Baseline characteristics of the autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease sub-cohort of the KoreaN cohort study for outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the baseline characteristics of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in a cohort of Korean patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: From April 2011 to February 2016, patients with CKD stage 1-5 (pre-dialysis) were enrolled as an ADPKD sub-cohort of the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease. Baseline characteristics, the correlation of kidney and liver volume and kidney function and the factors associated with kidney function were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 364 ADPKD patients with a mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 68.1 ± 33.3 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (50.5% male with a mean age of 47.0 ± 10.6 years) were enrolled from nine hospitals in Korea. Initially, 55.8% of the patients were asymptomatic, and pain was the most common symptom (12.9%); 87.6 and 77.5% of the patients had hypertension and hepatic cysts, respectively. The height-adjusted total kidney volumes (htTKV) were higher in male patients than in female patients. In contrast, the height-adjusted total liver volumes were higher in female patients than in male patients. The decrease rate of eGFR depending on Log(htTKV) was larger in the group aged between 41 and 50 years than the other age groups. Older age, a higher 24-h urine protein excretion, larger htTKV and hyperuricemia were independently associated with lower eGFR, whereas using febuxostat was independently associated with higher eGFR. CONCLUSION: This sub-cohort will provide clinical characteristics and outcomes of Korean ADPKD patients, which can be compared with those of other previous cohorts. We have identified factors associated with advanced-stage CKD in Korean patients with ADPKD.

Efficacy, safety and albuminuria-reducing effect of gemigliptin in Korean type 2 diabetes patients with moderate to severe renal impairment: A 12-week, double-blind randomized study (the GUARD Study).

AIMS: This multicentre, randomized, double-blind study investigated the efficacy and safety of gemigliptin in Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (RI). METHODS: The study comprised a 12-week main part and a 40-week extension. We report here the results from the main part. In total, 132 patients were randomized to receive gemigliptin (n = 66) or placebo (n = 66). Changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; primary endpoint), other glycaemic control parameters (fasting plasma glucose, glycated albumin and fructosamine), lipid profiles, renal function parameters and safety profiles were evaluated. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups (mean HbA1c, 8.4% [68 mmol/mol]; age, 62.0 years; duration of type 2 diabetes, 16.3 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate, 33.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 ). At Week 12, the adjusted mean change ± standard error in HbA1c with gemigliptin was -0.82% ± 0.14% (-8.9 ± 1.5 mmol/mol), whereas it was 0.38% ± 0.14% (4.2 ± 1.5 mmol/mol) with placebo (significant between-group difference, P < .001). Other glycaemic control parameters showed beneficial changes as well. Body weight change (gemigliptin, -0.3 kg; placebo, -0.2 kg) was not significant. In the gemigliptin group, the mean decrease in urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) was significant, both in patients with microalbuminuria (-41.9 mg/g creatinine, P = .03) and macroalbuminuria (-528.9 mg/g creatinine, P < .001). Drug-related adverse events were similar with gemigliptin and placebo (15% and 12%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week treatment with gemigliptin improved glycaemic control and provided UACR reduction in T2DM patients with moderate to severe RI. Gemigliptin was well tolerated, with no additional risk of hypoglycaemia and change in body weight.

Prevalence of type 5 familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in Korea and novel mutations in STXBP2.

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (F-HLH or FHL) is a potentially fatal immune dysregulation syndrome with a heterogeneous genetic background. Most recently, STXBP2 has been identified as the causative gene of type 5 FHL (FHL5) with a worldwide distribution. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of FHL5 in Korea. About 50 Korean pediatric patients with HLH who lacked pathogenic mutations in PRF1, UNC13D, or in STX11 from the previous series of 72 patients with HLH were analyzed for STXBP2 mutations by conventional sequencing analyses. As a result, we found one patient with two novel mutations of STXBP2: c.184A>G and c.577A>C. c.184A>G (p.Asn62Asp) was located within a highly conserved region of the STXBP2 protein and predicted to be deleterious. c.577A>C in exon 7 resulted in incomplete splicing mutation with exon 7 skipping concurrent with exon 7-retained transcript with p.Lys193Gln substitution. The frequency of FHL5 was ~1% (1/72) in Korean pediatric patients with HLH. This is the first study on FHL5 in Korea, and the data from a nationwide patient cohort provide another piece of genetic profiles of FHL.

The safety of reused endotracheal tubes sterilized according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate safety issues associated with the reuse of sterilized endotracheal tubes (ETTs). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Laboratory in vivo testing. INTERVENTION: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were inoculated onto ETT cuffs. Following inoculation, ETTs were sterilized with either ethylene oxide or glutaraldehyde. Cuffs were then swabbed and cultured for 24 hours. To examine changes in the physical integrities of sterilized ETT cuffs, ETTs were sterilized with ethylene oxide gas once, twice, or three times (the E1, E2, and E3 groups, respectively). Alternatively, ETTs were soaked in glutaraldehyde for 150, 300, 450, or 600 minutes (the G1, G2, G3, and G4 groups, respectively). MEASUREMENTS: Endotracheal tube cuffs were considered nonsterile if a visible colony of test organisms was cultured, and sterile if no colony was cultured. Changes in the physical integrity of sterilized ETT cuffs were determined by measuring changes in intracuff pressure or tensile strength. MAIN RESULTS: No growth of bacteria was observed in sterilized tubes. Endotracheal tube cuffs of the E1 and E2 groups showed almost the same physical integrity as those of the control group, whereas E3 group cuffs were softer than those of the untreated controls. Endotracheal tube cuffs of the G1 and G2 groups were harder than untreated controls; than of those of the G3 and G4 groups were similar to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Endotracheal tubes can be reused sterilized safely. The physical integrity of ETT cuffs may be compromised by glutaraldehyde or ethylene oxide sterilization treatments.

Accelerated reendothelialization with suppressed thrombogenic property and neointimal hyperplasia of rabbit jugular vein grafts by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of C-type natriuretic peptide.

BACKGROUND: Vein graft disease limits the late results of coronary revascularization. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) inhibits the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. Given the effects of CNP on cGMP cascade, we hypothesized that transfected CNP genes modulate endothelial repair and thrombogenicity in the vein graft. METHODS AND RESULTS: Autologous rabbit jugular vein grafts were incubated ex vivo in a solution of adenovirus vectors containing CNP gene (Ad.CNP) or Escherichia coli lac Z gene (Ad.LacZ) and then interposed in the carotid artery. Reendothelialization, mural thrombi formation, and intima/media ratio were evaluated on the 14th and 28th postoperative days. More reendothelialization was seen in Ad.CNP-infected grafts than in Ad.LacZ-infected grafts both at 14 days (0.81+/-0.05 versus 0.30+/-0.14, P<0.01) and at 28 days (0.96+/-0.01 versus 0.45+/-0.08, P<0.001). The mural thrombus area was smaller in Ad.CNP-infected grafts than in Ad.LacZ-infected grafts. Neointimal thickening was significantly suppressed in the Ad.CNP group. The in vitro wound assay with human coronary artery endothelial cells revealed significant potentiation of the wound repair process by CNP and atrial natriuretic peptide administration. CONCLUSIONS: Infected Ad.CNP accelerated reendothelialization and suppressed thrombosis and neointimal hyperplasia. The method may potentially prevent vein graft disease in patients undergoing coronary artery revascularization.

C-type natriuretic peptide induces redifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells with accelerated reendothelialization.

We recently reported that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) occurs in vascular endothelial cells and acts as a vascular-type natriuretic peptide. In the present study, we stimulated the cGMP cascade in proliferating smooth muscle cells (SMCs), in which particulate guanylate cyclase-B, the specific receptor for CNP, is predominantly expressed, by use of an adenovirus encoding rat CNP cDNA (Ad.CNP). In the Ad.CNP-treated cultured SMCs, CNP caused the growth inhibition of SMCs at G(1) phase with an early increase of p21(CIP1/WAF1) expression and subsequent upregulation of p16(INK4a). The expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain-2, which is the molecular marker of highly differentiated SMCs, was reinduced in the Ad.CNP-treated SMCs. The Ad.CNP-treated SMCs also reexpressed particulate guanylate cyclase-A, which shows high affinity to atrial and brain natriuretic peptide and is exclusively expressed in well-differentiated SMCs. CNP, which was overexpressed in rabbit femoral arteries in vivo at the time of balloon injury, significantly suppressed neointimal formation. Furthermore, an enhancement of the expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain-2 occurred in the residual neointima. In addition, early regeneration of endothelial cells was observed in the Ad.CNP-infected group. Thus, stimulation of cGMP cascade in proliferating dedifferentiated SMCs can induce growth inhibition and redifferentiation of SMCs with accelerated reendothelialization.

Clinical efficacy of granulocyte transfusion therapy in patients with neutropenia-related infections.

Granulocyte transfusions have been advocated by some for the treatment of severe, progressive infections in neutropenic patients who fail to respond to antimicrobial agents and recombinant hematopoietic growth factors. We conducted the current study to determine an appropriate method of granulocyte mobilization in healthy donors, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of granulocyte transfusion therapy in patients with neutropenia-related infections. To mobilize granulocytes (n=55), healthy normal donors were stimulated in one of the following ways: (1) dexamethasone, 3 mg/m2 intravenously 15 min prior to leukapheresis (n = 5); (2) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), 5 microg/kg subcutaneously 12 to 14 h prior to collection (n=37); or (3) G-CSF and dexamethasone (n= 13). The mean granulocyte yield from stimulation with G-CSF plus dexamethasone was significantly higher than from stimulation with dexamethasone or G-CSF alone. Twenty-five patients with severe neutropenia-related infections unresponsive to appropriate antimicrobial agents received a total of 55 granulocyte transfusions. The patients from whom fungi or Gram-negative organisms were isolated showed a more favorable response than those infected with Gram-positive organisms. However, the responses to the granulocyte transfusion therapy could not be correlated with the transfused dose, mobilization agents, or the 1 h or 24 h post-transfusion absolute neutrophil counts. We conclude that granulocyte transfusion therapy may be clinically useful for neutropenia-related infections by fungi or Gram-negative organisms.

Increased cytotoxic T cells with effector phenotype in aplastic anemia and myelodysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that an active autoimmune process in aplastic anemia (AA) corresponds to the expansion of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) displaying mature effector phenotype. We determined whether the numbers of effector CTLs in blood of patients with bone marrow failure syndromes are elevated and correlate with the disease activity and responsiveness to immunosuppression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed samples from patients with AA, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), polytransfused patients with nonimmune-mediated hematologic disease, and normal controls for the presence of effector T lymphocytes using four-color flow cytometry. Expression of CD57 and loss of CD28 on CD8+CD3+ CTL were used as markers for the terminal effector phenotype. In addition, intracellular staining for perforin and granzyme B was preformed. The numbers of effector CTL did not differ between healthy individuals and hematologic controls and the two groups were pooled. RESULTS: The percentages of CD8+CD28- and CD8+CD28-CD57+ cells were significantly higher in AA and MDS patients than in controls. There was a trend toward a gradual decrease in the effector CTLs from the high values observed in untreated new patients and patients who did not respond to immunosuppression, intermediate levels for partial responders and complete responders, to the lowest levels seen in controls. However, severity of pancytopenia did not correlate with the size of the effector cell population. In contrast to CD57+ CTLs, expression of perforin or granzyme B in the cytotoxic effector cells did not differ in AA patients from those of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that phenotypically defined effector CTLs are increased in AA and MDS and the effector phenotype may be useful to isolate and characterize antigen-specific T cells in AA in order to delineate the possible inciting or driving agents in AA.

Thiazolidinediones, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists, regulate endothelial cell growth and secretion of vasoactive peptides.

Insulin resistance has been highlighted as a common causal factor for glucose intolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia, all of which are cardiovascular risk factors. A new class of antidiabetic agents, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), has been developed and demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity. TZDs are high affinity ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), the crucial transcription factor for adipocytes. Recent studies showed that PPARgamma is also expressed in monocytes/macrophages and is suggested to be involved in atherosclerosis. We could detect PPARgamma gene transcript in several cultured endothelial cells (human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs), human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and bovine carotid artery endothelial cells (BAECs)) as well as human coronary arteries we examined. Since endothelial dysfunction is critical for atherosclerosis, we investigated the effects of TZDs, troglitazone (TRO) and pioglitazone (PIO), on endothelial cell growth and secretion of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which we demonstrated as a novel endothelium-derived relaxing peptide, and endothelin (ET), a potent vasoconstrictor, using HAoECs, HCAECs, HUVECs and BAECs. When all these cultured endothelial cells were daily treated with TRO and PIO for 5 days, both TRO and PIO (10(-8)M) significantly stimulated (3)H-thymidine incorporation of all these endothelial cells. In contrast, higher dose of TRO and PIO (10(-5)M) significantly suppressed DNA synthesis. TRO and PIO also exerted the compatible effect on the increase of cell numbers. TRO and PIO significantly enhanced CNP secretion from BAECs. In contrast, ET secretion from BAECs was suppressed by both TRO and PIO in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the present study suggest that TZDs modulate endothelial functions, including regulation of endothelial cell growth and secretion of endothelium-derived vasoactive substances, which affect vascular tone and remodeling in the process of atherosclerosis.

Telomere length changes in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Telomere length indicates the replicative history of cells, serving as a molecular measure of the replicative potential remaining in cells. To investigate telomere length changes in hematopoietic stem cells, patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were evaluated. Fifteen patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT group), seven patients after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT group), and 39 healthy controls were studied. Telomere length was measured in peripheral mononuclear cells by Southern blot hybridization. There was no significant difference between the allo-BMT and the auto-PBSCT groups. In the allo-BMT group, the mean telomere length of recipients was 2.01 kb shorter than that of their donors (P = 0. 008), and was 1.59 kb shorter than that of age-matched putative normal controls (P = 0.002). Telomere shortening in the allo-BMT group was equivalent to 41.4 years of aging in the donors, and to 52. 4 years of aging in the normal controls. The mean telomere length in the auto-PBSCT group was 2.36 kb shorter than that of the age-matched putative controls (P = 0.043), which was equivalent to 61.5 years of aging in normal controls. The extent of telomere shortening in the allo-BMT group showed a trend to negative correlation with the number of mononuclear cells infused. These findings suggest that hematopoietic stem cells after HSCT lose telomere length and these shortened telomeres may result in a higher incidence of clonal disorders later in life.

Successful program to prevent aspergillus infections in children undergoing marrow transplantation: use of nasal amphotericin.

Aspergillus infections in the pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients are usually fatal. We began the use of a prophylactic nasal spray of amphotericin in 1990. This nasal spray was provided in addition to low-dose intravenous amphotericin. During the time of this study, the number of fatal cases of aspergillus in the pediatric BMT population was reduced significantly from 13.8% to 1.8% (P < 0.0025) thereby suggesting that the use of nasal amphotericin in this population helps to prevent fatal aspergillus infections. The lack of significant side-effects and the ease of administration make this a very helpful preventive measure in the supportive care of pediatric bone marrow transplant patients.

Life-threatening carboplatin hypersensitivity during conditioning for autologous PBSC transplantation: successful rechallenge after desensitization.

Carboplatin hypersensitivity has rarely been reported in patients receiving repeated cycles of therapy, but has not been reported in transplant settings. We report a case of carboplatin hypersensitivity during conditioning for autologous PBSC transplantation. The patient suddenly developed chest tightness, hemoptysis, hypoxia and hypotension, resulting in a transient myocardial ischemia. The pathophysiologic mechanism for the event seemed to be non-immune-mediated direct histamine release given the lack of prior exposure to platinum. Contrary to advice not to continue further treatment with carboplatin by some authors, we successfully desensitized the patient and subsequently gave more carboplatin as a part of conditioning. Awareness of carboplatin as one of the causes of hypersensitivity may help avoid further problems either by substitution or desensitization, along with premedications.

Constitution and telomere dynamics of bone marrow stromal cells in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We evaluated the genotypic origin of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) following sex-mismatched allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and investigated the telomere dynamics in MSC in normal individuals and patients after BMT. The study population consisted of 11 patients with hematologic disorders who showed complete chimerism after BMT. Telomere length was measured in MSC using Southern blotting analysis in eight patients and 18 healthy subjects as a control group. Following culture, MSC were identified by the expression of SH2 and SH4, and lack of CD14, CD34, and CD45. All MSC showed the recipient genotype, based on the results of fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis using X-chromosome satellite probes or microsatellite DNA polymorphism analysis. The mean telomere length in MSC from normal controls was 7.2+/-0.53 kb (range, 6.12-7.78), and progressive telomere shortening was seen with age. There was no significant difference in MSC telomere length between the BMT group and age-matched controls. This study confirmed that the MSC isolated from the recipients of allogeneic BMT did not have the donor genotype, despite complete chimerism. Moreover, MSC were demonstrated to show progressive loss of telomere length with age, but the telomeres in MSC were not affected by BMT.

Activation of particulate guanylyl cyclase by Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin.

Recently we reported that Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin, an exotoxin produced by V. vulnificus, dilates rat thoracic aorta via elevated cGMP levels without affecting nitric oxide synthase. We investigated the mechanism further by observing the guanylyl cyclase activities in cytosolic, membrane, unfractionated, or reconstituted preparations. Hemolysin did not activate guanylyl cyclase in the membrane or cytosolic fraction, while it activated guanylyl cyclase in unfractionated or reconstituted preparation. The increased activity was not inhibited by the HS-142-1, a microbial polysaccharide which antagonizes atrial natriuretic peptide receptor, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. However, it was attenuated by 6-(phenylamino)-5,8-quinolinedione (LY 83.583), which inhibits the catalytic domain of both guanylyl cyclases, and by cholesterol, which blocks hemolysin-incorporation into the membrane. Removing ATP, a cofactor of particulate guanylyl cyclase, attenuated the activation and ATPgammaS, a non-phosphorylating analog, restored it. These results suggest that V. vulnificus hemolysin activates particulate guanylyl cyclase via hemolysin incorporation into the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane in cooperation with certain unidentified cytosolic component(s).

Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin dilates rat thoracic aorta by activating guanylate cyclase.

Hemolysin produced by Vibrio vulnificus caused hypotension and tachycardia in rats and dilated rat thoracic aorta. Hemolysin-induced vasodilatation of the aorta was not affected by N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and aminoguanidine, NO synthase inhibitors, whereas the vasodilatation was inhibited by LY 83,583, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. Hemolysin elevated cGMP levels, and the elevation was abolished by LY 83,583. These results suggest that V. vulnificus hemolysin activates guanylate cyclase independently of NO synthase, and the subsequent increase in cGMP levels results in vasodilatation.

Total hip replacement with a cementless acetabular component and a cemented femoral component in patients younger than fifty years of age.

BACKGROUND: We have been using hybrid total hip arthroplasty (a cementless acetabular component and a cemented stem) in young patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of aseptic loosening, polyethylene wear, and osteolysis after the use of this technique. METHODS: We studied a prospective consecutive series of sixty-four primary hybrid total hip replacements in fifty-five patients younger than fifty years old. There were forty-three men and twelve women; the average age at the time of the index operation was 43.4 years. The average duration of follow-up was 9.4 years. We used a cementless acetabular component without screw-holes and a cemented femoral component with a 22-mm head in all hips. Clinical follow-up with use of Harris hip ratings and radiographic follow-up were performed at six weeks; at three, six, and twelve months; and yearly thereafter. The sequential annual linear and volumetric wear rates were measured, and bone-remodeling and osteolysis were assessed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris hip score was 44 points, which increased to 95 points at the time of final follow-up. No hip had aseptic loosening. One hip (2%) was revised because of late infection. The average linear wear (and standard deviation) was 0.96 +/- 0.066 mm, with an average annual rate of 0.096 +/- 0.013 mm. The average volumetric wear was 364.7 +/- 25.2 mm (3), with an average annual rate of 43.4 +/- 3.5 mm (3). Six hips (9%) had an osteolytic lesion of <1 cm in diameter in the calcar femorale (zone 7). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that a hybrid arthroplasty with a cementless acetabular component and a smooth cemented femoral component (Ra, 0.6 mm) is effective for primary total hip replacement in young patients. Although there was no aseptic loosening and a low prevalence of osteolysis at the latest follow-up evaluation, the high rates of linear and volumetric wear of the polyethylene liner in these young patients remain a concern.

Spinal intramedullary granulocytic sarcoma: magnetic resonance imaging.

A rare case of spinal intramedullary granulocytic sarcoma (GS) in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia is described along with its magnetic resonance (MR) finding. The mass shows isointense signal on T1-weighted images, and slightly higher intensity on T2-weighted images. Contrast enhancement with gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA in this case differs from the other report in which the tumor was not enhanced. As MRI becomes the first choice in the evaluation of spinal tumors, high index of suspicion of GS with familiarity with its MR finding in leukemic patients may obviate the need for surgical intervention, since the tumor is sensitive to both radiation and chemotherapy.

Clonidine premedication prevents preoperative hypokalemia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that clonidine premedication could prevent an increase of plasma epinephrine occurring as a result of anxiety, and a decrease of the serum potassium (K+) levels before the induction of anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded study. SETTING: University Hospital of Seoul. PATIENTS: 44 ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 20 to 50 years, scheduled for knee, ear, or nose surgery. INTERVENTION: 44 patients were randomly allocated into one of two groups: 22 patients (clonidine group) received clonidine 300 microg orally at 120 minutes before the induction of anesthesia. The other 22 patients (control group) received a placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Anxiety level, serum K+, and plasma epinephrine were measured at an outpatient clinic, and immediately before the induction of anesthesia. There were no differences between groups in degree of anxiety experienced, serum K+, or plasma epinephrine levels as measured at the out-patient clinic. Immediately before the induction of anesthesia, the serum K+ levels of the clonidine group were higher than those of the control group (3.89 +/- 0.26 mEq/L vs. 3.50 +/- 0.36 mEq/L), and anxiety and plasma epinephrine levels of clonidine group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The frequency of hypokalemia (K+ < or = 3.5 mEq/L) of the clonidine group immediately before the induction of anesthesia was significantly lower than that of the control group (0% vs. 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine premedication was effective in preventing hypokalemic episodes occurring before the induction of anesthesia.

Efficacy and safety of micafungin for the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection during neutropenia in children and adolescents undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic SCT.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of micafungin for the prevention of invasive fungal infection (IFI) during the neutropenic phase of allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT) in children and adolescents. This was a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study. Micafungin was administered i.v. at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day (max 50 mg) from the beginning of conditioning until neutrophil engraftment. Treatment success was defined as the absence of proven, probable, possible or suspected IFI through to 4 weeks after therapy. From April 2010 to December 2011, 155 patients were enrolled from 11 institutions in Korea, and 147 patients were analyzed. Of the 147 patients, 121 (82.3%) completed the protocol without premature interruption. Of the 132 patients in whom micafungin efficacy could be evaluated, treatment success was achieved in 119 patients (90.2%). There was no proven fungal infection in any patient. The number of patients with probable, possible and suspected IFI was two, two and nine, respectively. Thirty-five patients (23.8%) experienced 109 adverse events (AEs) possibly related to micafungin. No patients experienced grade IV AEs. Two patients (1.4%) discontinued micafungin administration due to adverse effects. None of the deaths were related to the study drug.