Ordinary kriging approach to predicting long-term particulate matter concentrations in seven major Korean cities

OBJECTIVES: Cohort studies of associations between air pollution and health have used exposure prediction approaches to estimate individual-level concentrations. A common prediction method used in Korean cohort studies is ordinary kriging. In this study, performance of ordinary kriging models for long-term particulate matter less than or equal to 10 mum in diameter (PM10) concentrations in seven major Korean cities was investigated with a focus on spatial prediction ability. METHODS: We obtained hourly PM10 data for 2010 at 226 urban-ambient monitoring sites in South Korea and computed annual average PM10 concentrations at each site. Given the annual averages, we developed ordinary kriging prediction models for each of the seven major cities and for the entire country by using an exponential covariance reference model and a maximum likelihood estimation method. For model evaluation, cross-validation was performed and mean square error and R-squared (R2) statistics were computed. RESULTS: Mean annual average PM10 concentrations in the seven major cities ranged between 45.5 and 66.0 mug/m3 (standard deviation=2.40 and 9.51 mug/m3, respectively). Cross-validated R2 values in Seoul and Busan were 0.31 and 0.23, respectively, whereas the other five cities had R2 values of zero. The national model produced a higher crossvalidated R2 (0.36) than those for the city-specific models. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the ordinary kriging models performed poorly for the seven major cities and the entire country of South Korea, but the model performance was better in the national model. To improve model performance, future studies should examine different prediction approaches that incorporate PM10 source characteristics.

Multiple Metastatic Infection Related to Arteriovenous Graft Infection in an ESRD Patient on Hemodialysis / 대한신장학회지

Arteriovenous vascular access infection associated with S. aureus bacteremia may cause metastatic complications, which relate to a poor outcome especially if proper diagnosis and treatment are delayed. We report a case of a 61-year-old male patient on maintenance hemodialysis who developed multiple metastatic infections associated with arteriovenous graft infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). At 7th hospital day, multiple metastatic infections, including osteomyelitis of clavicle, vertebral osteomyelitis, and tendinitis of the 5th finger proximal interphalangeal joint, were diagnosed by CT of chest, ultrasonography of hands, and whole body bone scan. Infected arteriovenous graft was removed and antibiotics was administrated for 18 weeks. Thereafter, MRSA bacteremia and clinical symptoms and signs related to metastatic infections were improved.

Delayed Recovery of Sedation by Continuous Midazolam Infusion in an ESRD Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Case Report / 대한신장학회지

Midazolam, a benzodiazepine derivatives, is widely used in intensive care unit for sedation of patients who require mechanical ventilation. Although midazolam has a short acting time, it might cause a prolonged sedation, especially in patients with renal failure. We report the case of a 76-year-old man who received peritoneal dialysis and showed prolonged sedation after stopping continuous infusion of midazolam. The patient who has received maintenance hemodialysis for five months admitted in intensive care unit to manage pneumonia and severe congestive heart failure. In ICU, hemodialysis was transferred to peritoneal dialysis due to severe cardiac dysfunction. He was treated with mechanical ventilation under sedation with midazolam. However, even though stopping midazolam, deep sedation by midazolam was not restored. The patient completely recovered from sedation after 280 hours.

Comparison of Once-Biweekly Administration of Epoetin-alpha with Darbepoetin-alpha in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Not Receiving Dialysis / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: It is very important to correct renal anemia by erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) because anemia is associated with poor outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We investigated whether once-biweekly (Q2W) treatment with epoetin-alpha (EPO-alpha) is as effective as Q2W darbepoetin-alpha (DA-alpha) in CKD patients who are not on dialysis. METHODS: Fifteen CKD patients not receiving dialysis with renal anemia (M:F 6:9, age 60.1+/-7.2 years, eGFR-MDRD 15.7+/-6.4 mL/min/1.73m2, DM 46.7%) were enrolled. All patients received Q2W subcutaneous DA-alpha (40 microgram) for 10 weeks. After 6 weeks of wash-out period, patients were switched to Q2W subcutaneous EPO-alpha (10,000 IU) for 10 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline parameters, such as hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation, between before DA-alpha therapy and before EPO-alpha therapy. Hb levels significantly increased after completion of ESA therapy (DA-alpha, 9.8+/-0.4 vs. 10.4+/-0.6 g/dL, p=0.001; EPO-alpha, 9.6+/-0.7 vs. 10.2+/-0.4 g/dL, p=0.003). After completion of ESA therapy, Hb levels did not reveal significant differences between two groups (p=0.123). Erythropoietin resistance index (8.2+/-1.6 vs. 8.4+/- 1.5 IU/kg weight/g hemoglobin/week, p=0.136) and % increase of Hb (106.7+/-5.5 vs. 106.8+/-6.4%, p=0.776) were not significantly different between DA-alpha therapy and EPO-alpha therapy. There were no significant adverse effects observed during study periods. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Q2W high dose (10,000 IU) of EPO-alpha therapy in CKD patients who are not on dialysis may be effective in maintaining Hb levels as Q2W DA-alpha therapy.

A Case of Disseminated Cutaneous Cryptococcosis Accompanied by Pulmonary Tuberculosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Although disseminated cryptococcosis occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, it can occur in immune competent persons. There are no case reports of disseminated cutaneous crytpcoccosis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in Korea. A 71-year-old female presented with fever and multiple cutaneous nodules. She was finally diagnosed with disseminated cutaneous cryptococcosis accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis, and was treated successfully with anti-tuberculous medication and fluconazole. She had no apparent predisposing conditions for systemic cryptococcosis. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

A Case of Gastritis Cystica Polyposa Presenting as Multiple Polypoid Lesions / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastritis cystica polyposa (GCP) is a rare lesion characterized by hyperplastic and cystic dilatation of the gastric mucous glands infiltrating into the underlying submucosa. A cumulative experience suggests that GCP represents a manifestation of a spectrum of reactive inflammatory responses to mucosal injury. The case reported herein is a GCP developed as multiple polypoid lesions with a circular arrangement in the gastric mucosae along the gastrojejunostomy site.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of simvastatin, 10 mg and 20 mg in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum cholesterol level is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Simvastatin is effective for treating hypercholesterolemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of 6-month therapy with simvastatin with relatively low dose, 10 mg and 20 mg/day. METHODS: One hundred six patients with hyperlipidemia (triglycerides130 mg/dL) were randomized to receive either simvastatin 10 mg/day (n=43) or 20 mg/day (n=63). Efficacy was determined by measuring changes from baseline in lipid parameters including LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. RESULTS: Of the one hundred six patients randomized to treatment, forty patients were men and sixty-six patients were women. Fifty-five percent of patients had hypertension, nine percent coronary artery disease and thirteen percent type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mean baseline lipid concentrations were 258 (total cholesterol), 201 (triglycerides), 50 (HDL) and 167 mg/dL (LDL). Both 10 mg and 20 mg of simvastatin produced statistically significant improvements in all measured serum lipid parameters (p< 0.001). Compared with 10 mg of simvastatin, 20 mg of simvastatin produced significantly greater (p< 0.001) reductions from baseline LDL cholesterol (34.9 mg/dL vs 20.8 mg/dL). But 10 mg of simvastatin was more effective than 20 mg of simvastatin at reducing triglycerides level (42.7 mg/dL vs 22.3 mg/dL). There was no significant difference in both doses at improving total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol level. Percentage of patients at goal LDL as recommended by NCEP guideline (ATP III) were 81% and 80% for patients in low risk but 35% and 50% for patients in coronary heart disease and its risk equivalents, taking 10 mg and 20 mg/day respectively. Both doses were well tolerated. Only 3 patients (4.8%) in the 20 mg group and one patient (2.3%) in the 10 mg group experienced mild adverse events. Most patients contacted by telephone wanted to take 10 mg of simvastatin. CONCLUSION : In patients with hypercholesterolemia in Korea, both doses (10 mg, 20 mg) of simvastatin were effective in improving serum lipid parameters and well-tolerated. We recommend, considering patients' preference, that 10 mg of simvastatin be intial dosage and in patients with coronary heart disease, higher doses than 20 mg should be prescribed to allow most patients to reach their NCEP target levels.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Simvastatin, 10 mg and 20 mg in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia Patients Over 60-Year Old

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum cholesterol level is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Simvastatin is effective for treating hypercholesterolemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of 6-month therapy with simvastatin with relatively low dose, 10 mg and 20 mg/day over 60-year-old patients. METHODS: Seventy-senven patients with hyperlipidemia(triglycerides 130 mg/dL) were randomized to receive either simvastatin 10 mg/day(n=32) or 20 mg/day(n=45). Efficacy was determined by measuring changes from baseline in lipid parameters including LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol. RESULTS: Of the senventy-seven patients randomized to treatment, eighteen patients were men and fiftynine patients were women. sixty-five percent of patients had hypertension, eighteen percent coronary artery disease and fourteen percent type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mean baseline lipid concentrations were 254 (total cholesterol), 291(triglycerides), 50(HDL) and 166 mg/dL(LDL). Both 10 mg and 20 mg of simvastatin produced statistically significant improvements in all measured serum lipid parameters(p<0.001). Compared with 10 mg of simvastatin, 20 mg of simvastatin produced significantly greater(p<0.001) reductions from baseline LDL cholesterol(32.9 mg/dL vs 24.2 mg/d). There was no significant difference in both doses at improving total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol level and TG cholesterol level. Percentage of patients at goal LDL as recommended by NCEP guideline(ATP III) were 100% and 89% for patients in low risk but 25% and 38.5% for patients in coronary heart disease and its risk equivalents, taking 10 mg and 20 mg/day respectively. Both doses were well tolerated. Only 3 patients(6.6%) in the 20 mg group and one patient(3. 1%) in the 10 mg group experienced mild adverse events. Most patients contacted by telephone wanted to take 10 mg of simvastatin. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypercholesterolemia over 60 year old in Korea, both doses(10 mg, 20 mg) of simvastatin were effective in improving serum lipid parameters and well-tolerated. We recommend, considering patients preference, that 10 mg of simvastatin be intial dosage and in patients with coronary heart disease, higher doses than 20 mg should be prescribed to allow most patients to reach their NCEP target levels.

A study of valproic acid therapy in epileptic children

A study was made on 50 cases of epileptic children who had been observed at the pediatric department of Chungnam National University Hospital Taejeon Eul Ji Hospital during the period from July, 1986 to June, 1991. The result are as follows: 1) Epilepsy was most frequent in children from 1 year to 10 year of age (80%). Epilepsy was commoner in female children compare to male representing male to female ratio, 1:1.2. 2) Intractable cases with VPA were 40%, and male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Intractable cases were most common between 1 and 5 years (65%). 3) The most common epileptic type was generalized tonic clonic seizure (38%). 4) The clinical effect of valproic acid was the worst in severely abnormal EEG finding. 5) The mean plasma VPA level was significantly lower for the polytherapy (57.7microgram/ml) than for the monotherapy (69.5microgram/ml). The VPA dose of steady-state was significantly higher for polytherapy (27.9mg/kg/d) than for the monotherapy (20.9mg/kg/d). VPA level: dose ratio was reduced in the polytherapy (2.1) as compared to monotherapy (3.3). 6) The plasma VPA level increased according to dosage. In the same dose, plasma level of monotherapy was significantly higher than polytherapy. 7) The VPA dose of stead-state was highest under 1 year (monotherapy: 24.8mg/kg/day, polytherapy: 33.4mg/kg/day). The VPA dose decreased in accordance with an increase of the age. 8) There was no correlation between EEG change and plasma concentration of VPA. 9) There was linear correlation between clinical affect and plasma VPA level, and plasma concentration of VPA reached 51 to 100microgram/ml at that time. 10) The clinical effect was good in abscence seizure, simple partial seizure, myoclonic seizure, and generalized tonic clonic seizure in decreasing order. 11) The incidence of side effect were gastrointestinal disturbance, behavior disorder, laboratory abnormality, neurologic abnormality in order of frequency. The frequency of overall side effects observed was 40% but toxic effects were generally mild.