Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2020
Differential Impact of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels on the Prognosis of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis According to MELD and Child-Pugh Scores.
Prognosis of patients with diverse chronic diseases is reportedly associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. In this study, we investigated the potential role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) levels in improving the predictive power of conventional prognostic models for patients with liver cirrhosis. ⋯ Serum 25(OH)D3 level is an independent prognostic factor for patients with liver cirrhosis and has a differential impact on disease outcomes according to MELD and Child-Pugh scores.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2020
Assault-related Factors and Trauma-related Cognitions Associated with Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms in High-distress and Low-distress Korean Female Victims of Sexual Assault.
Information about the factors involved in the progress of both high distressed and low distressed victims in the early days after a sexual assault are needed to provide effective intervention for victims of sexual assault. In this study, we examined the relationship among posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, assault-related factors and trauma-related cognitions in Korean female victims of sexual assault. ⋯ Our results suggest that trauma-related cognitions seem to play an important role in the maintenance of PTSD both of high-distress and low-distress groups, and that effective intervention will need to address these cognitive factors.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2020
Social Distancing against COVID-19: Implication for the Control of Influenza.
Social distancing has been adopted as one of basic protective measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). During 2019-2020 season, influenza epidemic period was exceptionally short and epidemic peak was low in comparison with previous seasons in Korea. ⋯ Social distancing measures with high feasibility and high acceptability should be implemented even if severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are developed in the future. Establishment of guideline for workplace social distancing is needed and it would contribute to reduce disease burden of influenza, especially in vaccine mismatch year.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2020
Case ReportsDevelopment of End Stage Renal Disease after Long-Term Ingestion of Chaga Mushroom: Case Report and Review of Literature.
Chaga mushrooms are widely used in folk remedies and in alternative medicine. Contrary to many beneficial effects, its adverse effect is rarely reported. We here report a case of end-stage renal disease after long-term taking Chaga mushroom. ⋯ Estimated daily oxalate intake of our case was 2 times for four years and 5 times for one year higher than that of usual diet. Chaga mushroom is a potential risk factor of chronic kidney disease considering high oxalate content. Nephrologist should consider oxalate nephropathy in ESRD patients exposed to Chaga mushrooms.
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The global fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is largely based on strategies to boost immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and prevent its severe course and complications. The human defence may include antibodies which interact with SARS-CoV-2 and neutralize its aggressive actions on multiple organ systems. Protective cross-reactivity of antibodies against measles and other known viral infections has been postulated, primarily as a result of the initial observations of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 in children. ⋯ Intravenous immunoglobulin may also be protective in view of its nonspecific antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Finally, human monoclonal antibodies may interact with some SARS-CoV-2 proteins, inhibiting the virus-receptor interaction and prevent tissue injury. The improved understanding of the host antiviral responses may help develop safe and effective immunotherapeutic strategies against COVID-19 in the foreseeable future.