OBJECTIVE:To study the ex vivo adsorption of montmorillonite powder to ofloxacin.METHODS:Different dosages of ofloxacin and montmorillonite powder were mixed with artificial gastric juice and artificial intestinal juice,respec?tively,which were filtrated after warmed at(37?0.5)℃in water bath for1hour,the content changes of ofloxacin were de?termined by ultraviolet spectrometry.RESULTS:The adsorption rates of montmorillonite powder to ofloxacin in artificial gastric juice and in artificial intestinal juice were(99.76?0.01)%and(99.55?0.02)%,respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Montmorillonite powder has strong adsorption to ofloxacin in both artificial gastric juice and artificial intestinal juice,there?fore,which should not be administered simultaneously in the clinic.

In Korea, delivery of preterm has increased gradually, preterm delivery rate was 6.4% in 1995 and 9.8% in 2002. The purpose of this study is to provide guidelines for preventing preterm delivery in aspect of health factors and food habits. The health factors and dietary habits were compared between preterm delivery group and full-term delivery group on to recognize risk factor of delivering premature. The results obtained are summarized as follows. The full-term delivery group showed a high rate of professionals and the preterm delivery group showed a high rate of the service industry, showing differences in kinds of occupation(p<0.05). Heights were higher in full-term delivery group(p<0.05). Among the nutrition supplements, iron supplement consumption was the most, period of the intake of iron was significantly longer for the full-term delivery group than for the preterm delivery group(p<0.05). Also, prevalence of coffee was higher in preterm delivery group(p<0.001). The activity level was higher in full-term delivery group(p<0.005).
Coffee ; Food Habits ; Iron ; Korea ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

The efficacy and safety of mitomycin C(MMC) trabeculectomy was tested in patients with uncomplicated glaucoma(low-risk group) and the result was compared with that in patients with refractory glaucoma(high-risk group). Subjects included 37 eyes of 26 consecutive patients in low-risk group and 36 eyes of 26 patients in high-risk group. The mean preoperative IOP was 32.9 +/- 9.7 mmHg and 31.9 +/- 8.7 mmHg, respectively(p=1.45). The mean number of preoperative medications was 2.8 +/- 0.8 and 2.0 +/- 0.9, respectively(p<0.05). MMC(0.25 mg/ml or 0.5 mg/ml) was applied between Tenon's capsule and the sclera during trabeculectomy for 3 minutes in low-risk group, for 5 minutes in high-risk group. Scleral-flap was closed with tight releasable sutures. Eyes followed longer than 3 months were included(mean of 14.1 +/- 8.0 months vs 11.9 +/- 6.8 months, p=0.23). The low-risk group had better postoperative results including: a lower IOP at last follow-up(13.7 +/- 3.2 vs 17.2 +/- 8.4 mmHg, p=0.02), a better success rate(94% vs 83% with or without medications, p=0.23: 83% vs 55% without medications, p=0.02), a lower postoperative need for glaucoma medications(0.2 +/- 0.4 vs 0.6 +/- 08, p=0.005). Overall complications were similar between both groups. One of 37 eyes(3%) in the low-risk group developed a hypotony(p=0.51) and one of 36 eyes(3%) in the high-risk group developed a hypotony maculopathy(p=0.49). This study suggests that MMC trabeculectomy with tight releasable scleralflap sutures is safe and effective in controlling IOP not only in refractory glaucoma but also, more successfully, in uncomplicated glaucoma.
Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Mitomycin* ; Sclera ; Sutures ; Tenon Capsule ; Trabeculectomy*

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a frequent medical problem during pregnancy. It is associated with an increased risk of complications for GDM mother and the offspring. There is increasing evidence that GDM may increase the risk of future type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in mothers, and may also increase the risk of obesity and diabetes in children. Therefore GDM affects health for a lifetime. The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) proposed a new screening approach for pre-diagnosed diabetes at the first prenatal visit and diagnostic criteria for GDM in accordance with perinatal outcomes. Nonetheless, controversies still exist about these issues. There is a positive linear association between increasing maternal glucose at oral glucose tolerance testing and risk of important perinatal outcomes. In managing the GDM patients, an individualized medical approach is essential. If maternal glucose levels have increased, insulin can be used to achieve glycemic targets. Postpartum screening for diagnosing of diabetes is essential for women with previous GDM.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Child ; Diabetes, Gestational* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Insulin ; Mass Screening ; Mothers ; Obesity ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to summarize the current conditions and implications of health inequalities in South Korea. METHODS: Through a literature review of empirical studies and supplementary analysis of the data presented in the 1998, 2001, and 2005 KNHANEs, we evaluated the extent and trends of socioeconomic inequalities in both health risk factors, such as smoking, physical activity, and obesity, and outcomes, such as total mortality, subjective poor health status by self-reports and metabolic syndrome. Relative risks and odds ratios were used to measure differences across socioeconomic groups, and the relative index of inequality was used to evaluate the changes in inequalities over time. RESULTS: We found clear inequalities to various degrees in most health indicators. While little change was observed in mortality differences over time, the socioeconomic gaps in risk factors and morbidity have been widening, with much larger differences among the younger population. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic inequalities are pervasive across various health indicators, and some of them are increasing. The trends in socioeconomic inequalities in health should be carefully monitored, and comprehensive measures to alleviate health inequalities are needed, especially for young populations.
Adult ; Female ; *Health Status Disparities ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Risk-Taking ; Social Class

Tubulinopathy commonly refers to complex congenital and non-progressive brain malformations caused by mutations in the tubulin genes. Among tubulin-encoding genes, TUBB3 has rarely been reported as a cause of complex cortical malformations. Herein, we report a case of tubulinopathy in a 21-month-old boy who presented with delayed development. He could not walk on his own and was not able to speak more than five words. Physical examination revealed right esotropia and hypotonia of the lower extremities. MRI showed dysmorphic brainstem and dysmorphic and hypertrophic basal ganglia. The right thalamus was relatively smaller than the left one. The cerebellum showed disorganization of the cerebellar folia. DNA sequencing revealed a missense mutation of the TUBB3 gene.

Tight control of dyslipidemia and hypertension in elderly diabetic patients aged 65 years or older are considered to be very important for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and control of severe diseases associated with macrovascular complications. In addition, in elderly diabetes with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it is important to control all of the accompanying risk factors together to accomplish the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In elderly diabetic patients, thorough control of blood glucose level by itself prevents macrovascular complications. However, it is recommended to perform tight blood glucose control along with other risk factors in consideration of the function and life of the patient. In particular, insulin resistance progresses before the onset of diabetes mellitus and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is important to suppress and prevent the progression of macrovascular complications.
Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Primary Prevention ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention

Objective To examine the correlation of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with dialysis adequacy,microinflammatory state and iron metabolism,and to assess the value of NGAL in identifying the dialysis adequacy in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods A total of 150 MHD patients and 50 healthy control people were enrolled in the study.Clinical data were collected and serum NGAL,CRP,transferrin saturation,serum ferritin were measured.MHD patients were divided into adequacy group and non-adequacy group according to spKt/V value.Serum NGAL between two groups was compared and correlation of NGAL with spKt/V,inflammatory factors,and other clinical indexes was examined by Pearson,multivariate regression Logistic model and area under curve (AUC) of ROC.MHD patients were followed up for 3 months.Similar correlation analysis was carried out before and after follow up between two groups.Results Serum NGAL of MHD patients was higher compared to healthy people [(445.45±50.34) μg/L vs (50.02 ±6.45) μg/L].Among 150 MHD patients,95 were classified into adequacy group,while 55 into non-adequacy group according to spKt/V value.Serum NGAL was significantly higher in adequacy group as compared to non-adequacy group [(589.14±56.34) μg/L vs (360.13±46.23) μg/L,P＜0.05].Serum NGAL was positively correlated to spKt/V,CRP,TSAT [r=0.652,0.825,0.785,all P＜0.05],but not to serum ferritin.Serum NGAL was also correlated to spKt/V,CRP,TSAT by multivariate regression Logistic model.AUC showed that NGAL level could reflex the condition of dialysis adequacy.During the follow up,all adequacy patients remained the same adequacy status.Thirty-eight out of 55 non-adequacy patients were qualified for complete adequacy after intervention.The serum NGAL before and after intervention was (368.14±56.21) μg/L and (360.56±46.23) μg/L respectively without significant difference.Conclusions Serum NGAL is obviously higher in MHD patients with dialysis adequacy compared to those without dialysis adequacy.Serum NGAL is positively correlated to spKt/V,CRP,TSAT.NGAL can reflex the condition of dialysis adequate in MHD patients.

Pharmacogenetics is opening a new era of precision medicine in psychiatry. Drug-metabolizing enzymes are characterized by genetic polymorphisms, which render a large portion of variability in individual drug metabolism. Dose adjustment based on pharmacogenetics knowledge is a first step to translate pharmacogenetics into clinical practice. However, diverse factors including cost-effectiveness should be addressed to provide clinical recommendation. To address current challenges in pharmacogenetics testing in psychiatry, this review provides an update regarding genotyping (SNP analysis, array, and next-generation sequencing), genotype-phenotype correlations, and cost-effectiveness. The current updates on pharmacogenetics in psychiatry will provide guidance for both clinician and researchers to have a consensus in harmonizing efforts to advance the pharmacogenetics field in a part of precision medicine in psychiatry.

Pharmacogenetics is opening a new era of precision medicine in psychiatry. Drug-metabolizing enzymes are characterized by genetic polymorphisms, which render a large portion of variability in individual drug metabolism. Dose adjustment based on pharmacogenetics knowledge is a first step to translate pharmacogenetics into clinical practice. However, diverse factors including cost-effectiveness should be addressed to provide clinical recommendation. To address current challenges in pharmacogenetics testing in psychiatry, this review provides an update regarding genotyping (SNP analysis, array, and next-generation sequencing), genotype-phenotype correlations, and cost-effectiveness. The current updates on pharmacogenetics in psychiatry will provide guidance for both clinician and researchers to have a consensus in harmonizing efforts to advance the pharmacogenetics field in a part of precision medicine in psychiatry.