YH4808 is a novel selective potassium-competitive acid blocker demonstrated to be safe and to have inhibitory effects against gastric acid secretion in previous studies. A randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, 3-treatment, 1-period, parallel design study was conducted to compare the Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and acid suppression capacities of three regimens in 60 healthy subjects with H. pylori-positive, and the potential of YH4808 to replace proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in standard regimens for H. pylori eradication. Group 1 received YH4808, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin as a novel triple regimen, while Group 2 received YH4808 and amoxicillin only, and Group 3 received esomeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, as the standard triple regimen. H. pylori eradication rates were 85.0% for Group 1, 25.0% for Group 2, and 83.3% for Group 3. Relative response rate between Group 1 and 3 was 1.02 (0.50–2.07; 95% CI, χ2 test p = 0.8881). Furthermore, the novel triple regimen, YH4808, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, stably inhibited acid secretion and maintained a gastric pH greater than 4 or 5 for 24 hours, which was comparable to the pH range in the standard triple regimen. However, the onset times of the YH4808 regimens were earlier than that for the regimens using esomeprazole. There were no differences in the incidences or severity of adverse events among the three groups. Overall, the novel triple regimen was safe and well-tolerated. YH4808 could replace PPIs in standard triple regimens used for H. pylori eradication.

YH4808 is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker that was developed as a therapeutic agent for gastric acid-related diseases; it may replace proton pump inhibitors, which are widely used in combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori eradication. We compared the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and safety of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and YH4808 used as monotherapies or in combination for evaluating potential drug interactions. An open-label, randomized, single-dose, Latin-square (4 × 4) crossover study was conducted in 32 healthy Korean volunteers. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the 4 treatment sequences that consisted of 4 periods separated by 21-day washout intervals. PK parameters of YH4808, amoxicillin and clarithromycin administered in combination were compared with those of the respective monotherapies. The geometric mean ratios of the maximum concentration (Cmax) and the area under the time-concentration curve from time zero to time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast) of YH4808 increased during the triple therapy by 48.6% and 29.1%, respectively. Similarly, the Cmax and AUClast of M3 (active metabolite of YH4808) increased by 23.3% and 16.0%, respectively. The Cmax and AUClast of clarithromycin increased by 27.4% and 30.5%, and those of 14-hydroxyclarithromycin were increased by 23.1% and 32.4%, respectively. The corresponding amoxicillin values decreased during the triple therapy by 21.5% and 15.6%, respectively. There was no clinically significant change in safety assessment related to either monotherapies or triple therapy. In conclusion, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and YH4808 administered as triple therapy did not exhibit significant PK interactions and were not associated with safety issues.

YH4808 is a novel selective potassium-competitive acid blocker demonstrated to be safe and to have inhibitory effects against gastric acid secretion in previous studies. A randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, 3-treatment, 1-period, parallel design study was conducted to compare the Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and acid suppression capacities of three regimens in 60 healthy subjects with H. pylori-positive, and the potential of YH4808 to replace proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in standard regimens for H. pylori eradication. Group 1 received YH4808, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin as a novel triple regimen, while Group 2 received YH4808 and amoxicillin only, and Group 3 received esomeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, as the standard triple regimen. H. pylori eradication rates were 85.0% for Group 1, 25.0% for Group 2, and 83.3% for Group 3. Relative response rate between Group 1 and 3 was 1.02 (0.50–2.07; 95% CI, χ2 test p = 0.8881). Furthermore, the novel triple regimen, YH4808, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, stably inhibited acid secretion and maintained a gastric pH greater than 4 or 5 for 24 hours, which was comparable to the pH range in the standard triple regimen. However, the onset times of the YH4808 regimens were earlier than that for the regimens using esomeprazole. There were no differences in the incidences or severity of adverse events among the three groups. Overall, the novel triple regimen was safe and well-tolerated. YH4808 could replace PPIs in standard triple regimens used for H. pylori eradication.

Since laparoscopic liver resection was first introduced in 2001, Korean surgeons have chosen a laparoscopic procedure as one of the treatment options for benign or malignant liver disease. We distributed and analyzed a nationwide questionnaire to members of the Korean Laparoscopic Liver Surgery Study Group (KLLSG) in order to evaluate the current status of laparoscopic liver resection in Korea. Questionnaires were sent to 24 centers of KLLSG. The questionnaire consisted of operative procedure, histological diagnosis of liver lesions, indications for resection, causes of conversion to open surgery, and postoperative outcomes. A laparoscopic liver resection was performed in 416 patients from 2001 to 2008. Of 416 patients, 59.6% had malignant tumors, and 40.4% had benign diseases. A total laparoscopic approach was performed in 88.7%. Anatomical laparoscopic liver resection was more commonly performed than non-anatomical resection (59.9% vs 40.1%). The anatomical laparoscopic liver resection procedures consisted of a left lateral sectionectomy (29.3%), left hemihepatectomy (19.2%), right hemihepatectomy (6%), right posterior sectionectomy (4.3%), central bisectionectomy (0.5%), and caudate lobectomy (0.5%). Laparoscopy-related serious complications occurred in 12 (2.8%) patients. The present study findings provide data in terms of indication, type and method of liver resection, and current status of laparoscopic liver resection in Korea.
*Hepatectomy/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; *Laparoscopy/statistics & numerical data ; Liver/*surgery ; Liver Diseases/pathology/surgery ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/surgery ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea

We present a case of successful retrieval of an intracranial stent using a snare wire. A 52-year-old woman presented with left border zone infarction. On cerebral angiography, the C6 segment of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) showed significant stenosis. We attempted stenting of the lesion, although stent dislodgement occurred in the ICA C4 segment. We successfully removed it using a snare loop, and there were no complications during the procedure.
Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Angiography ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Endovascular Procedures ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Middle Aged ; SNARE Proteins ; Stents

We developed nomograms to predict disease recurrence in patients with Ta, T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Thirty-eight training hospitals participated in this retrospective multicenter study. Between 1998 and 2002, a total of 1,587 patients with newly diagnosed non-muscle invasive bladder cancer were enrolled in this study. Patients with prior histories of bladder cancer, non-transitional cell carcinoma, or a follow-up duration of less than 12 months were excluded. With univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, we constructed nomograms to predict disease recurrence, and internal validation was performed using statistical techniques. Three-year and five-year recurrence-free rates were 64.3% and 55.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR]=1.437, p<0.001), tumor size (HR=1.328, p=0.001), multiplicity (HR=1.505, p<0.001), tumor grade (HR=1.347, p=0.007), concomitant carcinoma in situ (HR=1.611, p=0.007), and intravesical therapy (HR=0.681, p<0.001) were independent predictors for disease recurrence. Based on these prognostic factors, nomograms for the prediction of disease recurrence were developed. These nomograms can be used to predict the probability of disease recurrence in patients with newly diagnosed Ta, T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. They may be useful for patient counseling, clinical trial design, and patient follow-up planning.
Aged ; Carcinoma in Situ/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; *Nomograms ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Regression Analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*epidemiology

Herpes zoster represents the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus located in the dorsal root ganglion. The virus multiplies and migrates to the skin surface producing a characteristic, usually painful, pustular eruption. Severe pain during the acute phase of herpes zoster has been associated with a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Sympathetic ganglion block and somatic nerve block have been used for patients in the acute phase of herpes zoster to alleviate pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. Sympathetic nerve block appears to achieve these goals by blocking the profound sympathetic stimulation that is a result of the viral inflammation of the nerve and ganglion. However, they require repeated local anesthetic injections to relieve the symptoms of acute herpes zoster as well as to prevent the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia. Pulsed radiofrequency has been proposed as safe, nondestructive treatment method. We present a case of acute herpes zoster that was managed with pulsed radiofrequency treatment. The results were satisfactory.
Autonomic Nerve Block ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Ganglion Cysts ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nerve Block ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment ; Skin ; Stellate Ganglion*

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the level of frictional resistance generated from three currently used ceramic brackets; 1, Crystaline V(R), Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan; 2, Clarity(R), 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA; 3, Inspire(R), Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; with composite resin brackets, Spirit(R), Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; and conventional stainless steel brackets, Kosaka(R), Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan used as controls. In this experiment, the resistance to sliding was studied as a function of four angulations (0 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees) using 2 different orthodontic wire alloys: stainless steel (stainless steel, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA), and beta-titanium (TMA, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA). After mounting the 22 mil brackets to the fixture and .019 x .025 wires ligated with elastic ligatures, the arch wires were slid through the brackets at 5 mm/min in the dry state at 34 degrees C. Silica-insert ceramic brackets generated a significantly lower frictional force than did other ceramic brackets, similar to that of stainless steel brackets. Beta-titanium archwires had higher frictional resistance than did stainless steel, and all the brackets showed higher static and kinetic frictional force as the angulations increased. When the angulation exceeded 5 degrees, the active configuration emerged and frictional force quickly increased by 2.5 to 4.5-fold. The order of frictional force of the different wire-bracket couples transposed as the angle increased. The silica-insert ceramic bracket is a valuable alternative to conventional stainless steel brackets for patients with esthetic demands.
Alloys ; Ceramics* ; Citrus sinensis ; Family Characteristics ; Friction* ; Humans ; Japan ; Ligation ; Orthodontic Wires ; Stainless Steel ; Steel

It is generally agreed that euthyroid sick syndromes (ESS) are associated with an increased production of cytokines. However, there has been scarce data on the relationship thyroid hormone changes and cytokines among the patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Because interleukin-8 (IL-8) has been identified as a potent proinflammatory and interleukin-10 (IL-10) as an antiinflammatory cytokine, we studied the relation between thyroid hormone parameters and these cytokines following BMT. We studied 80 patients undergoing allogeneic BMT. Serum T3 decreased to nadir at post-BMT 3 weeks. Serum T4 was the lowest at the post-BMT 3 months. Serum TSH sharply decreased to nadir at 1 week and gradually recovered. Serum free T4 significantly increased during 3 weeks and then returned to basal level. Mean levels of serum IL-8 significantly increased at 1 week after BMT. Mean levels of serum IL-10 significantly increased until 4 weeks after BMT. No significant correlation was found between serum thyroid hormone parameters and cytokines (IL-8, IL-10) after adjusting steroid doses during the entire study period. In conclusion, ESS developed frequently following allogeneic BMT and cytokine levels were increased in post-BMT patients. However, no significant correlation was found between serum thyroid hormone parameters and these cytokines.
Adult ; *Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Euthyroid Sick Syndromes/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10/*blood ; Interleukin-8/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroxine/blood ; Time Factors ; Triiodothyronine/blood

Mantle cell lymphoma is relatively rare and generally difficult to differentiate from other types of lymphoma. The clinical course is very aggressive. We recently experienced a very rare patient with pleural mantle cell lymphoma associated with pleural tuberculosis. A 60-year-old female patient was admitted because of dyspnea. Chest films revealed pleural effusion. Analysis of pleural effusion was not diagnostic, but we started therapeutic trial for tuberculosis. After 2 months of anti-tuberculosis medication, the pleural effusion was not improved. We repeated pleural biopsy. Histologic finding was chronic inflammation but AFB culture was positive. After another 3 months of medications for tuberculosis, there was no improvement. We repeated pleural biopsy and thoracentesis. Repeated biopsy and the result of flow cytometry of pleural effusion were consistent with mantle cell lymphoma. We started chemotherapy for lymphoma. After three cycles of chemotherapy, pleural effusion was decreased, but she worsened and died of hepatic failure probably due to viral hepatitis.
Biopsy ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Liver Failure ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell* ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pleural*