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BackgroundSitagliptin is a highly selective dipeptidyl peptide-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that increases blood levels of active glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP), resulting in increased insulin secretion. While studies conducted in other countries have indicated the efficacy and safety of using sitagliptin to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), its predictors of effects to sitagliptin are not well understood. Therefore, we evaluated the predictive clinical parameters for the therapeutic benefits of sitagliptin when added to an ongoing metformin or sulfonylurea therapy in Korean T2DM subjects.MethodsWe obtained data from 251 Korean T2DM subjects who had recently started taking sitagliptin as add-on therapy. Exclusion criteria included any insulin use. Changes in HbA1c (ΔHbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (ΔFPG) were assessed by comparing baseline levels prior to sitagliptin administration to levels 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. Responders were defined as subjects who experienced decrease from baseline of >10% in ΔHbA1c or >20% in ΔFPG levels at 24 weeks.ResultsWe classified 81% of the subjects (204 out of 251) as responders. The responder group had a lower mean body mass index (23.70±2.40 vs. 26.00±2.26, P≤0.01) and were younger (58.83±11.57 years vs. 62.87±12.09 years, P=0.03) than the non-responder group.ConclusionIn Korean T2DM subjects, sitagliptin responders had lower body mass index and were younger compared to non-responders.

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Study hypothesis Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training can increase the likelihood of patient survival and better neurological outcomes. However, conventional learning (CL) has cost, time, and space constraints. This study aimed to evaluate whether laypersons who completed instructor-led distance learning (DL) acquired a level of CPR skill comparable to that achieved via CL training. Methods This randomized controlled study recruited students from 28 Korean high schools who were randomized to complete instructor-led DL or CL training. The CL training involved classroom-based face-to-face training, whereas the instructor-led DL training was provided online using a videoconferencing system. Results The study enrolled 62 students who were randomized to the CL group (31 participants) or the DL group (31 participants). Relative to the CL group, the DL group achieved remarkably similar results in terms of most CPR variables. In addition, the DL group had a significant improvement in the mean compression depth (before: 46 mm [interquartile range: 37–52 mm] vs. after: 49 mm [interquartile range: 46–54 mm], p<0.001). Conclusions Instructor-led DL can be a suitable alternative to CL for providing CPR training to laypersons. In settings like the current COVID-19 pandemic, where face-to-face CL is not practical, DL may be a useful tool for delivering CPR training.

The effect of cimetidine on the treatment efficacy of praziquantel against Microcotyle sebastis infestation in cultured rockfish Sebastes schlegeli was investigated. Juvenile rockfish were divided into 7 groups, and orally administered praziquantel alone (50, 100 and 200 mg kg -1 body wt, BW) or in combination with cimetidine at a dose of 200 mg kg -1 BW for each praziquantel dose. The fish in the control group were administered only saline. The results clearly showed that coadministration of cimetidine with praziquantel led to a significantly increased treatment efficacy of the latter drug, and consequently would lead to a lowering of the total dose of praziquantel, and a reduction in the administration times and costs for the treatment of M. sebastis infestation in cultured rockfish. KEY WORDS: Praziquantel · Cimetidine · Microcotyle sebastis · Sebastes schlegeli · Treatment efficacy Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherDis Aquat Org 44: [133][134][135][136] 2001 scribed an increase in praziquantel levels in plasma of mammals when cimetidine is simultaneously administered (Dachman et al. 1994, Ebeid et al. 1994, Metwally et al. 1995, Jung et al. 1997.In the present study, we investigated the treatment efficacy of praziquantel against Microcotyle sebastis infestation in cultured rockfish when administered simultaneously with cimetidine. MATERIALS AND METHODSFish. Netpen-reared juvenile rockfish Sebastes schlegeli (body length: 13 to 16 cm) were obtained from a local rockfish farm in Tongyoung, Korea. The presence of Microcotyle sebastis on the gills was confirmed by examination of 10 fish. After 1 wk acclimation, a total of 70 fish was randomly divided into 7 groups of 10 fish in each group. The volume of each experimental aquarium was 50 l, the water temperature was 20 ± 1°C, and salinity was 33 ‰. Fish were not fed throughout the experiment.Treatment regime. Fish were anaesthetized with MS222 (Sigma) and were intubated directly onto the stomach with varying concentrations of praziquantel and cimetidine. The first group was given 200 mg praziquantel (Shinpoong Pharm. Co. Ltd.) kg -1 BW, the second group 100 mg praziquantel kg -1 BW, and the third group 50 mg praziquantel kg -1 BW. The fourth group was coadministered 200 mg praziquantel and 200 mg cimetidine kg -1 BW, the fifth group 100 mg praziquantel and 200 mg cimetidine kg -1 BW, and the sixth group 50 mg praziquantel and 200 mg cimetidine kg -1 BW. The fish in the seventh group (control group) were given 0.7% saline. At 84 h post-treatment, the gills of all fish in each group were examined to confirm the effectiveness of each treatment. Abundance and prevalence were determined according to the methods given in Margolis et al. (1982).Statistical analysis. All data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney's U-test (SPSS for Windows, SPSS Inc.). RESULTSPrevalence and intensity of Microcotyle sebastis in the fish sampled randomly before the start of the treatments were 100% and 21.9 ± 16.8 (mean ± SD), respective...