Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Years of Life Lost Attributable to COVID-19 in High-incidence Countries.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major public health problem of international concern. It is important to estimate its impact of COVID-19 for health policy decision-making. We estimated the years of life lost (YLLs) due to COVID-19 in high-incidence countries. ⋯ This study estimated YLLs due to COVID-19 in 30 countries. COVID-19 is a high burden in the USA and Belgium, among males and the elderly. The YLLs are very closely related with the incidence as well as the mortality. This highlights the importance of the early detection of incident case that minimizes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 fatality.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19: Clinical Dynamics of Mild Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Detected by Early Active Surveillance.
There is limited information describing the presenting characteristics and dynamic clinical changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed in the early phase of illness. This study is a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to 11 hospitals in Korea. ⋯ Old age was associated with early severe presentation. Clinical aggravation among asymptomatic or mild patients could not be predicted initially but was heralded by fever and several laboratory markers during the clinical course.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Changes in Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection over 20 Years in Jinju, Korea, from Newborns to the Elderly.
The objective of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of cytotoxic-associated gene A (CagA) positive Helicobacter pylori infection in Jinju, Korea, over the last 20 years. ⋯ H. pylori infection rate in children and young adults declined over 20 years in Jinju, probably due to improved sanitation, housing, or economy.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Effects of Ammonium Chloride on Ozone-induced Airway Inflammation: the Role of Slc26a4 in the Lungs of Mice.
Exposure to ozone (O₃) induces neutrophilic inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in humans and experimental animals. Because the solute carrier family 26-member 4 (Slc26a4; pendrin) gene induces mucin production and intraluminal acidification in the airways, it was hypothesized to be a key molecule in O₃-induced airway injury. Thus, we evaluated the role of Slc26a4 and the protective effects of ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) in O₃-induced airway injury in mice. ⋯ Slc26a4 may be involved in O₃-induced inflammatory and epithelial changes in the airways via activation of the inflammasome and the induction of IL-17 and IFN-γ. NH₄Cl shows a potential as a therapeutic agent for controlling O₃-induced airway inflammation and epithelial damage by modulating Slc26a4 expression.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Pulmonary Surfactant Replacement Therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Neonates: a Nationwide Epidemiological Study in Korea.
Pulmonary surfactant (PS) replacement therapy, as a safe and effective treatment for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) may have further increased with the extended insurance coverage since 2011 in Korea. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiologic data of PS replacement therapy for RDS in Korea and to analyze the complications associated with RDS. ⋯ Advancements in neonatal care and extended insurance coverage have increased the use of PS replacement therapy for RDS. This, in turn, decreased neonatal mortality and the incidence of the associated complications. The appropriate therapeutic strategy for RDS should be decided according to the gestational age and lung pathology.