Yonsei medical journal
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We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 189 children who were admitted to the Pediatric Neurology Department at Yonsei University College of Medicine with status epilepticus (SE) between April, 1994 and April, 2003. The children were followed up for a mean duration of 17 months. We analyzed the clinical findings and the relationships between neurologic sequelae, recurrence, age of onset, presumptive causes, types of seizure, seizure duration and the presence of fever. ⋯ The recurrence of SE was higher in patients with a remote symptomatic epileptic etiology, and generalized convulsive SE showed higher rates of recurrence. Based on this retrospective study, the neurologic outcomes and recurrence of SE were found to be strongly associated with etiology and seizure type. Age, seizure duration and the presence of febrile illness were found to have no effect on outcome.
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Yonsei medical journal · Feb 2005
Comparative StudyComparison of unmonochromatized synchrotron radiation and conventional X-rays in the imaging of mammographic phantom and human breast specimens: a preliminary result.
A simple imaging setup based on the principle of coherence-based contrast X-ray imaging with unmonochromatized synchrotron radiation was used for studying mammographic phantom and human breast specimens. The use of unmonochromatized synchrotron radiation simplifies the instrumentation, decreases the cost and makes the procedure simpler and potentially more suitable for clinical applications. The imaging systems consisted of changeable silicon wafer attenuators, a tungsten slit system, a CdWO4 scintillator screen, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera coupled to optical magnification lenses, and a personal computer. ⋯ Both the spatial resolution and image quality of the proposed system were compared with those of a conventional mammography system in order to establish the characteristic advantages of this approach. The images obtained with the proposed system showed a resolution of at least 25 microm on the test pattern with much better contrast, while the images of the capillary filled with air bubbles revealed coherence-based edge enhancement. This result shows that the coherence-based contrast imaging system, which emphasizes the refraction effect from the edge of materials of different refractive indexes, is applicable to imaging studies in fundamental medicine and biology, although further research works will be required before it can be used for clinical applications.
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Yonsei medical journal · Dec 2004
Case ReportsIsolated small bowel transplantation from a living-related donor at the Catholic University of Korea--a case report of rejection -free course-.
The bowel transplantation team at the Catholic Medical Center, Korea, on April 9 2004, accomplished a case of isolated small bowel transplantation (SBT) in a 57 year-old female with short bowel syndrome. The primary surgery was a jejunocolostomy due to mesenteric vein thrombosis, while maintaining 30 cm of the jejunum and colon distal to the splenic flexure. Her renal function was partially unbalanced. ⋯ The patient was discharged on day 42. A CMV infection on day 83 was successfully treated with 3 weeks of gancyclovir therapy. She has been nutritionally independent, with complete oral feeding, and free of rejection until day 170 after the transplantation.
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Yonsei medical journal · Dec 2004
Historical ArticleLandmarks in clinical transplantation in Korea.
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Yonsei medical journal · Dec 2004
ReviewPolyomavirus (BK virus) nephropathy in kidney transplant patients: a pathologic perspective.
Reactivation of polyoma virus (BK virus) is a significant cause of morbidity in kidney transplant patients. This seemingly insignificant viral infection that affects the majority of population at a young age, once reactivated by immunosuppression, is a major factor contributing to graft loss. Screening techniques have been developed for early prediction of BK virus reactivation. ⋯ Unfortunately, disease outcome is often unfavorable and can culminate with eventual graft loss. Renal retransplantation has been performed with mixed results. As new data emerges, we will gain a better understanding of the disease caused by BK virus and respond with improved early diagnosis and treatment to preserve graft function.