Yonsei medical journal
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Yonsei medical journal · May 2020
Meta AnalysisPolymorphisms of Inflammatory Cytokine Genes and Risk for Intracranial Aneurysm: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Inflammatory cytokines are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysm (IA), although results among studies in the literature are inconsistent. This article sought to review studies on the associations among polymorphisms in inflammatory cytokine genes and IA risk and to provide recommendations for future research. ⋯ This review demonstrated an association between TNF-α rs1800629 polymorphism and IA in Caucasians, illustrating the potentially important role of genes involved in inflammation in IA.
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Yonsei medical journal · May 2020
ReviewA Review of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence among Female Sex Workers.
Globally and in Africa specifically, female sex workers (FSWs) are at an extraordinarily high risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as an effective and ethical method with which to prevent HIV infection among FSWs. PrEP efficacy is, however, closely linked to adherence, and adherence to PrEP among FSWs is a complex and interrelated process that has been shown to be of importance to public health policies and HIV control and intervention programs. ⋯ These strategies encompass 1) a long-term educational effort to decrease the stigma associated with sex work and PrEP use, 2) education on how PrEP works, 3) lifestyle modification, 4) research on next-generation PrEP products to address the inconvenience of taking daily pills, and 5) integration of PrEP into existing services, such as social services and routine primary care visits, to reduce the economic burden of seeking the medication. Our review is expected to be useful for the design of future PrEP intervention programs. Multidisciplinary intervention should be considered to promote PrEP adherence among FSWs in order to help control the HIV epidemic.
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Yonsei medical journal · Apr 2020
ReviewNusinersen as a Therapeutic Agent for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
The reduction of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide, approved by the FDA, which specifically binds to the repressor within SMN2 exon 7 to enhance exon 7 inclusion and augment production of functional SMN protein. ⋯ This review of nusinersen will discuss its action mechanism, cellular uptake, trafficking mechanisms, and administration approaches to cross the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, nusinersen clinical trials will be assessed in terms of pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety, the clinical outcomes of multiple intrathecal doses, and a discussion on the primary and secondary endpoints.
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Yonsei medical journal · Apr 2020
ReviewRisk Factors Associated with Endometrial Pathology in Premenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen.
To evaluate factors associated with endometrial pathology during tamoxifen use in premenopausal breast cancer (BC) patients. ⋯ In premenopausal BC patients treated with tamoxifen, abnormal uterine bleeding, increased endometrial thickness, and chemotherapy for BC were associated with the occurrence of endometrial cancer. These findings may provide useful information for gynecologic surveillance and counseling during tamoxifen treatment in premenopausal BC patients.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2020
ReviewKinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty with Patient-Specific Instrument.
Kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a new alignment technique. Kinematic alignment corrects arthritic deformity to the patient's constitutional alignment in order to position the femoral and tibial components, as well as to restore the knee's natural tibial-femoral articular surface, alignment, and natural laxity. Kinematic knee motion moves around a single flexion-extension axis of the distal femur, passing through the center of cylindrically shaped posterior femoral condyles. ⋯ PSI was recently introduced as a new technology with the goal of improving the accuracy of operative technique, avoiding practical issues related to the complexity of navigation and robotic system, such as the costs and higher number of personnel required. There are several limitations to implement the kinematically aligned TKA with the implant for mechanical alignment. Therefore, it is important to design an implant with the optimal shape for restoring natural knee kinematics that might improve patient-reported satisfaction and function.