei medical journal · Jul 2015
Clinical Characteristics and Genotype-Phenotype Correlation of Korean Patients with Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy.
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked motor neuron disease characterized by proximal muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and fas-ciculation. Although SBMA is not uncommon in Korea, there is only one study reporting clinical characteristics and genotype-phenotype correlation in Korean patients. ⋯ As a report with the largest and recent Korean cohort, this study demonstrates clinical features of Korean patients with SBMA and reaffirms the inverse correlation between the age at disease onset and the number of CAG repeats. Interestingly, this study shows a possibility that the rate of disease progression may be influenced by the age at onset of symptoms.