Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker that treats gastric acid-related diseases. Clarithromycin was widely used as one of various regimens for eradicating Helicobacter pylori. This study compared the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of tegoprazan and clarithromycin between combination therapy and monotherapy to evaluate the potential drug-drug interaction. An open-label, randomized, 6-sequence, 3-period crossover study was conducted in 24 healthy subjects. According to the assigned sequence, the subject was administered the assigned treatment during 5 days in each period. PK parameters of tegoprazan and clarithromycin administered in combination were compared with those of the respective monotherapies. The co-administration of tegoprazan with clarithromycin increased maximum steady-state plasma concentration (C ss,max ) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve in dosing interval at steady-state (AUC ss,tau ) of tegoprazan (1.6-fold in C ss,max and 2.5-fold in AUC ss,tau ) and M1 (2.0-fold in C ss,max , 2.5-fold in AUC ss,tau ) than tegoprazan alone. The C ss,max and AUC sss,tau of 14-hydroxyclarithromycin increased 1.8- and 2.0-fold in co-administration, respectively. The AUC ss.tau of clarithromycin was slightly increased in co-administration, but C ss,max was not changed. Combination of tegoprazan and clarithromycin and those of the respective monotherapies were tolerated in 24 healthy subjects. There may exist drug interaction that lead to reciprocal increase in plasma drug concentrations when tegoprazan and clarithromycin were administrated in combination and no safety concerns were raised. It is suggested that an in-depth analysis of the concentrationresponse relationship is necessary to determine whether these concentration changes warrant clinical action.

Cholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) usually occurs after endovascular procedures, it may also occurs after using anticoagulants and thrombolytics. We report a case of 66-year-old man with sudden elevation of creatinine after using warfarin due to cortical infarction. Histologic examinations revealed a cholesterol cleft on the arcuate artery. We concluded it as warfarin induced atheroembolic renal disease. Careful observation of kidneys is necessary in the case of renal abnormalities after using anticoagulation, considering the possibility of cholesterol embolism due to anticoagulant therapy.
Aged ; Anticoagulants ; Arteries ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Embolism ; Embolism, Cholesterol ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Infarction ; Kidney ; Warfarin

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are both rare post-infectious neurological disorders. The co-existence of these conditions has often been reported despite of low incidence. We describe a 20-year-old male, who presented with acute flaccid paralysis and encephalopathy. The patient showed reversible MRI lesions suggesting ADEM. This case showed anti-GT1a IgG and anti-GM1 IgM antibodies positivity. We suggest that certain immunogenicity within central and peripheral nervous system may share a common autoimmune process during the disease course.
Antibodies* ; Brain Diseases ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated* ; Gangliosides ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nervous System Diseases ; Paralysis ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Low serum concentrations of drugs used to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have occasionally been associated with treatment failure. We determined the frequencies of low serum concentrations of anti-MDR-TB drugs, and assessed the effects of these concentrations on 2-month sputum conversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum levels of moxifloxacin (MF), prothionamide (PTH), and cycloserine (CS) were determined for 89 serum samples by high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Low serum concentrations of MF, PTH, and CS below the minimal levels of the normal ranges were 83.3% (20/24), 59.2% (29/49), and 71.2% (47/66), respectively. There were no significant differences between the 2-month sputum conversion group (n=25) and the 2-month sputum non-conversion group (n=4) in median drug concentrations (microg/mL) of MF (1.46 vs. 1.60), PTH (0.91 vs. 0.70), and CS (14.90 vs. 14.90). However, a poor compliance rate was significantly greater in the 2-month sputum non-conversion group (75.0%, 3/4) than in the 2-month sputum conversion group (0%, 0/25) (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The frequency of low serum concentrations of anti-MDR-TB drugs was substantial and might not affect the 2-month sputum conversion rate. Larger prospective studies with timely sampling are needed to investigate the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in MDR-TB.
Adult ; Aged ; Antitubercular Agents/blood/*pharmacokinetics/therapeutic use ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cycloserine/blood/*pharmacokinetics/therapeutic use ; Fluoroquinolones/blood/*pharmacokinetics/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medication Adherence ; Middle Aged ; Prothionamide/blood/*pharmacokinetics/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum/*microbiology ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/blood/*drug therapy ; Young Adult

The Vietnamese-Koreans, especially offspring between a Vietnamese mother and a Korean father constituted the highest proportion (64.2%) of total Kosian population according to a census in 2014. To evaluate genetic characteristics in the Vietnamese-Koreans, a total of 25 alleles from CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were genotyped using SNaPshot method with DNA samples of 127 Vietnamese-Koreans. The previous reports on the CYPs of Korean and Vietnamese populations were also analyzed for the comparative studies for the frequencies of CYP alleles. The statistical significances in allele and genotype frequencies among the ethnics were analyzed by Chi-square or Fisher's exact probability test. Although most of variants analyzed in 5 CYPs did not reach the statistically significant difference between the Vietnamese-Koreans and Vietnamese, some alleles were only found in Vietnamese-Koreans. Compared with Korean population, frequencies of CYP2D6*1 and CYP2D6*10B were statistically different from Vietnamese-Koreans (p<0.05). This is the first report to describe the CYP genotype profiles of Vietnamese-Koreans, which may provide important insight for the genotype based prediction of CYP activities of this admixture of Korean and Vietnamese.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Censuses ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6* ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; DNA ; Fathers ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mothers ; Polymorphism, Genetic*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify changes in left ventricular (LV) performance in patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) in the left anterior descending coronary artery during resting and in an inotropic state. METHODS: Myocardial strain measurement by speckle-tracking echocardiography and conventional LV wall-motion scoring was performed in 18 patients with MB (mean age, 48.1 +/- 1.7 years, eight female) during resting and intravenous dobutamine challenge (10 and 20 microg/kg/min). RESULTS: Conventional LV wall-motion scoring was normal in all patients during resting and in an inotropic state. Peak regional circumferential strain increased dose dependently upon dobutamine challenge. Longitudinal strains of the anterior and anteroseptal segments were, however, reduced at 20 microg/kg/min and showed a dyssynchronous pattern at 20 microg/kg/min. Although there were no significant differences in radial strain and displacement of all segments at rest compared with under 10 microg/kg/min challenge, radial strain and displacement of anterior segments at 20 microg/kg/min were significantly reduced compared with posterior segments at the papillary muscle level (44.8 +/- 14.9% vs. 78.4 +/- 20.1% and 5.3 +/- 2.3 mm vs. 8.5 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively; all p < 0.001), and showed plateau (40%) or biphasic (62%) patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced LV strain of patients with MB after inotropic stimulation was identified. Speckle-tracking strain echocardiography identified a LV myocardial dyssynchrony that was not demonstrated by conventional echocardiography in patients with MB.
Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists/*diagnostic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Diastole ; Dobutamine/*diagnostic use ; Echocardiography, Stress/instrumentation/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Myocardial Contraction ; *Myocardium ; Physical Exertion ; Systole ; *Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; Ventricular Function, Left/*drug effects

PURPOSE: Cortical bone thickness is one of the important factor in mini-implant stability. This study was performed to investigate the buccal cortical bone thickness at every interdental area as an aid in planning mini-implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-dimensional slices at every interdental area were selected from the cone-beam computed tomography scans of 20 patients in third decade. Buccal cortical bone thickness was measured at 2, 4, and 6 mm levels from the alveolar crest in the interdental bones of posterior regions of both jaws using the plot profile function of Ez3D2009trade mark (Vatech, Yongin, Korea). The results were analyzed using by Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Buccal cortical bone was thicker in the mandible than in the maxilla. The thickness increased with further distance from the alveolar crest in the maxilla and with coming from the posterior to anterior region in the mandible (p<0.01). The maximum CT value showed an increasing tendency with further distance from the alveolar crest and with coming from posterior to anterior region in both jaws. CONCLUSION: Interdental buccal cortical bone thickness varied in both jaws, however our study showed a distinct tendency. We expect that these results could be helpful for the selection and preparation of mini-implant sites.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Jaw ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the level of screw fixation and the stability of the segment of endplate fracture after posterior pedicle screw instrumentation for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 41 patients of burst fractures who had been operated with pedicle screw instrumentation were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups by the levels of screw fixation. One group was treated with screws fixed by one-level to the direction of fractured endplate (One-level group, 16 cases). The other group was treated with screws fixed by two-level to the direction of endplate fracture (Two-level group, 25 cases). The two groups were compared by the radiographic changes of kyphotic angle between the day of surgery and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: At the 6 months, one-level group showed the change of kyphotic angle of 17.5+/-2.4 degrees, which was different from two-level group of 5.2+/-0.8 degrees (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In posterior pedicle screws fixation for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures, 2 vertebrae to the direction of the endplate fracture should be included to prevent the postoperative kyphotic change.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution is commonly used for precolonoscopic preparation because of its safety and effectiveness. Sulfate free PEG (SF-PEG) solution was developed to reduce the salty taste by removing the sodium sulfate. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and patient compliance of SF-PEG and sodium phosphate (NaP) solutions for preparing the bowel before colonoscopy. METHODS: From February through April in 2007, 534 patients who underwent colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled. The efficacy of bowel cleansing was assessed by a doctor's questionnaire and the patient's compliance was assessed by a patient's questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups for the "stools and fluids" assessment of bowel cleansing (2.07 vs. 2.14, respectively, p=0.149). However, SF-PEG was more effective on the "air bubbles" assessment (1.34 vs. 1.71, respectively, p<0.001) and the overall assessment (0.72 vs. 0.91, respectively, p=0.010) than NaP. The patients preferred SF-PEG rather than NaP for "Taste" (1.34 vs. 2.25, respectively, p=0.148). However, the patients significantly preferred NaP rather than SF-PEG for "Quantity" (2.46 vs. 1.18, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SF-PEG solution showed more effectiveness for bowel cleansing as compared to the NaP solution. SF-PEG tastes better than NaP, but patients are still required to consume 4 liters for the standard preparing regimen.
Colonoscopy ; Compliance ; Humans ; Patient Compliance ; Phosphates ; Polyethylene ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Prospective Studies ; Sodium ; Sulfates ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Triple valve surgery is usually complex and carries a reported operative mortality of 13% and 10-yr survival of 61%. We examined surgical results based on our hospital's experience. A total of 160 consecutive patients underwent triple valve surgery from 1990 to 2006. The most common aortic and mitral valve disease was rheumatic disease (82%). The most common tricuspid valve disease was functional regurgitation (80%). Seventy-four percent of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and IV. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of early and late survival. Operative mortality was 6.9% (n=11). Univariate factors associated with mortality included old age, preoperative renal failure, postoperative renal failure, pulmonary complications, and stroke. Of them, postoperative renal failure and stroke were associated with mortality on multivariable analysis. Otherwise, neither tricuspid valve replacement nor reoperation were statistically associated with late mortality. Survival at 5 and 10 yr was 87% and 84%, respectively. Ninety-two percent of the patients were in NYHA class I and II at their most recent follow-up. Ten-year freedom from prosthetic valve endocarditis was 97%; from anticoagulation-related hemorrhage, 82%; from thromboembolism, 89%; and from reoperation, 84%. Postoperative renal failure and stroke were significantly related with operative mortality. Triple valve surgery, regardless of reoperation and tricuspid valve replacement, results in acceptable long-term survival.
Adult ; Aged ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Aortic Valve/*surgery ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases/complications/mortality/*surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/*methods ; Hemorrhage/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications/mortality ; Kidney Failure/etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve/*surgery ; Postoperative Complications/mortality ; Reoperation ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stroke/etiology ; Survival Analysis ; Thromboembolism/epidemiology ; Tricuspid Valve/*surgery