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Background Monovalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines against serogroups A or C have resulted in significant reduction of pharyngeal carriage rates against the vaccine serogroups. However, the effect of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine on meningococcal carriage has not yet been evaluated. Methods We assessed changes in pharyngeal carriage rates of Neisseria meningitidis after introduction of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean military trainees. Two rounds of oropharyngeal swabs of Korean military trainees were obtained, at the beginning and the end of the army training period. The first oropharyngeal swabs were collected prior to vaccination; the second round was performed 5 weeks later. Results In 2013, the overall N. meningitidis carriage rate was higher at the end of the training period (13.8%, 60 of 434 participants) than upon entry into military service (8.9%, 39 of 434 participants). Although the carriage rates of nongroupable and serogroup X isolates increased over the 5-week interval, carriage of the serogroup strains included in the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine was reduced, from 7 to 2 isolates, after vaccination. However, in 2014, the overall carriage rate of N. meningitidis was significantly lower at the end of the training period (5.2%, 23 of 443 participants) than on entry into military service (12.6%, 56 of 443 participants) (p = 0.028). Carriage of vaccine serogroups isolates was significantly decreased, compared to that of non-vaccine serogroup B over the 5-week interval. Carriage isolates belonging to the ST-178, ST-31 and ST-41/44 were frequently identified clonal complex. Meningococcal carriage rate before and after Meningococcal vaccination in Korean military trainees Conclusion Meningococcal vaccination in Korean military trainees could lead to reduce pharyngeal carriage rates of vaccine serogroup meningococci. Therefore, the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is likely to prevent carriage acquisition of meningococci in closed populations such as military trainees. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease has declined. However, NTM diseases still occur in people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). We analysed the clinical and microbiological features of NTM diseases in PLWHA in South Korea. PLWHA who were diagnosed with NTM diseases between January 2000 and March 2021 were retrospectively enrolled from five different hospitals in South Korea. Data on baseline demographics, HIV status, CD4+ T cell counts, viral load, past and current cART regimens, isolated NTM species, results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests, treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected by reviewing medical records. A total of 34 cases of NTM in PLWHA were included. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary NTM diseases accounted for 58.8% (n = 20) and 41.2% (n = 14), respectively. The lymph node was the most common site of extrapulmonary NTM disease (64.3%). The age at the time of NTM disease diagnosis was younger in the extrapulmonary NTM group than in the pulmonary NTM group (37.0 vs. 49.0 years). Mean CD4+ T cell counts at the time of NTM disease diagnosis was 186.6 cells/μL (range: 1–1394). Nine patients (26.5%) had fully suppressed viral loads at the time of NTM disease diagnosis. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most common species found, followed by M. intracellulare and M. kansasii. MAC isolates were all susceptible to clarithromycin, but the rates of non-susceptibility to moxifloxacin, linezolid, ethambutol, and rifampin were 75%, 37.5%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. The average duration of treatment was 17 months and the mortality rate was 8.8%. NTM diseases may occur in PLWHA, even with completely suppressed viral loads. The identified clinical features of NTM diseases are essential for its clinical management in South Korea.

Objectives Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors induces vasodilation in several organs by blocking cyclic GMP (guanosine monophosphate) degradation. However, the existence of alternative mechanism of action in case of an impaired nitric oxide (NO) system remains controversial. Previous studies suggested that decreased NO bioavailability may result in the down-regulation of klotho expression, but the relationship between klotho and NO remains obscure. Therefore, we investigated whether a PDE-5 inhibitor could preserve epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and relationship exists between the NO and renal klotho expression. Materials and methods 10 weeks SD rats (N=24, 200 g, male) were divided (N=6) into four groups, which received: A LSD, L-NAME 1 mg/mL in drinking water, udenafil 5 mg/kg subcutaneously and both for 4 weeks. Urine nitrate/nitrite, NGAL (Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin), and cGMP were measured using ELISA. Kidney was subjected to evaluate PCNA (proliferative cell nuclear antigen), α-SMA (smooth muscle cell antigen), E-cadherin, and klotho expression. Results Urine cGMP decreased after treatment of PDE-5 inhibitor compared with control due to blocking degradation of cGMP (p

This prospective study investigated the relationship between insulin resistance assessed using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). A total of 269 patients with AP were recruited in this study. HOMA-IR scores were calculated using fasting insulin and plasma glucose levels. Patients were then categorized into the non-insulin-resistant group (HOMA-IR P = 0.003). This value was not significantly different from the AUCs of other AP scoring systems such as CTSI, Ranson, and BISAP. Insulin resistance was the only independent factor for either ICU admission (OR 5.95, 95% CI 1.95–18.15, P = 0.002) or severe AP (OR 6.72, 95% CI 1.34–33.62, P = 0.020). Our findings suggest that the HOMA-IR score is an independent prognostic factor in patients with acute pancreatitis. This finding indicates that insulin resistance is potentially involved in the mechanism for severe AP.

Purpose. We report a rare case of severe hypercalcemia that was ultimately diagnosed as primary bone marrow diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (BCL). Case Report. A 74-year-old male patient visited our hospital complaining of tenderness and swelling of the left knee caused by supracondylar fracture of the left distal femur. His initial blood tests showed a serum calcium level of 13.9 mg/dL, inorganic phosphorus of 4.34 mg/dL, and a serum creatinine level of 1.54 mg/dL. A serum assay of intact parathyroid hormone showed 5.24 pg/mL, and the patient’s serum 25(OH)D level was 22.33 ng/mL. To exclude malignancy, we performed imaging studies, including abdomen or chest computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography; however, no suspicious lesion was found, although the serum PTH-related peptide level was elevated at 4.0 pmol/L. A bone marrow biopsy was performed to identify any hidden hematologic malignancy. As a result, the pathology of bone marrow confirmed the presence of atypical lymphocytes that stained positive for the CD20 marker, which is consistent with BCL involving the bone marrow. Conclusion. This case highlights the importance of pursuing a thorough workup for rare underlying causes of hypercalcemia when parathyroid-related etiologies can be excluded.

Rarely, surgical clips can migrate into the biliary tract after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and work as a nidus for biliary stone formation. We report a case of the development of a common bile duct (CBD) stone induced by surgical clip in a 57-yearold man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy 10 years ago. On computed tomography, a CBD stone with a metallic material was found, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a CBD stone including a metallic clip. The stone was removed completely by ERCP, and the surgical clip was found along with the stone. Korean J Pancreatobiliary 2015;20(1):42-45

Background Chronic fluid overload is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can with time lead to diastolic dysfunction and heart failure. We investigated whether markers of fluid status, such as NT-proBNP and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), can predict echocardiographic findings of diastolic dysfunction in non-dialysis CKD5 patients. Methods BIS, echocardiography, and measurement of serum NT-proBNP were performed in patients with non-dialysis CKD stage 5 at a single study visit. E/e´ ratio reflect mean LV diastolic pressure and a ratio greater than 15 was used as a definition of diastolic dysfunction. Results Eighty-four patients were analyzed. Forty-six patients (54.76%) had E/e´ ratio ≤15 and 38 patients (45.24%) had E/e´ > 15 (diastolic dysfunction). Patients with E/e´>15 had significantly higher serum NT-proBNP (14,650 pg/mL) than patients with to E/e´≤15 (4,271 pg/mL) and had more overhydration (OH), 5.1 liters compared to 2.4 liters. The cut-off values predicting diastolic dysfunction were found to be 2,797 pg/mL for NT-proBNP and 2.45 liters for OH. Conclusions Regular monitoring of fluid status by BIS and NT-proBNP can be used to find patient with risk of developing diastolic dysfunction. Treatments to correct fluid overload may reduce the risk of developing diastolic dysfunction and improve cardiovascular outcome in patients with CKD.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of simvastatin for preventing and treating osteoporosis compared to alendronate, the standard treatment of choice in osteoporosis, in a rat model. Weight change, bone mineral density, and the bone volume/total volume ratio obtained through histological analysis were used to compare the effects of simvastatin to those of alendronate. In simvastatin-treated animals, bone mineral density increased by 4 to 8% compared to a negative control group, while alendronate-treated animals showed an increase of 13%. The bone volume/total volume ratio in the simvastatin group ranged from 0.53 to 0.76, while alendronate-treated animals showed a range from 0.44 to 0.51. We also found that simvastatins are more effective for preventing bone loss when administered in early osteoporosis rather than in advanced osteoporosis. The results of the present study indicate that simvastatin is more effective for maintaining bone volume, while alendronate is more effective for maintaining bone mineral density, in a rat model. Therefore, simvastatin may prevent bone loss in early menopausal women.

Background Leptin, angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF), adiponectin (ADP), and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) are cytokines associated with the development of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and cardio vascular disease. However, the levels of these cytokines have not extensively studied in non-diabetic subjects. Therefore, we analyzed the differences in these cytokine levels according to sex and age in non-diabetic Korean population. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 59 non-diabetic Korean adults (male, 32; female, 27). The anthropometric and biochemical data were measured at the health examination center. Serum adipokines and hepatokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed according to sex and age-based quartiles. Results: Serum leptin values were higher in females (8.60 ± 3 μg/ml) compared with males (2.99 ± 2.9 μg/ml). However, RBP4 was higher in males (84.05 ± 47.04 μg/ml) than in females (61.25 ± 45.42 μg/ml). The AGF and ADP values were not significantly different between males and females. RBP4 level was inversely correlated with age quartile in males, while leptin was significantly associated with body mass index and insulin resistance. Conclusion: RBP4 and AGF levels showed age-associated change, and leptin was consistently higher in females. Therefore, a large-scale analysis to determine the normal range of adipokines and hepatokines concentration in healthy Korean population is necessary. When interpreting adipokine and hepatokine levels, the difference in age and sex needs to be taken into account.