Recent Updates of Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease.

In recent years, epidemiological studies, genome-wide association studies, and Mendelian randomization studies have shown a strong association between increased levels of lipoproteins and increased risks of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] was an independent risk factor for ASCVD, the latest international clinical guidelines do not recommend direct reduction of plasma Lp(a) concentrations. The main reason was that there is no effective clinical medicine that directly lowers plasma Lp(a) concentrations.

Comparison of Clinical and Echocardiographic Characteristics between Cardiac Myxomas and Masses Mimicking Myxoma.

Background And Objectives: Cardiac myxoma is the most frequent benign cardiac tumor that can result in cardiac and systemic symptoms. We investigated clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with cardiac masses suggesting myxoma.

Methods: We investigated 265 consecutive patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac myxomas in 4 teaching hospitals in Korea.

Self-Assembled Organic Single Crystalline Nanosheet for Solution Processed High-Performance n-Channel Field-Effect Transistors.

Submillimeter sized n-channel organic single crystalline nanosheet based on dicyanodistyrylbenzene derivative, (2E,2'E)-3,3'-(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-pheny-lene)bis(2-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)acrylonitrile) (Me-4-TFPTA), is developed. Strong π-π interaction, hydrogen bonding interactions derived from cyano group (CN) as well as solvent inclusion along the lateral direction play a key role in forming nanosheet morphology. Me-4-TFPTA nanosheets exhibit excellent field-effect electron mobility of up to 7.

Laparoscopic colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament after hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse.

Aim: The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament after hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse.

Material And Methods: We performed chart reviews of 43 patients with uterovaginal prolapse who underwent laparoscopic colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament after hysterectomy at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea from 2003 to 2009.

Ganglion cyst of the spinoglenoid notch: comparison between SLAP repair alone and SLAP repair with cyst decompression.

Background: Some authors have described the ganglion cyst of the spinoglenoidal notch as related to repetitive overhead activities and labral tear caused by trauma, while others have explained lesions of the capsulolabral complex and ganglion cysts to have separate pathologies. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between 2 groups: 1 with superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) repair only and the other with SLAP repair and cyst decompression prospectively.

Materials And Methods: From August 2000 to March 2007, 28 patients matching the inclusion criteria were selected for the study.

Umbilical arterial blood gas and perinatal outcome in the second twin according to the planned mode of delivery.

Purpose: To compare umbilical arterial gas parameters in the second twin of twin pregnancies according to the mode of delivery.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of twin deliveries after 34 weeks of gestation for 3 years. Excluding the cases which underwent emergency cesarean delivery during trial of labor, a total of 79 twin gestations had umbilical arterial blood gas values available and were and divided into cesarean delivery group (N=40) and vaginal delivery group (N=39).

Two cases of angular pregnancy complicated by preterm labor and placental abruption at mid-pregnancy.

Angular pregnancy is the rare condition in which the gestational sac is implanted in the lateral angle of the uterine cavity. There have been several reports on angular pregnancies; however, due to a lack of clinical understanding, angular pregnancy does not appear to be recognized as a clinical entity and many cases are likely to go undiagnosed. This report involves two women with angular pregnancies: one had placenta abruption and the other had preterm delivery at mid-trimester and postpartum endometritis.

Specific human papillomavirus types and other factors on the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a case-control study in Korea.

Objective: Cervical neoplasia is attributed to a persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. We performed a hospital-based, case-control study to evaluate the associations of HPV genotypes and other cofactors with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Methods: A total of 158 women were enrolled after we received their informed consent, and the control group (the non-CIN group; n = 80) was selected from women at St Paul's Health Promotion Center.