Evaluation of the strategies to reduce third-generation oral cephalosporins in dentistry at a Japanese academic hospital: An interrupted time series analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Third-generation oral cephalosporins, especially cefcapene-pivoxil (CFPN-PI), have been used frequently in the Japanese dental field. In December 2014 and April 2016, the newly published clinical guidelines recommended the use of amoxicillin (AMPC). Thus, it is important to evaluate the impact of these guidelines on the prescription profiles of prophylactic antibiotics, clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of antibiotics. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study to analyse an interrupted time series analysis from April 2013 to March 2020 at the Department of Dentistry of Hokkaido University Hospital. A segmented regression model was used to estimate the changes in the incidence of infectious complications following tooth extraction. Prescribed antibiotic data were evaluated via days of therapy (DOT). Antibiotic costs were calculated in terms of the Japanese yen (JPY). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We identified 17,825 eligible patients. The incidence rates of infectious complications (SSI + dry socket) and SSI after tooth extraction were 3.2% and 2.2%, respectively, during the entire period. The extraction of impacted third molars corresponded to 5.0% and 3.4%, respectively. However, their incidence rates were not significantly different during this period. The use of prophylactic antibiotics and antibiotic cost showed consistent trends following the implementation of guidelines. The mean DOT of CFPN-PI decreased (ranging from 4893.6 DOTs/1000 patients [March 2013 to November 2014] to 3856.4 DOTs/1000 patients [December 2014 to March 2016]; p < 0.001, and from 3856.4 DOTs/1000 patients [December 2014 to March 2016] to 2293.9 DOTs/1000 patients [April 2016 to March 2020]; p < 0.001). In contrast, the mean DOT of AMPC was found to be increased (ranging from 1379.7 DOTs/1000 patients [March 2013 to November 2014] to 3236.3 DOTs/1000 patients [December 2014 to March 2016]; p < 0.001, and from 3236.3 DOTs/1000 patients [December 2014 to March 2016] to 4597.8 DOTs/1000 patients [April 2016 to March 2020]; p < 0.001). The mean monthly cost was decreased (ranging from 905.3 JPY [March 2013 to November 2014] to 788.7 JPY [December 2014 to March 2016]; p = 0.003, and from 788.7 JPY [December 2014 to March 2016] to 614.0 JPY [April 2016 to March 2020]; p < 0.001). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: After December 2014, prophylactic antibiotics were switched from CFPN-PI to AMPC, and the incidence rate of infectious complications was not significantly different over time. However, changing antibiotics is useful from a cost-effectiveness perspective.

A rare case of a testicular lesion related to hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Introduction: Hand, foot, and mouth disease generally occurs in children. In rare cases, hand, foot, and mouth disease affects the testicles. Case presentation: A 29-year-old man presented to our emergency department with testicular pain for several days after the onset of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Ultrasonography revealed hypoechoic mass-like areas in the right testis. A mild inflammatory response was noted, tumor markers and urinary data were normal, and tests for infection were all negative. Antibiotics were initiated and ultrasonography was performed in every subsequent examination. Testicular pain disappeared 6 months later. Conclusion: We encountered a rare case of a testicular lesion related to hand, foot, and mouth disease that was successfully treated. The careful selection of treatment for testicular pain and scrotal enlargement in young adult males, such as surgery and symptomatic treatment, based on their medical history and laboratory findings, is important.

[Pharmaceutical Intervention According to Strict Management System Can Normalize Decreased Serum Calcium Level by Denosumab and Prevent Its Aggravation].

Denosumab is a fully monoclonal antibody against the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), and prevents skeletal-related events by bone metastasis. Hypocalcemia is the most typical adverse effect of denosumab use. We have developed a management system for the more efficient and safer management of denosumab administration, and evaluated pharmaceutical interventions for the better control of hypocalcemia. All pharmaceutical interventions in the system from April 2016 to March 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. We have also assessed the incidence of hypocalcemia in 158 patients who were administered denosumab for six months or more in the period. A total of 282 pharmaceutical interventions (7.0% of the total administration) were conducted. The most conducted intervention was regarding hypocalcemia, which involved the suspension of the injection and/or the increase of calcium and vitamin D supplement with 65% adoption and 17% temporary treatment suspensions. Other interventions were about hypercalcemia, request of laboratory examination and ordering supplements, dental consultation, and poor renal function. A total of 199 interventions (70.6%) were adopted, with 33 administrations suspended. The frequency of hypocalcemia was 27.8% with just one patient having grade 2 hypocalcemia, suggesting that there were no severe cases. Moreover, hypocalcemia was significantly normalized following pharmaceutical intervention and/or handling by physicians (p=0.02) according to the system. Conversely, the normalization rate in hypercalcemia did not differ according to the countermeasures. In conclusion, pharmaceutical interventions according to our management system benefit safe denosumab treatment, especially in severe hypocalcemia prevention.

Purification by p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)-affinity chromatography and the functional reconstitution of the nateglinide/H+ cotransport system in the rat intestinal brush-border membrane.

(-)-N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine (nateglinide) is a novel oral hypoglycemic agent possessing a peptide-type bond and a carboxyl group in its structure. Recently, we have shown that nateglinide transport occurs via the ceftibuten/H+ cotransport system, which is distinct from PepT1, and that the fluorescein/H+ cotransport system is involved in the uptake of nateglinide. The aim of this study was to characterize the functional properties of the intestinal nateglinide transporter. In the first part of this study, we demonstrated that the ceftibuten/H+ cotransport system is identical to the fluorescein/H+ cotransport system. We succeeded in purification of the nateglinide transporter from brush-border membranes of the rat small intestine using p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)-affinity chromatography. We then investigated the functional properties of the nateglinide transporter using proteoliposomes prepared from the PABA-affinity chromatography elute. We demonstrated that nateglinide, ceftibuten, and fluorescein are transported by the same transporter in the intestine.