Diagnostic accuracy of 3T conventional shoulder MRI in the detection of the long head of the biceps tendon tears associated with rotator cuff tendon tears.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance (DP) of 3T (3 Tesla field strength) conventional shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) tears in association with rotator cuff tendon tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 80 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tendon tears. Two radiologists independently evaluated the preoperative 3T shoulder MRI for the presence of LHBT tears. The DP of MRI was evaluated using the results of arthroscopy as the reference standard. We also evaluated the DP of several MR signs of LHBT in detection of partial LHBT tears. RESULTS: Arthroscopic examination revealed 35 partial and 5 complete tears. According to the results of evaluation by reviewers 1 and 2, shoulder MRI exhibited sensitivities of 77.14 and 80 % and specificities of 71.11 and 73.33 % in detection of partial LHBT tears and sensitivities of 80 and 100 % and a specificity of 100% (both) in detection of complete LHBT tears. In detecting partial LHBT tears, increased T2 signal intensity of the LHBT exhibited high sensitivities (reviewers 1 and 2; 82.85 and 80 %, respectively) and the presence of intratendinous defects or C-signs exhibited the highest specificities (reviewers 1 and 2; 95.55 and 93.33 %, respectively), followed by abnormalities in shape and outer margins of the LHBT (reviewers 1 and 2; 91.11 and 82 %; 91.11 and 86.66 %, respectively). CONCLUSION: Non-contrast-enhanced 3T shoulder MRI is potentially highly accurate in detection of complete LHBT tears, but moderately accurate in detection of partial LHBT tears.

A waterborne outbreak and detection of cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water of an older high-rise apartment complex in seoul.

From May to June 2012, a waterborne outbreak of 124 cases of cryptosporidiosis occurred in the plumbing systems of an older high-rise apartment complex in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The residents of this apartment complex had symptoms of watery diarrhea and vomiting. Tap water samples in the apartment complex and its adjacent buildings were collected and tested for 57 parameters under the Korean Drinking Water Standards and for additional 11 microbiological parameters. The microbiological parameters included total colony counts, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus, fecal streptococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cryptosporidium oocysts, Giardia cysts, total culturable viruses, and Norovirus. While the tap water samples of the adjacent buildings complied with the Korean Drinking Water Standards for all parameters, fecal bacteria and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in the tap water samples of the outbreak apartment complex. It turned out that the agent of the disease was Cryptosporidium parvum. The drinking water was polluted with sewage from a septic tank in the apartment complex. To remove C. parvum oocysts, we conducted physical processes of cleaning the water storage tanks, flushing the indoor pipes, and replacing old pipes with new ones. Finally we restored the clean drinking water to the apartment complex after identification of no oocysts.

Higher serum free thyroxine levels are associated with coronary artery disease.

Thyroid hormone has many effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. Thyrotoxicosis is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, primarily due to heart failure and thromboembolism. However, the relationship between thyroid hormone excess and the cardiac complications of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction remains largely speculative. Moreover, few studies have been reported on the effect of thyroid hormone levels within normal range on coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore we examined the association of thyroid function with coronary artery diseases in euthyroid angina patients. Total 192 subjects (mean age; 60.8 yrs) were enrolled in which coronary angiograms were performed due to chest pain. We measured free thyroxine (FT(4)), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum lipid levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and analyzed their association with the presence of CAD. Serum FT(4) levels were higher in patients with CAD compared with the patients without CAD (1.31 +/- 0.30 vs 1.20 +/- 0.23, p = 0.006), and high FT(4) level was associated with the presence of multi-vessel disease. Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio (OR) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.07, p = 0.007), hypertension (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.06-3.90, p = 0.036) and FT(4) (OR 4.23; 95% CI 1.12-15.99, p = 0.033), were the determinants for CAD. The relative risk (RR) for CAD in highest tertile of FT(4) showed increased risk compared with the lowest tertile (RR 1.98; 95% CI 0.98-3.99, p<0.001). Our study showed that FT(4) levels were associated with the presence and the severity of CAD. Also, this study suggests that elevated serum FT(4) levels even within normal range could be a risk factor for CAD. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the relationship of thyroid function and CAD.

Relationship between metabolic syndrome categorized by newly recommended by International Diabetes Federation criteria with plasma homocysteine concentration.

Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and increased tHcy levels have been reported to be a novel risk factor of atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the metabolic syndrome components with plasma (tHcy) level. Total 722 participants (284 men, 438 women) from the medical checkup program were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters of the subjects were assessed and the tHcy levels were compared according to the components of metabolic syndrome diagnosed by Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guideline and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Among the components, groups with larger waist circumference and higher fasting blood glucose levels showed significantly higher tHcy level than the counterparts. Although statistically insignificant, mean concentrations of tHcy was higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome defined by both criteria. In multiple regression analysis, age, sex and systolic blood pressure were the independent determinants of tHcy level. In conclusion, tHcy level was not associated with metabolic syndrome defined by either criteria in Korean subjects.

The differential effects of age on the association of KLOTHO gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease.

The Klotho knockout mouse is thought to be a good animal model for human aging. Recent studies have reported on the association of KLOTHO gene mutation with cardiovascular disease in humans. We observed the frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms, that is, G-395A in the promoter region, C1818T in exon 4, and a functional variant, KL-VS, of KLOTHO gene in Koreans, and we investigated their relationships with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who had undergone coronary angiograms. A total of 274 subjects who underwent coronary angiograms because of chest pain were enrolled, and their blood pressure, body mass index, fasting blood glucose level, and lipid profiles were measured. Genotypings were performed on samples of their blood with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms, G-395A and C1818T, complied with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. For the KL-VS genotype, 1 homozygote subject for the adverse allele was detected among the entire population (GG for F352V and CC for C370S). When the subjects were classified into 4 groups according to the number of stenotic vessels, there were no differences among the mean values of the cardiovascular risk factors, except for age and the fasting blood glucose levels, which showed a significant difference between that of the normal and the diseased vessel groups. There were no differences in the prevalence of CAD according to the genotypes of the G-395A polymorphism; however, for the C1818T polymorphism, those subjects with the T allele showed a lower prevalence of CAD than those with the CC genotype. When the subjects were divided into 2 groups according to age, in the group younger than 60 years, T allele carriers of the C1818T polymorphism showed a lower prevalence of CAD than did the noncarriers. In the group older than 60 years, A allele carriers of the G-395A polymorphism showed a lower prevalence of CAD than did the noncarriers. On the haplotype analysis, the GG-CC haplotype showed an increased risk for CAD with an odds ratio of 2.594 (95% confidence interval, 1.385-4.858; P = 0.003). Differential effects of age were observed in the association of KLOTHO G-395A and C1818T polymorphisms with CAD in Koreans. The KL-VS variant seems to be rarely found in the Korean population. These results infer the possibility of the KLOTHO gene being a candidate gene of atherosclerosis in humans, and further research on this topic needs to be done.

Evaluation of propidium monoazide-quantitative PCR to detect viable Mycobacterium fortuitum after chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet disinfection.

We evaluated whether propidium monoazide (PMA) combined with real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is suitable for detecting viable Mycobacterium fortuitum after chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. PMA-qPCR was effective in determining the viability of M. fortuitum compared with qPCR based on the membrane integrity. However, with a mild chlorine concentration, PMA-qPCR as an alternative method was not applicable due to a large gap between loss of culturability and membrane integrity damage. In ozonation, PMA-qPCR was able to differentiate between viable and injured mycobacteria, and the results were similar to those obtained by the culture method. Interestingly, PMA-qPCR was successful in monitoring the viability after UV disinfection due to the long UV exposure needed to effectively inactivate M. fortuitum. The findings of the present study suggested that the characteristics of disinfectants and the M. fortuitum resistance to disinfectants play critical roles in determining the suitability of PMA-qPCR for evaluating the efficacy of disinfection methods.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein as an independent risk factor for essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP), one of the hepatic acute phase reactants, has been associated with decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation, a potential risk factor for hypertension. However, the relationship between CRP and hypertension has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study is to assess whether circulating levels of CRP are independently related to essential hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated the relationship between high sensitivity CRP with blood pressure (BP) and several cardiovascular risk factors in a cross-sectional survey of 8347 apparently healthy Korean persons. The CRP was measured by nephelometry. RESULTS: The subjects consisted of 4813 men and 3534 women, aged >/=20 years. Mean (SD) age and CRP level of the population were 47.1 (11.5) years and 1.12 (1.72) mg/L. Overall hypertension prevalence was 34%. There was a significant positive association between BP and the CRP level (P <.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, high-density lipoprotein, the prevalence of hypertension by CRP was 1.267 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.079-1.487, P =.004), 1.253 (95% CI 1.062-1.477, P =.007), and 1.451 (95% CI 1.231-1.711, P <.001) times higher in subjects in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of CRP, as compared to subjects in the first quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the CRP level may be an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension in Korean persons. However, because of the cross-sectional nature of our study, this finding should be confirmed in prospective cohort studies, aimed at elucidating the role of CRP in the prediction, diagnosis, and management of hypertension.

C-reactive protein concentrations are related to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome as defined by the ATP III report.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP), very sensitive acute phase reactant, is an important marker of coronary artery disease. However, the relationship between insulin resistance and CRP has not been thoroughly studied. We observed the association between CRP, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome as defined by the ATP III report, and thus identified the role of CRP in the relation to insulin resistance. METHODS: Seven hundred and sixty-seven subjects (436 men, 331 women) who underwent a medical check-up at health promotion center in a University Hospital during March 2002, aged 20-84 years, were included in this study. The components of metabolic syndrome as defined by the ATP III report and high sensitivity CRP levels were analyzed, and Homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of CRP in subjects according to the presence of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 components of metabolic syndrome as defined by ATP III were 0.64, 0.95, 1.14, 1.19, 2.40, and 2.53 mg/l, respectively. The mean concentrations of CRP were significantly higher in subjects with a high insulin resistance (higher HOMA index and lower QUICKI) than in those with a low insulin resistance. Significant positive correlations were identified between CRP and BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride, blood pressure, glucose and HOMA index. A significant negative correlation was found between CRP and HDL cholesterol or QUICKI. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are associated with systemic inflammatory response, which plays an important pathogenic role in atherosclerosis.

Are ethnic differences in the F-M 100 scores related to macular pigmentation?

BACKGROUND: It is known that the macular pigment can significantly affect colour matching and other aspects of colour vision tests. The difference in macular pigmentation between Asians and Caucasians may lead to different colour discrimination. METHODS: This study compared chromatic discrimination between Asians and Caucasians using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue test. Fifty Asians who were ethnically Chinese and 50 Caucasians served as subjects, ranging in age from 30 to 59 years. RESULTS: The partial blue-yellow square root error score of the Asian subjects was significantly higher than that of the Caucasian subjects (p = 0.022) and the difference appeared to increase with age. DISCUSSION: There was a difference in the F-M 100 scores between the two groups. The difference was confined in the blue-yellow region, producing a tritan-like bias for the Asian group in the test.

Production of various disinfection byproducts in indoor swimming pool waters treated with different disinfection methods.

In this study, the concentrations of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), including trihalomethanes (THMs; chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform), haloacetic acids (HAAs; dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid), haloacetonitriles (HANs; dichloroacetonitrile, trichloroacetonitrile, bromochloroacetonitrile, and dibromoacetonitrile), and chloral hydrate (CH) were measured in 86 indoor swimming pools in Seoul, Korea, treated using different disinfection methods, such as chlorine, ozone and chlorine, and a technique that uses electrochemically generated mixed oxidants (EGMOs). The correlations between DBPs and other environmental factors such as with total organic carbon (TOC), KMnO(4) consumption, free residual chlorine, pH, and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) in the pools were examined. The geometric mean concentrations of total DBPs in swimming pool waters were 183.1±2.5µg/L, 32.6±2.1µg/L, and 139.9±2.4µg/L in pools disinfected with chlorine, ozone/chlorine, and EGMO, respectively. The mean concentrations of total THMs (TTHMs), total HAAs (THAAs), total HANs (THANs), and CH differed significantly depending on the disinfection method used (P<0.01). Interestingly, THAAs concentrations were the highest, followed by TTHMs, CH, and THANs in all swimming pools regardless of disinfection method. TOC showed a good correlation with the concentrations of DBPs in all swimming pools (chlorine; r=0.82, P<0.01; ozone/chlorine; r=0.52, P<0.01, EGMO; r=0.39, P<0.05). In addition, nitrate was positively correlated with the concentrations of total DBPs in swimming pools disinfected with chlorine and ozone/chlorine (chlorine; r=0.58; ozone/chlorine; r=0.60, P<0.01), whereas was negative correlated with the concentrations of total DBPs (r=-0.53, P<0.01) in the EGMO-treated pools.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on cystatin C-based renal function after elective coronary angiography (ENABLE Study): a prospective, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the role of N-acetylcysteine on the prevention of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) with conflicting results. To date, the effect of acetylcysteine on cystatin C-based CIN has not been described. This study was designed to examine the incidence of cystatin C-based CIN and investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine on the prevention of CIN after coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized trial on 166 patients (80 patients in N-acetylcysteine group and 86 patients in control group) that underwent elective CAG with apparently normal renal function. Serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations were measured before, and at 24 and 48 h after CAG. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cystatin C-based CIN among all study subjects was 10.2% (5.0% in N-acetylcysteine group and 15.1% in control group, p<0.05) and that of serum creatinine-based CIN was 6% (3.8% in N-acetylcysteine group and 8.1% in control group, p=NS). Kappa analysis between cystatin C-based CIN and serum creatinine-based CIN showed a substantial agreement (k=0.64). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that N-acetylcysteine administration was independently protective against the development of cystatin C-based CIN (Odd ratio[95% confidence interval] 0.255[0.066 to 0.994]) but there was a trend toward protection against that of serum creatinine-based CIN. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in patients with apparently normal renal function, prophylactic oral N-acetylcysteine administration is effective at preventing cystatin C-based CIN development after elective coronary angiography and/or intervention, and that serum cystatin C might be a more sensitive marker of the early CIN than serum creatinine.

The relationship between heart rate recovery and brain natruretic Peptide in patients with chest discomfort: a study for relationship between heart rate recovery and pre-exercise, post-exercise levels of brain natruretic Peptide in patients with normal systolic function and chest discomfort.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The correlation between brain natruretic peptide (BNP) level and cardiac autonomic function has been studied in type 2 diabetic patients. However, there is limited data from patients with normal systolic function. We evaluated the association between heart rate recovery (HRR) representing autonomic dysfunction and three plasma BNP levels: pre-exercise, post-exercise, and change during exercise in patients with normal systolic function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects included 105 patients with chest pain and normal systolic function. HRR was defined as the difference between the peak heart rate and the rate measured two minutes after completion of a treadmill exercise test. We measured plasma BNP levels before exercise, 5 minutes after completion of exercise, and during exercise (absolute value of difference between pre- and post-exercise BNP levels). RESULTS: Patients with abnormal HRR values (

Association of smoking status, weight change, and incident metabolic syndrome in men: a 3-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the incidence of the metabolic syndrome and assessed the effect of smoking status and weight change on incident metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study included 4,542 men without metabolic syndrome at baseline who were followed for an average of 3 years. Subjects were divided into four categories according to smoking status at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: The overall incidence of metabolic syndrome was 10.6%: 8.0% in nonsmokers, 7.1% in new smokers, 17.1% in ex-smokers, and 13.9% in sustained smokers (P < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model, ex-smokers had significantly increased odds for incident metabolic syndrome with a mean 1.45 (95% CI 1.06-1.98) compared with sustained smokers. This was no longer significant after including weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking cessation within 3 years may be a higher risk factor for incident metabolic syndrome than sustained smoking, indicating that weight control in ex-smokers is critical to attenuate the additional risk for incident metabolic syndrome.

Serum phosphate levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome: a double-edged sword.

This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between serum phosphate levels and cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome components in a cross-sectional survey. Plasma phosphate was measured by immunoturbidimetry in 46,798 subjects over 20 years of age with an estimated GFR>or=60 mL/(min 1.73 m(2)) who participated in a health-check survey at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in South Korea. The median plasma phosphate level was 3.49+/-0.44 mg/dL and the mean estimated GFR was 77.46+/-8.51 mL/(min 1.73 m(2)). We found that serum phosphate levels had a positive correlation with total cholesterol, HDL-C, lipoprotein a, apolipoprotein A1, calcium, and albumin. In addition, serum phosphate levels had a negative correlation with age, body mass index, uric acid, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HS-CRP, triglyceride levels, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and waist circumference (P<0.001). In conclusion, we found that a high phosphate level is correlated with cardiovascular disease while a lower phosphate level is correlated with metabolic syndrome. Serum phosphate levels that were too high or too low correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and elements of metabolic syndrome, respectively, showing that it may be important to maintain an appropriate level of phosphate for the prevention of cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of microalbuminuria in 2 blood pressure categories of prehypertensive subjects.

BACKGROUND: Subjects with high normal blood pressure (BP: systolic, 130-139 mmHg or diastolic, 85-89 mmHg) have higher cardiovascular risks compared with individuals with normal BP (systolic BP, 120-129 mmHg or diastolic BP, 80-84 mmHg). In the present study the prevalence of microalbuminuria and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as factors that influence microalbuminuria, were assessed in 2 groups of subjects with prehypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 2,678 prehypertensive subjects (1,689 men, 989 women), none had a history of diabetes or hypertension. Urine albumin excretion was measured by an immunoradiometric assay in a morning urine sample. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in the high normal BP group was higher than in the normal BP group (4.9% vs 2.8%, p=0.009). Subjects with high normal BP were older, and had higher prevalence of males and metabolic syndrome; larger waist circumference and body mass index, higher levels of triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, uric acid and ferritin, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were more common in subjects with high normal BP than in those with normal BP. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the high normal BP category had an independently significant association with microalbuminuria (odds ratio=1.692, 95% confidence interval 1.097-2.611). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with high normal BP have greater risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including microalbuminuria, than those with normal BP. Further investigations are needed to ascertain whether more positive treatment strategies for the early prevention of cardiovascular disease might be needed for individuals with high normal BP.

Assessment of factors affecting plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and preserved left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to assess the factors influencing plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic AF and preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 104 patients (48 men, 56 women; mean age, 63.9+/-10.7 years) with chronic AF. At the same time, plasma BNP levels were measured with a Triage kit (Biosite, San Diego, CA). RESULTS: Women, long duration of AF, and hypertension were more prevalent in the highest quartile group of BNP levels than in the lowest quartile of BNP. Significant correlations were observed between plasma BNP levels and the following: mitral E velocity (r=0.343), mitral annular E' velocity (r=-0.402), ratio of mitral E velocity and mitral annular E' velocity (r=0.487), left atrial(LA) size (r=0.653), LA volume index (r=0.775), right atrial (RA) volume index (r=0.563), maximal velocity (V(max)) of mitral regurgitation (MR) (r=0.448), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) V(max) (r=0.532) and LV mass index (r=0.581). In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, LA volume index (beta=0.326, p<0.001), LV mass index (beta=0.395, p<0.001) and duration of AF (beta=0.492, p<0.001) independently predicted plasma BNP levels in the study subjects. The patients with increased LA volume index exhibited a longer duration of AF, larger RA volume index and LV mass index, higher MR V(max), TR V(max) and plasma BNP level. CONCLUSIONS: LA volume index, LV mass index and duration of AF are independent predictors of plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic AF and preserved LV systolic function.

Lack of correlation between QTc dispersion and morning blood pressure surge in recently diagnosed essential hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular events are known to occur more frequently in patients with a high morning surge in blood pressure (BP), but the correlation between a morning BP surge and corrected QT dispersion (QTc) has not been confirmed to date. METHODS AND RESULTS: The correlation between the morning BP surge and QTc was studied in 82 patients recently diagnosed with high BP (47 males, 35 females). Twenty-four-hours BP monitoring was conducted to classify patients into dipper (n=45) or nondipper (n=37) groups according to the degree of nocturnal BP reduction. QTc was found to be significantly longer in the nondippers compared with the dippers (36.1+/-17.2 vs 47.6+/-20.7, p<0.001). In addition, there was a significant increase in the end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (PWT) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in the nondippers vs the dippers (respectively, 0.93+/-0.09 vs 1.03+/-0.05, p<0.001, 0.94+/-0.09 vs 1.01+/-0.04, p<0.01, 109.7+/-12.8 vs 129.1+/-20.9, p<0.001). QTc had a significant positive correlation with nighttime BP, IVSd, PWT, and LVMI, but negatively correlated with the nocturnal BP reduction rate. These results were maintained even after adjusting for age and gender. However, a significant correlation between the morning BP surge and QTc was not confirmed. CONCLUSION: In the present nondipper hypertensive patients, QTc, nighttime BP, LVMI, and wall thickness were significantly greater than in the dipper patients. However, there was no significant correlation between the morning BP surge and QTc.

No association of Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR-gamma gene with coronary artery disease in Korean subjects.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family, which is involved in the differentiation of adipose tissue, is reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Whether the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with Pro12Ala polymorphism in exon B of PPAR-gamma was investigated in Korean adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in 267 subjects (158 males, 109 females, mean age 58 years) who underwent coronary angiography because of chest pain. Cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar and serum lipid profiles, were assessed in all subjects, who were divided into 4 groups according to the number of stenosed coronary arteries: normal, 1-vessel, 2-vessel and 3-vessel disease. Genotyping of Pro12Ala polymorphism was done with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Allelic frequency for proline was 0.955 and 0.045 for alanine, which was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p=0.74). One hundred and seventeen subjects (43.8%) had normal coronary arteries, 88 (33%) had 1-vessel disease, 39 (14.6%) had 2-vessel disease and 23 (8.6%) had 3-vessel disease. When the cardiovascular risk factors were compared among the 4 groups, there were no meaningful differences except for age and FBG levels, which were significant even after adjustment for age and BMI. There were no significant differences in the prevalence or severity of CAD according to the different genotypes of Pro12Ala, and in logistic regression analysis Pro12Ala polymorphism was not a predictor for CAD. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association between Pro12Ala polymorphism in exon B of PPAR-gamma and prevalence or severity of CAD in Korean adults. Further studies on the correlation between Pro12Ala polymorphism and CAD should be carried out in a larger Korean population in the future.

Associations between two single nucleotide polymorphisms of adiponectin gene and coronary artery diseases.

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted protein, is known to have anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties and its serum levels are decreased in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Several studies have been performed to investigate the association of genetic variations in the adiponectin with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, but few studies were performed in association with coronary artery disease. Therefore we examined the associations between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), +45T>G and +276G>T of the adiponectin gene, and coronary artery diseases (CAD). One hundred and fifty six subjects (mean age 57.4 yrs) were enrolled in which coronary angiograms were performed due to chest pain. Genotypings were done for two SNPs in the adiponectin gene by Taqman polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The presence of CAD was defined as a >50% reduction of coronary artery diameter. Among 156 subjects, the allele frequencies were 0.683 for G allele and 0.317 for T allele in SNP +276G>T and 0.705 for T allele and 0.295 for G allele in SNP +45T>G. Both genotypes were in compliance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No association with the presence of CAD was observed for adiponectin gene SNP276 and SNP45 (p = 0.954, p = 0.843). Also, no significant association was observed between the severity of CAD and either SNPs (p = 0.571, p = 0.955). Our study showed that SNP +276G>T and +45T>G in adiponectin gene were not associated with the presence of CAD. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the role of SNP 276G>T and 45T>G in the development of CAD.

Presence and severity of coronary artery disease and changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with a normal systolic function.

B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels increase during myocardial ischemia. Here, the authors undertook to evaluate the correlation between changes in plasma BNP levels during exercise and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). The study subjects consisted of 159 hospitalized patients with a normal systolic function. Patients were allocated to a control group (N = 101, comprising patients with coronary artery stenosis of < 50%) or to a CAD group (N = 58, comprising patients with stenosis of > or = 50% or a greater coronary artery lesion). In addition, the CAD group was further subdivided into a single-vessel disease (VD) subgroup (N = 31) and a multi-VD subgroup (N = 27). All 159 study subjects underwent coronary angiography (CAG), and plasma BNP levels were measured before and immediately after exercise. A comparative study of BNP levels in the control and CAD groups before and after exercise revealed that BNP levels in the CAD group were significantly higher [22.4 (5.0-28.5) vs. 54.3 (13.1-74.6), P = 0.000; 35.0 (6.2-37.6) vs. 82.5 (23.2-102.8) pg/mL, P = 0.002, respectively]. Changes in BNP levels during exercise in the CAD group tended to be greater than in the control group, but without significance [12.6 (0-13.6) vs. 28.3 (2.8-25.5) pg/mL; P = 0.083]. Subgroup analysis showed that BNP levels tended to be positively related to the proportion of disease vessels, but statistical significance was only found between the control and multi-VD subgroup. Summarizing, this study shows that BNP level changes caused by exercise are closely related with the presence of CAD in patients with a normal systolic function. However, the relationship between these level changes and CAD severity requires further evaluation.