ArmA and RmtB Were the Predominant 16S RMTase Genes Responsible for Aminoglycoside-resistant Isolates in Korea

Pathogenic gram-negatives that produce 16S ribosomal RNA methyltransferases (16S RMTases) have already been distributed all over the world. To investigate the predominance of aminoglycoside resistance associated with 16S RMTases in Korea, we collected a total of 222 amikacin resistant Gram-negative clinical isolates from patient specimens between 1999 and 2015 from three hospital banks across Korea. ArmA and rmtB were the predominant 16S RMTase genes responsible for aminoglycoside-resistant isolates circulating in Korean community settings although only one rmtA-producing isolate was detected in 2006.

Comparison of Arbekacin and Vancomycin in Treatment of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of ear infections. We attempted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of arbekacin in treating chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) by comparing its clinical efficacy and toxicity with those of vancomycin. Efficacy was classified according to bacterial elimination or bacteriologic failure and improved or failed clinical efficacy response. Ninety-five subjects were diagnosed with CSOM caused by MRSA. Twenty of these subjects were treated with arbekacin, and 36 with vancomycin. The bacteriological efficacy (bacterial elimination, arbekacin vs. vancomycin: 85.0% vs. 97.2%) and improved clinical efficacy (arbekacin vs. vancomycin; 90.0% vs. 97.2%) were not different between the two groups. However, the rate of complications was higher in the vancomycin group (33.3%) than in the arbekacin group (5.0%) (P=0.020). In addition, a total of 12 adverse reactions were observed in the vancomycin group; two for hepatotoxicity, one for nephrotoxicity, eight for leukopenia, two for skin rash, and one for drug fever. It is suggested that arbekacin be a good alternative drug to vancomycin in treatment of CSOM caused by MRSA.

Acute Cholecystitis in Patients with Scrub Typhus

Acute cholecystitis is a rare complication of scrub typhus. Although a few such cases have been reported in patients with scrub typhus, the clinical course is not well described. Of 12 patients, acute cholecystitis developed in 66.7% (8/12) of patients older than 60 yr. The scrub typhus group with acute cholecystitis had marginal significant longer hospital stay and higher cost than the group without cholecystitis according to propensity score matching. Scrub typhus should be kept in mind as a rare etiology of acute cholecystitis in endemic areas because the typical signs of scrub typhus such as skin rash and eschar can present after the abdominal pain.

Analysis of Host Factor related to Patient's Mortality due to Viridans Streptococcal Bacteremia / 감염과화학요법

No abstract available.

Potential Therapeutics Against Flaviviruses

Flaviviruses have been important human pathogens after emerging and resurging flavivirus diseases over the past decades. Although effective therapeutic agents are not yet commercially available for use in humans, significant progress has been made toward developing effective therapeutics and treatments. Several studies have shown that antibodies against the flaviviral E and NS1 proteins play a central role in prophylaxis and/or treatment of flavivirus infection through passive immunization. In addition, many anti-flavivirals, including interferons, oligonucleotide-based platforms, and small compounds, have been developed and evaluated for their antiviral effects. This review provides an overview of various approaches to the development of anti-flaviviral candidates and new insights that could improve our strategies for designing effective therapeutics against flaviviruses.

Finite element stress analysis of implant prosthesis according to platform width of fixture / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: With increasing demand of the implant-supported prosthesis, it is advantageous to use the different platform width of the fixture according to bone quantity and quality of the patients. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the loading distributing characteristics of two implant designs according to each platform width of fixture, under vertical and inclined loading using finite element analysis. Material and method : The two kinds of finite element models were designed according to each platform width of fixture (4.1mm restorative component x 11.5mm length, 5.0mm wide-diameter restorative component x 11.5mm length). The crown for mandibular first molar was made using UCLA abutment. Each three-dimensional finite element model was created with the physical properties of the implant and surrounding bone. This study simulated loads of 200N at the central fossa in a vertical direction, 200N at the outside point of the central fossa with resin filling into screw hole in a vertical direction and 200N at the buccal cusp in a 300 transverse direction individually. Von Mises stresses were recorded and compared in the supporting bone, fixture, and abutment screw. RESULTS: The stresses were concentrated mainly at the cortex in both vertical and oblique loading but the stresses in the cancellous bone were low in both vertical and oblique loading. Bending moments resulting from non-axial loading of dental implants caused stress concentrations on cortical bone. The magnitude of the stress was greater with the oblique loading. Increasing the platform width of the implant fixture decreased the stress in the supporting bone, fixture and abutment screw. Increased the platform width of fixture decreased the stress in the crown and platform. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, this investigation provides evidence that the platform width of the implant fixture directly affects periimplant stress. By increasing the platform width of the implant fixture, it showed tendency to decreased the supporting bone, fixture and screw. But, further clinical studies are necessary to determine the ideal protocol for the successful placement of wide platform implants.