Oral sulfate solution (OSS) is an emerging cleansing agent for bowel preparation. However, data comparing OSS to other conventional bowel preparations in Asian patients are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of OSS to ascorbic acid plus polyethylene glycol (AA + PEG) in Asian patients. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, parallel, investigator-blind study performed in two university hospitals in Korea. Bowel preparation efficacy was evaluated using both the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) and Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Results: Among 173 patients, 86 received OSS while 87 received AA + PEG for bowel preparation. Total OBPS score was 2.80 ± 2.48 in the OSS group and 4.49 ± 3.08 in the AA + PEG group, indicating significantly (p < 0.001) better efficacy with OSS. Total BBPS was higher in the OSS group (7.43 ± 1.49 vs. 6.51 ± 1.76, p < 0.001), indicating superior bowel preparation quality with OSS. Preparation-related adverse events were generally acceptable. Patients receiving OSS had more nausea (1.92 ± 0.94 vs. 1.54 ± 0.76, p = 0.004) and abdominal cramping (1.45 ± 0.78 vs. 1.17 ± 0.51, p = 0.006) than those receiving AA + PEG. However, overall satisfaction and taste were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: OSS had a non-inferior bowel cleansing efficacy than AA + PEG regardless of colon segment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of single-bout exercise on mitochondrial function, dynamics (fusion, fission), and mitophagy in cardiac and skeletal muscles. METHODS: Fischer 344 rats (4 months old) were randomly divided into the control (CON) or acute exercise (EX) group (n=10 each). The rats performed a single bout of treadmill exercise for 60 minutes. Mitochondrial function (e.g., O₂ respiration, H₂O₂ emission, Ca²⁺ retention capacity), mitochondrial fusion (e.g., Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1), mitochondrial fission (e.g., Drp1, Fis1), and mitophagy (e.g., Parkin, Pink1, LC3II, Bnip3) were measured in permeabilized cardiac (e.g., left ventricle) and skeletal (e.g., soleus, white gastrocnemius) muscles. RESULTS: Mitochondrial O₂ respiration and Ca²⁺ retention capacity were significantly increased in all tissues of the EX group compared with the CON group. Mitochondrial H₂O₂ emissions showed tissue-specific results; the emissions showed no significant differences in the left ventricle or soleus (type I fibers) but was significantly increased in the white gastrocnemius (type II fibers) after acute exercise. Mitochondrial fusion and fission were not altered in any tissues of the EX group. Mitophagy showed tissue-specific differences: It was not changed in the left ventricle or white gastrocnemius, whereas Parkin and LC3II were significantly elevated in the soleus muscle. CONCLUSIONS A single bout of aerobic exercise may improve mitochondrial function (e.g., O₂ respiration and Ca²⁺ retention capacity) in the heart and skeletal muscles without changes in mitochondrial dynamics or mitophagy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the long-term outcome and clinical course of patients of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced small intestinal injury by performing capsule endoscopy (CE). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted using data collected from the CE nationwide database registry, which has been established since 2002. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients (87 males; mean age, 60.6+/-14.8 years) from the CE nationwide database registry (n=2,885) were diagnosed with NSAID-induced small intestinal injury and enrolled in our study. Forty-nine patients (35.0%) presented with a history of aspirin use and an additional 49 (35.0%) were taking NSAIDs without aspirin. The most prominent findings after performing CE were multiple ulcerations (n=82, 58.6%) and erosions or aphthae (n=32, 22.9%). During the follow-up period (mean, 15.9+/-19.0 months; range, 0 to 106 months), NSAID-induced small intestinal injury only recurred in six patients (4.3%). Older age and hypertension were positive predictive factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the recurrence of NSAID-induced small bowel injury was not frequent in the presence of conservative treatment. Therefore, the initial diagnosis using CE and the medication history are important.
Age Factors ; Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/*adverse effects ; Aspirin/adverse effects ; *Capsule Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases/chemically induced/*pathology ; Intestine, Small/*drug effects/injuries/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Ulcer/chemically induced/*pathology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is widely used. However, CE has limitations including incomplete examination, inadequate bowel preparation, and retention. The aim of this study was to estimate the indications for and detection, completion, and retention rates of small intestine CE based on the 10-year data from the Korean Capsule Endoscopy Registry. METHODS: Twenty-four hospitals participated in this study. Clinical information, such as reasons for CE, method and quality of bowel preparation, and incomplete examination and capsule retention rates, was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2,914 CEs were registered. The most common reason for CE was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (59%). Significant lesions were detected in 66% of cases. Positive CE diagnosis occurred in 63% of cases. The preparation method did not significantly affect the quality of bowel preparation for CE. The overall incomplete rate was 33%, and was high in the elderly and those with poor bowel preparation. Capsule retention was 3% and high in patients with small bowel tumors and Crohn's disease and in children under 10 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: CE is a valuable technique; while the overall detection rate is high, incompletion and retention rates are also relatively high. CE should be carefully considered in the elderly and children less than 10 years of age, as well as in patients with small bowel tumors and Crohn's disease.
Aged ; Capsule Endoscopy* ; Child ; Crohn Disease ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestine, Small

The presence of ectopic prostate tissue in the bladder is common, but the involvement of the bladder dome has rarely been reported. This case report describes a 72-year-old man who presented with gross painless hematuria. Cystoscopy revealed a smooth sessile mass at the dome region of the bladder. A complete transurethral resection of the mass was performed. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed the presence of benign ectopic prostatic tissue.
Aged ; Choristoma ; Cystoscopy ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Prostate ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Alloimmunization of human platelet antigens (HPA) is associated with clinically significant disease, such as platelet refractoriness, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, or posttransfusion purpura. It is determined by single nucleotide polymorphism of genes for platelet membrane glycoprotein. To date, approximately 27 HPAs have been discovered, and their frequencies differ depending on ethnicity and country. METHODS: We conducted an investigation of prevalence of HPA in the Korean population using a multiplex single-base primer extension reaction (SNaPshot). With 84 specimens from healthy donors, HPA genotyping was performed on 11 different HPAs, including HPA-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -13, and -15. RESULTS: A total of 90 blood samples were genotyped. The genotype frequencies of HPA were as follows: HPA-1a/1a: 100.0%, -2a/2a: 83.3%, -2a/2b: 14.3%, -2b/2b: 2.4%, -3a/3a: 39.3%, -3a/3b: 52.4%, -3b/3b: 8.3%, -4a/4a: 100.0%, -5a/5a: 95.2%, -5a/5b: 4.8%, -6a/6a: 94.0%, -6a/6b: 6.0%, -7a/7a: 100.0%, -8a/8a: 100.0%, -9a/9a: 97.6%, -9a/9b: 2.4%, -13a/13a: 100.0%, -15a/15a: 23.8%, -15a/15b: 51.2%, and -15b/15b: 25.0%. CONCLUSION: The SNaPshot assay was employed for detection of SNPs in various clinically significant HPA genes. In addition to well-known frequencies of previously reported HPA-1 to -8, this study showed frequencies of HPA-9, -13, and -15 in Koreans for the first time. The SNaPshot technique might be suitable for use in actual clinical testing in patients with platelet alloimmunization.
Antigens, Human Platelet ; Blood Platelets ; Genotype ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prevalence ; Purpura ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic ; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune ; Tissue Donors

Neurofibroma in gastrointestinal tract are presented as localized forms or in associated with neurofibromatosis. Previous reported cases were presented as relatively large sized esophageal mass and treated by surgical resection. However, a neurofibroma was found incidentally during endoscopy in this case. It was presented as palisade like solitary nodules with or without connecting mucosal bridges in lower esophagus. It was treated by mucosectomy and followed up without recurrence.
Endoscopy ; Esophagus* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Neurofibroma* ; Neurofibromatoses ; Recurrence

Carcinoid tumors originate from the enterochromaffin cells that are located in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Most of these tumors are asymptomatic and gastric carcinoid with massive gastrointestinal bleeding is found rarely. We experienced a case of gastric carcinoid admitted to our hospital due to melena and dizziness. The esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination revealed an ulcerofungating mass in the lower body which was thought to be a Borrmann type III adenocarcinoma. Microscopic examination of the biopsy specimens showed benign gastric ulcer without malignant cells. Repeated endoscopic biopsy revealed the same results. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed a gastric mass with multiple perigastric enlarged lymph nodes. Histopathological examination of the operative specimen showed gastric carcinoid. We report a case of gastric carcinoid with massive bleeding mimicking advanced gastric cancer.
Abdomen ; Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Dizziness ; Enterochromaffin Cells ; Hemorrhage* ; Lymph Nodes ; Melena ; Mucous Membrane ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer

Cicatrical pemphigoid is regarded as a chronic, autoimmune subepithelial blistering disease of mucous membranes in which lesions often heal with scar formation. Cicatrical pemphigoid typically involves the oral and/or ocular mucosa but may affect the nasal, pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, anogenital regions as well. Immunopathologic studies have shown that patients with cicatrical pemphigoid typically have autoantibodies directed against basement membrane antigens and that they demonstrate continuous deposits of immunoglobulins (IgG, A), complement components and fibrin along the basement membrane. A 69-year-old female was admitted with chief complaints of hoarseness, dyspnea, multiple painful oral ulcer and vesiculobullous skin lesion on upper trunk. During admission, dysphagia and epigastric discomfort was developed. Endoscopic examination revealed multiple erosion and ulcerative lesion with scar formation. Immunopathologic studies showed that linear deposit of IgG, A, C3 along the basement membrane zone. We report a case of cicatrical pemphigoid with esophageal involvement with brief review of literature.
Aged ; Autoantibodies ; Basement Membrane ; Blister ; Cicatrix ; Complement System Proteins ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dyspnea ; Esophagus ; Female ; Fibrin ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Mucous Membrane ; Oral Ulcer ; Pemphigoid, Bullous* ; Skin ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was done to compare the effects of Omeprazole (OMD) 10 or 20 mg with Ranitidine(RAN) 300 mg on intragastric acidity and gastroesophageal reflux in healthy subjects. METHODS: Ten healthy male volunteers were studied after administrations of 5 days dosing with either RAN 300 mg, OMD 10 mg or 20 mg, once each morning. On the 5(th) day, intragastric pH and lower esophageal pH were measured by a dual channel antimony pH catheter for 10 hours. RESULTS: Gastroesophageal reflux was reduced after administrations of RAN 300 mg, OMD 10 mg or 20 mg (p < 0.05) and there was no significant difference among the three drugs (p > 0.05). The gastric holding time of pH > 4 was significantly prolonged over fasting and postprandial periods after RAN 300 mg, OMD 10 mg or 20 mg administrations (p < 0.05). OMD 20 mg showed the most potent effect on gastric acid suppression (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between RAN 300 mg and OMD 10 mg (p > 0.05). OMD administrations (10 mg or 20 mg) exhibited a more potent effect on gastric acid suppression during the postprandial period than RAN 300 mg (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OMD 10 mg was as potent as RAN 300 mg on inhibition of gastric acid, but less potent than OMD 20 mg. There was no difference among the three drugs in regard to gastroesophageal reflux in healthy subjects.
Antimony ; Catheters ; Fasting ; Gastric Acid ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Male ; Omeprazole* ; Postprandial Period ; Ranitidine* ; Volunteers