Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy is generally associated with severe liver disease, manifesting with neuropsychiatric symptoms including confusion, lethargy, seizure, coma, and even death. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a proven diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool in patients with acute and chronic encephalopathies. EEG changes in acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy are associated with background slowing in theta to delta ranges, accompanied by presence of triphasic waves. We reported a patient with acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy showing an unusual burst-suppression pattern, which was reversible with proper treatment.

Clearance of a difficult biliary stone can be obtained using various interventional techniques such as endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation, mechanical lithotripsy, peroral cholangioscopy-assisted intraductal electrohydraulic/laser lithotripsy, temporary plastic stent insertion, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. We hereby describe the successful endoscopic treatment using various currently available interventional techniques in a case with multiple difficult common bile duct stones. Furthermore, we discuss the countermeasures to overcome the hurdles of each procedure.

BACKGROUND: Bone remodeling is tightly regulated through bone resorption and bone formation; imbalances in bone remodeling can cause various pathological conditions such as osteoporosis. Antiresorptive agents commonly used for treating osteoporosis do not substantially reverse osteoporotic bone loss. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of the RVYFFKGKQYWE motif (residues 270–281; VnP-16) of human vitronectin on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and osteoclastogenesis of bone marrowderived macrophages. The effects of VnP-16 were also assessed in a mouse model of estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis (ovariectomized female C57BL/6 mice). To assay whether VnP-16 can reverse ovariectomy-induced bone loss, synthetic peptides or vehicle were subcutaneously injected into ovariectomized mice once a week for 4 weeks (n = 10/group). To evaluate the bone restorative effects of VnP-16, in-vivo micro-computed tomography analysis and histological staining were performed. RESULTS: VnP-16 induced osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and inhibited the RANKL–RANK–TRAF6 axis in the osteoclastogenesis signaling pathway. Furthermore, systemic administration of VnP-16 reversed ovariectomy-induced bone loss in the femoral neck, distal femur and lumbar spine by increasing osteoblast differentiation and promoting bone formation, and concomitantly decreasing osteoclastogenesis and inhibiting bone resorption. The bone restorative effect of VnP-16 was observed one week after subcutaneous administration, and although the timing of the effect differed according to bone location, it persisted for at least 3 weeks. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that VnP-16 is a potential therapeutic agent for treating osteoporosis that mediates its effects through dual regulation of bone remodeling.

Background: Nilotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for frontline and 2nd line treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML). This study aimed to confirm the safety and efficacy of nilotinib in routine clinical practice within South Korea. Methods: An open-label, multicenter, single-arm, 12-week observational post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was conducted on 669 Korean adult patients with Ph + CML from December 24, 2010, to December 23, 2016. The patients received nilotinib treatment in routine clinical practice settings. Safety was evaluated by all types of adverse events (AEs) during the study period, and efficacy was evaluated by the complete hematological response (CHR) and cytogenetic response. Results: During the study period, AEs occurred in 61.3% (410 patients, 973 events), adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in 40.5% (271/669 patients, 559 events), serious AEs in 4.5% (30 patients, 37 events), and serious ADRs in 0.7% (5 patients, 8 events). Furthermore, unexpected AEs occurred at a rate of 6.9% (46 patients, 55 events) and unexpected ADRs at 1.2% (8 patients, 8 events). As for the efficacy results, CHR was achieved in 89.5% (442/494 patients), and minor cytogenetic response or major cytogenetic response was achieved in 85.8% (139/162 patients). Conclusion This PMS study shows consistent results in terms of safety and efficacy compared with previous studies. Nilotinib was well tolerated and efficacious in adult Korean patients with Ph + CML in routine clinical practice settings.

A 45-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer reported disease progression in the form of metastatic lung and recurrent breast lesions following chemotherapy and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy. The patient underwent 64 Cu-tetra-azacyclododecanetetra-acetic acid (DOTA)-trastuzumab positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to evaluate the HER2 expression status.64 Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab accumulated in the left breast and lymph nodes but not in the lung lesions. Following trastuzumab emtansine treatment, there was a significant improvement in the lesions with 64 Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab accumulation. However, the lesions that did not accumulate 64 Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab aggravated. Therefore, it was concluded that 64 CuDOTA-trastuzumab PET/CT can be used to predict the outcome of HER2-targeted treatment by evaluating HER2 expression in breast cancer patients.

Background: Although the scallop sign is considered the most important risk factor for extensor tendon ruptures (ETRs) in patients with osteoarthritis of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), previous reports provide a limited understanding of the changes at DRUJ, as risk factors were examined in plain radiographs of the wrist. The aim of this study was to assess the changes of DRUJ using axial images of computed tomography (CT) in patients with DRUJ osteoarthritis and associated ETRs and to evaluate the relationship between the changes of DRUJ and ETRs. Methods: Twelve patients with ETRs due to osteoarthritis of the DRUJ were enrolled. The changes of DRUJ were examined on axial images of CT and the following 8 parameters were measured: width of radius, anteroposterior (AP) length of radius, width of sigmoid notch (SN), AP length of SN, AP length of ulnar head, subluxation length of ulnar head, dorsal inclination of SN, and distance from Lister’s tubercle to SN. Radiological parameters of the DRUJ were measured in 60 control wrists without trauma or osteoarthritis, and the patient and control groups were statistically compared. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the patient and control groups in all the radiological parameters except for the AP length of SN and AP length of ulnar head. The width of radius, AP length of radius, width of SN, subluxation length of ulnar head, and dorsal inclination of SN were greater and the distance from Lister’s tubercle to SN was smaller in the patient group than in the control group. The width of SN, dorsal inclination of SN, and distance from Lister’s tubercle to SN were statistically significant risk factors among the 8 parameters. Conclusions ETRs due to osteoarthritis of the DRUJ was related to the changes of DRUJ, especially the changes around SN of the distal radius. In addition to the existing risk factors, a decreased distance from Lister’s tubercle to SN and increased dorsal inclination of SN were identified as new risk factors. Axial images of CT were effective to evaluate degenerative changes at the DRUJ.

Purpose: Septic arthritis of the knee is an orthopedic emergency that requires early diagnosis and surgical treatment. This study examined the effectiveness of drain insertion and irrigation in the treatment of septic arthritis of the knee under local anesthesia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on nine cases (eight patients) diagnosed with septic arthritis of the knee from September 2017 to February 2020 and treated with drain insertion and irrigation under local anesthesia. After penetrating through the superolateral portal to the superomedial portal and inserting the drain, daily irrigation of approximately 3 L of normal saline was done. The following were investigated: age, sex, underlying disease, cause, degree of osteoarthritis, time from diagnosis to surgery, duration of hospitalization, duration of normalization of C-reactive protein, and smear and culture. Results: The initial white blood cell count of joint fluid was 71,472±51,667/mm3 (32,400–203,904/mm3 ), and polymorphic leukocytes were 91.1%±2.6% (86%–95%). The average time from diagnosis to surgery was 8.3±1.3 hours (6–10 hours), and the irrigation period was 8.2±3.2 days (4–15 days). The average length of hospitalization was 20.8±8.7 days (9–37 days). There was no reoperation or recurrence. Smear and culture tests were not identified. Conclusion In the treatment of septic arthritis of the knee, the insertion of a drain tube and irrigation under local anesthesia is a relatively fast and simple method to reduce pain by repetitive draining of purulent joint fluid and can be used as an alternative treatment for patients with a risk of general or spinal anesthesia.