Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT) is considered the first-line therapy for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections, there is debate on the use of the bacteriostatic drug in serious infections, and recently, there has been an increasing occurrence of acquired resistance to TMP-SXT. In the present study, the effect of efflux pump inhibitors on the susceptibility of TMP-SXT and other antibiotics were investigated in S. maltophilia complex. The sul and/or dfrA genes were identified in only up to 27.8% of all 36 TMP-SXT-resistant S. maltophilia complex isolates. Thus, TMP-SXT resistance in S. maltophilia was not explained completely by the presence of sul and dfrA genes. Carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TMP-SXT by eight to 128 folds in all 14 isolates. In contrast, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), phenyl-arginine-β-naphthylamide (PAβN), and reserpine did not reduce the MIC of TMP-SXT. In addition to TMP-SXT, slight decrease in MICs was observed for tigecycline and piperacillin/tazobactam by CCCP (by two folds) in one isolate. Although efflux pump may play a role in TMP-SXT resistance in S. maltophilia, inhibition of the efflux pump could be done by active proton pore.
2,4-Dinitrophenol ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone ; Korea* ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Protons ; Reserpine ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia* ; Stenotrophomonas* ; Thiram* ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination*

In this article, the statement of ethical statement about animal experiment was omitted.

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic*

No abstract available.
Fallopian Tubes* ; Female ; Pregnancy*

OBJECTIVE: To provide normal reference values of the sonographic diameters and cross sectional area (CSA) of the posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) in Korean adults for early diagnosis and treatment of PTT dysfunction. METHOD: 240 feet from 120 healthy volunteers (63 males; 57 females, mean age: 36.40+/-11.37) were included in this study. Those with a previous history of surgery or trauma to the lower extremities and systemic disease, such as, hypertension, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis were excluded. PTT was examined through ultrasonograhy with the patient placed in the prone oblique position, with the knee extended, and ankle dorsiflexed to neutral angle. We evaluated the anterioposterior (AP) and transverse diameter and CSA of the PTT along the line that connected from the posteroinferior angle of the medial malleolus to the heel. RESULTS: The AP diameter of PTT measured by sonography was 3.42+/-0.03 mm and the transverse diameter of the PTT was 9.20+/-0.08 mm. The CSA was 21.46+/-0.26 mm2. Differences in diameters and CSA related to sidedness, sex did not show statistical significance (p>0.05). There was weak linear relationship in AP and transverse diameter and CSA with weight, height, leg and foot length. CONCLUSION: The normal Korean reference values of the PTT diameter and CSA that we obtained from ultrasonography can be used as useful reference data in diagnosing early pathologic conditions of PTT dysfunction.
Adult ; Animals ; Ankle ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Foot ; Heel ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Knee ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Reference Values ; Tendons

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is one of several opportunistic pathogens of growing significance. Several studies on the molecular epidemiology of S. maltophilia have shown clinical isolates to be genetically diverse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 121 clinical isolates tentatively identified as S. malophilia from seven tertiary-care hospitals in Korea from 2007 to 2011 were included. Species and groups were identified using partial gyrB gene sequences and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a broth microdilution method. Multi locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) surveys are used for subtyping. RESULTS: Based on partial gyrB gene sequences, 118 isolates were identified as belonging to the S. maltophilia complex. For all S. maltophilia isolates, the resistance rates to trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and levofloxacin were the highest (both, 30.5%). Resistance rate to ceftazidime was 28.0%. 11.0% and 11.9% of 118 S. maltophilia isolates displayed resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam and tigecycline, respectively. Clade 1 and Clade 2 were definitely distinguished from the data of MLVA with amplification of loci. All 118 isolates were classified into several clusters as its identification. CONCLUSION: Because of high resistance rates to TMP/SMX and levofloxacin, the clinical laboratory department should consider providing the data about other antimicrobial agents and treatment of S. maltophilia infections with a combination of antimicrobials can be considered in the current practice. The MLVA evaluated in this study provides a fast, portable, relatively low cost genotyping method that can be employed in genotypic linkage or transmission networks comparing to analysis of the gyrB gene.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Ceftazidime ; Korea ; Levofloxacin ; Methods ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia* ; Stenotrophomonas* ; Tandem Repeat Sequences*

BACKGROUND: To elucidate the clinical presentation, antimicrobial susceptibility, and prognostic factors of monomicrobial Aeromonas bacteremia in order to determine the most effective optimal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of Aeromonas bacteremia patients for the period January 2000 to December 2013 in a retrospective multi-center study. RESULTS: A total of 336 patient records were reviewed, with 242 having community-acquired bacteremia. The major clinical infections were of the hepatobiliary tract (50.6%) and peritonitis (18.5%), followed by primary bacteremia (17.9%). The infections usually occurred in patients with malignancy (42.3%), hepatic cirrhosis (39.3%), or diabetes mellitus (25.6%). High antimicrobial-resistance rates (15.5% for ceftriaxone, 15.5% for piperacillin/tazobactam) were noted. However, resistance to carbapenem and amikacin was only 9.8% and 3.0%, respectively. Aeromonas hydrophila (58.9%) was the most common pathogen, followed by Aeromonas caviae (30.4%). The severity of A. caviae bacteremia cases were less than that of A. hydrophila or Aeromonas veronii bacteremia (P <0.05). A. hydrophila showed higher antimicrobial resistance than did other Aeromonas species (P <0.05). Patients with hospital-acquired bacteremia were more likely to have severely abnormal laboratory findings and relatively high antimicrobial-resistance rates. Mortality was associated with metastatic cancer, shock, delayed use of appropriate antimicrobial agents, increased prothrombin time, and increased creatinine level (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aeromonas species should be considered one of the causative agents of bacteremia in patients with intra-abdominal infections or malignancies. Although ceftriaxone-resistant Aeromonas bacteremia was not statistically related to mortality in this study, it was associated with severe clinical manifestations and laboratory abnormalities. Appropriate antibiotics, including carbapenem, should be administered early, especially in Aeromonas bacteremia patients with shock and impaired renal function.
Aeromonas caviae ; Aeromonas hydrophila ; Aeromonas* ; Amikacin ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteremia* ; Ceftriaxone ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Intraabdominal Infections ; Korea* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peritonitis ; Prothrombin Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Shock

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlations between Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) scores and the gray matter volumes (GMV) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively normal (CN) elderly subjects with correcting the genotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 75 subjects were enrolled with 25 subjects for each group. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon genotypes, SNSB scores, and the 3D T1-weighted images were obtained from all subjects. Correlations between SNSB scores and GMV were investigated with the multiple regression method for each subject group using both voxel-based and region-of-interest-based analyses with covariates of age, gender, and the genotype. RESULTS: In the AD group, Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) delayed recall scores were positively correlated with GMV. In the MCI group, Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) scores were positively correlated with GMV. In the CN group, GMV negatively correlated with Boston Naming Test (K-BNT) scores and Mini-Mental State Examimation (K-MMSE) scores, but positively correlated with RCFT scores. CONCLUSION: When we used covariates of age, gender, and the genotype, we found statistically significant correlations between some SNSB scores and GMV at some brain regions. It may be necessary to further investigate a longitudinal study to understand the correlation.
Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; Apolipoproteins ; Brain ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Methods ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Seoul* ; Verbal Learning

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vessels constrict when they are exposed to hypoxia, unlike other vessels. It is hypothesized that the decreased concentration of cAMP in the hypoxic condition causes this reaction, HPV (hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction). When cAMP concentration is increased by either activating adenylate cyclase, using adenosine, or inhibiting the cAMP hydrolysing enzyme, phosphodiesterase type 3, using amrinone, then HPV can be reversed. The aims of this study were to develop HPV in an isolated perfused rat lung preparation, and to investigate the vasodilating effects of adenosine and amrinone on HPV. METHODS: Isolated lungs from male rats (270 330 g) were ventilated with a normoxic gas mixture (21%O2-5%CO2-74%N2) or a hypoxic gas mixture (3%O2-5%CO2-92%N2) alternately, and perfused with calcium-containing perfusate solution. Adenosine (6 x 100-2 microgram, n = 6) and amrinone (5 x 101-3 microgram, n = 6) were mixed to perfusate solution, and the initial hypoxic pressor response { Pin = Pmax (maximum pulmonary artery pressure) - Pin (initial pulmonary artery pressure)} and hypoxic pressor responses after drug administration { Pdrug = Pmax (maximum pulmonary artery pressure) - Pbase (baseline pulmonary artery pressure)} were measured. Meclofenamate was used to block prostaglandin-mediated vasorelaxation. RESULTS: Adenosine did not decrease Pdrug compared to Pin. But amrinone inhibited HPV effectively a with a linear dose-response relationship (r = 0.842, P< 0.05). y = 26.72 x log (x) 35.79y: % relaxation = 100 [ Pdrug/ Pin] 100 , x: amount of drug, microgram, CONCLUSIONS: Amrinone attenuated HPV, and it can be concluded that increased levels of cAMP helpful to relax pulmonary vessels in hypoxic condition.
Adenosine ; Adenylyl Cyclases ; Amrinone ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Humans ; Lung* ; Male ; Meclofenamic Acid ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; Vasoconstriction* ; Vasodilation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between GERD symptoms and dietary factors in Korea. METHODS: From January 2007 to April 2008, 162 subjects were enrolled (81 in GERD group and 81 in control group). They were asked to complete the questionnaires about GERD symptoms and dietary habits. The symptom severity score was recorded by visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Subjects with overweight or obesity had an increased risk for GERD (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.18-5.39). Irregular dietary intake was one of the risk factors for GERD (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.11-4.89). Acid regurgitation was the most suffering (2.85 +/- 2.95 by visual analogue scale) and frequent reflux-related symptom (57.5%) in GERD. Noodles (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.34), spicy foods (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16), fatty meals (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.33), sweets (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00-2.02), alcohol (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.31), breads (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.34), carbonated drinks (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.04-2.74) and caffeinated drinks (OR,1.41; 95% CI, 1.15-1.73) were associated with symptom aggravation in GERD. Among the investigated noodles, ramen (instant noodle) caused reflux-related symptoms most frequently (52.4%). CONCLUSIONS: We found that noodles, spicy foods, fatty meals, sweets, alcohol, breads, carbonated drinks and caffeinated drinks were associated with reflux-related symptoms.
Bread ; Carbonated Beverages ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Incidence ; Korea ; Meals ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological