Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis. Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the synergistic antitumor effect of combined treatment with 17-DMAG (HSP90 inhibitor) and NVP-BEZ235 (PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor) on cisplatin-resistant human bladder cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Human bladder cancer cells exhibiting cisplatin resistance (T24R2) were exposed to escalating doses of 17-DMAG (2.5–20 nM) with or without NVP-BEZ236 (0.5–4 μM) in combination with cisplatin. Antitumor effects were assessed by CCK-8 analysis. Based on the dose-response study, synergistic interactions between the two regimens were evaluated using clonogenic assay and combination index values. Flow cytometry and Western blot were conducted to analyze mechanisms of synergism. Results: Dose- and time-dependent antitumor effects for 17-DMAG were observed in both cisplatin-sensitive (T24) and cisplatin- resistant cells (T24R2). The antitumor effect of NVP-BEZ235, however, was found to be self-limiting. The combination of 17- DMAG and NVP-BEZ235 in a 1:200 fixed ratio showed a significant antitumor effect in cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells over a wide dose range, and clonogenic assay showed compatible results with synergy tests. Three-dimensional analysis revealed strong synergy between the two drugs with a synergy volume of 201.84 μM/mL2%. The combination therapy resulted in G1-phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis confirmed by the Western blot. Conclusion HSP90 inhibitor monotherapy and in combination with the PI3K/mTOR survival pathway inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 shows a synergistic antitumor effect in cisplatin-resistant bladder cancers, eliciting cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and induction of caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Background: Lightwand is a convenient tool that can be used instead of a laryngoscope for intubation. Tracheal intubation causes direct stimulation of the larynx, drastically increasing hemodynamic values including blood pressure and heart rate. This study aims to identify the effect of different doses of esmolol on hemodynamic changes during lightwand intubation. Methods: The study subjects included 140 patients who underwent general anesthesia for elective surgery. The patients were randomly divided into four groups (35 patients in each group). The ‘C’ group only received 20 ml of normal saline, while the ‘E0.5’, ‘E1’, and ‘E2’ groups received 20 ml of normal saline containing esmolol—0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 2 mg/kg, respectively, injected 2 min prior to intubation. The patients’ blood pressure, heart rate, and rate-pressure product were measured six times, before and after the intubation. Results: The degree of heart rate elevation was suppressed in the E1 and E2 groups compared to the C group, and RPP after intubation significantly decreased in the E2 group compared to the C group. Conclusions 1–2 mg/kg of a single esmolol injection prior to lightwand intubation effectively blunts heart rate elevation, and 2 mg/kg of esmolol injection blunts rate-pressure product elevation.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of triple procedure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: The patients who underwent triple procedures for open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma and were followed up for more than 1 year postoperatively were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation, refractive error, number of medications, and complications were analyzed. The effect of surgery on IOP reduction and refractive error correction was compared. RESULTS: The IOP at 1 year postoperatively was 13.39 +/- 2.25 mm Hg, 13.41 +/- 2.79 mm Hg (p = 0.981) and IOP reduction was 4.51 +/- 6.35 mm Hg, 9.11 +/- 8.27 mm Hg (p = 0.042) in the open angle glaucoma group and angle closure glaucoma group, respectively. No patient in either group required reoperation due to uncontrolled IOP. The percentage of patients showing postoperative IOP reduction of at least 10% and 20% from baseline IOP was statistically higher in the angle-closure glaucoma group than in the open-angle glaucoma group. Prediction errors were -0.84 +/- 0.88 D and -0.13 +/- 0.65 D in the open-angle glaucoma group and angle-closure glaucoma group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Triple procedure was effective in reducing IOP in both open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma patients. The patients with angle-closure glaucoma showed better results in IOP control and refractive error correction compared with patients with angle-closure glaucoma.
Glaucoma, Angle-Closure* ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Refractive Errors ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome* ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of triple procedure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: The patients who underwent triple procedures for open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma and were followed up for more than 1 year postoperatively were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation, refractive error, number of medications, and complications were analyzed. The effect of surgery on IOP reduction and refractive error correction was compared. RESULTS: The IOP at 1 year postoperatively was 13.39 +/- 2.25 mm Hg, 13.41 +/- 2.79 mm Hg (p = 0.981) and IOP reduction was 4.51 +/- 6.35 mm Hg, 9.11 +/- 8.27 mm Hg (p = 0.042) in the open angle glaucoma group and angle closure glaucoma group, respectively. No patient in either group required reoperation due to uncontrolled IOP. The percentage of patients showing postoperative IOP reduction of at least 10% and 20% from baseline IOP was statistically higher in the angle-closure glaucoma group than in the open-angle glaucoma group. Prediction errors were -0.84 +/- 0.88 D and -0.13 +/- 0.65 D in the open-angle glaucoma group and angle-closure glaucoma group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Triple procedure was effective in reducing IOP in both open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma patients. The patients with angle-closure glaucoma showed better results in IOP control and refractive error correction compared with patients with angle-closure glaucoma.
Glaucoma, Angle-Closure* ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Refractive Errors ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome* ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

BACKGROUND: Ginsenosides have been used for a long time as an oriental folk medicine. Although ginsenosides modulate the nociceptive transmission, the effect of ginsenosides on a bone cancer pain has not been elucidated. The authors examined the effect of ginsenosides in a mouse model of bone cancer pain. METHODS: Bone cancer was induced by intramedullary injection of osteolytic sarcoma cells in to the femur in male C3H/HeJ mice. Mice showing mechanical allodynia after 14 days after cancer cells inoculation were included in this study. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated by measuring the withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament applying on the femoral cancer site. Effect of ginsenosides (30, 100, 300 mg/kg) was examined at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min after intraperitoneal administration of ginsenosides. RESULTS: After cancer cells injection into the femur, bone cancer was developed in simple X-ray. A paw withdrawal threshold in a cancer site was significantly decreased. Intraperitoneal ginsenosides did not effectively alter the withdrawal threshold in the cancer site. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, ginsenosides may not be effective to attenuate the bone cancer pain.
Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; Femur ; Ginsenosides ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Male ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice ; Sarcoma

The purpose of this study is to observe and compare the dynamic change of artificially demineralized enamel by remineralization solutions of different degrees of saturation at pH 4.3. In this study, 30 enamel specimens were demineralized artificially by lactic acid buffered solution. Each of 10 specimens was immersed in pH 4.3 remineralization solution of three different degrees of saturation (0.22, 0.30, 0.35) for 10 days. After demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by a polarizing microscope (x 100). The density of lesion were determined from images taken after demineralization and remineralization. During remineralization process, mineral deposition and mineral loss occurred at the same time. After remineralization, total mineral amount and width of surface lesion increased in all groups. The higher degree of saturation was, the more mineral deposition occurred in surface lesion and the amount of mineral deposition was not much in subsurface lesion. Total demineralized depth increased in all groups.
Dental Enamel ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactic Acid

The purpose of this study is to observe and compare the remineralization tendencies of artificially demineralized enamel by remineralization solutions of different degree of saturations at pH 5.5, using a polarizing microscope and computer programs (Photoshop, Image pro plus, Scion Image, Excel). For this study, 36 sound permanent teeth with no signs of demineralization, cracks, or dental restorations were used. The specimens were immersed in lactic acid demineralization solution for 3 days in order to produce dental caries artificially that consist of surface and subsurface lesions. Each of 9 or 10 specimens was immersed in pH 5.5 lactic acid buffered remineralization solution of three different degrees of saturation (0.25, 0.30, 0.35) for 12 days. After the demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by a polarizing microscope (x 100). The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens, and using computer programs, the density of caries lesions were determined. In conclusion, in the group with the lowest degree of saturation, remineralization occurred thoroughly from the surface to the subsurface lesion, whereas in the groups with greater degree of saturation showed no significant change in the subsurface lesion, although there was corresponding increase in the remineralization width on the surface zones.
Dental Caries ; Dental Enamel ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactic Acid ; Software ; Tooth