False-positive results of galactomannan assays in patients administered glucose-containing solutions.

Galactomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide cell wall component released by Aspergillus spp., and an immunoenzymatic GM assay is used for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. We evaluated the cause of strong positivity for GM in patients with no typical signs of aspergillosis.

Drug use evaluation of opioid analgesics in pain management among patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients usually experience mucositis, musculoskeletal pain associated with high-dose chemotherapy, radiation, post-HSCT infection, or graft-versus-host disease. Pain management is important for the patients' quality of life. We evaluated appropriate opioid analgesic use in HSCT patients to propose effective pain management strategies.

Association between preoperative use of antithrombotic medications and intraoperative transfusion in older patients undergoing cancer surgery.

Background: Management of antiplatelet agents and other chronic anticoagulation medications in patients scheduled for surgery can reduce intraoperative bleeding complications. However, few studies on the association of antithrombotics, relative to their duration of action, with intraoperative transfusion have been conducted. We aimed to determine the association of recent use of antithrombotics, relative to their duration of action, with intraoperative transfusion in elderly people undergoing cancer surgery.

The influence of a patient counseling training session on pharmacy students' self-perceived communication skills, confidence levels, and attitudes about communication skills training.

Background: The ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill for a pharmacist. However, the curricula of most pharmacy schools in South Korea do not include communication skills training (CST). This study aims to evaluate the effects of CST in pharmacy education.

Impact of pharmacists' interventions on physicians' decision of a knowledge-based renal dosage adjustment system.

Background Early interventions with clinical decision support system (CDSS) guidance have ensured appropriate drug dosing for patients with renal impairment. However, the low rates of physician compliance with CDSS alerts have been reported. Objective We investigated whether designated pharmacist interventions were associated with physician' acceptance of the knowledge-based renal dosage adjustment system (K-RDS) for patients with reduced renal function.

Clinical outcomes and risk factors of thromboprophylaxis with rivaroxaban versus aspirin in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty in low-incidence population: A nationwide study in Korea.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in thromboprophylaxis compared with those of aspirin in real-world patients who underwent hip arthroplasty using nationwide claims data.

Methods: Patients aged more than or equal to 18 years with at least one hip arthroplasty including total and partial hip replacements and hip replacement revisions during July 2009 to June 2013 were identified from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database. The study outcome was incidence rate of thromboembolic events and anticoagulation-related major bleeding within 90 days of hip arthroplasty.

Association of pre-operative medication use with post-surgery mortality and morbidity in oncology patients receiving comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Background: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has become a predictor for elderly cancer patients in post-surgical complications, including post-discharge institutionalization and mortality.

Aims: To determine whether pre-operative medication use is associated with post-operative morbidity and mortality in oncology patients receiving CGA.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years or older who were scheduled for cancer surgery and presented for CGA were included in the present study.

Development of dietary pattern evaluation tool for adults and correlation with Dietary Quality Index.

Background/objectives: As the prevalence of chronic diseases has risen, the need for straightforward diagnostic tools for monitoring nutrition status to improve nutrition counseling and disease prevention has likewise increased. This study developed an easily usable dietary behavior pattern diagnosis checklist and investigated its correlation with dietary quality index.

Subjects/methods: A draft dietary pattern evaluation tool was generated by analyzing previous studies.

Homeostatic control of Hippo signaling activity revealed by an endogenous activating mutation in YAP.

The Hippo signaling pathway converges on YAP to regulate growth, differentiation, and regeneration. Previous studies with overexpressed proteins have shown that YAP is phosphorylated by its upstream kinase, Lats1/2, on multiple sites, including an evolutionarily conserved 14-3-3-binding site whose phosphorylation is believed to inhibit YAP by excluding it from the nucleus. Indeed, nuclear localization of YAP or decreased YAP phosphorylation at this site (S168 in Drosophila, S127 in humans, and S112 in mice) is widely used in current literature as a surrogate of YAP activation even though the physiological importance of this phosphorylation event in regulating endogenous YAP activity has not been defined.

Sonic hedgehog in the notochord is sufficient for patterning of the intervertebral discs.

The intervertebral discs, located between adjacent vertebrae, are required for stability of the spine and distributing mechanical load throughout the vertebral column. All cell types located in the middle regions of the discs, called nuclei pulposi, are derived from the embryonic notochord. Recently, it was shown that the hedgehog signaling pathway plays an essential role during formation of nuclei pulposi.

Bmp2, Bmp4 and Bmp7 are co-required in the mouse AER for normal digit patterning but not limb outgrowth.

Outgrowth and patterning of the vertebrate limb requires a functional apical ectodermal ridge (AER). The AER is a thickening of ectodermal tissue located at the distal end of the limb bud. Loss of this structure, either through genetic or physical manipulations results in truncation of the limb.

The development of a korean drug dosing database.

Objectives: This report describes the development process of a drug dosing database for ethical drugs approved by the Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). The goal of this study was to develop a computerized system that supports physicians' prescribing decisions, particularly in regards to medication dosing.

Methods: The advisory committee, comprised of doctors, pharmacists, and nurses from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, pharmacists familiar with drug databases, KFDA officials, and software developers from the BIT Computer Co.

Hedgehog signaling is required for formation of the notochord sheath and patterning of nuclei pulposi within the intervertebral discs.

The vertebrae notochord is a transient rod-like structure that produces secreted factors that are responsible for patterning surrounding tissues. During later mouse embryogenesis, the notochord gives rise to the middle part of the intervertebral disc, called the nucleus pulposus. Currently, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for forming the intervertebral discs.

Degeneration and regeneration of the intervertebral disc: lessons from development.

Degeneration of the intervertebral discs, a process characterized by a cascade of cellular, biochemical, structural and functional changes, is strongly implicated as a cause of low back pain. Current treatment strategies for disc degeneration typically address the symptoms of low back pain without treating the underlying cause or restoring mechanical function. A more in-depth understanding of disc degeneration, as well as opportunities for therapeutic intervention, can be obtained by considering aspects of intervertebral disc development.

Multiphasic and tissue-specific roles of sonic hedgehog in cloacal septation and external genitalia development.

Malformations of the external genitalia are among the most common congenital anomalies in humans. The urogenital and anorectal sinuses develop from the embryonic cloaca, and the penis and clitoris develop from the genital tubercle. Within the genital tubercle, the endodermally derived urethral epithelium functions as an organizer and expresses sonic hedgehog (Shh).

In the limb AER Bmp2 and Bmp4 are required for dorsal-ventral patterning and interdigital cell death but not limb outgrowth.

The apical ectodermal ridge (AER) in the vertebrate limb is required for limb outgrowth and patterning. To investigate the role BMP ligands expressed in the AER play in limb development we selectively inactivated both Bmp2 and Bmp4 in this tissue. The autopods of mice lacking both of these genes contained extra digits, digit bifurcations and interdigital webbing due to a decrease in programmed cell death and an increase in cell proliferation in the underlying mesoderm.

Biological characterization of long-term cultured human mesenchymal stem cells.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have generated a great deal of interest in clinical applications. The reason is that they may have the plasticity needed to differentiate into multiple lineages and the ability to expand ex vivo. For the therapeutic applications of hMSCs to be of practical use, it is crucial to assess the efficacy and safety of hMSCs in long-term ex vivo expansion.

Identification of nucleus pulposus precursor cells and notochordal remnants in the mouse: implications for disk degeneration and chordoma formation.

A classically identified "notochordal" cell population in the nucleus pulposus is thought to regulate disk homeostasis. However, the embryonic origin of these cells has been under dispute for >60 years. Here we provide the first direct evidence that all cell types in the adult mouse nucleus pulposus are derived from the embryonic notochord.

Gene expression profile of cytokine and growth factor during differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are adherent stromal cells of a nonhematopoietic origin, have the ability to give rise to various differentiated cell types. MSCs regulate localization, self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) due to MSCs' secretion of cytokines and growth factors, the cell-to-cell interactions and the influence of the extracellular matrix proteins. Using RT-PCR analysis, we examined the expression levels of cytokines and growth factors from MSCs and their differentiated cell types, including osteoblasts, adipocytes and endothelial cells.

In vitro trans-differentiation of rat mesenchymal cells into insulin-producing cells by rat pancreatic extract.

Recent reports have suggested that mesenchymal cells derived from bone marrow may differentiate into not only mesenchymal lineage cells but also other lineage cells. There is possibility for insulin-producing cells (IPCs) to be differentiated from mesenchymal cells. We used self-functional repair stimuli of stem cells by partial injury.

Enhancement of phase separation by the addition of de-emulsifiers to three-phase (diesel oil/biocatalyst/aqueous phase) emulsion in diesel biodesulfurization.

Ethanol, added as a de-emulsifier to separate oil and biocatalyst (or bacterial cells) from a three-phase (oil/biocatalyst/aqueous phase) emulsion, formed in diesel biodesulfurization employing Gordonia nitida, improved oil recovery by centrifugation from about 50% in its absence to almost 100% at 3% (v/v). The biocatalyst recovered with ethanol addition showed similar specific growth rates (0.03 h(-1)) and dibenzothiophene desulfurization rates (6-7.