Yonsei medical journal
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Yonsei medical journal · Aug 2020
Clinical Usefulness of Fungal Culture of EBUS-TBNA Needle Rinse Fluid and Core Tissue.
The diagnosis of pulmonary fungal infections is challenging due to the difficulty of obtaining sufficient specimens. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) needle rinse fluid has become an emerging diagnostic material. This study evaluated the role of routine fungal culture from EBUS-TBNA needle rinse fluid, in addition to histopathologic examination and fungal culture of EBUS-TBNA core tissue, in the diagnosis of pulmonary fungal infections. ⋯ Routine fungal culture of EBUS-TBNA needle rinse fluid is not useful due to the low incidence of fungal infection and high rate of contamination. However, fungal culture of EBUS-TBNA core tissue and needle rinse fluid should be considered in patients with clinically suspected fungal infection.
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Yonsei medical journal · Aug 2020
Identification of Fungal Species and Detection of Azole-Resistance Mutations in the Aspergillus fumigatus cyp51A Gene at a South Korean Hospital.
With changing fungal epidemiology and azole resistance in Aspergillus species, identifying fungal species and susceptibility patterns is crucial to the management of aspergillosis and mucormycosis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate performance of panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples in the identification of fungal species and in the detection of azole-resistance mutations in the Aspergillus fumigatus cyp51A gene at a South Korean hospital. ⋯ Panfungal PCR assay with FFPE samples may provide additional information of use to fungal species identification. No azole-resistance mediating mutations in the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene were identified among FFPE samples during study period.
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Yonsei medical journal · Aug 2020
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffects of Air Purifiers on Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.
Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a well-known risk factor in the triggering and exacerbation of allergic airway disease. Indoor environments, where people spend most of their time, are of utmost importance. To assess the effects of air purifiers [equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters] on allergic rhinitis (AR) in adult patients, we performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. ⋯ The use of air purifiers with HEPA filters significantly reduced medication requirements for patients with HDM-induced AR and significantly lowered indoor PM2.5 concentrations, regardless of room placement. Active intervention to reduce household air pollutants may help improve allergic airway disease (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03313453).
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Yonsei medical journal · Aug 2020
Rituximab Biosimilar Prevents Poor Outcomes of Microscopic Polyangiitis and Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis as Effectively as Rituximab Originator.
There has been no extensive study to compare the efficacy between rituximab originator (Mabthera®) and its biosimilar (Truxima®) for microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Here, we investigated the clinical effects of rituximab on poor outcomes of MPA and GPA in Korean patients, and compared those between Mabthera® and Truxima®. ⋯ Truxima® prevents poor outcomes of MPA and GPA as effectively as does Mabthera®.
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Yonsei medical journal · Aug 2020
Case ReportsAn Autopsy-Proven Case of Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy.
Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) is a recently established neurodegenerative disease entity. LATE neuropathological change (LATE-NC) is characterized by a TDP-43 proteinopathy that mainly involves the amygdala and medial temporal structures, with or without hippocampal sclerosis. LATE-NC is typically observed in individuals aged 80 years or older and manifests clinically as amnestic memory decline. ⋯ Pathological examination revealed high Alzheimer disease neuropathological changes, as well as amygdala-predominant Lewy body pathology. In addition, immunohistochemistry for TDP-43 revealed neuronal and glial cytoplasmic inclusions in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, amygdala, and inferior temporal cortex. Increasing awareness of the newly defined entity LATE will enhance our understanding of the neurodegenerative processes that occur in the oldest individuals.