Selection of an appropriate empiric antibiotic regimen in hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis.

Background: Empiric antibiotic therapy for suspected hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis (HVO) should be initiated immediately in seriously ill patients and may be required in those with negative microbiological results. The aim of this study was to inform the appropriate selection of empiric antibiotic regimens for the treatment of suspected HVO by analyzing antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated bacteria from microbiologically proven HVO.

Method: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients with microbiologically proven HVO in five tertiary-care hospitals over a 7-year period.

Therapeutic outcome of spinal implant infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus: A retrospective observational study.

Spinal implant infection is a rare but significant complication of spinal fusion surgery, and the most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. It is difficult to treat due to this pathogen's biofilm-forming ability and antibiotic resistance. We evaluated the therapeutic outcome of treatments for S aureus spinal implant infections.

SnS 3D Flowers with Superb Kinetic Properties for Anodic Use in Next-Generation Sodium Rechargeable Batteries.

Tin sulfide (SnS) 3D flowers containing hierarchical nanosheet subunits are synthesized using a simple polyol process. The Li ion cells incorporating SnS 3D flowers exhibit an excellent rate capability, as well as good cycling stability, compared to SnS bulks and Sn nanoparticles. These desirable properties can be attributed to their unique morphology having not only large surface reaction area but also enough space between individual 2D nanosheets, which alleviates the pulverization of SnS.

Optimal Duration of Antibiotic Therapy in Patients With Hematogenous Vertebral Osteomyelitis at Low Risk and High Risk of Recurrence.

Background: The optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis (HVO) should be based on the patient's risk of recurrence, but it is not well established.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment in patients with HVO at low and high risk of recurrence. Patients with at least 1 independent baseline risk factor for recurrence, determined by multivariable analysis, were considered as high risk and those with no risk factor as low risk.

Therapeutic outcomes of hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis with instrumented surgery.

Background: Patients with hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis (HVO) occasionally require instrumentation for spinal stabilization. However, placing instrumentation in the setting of spinal infection raises concerns about recurrent infection due to bacteria adhering to the foreign material. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic outcomes of patients with HVO who underwent instrumented surgery.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in medical intensive care unit: a multicenter observational study in Korea.

Patients admitted to medical intensive care unit (MICU) are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE); and prophylaxis is recommended. However, the actual range and frequency of VTE prophylaxis administered to MICU patients are not well defined. Patients over 40 yr of age and expected MICU stay of more than 48 hr were eligible for this observational cohort study of 23 MICUs in Korea.

Fully roll-to-roll gravure printable wireless (13.56 MHz) sensor-signage tags for smart packaging.

Integration of sensing capabilities with an interactive signage through wireless communication is enabling the development of smart packaging wherein wireless (13.56 MHz) power transmission is used to interlock the smart packaging with a wireless (13.56 MHz) reader or a smart phone.

Secondary syphilis presenting as a generalized lymphadenopathy: clinical mimicry of malignant lymphoma.

The diagnosis of syphilis remains challenging. The absence of classical features of the disease, such as the rash of secondary syphilis or genital lesion, may pose diagnostic difficulties. In this article, we report a case of secondary syphilis in which the clinical syndrome and pattern of fluorodeoxyglucose uptake mimicked malignant lymphoma.

Factors Associated with the Practice of Traditional Prenatal Education (Taegyo) among Pregnant Korean Women.

Purpose: Recently as couples have only one or two children, they concern about their children's optimal health. Furthermore, as the basic principles of Korean traditional prenatal education (Taegyo) are supported by scientific evidence, and as increasing numbers of pregnant women are recognizing Taegyo refresh, the practice of Taegyo is growing. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with the practice of Taegyo among pregnant Korean women.

Emodin and rhein inhibit LIGHT-induced monocytes migration by blocking of ROS production.

LIGHT is known to act as a novel mediator for atherogenesis. Furthermore, it has been reported that emodin, an active component extracted from rhubarb, can stop the growth of cancer cells. However, it is not known if emodin exerts anti-atherogenic effects in the human monocyte, THP-1, following treatment with LIGHT.

Ethylacetate extract from Draconis Resina inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses in vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages via suppression of ROS production.

Draconis Resina (DR) is a type of dragon's blood resin obtained from Daemomorops draco BL. (Palmae). DR has long been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine, and is currently used in traditional clinics to treat wounds, tumors, diarrhea, and rheumatism, insect bites and other conditions.

Evodiamine and rutaecarpine inhibit migration by LIGHT via suppression of NADPH oxidase activation.

LIGHT acted as a new player in the atherogenesis. The dried, unripe fruit of Evodia Fructus (EF) has long been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and is currently widely used for the treatment of headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, colds and reduced blood circulation. Evodiamine and rutaecarpine are active components of EF.

Rhein inhibits TNF-alpha-induced human aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation via mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis.

Background: Vascular smooth-muscle cell proliferation plays an important role in atherosclerosis and restenosis. Rhein is an active component extracted from rhubarb. In this study, rhein was found to exert potent inhibitory effects against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced human aortic smooth-muscle cells (HASMCs) proliferation.

LPS induces inflammatory responses in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells via Toll-like receptor 4 expression and nitric oxide production.

Inflammation is an important event in the development of vascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. In addition, the stimulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the release of critical proinflammatory cytokines that activate potent immune responses. In this study, LPS was found to induce TLR4 expression and increased nitric oxide (NO) production by increasing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

Emodin inhibits TNF-alpha-induced human aortic smooth-muscle cell proliferation via caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis.

Vascular smooth-muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a vital role in hypertension, atherosclerosis and restenosis. It has been reported that emodin, an active component extracted from rhubarb, can stop the growth of cancer cells; however, it is not known if emodin exerts similar anti-atherogenic effects in TNF-alpha treated human aortic smooth-muscle cells (HASMC). In this study, emodin treatment showed potent inhibitory effects in TNF-alpha-induced HASMC proliferation that were associated with induced apoptosis, including the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP).

NADPH oxidase activation is required for migration by LIGHT in human monocytes.

Homologous to lymphotoxins, shows inducible expression, and competes with herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD) for herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM; TR2) (LIGHT), a ligand of herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced the destruction of bacteria in human monocytes. In this study, rhLIGHT was found to increase the expression of the chemokine receptors, chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) and CCR2, as well as to accelerate the migration activity of human monocytes. Additionally, rhLIGHT was found to increase ROS via NADPH oxidase p47(phox) phosphorylation, which was found to be required for LIGHT-induced NF-kappaB activation, CCR1 and CCR2 expression, migration and IL-8 and TNF-alpha production.