Low transferrin saturation is associated with impaired fasting glucose and insulin resistance in the South Korean adults: the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

AIMS: The associations of transferrin saturation with diabetes have not been well evaluated and conflicting results have been reported. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of iron indices (serum ferritin and transferrin saturation) with risk of impaired fasting glucose and insulin resistance. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2413 individuals (1150 men and 1263 women) aged 20-50 years who participated in the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were free of diabetes, malignancy, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, anaemia, pregnancy and menopause. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured as the outcomes. RESULTS: Impaired fasting glucose was more prevalent in the highest compared with the lowest serum ferritin quartile among men (odds ratio [OR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-3.24) after adjustment for multiple covariates. Following the same adjustment, impaired fasting glucose was less prevalent in the highest compared with the lowest transferrin saturation quartile among men (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25-0.80) and women (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14-0.77). Moreover, a higher ferritin level was significantly associated with higher HOMA-IR after adjusting for confounders in men. Lower transferrin saturation was also significantly associated with higher insulin levels and HOMA-IR in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Lower transferrin saturations were associated with an increased risk of impaired fasting glucose and insulin resistance among general South Korean population.

Prevalence and risk factors of tinnitus: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011, a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association between tinnitus and several potential risk factors in Korean population. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Based on data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 10,061 Korean individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tinnitus was assessed by using a questionnaire, and otorhinolaryngologic examination was conducted. Risk factors associated with tinnitus were evaluated using a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 10,061 participants ranging from 20 to 97 years old, the overall prevalence of any tinnitus was 21.4% and annoying tinnitus was 7.3%. In a multivariable logistic regression model, the following factors were associated with having tinnitus: occupational noise exposure [any tinnitus, odd ratio (OR) = 1.34; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.47], non-occupational noise exposure (any tinnitus, OR = 1.48; annoying tinnitus, OR = 2.02), hearing impairment (any tinnitus, OR = 2.27; annoying tinnitus, OR = 3.61), chronic otitis media (any tinnitus, OR = 1.53; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.36), chronic rhinosinusitis (any tinnitus, OR = 1.38; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.38), temporomandibular disorder (any tinnitus, OR = 1.69; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.90), depression (any tinnitus, OR = 1.44; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.70), and higher stress level (any tinnitus, OR = 1.28; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tinnitus is common in Korea and may be associated with some avoidable risk factors.

Diagnostic radiopacity and hepatotoxicity following chloroform ingestion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic imaging can help in the management of toxicologic emergencies. The authors report on a patient who presented to the emergency department with coma and suppressed respirations after ingestion of an unknown substance. METHODS: Ingestion of chloroform with radiopaque material in the bowel on abdominal radiograph was documented. The patient was treated with haemoperfusion, activated charcoal, and laxatives to decrease the toxicities. RESULTS: Hepatotoxicity occurred on post-ingestion day 3 and elevation of liver enzymes reached peak levels on post-ingestion day 5. The patient received N-acetylsystein and supportive care during hospitalisation. The patient improved from hepatic dysfunction and was discharged without complication on post-ingestion day 11. CONCLUSION: Radiographic studies in toxicology may confirm a diagnosis and assist in therapeutic intervention.

Coffee and depression in Korea: the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There is substantial interest in the health effects of coffee because it is the leading worldwide beverage after water. Existing literature on the connection between depression and coffee is scarce, and studies have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to examine the association between coffee consumption and depression in the Korean population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 10,177 Korean individuals aged 20-97 years who participated in the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Consumption of coffee and depression were assessed using a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of self-reported depression was 14.0% and that of self-reported clinical depression was 3.7%. After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted ORs for self-reported depression across coffee consumption categories were 1.00 (reference) for less than one cup/week, 0.84 (95% CI: 0.66, 1.07) for one to six cups/week, 0.63 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.79) for one cup/day, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.54, 0.88) for two cups/day and 0.58 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.76) for three or more cups/day (P for trend, <0.01). A similar association was observed for self-reported clinical depression, for which the multiple-adjusted ORs were 1.00 (reference) for less than one cup/week, 0.61 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.92) for one to six cups/week, 0.51 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.74) for one cup/day, 0.57 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.84) for two cups/day and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.70) for three or more cups/day, respectively (P for trend, <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a possible protective effect of coffee on the risk of depression.

Association of benign prostatic hyperplasia with male pattern baldness.

OBJECTIVES: Both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) share the pathogenesis of an androgen-dependent disorder and afflict a large population of elderly men with chronobiologic progress. However, it is unclear whether these diseases are related epidemiologically. We evaluated the association of frequency and severity of male pattern baldness between patients with BPH and a control group. METHODS: A total of 225 patients with BPH (mean age 69.3 +/- 6.5 years) and 1 60 controls (mean age 68.5 +/- 6.4 years), all over 60 years of age, were included in this study. The estimation of baldness severity was based on Norwood's classification (grade I to VII). The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and genetic tendency for baldness were also evaluated. The difference between IPSS and grade of baldness between the two groups was analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and the frequency of inherited baldness was compared by the chi-square test. Correlation between severity of baldness and IPSS in each group was estimated by Spearman's rank correlation method. RESULTS: The patients with BPH had an apparently higher grade of male pattern baldness in comparison with that of controls (median value of grade IV versus III, P <0.001). The proportion of men with male pattern baldness of grade IV or higher in the BPH group was significantly larger than that of controls (53.8% versus 36.9%, P <0.01). There was a greater frequency of inherited baldness in the BPH group than in the controls (31.6% versus 12.5%, P <0.001). No significant correlation was noted between baldness severity and IPSS in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a strong association of BPH with male pattern baldness.

Bicycle saddle shape affects penile blood flow.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bicycle saddle shape on penile blood flow during cycling. Penile blood flow was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter in 20 potent male volunteers. In a counterbalanced, crossover design, measurements were taken in the standing and sitting positions, on either a narrow unpadded or wide unpadded saddle, before and after cycling for 5 min. Before cycling, penile blood flow (ml/min/100 g tissue) was significantly decreased from 1.6+/-0.7 to 1.5+/-0.7 (P=0.010) on the wide saddle and from 1.7+/-0.6 to 1.0+/-0.5 (P<0.001) on the narrow saddle. After 5 min of cycling, the changes in penile blood flow on the wide and narrow saddles were 0.34+/-0.49 and -0.38+/-0.49, respectively (P<0.001). The narrow saddle is associated with more significant reductions in penile blood flow and could be a source of blunt perineal trauma, potentially leading to erectile dysfunction.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence evaluation of 2 levosulpiride preparations after a single oral dose in healthy male Korean volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bioequivalence of a single oral 25 mg dose of 2 levosulpiride preparations in healthy male Korean volunteers. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized, 2-period crossover design in 28 healthy male Korean volunteers who received a single oral dose of 25 mg levosulpiride tablet in each study period. There was a 6-day washout period between the doses. Serum concentrations of levosulpiride up to 36 hours after the administration were determined using a validated HPLC method with fluorescence detection. In addition, in vitro dissolution profiles of both preparations were examined. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC(0-t) (the area under the curve from zero to the time), AUC(0-infinity) (the area under the curve from zero to infinity), Cmax (maximum serum concentration), tmax (time to reach Cmax) and t1/2 (terminal half-life) were analyzed by non-compartmental analysis, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out using logarithmically transformed AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax, and untransformed Tmax. RESULTS: In vitro dissolution profiles were similar by calculating similarity factor (f2 = 67.73). There were no significant differences between the 2 preparations in AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax. The point estimates (90% confidence intervals) for AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax were 1.085 (1.003-1.173), 1.069 (0.991-1.153) and 1.075 (0.954 to 1.210), respectively, satisfying the bioequivalence criteria of 0.80-1.25 as proposed by the US FDA and the Korean legislation. No statistically significant difference was found for tmax and t1/2 values. CONCLUSION: From the results of the present study, it is indicated that the 2 preparations of levosulpiride are bioequivalent and it can be assumed that they are therapeutically equivalent and exchangeable in clinical practice.

Symptoms and cholinesterase activity among rural residents living near cotton fields in Nicaragua.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether symptoms resulted from pesticide spray drift on residentially exposed populations in rural Nicaragua. METHODS: 100 residents, each 10 years of age or older, were randomly selected from a Nicaraguan community surrounded by actively sprayed cotton fields (the exposed community) and from a socioeconomically similar community far from agricultural spraying (the control community). Subjects working with pesticides were excluded, and the study was conducted at the end of the 1990 cotton spraying season (August-December). Demographic information, exposure questions, and prevalence of 11 acute symptoms and 17 chronic symptoms were gathered from a structured interview. Finger stick erythrocyte cholinesterase (AChE) was measured with a portable colorimeter. Acute symptoms were grouped according to their previously known associations with cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors into four ordinal categories (asymptomatic, non-specific, possible, probable). RESULTS: Residents from the exposed community were significantly more likely to report recently sighting a spray plane near their community, exposure to pesticide from drift, crossing recently sprayed fields, eating home grown food, and feeling ill after drift exposure. The mean AChE value was significantly lower for residents of the exposed community (4.9 v 5.3 IU/dl). The proportion of subjects complaining of one or more chronic or acute symptoms was significantly higher for the exposed community (87%) than for the controls (53%). Odds ratios for residents in the exposed community, by symptom categories, were non-specific 1.6 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0-8 to 3.2), possible 4.1 (95% CI 1.7 to 10.2), and probable 9.93 (95% CI 2-9 to 34.4). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a strong association between exposure to aerial pesticides and symptoms. This study should be replicated with more quantitative exposure measures, for if confirmed, the results have relevance for millions in rural communities worldwide.

Therapeutic results and prognostic predictors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Cox regression analysis.

Determining the current status of therapeutic results of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and identifying the important clinical predictors of survival and relapse are essential for establishing therapeutic strategies. Sixty-two children with ALL who were admitted to Chonnam University Hospital from January 1983 to June 1991 were studied. With a mean follow-up period of 53.7 months, the overall 5-year survival rate (5YSR) was 46.1%. The overall rate of 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 25.4% and significantly differed between risk groups: 48.7% for standard, 16.3% for high, and 12.5% for very high (p < .05). Overall 4-year survival after initial relapse was 34.2% and there was no significant difference in survival between those who relapsed during maintenance therapy and those who relapsed after completing maintenance. The Cox proportional hazards model identified central nervous system (CNS) irradiation (P < 0.001) as having the most important influence upon EFS, followed by serum alanine aminotransferase level, platelet level, and age. On the other hand, CNS leukemia at diagnosis, followed by mediastinal mass, and hemoglobin level were found to be the most important prognostic predictors for relapse. On the basis that present results differ from those of developed countries, we suggest the necessity of a nation-wide cohort study to delineate the characteristics of Korean ALL in children, to make our own protocols, and ultimately to improve the therapeutic outcome.

Platelet monoamine oxidase B activity in workers exposed to styrene.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity in platelets as a biomarker of effect of styrene and perchloroethylene exposures. MAO-B is an enzyme system involved in dopamine catabolism, the impairment of which has been postulated as a mechanism of styrene-induced neurotoxicity. We previously observed an inverse association between blood styrene and MAO-B among reinforced plastics manufacturing workers. The present study included 59 male boat plant workers exposed to styrene (exposure range < 1-144 ppm, 8-h TWA). Two comparison groups comprised six male dry cleaning workers exposed to perchloroethylene (PCE; exposure range < 2-37 ppm) and 14 male laundry workers not exposed to either agent. Respiratory protection was not used by any of the styrene- or PCE-exposed workers; thus, air concentrations were regarded as valid exposure indicators. MAO-B activity (pmol/10(8) cells/h) was measured in peripheral blood platelets, using phenylethylamine as substrate. Only small overall mean differences in MAO-B were observed among the three groups; mean values were 4.21, 4.51, and 4.12 for the styrene-exposed, PCE-exposed, and laundry workers, respectively. Despite the absence of gross differences among the groups, styrene exposure was inversely related to MAO-B. Mean values for four increasing exposure group quartiles were: 5.60, 4.13, 3.69, and 3.44. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for styrene with MAO-B was -0.41. Adjustment for age, medication use, smoking, and alcohol consumption had only a minimal effect on this trend.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increase in airway hyperresponsiveness among workers exposed to methylene diphenyldiisocyanate compared to workers exposed to toluene diisocyanate at a petrochemical plant in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by methylene diphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at a petrochemical industry complex in Korea. METHODS: Questionnaires, allergic skin test, and nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were studied in 64 exposed workers and 27 control subjects. Questionnaires included questions about symptoms of cough, wheezing, chest tightness, dyspnea, rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching, stuffiness, tearing, urticaria, sore throat, and exacerbating time. Methacholine challenge tests were done. Bronchial responsiveness (BRindex) defined as log (% fall in FEV(1))/log (last concentration of methacholine +10). RESULTS: Prevalence of AHR (PC20 FEV(1) < 16.0 mg/mL of methacholine) was higher in MDI-exposed workers than in TDI-exposed workers [4/20 (20%) vs. 2/42 (4.7%), P<0.05]. Twenty-three workers (36%) of all subjects had respiratory symptoms. MDI-exposed workers, in comparison with control subjects, had higher BRindex (0.73+/-0.04 vs. 0.62+/-0.02, P<0.05). Workers exposed to TDI or MDI who had respiratory symptoms (n = 23), in comparison to workers exposed to TDI or MDI without respiratory symptoms (n = 41), had significantly higher BRindex (0.82+/-0.06 vs. 0.60+/-0.02, P<0.05). FEV(1) was significantly negatively correlated with BRindex (r = -0.253, P<0.05). BRindex was not correlated with atopy, smoking status, and exposure duration. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that workers exposed to MDI are at a higher risk of asthma in comparison with TDI-exposed workers and control subjects at a petrochemical plant in Korea.

Serum hepatic biochemical activity in two populations of workers exposed to styrene.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hepatic biochemical changes, as measured by routinely available tests indicative of hepatocellular necrosis, cholestasis, or altered hepatic clearance of bilirubin, occur in association with low to moderate exposure to styrene commonly experienced in industrial production. METHODS: Two independent cross sectional studies were performed comparing serum hepatic transaminases (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), cholestatic enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)), and bilirubin in (a) 47 workers of fibreglass reinforced plastics who were exposed to styrene and (b) 21 boat and tank fabricators, with separate referent groups of unexposed workers. Exposure to styrene was assessed in air by dosimetry, and in venous blood by headspace analysis. Hepatic biochemical variables were assessed across strata of exposure to styrene defined as 25 ppm in air, or 0.275 mg/l in blood, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and ethanol consumption. RESULTS: A consistent and significant linear trend for increasing direct bilirubin and direct/total bilirubin ratio was found in association with increasing exposure to styrene, by both air and blood monitoring, in both studies. Mean direct bilirubin concentrations increased from 0.05-0.08 mg% in referents to 0.12-0.19 in workers exposed above 25 ppm, with a significant exposure-response trend (p<0.005). Significantly increased direct/total bilirubin ratios, ranging from 0.22 to 0.35 were associated with exposure to styrene (p<0.001), indicating diminished hepatic clearance of conjugated bilirubin. Also, a significant linear association between the hepatic transaminases ALT and AST and exposure to styrene was found in pooled regression analyses, with an increase in AP of about 10 IU/ml in workers exposed above 25 ppm air or 0.275 mg/l blood styrene in pooled analyses from both studies. CONCLUSIONS: The consistent finding of increased direct bilirubin and AP concentrations in these two independent studies provides evidence for diminished hepatic clearance of conjugated bilirubin with associated cholestasis in workers exposed to styrene. The finding of a significant linear association between hepatic transaminase concentrations and exposure to styrene in pooled analyses is consistent with mild hepatic injury and associated metabolic dysfunction.

Selegiline and lymphocyte superoxide dismutase activities in Parkinson's disease.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are metalloenzymes that detoxify superoxide radicals, and occur in cytosolic (Cu,Zn-SOD) and mitochondrial (Mn-SOD) forms in multiple tissues, including brain. A neuroprotective effect against oxide stressor exposures may be provided by SOD, although excessive enzyme activity can produce cell injury by formation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide. We measured Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities in peripheral lymphocytes of 43 newly diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) cases and 62 age- and sex-matched controls free of neurodegenerative disorders. Significant excesses of both SOD forms were found among PD cases compared with controls; however, the excesses were found exclusively among PD patients treated with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor selegiline (L-deprenyl). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) confirmed that the activity excesses were due to increased protein rather than more highly reactive enzymes in lymphocytes of PD cases. Our findings clearly indicate the importance of selegiline on measured Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activity in peripheral lymphocytes. Characterizing a possible therapeutic value of SOD will require longitudinal assessments of SOD in relation to PD progression.

Value of morphometric nuclear image analysis using the Feulgen reaction in renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the ability of morphometric nuclear image analysis to predict survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: The subjects were 40 patients with previously untreated renal cell carcinoma. Pathologic stage was determined using Robson's stage system. Nuclear grade was assigned according to the criteria of Fuhrman et al. We used the Feulgen staining technique, which has been widely used for the histochemical assessment of nuclear DNA content. A minimum of 300 nuclei were analyzed from each subject. Five variables in morphometric nuclear image analysis were measured: nuclear area, nuclear perimeter, nuclear ellipticity, nuclear regularity and DNA content. Cox's proportional hazard model was applied to identify prognostic usefulness with respect to survival time. RESULTS: All nuclear morphometric variables but nuclear regularity correlated with tumor grade. According to univariate survival analyses, Robson stage and nuclear ellipticity revealed a prognosis on survival with statistical significance. After adjustments for age and sex, nuclear ellipticity remained the only significant prognostic factor related to survival (P < .01). The survival rates were relatively high for patients with nuclear ellipticity > 773 as compared to those with nuclear ellipticity < 773 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that morphometric nuclear image analysis using the Feulgen reaction is a reliable and efficient technique and that nuclear ellipticity is the most discriminating morphometric variable for predicting the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma patients.

c-JUN expression and apoptotic cell death in kainate-induced temporal lobe epilepsy.

Following kainate (KA)-induced epilepsy, rat hippocampal neurons strongly express immediate early gene (IEG) products, i.e., c-FOS and c-JUN, and neural stress protein, HSP72. Prolonged expression of c-JUN and c-FOS 48 hr after cerebral ischemia has been underwent delayed neuronal death. However, it is not yet clear whether IEGs actually assume the essential roles in the cell death process or simply as a by-product due to external stimuli because of the prolonged expression of c-FOS, more than one week, on intact CA2 neurons of the hippocampus in a KA-induced epilepsy model. This study investigated the relationships between prolonged expression of c-JUN and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in a KA-induced epilepsy model. Epileptic seizure was induced in rats by a single microinjection of KA (1 microgram/microL) into the left amygdala. Characteristic seizures and hippocampal neuronal injury were developed. The expression of c-JUN was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and neuronal apoptosis by in situ end labeling. The seizures were associated with c-JUN expression in the hippocampal neurons, of which the level showed a positive correlation with that of apoptosis. Losses of hippocampal neurons, especially in the CA3 region, were partly caused by apoptotic cell death via a c-JUN-mediated signaling pathway. This is thought to be an important component in the pathogenesis of hippocampal neuronal injury via KA-induced epilepsy.