Background/Aims: Among several methods used to prevent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding, the recently developed hemostatic powder (HP) has few technical limitations and is relatively easy-to-use. This study aimed to analyze the hemostatic effects and mechanisms of two HPs using a porcine upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage model. Methods: We evaluated HPs (Endospray and epidermal growth factor [EGF]-endospray) for adhesion, waterproofing ability, permeability, and absorption in vitro. ESD was performed to induce bleeding ulcers in the porcine stomachs. In a total of three pigs, three bleeding ulcers per animal were generated. Hemostasis and rebleeding were evaluated endoscopically. After 72 hours, the animals were sacrificed, and histologically analyzed. Results: The water absorption of HPs was over 20 times the initial value within 30 minutes. The gelated HPs completely blocked water penetration into the applied site within 5 minutes and strongly adhered to the Petri-dish surface for up to 6 hours. The initial hemostasis rates within 5 minutes were 33.3%, 100.0%, and 66.7%, and the rebleeding rates at 6 to 72 hours after HP application were 33.3%, 16.7%, and 33.3% (control, Endospray, and EGF-endospray groups, respectively). Histological analysis revealed the thickness of the regenerated mucosa (522.1, 514.5, and 680.3 µm) and the submucosal layer (1,510.3, 2,848.2, and 3,062.3 µm) and the number of newly formed blood vessels (15.3, 17.9, and 20.5) in the control, Endospray, and EGFendospray groups, respectively. Conclusions The endoscopic HPs demonstrated the ability to elicit effective initial hemostasis and the histological ulcer-healing effect of EGF in an animal model of hemorrhagic gastric ulcers.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of the visual estimation of blood loss between medical personnel (MP) and non-medical personnel (NP) and to evaluate how it varies with changes in the bleeding volume and environment. Methods: A total of 78 MP and 132 NP were recruited for the study and asked to evaluate nine artificial blood stations and three different volumes of artificial blood (192 mL, 384 mL, 768 mL) in three different environments (floor, diaper, and commode). Statistical analysis and the two-way repeated measures analysis of variance test were used for data analysis. Results: There were significant differences between MP and NP regardless of the actual bleeding loss in all the bleeding environments-floor (F=25.332, P<0.001), diaper (F=9.942, P=0.002), and commode (F=29.588, P<0.001). NP consistently had higher estimates of bleeding volume compared to MP. The interaction effect between group and volume was statistically significant for the floor and diaper-floor (F=9.708, P<0.001) and diaper (F=5.420, P=0.013), but there was no significant difference for the commode (P=0.087). Additionally, the standard deviation of bleeding volume estimates was higher for NP. Conclusion Visual estimation of blood loss differed significantly between MP and NP, with NP consistently overestimating and demonstrating lower accuracy and reliability compared to MP. These findings underscore the need for caution when relying on estimates by NP as a diagnostic tool for assessing blood loss.

Objective: Rapid identification of the cause for acute kidney injury (AKI) is very crucial. Among the diagnostic indicators of AKI, the fractional excretion rate of sodium (FENa) is clinically considered the most useful indicator. Numerous studies have reported that rapid identification and treatment of AKI improves the short-term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. However, insufficient studies have reported on the benefits of early assessment of FENa to help improve the mid-long term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. Methods: We analyzed the timing of FENa in AKI patients who were admitted through our hospital emergency department, over a period of 3 years. The experimental groups are divided into the early group, measuring FENa within 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room, and the late group, measuring FENa later than 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room. The prognostic outcomes determined are major adverse kidney events (MAKE), including new dialysis, deterioration of kidney function to chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death, as well as MAKE and AKI recurrence (MAKER). Results: Significant differences were obtained between the early group and late group in time taken to start fluid resuscitation (P=0.001), intermittent hemodialysis (P=0.005), and continuous renal replacement therapy (P=0.016), as well as in the mid-long term clinical prognosis of new dialysis (P=0.018) and deterioration of kidney function to CKD (P=0.004). Differences between early group and late group in MAKE (P<0.001) and MAKER (P<0.001) were also statistically significant. In the mid-long term clinical prognosis of death (P=0.706) and AKI recurrence (P=0.466), no significant differences were obtained between the two groups. Conclusion Early measurement of FENa (within 3 hours) for AKI patients visiting the emergency room showed better mid-long term clinical prognosis than patients with delayed FENa measurement.

Objective: Rapid identification of the cause for acute kidney injury (AKI) is very crucial. Among the diagnostic indicators of AKI, the fractional excretion rate of sodium (FENa) is clinically considered the most useful indicator. Numerous studies have reported that rapid identification and treatment of AKI improves the short-term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. However, insufficient studies have reported on the benefits of early assessment of FENa to help improve the mid-long term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. Methods: We analyzed the timing of FENa in AKI patients who were admitted through our hospital emergency department, over a period of 3 years. The experimental groups are divided into the early group, measuring FENa within 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room, and the late group, measuring FENa later than 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room. The prognostic outcomes determined are major adverse kidney events (MAKE), including new dialysis, deterioration of kidney function to chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death, as well as MAKE and AKI recurrence (MAKER). Results: Significant differences were obtained between the early group and late group in time taken to start fluid resuscitation (P=0.001), intermittent hemodialysis (P=0.005), and continuous renal replacement therapy (P=0.016), as well as in the mid-long term clinical prognosis of new dialysis (P=0.018) and deterioration of kidney function to CKD (P=0.004). Differences between early group and late group in MAKE (P<0.001) and MAKER (P<0.001) were also statistically significant. In the mid-long term clinical prognosis of death (P=0.706) and AKI recurrence (P=0.466), no significant differences were obtained between the two groups. Conclusion Early measurement of FENa (within 3 hours) for AKI patients visiting the emergency room showed better mid-long term clinical prognosis than patients with delayed FENa measurement.

Objective: The rapid identification and treatment of an acute kidney injury (AKI) can help to restore the kidney function. To differentiate between pre-renal AKI and intrinsic AKI, a urine chemistry test was performed to determine the function of the renal tubules. On the other hand, there is no report showing that it is helpful to arrive at the hospital as early as possible and to perform these urine chemistry tests as soon as possible. Methods: This study analyzed the timing of urinary chemistry tests in AKI patients who were admitted to the author’s hospital through the emergency departments (ED) in the last three years and divided into two groups. The early group was defined as patients who performed the test within three hours of arrival in the ED. The late group was defined as patients who were late or not. The prognostic factors were the change in 30-day estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and duration of hospital stay. Results: The changes of eGFR after 30 days in each group were 41.6±27.57 mL/min/1.73 m2 (early group, n=92) vs. 30.39±26.37 mL/min/1.73 m2 (late group, n=180) (P=0.001). Early group patients were discharged more quickly than patients in the late group (hospital day, 11.49±10.14 vs. 13.84±10.53; P=0.041). Conclusion A urine chemistry test is a test to help determine the cause of AKI. Based on the results of urine chemistry performed within three hours after arrival at the hospital, patients with AKI who visited the emergency room had betterimproved kidney function and less hospitalization time than the patients who were late or untested at the time of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium (EHDF) on physical stress, changes in the whole-body cortisol level and behaviour in zebrafish (Danio rerio). METHODS: One hundred and seventy-four fish were randomly divided into 4 [adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) challenge test: 4 fish per group] or 6 groups (behavioural test: 10-12 fish per group, whole-body cortisol: 4 fish per group). Net handling stress (NHS) was used to induce physical stress. Fish were treated with vehicle or EHDF (5-20 mg/L) for 6 min before they were exposed to stress. And then, fish were sacrificed for collecting body fluid from whole-body or conducted behavioural tests, including novel tank test and open field test, and were evaluated to observe anxiety-like behaviours and locomotion. In addition, to elucidate the mode of action of the anti-stress effects of EHDF, ACTH (0.2 IU/g, i.p.) challenge test was performed. RESULTS: The increased anxiety-like behaviours in novel tank test and open field test under stress were prevented by treatment with EHDF at 5-20 mg/L (P <0.05). Moreover, compared with the unstressed group, which was not treated with NHS, the whole-body cortisol level was significantly increased by treatment with NHS (P <0.05). Compared with the NHS-treated stressed control group, pre-treatment with EHDF at concentrations of 5-20 mg/L for 6 min significantly prevented the NHS-increased whole-body cortisol level (<0.05). In addition, ACTH challenge test showed that EHDF completely blocked the effects of ACTH on cortisol secretion (P <0.05). CONCLUSION EHDF may be a good antistress candidate and its mechanism of action may be related to its positive effects on cortisol release.

Objective: The rapid identification and treatment of an acute kidney injury (AKI) can help to restore the kidney function. To differentiate between pre-renal AKI and intrinsic AKI, a urine chemistry test was performed to determine the function of the renal tubules. On the other hand, there is no report showing that it is helpful to arrive at the hospital as early as possible and to perform these urine chemistry tests as soon as possible. Methods: This study analyzed the timing of urinary chemistry tests in AKI patients who were admitted to the author’s hospital through the emergency departments (ED) in the last three years and divided into two groups. The early group was defined as patients who performed the test within three hours of arrival in the ED. The late group was defined as patients who were late or not. The prognostic factors were the change in 30-day estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and duration of hospital stay. Results: The changes of eGFR after 30 days in each group were 41.6±27.57 mL/min/1.73 m2 (early group, n=92) vs. 30.39±26.37 mL/min/1.73 m2 (late group, n=180) (P=0.001). Early group patients were discharged more quickly than patients in the late group (hospital day, 11.49±10.14 vs. 13.84±10.53; P=0.041). Conclusion A urine chemistry test is a test to help determine the cause of AKI. Based on the results of urine chemistry performed within three hours after arrival at the hospital, patients with AKI who visited the emergency room had betterimproved kidney function and less hospitalization time than the patients who were late or untested at the time of treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several rescue therapies have been recommended to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with a failure of first-line eradication therapy, but they still fail in more than 20% of cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin, metronidazole, and lansoprazole (LML) triple therapy relative to quadruple therapy as a second-line treatment. METHODS: In total, 113 patients who failed first-line triple therapy for H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to two groups: LML for 7 days and tetracycline, bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole and lansoprazole (quadruple) for 7 days. RESULTS: According to intention-to-treat analysis, the infection was eradicated in 38 of 56 patients (67.9%) in the LML group and 48 of 57 (84.2%) in the quadruple group (p=0.042). Per-protocol analysis showed successful eradication in 38 of 52 patients (73.1%) from the LML group and 48 of 52 (92.3%) from the quadruple group (p=0.010). There were no significant differences in the adverse effects in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: LML therapy is less effective than quadruple therapy as a second-line treatment for H. pylori infection. Therefore, quadruple therapy should be considered as the primary second-line strategy for patients experiencing a failure of first-line H. pylori therapy in Korea.
2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles ; Bismuth ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Korea ; Metronidazole ; Ofloxacin ; Organometallic Compounds ; Tetracycline

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been widely used for non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Its untoward cutaneous effects are largely well known and developed in many patients treated with EGFR TKIs. However trichomegaly of eyelash is rarely reported. Although trichomegaly is not a drug-limiting side effect, it could be troublesome of continuing the treatment because of cosmetic issue or eyeball irritation by long eyelashes. Therefore clinicians are needed to pay attention to this uncommon effect. We herein describe erlotinib induced trichomegaly of eyelashes in a woman with adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Adenocarcinoma ; Cosmetics ; Eyelashes ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Physiological Effects of Drugs ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Quinazolines ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and limitations of fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) for osteoporotic vertebral fractures in the Korean population. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The FRAX algorithm is country specific and uses clinical risk factor data to calculate an individual patient's 10-year probability of hip fracture and 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture. However, it has not been adequately investigated for Korean. METHODS: One hundred ninety four patients who had all risk factor data for the calculation of FRAX were divided into two groups depending on the existence of vertebral fractures: the fracture group was comprised of 88 patients and the non-facture group comprised of 105 patients. We analyzed prediction of the fracture by applying respectively the Korean, Japanese, USA and UK model, and compared their FRAX results by calculating lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) instead of femoral neck BMD. RESULTS: The prediction of vertebral fracture using FRAX was 10.9 +/- 6.2% in the fracture group, 9.5 +/- 5.5% of the non-fracture group in the Korean model (p = 0.108); 17.9 +/- 10.2% in the fracture group, 14.6 +/- 9.0% in the non-fracture group in the Japanese model (p = 0.017). Only the Japanese model exhibited significant difference in vertebral fracture risk. The prediction of vertebral fracture using lumbar BMD instead of femoral neck BMD was 19.5 +/- 12.1% in the fracture group, 16.0 +/- 10.3% in the non-fracture group in the Korean model (p = 0.029). All models had statistically significant differences for the prediction of osteoporotic vertebral fracture. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year probability of osteoporotic vertebral fracture had underestimation of the risk considering treatment eligibility based on the National Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines. BMD that accurately reflects the contribution of each result to fracture risk should be preferred for the prediction of fracture using FRAX, when lumbar spine and hip BMD measurements are both performed for clinical purposes in Korean.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Density ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Humans ; Korea ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Spine