OBJECTIVES: The use of administrative data is an affordable alternative to conducting a difficult large-scale medical-record review to estimate the scale of adverse events. We identified adverse events from 2002 to 2013 on the national level in Korea, using International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) Y codes. METHODS: We used data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC). We relied on medical treatment databases to extract information on ICD-10 Y codes from each participant in the NHIS-NSC. We classified adverse events in the ICD-10 Y codes into 6 types: those related to drugs, transfusions, and fluids; those related to vaccines and immunoglobulin; those related to surgery and procedures; those related to infections; those related to devices; and others. RESULTS: Over 12 years, a total of 20 817 adverse events were identified using ICD-10 Y codes, and the estimated total adverse event rate was 0.20%. Between 2002 and 2013, the total number of such events increased by 131.3%, from 1366 in 2002 to 3159 in 2013. The total rate increased by 103.9%, from 0.17% in 2002 to 0.35% in 2013. Events related to drugs, transfusions, and fluids were the most common (19 446, 93.4%), followed by those related to surgery and procedures (1209, 5.8%) and those related to vaccines and immunoglobulin (72, 0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a comparison with the results of other studies, the total adverse event rate in this study was significantly underestimated. Improving coding practices for ICD-10 Y codes is necessary to precisely monitor the scale of adverse events in Korea.
Clinical Coding ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Immunoglobulins ; International Classification of Diseases ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Republic of Korea ; Vaccines

Valuable natural compounds produced by a variety of microorganisms can be used as lead molecules for development of new agrochemicals. Furthermore, high-throughput in vitro screening systems with specific modes of action can increase the probability of discovery of new fungicides. In the current study, a rapid assay tested with various microbes was developed to determine the degree of respiratory inhibition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in two different liquid media, YG (containing a fermentable carbon source) and NFYG (containing a non-fermentable carbon source). Based on this system, we screened 100 fungal isolates that were classified into basidiomycetes, to find microbial secondary metabolites that act as respiratory inhibitors. Consequently, of the 100 fungal species tested, the culture broth of an IUM04881 isolate inhibited growth of S. cerevisiae in NFYG medium, but not in YG medium. The result is comparable to that from treatment with kresoxim-methyl used as a control, suggesting that the culture broth of IUM04881 isolate might contain active compounds showing the inhibition activity for respiratory chain. Based on the assay developed in this study and spectroscopic analysis, we isolated and identified an antifungal compound (-)-oudemansin A from culture broth of IUM04881 that is identified as Oudemansiella venosolamellata. This is the first report that (-)-oudemansin A is identified from O. venosolamellata in Korea. Taken together, the development of this assay will accelerate efforts to find and identify natural respiratory inhibitors from various microbes.

OBJECTIVES: The use of administrative data is an affordable alternative to conducting a difficult large-scale medical-record review to estimate the scale of adverse events. We identified adverse events from 2002 to 2013 on the national level in Korea, using International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) Y codes. METHODS: We used data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC). We relied on medical treatment databases to extract information on ICD-10 Y codes from each participant in the NHIS-NSC. We classified adverse events in the ICD-10 Y codes into 6 types: those related to drugs, transfusions, and fluids; those related to vaccines and immunoglobulin; those related to surgery and procedures; those related to infections; those related to devices; and others. RESULTS: Over 12 years, a total of 20 817 adverse events were identified using ICD-10 Y codes, and the estimated total adverse event rate was 0.20%. Between 2002 and 2013, the total number of such events increased by 131.3%, from 1366 in 2002 to 3159 in 2013. The total rate increased by 103.9%, from 0.17% in 2002 to 0.35% in 2013. Events related to drugs, transfusions, and fluids were the most common (19 446, 93.4%), followed by those related to surgery and procedures (1209, 5.8%) and those related to vaccines and immunoglobulin (72, 0.3%). CONCLUSIONS Based on a comparison with the results of other studies, the total adverse event rate in this study was significantly underestimated. Improving coding practices for ICD-10 Y codes is necessary to precisely monitor the scale of adverse events in Korea.

PURPOSE: Skin pH, an indicator of skin health, is maintained by various organic factors, which include lactate, free amino acid (FAA), and free fatty acid (FFA). As skin ages or with illness, skin pH becomes less acidic, and functional food has been developed to maintain the acidic pH of skin. In this study, we determined the dietary effect of green tea extract (GTE) on skin pH of photo-aged mice, as measured by epidermal levels of lactate, FAA, and FFA. The protein expression and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme of pyruvate reduction for lactate generation, was further determined. METHODS: Albino hairless mice were fed a control diet (group UV+) or a diet with 1% GTE (group GTE) in parallel with UV irradiation for 10 weeks. A normal control group was fed a control diet without UV irradiation for 10 weeks (group UV-). RESULTS: Skin pH was higher (less acidic) in group UV+ than in group UV-. In parallel, epidermal levels of lactate and FFA, as well as of LDH protein expression and activity, were reduced in group UV+. Dietary supplementation of GTE (group GTE) reduced skin pH to similar to the level of group UV-, and inversely increased epidermal levels of lactate, LDH protein expression and activity, but not of FFA. Although epidermal levels of FAA were similar in groups UV- and UV+, it was increased in group GTE to a level higher than in group UV-. In further analysis of major FFA, epidermal levels of palmitic acid [16:0], oleic acid [18:1(n-9)], and linoleic acid [18:2(n-6), but not of stearic acid [18:0] in group GTE were similar to or lower than those in group UV+. CONCLUSION: Dietary GTE normalized skin pH with increased levels of lactate and FAA, as well as with increased protein expression and activity of LDH in the epidermis of UVB irradiated hairless mice.
Animals ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Epidermis ; Functional Food ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase* ; Lactic Acid* ; Linoleic Acid ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Oleic Acid ; Palmitic Acid ; Pyruvic Acid ; Skin* ; Tea*

Over the past three decades, human pancreatic islet isolation and transplantation techniques have developed as a routine clinical procedure for selected patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, due to the donor shortage and required chronic systemic immunosuppression, the widespread application of islet transplantation is limited. To overcome these limitations, providing a physical barrier to transplanted islet cells with encapsulating biomaterial has emerged as a promising approach to enhance engraftment and promote islet survival post-transplantation. Alginate has been considered to be a reliable biomaterial, as it enhances islet survival and does not hamper hormone secretion. Alginate-catechol (Al-CA) hydrogel was reported to provide high mechanical strength and chemical stability without deformation over a wide range of pH values. In this study, we, demonstrated, for the first time in the literature, that encapsulation of murine pancreatic islet cells with Al-CA hydrogel does not induce cytotoxicity ex vivo for an extended period; however, it does markedly abate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Catechol should not be considered as a constituent for alginate gelation for encapsulating islet cells in the application of islet transplantation.
Architectural Accessibility ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Humans ; Hydrogel ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunosuppression ; Insulin* ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation ; Islets of Langerhans* ; Temefos ; Tissue Donors

Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms is a widely performed procedure. Local recurrence is rare, but various post-ESD scars are encountered during follow-up endoscopy. Therefore, we investigated atypical scar patterns and evaluated the associated factors. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathologic and endoscopic reviews of gastric neoplasms treated with ESD from January 2009 to December 2015 were conducted. Atypical scar patterns were classified as irregular erythema, nodularity, or mucosal defect. Results: A total of 264 patients with 274 gastric neoplasms, including 201 adenomas and 73 early gastric cancers, were enrolled. The key endoscopic findings at the resection scar were defined on the basis of gross morphology as follows: irregular erythema, mucosal defect (erosion or ulcer), and nodularity. An irregular erythema scar pattern was associated with male sex, a nodularity scar pattern with smoking, and a mucosal defect scar pattern with infra-angle location (angle and antrum) and cancer. An irregular erythema with nodularity scar pattern was also associated with male sex. An irregular erythema with nodularity and mucosal defect scar pattern was associated with liver disease and chronic kidney disease. Conclusions The atypical scar patterns after gastric ESD are associated with various clinicopathologic factors.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms is a widely performed procedure. Local recurrence is rare, but various post-ESD scars are encountered during follow-up endoscopy. Therefore, we investigated atypical scar patterns and evaluated the associated factors. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathologic and endoscopic reviews of gastric neoplasms treated with ESD from January 2009 to December 2015 were conducted. Atypical scar patterns were classified as irregular erythema, nodularity, or mucosal defect. Results: A total of 264 patients with 274 gastric neoplasms, including 201 adenomas and 73 early gastric cancers, were enrolled. The key endoscopic findings at the resection scar were defined on the basis of gross morphology as follows: irregular erythema, mucosal defect (erosion or ulcer), and nodularity. An irregular erythema scar pattern was associated with male sex, a nodularity scar pattern with smoking, and a mucosal defect scar pattern with infra-angle location (angle and antrum) and cancer. An irregular erythema with nodularity scar pattern was also associated with male sex. An irregular erythema with nodularity and mucosal defect scar pattern was associated with liver disease and chronic kidney disease. Conclusions The atypical scar patterns after gastric ESD are associated with various clinicopathologic factors.

Background: Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic substance with a wide range of uses, from the treatment of musculoskeletal spasms to antiaging regimens by improving wrinkles. Split-face studies in which drugs are injected in the right and left sides of the faces have been actively conducted in botulinum toxin studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the reliability of a split-face study for determining the effectiveness of botulinum toxin based on eyebrow height and movement, and electromyography results. Methods: Thirty-one women aged 35 to 55 years were included in the study. Eyebrow height was measured as the distance from the eyebrows to the upper eyelid margin on the primary gaze, and eyebrow movement was measured as the distance when the forehead was wrinkled for 5 seconds. A noninvasive method was used for electromyography of the frontalis muscles. Results: No statistically significant differences in right and left eyebrow heights and movements, and electromyography findings (p= 0.256, p= 1.000, and p= 0.978, respectively) were found. Pearson correlation analysis showed that electromyography muscle activity is positively associated with eyebrow movement, respectively (p< 0.001). Conclusion We advocate the reliability of split-face study and the usefulness of electromyography of frontalis muscle in forehead rejuvenation research.

A new sustained-release (SR) pregabalin tablet, YHD1119, was formulated for once-daily dosing. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of YHD1119 tablets in patients with reduced renal function. Subjects were grouped by creatinine clearance:> 60 mL/min/1.73m 2 (Cohort A) and 30–60 mL/min/1.73m 2 (Cohort B). Eight subjects in Cohort A received a YHD1119 75 mg tablet (Y75T) and a YHD1119 150 mg tablet (Y150T) in each period, and eight subjects in Cohort B received a Y75T. Non-compartment analysis and population pharmacokinetic analysis using a one-compartment model with first-order elimination and first-order absorption with lag time were performed. Sixteen subjects completed the study. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) (90% confidence intervals [CI]) for maximum concentration (C max ), and area under the concentration-time profile from 0 to the last measurable time (AUC last ) after Y75T of Cohort B to those of Y75T of Cohort A were 1.2273 (1.0245–1.4701), and 2.4146 (1.8142–3.2138), respectively. The GMR (90% CI) for C max , and AUC last after Y75T of Cohort B to those of Y150T of Cohort A were 0.6476 (0.5229–0.8021), and 1.1471 (0.8418–1.5632), respectively. Simulated steady-steady pregabalin concentrations after once-daily Y75T dosing in subjects with eGFR 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 were within the range of steady-state concentrations simulated after once-daily Y150T dosing in subjects with eGFR 90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . The total pregabalin exposure of Y75T in patients with moderate renal impairment was comparable with that of Y150T in subjects with near-normal renal function.

A small proportion of cancer cells have stem-cell-like properties, are resistant to standard therapy and are associated with a poor prognosis. The metabolism of such drug-resistant cells differs from that of nearby non-resistant cells. In this study, the metabolism of drug-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells was investigated. The expression of genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondrial membrane was negatively correlated with the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Because the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) reflects the functional status of mitochondria and metastasis is the principal cause of death due to cancer, the relationship between MMP and metastasis was evaluated. Cells with a higher MMP exhibited greater migration and invasion than those with a lower MMP. Cells that survived treatment with cisplatin, a standard chemotherapeutic drug for lung adenocarcinoma, exhibited increased MMP and enhanced migration and invasion compared with parental cells. Consistent with these findings, inhibition of mitochondrial activity significantly impeded the migration and invasion of cisplatin-resistant cells. RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that the expression of mitochondrial complex genes was upregulated in cisplatin-resistant cells. These results suggested that drug-resistant cells have a greater MMP and that inhibition of mitochondrial activity could be used to prevent metastasis of drug-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Cause of Death ; Cisplatin ; Humans ; Lung* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Metabolism ; Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Membranes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Parents ; Prognosis